On the third day of May, Zhang Yanling led nearly 40,000 horse infantry and a huge convoy to Datong Prefecture.
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Due to too much baggage and supplies, and mostly infantry troops, the army marched very slowly after leaving Beijing. Zhang Yanling did not rush the march, because this time was not a sneak attack, but a large-scale formal northern expedition, with well-preserved military supplies
Equipment, maintaining the mentality and morale of the army is extremely important. There is no need to rush on the road in a hurry, which will make the people and horses exhausted, or even damage the vehicles and materials.
Moreover, after leaving the official road of Xishan and entering Shanxi, Zhang Yanling had received news from the British Duke Zhang Lun that Zhu Lin led 10,000 forward cavalry to rescue the soldiers and horses led by Yang Yiqing who fled south, and gained the northern territory.
Victory in the first battle.
According to Yang Yiqing's description, more than 50,000 remaining soldiers led by Zhu Hui remained on the grassland and were surrounded by Tatars.
When Zhang Yanling got the news, he knew that Zhu Hui and the 50,000 remnant soldiers must be hopeless. The 50,000 remnant soldiers were besieged by 60,000 to 70,000 Tatar cavalry. The result can be imagined. It was a miracle that they could hold out for two or three days.
. So there is a high probability that they have all been annihilated.
Apart from sighing, Zhang Yanling also admired Zhu Hui's decision at the critical moment. To be able to stay and sacrifice himself in that situation, allowing Yang Yiqing to lead 40,000 troops to escape, requires great courage and responsibility, and requires no fear of life and death.
This choice was to save some of the Ming Dynasty soldiers and horses and escape from the enemy. This was the most wise and courageous decision that Zhu Hui could make. To a certain extent, this was the last moment that Zhu Hui could redeem himself.
Part of the blame. But in Zhang Yanling's view, Zhu Hui was unforgivable. Zhu Hui was fully responsible for the defeat in the Battle of Hetao.
In view of the current situation, Zhang Yanling urgently wrote a letter to the British Duke Zhang Lun, strongly recommending that the cavalry troops should not advance rashly and must retreat to the Yellow River ferry to station. Because Zhu Hui and the troops and horses he left behind will undoubtedly die, the cavalry troops rashly advance at this moment.
, is likely to be attacked by the Tatar cavalry who have their hands free.
In terms of cavalry combat effectiveness, the Ming cavalry is no match for the Tatar cavalry. The whereabouts of the 40,000 cavalry have been revealed, and they are likely to be attacked by the Tatars and defeated miserably, so be sure to proceed with caution.
After Zhang Lun received the letter, he immediately ordered the cavalry to retreat. He did not want to advance rashly, and what Zhang Yanling said was exactly what he was worried about. Zhu Lin was unwilling to give up. A great victory made him full of confidence. However, Zhang Lun ordered him to
Or you can argue forcefully. Zhang Yanling also suggested this, so he couldn't argue forcefully.
Zhu Lin did not accept anyone but Zhang Yanling.
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Outside the south gate of Datong Prefecture, Datong Town Commander-in-Chief Hu Zuguang led military and political officials to greet Zhang Yanling's arrival.
Everyone entered the Datong government office hall, and Zhang Yanling read out Zhu Houzhao's imperial edict, which required Hu Zuguang to assemble 30,000 border troops from Datong Town to follow Zhang Yanling, the protector of the country, on the Northern Expedition.
In fact, Hu Zuguang already knew about this matter. Zhang Lun had informed him of this matter before he came to Datong Town. Although Hu Zuguang was very annoyed, he had nothing to do.
After receiving the order and thanking him, everyone sat down in the lobby. Hu Zuguang ordered tea to be served with a very respectful attitude. Hu Zuguang didn't know much about the Protector Zhang Yanling, but he had heard a lot about some of his rumors and deeds.
When I met Zhang Yanling today, I saw that he had a pleasant face and nothing special about him, so I couldn't help but feel a little scornful.
In Hu Zuguang's view, Zhang Yanling, a nobleman from a maternal relative, is not much different from Zhang Lun and others. Those bizarre rumors about the Protector of the Country and the meritorious deeds he has made, in Hu Zuguang's view, are probably just gilded.
Word
.The credit is all due to the skills of his subordinates. How could this Duke, who is only thirty years old, have such great abilities? He was Ping this, Ping that, and he was an overseas hunter, etc., it was nothing more than
Just taking the credit from his subordinates.
Just like myself, I rely on the generals below me to fight in battles, and I rely on popularity and money to get promoted.
"Commander Hu, you must have already known the news about the deployment of troops to accompany me on the expedition. I wonder if you have made preparations in advance?" Zhang Yanling looked at the white and fat commander in front of him who looked like a rich man.
asked with a smile.
"Report to the Lord Protector. Your subordinates have already made preparations. Thirty thousand soldiers and horses have been assembled for many days and are ready to go out with the Lord Protector at any time." Hu Zuguang cupped his hands and said.
"Very good, then I'm relieved. Mr. Hu did a great job," Zhang Yanling said.
"Thank you for the compliment, Duke. This is what a lower official should do. But..." Hu Zuguang hesitated.
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"But what? Does Mr. Hu have something to hide?" Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
"Since the Duke has inquired, I have told the truth. I am a little worried about the safety of our Datong Town. Once these 30,000 soldiers and horses are sent out, our total strength of Datong Town will only be more than 23,000. Such a strength
"Empty, once the Tatars attack Datong, what will we do?" Hu Zuguang said.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "General Hu, don't worry. Just reduce the troops in the border towns and forts and guard the passes of the Great Wall. Defend the passes with all your strength, and there will be no problem. Besides, this time the imperial army is marching north to conquer the Tatars, so the Tatars are not considered a problem.
Even if we have the idea of attacking Datong, we can’t mobilize too many troops. Datong will be fine.”
Hu Zuguang smacked his lips and said: "What the Protector said makes sense, but I am still a little worried. Our town of Datong is an important gateway to the northwest of Beijing. If there is a mistake, the Tatars will attack and pass through the official road of the Western Mountains, and they will reach the capital.
"Xiaoguan is the chief military officer of Datong Town. He has the responsibility to defend the territory, and he has an even greater responsibility to guard the northwest gate of the capital. I am still a little worried."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Then according to Mr. Hu's idea, what should we do?"
Hu Zuguang smacked his lips and said: "Xiaguan doesn't have any good suggestions. But if the Duke of the country allows it, can Xiaguan stay and personally guard the border town pass? It would be best to leave more than 10,000 people for Xiaguan. In this way, Xiaguan
We can fully defend Yuzhou and the northern frontier of our Datong Prefecture, and solve the worries of the Tatars attacking our Datong. The two princes can fight with all their strength, and there is no need to worry about other hidden worries."
Zhang Yanling was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
Hu Zuguang also laughed a few times, but his heart was a little frightened by Zhang Yanling's laughter.
"General Hu, what do you think of the battle led by Zhu Hui and Yang Yiqing to recapture the Hetao?" Zhang Yanling asked in a deep voice.
Hu Zuguang was a little confused. The Protector's thoughts were jumping very quickly. Why did he suddenly change the topic? Weren't we discussing the defense of Datong? Why did he ask about the Battle of Hetao again?
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"Hmm...Xiaguan...well...Xiaguan feels that this battle at the Hetao...is really inappropriate. Xiaguan felt it was inappropriate at the beginning. Alas, the result of this battle...is really disappointing. I am Datong
Fifty thousand soldiers and horses of the town died in the battle, and the deputy commander-in-chief Li Junqing also died in the battle, which is really heartbreaking. Of course, I am not attacking anyone, I just feel sad. The battle was too hasty."
"Oh? That's how you see it? So, who do you think should be responsible for the defeat of this battle?" Zhang Yanling said.
"This... this battle is the decision of the imperial court, and I dare not speak nonsense. As for the responsibility... I can't say whose responsibility it is. I can only say that the time to regain the Loop has not come yet. The Tatars are too cunning. Everyone in the imperial court also wants to
There is nothing wrong with taking back the land of the Hetao," Hu Zuguang said.
"It's understandable? You mean, hundreds of thousands of soldiers died in vain?" Zhang Yanling sneered.
"No, no, no, that's not what I mean. What I mean is... this... I can't say anything. Lord Protector, this matter has nothing to do with me. If you ask me, I
I can’t even answer.” Hu Zuguang shouted hurriedly.
Zhang Yanling nodded, pondered for a moment and said: "Then Mr. Hu thinks it is right for the British Duke and I to lead the army to the north this time?"
"The two princes, the British Duke and the Protector, are young and promising. When these two princes go out to fight together, they will surely perform a triumphant song." Hu Zuguang said.
"But you said just now that the time has not yet come to retake the Loop. But you also said that the British Guild and I would play a triumphant song. Is your statement true?" Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Hu Zuguang's face turned red and he was extremely angry.
"Duke Protector, why do you need to make things difficult for me? I have nothing to do with these things. I didn't participate in the battle of Hetao. No one asked me for my opinion. This northern expedition was also a decision made by the imperial court. I am not involved in this matter."
I'm just following orders. I'm a rough guy who leads the army. I have no role to interfere in court decisions and national affairs. If you ask me these things, aren't you trying to make things difficult for me?"
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"Don't be rude? When the Duke asks you something, just answer it. Are you saying that the Duke is making things difficult for you? Mr. Hu, please watch your words." Chen Shiyi, who was standing aside, shouted loudly.
Zhang Yanling waved her hands and said with a smile: "General Chen, don't be like this. Mr. Hu did not mean any disrespect. He was just worried about the danger of Datong border town and saddened by the death of Datong soldiers, so he was in a bad mood. Mr. Hu, isn't it?
?”
Hu Zuguang was also shocked to realize that he had made a mistake. Although he was the chief military officer of a town and had a high position, he still could not be presumptuous in front of the Duke. Moreover, the Duke in front of him was the deputy commander of the Northern Expedition. He accepted the imperial edict and it was him.
A junior military officer cannot fall out with him.
"Duke Protector, please forgive me for my gaffe. I am really uneasy. I should deserve to die." Hu Zuguang said hurriedly.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "It's nothing. General Hu has lived in the border town for a long time and knows the Tatars well. That's why the emperor ordered you to lead the army and accompany the Northern Expedition this time. It is precisely for General Hu to give full play to your advantages. General Hu needs to contribute more
That's right. So, Hu
The general said just now that he wanted to stay in the border town, but I'm afraid it won't work. Don't worry, I have already made arrangements for the defense of Datong Town. The Huai'an Guard of Xuanfu Town and the Wanquan Left Guard will move west to replace the Yuzhou Guard.
Line of defense. In this way, you can rest assured, right?"
Hu Zuguang was speechless. He originally wanted to avoid joining the army in the northern expedition by emphasizing the lack of defense forces in Datong Town. As a result, Zhang Yanling had already arranged for the two guards of Xuanfu to assist in the defense, so there was no reason.
Hu Zuguang didn't want to die. The 200,000-strong army was beaten to such a horrible state by the Tatars, and 150,000 died. Now these two stupid Duke Qing actually want to go to the north? This is simply ridiculous. They are going to die.
, I don’t want to.
But now there is no reason to refuse.
"General Hu seems a little depressed? His face is not very good." Zhang Yanling asked with a smile.
Hu Zuguang hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "I'm just feeling a little unwell. I've had some cold recently."
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Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "I see, don't worry, there are military doctors in the army, and I brought some good medicine from the capital. You will be better after taking a few doses. Besides, Mr. Hu should go out and get some fresh air. You are too fat."
.The oil and water are too heavy, which is very harmful to the body. When you return from this expedition, I guarantee that you, Mr. Hu, will be strong and live a long life, hahaha."
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