The troops rested for a while, had breakfast and lunch, and then prepared to set off.
Before setting off, Zhang Yanling took Zhang Yong aside to talk.
"Thank you so much, Eunuch Zhang, for being willing to stay." Zhang Yanling thanked him first.
Zhang Yong said with a smile: "Why are you so polite, Lord Marquis? It's all for the sake of the emperor's safety. I think Lord Marquis's concern is very reasonable. For the sake of the emperor's safety, I must stay, just in case."
The reason why Zhang Yong was willing to stay was indeed the result of what Zhang Yanling had said to him before. When they were visiting Guancheng just now, Zhang Yong and Zhang Yanling were walking together. While chatting, Zhang Yanling asked Zhang Yong to advise the emperor not to He went to the border for activities and told Zhang Yong the relevant situation described by his subordinate Zhang Yin.
The reason why she told Zhang Yong this was because Zhang Yanling could see that Zhang Yong still had some status around Zhu Houzhao, and Liu Jin didn't boss him around like he did to others. Don't expect Liu Jin to persuade the emperor, maybe You can ask Zhang Yong to advise Zhu Houzhao not to take risks.
Zhang Yong told Zhang Yanling that there was probably nothing he could do about this matter. Because this was the emperor's own decision, and others would only add fuel to the flames. Zhang Yong said that after listening to Zhang Yanling's words in the valley last night, when he was serving Zhu Houzhao to rest at night, He had already given some subtle advice, but Zhu Houzhao was very unhappy and had to shut up.
When Zhang Yanling heard this, he could only sigh and remain silent.
Zhang Yong saw that Zhang Yanling was really worried about this matter. He also felt that this trip was too risky and indeed risky. So he asked Zhang Yanling if there were other ways.
Zhang Yanling thought for a while and said, I'm afraid the only thing is to be fully prepared. Since the emperor is determined to go to the border area, he can only provide timely rescue in case something happens to prevent unexpected events.
Therefore, someone needs to lead the troops and be on standby at any time. Zhang Yanling said that he could write a letter to inform the leader of the Beijing camp. However, whether anyone dares to lead the Beijing camp out of Beijing privately is a problem, and whether Juyong Pass can be passed is a problem. But You can give it a try.
Zhang Yong didn't speak at that time. Zhang Yanling thought that he didn't dare to take the risk, so he didn't say anything more. It wasn't until Zhang Yong volunteered to stay and guard the pass that Zhang Yanling realized that he had decided to help her and give it a try. My own suggestion.
"Okay, then let's make arrangements." Zhang Yanling said.
"Master Marquis, you just tell us what to do. We can't just look at the risk and not act. We just listen to your orders." Zhang Yong said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling nodded and thought for a while and said: "Let's do this. I'll write a letter and give it to Eunuch Zhang. After we leave, Eunuch Zhang will send someone to send this letter back to the capital and give it to Zhu Lin, the young prince of Chengguo Palace." ."
Zhang Yong said in surprise: "Why did the Marquis send a letter to Zhu Lin? Didn't he go to inform your father-in-law, Duke Ding, Mr. Xu? Or it was Mr. Xu who did it."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I won't hide it from you. I can't trust other people, and they may not listen to me. Young Master Zhu has a good relationship with me. I think he will be willing to believe what I say."
Zhang Yong laughed and said: "This is really a strange thing."
Zhang Yanling said: "Let's not talk about these things. I will tell you in detail when I have time later. After the letter is sent, if everything goes well, Mr. Zhu will lead his troops from the Beijing camp to the north. If we are there by then, If the border town encounters trouble, I will order people to come quickly to deliver the message. My father-in-law can immediately notify Zhu Lin and let him lead his troops to cross the border for rescue. This can save several days of mobilizing troops and marching, and ensure timely delivery. Rescue. If nothing happens, everything will be fine."
Zhang Yong nodded and said: "Okay, just listen to the command of the Marquis. But doesn't the Marquis intend to notify the Xuanfu soldiers and horses? They should be the first to rescue."
Zhang Yanling said: "If something happens, I will naturally inform them. They are close and can rescue them in time. But before that, I can't inform them. Because the emperor does not allow his whereabouts to be exposed, and I don't want to make the emperor unhappy.
, ruined the emperor's interest. Moreover, the emperor meant to go straight north to the border of Longmen Guards Station. The distance for the soldiers and horses of the Xuanfu to rush to the rescue was further than the distance north from Juyong Pass. There were many cavalry in the Beijing camp and they moved quickly to rescue.
On the contrary, it’s faster.”
Zhang Yong nodded in praise and said: "The Marquis has thought carefully. I will obey the Marquis' instructions. I hope our arrangement will not be used."
…
The soldiers and horses set out and went north along Guangou from Juyongguan. They walked for more than ten miles and exited the Badaling Pass in the north. They had already entered Xuanfu Town, one of the important towns on the nine sides.
Xuanfu Town is one of the nine important towns in the Ming Dynasty. It is not an exaggeration to say that its position is the most important. Because Xuanfu Town is located northwest of the capital, and has a border area of 500 miles from east to west under its jurisdiction.
It is a place where people interact most frequently and the terrain is the most intricate.
Xuanfu Town is the first line of defense for the capital in the south. Once the Xuanfu defense line is opened, the Tatars can drive straight in front of Juyongguan. Juyongguan is the last line of defense for the capital. And they can attack Datong to the west and use Datong to reach the capital.
Attack the Xishan Passage. You can also attack Jizhou Town to the east, and use the Gubeikou Passage northeast of the capital to bypass the Yanshan Mountains and attack the capital. Therefore, the importance of Xuanfu Town is self-evident.
Because of this, Xuanfu Town is stationed with heavy troops all year round. It has seven routes of guard post and a military station in Jimingyi. These seven routes of guard and Jimingyi military station have jurisdiction over numerous state city garrisons and military forts.
Hundreds of them, distributed within the jurisdiction of each road guard station.
Taking Yongning City on the East Road of Xuanfu Town as an example, it has jurisdiction over Sihai Yebao, Zhoushugou Fort, Heihanling Fort, Jinghu Fort, Liubin Fort, Longqing Zhoucheng, Huailai Acropolis, Tumu Yibao, Sha
There are more than a dozen military forts in the state including the castle, East Bali Fort, Baoan Guard City, West Bali Fort, Mayukou Fort, Baoanzhou City, etc. And seven or eight of them are garrison-level castles.
In addition to these facilities, there are numerous Great Wall and Fengsui Fortresses built on the northernmost border of Xuanfu Town. There are currently more than 100,000 border troops stationed in the entire Xuanfu Town, with Zhu Hui, the protector of the Ming Dynasty, as the chief military officer. It can be said that it is heavily defended.