Zhu Houzhao didn't say too many words. He just managed a few words and then handed over the right to speak to Zhang Yanling.
Zhu Houzhao is an extremely smart person, and he will not be stupid enough to point fingers at such a time. Let's play, make trouble, and don't make fun of his life. The current situation is very dangerous, and he knows this very well.
Zhang Yanling stood up and said in a deep voice to everyone: "Everyone, the battle was fought very well today. You all are well done. We defeated the Tatars. I know you are very happy, and I am naturally very happy too.
.At this time, I didn’t want to be a nuisance to the scenery. However, I have to explain the current situation to you clearly. You can just think of me as a nuisance to the scenery.”
Everyone looked at Zhang Yanling and listened quietly.
Zhang Yanling said slowly: "I want to remind you of the fact that there are eight thousand Tatars outside the north city, and tens of thousands of Tatars are about to arrive in the south. In today's battle, our number of casualties exceeded five hundred, and these five hundred
Many brothers are dead or injured, and they are no longer able to participate in the battle. One is ebbing and the other is ebbing, and what we are about to face is a battle with an enemy ten times our own. This is the cruel fact before us."
The expressions of the generals became serious, and the cheerful atmosphere that had been filled in the room immediately became depressed.
"I also want to remind you of another fact. The Tatars are bound to win this time. They mobilized 40,000 troops on Xuanfu Shangxi Road to launch an attack, and used the strategy of diverting the tiger away from the mountain. Therefore, we have no reinforcements that can arrive in time for rescue.
For at least ten days, we will not have any reinforcements to arrive here. We can only rely on the more than 2,000 defenders in the city to face all this alone. We are in an isolated city, which is another cruelty.
fact."
Zhang Yanling's cold voice echoed in the room. Everyone's hearts sank. The blood in their bodies began to turn cold.
"Everyone, I think, after understanding these two facts at the moment, do we still have time to celebrate today's victory? No, we don't have time to celebrate. What we need now is to act immediately, make up for the shortcomings, and do a good job
Prepare for the next battle. Do we have enough materials to defend the city? Do we have enough arrows, rolling wood and rocks? If not
How to solve it? How is the morale of our brothers? How to encourage them? The Tatars from the south are about to arrive, do we have any countermeasures? These are the problems we must solve immediately. We cannot be complacent here, otherwise, maybe we just need to
In one night, this small monolithic city was destroyed. By then, everything was too late."
Zhang Yanling's words shocked everyone present, and they suddenly realized how insignificant the previous victory was. What's ridiculous is that many people also had the idea of underestimating the enemy, thinking that the Tatars were nothing more than that. What a ridiculous idea.
.
"What the Marquis said is correct. We can't waste any time. We should seize the time to prepare ourselves for the next battle. Marquis, I have a suggestion." Zhang Yin said in a deep voice.
"Say!" Zhang Yanling said.
"The Tatars from the south are about to arrive. However, the terrain in the south of Dushi City is flat and open, and the city defense facilities are simpler than those in the north city. Once an encirclement is formed, they can deploy all their forces to attack the city. By then, we may not be able to gather all the troops in the city.
Prevent the attack from the Nancheng side. I feel that we must prevent the Tatar troops from approaching from the south. We cannot allow them to form an encirclement and keep them out of the Nancheng." Zhang Yin said loudly.
Zhang Yanling nodded slightly. The terrain in the north of Dushi City is dangerous, with steep valleys and slopes, which is not conducive to the deployment of troops. This is probably the reason why Batu Meng failed to use all his troops to attack today. With the absolute advantage of troops, the attack area is spread out.
Launching an attack will cause the defenders' limited forces to focus on one thing and the other, and consume a lot of limited resources. This is a simple truth.
The terrain to the south of Dushi City is flat and open. Once the Tatar soldiers and horses from the south arrive, a full-scale attack on the city will soon be formed. By then the situation will inevitably be out of control. This is what Zhang Yin is worried about.
"Master Zhang, what are your suggestions? But now we still have the manpower to stop the enemy? Besides, we only have more than two thousand soldiers and horses in total. If we leave the city undefended, are we going to fight the enemy head-on? This is not a joke.
Huh?" Zhang Xiong said loudly.
"Yes, isn't this a fantasy? How can there be soldiers and horses to resist the enemy? Are you going out to die?" Other generals also whispered in agreement.
Zhang Yanling said: "I think this suggestion is very good. Taking the initiative to block the enemy outside Nancheng can greatly reduce the pressure on defending the city. Waiting for them to arrive is just sitting back and waiting for death. I don't think Mr. Zhang meant that.
want
Mobilizing too many soldiers and horses out of the city to fight the Tatars, but wanting to take advantage of the terrain. If a suitable blocking location can be found, even with a small number of soldiers and horses, it may be possible to delay the arrival of the opponent's reinforcements. Delay for one day,
It will be beneficial to me one day."
Zhang Yin said solemnly: "Master Hou, this is exactly what I have in mind. Can we find a dangerous place on the enemy's way to ambush and block them? Or block the mountain pass, cut off the trail, or ambush them on favorable terrain so that they cannot arrive smoothly. If
With favorable terrain, one or two hundred people can achieve the goal."
Zhang Yanling nodded, turned around and asked: "Brothers from Dushi City, do you know where there are dangerous places on the road to the south? Provide a few locations."
Qin Zhong, the defender of the border army, said in a deep voice: "Master Hou, there are some steep mountain passes in the south, including Eagle Rock and Antelope Valley Road. You should pass there when you come, the terrain is extremely dangerous."
Zhang Yanling recalled it for a moment, shook his head and said: "Qin Qianhu, the two places you mentioned are too far apart. I'm afraid the Tatar soldiers and horses have already passed there. I'm afraid it's useless."
Qin Zhong scratched his head and said, "That's true. Apart from that, I don't know what else is dangerous about the humble position."
Zhang Yanling frowned and thought deeply. Suddenly he said: "How many bridges are there on the Dushi River a few miles to the south?"
Everyone looked at Zhang Yanling in astonishment. Zhang Xiong said: "Master Zhang, do you want to demolish that bridge? That is the only bridge."
Zhang Yin laughed and said: "What a great idea, Mr. Marquis, demolish the bridge so that the Tatars cannot cross the river temporarily."
"Are you crazy? Zhang Qianshi, once that bridge is demolished, we will become a completely isolated city. Even if we want to leave, there will be no way out. That is the only bridge." Zhang Xiong shouted.
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "Chen Qianhu, take people to tear down all the wooden bridge tonight. Send a hundred brothers to guard the river bank. After the Tatars arrive, if they try to cross the river, they can block it. That
The river is the geographical advantage."
Chen Shiyi said loudly: "As ordered, I will go in person tonight."
Zhang Xiong shouted: "No, once the bridge is demolished, we will have no way out. Your Majesty, you can't let Zhang Yanling do whatever he wants. That bridge is the only way to go south. Without that bridge, Your Majesty, you can go wherever you want."
It’s not possible.”
Zhu Houzhao had not yet spoken. Zhang Yanling shouted sternly: "Zhang Xiong, if you talk nonsense again, you will be punished by military law. We have no way to retreat. At this time, do you still think about having a way out? We have no other choice but to hold on to Dushi City."
Fa. I am fully responsible for everything here under the emperor's order, do you want to disobey?"
Zhang Xiong looked at Zhu Houzhao, who frowned and said solemnly: "Zhang Xiong, don't talk nonsense. I also think this method is feasible."
Zhang Xiong could only say: "The emperor also thinks so, so I have nothing to say. I just feel that doing this will cut off all escape routes. If the emperor wants to leave, there is no way out."
Liu Jin came close to Zhu Houzhao and whispered in Zhu Houzhao's ear: "Your Majesty, what General Zhang Shen said makes sense. Can you think about it again? If the city cannot be saved, you can also protect the Emperor and rush out. Once the bridge is broken, there will be no way out. That's okay.
It’s really a dead end.”
Zhu Houzhao hesitated. According to Zhang Yanling's approach, it was really a decisive move. Cutting off all roads left no room for maneuver. However, how could he say anything else at this time?
"Yes, I mean the same thing. People say that a cunning rabbit has three caves. How can he cut off his own retreat? Who can guarantee that this one-stone city can be defended? I and others can live and die with the city, but will the emperor be trapped in it?
Here? How can this happen?" Zhang Xiong said without missing a chance.
Zhang Yanling's face was as dark as water, and his heart was filled with anger. It could be seen that Zhu Houzhao was still thinking about having a chance to escape. With such unrealistic illusions, he had no intention of persevering, and would only shake the morale of the army.
"Come here, capture Zhang Xiong!" Zhang Yanling shouted in a deep voice.
Zhang Xiong said in shock: "What are you doing? What are you doing?"
Zhang Yanling shouted: "You disobey orders in the face of battle, shake the morale of the army, and confuse the emperor. Zhang Xiong, you have committed two capital crimes according to the military discipline I promulgated yesterday. If I don't punish you severely, how can you strictly enforce military discipline and obey the masses? Drag him out and chop him down."
"
Chen Shiyi personally stepped forward, grabbed Zhang Xiong's arm, twisted it, and cut his arms behind his back. Two captains came up, held him up one by one, and dragged him out.
Zhang Xiong was shocked and shouted: "Zhang Yanling, I am the general of Dushi City, how can you kill me? Your Majesty, Your Majesty, he wants to kill me, Your Majesty, help me."
Zhu Houzhao was also shocked. Zhang Yanling actually wanted to kill Zhang Xiong, which was so surprising. So he hurriedly said: "Uncle, when the enemy is facing a huge enemy, how can you kill your own lieutenant general?"
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this person has violated military discipline. Military discipline is as high as a mountain. How can we tolerate it? If he is not punished, it will be difficult to convince the public. Since the Emperor has promised me to take full charge of military affairs here, he should not interfere with my decision."
Zhu Houzhao was speechless. Liu Jin said softly: "Master Hou, it is unlucky to kill a general before a battle. Please spare Zhang Canjun. Ask him to admit his mistake and make meritorious service."
Zhang Yanling sneered and said: "How about Eunuch Liu commanding the troops to fight against the Tatars."
Liu Jin was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly waved his hands and said: "How can our family succeed? Our family doesn't have that ability."
Zhang Yanling shouted: "Then you can shut up. You serve the emperor well, that is what you should do. Instead of coming to plead for Zhang Xiong. Military law is like a mountain, how can it be child's play? Zhang Xiong is incompetent, and Dushi City is well-prepared.
The soldiers were lax, lacked training, and were arrogant and careless. Previously, they actually mobilized guards at the Great Wall Pass
The soldiers of the guards came to participate in the hunt and simply made fun of the defense of the border town of Ming Dynasty. As a result, Xifengkou was easily broken through by the enemy, resulting in today's passive situation. Just for this incident, you should be killed. Eunuch Liu, shouldn't you?
Because he gave you a lot of gold and silver and a mink fur cloak, you must intercede for him."
Liu Jin's face turned red. He didn't expect that even Zhang Yanling knew about this. Indeed, Zhang Xiong deliberately currying favor with him a few days ago, giving him gold, silver and mink fur cloaks, and also gave him a bunch of precious deer treasures to replenish his body. .It was really embarrassing to be exposed at this moment.
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't know anything about it. He just sent someone to put it in my residence. Our family was about to return it to him, but it happened to be delayed by the Tatar attack. How can our family accept people's property?" Liu Jin quickly differentiated.
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "I don't care about the internal situation here. If Eunuch Liu wants to plead for him, it will inevitably arouse people's suspicion. But I believe Eunuch Liu is not that kind of person."
Liu Jin said: "Why should I plead for him? Lord Marquis can do whatever he wants. As long as the emperor has no objection, our family has nothing to say."
Zhang Yanling nodded, looked at Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your Majesty, at this time, military discipline must be strict. How can we resist the powerful enemy if the top and bottom are not on the same page? The way back has been cut off, and there is no way out. From the emperor down, everything must be cut off. Illusions, if there are any unrealistic illusions, will destroy morale and fighting spirit. There is no other way to live but to die."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and waved his hand.
Zhang Yanling turned around and shouted: "Drag him out and chop him."