South of the Yellow River in Ningxia Town, in the middle of Lingzhou City.
Since Anhua King Zhu Zhixiu launched a rebellion in late March, the place has been plunged into panic. Lingzhou City is actually not big, and was originally just a small town. After the construction of the important town of Chongjiubian in the Ming Dynasty, Lingzhou was established Qianhusuo, the army, military households and local aboriginal people gathered here. Over time, the scale gradually expanded, and it became a city of more than 50,000 people.
Twenty miles north of Lingzhou, the surging Yellow River passes diagonally from southwest to northeast. The terrain is extremely steep with steep cliffs on both sides. On the side of Wuzhong Fort in the north of the city, there is a place where the terrain is slightly gentle and the river is slightly open. This has become one of the few ferries on the Yellow River here.
From the perspective of military affiliation, Lingzhou is actually under the jurisdiction of the Ningxia Guard. On its west side is the Ningxia Central Guard, and on the right is the Ningxia Guard. One of the reasons why Lingzhou became the jurisdiction of the Ningxia Guard is because Lingzhou Beidukou is an important passage connecting the north and south sides of Ningxia Wei for the flow of materials, armaments and personnel. It is an important place between the north and south of the thoroughfare.
Of course, it is precisely because of the surging Yellow River that Isolated Lingzhou and Ningxia City, creating an insurmountable geographical gap. Therefore, during this rebellion, Lingzhou garrison general Shi Yong did not obey the command of Ningxia Weidu Commander He Jinyi He ordered to submit to the rebellious Anhua King Zhu Chixiu.
On the contrary, after learning about the rebellion of King Anhua, Lingzhou garrison Shi Yong immediately ordered soldiers and horses to strictly guard Lingzhou Ferry, mobilized soldiers and horses in the city to reinforce Xiajia Fort in Wuzhong Fort, and sent patrol soldiers and horses to patrol the south bank of the Yellow River day and night. At the same time, they blocked the All the ships along the coast began to recruit warriors in the city to prepare for the enemy.
However, there are only a thousand troops stationed in Lingzhou City. Faced with this situation, everyone knows that the rebels are very likely to attack Lingzhou soon. Therefore, people at all levels are panicked, and many people fled Lingzhou City with their families. There were even more spies sneaking into the city to spread rumors, and local officials and gentry also began to persuade Shi Yong to surrender. The city was in chaos.
However, as Cao Xiong, the commander-in-chief of Shaanxi Town who was guarding Guyuan, sent 3,000 soldiers and horses led by Commander Huang Zheng to arrive in Lingzhou, the situation gradually stabilized. The arrival of reinforcements gave Lingzhou City a little confidence.
On the ninth day of April, General Cao Xiong led an army of 6,000 to Lingzhou. The number of soldiers and horses in Lingzhou City suddenly increased to 10,000. At this time, the small guard town was overcrowded. The streets were full of soldiers and horses, and the vehicles and supplies were congested. , the whole city was filled with the noise and tension before the war.
At three o'clock in the morning, hundreds of cavalrymen galloped into the city from the north gate. The leader was Cao Xiong, the commander-in-chief of Shaanxi Province. Behind him were dozens of generals and cavalry guards, who were returning from the ferry to survey the terrain and enemy situation.
More than a hundred cavalry galloped to the military yamen in the city. The group dismounted and followed Cao Xiong into the military yamen hall. Cao Xiong sat behind the long desk, took off his helmet, ordered tea, and impatiently drank two sips. Tea, raised his head and glanced at the generals standing in front of him.
"Generals, I have made a decision. I will assemble the army immediately and prepare to cross the river to put down the rebellion. We cannot wait any longer." Cao Xiong said loudly.
After hearing this, Lingzhou garrison Shi Yong hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "My lord, can you think about it again? The imperial court has no intention to suppress the rebellion, so we must guard against it and not advance without permission. Besides, the rebels on the other side are waiting for you, and their troops and horses are overtaking them." There are quite a few of us. It seems inappropriate for us to take the initiative to cross the river and attack."
Cao Xiong frowned and shouted: "General Shi. I have already agreed with Ningxia Central Guard Commander Ma Yuan to launch an attack at the same time. At that time, Commander Ma will lead his army to cross the river from Yongkang to attack, and Ningxia Guard Commander Li Zhong's troops will come day and night.
Reinforcements will arrive in two days. They will serve as our backup force at that time. The rebels only have 30,000 troops at the southern crossing, and they are stationed in various places. We have enough troops. If we don't attack now, when will we wait?"
Shi Yong pondered and said: "Master General, how can we attack without permission from the imperial court? Once we fail, the consequences will be disastrous. Our Lingzhou terrain is strategic, and we will stay here until the troops and horses are assembled. If we are ready, we may attack again."
For proper and humble position
It is suggested that one is to wait for the imperial decree, and the other is to wait for the reinforcements from Yansui Town to arrive. At this moment, our Lingzhou army of 10,000 troops is gathered here, and it is more than enough to hold on to the Lingzhou ferry. The possibility of the rebels crossing south has been greatly reduced, so why rush to attack?
To prevent unexpected events?"
Cao Xiong burst out laughing and said: "General Shi, I heard that you are a brave and resourceful man, but when I saw you today, you turned out to be as timid as a mouse. Are you afraid?"
Shi Yong frowned and said: "My lord, your lord, you can kill but not humiliate me. I have served in the army for many years, but I have never been afraid. My lord, please don't humiliate me."
Cao Xiong sneered and said: "If you weren't afraid, how could you do everything possible to prevent me from launching an attack? Although the imperial court's order to attack has not arrived, hasn't the imperial court's order not to allow the attack to attack? Have you not heard that the military situation is like a fire?
, will you not accept the order of the foreign king? Rebellion
The army has not yet gained a stable footing and is attacking at this moment. It is precisely when the army is in chaos and the morale of the army is unstable that it is time to launch an attack. The rebellion should be quelled in one fell swoop and the rebels should be captured. The army is assembled but does not attack. It is just waiting here and looking at the opposite side. Could it be you, Shi?
The general's gaze is like a knife, can he kill his opponent?"
"Hahahaha." More than a dozen generals under Cao Xiong laughed loudly.
Commander Huang Zhengdao said: "General Shi refuses to attack. Could it be that he is a Ningxia guard horse and has some old friendship with He Jinyi, Ding Guang and others?"
Shi Yong shouted angrily: "Huang Zheng, don't talk nonsense. You are criticizing and slandering me. Please take back this sentence. Otherwise..."
Huang Zheng sneered: "What else?"
Shi Yong Canglang drew out his sword with a loud sound and shouted: "Otherwise I will fight you to restore my reputation."
Huang Zheng sneered, jumped out, drew out his long sword, and said loudly: "If we fight, we will fight, are you afraid that you won't succeed?"
Shi Yong's face was livid, and he waved his cloak and was about to take action. Huang Zheng also stretched his neck in preparation.
Cao Xiong shouted sternly: "Stop. How can you behave like this? In front of a powerful enemy, our own people are fighting. Commander Huang, what you said is wrong. How can you say such things to General Shi? General Shi, you don't have to be so extreme. Military
How can a lieutenant general be so particular about what he says? Everyone should take a step back, otherwise military law will be dealt with."
Huang Zheng snorted, glared at Shi Yong, sheathed his sword and retreated. Shi Yong also withdrew his sword with a livid complexion.
Cao Xiong said in a deep voice: "Everyone, I have made up my mind to launch a cross-river attack tomorrow morning. From now on, no one is allowed to raise any objections, and violations of military law will be punished. General Shi, you can have other ideas, but you must not shake the morale of the army.
.If you don’t want to attack, I won’t force you.
You, let's do this, you lead a thousand soldiers and horses under you as logistical support. I order you to assemble a hundred boats before dawn tomorrow for the army to cross the river. After my army crosses the river, you must ensure that food and materials are transported across the river.
River to ensure the supply of the army. There must be no mistakes."
Shi Yong was about to say a few words of defense when the deputy beside him pulled his arm and signaled him not to say any more. Then Shi Yong helplessly nodded and said: "I humbly obey my orders."
Cao Xiong nodded, and then loudly ordered to the others: "Generals, you will return to the camp immediately to prepare for the attack. Give the soldiers extra food and eat something good so that they will have the strength to cross the river and fight. I will not
Say more, just say one thing. Everyone, counter the rebellion
The opportunity has come for you to be promoted and make a fortune through meritorious service, but don’t blame me for not giving you the chance. If you don’t work hard, don’t be jealous when the time comes to see others get promoted and make a fortune. The rebels on the other side are just a mob. If you don’t take the credit for what you have done, what’s the point?
Aren’t you a fool?”
"If you don't take it, it's for nothing. We are not fools. Hahaha." The generals laughed and said goodbye one after another. They went back to camp to regroup and prepare.
Shi Yong was the last one to leave. Cao Xiong got up and was about to go to the back hall to rest for a while, but found Shi Yong still standing in the hall, so he said, "Why don't General Shi go prepare the ships?"
Shi Yong said in a deep voice: "Master General, can't you really see that it is unwise to cross the river to attack?"
Cao Xiong flicked his sleeves and said angrily: "General Shi, if you say such things again, I will be rude to you."
Shi Yong sighed, cupped his hands, turned and left.
Cao Xiong stared at his back and frowned. Why didn't he understand that the time to attack was not ripe at this moment, and it was indeed a risk. However, he had to do it, he had no choice.
Eight months ago, Cao Xiong was still the deputy commander-in-chief of Yansui Town. Now he concurrently holds the post of commander-in-chief of Shaanxi Town as the governor of Shaanxi Town. It can be said that he has a prosperous official career. Everyone knows that from deputy commander-in-chief to commander-in-chief
Although it seems that there is only one step left, in fact, this step is even more difficult. Many years ago, Cao Xiong was the deputy commander-in-chief. It was not until last year that he officially became the commander-in-chief, and he relied on other means.
Cao Xiong is from Shaanxi, and Liu Jin is also from Shaanxi. Due to the 'coincidence' of this fellow countryman, after Liu Jin came to power, Cao Xiong made a special trip to the capital to meet with his fellow countryman Liu Eunuch. And Liu Jin was also in need of local border town generals.
To support him, he extended his tentacles into the army. A deputy general soldier came to attach himself to him, which Liu Jin couldn't ask for.
Cao Xiong's official career prospered from then on. He was soon transferred to Shaanxi Province as the governor and magistrate, and at the same time served as the chief military officer. Moreover, as the chief military officer, he also had the seal and ribbon of the general who conquered the west, which was
It turns out that the seals and shou in the hands of Wu Jiang, the commander-in-chief of Yansui, have different powers. That means that he can dispatch troops expediently without going through the Ministry of War.
Cao Xiong was glad that he had hugged his thigh, but he also had to pay the price. For example, this time, Liu Jin sent people to Lingzhou two days ago and strictly ordered him to attack as soon as possible to quell the rebellion. This is not the will of the court, but Liu Jin's
It was just an order, but Cao Xiong couldn't refuse. Although considering his military common sense, it was really not appropriate to attack at this time. But Liu Jin told him that he had to attack, and he could only obey the order.
He didn't know why Liu Jin made such a request, but from Liu Jin's letter, he saw the unquestionable tone and urgent attitude. Cao Xiong decided to give it a try. In order to go further, he would give it a try and gain the power of the Minister of War and even the Minister.