The morning sun rises, the flags are fluttering, and the horns sound.
In the wilderness outside Fucheng Gate in the West City of Beijing, thousands of cavalrymen gathered here to prepare for battle.
In addition to the 3,000 Zhenwei Battalion cavalry, Gu Dayong also led 500 cavalry to accompany them. Two hundred of them were Dongchang Fans, and 300 were 300 Jinyiwei led by Yang Yu, deputy commander of the Jinyiwei personal army.
In the temporary colorful shed erected outside the city, Zhang Yanling Gu Dayong and a group of generals were sitting here. There were wine cups on the table in front of them. Dozens of important officials from the inner and outer court, the Dukes and Lords of the country were here to greet Zhang Yanling Gu Dayong.
Use farewell.
"Marquis Jianchang, the emperor originally wanted to see you off in person today, but considering that there is no need to panic the people in the capital, he entrusted our family to toast you a farewell wine. I wish you a successful trip to suppress the rebellion and an early triumph." Liu Jin stood up and said,
He raised his glass and said.
Zhang Yanling raised his glass and said: "Thank you very much, Eunuch Liu. Please tell Eunuch Liu to tell the emperor. I will do my best to quell the rebellion and restore peace to our Ming Dynasty as soon as possible. Please rest assured, the emperor, and wait for the good news."
Liu Jin chuckled and said: "Okay, our family will definitely bring the words of Lord Zhang. The imperial court has confidence in you. After all, Lord Zhang said that ten thousand elite soldiers can quell the rebellion within ten days. Now the court has mobilized five
Tens of thousands of troops were sent there, and three thousand cavalrymen from the capital camp were allowed to be mobilized to help, so naturally they could be captured easily without any effort."
Zhang Yanling understood that this guy was putting pressure on him in public, but he didn't take it seriously. He raised his glass and said, "Eunuch Liu has a good memory. Yanling should keep his promise."
After saying that, he raised his neck and drank the wine. Liu Jin also drank the wine with a smile.
Xu Guangzuo and Xu Yande stood up and raised their glasses. Xu Guangzuo said: "Yanling, I and my son would like to propose a toast to you, to help you have a smooth trip and an early triumph."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Thank you father-in-law and brother. Yanling will work hard and live up to the great trust of the court."
Xu Guangzuo said: "Working hard is necessary. But don't put too much pressure on yourself. Leading the army in battle is no child's play. Don't listen to what others say about making achievements in ten days. As long as the rebellion can be quelled, time is not a problem. Don't be young.
If you are too angry, you can let people with ulterior motives take advantage of you and act recklessly."
Xu Yande said: "Yes, brother-in-law, some people have no ability themselves. When they make a mistake, they ask others to wipe their butts for them, and they have the nerve to bully others. Such people have no shame. Brother-in-law, don't pay attention to them. Take his words as your own.
Just fart."
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly and said: "That's right, just treat it as fart."
Xu Yande also laughed loudly, raised his glass and said: "Done!"
The three of them raised their glasses and drank the wine. They lit up the bottom of their glasses and laughed loudly. Liu Jin on the side listened to the words of Xu Guangzuo and his son and sneered silently.
Next, the British Duke Zhang Mao's grandson, Zhu Lin, the princes, Li Dongyang, Yang Tinghe and others from the outer court also toasted to Zhang Yanling. They wished Zhang Yanling success and an early triumph.
The British Duke Zhang Mao specially urged Zhang Yanling to understand that this counterinsurgency was not only to quell the rebellion for the court, but also related to the face and status of the nobles. He should not take it lightly and make no mistakes.
He gave Zhang Yanling eight words: be cautious in words and deeds, and no faults will be merits. This means that Zhang Yanling should not be radical and rash, and even if he fails to make achievements, he should not let the situation worsen. This will be a good result.
Zhang Yanling thought to herself: This may be Zhang Mao's philosophy of life. Under his leadership, the entire Xungui Group was lifeless and made no achievements, probably because of his motto. However, Zhang Mao is willing to share
His words of experience at least showed that he did not regard himself as an outsider. However, he was afraid that he would only be grateful, but he would never act as he said.
Zhu Lin was quite honest. In addition to envying Zhang Yanling for having the opportunity to fight against the rebellion, and hoping that if Zhang Yanling needed reinforcements, he could ask the court to allow him to send troops to help, he also gave Zhang Yanling a set of armor. It was a family heirloom.
A set of bright light armor, which is extremely valuable, tough, invulnerable, and belongs to his ancestors.
Zhang Yanling naturally refused to accept it. But Zhu Lin insisted that Zhang Yanling accept it, saying that he must wear it when fighting to prevent open and hidden arrows and protect himself. Zhang Yanling understood what he meant. Zhu Lin did not want him to make any mistakes. Although he may not
I knew how to wear it, but I couldn’t refuse this offer. So I thanked me and accepted it.
All the princes and ministers came forward to toast one after another, and the commotion was endless. Seeing this, Zhang Mao said loudly: "Everyone, Jianchang Hou and others are going to fight immediately, and it is not appropriate to drink too much. You can just come up with what you want, and there is no need to all come to toast.
Okay. How about we have a drink together and wish the Marquis of Jianchang an early victory over the rebellion and a triumphant return?"
Everyone nodded after hearing this, raised their glasses and drank together.
Zhang Yanling walked out of the farewell booth surrounded by everyone. Zhang Yong followed quickly and whispered in Zhang Yanling's ear: "Master Hou, please take a step to speak."
Zhang Yanling nodded and followed Zhang Yong to the side.
"What does Eunuch Zhang have to say?" Zhang Yanling asked.
Zhang Yong whispered: "Master Hou must be careful about Gu Dayong, Yang Yu and others during this trip. Our family suspects that they will be detrimental to Master Hou."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said, "How do you say this?"
Zhang Yongdao: "Liu Jin and the others closed the door for a long discussion last night. Shi Wenyi, Yang Yu and the others were all called away. Today Yang Yu and hundreds of others are also going with them. There must be something fishy. Gu Dayong is going to supervise the army and just bring some followers."
, is it necessary to bring so many people from Dongchang and Jinyiwei?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I'm afraid Eunuch Zhang is overly worried. We are going to fight here. It's not a big deal for Gu Da to bring more people to follow. How dare they do anything against me."
Zhang Yong said in a low voice: "No, does the Marquis know how brave Liu Jin is? Qian Ning is dead, does the Marquis know?"
Zhang Yanling was shocked, but quickly returned to normal and said in a deep voice: "Qian Ning is dead?"
"Yes. I just discovered it this morning. Qian Ning disappeared yesterday evening. The emperor looked for him everywhere but couldn't find him. This morning, the Jin Yiwei guards patrolling Qionghua Island saw floating armor, clothing, etc. in the Poison Dragon Tan.
, I felt strange. Early in the morning, I ordered people to use iron claws to fish out the pool. As a result, I fished out Qian Ning’s armor, weapons, clothes, and half of his head. It was chewed to pieces by the poisonous dragon. But I still recognized it.
Qian Ning is undoubtedly."
"Feed the poisonous dragon?" Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
"Yeah. It's so tragic. Liu Jin and the others said that Qian Ning liked to watch poisonous dragons, and he might have slipped and fell into the water while watching poisonous dragons. Only ghosts believe him. Qian Ning must have been killed by him. It must be because of what Qian Ning told us last time.
." Zhang Yong said in a deep voice, with a hint of fear in his eyes.
Zhang Yanling nodded slightly. He was actually not surprised. He had already anticipated Qian Ning's fate. This was also what he wanted to achieve by going to see Qian Ning yesterday. Liu Jin did not show any sloppiness, and Qian Ning was thrown into the Poison Dragon Tan to feed the crocodiles.
Okay. In this way, he also verified his guess. Cao Xiong's defeat was closely related to Qian Ning. Liu Jin must have understood.
"Is Eunuch Zhang scared? Are you afraid that he will deal with you too?" Zhang Yanling asked.
Zhang Yong shook his head and said: "Our family is not afraid, we are worried about the Marquis. If he dares to kill Qian Ning, he is desperate. We think that his purpose of recommending the Marquis to suppress the rebellion is not simple. I am afraid.
It would be detrimental to the Marquis. They went there with so many people, how could they possibly have some plan? Unfortunately, our family has been excluded by them now and cannot find out the inside story. We can only come here to remind the Marquis to be careful."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "Thank you, Eunuch Zhang. I know it well. Eunuch Zhang himself should be more careful. I don't want you to make any mistakes. Be more alert."
Zhang Yongdao: "Don't worry, Mr. Hou, our family has stayed in the Shenji camp now, and we won't walk alone. We have people following us. Liu Jin can't touch me. But Mr. Hou, you must be careful. Liu Jin can do anything."
Come on, don’t turn a deaf ear to what we say.”
Zhang Yanling responded in a deep voice, and then Zhang Yong handed over and left.
When the drum music started, Zhang Yanling said goodbye to those who were seeing him off. He took the reins of the horse from his guard and was about to mount his horse when suddenly someone from the direction of the city gate shouted: "Master Marquis, wait a minute, Master Marquis, wait a minute."
Everyone turned to look, but it was a woman running towards them carrying a large package. Under the sun, her yellow skirt was very dazzling.
"Who are you? You are not allowed to trespass." A soldier stepped forward to stop him.
"Let her come here, she is my unmarried concubine." Zhang Yanling shouted hurriedly. He recognized it, and it was Xu Youtang who came running.
Xu Youtang ran forward. The package in her hand seemed a bit heavy, and she was panting from exhaustion.
"What's wrong? Why are you here? Didn't you tell me not to come to see you off?" Zhang Yanling smiled and greeted her.
Xu Youtang gasped and handed the package to Zhang Yanling's hand, shouting: "My father asked me to deliver this to you."
Zhang Yanling weighed the package, which was a little too heavy, and said with a smile: "What kind of treasure did Mr. Xu send?"
Xu Youtang looked around and whispered: "Dad stayed up all night last night and assembled this thing for you to take with you. It's... that thing."
Zhang Yanling was stunned, and without asking any further questions, she carried the package on her back and said, "Thank you dad for me. You can go back. We are about to set off."
Xu Youtang said: "Why don't you say goodbye to Princess Tan, Miss Axiu and the others? They are all here."
Zhang Yanling raised her head and looked around and said, "Are you all here? Why haven't you seen me?"
Xu Youtang pointed to Liu Lin on the roadside in the direction of the city gate: "It's right there. It's far away. Have you seen those carriages? It's them. The princess and Miss Tan said that they can just watch there. No.
Willing to come."
Zhang Yanling squinted and looked around. The morning sun was rising in the east, and the sunlight was dazzling. But in the direction pointed by Xu Youtang, Zhang Yanling still saw several carriages parked on the side of a willow forest. There were several slender and petite figures standing beside the carriages. It was really Xu Wanyi.
Talk about Ruqing, Axiu and the others.
"Do you want to meet me?" Xu Youtang asked.
Zhang Yanling slowly shook his head and said in a deep voice: "No need, go and tell them to take care of themselves. The soldiers are waiting for me, so we can't delay any more."
Xu Youtang said sadly: "Okay."
Zhang Yanling turned around and got on his horse.
"Brother..." Xu Youtang suddenly realized that the separation was imminent and called out in a trembling voice.
"Go back and take care of yourself. When I return in triumph, I will marry you and greet the princess and the others well." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
"Okay!" There was a cry in Xu Youtang's voice.
Zhang Yanling sat on the saddle, looked up at the figures beside the willow forest in the distance, turned the horse's head with gritted teeth, and shouted loudly: "Let's go!"
"The Marquis has an order! The whole army sets off!" Zhang Yin shouted loudly.
"Yes!" Thousands of cavalrymen shouted in unison. For a moment, horses' hooves clattered, smoke and dust flew everywhere, and the sound of horns resounded throughout the wilderness.
Thousands of cavalry set off quickly, jogging at first, then galloping. In less than half a minute, the soldiers and horses had disappeared out of sight.
On the official road, there is only dust flying in the sky, which lingers for a long time.