In March of the seventh year of Yongle, 100,000 Ming troops went out of the fortress and went on an expedition to the desert.

When the news came out, the grassland was full of rumors. The tribes, which were related to Benjami and Arutai, even pulled out their camps and dismantled their tents and ran away overnight.

The three guards of Wuliang Ha were awarded the vanguard of the army, and the strong men stood tall and walked in the wind. When he saw the Jurchens in the army, they all squinted at the corners of their eyes, their nostrils were puffed, and they only had to put their thumbs down, and they said disdainfully: "You kid can't do it!" ”

It's just one or two times, but the Jurchens are holding back the fire in their stomachs, not because of the military order, eighty percent of them will draw a knife to fight.

Jianzhou Wei commanded Ha Ha Shang to calm down, Mao Lianwei, Hu'er Wenwei, and Hu'er Haiwei were summoned Jurchen leaders, but they really couldn't bear it anymore.

The three guards of Wuliangha are old, have a large number of people, and have strong combat effectiveness. Because of the great merit of neutrality, the Son of Heaven treated Wu Liangha differently, not only rewarded him continuously, but also turned a blind eye to their behavior of making extra money. In front of the tribes that were later attached, Sanwei was quite confident.

However, no matter how much the Son of Heaven is reused, no matter how hard the background is, he is not so bullying!

"It can't go on like this!"

"Yes, if you swallow your anger like this, you will be looked down upon sooner or later!"

"The Jurchens don't have a kind of seed!"

"I was beaten with a military stick by the general Rong, and I confessed! Be sure to teach those Mongols a lesson! ”

When the evening camp was set, the Jurchen leaders gathered in the tent of Heha to discuss countermeasures. Putting aside the always silent Haha, everyone agreed that Uliangha must be given a little color.

Mao Lianwei commanded Xiyang Ha and Ha Ha to be old friends. The tribal territories of the two gathered not far from each other, and they went to Nanjing to pay tribute, and at the same time they were canonized by the Ming Dynasty, and the officials worshiped the command of the military and civilian commands. Although they have their own plans in private, they have the same interests on the surface, and the relationship is quite close.

"Heh, what do you think should be done about this?"

As soon as Xiyang Ha's words fell, the eyes in the tent were focused on Heha's body.

Secretly said a bad sigh, and he wrinkled his brows.

originally made up his mind not to come out, but was pushed out by a sentence. I don't know if Xiyangha is unintentional or deliberate, the former is fine, and the latter is ...... If you can return to Liaodong alive from the desert, you must be more vigilant.

"In my opinion, it's weird. I'm afraid it's a trap, just waiting for us to step on it. ”

Heha's worries are not unreasonable

Wuliang Ha Sanwei has proud capital, but he is not brainless.

I really have no brains, I don't care about my actions, and I let the Son of Heaven clean it up.

What do the Han people say? If it is not of my race, its heart will be different!

As soon as the army came out of the fortress, these Mongols targeted the Jurchens in everything, and if they had personal grievances, they would not make such a big fanfare, for fear of not causing public anger. But it really forced the Jurchens to be anxious, and if they started, what benefits could they get?

"Do you want to endure it?"

Xiyang Ha had dissatisfaction in his expression and tone, and so did the others.

The leader of the savage Jurchens, who had just returned to him, grabbed the sheep bone in front of him and put it in his mouth. The boiled mutton had already been gnawed clean, and only one rib remained. The teeth creaked, and the bones kept falling, and the other Jurchen leaders were all heartbroken, and turned their heads slightly stiffly, avoiding this scene.

The Jurchens were small in number, but they were divided into dozens of tribes, large and small. These Jurchen tribes, who live in the far north and are said to drink blood all day long, live in eastern Liaodong and have begun to come into contact with the culture of the Central Plains.

To sum it up in one sentence, it is really difficult to play happily together.

"Still don't do it." He said in an aggravated tone, "Even if we want to do it, we can't do it first." ”

He hadn't been able to figure it out before, but just now a vague thought flashed in his mind, Wu Liangha dared to do this, and he must have something to rely on.

Could it be that their purpose was to provoke the Jurchens to take action, violate the military order, and attract a military stick?

What's in it for them?

"Seed!" The savage Jurchen leader who chewed on the sheep bones grinned and wiped his lips, "A bunch of bastards!" ”

"You!"

A Jurchen leader stood up abruptly, his face pale.

Heha got closer, hurriedly grabbed him, and persuaded bitterly: "Don't be angry! We don't know what Uliangha wants to do, so we can't mess with it ourselves. ”

"......"

"I'm not a bad breed, and I'm not afraid of those Mongols." He looked around at the people in the tent and said in a deep voice, "Let me ask you, what is the purpose of going out with the army this time?" ”

"Of course, it's a battle feat!"

"For the sake of reward, get rich, and get rewarded by the emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

"Yes, that's it!" Heha clenched his fists and slammed the ground, "If it's not for gold and silver official positions, why bother fighting?" If you lose the opportunity to go to the battlefield because of the military-China-private struggle, are you willing? Are you willing? What about you, willing?! ”

He pointed at everyone, and his voice was higher than the other.

Not to mention Xiyang Ha, Suo Lost Ha and others, the Jurchen leaders who scolded him were shocked and shut up.

"I'm not afraid of the Mongols, but I don't want to lose the opportunity to make a difference! Only being an officer in a remote guard post in Liaodong is not my life! ”

The crowd looked at each other, "You mean?" ”

"Meritorious service, I must make meritorious service when conquering the Tatars. I want to stand in the court, I want to wear a scarlet robe, and I want to hang a gold medal and a jade belt! I'm going to be knighted! ”

The words fell, and there was silence in the tent.

Scarlet robe and jade belt, official worship.

Eight words completely shocked the Jurchen leaders in the tent.

"Heh, you're not joking? How is this possible? ”

"Why not?" Heha clenched his fists, "I have the strength and ability, I can fight for the Ming Dynasty, and I will let the Ming Emperor see the courage of the Jianzhou Nuzhen!" Why can't I wear a scarlet robe and a jade belt, why can't I be knighted and ranked in the court? ”

"But we are Jurchen ......"

"How are the Jurchens? Those Mongols, aren't they the same as officials in the court of the Ming Dynasty? Huo Zhen, the deputy general of the right army, used his robe to set fire to warm the Son of Heaven, which caused ridicule from unwitting soldiers. What is happening now? Emperor Ming personally named the martyr of Jingnan, with Anhou! ”

Goo-dong.

I don't know who swallowed a mouthful of saliva, as if the curtain of the big drama was opened, and the ambition of Heha was completely exposed.

He glanced at everyone, he knew that he was taking a risk, and today's words would definitely attract more than just ridicule.

But he had to.

Uliangha's intentions are unknown, if the Jurchen dares to make a move, the consequence is definitely not to beat the military stick.

He has ambitions and expectations, and he will never allow anyone to stand in his way and block his way until a qiē is not realized!

"Good!" Xiyang Ha suddenly clenched his fists and pounded his chest hard, "I agree with your words, what Jianzhou Wei can do, Mao Lianwei can do the same!" ”

Xiyang Ha's words were a signal, and the Jurchen leaders seemed to be enlightened in an instant, and they all said that they would definitely restrain their subordinates, and never draw a knife and fall into the trap of the other party before finding out the true intentions of Uliangha.

He nodded and didn't say anything more.

Verbal promises may not be completely secure, but what he did also reversed the attitude of most people. As for the remaining three or two, let people stare at it secretly.

At the same time, the leaders of the Uliangha who went out with the army also gathered together, led by Duoyan Weidu commanding Tongzhi Haerhu and Taining Weidu commanding Tongzhi Hurabanhu to discuss the movements of the Jurchens in the army.

"These Jurchens can bear it." Kuraban sneered, "Do you want to push it tighter?" ”

"No." Qi Liecai, who has been promoted to the commander of Taining Weidu, said, "If you have done it, you will leave a handle." ”

"Indeed."

"But the Jurchens don't get into the trap, isn't it in vain?"

"So what can I do? Do you want to do it first? ”

"Absolutely not!" Qi Liecai said sharply, "In the army, private-fighting is a violation of military orders, and whoever makes the first move will be guilty of one more crime." Even if it is provoked, it is a risk. Xingningbo and Tonganhou are still repaid, if they are in the hands of Zongrong, no one can save them. ”

"What do you say?" Kurabanhu felt frustrated, "Just let them go?" If you don't take advantage of the fact that you can find the complete bald and Arutai, and wait for the army to fight, what should you do if you really let them fall into the eyes of Wei Guogong and Dingguo Gong? The territory of Liaodong is so big, the Jurchens have risen, do we really want to back down? ”

"No way!"

"Absolutely not!"

After a few words, the tent began to shout again.

Har looked at Gregait, "What's your idea?" ”

"Tongzhi, according to the humble opinion, I am afraid that this matter must be put aside first."

"What?"

Beggar sat cross-legged and glanced at everyone, "It's good to be able to clean up the Jurchens before the war, but if you can't clean up, it's not necessarily a bad thing. ”

"How?" Har Gang asked at the same time, "Why isn't it a bad thing?" ”

"As you know, the vanguard of the army is us." The beggar smiled and said confidently, "Tracking the Tatar trails also depends on our Uliangha cavalry, and the Jurchens can't do it." ”

"Even so, it's ......"

"I know and listen to the words of humility, the Jurchen is brave, but I haven't seen much of the 'world'. What is the defeat of North Korea, and how much can it be displayed when it reaches the grassland? At that time, the comparison of military achievements will be immediate. How about the appreciation of the chief military officer of Liaodong, you know, Xingningbo is on our side! ”

That's right!

The strong men clenched their fists at the same time, and their eyes lit up.

In terms of weight in front of the Son of Heaven, where is Meng Shan's opponent of Xingningbo. As long as he is outstanding, his military exploits are fiercely overpowering those Jurchens, and coupled with Xingningbo's kind words, why not be promoted and make a fortune, and gain a firm foothold in Liaodong.

The strong men first suddenly realized, and then showed joy, and the beggar secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Yesterday, Hinningbo specially sent someone to find him to trouble the Jurchens for Uliangha.

"When the army is out on the march, it must act in a certain way. If the chaos is chaotic, the army will be investigated, and the official will not dare to speak falsely, and he will definitely be able to tell the truth. ”

The words were said to him by Xingningbo in private, and Qi Liecai broke out in a cold sweat at that time.

"You just have to remember that what the official promised you will definitely be fulfilled. The Shenji Battalion, the Three Thousand Battalion, all have places set aside. The imperial court intends to set up a new capital in Liaodong, and when the time comes, ......"

The next words, Xingningbo did not finish. Beggar guessed the unfinished meaning, and immediately turned from uneasiness to excitement.

Shenji Battalion, 3,000 Battalion, Liaodong Xindu Division.

Either location, it's a dream.

"Uncle, rest assured, the humble will definitely persuade everyone that there will be no chaos until he catches up with the Tatars."

"This official will believe you once."

Xingningbo's tone was gentle, and there was a smile on his face, but the beggar was inexplicably afraid, and his palms were wet-cold.

Looking back now, I still can't help but feel a chill in my back.

The Duke of Wei and the Duke of Dingguo were convincing with force, and the Duke of Dingguo was so strong that he had no friends. Xingningbo doesn't move his hands and only moves his mouth, but it can also make people's backs chill and their legs weak.

At the end of the discussion, everyone walked out of the tent, and the beggar shook his head, saw the patrol foot soldiers not far away, recognized the leading officer, and immediately walked up quickly.

The matter is over for the time being, and a letter must be sent to Xingningbo. Although he really wanted to go by himself, considering the eyes and ears of the army, he still found Gao Fu, who led the team, and passed on a message on his behalf.

"It's over, please be relieved."

Gao Fu nodded and continued to lead the troops forward.

The beggar should return to the left camp, seize the time to rest, and take turns in the second half of the night, he should lead people to patrol the camp.

In the big tent of the left army, Meng Gang took off his armor and prepared to rest. Hearing the report from the guards, Gao asked to see him, and immediately got up, "Come in." ”

Gao Fu entered the tent, did not squint, knelt on one knee, and said, "I have seen my uncle below." ”

"Get up." Meng Dao, "But there should be news from the beggar column?" ”

"Uncle Hui, exactly. When the humble patrol camp, he found the humble and asked the humble to report to the uncle, the matter is over, please let the uncle be relieved. ”

"What did he say?"

"Exactly."

"Yes." Meng stood up and paced a few steps in the tent, "Tonight's shift, Gao Yishi will go to the left camp again, and tell sù begging to be listed, and the official knows." His affairs will be remembered by the judges. ”

"Yes!"

Gao Fu received the order and withdrew from the big tent.

The soldiers in front of the tent were all brought out by Gao Fu, and when he saw him come out, he inevitably asked, "What's the matter, but does the uncle have orders?" Can you use our brothers? ”

"You kid has itchy skin, how many times have I told you, don't ask if you shouldn't. If you don't change it, I will ask my uncle to transfer you away. ”

"Don't, don't!" The guards hurriedly said to forgive, "Don't raise your noble hand, mark it gratefully!" ”

"If you know it's powerful, take it seriously, keep your mouth shut!"

"Yes!"

The guards straightened their expressions and didn't dare to say more.

Gao Fu took two steps and took a deep breath, the cold wind of the grassland night blew into his mouth, cold from his throat to his stomach.

Ten years ago, it was also such a cold night.

The boy, so thin that he could almost be blown away by the wind, stabbed the blood-stained dagger into the dirt and tore at the horse's flesh like a wolf cub.

At that time, he knew that this young man would definitely be extraordinary in the future.

Gao Fu grinned.

Now, he has developed a pair of good tricks and met a nobleman. Otherwise, with his archery skills alone, he would at most accumulate military merits and rise to 100 households. If you meet a greedy official, you can't even get a hundred households, and a general flag will reach the sky.

After Gao Fu left, Meng lay on the couch and suddenly couldn't sleep.

Uliangha's reaction was as expected. The strong men guessed very well, and if they aimed at the target of the Jurchen, they would definitely not be unhappy.

The Jurchen's response was somewhat unexpected......

Thinking of this, Meng opened his eyes and sat up, it seemed that he still underestimated some people. However, when the army is on the outside, it is always bad to have chaos inside. Let's put this matter down for the time being, and first clean up the Tatars and Warat.

Lie back on the couch and let out a sigh of relief.

In this expedition, from the chief officer to the generals under his command, they are all ready for long-term operations.

The Ming army's expedition to the desert has always been unable to bypass an important link, and if you want to completely destroy the enemy, you must first try to find the enemy.

This was true of the Northern Yuan, and so was the Tatars.

Back then, Lan Yu went out to conquer the Northern Yuan Dynasty and found the Northern Yuan Dynasty royal court on the fishing beach, and the army of more than 100,000 people was about to become savages in the snow. If Benjamin and Arutai had the same idea, all kinds of hide-and-seeks went around in circles, it is difficult to say how long the army would be in the steppe.

The longer the time and the farther the distance, the more unfavorable it was for the Ming army.

Grain is the biggest problem.

Now there are no trains and planes, and the transportation of military supplies depends entirely on livestock manpower.

The conquest of Annam was aided by boatmen, and the ships went down the river, not to mention the speed and volume, and the forage for the livestock and the rations of the transporters could be saved.

Helplessly, the boat division could transport grain from the south to the north, but he couldn't go ashore. The great army conquered the desert and relied on livestock and manpower to transport grain and grass. In case of heavy wind, rain and snow, or accidentally getting lost, the army may be at risk of running out of food.

Fortunately, there is enough food and grass for the army, so there is no need to worry about this for the time being.

Meng turned over, pulled the wolf skin mattress spread on the couch, and took precautions, and had to do his best to come up with a solution.

In other words, how did Lan Yu solve this problem back then? Is it possible to follow the example of Liang Guogong and be a savage?

I'm afraid that Wei Guogong won't be able to pass that pass, so it's embarrassing......

As the night deepened, when Shen Xuan returned to the tent, Meng was already asleep.

The firelight reflected on the tent, Angzang's figure continued to elongate, and the sound of armor-rubbing-rubbing was particularly clear in the silence.

"Guogong?"

Shen Xuan took off the armor on his wrist, walked to the couch, and covered Meng's eyes with his big hand, "It's okay, sleep." ”

"Yes."

Answering in a daze, Uncle Meng went to meet Duke Zhou again, and the matter of military rations that he thought about before going to bed was only mentioned tomorrow.

By the light of the fire, Shen Xuan looked at Meng quietly, and for a long time, he leaned over and pecked him on the forehead.

After all the armor was removed, Shen Xuan lay on the couch on his side, took the belt into his arms, closed his eyes, and fell asleep with the footsteps of the soldiers patrolling the camp outside the tent.