Chapter 127: Jiang Hao sent troops

Zhang Zhimu walked around the camp, chatted with many people, and touched their heads and teased children when he met them. The arrival of Zhang Zhimu is a great comfort to these people who have just come out of their suffering. It's like watering a parched seedling, so that everyone has a lot of trust in their future leader.

Ouyang He was afraid that Zhang Zhimu would not let him go out to get into danger, so he went out with Li Jing and them without saying hello.

It turned out that Li Jing was also worried about the Manchu army, and because he was not at ease, he personally took two small teams and went east to investigate. There weren't a single pedestrian along the way, and it seemed that this place had really become a battlefield.

Ouyang He judged that Li Jing and the others had captured the liaison officer sent by the Manchus, and if the Manchus still couldn't wait for these Mongolian cavalry, they would definitely send someone over. If you can choose a good place, set up an ambush again and take down their liaison officer. Then you can buy a little time.

Ouyang He and Li Jing walked east for half a day and came across a small mountain pass, which was a good place to set up an ambush. Ouyang He said: "We caught their liaison officer yesterday, according to their plan. The Mongol brigade should be mobilized today, and at the end of the day after tomorrow, they will be able to reach their rendezvous point, and they will not send anyone again if they can't wait for anyone. Therefore you should send people to set up an ambush here the day after tomorrow. ”

Li Jing admired Ouyang He's calculation very much. Ouyang He said: "If you can really become the special forces mentioned by Mr. Zhang, you should have this kind of judgment ability." ”

Li Jing said: "We can only learn slowly. ”

Ouyang He returned to the camp, saw Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng, and hurriedly said, "Forgive me and forgive my sins, I won't tell you to go, because I'm afraid that you two won't let me go." But I'm really not worried about the situation on this road. A must see. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "It seems that Mr. Ouyang knows that we have to worry, so you should make arrangements before you go." ”

Ouyang He was a little embarrassed and said, "I think there are Li Jing and those people here, and I don't worry about my safety." ”

Chen Yufeng said: "Li Jing and their people are all human spirits, and if something happens, they can deal with it." If something happens to you, can they be so right? ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "We have decided, such a thing will not be an example. ”

Ouyang He hurriedly said, "Okay, let's not take it as an example." ”

Then Ouyang He told him and Li Jing about the situation.

Zhang Zhimu also felt that Ouyang He's judgment was right. Even if the Manchus did not send liaison officers, it was appropriate to set up a sentry there. Because after all, it is the only way to go back and forth.

Ouyang He said: "When I came back, I saw that Liu Yun's newly formed team had already started training. If it can be bought for a few days, the newly formed cavalry team will be able to form a fighting force. In that case, add that our original musketeer. We can form a force to be reckoned with. ”

Chen Yufeng said: "Those 2,000 infantry are also a force, not to mention that they are also riding horses. It's just that they don't ride well, but the horses that run up can't be stopped by the infantry. ”

"Let's take the time to train in the next two days." Zhang Zhimu said. "The key is that these more than 10,000 people should also be well organized into groups, so that they can be managed. On the way back, I can help when I have something. ”

"Yes, these thousands of wagons, more than a thousand camels. It's up to them to help get back to the kiln. Chen Yufeng said.

When Liu Yun, Yan Boju and others arrived, the cadres of Yaogang held another meeting to discuss the details of going back.

The final plan was that the five thousand men who returned were divided into five battalions, one with a thousand men and one with ten squadrons; A squadron has a hundred people, and a squadron has a squad under it; A squad of ten people. The captains of these five brigades and the captains of fifty squadrons were all infantry sent by Liu Yun. Five hundred squad leaders were chosen from among the five thousand. There must be some very talented people among these people.

The more than 3,000 women were to be divided into groups according to this method, and they were asked to choose their own leaders. In this way, you can unify the ** order.

Yan Boju said: "As long as they are not charioteers, all men who can ride horses must ride horses, and those who can't ride horses will be led by those who can ride horses." That's easy. ”

Zhang Zhimu asked, "What about those captives?"

Yan Boju smiled and said, "It's easy to do." Let each of them ride a horse, too. Just tie their feet to the stirrups. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "The biggest problem is that this woman and child cannot ride horses. I'm afraid it will affect the speed of the team. ”

Lu Chengxiang, who had not spoken, said: "I have thought about this, and we will unload the goods on a hundred steel spring carriages." The bottom of the carriage was padded with leather, and the people could not freeze while sitting. The car pulls people and goods. Children and adults should be well distributed, squeezing twenty or thirty people in each car should be no problem, children occupy a small space. In this way we can pour down some of the wooden wheels that pull the skins, and we can use these wooden wheels to pull the living creatures that have been unloaded by the steel spring carriages. If you can't pull it. Don't pull the grass for now. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Mr. Lu's method is good, but those grains and grasses can't be lost, and our family is too short of grains and grasses now." If not, the goods that the camels carry back can be carried by horses, so that the camels will not be poured out? ”

"Yes, we only wanted to drive the horses back, but we forgot that the horses could also carry the goods. That's easy. Lu Chengxiang said.

"If that's the case, you can go back a few more steel-spring carriages, and don't let these women and children get too crowded, because the road is too far." Zhang Zhimu said.

"Then go back to one hundred and fifty steel-reed carriages, so that twenty people in each carriage will not be too crowded." Lu Chengxiang said: "The unloaded goods are all carried to Zhangjiakou by camels. ”

After two days of recuperation, most of the captives have recovered. Their integration has been completed.

After discussion, the cadres of Yaogang felt that it was no problem for these people to go back on the road now, so they decided to leave for Yaogang early tomorrow morning.

At noon that day, all the staff gathered together for a meeting, and Zhang Zhimu first spoke to everyone.

Standing on a mound of earth, Zhang Zhimu said to everyone: "Fellow citizens, after the past few days of contact, I think we all have a certain understanding of each other. Tomorrow, many of us will set off to our hometown Yaogang. Yaogang is our hometown, a place that we all yearn for, where there is a warm and stable life, and it is a place where we are concerned all the time. But there are many people who have exchanged their sweat and lives for the kiln today. It was for all of us to be liberated from the Mongols, and more than 20 of our brothers who came out of the kiln gang together could no longer go back to the kiln gang they had been worried about. So I hope you don't forget that our happiness was bought with their bloody sacrifices. Since the Manchu army is not far from us, we must set off tomorrow. This time we have a lot of people going back, and I ask everyone to obey the orders and obey the command, so that we can return to the kiln safely. When we arrive at Yaogang, we will be considered home, and I hope we can all get home smoothly. The commander-in-chief of this return trip is Yan Boju, who is highly respected in our kiln gang, and we hope that everyone will obey his command and cooperate with his work. Next, we invite Mr. Yan to speak. ”

Yan Boju stared at him, walked up to the small mound, and said to everyone, "I don't have so much nonsense. If you don't want to go with me, stay. Those who come with me must be obedient. If you are obedient, I promise to take you back to the kiln, and if you don't obey us when you go with us, I don't know anyone with this broken blade. Saying that, Yan Boju patted the waist knife hanging on his waist, and then he said: "The rules have been explained to everyone, and I won't have to talk about it today." Finished. Then he went down to the mound.

Yan Boju didn't talk much, and he was very energetic.

Yan Boju, who finished speaking, was very beautiful in his heart, he had never spoken in front of so many people, and what he said today was what he had thought in his heart in the past two days, so he himself didn't expect that in front of so many people, he would speak very well.

Chen Yufeng said in Yan Boju's ear: "Okay, old thing. And these two times. ”

Yan Boju snorted, but the corners of his mouth were high, and his little eyes were happy.

After the people dispersed, they all began to prepare for tomorrow's departure.

Zhang Zhimu didn't want to worry about things outside, so he had a good rest. But Li Jing led a horse that rushed back in. Li Jing said: "Our Tanma just met the Tanma of the Datong General Army, and this Tanma said, 'The Chief Soldier Jiang Hao has arrived with the troops, and he has set up camp in front. ‘”

Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, Jiang Zongbing must have received a report from the people who went back and came out to deal with the Mongolian soldiers. It's just too late, but it's still time for them to deal with the Manchu army. I don't have the capital to fight hard with the Manchu Iron Horse. Thinking of this, Zhang Zhimu said: "It's good to come, tell Uncle Chen, and Yang Yulin." Let's go and see the chief soldier together. ”

After explaining the things in the camp, Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng took Yang Yulin and ran to Jiang Zongbing's camp to beat their horses. Li Jing led two squads to follow with the Manchu liaison officer and others.

From a distance, I saw that the camp of the Ming army was several miles away. Before they could get close to the camp, Zhang Zhimu and the others were surrounded by the Ming army in ambush. Fortunately, the head of this team of Ming troops was trained by Li Jing, and they all recognized each other at once. It turned out that this group of Ming troops was an outpost, and these people were the only small team of the 200 Ming army musket team.

Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, it seems that the large army of the Ming army is still well-trained. Most of the reasons why he often loses battles are because the generals are not good.

These Ming troops sent people to lead the way in front, leading Zhang Zhimu's people to wait in front of the Chinese army's big tent. Hearing the report from the guards that Zhang Zhimu had arrived, Jiang Zongbing personally greeted the big tent.

Jiang Zongbing and Zhang Zhimu, who came out of the big tent, both bowed their hands, and Jiang Zongbing said: "I heard Tanma report that Zhang Xiandi's caravan was not far from here, so I knew that you would definitely come, but I didn't expect you to come so quickly." Hurry inside please. ”

Zhang Zhimu also gave a polite gesture and followed Jiang Zongbing into the big tent.

After both sides sat down, they were not polite. Zhang Zhimu told him how he destroyed the Mongolian cavalry some time ago. Zhang Zhimu talks about peace and quiet, like telling a small story that has nothing to do with him. This Jiang Zongbing is a veteran of the battlefield, and his heart is beating when he listens, and his palms are sweating.

As soon as Zhang Zhimu finished speaking, Jiang Zongbing said: "Miracle, miracle." Our Ming army has not yet had any examples of battles that can be compared with these battles of the virtuous brothers. Brother Zhang Xiandi is really a genius. Able to defeat the Mongol cavalry with such a small number of troops. To tell the truth, our Ming army did not dare to fight against the Mongol cavalry without absolute superiority. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "We are just newborn calves who are not afraid of tigers. If we were to face them head-on, we would be annihilated by a single charge from them. ”

"Anyway, you also won a big victory over the Mongolian iron cavalry, and I will report to the emperor immediately. This is a rare victory for our DPRK in recent years, and it will certainly boost the morale of our officers and men. Jiang Zongbing said.

"I don't think it's as good as this, you can report it to the court. But it can't be said to be our credit, if it is so reported. Some villains think that if we have an army and then falsely accuse us, we will be in trouble. It is better to report that it was the Datong defenders who opened the banner victoriously and destroyed the Mongol cavalry. It's good for you and me. Zhang Zhimu hurriedly said.

Jiang Zongbing said: "How can this work, how can I be greedy for heaven's work." I must let the emperor know that it was Brother Zhang Xian who made this earth-shattering feat, and also let those cowardly generals who hold military power take a look, and also see if they are ashamed. Saying that, Jiang Zongbing looked a little excited.

Zhang Zhimu said: "At the very least, you should say that the Mongolian cavalry that we defeated together. What do you think? ”

Jiang Zongbing felt that this was a compromise solution, and it was reasonable. He said, "Okay, it's up to my brother." ”

"One more thing, I brought a nice gift for the adults this time?" Zhang Zhimu said.

"Oh? Let's talk about it. What can make Brother Zhang Xian say a good gift. Jiang Zongbing knew that the good gift that Zhang Zhimu said must be unusual.

"This time, I'll bring you a few people. These men were liaison officers of the Manchu army. They did not know that the Mongol cavalry had been wiped out, and that the Manchu army had sent them over to contact them to join them. Zhang Zhimu said.

"Manchu army?" Jiang Zongbing thought he had misheard.

"That's right, at least 20,000 Manchu troops have crossed the Great Wall and are waiting for this Mongol cavalry on the road between Yanghe (Yanggao County) Wei and Huai'an. This is the result of our interrogation of these people. Zhang Zhimu replied with great certainty.

"I'll send someone to interrogate these people again right away, it's a big deal." Jiang Zongbing was obviously unprepared for the fact that the Manchu army had already entered.

Zhang Zhimu smiled and said: "If the adults didn't catch up with the Mongol soldiers, then it will be the same if the Manchu Qing Dynasty is the same!" ”

"It's all the same in war. But this matter must also be reported to the court. Besides, their current position is in my defense zone, but they are on the edge of my defense zone, and if they run out of my defense zone, I will not be able to enter other people's defense zone without the consent of the imperial court. Otherwise, it will be regarded as complicity and a felony. Jiang Zongbing said.

Zhang Zhimu also knows that in any era, the deployment and movement of the army is strictly managed. Otherwise, there will be no peace in the world.

"Then in your defense zone, destroy them." Zhang Zhimu said deliberately relaxedly.

General Jiang snorted twice, did not answer, turned his head and ordered, and immediately sent a team of scouts to the east, asking them to find out the situation of the Manchu army.

Zhang Zhimu said to Jiang Zongbing: "My lord, I still have some things to talk to you about alone. ”

Jiang Zongbing said: "Then please." We talk outside. ”

Zhang Zhimu and Jiang Zongbing came to the tent together. Jiang Zongbing said: "Brother Xian, do you have any secret things to say." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "In these few battles, some of them have been captured, and I don't want to monopolize them. I'd like to give you some. Do you think it's okay? ”

Jiang Zongbing is not a fool, he knows that he did not give away the seized things, and he asked people if they could do it. This clever Zhang Zhimu must have something to ask for himself. He smiled and said, "Then the virtuous brother said that this thing will not work." ”

Zhang Zhimu smiled and said, "Haha! Come on, let's not be sloppy. I have seized more than 5,000 stones of grain and more than 200 stones of salt this time, and I am ready to leave them to you. I know you're so short of food right now. ”

Jiang Zongbing's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said, "So much food, it's great." Salt is also a good thing. Tell us about your conditions. ”

Zhang Zhimu laughed and said, "Do the two of us have to do business naked?" ”

"Villain first, then gentleman." Jiang Zongbing is not a fuel-efficient lamp.

"Well, I bombed the Mongols this time and used up all the **. I want to change some ** from an adult. Zhang Zhimu said.

"That's no problem, is this what you're talking about?" Jiang Zongbing is not easy to fool.

"Ah, by the way, there's one more thing I want to tell you. Among the people we rescued, there were hundreds of prisoners of the Ming army. I know if they are caught by you, it will probably be a felony. And my smelter there is short of people, so I want to keep them and treat them as 'waste use'. Zhang Zhimu said a word from his previous life here.

Jiang Zongbing was also happy when he heard the word waste utilization, and said: "I don't know anything about this." See for yourself. "He thought to himself that there was a shortage of people, and the last thing he lacked now was people, he wanted to use ready-made soldiers, and he was sloppy with me.

Zhang Zhimu said: "Of course, then you don't know anything. If it were elsewhere, I would really let them know nothing. But I don't want to hide it from adults. ”

"You don't want to hide it from me! Then I ask you, where are the royal guards? Jiang Zongbing asked suddenly.

Zhang Zhimu didn't panic at all, and asked, "What palace guards?" Royal Guards, you should ask the palace, why do you come to ask me. ”

Jiang Zongbing knew that Zhang Zhimu would not admit anything, so he asked like this, and hurriedly diverted the conversation and asked: "Where is your food and salt, when will you give it to me?" ”

"It's best for you to send someone with me now, lest I send you to Datong again." Zhang Zhimu heard that this time it was a trouble-free thing.

Jiang Zongbing said: "We have so many people coming out, and we eat a lot every day. Don't go to Datong. I don't want to ship here from Datong anymore. We're all in trouble. When you go back, take the ** back. ”

Zhang Zhimu said great, some of me will go back to Datong early tomorrow morning, and this time they will be much easier.

"Don't forget, change the clothes of those Ming prisoners. If they are recognized, their families will be implicated. That's what you can do. Jiang Zongbing said with some disgust.

Jiang ordered his grain and grass officer to send a team of wagons to follow Zhang Zhimu and them back to their camp to pull grain and salt. Before leaving, Jiang Zongbing said to Zhang Zhimu very sincerely: "Before the situation is unclear, you still don't act." So as not to suffer losses, fighting a war is the business of our soldiers. I'll keep you informed. ”

Zhang Zhimu said, "Thank you, sir." ”

"Come on, your food is the best gift of all. With this food, the morale of the army will be stable. I'm the one to thank. Jiang Zongbing said.

When the officers and soldiers had hauled the grain and salt away, the caravan on the return journey was much easier. A lot of vehicles can be poured out, and Lu Chengxiang asked these vehicles to follow them to Zhangjiakou. He said that this time he will not buy a horse, but buy more other things, and these cars can be used.

The morning in the north of the 11th lunar month is very cold, but because of the desire to run to the kiln, everyone gets up early, helps feed the horses and camels, and tidies the vehicles. After having breakfast early, they all lined up as planned. If the points of each squad are correct, they will be reported to the squadron, and the squadron will report to the brigade, and finally to Yan Boju. When Yan Boju heard that all the personnel had been assembled, he turned over and said, "Let's go." ”

The team set off on its way. Yang Jing led the horse to the front of the team in high spirits. Yang Yulin said to him: "Be careful on the road. ”

"Don't worry, sister." Yang Jing replied.

Yan Boju kept watching the team go almost, turned around and said to Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng: "You go early and come back early, I'll leave first." After saying that, he waved the whip in his hand, shook the reins and left.

Zhang Zhimu said loudly: "Have a safe journey." ”

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By the way, I recommend "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty", similar to this article, it is also a "technology flow" through the novel, but it takes place in the Southern Song Dynasty, Yashan, Anti-Yuan, Restoration, and European World Wars.