Ningxia, an earthen fort on the bank of the Yellow River.

Yang Yiqing's more than 7,000 soldiers and horses were regarded as "watching" the Tatars withdraw, although there was also a small confrontation in the middle, but as in the previous battles in the northwest, the two sides were more pulling and pretending, and no frontal war broke out.

After the end of the battle from the Yellow River, all the battles with dead and wounded took place on the northwest bank of the Yellow River, that is, on Cui Yuan's side, and Yang Yiqing's side seemed very calm.

"My lord, the Tatars have withdrawn like this, if it is appropriate, shall we send troops out to fight the Tatars again?"

Guo Jun still looks a little brave and good at fighting, as if he hasn't enjoyed this battle yet, and he still wants to have a second half.

Yang Yiqing thought that before the First Battle of the Yellow River, his military orders could not be conveyed, and the soldiers' resistance to combat was almost to the point of mutiny, so he knew that the words of this group of soldiers were insincere.

To reason with soldiers who have never even read a book and are illiterate, it is Xiucai who can't explain it when he meets a soldier.

Yang Yiqing said: "This battle is over. ”

Zhang Yan, the eunuch guarding Ningxia Town, said: "Yang Junmen, it's not our family who is in opposition, with the news that our family knows, I'm afraid that the Shaanxi Inspector Yushi will not give us much face." I'm afraid that they will work with the people of the DPRK and the Central Committee to make us have the ability to fight with the Tartars, but avoid the war, and impeachment of us. You should also know about such things...... Our family is very difficult. ”

Originally, Zhang Yu was the nominal supervisor of this road, and he could catch up with the Tatars without chasing, he could fight without fighting, and follow behind the ass to watch the Tatars leave the Ming border, which is a crime in itself.

Yang Yiqing's tone was very resolute and said: "This official has already played to His Majesty and put forward the reason why he can no longer fight, and the imperial court will also understand the hard work of our waiting." Even if there is a sin of slackness, it is not something we should bear. ”

Zhang Yu said with a smile: "That's right, the Duke of Baoguo hasn't arrived yet." By the way, how far is Baoguo Gong from here? ”

A general next to Guo Jun replied: "It is said that there are still seventy or eighty miles, and if you are in a hurry, you may be able to arrive tonight." Earlier, the Duke of Bao Guo also said that I would wait to intercept the Tatars first, and when they arrived, they could annihilate all the Tatars, and even capture the little Tatar prince alive. ”

"What about dreaming?" Zhang Yu said very politely, "Let our people intercept it, the dead and injured are ours, he is waiting to pick up the ready-made, there is such a good thing in the world?" But I was afraid that he would take this matter afterwards and say that Yang Junmen was ineffective. ”

Yang Yiqing shook his head, looking indifferent and said, "How he wants to attack me, that's his business, don't pay attention to it." ”

A coach who was afraid of the whole battle, was actually embarrassed to play the impeachment and say that the local generals did not cooperate with him? Hindering him from achieving victory on the battlefield?

Even if you are really so cheeky and playing, no one will take your performance seriously, after all, it is the border army of Ningxia that has the credit now, not the ragtag army led by you Zhu Hui who has people everywhere.

"My lord, there seems to be some chaos on the other side, could it be ...... At war? ”

Gao Pi, the deputy commander-in-chief, came late, and he stood on the edge of the battlements of the Great Wall, pointing to the distance and road.

Zhang Yu hurriedly picked up the binoculars and looked at it: "It seems to be Cui Yuma's person, he is still quite persistent, this is crossing the river?" He dared to cross the river for fear of ...... Come and die. ”

Gao Pi said: "Looking at the situation, the Tatars have no intention of fighting to the death, and they don't think they can fight." ”

Yang Yiqing nodded and said: "Cui Yuan was brought by Zhu Hui in the end, Zhu Hui said that let the pursuing people and horses set up ambushes and intercept them, we can ignore it, but Cui Yuan has to do something." This shows that he is still responsible. But it doesn't matter, now that our Ming border army is on the side, the Tatars also know that this battle cannot be implicated and expanded, so they will mainly retreat. ”

Zhang Yi smiled bitterly: "This Cui Pony is quite reckless, it's really a newborn calf." ”

Yang Yiqing said: "Cui Yuan sees that it is unprofitable, so he will naturally choose to withdraw his troops, there are not many people under his command, and more than half of them are still sent by his own officials to reinforce the other side, he should know this point." ”

It's just a show, in order to fool Zhu Hui.

In Yang Yiqing's opinion, Cui Yuan should have the same idea, and this battle will not continue to fight.

……

……

Yang Yiqing's department began to rest.

After nightfall, the tents in the earthen fort were set up continuously, and the soldiers went into the tents early to rest.

After the battle of the Yellow River, although the Tatars and the Ningxia border army were no longer day and night, they had very little time to rest and recuperate, and a rest was almost three or four hours, and the soldiers fought for more than ten days in a row, and they were already tired.

Yang Yiqing also leaned on the back of the chair and slept for a while, until Gao Pi came in and reported that Cui Yuan had come to see him in person.

"Let him come." Yang Yiqing nodded.

Then Gao Pi went out and personally brought Cui Yuan in, and when Yang Yiqing saw Cui Yuan covered in dust, he nodded and said, "Cui Yuma has worked this trip." ”

Cui Yuan said: "The northwest land, the yellow sand is all over the sky, I heard that if you go dozens of miles to the north, it is the land of the desert Gobi, so chasing the past, the Tatar horses must be stuck in the sand and dust and cannot move, this terrain is very conducive to the play of my Ming soldiers." ”

Yang Yiqing got up and walked in front of Cui Yuan, waving his hand to signal Gao Pi to leave.

Gao Pi said with a smile: "It seems that Cui Juma is very fond of war. Retired from his duties! ”

Yang Yi glanced at Gao Pi innocently, as if he was blaming Gao Pi for talking too much.

Even if you don't want to fight, you can't say it directly in front of an imperial relative like Cui Yuan, who knows how he will tell the emperor after he returns to the dynasty? What if he thinks the same as Zhu Hui, thinks that our Ningxia border army is opportunistic, and accuses us of avoiding war like Zhu Hui?

After Gao Pi left, Yang Yiqing brought Cui Yuan to the hanging map, and then took the candlestick so that Cui Yuan could see it clearly.

"Cui Yuma, look here, it is no longer the hinterland of the Hetao, and it is only more than a hundred miles to the north, which is the place where the Tatars usually graze and move, and the Tatars enter with about 30,000 elite soldiers, do you think they will not arrange some defensive soldiers and horses in these places to respond at any time?" Yang Yiqing said, and gestured with his hand around the Hetao.

Cui Yuan lowered his head and said: "Yang Zhongcheng is really insightful, and I hope to forgive me for not thinking about it." ”

Yang Yiqing didn't expect Cui Yuan to admit his mistake so quickly, and he felt that Cui Yuan looked very cute, which shows that Cui Yuan is not that kind of strong personality when he usually communicates with people.

He was also thinking, no wonder this Cui Juma had a good reputation in Beijing in the past, and they all said that he was good at making friends from all over the world, and it seemed that the rumors were true.

Yang Yiqing said: "I know that the Baoguo Gong sent a fast horse to deliver the news, so that I can wait to intercept the Tatars, and wait for his troops to arrive, and then do a war." ”

"Hmm." Cui Yuan nodded, indicating that it was for this reason that he chose to continue the pursuit.

"But has Cui Juma ever thought that if he waits for the Duke of Baoguo to come, I am afraid that he will not be able to wait tonight, and even before noon tomorrow will be enough." Yang Yiqing said.

Cui Yuan was surprised: "Isn't it just sixty or seventy miles away? How could it be ......?"

Yang Yiqing said: "What kind of character Baoguo Gong is, I think you know as well as I do, he has always sought stability in his work, and what is not good to say is that he is too cowering and too conservative." Since he has given us the order to intercept him, I expect that he will not march to-night, but will camp in place to recuperate, and then march again to-morrow. ”

"No...... No way? Cui Yuan frowned, "Isn't he afraid, we can't stop it, and when he arrives, we will already ......"

You Yang Yiqing is a bit of a contempt, no matter what Zhu Hui says, he also knows that the opportunity must not be lost and will not come again, he already needs such a war to save his reputation and status, and he still dares to slack off?

Yang Yiqing sighed: "We have been defeated, and we have even been carried away by the Tatars, right?" ”

"Hmm." Cui Yuan nodded, his little eyes still a little confused.

Yang Yiqing said: "Maybe he just wants to wait for this result?" ”

"Huh?"

Cui Yuan was taken aback at this time.

Yang Yiqing said coldly: "After the battle of Huamachi, he has no merit in protecting the country, and he has watched us achieve merits one after another, so with his character, does he want us to make persistent efforts, or after the defeat, find a balance?" ”

Cui Yuan's eyes turned away, he didn't want to look at Yang Yiqing.

If you think about it carefully, you know that Yang Yiqing is not slandering Zhu Hui.

From Zhu Hui's point of view, I wish that the men and horses led by Yang Yiqing and Cui Yuan would be defeated in the first battle, and when he arrived, he would reverse the decline.

Even if Zhu Hui can't confront the Tatars head-on, as long as the Tatars are forced back, then he Zhu Hui can boast that he has saved the friendly army and has made great contributions, and Yang Yiqing and Cui Yuan's troops have greatly reduced their merits because of the loss of troops in this interception battle.

And then...... Zhu Hui can not only make up for his merits, but can even become the first hero.

Yang Yiqing said again: "It may be my villain's heart, but we really can't block the Tatars for too long, and the Tatars are very tightly connected, and there is no chance to follow." ”

Cui Yuandao: "Yang Zhongcheng, I still think that Baoguo Gong will not be like this. He...... If he arrives tonight and finds that we have not intercepted us, what if he will talk to us about military law? ”

Yang Yiqing said: "The general is not subject to the orders of the foreign monarch, why should he use military law to punish these soldiers who fought to the death on the front line?" Remember, if he wants to summon you, you don't have to go over, I have done a good job for you, and you should now break with him, and not continue to be on his side. ”

"Oh?" Cui Yuan was still a little confused.

At this time, Zhang Yan walked in from outside the tent, and there was a shadow at the door before, obviously Zhang Yan had been eavesdropping for a while.

Zhang Yu walked in and said with a smile: "Cui Yuma, our Zhang Yu is polite." ”

"Grandpa Zhang." Cui Yuan hurriedly saluted.

Zhang Yan smiled and said: "Yang Junmen's meaning, we are now one, and this battle is completed by the cooperation of our two people." If Bao Guogong still wants to keep his position today, he can only take Cui Yuma's merits and turn your credit into his, so Cui Yuma should know which side to stand on. ”

"Uh......"

Cui Yuan looked hesitant.

After all, he is not a big man, in the army, he is not even a partial general, and only by mistake can he have the opportunity to become the leader of the army and achieve meritorious service.

At first, others asked him to lead the army, not to give him the opportunity to make meritorious contributions, but to push him to death.

Therefore, Cui Yuan is very embarrassed in the face of the wrestling between the big guys, he doesn't want to get involved, and he wants to maintain an attitude that all parties are not offended, but with the credit he has achieved today, it is obviously impossible.

Yang Yiqing saw the cowardice in Cui Yuan's bones, and reminded: "In the future, if you want to make the soldiers obey and give orders, you must have confidence, and the merits of this battle are confidence." Cui Juma doesn't have to give Bao Guogong any more face, because after this battle, others will only know that there is you Cui Juma, but not Baoguo Gong. ”

"Huh." Cui Yuan continued to smile bitterly, he didn't think so.

Because of these battles, he got the credit in a daze, which was a bit unreal, and he felt that after he returned to the capital, the credit would be taken away.

As he was talking, there was Gao Pi's voice outside: "Lord Yang, there is a messenger sent by the Duke of Baoguo." ”

"Nope!"

Yang Yiqing made a choice very unceremoniously this time.

"Yes." Gao Pi immediately went to deliver the message.

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Cui Juma, did you see it?" Now it is Baoguo Gong who is in a hurry, he is afraid that he will send people to deliver messages one after another tonight, forcing us to send them to death, and he is unhurried to send reinforcements, we just have to wait to see his good show. ”

"This ......" Cui Yuan couldn't even speak seriously now, with a helplessness in his eyes.

It's like a gas bag.

However, in Yang Yiqing's view, this is in line with Cui Yuan's personality, this is really a relative who goes to the battlefield for the first time, and he can be counted on to reap miraculous results with recklessness for a while, but he can't be expected to govern the army, stabilize the army, or even calm the people.

……

……

Cui Yuan returned to his barracks in a panic.

In the face of the inquiries of his soldiers, Cui Yuan chose to remain silent, and then he received a message from Xiangcheng Bo Li Yan, and Li Yan also arrived at the pass in the middle of the night after Li Yan led the troops, and was also surprised that the Tatars were let go, but Li Yan's mind was different from Zhu Hui, because he was bound to Cui Yuan.

Without Cui Yuanda's credit, I don't think I will be questioned like Zhu Hui at least, right?

"Cui Juma judged the situation, saw that the situation was not suitable for leading the troops to pursue, and did not deliberately disobey the military orders of the Duke of Baoguo, and after seeing the Duke of Baoguo, I will judge for you in the future." Li Yan is very enthusiastic.

Cui Yuan said: "Baoguo Gong said that he would lead troops to help tonight, but there has been no movement so far. ”

"This ...... There may be obstacles to such things as marching, and if you come tonight, you will not wait until dawn. Li Yan said, "But it doesn't make much difference whether you come now or not, unless Baoguo Gong is ready to continue to lead the troops in pursuit." Judging from the soldiers, horses, food and grass, etc., it is quite difficult to continue chasing, or it will not be adopted. ”

Cui Yuan asked, "Then does the Protectorate Guild use this to ask for guilt?" ”

Li Yan smiled and didn't answer.

Cui Yuan said: "Yang Zhongcheng, the governor of Ningxia, is not too keen on the pursuit of the Tatars, and the soldiers are tired and sleepy, so he is afraid that he will be attacked by the army at this time. The delay in the advance of the troops led by the Duke of Baoguo was the main culprit for missing the warplane. ”

"Huh?" Li Yan was stunned on the spot.

You Cui Concubine, you were very afraid of being held accountable just now, why did you start fighting back now?

Listening to what you mean, do you want to strike first and impeach Zhu Hui first?

Cui Yuan asked, "Does Uncle Xiangcheng think I have a point?" Or do you have a different opinion? ”

Li Yan looked around, leaned closer and asked, "This is what Yang Zhongcheng taught?" ”

"No one taught, I tell the truth." Cui Yuan looked a little angry and said, "From the beginning, Baoguo Gong did not plan to fight a decisive battle with the Tatars, I heard that the little Tatar prince invaded Ningxia, he still insisted on leading the troops to the north, and there was no heart to help, until the news of the battle of Huamachi came, he was reluctant to lead the troops to go, the matter has passed more than ten days, and his army is still less than five hundred miles. Is this what a troop leader should do? ”

Li Yan reminded: "Cui Juma, it's not me who said that this Baoguo Gong's relationship with the DPRK and China is very hard." I heard that Gonggong Xiao, the master of ceremonies, secretly had a lot of dealings with him, and even the ministers of the court and the central government also respected him, His Majesty had high hopes for him, and even entered the listening office before, and even Cai Guogong had to give him some face. ”

Cui Yuandao: "You mean, I can't impeach His Majesty?" ”

"Feel free." Li Yan smiled bitterly.

Who are you, you are a relative of the emperor and the country, and you have never sought a position in the court before, and you can participate in the impeachment of whoever you want.

But those of us who rely on the army to eat and eat are not as careless as you, we still have to think about our own future, as well as the future of our children and grandchildren, who wants to mess with people with a deeper official background than themselves?

Cui Yuan looked at Li Yan and said, "But I want to get your joint name." ”

"Huh? This...... This ......" Li Yan immediately retreated a little.

Cui Yuan said: "In this battle, even Xiangcheng Bo has always been in the rear, and you haven't fought a single key battle, are you not responsible?" Are you willing to stand on the side of the protector or on the side of justice? ”

Li Yan frowned when he heard this.

Emotional support for you is support for justice, and supporting Baoguo Gong is on the side of evil, right?

In the past, Li Yan must have struggled, but now......

He knows how to take sides.

"Naturally, I can't get used to seeing such evil deeds of Baoguo Gong." Li Yan's words were a bit categorical, "Such cowardly and incompetent people leading the army is a shame for the Ming soldiers, if you don't impeach him, how can you determine the majesty of the army?" Who are the co-branders? I am willing to co-sign one of them. ”

Cui Yuan said: "No one else, just me." ”

“……”

Li Yan was a little speechless.

Why don't you stand aside with Yang Yiqing? Now you want me to co-sign with you alone? What are you...... Push me to the cusp.

"If you repent, I will not hinder you." Cui Yuandao.

How can this be? Now that the war has subsided, please ask Cui to start writing. Li Yan decided to be an "upright person" and came out with Cui Yuan to impeach Zhu Hui.

Cui Yuan said: "Okay, I'll write the note of the impeachment, and please mention it more, there are some things I don't understand very well, if there is anything wrong...... Just find someone to come back and check it out. ”

"Don't give out this news." Li Yan said, "Baoguo Gong has heavy troops in his hands, and I am afraid that he will take the opportunity to retaliate." Let's keep a low profile. ”

(End of chapter)