The army marched smoothly for a few days.

Along the way, Jiang Ning saw Zhu Houzhao share weal and woe with the soldiers with the respect of the Son of Heaven, laughing in the same camp and eating in the same cauldron.

If it weren't for Jiang Ning's insistence, he would probably have to sleep in the same military tent as the soldiers.

And when he had to walk on a mountain road, he was also willing, without shouting that he was tired or complaining.

Jiang Ning witnessed his rapid growth, and his heart was hot.

Only such an emperor can truly benefit the people.

this day.

The army marched to the vicinity of Lingqiu.

Suddenly, there was a report from the Malays, and there were troops stationed in front.

Judging by the fact that the camp is very solid and thorough, it does not look like it was built temporarily, and it should have been a while.

According to the size of the camp, Tanma judged that there should be about 3,000 people.

When Jiang Ning heard this, he hurriedly ordered the army to suspend the march, rest in place, and ordered someone to investigate the specific situation.

Not long after, a middle-aged man dressed as a general was brought over.

"The last general, Datongwei, took care of Qian Yin, and I have seen Lord Qincha."

"It turned out to be the robe of Datongwei, and the official also said which one it is."

Jiang Ning helped Qian Yin up and asked directly questions:

"The battle on the front line is extremely anxious, how can you still order your troops to be stationed here?"

"My lord doesn't know that the Tatar is very cunning, and after being trapped in Datong after running out of grain and grass, he took great pains to find out the path here.

Immediately, a small number of soldiers and horses were sent to smuggle here, attacked the Lingqiu County in front, looted a large number of supplies, and killed many people.

After that, the governor of Datong, Zhou Nanzhou, ordered the general to lead his troops to be stationed here day and night to prevent them from attacking again. ”

"I see."

Jiang Ning has seen the surrounding maps and knows that there are many passes in the nearby mountains, but the trail here is really remote and has never been fortified.

Unexpectedly, it was discovered by the Tatars.

If they weren't stationed here, they would have frequently used this road to raid the county town and loot supplies.

Then Yang Yiqing's consumption strategy is meaningless.

After chatting with Qian Yin for a few more words, Jiang Ning sent someone to send him away, and went to Zhu Houzhao to inform him of the matter.

Zhu Houzhao looked at the terrain of the lofty mountains and dangerous veins ahead, nodded and said:

"This place is indeed very important, if there is no large army stationed, the enemy army can approach Lingqiu in an instant.

In the past, it was negligent, but it will not work in the future, and it is necessary to send men and horses to defend here for a long time.

That's it, Zhang Yong. ”

"The old slave is here."

"When I return to Beijing, I will let the military department build the pass tower here."

"The old slave obeys."

"By the way, what's the name of this place?"

Zhang Yong was prepared, and blurted out: "Your Majesty, this place is called Pingxingling." ”

"Well, in that future, the city will be called Pingxingguan."

Jiang Ning was stunned.

He remembered that Pingxingguan was indeed built by Zhu Houzhao's order, but that was the sixth year of Zhengde.

I don't want to be ahead of time.

In this way, it is good that if you repair it sooner, you will be able to guard the people sooner.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning suddenly said:

"Your Majesty, the so-called best defense is to attack, and building a pass can be a temporary advantage.

But if you want to really protect the people from intrusion, I still need to take the initiative to fight out and fight to the grassland! ”

Zhu Houzhao laughed: "That's natural, it's not a skill to resist the enemy outside the country, and it is my generation to burn the flames of war to the enemy's house!" ”

After a few more days, Jiang Ning finally arrived in Datong smoothly.

But Yang Yiqing and Wang Shouren were not there.

They are now stationed at Fort Victorious, in order to receive the enemy's information at the first time and command the army.

And Zhou Nan, the governor of Datong, was not there, and he personally led people to escort grain and grass.

Therefore, only some adjutants from Datong Mansion came to greet the army.

Then Jiang Ning was arranged to rest in the post house.

Ouchi's guards took over the defense, enclosing the three inner and outer three floors.

At this time, there were only two people in Jiang Ning's room, him and Zhu Houzhao.

"Your Majesty, General Yang is commanding the battle in Fort Victory, and I am afraid that he will not be able to come back for a while, and the minister plans to take someone to see him in two days, and ask about the specific battle situation by the way.

In addition, Datong is the fief of the king, guarding the northern frontier for the imperial court. ”

"That's very good. Then I'll go to the palace with you to take a look, and he won't recognize me. ”

As the monarch spoke, there was a sudden noise outside.

Jiang Ning frowned and said, "Your Majesty will wait a moment, and the minister will go outside to take a look." ”

As he spoke, he got up and walked to the door, and when he opened the door, he saw an elegant middle-aged civil official arguing with the guards.

"Zhou Nan, the governor of Datong, let me in quickly, this official wants to see Jiang Ning!"

"Lord Zhou, my family is having something important, and no one is allowed to see each other."

"Get out of the way!"

Zhou Nan pushed away the guards and broke into the courtyard directly.

Jiang Ning looked even more puzzled.

This week, Nan looks elegant and handsome, and seems to be a gentleman, but he didn't expect his temper to be so violent.

I think that if I have been on the border for a long time and have the right to manage military affairs, I will inevitably be contaminated with the habits of the army.

But it was always unpleasant to be so hard to break into recently, Jiang Ning couldn't help but shout:

"Lord Zhou, this is the Qin Mission, as a local member of the imperial court, I'm afraid it would be rude for you to break in?"

Zhou Nan had already walked up to Jiang Ning, looked at it a few times, and said a little angrily: "You are Jiang Ning?" ”

"It's the official."

"Get out of the way."

Zhou Nan dodged and walked directly into the room.

Jiang Ning was about to stop him, but he saw him bow directly to Zhu Houzhao and said, "Minister Zhounan, I have seen Your Majesty!" ”

"You, you know me?"

Zhu Houzhao was quite surprised.

"I was a squire in the military department in the first emperor's dynasty, and I was fortunate to see His Majesty when he was still the prince."

"I'm not asking you this."

Zhou Nan reacted and hurriedly said:

"Scholar Li sent someone to quickly send the news to the minister, asking the minister to persuade His Majesty to go back.

Your Majesty, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, let's go back to Beijing as soon as possible!

Worship with weeping blood! ”

After that, Zhou Nan knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

"Zhou Qing, hurry up."

Zhu Houzhao helped Zhou Nan up and said:

"I am here for an extremely important state matter, and it is also related to my Ming Dynasty's society, and I must do it.

After it is dealt with, I will return to Beijing immediately, and there will be no delay for a moment, how about it? ”

Zhou Nan said firmly:

"Your Majesty, for whatever reason, Datong is now in the midst of a war, and it is very critical, and if the Tartars know His Majesty's whereabouts, I am afraid of disaster.

I also ask Your Majesty to return to Beijing as soon as possible.

As for the so-called important things, naturally our courtiers will do it. Why bother Your Majesty to do it yourself. ”

Zhu Houzhao frowned and said: "Zhou Qing doesn't need to say it, I have made up my mind, and I will definitely not go back." ”

"Your Majesty!"

Zhou Nan's eyes widened, and he suddenly took out a medicine bag from his arms:

"As a courtier, it is an unforgivable sin to sit back and watch Your Majesty be in danger and cannot be dissuaded!

Since His Majesty is unwilling to go back, the minister can only thank the world with his death! ”

As he spoke, he opened the medicine bag and looked up to swallow it.

Jiang Ning was stunned.

This man was prepared!

Then he quickly came back to his senses and hurriedly rushed over and snatched the medicine bag.

"Why did you stop me?"

Zhou Nan looked at Jiang Ning angrily.

Jiang Ning handed the medicine bag to the guards and said, "Your Majesty has said that it is all for the sake of the family, the country and the society, why don't you listen?" ”

"What is the important thing that requires His Majesty to go to the danger in person?

Lord Jiang has not forgotten the changes in the civil fort in the past.

Yingzong was under the instigation of Wang Zhen, a courtier, and buried 500,000 elites of our dynasty.

The noble courtiers were martyred, and the number of people who died in the war is unknown.

If it weren't for Emperor Jingtai and Yu Taibao to turn the tide, my Ming would be in danger of overturning!

What's the matter, could it be that Lord Jiang also wants to follow Wang Zhen this time?! ”

When Jiang Ning heard this, he was furious, and immediately refuted:

"You're going to have a civil fort!

Don't you hear that Taizu started from the end of Wei, expelled the Tartars, and rebuilt the Han people.

Taizong made five expeditions to Mobei, attacked Mongolia from afar, and even collapsed on the way back to his division.

Which of them is not a martial arts officer, and their reputation is great!

Your Majesty is their descendant, and you have martial blood flowing in your body!

The first thing we should do as courtiers is to assist Your Majesty to create a prosperous world and become a wise king praised by all people.

And what about you, don't you have to trap Your Majesty in the Forbidden City and be a puppet who can only sign and seal?! ”

These words are not serious, and Zhou Nan was speechless.

After a long mouth, I just couldn't get a word.

Jiang Ning breathed a long sigh of relief and continued:

"It's an indisputable fact that Your Majesty is here, Lord Zhou still listens to me finish the matter and think about how to cooperate."

Zhou Nan said gloomily: "I want to hear it in detail." ”