Chapter 769: Making Friends

Compared with the first time in the Yongle period when the army was called 800,000, Liu Sheng's army was claimed to be 100,000, but in fact it was 50,000 infantry, cavalry and water troops. It still followed the old route of marching from Pingxiang. Because Rongchang had previously

Bo Chenzhi was defeated and died, and many prefectures and counties south of Jiaozhou Prefecture had lost contact. Therefore, the army still followed the old Yongle system at first, with reconnaissance cavalry at the front, rear, left and right. There might be a small band of bandits along the way, no more than ten people at most.

It wasn't until we passed through the two passes of Ailiuguan and Zhenyiguan that we encountered the first group of bandit soldiers.

This group of thieves only numbered a few hundred. After they collided with the front team, they almost collapsed at the first battle. After some interrogation, the captured people could not tell what Chou Yinmao came from. They only knew that they were now called the southern states.

It was Chen Tianbao, who was known as the orthodox descendant of the Chen family, who started the rebellion as the foundation of the government. Because Chen Tianbao set up an ambush to defeat Rongchang Bo Chen Zhi, he also issued a message to recruit soldiers and horses from four villages to capture Jiaozhou Prefecture. They had just arrived here, but they did not

I thought the army was coming so quickly.

Hearing this, the civil and military forces in the army were all shocked. Annan was originally the Chen family. Huang Fu had already found a descendant of the Chen family before and was awarded the false title of chief envoy in Jiaozhou Prefecture. Now there is another Chen family.

Tianbao?

During the Yongle period, Zhang Fu went on three southern expeditions. He gathered a large army to collect grain and grass, and all kinds of people had to be recruited from all over the place. Therefore, after the news came out, it often took a month or even several months to actually send troops. But this time Liu Sheng

Originally in Guangzhou, the Pingman Army under his command had been practicing for a year and it had become smoother. There was no need to mobilize troops from other places except Yunnan, and there was no need to worry too much about food and grass. The speed was naturally not as fast as before. Halfway through the journey, the army only took eight days.

Thinking of Rongchang Bo Chen Zhi rushing into the army and being defeated, this led to the current result. Liu Shengyuan had a noble temperament. Although he was annoyed, he was more impatient. He decided to rush into the army quickly and recruited his subordinates.

Several important civil and military personnel. When he told everyone that he planned to select elite cavalry to arrive at Jiaozhou Prefecture as soon as possible, Commander Li Ju immediately showed a strange expression. But when he was about to object, he remembered Liu Sheng's stubborn temper and refused to listen to others' advice.

He secretly looked at Zhang Yue with his eyes, as did Shi An and Chen Yong who came with Zhang Yue.

Thinking that Li Qing had been in poor health since arriving in Nanning Mansion, and had been suffering from high fever for days since Pingxiang entered the army, and that he had entrusted him with more persuasion in everything, Zhang Yue coughed lightly.

"Master Marquis, there are many mountains and rivers in Jiaozhi. It is easy to set up ambushes in valleys and watersides. Now it is unclear how many rebels there are in Tong Province. It is best not to rush in. Not only that, if you encounter a river boat bridge

At any time, double the number of reconnaissance cavalry should be sent out to check for any ambush in the surrounding area, and beware of rebellion and surprise attacks relying on favorable locations."

"You are young, but you are as cautious as an old man!"

Liu Sheng glared at Zhang Yue angrily. Seeing that his face was full of persistence, Li Ju also agreed a few words, and then no longer insisted on Qingqi advancing. On the contrary, several commanders who were eager to try were a little unhappy, but saw that the coach was speechless.

, they did not dare to disobey. As they continued to march, Zhang Yue followed Liu Sheng, looking at the mountains on both sides, and then he lowered his head and began to think.

Since the army marched to Jiaozhi three times and set up the Third Division and the General Soldier to guard it, under the leadership of Huang Fu, major roads were gradually opened in Jiaozhi, which was originally just a small road. The main road for this march is from Jiaozhou Prefecture.

The main road to the capital was naturally wider. Both Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Chao had taken this road before. Since there were not many rebels along this route, Wudu judged that the rebels were mainly concentrated on the southwest side of Jiaozhou Prefecture, but

Even so, Rongchang Bo and Chen Zhi's lessons were still there, and Zhang Yue did not dare to ignore them.

Jiaobei is not as good as Jiaonan. Although it is in the tropics, it has four seasons a year. Unlike Jiaonan, which only has rainy and dry seasons, the weather is obviously hotter. It is now the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the air is still crisp, but the dense trees in the mountains block the sky.

Even if it is daytime, there is not much sunlight when walking on the mountain road, and snakes and insects appear from time to time, which makes people complain endlessly. Fortunately, sufficient military doctors have been deployed in Guangxi and Yunnan this time, and most of the soldiers have

He was an old man who had experienced the Southern Expedition before. He was fully protected from mosquitoes at all levels. In addition, the current miasma was no worse than in spring and summer, so there were very few casualties. On the contrary, many civil and military officials fell ill.

On this day, it was drizzling outside and the front was gradually opening up. Zhang Yue, who was originally riding a horse, was forced into the carriage by Liu Sheng, so he simply called Shi An and Chen Yong to come in together. One of them was

One of the fifth-grade doctors was a sixth-grade principal, both of whom were born in the second rank of Jinshi. Shi An was his senior in the examination room, and Chen Yong from Qiantang was the same age as him, but he was more than ten years older than him.

Originally, they were chatting about some random things, but as they spoke, Shi An said worriedly: "Sir Zhang, it has been more than ten years since the imperial court established the Chief Secretary. For more than ten years, he has appeased the guards and killed a rebellious and powerful person.

Secondly, it is not an option to use troops like this all the time. With all due respect to the official, whenever something happens to Mr. Huang and Mr. Zhang, there will be a sudden chaos in the settlement. This in itself shows that there is a big problem with the civil and military appointment here!"

Chen Yong even said bluntly: "It is certainly a big mistake for Rongchang Bo and Chen Zhi to advance rashly, but the prefecture and county civil servants have not paid attention to it, but this is a matter of certainty! All prefectures and counties have demoted officials, and even one term does not change for many years.

With things like this, how can we make people pay attention?"

"I have been thinking about what you said these days. I was the chief envoy of Guangdong before, and I have been to Qiongzhou before. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Qiongzhou had always used dismissed officials. These people were neither able nor willing to govern.

Because Qiongzhou has always been ruled by tribal chiefs, who often rebel and disobey, how similar is it to today's Jiaozhi? To truly cure Jiaozhi, we can no longer banish officials, but should select talented and virtuous officials. Instead of using the former

The period of nine years is two-year evaluation and transfer. Those who are outstanding will be appointed at a higher level during the selection of officials, and they will be promoted to large states and mansions in wealthy areas such as Jiangnan."

Seeing Shi An and Chen Yong, they were both shocked. Zhang Yue couldn't help but think of later generations' aid to Tibet and Xinjiang. Although those people had not been in the frontier for a long time, they were very useful, and because they were often promoted after being transferred back at the end of their term,

Many people are willing to go here, at least they won't feel sorry for themselves there. If the quality of Jiaozhi's service is used as the basis for the evaluation of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, it may be possible to change the situation of Jiaozhi Chief Sizhou and County magistrates' inaction. He is right

After the two explained it, they heard a loud noise suddenly coming from outside.

"What's going on?"

"Sir, the front team's reconnaissance cavalry has discovered a group of war elephants. Marshal Liu has ordered that the Chinese army and firearms battalion will attack from the squadron and two wings. Please sit in the car and don't expose your head!"

Zhang Yue had heard Zhang Fu mention the good use of war elephants before. When he suddenly learned the news, he was shocked. Then he nodded to the guard sergeant and sat back, but he was still high-spirited.

The curtains were hung high. He could sit still, but Shi An and Chen Yong next to him were not so patient. One of them leaned out and looked outside, while the other asked worriedly: "Suddenly, I haven't arrived at Jiaozhou Mansion yet.

If a war elephant appears, could it be that the place has been occupied by the rebels?"

Zhang Yue shook his head and said: "On the contrary, it is because Jiaozhou Prefecture is still there that the rebels can't wait to meet the enemy at the front. If they can defeat our army, Jiaozhou Prefecture will be around the corner. These traitors have no ambition."

Small!"

When setting off from Nanning Prefecture, several generals sent by Zhang Fu were specially brought by him to meet Anyuan Hou Liu Sheng and prepared painted lions and horses. Zhang Yue also suggested that Liu Sheng arrange elite cavalry and firearms in the front line.

Battalion, specially designed to prevent war elephants from charging into the formation,

He didn't expect it to come in handy so quickly. Just as the shouts of "killing" and "firearms" burst out from the front, a carriage behind him stopped next to him. A boy jumped out of the carriage and stepped on the muddy and water-filled road.

He hurriedly ran forward.

"Master Zhang, Master Li, please come over and have a talk."

As soon as he heard this, Zhang Yue immediately got out of the car. It was still raining in the sky. He rejected the umbrella of the attendant next to him and strode forward. When he got to the car, he saw that Li Qing inside had already sat up.

He turned around and said as soon as he saw him: "The government has been improving firearms over the years, but thieves

The soldiers didn't know that since the war elephant appeared this time, they must have taken advantage of the drizzle in these days, and the firearms were easily affected by moisture. This must be a great victory, but please send someone to tell the commander-in-chief, Mr. Zhang, that he will explain it now.

The siege of Jiaozhou Prefecture is the most important thing, don’t chase the poor bandits, and don’t make the same mistake as Rongchang Bo!"

This is certainly true, but Zhang Yue can be sure that if the true words are told, even if it is based on his friendship with Liu Sheng, he will definitely be disgraced. After all, who wants to be defeated by Rongchang Bo Chen Zhi?

To compare with the dead guy? So he comforted Li Qing and let the carriage

The boy inside helped Li Qing lie down to rest. When he turned around and came back, he whispered to a general: "Go to the front team and see how the battle is going over there. If the situation is unstoppable, tell the commander to liberate Jiaozhou first."

When the palace is surrounded, the civil and military people in the city will be grateful. Don't pursue the poor bandits, and the future will be long."

The servant had also followed Zhang Fu on several battles. At this moment, he immediately understood. He nodded and mounted his horse and galloped away. Zhang Yue stood there, listening to the roar of the war elephants in front of him and the roar of muskets, and listened to the fighting cries.

Unconsciously, the rain on his head was getting heavier and heavier. It wasn't until there was an umbrella on his head that he woke up. When he looked back, it was Shi An, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Listen to that noise, the front should be winning!"

All dynasties in the Central Plains liked to exaggerate their military deployments, often claiming to be eight hundred thousand and one million. Although Jiaoren claimed to be kings one after another, this exaggeration was more prevalent than in the neighboring Celestial Kingdom. In the past, the father and son of the Hu family in Annan murdered

The Lord is self-reliant, once known as seven hundred on land and water

Ten thousand and two million soldiers and civilians blocked the Tao River to resist Zhang Fu's army, and this time the siege of Jiaozhou Prefecture was also under the banner of the so-called million-strong army. However, this mighty million-strong army that respected Chen's family was...

After the initial battle elephant team retreated, they all dispersed.

"These are a bunch of clowns. How could Rongchang Bo and Chen Zhi be defeated by these people?"

When entering the city, Liu Sheng, who was walking slowly under the guard of a group of soldiers, couldn't help but complain, but no one around him answered. Everyone knew that Emperor Yongle Zhu Di always dealt with defeated generals very harshly.

, Qiu Fu was defeated and died in the battle.

His family moved to Hainan, and during the Northern Expedition, there were several nobles who were imprisoned and died due to defeat in small battles. If it had been at that time, it would have been fine for Chen Zhi himself to die, and I am afraid his family would have been affected. But now Zhu Zhanji

It's hard to say what the outcome will be when he's in power.

However, as soon as the army entered the city, although it was greeted by Shangshu Chen Qia and others, the first thing Zhang Yue noticed was the warriors. When he found that he didn't know any of them, his heart sank instinctively. Sure enough,

, Chen Qia's face immediately turned pale after the ceremony with everyone.

"Thanks to Governor Fang bringing his troops back in time, and Marshal Zhang's eldest son helping to collect the defeated troops, Jiaozhou Prefecture was able to support the reinforcements. All the subordinate officials were incompetent and could not persuade Uncle Rongchang not to rush in. After Marshal Zhang was seriously injured,

, I still have to disturb you from time to time..."

Zhang Yue no longer wanted to listen to what Chen Qia said later, but he just breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what, no sad news came from the General Military Mansion, and his second uncle Zhang You was still there. Until someone gently

A push on his back brought him back to his senses.

"You go to the General Military Mansion first. I'll go back and change my clothes and then take someone to take a look."

Looking at Liu Sheng, who was also relieved, Zhang Yue cupped his hand, and then hurriedly led his followers out of the team, mounted their horses and galloped away. When he left like this, the people in the southern expedition would not be surprised.

The delivery officials below Chen Qia were a little confused. It wasn't until they learned about the relationship between Zhang Yue and Commander-in-Chief Zhang You that a group of people started talking buzzingly.

Jiaozhou Mansion was originally the eastern capital of Annan. It was originally surrounded by high city walls and had numerous high-ranking officials. Although it was no longer the same after a battle, the General Military Mansion, which was originally the residence of high-ranking officials, is still relatively intact. Today,

Although this is still a high-level courtyard, there is no longer the scene of generals gathering in the past. Zhang Yue, who hurriedly dismounted in front of the door, saw a servant of the Zhang family waiting in front of the door and kowtowed quickly, so he pulled him away.

He got up and walked all the way inside to ask questions. When he learned that Dr. He said that the most dangerous moment had passed, he immediately abandoned the people and rushed into the inner room at a trot.

It wasn't until he entered the house that he saw Zhang Chaozheng lying in front of Zhang You's couch as if he was asleep. On the chair next to him, his father Zhang Zhuo seemed to be writing something in front of the case. He tiptoed to the bedside and found that Zhang You was still sleeping peacefully.

, he said nothing. When he turned around, he saw Zhang Zhuo standing up, waving his hand to him, and he followed his father out the door.

"Your second uncle, regardless of his own situation, ordered your eldest brother to rein in the defeated troops, so Jiaozhou Mansion finally didn't make a fuss from inside. Otherwise, even if the rebels' offensive was not strong, they might not be able to survive. Your second uncle murmured to

I have said that even though he fought hard for a long time, he fell short of success. If he had not seen that there had been little rebellion in the states and counties over the years, so he took it lightly, there would not have been the cause and effect he has today... But after all, he was not defeated. When he was most dangerous, he even

He also asked me to draft it according to his instructions, and also told me to let you go back and polish it. Fortunately, Jiren has his own destiny, and when your elder brother came back, his condition finally improved..."
Chapter completed!