activa-t Chapter 611: Another 25-year-old among the 25-year-olds
Chapter 611: Another 25-year-old among the 25-year-olds
It was no wonder that Zhang Shikang grinned. The secret letter said that the Qing Dynasty’s biggest goal this time was to kill him, Zhang Shikang, and even used the words “at any cost”.
Zhang Shikang was really surprised that the whole country was mobilized not to capture cities but just to kill him.
Zhang Shikang naturally did not take it too seriously, but it was completely different for the Royal Guards generals such as Sun Weifan and Huang Degong.
Sun Weifan's body trembled and he slapped the table, saying angrily:
"Damn it! They actually want to destroy the future of our Ming Dynasty!"
Huang Degong was also very angry. When the letter was passed to Wu Sangui and other resentful generals, Wu Sangui was also a little surprised.
But Wu Sangui couldn't help but think that such a big fight was just for the life of the Grand Marshal. It seemed outrageous, but if the Ming Dynasty lost the Grand Marshal...
When I think of the precarious situation of the Ming Dynasty in the past few years, and the group of ministers in the court who were good at infighting...hiss - it's terrifying to think about it!
Thinking of this, Wu Sangui couldn't help but say:
"Lord Sun, what you said makes sense. The purpose of those thieves may seem absurd, but it's actually very clever. If the Grand Marshal really encounters an accident, have you considered the consequences?"
When he said this, he did not dare to look at Zhang Shikang's face, but looked at Sun Weifan.
Wu Sangui knew that their great marshal was the most undisciplined in his work, and he was still worried that Zhang Shikang would take risks.
But at the same time, he also understood that compared with Sun Weifan, who had been by the side of the Grand Marshal since he became famous, his weight in the Grand Marshal's heart was incomparable, so he very cleverly hinted to Sun Weifan.
Sun Weifan never dared to underestimate the Jian Lu. He knew that if the Jian Lu really had this determination, once a melee broke out, Zhang Shikang, who was so conspicuous, might really be in danger. So he scratched his head and said:
"My dear nephew, swords have no eyes. This is no joke. I say, you should stay in Jinzhou City during this battle."
Seeing Zhang Shikang frowning and glaring, about to lose his temper, Huang Degong quickly took over the conversation and said:
"However, the Marshal can still command us to fight through the Jinyiwei. Without the wise command of the Grand Marshal, how can our Guards win the battle?"
"That's right, what Old Huang said makes sense. Even if we win, the credit will naturally go to you, my nephew!" After Sun Weifan said this, he winked at Wu Sangui.
"Jinzhou North City has been severely damaged and may not be very safe. I think we can go further inland. Ningyuan City is a good choice."
Cao Bianjiao scratched his head and said:
"If Jinzhou is difficult to defend, then won't Ningyuan City be the first to bear the brunt? It's still not very safe!"
"How about a little further south? I think Shanhaiguan is a good place, the walls there are strong!"
"I think it's feasible too."
A group of uncles nodded secretly and expressed their satisfaction with this proposal, except Zhang Shikang who was speechless.
"Or, I might as well just go back to the capital!"
Zhang Shikang originally said this in anger, but when everyone heard this, they all smiled and said in unison:
"That's the best!"
Zhang Shikang said angrily:
"What a hammer!"
He came all the way from Beijing in the hot summer, not for tourism, but to recover lost territory. But he was scared away as soon as he arrived. If Huang Taiji heard this, he would be laughed at.
If that time really came, Zhang Shikang could even imagine how Dorgon and his men would frame him. He only needed to mobilize their spies inside the Great Wall to spread rumors.
It is said that Zhang Shikang fled from the battlefield, which was clearly because he was afraid of the power of the Qing Dynasty. Although this method was crude, it could greatly undermine the morale of the court and Zhang Shikang's prestige in the hearts of the people.
After all, senior generals such as Sun Weifan knew the inside story, but the illiterate lower-level soldiers and ordinary people might not understand it.
Of course Zhang Shikang would not go back. Not to mention Shanhaiguan, he did not plan to stay in Jinzhou City. If this leader rose to power, he would never have to go anywhere else in the future.
"This time, I am going on this expedition, not only to fight the Tartars, but also to broaden the horizons of our Crown Prince. He is the current Crown Prince."
Zhang Shikang knew that it would be difficult to convince these stubborn uncles by himself, so he had to drag Zhu Cilang out to take the blame.
Zhu Cilang's identity on this trip has been kept strictly confidential, so most people don't know about it. At this time, he is dressed as a personal soldier and standing behind Zhang Shikang like a nobody.
When his identity was suddenly revealed, Zhu Cilang lifted up his helmet, revealing his face, and greeted Sun Weifan and others with a little embarrassment.
The commanders present were stunned for a moment.
They all knew that the Marshal was courageous, but they didn't expect it to be so great. The importance of a country's crown prince is second only to the current emperor.
Whether they are the emperor or the prince, they are the foundation of the country. Not to mention taking risks and going to the battlefield, under normal circumstances, they almost never leave the imperial city in their entire lives.
But Zhang Shikang actually brought the prince to the outside of the Great Wall!
This...this...why didn't those damn civil servants in the court stop it?
But despite being shocked, all the generals present, except Zhang Shikang, quickly stood up and saluted.
"Alright, alright, everyone, take a seat. Cilang, you take a seat too." Zhang Shikang pointed to the seat next to him and continued:
"Letting the Crown Prince see a real battlefield is a good thing for the Ming Dynasty court, and especially for the Ming army. You should understand this."
Previously, Uncle Chongzhen had lost countless opportunities to fight and the lives of soldiers because he knew nothing about military affairs and was suspicious because he was bullied by others. This was a deep pain for the generals present.
There is no soldier who does not want the emperor to be a horse emperor. The benefits are self-evident, and Sun Weifan and others understand it.
"But...but..."
"Nothing, His Majesty has approved this matter. Oh, the court officials naturally don't know about it, and you are not allowed to spread it."
Zhang Shikang drank a sip of tea and continued:
"Just now I was worried about how to force Huang Taiji into a decisive battle, but now it seems much simpler.
Isn't he going to kill me?
This time, I will stand under his nose and let him do it."
Generals like Sun Weifan were still feeling anxious and uneasy. They did not comment on Zhang Shikang's words. Wu Sangui coughed lightly and said:
"Marshal, where did this news come from? Is it accurate?"
Wu Sangui was quick-witted. He saw that Zhang Shikang had no intention of retreating at all, so he had to think of a countermeasure according to Zhang Shikang's thinking.
Liu Wenbing looked at Zhang Shikang, and after receiving Zhang Shikang's nod, he said to everyone:
"This news came from within Huang Taiji's inner circle. There was a man named Fan Chengmo, whose father was Fan Wencheng, a counselor under Huang Taiji.
Fan Chengmo is the second son of Fan Wencheng. He has a big conflict with his elder brother and is often despised and abused by his father. So I asked my men there to instigate him to rebel.
The news is reliable.”
Zhang Shikang couldn't help laughing when he heard this.
My goodness, another traitor has appeared among the traitors. Even TV dramas don’t dare to portray it like this!
……