Chapter 690: The Power of One Person
Jineng's father was incapable and had some character flaws. He was not aggressive enough but was good at self-preservation. Such forces are numerous in the long history of the grasslands.
When the grassland is in chaos, these forces can survive until a leader emerges and begins to unify the grassland.
No one expected that the leader would be Altan.
There was no need for tension between brothers. Altan Khan continued to lead his troops to battle, expanding the power of his tribe and gradually gathering a group of people around him.
When his power became powerful enough to make his elder brother wary, the situation between the brothers ended.
No one knew how the power was transferred between the two, but from then on Altan became the leader of the tribe.
As the former heir, Jineng followed his uncle, while his father's subordinates were successfully annexed by Altan.
Among them is Lin Siyuan.
The law of the jungle is followed on the grassland. If you are loyal, others will praise you as a good man, but they will turn around and laugh at you for being an idiot.
Lin Siyuan naturally had no intention of being loyal to Jineng's father. After being annexed by Altan Khan, he fought bravely and made many contributions until he was promoted to governor.
The governor was considered a high-ranking official under Altan Khan, but unfortunately, Altan Khan's confidants were mostly thousand-householders and ten-thousand-householders...especially the ten-thousand-householders, which was an official position with independent power.
Lin Siyuan just wanted a new position of Wanhu, rather than the seemingly honorable but unreal position of a governor.
Before heading south, Altan Khan once said that whoever made the greatest contribution in this war would be promoted two levels.
Lin Siyuan didn't want these two levels, what he wanted was...
Let Altan see his own value.
Break through Datong City!
This is the great achievement that Altan has always dreamed of!
The nine important border towns of the Ming Dynasty were captured. For the first time, Altan Khan had a strong city to rely on, and his appeal immediately increased by several levels.
Moreover, the blow to the morale of the Ming people was unparalleled.
From then on, the Ming Dynasty's nine-border defense line was useless, and Altan could come and go as he pleased.
How should Altan reward such military achievements?
The number one military general!
Who dares to question?
Lin Siyuan led his troops into battle with this belief.
He kept patrolling around the outskirts of Datong, not as a scout, but looking for opportunities.
It's like a wolf leading the pack hunting.
Until today, he finally found the opportunity.
The men he sent out as bait had already entangled the Ming army.
In just a moment, he would lead his troops to attack and achieve great success.
But at this moment, the lookout's scream shattered his beautiful dream.
"Governor, it's Jiang's flag!"
A huge flag rose on the horizon, with cavalrymen on horseback holding the flag high.
Just in front of the big flag, a man could be vaguely seen riding a horse at full speed...
"It's Jiang Qingzhi!"
Someone in the enemy army cried out in surprise.
After three victories in three battles, a Jingguan was built outside Datong City.
A person's name, the shadow of a tree.
Just a big flag caused the enemy's morale to drop sharply.
When the enemy troops who were fighting with the defenders heard the three words "Jiang Qingzhi", their determination to fight to the death began to decline.
The morale of the Ming army was greatly boosted, and they even dared to launch a counterattack.
"Governor, Jiang Qingzhi...two thousand cavalry, he only has two thousand cavalry!" said the lookout happily.
Should I continue to charge or stop?
With two thousand cavalry, if the opponent was replaced by someone else, Lin Siyuan would only need to send out five hundred cavalry to contain the enemy, and the main force could still attack the defenders directly.
The people on the city walls were cheering.
"It's Long Wilbur here."
"Wan Sheng!"
Amid the cheers, someone said, "Chang Wilbur only brought two thousand cavalry!"
The enthusiasm is fading fast.
A general said: "The enemy only needs to contain him... Not good, general!"
The generals were looking at Zhang Da.
Someone beside Huang Mao whispered, "Jiang Qingzhi brought two thousand cavalry... too few. The enemy only needs to use a part of them to contain him, and the main force can still attack our Datong City directly."
Huang Mao's eyes flashed with sternness. "General Zhang, retreat! Withdraw your troops immediately."
Zhang Da shook his head, and Huang Mao shouted, "Chang Wei Bo only brought 2,000 cavalrymen, and the enemy still has 3,000. How can he be a match? Withdraw, otherwise I will definitely impeach you."
Why was Zhang Da in such a desperate situation? It was because Hu Zongxian threatened to impeach him.
The Ming Dynasty controlled the military with civil officials, and the civil officials impeached the military generals almost every time. In history, Zhang Da had no choice but to attack, but was chased by the enemy and suffered a great defeat.
Hu Zongxian was only an imperial censor, but Huang Mao was a local official. If he impeached him, the consequences would be even more serious.
Zhang Da looked at the big flag.
The big flag fluttered in the wind, and the man under the flag was vaguely visible, and he was speeding up.
This means no retreat!
For the sake of Datong, Lord Bo led the light cavalry to advance rapidly, and did not even retreat in the face of superior enemy forces!
"My Lord, you are so righteous. How can I retreat?" Zhang Da's eyes were sharp. "Gather the infantry and leave the city!"
Huang Mao cursed: "What a Zhang Da, what a Zhang Da..."
The people around him said, "Prime Minister, now we have to look at the enemy general."
Huang Mao stood on the top of the city wall, staring at the enemy with sharp eyes.
How will the enemy respond?
To move forward or to stop?
All kinds of thoughts were surging in Lin Siyuan's mind.
With one part of the troops restraining Jiang Qingzhi, the main force will still rush towards Datong City, but it is very likely that a complicated melee will occur.
The strength of Jiang Qingzhi's two thousand cavalry is the key to this battle.
If the situation was similar to that of the defenders, Lin Siyuan would attack without hesitation.
The Ming Dynasty's Beijing Guards were cleansed and rebuilt, and the Huben Zuowei was the best among them.
If the one coming is the Tiger Guard Left Guard, then...
"Commander-in-chief! The enemy is speeding up!"
Two thousand cavalrymen... Jiang Qingzhi actually dared to speed up!
This means seeking a decisive battle.
Under the city!
City head!
Everyone was looking at Lin Siyuan.
"Stop! Stop!" Lin Siyuan raised his hand and began to slow down.
The galloping warhorse was stopped and suddenly let out a long neigh.
"The enemy has stopped!"
On the top of the city wall, Huang Mao pressed his hands on the top of the city wall and suddenly exerted force, asking: "Why?"
A general said in a deep voice: "The enemy general is afraid of Chang Wei Bo!"
It’s just a big flag!
"Retreat!"
The enemy began to withdraw, and the defenders also retreated.
"Array up!"
Lin Siyuan said sternly.
The two thousand riders began to slow down.
The distance between the two sides is getting closer and closer.
Until three hundred steps.
The war horses looked a little tired after the long journey. They snorted and wagged their tails.
On horseback, Jiang Qingzhi narrowed his eyes and looked at the enemy army, "More than 4,000 cavalry." "Young master, attack!" Sun Chonglou couldn't hold back any longer.
Jiang Qingzhi shook his head, "Our troops are exhausted after traveling so far, please wait."
Suddenly a rider appeared from the enemy army.
"Jiang Qingzhi!"
Jiang Qingzhi rode out on his horse.
"I am General Lin Siyuan!"
Lin Siyuan was looking at Jiang Qingzhi.
He is indeed as young and handsome as the rumors said.
He looked calm and composed, as if the enemy in front of him was not a superior force, but a bunch of rogue soldiers.
Nice demeanor too!
Lin Siyuan found that Jiang Qingzhi just glanced at him, and then his eyes passed him and looked into the distance.
He didn't take Lin Siyuan seriously at all, but was observing whether there were any ambushes.
This caution made Lin Siyuan nod secretly.
As for being ignored and despised, he didn't think it was a bad thing.
Jiang Qingzhi didn't see the ambush, and sighed with some regret: "An Da is too cautious."
If it were him, he would definitely lead the main force to advance straight ahead.
This was exactly what Lin Siyuan wanted, as he was also observing the situation of the Ming army.
The Ming army looked a little tired, but what surprised him was that no one showed any fear.
This was completely different from the Datong defenders and even the Ming army he had encountered in the past.
Whenever the Ming army showed any signs of fear, Lin Siyuan would immediately attack with more than 4,000 cavalrymen to surprise attack Jiang Qingzhi.
Jiang Qingzhi looked at him and suddenly laughed, "I've been waiting for you for a long time. Four thousand against two thousand, why don't you dare to fight?"
Lin Siyuan narrowed his eyes, "Who knows if you have an ambush."
Everyone watched as Jiang Qingzhi took out the medicinal cigarette.
He lit it, as relaxed as if he was at home, and then pointed the smoke at Lin Siyuan.
"I swear there is no ambush. Four thousand against two thousand. Do you dare to fight me?"
Both sides fell silent instantly.
Jiang Qingzhi swore that there was no ambush... In this age of believing in gods, oaths are almost as effective as contracts.
Four thousand against two thousand, the defenders are on the side, but Lin Siyuan can divide his troops to contain them.
In the past, let alone two thousand, even if there were five thousand or ten thousand, Altan's subordinates would have taken the initiative to attack without hesitation.
What about today?
On the top of the city wall, Huang Mao cursed: "We should gather our forces together now. Is he looking for death? If he wants to die, don't let him get us involved!"
"What will the enemy do?" Several civil servants nervously lay on the top of the city wall and looked out.
Lin Siyuan hesitated.
He was known for his boldness in employing troops, but at this moment, looking as calm as Jiang Qingzhi who was out for a picnic, he hesitated.
Among Jiang Qingzhi's three victories in three battles, the most outstanding one was told to them by Altan as a lesson.
The enemy general divided his forces, but Jiang Qingzhi gathered his forces together and fought against one enemy force at a time.
No matter how many ways you come, I will only go one way.
When enemy troops from another route came to reinforce, they encountered an ambush by Jiang Qingzhi.
——This is all a trap!
At that time, Altan warned all the generals: Jiang Qingzhi is cunning in using troops, so don't underestimate the enemy when you encounter him.
"Commander-in-chief, the morale of the defenders is high!" a general whispered.
Lin Siyuan glanced to the right and saw that the defenders were actually ready to make a move.
This was the last straw that broke the camel's back for Lin Siyuan.
Lin Siyuan turned his horse around and shouted, "Retreat!"
The rumbling sound of horse hooves gradually faded away.
On the top of the city wall, Huang Mao said in disbelief: "The enemy general actually retreated?"
"Wan Sheng!"
The soldiers on the city wall were cheering.
"Wan Sheng!"
The defenders lined up outside the city were cheering.
Jiang Qingzhi rode his horse slowly towards us.
"Fantai, it's time to go down." Someone reminded.
Jiang Qingzhi was the commander-in-chief after all, and as the governor, Huang Mao naturally had to go and welcome him.
When Huang Mao arrived outside the city, Jiang Qing just dismounted and walked towards him.
Zhang Da led the generals forward and said, "Greetings, Lord!"
Jiang Qingzhi nodded and patted Zhang Da on the shoulder, "Well done!"
Zhang Da looked up and said, "Thanks to you, Uncle!"
If Jiang Qingzhi hadn't been here today, the losses of the Datong defenders would have been huge.
Zhang Da straightened up, pointed at Huang Mao and said, "This is Huang Fantai."
"Chen Ji meets Uncle!"
At this time Chen Ji came and knelt on one knee.
"Well done!" Jiang Qingzhi nodded.
He had a relaxed posture and as his eyes turned, the soldiers all looked at him with admiration.
Huang Mao had been waiting for Jiang Qingzhi to say hello, but this guy actually ignored him.
He is really domineering!
Huang Mao bowed and said, "Meet Chief Wilbur."
Jiang Qingzhi stopped and looked at him, his eyes narrowed, "Are you Huang Mao?"
"It's me." Huang Mao said neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"I heard that you have been involved in the war many times?"
Jiang Qingzhi asked seemingly calmly.
Although he had not been to Datong, he had already learned about the conflicts between the civil and military officials in Datong through various channels.
Zhang Da's face turned red, and You Qing beside him asked, "What are you going to do, Master?"
An old general said, "Warn Huang Fantai."
Huang Mao didn't expect that Jiang Qingzhi would stand up for Zhang Da as soon as he arrived.
He smiled and said, "This officer..."
"You know nothing about war, yet you dare to make comments on the war situation. Who gave you the courage?" Jiang Qingzhi said coldly, "The ignorant are fearless. I'm talking about people like you."
Huang Mao couldn't stand Jiang Qingzhi's words under the watchful eyes of the crowd. He was about to retort when Jiang Qingzhi said calmly, "I'm here. Do you dare to give it a try?"
In an instant, Huang Mao thought of the rumors in the capital.
The emperor beat up important officials and beheaded envoys in the street...
Everyone is looking at him.
Jiang Qingzhi, this is not a warning!
He is protecting his calf!
Huang Mao took a deep breath, lowered his head and stepped back.
He lowered his head!
In an instant, Zhang Da felt a surge of depression rushing out from his chest.
He looked at Jiang Qingzhi, and at this moment, he was willing to die for this benefactor.
(End of this chapter)
