Chapter 274 Where the enemy goes, so can I
Chapter 274 Where the enemy goes, so can I
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Beijing troops had already arrived in Dali one after another.
Yunlongzhou has completed the rotation of defense, and the original more than 10,000 soldiers and Du Yutao were transferred together.
The front army scout unit and the newly arrived Dragon and Tiger Guards took over the defense of Yunlong Prefecture.
Heyang Guard and Henghai Guard took over the defense of Yongping, while Jianghuai Guard was stationed in Menghua Prefecture.
In this way, the Beijing army completely took over Dali's border defense.
The original soldiers were divided into Jingdong and Chuxiong.
As the days passed, the winter solstice became a little colder, and the temperature in Dali during the day was moderate.
Once night falls, the damp and cold wind becomes unbearable.
Thanks to the weather change, more Luchuan soldiers appeared outside Yunlongzhou.
Most of them were killed by the scouts of the vanguard army patrolling in the mountains and forests.
The two sides fought back and forth, from the initial dozen people, slowly to the current hundred people,
If we don't know their real general attack direction,
This move might be seen as an attempt to implicate the Ming Dynasty and thus not be taken seriously.
Now, every battle is carefully recorded and studied by the front scouts.
Soon, Lu Yunyi discovered that the elite level of Luchuan soldiers had increased.
From being completely undetectable at the beginning, to the subsequent back and forth and mutual injuries, to the final alternation of victory and defeat.
Everything proves that Luchuan's elite troops are arriving one after another!
At this time, in the front army camp,
Lu Yunyi paced back and forth in the military tent with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed.
Deng Zhizhong, commander of the Dragon and Tiger Guard, is also here.
He was about forty years old, with a stout body.
His round belly filled up the armor, and his slightly fat face showed a solemn expression.
He is a distant relative of Shen Guogong Deng Zhen. He has been in charge of the Dragon and Tiger Guards for many years and has followed various armies in their battles.
Logically speaking, the defense of Yunlongzhou should be led by the Dragon and Tiger Guards.
But both the Xiping Marquisate and the Commandery had ordered Lu Yunyi to be in charge of the defense of Yunlong Prefecture, which made Deng Zhizhong feel a little uncomfortable.
Especially after seeing Lu Yunyi's extremely young face, he always felt that there was something weird everywhere.
However, he knew Lu Yunyi's ability, so even if he was dissatisfied, he would not show it.
The two of them got along fairly well.
What's more, the chief officer of the Beijing army, Cao Guogong, was under his command.
The chief officer is under my command. Whenever Deng Zhizhong thought of this, he felt it was absurd.
But what he saw and heard in the past few days made him admire him.
The young man in front of me is indeed capable.
Putting away his thoughts, Deng Zhizhong sighed and said helplessly:
"Master Lu, please stop wandering around.
My eyes are almost blurry. As long as you and I take good care of Yunlongzhou, there is no need to worry about other things. "
Lu Yunyi paused, walked to the side and sat down.
He glanced at the tea in the cup and saw that there was still some tea left, so he drank it all.
The coldness at the entrance spread all the way to his abdomen, making his mind clearer.
"Master Deng, Luchuan is coming aggressively, and the elite troops are getting closer and closer.
We don't even know who the opposing army is, who is leading the troops, and how to fight this battle."
After several days of investigation, the front army scouts still hadn't found out who the enemy general was, which made Lu Yunyi feel a little uneasy.
Deng Zhizhong seemed to be unconcerned. He laughed dryly and said in a deep voice:
"Lord Lu, we are the generals defending the city.
As long as the Luchuan soldiers can't get in, it doesn't matter who the general is, what does it matter to us?"
He glanced at Lu Yunyi and felt that young people were just young people. They couldn't even keep their cool when defending the city.
Hearing this, Lu Yunyi didn't want to talk to him anymore, and lowered his head to think about countermeasures.
The battlefield situation has changed a lot since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.
Those generals who cannot keep up will be eliminated.
Only generals who are one step ahead of others can get the opportunity to be promoted.
The country is becoming more peaceful, and there are only a few places where wars are fought. Who goes and who does not go has to be considered.
This forced many generals in the Ming army to learn new things and get in touch with firearms, and actively roll up their sleeves.
Lu Yunyi wanted to ascend to a high position and avoid disaster.
We must stay ahead of everyone else and never lose our keenness and enterprising spirit!
After taking a deep breath, Lu Yunyi's eyes flashed with determination, and he spoke in a deep voice:
"Master Deng, the defense of Yunlongzhou is now in your hands."
Deng Zhizhong was about to bring the teacup to his mouth when his body froze.
He suddenly turned his head to look over, and his voice became a little anxious:
"What is Lord Lu going to do?"
Lu Yunyi stood up suddenly, his eyes sharp:
"Passive defense is not as good as active offense. How can we, the great Ming Dynasty, wait for Luchuan to attack?"
This, this, this. Deng Zhizhong's eyes widened, and a flash of shock flashed through his heart.
He quickly put the tea aside and said in a hurry:
"Lord Lu, what are the current situations outside Yunlong Province?
We don't know anything, we are in such a hurry, we may never come back.
I am a few years older than you. Can you please listen to my advice and stay in this city?
Now Yunlongzhou has sufficient food and grass, a large number of armors, and a strong source of soldiers.
Even if Si Lunfa came to attack personally, he would not be able to defeat them in a short time.
Don’t seek to be without merit, but seek to avoid mistakes.”
For some reason, Lu Yunyi felt a little irritated when he heard this.
He couldn't say anything about these generals who were content with what they had.
After all, this is what most generals really look like.
Now he acts radically and aggressively, which makes him an outlier.
This also led to his unpleasant relationship with these generals.
On the contrary, he got along very well with the military officers who controlled the state affairs, simply because they were all equally radical people.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Yunyi spoke in a deep voice:
"I have made up my mind. This matter is settled. I hope Lord Deng will protect Yunlongzhou well."
After saying that, Lu Yunyi no longer looked at him and turned away!
Soon, Lu Yunyi summoned a group of generals to discuss matters in the big tent.
Governor Feng Cheng and Deng Zhizhong both rushed over, as well as some garrison generals in the city.
At this moment, they were standing on both sides with the generals of the front army scout department, each with a plan that had been prepared long ago.
Looking at the plan above, the group looked at each other in confusion.
Lu Yunyi stood in front of the huge sand table in the center and spoke in a deep voice:
“We will send out all our troops this time, 3,000 cavalry, 2,000 infantry, and each cavalryman has two horses.
First of all, our priority is to ensure the safety and speed of the march.
The infantry will be divided into twenty teams and spread out.
Open up roads ahead, clear roadblocks, scout the enemy and set up guards.
The infantrymen were reorganized and dispersed.
It is necessary to be equipped with experienced reconnaissance team members to ensure that the whereabouts are not easily discovered.
At the same time, the infantry is also responsible for setting up temporary camps.
Provide a resting place and defensive stronghold for the whole army, and the infantry will be led by me personally."
"Liu Heiying, you will be my deputy and follow the pawn forward."
Liu Heiying's eyes were focused, and he stood up suddenly: "Yes!"
"As for the cavalry, Wu Fuliu and Zhang Yu, you two will lead them together.
Using the mobility of cavalry, a solid line of defense was formed in the rear.
When the infantry is in the front, you are the city wall behind!
The cavalry will carry the necessary baggage and supplies.
Ensure that the entire army has no logistics problems and be carried by spare war horses.
If the infantry encounters the enemy, the cavalry should quickly assemble and be ready to fight at any time to disrupt the enemy's formation and strive to kill the enemy. "
Wu Fuliu and Zhang Yu also stood up: "Yes!"
“The military mission of this trip is as follows:
First, find out the enemy's main troop concentration locations, size, equipment, and possible movements.
This is one of the most direct and important goals.
Be prepared to fight, if you have the chance,
We need to seize the initiative in the war and create favorable opportunities for subsequent battles.
Second, study the terrain west of Dali City.
Including mountains, rivers, forests, roads, etc.
To plan safe marching routes and exploration strategies to facilitate subsequent battles.
Third, through multiple small-scale battles,
Analyze the combat style and possible tactics of the Luchuan Army, and predict their possible reactions and actions.
And preliminarily identify the enemy generals to provide support for subsequent tactical formulation.
These are the three points of military duty for this trip. Take care of yourselves and don't rush ahead!"
Lu Yunyi's voice was sonorous and powerful, echoing in the military tent.
The clerk at the side was writing furiously, recording rapidly.
Many generals have already begun thinking about the combat methods to be used.
There was a brief silence in the military tent.
Lu Yunyi walked to the side, picked up the herbal tea and took a big sip.
He ignored the shock and surprise of Feng Cheng and the others, and instead looked at the generals and asked directly:
"If you have any objections or questions, please feel free to speak up.
The purpose of the pre-war meeting is to unify thoughts and correct mistakes in a timely manner. You can ask any questions you have. "
As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Cheng could see that many of the generals on the opposite side were making some unusual movements.
This shocked Feng Cheng, who had participated in many military meetings.
The generals always respond to whatever their superiors say, so how could they be so bold?
And the person who stood up first was beyond his expectation. It was Li Jinglong, Duke of Cao!
He couldn't sit still any longer, so Feng Cheng quickly reached out to stop him:
"Duke Cao is also going to join the army?"
Li Jinglong reacted. He was still the commander-in-chief of the Beijing army.
He looked at Lu Yunyi pleadingly, hoping that he would help!
Lu Yunyi turned around and bowed:
"Reporting to Lord Feng, Duke Cao is the commander of the musketeers of the front scout unit, and we should advance together."
Feng Cheng opened and closed his mouth, but he knew that the young eagle would never become a majestic eagle unless it experienced setbacks and life and death.
He nodded slightly and said no more.
Lu Yunyi turned around.
Li Jinglong felt relieved. He took a deep breath and spoke in a deep voice:
"Are musketeers considered infantry or cavalry?
If they are assigned to the infantry, should they be split up? If they are assigned to the cavalry, how many firearms should they carry? "The musketeers will be split into two teams, one assigned to the infantry and led by Xu Zengshou, and the other assigned to the cavalry and led by Guo Quan.
He brought two hundred muskets, stone mines and thunder bombs.
As for you, Duke Cao, you will be in charge of the overall situation of the front scout department and give guidance."
Li Jinglong nodded: "I have no problem."
Zhang Yu stood up and asked in a deep voice:
"Sir, do you have any requests for supplies for the baggage you brought?
If it is impossible to carry them and even affects the cavalry's combat effectiveness, can we bring more war horses?"
Lu Yunyi replied:
"The necessary military supplies for this trip are armor, weapons, telescopes, compasses, maps, signal flags, horns, drums, food, water, and medicine.
The rest of the military supplies should be kept as small as possible.
If you really can't carry them, you can increase the number of war horses.
Our army is seeking food from the enemy on this trip, so we should rob and destroy everything we can.
This trip is not only to show the bravery of our Ming Dynasty, but also to express our attitude to Luchuan.
If they dare to send people into Dali, our Ming can also penetrate deep into the territory. If the enemy goes wherever they want, we can go too. "
"Yes!"
Qian Hong stood up and asked in a deep voice:
"Sir, all our soldiers are infantrymen. It will be extremely dangerous to travel through mountains and rivers. How can we replenish our wounded soldiers if they are injured?"
Lu Yunyi spoke quickly:
"The infantry quota is 2,000. If there are casualties, the cavalry will dismount, and ensure that the 20 squads remain intact."
Qian Hong's face changed slightly, and he felt the pressure on his body surge. He took a deep breath and nodded heavily:
"Yes!"
Feng Cheng's expression remained unchanged, but there was a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Deng Zhizhong's expression changed again and again. These cavalrymen were the elite troops of the Northern Expedition.
Now he just died in the forest as a foot soldier, which made him, an outsider, feel a little sad.
Soldiers stood up one after another and asked questions, and then Lu Yunyi answered them.
The process was very quick, and soon after two quarters of an hour, the combat mission and the work of each department had been completed.
Lu Yunyi waved his hand and said, "Everyone, get ready and leave the city tomorrow night."
"Yes!"
A group of generals took the books in their hands and quickly left the military tent, only Li Jinglong and Liu Heiying stayed behind.
Feng Cheng also stood up slowly and looked at Lu Yunyi with admiration in his eyes:
"The Front Army Scouting Division is indeed worthy of its reputation. Your set of ideas is indeed unique."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir. If there is nothing important, we will deal with military affairs first." Lu Yunyi said in a deep voice.
"Your combat missions are all good. If you complete one, it will be a great achievement. I am waiting for your good news."
Feng Cheng's face was heavy. After he finished speaking, he left with a group of generals. Only Lu Yunyi and three others were left in the military tent.
Lu Yunyi looked at Li Jinglong, walked closer, and asked in a deep voice:
"Duke Cao, does the Jinyiwei have any secret agents in Dali City?
If so, is there anyone who knows Luchuan? Can he lead the way for us?"
Li Jinglong was stunned, his eyes gradually widened.
The journey was so fulfilling that he had almost forgotten about this matter.
He quickly rummaged through his body, took out the badge of the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and looked at it in his hand.
Lu Yunyi and Liu Heiying's eyes flashed as they stared at it intently.
When Li Jinglong raised his head,
The two people's gazes suddenly became calm, as if they had seen something commonplace.
"I don't know if there is one, I need to ask."
Lu Yunyi looked serious:
"Please hurry up, Duke Cao. If we have a spy to lead the way, our journey will be much smoother."
Li Jinglong nodded repeatedly: "I'll go right away!"
As he spoke, Li Jinglong seemed to be about to run out, but he quickly turned back, his eyes shining:
"Yun Yi, why don't you come with me? I don't know how to ask."
Lu Yunyi was stunned, looked at the many military documents piled on the table, and said embarrassedly:
"Duke Cao, a secret agent of the Imperial Guard, it would be bad if I approached him rashly."
"Oh, what's wrong with that? We won't see each other again after we leave Dali anyway."
"Okay."
Lu Yunyi reluctantly agreed, then turned to look at Liu Heiying and raised his eyebrows at him:
"Black Hawk, take care of some military affairs."
"okay."
Li Jinglong looked at Liu Heiying, walked up to him, smiled and patted his shoulder:
"Black Hawk, you've worked hard. When the war is won, I'll treat you to a brothel!"
"A word is settled!"
The sun shone obliquely on the western corner of the city, casting a faint golden glow on the dilapidated Tianbao Carriage and Horse Shop.
Even so, it is difficult to conceal its desolation.
The surrounding walls are mottled, and moss quietly climbs up the cracks in the bricks.
The wooden door of the carriage and horse inn was half-open, and the door hinges made a creaking sound when they turned.
Li Jinglong and Lu Yunyi stood outside the door, and surprise flashed in their eyes at the same time.
This is very different from what they imagined. There are no endless stream of merchants here.
There was no orderly procession of carriages, only heavy and shabby ones.
There is no sign at all that it is the base of the Jinyiwei.
Li Jinglong gave a wink, Lu Yunyi put his hand on the long sword at his waist, and the two of them walked in slowly.
Entering the courtyard, they immediately saw the cart forgotten in the corner.
Each car was covered with a thin layer of dust, the wood grain on the car body was clearly visible, and there were even a few small mushrooms!
It is hard to imagine how long these carriages have not moved.
Not far away, a few mules and horses were lazily lying in a simple stable.
Their hair was messy and they looked old, but they were full of energy and showed no signs of hard work.
Walking in it, the air is filled with a complex smell of mildew and grass.
The two of them frowned and couldn't help but breathe carefully.
"cough cough"
Following a slight cough,
An old woman had appeared at the door of the dark house, watching them quietly.
Ah! Li Jinglong was startled.
He quickly took a step back and hid behind Lu Yunyi, leaving only half of his head exposed.
The man was over fifty years old, with a face full of wrinkles.
He was wearing a piece of coarse cloth that had been washed so much that it looked bleached, and was leaning on an old cane.
After her gaze rested on them for a short while, she asked in a slightly hoarse but clear voice:
"My two guests, do you need a car? Where are you going?"
Li Jinglong and Lu Yunyi looked at each other.
They realized tacitly that this might be the person they were looking for.
Lu Yunyi stepped forward and bowed politely:
"Mother-in-law, we do have an urgent matter and need a carriage, but..."
He deliberately drew out his voice, with a cunning flash in his eyes.
When the mother-in-law heard this, her eyes flickered slightly, as if she had noticed something.
His face remained calm, and he just asked calmly:
"Just what? Sir, please feel free to tell me."
At this time, Li Jinglong came closer, took over the conversation and lowered his voice.
In a voice that only the two of them could hear, he uttered a few words softly:
“When the winds rise and the clouds roll, the horses return like flying swallows.
Grandma, we were introduced by an old friend to deliver some confidential matters."
When the mother-in-law heard this, a gleam of light flashed in her cloudy eyes.
She looked at the two of them carefully, a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she nodded:
"So you are an old friend. Please come into the inner hall to discuss in detail."
After saying that, she turned around and led Li Jinglong and Lu Yunyi through several simple warehouses to a more secluded inner room.
The inner room is not big, but it is clean and tidy.
There are a few faded landscape paintings hanging on the wall, adding a touch of elegance.
The mother-in-law gestured for the two to sit down while she was rummaging through the cabinet nearby.
"Wait a moment, the things have not been used for many years, I need to look for them."
As my mother-in-law spoke, she took out a box from the cabinet, took out an inkstone from it and placed it on the table.
Lu Yunyi and Li Jinglong had a flash of doubt.
But the man turned the inkstone over.
An irregular square hole appeared under the inkstone, making the two men's eyes widen.
Everyone understood, Li Jinglong quickly took out the token, pressed it lightly, and put it on.
It doesn't fit so perfectly, and there seems to be a wavy cloud pattern on the top that is not aligned.
But the old woman's eyes were dazed. She threw away her cane, knelt on the ground, and spoke in a deep voice:
"Jinyiwei Captain Zhuo Mulan greets the commander!"
Lu Yunyi frowned slightly and looked at the empty space, with some guesses in his mind.
Maybe this represents a kind of authority,
All the seamless ones should be the one with the highest authority.
The token in front of us should have extremely high authority.
(End of this chapter)