Volume 1: The Wind Rises in Tumubao Chapter 3 Wang Zhen Must Die
"Absolutely not, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Fu tried to dissuade them, saying, "Yesen's main force is only thirty miles away from our position. If we attack the Ala tribe now, Yesen will surely send troops from the rear to attack our army from both sides. The consequences will be disastrous!"
The generals also shook their heads secretly. Seeing the emperor's serious attitude, they thought the situation had improved. However, the orders he gave were still arbitrary and messy!
Maybe this is another bad idea from that eunuch Wang Zhen!
Hey, where is Wang Zhen?
"What you said makes a lot of sense!" Zhu Qizhen nodded, pointed to the location of Yesen's tribe on the map and said, "However, it will take at least two hours for Yesen to confirm the authenticity of the information before we decide to send troops. In other words, we have two hours to wipe out the Ala tribe!"
Zhang Fu couldn't help but be stunned. Is it possible to defeat the enemy's 30,000 troops in two hours?
Theoretically, it is feasible because the Ming army has firearms. Even if they cannot completely annihilate the enemy, as long as they can seize the water source, set up camp on the spot and build fortifications, the purpose of this battle will be achieved.
However, this is just a theory. If a real fight breaks out, no one knows what kind of changes will occur.
The battlefield changes rapidly, and if there is a problem in any link, the original plan will be completely disrupted.
To be honest, Zhu Qizhen had no idea, but given the current situation, launching a blitzkrieg against the Ala tribe was the most effective means.
Otherwise, when others react and take up a defensive formation to fight a protracted war with you, you can only wait for death.
Zhang Fu still had many concerns and said, "The soldiers are seriously short of water. If we launch an attack now, I'm afraid our combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced."
Zhu Qizhen pointed to the location of the Guishui River on the map and said, "The water source is in the hands of the enemy. Kill them and there will be water!"
"Then...should we first formulate a feasible battle plan?"
"The situation is urgent, how can we have time to make a plan?" Zhu Qizhen shook his head and said, "The Shenji Battalion will lead the charge, pull out the cannons bombard them directly!"
Zhang Fu was helpless and had to ask, "When will we attack?"
Zhu Qizhen's eyes showed great determination as he said, "Now, immediately, right now!"
The generals were hesitant. Didn't they say they were going to hold a meeting to discuss the issue? Why were they suddenly going to attack?
Zhang Fu added: " But our army's food, supplies, and temporary camps and tents..."
"Don't take any of it!" Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "Abandon all the baggage and tell the soldiers not to carry anything except weapons!"
These veteran generals were all descendants of meritorious service, and many of them had experience in following Emperor Taizong in the Northern Expedition. They were not at all vague in fighting, but they remained skeptical about the battle plan proposed by Zhu Qizhen, thinking it was too aggressive.
If they failed to take the city, the Ming army would lose all its baggage and food supplies and be attacked from all sides, with disastrous consequences.
Seeing that the generals were still hesitating, Zhu Qizhen said resolutely: "If we delay for a moment longer, the fighting power of the soldiers will be weakened. There is no time to consider. Pass on my order, all camps prepare for battle, and execute immediately!"
At this moment, he knew better than anyone that he couldn't wait!
If they wait any longer, the soldiers will become even more desperate and their morale will drop to the bottom as the water problem will not be solved.
In three days at most, Yesen will launch a general attack, and then the history of Tumu Fort will repeat itself.
And he would become the only captured emperor of the Ming Dynasty, being chased by the pioneers and knocking on the doors everywhere.
If Zhu Yuanzhang knew about this humiliation in his afterlife, he would be so angry that he would come back to life.
There is no time to lose. We must immediately head east to seek a decisive battle with the Ala tribe. Even if we cannot win, the worst that can happen is that we will die. I will never be an emperor who clings to others' wishes!
What’s more, the Shenjiying’s combat effectiveness has been preserved. We can fire our cannons at it. I don’t believe that we can’t defeat him!
Seeing the emperor's determination, Zhang Fu's heart was aroused, and he was the first to express his position: "I obey your order!"
Seeing this, the other generals also dispelled their doubts and said in unison: "We obey your orders!"
"I will go and pass on the order right away!"
At this time, a discordant voice was heard. Everyone turned their heads to look and found that it was Wang Zhen, who was standing obediently in a corner of the big tent.
The generals were just wondering why Wang Zhen did not participate in such an important meeting?
Also, why is his face swollen?
Even when he called everyone to the meeting just now, his tone was very friendly and he actually used the word "please".
It's unbelievable!
This man relied on the emperor's favor to have absolute power . All the ministers in the court vied to curry favor with him, and his godsons were spread all over the court and outside. It is really surprising that he suddenly fell out of favor.
Zhu Qizhen suddenly said: "Stop!"
Wang Zhen shuddered, an ominous premonition arose in his heart, and he quickly bowed his head and knelt on the ground.
"Fan Zhong!"
"I will be here!"
"Capture Wang Zhen!"
Fan Zhong looked surprised and said, "I have received your order!"
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…” Wang Zhen had sensed that something was wrong and quickly kowtowed and begged for mercy, “I know I was wrong, please have mercy, Your Majesty!”
Zhu Qizhen didn't even look at him, and said in a cold tone: "Eunuchs are harming the country. Today, I will use your life as a sacrifice to comfort the hundreds of thousands of Ming loyal souls who died on the front line!"
"Please spare my life, Your Majesty!"
Wang Zhen was sweating profusely and shaking like a sieve. Until now, he still couldn't figure out why the emperor's attitude towards him suddenly changed 180 degrees.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Zhang Fu could no longer hold back and fell to the ground, tears streaming down his face with excitement.
It must be God who opened his eyes. No, it was the Emperor who opened his eyes. If it weren't for the mischief of that eunuch Wang Zhen, there wouldn't be the situation today.
Before the army sets out to attack, offering Wang Zhen's head as a sacrifice can increase the soldiers' combat effectiveness by at least 30%.
In this campaign, the generals were constrained by Wang Zhen everywhere and had long been miserable. Now they finally saw hope and fell to the ground, shouting "Long live Wang Zhen!"
Wang Zhen collapsed completely to the ground. Although he didn't know why, he knew in his heart that he was finished.
Fan Zhong did not hesitate at all. He stepped forward, grabbed Wang Zhen by the back of the neck, lifted him up, dragged him out of the tent, and ordered his men to tie him up and prepare for the sacrifice.
The other eunuchs usually followed Wang Zhen in showing off their power, but when they suddenly saw this situation, they were all silent, kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed, not daring to make a sound.
The generals felt relieved and suddenly became excited. They stood up and took their leave, returning to the camp to prepare for battle.
Zhu Qizhen personally selected two more people to stay, namely the son-in-law of the emperor Jing Yuan and the Hanlin scholar Zhang Yi.
"Captain Jing, how many cavalrymen are there?"
Jing Yuan thought for a moment and replied, "About three hundred."
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "Gather these 300 cavalrymen and form an assault team, and let you lead it."
Jing Yuan thought secretly in his heart, in a battle of tens of thousands of people, the role of three hundred cavalrymen is minimal... Could it be that the emperor is planning to escape and wants him to protect him?
The war is about to begin, and the commander-in-chief has fled. This is undoubtedly a devastating blow to the morale of the entire army. If the soldiers on the front line knew the truth, how could they still have the heart to fight?
But on second thought, the current situation is like this. As long as the emperor is safe, even if the three major camps are completely destroyed, the Ming Dynasty has the capital to make a comeback.
When we return to the capital, I will say that it was me who strongly requested the emperor to leave first. At worst, I, Jingyuan, will have to take the blame!
"I obey your order!"
Zhu Qizhen turned to the Imperial Academy scholar Zhang Yi and said, "Mr. Zhang, please help me draft an imperial edict."
Zhang Yi looked solemn and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, please give your order!"
Zhu Qizhen exhaled heavily, calmed down, and then said solemnly: "If I die on the battlefield today, I will order Prince Ke of Qin to succeed the throne, and Yu Qian, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, to be the Minister of War, with the title of Left Commander-in-Chief, to lead the military camp and guard the capital!"
Zhang Yi's expression immediately changed, and he kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, please think twice!"
"I have made up my mind, please draft the decree!"
Zhang Yi's forehead was covered with cold sweat and he didn't know what to do for a moment.
Zhu Qizhen looked at Jing Yuan again and said solemnly: "When the battle starts, you will immediately take 300 cavalrymen to escort Zhang Qing's family to break out along the Yongding River. You must send this imperial edict back to the capital!"
Jing Yuan immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I request to stay at the front line!"
At this moment, he was filled with remorse. He actually regarded the emperor as a coward who was afraid of death. He deserved to die!
Zhu Qizhen sighed and said slowly: "The foundation of our ancestors cannot be destroyed in my hands. As long as the capital is still there, the Ming Dynasty will still exist. The two ministers, please accept my order!"
Jing Yuan insisted: "Your Majesty, the country cannot be without a ruler for a day. I am willing to risk my life to escort Your Majesty out of the siege!"
"I can't leave!" Zhu Qizhen said resolutely with a firm look in his eyes, "The war is coming, I am the commander-in-chief, and I must be responsible for the 80,000 soldiers in front of me!"
"But……"
"I have made up my mind, so please don't argue anymore!"
Jing Yuan clenched his fist, slammed it heavily on the ground, gritted his teeth and said, "I obey your order!"
