Volume 1: The Wind Rises in Tumubao Chapter 30 Pre-War Preparations
The wind is cool in the early morning.
Zhu Qizhen sat at the top, with guard commander Fan Zhong and Jinyiwei captain Yuan Bin standing behind him.
On both sides were the main generals including Duke of Yingguo Zhang Fu, Marquis of Taining Chen Ying, Minister of War Kuang Ye, Langzhong of War and garrison commander of Juyongguan Luo Tong, Earl of Pingxiang Chen Huai, and Earl of Xiangcheng Li Zhen.
At the beginning of the meeting, Zhu Qizhen said with a lot of resentment: "This Yesen is really worrying me. I can't even sleep peacefully. My dear ministers, please tell me how to fight this war."
Luo Tong was impatient and was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, the Badaling city wall has been in disrepair for a long time and may not be able to resist the attack of the Oirat people. I beg Your Majesty to move to Juyongguan!"
The Badaling section of the Great Wall dates back to the Warring States Period. Although it has undergone varying degrees of repairs in subsequent eras, it is still very old and there is no guarantee that it can withstand the 80,000-strong Wala army.
Juyongguan was built under the leadership of Xu Da only a few decades ago. The walls are high and the city is solid. It is located in a narrow valley, so the army cannot be deployed. Even if tens of thousands of people came, even hundreds of thousands or millions would be in vain.
Seeing Luo Tong's statement, Kuang Ye immediately said, "I agree with what Luo Langzhong said. The enemy is powerful, so it is safer to retreat to Juyong Pass."
After the two men finished speaking, they looked at Zhang Fu and others. In their minds, the best thing to do now was to retreat to Juyongguan. It was not a wise move to stay in Badaling to fight the enemy.
But to their surprise, Zhang Fu, Chen Ying and others did not say anything, as if they had no objection to this.
Kuang Ye couldn't help but ask, "Duke Ying, what do you think?"
Zhang Fu glanced at him, then turned his head and said to Zhu Qizhen: "I think the Oirat people are not to be feared. We are now the defenders of the city. The Badaling city wall is based on natural defenses and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Even if Yesen comes, he will not gain any benefit."
Kuang Ye frowned and was about to speak when he heard Chen Ying say, "What the Duke of Ying said makes sense, but the weapons on the city wall alone are not enough. The most urgent task is to prepare some equipment to defend the city."
"Great!" Chen Huai said excitedly, "While the Wala people are gathering, let's hurry up and make a batch of catapults and lime powder. These things are powerful, easy to make, and can be made with local materials!"
Chen Ying nodded and said, "How about this, I will lead the Shenjiying to make catapults, and Pingxiang Bo, you lead the people to burn lime powder!"
“OK!”
Seeing the two of them talking to each other and getting more and more excited, Kuang Ye really couldn't bear it anymore.
"Marquis Taining, Earl Pingxiang, you two should listen to the emperor's intentions!"
The two men then realized that they had lost their composure, so they put away their smiles and waited quietly for instructions from their superior.
Zhu Qizhen looked at the two men with a smile and said, "This time we are defending the city, we are in a high position, why do we need a catapult?"
"That's right!" Chen Ying slapped his forehead and said, "Just throw it down!"
Kuang Ye just felt that his brain was a little confused. What? Just throw it directly. Do we really have to defend here?
"Your Majesty, I think..."
"I know!" Zhu Qizhen interrupted him and said, "Your family is considering my safety. However, Badaling and Juyongguan are two important barriers to the capital. I can't just give Badaling to Yesen for no reason. If he wants to take it himself, he will have to pay a price. Don't you think so?"
"this……"
Kuang Ye was speechless for a moment, because what Zhu Qizhen said was correct. One more line of defense would mean an extra layer of protection for himself, and an extra layer of consumption for the enemy.
Even if we really can't hold it, it won't be too late to retreat back to Juyongguan!
Luo Tong stood up and said, "If we go to war with the Oirat at Badaling, I would like to suggest that the emperor take command at Juyong Pass and leave the front line to us!"
After saying this, he looked at Zhang Fu and others.
However, these meritorious generals seemed to have colluded in advance, and no matter what the emperor said, they remained silent.
"Alright!" Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "I know your good intentions, but I have some experience in dealing with Yesen. I was not afraid of a head-on confrontation back then. Now that we have the advantage, how can I retreat?"
"Your Majesty is worth a fortune, it's not worth it to risk your life... Duke of England, please say something!"
After being called by Luo Tong, Zhang Fu had no choice but to stand up and said, "This old minister is ready. Please give your order, Your Majesty!"
Luo Tong: ...
Kuang Ye: …
I called your name to ask you to give your opinions, not to ask you to agree, brother!
Zhu Qizhen didn't have time to waste on these two people, and immediately began to issue orders: "Duke of England!"
Zhang Fu quickly responded: "I'm here!"
"This is a defensive battle. All five battalions will be deployed to every section of the Badaling Great Wall. No matter where the enemy attacks from, we must hold on!"
"I obey your order!"
"Marquis Taining!"
Chen Ying stepped forward: "I'm here!"
"The artillery battalion is responsible for controlling the artillery on the city wall, and the fire gun battalion is in the center to provide support. We will !"
"As you wish!"
"Hingxiang Bo!"
Chen Huai replied: "I am here!"
"Building kilns and burning lime, you don't need my instruction on this, right?"
Chen Huai chuckled and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Just leave this matter to me!"
"Luo Tong!"
Luo Tong quickly stood up and saluted saying, "I am here!"
"The Qing family is responsible for transporting supplies and logistical support. There are 20,000 soldiers on the front line. The Qing family has a heavy burden!"
Although Luo Tong was very dissatisfied with this arrangement, he could do nothing about it.
Forget it, logistics is logistics. It’s just running back and forth between Juyongguan and Badaling. Can’t I go there?
"I obey your order!"
After arranging everything, Zhu Qizhen stood up and said, "Over the years, the Wala people have been constantly harassing our Ming border towns..."
"That... Your Majesty..."
At this time, a discordant voice sounded. Zhu Qizhen turned around and saw that it was Kuang Ye.
"What other problems does your family have?"
"Your Majesty has not assigned me any tasks yet!"
Seeing that everyone had accepted the task and left him aside, Kuang Ye mustered up the courage to interrupt Zhu Qizhen.
Zhu Qizhen thought for a long time and said, "Just take care of yourselves!"
"Your Majesty!" Kuang Ye said relentlessly, "I, an old minister, am honored to be the Minister of War. Now that a war is imminent, how can I only care about myself?"
Zhu Qizhen was helpless and thought to himself, you are so old, why are you causing trouble here?
Hurry back and write a letter of resignation, go home to retire, and give the position to Yu Qian.
"Your Majesty, please assign this old minister a task!"
Zhu Qizhen thought about it, and suddenly his eyes lit up, and he said: "Okay, the Qing family will be responsible for the treatment of the wounded!"
"Ah?" Kuang Ye said reluctantly, "Old minister..."
"Ok, deal!"
After being troubled by Kuang Ye, Zhu Qizhen didn't even bother to talk about his pre-war mobilization.
"Everyone, go down and get ready!"
