Bright Spring

Meng Ji said: "Probably there is a bridge in the north of Yanzhou, which is the only way for the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty to pass. Li Li's troops first cheated many times, luring Marquis Anyuan to lead his troops to rush across the bridge, and then burned the bridge, cutting off Marquis Anyuan's former army from the bridge. When the reinforcements came from the rear, the rebels rushed out in ambush and attacked them in groups."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu said, "You remember it quite clearly."

Meng Ji hurriedly said happily: "I have stayed in Annan for more than a month, and I have found out a lot of things."

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly asked in a deep voice: "If the Ruan family didn't inform me, would Liu Sheng fall for it?"

Meng Ji looked puzzled: "Your servant does not know."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at him: "It's fine if you don't know. During our conversation today, just pretend it didn't happen, understand?"

Meng Ji stared at him immediately and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry, even if the servants are severely tortured, they will never say a word."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Who will torture you?"

"Yes." Meng Ji said.

The generals are very concerned about face, and most of them will not admit that they are inferior to others.The effect that Zhu Gaoxu wants to achieve is that he knows what he knows, but he doesn't show distrust of anyone's ability.

Just like Qiu Fu, the Duke of Qi, Zhu Gaoxu felt that his ability was mediocre; but Qiu Fu, as a veteran of Jing Nan and a high-ranking Duke, could not be inferior to others on the battlefield, so he was quite difficult to use.And Zhu Gaoxu couldn't say that Qi Guogong couldn't lead troops, so he could only make excuses.

Zhu Gaoxu thought about Liu Sheng again.If the woman Ruan from Annan who married someone had reported on it, it was just superfluous, and Liu was promoted to a marquis, why did she insist on marrying Ruan?

Liu Sheng fought quite well, and he was qualified in both commanding the army and arranging troops, so he performed well on the left wing of the crusade army during the "War in Huguang".He is open-minded and attaches great importance to firearms. During the Northern Expedition, he waited for work with leisure and used firearms to defeat the Mongolian army's attack, which also made Zhu Gaoxu very satisfied.But this person is vaguely not sophisticated enough, it would be no problem if he started a decisive battle, but he seems to have some weaknesses when dealing with complicated situations.

Zhu Gaoxu's most important commanders are Sheng Yong and Qu Neng.Especially Sheng Yong, who has rich experience and a good vision for the overall situation. During the "Battle of Jingnan", Jianwen's army suffered a crushing defeat and all the elite were wiped out. When Sheng Yong took over the military power, there were only a few village heroes and remnants left, who were able to hold on to Shandong and threaten the flank of the Jingnan army. In the "Battle of Criminology", he was alone, often faced with difficulties, and there was no flaw.

This is a good player who can find a way in any adverse situation.At that time, Zhu Gaoxu's uncle Xu Huizu, the most important commander was also Sheng Yong who was not of high status at that time, Xu Huizu still had some vision.

And if Sheng Yong has the cooperation of safe cavalry, it will be even more powerful.As long as the imperial court doesn't apply indiscriminate pressure, Zhu Gaoxu feels that if he leads the army himself, he may not be able to beat the army led by these two men.

Usually when the imperial court sends troops, the commander-in-chief is recommended by a minister who knows people.But Zhu Gaoxu doesn't need to recommend him, he is the commander of the army himself, and he knows the generals in his hand very well.

"Meng Ji, go to the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies and call Sheng Yong, Pingan, and Liu Sheng." Zhu Gaoxu finally said.

Meng Ji hurriedly bowed and said, "Your maid obeys the order and will do it immediately."

Zhu Gaoxu sat back behind his big desk, flipped through the memorial, and waited for a long time.

Voices came from outside, the voices of Ping An and Liu Sheng could be faintly heard, but Sheng Yong probably didn't speak.Meng Ji first came to report, and then the three generals kowtowed outside the door.Zhu Gaoxu said loudly: "Everyone come in and talk, no courtesy."

The three of them thanked En and entered, and Zhu Gaoxu greeted them, and took a seat on the stool opposite the table.

Zhu Gaoxu heard that the personal relationship between Sheng Yong and Ping An was not good, and under observation, Sheng Yong was really impatient with Ping An, so he shook his head and said with a smile: "I always thought that General Sheng and General Ping have known each other for many years and shared weal and woe. That's right."

Liu Sheng said: "I'm afraid it's because the falling flowers are intentional and the flowing water is ruthless."

Sheng Yong immediately rolled his eyes, Pingan pointed at Liu Sheng and shook his finger.

Sheng Yong said unceremoniously: "Your Majesty, the ministers are different from the justice of the State of E and do not seek each other. The important affairs of the country are the emperor's favor, and the people of the people below. Treat it like a child's play, without any tolerance, the minister is really ashamed to be with you!"

Pingan said awkwardly: "Sheng Yong, you are cruel."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "General Ping has an unruly temperament, but he is still very serious about fighting."

Ping An hurriedly said: "The Majesty's magistrate...Sheng Yong, you still have a face, why should you train me?"

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and remained silent for a while, guessing in his heart that maybe Sheng Yong deliberately showed in front of the emperor that he had a bad personal relationship with Ping An.

It may be true that Sheng Yong dislikes Ping'an a little bit; however, Sheng Yong must not despise Ping'an in his heart, because the two have cooperated in many wars, and Sheng Yong trusts Ping'an's support very much.

"In the Battle of Conquering the Sun, the main force of our army's land division should have only more than 2 people." Zhu Gaoxu said, "But the soldiers are all the elite of the Beijing camp. The navy division responsible for water warfare and transportation even mobilized almost all sailing ships. ;Combined with the reinforcements from the Korean state, the scale of this battle is not small. I want to use two princes and one marquis to command the army to ensure that the battle is safe."

The expressions of the three of them became serious. They should understand that the person who came today is the emperor's candidate for commanding troops.

Zhu Gaoxu said again: "The level of my employing people, the size of the seagoing ships, and the invincibility of the equipment of firearms, armor and ordnance; when you look at it, you should understand my expectations for this battle, and there must be no rashness or mistakes."

Sheng Yong stood up first, and then Pingan and Liu Sheng also stood up, bowed together and said: "I will live up to the great trust of the Holy One."

Liu Sheng may have guessed in advance that he could be the coach of Zhengri.However, Zhu Gaoxu arranged for two princes to lead the army, and Liu Sheng was one of the deputy generals, so he did not wrong him.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "After the Lu division is mobilized and rectified, you go to the army to prepare, and take the land to North Korea with light cavalry, and then cross the sea."

The three worshiped: "I will obey the order."

At this time, it is a bit risky to take the channel from the mouth of the Yangtze River to Japan.It is much easier to go to Busan Town in North Korea and cross the sea along Tsushima Island and Iki Island.Zhu Gaoxu didn't want some of the court's most skilled generals to be lost at sea.

Zhu Gaoxu went on to say: "In a few days in the court, I will appoint Sheng Yong as General Zhengyi, Pingan as the left deputy general of Zhengyi, Liu Sheng as the right deputy general, and prepare to carry out the war against Japan. The naval fleet will be led by Chen Xuan , Wang Jinghong is the official envoy, and all civil and military officials and eunuchs are under the control of General Zhengyi. Who will you choose to coordinate the relationship between Daming and North Korea and supervise the supplies and supplies?"

They were silent for a while, then Sheng Yong said: "The Marquis Zuo Shi of the guard and Pei Shilang of the Ministry of War are comprehensive and understanding in handling things."

Pingan said: "Civilian officials have always recommended generals, this is great."

Sheng Yong turned his head and gave Pingan a cold look,

Zhu Gaoxu patted the table lightly: "That's it. I will ask the ministers of the court to write an appeal, and you can just follow the court's decision and let things go."

Chapter 8 Snow Petals

There have been several snowfalls in the Kyushu area of ​​Japan in December.When Morimi Ouchi, the governor of the Ouchi family, went to Shima County, it happened to be sunny.

Shima County belongs to the Chikuzen Kingdom, located in the northern part of Kyushu Island, on the west side of Hakata Bay.For the Ouchi family, this place is far away from Zhou Fangguo's Yamaguchi Castle, and it is a relatively remote place.

On the north side of Imatsu Village Estate in Shima County, there is an arc-shaped coastline.This is neither a good port, nor too rich; but there is a relic called "Yuan Kou Defense Base", which is very famous.

It is here that the Japanese army fought the invading Yuan Dynasty army more than a hundred years ago.

Ouchi Shengjian rode a horse and led a group of followers into a forest not far from the coast.During the war, this place should not have been a forest; but time has passed, and now the ruins have been covered by trees.

"My lord, this way!" A warrior shouted from the front.Ouchi Shengjian followed the sound and rushed to the slightly higher ground in the north.

Some attendants were shoveling away the snow, and sure enough the piled soil and dilapidated stones were all exposed.Ouchi Shengjian jumped off the horse, climbed up and looked around for a while, then leaned down again, and stretched out his hand to caress the cold stones with pits.His eyes are a little dignified.

People around you may think that a pile of broken stones is nothing to look at.But what the house governor will do, everyone will still take it for granted.

Ouchi Sheng Jian stood up suddenly, and walked towards a slightly higher hill to the west on foot, and everyone hurriedly followed.There is snow on the surrounding branches, like white cotton.Ouchi Sheng Jian shuttled through the forest, his steps were very powerful.

He is a man who is over 34 years old, and his body has not yet shown signs of decline, but he has considerable experience and insight; he has fought for power in the family, fought many battles, and once fought a game of wit with Muromachiden.Now he is very trusted by the Ouchi clan.

Ouchi Morijian climbed the hill, and immediately saw the sea to the north. The sound of the "crashing" waves seemed to be louder, perhaps because he suddenly noticed the waves on the coast.

Although the weather is a bit cold, the seaside is still very clear after the sky clears.Blue sea water, white waves, the vast sea surface is brightly colored, and the wind is refreshing.

At this moment, a gust of sea wind blew up, and the snow on the branches was blown into the air, flying like petals, dotted into the air.

Ouchi Shengjian looked at the sea and sky with a melancholy expression, but he praised, "It's so beautiful."

Dow Shi, the general of the Ministry of Power, seemed to understand the lord's mood, and asked in a deep voice, "Does the lord believe that the Ming Dynasty will really invade our country?"