Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 861 A Last Resort
Datong, the governor's office.

Xu Jin held a detailed report on the troop deployment... written in Zhang Yanling's own hand, instructing him to submit it to the imperial court in the name of the Datong military garrison.

However, Xu Jin's limited knowledge of the situation left him feeling like an outsider, helpless and unable to act.

He Lu, a staff member, entered the governor's private office and saw Xu Jin looking worried over a memorial. He quickly went over and whispered, "Master, we have already had someone investigate. This time, when that young imperial brother-in-law went to war, he did not take a single grain of food from the Datong Prefecture granary. All the military rations and supplies were prepared by him himself."

Xu Jin said with a dark face, "Even if he raises the money himself, wouldn't he still have to use the connections and relationships in this town? Who is cooperating with him behind the scenes? It can't be the Shanxi merchants, can it?"

He Lu said with difficulty, "It is really difficult to investigate whether the merchants cooperated. The young emperor's brother-in-law came here with troops. After arriving at the place, he also received support from the garrison troops in Pianguan and other places. It is said that when Li Zisheng led troops westward before, he was the governor and censor-in-chief in Pianguan and accumulated extensive connections. He did not go through the connections in Datong."

"What about Xuanfu?"

Xu Jin asked.

“There’s been no movement from Xuanfu either,” He Lu said. “However, I’ve heard that many of the young emperor’s men are former members of the Imperial Guard in the capital and have never been on the battlefield.”

"what?"

Xu Jin was surprised and murmured, "He dares to bring a small number of troops into the grasslands, and they're all greenhorns? What gives him the confidence?"

He Lu was also somewhat puzzled, but still forced a smile: "Perhaps it's related to his past experience leading troops in Nanjing... to quell local banditry. Maybe..."

Xu Jin said disdainfully, "These relatives of the emperor just like to cause trouble. I thought Zhang Laizhan was a proper scholar, having passed the imperial examination and served as a student of the Imperial Academy. I thought he would be able to keep his word, but I never expected that he would raise such a foolish son."

"Master, what do you mean...?"

He Lu sensed a hint of something.

It seems that Xu Jin wants to sever ties with the Zhang family, his maternal relatives, and doesn't want the world to think that Zhang Yanling's military campaign has anything to do with him.

Although the troops marched out of the pass under the jurisdiction of Datong Town...

Xu Jin only wanted the world to believe that Zhang Yanling was "borrowing a route" to send troops, rather than that it was the result of his help.

If people insist on linking Xu Jin and Zhang Yanling together... then if Zhang Yanling were to suffer a defeat on the grasslands one day, Xu Jin's political career would essentially be over.

Xu Jin, as a renowned minister in the Ming Dynasty, has a very good chance of being promoted to Vice Minister or even Minister in the future, with a bright future ahead of him.

Xu Jin is full of expectations for his future.

After years of navigating the officialdom, he finally climbed to his current high position, only to have his life's efforts ruined by a rash military expedition by a mere imperial brother-in-law.
Can you tolerate this?

"Write a memorial impeaching him."

Xu Jin made up his mind and ordered, "Send this one, along with Zhang Yanling's, to His Majesty for review. Hmph, I want all the officials in the court to know that the Zhang family used Datong as a base to send troops, and the troops of Datong itself did not participate in it."

He Lu said worriedly, "But...but now it's widely rumored that this matter is closely related to you, and that you even sent people to cooperate with him. How can you expect to clear your name with such a flimsy memorial?"

"By simply following the crowd...without distinguishing right from wrong...he...they...that group of people...they really are..."

Xu Jin was so angry that he couldn't speak.

He Lu suggested, "How about this, we try to write a letter and ask Zhang Guozhang for his opinion? After all, he is now the Vice Minister of War and has already joined the cabinet. If His Majesty values ​​him, even if the young imperial uncle is defeated, he will most likely not be punished."

"no!"

Xu Jin said angrily, "If I don't decisively sever ties, when the court looks for a scapegoat, won't that just push me into the spotlight?"

"The problem is, we can't just... wait until things happen and then say you were unaware, can we?" He Lu said. "The young imperial brother-in-law has been in Datong for some time now. Before, the Duke of Baoguo was cooperating with him in mining, which caused some disputes with the common people. But later, for some reason, he suppressed all the merchants and gentry. Then, for some reason, he took his troops and left..."

They came inexplicably and left inexplicably.

Xu Jin asked, "What exactly is he going to do in Datong? Is the mine still operating?"

"They're all on."

He Lu said, "Production is in full swing. For some reason, everyone's been saying this year that honeycomb briquettes are great. They're economical and ensure you have hot water anytime, anywhere. Even those with a little money are buying a stove. Mines are popping up all over Shanxi now. This stuff is sold in many provinces, both north and south, and ordinary people are flocking to it. The profits involved are enormous..."

"How can we allow them to corrupt the moral standards of the Ming Dynasty?"

Xu Jin said angrily, "No matter what, I have to sever ties with the Zhang family. I don't care about the Zhang family kid's credit, as long as it doesn't implicate me."

……

……

Just as Wang Shouren led his troops across the Yin Mountains, another torrential snowfall struck.

The soldiers were initially in high spirits, but when faced with the dark clouds looming over the vast grassland and snowflakes falling heavily, their spirits tightened. After all, this was the heartland of the Tatars, and with visibility limited to only a few dozen meters, and the possibility of close combat with the Tatars who had been entrenched here for years, no one dared to guarantee that their firepower would have the upper hand.

The Ming soldiers still preferred to stay in the passes. Although they had a clearer understanding of the strength of the Tartars after the previous battles, they were in an extremely unfamiliar environment with such harsh weather. They had lost all the advantages of favorable weather conditions and were not used to it for a while.

Like a dark cloud looming overhead, the soldiers began to complain in private, their morale continued to decline, and they became less enthusiastic during rotations.

For these soldiers, they had basically earned enough military merits.

Wang Shouren once said that the final merit should be determined by the overall victory or defeat, and that those soldiers who did not get the heads would still be rewarded when they returned. Moreover, this time they crossed the Yinshan Mountains several times and fought their way in and out of the grasslands, and the Tatars fled at the mere mention of their name. This was enough for them to brag about for the rest of their lives.

Only Wang Shouren, the person in question, was not satisfied with the achievements he had made.

"This won't work."

Zhu Hui walked over and sat down next to Wang Shouren.

Because the snowstorm was so severe that day, and fearing they would lose contact with each other, the group had to gather together and hide at the bottom of a valley surrounded by mountains, using the towering mountains to the north to shield them from the howling Siberian cold front.

It wasn't until nightfall, when Wang Shouren saw the soldiers' miserable state under the sudden drop in temperature, that he agreed to start a fire.

“Someone just froze to death,” Zhu Hui continued. “If this continues, the soldiers will freeze to death one after another without even having to fight, and then morale will be further shattered.”

Wang Shouren said, "Haven't the winter clothes been distributed? We're all wrapped in thick cotton-padded clothes. If we can't even hold on to this, how did the Tatars survive here?"

Zhu Hui said, "Then we can only ask the Tatars themselves... Although we had the soldiers put on the sheepskin coats we captured, some people felt quite warm, but others still felt very cold. After all, everyone's physical condition is different, and their ability to withstand the cold is also different."

Wang Shouren nodded and said, "Even if we want to withdraw the troops, it's probably too late in this awful weather... We can only wait for the snow to stop."

"It seems that Brother Wang is not a heartless person either."

Zhu Hui suddenly said this.

Wang Shouren said, "Of course I don't want to see the soldiers suffer, and I will consider retreating. Besides, the situation is indeed getting out of control, so I have to assess the situation carefully."

Zhu Hui said, "Brother Wang, weren't you very confident at the beginning? Why are you saying the situation is getting out of control now that we've come all the way east? Haven't the Tartars disappeared right under our noses?"

"It is precisely because it has disappeared that we are so worried."

Wang Shouren remarked, "If the Tartars continue to besiege and intercept us, it actually makes me feel more at ease. It's like arriving at someone's heavily guarded courtyard, only to find it completely empty, without even a guard. Do you feel more confident, or do you suspect a trap?"

Zhu Hui smiled and said, "Brother Wang's analogy is wrong. We're not robbers; we're entering our own yard. Although this yard is always being occupied, we'll take it back sooner or later."

These words made Wang Shouren look at him with new respect.

It turns out that Zhu Hui is also a person of strong emotions.

"However... if what Brother Wang said is true, then it is indeed... very unusual."

Zhu Hui's tone changed, and he added, "Didn't I say that it's possible that Datong sent troops, putting a lot of pressure on the Tatars, which is why they had no choice but to send troops to deal with them?"

Wang Shouren said, "These are all just guesses. If what I'm saying is true, where is the main force of the Tatars? Their movements should leave some traces, right?"

Zhu Hui waved his hand: "I'm just a rough man, I can't think about such detailed things. Leave the mental and physical troubles to you, Brother Wang." Wang Shouren stood up, looked at the dense snowstorm, and asked, "Is everything in the camp arranged?"

"As Brother Wang said, we should set up tents where needed, make fires where needed, and let the soldiers huddle together for warmth. As long as we don't march in the open, the soldiers can just stay in this sheltered place and endure until the snowstorm ends. It shouldn't be too difficult." Zhu Hui stood up and patted the snow off his clothes. "I just don't know how long this blizzard will last."

Wang Shouren said, "It should stop soon. It can't rain all night. Actually, in my opinion, moving around more in this weather is less likely to cause any problems than staying in one place..."

Zhu Hui said, "Don't worry about it. The soldiers want to rest. Do you have to force them? I'm not trying to criticize you, but sometimes you need to spend more time with the soldiers, share their joys and sorrows. Always having a stern face and acting superior won't work."

This time, Wang Shouren really learned a lesson.

Because he felt that no matter how much he looked down on Zhu Hui, Zhu Hui at least held a high position in the hearts of the soldiers.

The soldiers would first speak to Zhu Hui, who would then relay the message to him.

It seems that no matter how hard he tries, he can't integrate into the circle of ordinary soldiers, while Zhu Hui seems to blend in well with those soldiers wherever he goes, and the soldiers seem to be more willing to treat Zhu Hui as a comrade-in-arms.

……

……

The snow stopped in the early hours of the next day.

The snow is already quite thick.

Wang Shouren arranged for his soldiers to rotate shifts and prepared to send out patrols.

He placed great importance on intelligence gathering and did not want to remain in a corner of the country. He believed that the current location was too dangerous, and if the Tatars tracked them down and attacked, they would be trapped like turtles in a jar.

His plan was to continue sending out night watchmen, spreading the reconnaissance network over thirty miles, so that news could be sent back at any time.

But his hopes clearly exceeded the soldiers' capabilities.

He understood that under such circumstances, it was no longer realistic to force soldiers to do things beyond their capabilities by simply issuing strict orders, nor did he have time to cultivate their perseverance. He could only use combat as training.

"We must continue marching," Wang Shouren said to Zhu Hui, who had just inspected the road ahead. "Staying here is no different from waiting to die."

Zhu Hui said, "We have two thousand men. We can stay in one place and wait for the snow to melt a little before we leave. There's nothing wrong with that."

Wang Shouren asked, "In this awful weather, can the snow really melt into water?"

"It is unlikely to melt in the short term."

Zhu Hui frowned and said, "But in the current situation, the snow is two feet deep, and it's almost up to your knees when you step on it. It's difficult to take even one step, so it's really not suitable for marching."

Wang Shouren said, "Last night's intelligence indicated that the area we came from is still experiencing a severe blizzard, and the snow accumulation is said to be almost as high as here... while the snowfall to the east is significantly lighter, with less than a foot of snow on the ground... it's very likely that we've stumbled into a snowdrift..."

"What? You think this is Liaodong, with snowdrifts?"

Zhu Hui was quite surprised.

Is this a disguised form of "quenching thirst by looking at plums"?
Tell the soldiers that once they leave this area, there will be a smooth road ahead.
The key question is whether those soldiers will believe it?
“If we stay here and another blizzard hits, and the snow piles up to three feet or more, we’ll really be doomed,” Wang Shouren said. “Once we get out of here, we’ll head southeast and try to return to the Ming Dynasty via the Datong line.”

Zhu Hui asked in surprise, "You've agreed to return to the Ming Dynasty?"

"Ah."

Wang Shouren nodded.

His original dream was to lead his troops to pacify the grasslands.

But he also understood that he was not capable enough.

Even Wang Yue, who was full of ambition, took the initiative to retreat, leaving him with few troops. Even if he won a local victory, it would not be enough to change the overall situation of the war on the grassland.

As for cooperating with Zhang Yanling... he doesn't even know if Zhang Yanling has sent troops, let alone how many troops Zhang Yanling has. If he does send troops, he has no way of knowing Zhang Yanling's current situation... He doesn't even know where the other party is or whether they are alive or dead, so how can he talk about responding?
Zhu Hui said, "It's truly remarkable that we've come this far after such arduous and dangerous journeys. If we're going to retreat, may I explain this to the soldiers?"

"Speak."

Wang Shouren said, "Since we have chosen to retreat, there is no reason for us to stay here any longer. Tell the soldiers that we will march southeast and return to the Ming Dynasty from Datong. This trip to the grasslands will then be officially over."

"well!"

……

……

Zhu Hui then informed the soldiers of this news.

The soldiers erupted in thunderous cheers, showing no sign of resentment whatsoever.

It was only then that Wang Shouren realized that, apart from himself and Wang Yue, no one else seemed interested in conquering the grasslands.

They use the blood and sweat of others to fulfill their own ambitions, which seems somewhat...

Not very kind or righteous.

But Wang Shouren also harbored a sense of arrogance.

After all, as a scholar, when he has lofty ambitions, he would think that everyone else is just an ant in the world. Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Everything should be planned by people with foresight. Why should he listen to a group of soldiers who can't even read a single word?
All they need to do is follow orders!

Upon hearing that they could return, the soldiers rallied their spirits and stopped being passive, avoiding battle, or slacking off. They immediately packed their belongings, and even if the road ahead was a vast, snowy plain, they had the courage to venture out.

"That's good."

Seeing that the army's morale had improved, Zhu Hui still reminded Wang Shouren, "I hope this time we are truly returning to the Ming Dynasty, and not just going through the motions?"

Wang Shouren said, "Are you saying that I did this to boost morale, and that I didn't really intend to take them back?"

Zhu Hui smiled but didn't say anything.

Wang Shouren shook his head and said, "No. Going east from here, then south out of Yinshan, it leads to Weininghai. If the young imperial uncle leads his troops into the grasslands, he will take this route. At that time, he may find out what happened in that area that could cause such a big change in the grassland tribes."

Zhu Hui's smile froze, and he asked, "So, you're still trying to fool our soldiers?"

Wang Shouren glanced at him and said, "The art of war lies in following the trend. Since we are withdrawing our troops towards Datong, we can also take the opportunity to check the movements of the Tatars and find out the current situation. What's wrong with that? If we can coordinate with friendly forces, wouldn't that be exactly what the court wants? If the commander is still Zhang Xiaoguojiu, given His Majesty's favor, wouldn't we also be indirectly on His Majesty's radar?"

"Cough cough."

Zhu Hui said, "Many people are still saying, why not go back the way we came, instead of taking a path we've never taken before? Turns out, this is what was waiting for us here."

Wang Shouren said, "General Zhu, don't be so prejudiced. If they really have any opinions, they can come and discuss them with me. This route is the closest to the Ming Dynasty and best suits our current strategic needs. Because our retreat is basically blocked by ice and snow..."

Zhu Hui said, "Even if we get to Datong, we still have to march to Yansui. So it's all going in circles."

Wang Shouren smiled and said, "When the army is marching on its own territory, do the soldiers complain so much? I think that the reason they don't want to continue fighting is not so much because they are tired, but because they are mentally and physically exhausted. Returning to the Ming Dynasty will at least allow them to get a good night's sleep."

"Too."

Zhu Hui said, "I also want to find a safe place to sleep soundly until dawn, without being woken up by the slightest sound. This journey across the grassland has been too painful. I don't think the Battle of Weininghai back then was as perilous as it is today."

When Wang Shouren heard Zhu Hui mention the Battle of Weininghai, a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes.

They still couldn't replicate Wang Yue's feat from back then.

Even if they achieved military merits, it was still far from comparable to Wang Yue's decisive victory over the Tatars, which made the Ming Dynasty a dominant force on the northern grasslands.

(End of this chapter)