Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

"Traveling far? Where are we going?

Go and suppress the bandits? Ten thousand people are not enough." Sun Weifan's eyes lit up.

How can a general not desire war, especially since the Ming Dynasty is still facing internal and external troubles.

Sun Weifan followed Zhang Shikang in his campaigns for half a year, and he did receive a lot of official titles and other rewards, but since he followed Zhang Shikang, he became more ambitious.

The title of Marquis of Huaining that he held had been held by his ancestors for more than two hundred years. If he had followed Zhang Shikang, he would not even dare to think about it.

But seeing that the Ming Dynasty was gradually recovering, it was clear that it would wipe out the bandits and even launch a northern expedition to recover lost territory.

If they can achieve a few more military exploits, they will be able to rely on the restrictions on titles granted by the current emperor and the esteem in which they, the military generals, are regarded.

Who says that one day their Sun family won’t be able to be promoted to a duke?

“There’s no need to rush. The imperial court’s current grain reserves cannot support a major war for the time being.

I have told your Majesty that I will set out in a few days to patrol the border on behalf of the emperor."

With Sun Chuanting and Qin Liangyu blocking Sichuan on both sides, Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng had no chance at all.

Moreover, the hidden spies of the Imperial Guard reported that Li Zicheng seemed to be fighting against the local tyrants and dividing the land in northern Sichuan. He even started to carry out construction by following the example of the imperial court.

However, Zhang Shikang was still not in a hurry, and there was no need to be. Since those two guys had already started to think about peace, it was just that he could not collect taxes from the people of Sichuan for the time being.

Without the imperial army approaching, at least the people of Sichuan were safe. He did not believe that Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong would massacre people in Sichuan indiscriminately.

There is absolutely no reason for it and it is not in their interest.

The court’s top priority now is to restore production and solve the drought problem in the north.

Patrolling the border was an idea Zhang Shikang had long ago.

Whether it was the Guanningjin Defense Line where Zu Dashou and Wu Sangui were stationed, or other military towns in the nine borders, he had to strengthen control as much as possible.

This was actually all Chongzhen's fault. His series of micro-manipulations broke the hearts of border generals such as Zu Dashou and also scared them.

Zhang Shikang did not think that the generals in the border towns would betray the court, but until this problem was solved, it would always be a thorn in his heart.

"Nephew, if we go to patrol the border, we can't have 10,000 people, it's too unsafe!

I would say you have to bring at least 30,000 yuan." Sun Weifan said with his eyes wide open.

Zhang Shikang is his treasure and his future. Sun Weifan is most concerned about Zhang Shikang's personal safety.

Although Zu Dashou's uncle and nephew, who were stationed in Guanningjin, were loyal to the court on the surface, they were actually always in a state of obeying orders and not declaring.

What's more, Zu Dashou is suspected of surrendering to the enemy. If we fail to reach an agreement over there, we will be in trouble.

"Why not take all the guards with us?" Zhang Shikang said speechlessly.

"That's fine!"

"Forget it. If you really bring so many people with you, they will be scared. Even if they don't want to rebel, they will probably consider their retreat." Zhang Shikang glared at Sun Weifan.

"Ten thousand will be enough. Pick the best troops and bring more cavalry." Zhang Shikang said again.

If there is real danger, he is also very good at running away.

"Our guards are all elite. Nephew, leave this matter to me." Sun Weifan accepted the order.

After two years of fighting without a single defeat and with better salaries, the emperor was really generous in rewarding those who had made military achievements. The morale of the guards was high, and each of them was brave and ruthless and would not admit defeat.

After explaining this matter, Zhang Shikang summoned the main generals of the Imperial Guards and announced a series of appointments after the Beijing Army was restructured into the Imperial Guards.

Naturally, Zhang Shikang himself was still the Marshal of the Guards, and Sun Weifan was the Deputy Marshal of the Guards.

Huang Degong's Yongwei Battalion was originally an imperial guard. After returning to Beijing, he was incorporated into the Imperial Guard and served as deputy marshal.

Zheng Chong, Wang Jingduo and others from the Second Sons Group were also promoted to lieutenant generals.

Although Zhang Shikang stipulated that the number of soldiers in the Imperial Guard should be 300,000, the conscription plan was temporarily postponed due to the current severe food shortage.

At the meeting, Zhang Shikang also informed his generals of the news that he was about to patrol the border, but he still underestimated the Guards' desire for any opportunity to gain military merit.

However, before the troops surrounded him, Zhang Shikang decisively fled, leaving the task of selecting 10,000 soldiers to Sun Weifan.

Before the army set out on the expedition on the 22nd day of the first lunar month, Zhang Shikang was summoned again by Emperor Chongzhen.

After learning that Zhang Shikang was only going to bring 10,000 soldiers to patrol the border, Emperor Chongzhen was always a little uneasy.

Although he had handed over all military affairs to Zhang Shikang, he had been worried for the past few days. When he saw Zhang Shikang, he couldn't help but persuade him:

“Wuji, bringing only 10,000 people is still a bit too risky.

Let’s not talk about other military towns in the Nine Frontiers, let’s just talk about my family. My family has been guarding Liaodong for generations, and it has been four generations now.

Zu Dashou has controlled Guan Ningjin for ten years. His family is very powerful and has a history of surrendering to the Jianlu.

If he is not good for you, 10,000 men... No, you must bring more troops with you."

Emperor Chongzhen did not trust Zu Dashou from the bottom of his heart. The only reason he tolerated Zu Dashou was that he could do nothing about the Zu family.

The Ming Dynasty could not afford to lose control of the Guanningjin Defense Line. After all, if Shanhaiguan was lost, the only fortress left outside the pass leading to the capital would be Jizhen.

But as Zhang Shikang said, this problem will have to be solved sooner or later.

"Your Majesty, how about I just lead my troops and attack directly?" Zhang Shikang joked.

"Shanhaiguan is not so easy to conquer. I'm talking about serious matters, so don't be so frivolous!" Emperor Chongzhen became angry when he saw Zhang Shikang's expression.

Zhang Shikang then said seriously:

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I am almost 90% sure that Zu Dashou will never rebel.

This time, I just want to make them completely reconcile. The more soldiers I bring, the more uneasy they will be."

Zhang Shikang did not quite believe that Zu Dashou would rebel. Firstly, all his men were Liao soldiers, and the Liao soldiers had a blood feud with the Jianlu.

Secondly, in the past two years, the imperial court has not been unfair to Zu Dashou and has not delayed the payment of food and military salaries. Instead, it is Zu Dashou who feels guilty towards the imperial court.

Thirdly, Zhang Shikang knew Zu Dashou's experience. This guy ate civilians after he ran out of ammunition and food, and then ate the old and weak soldiers. He surrendered when he had nothing left to eat.

Moreover, surrender was just a self-torture tactic on his part. After receiving the courtesy from Huang Taiji, this guy immediately deceived Huang Taiji, saying that he would make a contribution to help Huang Taiji to deceive the opening of Jinzhou City.

Huang Taiji believed it, so Zu Dashou went to Jinzhou and never returned.

Although this guy eventually surrendered to the Qing, at least Zhang Shikang can now be sure that as long as there is a way, as long as the court gives some support, this guy will not surrender.

All he could say was that it was a matter of time and fate. He certainly wasn't going there to force Zu Dashou to rebel, so there was no need for him to bring too many soldiers with him.

"Only 90%? No, I won't allow you to take risks!" Emperor Chongzhen said with a frown and stiff neck.

Seeing Brother Chongzhen like this, Zhang Shikang almost couldn't help himself.

"Your Majesty, when we were fighting against the Donglin Party, I said we only had about an 80% chance of success, and you said that I had the advantage.

It's almost done now. Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm afraid of death. If something is impossible, I will never put myself in danger.

Most of these 10,000 soldiers are cavalry. Your Majesty may not know that what I am best at is running away."

After much persuasion, Zhang Shikang finally convinced Emperor Chongzhen.

On the morning of the 24th day of the first lunar month, Zhang Shikang led 10,000 elite guards out of the Xishan camp and marched towards Shanhaiguan.

……