Chapter 540: Ming Dynasty Version of Reconciliation
Under the moonlight.

The land of Yan was quiet, and all sounds were still.

Nowadays, at night in Yan area, we can’t see the bright lights of later generations, and naturally we can’t see the city skyline illuminated by technology from a distance.

And on the leeward slope beside the official road between the capital and Tongzhou.

In the temporary camp of Shanziying, bonfires were lit, providing light and a sense of security for the officers and soldiers guarding in the dark.

The military has always had various strict rules, and when the army moves out of camp and on the march, these rules will become more numerous and more stringent.

Not to mention at night.

In order to prevent mutiny or bombing of the camp, the army camp should be most vigilant at night.

Even though Yan Shaoting was a newly promoted Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, assisting in the military affairs of the Beijing Camp, he could not ignore these rules.

Far away.

He asked Lu Yi to lead people to light torches, and then they waved the torches high when they were within an arrow's reach of the camp.

Not long after.

The sound of horse hooves was heard from the temporary camp.

A team of cavalrymen from the Shanzi Camp, holding their swords and carrying muskets, marched out of the camp in the dark night and quickly but cautiously approached the fire that suddenly appeared outside the camp.

When the two sides were within fifty steps of each other, the cavalry of the Shan Camp began to disperse and attack in a pincer formation, with the two wings spreading out, slowing down and approaching carefully.

When the people from the Shanzi Camp approached within thirty steps.

Xu Wei, who had rushed over from Changping with Yan Shaoting, began to sign up loudly: "Yan Shaoting, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and the Assistant Director of the Military Affairs of the Beijing Camp, heard that General Qi was summoned to lead the soldiers of the Shanzi Camp to the north to the capital, so he rushed here at night."

In the dark night.

Xu Wei's voice spread far away.

Soon, a question came from the other side.

"Yan Runwu?"

Then, the sound of horse hooves became rapid.

Yan Shaoting frowned slightly.

This voice seems somewhat familiar.

Before he could react, he saw a tall horse carrying a general in heavy armor rushing out from the darkness opposite, and then a black shadow flew up.

Plop.

Yan Shaoting's vision blurred for a moment, and he felt a cold wind blowing across the back of his head.

When he recovered, he found that he had been thrown to the ground from the horse's back by the man opposite him.

At the same time, the face of Zhang Yuangong, the eldest son of the Duke of Yingzhou, the guerrilla general, and the craftsman officer of one of the four combat camps of the Shanzi Camp, was revealed, which was full of anger and resentment.

Without waiting for Yan Shaoting to speak.

Zhang Yuangong had already tightly grasped Yan Shaoting's arms with both hands, his eyes wide open, and under the illumination of the surrounding firelight, he spoke with a ferocious expression.

"Five years!"

"Five whole years!"

"Do you know how I have been spending the past five years?"

"Yan Runwu!"

"Because of your bad idea, I have been living worse than a dog for the past five years!"

Lu Yi, who had just reacted, was about to bring people over, but was stopped by Yan Shaoting, who saw through Zhang Yuangong.

He smiled as he looked at Zhang Yuangong, who had grown a beard on half his face. Seeing that his skin was several shades darker than Hai Rui's, he spoke softly, "Brother Zhang! Brother Shi! I want to congratulate you, Brother Shi. You have earned the title of general and command a military camp on your own."

Zhang Yuangong snorted coldly, stretched out his hand, clenched his fist and lightly hit Yan Shaoting on the shoulder.

He wasn't really angry.

However, during the past five years in Shanziying, working under Qi Jiguang, he really suffered a lot.

Seeing that Yan Shaoting was not angry.

Zhang Yuangong immediately snorted and said, "You still want me to thank you? General Qi just said today that our Shanzi Battalion has been ordered to go north to fight the enemy in the Nine Borders. The camp is short of war horses and firearms. Since you are now the Minister of War, you have to take care of this for our Shanzi Battalion, otherwise I will settle the score with you for your bad advice back then!"

Yan Shaoting's eyes turned, knowing that the other party said this on purpose.

He didn't point it out.

I think when Qi Jiguang said that the Shanzi Camp lacked war horses and firearms for the war in the north, he probably intended to rely on the Duke of Ying's Mansion to replenish the war horses.

But he began to speak: "I accept it! Just tell me what the Shanzi Camp needs, and I will fill it all for you!"

Seeing Yan Shaoting agreed without hesitation.

Zhang Yuangong finally chuckled, then he stretched out his hand and hooked it on Yan Shaoting's shoulder, and then instructed the officers and soldiers of the Shanzi Camp around him: "It's okay, this is Yan Shilang, the Minister of War who is in charge of our Shanzi Camp. You should respond quickly and report to General Qi, saying that Yan Shilang is here."

After finishing speaking.

Zhang Yuangong then turned to look at Yan Shaoting, apologetically: "You know, General Qi is strict in his military discipline, and now it's night, you definitely can't enter this camp, if you have anything to say, wait until General Qi leaves the camp, then you can talk to him."

Yan Shaoting nodded: "I know the rules of the army, let's go over and wait for General Qi to leave the camp."

Then he nodded to Xu Wei and Lu Yi.

Everyone dismounted, each leading their own horse, and walked towards the Shanzi Camp's main camp, accompanying Yan Shaoting and Zhang Yuangong.

Zhang Yuangong, who was walking in front with Yan Shaoting, turned his head and glanced at him with a bit of curiosity on his face: "I didn't expect that you have already been promoted to the Minister of War. The brothers fought hard outside to get the title of guerrilla general, with less than 3,000 people under your command, and you have become the superior of all of us."

He was not wrong in saying that.

All the garrisons in the country were under the jurisdiction of the Five Military Commanderies, but their Shanzi Camp was not a garrison. Instead, it implemented the system of recruiting soldiers. This type of troops has always been directly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War.

Yan Shaoting hooked his hand around Zhang Yuangong's neck and leaned in close to him, saying, "You have been fighting those poor Japanese pirates who are too poor to wear armor in the southeast for so many years. Now let's let you try those Mongolian pirates who grew up on horseback outside the Great Wall. Tell me whether you want someone you don't know to lead you into battle, or let your own brothers lead you out of the Great Wall to fight the enemy together?"

Zhang Yuangong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he glanced at Yan Shaoting with shining eyes.

After a while.

He asked uncertainly, "Has the court decided? Are you the one who led us out of the border to kill the Mongolian wolf cubs?"

Yan Shaoting imitated Zhang Yuangong's behavior and snorted twice: "Is it possible for a mere guerrilla general like you to find out about important military affairs and secrets of the country?"

Zhang Yuangong was stunned for a moment, then pushed Yan Shaoting away with his backhand.

Then he whispered fiercely: "Believe it or not, I will stab you in the back!"

Yan Shaoting refused to give in: "Then this Minister can only bear the pain and shed tears to kill you as a sacrifice."

Zhang Yuangong was completely speechless.

But one thing is certain.

That is, Yan Shaoting might really take them to the outside of the Great Wall to fight with the people of Altan's tribe.

The two then chatted some more.

Most of the questions were about Yan Shaoting asking about Zhang Yuangong's service under Qi Jiguang and the Shanzi Camp's efforts to kill the Japanese in the southeast.

Five years passed.

Zhang Yuangong, a young man who had inherited a dukedom since birth, had really grown up. His military strategy alone was far superior to those incompetent noble children in the capital.

Arrived in front of the camp.

Yan Shaoting also stopped according to the rules.

No night camping.

This is a rule that has existed since ancient times.

Zhang Yuangong glanced at the camp, then pointed and said, "General Qi is here, over there."

Looking in the direction of Zhang Yuangong's finger, Yan Shaoting indeed saw the vague figure of Qi Jiguang, wearing a battle robe and armor, walking towards him under the light.

"It's so late, Qi Yuanjing is still wearing armor?"

Without waiting for Zhang Yuangong to explain.

Qi Jiguang had already walked out of the camp with his men. He laughed loudly, then bowed and said, "Minister Yan, I am in command of the troops in the camp, and I have never taken off my armor until I rest at night."

The court has attached great importance to civil affairs over military affairs since the Civil Engineering Period.

Although both of them are now of the third rank.

But Yan Shaoting was the Minister of War, so his power and status were naturally higher than Qi Jiguang, who was a pure military general.

Yan Shaoting shook his head and bowed in return: "General Qi, your words are too kind. Our dynasty has General Qi leading the army and setting an example. I think the Shanzi Camp will surely achieve countless military exploits outside the Nine Frontiers in the future."

This was the opening statement of the two.

Qi Jiguang just smiled without saying anything and looked around.

The personal soldiers had already brought in several wooden boxes from the camp.

The army set out from the southeast and headed north to the capital, so it was naturally impossible to get a set of tables, chairs, benches, etc.

Yan Shaoting was not surprised and sat down on the box with Qi Jiguang.

Lu Yi and Zhang Yuangong looked at each other, then dispersed with their men.

Xu Wei stood next to Yan Shaoting.

He originally worked in Zhejiang under Hu Zongxian, then Governor-General of Zhejiang and Governor of Zhejiang, and was an old acquaintance of Qi Jiguang.

Qi Jiguang just glanced at Xu Wei, bowed, and said nothing more.

Yan Shaoting looked around.

Although it was already late at night and still located in the heart of the capital, the Shanzi Camp still arranged a sufficient number of officers and soldiers to patrol at night. Not only were there people in the camp, but there were also many officers and soldiers hiding in secret places outside the camp, observing everything in the dark.

Just from this, we can see Qi Jiguang's ability in commanding the army.

Yan Shaoting also took the opportunity to speak up: "Don't relax just because you are in a safe place. General Qi is an excellent commander in commanding troops."

Qi Jiguang smiled and shook his head: "Commanding the army is only the job of one battalion, but winning the battle requires the full support of the officials in the central government."

Yan Shaoting nodded and continued, "General Qi is leading his troops into the capital at the order of the late emperor. I would like to submit a petition to Your Majesty, requesting that General Qi be promoted to the Five Military Commander's Office and serve as the chief instructor of the Beijing Camp to help the Marquis of Zhenyuan reorganize the Beijing Camp and train the soldiers in preparation for the army's march to the border to suppress the rebels."

He stated his purpose directly.

Qi Jiguang's eyes flashed, and then he said: "Last year, Altan's army marched south with 100,000 men. Now I am transferred to the Ministry of War and am responsible for assisting the military affairs of the Beijing Camp. I think I will start with the Beijing Camp, rectify and eliminate the old soldiers and incompetent generals. When the food and grass are replenished and the weapons are ready, I will personally lead the army to the frontier."

Yan Shaoting immediately cupped his hands and said with a smile: "General Qi is wise. In this Beijing camp, the old soldiers need to be eliminated, and the mediocre generals must also be dismissed. If General Qi joins the camp as the chief instructor and trains the Beijing camp's soldiers, this can be accomplished. When we ask the emperor to issue an order in the future, the army will set out. Then the Shanzi Camp can be the central army, and it will work with the Beijing camp to drive out the thieves, recover the Hetao area, and recover the mountains and rivers!"

Both are smart people.

Qi Jiguang knew Yan Shaoting's purpose in using him, and Yan Shaoting also knew Qi Jiguang's pursuit.

The two hit it off immediately.

Qi Jiguang smiled and asked, "I heard that you, my younger brother, are now the Dragon and Tiger General appointed by the late emperor, and you even said that you wanted to be able to defeat ten thousand enemies. If the Minister leads the army to the battle, the general will probably ask to join the army."

I heard Qi Jiguang ask this.

Yan Shaoting was also very troubled for a moment.

If I really asked for permission to lead the army to go into battle, Xiao Que'er would definitely clamor to go with the army to fight the enemy.

His 3,000-strong Dragon and Tiger Army was the most elite cavalry in and around the entire city of Beijing.

Even the Shenshu Camp in the Beijing Camp, which was the Three Thousand Camp in the past, probably could not match such cavalry.

At least in terms of equipment and manpower, they are definitely not comparable.

Among the Jingying, the Wujun Camp has the largest number of people and is also an infantry camp. The Shenshu Camp is a cavalry camp, supplemented by more than 5,000 infantry. As for the Shenji Camp, it is a firearms camp. In addition to the standard fire guns, there are also a large number of artillery.

When the time comes for the Beijing Camp to set out, the Shenji Camp and the Shenshu Camp will have to send out their entire forces, while the Wujun Camp will have to leave behind a portion of its troops to continue guarding the capital. All in all, the Beijing Camp will only be able to mobilize about 30,000 to 40,000 troops.

Together with the Shan Camp led by Qi Jiguang, there were at most 50,000 troops marching to the border.

All that remained was to draw troops from the nine frontiers and form a large army to attack Altan.

All of this was also within Yan Shaoting's calculations, but at the same time, once Xiao Que'er knew the situation, he would definitely clamor to go into battle and kill the enemy.

Yan Shaoting could even conclude that even if he disagreed, Xiao Que'er would definitely go to the emperor in person to ask for permission to join the army.

At this point, even if you use your toes to think, you can know the answer.

Even if Zhu Zaigui wanted to let the Dragon and Tiger Army experience some battles and become brave soldiers who have experienced the baptism of war, he would agree to let Xiao Que'er go with the army.

A dragon and tiger army that has experienced war and is guarding the imperial city is far more reassuring than a force with well-equipped, young and strong soldiers.

While he was still hesitating about how to stop Xiao Que'er from going into battle.

Qi Jiguang, who first raised this question, smiled and said, "In the Former Han Dynasty, there was a Marquis of Guanjun, the Grand Marshal, and a General of the Cavalry. At a young age, he conquered the desert and conquered the Wolf's Lair. Now in our Ming Dynasty, there may be another person who can rival the General of the Cavalry. The Minister is very concerned about his younger brother, but he cannot always keep him in a hothouse."

Yan Shaoting could only respond with a wry smile.

Then he changed the subject and said, "Then tonight I would like to ask General Qi to train the troops in the Beijing camp..."

Qi Jiguang smiled slightly.

Then he waved his hand, stood up, raised his arms and clasped his fists.

"What the Minister requested is a matter of state."

"Yuan Jing is a military man who commands the army, and his life's ambition is at stake."

"It's what you wish for."

Seeing that Qi Jiguang finally agreed, Yan Shaoting was overjoyed and his face was full of joy.

He also stood up and reached out to grab Qi Jiguang's hands.

"We will defeat the enemy army and flatten the desert one day."

"I'll take credit for General Qi!"

Under the moonlight.

One is a scholar and the other is a warrior, holding hands and arms, their shadows are stretched out in the moonlight.

What a harmonious relationship between civil and military officials.

…………

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(End of this chapter)