ATPnovel Chapter 114 There are still troops heading to the capital?!
Chapter 114 There are still troops heading to the capital?!
Chapter 114 There are still troops heading to the capital?!
Wang Shouren laughed heartily, appearing very pleased.
He glanced at the dust covering the banquet table, then stood up with a flourish: "General Ling, I think we can't enjoy this banquet."
"Why don't we go together to welcome General Shenying back to the capital? What does General Ling think?"
"Very good."
Ling Luoshi suppressed his inner turmoil, nodded calmly, and stood up without hesitation.
Ling Luoshi's personal guards also stood up and followed Wang Shouren to the drill ground in the Xishan military camp.
During this time, Ling Luoshi kept thinking about one thing.
Why did Zhu Houzhao order Shen Ying to lead 100,000 Xiliang troops back to the capital at this time?
Are these 100,000 Xiliang soldiers here specifically for Ling Luoshi?
Ling Luoshi narrowed his eyes slightly.
So, was his return to Beijing to report on his duties a case of walking into a trap, inviting someone into a snare, or perhaps attending a banquet at Hongmen?
Since things have come to this, there's no point in thinking about it anymore. Let's just take it one step at a time.
Since Ling Luoshi dared to take the initiative to go to the capital to report on his duties, he was definitely not the kind of cowardly coward who would desert his post!
Just as everyone was waiting on the training ground for a while, a series of earth-shaking hoofbeats came from afar.
In the distance, amidst billowing dust, an endless army was rapidly making its way to the Western Hills military camp.
The army of 100,000 was not unfamiliar to Ling Luoshi, but this time, it brought him immense pressure.
The source of this pressure, upon closer examination, lies in Zhu Houzhao's attitude towards him.
If Zhu Houzhao harbored strong hostility towards him—
Seeing the 100,000-strong army approaching step by step, Ling Luoshi took a deep breath.
Soon, Shenying's troops entered the Xishan military camp.
The 100,000-strong army halted outside the Xishan military camp, awaiting orders.
Shen Ying dismounted and stood before the crowd, his sharp gaze sweeping over their faces one by one: "Who is Wang Shouren, the Minister of War?"
Shen Ying had white hair and beard, was in high spirits, and spoke with a strong voice, clearly a veteran of many battles.
Wang Shouren stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "General Shen, I am Wang Shouren."
"you?!"
Shen Ying frowned subconsciously, a look of doubt on his face.
After all, Wang Shouren was too young; such a young Minister of War was unheard of.
However, Shen Ying also knew that this was the Xishan military camp, and no one would dare to make such a joke in this place.
Shen Ying immediately knelt on one knee, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your humble servant, Shen Ying, Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu, has been ordered by His Majesty to lead 100,000 Xiliang troops to reinforce the capital."
"Please, Your Excellency, inspect the troops and count their numbers!"
Wang Shouren smiled and reached out to help Shen Ying up: "General Shen, you flatter me. His Majesty specifically instructed that General Shen has made great contributions in guarding the Northwest and is extremely loyal."
"It's not too late to review the troops later. Let's first hold a banquet to properly welcome the general and wash away the dust of his journey."
""
After saying this, Wang Shouren turned to his deputy and instructed, "Go and tell the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes and wine, and hold a banquet in the military hall."
Shen Ying was not a powerful minister or warlord like Ling Luoshi, whose loyalty and treachery were difficult to discern, but rather a trusted general whom the late emperor could entrust with his life.
There's no need to use new weapons like flintlock muskets and rifled cannons to beat him up.
Therefore, there was no need to set up the banquet next to the training ground; it could be held indoors instead.
Upon hearing this, Shen Ying firmly shook his head: "Minister, military orders are absolute and must not be neglected!"
'
"Let's ask the Minister to count the number of soldiers first before we start the banquet."
Wang Shouren nodded and did not insist further: "Very well, then please, General Ling, accompany me to inspect General Shen's troops."
Ling Luoshi nodded expressionlessly and said succinctly, "Okay."
At this moment, Shen Yingcai looked at Ling Luoshi, who was standing next to Wang Shouren.
His imposing physique, sharp aura, and the lingering, menacing presence immediately made Shen Ying realize the man's identity.
"The terrified General, Ling Luoshi?"
Ling Luoshi smiled and said, "Seeing is believing, General Shenying."
Ling Luoshi was stationed in Datong, and his nine generals were stationed in nine important border towns of the Ming Dynasty, forming a solid defense line in the north of the Ming Dynasty.
Facing directly north of the Ming Dynasty were the remnants of the Northern Yuan, namely the Tatars.
Shenying, on the other hand, stationed troops in Gansu and Ningxia, guarding the northwestern gateway of the Ming Dynasty.
His main adversary was the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, located north of Hami Guard of the Ming Dynasty.
Although the two had both served the Ming Dynasty for decades, guarding their respective territories, this was truly the first time they had ever met.
Shen Ying said solemnly, "General Ling, you flatter me. Please."
"please."
The group mounted their horses and, led by Shen Ying, inspected the 100,000-strong Xiliang army.
Sitting on his horse, Ling Luoshi looked at the 100,000 elite Xiliang soldiers and felt a familiar aura emanating from them.
Without a doubt, these 100,000 Xiliang soldiers, like the Datong garrison under his command, were a battle-hardened army that had crawled out of the bloodbath at Hushan.
Such an army is the main fighting force of the Ming Dynasty, and the elite force capable of protecting the country.
As Wang Shouren inspected the troops, he nodded repeatedly, a satisfied smile on his face.
Wang Shouren also sensed that these troops, like swords drawn from their sheaths, were no less powerful than the well-equipped and constantly trained Beijing army.
In some respects, these elite troops, who have experienced life-or-death battles, are able to unleash unimaginable potential.
After all, the army in the capital city doesn't have many opportunities to participate in life-or-death battles.
"General Shenying, the Xiliang Army truly lives up to its reputation. Just by looking at their military bearing and discipline, one can tell that they are a battle-hardened army."
"His Majesty must be very satisfied with the Xiliang army you lead."
Shen Ying's serious expression softened slightly: "I have fulfilled my mission. I hope Your Majesty will not find me too old and weak."
Shen Ying's worries were not unfounded. After all, he was over seventy years old, and seeing Wang Shouren and Ling Luoshi, who were in their prime, he felt a deep sense of disparity.
"General, what are you saying? You are old but still vigorous; you can serve His Majesty for another twenty years!"
Shen Ying smiled and said, "I hope so."
Shen Ying and Wang Shouren chatted casually, but Ling Luoshi felt anything but relaxed.
Given his current situation, it's hard for him not to suspect that these 100,000 Xiliang soldiers aren't after him.
In this short period of time, Zhu Houzhao once again revealed his trump card to him.
Let him understand that the elite army of the Ming Dynasty is not only in Datong Prefecture, which he guards, but also in the nine important border towns.
The Xiliang army in the Northwest is no less powerful than them!
Just then, a scout came to Wang Shouren again.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Governor of Hebei and Shandong, Qi Jingtong, the Admiral of the Ming Navy, has arrived near the capital with 100,000 troops from the Hebei and Shandong garrisons!"
Upon hearing this, Ling Luoshi's expression changed drastically.
There are troops heading to the capital?!
How many troops are currently stationed near the capital?
Two hundred thousand? Three hundred thousand? Or four hundred thousand, five hundred thousand?!
Ling Luoshi gasped, feeling his heart tremble.
Even Shen Ying raised an eyebrow, his face showing surprise.
Wang Shouren laughed and said, "Good! Bring them all to the Xishan military camp!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
The scouts left as ordered, a piece of news that surprised both Ling Luoshi and Shen Ying.
At this moment, the pressure on Ling Luoshi seemed to have condensed into a Mount Tai, pressing down on him tightly, making even his breathing heavy.
To Shen Ying's surprise, in addition to summoning him back to the capital, His Majesty also transferred another 100,000 troops from other places to the capital.
What exactly happened in the capital that warranted such a large-scale operation by His Majesty?
Shen Ying couldn't help but ask Wang Shouren, "Minister Wang, why is His Majesty in such a hurry to send so many troops into the capital?"
'
"What exactly happened in the capital?"
Although Wang Shouren was not a member of the martial arts world, he had witnessed the changes in the capital over the past few days.
Furthermore, the fact that Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue were about to have a decisive battle at the Forbidden City was no secret in the martial arts world.
With some inquiries, Wang Shouren learned the whole story.
However, Zhu Houzhao never gave him any orders because of this matter, so Wang Shouren didn't say anything.
"His Majesty has his reasons for summoning you to the capital. When the time is right, His Majesty will let you know."
"Today, His Majesty has only arranged for me to receive the generals at the Xishan military camp. As for anything else, I know nothing about it."
"Understood." Shen Ying nodded. "Then, what should we do with these Xiliang soldiers?"
Wang Shouren replied, "The Xishan military camp does not have enough barracks, so you will have to make do with setting up camp outside the Xishan military camp."
Shen Ying waved his hand: "It's not a matter of feeling wronged. It's common for the army to set up camp in the wild during operations. We're used to it."
Subsequently, Shen Ying directed his Xiliang troops to settle down outside the Xishan military camp.
After the Xiliang soldiers had set up their tents, a loosely organized army was strolling leisurely toward the Xishan camp.
The lax military discipline and listless appearance made Wang Shouren and Shen Ying frown deeply.
The military discipline and appearance of this unit were worlds apart from those of the Xiliang army led by Shen Ying.
Despite having a force of 100,000, Shen Ying was confident that giving him 5,000 Xiliang soldiers would be enough to rout them and send them scattering in all directions!
What purpose will Your Majesty serve by bringing such troops into the capital?
Ling Luoshi breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
This was the kind of army he had in mind when he thought of the local armies of the Ming Dynasty.
Under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone, the 100,000 garrison soldiers arrived before Wang Shouren and his men.
"Your Excellency, 100,000 soldiers from the Ji-Lu garrison are here to await orders from His Majesty in the capital!"
The reporter was a commander of a local garrison. Wang Shouren didn't see the familiar Qi Jingtong and couldn't help but ask, "Where's Qi Jingtong? Why isn't he with you?"
The local commander replied, "Your Excellency, General Qi has returned to the capital by water aboard a steel warship, and should be in Tianjin at this time."
Wang Shouren paused for a moment, then suddenly revealed a mysterious smile: "General Ling, General Shen, since General Qi has already arrived at Jinmenwei by boat..."
"Tianjin is not far from here, why don't we go together to Tianjin Gate to welcome General Qi?"