Positioning yourself is a science, especially when it comes to positioning yourself. Too low is self-deprecating, too high is arrogant and disrespectful.
Mao Wenlong had thought over this visit repeatedly, and he had a well-thought-out plan for how to strike the right balance and the right scale.
He knew very well that in terms of official rank, he was only a commander of a region. Whether it was Xiong Tingbi's Liaodong Governor or Yuan Keli's Liaodong Commander-in-Chief, they were definitely higher than him.
In terms of seniority, Xiong Tingbi was at the same level as Wang Huazhen, and Mao Wenlong was just a Dusi at that time; not to mention Yuan Keli, who was the emperor's tutor, bestowed with the imperial sword and the imperial sword, and was his immediate superior.
Moreover, both of them were Jinshi graduates. Although the emperor had raised the status of the military in recent years, the old habit of prioritizing civil officials over military officials could not be easily reversed.
Therefore, Mao Wenlong kept a low profile and was not flattering, but his etiquette of bowing was impeccable.
Of course, Mao Wenlong also had to show the emperor's painstaking efforts to mediate between the two. Gou Zhenhuai, the deputy general of Dongjiang Town, accompanied him. He was also a man with the power to make secret reports. How could Mao Wenlong not know this?
"I have read all of Lord Xiong's memorials and comments, and I am truly ashamed." Mao Wenlong dismounted from his horse and approached Xiong Tingbi, bowing before him and reflecting on himself. "Although I never believed in rumors, I never expressed my true feelings. The misunderstandings I have received are entirely my fault."
Xiong Tingbi laughed heartily and returned the greeting, saying, "The innocent are innocent. Rumors are false after all, so how can they last? Marshal Mao's shameful mistakes are truly excessive, excessive!"
As he spoke, Lao Xiong extended his hand to Gou Zhenhuai, who was paying his respects, and gave him a slight support, saying with a smile, "General Gou, there's no need to be so polite. We fought side by side in Guangning, so we're old acquaintances."
Gou Zhenhuai smiled and nodded, exchanged a few words of greeting, and then retreated to the bottom of Mao Wenlong.
Xiong Tingbi extended his hand and said, "Master Yuan is waiting for you on the city wall. You and I will go up and pay our respects first."
"Please come in, Lord Xiong." Mao Wenlong didn't dare to be the first to take the initiative and extended his hand to invite him.
"Please come in, Marshal Mao." Xiong Tingbi declined again and made some excuses before the two of them went up to the city wall together.
As the Liaodong governor, Yuan Keli held the imperial sword and the imperial seal, effectively acting on behalf of the emperor and possessing the power of life and death. While he couldn't kill without cause, he could dismiss or depose an official with a single word.
Seeing Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong coming together, chatting and laughing, as if they had put aside their past grudges, Yuan Keli was relieved and stood up to greet them with a smile.
"Your humble servant greets Lord Yuan." Xiong Tingbi and others hurried forward and bowed to greet him.
"No need to be so polite." Yuan Keli smiled and raised his hand to support him. He looked at Mao Wenlong and said, "I haven't seen you for several years. Marshal Mao is still as elegant as ever. I am very pleased."
"Lord Yuan is in good health, and I am very pleased to hear that." Mao Wenlong raised his head and said with a smile, "I have come to pay my respects to you in Dengzhou. It has been several years since we last met."
"Yes!" Yuan Keli stroked his beard and nodded slightly, looking very emotional, and turned his gaze to Gou Zhenhuai.
"I am Gou Zhenhuai, the deputy general of Dongjiang Town." Gou Zhenhuai bowed.
Yuan Keli offered a hand for support. Although he had never met Gou Zhenhuai before, he was familiar with his experience. He smiled and said, "General Gou, there's no need to be so polite. It's been several years since the Battle of Guangning, and General Gou is a veteran."
Gou Zhenhuai laughed heartily and said, "I am a latecomer, having switched from the Pacification Office to the military, so I dare not call myself an old soldier."
"General Gou is good at commanding the army, and his troops are also the best and strongest army in Dongjiang Town." Mao Wenlong said with a smile. To praise his subordinates was also to praise himself.
"Good, good! Dongjiang Town is a strong army, which is very gratifying to me." Yuan Keli praised and gestured, "Please take a seat, everyone. Before the formal military meeting, let's drink and chat here on the city wall. Feel free to speak your mind."
After thanking him, everyone took their seats. Only Liu Xingzuo, who had been standing beside Yuan Keli, remained standing, attracting everyone's curious gazes.
Yuan Keli laughed heartily, pointed, and said, "This is Liu Xingzuo, the commander of the Flying Cavalry Victory Battalion. He is the brave man who rebelled against the Fuzhou government. Your Majesty praises him for his style, just like Li Xianzhong of the Song Dynasty."
"It turns out to be General Liu." Mao Wenlong and Gou Zhenhuai stood up.
Liu Xingzuo hurriedly paid his respects and said, "I greet Marshal Mao and Vice Marshal Gou."
In history, after Liu Xingzuo returned to the Ming Dynasty, Yuan Keli had left and was not valued in both western and eastern Liaoning.
In view of this, Zhu Youxiao specifically instructed Yuan Keli to give him the opportunity to make meritorious deeds, demonstrating the emperor's ability to judge people.
Therefore, Yuan Keli transferred the Flying Cavalry Shengzi Camp led by Liu Xingzuo, and specially introduced it to Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong to show his importance.
If Liu Xingzuo was to achieve great success on the battlefield, he could not be kept by his side and used only as a personal guard. Therefore, whether it was Xiong Tingbi or Mao Wenlong, they had to be led by one of them.
Bring out the emperor as a great god and elevate Liu Xingzuo so that Xiong and Mao will not look down on him and give him a place to display his abilities.
After the small talk, everyone sat down again. The personal guards served them tea and then they began to chat casually.
Talking this way is more casual, and you can express your strategic ideas as much as possible to avoid difficulties in handling the situation during the formal military meeting.
Although the overall strategy of pacifying Liao was basically determined, the siege from all sides made it difficult for the Jiannu to concentrate their forces to deal with the situation.
However, the specific combat plan has not yet been finalized. For now, the question is whether to launch the attack from southern Liaoning and attack Liaoning and Shenyang, or to concentrate all forces on Jianzhou and eliminate the Jiannu stronghold, the so-called birthplace of the dragon.
"Xiong Jinglie, the arrangements for Haizhouwei have been completed. We can launch an attack at any time, right?" Yuan Keli turned to Xiong Tingbi and asked.
Xiong Tingbi nodded and said, "The Han army has retreated into the city, and the Jiannu army's two red flags are waving outside the city, but they can no longer stop our army's attack. Once we have more troops and supplies, we can surround the city from all sides and prevent any enemy from escaping."
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