September 2nd.
Prince Ding Zhu Cixiong summoned the surrendered Jiannu generals Bolo and Suksaha in the central military tent.
Zhang Rong, the governor of the Eastern Depot, was also present.
After bowing, Zhu Cijiong pointed to the stools with a smile and said, "Sit down, everyone."
Bolo and Suksaha didn't understand what was going on, and after some excuses they sat on the stools as instructed.
Zhu Cijiong asked, "Are you two generals used to the food and clothing here?"
Bolo and Suksaha nodded quickly: "Get used to it, get used to it."
Zhu Cixiong nodded: "That's good. Admiral Zhang from the East Factory wants to see you. You guys chat first. I'll go out for some fresh air."
Before Bolo and Suksaha could react, Zhu Cijiong got up and left.
Looking at Zhu Cijiong's leaving back, Bolo and Suksaha began to feel uneasy.
Zhang Rong’s identity as the commander-in-chief of the East Factory is too sensitive.
If it was a good thing, it would definitely not be their turn.
In other words, nothing good will happen if Zhang Rong looks for them.
After hesitating for a while, Zhang Rong came up to the two men with a smile and said, "Generals, nice to meet you."
Bolo and Suksaha clasped their hands together and nodded, "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you, Admiral."
Zhang Rong smiled and asked, "You two are from the Jurchen tribe, right?"
After the two exchanged glances, Bolo lowered his head and replied, "I belong to the Jianzhou Jurchen headquarters."
Suksaha raised his head and said: "I belong to the Yehe tribe."
"Alas!" Zhang Rong sighed, "This time when they entered Liao, the Jurchen tribes suffered heavy losses."
The two didn't know what Zhang Rong was going to do, so they could only remain silent.
Zhang Rong said some irrelevant things and suddenly asked, "Are you two interested in doing something big with me?"
Bolo turned his eyes and asked in a low voice: "May I ask what is the matter, Admiral?"
"To raise money and food for the army."
Bolo looked at Suksaha and saw that Suksaha was also confused, so he could only ask Zhang Rong in a low voice: "Excuse me, what exactly does the admiral want us to do?"
Zhang Rong put away his smile and said calmly, "It's nothing. The court asked us to raise money and food on our own, and His Royal Highness Prince Ding gave me this task. I can't do it alone, I need a few helpers, so I thought of you two first."
Bolo and Suksaha's first reaction was to refuse.
There were so many people in the Ming army, but Zhang Rong didn't look for anyone else, but found these two surrendered Jiannu generals.
There is probably a conspiracy.
Even if there was no conspiracy, they didn't want to raise money and food.
This is logistical work, and it won’t bring much credit if done well.
If you don't do your job well, you will be blamed.
But they didn't dare to reject Zhang Rong openly and could only show an embarrassed expression.
Zhang Rong brought up the previous topic again: "You two, although raising money and food won't bring you great achievements, it is important to be safe. Your tribes have suffered heavy losses, and there are only a few soldiers left under your command. If you continue to fight on the front line and encounter danger, it will be a disaster for you and your tribe."
"Is that right?"
Bolo lowered his head in thought.
Suksaha also frowned and thought seriously.
What Zhang Rong said makes sense.
After the Ming army entered Liao, the Jianzhou Jurchen tribes suffered severe losses.
Continuing to stay on the front line would risk genocide, but going to the rear to take charge of logistics would not pose such a problem.
After waiting for a while, Zhang Rong asked, "What do you think?"
Boro was the first to speak: "I am willing to obey the orders of the admiral."
Zhang Rong looked at Suksaha: "What about you?"
This move seemed to give them options, but in reality the two had no choice at all.
What Zhang Rong said just now was just an excuse.
The goal is to make both parties look decent.
If they don't want to be decent, the consequences will be disastrous.
Suksaha held his hands tightly and said, "I am willing to obey the orders of the admiral."
"Great!" Zhang Rong clapped his hands happily: "With your help, money and food will not be a problem."
Zhang Rong walked out of the military tent and invited Prince Ding Zhu Cijiong back and informed him of the result of the matter.
Zhu Cijiong was delighted and instructed: "We must follow the rules of the court."
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I won't break the rules."
Zhu Cixiong nodded: "Well, that's very good."
After determining the main personnel, the East Factory Governor Zhang Rong asked Prince Ding Zhu Cijiong for hundreds of soldiers.
These people, together with the Dongchang guards and Jinyiwei under his command, as well as dozens of personal soldiers under Bolo and Suksaha.
Zhang Rongke could mobilize nearly a thousand soldiers.
These people are definitely not enough to fight, but they are enough to collect taxes and grain.
Just when Zhang Rong was thinking about which city to start with, the Embroidered Uniform Guards delivered news.
Inside the central military tent.
The Royal Guard reported to Zhu Cijiong in a low voice: "Your Highness, I have found out that the rebels have stored their grain in Anping Town. There are countless grain transport ships from the south of the Yangtze River docked there. After transiting through Anping Town, they can go down the Beiqing River and reach the outskirts of Jinan."
(Beiqing River was later renamed Daqing River. In the fifth year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign in the Qing Dynasty, the Yellow River broke its banks and changed its course, with the water flowing into the sea from Daqing River. Daqing River then disappeared and became the Yellow River.)
Zhu Cijiong was a little excited: "Is the news confirmed?"
The Jinyiwei replied: "It is true. I can vouch for it with my own life."
Zhu Cixiong nodded: "I'll credit you for your contribution first, remember to claim your reward after the task is completed."
"Yes." The Jinyiwei saluted and retreated.
Zhu Cijiong looked at Li Dingguo and Li Xianzhong: "Generals, do you have any ideas?"
Li Dingguo asked with a smile: "Your Highness wants to cut off Zhu Guobi's food supply?"
Zhu Cijiong made no secret of his thoughts: "That's right! Zhu Guobi has an army of 70,000. Although the cavalry is vulnerable, the infantry is just as powerful. Before the Ping Liao army arrives, we can only outwit them, not attack by force."
"As long as we cut off Zhu Guobi's food supply, he will definitely lead his main force back to provide support, and the siege of Jinan Prefecture will be lifted. This is one of the reasons."
"When Zhu Guobi comes back to help, we can also set up an ambush and attack him. This is the second option."
"Anping Town has a large amount of food stored up. Once we take it, the food can be used by our army. This is the third reason!"
"This is a deal that kills three birds with one stone. How can we not do it?"
Li Dingguo and Li Xianzhong stood up at the same time: "Your Highness, please give the order."
Zhu Cijiong waved his hands quickly: "No hurry, no hurry. First look at the terrain, then think about how to fight, and then send out the troops."
Li Dingguo took the map, and the three of them stared at it and studied it carefully.
After studying until the evening, the three finally finalized the plan.
Early morning of September 3rd.
Li Dingguo led 3,000 cavalrymen to advance first.
Zhu Cixiong led three thousand cavalrymen and followed closely behind.
Li Xianzhong led 2,500 cavalrymen to guard the rear.
After leaving Yucheng, they went upstream along the Beiqing River and headed towards Dongchang Prefecture.
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