The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 45: Everyone is drunk and I am sober

Guanlong has been settled, and the Ming Dynasty's territory in the north has reached Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia and Gansu.

However, this does not mean that the situation is settled. Wang Baobao is still stationed in Shen'eryu, Gansu, Huoerhuda is stationed in Yunzhou, Hebei, Nahachu has an army of 200,000 stationed in Jinshan, Liaodong, and Shilakhan is stationed in Xiliangzhou.

In order to completely resolve these hidden dangers, the Ming Dynasty must continue to use military force in the next few years.

After a busy day in the wounded camp, Ma Xun rode his donkey back to the central military tent. This was his daily life.

Seeing Ma Xun, Xu Da smiled and said, "Little brother, get ready to pack up and return to Beijing in three days."

Ma Xun immediately perked up, "Has His Majesty's decree arrived?"

Xu Da smiled and nodded, "The imperial edict has arrived, ordering us to return to the army."

Ma Xun hurriedly asked, "Is it the whole army returning victoriously, or are we the only ones going back?"

Xu Da replied, "Of course the army cannot return, otherwise Wang Baobao will definitely attack. Feng Sheng is stationed in Qingyang and controls the troops. Gu Shi is the governor of Jingning Prefecture, and Yang Jing, Fu Youde and others are also stationed in various places."

Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Xu Da understood that only a few generals would return this time, and the main army would still have to continue to guard the fortress, and the full-scale war would continue.

Ma Xun said, "Brother Xu, I think if Wang Baobao knew that you returned to Beijing, he would definitely take the opportunity to attack Lanzhou."

Xu Da smiled and praised, "You are right, little brother. I predict that he will also send troops, leaving General Zhang Wen to guard Lanzhou. If Wang Baobao dares to attack, Feng Shengde can also come to his aid."

The thing Ma Xun was most worried about happened, "Brother Xu, aren't you afraid that someone will return without permission?"

Xu Da just looked up to Ma Xun, thinking that he had made progress in seeing that Wang Baobao might attack. But the question he raised the next moment was something that even an idiot would not think about.

Return without permission?

Ma Xun also knew how stupid this question was. Normal people would naturally not do this, but some people are not normal!
Ma Xun could only say, "The army has been triumphant all the way, and morale is high. Many soldiers have become complacent. Now they feel that Guanlong has been secured. Although the baggage is still being transported from the rear, many people are still complaining."

In response to Ma Xun's statement, Xu Da said, "What I said is true. The army is a little complacent."

However, Xu Da did not think that there was any possibility of returning to the capital.

Because we will continue to use troops against Wang Baobao next year, who would dare to return without permission and disrupt the current defense line?
These are all generals in the army. They all emerged from the troubled times and can still understand the battle situation at this level.

Now that the army has returned, the defense line of Guanlong will be in chaos. We will have to retake some important places next year, and there will be more casualties!

Ma Xun then said, "Bao'er is still in Mayi, can he come over?"

Xu Da said decisively, "No, Wen Zhong must stay there. His army will be very useful next year, and here Feng Zongyi will be enough to control the army."

Ma Xun asked, "How about keeping Brother Tang? Brother Tang has high prestige in the army and can restrict Feng Sheng."

Xu Da couldn't help but think too much, he was a cautious person. Now Ma Xun, the uncle of the emperor, repeatedly expressed some concerns about the army, and it was obvious that he was not confident about some generals.

Xu Da replied cautiously, "My dear brother, it is reasonable to not employ those you doubt, and not to doubt those you employ. This is the order issued by His Majesty."

Ma Xun also understood and quickly explained, "Brother Xu, there is no need to think too much. I am just worried that someone in the army is too complacent. Feng Sheng is in charge of the army. This is the will of His Majesty, but there are people who need to assist him."

Xu Da replied, "That won't work either. Brother Tang has other plans and can't stay."

Ma Xun immediately said, "Then let Mu Ying and Lan Yu stay. They will still be under Feng Sheng's command. But if there are some things, they can also report them to His Majesty or Baoer in time."

Xu Da felt that Ma Xun was overthinking, "Brother, the army will naturally make these arrangements."

In Xu Da's opinion, there is really no need to think too much. The army is now under the command of him as the general, but there will be people arranged by the emperor more or less. Once certain situations arise, they will immediately rush to report to the emperor.

However, seeing that Ma Xun insisted, Xu Da said, "As long as I can persuade Mu Ying, Lan Yu will stay. But it's hard to say about Mu Ying, as he has a different status after all."

Lan Yu was a military officer under Xu Da's command. But Mu Ying was different. He was the emperor's adopted son and had a mission. Ma Xun said confidently, "That's fine. I will go back to the capital with the general. What can he worry about? He is also eager to make achievements, and it would be a waste for him to stay in the capital."

Then Ma Xun looked at Liu Jing. This future brother-in-law was also eager to make achievements, but he had almost no opportunity to display his talents along the way.

Xu Da also understood and said, "Then how about this, my subordinates will stay in the army and be under the command of Lan Yu and Mu Ying."

These seem to be the best arrangements. They do not conflict with the emperor's will and can also allow Ma Xun to "get his job done". This is a situation that everyone is happy with.

No one would think too much about it, because Ma Xun's identity and mission were clear to everyone.

This time he came to the battlefield to supervise the troops and share the credit.

Since I'm preparing to return to Beijing, I naturally need to continue to arrange the things that need to be arranged, but all of this has little to do with Ma Xun.

Ma Xun called Mu Ying over and gave him careful instructions, "You know everything about the military, and I don't have the ability to tell you. But you have to keep an eye on the people, and unless it's a war, you are not allowed to withdraw the troops."

Mu Ying was naturally aware of this, "Uncle, don't worry, everyone in the army knows this."

This is the helplessness of being the only one sober while everyone else is drunk. Normal people know that some things will never happen and will not take them to heart, but they just happen.

"If it's urgent, send someone to report to His Majesty immediately." Ma Xun said, "You are different from other generals. You are His Majesty's adopted son. There are some things you can do."

Mu Ying was confused and asked in confusion, "Uncle, my nephew is stupid, please explain clearly."

Ma Xun lowered his voice and said, "Feng Sheng is in charge of the army. You should obey his orders. But if he rashly attacks Wang Baobao, you must report to His Majesty in time."

Mu Ying said seriously, "Uncle is very thoughtful. If something like this happens, I will advise you and send someone to report to His Majesty!"

Although Mu Ying spoke seriously, he didn't think this would happen at all.

It is true that Feng Sheng controls the army, but he does not have the ability to attack Wang Baobao directly. Even if he is eager to make a contribution, he does not have the conditions to attack Wang Baobao now.

Ma Xun didn't care and continued, "If he doesn't fight Wang Baobao and wants to go to support your second brother, you have to stop him. If he wants to retreat back to Guanzhong, you have to tell His Majesty."

Mu Ying was still listening carefully, but he also thought that his uncle really didn't know anything about military affairs.

Because all the situations my uncle assumed are impossible to happen!
Ma Xun hoped that the things he was worried about would not happen. If he was really worrying too much, that would naturally be the best thing.

But if some things might happen again, he hopes that these little tricks he left behind can slightly reverse the unfavorable situation.

Three days was a very short time. Ma Xun rode his horse, took Wangcai and followed Xu Da back to Beijing.

During this expedition, he fought across thousands of miles, but the spear of kindness in his hand never stabbed once, and he didn't even see an enemy with a sword or a gun.

Xu Da, who was about to return to Beijing, was in a good mood. He smiled and asked, "Little brother, do you want to continue the expedition with me next year?"

Ma Xun asked curiously, "Brother Xu, are you going to fight Wang Baobao next year?"

Xu Da smiled and said, "Wang Baobao will certainly fight, if I'm not mistaken. This time when we go back, we must discuss sending troops. Will you go with me or with Lao Chang? It can't be Wen Zhong, right?"

Three armies?

Yes, Chang Yuchun is still alive, and it is likely that Feng Sheng will find it difficult to lead the troops alone.

But it doesn’t seem right. If we fight next year, it won’t be the Battle of Lingbei.

The Battle of Lingbei was the pain point for Xu Da and Li Wenzhong, and the real failure in their glorious military career.

Is next year's war a warm-up for the battle in Lingbei? Or is it really to completely eliminate the Yuan court's power in the north?
The most important thing is, how come Xu Da thinks that I, a mascot who knows nothing about military affairs, must also go to the war?
(End of this chapter)