Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

Tian Tianyu sat half-crouched on the front seat, and the reason was very simple. He rode a horse and rode at night, traveling hundreds of miles in five days and nights, and his thighs had long been worn away.

Although it can't be compared to the 62-year-old Liu Bei who ran the 700-mile mountain road in one breath and returned to Baidi City safely during the Battle of Yiling in the Three Kingdoms, but with Tian Yu's age, his head is almost buried in the ground, this journey is also almost He died.

On the contrary, Jiang Xinghuo took a mighty waterway. The Wusong River was severely silted up and the river surface was gentle and wide. Therefore, not only did he not suffer much, but he also reached the front line of Taihu Lake in a day or two, using the Huating County grain shipped down from Dahuangpu. This solved the Ming army's urgent need to run out of food.

Yes, five days have passed since the night attack battle.

In addition to the food supplies being delivered, there is also good news for the Ming army.

That is, as the rain decreased, land transportation capacity began to slowly recover. The materials previously stored at the Xushuguan front line were gradually transferred in small batches.

Since the land transportation capacity available on the northern route is still quite limited, the priority of materials such as food that can be transported from the Wusong River has been placed at a lower position.

Many non-food supplies were priority transported to the front line.

The most important of these are the dozens of new bronze field artillery pieces of the Ming army and the improved hot air balloon that the Bingzhan Bureau rushed to produce.

It was these improved hot air balloons that were sowing announcement documents from low altitude just now.

In fact, precisely because the Ming army finally began to accumulate enough logistical supplies to launch a general offensive, psychological warfare began immediately.

And Bai Tianyu naturally had an identical announcement document in his hand.

Different from "The Book with Chen Bo", Jiang Xinghuo naturally wrote it in as many vernacular languages ​​as possible in order for the White Lotus Sect rebels on the Taihu front line and the trapped people to understand.

The literary quality is not worth mentioning, but it is really touching my heart.

Especially, this announcement is issued in the name of Tang Yin, the saint of the White Lotus Sect!

Regardless of whether it is true or not, this is a huge blow to Bai Tianyu's prestige.

Holding the announcement document and recalling his tragic failure in Shanghai County, Bai Tianyu frowned more and more as he looked at it, and the more he looked at it, the more frightened he felt.

"Jiang Xinghuo, Duandi is a very difficult enemy."

Thoughts flashed through Bai Tianyu's mind.

But fortunately, he was somewhat majestic after all, and he did not lose his composure on the spot. After adjusting his breathing for a few times, he calmed down. Seeing that the helmsmen and hall masters recruited by the White Lotus Sect had arrived, he began to examine the people who came in. of these people.

Ding Xiaohong and his uncle saw him at this time.

After half a stick of incense, all the summoned helmsmen and hall masters of the White Lotus Sect arrived.

Heroic leaders from all walks of life gathered together, and this expanded military meeting was obviously going to determine the final fate of the entire White Lotus Sect rebels.

Whether to fight or to go, how to fight, and where to go, there should always be a calculation.

Although some leaders of small forces still don't recognize Bai Tianyu's appearance, larger forces such as the Qinglong Gang all recognize this old man who is famous in the Jiangnan Green Forest.

Bai Tianyu's qualifications are extremely deep. He participated in the Red Scarf Army in his early years and was a remnant of Zhang Shicheng's tribe. He fled to Japan during the Hongwu period and participated in the civil war between the Northern and Southern Dynasties in Japan with a group of people. During the Jianwen period, he returned to the Ming Dynasty and began to integrate the White Lotus Sect. Taking advantage of the opportunity that Emperor Jianwen had no time to take into account during the Jingnan Campaign, he vigorously developed the resurgent White Lotus Sect.

This kind of veteran rebel is in the final stage of his life. He sees that he will not live for a few more years. He does not intend to enjoy his old age in peace. Instead, he will take up the banner and continue to rebel, and work hard to see if he can realize his lifelong ideal. It can be said that in a sense, the original intention has not changed.

Of course, the news that the elite night attack of the White Lotus Sect failed and was wiped out by the Ming Dynasty Imperial Master Jiang Xinghuo has already spread. This is why Ding Xiaohong's uncle and others unanimously believe that the White Lotus Sect will not last long.

The elite at hand have been eaten by others, so what can we do to resist? Relying on an army of less than 20,000 composed of these green forest bandits, water thieves and a small number of White Lotus Sect armed forces? Do not make jokes.

But no matter what, even if the current situation is very unfavorable, they are still in the same boat after all. Bai Tianyu, the leader of the White Lotus Sect, has unquestionable prestige in Jiangnan Green Forest.

So, when he was about to speak, everyone consciously stopped whispering.

"Comrades!"

Bai Tianyu stood up and saluted everyone with clasped fists. He was over seventy years old, but his voice was still loud.

"To be able to participate in this great event together today and to defeat the Ming Dynasty is all thanks to your help. I feel deeply grateful to you!"

Although everyone has been banned from their positions within the White Lotus Sect, Bai Tianyu did not choose to use his power to overwhelm others, but still followed the methods of the Green Lin Dahao, which immediately made many people feel a lot more comfortable.

If they really regard themselves as the leader of Lao Shizi and boss everyone around, it will be even harder for these unruly green forest tycoons to share the same fate with the White Lotus Sect.

"Don't dare!"

"Master Bai is too polite, they are all our brothers!"

Everyone responded one after another.

"Since we are all brothers, we might as well say something clearly."

At this time, Bai Tianyu changed the topic again and said: "Now the situation is about to change. We are all contrarians. How can we survive now?"

Tian Tianyu's words were sonorous and impassioned. Everyone fell into deep thought after hearing the words. Even some people who had empty heads did not dare to say anything at this time.

The elder of the White Lotus Sect next to him took advantage of the situation and said loudly: "Now that the heavy rain has stopped, the Ming army's supplies have gradually arrived, and we must make a decision."

Everyone seemed to have a clear mind.

There are only two so-called choices.

First, everyone fled in all directions. Survival depends on their ability. Anyway, there are few soldiers in Ming Dynasty and many people they hold hostage.

Second, if there is a decisive battle, there is a high probability that you will die together with the White Lotus Sect!

Tian Tianyu narrowed his eyes slightly and looked around everyone, waiting for everyone's decision.

After a long time.

Except for the noise from the White Lotus Sect's own people, Bai Tianyu's face turned slightly cold when he found that no one from other forces took the initiative to propose a decisive battle with the Ming army.

During the day, Yu originally wanted to take advantage of the fact that everyone was gathered together and could not communicate with each other to see if he could create a scene where people were excited and asked for a battle to boost morale. However, the current silence of the non-White Lotus Sect's direct lineage forces was undoubtedly already A statement.

These people are not very optimistic about the current situation, and they all have the idea of ​​​​preserving the strength of their own men, so no one is willing to support the decisive battle.

But because the White Lotus Sect is still the most powerful force in the army, they can't openly disobey Bai Tianyu's wishes and talk about subcontracting and leaving bulk goods.

Therefore, the only way to deal with it now is silence.

Tian Tianyu took a deep breath, suppressing the anger that had been building up in his heart since he fled in embarrassment, and said again: "Everyone, the Mingting Imperial Master Jiang Xinghuo has forced us to a dead end. Do we still have a way out? ?! Even if we retreat to Taihu Lake, the Ming Dynasty Navy will still attack them one by one! If we can't work together, by then we will be alone. Even if we can escape for a while, will we be able to escape for the rest of our lives?"

At this time, the wine prepared by the White Lotus Sect was served in a sea bowl.

Everyone had a bowl in front of them. Bai Tianyu took the wine bowl handed to him by his subordinates and drank it all. Part of the wine dripped from his beard onto his clothes.

Tian Tianyu wiped his mouth, smashed the wine bowl and said: "Everyone! If you still want to live, there is only one way to choose now. Fight with your backs and fight your way out of the siege! As long as you can defeat the Ming army in front of you and sweep through all the mansions in the south of the Yangtze River, Then with the light of our followers of the White Lotus Sect in the south of the Yangtze River, all places will definitely respond! And Zhu Di is a usurper and traitor, who has never been popular. We only need to raise the banner of welcoming Emperor Jianwen, which is to recreate the story of Chen and Wu, which is not the case. Impossible!"

After Tian Yu finished speaking, everyone looked at me and I looked at you.

These words are quite encouraging. It is true that the White Lotus Sect has a broad base of believers in Jiangnan. It is also true that Zhu Di has always been favored by the gentry in the Jiangnan area.

Or in other words, it was precisely because Zhu Di used Jiang Xinghuo's strategy of "sharing the labor among his parents" that there was a rebound in the White Lotus Sect uprising and Jiang Xinghuo's trip to the south of the Yangtze River.

A peck and a drink, could it be a predestined decision.

But it is a bit nonsense to say that relying on the banner of welcoming Emperor Jianwen to imitate Chen Sheng and Wu Guang who used the banner of the Qin eldest son Fusu to do things.

At present, even these green forest heroes know very clearly how much people's support Jiang Xinghuo's advice of "sharing the labor to the mother" has won over Emperor Yongle.

The gentry in the south of the Yangtze River may still miss Emperor Jianwen, but that is because Emperor Jianwen was bewitched and manipulated by them. Emperor Jianwen had various preferential treatment for the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River.

But the people in the south of the Yangtze River will definitely not miss Emperor Jianwen who made their whole family pay for military rations and conscripted men to deliver food to the Xuzhou camp.

On the contrary, Emperor Yongle's reputation among the people in Jiangnan has gradually improved.

Even if some people were kidnapped or took the initiative to join the White Lotus Sect rebels during this flood, it was not because they had any objections to Emperor Yongle, but because they just couldn't survive anymore.

The common people are not fools, and this is not the first year that floods in the south of the Yangtze River have occurred. It is simply because the gentry did not take the water conservancy project to heart and only tried to expand their fields by relying on floods. The new emperor, Emperor Yongle, cannot be blamed for what happened before. .

Moreover, although the White Lotus Sect is relatively powerful, their organizational capabilities are quite low. Moreover, Bai Tianyu has been keeping a low profile over the years and has never done things in such a high profile as now.

Under such circumstances, most of the helmsmen and hall leaders of other forces under him were suspicious and suspicious of him, feeling that he might not have any good intentions, or that he was trying to trick them into taking the lead, and then destroy the elite members of the White Lotus Sect. Strength, withdraw secretly.

"The leader is absolutely right, but"

Seeing that someone finally spoke up, even if it was a question, it was better than a silent confrontation. Bai Tianyu said, "Let's talk. In military discussions, you can speak freely."

"I heard rumors in the army that the elite of the leader's direct line attacked the county town at night, but were defeated by Jiang Xinghuo's fire gun team. Is this true?"

Some of his embarrassing defeats were pointed out to his face, but Bai Tianyu's expression did not change at all. Instead, he nodded magnanimously and replied, "It's true. Jiang Xinghuo's new fire gun is quite sharp, with a range of up to sixty or seventy." With one step, anyone who stands in his way is invincible, and he is a first-rate divine weapon."

"We are not afraid of death, but we can't die for no reason!"

"The rain has stopped now, and the fire cannons can be fired at will. If it is a head-on battle, wouldn't it be like being used as a target?"

For a time, all the helmsmen and hall masters expressed their opinions one after another. This was not only a question about Bai Tianyu. Although this kind of doubt has become more and more serious since the failure of Bai Tianyu's raid in Shanghai County where he occupied the right time, place and numerical superiority. There was a great uproar.

But more importantly, it was a general outburst of dissatisfaction with the White Lotus Sect during this period.

The White Lotus Sect is the main body of the rebels. They all belong to the White Lotus Sect in name, but after all, they are a grassroots team built by heroes from all walks of life. When the resources are sufficient and the battle is smooth, it is easy to say that once the resources are insufficient and the headwinds are encountered, , then there is a tendency for internal strife in an instant.

Moreover, there are indeed profound conflicts within the rebels over the distribution of arms and food.

Everyone was talking, and everyone started talking. Bai Tianyu sat at the top and did not stop them.

He could also see that the astonishing performance of the fire gun in Jiang Xinghuo's hand made these people quite afraid.

"Please, Master, please think again!"

As expected, many people couldn't help but jump out and express their opposition, including Zhang Long, a gang member of the Qinglong Gang.

And more people, such as Ding Xiaohong's uncle, chose to remain silent, but the worry on their faces was no less than the question just now.

"I have known for a long time that you would have such thoughts."

Tian Tianyu sighed, and did not even call himself "I", but continued: "Your concerns are also justified. The elites in the sect are all brave people, and their martial arts are not weak. But with Jiang Xinghuo's fire blunderbuss, The teams competed, but they were all at a disadvantage, and few people could even rush in front of the Fire Gun team. And Jiang Xinghuo should not be underestimated. He has unpredictable abilities. If he really pulls the horse and fights head-on, facing The Ming army has a large number of muskets, and I’m afraid it will be difficult for us to win.”

This is to give yourself a gilt. Even if the Ming army does not use fire guns, but still uses cold weapons to fight in formation, these grass bandits will definitely be defeated.

But Bai Tianyu successfully took the topic in another direction.

"Since you know it's hard to win, why do you still want to do it?" someone asked in confusion.

An elder of the White Lotus Sect also stood up, looked at Bai Tianyu and asked, "Leader, what do you think should be done?"

Bai Tianyu lowered his eyes to the ground and said slowly: "You have forgotten that we also have another weapon. This weapon is enough to offset the advantage of Jiang Xinghuo's gun."

This statement made everyone stunned. Even the elder who asked the question frowned and said, "How can the leader say this?"

"What weapon?"

Tian Tianyu looked at everyone and suddenly laughed.

Everyone was confused and stared at him in confusion.

Zhang Long, the leader of the Qinglong Gang, coughed lightly and said tentatively: "Does the leader mean to drive the people away to block the fire gun team?"

Everyone was stunned.

"good!"

Bai Tianyu laughed happily.

"A true man will cut off his life when it comes to it! Since we have reached the end of our rope, why not be happy?"

Someone immediately responded: "These common people are wasting food by staying in the army. They will cause trouble sooner or later. It is better to use the waste and drive them to block Jiang Xinghuo's bullets."

"In this way, Jiang Xinghuo can either let the driven people break through the Ming army's formation, and we can cover it up and win a great victory; or he can order the shooting, and in that case, the fire blunderbuss will not be able to exert its power to us. We can also take the opportunity to get closer."

"If the Ming army was equipped with too many guns, spears, axes, oars, shields, crossbows, etc., it would definitely be equipped with fewer weapons, and its combat effectiveness in close combat and chaotic battles would be much weaker!"

Ding Xiaohong stood behind his uncle who was sitting next to him. He was frightened and thought in his heart.

"The Imperial Master loves his people as his own children, but the White Lotus Sect is so shameless. If this vicious plot really succeeds, what should we do?"

Ding Xiaohong thought to himself: "No, I have to find a way to spread the White Lotus Sect's plan. Otherwise, if there is a delay, the people will lose their lives in vain. Once the Ming army is overwhelmed, the situation in Jiangnan will also be corrupted."

Ding Xiaohong glanced at his uncle who was silent again. Of course he knew that at this time, the other party must be thinking about how to leave men and ships at the dock in case of evacuation at any time. These people are not easy to fool.

"There are many bandits and boats in the White Lotus Sect. Once they are unable to capture them all, they will escape into the endless Taihu Lake, or even follow the tributaries to the sea, but it will be really difficult to find them. The White Lotus Sect may not be able to do this. Plan. This is also a big issue. If I can see the Imperial Master, I have to explain it myself."

Ding Xiaohong was distressed. The White Lotus Sect asked various factions to monitor each other. It was very difficult to sneak out secretly.

At this time, the voices of approval were almost stopping.

"The leader's clever plan!"

Tian Tianyu glanced at the crowd and said in a deep voice: "Jiang Xinghuo's biggest support is just the gun squad, and the Ming army's artillery is not large in number, and the artillery is slow to reload. Although it is powerful, as long as it rushes over, it will eventually be defeated. It’s no match for the threat of a fire gun, so it’s better to just fight to the death and fight to the death!”

"If we win, we can sweep Jiangnan and change the world!"

Bai Tianyu didn't say what it would be like if he lost, but everyone here is a high-roller who has been in the world for many years, and naturally they are not some stupid young people who take their righteousness first.

What you say is your will, but your heart is your interests.

They would not believe Bai Tianyu's deceptive words, and they had already been planning in their hearts what their retreat would be if they were defeated.

But on the surface, everyone agreed.

"Master Bai is far-sighted and I admire you. Don't worry, we will do our best to cooperate with your actions!"

Tian Tianyu has been accustomed to seeing the uncertainty of life and death all his life. He is definitely not a person who is greedy for life and afraid of death. He used Tang Yin as bait in the county to escape because he still felt that he had the ability to make a comeback.

And this capital is the White Lotus Rebel Army with more than 100,000 people on the Taihu front line (less than 20,000 rebels and 80,000 to 90,000 civilians).

The last rebellion before death seemed like a grand curtain call.

However, Bai Tianyu was paying the price with the lives of countless people.

Bai Tianyu nodded with satisfaction, raised his right arm, raised his arms and shouted: "Tomorrow we will make food at the fourth watch, assemble the team at the fifth watch, and go out to the camp at the sixth watch for a decisive battle with the Ming army, kill!"

"Yes! Kill all these Ming troops! Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"That's right, let's do it! At worst, it means death anyway, so what are we afraid of? Let's do it!"

"I've long had enough of such a frustrating life. Instead of living an ignoble existence, I'd rather kill him vigorously and bleed him like a river!"

The helmsmen and hall masters were furious, with fierce looks in their eyes. They seemed eager to rush in and kill Jiang Xinghuo, who was firmly seated in the Ming army's camp.

After seeing everyone's expressions, Bai Tianyu certainly knew that there was mostly a performance element to it, but compared to the awkward silence at the beginning, it was already a huge improvement.

Bai Tianyu felt relieved. As long as he led everyone to continue to resist, there was still a glimmer of hope for victory.

Amid everyone's approval, Bai Tianyu sat down and continued to talk: "Now, I will assign tasks to you, and tomorrow we will carry out operations according to the military plan..."

Everyone listened carefully to Bai Tianyu's arrangements, and occasionally put forward some opinions, which made Bai Tianyu nod frequently.

After a while.

Bai Tianyu's plan has been arranged.

All the helmsmen and hall masters also took orders and dispersed.

Seeing that everyone had left the military meeting tent, Bai Tianyu turned to look at the only great elder of the White Lotus Sect and the third most powerful figure after the leader and the saint, and whispered: "If we lose this battle."

"Don't worry, leader, according to your wishes, our church will continue to operate underground, waiting for the opportunity to make a comeback!"

Tian Tianyu breathed a sigh of relief.

The great elder also left the tent. The old man leaned half of his buttocks on the front seat, tapping his knees with his fingers, and softly hummed a Yuan tune that he had often sung since his childhood.

“There are sun and moon hanging in the morning and evening, there are ghosts and gods holding the power of life and death.

Heaven and earth are only meant to distinguish between pure and turbid, but how can confusion arise that robs Zhi’s face?

Those who do good will suffer poverty and their lives will be shortened; those who do evil will enjoy wealth and longevity!

Heaven and earth are supposed to be afraid of being bullied by the strong, but they turn out to be just like this."

——————

Night falls.

There was silence in the huge camp.

Ding Xiaohong and a few others quietly lurked in the reeds, waiting quietly.

The reed marsh in front of them is a medium-sized lake, part of Taihu Lake, and the place they chose is considered a patrol dead spot, with no one around.

"Not yet," Ding Xiaohong said in a low voice.

The rest of the people nodded, looking a little nervous.

After all, this operation is extraordinary. If successful, it will allow them to escape their current embarrassing situation and even regain their freedom.

A truly free body in the sense of the Great Law of the Ming Dynasty.

If the information is passed on and the Imperial Master can pardon their innocence, from now on, they will all become innocent and clean ordinary people.

For these people who make a living on the water and whose hands are more or less unclean, it is a wonderful dream to be able to live a safe life ashore without having to worry about the government's investigation.

Therefore, no one wants this operation to fail.

"Wait two more moments. If it's not there yet... then let's retreat?" Ding Xiaohong asked in a low voice to the people around him.

The people around him hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded in agreement: "Okay, wait a moment."

Ding Xiaohong knew very well that his uncle was afraid that he would run away alone and lose the chance to defect before the battle and perform meritorious service, so he sent these brothers to watch him.

But Ding Xiaohong was not that kind of person, and he really couldn't go to the Ming army camp without these sailors, so he let them follow.

Time passed by bit by bit, and the distance was still dark, with not even a trace of light visible, as if the entire world was shrouded in dark clouds.

Ding Xiaohong frowned, looking very anxious.

According to the plan, a receiving ship should have appeared at this time. This ship was secretly hidden by them. It was hidden far away and the White Lotus Sect did not know about it.

Even now, the brother with the strongest water ability has long been sent to swim across to get the boat.

However, so far, there is still no news.

Ding Xiaohong looked up at the sky and found that the stars tonight were extremely sparse, and even the moon was hidden. The entire sky was dark, as if the end was coming.

About two moments passed, and just when everyone was about to return to avoid being discovered by the sentry...

Wow!

Suddenly, ripples appeared on the calm lake surface.

Ding Xiaohong's feet suddenly moved.

Immediately afterwards, others also moved.

After a loud noise, a small boat was pushed over by sailors wading through the water.

"What's going on?" Ding Xiaohong asked in a low voice.

The sailor operating the ship touched the sweat on his forehead and said:

"The people from the Qinglong Gang are also secretly preparing the boat! I saw it from far away on the road, but they didn't see me, so I had to take a long detour and come to you from the other side."

Everyone quickly jumped onto the boat and disappeared into the reeds.

Except for Ding Xiaohong, they are all experienced sailors and can move freely through the dense reed swamps.

They walked out of the lake and made a big detour. After about an hour, Ding Xiaohong pointed at the building not far away and said softly: "That is the water fort built by the Ming army against the Wusong River. "

Ding Xiaohong lit a lantern.

The red lanterns look particularly dazzling in the dark night.

"who?!"

Soon, the Ming Navy sent several ships to check.

"Who are you? How dare you break into the water village? Put down your swords and guns and don't move, otherwise the crossbows don't have eyes!"

Ding Xiaohong held the lantern high and shouted loudly:

"Ding Xiaohong, a test pilot from the War Bureau, has important military information and wants to see the National Advisor!"

Hearing this, there was a sudden commotion on the Ming Navy's ship.

"Test pilot?"

They had all seen the hot air balloons that often took off and landed in the camp these days. They knew that these test pilots who operated hot air balloons were highly regarded by the national advisor Jiang Xinghuo. When they saw these people put down the knives in their hands, they Vigilantly holding a sword, shield, and a crossbow, he jumped over.

"Let's go, follow me and report to the superior officer."

After reporting at all levels and waiting for confirmation from Navy Commander and Pingjiang Bo Chen Xuan, Ding Xiaohong soon met Jiang Xinghuo.

Outside the tent door of a camp in the Ming Army camp, Jiang Xinghuo stood quietly, looking at the brightly lit Ming Army camp inside.

Behind Jiang Xinghuo, there were more than ten military cadets wearing armor and carrying swords on their waists as bodyguards, among whom Zhu Yong looked particularly awkward.

The actual reason for Ding Xiaohong's arrival was not clever, because Jiang Xinghuo was not greeting him, but the inspection officials of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion from Nanjing.

In other words, a military observation mission.

The atmosphere was a bit tense. Ding Xiaohong was brought in. He didn't dare to say anything at this time, watching Jiang Xinghuo confronting an old general who seemed to be of high rank.

"Gong Cheng, you are a famous general of the country. Jiang is not teaching you how to fight, but firearms are indeed changing the pattern of war."

Jiang Xinghuo said calmly.

Beside him, the second prince Zhu Gaoxu seemed to be in a dilemma.

It is true that Zhu Gaoxu is so domineering and brave, and that he has made great contributions to the army, but he is not qualified to show off in front of Duke Jingnan.

It turned out that the inspection officials of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion were no one else. They were actually led by Duke Cheng, Zhu Neng.

Zhu Di would naturally not take the initiative to do something like this to undermine Jiang Xinghuo. In fact, it was precisely because there were so many people criticizing Ping Jiang Bo Chen Xuan, the Southern Army's slow progress in surrendering generals, that Zhu Di sent Zhu Neng to the front line to make a show. In fact, it was to help Jiang Xinghuo and Chen Xuan.

But no one expected that Zhu Neng had his own ideas.

Obviously, in front of Zhu Di, Jiang Xinghuo did not recommend Zhu Neng, the most qualified, capable and prestige person, as the coach of the expedition against Annan, which made Duke Cheng Guo have some grudges in his heart.

This was inevitable. Although Jiang Xinghuo's news that Zhu Neng might be acclimatized and die of illness on the way was strictly kept secret by Zhu Di and Yao Guangxiao who knew about it. When Zhu Di visited, he only asked if he was feeling well.

But this is equivalent to asking, "Lian Po is old, can he still make a living?"

For a military general, this is undoubtedly a great insult.

If you are not in good health, cannot hold a sword or a gun, or ride a horse, how can you fight and perform meritorious service?

Everyone says that heroes are not allowed to grow old, isn't that what they are talking about when famous generals grow old?

Zhu Neng is currently the de facto number one in the Ming Dynasty's military, and when he is in his prime and strong, how can he allow others to see him like this?

Therefore, of course, Zhu Neng also has some opinions about Jiang Xinghuo, which is almost inevitable.

However, Zhu Yong, who was in his adolescence, changed his attitude and became more and more identified with Jiang Xinghuo instead of his father's military philosophy, which was even more unacceptable to him.

Duke Cheng Zhu Neng turned around, looked at the guard, his son Zhu Yong, and said indifferently: "My Duke actually doesn't care about what the Imperial Master said. They are just means. How will the future war be fought? This is something that will happen in the future, and of course future generations will comment on it.”

Obviously, Zhu Yong, who was keen on new firearms just now, might have said something to him.

"It's just that the progress on the front line is slow. There must be an explanation. We can't delay it endlessly. The imperial court has so many resources to support Jiangnan in countering the rebellion. We have to put down an effect. The conquest of Annan is still waiting."

Zhu Neng finally looked at Jiang Xinghuo and said.

"If you want me to say it, I will naturally have to fight decisively with heavy troops and defeat it with an upright formation. The national army has never fought in a battle, so it is better not to comment."

PS: [Important reminder (there is no charge for this content)] Chapters 316 to 356 are about the rectification of officialdom and the suppression of rebellions in Jiangnan. They do not contain any theoretical knowledge. They are all practical content. If you are not interested, you can jump directly to Chapter 366. "Class" will contain theoretical knowledge content from now on.