Chapter 436 Peng Ze's Enlightenment

In Jizhou Town, Yang Tinghe looked at the carrier pigeon message from Datong Town and couldn't help but sigh.

Liang Chu, who was standing by, hesitated a little. He took the note from Yang Tinghe and shook his head, saying, "Everything has its own law of cause and effect. All your calculations will be in vain!"

Wang Zhuo, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, took the note from Liang Chu again. After reading it, he instantly lost his energy and spirit. He looked at Yang Tinghe, opened his mouth, but could not speak.

Yang Tinghe rubbed his brows and was thinking about how to face the current predicament when Dai Qin, deputy general of Jizhou Town, walked in quickly and said with a bow, "Two elders, Lord Wang, a scout just reported that the five military camps led by Ou Zhanshi had a fierce battle with the Kharachin tribe and the 100,000 Mongolian army led by Dayan Khan after a seven-day stalemate."

"How's the battle going?" Wang Zhuo asked anxiously.

Dai Qin's face was filled with smiles, and he said loudly: "Although the five military camps lost more than 8,000 brave men this time, they won a glorious victory over Dayan Khan. Not only did they successfully capture Dayan Khan's son, Ochir Bolot, the leader of the Keshiketeng tribe, but they also captured 5,000 Mongolian soldiers alive. This record is an unprecedented victory in the history of the Ming Dynasty's confrontation with Mongolia. It is really an exciting move!"

"It's really inspiring." After hearing this, Wang Zhuo smiled bitterly and nodded.

Liang Chu asked, "When will the five military camps return?"

Dai Qin replied cheerfully, "The scout told us that the Fifth Army Battalion is on its way back and will probably reach Jizhou Town the day after tomorrow."

Liang Chu nodded, then looked at Yang Tinghe and suggested: "Your Majesty has already left Datong and returned to Beijing. There is no need for us to wait here. Why not go back to Beijing directly!"

"Okay." Yang Tinghe nodded in agreement. He really didn't know what expression he should use to face Ou Zanghua. It would be better for him to return to his home court first so that he would have room to maneuver.

On the third day, Jizhou Town was in an uproar.

Neither General Zong Sheng nor Deputy General Dai Qin had any intention of concealing the brilliant achievements of Ou Zanghua. Since the rise of Dayan Khan, he and Huoshai had often harassed the border of the Ming Dynasty, but the border troops had never gained an advantage in fighting with them. In the 13th year of Hongzhi, they even defeated Pingjiang Earl Chen Rui so badly that he dared not even show his head.

Now Ou Zanghua, leading the Beijing Camp alone, has defeated the powerful combination of Dayan Khan, Ordo Guhai and Huoshai. This is very morale-boosting for the border troops.

In the Ming Dynasty, it has long been a rule that border troops are stronger than the Beijing garrison.

These arrogant soldiers and brave generals on the border felt that Lord Ou could defeat the enemy with the Beijing Camp, and if he led these border troops out of the border, it would be like Qin Shihuang touching the wire - he would win!

But when they saw the returning troops, the border troops fell silent.

Each of the five military camps had a white cloth tied on their head, with the cavalry leading the way, the artillery camp guarding, and the infantry following behind. In the middle, protecting were the remains of the fallen soldiers.

The whole team was silent, but all the soldiers' steps were firm and powerful, exuding an awe-inspiring and frightening aura. Even these soldiers who had been stationed at the border for many years and had long since become indifferent to life and death could not help but feel an indescribable chill that penetrated their bones when faced with this scene.

"This is what is called a pitiful soldier," Dai Qin sighed and said slowly.

When Ling Xiao, the deputy commander of Tianjin, who had come from afar, heard this, he asked hesitantly, "How can they still be defeated with 20,000 troops against 100,000 troops and still achieve such a great result? Why are they still the defeated troops?"

As for Jinan Guard Commander Wei Zhang, he is still on the way.
When Zong Sheng heard this, his expression was a little shaky and he didn't know how to respond to the reinforcements.

Looking up, he saw Ou Zanghua riding towards him, so he had to bite the bullet and step forward to greet him: "General Zong Sheng of Jizhou Town, congratulations to Emperor Zhanshi Ou on your great victory." "Why didn't the three towns of Jizhou, Changping and Liaodong send troops according to the previous plan?" Ou Zanghua looked down at Zong Sheng and asked indifferently.

Zong Sheng bent his waist, sweating profusely, but he didn't know how to answer.

Dai Qin behind him noticed that Ou Zanghua had one hand on the hilt of the sword. He was worried that the chancellor would directly chop down his own general, so he had to wink at Ling Xiao.

After all, when he received Ling Xiao yesterday, the kid said that he had worked with Ou Zhanshi before and they were acquaintances.

Ling Xiao was confused, but considering that Dai Qin had helped him before, he stepped forward and greeted him, "Ou Zhanshi, long time no see, you are still as charming as ever!"

Ou Zanghua glanced at Ling Xiao and said in a slightly gentler tone, "Why is Ling Chenshi here?"

Ling Xiao smiled and explained, "I received an order from the Cabinet and the Ministry of War to go north to support the Five Army Camps. However, the three guards of Tianjin are a little far away, and I just arrived at Jizhou Town yesterday. I was going to go out to the border today to cooperate with Ou Zhanshi, but I didn't expect that Ou Zhanshi had already returned with a great victory."

"Oh, I really overestimated them!" Ou Zanghua sneered, and then asked the Fifth Army Camp to rest in Jizhou Town for two days before returning to the capital.

After declining the celebration banquet, Ou Zanghua moved into the house arranged by Zong Sheng.

He first wrote a letter to Emperor Zhengde, telling his boss the situation here in detail.

Then he wrote a letter home to report his safety to Liu Qing.

Watching the two letters leave the border one after another, Ou Zanghua couldn't help but sigh, and his belief became stronger.

The next day, Peng Ze, who was stationed in Funing City, returned to Jizhou Town. He had already heard the news that Ou Zanghua's plan had failed, and he rushed to Jizhou with the intention of appeasing him.

"As the saying goes, Ou Zhan, do your best and leave the rest to fate. Although the plan was frustrated this time, the two great victories also hurt Mongolia. I think in the next ten years, they will not dare to think about going south again."

Peng Ze looked at Ou Zanghua and said seriously, "On the contrary, we should pay more attention to the Jurchens in the northeast. When our dynasty was at war with Mongolia, the Jurchens attacked the garrisons many times, which was very annoying."

Ou Zanghua heard this and said calmly, "Mr. Peng is right, but he should write a memorial and let Your Majesty make the decision."

"I know that Ou Zhanshi has a sincere heart to serve the country, so I discussed it with him." Peng Ze stroked his beard and said leisurely: "Your Majesty is in the prime of his life, and Ou Zhanshi is still young. He has unlimited possibilities in the future. Don't rush it!"

Ou Zanghua raised his eyes and looked at Peng Ze. For a moment he was unsure of what this man was thinking.

"I grew up in Lanzhouwei and I know the hardships of the border." Peng Ze recalled for a while before saying, "If the soldiers and civilians in the border areas want to live a more stable life, they have to have strong fists. Dignity is earned through fighting. If you can't win, everyone will come and step on you."

"Your Majesty is ambitious, and Ou Zhanshi is talented. This battle is even more exciting! Therefore, I have begun to believe that the two of you will be able to work together to accomplish a great feat that I cannot achieve."

Peng Ze stood up and finally said, "It is they who should be in chaos now, not you. So stay calm and digest the advantages you have gained. When they make a bigger mistake, you will have enough ability to defeat them."

(End of this chapter)