GBP Chapter 267 Return and Situation
Chapter 267 Return and Situation
Just as the front and rear battlefields were about to begin, the "escape team" headed by Han Ming also went through untold hardships, sailed out to sea from the Yuguan area, and arrived at the Tanggu Port of the Song Dynasty.
This port was newly built during the Qingli period of Emperor Renzong to cope with maritime trade on the Song-Liao border.
"Everyone, due to the escalation of the Song-Liao War, the Tanggu Port is temporarily closed. We can only go south to the Fuyang River area to enter the Cangzhou area."
"If there are no problems, our fleet will head south directly!"
The captain's shouts echoed throughout the entire ship, most of the people on board were merchants coming to Liao.
Most of them were merchant teams consisting of about ten people traveling by sea between Song Cangzhou and Liao Yingzhou, transporting large items.
The Song-Liao War affected the trade between the two places, and many Song Dynasty merchants returned to their homeland by sea.
They were afraid that during the war, the Khitans would take off the cloak of "etiquette" and start levying heavy taxes or seizing the goods and assets of these merchants.
Because of this, Han was lucky enough to catch the last boat and complete his "return home mission" along the Bohai Bay area!
"Brother, we have something to do and need to go to Nigu Village. Can you pay double the boat fare and allocate a small boat for us?"
Yong Zeng spoke in a careless manner, which attracted many people's attention. However, seeing that he was tall and strong, they put aside their inappropriate thoughts and listened quietly.
"Brother, you want to go to Nigu Village? It's very close to the front line!"
The captain of the ship could tell at a glance that Yong was a member of the Cao Gang who roamed around in rivers and lakes, or perhaps he was from the Salt Gang.
Their shipping business has close ties with the Cao Gang and the Salt Gang, and they are considered close colleagues, so they couldn't help but feel close to each other and talked a lot.
"Someone at home is in Jinghai! I'm in a hurry to get them back and evacuate!"
Yong Zeng lied without blushing or beating his heart, which made Han look at him with some amusement.
"Well, it's indeed closer from the direction of Nigu Village... Fine! Since you have family members and are willing to pay double the boat fare, I have nothing to say."
"Xiao Liuzi!"
"Prepare the small empty boat towing from behind for these two brothers!"
The captain thought for a moment and immediately gave a clear and concise reply. This kind of request had been made in previous years, so it was no different this time for Han Ming and the others.
Besides, if they are generous enough to pay double the shipping fee, it is more than enough to purchase a few more small cargo ships.
This kind of behavior not only does not require loss of money, but also allows you to make friends with brothers from the Cao Gang or the Salt Gang. It's worth it!
"Then I thank you, brother!" Yong Zeng immediately saluted with a fist.
"You're very polite, brother. We'll let you go when we get close to the Haihe River estuary."
"Brothers, take care of yourselves for the rest of the journey!"
The captain of the ship is also a man of chivalry. He is very efficient and can arrange things in minutes.
When they arrived at the mouth of the Haihe River, Han Ming and Yong Zeng jumped onto a small cargo boat and headed west into the Haihe River. In less than half a day, they arrived near Niguzhai.
"Take this marquis's seal and go to Nigu Village to investigate the current situation. Also, mobilize two fast horses. We will set off westward immediately!"
Han Ming took out the jade token with the word "Anyang" engraved on it from his waist and handed it to Yong Zeng, then found a place to take out the map and look at it.
"Yes!"
Yong Zeng took a step forward and ran all the way to the Nigu Village which was under martial law not far away.
After a long time, a group of three or four people came galloping on horseback. They saw Han Ming sitting on the stone from afar, and immediately dismounted without slowing down, and knelt on one knee to salute with a neat and clean movement.
"I, Zhong Hengwen, the commander of Nigu Stronghold, pay my respects to the Deputy Privy Councilor!"
Hearing the voice, Han Ming looked at the other person strangely and looked at him carefully.
"General Zhong, there's no need for formalities. I'm just passing through here and would like to inquire about the situation on the front lines and borrow a few good horses."
Han Ming didn't expect the other party to be so proactive in coming out to greet him. In fact, this was because he didn't have a clear understanding.
As the youngest marquis, deputy privy councilor, assistant prime minister, and one of the ministers in the court, there were too many bigwigs and people of higher seniority in the court when he was young, so he did not seem to stand out.
But when it comes to the local level, he is a big shot who has all the power to the leaders of each route and the subordinate prefectures, cities and military camps.
He was actually a favorite of the government who could interfere in the military, political and financial departments and had the final say. There was no other person like him in the entire Song Dynasty.
For Zhong Hengwen, this was like the big boss coming to inspect secretly, how could he not go out of the camp to greet him personally!
"My Lord, how dare I be so arrogant as not to come and greet you!"
Zhong Hengwen had a relatively fair face under his military uniform.
"General Zhong shouldn't be from the military, right?"
Han Ming felt that the other party should be a civilian who changed his career and joined the army. After all, many civil servants now choose to further their studies in the army.
After all, nowadays, when the government is dealing with politics, it does not like people who are good at talking but not doing anything. Therefore, many experienced and quick-witted people will be transferred to the local imperial guards for training before being transferred back to the court.
"I am a fellow Jinshi graduate from the second year of the Zhihe era. Previously, I served in the Three Departments of Armor. In the fourth year of the Jiayou era, I was transferred to Cangzhou and Qingzhou as a military officer. In the seventh year of the Jiayou era, I was assigned the position of Lieutenant General of Niguzhai."
Zhong Hengwen followed behind Han Ming, clasped his fists and bowed.
Hearing the name 'Sansi Zhou', Han Ming really felt nostalgic.
In the original history, the "Three Departments' Armor Case" was considered the predecessor of the "Military Equipment Supervisor". In the sixth year of Xining reign of Emperor Shenzong of Song Dynasty (1073 AD), the "Three Departments' Armor Case" was abolished and the Military Equipment Supervisor was established to be in charge of manufacturing weapons.
In this time and space, in order to better separate the Military Equipment Bureau from the Sansi Yamen and give it greater independent research autonomy, Han Ming's first thing when he returned to the court after the end of the Song-Xia War in the seventh year of Jiayou was to withdraw the "Sansi Armor Case".
Hearing that Zhong Hengwen originally came from the Three Departments Armor Case, he couldn't help but smile and said, "That's indeed a coincidence. If General Zhong had taken up his post later, he might have been transferred to the Military Equipment Bureau. We might have had the chance to meet again."
Zhong Hengwen couldn't help but feel relieved when he heard Han Ming joking. He had heard of this gentleman's name. To say that he was decisive and ruthless was an exaggeration. This gentleman was a devil-like figure with a lot of blood on his hands.
"Your Majesty is right. If I had stayed at the Armoury, perhaps my current situation would be different."
Zhong Hengwen took over the conversation steadily, not letting Han Ming feel that he was being perfunctory.
However, this did arouse Han's interest, and the two of them briefly talked about some aspects of military equipment manufacturing and the transformation of thermal weapons.
It turned out that Zhong Hengwen was indeed of some quality, and many of his insights made Han's eyes light up.
"General Zhong's theoretical knowledge is remarkable. It seems that the Song Dynasty can add another talented person in military equipment manufacturing."
Han Ming admired the other party very much and couldn't help but take the initiative to ask: "After the war is over, do you have any thoughts on returning to the Arsenal?"
The fact that Mr. Han specifically said this shows that he recognizes Zhong Hengwen.
This made him ecstatic, and he hurriedly bowed and saluted: "Thank you for your advice, Your Majesty. I will follow your lead in the future!"
Chatting between smart people is so simple. There is no need to express your feelings, just express your gratitude directly.
"That's not necessary. We are all working for the court. Recommending talents is the responsibility of us ministers."
Han Ming waved his hand casually, then got to the point: "Now, tell me about the latest situation on the front line. How are both sides doing now?"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Hengwen immediately unfolded the military map, pointed at each part and began to describe the course of the war.
"Currently, all the major forts along the border have been attacked by the Liao army. Although they have made preparations in advance, there is still a gap in strength between the two sides, and most of them are barely able to defend themselves."
"Due to the numerous rivers and lakes crisscrossing the Cangzhou area, the Liao cavalry was unable to maneuver and was unwilling to attack from this point. This allowed the area to remain temporarily peaceful despite the current pressure from the Liao army."
"..."
Looking at the battle of Juma River between Song and Liao, as well as the situation on the entire border, Han Ming couldn't help but frown and think.
After a long pause, he asked in a quiet voice, "Has the Border Pacification Division received any relevant intelligence?"
Zhong Hengwen recalled and immediately shook his head: "No, since the war began, the only military order we have received is Commander Gu's request: strictly guard the pass and the fortress."
"Something's wrong..." Han Ming muttered to himself, rubbing his fingers on the three words 'Baigouyi' on the map for a while.
Then it suddenly moved to the Hedong Road area, hovered near Daizhou, and finally swept to Datong Prefecture in Liaoxi Jingdao to its north, and a mysterious smile slowly appeared at the corner of its mouth.
"Good fellow, so this is what you were planning..."