Chapter 462: Confrontation

Zhang Dongdong sat in his chair, watching the silent Sun Chengzong before him and that scholarly face so rarely adorned with a full beard, and felt a surge of emotion.

In terms of personal integrity, the Transmigrators generally admired Old Sun. Historically, after Old Sun retired completely to his hometown, in the eleventh year of Chongzhen (1638), the Later Jin invaded Hebei and Gaoyang County was besieged.

Facing the besieging army, Old Sun, at the advanced age of 76, led his entire family and the common people up the walls to resist. Then the city fell, he was captured, and he hanged himself. Over a hundred members of the Sun family perished at the same time.

Furthermore, Sun Chengzong's integrity in political matters was also passable. Although a member of the Donglin Party, Old Sun basically never got involved in those dogshit political infightings. He was single-mindedly focused on perfecting the Ningjin Defense Line and opposing the Later Jin.

However, when it comes to the Ningjin Defense Line, that is Old Sun's mess.

Judging by the results, the Ningjin Defense Line and the Guanning Army, which cost a colossal sum, not only accelerated the Ming Empire's financial collapse but were also a strategic failure.

In fact, the moment the Later Jin first broke through the passes, Old Sun's theory was effectively bankrupt. The Ningjin Defense Line was simply bypassed; it served neither an offensive nor a defensive purpose and became completely useless.

Militarily, the purpose of a salient is, first, to draw enemy fire, and second, to pin down the opponent.

The so-called pinning down is not just digging good trenches and repairing good walls to wait for the enemy to deliver their heads. When the opponent intends to force a bypass, the salient also has the function of cutting off the opponent's logistics and raiding the enemy's old nest.

This is the greatest significance of a salient's existence: to make the enemy army dare not penetrate deeply.

Yet during this Jisi Incident, the Later Jin's main army brought out the whole family and fought all the way to Beijing. As a salient, the Ningjin Defense Line, first, did not draw any fire, and second, did not dispatch even 5,000 cavalry to raid the Later Jin's old nest and force the Later Jin to turn back for relief.

Defense bypassed, attack too timid to trade bases... what use was the Ningjin Defense Line? The enemy fought all the way to the capital!?

If, during World War II, the Soviet army had already reached Berlin, would the German army still keep legions in Poland? Wouldn't that be idiotic? The nation was about to fall!?

You cannot expect the opponent to always carry their own head and ram it hard against your fortress. This strategy of cowering behind city walls and waiting for idiots to come knocking might work once, at best.

Therefore, Old Sun's Liaoxi Corridor fortress tactic had actually been bankrupt long ago; it was only during this war that it was fully exposed.

Yet this was of no use: the Ningjin Defense Line and the Guanning Army, which had swallowed the Ming Empire's colossal finances, had long since spawned a massive related interest group. Now it was not something just anyone could disband, not even the Emperor.

Don't ask; asking leads to falling into water and dying.

And so a farcical situation formed: over half of the Great Ming's annual revenue, millions of taels of silver, were desperately poured into the Ningjin Defense Line, while the Tartars would come to Beijing for a spin every couple of years, raiding as far as the Shandong region, and going home once they'd looted enough.

What exactly did this defense line defend against?

The answer is: its own people.

One could reference the later generations' Kardashian family — every NBA player defended by a Kardashian suffered a cliff-like decline...

Zhang Dongdong's long train of thought was finally interrupted by Sun Chengzong, who had made his decision.

After sharing a tacit glance with Ma Shilong, Sun Chengzong was ultimately resolved and said decisively, "In that case, this old man will submit a memorial today. We must not keep His Majesty waiting in vain any longer."

As Sun Chengzong slowly spoke these words, the three people present nodded in tacit understanding simultaneously. A subtle agreement was thus reached.

At this point, the tripartite secret talk could be considered a perfect conclusion. After this, everyone just needed to submit their own memorials. The content would maintain a consistent general direction, with individual flourishes in the details. His Majesty would read them with delight.

This outcome was foreseeable.

For the two gentlemen Sun and Ma, as long as the King's Rescue could be concluded smoothly, they would be among the greatest beneficiaries. The three parties had no fundamental conflict of interest on the grand scale, so reaching an agreement was only natural.

However, the matter was not so simple.

Settling things with Sun and Ma only settled the strategic level. As for the tactical level below, Sun and Ma would not bother with these affairs. All problems still had to be solved by the Transmigrators themselves.

Thus, before rising to leave, Sun Chengzong added one more line: "There is just one thing. Those people outside, Cao Chuan, you will still need to handle them somewhat."

"Hehe, I understand. Grand Minister need not worry."

After the insider deal was completed, the big shots moved from the rear hall to the front hall.

The discussion had taken a long time; it was nearly noon. Then Ma Shilong announced the official conclusion to the group of military officers who had been waiting idly in their seats: this campaign was now over. Through everyone's joint efforts, the Great Ming had achieved a devastating victory.

Throughout the process, Cao Jiangjun, serving as the Strange Troops, had played an enormous role, eliminating numerous Tartars and establishing unparalleled, extraordinary merit. The two big shots had already decided to submit a memorial to the court to request commendation for Cao Jiangjun.

After delivering this set of official rhetoric, Ma Shilong looked left and right, shooting out the death ray of "who agrees, who opposes" with his sharp gaze.

The group of generals below the hall were all old foxes. At this moment, they all smiled, stroked their beards, and nodded, seemingly in full agreement with the tone set by the big shots. Not a single one jumped out to show off.

Ultimately, there were no fools. Singing a different tune at this time would not be targeting the man surnamed Cao, but making trouble for Sun and Ma, which could easily invite a saturation bombardment.

Seeing that no one opposed his concluding remarks, Ma Shilong nodded, then turned his head and asked Old Sun beside him: "My lord?"

Sun Chengzong did not utter the classic "I'll add two more points," but directly waved his hand: "Now that the serious matters are clear, bring some wine and dishes first. Old bones can't stand hunger. Cao Chuan, I've heard your family is wealthy; surely you can afford a meal? Consider it a victory feast."

Upon hearing this, Regional Commander Cao quickly summoned someone and ordered them to prepare some wine and dishes for the various lords.

And with Old Sun's interruption, the hall smoothly transitioned into a free activity segment. The military officers rose one after another and came before Regional Commander Cao to offer congratulations, the atmosphere growing warm and enthusiastic.

However, the next moment, a long-awaited shoe dropped. The cannibal Comrade Zu Dashou came over, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then asked, seemingly casually and with a chuckle, "I wonder how Brother Pokong plans to divide the heads from Shuotuo's tribe?"

"What does Brother Fuyu mean by this?" Cao Pokong looked utterly puzzled, blinking his eyes, and asked back with some incomprehension, "Divide? How to divide? Why divide?"

"Hehe, brother, you may not know. Previously, when Shuotuo's tribe fled in panic, it was also the result of all us old brothers putting in effort to besiege Zunhua and fighting desperately to attack the city. After that, Shuotuo, unable to withstand, fled and was pursued relentlessly by the brothers, who harried him bitterly along the way, causing Shuotuo's tribe to be utterly exhausted. That is why Brother Cao achieved merit under the city."

"So, regarding these heads of Shuotuo's tribe, brother, you should share some of the spoils here."

The main hall was utterly silent at this moment. The lively scene from just moments ago vanished instantly; one could hear a pin drop. At the head seats, the two men Sun and Ma lowered their heads, holding tea bowls and sipping lightly, showing no intention of looking up.

This was standard operating procedure.

The management method of the Ming army was the Great Minister System. In such matters, since Sun and Ma could not represent the interests of the Guanning Clique, they also could not stop the other party from fighting for their own interests. Therefore, Old Sun could only make himself invisible at this time.

"Oh..." Hearing this, Regional Commander Cao understood.

He shook his head silently with a bitter smile. Facing the utterly shameless, truth-twisting cannibal Comrade Zu Dashou, even the Transmigrators, who had "seen the big world" and came from later generations, were now angered into laughter.

Since that was the case, it suited him perfectly. Regional Commander Cao could only put on the face of the King of Pirates he had long prepared.

The next moment, a certain someone's face darkened. He pulled back his robe sleeves with both hands, assuming a crude manner of "showing true colors" and "dividing spoils in a mountain stronghold," and replied with a face full of mockery: "Shuotuo fled the city immediately after receiving my letter reporting the capture of Yongping. Where does this 'besieged and unable to withstand' come from?"

"The Guanning vanguard was blocked by the rearguard troops Shuotuo left behind at the Mountain Pass for a full day. After that, they were routed by Shuotuo's turning cavalry charge, with corpses strewn everywhere. Brother Zu, you led your troops in a panic back to Zunhua City, is that not correct?"

"All of the above, my sent scouts witnessed with their own eyes. Hmph, if one can get a share of heads by discarding armor and fleeing, wouldn't that be a bit too easy?"

"Lord Cao, what is the meaning of this?"

Seeing this barbarian from the sea instantly turn hostile and lay the matter bare, Zu Dashou, while inwardly despising him, also darkened his face: "Whether Shuotuo received any letter report, who knows? The fact is, the brothers exerted themselves and risked their lives in bloody battle with Shuotuo, which is what allowed you to pick up a bargain under Santunying Fortress. Hmph, trying to muddle through and renege, there's no way!"

"Hahaha!" Pirate Cao laughed loudly three times upon hearing this, then pointed to the Scout Field outside: "I can't out-argue you. So, hmm... fine, you want heads, go take them. There, they're all out there."

Seeing that extended finger and the face full of mockery, Zu Dashou understood the other was speaking sarcastically: "Lord Cao, so you're not planning to be reasonable? Hmph, trying to swallow the merits of my Guanning army's hundred thousand brothers won't be so easy!"

"Tch, the brothers who follow me for a living on the Nanhai seas number at least two hundred thousand. Who are you trying to scare?"

"Cough, cough!"

Seeing the scene about to degenerate into a third-rate melodrama of underworld bosses squabbling, old Lao Sun at the side could no longer bear to watch. He coughed twice: "You are all great generals the court relies on as its shield and rampart — how can you speak like this? If there is business, state the business. No more nonsense."

Seeing Lao Sun step forward, Regional Commander Cao saw no need for further pointless talk. He faced Zu Dashou squarely and said, "In short, Lord Zu, if you think you can claim any credit from me with just your mouth, I'm afraid that won't work."

"We martial men win our fame and merit only at the knife's edge."

"In this city I have only five hundred men... If you want four thousand Tartar heads, you need only send your troops to take them."

At this, Regional Commander Cao curled the corner of his mouth and glanced at a certain General Zuo on the outermost fringe: "Best bring plenty of men. Too few, I fear, will be of no use. If you don't believe me, ask General Zuo."

"Absurd! Outrageous!"

Seeing the talks collapse, Zu Dashou's face darkened: "Regional Commander Cao, do you truly intend to make enemies of us Guanning officers and men?"

"Screw your mother! The last man who dared speak to me like that is already at the bottom of the sea feeding the sharks!"

"Hmph! We're leaving!"

Zu Dashou's face was livid with fury. With a swing of his hand, he swept out of the hall with half the Guanning officers in tow, not even sparing Lao Sun another glance.

Meanwhile, Regional Commander Cao wore a face full of smiles. Sneaking a glance at Lao Sun, he was inwardly quite pleased: Now Lao Sun will be certain to write about my turning hostile with the Guanning Army in his memorial to the throne.