Chapter 77: Political Stance

The military meeting ended, but the five company commanders stayed behind.

There is no love or hate without reason; just not looking pleasing to the eye is not enough to make them choose to pit teammates.

That group of playboy descendants has poor ability, but their backing is not small.

Even if they were brought here by the above to send heads, selling them like this has quite a few hidden dangers.

Especially for the Marquis of Wuyang, the Regional Commander, if the subordinates under his command lose a battle, he will also be implicated.

"The bait has been released; you guys must grasp the subsequent matters!"

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a solemn expression.

Luring the enemy has always been sending small troops.

This kind of bait playing with more troops than the main force, he flipped through all the military books and couldn't find it.

But several company commanders under his command guaranteed it with certainty, and they just wanted to do it this way.

War is not just military; it is also political.

Sending the temporarily organized battalion to attack alone, if it is wiped out, it will be difficult for everyone to explain clearly afterwards.

After adding the soldiers of Yangzhou, the situation is different.

A full seven thousand-strong army, and still suffering a big defeat, that is a general's incompetence tiring the three armies.

With a negative example, everyone going out to help avenge afterwards can better highlight their own ability.

"Don't worry, Regional Military Commissioner; after this period of effort, the East City Company Commander's office has expanded to 1,500 people, all of whom are brave warriors selected.

The strength of the other company commanders' offices has also grown very rapidly.

These soldiers have seen blood; compared to two months ago, our strength has undergone earth-shaking changes!"

As soon as Zhao Yawei's words came out, four of the five major company commanders showed smiles.

The Yangzhou defense battle was not fought in vain.

The soldiers who performed well were all included in their pockets, and each unit had long-term development in quality and quantity.

Everyone's resentment towards the Nanjing Ministry of War was largely because the number of armor they sent was insufficient, affecting everyone's expansion.

Company Commander Su on the side was embarrassed because he didn't go to the front line, and the group assigned to his command was all a mob.

Expansion also relied on personal connections, and he managed to gather one thousand people from the four families.

Fortunately, the strength of the North City Company Commander's office has always been at the bottom of the Wucheng Infantry Division, and it doesn't matter if it's at the bottom again.

"You guys have a bottom in your hearts; this Marquis is not a demanding person.

We can choose not to fight the next battle, but once we fight.

It must be won, not lost!"

The Marquis of Wuyang said sternly.

Perhaps it was because he had stayed in the military camp for a long time, compared to before, his aura was significantly stronger.

However, everyone present often dealt with each other, and they didn't feel much about this subtle change.

"Don't worry, Regional Military Commissioner; the rebel army suffered a big defeat and is now in a state of scattered hearts.

Ten percent of combat effectiveness can at most exert four or five percent.

Conversely, our army just broke the main force of the rebel army, and it is the time when military morale is at its highest.

Seven thousand battle soldiers plus a large number of auxiliary soldiers, fighting against a group of low-morale mobs, how can we not win!"

Tang Jincheng said with full pride.

Military morale is fought out; the Yangzhou defense battle suffered heavy casualties, but that was only the rebel side that suffered heavy casualties alone.

The preparation work was insufficient, and the hastily made siege equipment could only be said to be barely usable, causing very limited damage to the defenders.

The imperial army's casualties were less than a thousand, and after being dispersed to each unit, it was completely painless.

The most tragic loss was that death squad that raided at night.

However, people died outside, and everyone didn't see it with their own eyes, so the touch wasn't that deep.

In everyone's eyes, there was only the reward silver issued above.

"Auxiliary soldiers don't need to be counted; Yangzhou City cannot be left without guards.

It is not difficult for seven thousand battle soldiers to defeat a group of mobs in field warfare; the biggest difficulty is how to lure them out.

So..."

Halfway through, Li Mu smiled without saying a word.

Selling teammates can be done, but it absolutely cannot be said out loud.

Wanting the enemy to come out of the city for a decisive battle, one must let the enemy see the opportunity to win.

This kind of work cannot be done by elite troops.

"Marquis, Grand Secretary Xu's motorcade appeared outside the city."

The news brought by the guard interrupted this military meeting.

Since ancient times, there has been a saying that kings do not see kings; having two Imperial Envoys gather in one city at the same time is not a good thing.

One side is the Regional Military Commissioner of the Wucheng Infantry Division holding heavy troops, and the other side is a heavy minister of the Cabinet.

Once a conflict occurs between the two sides, for the officials below, it is absolutely disastrous.

However, the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture didn't have this trouble; they were all waiting in prison for the judgment of fate.

"Hmph!"

"Not coming early, not coming late.

This Marquis just solved the trouble, and he ran over to pick peaches; Xu Wenyue's face is really big!"

Seeing their own boss getting angry, everyone lowered their heads.

The contention between big shots is not something that small shrimps like them are qualified to participate in.

In terms of real power in hand, even the Marquis of Wuyang couldn't compare to a Cabinet minister.

"Pass the order down, everyone just pretend they don't know anything.

Whoever dares to go out of the city to welcome, is going against this Marquis.

You guys all watch closely; if you find anyone having private contact with the surname Xu, directly treat them as a rebel party!"

The Marquis of Wuyang's order startled Li Mu; this is clearly preparing to fight to the end.

Being able to prompt him to make this decision is undoubtedly the confidence brought by military merit.

"Marquis, Grand Secretary Xu coming here at this time is definitely not just for competing for the dominance of Yangzhou.

The salt merchants in the prison, as well as the officials in prison, must be dealt with as soon as possible!"

After hesitating again and again, Li Mu still chose to stand in line.

Regardless of how powerful Grand Secretary Xu is, the Marquis of Wuyang is his direct superior.

In order to counter the pressure brought by the civil official group, nobles and foreign relatives have also been holding together for some years, and they cannot betray the interest group they belong to.

"Marquis, Company Commander Li's words are reasonable.

Grand Secretary Xu left the capital in an eight-carrying sedan chair, dragging along the way, and suddenly changed to a carriage to accelerate; it is clearly coming with bad intentions.

We must clean up the tail, not leaving him with handles!"

Zhao Yawei echoed slightly flustered.

Everyone is a noble descendant, and the reason for Li Mu's standing in line is equally applicable to him.

Deep in his heart, he directly greeted Li Mu's whole family.

It's simply too despicable; in normal times, everyone speaks in order.

Just now he was slightly stunned, and he was snatched first.

Regret is useless; the meaning of the first and second in political standing is completely different.

As soon as the two started, the remaining three company commanders followed suit to express their stance.

"You guys are right; there really can't be hidden dangers left.

As a minister, one should share worries for the Emperor.

However, people are all in prison; if they all die at once, there is no way to account to the imperial court.

After Grand Secretary Xu takes over Yangzhou, this Marquis will lead troops out to suppress the rebellion.

Civil officials don't understand military affairs; if rebels mix into the city and rescue the accomplices who were locked up, it would also be very reasonable."

Hearing the Marquis of Wuyang's hint, everyone showed a difficult expression.

This letter of intent is not easy to handle.

But the Marquis of Wuyang also pulled in Emperor Tianyuan; even if they didn't want to do it, they had to do it.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 78 =====