Thinking back to the time when Xiao Ruxun beat up Japan so fiercely and spent so much money, he did not receive much criticism. One of the reasons was because of the strong support from the southeast coast, Shandong, and other provinces. The second reason was that he tore a big piece of meat from Japan to shut the mouths of the officials.
Not only did war not cost money, but it also earned money, and so much. How could they not be willing to do such a good thing?
Therefore, Xiao Ruxun had a different status in the eyes of the civil officials.
In the future, whenever it was mentioned that Xiao Ruxun would be the commander-in-chief, the civil officials did not have any objections. There were also very few people who objected because there were benefits to be gained. But for something like the Northern Expedition against Mongolia, everyone could see that there would be very little support.
Xiao Ruxun estimated that even if he attacked Guihua City, he would just burn, kill, and loot a little. After that, he would be able to return to Myanmar to accept the rewards, hand over his position as the governor, and hand over his military power. After that, he could go back to Myanmar and continue to be the Marquis of Zhennan.
There was no other way. This was the fate of a general.
However, Xiao Ruxun was not satisfied. He really was not satisfied. It was rare to have such a good opportunity and excuse. If he could not do anything, then what was the point of paying such a huge price for this war?
No matter what, he had to give it a try.
Therefore, now, he needed to establish the first goal in the army. First, he had to trick these fellows to Guihua City. Once they were tricked to Guihua City and left the Daming territory, he could openly use the principle of a general not obeying the emperor's orders to pull them forward.
Hopefully, this would work.
"I know that everyone has many concerns, but for now, you don't have to worry about rations. The army definitely won't be lacking in rations. Weapons and armaments can also be taken on the spot. As the governor, I still have this bit of authority. Everyone, you have to attack Guihua City and exterminate the Tumut Tribe!"
The generals looked at each other in dismay. They looked at each other, and for a long time, they were all speechless.
It was enough to recover Datong. Why attack Guihua City? Was it necessary? Is this money to buy them to go with us?
These words were definitely not what just one or two of them wanted to say to Xiao Ruxun, but they did not dare to say it too clearly. Although everyone had their doubts and concerns, facing Xiao Ruxun, who had just destroyed Lalik, and whose prestige and limelight were unparalleled, they really felt a little apprehensive, and did not know how to refute.
Therefore, it was Li Rusong who stood up and asked.
"Governor-General, recovering Datong is the goal of the imperial court. If we attack beyond the Great Wall, it will be no small matter. Shouldn't we consult the imperial court first?"
Xiao Ruxun nodded.
"I will naturally ask for instructions from the imperial court, but I want everyone to be prepared to attack beyond the Great Wall. There are hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children in the Tumult tribe, and I don't want to let a single one of them go. The old and the children can be killed, but the rest are wealth.
The able-bodied men can be captured and sold as slaves. The able-bodied women can be captured and sold to the men who don't have the money to marry. We can seize all of their cattle, sheep, and horses, and we can graze them, sell them, or improve their meals. In short, I don't want to let go of anything the Tumult tribe has! "
Xiao Ruxun's words were resolute and decisive, and Li Rusong fell silent. He knew that Xiao Ruxun had made up his mind, and he could definitely do it. More importantly, even if he wasn't the governor-general, he was still a commander-in-chief appointed by the emperor and had the authority to command his troops.
In this situation, there was no one who could keep Xiao Ruxun in check, not to mention that he had already shared such a large sum of money with everyone. How could they bear to let go of such a large sum of money?
"Although the barbarians beyond the Great Wall look poor, their cattle, sheep, and horses are not cheap. Not to mention, their leather products are in high demand in Daming. If you get them, you can sell them for a good price.
Moreover, I can clearly tell you that after you attack the Northern Barbarians beyond the Great Wall, other than listening to my orders to march and not fighting over seized goods, everything you get after the battle will belong to you. Whatever you seize will belong to you, and I won't take a single cent from you.
You can even burn, kill, and plunder. You can rape and abduct the women of the Northern Barbarians. No matter what it is, I won't care. Once you leave the Great Wall, I won't have any military discipline or laws. You can do whatever you want! I guarantee on my name that you won't be blamed in any way. "
Xiao Ruxun saw that they were a little tempted, so he gave them another dose of strong medicine. He told them that they weren't just going out to kill people, they were also going out to earn money. This was equivalent to robbing openly. Whatever they wanted, as long as it was beyond the Great Wall, they could rob it. Whatever they seized would belong to them. He didn't want anything.
To put it bluntly, this time, we're going out to burn, kill, and plunder. We're going to do everything the Northern Barbarians have done in our territory to vent your bestial desires. At the same time, we can make a fortune together. It's up to you if you dare to fight alongside me. I've never lost a battle before. This is something you can all see with your own eyes.
How about it? Do you dare?
The generals' breathing quickened. They looked at each other as if waiting for the first person to step out.
In the end, the first person to step out was still Li Rusong.
"I think that the Governor's words are feasible. Governor, I will obey the Governor's orders!"
Li Rusong stood out to express his opinion. He decided to support Xiao Ruxun's attack in the North. It wasn't because of the money Xiao Ruxun had given him that he was tempted, but because Xiao Ruxun had said that they would be allowed to burn, kill, and plunder freely. This matter had moved Li Rusong.
Li Rusong knew very well that from the start of the campaign until now, other than Xiao Ruxun's Zhennan Army, which had strict military discipline, the other troops had been intimidated by Xiao Ruxun's name and didn't dare to act recklessly. However, it wasn't that they didn't want to act recklessly.
For example, his own subordinates, including the Liaodong Han Cavalry and Jurchen Elite Cavalry, had been suppressed for a long time. They were only intimidated by Xiao Ruxun's reputation.
They couldn't kill or plunder at will. This kind of request was only made when Xiao Ruxun was in command. The Liaodong Han Cavalry and Jurchen Elite Cavalry had to be released. Even the soldiers from Yulin and Taiyuan had to be released. Xiao Ruxun didn't allow them to do so in the Han Dynasty. They could suppress it now, but if he were to be transferred away …
Even if they couldn't do so in the Han Dynasty, they could still do so outside the Great Wall. Moreover, there wouldn't be any psychological burden. In that case!
Everyone knew very well how tempting this option was.
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