When Fang Shoushi and Sun Chengzong left Xiao Ruxun's Hukou camp, they saw the entire Hukou camp's soldiers and auxiliary soldiers preparing for the Northern Expedition.
The silver and military supplies he brought with him became the best help for Xiao Ruxun's army. As the large carts drove into the camp, the military supplies were distributed to the soldiers for further reorganization and packing.
The cavalrymen who were chosen to participate in the Northern Expedition were all excitedly discussing something.
These military supplies were indeed provided for Xiao Ruxun, but they were meant for defense. Who knew that Xiao Ruxun would turn them into military supplies for the Northern Expedition? He was preparing to assemble a large army to attack beyond the Great Wall.
When Fang Shoushi and Sun Chengzong left the camp, Xiao Ruxun gave each of them three large pancakes to eat on the way back. He said that these were the rations he had prepared for the soldiers on the Northern Expedition. They were called oil pancakes, and one pancake could last a day.
Currently, the army was rushing to make the pancakes. They were going to give each person ten pancakes before they set off, which would be enough for ten days. Ten days was more than enough time for Xiao Ruxun to defeat the Northern Barbarians at Hukou and fight his way to Guihua City to fight the remaining Northern Barbarians to the death.
If there were any problems after that, he would let the Hukou camp continue to make pancakes and transport rations to Guihua City. This was the logistics plan he had prepared.
He also said that it was thanks to the grain storage caves in Shanxi and Datong that he had enough wheat to make pancakes. It was also thanks to the many livestock and horses that the Northern Barbarians had brought with them that he had enough oil to make oil pancakes for the soldiers.
After the selection, the remaining soldiers who had no need to stay here could slowly return to their hometown in Shanxi. Currently, the rations they had were more than enough to supply an army of fifty thousand. With the current military supplies, they could fight three or four wars. Three or four wars would be enough for Xiao Ruxun to solve the problem of the Northern Barbarians.
Sun Chengzong took out a piece of flatbread, took a big bite, and chewed. Then, he drank a mouthful of water, chewed again, and swallowed it. Then, he rubbed his belly.
"It's fragrant, crispy, salty, and even oily. It's a good portion. Drinking a mouthful of water after eating the pancake, this whole pancake is indeed enough for a day's needs. Furthermore, it's so crispy and soft that the soldiers don't even need to bury a pot and light a fire to finish eating. Not only is it delicious, but it also greatly saves the time needed to attack.
If this kind of military rations can be promoted to the whole army of Daming, the fighting strength and mobility of the whole army of Daming will be greatly improved. Dong Weng, I once heard that Xiao Zhennan's ability to command and deploy troops was unparalleled in the army of Daming. At that time, I thought that it was just so-so. But now, it's really true! "
Sun Chengzong pursed his lips and couldn't help but grab the flatbread and take another bite. The more he chewed, the more fragrant it became.
Fang Shoushi also took a small bite and chewed, nodding his head.
"In the past, the military rations were either pancakes or rice soaked in water, and then some dried fermented soy sauce to go with the rice. I had eaten it before, and it was better than nothing. It was just to fill my stomach so that I wouldn't starve to death. But who would have thought that Xiao Zhennan would be willing to use oil to make flatbread for the soldiers, and make it so crispy?
Even if it's sold in a small town in the mainland, it can be sold for a good price. As for promoting it to the whole army, that's just wishful thinking. There are ways to solve the problem of rice and flour, but oil is not so easy to get. Even the most elite troops of Daming can't say that they will have oil for every meal. Forget it! "
A helpless smile appeared on Fang Shoushi's face. He sighed and said slowly, "Before we set off, Minister Shen told me to restrain Xiao Zhennan at the right time and not let him do anything out of line. So I asked him for the right to supervise the army, but he just shook his head and said that he couldn't give it to him, or else His Majesty would be unhappy.
He didn't give me the right to supervise the army, but he wanted me to restrain Xiao Zhennan and use my status as the Inspector-General to control the Governor? If Minister Shen doesn't want the rules, how can I not want the rules? If the Governor wants to mobilize the army, how can I stop him? This is simply like a clever housewife can't cook without rice! "
After hearing this, Sun Chengzong said in a low voice, "Dong Weng, in my opinion, this isn't a bad thing. No matter what, Xiao Zhennan attacking Guihua City will greatly increase the prestige of the Daming. If he wins, I'm afraid it will really be like what he said, the Northern Frontier will be peaceful for ten years!"
"How can I not know that?"
Fang Shoushi shook his head, "But Zhi Sheng, have you forgotten about Ceng Xi and Xia Yan in the Jiajing era?"
Sun Chengzong was stunned.
"Today, the imperial court is no longer as sharp as it used to be. There are many internal problems, and the court's internal strife is getting more and more intense. The various factions are constantly fighting openly and secretly. No one wants to see anyone gain too much merit, because it will break the balance of the situation in the imperial court.
Ceng Xi and Xia Yan died because of this. Otherwise, who doesn't know the importance of Fu He Tao? Why do they have to die? How can I be used to those teachers? But, but the imperial court is like this, and the old madam's words carry little weight, so she can't do anything about it.
Xiao Zhennan is different. He is a military general, a noble. Logically speaking, no matter what, it is impossible for him to interfere with the imperial court's affairs. But now, his prestige is number one in the Daming army. If he obtains such a rich military merit, what do you think will happen? "
Sun Chengzong asked in bewilderment, "The imperial court officials are beginning to fear Xiao Zhennan?"
Fang Shoushi nodded.
"Zhi Sheng, you must know that ever since the military generals in Tumu Fortress were suppressed, civil officials like me who lead troops have become the main target of the imperial court's fear. Governors and Inspector-Generals who lead troops outside are always the most unsafe, because they have troops in their hands.
But many people have been confused by the peace of the past hundred years. No matter how much a civil official leads troops, he is still a civil official, and he is still a scholar who has read the books of the sages. But military generals are different. Military generals do not think like this.
The imperial court can suppress military generals, but that is for ordinary military generals. A sixth-ranked official of the Selection Division can control a military general tightly. But when a military general that far exceeds the expectations of the imperial court appears, a military general that can no longer be suppressed by the Selection Division, everything becomes different. "
Sun Chengzong's expression became somewhat unsightly.
"Not to mention a military governor who doesn't listen to orders, ignores the imperial court, and decides to lead troops to the north to attack the grasslands …"
"That's right, it is precisely so."
Fang Shoushi nodded. "This is what this old man is most worried about. The imperial court has definitely seen Xiao Zhennan's request for war, and Minister Shen definitely knows about it. He also knows that sending troops to the north to attack the grasslands is absolutely the correct strategy.
But he wants this old man to control Xiao Zhennan. I asked him for the right to supervise the army, but he refused, saying that His Majesty does not allow the supervision of the army to hinder Xiao Zhennan's performance. In fact, Minister Shen is trying to determine whether Xiao Zhennan can continue to be used or not! "
Sun Chengzong suddenly understood.
"If Xiao Zhennan only defeats the enemy in front of him after receiving the military funds and doesn't do anything else, patiently waiting for the imperial court's orders, then it means that Xiao Zhennan can continue to be used and can be reassured. But if Xiao Zhennan doesn't listen to orders and decides to attack the north, then …"
"The imperial court is going to act against Xiao Zhennan?!"
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