Chapter 60 Preparing for the Provincial Examination

"Dad, uncle, the military order only told us to gather people and horses to Zhenjiang to join the Nanjing Jingying camp, but we didn't ask them to go directly to the north."

Wei Guangde spoke after reading the contents on the paper.

"I know all this, but when we get to Zhenjiang, it's not up to us."

Wei Meng shook his head and said.

Although I will not be able to cope with my fate in the future, there is still one thing I can do to make plans and fail to keep up with the changes. Who knows what will happen when I arrive in Zhenjiang?

Do they, a group of military generals, dare to fight with civil servants? It's not just what they say.

"Tatars invading borders have become a common occurrence in the past ten years. I heard that it was because of the mutual trade that it caused such a big fuss the year before last. If His Majesty had issued the mutual trade earlier, I am afraid it would not have become such a trouble."

Wu Zhankui said leisurely, and then he saw his two daughters behind the crowd. After thinking about it, he thought it was better not to talk about these things in front of them, so he waved them to go back to the backyard to rest.

After seeing his two cousins ​​leave, Wei Guangde said: "Not necessarily. Last year and this year, the Tatars took advantage of the opportunity of mutual trade and repeatedly invaded the border. I don't think they can do business with peace of mind."

"It's useless to think so much."

Wu Zhankui shook his head slightly, then looked at Wu Dong and asked: "How are the two hundred households doing? Can they fight?"

This is the key to this expedition. This year has not been wasted, and the troops have been training for combat effectiveness. If they pull the ball at this time, it will be difficult to speak in front of the father-in-law. This is a life-saving means.

"Training has not fallen behind and I can go out at any time."

Wu Dong's answer was very concise.

"Wei Zi and I will go together this time, and you two brothers will stay at home."

Wu Zhankui made a decision without asking Wei Meng's opinion.

Just like the year before last, I still didn’t take the kids with me.

Going on an expedition, who knows what will happen.

Although there is an old saying that "brothers fight tigers, father and son go into battle", but we still have to leave a bloodline for the family. It is impossible to bring a son to the battlefield without eyesight, not to mention that Wu Dong is the only child in the old Wu family.

When Father Wei nodded, Wu Zhankui asked again: "Are you familiar with the command of those soldiers?"

"I'm familiar with them. I often watch them when they train, and I've also directed them in drills. I know several combat formations."

Hearing his uncle's question, Father Wei replied.

"If the two younger ones are gone, who are you going to send to take over?"

Wu Zhankui nodded with satisfaction, but continued to ask Wei Meng how Wei Meng planned to arrange the two hundred households without their immediate superiors.

"I personally command the people from the Bengshan Hundred Households Station, and with Zhang Dayong's assistance, there will be no problem. Let Wu Dong arrange the Hundred Households of the Chinese Army. He is familiar with the people there."

After listening to Wei Meng's words, Wu Zhankui nodded, turned to his son and said, "When you get there tomorrow morning, you can make arrangements."

"knew."

Wu Dong replied.

"You and Wencai should go and rest first. You have to travel tomorrow morning. I will arrange for my servants to call you then."

Thinking of setting off early tomorrow morning, Wu Zhankui called Wu Dong and Wei Wencai to rest. They and their wives were the only ones left in the room, and the only junior left was Wei Guangde.

"master."

At this moment, the aunt wanted to say something to the uncle, but was interrupted by his wave of hands.

Wu Zhankui turned to Wei Guangde who was standing down and asked: "Guangde, I saw you were in a daze after reading the military order. Did you think of something?"

At this moment, Wei Guangde was still wondering whether this expedition was auspicious or unlucky, and he didn't notice two more people coming out of the room. However, when he heard his uncle calling his name, Wei Guangde still subconsciously looked up.

"No."

Wei Guangde shook his head hurriedly, "I was just thinking. The Tatars were allowed to attack the capital the year before last. No matter what, it is impossible for the Tatars to easily break through and surround the capital this time. Didn't they send Qiu Luan last year to strengthen the northern Great Wall? defense.

The southern troops are not as powerful as the northern frontier troops. It should be clear to the court that they will never mobilize the southern troops to participate in the war with the Tatars. At most, they will stay in the capital and surrounding cities to strengthen the defense force. "

"The person who came earlier said that several adults are still discussing the secrets. They just sent out a few military orders. I am afraid that Mr. Zhang will have detailed news tomorrow."

Wei Meng also felt that it made sense after listening to his youngest son's words.

Leading his soldiers to fight the Tatars in the field, Wei Meng knew the consequences.

But if he was just participating in the defense of the city, let alone that, he would still be a little sure.

The Tatars in the north are very powerful in field battles relying on their horsepower, but when it comes to siege, those bow-legged ones really can't do it.

Even if they can break through some small side wall forts, it is because there are few people stationed in those places and the walls are not high.

In the land of Gyeonggi, the surrounding big cities are probably shorter than the walls of Jiujiang Prefecture.

After leaving the house and returning to his bedroom, Wei Guangde lay on the bed still wondering.

I remember the article I read in my previous life, and it seemed that the Ming Dynasty was in a bad era right now. The Mongols were the worst in combat, the Ming army was actually better than the Tatars, and the Jurchens in Jianzhou were better than the Ming army. , and finally the Manchus took over China.

Za walked through by himself, and what he saw and heard was completely opposite to what he had seen before. It seemed that the Ming army was not as powerful as the Mongolian Tatars.

After thinking about it, Wei Guangde fell asleep without knowing it. When he woke up the next day, it was dawn.

Wei Guangde washed up and went to the front. There were only his parents and uncle and aunt at the dinner table. His elder brother and cousin had already left Pengze County to return to Bengshanbao to mobilize troops. If they acted quickly, they should be here in the evening.

"Dad, uncle, I don't want to take the second exam tomorrow."

Wei Guangde figured it out when he got up in the morning. This incident was just the reason why he didn't want to take the next few exams.

What about the first review, the second review, and the consecutive review? I don't want to take the exam. Anyway, I didn't think about competing for the first place in the county exam, and even if I went, I would definitely not pass it.

Fortunately, I passed the main exam, so I am qualified to take the prefectural exam.

Wei Meng and Wu Zhankui looked up at Wei Guangde, and it was Wei Meng who spoke up: "If you don't want to take the exam, don't take it. Anyway, you have passed the county exam. ’

“The provincial examination will be held in April. Although your father and I may not be in Jiujiang at that time, you still have to take the exam well. Your cousin will stay at home and accompany you to take the provincial examination.”

Wu Zhankui also said.

“I understand.”

Wei Guangde was very satisfied with such an answer. At most, he would be at the bottom of the list when the case was reported, but it didn’t matter much.

“Uncle, do you think the Qianhu Suo should ask the Baihu below to bring all the bowl-mouthed guns over?”

Hearing Wei Guangde say this, Wu Zhankui frowned slightly, “That thing is used on the ship. Why bring it? It’s more than 100 kilograms and it’s not easy to carry.”

“If I wasn’t afraid that someone from above would pick it up, I would have wanted to sell it for money.”

Old man Wei chuckled on the side.

“Guangde, don’t worry about our affairs. Just prepare for the provincial examination.”

Wu Zhankui didn’t want Wei Guangde to be distracted by their affairs. It would be too unfair if he failed the provincial examination, so he reminded him.

At this moment, a servant came in to report that a messenger had arrived.

"Guangde, continue eating, let's go out and take a look."

Wu Zhankui stood up and said to Wei Guangde who was eating, and then took Wei Meng out.