Chapter 1025 Ding Baiying Joins the Army

There were actually many factions within the Donglin Party.

Although they were all members of the Donglin Party, their political ideas were not consistent.

Most officials just want to find a team and keep each other warm.

These officials are the kind who are mediocre and just go with the flow.

There are also some officials who like to take shortcuts, play tricks, seek fame and reputation, and seek capital.

It was this group of officials who made the Donglin Party's reputation become that of a rat crossing the street, a corrupt scholar, and a sour scholar in later generations.

In addition, there are some Donglin Party members who really want to seek benefits for the country and the people.

For example, Sun Chengzong, the pillar of the country, was also a member of the Donglin Party.

During the Ming Dynasty, Yuan Keli and Yang Lian, two of the ten most honest officials, were also members of the Donglin Party.

During the Tianqi period, Zhou Chaorui, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Wei Dazhong, Yuan Huazhong and Gu Dazhang were all members of the Donglin Party and were also known as the "Six Gentlemen of Donglin".

Among them, Zuo Guangdou was also Shi Kefa's teacher.

There are too many Donglin Party members, and it is not easy to distinguish who is good and who is bad in just one sentence.

Su Mingzhe also didn't want to end up like "the water is too clear to have any fish".

Therefore, this time when Su Mingzhe led the army in person and entrusted state affairs to Sun Chengzong, it could be considered a test for the Donglin Party members.

As long as the Donglin Party passes the test, Su Mingzhe will let the Donglin Party survive for a while longer.

Three thousand big Han generals protected Su Mingzhe and rushed to Yuguan.

Yuguan, also known as Yulinguan, is 400 miles northwest of Peking.

One man and two horses rode together, galloping as fast as they could, and they could travel two hundred miles a day.

It took a total of half a month to get from Jinling to Yuguan.

This marching speed can be considered as extremely fast.

If there were infantry, the time would at least increase by two or three times.

At that time, it was best to use grain ships or sea vessels to transport troops.

When he arrived at the border, Su Mingzhe first met with dozens of border generals and a dozen grassland tribal leaders.

After everyone had exchanged greetings, he asked everyone to leave and ordered the three thousand Han generals to go to the camp to rest for five days.

Su Mingzhe followed the main general of the Qi family army to the commander-in-chief's tent in the city.

He will live here for the next few days, and all the guards originally arranged by the border commander will be replaced by Qi's army.

During the Wanli period, whenever the imperial court used military force, it would always call upon Qi's army.

This time is no exception.

When Su Mingzhe arrived at the checkpoint, Ding Yi, the chief general of the local Qi family army, was among those being summoned.

When Su Mingzhe met Ding Yi, he asked him to lead his troops to replace the original guards.

As soon as this order came out, the faces of all the generals in Yuguan turned dark.

Doesn’t the new emperor place too much importance on Qi’s army?

Compared to the ugly expressions of other generals in Yuguan, the generals of Qi's army were excited.

After more than 30 years, the Qi family army finally had its day to shine!
Ding Yi immediately led the generals into the lobby one by one and swore allegiance to Su Mingzhe.

Su Mingzhe's sensitive nose immediately smelled a faint scent of powder as everyone entered the big tent. He couldn't help but glance at the crowd, then lowered his eyes slightly and asked Ding Yi with a smile:

"General Ding, I heard before that it was very difficult for the Qi Family Army to recruit soldiers, and I didn't quite believe it. Now that I see that there are women serving as generals in your Qi Family Army, I finally believe it!"

Ding Yi was stunned. He did not expect that Su Mingzhe had such a keen sense of smell. He quickly knelt on one knee and explained:
"Your Majesty, this is our little girl Ding Baiying. She has been learning martial arts from me since she was young and has a very high talent. When she was fifteen years old, she went out to fight the enemy. Later, I saw that she was really willing to contribute to the country, so I gave her a chance..."

"General Ding is truly a family of loyal heroes!"

When Su Mingzhe heard the three words "Ding Baiying", he looked at the female general again, and his eyes softened immediately. Unexpectedly, this world also involved "Embroidered Spring Blade".

Although he praised Ding Yi and his daughter, Su Mingzhe still shook his head and said:
"This time the army will attack, I'm afraid we will have to travel thousands of miles, which is extremely tiring. Miss Ding should stay in Yuguan to defend the city!"

"The general has issued a decree to thank you!"

Ding Yi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the emperor did not continue to dwell on the sin of his daughter joining the army. He then bowed and stood up.

Ding Baiying had never thought that she would be "driven out" of the army by the emperor. She wanted to stand up and argue for herself, but Lu Wenzhao, who was standing in front of her, took the lead and walked out, reporting to the man sitting on the dragon chair:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the border troops have prepared their food and fodder, and the army has been assembled and prepared, ready to receive Your Majesty's orders at any time!"

"That's right! Pass the order. Gather at 3:30 on May 25th and set off at 7:00!"

Su Mingzhe has been leading troops in battles for so many years that he has become accustomed to giving orders on the battlefield.

The departure time was set, and all the generals were dismissed, except Ding Yi.

Ding Yi was the main general of the Qi family army left in Yuguan, with more than 2,000 soldiers under his command.

"General Ding, this time when we go out to fight the Jurchens, I don't want you, the Qi family army, to be the vanguard, but the rear guard. Can you do it?"

Su Mingzhe explained his plans and battle plan.

"The last general has given orders!"

Ding Yi doesn't care whether he is a forward or a defender. They are Qi's army and they will only obey orders on the battlefield!
Seeing that Ding Yi had a good attitude, Su Mingzhe nodded with satisfaction:

"I know that you, the Qi Family Army, have contributed a lot to the Ming Dynasty over the years. Now that it is the Great Zheng, I cannot reward you for no reason. However, this time when we go to the frontier, when the army returns, it will belong to your Qi Family Army, and I will not lose a single mile!"

"I thank you for your grace!"

Ding Yi didn't know whether he should believe what the Emperor of Zheng said.

However, Su Mingzhe was able to say these words from the bottom of his heart.

Afterwards, Su Mingzhe and Ding Yi discussed some military situations outside the Great Wall, and only after half an hour did they let him leave.

When Ding Yi returned home, he saw his daughter Ding Baiying and several of his disciples, including Lu Wenzhao, Ding Xiu, and Ding Xian.

"father!"

"master!"

Everyone came forward, and Lu Wenzhao, as the eldest disciple, asked with concern:
"Your Majesty, did you say anything to keep you here?"

"I didn't say much, I just asked about the enemy situation and explained the tactics for this expedition!"

Ding Yi did not hide anything from his disciples, and immediately told them everything that Su Mingzhe had told him, and finally said:

"Your Majesty knows that our Qi Family Army is good at fighting on foot, so he specially left us as the rear army. We cannot let your Majesty down!"

Ding Baiying heard this and quickly said:

"Dad, since the Qi family army wants to stay behind, His Majesty will definitely not be able to see it, so let me go too!"

Ding Yi had only one daughter, Ding Baiying. In order to pass on the Qi family army, he had to accept many apprentices and adopted sons.

However, among the Qi family army in Yuguan, the only one who has received Ding Yi's true teachings is his daughter Ding Baiying.

Therefore, Ding Baiying wanted to go out of the border with his father, so that he could help his father achieve success.

"Nonsense! Your Majesty is very observant, how could he be fooled by you!"

Ding Yi obviously didn't want to take any risks, so he rejected his daughter's proposal: "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore, everyone will go and prepare! Wen Zhao, Ding Xiu, Bai Ying's three hundred soldiers and horses will be handed over to you to share the command!"

"Yes!"

Lu Wenzhao and Ding Xiu naturally did not dare to disobey their master's orders.

Ding Baiying saw that he didn't get permission from his father and his troops were divided up. He was so angry that he stamped his feet, but he could do nothing.

(End of this chapter)