Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 175
"Dang...dang...dang..."

In the cold winter, the morning bells and evening drums are ringing again on the same day, and this also means that the 29th year of Hongwu has quietly passed away, and the 30th year of Hongwu has arrived.

In this new year, many people feel that something is wrong in the atmosphere.

There are many patrolling soldiers on the streets of Nanjing City, and the Imperial College, which used to be filled with the sound of reading, has become quiet.

The inspections entering and exiting Nanjing City are stricter than before.

All these things make ordinary people feel that something is unusual, not to mention those high-ranking officials who have secret information.

On the third day of the first lunar month, when many people were still celebrating the New Year, many tribute students from the Imperial College were awarded official status and walked out of Nanjing City under the guard of soldiers and walked in all directions.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, news began to spread that wealthy people from all over the world had registered their fields. Along with this, news also spread that rich people from all over the world moved to the capital.

For a time, the entire prefectures and counties around Nanjing were in a panic. However, the Gongsheng soldiers had already led their soldiers to register those with more than seven hectares of land based on the "Fish Scale Atlas" of the various county offices.

Zhu Yuanzhang, a 69-year-old man, showed his strong control over the dynasty under his rule at this moment.

This kind of control exists not only among the people, but also in temples.

"Jinyiwei..."

On the [-]th of the first lunar month, when the city of Peiping had come out of the Lantern Festival decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, Zhu Di was holding a piece of paper in his hand and was filled with fear.

In front of him, Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng, and Qiu Fu all took their seats. Yao Guangxiao, who was sitting first on his right hand, was counting the beads and said softly:

"This letter was sent ten days ago. By the tenth day of the lunar month, 26 officials above the fifth rank have been impeached and investigated by the Metropolitan Procuratorate. They are all related to the Sixth House of Jiangdong."

Yao Guangxiao talked about the information he had collected from the south, and everyone in the Chengyun Hall swallowed their saliva.

Civil servants of the fifth rank or above have a much higher status than those of thousands of households and commanders.

But even so, they were still investigated and dealt with, which shows what happens to those who touch the emperor's bottom line.

"Besides..." Yao Guangxiao pondered for a moment, raised his head and glanced around the palace. After realizing that they were all people close to Zhu Di, he lowered his voice: "There is news from the palace that His Majesty is ill..."

With just one word, everyone in Chengyun Hall felt their body temperature drop, and they all looked at Zhu Di.

In this regard, Zhu Di did not speak directly, but pondered the letter in his hand, seeming to be thinking about something.

"Just pretend you've never heard of this."

After a long time, Zhu Di ended with eight words. After hearing this, everyone stood up and bowed, and then left Chengyun Hall.

However, it is worth mentioning that Yao Guangxiao did not leave, and Zhu Di showed no sign of getting up.

After a while, Zhu Di looked up at Yao Guangxiao: "My brother, I guess he also knows the news, right?"

"I know." Yao Guangxiao nodded lightly: "Five days ago, His Royal Highness the King of Jin already knew about this matter and wrote to the Crown Prince of Jin."

"Although the content of the letter has not been known, it seems that it was to teach Prince Jin how to show filial piety in front of the hospital bed."

"He really can't let it go..." Zhu Di sighed after hearing this, and then threw the letter in his hand into the brazier in front of him and burned it.

After watching the letter disappear, Zhu Di raised his head and continued to look at Yao Guangxiao: "Old monk, I don't want to get involved in this matter. I just need to guard my north."

"If nothing else, my father should send me a letter, asking me to lead troops to inspect the Onan River area after spring."

"Although I think the Yuan people in the north dare not move eastward, I am still prepared to have people contain Haragu just in case..."

Having said this, Zhu Gaoxu's figure suddenly appeared in Zhu Di's mind, and he smiled subconsciously: "Let the second child go."

"In military matters, a poor monk will not give advice. Your Highness can make the decision." Yao Guangxiao did not interfere in the military affairs, but reminded Zhu Di with his eyes, nose, and heart:
"But I still want to remind you that if there are big changes in the south, you, the King of Jin and the King of Zhou will be the first to bear the brunt, and you need to prepare early..."

Yao Guangxiao reminded Zhu Di, and Zhu Di frowned slightly when he heard this, but after frowning, he replied: "Isn't it just a matter of guarding?"

"I have read the history books. The successors of the founding kings in the past dynasties always had to reduce their military power whenever they came to power."

"If the court wants to cut down the three guards in my hand, just cut them off. As long as the court needs me, I can still lead troops to fight."

Zhu Di stood up as he spoke: "Okay, old monk, go back to your courtyard. We don't care about food today."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and left, for fear that Yao Guangxiao would say something bad again.

Looking at his leaving figure, Yao Guangxiao stopped counting the beads and slowly raised his eyes.

"If that's true, that would be great..."

After sighing, he stood up and walked towards the outside of the palace. Although he was already sixty-two, his steps suddenly stopped in mid-air when he stepped out of the palace door, and he paused for half a breath before falling.

"Jilin City..."

He murmured about Jilin City. Although it was just a flash of inspiration, he remembered what Zhu Di said to him about Jilin City after coming from the Northern Tour.

He always felt that the Second Highness was not as simple as he appeared, and maybe he was preparing for something.

However, this thought only flashed through Yao Guangxiao's mind, and soon he did not continue to struggle, but walked towards the outside of the palace.

When he left Prince Yan's Mansion, more than a thousand miles away outside Jilin City, Zhu Gaoxu was happily looking at the things in front of him.

"This military horse farm is exactly what I imagined!"

Outside Jilin City, when Zhu Gaoxu said these words, what was in front of him was a horse farm built in a river bend in the southeast of Songhua River.

If Zhu Gaoxu remembers correctly, this should be the Fengman District of Jilin City in later generations, but now it is the Nanwan Racecourse of the Bohai Navy.

The area of ​​​​this river bend is not as large as that of later generations, but even so, it still has an area of ​​five miles from east to west and four miles from north to south, enough to graze tens of thousands of military horses.

Today it is surrounded by a wooden fence, and there are [-] large and small stables inside, each with fifty stables.

These horse houses were built by the people of Jilin City in the cold weather after the Zhengdan Festival. The reason was that the original horse houses were too crowded, which caused bacteria to breed and many horses became sick.

In desperation, the people of Jilin City could only light a big bonfire and build this horse farm every day when it was warmer at noon.

Zhu Gaoxu picked a horse farm and walked in. There were 25 stables on the left and right sides. The whole building was made of solid wooden boards, which looked very strong and could protect against wind and snow.

Although it was empty inside, Zhu Gaoxu could imagine the scene when it would be filled with soldiers and horses in the future.

Yishiha, who followed Zhu Gaoxu into the stable, also took the opportunity to introduce: "Your Highness, the army has now selected 730 military horses over three years old and put them in the horse farm. In addition, there are 570 two military horses and two hundred. A stallion and four thousand mares are also at the stables.”

"Based on last year's situation, as long as this horse farm maintains its current number, it can produce [-] horses every year, and at least [-] military foals can be selected."

"Okay!" Zhu Gaoxu was very happy after hearing Yi Shiha's introduction.

He patted Chi Huan on the crotch, turned around and asked, "Is Chi Huan's son here too?"

"Back to Your Highness, everyone is here!" Yishiha responded with a smile. Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu also rode out of the stables, taking Yishiha and Zhang Chun to the other stables where horses lived.

In these stables, grass is basically laid out in accordance with the rules to prevent horses from slipping. A certain amount of beans, grass, water and other food are also placed in the manger.

Looking at them, Zhu Gaoxu was very happy, and at the same time he asked Yishiha:
"According to what you said before, won't this stable be full in another year or two?"

"Don't worry, Your Highness..." Yishiha continued and explained: "There is a road leading to Beiwan from the South Bay. After the spring, the Yamen will also build a pasture in the southeast of Beiwan. Then the mother can be The horses and cattle and sheep from Central Bay have moved to North Bay Pasture.”

"The North Bay side is wide. Although there are many grasses and swamps, it can be opened up very quickly."

The Beiwan, Zhongwan and Nanwan mentioned by Yishiha respectively refer to the three river bays washed out by the Songhua River in Jilin. Among them, the Zhongwan where Jilin City is located is suitable for farming and is the smoothest.

North Bay is the largest area, but has the largest proportion of swamps and shrubs, so it will take a lot of effort to cultivate it.

Nanwan is the smallest area, but has abundant water and grass, making it suitable for building a horse farm.

It is precisely because Jilin Sanwan has such advantages that it was selected by Lao Zhu and Zhu Di as an important place outside the Pass in history.

However, even though the two of them have been operating Jilin Bay for more than 50 years in history, the results achieved are not as good as those of Zhu Gaoxu in the past two years.

Riding a horse on the snow-covered pasture, Zhu Gaoxu looked at the white mountains and black waters outside the Pass, as well as the unshakable Jilin City on the other side of the Songhua River.

This will be the first step for Zhu Gaoxu to achieve his achievements, and it will also be the first step for the Ming Dynasty to gain actual control over the Northeast.

"Let's go, we can go back to the city."

After watching the racecourse, Zhu Gaoxu, who felt satisfied, began to lead Yishiha and the others towards the ferry.

In the first month of the year, the Songhua River was still covered with three feet of ice. Everyone dismounted and walked cautiously towards Zhongwan on the west coast.

In about two-quarters of an hour, the group returned to Zhongwan on the west coast, and returned to Jilin City soon after.

A whole winter has passed, and many buildings have been built in Jilin City.

Although it is difficult to start construction in Jilin in winter, it is impossible for the more than [-] people in the city to do nothing all day long.

Teams of draft horses came to haul iron, coal and limestone from three fields, while strong women were grinding to make cement and weaving armor.

As for the craftsmen, they are also forging iron and planing wood, and some are erecting frames so that they can start work immediately after spring.

Because of this, after entering Jilin City, many wooden shelves can be seen everywhere, and many people are walking on the streets clearing snow from the roads and lighting bonfires.

Zhu Gaoxu and the others returned to the palace, and the front yard of the palace was no longer in ruins. The entire site had been cleaned up. The front yard covering an area of ​​26 acres was filled with wooden shelves, and stones, river sand, cement ash, bricks, etc. were prepared. Material.

After one winter, many factories appeared in Jilin City, and many handicraft industries were also born.Handicraft workshops of various sizes, such as brick kilns, porcelain kilns, pottery kilns, dyeing workshops, mills, oil workshops, machine workshops, paper workshops, sauce workshops, cotton-splitting workshops, sugar workshops, woodworking, copper-making, lacquer-making, iron-making and other places have sprung up like mushrooms after a spring rain.

In the past, these industries were only those craftsmen brought by Zhu Gaoxu. But with the naturalization of tens of thousands of Jurchens, these craftsmen began to recruit apprentices. For this reason, Zhu Gaoxu opened a separate Luban Academy to teach Jurchen children in the city to learn Chinese. , learn the craft.

Today, among the nearly [-] children in the city, there are [-] children over the age of seven, and all of them have entered the academy and Luban Academy.

It has been more than half a year since they learned Mandarin and wrote Chinese characters. Many children can use Mandarin for basic communication, and their parents have also learned a few daily Mandarin sentences in their daily lives.

Not only are they learning, Zhu Gaoxu himself is also learning.

He learned the Mongolian language from the captured Mongolian prisoners, and also learned the Haixi and Donghai Jurchen dialects from Yishiha.

With his superb memory, as long as he can spare time, he can basically master a language in about three months.

He didn't have time in the winter of the year before last because he had to compile some teaching materials, and most of these teaching materials had been compiled, so he had enough time.

Therefore, in the winter of last year, he learned and mastered the languages ​​​​of Haixi and Wuliangha. Now he is learning the language of the Jurchens in the East China Sea.

His learning speed was so fast that both Yi Shiha and Zhang Chun were stunned.

While Zhang Chun was still learning daily language, Zhu Gaoxu was already proficient in talking to Haixi Jurchens.

Just like now, when many Haixi Jurchens who do not understand Mandarin greet Zhu Gaoxu on the palace construction site, Zhu Gaoxu can also answer in extremely authentic Haixi Jurchen dialect.

This kind of dialogue greatly strengthened the Haixi Jurchens' sense of belonging to Jilin City.

"Your Highness, you are learning too fast..."

Entering the Cunxin Hall of the palace, Guo Yan gave the place to Zhu Gaoxu and the others because there was no room for discussion, and he moved into the wing with his two maids.

This situation has been maintained for a whole winter, so Zhang Chun and the others also skillfully took their seats one after another after Zhu Gaoxu sat down.

Watching the two of them sit down, Zhu Gaoxu also chuckled and replied: "I don't have enough time. If I can't learn it well in winter, I won't have time to learn it in the spring."

Having said this, Zhu Gaoxu also looked at Yishiha and asked him: "Is there still enough food in the treasury?"

"Enough!" Yishiha replied without thinking: "The food in the treasury is enough to last until May. By then, as long as we send enough draft horses, the food from Liaodong Dusi can be transported back within a month. Jilin City.”

"What we need to do next is to maintain the route of transporting horses and camels. It will be enough to wait for the camels to transport Yang Shanren's food."

Transporting grain is a difficult task in Jilin City, but fortunately, Jilin City currently has enough draft horses.

After accepting many small and medium-sized Jurchen tribes, the number of draft horses in Jilin City has exceeded [-] before winter.

With [-] draft horses, if you take the post road, the carriage can transport [-] shi of grain every month.

The royal stipend and the military salary of the guard station prepared by the capital of Liaodong in the [-] Guards were just a three-month journey with a horse-drawn carriage.

The real difficulty was the 25 yuan that Zhu Gaoxu asked Yang Bin to prepare to buy grain.

Judging from the food prices mentioned by Yang Bin before, 25 gu can buy at least 75 shi of grain.

It would take Yang Bin two years to buy bulk goods and grain at the same time, so the grain shipped to Liaodong every month would not be too much, basically only [-] to [-] dan.

To transport his grain on camels, he only needs to maintain a team of about [-] draft horses.

Although organizing the Horse and Camel Games delays land reclamation, there is nothing we can do about it.

"After the spring begins, I will take away 500 people from Jilin City and Jixibao as I said last year. In addition, 1000 people will be transferred from Zhaozhou City and 500 people from Andong City."

Zhu Gaoxu talked about his plan after the beginning of spring, and continued: "In this way, lead three thousand troops and the navy to go down the river and attack Ataiwailan."

"If he retreats, I will leave [-] troops to garrison Hu Lawen City, and then lead [-] troops to Zhaozhou City."

Having said this, Zhu Gaoxu looked at the two of them and saw doubts on their faces.

Last year, Zhu Gaoxu didn't say that he would go to Zhaozhou City after defeating Atai Wailan, but now he suddenly mentioned this matter, could it be...

"Haragu came to harass me. If I didn't harass me and go back, wouldn't I be sorry for my brothers who died in the battle?"

Zhu Gaoxu expressed his idea, which was to learn from Halashu and plow the tribes of Uliangha.

"This..." After hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Zhang Chun bowed hesitantly: "Your Highness, how many troops are you planning to bring to attack Haragu this time?"

"Leave 500 people to guard Zhaozhou City, and transfer 4000 people to attack Wuliangha and Dacaogu." Zhu Gaoxu stated his intention and further elaborated on the configuration.

"After I sent troops to attack Ataiwailan, I also thought that after you arrived at Jilin City with the grain and wages from the Liaodong capital, you transferred [-] draft horses and [-] military horses to Zhaozhou City."

"In addition, prepare another 4000 shi of military rations, [-] taels of salt crystals, [-] pieces of vinegar cloth, [-] jins of dried fruits and vegetables, [-] shi of bean feed, and ten [-]-kilogram ships."

Zhu Gaoxu explained everything, among which the eight hundred stones of military rations represented how long he would spend on the Wuliangha Grassland this time.

Eight hundred shi of grain is different from [-] shi of military ration. To make one shi of military ration, you basically need five shi of rice, and the method is simply steaming, drying, steaming, and drying again.

The original military rations with such a reduced size and weight can basically meet the needs of a soldier for fifty days.

Eight hundred shi of military rations and [-] shi of bean feed were enough for four thousand cavalry to go out, and Zhu Gaoxu wanted ten ships with [-] kilograms of bean feed to facilitate the transportation of bean feed.

Army horses need to eat three kilograms of bean feed every day, and draft horses need one kilogram. Calculated, at least [-] shi will be needed for fifty days, so Zhu Gaoxu prepared an extra [-] shi.

Bean feed is no better than military rations, salt crystals, vinegar cloth, and dried fruits and vegetables.

If these things are put per capita, each soldier will have an extra thirty kilograms of weight. Putting them on the back of a draft horse will not exert any physical exertion on the soldiers and draft horses, but the beans are different.

Thirty-five hundred stones of bean feed, all calculated, means that each draft horse has to carry an extra 130 kilograms of weight.

With this little load plus armor and military rations, it would be almost impossible to even think about riding a draft horse.

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu needed ten ships with a capacity of [-] tons to transport beans.

Using [-] ships to transport beans, we can travel at least [-] miles along the Nenjiang waterway. By then, crossing the upper reaches of the Nenjiang River to reach the Wuliangha Grass Valley, and running from the west of the Nenjiang River to the east of the Halawen Mountains, will only take [-] to [-] miles.

In such a long and narrow place, Zhu Gaoxu would be able to return home with a full load if he defeated several tribes, without having to fight Haragu head-on.

In this battle with Harawu, Zhu Gaoxu no longer has to worry about defending the city. He can fully use the Sixteen-Character Strategy of guerrilla warfare and plunder the livestock of the Wulangha tribes to develop and strengthen himself.

However, if you want to fully utilize the true meaning of the Sixteen-Character Jue, you must surpass the Uliangha tribe in maneuverability, and this is why Zhu Gaoxu wants those ten [-]-material ships.

He could send the cattle, sheep and horses to the east coast by ship, or go straight down the Nen River to Zhaozhou City, while the adult horses were kept to improve the mobility of the army.

As long as the mobility is high enough, Zhu Gaoxu can spin Harawu around.

He has this confidence, but it is not blind confidence, but because he has obtained the information about Wuliangha Grassland.

This information was obtained from the surrendered Uliangha tribesmen.

"Your Highness..."

While Zhu Gaoxu was still thinking about how to unleash the 'guerrilla spirit of our army', Yi Shiha said worriedly:

"First attack Ataiwailan, and then go out to Modong for fifty days. Isn't this too hasty..."

As soon as Yi Shiha's words came out, even Zhang Chun couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Indeed, judging from the sand table and map, the waterway from Jilin City to Dahula Wencheng is nearly [-] miles.

If we go back to Zhaozhou City from Hulawen City, it will be another [-] miles by water, and from Zhaozhou City to Modong, it will be at least [-] miles.

This coming and going means that Zhu Gaoxu will have to conquer at least four thousand miles from east to west after the spring of this year.

Even if we take the water route, and the entire army is composed of horse and infantry, it will take two months to travel more than [-] miles. Taking into account the time Tangqi spends on reconnaissance and searching for the enemy, no three months is absolutely not enough.

This is the date when Atai Wailan does not resist. If Atai Wailan resists, then this day will have to be postponed.

Although it was probably not winter yet, Zhu Gaoxu had been away from Jilin City for so many months, even a person like Yi Shiha, who was struggling in the palace, couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

On the contrary, Zhu Gaoxu said cheerfully: "Only by rushing can we catch Harawu by surprise."

He laughed heartily, but only he himself could know why he actually did this and how much pressure he felt.

It is now the twentieth day of the first lunar month of the 30th year of Hongwu, and it is only less than a year and a half since Lao Zhu left.

He and Harawu had already become enemies. In the Battle of Jilin, he killed one-third of Harawu's armored soldiers. Such a great feud must be unforgettable for Harawu.

Hit him hard and let him stay quietly in the early stages of the Jingnan War. This is what Zhu Gaoxu wants.

Otherwise, if you leave him alone and let him lead his troops south like the Jingnan War, you will be the one who suffers.

Historically, Haragu attacked Daning and Liaodong, and also contained Daning and Liaodong.

But now, Jilin City is closer to him than Daning and Liaodong, and it is richer than Daning.

If given the chance, Zhu Gaoxu didn't believe that he would leave Jilin City alone, Fancheng in Haidong.

Because of this, no matter what problems he encountered, Zhu Gaoxu had to fight this battle.

"This time, let's settle old and new grudges together!"

(End of this chapter)