Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 164 The border defense line drawn by Taizu
The next day.

Afterwards.

Hall of Martial Arts.

At this time, there were ten people in total gathered in the hall, including the two princes, seven marquises and one uncle who were currently living and serving in the Ming Dynasty.

As mentioned before, because Chang Jizu was young and had not yet succeeded to the title of founding Duke, Zhu Di convened this meeting of imperial nobles. Only two Dukes attended the meeting, namely Wei Guogong Xu Huizu and Cao Guogong Li Jinglong.

Xu Huizu serves as the right governor of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion, and Li Jinglong serves as the left governor of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion.

Since Licheng Hou Shengyong and Xiping Hou Mu Sheng had gone south to conquer Annan Kingdom, Jiangyin Hou Wu Gao and Jinghe Bo Chen Heng were in charge of military affairs in Liaodong. Others who had not attacked the marquis due to their young age were not included in the list of participants.

Therefore, there are eight marquises and earls who have the honor to participate in this imperial meeting of nobles, namely Wuding Hou Guo Ying, Changxing Hou Geng Bingwen, Yuexun Hou Yu Yuan, Anlu Hou Wu Jie, Fengxiang Hou Zhang Jie, Ningyuan Hou He Fu, Qi Hou Qiu Blessings and sincerity are limited to Liu Jing.

Among these eight people, Guo Ying, Geng Bingwen, Yu Yuan, and Wu Jie all have no positions and are in a state of idleness.

Liu Jing concurrently held the post of Zhan Shi of the Zhan Shi Mansion, Qiu Fu held the post of the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Army Governor's Mansion, He Fu held the post of the Commander-in-Chief of the Former Military Governor's Mansion, and Zhang Jie was named the avant-garde of the Imperial Army to command the Qianshi.

"Do you know, right governor, that your majesty summoned us here to discuss what we are going to do?"

Li Jinglong stood behind Xu Huizu and asked in a low voice.

Xu Huizu replied: "I have not received any news in advance. I estimate that His Majesty may have to use troops abroad, otherwise he would not summon us and other generals and ministers."

"Uncle Chengyi is here too. Although he is an honorable minister, he is not a military commander."

Li Jinglong glanced at Liu Jing not far away and said to Xu Huizu.

"Uncle Chengyi is the Zhan Shifu of the East Palace. He is good at strategizing. If he comes to attend the meeting, His Royal Highness will probably come as well."

Xu Huizu thought for a while and whispered.

On the other side, as newly promoted ministers, Qihou Qiufu and Ningyuanhou Hefu were also whispering to each other.

"Qihou is His Majesty's old man who lives in his residence. He is deeply trusted by His Majesty. What do you know?" He Fu asked in a low voice.

Qiu Fu said carelessly: "Marquis Ningyuan has been over-reputed. Qiu was born in the military. He was originally a guard for Qianhu in Yanshan Mountain. Thanks to your majesty's trust, he was promoted to the commander of the imperial army. Only then did he have the opportunity to lead an expedition to the Timurid Kingdom. However, His Majesty did not disclose in advance what was discussed today.”

Just as everyone was discussing in low voices what was going to be discussed at this meeting, eunuch Li Xing shouted, causing them to stop talking immediately.

"His Majesty is here!"

Following Li Xing's shout, Yongle Emperor Zhu Di, wearing blue uniforms with dragon patterns, walked in from the main entrance, followed by Prince Zhu Gaoxu.

"Your Majesty, my ministers, long live my emperor."

Xu Huizu, Li Jinglong and other ten people all bowed down and worshiped.

"Let's all be flat."

Zhu Di waved his hand and said, "Give me a seat."

Li Xing, who was standing at the door of the palace, heard Zhu Di's order and immediately winked at the servants in the corridor outside the palace who were preparing to move in.

After a while, Xu Huizu and the other ten people were divided into two rows on the left and right, and each sat down.

Zhu Di sat behind the imperial table on the high platform, while Zhu Gaoxu sat on the first chair in the lower left corner of the imperial table.

"I summoned all the ministers here this time to discuss two important matters."

Zhu Di got straight to the point: "The first is the border defense in Northern Xinjiang, and the second is the unrest in Western Xinjiang."

After everyone heard the words, they all had their own thoughts.

After the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty was driven out to the north of the Great Wall by the Ming Dynasty, although its remaining forces often killed each other and were sometimes strong and sometimes weak, they kept intruding on the northern border of the Ming Dynasty in an attempt to make a comeback.

Therefore, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, its border defense has always focused on northern border towns.

Historically, the border troubles in the north of the Ming Dynasty almost never stopped until the death of Li Zicheng.

Faced with harassment from the northern Tartars, the Ming Dynasty began to build a new Great Wall during its more than 200 years of rule.

And based on the original Great Wall, the Ming Great Wall was created, which is more majestic and magnificent than any other dynasty.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty relied on the Great Wall to establish a complete defense system against the nomadic tribes in the north.

Not only that, after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang divided the vassal kings several times, that is, the Sai King who consolidated the territory and guarded the border. The Sai King commanded the defense posts in Monan and used the mountains and rivers to consolidate the dangers.

At that time, some scholars of the Ming Dynasty boasted: "Our country expelled Hu Yuan and spread all over the world, stretching from Liaohai in the east to Jiuquan in the west. In the middle, it extends from Yuyang, Shanggu, Yunzhong, Shuo and Dai, to Shangjun and Bei Di, Lingwu, Gaolan, and Hexi were connected by mountains and rivers, and troops were stationed in towns, with 40 armored men. They controlled the barbarians by taking advantage of the dangers, and they were very prosperous."

In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang established Jilin Shipyard, Anton Guard, Daning Guard (later Chifeng), Kaiping Guard (later Duolun), Dongsheng Guard (later Hohhot), Yiji Nai Old City and other military forces north of the Great Wall. An important town, it serves as the outer stronghold of the Northern Sai King.

Troops were also deployed in key places, such as Zijingguan, Luhualing, Gubeikou, Juyongguan, Xifengkou, Songtingguan, etc.

So, starting from Liaoyang in the east, passing through Daning, Kaiping, Xinghe, Dushi, Dongsheng in the west, and arriving at Datong, for thousands of miles, troops were stationed in the towns and garrison posts on each border and their fields were established, and the momentum was connected, forming a solid line. Border line.

Among them, Yijinai, Dongsheng, Kaiping, Daning, Kaiyuan, Jilin and Shanhaiguan are transportation hubs inside and outside the customs, and their terrain is the most important.

"More than 30 years ago, when our righteous army of the Ming Dynasty entered Dadu, Emperor Shun of the Meng Yuan Dynasty fled in panic and escaped into the grassland. As a result, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, which had been lost from the hands of the son emperor Shi Jingtang, finally returned to China."

Zhu Di continued: "As for the Northern Yuan Dynasty, which escaped to the grassland, it was later divided into many large and small tribes due to power disputes. Since then, Tartars have continued to harass and plunder in the northern frontier of the Ming Dynasty."

"In order to resist the invasion of the northern grassland people, Emperor Taizu personally designed two lines of defense."

"It is the first road from Dongsheng to the west to Ningxia, Hexi, Chahannao'er, to the east of Dongsheng to Datong, Xuanfu, Kaiping, to Daning in the southeast, to Liaodong in the east, to the Yalu River, and to the desert in the north. Line of defense.”

"It also starts from outside Yanmen Pass, reaches the Yellow River in the west, crosses the river to Chahannao'er, then goes to Zijing Pass in the east, goes to Juyong Pass and Gubeikou in the east, and goes to Shanhaiwei in the east, which is the second line of defense."

"These two lines of defense can ensure worry-free border defense in northern Xinjiang."

Zhu Gaoxu knew, however, that man's calculations were not as good as God's. Although Zhu Yuanzhang had a very strategic vision, he had historical limitations after all and could not see or imagine what would happen in the future.

Historically, it was precisely because Lao Zhu did not think carefully about the matter of his successor in his later years that Zhu Yunwen cut down the vassal clan too much after he succeeded to the throne, forcing King Zhu Di of Yan to launch a Jingnan.

After King Zhu Di of Yan won the Battle of Jingnan, he transferred a large number of frontier troops defending the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty into the interior, leaving the two lines of defense originally designed by Lao Zhu empty, and many fortresses were forced to shrink or even be abandoned.

However, history was changed, Zhu Di successfully succeeded to the throne, and the Ming Dynasty did not suffer from disaster.

Therefore, the two lines of defense designed by Zhu Yuanzhang are still there, but because King Sai has entered Beijing, the major towns in the north are now guarded by border generals. Among them are famous generals who were involved in the Lan Yu case and were expelled from their knights for their crimes and meritorious service.

"However, since Emperor Taizu intended to transfer the vassals overseas, all the fortresses in the north have been guarded by veteran generals." When Zhu Di said this, he changed the subject and said: "It has been several years now, and once the generals came It is necessary to change the defense, and secondly, I decided to strengthen the garrison strength of certain fortresses on the two border lines."

"I would like to hear your opinions on which fortresses should be increased in strength?"

Zhu Di asked the border guards to change their defenses in order to prevent the border generals from sticking to a certain place for a long time, forming a deep-rooted force, and avoiding the situation of soldiers becoming generals.

As for strengthening the defense strength of individual fortresses on the two northern defense lines, it is to prevent the grassland people from taking the opportunity to invade the northern border of the Ming Dynasty when the Ming Dynasty sends troops to the Western Regions.

Zhu Di looked at Cao Guogong Li Jinglong and said, "Cao Guogong, you speak first."

"Your Majesty, since the Qin and Han Dynasties, the biggest enemies of the Central Plains Dynasty have been the nomadic tribes from the northern grasslands."

Li Jinglong said respectfully: "When Taizu proclaimed himself emperor, although he was in a gentle and wealthy land in the south of the Yangtze River, he did not dare to forget the tragedy of the Battle of Yashan in the Song Dynasty, so he attached great importance to the safety of the northern border."

"In the third year of Hongwu, Emperor Taizu Gao ordered that Shanxi Province be guarded at Yanmen Pass, Taihe Ridge and Taihe Ridge, and garrison troops be set up at all 73 passes in the valleys."

"In the same year, after my father (Li Wenzhong) led troops to attack Xanadu, Taizu established Kaiping Mansion there. Since then, our Ming Dynasty's border defense line has once again advanced hundreds of miles north."

"The following year, Liu Yi, the governor of Liaoyang Province in the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, surrendered. Our Great Tomorrow Army entered Liaodong. After that, it was unstoppable and successively captured Liaoyang, Shenyang and other places."

"After the Ming Dynasty occupied Liaodong, Emperor Taizu abolished the local government system there and established the Military and Guards Department."

"Because Liaodong was a mixed place of Han and Hu people and was located in the place where the Four Wars were fought, Emperor Taizu established the Weidu Division to isolate Liaodong from the grassland and prevent the Mongolian Yuan from uniting with the Nüzhi."

"Therefore, I believe that the land of Liaoyang should strengthen its military defense."

Zhu Gaoxu knew that Zhu Yuanzhang had developed extremely keen observation and strategic vision after decades of fighting in the late Yuan Dynasty.

Because in history, at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Jurchens and the Mongolian and Yuan tribes jointly invaded the Ming Dynasty.

And if the Ming Dynasty controlled Liaodong, it could block the grassland people in the west.

"Your Majesty, I think Dongshengwei should be included."

After hearing what Li Jinglong said, Wei Guogong Xu Huizu respectfully answered.

Zhu Di said, "Why?"

"Your Majesty, Emperor Taizu established Dongsheng City to the east of Sanjiang City, juxtaposed with the four defenses of Sanjiang City. Dongsheng is connected to Kaiping, Dushi, Daning, Kaiyuan and Dongwei to the east. To the west, you can join the Helan Mountain Ningxia Guard, Beishan Weilu Guard, Baichengzi Guards for Thousand Households, Weiyuan Guards for Thousand Households, and the old city, connected to one side. And because the terrain of Dongsheng is straight, it is close and easy Shou."

Xu Huizu replied respectfully: "Taizu believed that the Dongsheng Guards were 'the police of the great captives, guarding Dongsheng'."

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu and said, "Prince, what do you think?"

In the 30th year of Hongwu's reign, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered all the generals to act according to the map of the three northern mountains and rivers he planned. The most important stronghold was the place of Dongsheng.

Zhu Gaoxu vaguely remembered that Zhu Yuanzhang's original words were: "Only rely on my map. From the west of Dongsheng to Ningxia, Hexi, Chahannao'er, the east of Dongsheng to Datong, the east to Xuanfu, and the east to Kaiping , and southeast to Daning... draw a boundary for this purpose, and the king and other commanders will abide by it without violating it."

Therefore, after hearing Zhu Di's question, Zhu Gaoxu immediately recalled the memory of Dongsheng Land in his mind.

He replied respectfully: "Father, in addition to adding military guards to Dongsheng, expanding the city walls, and deploying troops to guard the fields, the emperor also equipped Dongsheng's defenders with firearms."

"Therefore, I believe that the emperor attaches great importance to Dongsheng, and the imperial court should strengthen the defensive strength of Dongsheng Guards."

Zhu Di nodded and said, "I remember this."

At that time, Lao Zhu also specially told Zhu Gaoxu, who was in charge of military affairs in the north, to teach the guards around Dongsheng how to herd horses and sheep outside the pass, distribute horses and sheep, and how to ride and train ponies and foals, as well as how to make the guards look like Tatars also use wool and goat's milk to live their lives.

It even includes how to build a city in your spare time.

If he remembered correctly, Lao Zhu later asked Zhu Gaoxu to set off from Dongshengwei to meet Shanxi Xingdusi and instruct Shanxi Dusi to make muskets and chariots in case of emergency.

Then, Zhu Di looked around at the others and asked, "Do you have any objections?"

He was asking everyone if they had any objections to Zhu Gaoxu's idea of ​​increasing the strength of the Dongsheng Guard.

Xu Huizu and Li Jinglong looked at each other and saw approval in each other's eyes.

"Your Majesty, I have no objection." Xu and Li said respectfully one after another.

Seeing this, other people spoke out one after another to express their support for Zhu Gaoxu's opinion.

Zhu Di nodded and said: "Now that we have decided to strengthen the two fortresses in Liaoyang and Dongsheng, please discuss again, which fortress needs additional troops?"

He looked at Qiu Fu and said, "Qihou, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, Nurgan Dusi has made remarkable achievements, and most of the female tribes in the north of Liaodong have chosen to surrender. Therefore, I believe that the Ming Dynasty's border defense should focus on Hetao, so the Xuanfu area should be guarded by heavy troops."

Qiu Fu analyzed it insightfully.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di turned to look at Zhu Gaoxu and said, "Prince, what do you think of what Qihou said?"

"Father."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "I remember that in the early days of Hongwu, the emperor changed Xuande Mansion into Xuanfu. The following year, he set up forward guards, left guards, and right guards, and sent generals to guard them. In the 27th year of Hongwu, Xuanfu City was built, with a side of six miles. There was more than enough. The next year, Uncle Gu Wang came to Xuanfu, and Xuanfu became an important place for border defense."

"Xuanfu has a long history. It was Shanggu County during the Qin and Han Dynasties. It has always been a battleground for military strategists. The mountains and rivers there are disputed, the land is dangerous and narrow, and it is about [-] miles away from Peiping. It is the key to the Ming Dynasty in curbing the southward march of the grassland people."

"Therefore, I agree with Qihou's words."

Zhu Di nodded and said, "That makes sense. I also feel that the terrain of Xuan Mansion is dangerous."

After listening to Zhu Gaoxu's analysis, everyone suddenly remembered that Prince Zhu Gaoxu had controlled military affairs in the north for five years, and his strategic vision was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Zhu Di paused, looked at He Fu and said, "Marquis Ningyuan, do you think besides Dongsheng, Liaoyang, and Xuanfu, which fortresses should also be strengthened with defensive forces?"

"Your Majesty, I think the land of Daning..."

He Fu said respectfully.

In this way, after nearly two hours of deliberations, the monarch and his ministers roughly determined seven important military towns, including Liaoyang, Daning, Kaiping, Xuanfu, Dongsheng, and Ningxia, as enhanced fortresses to resist the northern grassland people.

"The next topic is that there are riots in Western Xinjiang and changes in Hami. I want to take the opportunity to conquer the Western Regions. What do you think?"

Zhu Di continued.

(End of this chapter)