Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 168 Preparing for the Western Expedition
Hall of Martial Arts.

"My son-in-law pays respects to his father."

After Zhu Gaoxu entered the palace, he stopped ten steps in front of Zhu Di's throne and bowed in salute.

"No courtesy." Zhu Di raised his hand and said, "Sit down and talk."

After Zhu Gaoxu sat down, Jin Zhong, the Minister of War, immediately stood up and bowed slightly towards Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu nodded in return.

"Prince, I called you here because I want to hear your opinion on something."

Zhu Di got straight to the point.

With quick eyes and quick hands, Jin Zhong immediately walked up to Zhu Gaoxu, bowed and respectfully handed over the memorial that Song Sheng had sent eight hundred miles away.

Zhu Gaoxu took the memorial, read it carefully, folded it up, and placed it on the table beside him. Then he faced Zhu Di, clasped his fists and saluted: "Father, I believe that the imperial court should send troops to recover Hami without delay! "

"Tell me the reason." Zhu Di said solemnly.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "The battlefield situation is changing rapidly. Every day of delay will make Beiyuan stronger. In this way, if Ming wants to take back Hami, the price it will pay will be greater. Erchen believes that we should take advantage of Beiyuan's It was only a short time before Yuan Gang captured Hami, and when people's hearts were unstable, he quickly sent out troops."

Zhu Di said loudly: "You have had the experience of controlling military affairs for more than five years. You should know that sending troops is not as simple as talking about it. It also involves the transfer of military supplies, the deployment of troops and generals, etc. At present, if the financial resources of the national treasury only support Song Sheng's control of the northwest, The officers and soldiers can barely last for half a year."

"But if tens of thousands of soldiers and horses are sent for reinforcements, it will only be enough for three months at most. If the battle cannot be resolved quickly, the court will fall into the quagmire of war, and the Ming Dynasty's prestige and national strength will be damaged."

"What my father is worried about is that the military supplies cannot keep up. I think this matter is not difficult to solve."

Zhu Gaoxu said calmly.

When Zhu Di heard this, his heart moved and he immediately asked: "What can you do?"

"Father, it is said that delay does not help in urgency. In order to transport military rations, I think we can set up three auxiliary routes in addition to the normal official transportation: one is to purchase military rations from Hexi, go out of Jiayuguan, pass through Yumen, and transport them to Hami; Let Song Sheng purchase from local people in the areas that have been recovered; third, set up extensive grain transportation stations, and borrow people's power in addition to official transportation to carry out transportation step by step."

Zhu Gaoxu said maturely and solemnly.

"Yes, all three routes are feasible."

Jin Zhong's eyes lit up and he said: "His Royal Highness is a great talent. I racked my brains but just outside of my official career, I came up with the idea of ​​purchasing military rations from Hexi. I didn't expect that there are two other routes."

Having said this, he bowed his hands to Zhu Di and said, "Your Majesty, I agree with the three routes proposed by His Highness the Crown Prince to assist officials in transporting military supplies."

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu, stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Prince, if you can come up with these three routes to assist the official career, it shows that you have already planned the imperial court's use of troops against Hami."

Unless Zhuge was alive, no matter how smart a person was, it would be difficult for him to come up with such a mature and reliable method in an instant.

In his opinion, Zhu Gaoxu had obviously deduced the Hami Rebellion many times.

Of course Zhu Di understood that the three routes proposed by Zhu Gaoxu were not difficult to implement, but rather easy. All he had to do was arrange a dedicated person to take charge.

"Jin Zhong listens to the order."

Zhu Di was determined, and continued: "Although Song Sheng is old, he is dedicated to border affairs, working tirelessly day and night to support the people of Suiyuan, caring for the soldiers, and learning the way of a border general. The same is true for those who guard the border, so I have nothing to worry about. ? Now I will give him an area of ​​​​a house in his hometown, [-] hectares of fields and ponds, and [-] hectares of mountain farm, as a world inheritance."

"Let Song Sheng obey my orders, train his sergeants diligently, send more scouts to spy on the news, reserve military rations, and keep a tight garrison to prevent the invasion of Tamerlane and his allies. In view that Hami has been stolen by the Northern Yuan Dynasty, the rest of the edict is The six Mongolian guards all obey Song Sheng's control. If they disobey, they will be regarded as traitors and will be attacked together when additional troops from the imperial court arrive!"

"In addition, He Fu, Marquis of Ningyuan, was appointed as the chief military officer of Ningxia. Five thousand cavalry and [-] infantry were dispatched from the Yingtian Prefecture Guard Station to the northwest to support Song Sheng. The Ministry of Industry was ordered to transport gunpowder and weapons to strengthen the northwest border defense force."

"The minister leads the order."

Jin Zhong bowed.

"Without further delay, you go and do it now."

Zhu Di waved his hand.

"Wei Chen retire."

Jin Zhonggong said.

Zhu Di watched Jin Zhong, the Minister of War, leave, and turned to Zhu Gaoxu and asked: "Gaoxu, do you think the imperial court should take advantage of this opportunity to take Hami as a foundation and send troops to Yili to capture it in one fell swoop?" Western Region?"

"Father, King Totuo of Hami was expelled for the second time. The court already had enough reasons to intervene in the Seven Guards of Guanxi. At that time, my son suggested that we should take the opportunity to hold the Six Mongolian Guards west of Jiayuguan accountable. It would be best to capture three of them. , the commanders of the four guards will be replaced by sons of honorable ministers of this dynasty to serve as guards."

Zhu Gaoxu said respectfully: "However, at that time, the Duke of Wei used the rule of 'using barbarians to control barbarians' set by the emperor to refute his ministers. Now Hami has been stolen by the Northern Yuan Dynasty, but the other six Mongolian guards are indifferent. It is reasonable for the imperial court to hold the remaining six to account." according to."

"I also tried my best to drive out the inner general Nanaha, who colluded with the king of Hami, Tutuo's grandmother, to expel Totuo. This caused Hami to be empty, and Beiyuan took advantage of it. I, the Ming Dynasty, recaptured Hami, and even attacked the inner area with all my strength, all of which were well-known. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

"It's not difficult to recapture Hami. What's difficult is how to conquer the Western Region next. What suggestions do you have for this?"

After listening to Zhu Gaoxu's analysis, Zhu Di pondered for a moment and then asked.

"Ever since the last time my father told me that King Tuotuo of Hami was expelled for the second time, I have been thinking about how to plan and implement the specific plan if the imperial court takes the opportunity to send troops to occupy Hami and use Hami as the basis to conquer the Western Regions. Strategy.”

Zhu Gaoxu said: "After careful consideration over the past few days, I have come up with a plan that is not very mature. Please correct me."

"Let me try." Zhu Di raised his hand and said.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "In the first stage, we will increase the number of troops in seven major military towns, including Liaoyang, Daning, Kaiping, Xuanfu, Dongsheng, and Ningxia, and use these seven fortresses as forward positions to resist the Northern Yuan Dynasty. At the same time, Song Sheng was ordered to lead the troops. Capture Hami and drive out the border generals Nanaha and Totu's grandmother in Yili."

"In the second stage, Beiyuan will not sit back and watch the imperial court increase its troops in the seven fortresses. It will definitely wait for the opportunity to send troops. Therefore, when it increases its troops in northern Xinjiang, it should be equipped with new artillery weighing thousands of kilograms to let the grassland people have a taste of the new cannon. The power of."

When Zhu Di heard this, he interrupted Zhu Gaoxu and asked: "The 'new cannon' you are talking about is a two-wheeled vehicle-mounted general cannon weighing a thousand kilograms?"

"My wise father, this new artillery is exactly the vehicle-mounted general artillery that was improved by the War Bureau three months ago."

Zhu Gaoxu replied.Zhu Di thought of the powerful new artillery, Fu Xu nodded and said, "Go on."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "At that time, Beiyuan will be frightened by the power of the new artillery, and there will inevitably be a few or more tribes coming to surrender. Even if no one comes to surrender, our Ming officers and soldiers can take the opportunity to advance the border defense line and build a city. Coupled with vehicle-mounted artillery, it serves as a warning. In this way, we can buy time to reinforce the seven fortresses, and it will be possible to stabilize the northern Xinjiang."

"After that, Song Sheng was ordered to lead troops to build water conservancy projects and farm fields to accumulate grain in Hami. Then he transferred craftsmen from the Military War Bureau and set up a manufacturing bureau in Ganzhou to manufacture firearms, including artillery, to strengthen the northwest border defense."

"Father, I know the geographical environment of Hami. If you farm there, you can harvest more than five thousand dan of grain a year. This can basically meet the military food needs of the imperial army stationed in Hami for half a year."

Zhu Di said "hmm" to show that he was listening carefully.

Zhu Gaoxu added: "The third stage is to send troops to the Western Regions to eliminate all forces in the Western Regions that are unwilling to surrender to the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Di nodded and said: "I heard it. A few days ago, when I convened all the ministers in Wuying Hall to discuss the matter of conquering the Western Regions, you made this argument."

"Father, Emperor Mingjian, I still adhere to this three-step strategy for conquering the Western Regions."

Zhu Gaoxu said bluntly.

"This is indeed a proven and feasible strategy."

Zhu Di had to admit.

He paused and then asked: "How do you think the court should arrange it so that it can eliminate all the forces in the Western Regions that are unwilling to surrender to the Ming Dynasty in one go?"

"Father, although I have seriously considered the problems that the imperial court may face when sending troops to quell the disobedient forces in the Western Region, I only have a general direction in mind, which is not yet mature."

Zhu Gaoxu replied.

Zhu Di encouraged: "Let me try to say something."

"Father, I believe that sending troops to quell the disobedient forces in the Western Region requires a two-step process. The first step is to raise military supplies. The second step is to send troops."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "The soldiers and horses of the Western Expedition Army are expensive and not expensive. The light cavalry should be the main force, and the auxiliary troops should keep up with them in order to achieve a quick victory in the battle. Therefore, in terms of transporting military supplies, I believe that it can be Copy the three auxiliary routes that support Song Sheng."

"Furthermore, Song Sheng led his troops to build water conservancy and farm fields in Hami in advance, and the court set up a manufacturing bureau in Ganzhou to manufacture firearms, artillery and other ordnance in advance. Basically, when the court sent troops to the Western Regions, it could solve the problem of the first few days of the Western Conquest Army. The supplies and supplies for the first military expedition."

The reason why he did not mention military pay is because the current military system of the Ming Dynasty still centers on the guard system.

Before the collapse of the guard system, the Ming Dynasty raised millions of soldiers without costing the common people a grain of rice.

Because the garrison military system of the Ming Dynasty actually drew on China's historical farming experience, it was an army-building system that combined soldiers with farmers and garrison garrison.

The sergeants in the camp were divided into two parts: garrison and field. The proportions were variable and they were rotated on a regular basis. Food was regularly handed over to the field to supply the garrison and officials. The goal was to raise troops without consuming national financial resources.

Because of this, in the 25th year of Hongwu's reign, the Ming Dynasty's army numbered as many as 120 million, while the country's population at that time was only over 6000 million!

According to the "Records of Emperor Taizongwen of the Ming Dynasty", Zhu Di's first Northern Expedition actually employed 11 people, including logistics personnel.

In this Northern Expedition, only the first shipment of military supplies and grain and grass used 20 carts and transported a total of [-] shi of grain.

Zhu Gaoxu continued: "As for military operations, I believe that we should first go north and then south, and advance slowly and quickly."

Zhu Di asked: "What does 'first north then south, advance slowly and fight quickly'?"

"Back to my father, the so-called 'first north and then south' means to first stabilize the area north of the Tianshan Mountains, but do not rush to capture Yilili City, and then move into the areas south of the Tianshan Mountains."

Zhu Gaoxu replied: "The Ming Dynasty's recovery of the Western Regions focused on defeating all disobedient forces in the Western Regions. Those forces were mainly concentrated in the Ili River Valley with rich water and grass. Their strength in the north of the Tianshan Mountains was relatively weak. There was less resistance for the imperial officers and soldiers to march north of the Tianshan Mountains. ."

"Yes, it makes sense."

Zhu Di nodded and said: "Capturing Beslopali City is of particularly great significance, because this city was the Marshal's Mansion of Beiting in the former Yuan Dynasty. From a geographical point of view, capturing Beiting can also create opportunities for further capturing the Ili Valley. Necessary conditions.”

Zhu Gaoxu continued: "Slowly advance and fight quickly. The 'slow advance' in "Slowly advance" means actively managing the army. It takes half a year to accumulate grass and grain, rectify the army, eliminate the weak and retain the strong, and enhance the combat effectiveness of the army. Anyone who is not willing to go out of the Kansai expedition , they will all be given food and sent back to their original guard base without any force."

"Because the Western Region is far away from the Central Plains, it is easy for people to become unstable. The purpose of eliminating those with weak will is to prevent mutiny."

Zhu Di stroked his beard and said, "Not bad."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Father, we must fight quickly. Considering the emptiness of the imperial treasury, as well as the inconvenient transportation, sparse population, and barren fields in the northwest, in order to reduce military expenditure, once the army sets off, it must fight quickly and strive to obtain all the military supplies in about a year and a half." Win and withdraw your troops as soon as possible."

"Your two-step approach is really wonderful! If your grandpa Huang was still alive, he would definitely feel extremely gratified! Our old Zhu family has a successor!"

Zhu Di said with emotion: "Unfortunately, everything is easier said than done. Even if I am in the [-]th position, there are still many obstacles when I want to do something."

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu's doubtful expression, he explained: "Just this time, before you come, I summoned Wei Guogong, Cao Guogong, Hubu Shangshu Yu Xin, and War Shangshu Jin Zhong to discuss whether to immediately send troops to the northwest to reinforce Song Sheng and regain Hami. .”

"Among them, Cao Guogong was in favor of sending troops immediately, while Yu Xin suggested that we postpone sending troops because of the limited financial resources of the treasury. As for Wei Guogong, he suggested that I postpone sending troops because the court has to prepare for the second sea voyage next year."

"Such a major military and national event involves many things and has great stakes. I must not only consider public opinion, but also appease people's hearts."

Zhu Di seemed to be thinking of some old events, and said with a hint of depression: "Wars are fought for money. If you have money, you will have food. Only with food can you ensure that soldiers will not fight hungry."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "What my father said is absolutely right. A war is fought with logistics. Without the support of logistics, no matter how brave the soldiers are, they will only be able to make a strong effort, then weaken again, and then be exhausted. In this way, if the rear force is insufficient, the battle will be defeated. "

Zhu Di nodded and said, "That's the truth."

He paused and added: "Gao Xu, please draft the overall strategy for conquering the Western Regions that you just mentioned into a charter and submit it tomorrow."

"My son obeys the order."

Zhu Gaoxu bowed and accepted the order.

PS: Writing a great novel is so hard.Brothers, if you want to see what's going on, you can leave a message.I can’t write about the [-]+ forbidden words.

(End of this chapter)