golden scales

Zhu Cihong himself had considered Sichuan.

If Sichuan can be occupied, one will be able to consolidate itself, and the other will have sufficient reserves of strategic resources.Whether it is food, salt, timber, coal or iron...Sichuan can support itself and wait for opportunities in this troubled world.In his memory, Li Dingguo in the original time and space was able to support the Yongli regime for more than ten years in poor places such as Yunnan and Guizhou. If he occupied Sichuan by himself, he would definitely be able to manage safely for ten years.

Ten years later, the manpower is sufficient, and it is time to go out to unify the world and sweep away the demon atmosphere.

Just telling Wu Tong this, Zhu Cihong also began to worry that Sichuan would kill morale and get entangled with the chieftains of all parties.Although Sichuan has such a loyal and brave general as Qin Liangyu, it is still a place where ethnic minorities live together, and rebellions have arisen several times.

"I think that the four corners of the land are indeed 'gold', but now that the Ming Dynasty is deeply ill, if we really want to recover, we can only warm up first, and take the second place, and use the four corners of the land to gather lessons." Wu Zhen took a step back, Suddenly he lay down on the ground and gathered up the scattered straw stalks.

Under Wu Zhen's regulation, the straw stems were divided into routes that represent the trend of mountains and rivers in a rather orderly manner.Wu Sheng picked up mud, cloth heads, and even broken bones left over from the surrounding ground, and placed them casually to make mountains and hills.

Looking at the "map" of Huangming displayed on the ground, and Wu Sheng's unwavering proficiency, Zhu Cilang really didn't know how many times he had done it in this black prison.

"Your Highness is laughing. When the criminals are bored, they put this map to pass the time." Seeing Zhu Cihong staring straight at him, Wu Tong explained with a smile, and pointed casually: "This is Shanxi, as Your Highness said, as time goes by. If the food is exhausted, it will be a dead end, and it is definitely not advisable." He pointed to the Yangtze River area again: "Huguang is cooked, the world is full, but it is a pity that Huguang has fallen into the hands of bandits. If you want to compete with it, it is really the same. Taking food from the tiger's mouth, even if you win it, it will be a miserable victory and a defeat."

Zhu Cihong nodded, and said, "Needless to say about Hanzhong, the bandits have entered Sichuan, and once the bandits take Guanzhong, Hanzhong will be a lonely place. Do you want Shandong, sir?"

"Indeed." Wu Xuan nodded and said, "Shandong connects Gyeonggi and Jiangnan. If you ship by sea, you can get money and food from Jiangnan. If you go by land, you can enter Jinan, Henan, and Xuzhou to compete for the world. Especially the place is the hometown of saints, and the folk customs Full-bodied and available to the hearts of the people."

"It's a pity that Qilu's land is only surrounded by hills and valleys in the south, the sea in the east, and the rest is plains. I can go there, and the enemy can come too." Zhu Cihong felt a little insecure about this area: "Back then, the Qi State did not fight. Surrender, one is that the general trend of the world is difficult to violate, and the other is that the Qin army who really lacks a dangerous defense is going south from Yan State."

"What Your Highness said is true," Wu Tong said, "otherwise, how can we say it is 'Silver Edge'? Furthermore, although there are few dangerous passes in the northeast of Shantung, it has the advantage of the Yellow River. If we really want a strong army to garrison along the river, It is not easy to be defeated. Taizu took Shandong and opened the door of Dadu; It is also a place where the north and the south can be conquered."

Zhu Cilang looked at the crude map on the ground, but he was thinking about Wu Sheng's matter in his heart: I am afraid that the vision of this guilty minister is more profound than what he thought.

"I'm afraid the situation in the Northern and Southern Dynasties is hard to say." Zhu Cihong said softly: "What I am worried about is that once the capital is lost, the thieves will first attack Shandong when they go south. I don't know if there is still time to manage Shandong."

"Even if it's too late, we can retreat layer by layer, take the land of Anhui and Huaihe, and plot Jiangnan." Wu Chen affirmed: "Furthermore, I believe that if the intruders go south, they will be defeated."

Zhu Cihong knew that Li Zicheng had no chance to go south.

After Chongzhen captured Yanjing in March 17, the most powerful force in Ming Dynasty, the Guanning Iron Cavalry, was already on its way to help the capital.Only by solving Wu Sangui first, Li Zicheng will have time to consolidate the new dynasty.However, Wu Sangui directly donated Shanhaiguan and sent it to the army of Eastern captives. Li Zicheng was completely defeated. How could he have a chance to go south?

It is not Li Zicheng to guard against, but the Manchurians captured in the East!

"I don't think the thieves will go south, but I still want to hear Mr.'s opinion." Zhu Cihong said slowly.

"Because there is no law for trespassing." Wu Tong squatted on the ground, raised his head and said, "Little thieves seem to have corrupted the world for more than ten years, but they were all 'rogues' before, and they robbed and left. Until last year, trespassers, Only then did the thieves really formulate the grammar, clarify the superiority and inferiority, unify orders, and send officials to govern the people. If the grammar is not established, the foundation is not strong, and as long as there is a defeat, it will collapse. Therefore, the larger the territory occupied by the thieves, the more it will collapse. sooner."

"Something makes sense." Zhu Cihong nodded, admitting what Wu Tongzhi said.

From a strategic point of view, Li Zicheng was indeed defeated because he did not establish grammar.If he manages the land of Shanshan and Shanxi patiently, uses the food from Huguang as a relief, and then fights against Yanjing three to five years later, even if he loses, Guanzhong will be his foundation, and Huguang and Shanxi will be his wings, and he will never be completely defeated.

I think that after Li Zicheng was defeated by a stone, he was defeated like a mountain within a year, and finally died in Jiugong Mountain.However, his remnants occupied prefectures and counties in the Sichuan-Hubei border area and persisted in resisting the Qing Dynasty for 21 years. They were not destroyed until the third year of Kangxi.This is what Wu Xuan called whether the foundation is solid or not.But to have a solid foundation, what you need to look at is grammar.

Grammar is the system of laws and regulations, which directly reflects the class position represented by a regime and the degree of civilization.

The grammar of the Ming Dynasty has been more than 270 years since Emperor Taizu Gao. It was adopted from the Tang and Song Dynasties and compatible with the Mongolian Yuan.

After Li Chuang occupied Xiangyang, he established grammar and implemented the six government/government system. Although he changed his name and surname, it was still the same as that of Daming.Because there is no real political experience, the grammar is even more flimsy and crude.In addition, the fundamental soul of Chuangying is Li Zicheng alone, and even this crude grammar is often replaced by Li Zicheng's words.

As for Zhang Xianzhong, he directly copied the Ming system without changing a single word.

Zhu Cihong acknowledged the importance of grammar, but paid more attention to the actual possible surnames in front of him.He pointed to a piece of broken bone representing the capital: "I said that the intruder cannot go south because if he occupies the capital, he will definitely face a thorn in his back——Guan Ning cavalry."

"Your Highness hits the nail on the head, that's true." Wu Yan said: "Someone in the court has already spread public opinion, wanting to ask His Majesty to give up the land outside the pass, and transfer Guan Ning's iron cavalry into the pass to calm the bandits, but I don't know if it will be discussed now."

"I haven't heard about it yet." Zhu Cihong shook his head: "This is a big matter, which court assistant is willing to bear the crime of abandoning the soil? The emperor is certainly heroic, but it is difficult to make such a decision."

Wu Xuan nodded, and said again: "The opportunity to manage Shandong in this way has come. As long as Liaozhen guards Shanhaiguan and Yongping is the screen domain, we can hang the main force of intruders."

"What if the burglars go north to attack Shanhaiguan?"

"This... Liao Town can fight even better than Qin Bing, how can a thief hit a stone with an egg?" Wu Tong wondered: if Liao Town does not go to Yanjing King Qin, it is enough for Li Chuang to snicker, so there is no reason for him to send him to his door ?At that time, the geographical advantage will be on the side of Liao Town, and Li Chuang's military equipment will definitely not be as good as the Liao Army, which receives millions of taels of Liao pay every year. How can he win?

"Because he is Li Zicheng." Zhu Cihong said casually.

History is full of chance and unknowable.Who knows exactly what Li Zicheng was thinking, that he brought all the elite soldiers to seek Wu Sangui's bad luck?Maybe it was just because of a dream at night, or a twitch of the head, there is no certainty at all.

Wu Xuan frowned, and said: "If Li Chuang had a resourceful man in the camp, he would definitely not be allowed to send troops to Shan Yong when his hearts were not firmly established. But... if he really went..." the prince said The possibility of the surname is equal to zero, as a subject must also be considered.Wu Zhen pondered for a long time before he said: "I really don't think he has the strength to win."

——If Li Zicheng could not win, why did Wu Sangui surrender to the Qing Dynasty?

Zhu Cihong looked at the map and fell into deep thought.After all, he is not a talented student majoring in history. In fact, with the history of Ming and Qing Dynasties he knows, he can only guide in a general direction and set a countdown alarm.For the subtle human judgment and the decision-making of the country's general situation, if there is no current intelligence, it will be like a blind man.

"If so," Zhu Cihong finally broke the silence, "What if Li Chuang goes and defeats the Liao army?"

"Unless people's hearts are consolidated in three to five years, it's not enough to send troops to Shan and Yong." Wu Tong thought for a while, but still insisted on his own opinion: "I'm afraid Li Chuang will pay a lot of money to buy Liao Town, but he will not rush to send troops. If there is something unknowable Let Li Chuangcheng enter Bingshan and Yong as His Highness said, and gain the upper hand, I am afraid that Liaozhen will lose its integrity."

Wu Tong thought about it again, and seemed to find an explanation for himself: "Li Chuang's grammar is new, and he lacks the ministers who lead the soil. It is very likely that he will use the land under the jurisdiction of Liao Town as a bait to confuse Liao Town into a separatist regime, so as to obey the new dynasty. Liao Town Jiangmen has already regarded the land of Liao as a private property, and it is very likely that he will accept the royal title and form his own country."

"If so," Zhu Cihong seemed to be on the tip of his horns, "if Liaozhen is defeated and the army of the Eastern Captives is led into the pass, so what?"

"This..." The corners of Wu Xuan's mouth twitched a bit: "I can't know! Did Your Highness get a secret report from Yousi?"

There is a division?Are you talking about the staff secretary or Jin Yiwei?Does Daming still have the ability to spy on foreign lands?

Zhu Cihong breathed a sigh of relief, got up and squatted beside Wu Sheng, picked up a wooden stick, and drew it vertically on the ground.He smiled and said, "Look, there are two directions. Li Chuang seeks Shanhaiguan, or does not seek Shanhaiguan. Is it?"

Wu Zhen nodded, but did not speak.

Seeing the dark shadow moving on the ground, Zhu Cilang knew that Wu Tong was following his own train of thought, so he drew another branch: "If he seeks to win the Shanhai Pass, it may be to appease or conquer, right?"

Wu Xuan felt that something was wrong, but he nodded slowly.

"Acquisition is successful or not, and conquest is successful or unsuccessful, right?" Zhu Cihong drew a branch, and the ground has become a tree diagram.

"Your Highness is taking such an almost impossible matter into consideration?" Wu Yan finally understood what Zhu Cihong meant, and asked in surprise.

"Everything has to be prepared, so that we can count as a perfect strategy." Zhu Cihong stood up, dropped the wooden stick and clapped his hands: "When Duke Mu of Qin destroyed the country of Hua, he thought that Duke Wen of Jin had a new funeral, and that the state of Jin was in the midst of a great funeral. There will be no troops, but the result? The result is the disastrous defeat of Xiaoshan. Later, King Goujian of Yue defeated Wu, Zhao Guochangping was defeated, Hongmen Banquet, Chibi was burned, and Xuanwumen... precisely because of' Impossible' three words, only makes it possible for the enemy."

"Your Highness," Wu Xuan frowned, "if you stick to such trivial opportunities, how can you act?"

Zhu Cilang said with a smile: "Do things as usual, but you must think about these possibilities. Even if there is an idea in your mind, you won't be at a loss when the time comes. Just like the civil and military people in the court are thinking about breaking things, you alone I look around the world in this black prison. The future outcome is in your chest, isn't it a success?"

"Your Highness's words really made my minister enlightened." Wu Sheng stretched his brows, "Since Your Highness is well established, if the guilty minister doesn't know good from bad, won't he laugh for future generations? I would like to go out with His Highness to defeat Guan Zhongjin first. In the middle, take elite soldiers and good generals, spin them into Luzhong, and set the foundation for Zhongxing!"

Zhu Cihong patted Wu Tong's arm lightly, and said with a smile: "In the future, there will be a picture of Mr. Gong in the temple of meritorious officials!"

Wu Xuan actually showed a bit of shyness, bowed and said: "I am not a talented person in the world, I only wish to follow His Highness and talk to the best of everyone."

Zhu Cilang knew that traditional scholar-bureaucrats valued loyalty and promises, as long as he made them feel that they could be loyal, there was absolutely no possibility of betrayal.He dragged Wu Zhen to walk out of the prison, and said, "Although the master's strategy is excellent, there is one point that he underestimates the lonely family."

"Your Majesty is guilty of capital punishment, please express it clearly." Wu Zhen did not show any panic, it was more like a joke between friends.

"Going to Guanzhong and Jinzhong is not for the purpose of taking soldiers." Zhu Cihong said with a smile: "Wait tomorrow, sir, please go to the school grounds to see my Donggong guard camp and you will know a thing or two."

"It's what you want." Wu Yan heard that the prince had soldiers under his command, so he reluctantly let go of a stone in his heart.However, it is a gift from heaven for such a precocious person as the prince to be able to understand current events. Is there still a way to train soldiers?For a while, Wu Xuan himself didn't know whether to expect more or worry more.

……

Jinling, Qinhuai, Meixianglou.

"Chaozong, when you come to Beijing this time, you have to take good care of yourself." In front of the small window near the river, a girl with light make-up was holding her lover's hand. She was full of friendship, and her beautiful eyes were even more misty, faintly revealing the broad appearance of a young man.

This son's name is Chaozong, and he is also a well-known talented man in Jinling City.He has a tuba named Hou Fangyu, the son of Hou Xun, the former Minister of the Household Department, and a disciple of Ni Yuanlu, the current Minister of the Household Department.His father, Hou Xun, was imprisoned, and this noble son was also gloomy every day, and he could only let go of it with the prescription of his confidante in Meixianglou.

"You don't have to worry, I've already made up my mind to go to Beijing this time, and I vow to learn from Brother Mi's bloody lawsuit!" Hou Fangyu said in a deep voice.

"Will you accept me today?" The girl's worries were still there, adding to her sorrow.

"Brother Meicun sent a letter saying that if you follow the path of the Eastern Palace, you might be able to succeed." Hou Fangyu sighed: "If you want to come to the Eastern Palace and be a son of man with me, it will be easier to be moved by filial piety."

"East Palace...does Brother Meicun have connections?" the girl asked.

"He is the concubine of Zuo, and he walks in the East Palace." Hou Fangyu said: "Besides, Brother Mi is also the lecturer of King Yong and King Ding? After all, he will find the way."

The girl bowed her head lightly, turned around and held out a boxwood dowry, and said softly: "Here is 50 taels of silver, as well as some of my jewelry and meeting tickets. You can take them and use them."

The Hou family has two generations of ministers, but Hou Xun has been imprisoned for seven years, and the family has declined.Hou Fangyu usually receives a lot of support from Fushe allies, but his own financial resources are really poor.He didn't refuse either, took the dowry, and said softly: "Xiang Jun, after I rescue my father, I will come to you, you and I will not be separated in the future."

"Don't forget what you said today." Li Xiangjun met his lover's eyes and limply fell into his arms.

Hou Fangyu hugged the beauty in his arms, looked at the mighty water on the river, remembered that he was wasting time in the field, so far he was only a scholar, if he really wants to go to Beijing to present the manuscript to the East Palace, how easy is it?In his mind, he selected some poems and articles that he usually wrote, and suddenly thought of the two or three things about the prince mentioned in Wu Weiye's letter, including the words of emphasizing medical industry and despising Confucianism, and he felt even more disturbed.

Li Xiangjun leaned his whole body in Hou Fangyu's arms, only heard Hou Fangyu's heart beating like a drum, but his breathing was disordered, knowing that his lover was full of sorrows, but he didn't know how to speak when he wanted to comfort him.She broke free gently, turned around and walked to the piano platform, plucked the strings casually, and sang softly:

"The rustling westerly wind clears the sky, and the mountains and rivers are picturesque hanging in the mirror.

I don't know where Yanbosou is, and when the sun rises, call children to go fishing. "

This is exactly the inscription Hou Fangyu saw when he entered Li Xiangjun's boudoir for the first time. There was only a movement in his heart, and there was a gleam of clarity, but in a blink of an eye he fell into deep sorrow. (To be continued.)