The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 470
When Wei Bin came back from Xishan and arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youtang was not reviewing the memorials. Instead, he learned about the situation of Zhu Hui and other old ministers leading troops in the northwest through the narration of Xiao Jing, the eunuch in charge of the rites.

Wei Bin stood aside cautiously. He also wanted to know how Zhu Hui behaved after arriving in the northwest.

"... Shanxi Supervisory Yushi Ji Lian reported that the Beijing camp was too far away from Datong, which disturbed the people a lot. Moreover, after recruiting troops and horses at Pianguan, the generals were not used to lead the troops. Instead, the generals from the Beijing camp were placed to lead the troops. The soldiers were unable to do so. The generals who know the generals do not know the troops, and the march is delayed in various places, and the transportation of food and grass cannot be carried out in time. The men and horses mobilized from various places are scattered and scattered..."

"Baoguo Gong Zhu Hui, Anyuan Hou Liu Jing, Xinning Bo Tan You and others reported that on the grounds of the vast land of Hetao and the scattered settlements of Tatar tribes, please send troops to Hetao and divide them into five groups, each leading troops to advance. The artillery and muskets of various branches will be distributed, and Baoguo Gong will be stationed in the central army and will send troops from Yansui Town."

"President Shouren, the new uncle of the Datong Military Affairs Bureau of the General Administration of Military Affairs, presented this report..."

"Say!"

Zhu Youtang was initially less than excited, but when he heard about Wang Shouren's performance, he became more interested.

Xiao Jing said: "Uncle Xinjian, the autumn grain transported by Datong last year was insufficient. Please make up for it with summer grain from Xuanfu, and use the coal sales to purchase summer grain from Shanxi Town and other places to store grain and armaments to deal with border wars."

Zhu Youtang frowned and said, "There is no military affairs report in Datong?"

Xiao Jing said cautiously: "Your Majesty, this is the case. This time Baoguo Gong sent troops to Hetao, the imperial edict did not allow him to recruit troops from Datong, so he did not deploy troops and horses around Datong Town."

Now even Chen Kuan, Li Rong and Wei Bin understood. What this probably means is that you, Baoguo Gong, can mobilize troops from all over the country, but "not to the elite". Who knows that Datong is now known to everyone in the Ming Dynasty? The most brave and capable Ming expeditionary force is stationed in this town?

Zhu Youtang said: "Then Uncle Xinxin will be able to prepare. Has he already made preparations for this autumn and winter? Oh my!"

Speaking of this, Zhu Youtang even smiled bitterly, but he didn't say he was sad, just very emotional.

Xiao Jing looked at Li Rong and then asked: "Then should we order Xinjian Boduojia to cooperate with Duke Bao's troops?"

Zhu Youtang glared at him and said: "Since the plan to send troops has been arranged, why change it temporarily? Whoever you let will be the one to go! Since Wang Shouren thinks that this battle has little to do with him, he wants to prepare for the future, which shows that Wang Shouren is In terms of strategic vision, I have a longer-term view than many people, so why should I decline?"

"Yes, yes." Xiao Jing was most afraid that he would say the wrong thing about the northwest issue, so he quickly lowered his head.

Zhu Youtang glanced at Li Rong. He didn't seem to adopt Xiao Jing on key issues, but relied more on Li Rong. He asked, "How much military rations did Datong lack last year?"

Li Rongdao: "Your Majesty, Datong implemented a grain development program last year, but because it was the first year, merchants had not yet reclaimed much land in Datong. However, it is said that after the spring of this year, many wastelands in Datong have been reclaimed, but Many land reclamation matters are delayed in the approval of local officials.”

Zhu Youtang said: "In the past, when we reclaimed wasteland in the northwest, as long as we paid the rent and taxes, it would belong to whoever reclaimed the land. Just follow this rule."

Li Rong continued to reply: "Your Majesty, there are more coal mines in Datong now. It is said that they are in Shaanxi, Henan and other places. Many coal mines have migrated there. The population itself has increased, and there are many more villages and towns than before. In terms of fields, It’s not easy to arrange. The Ministry of Revenue has already discussed whether to move the grain development center to Yansui, Ningxia and other places where grain is used a lot and transportation is inconvenient, and to reclaim wasteland in Datong... I’m afraid..."

Zhu Youtang was silent for a while.

Zhu Youtang himself did not understand many things in the northwest, and he was also a layman.

In the past, the ministers of the DPRK and Central Government said that they were what they were, and he thought those people were very professional. However, the matter of Liang Kaizhong's transformation of color made him feel as if he had been tricked. Now he has also begun to examine his early days in power. whether some of the policies are appropriate.

"Ask Bingkuan." After thinking about it, Zhu Youtang gave a "universal" answer.

"Yes." Li Rong replied, and then stepped back, probably meaning that he wanted to give the right to speak back to Xiao Jing. After all, he was still Xiao Jing's subordinate in name.

Xiao Jing said: "From the time the strategy of sending troops to Hetao was decided this year, to the time Baoguo Gong led troops to Pianguan, no less than 50 people reported this matter to the court and the local government. matter, and the intention of this war is unclear.”

"Hmph." Zhu Youtang snorted softly, "The stability of the Ming Dynasty's border is the best intention. As a courtier, don't you even have this insight?"

Xiao Jing was afraid that the emperor would think that he was too talkative, so he explained: "Maybe the officials pay more attention to the results of the battle."

Zhu Youtang said: "This is all because Bingkuan has fed their appetite. In the past, what would be everyone's expectations for the northwest war? Wang Weining's battle at Helan Mountain was nothing more than that. If all wars must focus on the results first, , if we don’t fight if it’s difficult to achieve results, then won’t everyone in the northwest shrink back? What’s more, continue to report, I will continue to listen.”

Xiao Jing picked up another copy and said: "Here is a report from the Xuan Mansion regarding the preparation of summer grain..."

……

……

When Zhu Youtang was interfering with the military affairs of the northwest, Zhang Zhou was correcting Zhu Houzhao's homework in the Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Houzhao rarely met Zhang Zhou once after the New Year. Meeting Zhang Zhou was like a mouse meeting a cat. He behaved in front of Zhang Zhou and even showed a super level performance and gave Zhang Zhou the "Collected Comments" that he had memorized. Correction, but because it is all memorized content, except for a few memory confusions, there are basically no problems.

"Sir, has there been any fighting in the northwest? There has been no news at all in the past two days. Can you tell me?"

Zhu Houzhao's purpose was to find out information from Zhang Zhou that could not be found from other sources.

Zhang Zhou continued to look at Zhu Houzhao's answer sheet and said casually: "I don't know either."

Zhu Houzhao said: "Don't mention it, you are the Minister of the Ministry of War. If even the Minister of the Ministry of War does not know about the northwest war, wouldn't it be a mess? Besides, don't think that I don't know. My father must have seen this battle well. Sir, if you can provide strategies and tactics, tell me how to fight, I will never tell anyone else."

At this time, Zhu Houzhao's little eyes were shining.

There is an ambition to discuss family and country affairs with Zhang Zhou, and to participate in the planning of the northwest war with Zhang Zhou.

Suddenly, Zhu Houzhao was already the little master of this country.

Zhang Zhou looked at Zhu Houzhao and said: "I really don't know, and I didn't mean to hide it from you. If you had carefully observed the terrain of the Hetao and learned about the recent distribution of the Tatar tribes, you should know that the Tatars are not here now." Herders have been stationed in the Hetao area for a long time, so the form of this battle is more significant than the result."

"What...meaning?" Although Zhu Houzhao is not stupid, he is still young, and many terms are still unfamiliar to him.

Just as he was talking, Gao Feng came over to report: "His Royal Highness, Duke Cai, and Eunuch Li, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, are outside asking for an audience."

Zhu Houzhao frowned and said, "Who are you meeting?"

Gao Feng said: "I said I came to see Duke Cai Guo and came here with an order. I have something to ask."

"Okay, let him come in." Zhu Houzhao became excited. If Li Rong came to ask about military strategy, then he could just listen in.

There was even a bit of narrowness in his little eyes, as if he was telling Zhang Zhou, "If you don't tell me in detail, my father has sent someone to ask you now. If you want to drive me away... this is my territory." , why should I listen to you?Let you pretend!

……

...Li Rong came in and saluted Zhu Houzhao and Zhang Zhou.

After a brief note, Zhu Houzhao did not ask anyone to evade him. After all, Li Rong only came on orders. He knew that Zhang Zhou was in the palace and it was convenient for him to ask questions. Avoiding the prince was not in the emperor's order.

"Just say what you have to say. If I don't say anything, why don't you just listen to the head office? I have already left the cabinet to study, so I should know about the important matters of the family and the country."

Zhu Houzhao was afraid that Li Rong would deliberately avoid it, so he deliberately reminded me that I am the prince, and I have the right to know everything in the court, unless my father expressly prohibits me from knowing.

Li Rong was also a little surprised. Why is the prince so enthusiastic?

Li Rongdao: "His Royal Highness, Mr. Zhang, it's like this. Your Majesty is involved in matters such as farming and cooperating with the memorial. Mr. Zhang, you can read the memorial first before making a decision. In the past two years, there has been a shortage of soldiers and food in the northwest. Case……"

With that said, Li Rong handed Zhu Youtang's memorial to Zhang Zhou and handed it over to Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Houzhao stretched his head and wanted to take a look. Zhang Zhou casually stuffed the memorial into Zhu Houzhao's arms and said smoothly: "Prince, aren't you very insightful? Can you give me some advice?"

"What? Farming? Haha..."

Zhu Houzhao felt frustrated for a moment.

When it comes to marching, fighting, and formulating strategies, Zhu Houzhao feels that he is quite capable, especially when it comes to strategies and tactics. He is very eloquent. It is the "primary school student rebellious period", when he dares to say that he does not dare to act, or it is the age when no one makes him responsible. At the age of [-], a Ming Dynasty prince had too few people who could keep his mouth shut, which also developed his willful character.

But now there is also "which pot" that he can't lift.

Zhang Zhou said: "The grain is in the middle and the silver is in the color. Didn't the prince ask about it before? Don't you know the situation of farmland in various places in the northwest? Give me some advice, this is related to the logistics supply in the northwest of the Ming Dynasty... After all, you can't just rely on everything. The capital and Jiangnan come to transport it, and it is very important to use local materials."

"Hehehe..." Zhu Houzhao shook his head in embarrassment.

Faced with this kind of problem, he really doesn't know how to do it.

In his opinion, I am a decision-maker. If I want to fight, I only need to care about things on the battlefield. If I need food, grass and baggage, others will transport it to the front for me. That is never what I should worry about. question.

Even if I know that the army has not moved the food and grass first, but it must be my words... So and so, you solve the problem of food, grass and baggage for me, and then I can sit back and relax, the big deal is whoever hasn't completed the task I will cause trouble for. .

This kind of mentality of the superiors is probably the idealized war of all the kings of the Ming Dynasty, and it can also be regarded as one of the causes of the Tumubao Incident.

Li Rongdao: "I wonder what Mr. Zhang's opinion is?"

His mission was just to seek advice from Zhang Zhou, and he didn't think the prince would have any wise ideas.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "If a policy cannot be promoted even in Datong, can we expect it to be implemented in Ningxia, Yansui and Shaanxi? Or, wait for Duke Bao to advance his troops into the Hetao, and then let the merchants Complete the commercial settlement in the Hetao area?"

Li Rong smiled bitterly and said: "Of course it's not easy. What do you mean, sir, do you still insist on advancing in Datong?"

Zhang Zhou said: "This year, Datong has a new salt source, and even coal can be purchased through the imperial court. This should be a popular thing for those merchants. Just like the development of Xishan, a place must have resources before merchants will flock there." To. It is not easy to forcefully push Shangtun in Ningxia and other places."

The implication is not that I support the establishment of an industrial chain based on commercial villages and coal in Datong, but that in the entire northwest of these border defense areas, Datong is the only one with resources.

Li Rong nodded understandingly and said: "I understand. By the way, Sir, Your Majesty also has this memorandum involving Duke Baoguo. He proposed to divide the troops into five groups. Can you... give me some advice?"

When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he instantly changed from a frost-beaten eggplant to a sparkling gourd.

"I know, I'll do it..." Zhu Houzhao recommended himself impatiently.

Zhang Zhou glanced at him, and he instantly felt that the look was unkind. Thinking of Zhang Zhou's previous problems for him, he seemed to realize that he was wrong, smiled bitterly, and turned into a "good boy" again.

Li Rong was surprised when he saw this posture.

I was thinking in my heart, everyone knows that this prince is willful, but it is Cai Guogong who can calm him down with just a look... No wonder His Majesty has high hopes for Cai Guogong in raising his son... There is really no one in the East Palace who can do this. It's a matter of skill.

Zhang Zhou's tone sounded very deep, a little more mysterious than before: "Your Majesty, you shouldn't make too many demands on how Duke Baoguo and others use their troops, right?"

Li Rongdao: "Yes, if we want to make good rules, we should make them before we go on an expedition."

"That's right." Zhang Zhou said, "The strategy of dispatching troops to protect the country in five directions may have some truth to it. As the Minister of War, I can't just criticize the frontline generals' military strategy. After all, the generals are outside."

"Ha ha."

Li Rong smiled.

He could understand that now that Zhang Zhou had become Minister of War, he seemed to be more reserved in matters such as speech.

He regarded this as a sign that Zhang Zhou was "assimilated" by civil servants.

No matter how domineering you were in the past, you are now the Minister of the Ministry of War, the most powerful among the six ministries. How can you not restrain yourself?

……

……

After Li Rong left, Zhu Houzhao looked bored and said: "There are only thirty to forty thousand troops in total, and they are divided into five groups. Is it because they are afraid that the Tatars will not have the chance to concentrate their superior forces to win, right?"

Zhang Zhouyi knew it when he heard it.

This naughty kid likes "big scenes".

I like large group army operations, but don't like those small-scale operations. To put it nicely, this is called a big pattern, but to put it unfavorably, it means having high ambitions and low hands.

Zhang Zhou said: "If tens of thousands of troops are sent out at once, and the artillery and muskets are fully equipped, the Tatars will not take the initiative to fight at all."

"Isn't that good? Just go deep into the grassland and hit them under their sweating tents, and then ask them if they want to fight?" Zhu Houzhao looked very heroic.

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "If you don't lead troops, don't question the strategies of those who lead them. If you point fingers at them here, maybe they will put all the responsibility on you if they lose the battle. You can decide the big policy, how? When sending troops, you must fully trust your generals... As the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, you still need to have this level of tolerance."

(End of this chapter)