Traveling through the Ming Dynasty, as soon as you open your eyes, you will die

Chapter 63 The troops leave Shandong
  In the lobby of the Ministry of War, Lu Mou, Li Yan, Zhang Zhiji, Liang Maochen, and the commander of the Fifth Army Zhu Changxun, plus the six division commanders of the Third Army and the Fifth Army, faced the map of the entire Ming Dynasty and began to study the issue of expedition.

Facing the lieutenant general of the New Fifth Army, Lu Mou said: "I can't wait for the three-month training period of the New Army. I can't wait. The Ming Dynasty doesn't have time to wait."

Although a plague broke out in Li Zicheng's rogue camp to the west and there would be no more fighting for three or four months, the possibility of the Manchus' sixth invasion could happen at any time.

And Lu Mou didn't have the money to wait. Although he dug up the banknotes from the Ministry of Revenue, raising an army was too expensive.

An army, 30,000 soldiers, food and drink, military pay, 150,000 silver dollars per month, and tens of thousands of equipment loss and office expenses, etc. It is really too expensive to buy combat power with money.

Five armies cost one million silver dollars a month. At this time when the Ministry of Household Finance can only get in and out, even if you have a gold mountain, you can't afford it.

War, to realize the expansion of living space, and to capture and supplement in war. Although the money from the bandits was originally the Ming Dynasty's money, Lu Mou had no intention of returning it to its original owner after it was seized from the bandits. Use these seizures to supplement military expenditures, reward soldiers, boost morale, and create a virtuous cycle.

"This time, I will lead the Fifth Army as the main force, the inexperienced Third Army as the auxiliary, and mobilize 3,000 Jinyi Guards. A total of 63,000 troops will attack the Shandong bandits. My ultimate goal is to give the people of Zhili Get the salt from the Shouguang Salt Farm to increase military expenditures for the Ministry of Household Affairs."

He Wenzhao, commander of the Third Army, took his First Division to Zijingguan to replace Liu Mao. Therefore, the Third Army was directly commanded by Li Yan.

The first division of the Second Army led by Zhang Zhi and himself was transferred to the Third Army to ensure that it was fully equipped.

Li Yan solemnly said: "This time is not like last time, where we fought a field battle with the bandits. This time we will retake the towns occupied by the bandits along the way. We will be a constant siege, and we will suffer heavy casualties. We There will be considerable losses. Generals must be mentally prepared."

All the generals who participated in the battle looked solemn. But some people also realize that after eating this meal, they will have to face the casualties of war at any time.

"Jin Yiwei, set off early to infiltrate the three cities of Yangxin, Haifeng, and Zhanhua. Either bribe, instigate, or lurk to win over the army. When the army arrives, cooperate from inside and outside. Seize the city at the minimum cost."

The three Jinyi guards Qianhu stood up, received the order loudly, and turned around.

Although Zhang Zhiji and others were not among the generals who went on the expedition, he was a family-trained general. While serving as the governor of the Forbidden Army, he was drawn into the Ministry of War. Together with a few remaining veteran generals, he formed a staff department and discussed possible possibilities all day long. The way war is fought.

At this time, he stood up and said: "In order to prevent Liu Fangliang from seeing the bad situation, we retreated to Henan and put pressure and threats on Li Yan Base in Henan. We do not have the strength to regain the entire Shandong.

Therefore, when we capture Shouguang, we will advance along the coast and not attack Jinan Prefecture. But Binzhou and Lijin at the Yellow River ferry will definitely become Liu Fangliang's battleground. Our brothers have done some research. Here, we will encircle Lijin with the third army for reinforcements. The fifth army will destroy Liu Fangliang's reinforcements and weaken Liu Fangliang's strength as much as possible. "

Lu Mou nodded: "The Duke's law is very good. Now it is reported that Liu Fangliang has 100,000 main troops brought from the northwest, and has recruited 100,000 local Ming troops in Shandong. The surrendered Ming troops are scattered all over the place, and the troops are scattered and cannot be used. Only his 100,000 main force is the real strong enemy. In this battle, we must destroy at least 30,000 of his main force while taking Shouguang."

Then he straightened up and announced: "Now, the Ministry of War is temporarily under the charge of the Duke. Li Shangshu and I will lead the troops to the expedition."

Zhang Zhiji and other veterans handed over their hands together: "Your Majesty, don't worry, we will look after your home, you can't go wrong. I wish your Majesty a successful start."

Chongzhen once again stood on the Meridian Gate. He was humiliated by the Qing Dynasty's peace negotiations, and felt a little depressed. But seeing his thin son leading the army to fight again, he still managed to gather his energy, lead the civil and military forces, and stand at the Meridian Gate to see him off.

There is no need to give instructions to go on another expedition. The emperor and his ministers have full confidence in the mature King Ding.

Chongzhen waved frequently, watching the soldiers of the Third Army, and the royal army with fluttering yellow belts, marching onto the battlefield again with sonorous footsteps. He really had mixed feelings in his heart.

Originally, Chongzhen did not agree with the strategic memorial submitted by Lu Mou and the Ministry of War, thinking that the campaign plan was too conservative.

With his cautious character, he wished he could successfully counterattack Shandong in one fell swoop, then turn around and say no to the Manchus. But the great changes smoothed his edges, and his son’s earnest explanation eventually forced him to endure.

"My son, go and come back quickly, so that the shame imposed on our father and son by the Manchus can be washed away as soon as possible." Chongzhen silently hoped in his heart.

Sixty thousand troops marched southward. In the Zhili District, the state capital responsible for food along the way is responsible. When they arrived at the edge of Shandong, the local government had hired 10,000 young and strong civilians and prepared sufficient food and grass to accompany the army.

This time, it will be a long-term battle in an enemy-occupied area. Unlike the last time they faced Li Yan and Li Guo, they fought in their own territory with fast forward and fast retreat. Therefore, it was possible not to bring a civilian husband last time, but not this time.

But this time it was employment rather than forced recruitment, which made the people's enthusiasm increase very quickly.

In a few days, Haifeng, the first city in Shandong, was in sight.

In Haifeng City, the garrison yamen, formerly the Ming Dynasty Qianhu, and now the Dashun garrison general, was facing a left-behind team leader of the Dashun army, and he was constantly defending.

Just like Baoding, because the Dashunliu bandits shouted that the king of Yingchuang refused to pay for food, all the expenses had to be obtained by torturing wealthy officials.

Liu Fangliang left a small team here to urge for payment. Of course, the only targets for urging for payment were wealthy households and officials from the original Ming Dynasty. This was already a Dashun garrison, and thousands of households from the former Ming Dynasty could not be spared.

In other words, if you are promoted to the third level, your salary will also increase. Upgrade to level three, but where does this salary come from?

The team leader spoke earnestly and reasoned with him earnestly: "Look, although you are our general in Dashun, you were originally an official in the Ming Dynasty. Since our extortion of aid is aimed at the corrupt and cruel officials of the previous Ming Dynasty, then You are also being forced to pay. Therefore, you have to hand over the gains you made from corruption and perverting the law in the pre-Ming Dynasty. Only if you hand it over, can I, Dashun, give you, my Dashun garrison general, a salary. .Do you think this is true?"

The guard defended himself: "But I am Dashun's general now."

"Yes, this is correct, but it turns out that you are a corrupt official of the Ming Dynasty."

"But I have given up the dark side and turned to the bright side."

"Yes, I know you have abandoned the dark side and turned to the bright side, but you didn't before. Why can't I explain this to you?" The team leader looked innocent and impatient.

"Then according to your theory, if I vote for Dashun, I have to use my own money to pay myself a salary. I don't understand this reason. If this is the case, then why should I vote for Dashun? After all, in Ming Dynasty, Although the salary is always in arrears, it is still paid occasionally."

When the captain heard this, he was furious. He held the hilt of the knife in his hand and stared: "What do you mean by this? Do you regret surrendering to Dashun? Are you going to rebel?"

The guard was frightened by the captain and waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, I have no regrets about my surrender, let alone rebellion. I, I just want to explain this truth."

"Stop talking nonsense to me. My principles are principles. This matter is settled. Three days. If you can't hand over 10,000 taels of silver in three days, I will issue a military law."

"But, I really don't have ten thousand taels of silver, please forgive me."

"Stop talking nonsense, this matter is settled. I still have to go to that bastard county magistrate's house to collect the money. If he doesn't take it out, I will slowly skin him." Then he didn't care about this person anymore. He was just promoted. Not long after, the garrison general strode away with a mournful look on his face.

Soon, the miserable howls of the county magistrate and his wife were heard, echoing through the streets.

(End of this chapter)