I, Zhu Houzhao, join the US imperialist chat group

Chapter 187 The United States defeated Jiedu Envoy! Zhu Houzhao understood industry! What about American readers?

[Tang Xizong Li Xuan: Wait a minute, Lincoln, before you talk about this so-called worker, I still want to ask Grant a question. 】

Seeing that Lincoln was about to start the next topic so quickly, Zhu Houzhao decisively stopped him first.

[Meili Zong Grant: Your Majesty Li, do you have any other questions for me? 】

Grant was also curious.

[Li Xuan, Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty: The question is very simple. According to your new war method, I think the general factor may be secondary. To be honest, Grant, a general with your style of fighting is actually not ranked high on our side. I feel that if you pull out a general at random, as long as you give him enough weapons and soldiers, he can create such results. . 】

[Unless you really have no brainers to send and surrender...]

Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but think of Li Jinglong and his great-grandfather Zhu Qizhen.

[I actually don’t understand that your way of fighting is so popular among the American people. Anyone can fight a rich battle, but you also mentioned that you may encounter an evenly matched one. By then, the weapons, equipment and logistics will be almost the same as yours. Wouldn't it be necessary to return to the general's own talents? 】

[American Taizu Washington: His Majesty Li said this well, especially in the war of wealth, anyone can fight. Grant, you can fight the way you do, as long as a person is ruthless enough. 】

[Cleveland previously said that Grant's military ability was better than Jackson's. 】

[But Jackson seems to be defeating more with less. 】

[Give us these logistical supports, and anyone who goes up there can become an American fighting hero. 】

After Zhu Houzhao pointed it out, Washington also came to his senses.

To be honest, they just had their war awareness crushed.

But after updating his understanding of the war and returning to the essence of combat, he didn't think Grant was that powerful.

The war was fought without any technical content, which was an insult to classical generals like them.

Although Washington suffered repeated defeats in the War of Independence, he still believed that he had the art of war command.

Grant's performance was too rough.

[Meili Zong Grant: Haha, Your Majesty Li, you really hit the nail on the head when you look at the problem. And President Washington, you said that my military ability is better than that of President Jackson. I dare not compare with President Jackson. From beginning to end, I actually feel that in the world, I am just a third-rate or fourth-rate general, and I am not respected by American citizens. I couldn't imagine such a welcome. 】

Grant was not angry, and he honestly admitted that he had no military talent.

[American Yingzong Cleveland: Well, that’s what I said. President Grant was a general. I didn’t say he was better than President Jackson. What I focused on was President Grant’s war vision and understanding of war. He was the first in the world to recognize the iterative upgrade of war methods and dare to use them on the battlefield. The first person! 】

Seeing that what he had said before almost caused a dispute, Cleveland quickly clarified for Grant.

[Merceron Roosevelt: Indeed! I also agree with this. President Grant should be the best in the world in terms of knowledge and sense of war. Moreover, a general can jump out and realize this in a severe war, and quickly promote the use of new tactics, which in turn forces the country to cooperate with him in using new tactics. I feel that President Grant was excellent in this regard, there is no doubt about it. 】

Roosevelt quickly added his approval.

[American Yingzong Cleveland: Another point is that although I have never been on the battlefield. But we understand one thing. From a national perspective, we only want one result! It's victory! Grant ensured the final victory, and he was an all-American fighting hero! Ordinary people don't care what method they use to win, victory is victory! 】

[Another point is that from a presidential and national level, the war situation adopted by President Grant also inadvertently ended a problem: the generals had too much power and the generals firmly held military power in their hands. This prevented the United States from forming a warlord regime after the Civil War. 】

[So, President Washington and His Majesty Lee, anyone can fight the rich war you mentioned. In some ways, it is a reflection of military progress. As the center of power, haven't you been troubled by the issue of military power? This solves the problem perfectly. 】

[As long as President Grant has different intentions during the war, we can replace him at any time. 】

[When the time comes, will it be more convenient for us to find common third- and fourth-rate generals like President Grant, or will it be more convenient for us to find generals who can turn the tide?
[Li Xuan, Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty: This... this, this way of fighting? Can it also solve the problem of enlarging the military envoy? 】

Zhu Houzhao was hit all of a sudden. He never expected that the stubborn disease that had plagued him for thousands of years would actually be solved with the advancement of war concepts.

This is obviously another powerful measure to strengthen the emperor's centralization of power!
[American Taizu Washington: Anyone can go up and fight, that is to say, you can replace the general at any time. General has also become a consumable and replaceable item. Well, is this the new war situation? I totally understand. 】

Washington got it, too.

[Meixuanzong Jackson: No, I don’t think so. There is another situation, which is what Grant mentioned, when both sides are evenly matched. When the external conditions of both sides are similar, in fact, it still has to return to the essence of war, and it is still a matter of competition between the general's personal ability and the quality of the legion, or ...In terms of the overall overall situation of the competition in the rear area, it is a higher tactical level competition. 】

[In fact, the decision-making power on the battlefield has been moved from the front line to the rear area - even directly to the monarch or the president! 】

[This situation may be more deadly! It also needs to test the leader’s military capabilities, overall coordination ability, and even strategic thinking! 】

[A war seems to have really turned into a game of chess! 】

[So-called generals, soldiers, weapons and equipment...in the eyes of chess players, they are all dead objects and resources! 】

[The war has become more cold and rational. 】

Jackson saw at a glance the essential level of modern warfare. The real winner is no longer the front line, but the decision-makers in the rear, and even ultimately depends on the supreme head of state!
One wrong thought on his part may cause the whole game to be lost.

[Meili Zong Grant: Exactly! Therefore, I never felt that I played the most important role in this civil war. The real hero of strategy, the real hero of the Civil War, was President Lincoln! 】

[What President Lincoln said is right! He was thinking not just about victory on our front, but also about the coordination of everything at the rear and the final decision on the battle. 】

The biggest credit, in this way, comes full circle and goes back to Lincoln.

Lincoln was a little surprised.

[ Mercer Lincoln: So, Grant and I, have we accomplished each other? This really makes me a little scared. I dare not accept this credit. These credits should be the support of the vast number of American citizens in the rear area. 】

Naturally, Lincoln did not dare to accept this credit.

[Merceron Roosevelt: I seem to understand better! In the past, generals and soldiers achieved each other's achievements. Now, as the war escalates, what is needed is that the generals at the front and the president at the rear achieve each other's achievements. However...it seems to have returned to the logic of ancient wars. The emperor or president is still the one who chooses generals whom he trusts and is more capable. This...everything has changed, but it seems that it has not changed? 】

Roosevelt felt like he was back to square one.

[Meili Zong Grant: Changed, Roosevelt, why hasn’t it changed? Didn’t President Jackson say it all... The decision-making power for war rests with the president or the emperor, and the military power of frontline generals also returns to our president or Congress. The decision-making power for war ultimately rests with the president alone. We need our president to have a strategy Thinking and Marshal Thinking! He also needs to bear the overall responsibility for the defeat or victory of the war. 】

[Li Xuan, Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty: The total responsibility for the failure or victory of the war! Xuanzong...?]

Zhu Houzhao immediately called on Li Longji. Tang Xuanzong did carry out micro-management before the Anshi Rebellion, which led to the Anshi Rebellion. He must bear the primary responsibility.

Although it does not conform to their law of shifting decision-making power later for the sake of war philosophy.

He was Li Longji before the Anshi Rebellion, and the power of the Tang Empire was still firmly in his hands.

The same cannot be said for Tang Suzong and Li Heng. Although he may have decision-making power,... the generals everywhere have stopped listening.

Then in the middle and late Tang Dynasty, the Jiedu envoys took back the decision-making power themselves.

This kind of power is not easy to get back if it is lost.

But if the war framework mentioned by Grant and others is maintained, the war decision-making power... will still be firmly controlled by the emperor. Even if the emperor has lost many battles, he still enjoys the highest decision-making power and bears the highest war responsibility.

It is possible that the vassal town's great power and the Jiedushi envoy may indeed be gone.

But if the emperor wants to lose a few more battles, he is afraid that he will lose it.

The country as a whole is gone.

The stakes of the war are getting bigger and bigger.

[Li Xuan, Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty: I... feel I understand. 】

Zhu Houzhao really understood now. In short, it still depends on the concentration of power. The greater the concentration of power, the more decision-making power he has.

On their side, aside from the troubled times... it's the same at other times.

It's just that sometimes, the news from the front line is not delivered quickly, and the emperor cannot make decisions.

Based on this, people like Taizong, Xuanzong and others like to conduct military expeditions in person, mainly for the purpose of making timely decisions.

Letting go of decision-making power will lead to generals being denied military orders abroad, which will also lead to the loss of military power and the birth of so many famous generals. [Meliezu Louis XVI: Your Majesty, do you understand? Why do I feel like I still don’t understand? Roosevelt said that everything has changed, but it seems that nothing has changed. Grant also said that nothing has changed. What is it? 】

At this moment, Louis XVI became more and more confused.

The topic was too high-end and convoluted, and he was confused.

[American Taizong Jefferson: Your Majesty Louis XVI, this is the operating logic of military and power. If you don’t understand it, it’s normal. You just need to remember it roughly, and then tell it to His Majesty Napoleon, and he may understand it. Just hand over all military command and decision-making power to him. 】

Jefferson immediately comforted him.

[American Taizu Washington: Your Majesty Louis XVI, you must be glad that what Grant and others said has not yet arrived in our era. Otherwise, having a monarch like you... would be a disaster for the entire country. The development of future wars will obviously force the president to become even better. 】

When Louis XVI came out, it was another good negative case.

Washington and the others suddenly understood that the final decision-making power rested with Louis XVI.

[American Yingzong Cleveland: Indeed, if you don’t understand, maybe you will understand if you bring His Majesty Louis XVI to the table. This also gave me some inspiration. If we want to strengthen the power of the president, starting from the decision-making power, we must also launch a war, right? 】

Instead, Cleveland felt like it had gained something.

[Merceron Roosevelt: It seems, indeed. 】

[Meili Zong Grant: That’s how it should be. 】

[Mercy Lincoln: Haha, strengthen the power of the president...Cleveland, what you said, do those people behind us allow it? 】

Back to strengthening the power of the president, Lincoln had to sneer.

[American Yingzong Cleveland: Yes...do they allow it? 】

Cleveland also felt a sense of loss.

[American Yingzong Cleveland: Okay, let’s not discuss these anymore. This is a slightly heavy topic, President Lincoln, you talk about workers. 】

Cleveland did not look for trouble and directly brought back the chat issue again.

[ Mercer Lincoln: Well, let me talk about the workers. 】

[The important role of workers in enhancing national strength... In fact, Roosevelt also mentioned before that after so many farmers are no longer needed to farm the land, the excess farmers will naturally devote themselves to other matters besides farming in order to continue to survive. , putting aside the factors of war, they make weapons, make iron and steel, grow cotton, build new houses, build roads, etc. These are where workers go. 】

[The workers repaired the road, and the soldiers delivered the goods faster. 】

[Workers use machines to manufacture goods, and the goods are sold abroad to earn wealth for us in the United States...]

[Workers receive wages and can purchase domestically produced materials, which also promotes economic development. 】

[And the real reason why we have a civil war in the United States is... the problem of not enough workers. 】

[Obviously, one farmer can feed hundreds of people by farming, and the wealth created by one worker can also meet the living needs of a family. 】

[But the southern manor owners still adhere to this inefficient way of making money, which creates great contradictions. 】

[If there are the same number of slave manors and factories, the production efficiency and profit of a factory will definitely be greater than the crops produced by a slave manor owner. 】

[American Taizong Jefferson: So, the real cause of the Civil War was the shortage of workers in factories? 】

Jefferson couldn't tell. Lincoln went straight to the southern plantation owners as soon as he came up, once again returning to the industrial and agricultural line dispute at the beginning of the founding of the country.

[Mercy Lincoln: In a sense, yes! Missing people! 】

[American Taizong Jefferson: Isn’t it possible to attract immigrants? Why target these slaves? 】

[Mercy Lincoln: It’s a matter of cost, President Jefferson. The efficiency of overseas immigration is too slow, and the asking price is too high, so slaves are the best choice. 】

[American Taizong Jefferson: Can’t the two live in peace? Must a merger be carried out? 】

[Mercy Lincoln: President Jefferson, since the founding of the country, we have actually been living in peace for ninety years. In addition, there is another important reason. Can the farmer's manor and the manor in the south produce weapons, artillery and massive supplies in large quantities? 】

[You also heard Grant’s description. The future war situation will not only involve the supply of food, but also the supply of weapons, equipment and ammunition. Can the southern manor owners satisfy the supply of so many materials with the same amount of manpower? 】

[Besides, once there’s a war! If we in the United States were simply a large agricultural country, it would be easy for the British to block our port trade. Where would you buy enough weapons and equipment? 】

[From the perspective of national interests, we cannot only have primary agricultural products such as grain and cotton. 】

[We also need more goods and supplies. 】

[American Xuanzong Jackson: So from the perspective of national interests, we must develop enough industry to produce enough weapons and equipment to ensure that our American interests are not violated, right? 】

With all the previous discussions and foreshadowing, Jackson undoubtedly understood the necessity of developing industry.

[Mercy Lincoln: Yes, what's more... starting from President Jefferson's time, you didn't abandon industry. You also imported a large amount of light industrial equipment from the United Kingdom and began to build our American light industry system. Decades of development are enough for agriculture to feed back industry and allow industry to grow...]

[Meshizu Lincoln: The establishment and improvement of the industrial system will inevitably lead to the exclusion of the simple ancient farm economy. This is inevitable, and no one can resist it. 】

At this point, Zhu Houzhao really couldn't get in the middle of the conversation.

After all, the Ming Dynasty was still a self-sufficient agricultural country, and the food revolution had not yet come.

But he also remembered it deeply, because he also thought that if the Ming army was to equip all the firecrackers and artillery, the current craftsmen might not be enough, let alone producing huge amounts of firecrackers and artillery, which would require a large number of workers.

A large number of workers = farmers who don’t farm!

At that time, he got high-yielding grains such as sweet potatoes and potatoes from the chat group.

Obviously, there will be many farmers who do not cultivate the land. Apart from letting some of them fight and run around the world, the larger part will obviously follow what Roosevelt and Lincoln are saying now and let them become craftsmen.

As for the development of industry...

[Tang Xizong Li Xuan: Lincoln, what is industrial development? What is a factory? 】

Zhu Houzhao also took advantage of the situation and asked. He wanted to be more sure whether these factories were specially used to produce guns and artillery.

[Mercy Lincoln: What is a factory? Your Majesty Li, just now Grant and the others mentioned the production of muskets and artillery. This is the weaponry produced by the factory. 】

[Industry is... factories that produce muskets, factories that produce bullets, factories that produce artillery, and supporting upstream and downstream industries. To produce these things, you also need a combination of factories that produce steel, factories that process food, factories that make clothes, and so on. This can be collectively called industry. 】

[Farmers need land for farming, and workers need factories for production. 】

[Farmers need agricultural tools to cultivate the land, and workers need machines to produce. 】

[This is almost similar stuff and comparison. 】

[Li Xuan, Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty: I understand. 】

This time, Zhu Houzhao also understood industry.

Once he understood that the redundant farmers had become workers, he quickly had another question.

[Li Xuan, Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty: That’s right! You talked about the population, farmers, and soldiers. What about your scholars over there? What do they do? In America, do you have an imperial examination system? 】

Zhu Houzhao also used the trumpet to try to guide topics that interested him.

Because these people, after talking for so long, almost talked about businessmen, workers, farmers... but they did not mention the most important officials, which made Zhu Houzhao strange.

Although he already knew that American officials were very corrupt, the class of scholars and officials seemed to be the backbone of the country, and even though they had been talking for so long, they had not talked to them.

This made him curious. Does the United States have no officials or scholars?

(End of this chapter)