Ming politicians

After answering the first question, Yang Sichang had a smile on his face, but he didn't make any comments. This is normal. Since he was asking questions on behalf of the emperor, he only listened to the answers and could not make any comments.

"Lord Su, I'm asking the second question. The rogues left Shaanxi and entered Sichuan. Over the past half a year or so, the riots in Sichuan have caused a lot of turmoil in Sichuan. What do you think of this question?"

"The lower officials believe that the purpose of the rebellion has undergone a fundamental change. In the past, it was because of lack of food and faced starvation. The rebellion was just to prevent starvation. This is no longer the case. The situation in Shaanxi has happened. Changes, even the refugees who fled to Shaanxi, the government also resettled them, but the rogues who fled to Sichuan still rebelled and made troubles, and the purpose of the rogues has changed. In such a situation, the only option is to encircle and suppress them unceremoniously, without any chance of luck."

"Master Su means that the rogues who have fled to Shaanxi may be more difficult to deal with than before. The combat effectiveness of the rogues has increased, isn't it so?"

"There is this level of meaning. The lower officials think that if the rogues have a common idea, this is the most terrifying. Just like the post-Gold Tartars, the goal has changed and there is a direction to work hard. In order to achieve this goal The rogues must strengthen management and improve the combat effectiveness of the team. Such rogues are more terrifying than before. After the rogues entered Sichuan, the situation in Sichuan became unstable and turbulence occurred, which is a normal situation."

Yang Sichang looked at Su Tiancheng for a long time, and Su Tiancheng's answer indirectly encouraged many officials.

"The third question, recently, the north has been very quiet. Do you think this is because Houjin is showing weakness, or they are recharging their energy and preparing for a larger-scale attack when the time is right."

"This, I really haven't thought about it carefully. I can't answer it for the time being."

After asking a few questions, Yang Sichang returned to his smile.

"Master Su is very thoughtful. Although he has tried his best to improve the situation in Shaanxi, he has also thought about many other issues. I have been entrusted by the emperor, and I have asked all the questions I should ask. Next, I want to chat with Master Su. I don’t know if Mr. Su is willing to enlighten you.”

"Your Excellency, don't say that. If there is anything that needs to be answered by the subordinates, the subordinates will definitely try their best."

"Hehe, I have been thinking about the rogues all the time. You said that a few years ago, the rogues plundered everywhere in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, and even in the northern Zhili area, causing great difficulties for the court. However, these places have been suffering from famines year after year. The people are miserable. A few days ago, when the emperor talked about the bandits, he was still feeling emotional. Many of the bandits were originally the people of Ming Dynasty. They rebelled because they had nowhere to go, even those The sergeants who rebelled were also unable to maintain their livelihoods because they could not get their salaries. However, since they met the Jiangning Camp, the rogues began to decline rapidly. Every time they encountered defeat, the leaders of the rogues, such as Zijinliang, Zhang Xianzhong, Lao Huihui, Gao Yingxiang, etc., all fell in Jiangning Under the command of the battalion, the Jiangning battalion has basically solved the worries of the imperial court. When the emperor said these words, he was really gratified and moved."

Su Tiancheng looked at Yang Sichang, but didn't speak. Yang Sichang always had a purpose when he said these words. He hasn't figured out what the purpose is, so he can't speak casually.

"I just heard Mr. Su talk about the transformation of the rogues. I also have the same understanding. Lord Lu Shanji and General Qin Liangyu led the army to encircle and suppress many times, but they always failed to achieve good results. Look at the rogues who entered Sichuan. , there is a faint taste of separatism, they are no longer ready to run around, but confront the encirclement and suppression of the official army. When I first heard these things, the official was shocked. When did the rogues become so arrogant? There have really been some changes in the bandits, they are no longer the bandits that many adults in the court thought they were."

"My lord agrees with the point of view mentioned by my lord. In the past, in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and other places, the rogues came and went in a hurry, attacked the city and pulled out the village, and left in a hurry after looting. There was positive contact, but now it is different. I thought it was stable. Before leaving Shaanxi, the rogues were basically in the area of ​​Hanzhong Prefecture and stabilized. This kind of change is very scary, just like a tramp who found a stable life. Now that I have a family and a room, I naturally want to change my previous status, and naturally have greater needs."

"Well, after I learned about these situations, I thought hard. The Ministry of War has a great responsibility. If the rogues continue to be arrogant and become an unusual situation, the Ministry of War will bear the blame. After much deliberation, I feel that the leader of the rogues, Li Zicheng, It's not easy. Compared with Zijinliang, Gao Yingxiang and others, this Li Zicheng has a more ambitious idea, and he is putting it into practice step by step. I even wondered if Li Zicheng was elected as Chuang Wang, did he really want to be famous? The king has ruled."

"The lower official thought that it was normal for such a situation to occur. During the reign of Tianqi, the rogues began to rebel. More than ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. After so many years, if the rogues have not changed at all, it is unrealistic, so it appears In such a situation, don’t worry too much.”

"That's right, Master Su has such self-confidence, and such precise judgment, I feel ashamed of myself."

"My lord said so, the lower officials have no place to be ashamed."

"Your Majesty Su, you are welcome. The Jiangning Battalion was born in the hands of Master Su. Over the years, the military exploits have been terrific. No one knows, who doesn't know. This iron-like fact is in front of you. Who dares to refuse to accept it. Since such a change has occurred, shouldn’t it be wiped out as soon as possible?”

After going around in such a big circle, Yang Sichang finally revealed his purpose.

With a smile on Su Tiancheng's face, he was secretly unhappy.

"What your lord said is right. I haven't finished what I said before. Although the rogues have changed, they live in Sichuan, and it is difficult for them to develop much. Sichuan is called the land of abundance. The roads are difficult. The road of Shu is difficult. Going up to the blue sky, on the one hand, shows that Sichuan is a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. On the other hand, it also promotes the isolation of Sichuan from the outside world. Such a place is limited by geographical location, and it is difficult for the rogues to do much in a short period of time. "

"The emperor doesn't see it that way. The bandits have disturbed Sichuan. The emperor is very worried. In the past half a year, the imperial court has allocated a lot of silver to wipe out the bandits, but it has little effect. Now, Lord Sun will defend the Houjin As the top priority, it is difficult for the imperial court to maintain the expenditure required to wipe out the bandits. I remember Master Su once said that if my Ming Dynasty fought on two fronts, it would definitely be difficult to achieve good results. Compared with the two, Huang Taiji of Houjin is even more Mr. Sun's move is very wise."

At this time, Su Tiancheng had to make a statement.

Yang Sichang's attitude is very clear, or the emperor's attitude is clear. After Sun Chengzong became the chief assistant of the cabinet, the military focus of the court has shifted to the north. It is impossible to deal with Houjin with all its strength, or to continue to stabilize the Ningjin defense line. He spent a lot of energy to wipe out the rogues. Under such circumstances, the heavy responsibility of destroying the rogues will naturally fall on the Jiangning camp, and the speed of the Jiangning camp is even faster. Maybe it will be transferred at any time. Went to Liaodong.

The emperor's attitude is a bit too impatient. In fact, it is not a big problem to endure for one to two years. The rogues have not been able to fully gain a foothold in Sichuan and lack a mass base. Arrived in Shaanxi.

However, Su Tiancheng has fully stated these principles, and it may not be able to change the emperor's opinion, because the opinion of the chief assistant Sun Chengzong of the cabinet is somewhat fixed.

Sun Chengzong has been on the battlefield for many years, and he is very clear about these military principles. Conquest is inherently risky, and there is no guarantee of [-]%. Shaanxi is well built, the border is stable, and the strength is enough. Turn around and wipe out the bandits. It is an ideal state, but who can guarantee such a state, when will it come, to what extent will the rogues develop, and will Hou Jin seize this opportunity to attack aggressively and disrupt the situation.

"My lord understands what your lord means, and I will follow your lord's order in everything."

"Don't dare, I don't dare to send Lord Su and Jiang Ningying at will. This is the emperor's intention. I just want to ask. I don't know how long Lord Su will take to prepare."

"The lower official thinks that the right time is next spring. In the remaining time, the Jiangning camp can make some preparations. The lower official also thinks that the situation in Shaanxi can be stabilized as soon as possible."

"Okay, after I return to the capital, I will definitely report the truth to the emperor."

After sending Yang Sichang away, Su Tiancheng locked himself in the room for a whole day.

He collected all the information about the rogues and began to analyze them carefully. On the table was a map of Sichuan, which marked the main strongholds of the rogues and related terrain analysis.

Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you survive a hundred battles. The rogues have undergone such a big change. They have fought against the Ming Dynasty army many times, and their combat experience is relatively rich. Moreover, the terrain of Sichuan is more complicated than that of Shaanxi, and many places are continuous. Dashan, in such a place to confront the rogues, relied on tenacious combat power, the artillery battalion and the divine machine battalion may not be able to play a big role.

Time is running out, a few months passed in a flash, there are many things to be done, Su Tiancheng must make all preparations, and try his best to wipe out the rogues. (To be continued..)