I'm a big dick

Chapter 369 The Means of Differentiation and Disintegration

Strategic contraction is the strategy Zhu Youxiao once adopted.

Abandoning Guangning and defending Ningyuan, shortening the supply line, equipping new weapons, practicing new tactics, and training soldiers and generals are all the purposes of shrinking defense.

To put it bluntly, according to the equipment and combat power of the Ming army at that time, confronting Jiannu in Guangning was very costly and quite difficult.

Therefore, it is definitely a wise move to temporarily disengage, accumulate strength, and increase combat power.

The shrinking of Jiannu is another reason. The most important thing is that Jiannu's small number of troops can no longer take care of the vast occupied area when facing the Ming army whose combat power is constantly improving.

Dividing troops into four defenses has proved that it is impossible to defeat the Ming army locally. The five fingers are spread too much, but they are not tightly covered, and there is a danger of cutting off fingers. Shrinking and clenching fists should be the correct choice.

Correct is correct, but it does not mean that the situation can be reversed.In other words, if you can hold on, who will give up and retreat?

Therefore, Jiannu's retreat was helpless, and the two evils were the lesser, but he just didn't want to be consumed by the Ming army and was doing his best to support it.

Historically, when Mr. Sun was in charge of Liaodong, Mr. Yuan's sea offensive continued, and the Ming army in western Liaoning was sticking to Ningyuan, Jiannu also retreated and stopped for several years.

But the similar contraction action, but it is a completely different situation.This point, whether it is Zhu Youxiao or many civil and military generals, can see it clearly.

Without the generous looting of the great victory in Guangning, and being frustrated in repeated mobilizations, the few food and materials that were stored were consumed, and the three guards in southern Liaoning were lost. How can the establishment of slaves be supported?
Many people even think that there is no need for major military operations, as long as the siege and blockade continue, Houjin will not last for a year or two.

Zhu Youxiao also agreed with this, and predicted that the famine in Houjin would break out, but he was not prepared to wait passively.

The Liaodong war involved too much of his energy and consumed too much of Daming's materials and money. The sooner it ends, the better it will be for Daming to revive and reform and survive the catastrophe.

But the emperor was anxious, but he was cautious in his actions, which also gave the courtiers some illusions.For example, Teacher Yuan proposed to take advantage of the victory to make progress, and wanted to move from Dengzhou to Lvshun to command nearby.

There is no problem in taking advantage of the victory to advance. Gaizhou, which was built as a slave and abandoned, will be occupied, or received.

But to go deeper, Zhu Youxiao still thinks it's too hasty.Jiannu had accumulated troops, and the Ming army in southern Liaoning alone, together with the men and horses in Dengzhen, did not have an advantage in terms of strength.

That's why Zhu Youxiao will plan next year's winter and spring offensive.Liaoxi, Liaonan, and Liaodong started at the same time, advancing steadily, and continued to reduce the space for slavery activities.

Moreover, according to intelligence, as well as the estimates of the Ministry of War and martial arts, Jiannu's material reserves can last at most half a year.When the three parties launched the campaign, it happened to be a difficult time when Jiannu was in short supply.

External forces plus internal causes, even if the three-party mobilization cannot solve Jiannu once and for all, it will also greatly consume its strength.

The ministries of the Ming army then continued to launch attacks. It happened to be summer, and it was also a period when they were not suitable for fighting Jiannu.

Pingliao next year!

Zhu Youxiao walked to the sand table, shifted his gaze to the coastal area of ​​Gaizhou, and narrowed his eyes slightly.Occupying Gaizhou, western Liaoning and southern Liaoning tend to be connected together, and the strategic situation is extremely favorable.

........................

The Ming Empire has a vast territory.The capital is at the foot of the emperor, rich in resources and people.Coupled with the sanitation campaign launched by Zhu Youxiao, it is even more refreshing.

For people in remote areas, coming to the capital is like going to the city from the countryside.Not only dizzying, but also somewhat ashamed.Then, the awe of the Ming Empire suddenly rose in my heart.

This is not about others, but brother Liu Xingzuo who came to Beijing under the imperial edict.Although I know the vastness of the Ming Empire and the large number of people, but what I hear is not as good as what I see.

The majestic and majestic city walls, the wide streets, and the people coming and going brought them a shock that was absolutely beyond their imagination in the future.

When he came to the capital, Liu Xingzuo first reported to the Ministry of War, and was personally received by Mr. Sun. After some consolation, he asked about Houjin's situation, paid him an official certificate, and was promoted to the post of chief soldier.

Sun Chengzong agreed with the emperor's big fanfare to announce that Liu Xingzuo would return to the Ming Dynasty anyway, and Yuan Keli also made a memorial, saying: "The slaves often use Chinese rebels to defend the four guards, and Liu Aita's surrender is to open the slaves and bring the second. The slaves and the barbarians were wiped out. Because the captives abandoned their gold and returned to the cities, they took four hundred miles of mourning land to return to the territory."

To put it bluntly, Liu Xingzuo's behavior gave Nurhachi a heavy psychological blow anyway.Originally, he didn't trust Han officials and generals, but this blow drove the old slave into madness.

Those Han officials who surrendered to Houjin will kill and depose, almost breaking Houjin's arm.Without the Ming army doing anything, Hou Jin's strength dropped another layer.

And the more courteous and reused Liu Xingzuo was, the more he slapped the old slave in the face, the more he angered him, and the more he weakened his own strength.

At the same time, Liu Xingzuo can be reused and treated with courtesy, and he can also set an example for those Han officials and generals.There will be more in the future anyway, which is also conceivable.

But approval is approval. Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli are still cautious about Liu Xingzuo's use.High-ranking officials can be given generous salaries, and gold, silver and treasures can be rewarded, but if he is allowed to continue leading troops to fight, he still needs to observe it.

Zhu Youxiao did not object to this, but his observation was based on Liu Xingzuo's military talent, not his loyalty.

After seeing His Majesty, Zhu Youxiao will send the Liu brothers to study martial arts, and then go to the Beijing camp for flying cavalry training, and try to let him lead the troops to fight in the winter and spring offensive next year.

The bad habits of soldiers as generals have been fundamentally changed because of the establishment of martial arts. Not to mention Liu Xingzuo, leading generals such as Zhang Pan, Kong Youde, and even Mao Wenlong do not have the conditions to lead a rebellion.

The pay and food are all paid by the imperial court, and the pay officers are in charge of it; the middle and lower rank officers are also trained in martial arts, and then assigned.Without private soldiers, it is obviously impossible for the army to make chaos with just a few cronies.

Therefore, it is not a big problem to let Liu Xingzuo continue to lead troops to fight.Moreover, because he has a better understanding of the reality of Jiannu and the terrain of Liaodong, he has an advantage in commanding operations.

The emperor even thought that Liu Xingzuo could be used as a bait, and the old slave hated him like a madman, so he put on a banner to attract the old slave to lead troops to attack, and beat him all over the place.

Liu Xingzuo didn't know the emperor's thoughts yet, he received the letter of appointment from the Ministry of War, and also learned that the emperor was going to summon him, so he was so excited that he didn't sleep a wink all night.

The next day, Jin Yiwei Cao Zhenghua, who returned to Beijing with the Liu brothers, accompanied them for a day in the capital, enjoying the prosperity at the foot of the emperor.

On the third day, officials from the Ministry of Rituals came to the post to teach Liu Xingzuo the etiquette to meet his majesty in Beijing.This is a normal procedure, and Liu Xingzuo was also afraid of being rude, so he studied hard until dinner, and he didn't feel bored at all.

"Tomorrow I will see you in the palace. Elder brother is greatly valued by Long Live. The future is bright!" Liu Xingren poured a glass of wine for his brother and raised his glass to each other.

Liu Xingzuo picked up his wine glass to pay respects, but he just took a sip, put down the glass and said with emotion: "At the beginning, I had the heart of returning home, but I was also uneasy. I was deeply afraid that the court would punish me, or I would not accept it if I was suspicious."

After a pause, Liu Xingzuo continued: "Someone never expected to alarm Shengting, and won the trust of Long Live, anyway, the matter can be successful in one fell swoop."

Liu Xingren was also very emotional, the previous looking forward and backward, worrying, now it seems so ridiculous, also seems indecisive, and Guiming's heart is not sincere and firm enough.

"It's already the position of the general soldier, so I can be satisfied." Liu Xingzuo smiled, but showed a bit of bitterness, and also laughed at himself.

In his view, after Jin was the deputy general, anyway, he was promoted to the general after that, and the Ming court had fulfilled its promise.As for whether he can lead troops to fight in the future, he dare not expect extravagantly.

Surrender, although the Ming court once encouraged him with "Li Xianzhong of the Great Song Dynasty".But in reality, who dares to use it with confidence?

Liu Xingren also felt the same way, and comforted him: "Brother's heart to serve the country will surely be known to the court for a long time. Now that the old mother, wife and children are all safe and settled down first, why rush?"

Liu Xingzuo chuckled, raised his glass and said, "It's just like what my brother said. Come, drink, congratulate Ming Jun, and congratulate me for returning home."

Liu Xingren raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, knowing that his brother was still a little unwilling, but he could only use time and performance to prove himself and win the trust of the court.

........................

I can trust Liu Xingzuo, but other officials and generals may still have doubts.

Although Zhu Youxiao decided to reuse Liu Xingzuo, he also knew that it was not just his own business.

Historically, after Liu Xingzuo returned to the Ming Dynasty, because Yuan Keli had left Denglai, neither Mao Wenlong nor Yuan Chonghuan could treat him kindly.

There is no need to be harsh on this, Teacher Yuan has a big heart, but Mao Wenlong and Yuan Chonghuan have formed their own hilltops and have their own cronies to use, not bad for Liu Xingzuo.

The situation is similar now, both Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong have a large number of generals with martial arts background, and Liu Xingzuo is of little use.

After thinking about it for a long time, Zhu Youxiao felt that Liu Xingzuo should go to study martial arts first, and if he is a talent, he would be transferred to the Beijing Camp.After observing it, it is safer to decide whether to let him lead the troops.

"Cao Zhenghua did a good job, and Liu Aita has contributed a lot anyway." Zhu Youxiao listened to Cao Zhenghua's detailed report, praised him, and then said: "I intend to transfer you to a military post, what do you think?"

Cao Zhenghua turned his head and glanced at his immediate superior. Luo Sigong, who brought him to meet him, did not dare to answer easily.

Luo Sigong smiled and said: "Long live the appreciation, you still don't thank me?"

Cao Zhenghua quickly knelt down, kowtowed and replied: "Long live refers to the direction of my humble minister.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "You are familiar with Liu Xingzuo, so you will study martial arts with him, and then go to the Beijing camp for practical training."

"My minister complies with the order." Cao Zhenghua kowtowed and replied.

Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "Liu Xingzuo has a very strong heart anyway, and the end of the slavery is dead, I think he can be reused. But his background is obviously not easy to gain a foothold in the army. If you want to arrange it in the future, you will be his deputy. , more familiar, and more appropriate."

The words were not very clear, but Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua understood.During the martial arts and training period, Cao Zhenghua was also responsible for inspections.If Liu Xingzuo is released to lead the army, he will also have the role of supervision and assistance.

"I understand." Cao Zhenghua kowtowed again in response.

"Well, get flat!" Zhu Youxiao let Cao Zhenghua get up.

The level is different, the treatment is naturally different.Cao Zhenghua kowtowed a few more times, feeling no discomfort in his heart, and thought it should be so; the emperor also showed his majesty, getting the best of both worlds.

Turning his eyes to Luo Sigong, Zhu Youxiao explained: "We must not relax the spies on the Mongolian tribes. Friends and enemies change, and no one can tell. The more accurate the information is, the more convenient it will be in the future."

"I don't dare to slack off, please rest assured long live." Luo Sigong bowed and accepted the order.

If Jiannu is destroyed, the Mongolian tribes in the north will become factors of instability.Spying and collecting information is one of the most important things. It is also one of the emperor's ambitions to take advantage of the catastrophe and conquer the Mongolian tribes to the greatest extent.

"Li Yangeng is not allowed to be treated harshly in prison." The emperor pursed the corners of his lips, showing a slight sneer, "Luo Qing knows about my plan."

"Long live, don't worry." Luo Sigong replied with a bow: "My minister will definitely make Li Yangeng fat for later use."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, pondered for a while, and said: "There are still those who have surrendered to the barbarians, and they will be sent to Zhenjiang Fort, under the command of Nala Zhongming. Let the wind out and let Jiannu know."

"Yes, I will make arrangements as soon as I get back."

Zhu Youxiao leaned back in the chair, relaxed, and said to Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua: "There is nothing else, Luo Qing and Cao Qing can leave."

"Resignation." Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua bowed to accept the order and exited the hall.

Because of Liu Xingzuo's behavior anyway, it caused civil strife in Jiannu, but the emperor was obviously not satisfied and wanted to continue to add chaos to Jiannu.

It is Zhu Youxiao's goal to take a multi-pronged approach, combining military operations with discord and disintegration, and shortening the process of Ping-Liaoning as much as possible.

In the past, it was the civil strife in the imperial court and the party struggle that made the situation in Liaodong corrupt; now, Zhu Youxiao wants to do the opposite and let Jiannu have a taste of this.

The main reason why the Mongolian tribes failed to defeat Jiannu was that they were not united and could not be united with the outside world; Houjin was not monolithic, and it was difficult to guarantee that people would not be distracted under the bad situation.

As the saying goes: Husband and wife are originally birds in the same forest, and when disaster strikes, they fly separately.Even husband and wife are like this, let alone Hou Jin, a gang of robbers.

On the one hand, it is the increasing military pressure and the increasingly bad situation; on the other hand, it is an example and a banner to talk to Nala Zhongming and surrender.

Zhu Youxiao could foresee that the Mongolian vassals who were attached to Houjin were the first to escape Houjin's sinking ship; the second was the Han soldiers who were not reused and used as cannon fodder.

In the end, of course, it is the Jurchen ministries who want to save their lives.For example, they originally belonged to the descendants of Yehe, Hada, Wula, and Huifa of the Haixi Jurchen, as well as the Woji and Wuji tribes of the East China Sea savage Jurchen, etc.

And it was precisely because Nurhachi unified the Jurchen ministries and plundered a large number of people from the Jurchen savages in the East China Sea that Hou Jin had the strength to challenge the Ming Dynasty.

………………

(End of this chapter)