If the imperial court can still supply food and wages normally, then there is no big problem in continuing to implement this year's planting plan. But the key is that it is difficult to accurately judge how long the cutoff in food and wages will last.
In this way, in line with the principle of erring on the side of more than less, the most important thing is to increase the potato planting area, harvest as much as possible, and ensure that the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town are fed.
As for eating potatoes alone, which seems not rich enough and the food is not good, Chen Jisheng has put it in the second place. Make sure to eat enough first, and then talk about eating well if conditions permit.
"Yes, sir." Chen Youshan agreed and reminded: "Then we must send out a notice as soon as possible to let the people leave more seeds."
As a veteran manager of Guanglu Island, he was recommended by Guo Dajing and came to Jinzhou when Jinzhou was most lacking in government talents.
Because many of the policies implemented in Jinzhou were replicas or improved versions of Guanglu Island, Chen Youshan was familiar with it and was very handy at it, and soon became Chen Jisheng's most effective assistant.
"Send the notice immediately." Chen Jisheng nodded and said, "Draft the content and get it to a certain place for printing."
Chen Youshan agreed and turned to leave, but was stopped by Chen Jisheng again.
"There are still tens of thousands of silver in the treasury. Let's send someone to Shandong to purchase a batch of grain. Just 30,000 shi!" Chen Jisheng explained: "There is also training for the militia. The autumn harvest has passed, so more time will be needed."
Chen Youshan thought for a while and said: "Sir, I think the purchase of grain can be delayed for a while. It will be too late to buy it from the south next year."
It is cheaper and more economical to buy grain from the south, and based on the current harvest quantity, plus the 30,000 shi of grain that Guo Dajing has purchased, it will be enough to support the harvest until next autumn.
Chen Jisheng reconsidered, nodded in agreement, and praised a few more words before letting Chen Youshan go.
They did not know that Guo Dajing actually purchased 50,000 shi of grain. He received 20,000 shi and only quoted 30,000 shi.
It's very simple. The 20,000 shi of grain that Guo Dajing secretly hid must be used at the most critical moment.
For example, if an army marches for a long distance, these 20,000 dan may become the key to victory without consuming food for transportation.
Moreover, Guo Dajing was rich and could buy grain from Shandong at any time. Even if the price was more expensive, it was still within his affordability.
As for Governor Yuan's meeting to ban the sea, it was only in Denglai. Guo Dajing had already set up a stronghold in Qingdao and secretly purchased and built land.
Even if Qingdao is also banned from the sea, and the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town are in a situation of starving to death, Guo Dajing has one last resort, which is to take the risk and lead his army to Denglai to rob it.
You are unkind and I am unjust. If you are really forced to a dead end, I will go crazy and even scare myself.
Of course, in Guo Dajing's plan, he would probably not reach that point.
"Sir." A soldier came in to report and presented Mao Wenlong's letter.
Chen Jisheng took the letter, opened it and looked at it. He immediately frowned and hesitated.
Mao Wenlong's anger, indignation, grievance, and depression can be tasted between the lines in the letter. Without it, it's just a matter of food and salary.
Therefore, Mao Wenlong planned to lead his troops by boat to Denglai to collect pay. Because in the first year of Chongzhen, Denglai still owed Liuyao, Dongjiang Town, 1,200 taels of pay.
Of course, this was just Mao Wenlong's idea and had not yet been put into practice. The matter was serious, and Mao Wenlong was also worried that a group of civil servants would spread rumors and smear him, saying that he was a soldier and committed murder and looting.
It's so bullying and intolerable!
This was the emotion conveyed in the letter. Chen Jisheng didn't even need to finish reading it to feel Mao Wenlong's anger rushing towards his face.
Fortunately, thanks to the Golden State, we have another good harvest this year, and we haven't reached a desperate situation yet.
Chen Jisheng sighed heavily, picked up a pen and paper, carefully considered his tone and words, and began to write a reply to Mao Wenlong.
Chen Jisheng was equally angry, angry, and depressed about what the imperial court had done. But he still believed that Mao Wenlong's move was deeply inappropriate and could easily be seen as threatening the imperial court or demonstrating to the emperor.
Being impulsive is also a characteristic, or flaw, of Mao Wenlong's character. For this reason, he has suffered a lot.
For example, Mao Wenlong had to lift the cover of this unspoken rule regarding the "disappearance" of wages, and offended many civil servants at once. There were almost no friends in the court, and they were all political opponents who criticized him.
More importantly, no matter whether you argue with civil servants or report to the court to ask the emperor to make the decision, it will not improve the actual situation, and it is just in vain.
Chen Jisheng felt that since it was of no use, why bother causing trouble and letting the civil servants take advantage of it?
It's true to ask for salary, but there are other ways to do it. Even though it's annoying, there's no point in not getting something at both ends.
Well, Guo Dajing also sent a letter a few days ago, briefly talking about his plans for next year.
Just advance directly to Gaizhou. This is too big a step. If you swallow two states in one go, it will probably be difficult to digest.
It is a small goal. Push the defense line to Luangu Pass or Shiheyi, and capture the entire Jinzhou. The fields will be increased a lot, and the agricultural output will be almost enough for the army and people of Dongjiang Town to be self-sufficient.
There is also this year's production, which has just been compiled. There is a shortage of production from each island before it is reported. Let's give Mao Shuai a good news first and calm down his anger.
Chen Jisheng was thinking and writing letters. Finally, he invited Mao Shuai to stay in Jinzhou temporarily to see the development of Jinzhou and relax.
………………..
The big ballast porridge is fragrant, the cornmeal pancakes are browned on one side, and the pickles are crispy and fragrant with sesame oil added to them.
Guo Dajing was usually not picky about food and drink, especially when he was in the military camp, and he ate delicious meals from a big pot.
"When our army was originally asked to move to Gaizhou, it was in Gaizhou." Li Weiluan kindly reminded: "Next year, the northern push to Gaizhou is indeed a bit too far, and the step is too big."
Guo Dajing shook his head, swallowed the food in his mouth, and said: "Recovering Gaizhou and moving the town are two different things. Besides, it is just an idea, and it depends on the specific situation. But at least next year, our army will advance to Shiheyi
, Xiaoheishan, or Xinjin, Luangu Pass, to recover the entire Jinzhou."
The move to Gaizhou was proposed by Governor Yuan during the Tianqi period, but Mao Wenlong firmly opposed it and received the support of Emperor Tianqi.
However, the situation at that time was very different from now.
After losing Tieshan and Yizhou's land base, Dongjiang Town's activity space and influence in Liaodong have been greatly reduced.
As Jinzhou becomes increasingly stable and on the rise, shifting its focus to southern Liaoning is a strategically correct move for Dongjiang Town.
Although Mao Wenlong's actual operation is like this, the four associations and three associations are all in Jinzhou, but the headquarters is still in Pidao, which is also sending a clear message to the outside world. That is, do not move the town.
For Guo Dajing, Fuzhou is not easy to defend. Beyond the Liaodong Peninsula, there is a wide front. Deliying City, Yongning Supervisory City, Fuzhou Guard City, etc., if troops are stationed everywhere, Dongjiang Town will not have so many troops.
.
Pushing it to the Gaizhou Acropolis near the sea at once, and then combining it with the surrounding fortresses to form a defense system, it will be safer and safer.
Of course, the steps were indeed a bit big. Not only Li Weiluan, but also Liu Xingzuo and others thought so. They were worried that Fuzhou would be empty, so Jianlu came in from Fengcheng and Xiuyan in the northeast.
Guo Dajing naturally also thought that capturing Xiuyan would become a prerequisite for advancing to Gaizhou.
In a war, there must be comings and goings. Just staying in the city is tantamount to handing over the initiative to the enemy. Fight when you want and withdraw when you want. The enemy's free movement also means that your own army is incompetent and passive.
Therefore, regardless of whether Jianlu came to attack Jinzhou in winter or not, Guo Dajing was preparing to launch the attack next year, and the target was set at Jiulian City in Liaodong, that is, Zhenjiang, or Kuandian Liubao behind Jiulian City.
Liaonan and Liaodong are the two ends of Dongjiang Town. It is more convenient to launch an offensive. At the same time, it will also affect the layout of Jianlu, so that its troops will be dispersed and no longer concentrated in Liaoshen.
The strength of the troops is weak, which also gives Dongjiang Town the opportunity to defeat everyone. With the upgrade and strengthening of weapons and equipment, attacking fortresses will no longer be a daunting task, but a good means and a good fighting method to annihilate the enemy.
Jiulian City, as the easternmost stronghold to suppress the Dongjiang Army in Pi Dao, only had 3,000 Jianlu cavalry stationed there.
Yes, it used to be a force that cannot be underestimated. The Dongjiang Army was worried about being attacked by a sudden attack just when it landed.
But it was different now. A volley of hundreds of artillery pieces and a volley of rockets was enough to repel the Jianlu.
As long as the army successfully lands on the beach, with vehicles and artillery as the first priority, the soldiers form formations, and advance steadily, Jianlu will probably have no choice but to retreat to the city.
To defend to the death is to defend to the death. Guo Dajing was fully prepared for the attack. Whether it was blasting the tunnels of the earthen camp, bombarding the city with artillery, or burning the city with rockets, he was able to break through the city defenses in a short time.
It is the same idea as plagiarizing the Jianlu's retreat across the sea. The successful attack on the enemy is undoubtedly a huge blow to the Jianlu. The annihilation of three thousand Jianlu is secondary. The main reason is the psychological impact.
In order not to repeat the same mistakes, Jianlu must increase the number of troops in the garrisoned city. As one goes, the number of mobile troops that can be dispatched will be greatly reduced.
From vagueness to clarity, Guo Dajing's next phase of the battle plan has basically taken shape. He will only launch a counterattack after defeating Jianlu's actions in winter.
Li Weiluan didn't know Guo Dajing's grand plan, but he agreed with the second-best goal. He said with a smile: "It's already great to be able to regain the entire Jinzhou! The land has almost doubled, and we can raise ten more people."
Come to the army and the people."
Guo Dajing smiled and nodded, reached for the officer's special treat, a piece of grilled fish, and started chewing it.
He did have this idea, mainly in response to the great famine in the areas ruled by the Jianlu people, and a large number of shaved Liao people escaped and fled to Dongjiang Town.
"After Hou Xieqiu's harvest, the camp has been moved to Mu Changyi and training has resumed." Li Weiluan said thoughtfully: "Kong Youde and Li Jiucheng are also acquaintances. You should take the time to meet them!"
Guo Dajing picked out the fish bone, put it on the table, frowned slightly and said, "They want to see me?"
Li Weiluan nodded and said helplessly: "In the past few months, the muskets have been equipped to the left and right associations as much as possible. Although it is the main force in defending the Nanguan defense line and has strong firepower, it is inevitable that people will be jealous."
"They didn't even give it to the headquarters!" Guo Dajing explained and then stopped. After thinking for a long time, he said: "The muskets purchased from Haojing Xiyi should be arriving soon. When the time comes, let's distribute them evenly!
"
Li Weiluan stopped talking and knew that Guo Dajing would handle the matter, so he said no more.
Since they are here to help the development and construction of Jinzhou, they will also be Jinzhou's friendly forces and reinforcements to resist Jianlu's attack. Li Weiluan still hopes that everyone can live in harmony.
Guo Dajing also wants to be kind to others and unite more forces together. But there are only so many weapons and equipment, and it is unscientific and unreasonable to distribute them equally.
Whoever is the main force and who is going to fight a tough battle will be given more. The rest will be reissued slowly in the future, and there is no rush to use it anyway.
Fortunately, after several months of skewed supply, the left and right associations basically met his standards, with only some heavy muskets missing, waiting to be shipped from Haojing.
There are also grains, cotton, iron materials and other materials that the Lin family helped purchase. Calculating the time, they should be delivered very recently.
Guo Dajing estimated that with Jinzhou's bumper harvest and the purchased materials, Dongjiang Town would be able to sustain itself for one year, that is, next October.
This way, we can almost rest assured that the cultivated area will double next year, and the amount of autumn harvest will only be much larger than this year.
Dongjiang Town has also mobilized grain and grass supplies, and launched a major operation at the turning point of Mingjin's strategy.
…………….
Muchangyi is more than thirty miles away from the Nanguan defense line.
Chen Jisheng's intention to arrange the rear assistants here is very obvious, that is, the reserve force of the Nanguan defense line can rush to reinforce at any time.
As the commander of the Nanguan Defense Line, it is reasonable for Guo Dajing to go to communicate.
The reason why he arrived a little late was that firstly, Guo Dajing had to arrange defenses in Xiaoheishan, Besha City, and Jinzhou Guard and had no free time. Secondly, he was a little confused about his inherent impressions of Kong Youde and Li Jiucheng.
The Dengzhou Mutiny was led by Kong Youde and Li Jiu. They not only caused trouble in Shandong, but also surrendered to the Jianqi with cannons and ships, which directly led to a change in the balance of strength between the two sides.
After being reminded by Li Weiluan, Guo Dajing stayed at the Nanguan defense line for another two days before rushing to Muchangyi with his soldiers.
In the final analysis, good or bad people in history change because of the environment. Under the current situation, one person is virtuous but not another person, and this Li Jiucheng is not the other Li Jiucheng.
Moreover, since we are stationed in Jinzhou, we will inevitably have to deal with each other in the future. A harmonious relationship will be beneficial and harmless when we jointly fight against the enemy.
With the troops of the Three Associations, complete and solid fortifications, and a large number of muskets and artillery, Jinzhou is basically impregnable.
What Guo Dajing is thinking now is how to deal a heavier blow to Jianlu when they attack, such as plagiarism across the sea again, or other counterattacks.
In the past, there were insufficient troops, but now they are somewhat wealthy. The two associations are enough to defend the Nanguan defense line. Instead of serving as a reserve force, the extra association might as well participate in the battle.
Plagiarizing across the sea again, I am afraid it will be difficult to repeat the great victory. First, the coast freezes in winter, which makes docking and landing very difficult; secondly, Jianlu suffered a big loss once, so how could he not be prepared?
Are you too greedy?
Guo Dajing sat on the horse and smiled self-consciously.
The defensive battle that has been steadily won can be given another blow if it is left to Governor Yuan.
But Dongjiang Town had won several victories since the war to aid Korea, and the captives suffered heavy casualties, but the court only gave me meager rewards. When cutting off food and salary, did you ever think of the officers and soldiers who fought in bloody battles, and the loyal soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield?
You don’t have to be too greedy for merit. If your defense is a sure win, then coupled with regular counterattacks, that’s enough.
From a distance, Guo Dajing had already seen the military camp. He couldn't help but put away his thoughts and galloped on his horse.
"Brother Kong, Brother Li, we haven't seen each other for a long time, but you still have the same style!" Guo Dajing smiled and cupped his hands to Kong Youde and Li Jiucheng who came out of the camp to greet them, and used a more familiar and ordinary person's name.
Kong Youde and Li Jiucheng glanced at each other quickly, smiled in unison, and returned the favor with their hands raised: "Brother Guo is still as charming as ever, but we are getting worse and worse."
Guo Dajing waved his hands and said jokingly: "That sounds like it's hurting me."
"Then it's not too polite, it's more polite." Li Jiucheng extended his hand to greet you and said with a smile: "Brother Guo, please."
Kong Youde also gave in, walked beside Guo Dajing, and asked casually: "When I met General Li a few days ago, I heard that Brother Guo was still setting up defenses outside."
"Yes, I have just returned to Nanguan for two days." Guo Dajing said: "According to various intelligence analysis, Jianlu will definitely attack Jinzhou, and the most likely time should be in the middle of winter."
After a pause, Guo Dajing looked at Kong Youde and Li Jiucheng with a smile and said: "With Brother Kong and Brother Li leading reinforcements, Jinzhou is impregnable, so I am completely relieved."
Li Jiucheng chuckled and said: "As long as General Guo gives the order, we will go all out and fight bloody to defend Jinzhou."
Kong Youde nodded repeatedly and said with a smile: "Hou Xie is eating in Jinzhou, but he can't just eat and not work. General Guo just gives orders, and Kong will definitely obey his orders."
"It's not me who gives the orders, it's Deputy Commander Chen." Guo Dajing smiled and shook his head and said: "This Jinzhou belongs to all the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town. They eat everything they want and don't work when they eat. It's really too weird."
With that said, several people had already arrived in the hall, sat down inside, and were served tea by the soldiers before they started talking again.
Although they are all organized as "associations", the left and right associations in Jinzhou have expanded to 12,000, and there are also cavalry battalions of 3,000 war horses and 4,000 riders.
There are only 10,000 people in the two associations on Phi Island. Mainly due to the carrying capacity of Phi Island and the migration of most of the people, there are not enough soldiers.
In more than half a year, Jinzhou received more than 30,000 escaped Liao people. Lin Qingzhi and others from North Korea were of great help. Not only the Liao people who were scattered in North Korea, but also the Liao people who fled into North Korea were collected and transferred by them.
To Jinzhou.
There are fewer men and horses than the two associations, and the equipment rate of muskets is also a bit lower. Although they are in the name of reinforcements, they are actually coming to Jinzhou to eat.
For these reasons, there is a psychological gap between Kong Youde and Li Jiucheng, as if they feel inferior to others and not very righteous.
They had already submitted requests to Chen Jisheng for the expansion of troops and the distribution of muskets. After all, it was Deputy Commander Chen who was in charge of Jinzhou. Although they knew that Guo Dajing controlled the distribution of weapons, this was a normal procedure.