Chapter two hundred and seventy-fifth straight confrontation Fang Zhenghua
Of course, the bloody battles carried out by the officers and soldiers now are more valuable and more conscious. Behind this line of defense are their relatives and friends, and the home they rely on for survival.
"Zhao, Zhao Shitou." Guo Dajing stretched out his hand and lit it, remembering the name of the squad leader who saluted him, and couldn't help but laugh, "He is no longer a soldier, very good, very good!"
Zhao Shitou didn't expect General Guo to still remember his name. He was flattered and excited. His lips moved a few times and he muttered not knowing what to say.
Guo Dajing smiled and stretched out his hand and said, "Show me the gun."
Zhao Shitou hurriedly handed over the heavy musket in his hand, and then he managed to speak, "This gun is very, very good. It shot Jianlu's flesh and blood flying everywhere."
Guo Dajing stretched out his hand to take it, and felt that the gun was heavy and needed support. It was not impossible to shoot out of the air, but the stability was difficult to guarantee, and the strength of the arm could not be sustained for a long time.
The power of heavy muskets lies in this. No matter what kind of heavy armor you have, if you hit it, you will either die or be injured. Unless you are dressed like an iron can, you can't even move.
Pulling the faucet, the elastic steel piece makes this action require a lot of effort. The flint piece is polished very neatly, which shows Zhao Shitou's concentration and seriousness.
Guo Dajing handed the gun back to Zhao Shitou and said with a smile: "Not bad, I can use this heavy musket. My body is much stronger!"
Zhao Shitou smiled innocently, "He is not old, but he is already an experienced veteran, and he has shed his naivety."
Guo Dajing pointed to the obstacles outside the position and said: "With such a long distance, can we hit the enemy who rushes to the second red line accurately?"
Zhao Shitou looked up and said: "Back to the general, I dare not say that nine out of ten shots will hit, but four or five out of ten shots will be OK."
The second red line is already less than fifty meters away from the position. The accuracy of the musket has reached this level, which is already quite good.
The first red line is 100 meters, which is still within the range of heavy muskets. At this time, it is no longer aiming, but relying on volleying guns to increase the hit rate.
You must know that Jianlu's charge will not be in the form of a skirmish line. They don't understand and can't do it.
Because of the overlapping of the buildings, a heavy lead bullet might not hit the one at the front, but the probability of hitting the back is not small.
There are not many heavily armored dead soldiers in Jianlu, and they will continue to suffer losses under the blows of muskets and artillery. The light armored infantry who charge closely behind the heavy armored dead soldiers will suffer even more heavy casualties under the intensive fire of light and heavy muskets.
After hearing Zhao Shitou's hit rate, Guo Dajing nodded with great satisfaction, then moved his eyes to his hands and said, "Wearing gloves will not affect shooting, right?"
Zhao Shitou answered truthfully: "General, I will wear thin gloves when fighting. It will not affect loading and shooting."
When fighting in winter, warm gloves are necessary to prevent frostbite on fingers, which will affect loading and shooting. If you are fighting with cold weapons, it is mainly a gripping action, which is not very important.
Even so, many officers and soldiers in Dongjiang Town suffer from frostbite on their hands and feet every winter. In other words, it is inevitable for the Ming army in the entire northern military town.
Guo Dajing didn’t know if he was the first to invent gloves, but after equipping them with officers and soldiers, they received rave reviews and were deeply loved.
Officers and soldiers all have two pairs of gloves. One is a two-finger cotton glove, made of cotton or fur, which is thick and warm. The thinner one is a five-finger type made of cotton, which is more compact and fits the hand, making it easier to operate during combat.
firearm.
In addition, the additional equipment of the officers and soldiers include cotton masks and iron masks, which are mainly used to protect the face from damage caused by arrows and can also play a role in keeping warm.
How much money can be spent in total? A soldier can't even spend half a tael of silver, and tens of thousands of Dongjiang officers and soldiers can only spend ten or twenty thousand silver at most.
But the role played by these four-piece sets should not be underestimated. The money spent will have immediate results.
Looking at Liao Town, the court provides millions of silver every year, so how can it be any better? Except for the generals' servants, ordinary soldiers are better than beggars.
Guo Dajing spared no expense in building the Dongjiang Army just to show the court this stark contrast.
If Chongzhen still couldn't see through the key, then he hung himself on the southeast branch purely because of his own fault. What is there to regret?
Guo Dajing estimated that Chongzhen, whose IQ was seriously lacking, would not change much.
The limitations of the feudal emperor's thinking and the political correctness of putting "loyalty" first will eventually harm him and the entire Ming Dynasty.
After encouraging Zhao Shitou, Guo Dajing continued to inspect the position along the trench.
At regular intervals, vertical passages were dug out of the horizontal trenches, some for toilets and some for braziers for heating and boiling water.
The thoughtful arrangement not only provides convenience to the officers and soldiers, but also makes it possible to defend for a long time. In the cold winter, there is nothing more comfortable than drinking hot water and hot soup.
"General, the father-in-law of the supervisory army has arrived and is waiting for you at the officers' club!" A young officer rushed over and bowed to report.
Guo Dajing nodded and said, "I understand."
Knowing that he knew it, Guo Dajing did not rush to see him immediately. The inspection had not been completed yet, so it was not an urgent matter to see Fang Zhenghua.
The inspection after the snow was finally completed before noon, and Guo Dajing returned to the officers' club with a few soldiers.
Without changing his clothes, Guo Dajing came to the hall and greeted Fang Zheng, who was drinking tea and reading a book.
"General Guo, there is no need to be polite." Fang Zhenghua stretched out his hand to help him, and said with a smile: "Please sit down and talk."
Guo Dajing is not polite either. This place is his landlord, so he can sit down and be sincere.
Fang Zhenghua pondered for a moment and then asked: "According to the intelligence, Jianlu will launch an attack soon. Our army should be ready, right?"
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "Although money and food are scarce, all the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town have overcome all difficulties and are ready to defend their homeland."
Fang Zhenghua's face heated up, and he couldn't help but feel guilty when he heard the word "money and food". Dongjiang Town was fighting against the Jianlu on its own, and neither the imperial court nor Governor Yuan could help at all.
Guo Dajing seemed to be just talking casually, and continued with a calm expression: "Don't worry, Eunuch Fang, Jinzhou is the foundation for the survival of the soldiers and people of Dongjiang Town. In order to have a mouth to eat, we will fight to the death with all our strength and live and die with Jinzhou."
"The Zajia family is naturally relieved." Fang Zhenghua smiled awkwardly and said, "With a strong general like General Guo here, Jinzhou will definitely be impregnable."
Guo Dajing nodded and said confidently: "I dare not say that it is impregnable, but with the thirty or forty thousand troops of Jianlu, it is indeed difficult to break through our army's defense."
Fang Zhenghua felt very uncomfortable. He didn't understand what the emperor was thinking when he wanted to win over the Dongjiang generals even though he had nothing to lose. Since Mao Wenlong was at the top, it was impossible for the imperial court to pass over him and promote the generals individually.
The cutoff of food and salary made the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town extremely dissatisfied. The complaints of the common people and ordinary soldiers were even greater, but the officers and generals were able to suppress it and not expose it to the outside world.
Over time, Dongjiang Town and the imperial court will become increasingly alienated.
What's more, Dongjiang Town has begun to rely on its own efforts and has achieved great results. Its reliance on the imperial court is getting weaker and weaker, which also means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to control.
"Since Eunuch Fang is a supervisor sent by the imperial court, he should ask for orders from the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town and go to Ningyuan to discuss with Superintendent Yuan and arrange for a delivery of grain ships." Guo Dajing looked at Fang Zhenghua, bowed and raised his hand, and put forward his own suggestion.
The money and grain that were originally transported from Denglai to Pi Island have been transported from Shanhaiguan to Ningyuan Juehua, and then transported to Pi Island by ship.
But this was just the court's plan. In fact, all the money and grain were withheld by his immediate superior, Governor Yuan, and not a single ship of rice or beans was transported to Dongjiang.
Jinzhou was recovered, and Lushun was already very close to Juehua, so there was no problem of high risk on the sea route. It was not an exaggeration for Fang Zhenghua, as a eunuch to supervise the army, to go and ask for food and wages.
Fang Zhenghua didn't expect Guo Dajing to be so straightforward, but this was indeed his responsibility. He couldn't help but look hesitant and fell into deep thought.
Jiang Baohe, who was standing next to Fang Zheng's incarnation, wanted to rebuke him. Guo Dajing's words seemed to be trying to teach Fang Zheng to do things.
But Guo Dajing was also looking at him. Although their eyes only met briefly, Jiang Baohe noticed that Guo Dajing's eyes were much sharper, and he had an air of calmness and authority, and he immediately shut his mouth.
On Guanglu Island, Jiang Baohe and Shen Zonggui were frightened by being punished, which had a psychological shadow on Guo Dajing.
Furthermore, Fang Zhenghua is not the kind of eunuch who is bossy and arrogant, and their words and deeds are naturally restrained.
Historically, Mao Wenlong was deceived into Ningyuan because of food and salary matters.
At that time, Yuan Chonghuan had already had murderous intentions, but he considered that "killing all the people in Ningyuan is unknown to others, and there is a fear that there will be those who would be hindered by the loss of the old cave."
Therefore, Yuan Chonghuan let Mao Wenlong go and decided to enter Dongjiang in person and execute him on Dongjiang territory.
It was Mao Wenlong's safe return that made him so paralyzed and careless that he lacked sufficient precautions and vigilance against Yuan Chonghuan's sudden actions during the military parade on the two islands.
Guo Dajing encouraged Fang Zhenghua to go to Ningyuan, firstly because of his duties as a military eunuch, and secondly to save Mao Wenlong from taking risks in Ningyuan.
History has changed, and Guo Dajing is not sure whether Yuan Chonghuan will let Mao Wenlong back. A self-righteous lunatic can do anything.
Therefore, Guo Dajing would never let Mao Wenlong go to Ningyuan. If Fang Zhenghua could go, that would be the best, and there would be no need to persuade Mao Wenlong.
Fang Zhenghua would not have thought about Guo Dajing's thoughts, and because the suggestion was too sudden, it was difficult for him to decide at the moment.
"Even if Eunuch Fang doesn't want to work himself and asks Brother Jinyiwei to go to Ningyuan with the letter, it's still the same." Guo Dajing continued to persuade: "No matter whether we can get money and food from Lord Yuan or not, the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town will be grateful."
This sentence spoke to Fang Zhenghua's heart. As long as he tried his best, no matter what the result, it would not affect his good reputation in Dongjiang Town.
To be honest, he did report to the court and tactfully persuaded the emperor to provide some food and salary to Dongjiang Town so as not to make the soldiers and civilians full of complaints.
But others don't know, and he can't just say it's too cheap when he sees it.
However, Guo Dajing's words revealed information that he would be promoted officially to let the soldiers and civilians know that the military supervisor was thinking of them.
This is to Fang Zhenghua's liking, because since these days, he has been worried about being shunned by others and being ignored more and more.
"The Za family will write a letter first and send someone to Ningyuan." Fang Zhenghua said with a smile: "It's hard to say whether we can get money and food."
Guo Dajing cupped his hands and said: "No matter whether it can be done or not, the soldiers and people of Dongjiang Town will be grateful for Eunuch Fang's painstaking efforts and kindness."
Fang Zhenghua waved his hand, said a few words of humility, and felt much better. When he asked about the arrangements for the battle, Guo Dajing also explained in detail and seriously, and the atmosphere of the conversation became more harmonious.
"The vanguard of Jianlu has arrived at the Gaizhou Acropolis?" Fang Zhenghua frowned and said, "But Yuan Chonghuan reported to the court that Jianlu may be attacking from the east and west, and plans to launch an attack on Jinzhou and Daling River?"
Guo Dajing smiled with some contempt and said: "Even if Jinzhou, Dalinghe and other cities are repaired, they will not pose any threat to Jianlu. How can Jianlu waste food and supplies and rush to attack?"
After a pause, Guo Dajing added: "Master Yuan just wanted to continue to withhold food and supplies from Dongjiang Town, so he made up such an excuse to fool the court."
Fang Zhenghua's face darkened. Yuan Chonghuan was now Dongjiang Town's immediate boss. Guo Dajing's rude comments were really offensive and offensive, and could even be called guilty.
Guo Dajing didn't take it seriously and said slowly: "Master Yuan exchanged letters with Jianlu and discussed peace, in order to paralyze the enemy and buy time for building the city. What do you think, Eunuch Fang?"
"The emperor of the Han Dynasty was trapped in Baishan Mountain, and Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty also had an alliance on the Weishui River." Fang Zhenghua lowered his eyes and said, "What's more, negotiating peace is just a tactic used by Lord Yuan to delay the war."
Guo Dajing laughed and said: "People's hearts are far apart. He said that delaying the war is just a delaying strategy? If the peace negotiation is successful, it will save him from serious troubles and it will not take five years to pacify Liao."
Fang Zhenghua suddenly raised his head and looked at Guo Dajing, suspicion and surprise flashed in his eyes.
Guo Dajing looked at Fang Zhenghua calmly and said: "Fang Eunuch thought that the general was slandering and framed? But the general was judging the matter based on the facts, making bold guesses and careful verification. As for the truth, it will be determined in the future, but it is not necessary at this time.
debate."
Fang Zhenghua pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice: "General Guo is quite honest with the Za family. Aren't you afraid that the Za family will report to the court and punish you?"
"The last general hopes that Eunuch Fang can remind the court that it was Dongjiang Town that fought the bloody battles with Jianlu; it was Dongjiang Town that regained Jinzhou and posed a major threat to Jianlu in southern Liaoning."
Guo Dajing could list them one by one without having to lift his fingers, "But Mr. Yuan first removed the governor of Denglai, then changed the North Korean tribute road, and then transferred the money and grain shipped to Dongjiang Town to Ningyuan Juehua, in the name of forwarding and verification, but he could not seize it.
Fa. What is the rationale for suppressing Dongjiang Town in this way?"
Fang Zhenghua said: "The governor of Ji Liao has jurisdiction. Master Yuan arranged it like this for the convenience of control."
"Dongjiang Army fought against Jianlu for several times, and they all went all out. Their performance in the past two years has even surpassed that of Liao Town. I wonder how Mr. Yuan can control it?" Guo Dajing said unceremoniously: "Is it possible that the seizure of money and food has made Dongjiang Town unpopular?
Stable, hungry and dead all over the land, unable to compete with the Jianlu, how can we satisfy Lord Yuan's wishes?"