Chapter 299 Fang Zhenghua's painstaking efforts and helplessness
From here, we received the fleeing Liao people and passed through the dangerous defense passes. We only took a quick look at the surface.
By the time they arrived in Nanjinzhou, even if they knew some useful information, they could only keep it rotten in their stomachs and never give it out again.
While inspecting, Guo Dajing carefully put forward his suggestions or gave instructions.
He will soon leave the front line, organize and rectify the troops in Jinzhou Acropolis, and prepare to launch an operation to capture Zhenjiang.
The time for the battle is expected to be two months later, when the rivers thaw and spring plowing is completed. It is planned to use 15,000 to 6,000 men and horses, or more.
Relying on strong defense is enough to make Jianlu fearful and dare not try again. The Dongjiang Army also needs to show a certain ability to attack strongholds, so that Jianlu must leave enough men and horses behind when entering the pass through a detour.
At the same time, it is also necessary to shake up the entire Liaodong defense line and change its military deployment, which will be more conducive to guiding the fleeing Liao people.
You think that two or three thousand people guarding a strong fortress can withstand the attack of tens of thousands of Ming troops. Guo Dajing wanted to break Jianlu's delusion of underestimating the enemy and put him in a dilemma.
Jianlu's tens of thousands of troops occupied the vast land of Liaodong, but they only relied on the mobility of the cavalry, and the poorly equipped Dongjiang Army did not have the ability to attack fortresses.
But the Dongjiang Army was no longer what it used to be, and Guo Dajing decided to give Jianlu another "surprise". The reason for choosing Zhenjiang was also very simple. It was far away from Liaoshen and was the easternmost end of Jianlu's defense line. Reinforcements were time-consuming and difficult.
Conquer but not occupy, leaving the problem to the Jianlu. At the same time, the special operations battalion and other troops will continue to rely on the Kuandian area to carry out guerrilla operations against the Jianlu.
If Jianlu wants to retain troops for garrison, two or three thousand are not enough. Five or six thousand are equivalent to the strength of a banner. With so many people tied up in Zhenjiang, Jianlu will probably not be reconciled.
If we abandon Zhenjiang, we will open up surveillance and pressure on the Yalu River.
In the future, the Dongjiang Army will be able to freely move up the river, cross the Changbai Mountains, and launch operations against Hetuala, the home base of the Jianlu.
The two-front battle in southern Liaoning and eastern Liaoning, as well as the defense of coastal areas, will be a difficult balance problem for the Jianlu, who lack military strength.
"General, the eunuch Fang Zhenghua has arrived at Luangu Pass." A knight came on horseback to report, interrupting Guo Dajing's inspection.
Guo Dajing pondered for a moment and said: "To repay Eunuch Fang, I will return immediately after inspecting Luan Gushan's defenses and ask him to wait a moment."
Guo Dajing was not in a hurry. After inspecting the fortifications built on the mountain, he took his personal guards and rode back to Luangu Pass.
Fang Zhenghua was waiting impatiently in the somewhat crude headquarters. If he knew where Guo Dajing was, he would look for it himself.
Guo Dajing entered the house, bowed and saluted, "I will finally meet Eunuch Fang."
Fang Zhenghua suppressed his anger, raised his hand and said, "General Guo, please take a seat."
After Guo Dajing thanked him, he sat down, looked at Fang Zhenghua calmly, and asked in confusion: "What are your orders from Eunuch Fang? Just send someone here. How can you work hard to reach this dangerous front line?"
"
Fang Zhenghua secretly rolled his eyes, lowered his eyes, and said slowly: "The Za family heard some bad rumors in Lushun. They were so anxious that they came over to ask about it at night."
Oh? Guo Dajing showed a hint of surprise, bowed and cupped his hands and said: "Bad rumors? Please speak openly, Mr. Fang."
Fang Zhenghua looked at Guo Dajing and said, "I heard that Jiannu wanted to buy back the heads of the fallen in battle with gold and silver, and General Guo is presiding over this matter."
Guo Dajing laughed and said: "I don't know where Eunuch Fang heard the news. It was so fast that the general suspected it was a conspiracy to create slaves."
Fang Zhenghua stared at Guo Dajing and asked, "The Za family just asked if this is the case?"
Guo Dajing sighed and said: "Jiannu did send an envoy with a letter from Huang Taiji, intending to use money to buy back his head."
With that said, Guo Dajing took out the letter, handed it to Fang Zhenghua, and quietly watched him read it.
Fang Zhenghua read the letter, his face became a little brighter, and he asked: "Where is the envoy of establishing slaves? How does General Guo want to deal with it?"
Guo Dajing said casually: "Jiu Nu has no sincerity. The envoy was scolded by the last general and has been driven away."
Fang Zhenghua blinked his eyes, feeling that Guo Dajing was avoiding the important and taking the easy, so he asked again: "If Jiannu really brings the money, is General Guo going to agree to it?"
Guo Dajing nodded and said matter-of-factly: "Human heads are exchanged for money. Building slaves means losing both human and financial resources. It also weakens human and financial resources. It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone."
Fang Zhenghua shook his head and said: "General Guo, according to the court's laws, there are rules for reporting victory and presenting prisoners. It would be very inappropriate to negotiate with the enemy privately. Besides, escorting the head to the capital will also boost the country's morale."
Guo Dajing's expression remained unchanged and he said slowly: "Eunuch Fang, Dongjiang Town has fought for the country for many years, and thousands of martyrs have died on the battlefield. But what the situation is now, my father-in-law will not know. The food and salary cuts are not once or twice, if not
The soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town have overcome all difficulties, but I am afraid that they are already starving to death all over the place."
Looking at Fang Zhenghua, Guo Dajing continued: "This great victory relied on the bravery and fearlessness of the Dongjiang Army and sufficient firearms and ammunition. My father-in-law, do you know, how much is the ammunition consumed in more than a day of fighting? Every day in Dongjiang Town
How much food and supplies are needed by the military and civilians?"
Fang Zhenghua knew that Guo Dajing was likely to use these difficulties to refute, and he had already thought of some reasons on the way. Although he was not very confident, he could only explain it at this time.
"Dongjiang Town is in trouble, and the court is also in trouble." Fang Zhenghua said: "The Za family has repeatedly reported to the court and sent people to Jiliao Governor's Yamen to urge them. It will definitely be effective. How can the court ignore Dongjiang Town and wait for the finances?
If you relax, you will definitely lose money and pay."
Guo Dajing smiled and said: "Eunuch Fang's painstaking efforts to speak out for Dongjiang Town are deeply appreciated by the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town. But the actual difficulty is that they urgently need money and food to solve it. If the slaves are willing to spend money, sell them some heads.
, and it also saves the court’s reward money, so what’s the harm?”
"This is not a business, but is related to the face of the imperial court." Fang Zhenghua's face became solemn and he said: "General Guo, this is also related to the future of Marshal Mao and you. Don't act on impulse!"
Guo Dajing smiled and nodded casually and said: "Eunuch Fang, don't be so nervous. I don't think Jian Nu will use money to buy people's heads. It's just a conspiracy. Eunuch Fang can tell the truth to the court, maybe the court will agree to this."
How to exchange for silver!"
"The Zajia family will naturally report it truthfully." Fang Zhenghua said, "We will also send people to Jiliao Supervisor's Yamen to collect food and salary for Dongjiang Town."
"It's just right." Guo Dajing said: "If Jiannu sends people again, we will be able to delay the time and wait for good news from the imperial court and Jiliao Governor's Yamen."
Although Fang Zhenghua temporarily blocked this bizarre transaction, he also understood the meaning of Guo Dajing's words.
If the reaction of the imperial court and Governor Ji Liao is unsatisfactory, the sale of people's heads will continue. When the time comes, don't interfere with this matter by pretending to be powerful.
Sighing secretly, Fang Zhenghua still had some illusions and said: "General Guo, in addition to rewarding meritorious services, the court also offers promotions and promotions. Don't be greedy for small profits in front of you."
Guo Dajing gave a helpless smile and said: "Eunuch Fang, the general hopes to be promoted to a higher official position and be given the title of wife. But Dongjiang Town is the foundation. If it cannot support it, no matter how high the official position is, the general will
What’s the use of having no soldiers in hand?”
Fang Zhenghua was a little speechless, looking at Guo Dajing, trying to distinguish whether his words of being indifferent to fame, wealth and officialdom were true or false.
Guo Dajing cupped his hands and said sincerely: "Ping Liao and destroying the captives is the last general's ambition. For this, I will do whatever it takes. I hope Fang Huagong will understand."
Fang Zhenghua slowly lowered his eyes, nodded with a wry smile, and said, "If someone else said this, the Za family wouldn't take it seriously. But General Guo practices his words and deeds, so you have to believe it!"
Guo Dajing smiled lightly and said, "Eunuch Fang is so complimentary."
Fang Zhenghua knew that he couldn't keep staring at Guo Dajing here, nor could he look at the head. If Dongjiang Town wanted to trade with Jianlu, he would be able to avoid him at all costs, and it would be difficult for him to stop it.
Now, I just hope that the imperial court will respond. Yuan Chonghuan, the governor of Jiliao, has also gone too far by detaining food and salary and banning the sea.
Fang Zhenghua was helpless, and after a night's rest, he set out on his return journey. He wrote the memorial overnight, sent someone to Lushun, and took a boat to the capital, hoping to get a reply as soon as possible.
Guo Dajing said that he was able to delay, because he saw that Jiannu was also prolonging the time. This caused the news to spread more widely, so as to alienate the relationship between the imperial court and Dongjiang Town, and the emperor and Mao Wenlong.
After staying in Luangu Pass for a few more days, all the work was implemented and completed to Guo Dajing's satisfaction, and then he returned to Jinzhou Acropolis with his personal guards.
On the way, Guo Dajing stayed at Xiaoheishan and Shiheyi for two or three days, inspecting the built fortifications.
Generals and officers such as Liu Xingzhi and Zhang Pan, as well as officers and soldiers of the Zuo Association, have mastered the key and essentials of relying on strong defenses quite skillfully.
After the inspection, Guo Dajing felt very satisfied and pleased. After praising and encouraging him, he returned to Jinzhou Acropolis.
Jinzhou Acropolis has been designated as the food and ammunition reserve base of North Jinzhou, as well as the headquarters of the North Jinzhou garrison. Mao Wenlong will be based here.
The government affairs system will soon move out of the city, build houses and towns in Jinzhou District in later generations, and continue to work.
Along the way, Guo Dajing was just looking at the flowers, but he also felt the booming atmosphere of Beijinzhou, which was about to start major construction.
On the road, there are horse-drawn carriages and carts one after another. Some are transporting food and supplies from the government, and some are moving people to new homes. There are also plots of land set aside for military settlements. The army has sent people to measure and plan and prepare for farming.
Beijinzhou, which was originally a sparsely populated area, suddenly had tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians settling down and working intensively.
Abandoned villages have been renovated and rebuilt, signal towers and inns are under intense construction, and smoke is rising from the distance or nearby, making Beijinzhou more popular and lively.
Regardless of whether there is a state of war or not, ordinary people will work hard to support their families. At that time, 90% of the people were farmers, which meant that land, a means of production, was extremely precious.
Having their own fields is the dream of many farmers for a lifetime or even several lifetimes. As military households, the people of Dongjiang Town never imagined that such a day would come to them.
Although this is not your own land, there is not much difference. You can cultivate it with confidence and hand over the harvest to the government in proportion, and the rest is yours.
In other words, if there is a good harvest, you will pay more; if there is a disaster and the harvest is bad, you will pay less. It is not a decree of the court, the tax is fixed, even if there is no harvest, the difference will not be a penny.
With such a humanized distribution mechanism, who would not roll up their sleeves and work hard to accumulate wealth as soon as possible so that their families can live a life without worries about food and clothing?
"Such a small piece of wasteland has been occupied by someone?" Guo Dajing slowed down his horse, feeling relieved and a little confused, but he soon felt relieved.
The large piece of land allocated to the family is left alone for the time being, and will only be cultivated after the ice thaws. However, the corner wasteland that has not been designated by the government belongs to the family, and the harvest does not need to be turned over, it is all theirs.
The land occupation does not need to be too formal. As long as a shallow trench is dug around the wasteland, it means that the owner already owns it, and others will not come to snatch it.
In this regard, the people of Dongjiang Town are still very simple and honest, and basically do not bother the government for trivial matters. Even if there are some conflicts, they can be resolved with the help of the villagers.
"I have seen you, young man." The common people who were digging snow and ditches in the frozen soil bowed and saluted Guo Dajing and others.
Guo Dajing smiled and nodded, and said: "It may get warmer later this year. You have just moved here, so you can take more time to prepare and settle down your home."
The common people nodded repeatedly and said, "Sir, I will grow more potatoes and rye this year. Even if the year is bad, I can feed my family enough."
The weather is one thing, but water conservancy facilities are also very important. Drought can irrigate, and floods can drain water. It is definitely unreliable to just trust God with the harvest.
Guo Dajing didn't say much. The government had its own arrangements. After chatting for a few words, he rode on and continued on.
There will be a famine in Jianlu this year. It may not only be due to the cold climate, but also natural disasters such as drought and floods. The harvest in Jinzhou may also be affected.
But fortunately, North Jinzhou was recovered, and the number of fields nearly doubled. The total grain output may only be a little higher.
Coupled with the purchased grain, Guo Dajing is quite confident in ensuring that the soldiers and civilians in Dongjiang Town have enough food.
The soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town, who were in a war environment, were much happier than the victims of disasters in the northwest.
Thinking of this and seeing that his hard work was not in vain, Guo Dajing felt proud in his heart.
Ability has its own size. Starting from saving one person, as long as you can stick to your original intention, you will eventually be able to help the world.
Five years or ten years may just be an ideal, with the regret of dying before the start. But so what, as long as you live, you must go on step by step.