There was also Yang Sichang, who shouted that "we must first pacify the domestic situation when fighting foreign affairs". He wanted to negotiate peace with the rebels and concentrate on dealing with the common people who revolted because of hunger. However, Chongzhen relied on him as a confidant and listened to his words.
If Chongzhen is here, the Ming Dynasty will surely perish. If you don’t recognize the good ministers, you won’t trust them even if you have them, and you won’t delegate power to them, which will make the good ministers useless. The inability to employ people and the inability to use them will also determine the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty.
This is also the most critical reason why Guo Dajing has always done his best, even forgetting his own interests, to help Dongjiang Town overcome difficulties and develop and grow.
Only Liaodong was the place where he showed his talents; only Dongjiang Town was the foundation for him to dominate the world and revitalize China.
It is precisely because of this awareness and sense of identity that Guo Dajing can give generously and selflessly. It is not an exaggeration to describe it as destroying families and relieving people.
Is it a simple belief in family and country, an unforgettable desire for revenge, or a desire to be crowned a lord? Mao Wenlong did not want to pursue this matter, and it did not conflict with him.
Even if it’s not nice to say it, it’s called ambition, so what’s wrong with it? If it’s nice to say it, it’s called idealism and ambition.
The two of them had already left the house, only half a step behind them. They were walking and chatting in the autumn desolation. They seemed to have no destination, just meandering leisurely.
"The land of Liaodong is vast and fertile. If managed well, it will become an unbreakable foundation for all generations." Mao Wenlong brushed away the dead leaves that fell on his arm and said slowly: "But, based on the words of Dongjiang Town, it will not be short-term to pacify Liao and destroy the captives."
It will take time."
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "Despite this, we can't count on others. Especially Liao Zhen, they probably prefer to stay in the current state forever."
Liaoxi Jiangmen is an interest group that relies on the support of the Han people in Han Dynasty to enrich itself. In order to maintain its own interests in the long term, it can be said that it has no moral integrity.
In previous battles, many guest troops who came to help were killed, but they still maintained their strength and grew stronger.
If the Jianlu were destroyed, how could they still reap the benefits, and how could they ask the court to continue investing in the bottomless pit?
To say that they raise bandits is an understatement. They are simply raising tigers to make trouble, and are waiting for the day when the tigers will swallow them up.
Mao Wenlong also knew the virtues of Liao Zhen well, and breaking up with Yuan Chonghuan also meant that he had no last trace of luck.
"Whether it is Liao Town or Dongjiang Town, the court always has doubts and even fears." Mao Wenlong smiled helplessly and said: "Whether it is Yuan Chonghuan or this commander-in-chief, the court will always deal with one of them."
The Liaoxi generals within the system and the semi-independent Dongjiang Town were all afraid of the emergence of someone like Dong Zhuo for the imperial court.
Relatively speaking, Dongjiang Town, which was outside the system, made the court even more worried. This mentality has always enveloped the Chongzhen emperor and his ministers. Historically, Mao Wenlong was killed, which in some respects was in their interests.
Killing chickens to scare monkeys and deter other border towns. The court wanted to prove that its control over the border towns was not out of control. This is why Mao Wenlong said the court wanted to kill one.
To get rid of such a tragedy, we can only rely on our own strength and become a hero that the court and the emperor want to move but dare not.
Guo Dajing said slowly with a sarcastic sneer: "The previous target may have been Dongjiang Town, but it will be very different in the future. The general will think that Yuan Chonghuan will be the first to fall."
Yuan Chonghuan integrated himself into the interest groups in western Liaoning, spoke for them, and fought for them, but in the end he was killed by them.
After Chongzhen imprisoned Yuan Chonghuan, Zu Dashou was either frightened or fearful of fighting, so he led his troops to leave the capital without authorization and return to the outside world.
Although Yuan Chonghuan later wrote in handwriting to recall Zu Dashou's tribe who had returned to the outside world, Zu Dashou's actions became a reminder for Yuan Chonghuan.
Yuan Chonghuan's crimes were difficult to conceal, and his downfall was inevitable. Liao Zhen did not obey the imperial decree and acted without authorization, almost causing greater disaster.
The consequence of this is that Dongjiang Town will overwhelm Liao Town within the system. And Yuan Chonghuan will become the chicken that scares the monkeys in the imperial court.
Choosing one of the two, Guo Dajing believed that after this fateful battle, Dongjiang Town would temporarily avoid disaster, forcing the court to rely on Zhong.
When the court wants to suppress and control Dongjiang Town again, I believe that the strength of Dongjiang Town has already made the court jealous, and it has to admit the fact of semi-independence even if it pinches its nose.
"It must be the boastful Yuan Manzi." Mao Wenlong stroked his beard, confidence emerged spontaneously, and said with a smile: "Five years of Ping Liao's big talk has not yet come to fruition, Jianlu has already invaded the capital, how will he explain it?"
Explanation?! What explanation can he give? First he ran around Jianlu, and then managed to fight a few battles under the capital, then sat back and watched Jianlu plunder, and rested his horse leisurely in Nanhaizi. The so-called Guan Ning cavalry did not dare to shoot a single arrow.
Add up.
It's a mule or a horse, it has to be pulled out and jogged.
After the Jisi Incident, the imperial court tightened its belt. After nearly two years, the iron cavalry Yuan Chonghuan boasted about building was finally revealed.
The morale of the army was timid, and they were nothing more than dog ears defending the city. Although their combat power was much stronger than that of the Ming army in the mainland, it was absolutely impossible to hope for the pacification of Liao and the destruction of the captives.
Guo Dajing chuckled and said: "We don't brag or rush for success, we just play it safe. We launch him into battle several times a year and kill thousands of captives. Five years later, Liaodong will be almost pacified."
Already."
"That's right, it just needs to be done steadily." Mao Wenlong nodded appreciatively and said: "There are as many people as there are in Jianlu, and consumption will consume them all. Maybe they won't have to be dragged to death, but hunger will destroy them."
"
There is a great famine. As long as the plan of the Jianlu invaders to invade the Kou capital and plunder the population, food and supplies is thwarted, next year will be the time when the Jianlu will collapse.
All in all, it will take nearly a year to cultivate and harvest next year. What will Jianlu use to support him, instead of chewing tree bark and eating grass roots?
According to Guo Dajing's estimation, there will be drought this year and good weather next year. However, the Jianlu people no longer have enough people to farm and produce. They either starve to death or flee. A big collapse can be expected.
Looking back at the material acquisition after the Jianlu rebellion against the Ming Dynasty, we basically relied on war to support war and relied on looting to support it.
A year or two before Lao Nu's death, supplies were scarce and the financial crisis had already emerged. It was not easy for Huang Taiji to survive the past few years, firstly by conquering North Korea and secondly by conquering the Chahar tribe.
"What the commander said is absolutely true." Guo Dajing said: "This battle is the key point of turning. Whether we win or lose, it all depends on this."
Mao Wenlong pondered for a moment and said solemnly: "Despite this, you must be cautious. Don't underestimate the enemy or take risks. If you can block it, block it. If you can't, let the captives escape. It won't harm the overall situation."
Guo Dajing smiled and said: "Don't worry, Commander, I will not be reckless and impulsive. It is also the safest consideration to intercept Jianlu in Zunhua."
In Zunhua, we will fight against the city and block the official road for the Jianlu soldiers to go around the city and out of the customs. According to Mao Wenlong, if the fight is difficult, we will retreat into the city and hold on, without forcing the Jianlu troops to cross the pass.
Pass.
Guo Dajing said this to respond to Mao Wenlong's concern and reassure him. But in fact, he did not think that with equal strength and a favorable location, he would not be able to intercept Jianlu.
Of course, this will be a solo operation by the Dongjiang Army, with almost no friendly forces coming to help.
Even though the Jianlu plundered hundreds of thousands of people and stole a large amount of food and supplies, and marched slowly, they retreated calmly outside the pass.
It's very simple. No Ming army dared to pursue or fight Jianlu in the wild. Even if there was a city to rely on, the defenders lost their fighting spirit and were frightened out of their courage. Jianlu could easily capture it.
Even if they were ordered to pursue him, they would just follow him from a distance as if to say goodbye. When Jianlu came out of the pass, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Those who breathed a sigh of relief were not only the Ming army who acted under the orders but also the princes and ministers in the capital, as well as Emperor Chongzhen in the Forbidden City.
Jianlu finally left, and now he felt relieved. As for the hundreds of thousands of Ming people who were taken captive, what did they count?
"Let's eat mutton today!" Mao Wenlong suddenly changed the subject and said with a smile: "I asked someone to kill a sheep, and you instructed the cook to clean it up. You can eat it again and again, but it still tastes good the way you cooked it."
Guo Dajing chuckled and said: "Commander, this is not a boast. The blending of shabu-shabu and roasting is all figured out by the general. Others are copying others, how can we have the authenticity here?"
Mao Wenlong laughed, deliberately slowed down, patted Guo Dajing's arm gently, and said: "Then I will have a good meal, and when you come back, I will take care of you."
"No problem." Guo Dajing agreed painfully and said, "Would you like to try the spicy one? The taste is unique and unforgettable."
"Okay, it's up to you." Mao Wenlong smiled while stroking his beard and walked forward.
Sichuan peppercorns are a specialty of Guizhou and Sichuan, and Guo Dajing didn’t know if they were available now. Therefore, he used Sichuan peppercorns, which are slightly numb and soft, not as heavy as Sichuan peppercorns.
But it is true that it is unique. People in ancient times have not eaten it. At least they have not eaten it completely. Chili peppers have not yet been Sichuan, and spicy food has not yet been combined into one.
Of course, Guo Dajing also knew that Mao Wenlong was not greedy, nor was he simply seeing him off, but also treated him as one of his own.
This is not an order, but a sign of trust, or even pampering for children and nephews. For example, asking children to pat their legs or pinch their waists.
If you think of this as being a cook and serving people, you are totally wrong. It is precisely because Guo Dajing respects Mao Wenlong, regardless of whether he has heroic ambitions, that he will agree to it.
It was really not flattery. Guo Dajing knew it in his heart and was open-minded; Mao Wenlong knew it clearly.
The two walked and talked, laughing from time to time. The elongated figures on the ground sometimes overlapped and sometimes separated.
………………
Whether time is fast or slow, it all depends on personal psychology. Some people feel that time flies by, while some people feel that time flies by.
Guo Dajing rushed to the port of Lushun, and the participating ministries also gathered in Lushun and Dalian. A large amount of combat materials were transported from various places and stored in warehouses next to the port.
The navy's ships, the Lin family's four large sand boats, and the fishing fleet were either docked at the port or heading towards the two major ports.
At this time, it was already the sixth day of October. According to urgent information, Huang Taiji had already worshiped the Queen of Heaven on the second day of October and led his army from Shenyang, nominally to conquer the Chahar tribe.
The eldest Beile Daishan, the third Beile Manggurtai, and Beile Beizi such as Abatai, Azig, Dorgon, and Duduo accompanied them. The second Beile Amin, Jilharang, Hauge, and Du Duliu were in Shenyang.
Mao Wenlong seized the time and sent a memorial to the court.
In his memorial, he reminded Chongzhen that based on the intelligence obtained through spying, the army was called to conquer the Cha'er tribe, but in fact, it was necessary to take a detour to enter the pass, and asked Chongzhen to quickly strengthen the defense of Jizhou.
It was already too late to strengthen the defense at this time. But it was not impossible. It was still too late to mobilize troops from Shanhaiguan or outside the customs to Jizhou to assist in the defense.
But according to Chongzhen's thinking, he probably wouldn't listen. Only when Jianlu really invaded, he would wake up from a dream and panic.
Historically, Yuan Chonghuan also realized that Jizhen's defense was empty, and once proposed to deploy troops from outside the pass to garrison.
But under Mao Wenlong's impeachment, Yuan Chonghuan was forced to swear to endorse Haraqin and other ministries. How could he still sneer and say nonsense that "if the barbarians become guides and slaves invade, the disaster will be unknown"?
In Lushun Port, there are masts and masts like a forest, and ships docked are densely packed. From time to time, ships are guided into the port and docked in an orderly manner.
Guo Dajing withdrew his gaze from the window, turned around with a smile, and watched Lin Tianyou lead the two of them inside to worship.
"Chen Huzhong (Zhao Liancheng), a commoner, has met General Guo."
Chen Huzhong and Zhao Liancheng are both middle-aged men. One has a square face with big ears, the other has a round face with small eyes. What they have in common is their skin color. It is obvious at a glance that they are used to the wind and waves at sea.
"You're welcome, you two righteous men, please take a seat." Guo Dajing extended his hand to signal, and after the three of them sat down, he said with a smile: "I can't thank you enough for delaying your efforts to make a lot of money."
"General Guo is too polite." Zhao Liancheng blinked his little eyes and said with a smile: "Not to mention paying the commission, even if you don't pay, the little people are willing to contribute to the Dongjiang Army and build up Liaodong."
Chen Huzhong nodded with a smile and agreed: "Although the businessman talks about profit, he also has a patriotic heart. The Dongjiang army resisted the rebels and won many battles. We, with our meager strength, are really honored."
Guo Dajing bowed his hand. Even though he was a businessman, he did not look down upon him and maintained due respect.
The load capacity of the four sand ships is around 700 tons, which makes them medium-sized and above.
Based on the carrying capacity alone, it can carry almost seven or eight thousand people. Although it cannot be calculated that way, because people are different from cargo and cannot be piled up. But if it is only loaded with supplies, it also solves a big problem.
Because of this additional support, the number of troops on the cross-sea expedition increased again, namely the two thousand elite special operations battalions transferred back from the Zhenjiang Fort and Kuandian areas.
At the same time, the weapons and equipment were also increased, mainly carrying a lot of additional mines and bombs, as well as dozens of Fran cannons and ammunition.
In terms of firepower, the expeditionary force was greatly strengthened than planned. This made Guo Dajing's confidence rise again and he won this decisive battle that was a matter of success or failure.
Looking at Lin Tianyou, Guo Dajing smiled and nodded. Due to their relationship, there is no need to express gratitude too clearly.