Chapter 401 The iron of Kyushu is hard to cast its fault
In Ningyuan, the city is still strong; the Hongyi cannon still stands at the top of the city.
Standing on the city wall and looking up, you can still see the fields planted by soldiers outside the city, which are mainly green vegetables.
But in Zu Dashou's view, this place was already like a cage, trapping him and about 30,000 officers and soldiers.
Patting the city wall gently, Zu Dashou asked in a deep voice: "The imperial court ordered our army to farm in the fields. Starting from this year's autumn harvest, the pay will be reduced by a quarter."
At that time, the pay for soldiers in Liao Town was one or two and four cents of silver and one bushel of rice per month, while the military pay for Dongjiang Town was seven cents of silver, only half of that in Liao Town.
Now, the pay of officers and soldiers in Dongjiang Town is the same as that in Liao Town, while Liao Town will face the difficulty of reducing food in a few months.
In Zu Dashou's view, it was not that the imperial court was unable to supply money and food, but that the food reduction was more like a punishment to punish them for betraying the imperial court and fleeing privately.
A gloom appeared on Xie Shangzheng's face, and he said slowly: "If we reduce it by a quarter, we can still survive. I'm afraid we will reduce it again next year, and the year after that, until the supply is completely cut off."
"The imperial court wants to drive us into despair." Zu Dale snorted and said, "It's like cutting flesh with a blunt knife, slowly killing us."
Zu Dashou's eyes flashed and he said: "I have reported to the court that there is little barren land in Ningyuan. Even if we cultivate the fields, it will only cost ten thousand shi per year. What's more, our army has moved to Ningyuan and the farming season has passed. It is difficult to grow food this year.
"
After a pause, he added: "Besides, Ningyuan is the only barrier to the gate. It is a place where the captives must attack. It may be difficult to do both in the field training."
Fooling, then lying. Not to mention that Jianlu has lost the material basis for attacking this year. Even if he had, I'm afraid he wouldn't be so stubborn that he would come to Ningyuan City to be bombarded again.
If Jianlu regains his strength, he may be able to take a detour to enter the Pass. Of course, with the Dongjiang Army restraining him, it will be difficult for Jianlu to repeat his old tactics.
"The tide is turning!" He Kegang sighed heavily and said, "Now that Dongjiang Town has gained power, we are no longer valued by the court."
Speaking of Dongjiang Town, the generals had different expressions, some were angry, some frowned, and some were silent, showing their respective moods.
Zu Dashou also sighed and said: "I didn't expect that Dongjiang Town has grown so shockingly. It is difficult for our army to be able to resist the fierce attack of the Japanese invaders with similar strength and counterattack to win.
"
Zu Dashou and others already knew the details of the Zunhua victory, and shock was no longer enough to describe their feelings.
Although Dongjiang Town has indeed won many victories in the past few years, their inertia thinking has caused them to come up with various reasons to belittle Ming Shi and is unwilling to admit the rapid increase in Dongjiang Army's combat power.
From their point of view, Dongjiang Town, which was short of food and wages, could only harass and restrain the beggars of Jianlu, but it was almost completely transformed in a short period of time. It was really unbelievable and unbelievable.
Not only them, but also when Yuan Chonghuan was in power, they never believed that the Dongjiang Army, which was suppressed and blocked by him in every possible way, could develop by such a leap.
It was precisely because of this psychological inertia that Zu Dashou made the decision to leave the battlefield without permission and return to western Liaoning.
Firstly, he was really scared because Yuan Chonghuan was imprisoned; secondly, he thought that the Ming Dynasty could not survive without their "Guan Ning Iron Cavalry" and would cry and beg them to go back.
Arrogance and misjudgment finally led to the current situation. Zu Dashou and others regretted it, but thinking about it on the other hand, fighting the Jianlu under the capital would not necessarily end well.
"Dongjiang Town was able to survive the difficult period of lack of food and pay, but it only relied on the navy and foreign trade to obtain supplies." Xie Shangzheng said thoughtfully: "We have Juehua Navy in hand and make good use of it. How can we be in trouble?
Sad City?"
He Kegang shook his head and said: "How much money will be needed to purchase grain from outside? Even if it can last for a while, it is not a long-term solution."
"Since it's trade, it's natural to make money." Xie Shangzheng said: "Could it be that Dongjiang Town can only go in and out, so how can they get so much money?"
Zu Dale said: "I heard that Dongjiang Town is engaged in smuggling trade. They exchanged ginseng, mink, deer antlers and other items from Jianlu, and sold them to Jiangnan for several times the huge profits."
Zu Dashou's eyes flashed and he had an idea in his mind. He said slowly: "This is a way, but it needs to be considered in the long run. There is no need to discuss it now."
Smuggling is a good method. Dongjiang Town can do it, why can't we? However, it is not good to let too many people know about it. Zu Dashou plans to only find a few confidants to do this.
At this time, a messenger arrived, climbed up the city wall, and delivered the imperial report.
Zu Dashou took it over, read it quickly, and sighed: "Master Yuan has finally been convicted. Long live the decree: obey the law!"
On June 16, Chongzhen summoned the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs on the platform to discuss the execution of Yuan Chonghuan.
"Conspiracy to rebel and deceive the king, treachery to the country. Conspiracy to kill the commander to fulfill the agreement with the captives, market rice to steal grain. He used the chieftains, introduced the invaders, dispersed the reinforcements, clearly planned a long drive, and the troops and horses were in effect, and the troops were waiting to wait and see.
, Hidden barbarian envoys, insisting on entering the city, what do you want? The temple community is shocked, the lives are devastated, gods and men are angry, so why rebuild it!"
After Emperor Chongzhen personally listed Yuan Chonghuan's various crimes, he asked for advice in a consultative tone: "How does the judicial department convict Yuan Chonghuan?"
The emperor had already confirmed Yuan Chonghuan's grave crime. How dare the ministers make any mistakes? They just paused and allowed the emperor to do whatever he wanted.
Seeing that the ministers had no objections, Chongzhen immediately announced his decision: "According to the law!"
At the same time, Qian Longxi was appointed as the assistant minister, but he secretly formed a secret alliance with border ministers and conspired with each other.
At this point, although the aftermath has yet to subside, Yuan Chonghuan's case has finally been settled.
This is since the death of Liaodong Manager Xiong Tingbi, another Liaodong Manager and Superintendent-level feudal official was questioned and executed by the imperial court.
However, Yuan Chonghuan was much more miserable than Xiong Tingbi. The so-called "Zhe" was also known among the people as "death by a thousand cuts", that is, he was beheaded to death.
Such a serious decision came from Zu Dashou's mouth, and the generals were silent for a moment, not knowing what to say.
It can be seen that the emperor's deep hatred for Yuan Chonghuan, and their Liao Town, must have been remembered by the emperor in his heart.
The chance to make atonement by meritorious service is gone, and Liao Zhen does not have the ability. The bleak future is already obvious, but it is only a matter of time.
This further strengthened Zu Dashou's idea of accumulating money through smuggling. As a way out, he must do it before the court took action.
In his view, it was simply unrealistic to change the court's attitude through bloody battles with Jianlu like the Dongjiang Army did.
With only 30,000 troops and horses, with Jinzhou and Guangning in between, how could they fight Jianlu?
Besides, knowing their own affairs, if they start a war with Jianlu, they will all die, and it is impossible to win a decent victory.
………………
Guo Dajing, who was in Jinzhou Acropolis, also saw the Imperial Court's Di Bao, which arrived at about the same time as the Di Bao, as well as the detailed report from the Beijing Intelligence Station.
When Yuan Chonghuan was kidnapped and taken to the Western Market for execution, he cut a piece of meat. The people in the capital fought for it alive from the executioner. The executioner jumped at him, and the people bought the meat with money, and it was immediately eaten.
Their stomachs and intestines were cut open, and the people rushed to grab them. Those who found one section were bitten raw with soju, and blood flowed between their cheeks, while they were still spitting. Those who found the bones were chopped into pieces with knives and axes, and all the bones and flesh were gone. Only one piece was left.
, transmitting vision to nine sides.
Mi Shi's salary has shaken the country's foundation; he is arrogant and domineering, seeking money and beheading commanders; leading his troops into the pass, avoiding fighting; sitting back and watching the plunder, motionless as a mountain; the sacred capital is in trouble, and all life is in ruins...
The iron of Kyushu can hardly make a mistake, how can cutting off one's flesh make up for it?
Yuan Chonghuan deceived the emperor with his big words and lightly talked about Ping Liao, which spread disaster to Jiuzhou. In order to support Ping Liao, the Ming court had insufficient finances and had to increase Liao's salary. How many civil uprisings were provoked and how many poor people were forced to death?
Yuan Chonghuan was so stupid that he sold rice to the Mongolian tribes, which not only allowed the Jianqi to alleviate the famine, but also provided them with supplies along the way to enter the customs. How many people in the capital were destroyed?
The political situation was turbulent and party strife reappeared. The only vitality of the Ming Dynasty was lost acceleratingly in the strife between the same parties and those who opposed different parties.
Chongzhen, who was stimulated by the changes in Jisi, became more stubborn and suspicious, and then made more mistakes and mistakes, which directly affected the political situation in the late Ming Dynasty and put the Ming Dynasty's demise on the fast track.
Without the Dongjiang Army's efforts to turn the tide, the destruction of the world would have begun here.
Guo Dajing put down the information and lowered his eyes, with complicated emotions and mixed feelings in his heart.
What is even more ironic is that in his letter to negotiate peace with Huang Taiji, Yuan Chonghuan once said, "The heart of heaven is the heart of Khan, which is also my heart. If Khan is sincere, how can I be false; if Khan is sincere, how can I
"Fake" words.
Now, Yuan Chonghuan and Huang Taiji were hacked to death one after another in the West Market. I wonder if they were in the same mood at the time and could they still think of being together?
Not only were the executions the same, but the scenes were almost the same. Huang Taiji's meat was also fought over and eaten by the people in the capital, his bones were scraped and ashes were thrown away, and he drank wine.
"Chonghuan's disaster was caused by his own ears!" Mao Wenlong, like Guo Dajing, did not feel happy and encouraged. He stroked his beard and frowned, sighing.
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "You have great ambitions but little talent, but you don't know it; you have nothing but courage."
To be called a famous general just by shrinking down and defending the city is obviously too low a standard.
But I am afraid that Yuan Chonghuan was praised by political propaganda. After the Battle of Ningyuan, he really regarded himself as a famous general and developed an extremely confident and arrogant mentality.
I thought I had two brushes, but I didn't realize that the brushes were hairless and bald.
Or perhaps, he just had the mentality of a gambler. He relied on big words and boldness to quickly rise through the ranks and become a feudal official, but he finally died due to his big words.
"Mao Chenglu's former association has gone to Pi Island to change defenses with Kong Youde's command." Guo Dajing calmed down and began to report. "The preparations for combat before and after the autumn harvest have been basically completed. The two associations and a flying cavalry battalion will be dispatched."
Mao Wenlong smiled and nodded, and said: "I have seen the plan. I expect the enemy to be lenient. I am quite relieved to dispatch such a force."
After a pause, he continued: "At that time, I will send two associations to occupy Niuzhuang Post, approach Haicheng River, and contain the Jianlu."
Guo Dajing said: "The work of contacting various Mongolian tribes has gone smoothly. A market has been opened in Panshan. The scale of trading is not large yet. Wait until autumn, when cattle, horses and livestock can be put on the market in large quantities."
"It's good to start." Mao Wenlong said: "The Mongolians lack daily necessities, but they can only exchange cattle and sheep. In addition, it is also a good idea for you to hire them to raise cattle and horses."
Raising cattle and horses is naturally the best job for Mongolians. Dongjiang Town has established a military horse farm in the Shahe River Basin of Fuzhou, but the scale is not large.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to trade horses with various Mongolian tribes, Guo Dajing prepared to expand the military horse farm, tentatively planning to locate it on Changsheng Island, Zhongdao and Xizhong Island, so that the Dongjiang Army would have more sources of war horses.
On the island, the lack of ships means isolation, and it also prevents the Mongols from acting as spies and informing foreign enemies.
"By the way." Mao Wenlong stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Ningyuan's ancestor has a great birthday, and he also sent someone to send a gift to congratulate my commander on being promoted to a Marquis."
Guo Dajing's eyes flashed with a look of ridicule, and he said: "These city-guarding dogs are staying in Ningyuan dishonestly and showing off their courtesy for nothing. What are their intentions?"
"They want to buy a batch of new muskets." Mao Wenlong sneered and said, "What do you think?"
"This -" Guo Dajing scratched his head and asked uncertainly: "Befriending generals and purchasing weapons privately, isn't this not abandoning the legal system of the court?"
Mao Wenlong showed a strange expression, then smiled and said: "It is indeed illegal, let them apply to the imperial court for transfer!"
Mao Wenlong was indeed surprised that the imperial court's legal system was spoken from Guo Dajing's mouth, and he also realized that this was Guo Dajing's excuse for his objection.
Sold silks and brocades to Jianlu, negotiated with Xiyi to buy arms, issued military coupons to relieve the continuing poverty of food and wages... How many things did Guo Dajing do that were not in compliance with the court's legal rules?
Moreover, the imperial court has also begun to imitate new muskets and apply for transfers, which is the proper procedure.
However, Guo Dajing really had no confidence in the muskets built by the imperial court under the craftsman system.
Even the blunderbuss cannot be made well, let alone have more charges and more power, but it requires the creation of a new and more sophisticated musket.
There is another key technology, which is highly elastic steel. If this problem is not solved, the fire rate of the flintlock gun produced will be pitifully low, and it is better to use a matchlock gun!
It is estimated that when the new muskets are distributed to the troops, they will soon be disliked by people, just like the blunderbuss is feared by the soldiers like a tiger, which is the same result.
As for the system, the Ming Dynasty’s system is already riddled with accumulated shortcomings. Without thorough reform, no good policies or good things will be implemented well or promoted.
Since Mao Wenlong mentioned Liao Town and Zu Dashou, Guo Dajing hesitated for a moment and expressed his worries.
"Smuggling grain and grass supplies, betraying the country's assets to the enemy?" Mao Wenlong looked surprised, frowned, blinked slowly, and was speechless for a long time.
Guo Dajing smiled bitterly and said: "Long Live is too cautious in dealing with Liao Town. This year, it will have to farm to support itself, and after the autumn, it will be deducted from the food and salary. Under this pressure, it is difficult to guarantee that Liao Town will not take risks and make a living on its own.
"
Mao Wenlong let out a long breath and said: "Although it is unbelievable, it must be guarded against. If Jianlu can get supplies, it will disrupt our army's plan to pacify Liao."
Guo Dajing pondered for a moment and said: "Shuai Mao can reply to Zu Dashou. Due to the legal system of the court, muskets cannot be sold. However, if Liao Town has food difficulties, Dongjiang Town can provide support."