Chapter 408: The Periodic Law of the Rise and Fall of Dynasties
Chongzhen's meanness, unkindness, and capriciousness were fully revealed in the murder of Yuan Chonghuan.
He didn't know how to recognize people before, but he was ruthless later.
It is chilling to think that Yuan Chonghuan was blessed with great blessings after taking office, but was executed in the most cruel and bloody way.
You know, when discussing with the courtiers how to deal with Yuan Chonghuan, no one dared to say anything. Only Chongzhen decided to impose the cruelest punishment - Lingchi.
From being extremely trusting to being cut into pieces, this is the fate of a courtier. Even if Yuan Chonghuan deserves to die, Chongzhen's actions will inevitably make people feel cold in the back.
Mao Wenlong didn't say it, but he was happy because of Yuan Chonghuan's death, but the seeds of his fear and guard against the emperor had already been planted.
Perhaps, in feudal society, military generals who made great achievements would basically have no good end. Unless there were factors that made the emperor have to be afraid or worried.
For example, when Li Chengliang was violently impeached by Yan Guan in his later years, because his disciples held heavy troops and the Li family's power and influence in Liaodong still existed, Emperor Wanli was only able to tolerate him, and only "dismissed" him without putting him to death.
Therefore, in Mao Wenlong's view, the strength of Dongjiang Town and the loyalty of the generals are his most trustworthy guarantees.
Looking at the Dongjiang generals, no one except Guo Dajing could shoulder such an important task. From the efforts to get rid of dependence on the imperial court, Mao Wenlong also saw the most worthy place to rely on Guo Dajing.
Most of the vast military garrison land outside the city has been harvested. Carts of potatoes are constantly flowing on the road, and they are transported to the cellars in the city for storage.
Pieces of flat land formed a threshing floor, where harvested rye was dried to dry. Stacks of wheat straw were stacked in the wild, like hills.
"Greetings to Marshal Mao, hello to Marshal Guo."
"See Mao Shuai, Guo Shuai."
From time to time, soldiers stopped and bowed to Mao Wenlong and Guo Dajing.
Mao Wenlong and Guo Dajing either smiled or stopped their horses to chat, and the same joy as the soldiers gradually rose in their hearts.
"Did you see that?" Mao Wenlong slowed down his horse and did not look back at Guo Dajing, because he knew that Guo Dajing was half a horse's head behind him. He said slowly: "Tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of thousands of people, if we are defeated
What will happen?"
Without waiting for Guo Dajing's answer, Mao Wenlong continued: "A few years ago, all the soldiers and civilians in Dongjiang Town still relied on the pay and rations issued by the court. Although we also did business to subsidize it, as long as the court defaulted on arrears, it would not take two or three months for someone to go hungry.
die."
Guo Dajing waited for a while, and when Mao Wenlong stopped talking, he said: "Dongjiang Town is in a remote location overseas, and food and grass supplies need to be supplied from outside. There is no way around it."
"There is no need to worry now, and there is no need to worry about failure." Guo Dajing continued: "Be steady and steady, and at worst, it will take a few years to pacify Liaodong."
Mao Wenlong blinked his eyes, smiled and said: "Very good, very good! I am very pleased that you can have such a calm and unhurried attitude. I am very pleased with you."
Mao Wenlong was no longer very anxious about pacifying Liao and exterminating the captives after he became a marquis. Because he knew that when the victory was completed, it was also the time for the court to take action.
Granting a title without lifting the military power was just an expedient measure for the imperial court, because the Jianlu were not destroyed and Liaodong was not at peace.
As for Mao Wenlong, he did not want to be transferred back to the capital, become a nobleman, and be raised by the court. But he had not yet decided whether to disobey the court, that is, the emperor's will.
What's more important is that the strength of the Dongjiang Army cannot be lost too much in the Ping Liao and extermination of the captives. Mao Wenlong is really not at ease with those generals of the Dongjiang Army who are eager to make contributions, including Mao Chenglu.
Guo Dajing's calmness just catered to Mao Wenlong's conservative thinking. Although he tried his best to hide this and didn't want others to see it.
This is not only related to one's own reputation, but also to prevent the soldiers from slacking off. Just like in publicity, positive energy must always be reflected.
Unlike Liao Town, starting from Yuan Chonghuan, he tried his best to exaggerate the fierceness of Jianqi's field battles and preached that the enemy could not be defeated without strong artillery, which made the army timid and unable to bear the war.
Mao Wenlong, Guo Dajing and others were like taking an autumn outing or taking a ride. Sometimes they were galloping, sometimes they were free to rein in the horse, chatting, and unknowingly they arrived at the Martyrs Cemetery.
Green pines and cypresses, Yonglu steps, and the Martyrs Cemetery nestled against mountains and rivers have become larger and more spectacular after continuous renovation.
Loyal bones are buried everywhere in the mountains, why return them wrapped in horse leather?
The tall stone monument came into view, which immediately gave people a solemn feeling. Unable to help themselves, everyone stopped talking and laughing and showed a solemn and serious expression.
Mao Wenlong reined in the horse's head and did not enter the gate. He just looked outside from a distance. He squinted his eyes slightly and didn't know what he was thinking.
Guo Dajing was silent for a long time and said slowly: "Although the martyrs are given a place for future generations to pay their respects, the general still did not think carefully enough."
Mao Wenlong turned his head and looked at Guo Dajing inquiringly, waiting for him to continue.
Guo Dajing smiled bitterly and said: "Although the martyrs cemetery is magnificent and solemn, if the people want to come to worship, it is only convenient if it is close. The general thinks that every village should build a Yuewang temple, and the martyrs in the village should accompany the worship...
…”
Although there are many martyrs who rest in peace at the Martyrs Cemetery, a considerable number of them are buried by their relatives in the fields next to the village where they live. This is a traditional concept, so that relatives can worship conveniently.
Moreover, according to the transportation and road conditions at the time, it was unlikely that people who were farther away from the martyrs' cemetery would waste a day or two to pay their respects.
Mao Wenlong shook his head and agreed very much with Guo Dajing's idea.
The government promotes the establishment of Yuewang temples in every village to provide long-term edification of people’s faith and spirituality. This can be said to be a century-old plan.
You should know that many villages now have gods and Buddhas that the people spontaneously built and prayed for blessings. Among them, the Tugong and Tutu Po are the most common, and they are not big temples. They are just like small Buddhist niches placed at the head of the village. They are very simple.
.
Offering sacrifices to kings and martyrs is more meaningful and much better than land-based parents-in-law. It’s just one or two rooms, the government funds it and the villagers contribute, which gives it a greater sense of accomplishment.
"Deputy Marshal Chen should still have funds available." Mao Wenlong said with a smile: "If you are nervous, you will be asked to contribute."
"The general is willing to donate money." Guo Dajing said without hesitation: "If Deputy Marshal Chen needs anything, I can send it to him with just a word."
Mao Wenlong laughed and joked: "We are also going to be fathers soon. Axiu and Aying are not willing to leave some family property for their children."
Guo Dajing smiled and said: "Leave him a mountain of gold and silver, but not raise a prodigal son? If you have the ability, you will earn it by yourself, but if you don't, you will be hungry."
Mao Wenlong looked at Guo Dajing meaningfully, nodded slightly, and said: "It is impossible for ordinary people to see so clearly. However, what you said makes sense. You can only be rich for three generations, and many wealthy families have fallen because of this.
Already."
Suddenly sighing, Mao Wenlong turned his horse's head and walked back along the path he came from.
What are you sighing for? Guo Dajing scratched his head and guessed in his mind: Maybe it was associated with the sway of the Ming Dynasty. From Zhu Baba to Chengzu and then to Chongzhen, it really showed a trend of decline.
But what's so strange about this? Dynasties change, the rise and fall are impermanent, it's just the law of historical cycles.
Extreme injustice leads to the collapse of society, and a new level of relative fairness is reached in chaos and war, and the cycle starts again and again. Not to mention that the Ming Dynasty has been hundreds of years, and the Qin Dynasty and the Sui Dynasty have died, who can we find reason for?
Throughout history, some died due to the emperor’s incompetence, some died due to internal strife, some died due to foreign enemies, and some died due to the times.
The Ming Dynasty was special. It was caused by the combined efforts of internal strife and foreign enemies. Of course, history has changed, and Guo Dajing believed that the one who overthrew the Ming Dynasty would be his "rebellious and unethical" ministers.
The Qing Dynasty will never exist again, but the demise of the Later Jin Dynasty was also due to the times and the accelerated changes of the times forced by Guo Dajing.
After a long time, Mao Wenlong's mood adjusted again and he started chatting casually with Guo Dajing again.
"Quanzi Chengdou is ten years old. I learned from the letter that he has a weak constitution and is not qualified to be a warrior." Mao Wenlong shook his head with regret and said, "My wife said that he is suitable for studying literature and invites knowledgeable people to teach him."
Mao Chengdou was born in Liaoyang in the first year of Taichang. His biological mother was Mao Wenlong's concubine Wen. Wen was killed in the war. Mao Chengdou was adopted by his wife Zhang and moved to his hometown of Hangzhou.
Although he was not his biological son, the Zhang family regarded Mao Chengdou as his own son. The war in Liaodong continued, so Mao Wenlong was relieved to leave his son in his hometown.
Oh, it turns out that I thought that my son should not inherit his father's legacy and should follow the path of Xiwen.
Guo Dajing chuckled and said: "Studying literature and martial arts are all the same, so why should Commander Mao regret it? The military career is both difficult and dangerous. Does Commander Mao hope that the young master will also embark on the path of a warrior?"
"I have some prejudices against literati." Mao Wenlong smiled self-consciously and said, "But I don't have any extravagant hopes for him to practice martial arts. I just feel that my body is weak, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to live in this bitter and cold place like Liaodong."
Hangzhou is so nice, with pleasant scenery and climate. I am afraid that not only Mao Chengdou, but also the Zhang family would not want to live here. Even if the war subsides, there will still be worries about the acclimatization.
"If the summer is hot, you can come to Liaodong to escape the heat." Guo Dajing said with a smile: "If the winter is cold, wouldn't it be good to go to Hangzhou Maodong."
Due to the inconvenience of transportation, ancient people did not have the unrestrained lifestyle of later generations. When Guo Dajing said this, even Mao Wenlong felt fresh and nodded repeatedly with a smile.
In fact, people are adapting. The winter in Liaodong is cold, so wear more clothes, and the fire wall and stove will burn the hot spots, so just go out less.
Mao Wenlong's feelings for his first wife, Mrs. Zhang, could not be said to be very deep. But with only one son and Mr. Shen having nothing to do, he could only count on Mao Chengdou to carry on the family line.
Fortunately, Mao Wenlong boasted that he was already successful, while Mao Chengdou was only a ten-year-old boy, who had already shadowed hundreds of royal families and had an official status.
Among the Mao clan, Mao Wenlong has also become the person with the highest official rank, and can be called the glorious ancestor.
Therefore, even if Zhang and Mao Chengdou still live in Hangzhou, their people will not treat them badly.
After Mao Wenlong figured this out, he wondered if he was really old, why did he think of these things? Or maybe he also had a mentality of underestimating the enemy and felt that Ping Liao was close at hand.
As he continued to chat with Guo Dajing, Mao Wenlong kept warning himself in his heart. He could not relax or slack off, and he must continue to go all out in order to complete the final astonishing feat.
In fact, it is normal for Mao Wenlong to have changes in his mentality. Sometimes, people's psychological changes are unconscious, and it is difficult for even themselves to notice.
Striving for stability, being conservative, and thinking too much, there is no surprise at all. Even Guo Dajing's psychology is changing, although it has little impact on the battle situation.
………………
After Guo Dajing reported to Mao Wenlong, he ordered Liu Xingzuo to lead the cavalry battalion to the coast of Fuzhou, board a ship and rush to Pi Island.
But he walked even more hurriedly. He couldn't even wait for Liu Xingzuo's troops to arrive, so he took a boat with only his own soldiers and headed for Pi Island.
When Guo Dajing arrived at Pidao, only one battalion of Mao Chenglu's garrison was left, and the rest had already gone to Zhenjiang.
The operation has been launched according to the plan, and now it is just the preparation and prologue. With the help of transporting troops by sea, it is difficult for Jianlu to detect in advance, and he has fallen behind in terms of reconnaissance intelligence.
This is not an advantage that has only been formed now. The Dongjiang Army, under the command of Mao Wenlong, relied on the wide coastline to launch attacks from time to time, making the Jianlu unable to defend themselves.
Under the command of Guo Dajing, the Navy's advantages were brought into full play. In addition to troop transport and maneuvers, the Navy also had a large number of artillery, which could provide fire support to friendly forces on the shore at the right time.
During the Zhenjiang battle, the mortars on the ships played a great role, inflicting a very heavy blow to the Jianlu cavalry on the shore.
Guo Dajing did not stay in Pidao for long and rushed to Zhenjiang by boat. Yizhou and Zhenjiang were across the river, so it was more convenient to meet Lin Qingye.
Due to insufficient troops, Huang Taiji had to ensure the security of the core ruling area when entering the pass through a detour. Not only did the Jianlu abandon the Zhenjiang and Kuandian areas, but the defense line also retreated past Fengcheng to Lianshan Pass.
Strategically, this retreat is correct and ensures that the troops will not be too dispersed, leaving no opportunity for the opponent to take advantage of.
At the same time, the reduction of the defensive area also allows the troops to be relatively concentrated, and then rely on the mobility of the cavalry to have a certain advantage in transporting troops inside.
But there are advantages and disadvantages. Such a large-scale contraction is different from just giving up a narrow area along the coast. It also gives the Dongjiang Army room for maneuver in landing operations and favorable conditions for establishing a base area.
The special operations battalion has expanded to more than 5,000 people, nearly 1,000 of whom are Korean martyrs who have experienced training and actual combat in Dongjiang Town.
Their scope of activities was in Zhenjiang and Kuandian. For Fengcheng, Guo Dajing did not order them to send heavy troops to garrison, but only as an early warning outpost.
When the military strength is not sufficient, it is not cost-effective to occupy too large a territory. Only with heavy military garrison in southern Liaoning can the people be settled and cultivated and developed with confidence.
The Zhenjiang and Kuandian areas obviously do not have such conditions. In this case, why waste troops and guard large areas of useless territory?