Faced with King Kaiping who had killed countless people, Zhao Huaian was inevitably a little trembling, but fortunately he still remembered his identity and did not show any ugly appearance.
Hu Weiyong said: "When there is a war, it is necessary for the household department to raise food, grass and luggage. It is the beginning of spring, and the household department may have difficulties.
Please, Your Highness, ask Shangshu Zhao to come over and discuss it together."
"As the Prime Minister said, please invite Zhao Aiqing to come in."
"promise."
Zhu Biao was silent for a moment while looking at the map. He did not pay attention to the besieged places in the military report. Instead, he finally pointed his finger at Kaipingwei, the former capital of the Yuan Dynasty, which Zhu Biao personally captured during the Northern Expedition.
"Who is guarding this place?"
Chang Yuchun replied: "The Kaiping Commander-in-Chief, General Longhu Song Sheng, does your Highness think Yesudier wants to recapture Kaiping Guards?"
Since the capture of Kaiping,
The Ming Dynasty established Kaiping as a grassland military town to respond to the invasion of Mongolian tribes at any time. It was classified as the Beiping Dusi.
At the same time, in order to ensure the smooth transportation of grain and grass in Kaiping, eight post stations were established around Kaipingwei. To the east were Liangting, Nihe, Saifeng, and Huangya, and to the west were Huanshu, Weilu, Ming'an, and Shining.
Kaiping was located in the middle of the northern defense line in the early Ming Dynasty. It was deep into the grassland, which could ensure that the Xuanfu in the south did not directly contact the enemy, and also ensured smooth transportation routes with Liaodong.
It is a strategic location in the Mongolian grassland. Occupying Kaiping means blocking the throat of the Mongolian grassland. It can overlook the Mongolian kings and curb the southward intrusion of the remaining forces of the Yuan Dynasty.
"Song Sheng?"
Chang Yuchun thought for a while and replied: "Song Sheng and his father, brother and ministers all defected to the throne in the fifteenth year of Zhizheng. His brother died in the battle when he captured Jiqing, which is the capital. After that, his father became old.
Resigning, Song Sheng inherited his father's position as Marshal of Tianningyi.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Jin was granted the title of General Huaiyuan.
Last year, he was transferred to his subordinates and appointed to guard Kaiping Guards.
"I think he is capable enough to allow his father-in-law to entrust him with important land."
"Don't worry, Your Highness. Although he joined the Dragon Army in the same year, the general has no connection with the Song family. Song Sheng was appointed solely because of his sufficient qualifications and ability, and there is no personal relationship."
Zhu Biao felt relieved after hearing this. Yesudier's action without any warning must have a motive. Although this person is not a peerless hero, he is by no means an ordinary person.
At this time, Zhao Wenjing also hurriedly walked in. After calming down his breath, he saluted and said: "I pay my respects to His Royal Highness, Your Highness Qianqiu."
"Well, Zhao Aiqing doesn't need to be polite."
Zhao Wenjing stood up and handed over to Chang Yuchun and Hu Weiyong: "I have met King Kaiping and Prime Minister Hu."
Hu Weiyong nodded, but Chang Yuchun looked sideways and asked in a deep voice: "As a minister, why do you insist on coming in without obeying His Highness's order?"
Zhao Wenjing's expression did not change. If he flinched when he was frightened, how could he be the owner of the Ministry of Hubu? Not to mention making evil remarks, he even put a knife on his neck.
Don't even think about taking away a grain that shouldn't be given.
"Tomorrow there will be an impeachment report from the imperial censor, and it will be up to His Highness to decide whether to punish, demote, or dismiss the officials. At the moment, the military situation in northern Xinjiang is at stake. King Kaiping should still give top priority to military affairs."
Such strong words made Chang Yuchun unable to help but look at him. Zhu Biao saw that the atmosphere behind him was a little tense and turned around and said: "Zhao Aiqing is worried about military and national affairs. I am very pleased. How can there be punishment? Father-in-law,
Do you think my cousin can guess Yesu Tui'er's intention?"
Chang Yuchun first snorted at Zhao Wenjing, his dissatisfaction evident in his words, and then turned back to answer the prince's question and answer. Zhao Wenjing bowed slightly to the prince to express his gratitude.
Hu Weiyong, who was silent, looked at Chang Yuchun's back unexpectedly. This murderer knew that he had made an enemy in front of the prince. He must have grown brains after living for a long time.
Chang Yuchun's real power has reached its peak, and the more than 300,000 elite troops in the Beijing camp are under his control. If he still wins over the party members, it will be a recipe for death. However, it is difficult for an army to survive without food, and it is difficult for a horse to move without grass. The Ministry of Household Affairs controls the capital.
Several large granaries are the greatest restraint on the army.
Seeing the prince's gaze, Hu Weiyong also said: "King Qiyang's weapons are unpredictable to Shen Hong, and he is very fierce when facing battles, and becomes stronger when he encounters a powerful enemy. This is known to both the government and the public. Yesu Die'er is nothing more than a rebellious and evil villain."
, how can it be confused."
"Sir, I would like to see Shang Honghai, the general commander of the pro-army forces."
"Call in, it should be information about Northern Xinjiang."
Shang Honghai came in, bowed in turn, and presented the news that had been discovered by the pro-military captain's mansion, which was roughly the same as what Li Wenzhong had sent, except that there were some more trends and speculations about the Mongolian tribes.
Seeing that there were speculations that the other party was attacking from the east to the west to recapture the Kaiping Guards, Zhu Biao felt reassured. Li Wenzhong had comrades from the Duwei Mansion who were close to him and would definitely remind him.
Chang Yuchun firmly expressed his opinion: "Fight them! No matter what their plan is, they must be killed hard without hurting them. These wolf cubs will make mistakes every now and then."
Zhu Biao's eyes were also filled with murderous intent. It was just a matter of the cost of a big battle. There was not much difference in the amount of food the soldiers ate on the battlefield and in ordinary times. The food eaten by cattle, horses, mules and other animals was also similar to that in ordinary times. This part
The gap is not enough to make food and fodder on the battlefield a problem.
The main reason is that if a country is poorer than its divisions, it will lose far away, and if it loses far away, its people will be poor. Although the north has been actively opening up wasteland for military camps, the supply of such a large number of troops is still far from enough, and the court needs to be transported from the south.
Normally, if the rear is stable, food from Northern Xinjiang can be transported in an orderly and prepared manner, and the cost along the way is still at an acceptable level. However, once a war is about to begin, in order to appease the army, food and grass must be transported to the army as soon as possible and stored. This cost
It's very scary.
"Zhao Aiqing..."
It was difficult for Zhu Biao to speak. A few days ago, he asked the Ministry of Revenue to tighten up and support the imperial court in regaining Yunnan and Liaodong. Now that it was the spring plowing season, it was difficult for the Ministry of Revenue to suddenly provide food and fodder for a war.
Zhao Wenjing bowed and said: "Your Highness, I have arranged for officials to check the grain and grass. The first batch of grain and grass will be shipped to Northern Xinjiang tomorrow. The following ministers have also been prepared. Your Highness, please don't worry!"
"Zhao Aiqing! The pillar of the true country!"
Every day, Zhao Wenjing was being bullied for having no money or food. Now that this happened, it was really surprising and touching. Zhu Biao thought in his heart that when you die, I will definitely give you a good posthumous title.
Most of the time, the battle is about logistics. As long as the logistics and supplies can keep up, the victory or defeat is insignificant. It doesn't matter whether you lose or fight repeatedly. There will always be a time when you win.
There were Xiao He and Li Shanchang in the past, but none of them had great military exploits. Why were they so successful and so popular? It was because they could transfer grain reserves and supply equipment for the army in any situation, never lacked it, manage the rear area, harmonize the army and the people, and make the superior and subordinates live in peace.
Everyone will have no worries.
Appreciation also flashed in Chang Yuchun's eyes. The generals who led the troops in the war hated civilian officials, and they would not hate the civilian officials who could provide them with food and grass. Without food and grass, no matter how prestigious you are, you would not want your soldiers to serve.
"Huh, it's just his duty. Your Highness is over-praising me."
Zhu Biao couldn't help but feel a little speechless. He didn't know who gave his father-in-law the idea. Although it was understandable, it was a bit too blunt.
Hu Weiyong laughed at the side and said: "Zhao Shangshu did not live up to the trust of His Majesty the Holy Highness. He went so far as to defend Mongolia in the north, capture Liaodong in the east, and secure Guizhou in the south. He provided supplies for the war on three sides. Zhao Shangshu worked hard and made great achievements. I am really ashamed."
This statement somewhat alludes to Zhao Wenjing’s appointment as the crown prince a few days ago even though he had enough food and grass. After all, everything in the household department and the treasury belongs to the emperor, and the ministers are only in charge of it. How can they do it?
Hidden secretly.
Zhao Wenjing responded without changing his expression: "Everything I do is out of public interest. I have not taken a grain of food from the national treasury to satisfy my hunger. If Your Highness wants money and food to build a palace or to open a border that is not urgent at the moment,
Tuotu, Nachen still said the same thing, no!"
"But if Your Highness needs money and food to defend the country from enemies, then I will definitely raise enough food for the army by selling iron and steel, and I will never let the soldiers go to the battlefield hungry!"
"I have saved some money and food in recent years, but they are all squeezed out from the food provided by the people of Ming Dynasty. Not a single bit can be wasted. I beg you, Your Highness, the people's livelihood is very difficult and it is not easy for the people to survive."
