A new round of military confrontation has formed on the surface, but it does not mean balance, but peace and harmony.
For the Ming army with a strong navy, there was no need to deploy defenses everywhere along the river. As long as there were warships traveling and heavy troops stationed at several key points, it was enough to contain the danger of the Qing army crossing the river to attack.
The Qing army, on the other hand, became difficult to defend because the Ming army could take advantage of the navy and flexibly choose where to cross the river to attack. Furthermore, the Ming army now is very different from that of the past. From top to bottom, in
Encouraged by victory and full of enthusiasm for attack, the Qing army would not be left in peace.
The Qing government also realized its weakness. It was impossible to evenly distribute troops along the river, so it could only adopt focused defense. Following the example of dealing with coastal harassment, the Qing army moved borders near the river, forming a vacuum of no man's land.
Station your troops at several key points.
The first key area is Jingxiang. The Qing army used Nanyang as the front line and Luoyang as the back base to prevent the Ming army from invading Henan. They also strengthened the city defense at Baitu Pass in Pingli to strangle the key pass on the border between Hu and Shaanxi, echoing the Qing army in Henan.
It formed a flanking attack on the Jingxiang area.
The second key area is in the Wuhan area in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, with Xiaogan as the front line and Xinyang as the base camp, with Jingxiang in the west and Wuchang in the south.
The third area where heavy troops are stationed is Hefei, which is "the lip and teeth of the Jiangnan region and the right throat of the Huaihe River", "the head of the Jiangnan region and the throat of the Central Plains". It has historically been the administrative and military capital of the Jianghuai region.
The fourth key area is Huai'an, which is adjacent to the river and the sea and is an important transportation route from south to north. Stationing troops here can prevent the Ming army based on Chongming Island from attacking and plundering, and secondly, it can also prevent the Ming army from moving northward through the canal.
The Yangtze River was lost, and the Yellow River was the last line of defense that the Qing army relied on. However, the Qing government did not give up and stationed troops between the Yangtze River and the Yellow River in order to succeed. But -
"The dragon was lost in the sea!" Obai sat in his chair and sighed as he looked at the map on the wall.
The battle for supremacy on land, invincible cavalry and shooting. This was originally the advantage of the Eight Banners, and it was also the basis for it to conquer the world. But now it seems that without a capable navy, the entire war situation will inevitably lose sight of one thing.
For example, in Tianjin and Tanggu, the Ming army has a powerful navy. It seriously threatens the important places known as the "River and Sea Fortress" and the "Gateway of Jifu". Troops must be stationed here to guard and defend them. As for Shandong and the Zhili Coast, it is also
The only way to make do is to move the border.
Therefore, the confrontation was superficial and temporary. The Ming army continued to carry out small-scale military operations to maintain morale, train new soldiers, and become familiar with battle formations. To break the balance, it just needed an opportunity and a suitable attack point.
"The Ministry of War has transferred Shi Lang to the capital. He is familiar with water warfare and has experience in training naval forces. He may have a solution." Ye Bilong smiled bitterly and said consolingly.
"The Han people can't be trusted and can't be used much." Obei snorted and thought to himself: The solution is to build warships and train sailors. Where does this huge amount of money come from? Furthermore, where does this huge amount of money come from?
, time-consuming and labor-intensive. I’m afraid it’s too late to solve the problem.
Sony's illness became more serious, and there were only three of the four ministers left. Aobai was firmly in the first place, with a high and powerful position, and almost controlled the affairs of the government, and most of the affairs were decided with one word.
"Zu Zepu reported: People in Jiaodong area are impetuous. There are rumors that the Ming army is going to land to counterattack, and some reckless people want to cause chaos." Suk Saha said in a deep voice: "Shandong is close to Zhili, so we must be on guard!
"
The turmoil in Shandong was of course caused by the great victory of the Ming army, the psychological encouragement provided by the recovery of Shenjing, and the chaos caused by the expansion of coastal border relocation. Of course, it was also due to the actions of Yu Qi and others that attracted the attention of the Qing Dynasty officials.
As for the prefectures and counties in Shandong, the coastal areas such as Denglai in Jiaodong were the most uneasy. Because there were rumors that the number of soldiers exceeded 100,000, and the troops were pointed directly at Shandong, and planned to use Shandong as a springboard to attack Beijing - this statement was not considered by the Qing court.
I don't quite believe it, because Beijing generally believes that since the Ming army has the superiority of the navy, it is better to land in Shandong than to take Tianjin directly, which will threaten the capital more.
From Shandong to the capital, the Ming army abandoned the captain of the boat division and fought with the Qing court in the northern plains, which was obviously not in line with common sense.
Of course, the Shandong side also knew the principle of "Southern boat and North horse", but they were still very nervous when it came to the fate and lives of officials at all levels in Shandong. The Qing court believed that the possibility was unlikely. At most, it was the Ming Dynasty's agents and spies in Shandong.
Infiltrate and instigate some civil uprisings to support the Ming army's offensive in other key areas.
"Zu Zepu's governor has a thousand men and horses. If he can't deal with a few bandits and bandits, then he doesn't need to be the governor." Ao Bai snorted and said unhappily: "To say that people are impetuous.
, where are you not making a fuss, are you scared out of your wits?"
When water transportation was cut off, grain and rice prices skyrocketed. Although the Little Ice Age was getting warmer, it was far from returning to normal. Compared with the south, the effect of agricultural planting in the north was much worse. The war was intensifying, and conscription was needed to recruit workers, which made farming more difficult.
The population was insufficient, and the financial and material resources of the Manchus in the north became increasingly difficult to compete with the Ming Dynasty.
There was not enough to eat, no warmth to wear, and even salt began to be in short supply due to the move to the sea. In such an environment, how could one make people feel at ease? Obai knew what was going on, but when Suk Saha mentioned it, it made him even more upset.
The key is that they can't think of a way. The Ming Dynasty was able to import food from overseas, and it was an action that was taken very early. Even if they have this intention now, they can't realize it.
Not to mention the strength of the Ming Dynasty's navy, just talking about the situation, no country dared to rely on the Qing court. Even the Mongolian tribes dared to defy the situation. There were many people watching and watching, but few people helping out, let alone
I originally looked down on the Manchu and Qing Dynasties, Korea, Japan and other countries.
Historically, the Netherlands had a feud with the Zheng family because of Taiwan, and even colluded with the Manchus. They wanted to do business and defeat the Zheng family and regain Taiwan. But now, the Netherlands has also shown goodwill to the Ming Dynasty and was able to establish a business office in Guangzhou and cooperate with the Qing Dynasty.
During the Ming Dynasty, trade was carried out.
Difficulties both internally and externally, as well as money and food, are very appropriate to describe the current Manchu Qing Dynasty. But the Manchu Qing Dynasty is a foreign ruler, and like a gambler, they will not give up the power and enjoyment they have grabbed until they are finally desperate.
.As for how poor and hungry the people are, that is not their concern.
Maintain and hold on until as long as possible. This is the mentality of the Manchus now. They are unwilling to return to the bitter cold Liaodong, unwilling to give up the land of the Central Plains, and unwilling to lose everything they have obtained through violence and killing.
Suk Saha opened his mouth and swallowed back all the words. The current situation can be described as internal and external troubles, but Obai controls the government. He has always been dissatisfied with him. Once anything comes to him, he will delay it or even not do it.
.
According to spy reports, North Korea is unstable and the forces of the Northern Expedition are expanding. There are also plans to expand the army and prepare for war: the number of the imperial camp troops in the capital has been increased from 7,000 to 20,000; the number of the forbidden troops has been increased from 600 to 1,000, and all have been reorganized.
For the cavalry; the Imperial Camp Office has added cannons, and it is also planned to increase the training supervisory troops guarding Seoul by 10,000, and the Imperial Camp Office troops by 2,000. Although due to financial difficulties, there is a great deal of difficulty in achieving such an expansion goal.
Difficulties. But the situation is terrifying and one should be wary.
Everyone in the Li Dynasty regarded the Qing Dynasty as a dog-sheep barbarian, and privately called the Qing emperor "Hu Huang" and the Qing envoys "Captive Envoys". In addition to official documents congratulating the Qing Dynasty, all internal official documents, including royal tombs and ancestral temples,
The Chongzhen reign name has always been used when offering sacrifices and blessings in the Confucian Temple. These situations could not be hidden from the Qing court, but no matter in history or now, apart from Shunzhi issuing an edict to rebuke, no practical actions were taken.
If North Korea is a knife stuck in the back of the so-called "Longxing Land", then the changes in the attitudes of the Mongolian tribes are even more indicative of the bad situation.
Originally, the Qing government had a policy of plundering money on the condition of promotion of officials and titles. That is to say, the more donations, the better the promotion of officials. This allowed some stupid Mongolian princes and nobles to plunder the people layer by layer and use them to buy officials and titles.
It not only achieves the purpose of controlling its economy, but also increases fiscal revenue.
But since the Ming army launched a counterattack in Jiangnan last year, this policy has been almost ineffective for the Mongolian tribes. If the situation changes, no one will spend money on a temporary empty title, right?
After the Qing Dynasty unified the various Mongolian tribes, it canceled the original titles of Noyan and other titles of the feudal lords and Khans. Based on the Manchu official ranks, the Mongolian feudal lords and members of the Golden Family were awarded the titles of Prince, County King, Beile, Beizi, and Zhenguo Gong respectively.
, the title of Duke of Fuguo is also divided into first, second, third and fourth level Tabu Nang. Feudal lords and noble members of non-golden families are awarded the rank of first, second, third and fourth level Tabu Nang. According to different levels
Different levels of salary, salary, attendants and clothing with the respective level symbols are awarded.
The Mongolian tribes were cunning and delayed in donating money and assisting troops, but they had to work hard on salaries and wages, which put a relatively heavy financial burden on the Qing government.
The more obvious change in the attitude of the Mongolian tribes was that they began to violate the ban system established by the Qing court. The Mongolian economy was mainly nomadic and lived in water and grass. However, the Qing court had the purpose of inhibiting the development of the Mongolian economy and plundering the Mongolian economy.
After setting off, a ban system was established so that the Mongols could only live within the territory of their own banner and were not allowed to cross any further.
The ban trapped the Mongolians in a corner, prevented economic exchanges and mutual contacts between the banners, and tightly bound the Mongolians to the territory of the banner where they lived. This naturally led to dissatisfaction. When the Manchu and Qing Dynasties were strong, the Mongolian tribes also
They did not dare to disobey, but at this time they no longer paid much attention to the Manchu and Qing Dynasties. In other words, the Mongolian tribes had re-evaluated the outcome of the Ming and Qing wars and no longer bet on the Manchu and Qing Dynasties.
Such an internal and external tendency is dangerous, especially if it is allowed to develop. Suksaha once proposed the idea of an all-out war, but was rejected; he also agreed to move the capital and return to the land of Longxing.
The gasping discussion was even more ruthlessly rebuked.
In Suksaha's view, as long as the elites are mobilized, even the forbidden troops in the capital, as long as they can win a big victory, the people's hearts will be greatly changed; if they fail, they will plunder the people and return to Liaodong, and fight with the Ming Dynasty for a long time
war. Or they could withdraw from the Central Plains directly, and still preserve their troops, and then take advantage of the climate and terrain of Liaodong, and the capital they could spend with the Ming Dynasty.
No matter what, he thought it would be better than holding on like this. Wasted strength, but no will to fight decisively; divided troops and garrison, but it seems difficult to defend everywhere. As time goes by, people's hearts become more chaotic, finances become tighter, and there is no
the hope of victory.
"Well, the donations from the eight royal merchants -" Obai pondered for a moment, then said with some displeasure: "The amount is too small, how will it affect other merchants?"
It has always been very convenient to make war wealth, and it is also a good opportunity to accumulate capital as quickly as possible. The Shanxi people seized this opportunity. Mixed in the ranks of the Manchus sweeping the world, there are a lot of Shanxi people, and they form the Manchu cavalry.
The logistics force formed the Eight Great Imperial Merchants of Shanxi (the Eight Great Locust Merchants of the Manchu Qing Dynasty) who later became famous all over the world.
They controlled most of the trade with the Manchu army, and also controlled most of Chahar, that is, Zhangjiakou's trade with Mongolia.
In fact, long before the Manchus entered the customs, these eight imperial merchants often traveled inside and outside the customs. At a time when the Ming Dynasty was becoming increasingly political and social unrest, the merchants' unique keen sense of smell enabled them to see the rise and ambitions of the Manchus.
So in addition to normal trade, they secretly transported military supplies to the Manchus, provided military intelligence, and engaged in political business.
After the Manchus entered the Pass, Shunzhi did not forget the eight great families who had made great achievements in the Central Plains. He held a banquet in the Forbidden City and personally summoned them. They were also given clothes (presumably mandarin jackets and traitor uniforms). At the banquet, Shunzhi asked
They were given official titles and honors, and the eight families were flattered and tried their best to refuse. Therefore, Shunzhi named them "Imperial Merchants" (officially affiliated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs).
Among them, Fan Yongdou was appointed to take charge of trade affairs and "granted the property of Zhangjiakou as a world heritage." The other seven families also each received rewards. From then on, Fan Yongdou and others obtained political and economic privileges that other merchants could not enjoy.
Fan Yongdou, in particular, not only purchased goods for the royal family, but also relied on the royal power to make money and do business all over the world. In addition to running the Hedong and Changlu salt industries, he also monopolized the ginseng in Wusuli, Suifen and other places in the northeast.
In the market for precious medicinal materials, he was also known as a "ginseng merchant" among the people. In a blink of an eye, Fan Yongdou became a wealthy businessman with millions of dollars, and was the best among the eight major merchants.
But at this moment, in order to solve the financial difficulties, the Qing government first focused on these "royal lackeys", hoping that they would lead it, and then extract wealth from the northern merchants in order to support this. In their view,
The war is not yet lost.
"After the Japanese shogunate fell into the trap of thieves in Nanjing, they terminated the trade on the grounds that the copper mines were exhausted." Suksaha sighed inaudibly and said: "The Fan family, which contracted the copper import trade as an imperial merchant, suffered losses.
Very big, at this time——"
"Now there is a loss." Obai was unmoved and said with a sneer: "In the past, the copper trade with Japan was a huge profit. How much did they earn?"
The Fan family prospered because of their officialdom, and most of their business was related to the government. The control of their fate was naturally in the hands of the officials. It was also the Fan family who was too greedy and reached out everywhere. They even contacted five imperial merchants in Zhangjiakou to contract the Japanese.
Copper trade. At that time, the Qing government banned mining in the country, so imported copper was naturally a hugely profitable industry.
However, after the Ming army regained Nanjing, the attitude of the Japanese shogunate began to become clear, and the copper trade with the Manchu imperial merchants was categorically interrupted. The once hugely profitable copper industry suddenly became unprofitable, which made the Fan family, which contracted the copper import trade,
They were at a loss. The officials of the imperial court took the opportunity to demand official copper, forcing the Fan family to go to the market to buy it at a high price, resulting in heavy losses.
Suksaha did not agree with the policy of "killing the goose to retrieve the eggs" made by Obai and others, but his euphemistic advice was forcefully rejected by Obai, and he could only lament in his heart and had no choice.
In fact, the reason why Obai and others can do this is partly because of the situation, but also because of their basis and reasons.
What does it mean to say, "Everything in the world is the land of the king, and on the shore of the land, is it the ministers of the king?" It can be said that all ministers under feudal rule have no property of their own. What's yours is not yours, but the court's.
It belongs to the monarch; it is yours now because the court and the monarch do not need it yet, and it is temporarily in your name.
"If the skin is gone, how can the general's hair be attached?" Ye Bilong said from the side: "I still don't know what they did? If our Qing Dynasty is defeated, what will happen to them? They still cling to the money.
It’s of no use at all. I’ve explained the truth clearly to them, aren’t they still unwilling?”
You have to take it out whether you like it or not! Donation is official, if you don't know how to appreciate it, then your house will be ransacked and robbed.
As the most famous imperial merchant family in the early Qing Dynasty, when the Fan family was at its peak, its property was spread all over the north and south. There were nearly a thousand salt shops in Shanxi, Zhili, and Henan; there was a warehouse for storing salt in Cangzhou, Tianjin; and there was a management company in Suzhou that went to Japan.
The shipping company has six foreign ships; there are three shops in Beijing, six shops in Zhangjiakou, and four shops in Guihua City; there is a pawnshop in Zhangde Prefecture, Henan, and more than 100 hectares of land in Zhangjiakou, and real estate in various places
There are more than a thousand rooms.
"War is an important way to create super rich people." The eight imperial merchants were important practitioners of this law. They relied on the Manchus and ignored their righteousness for the sake of profit. On the ruins of the country's collapse, in the mountains of blood and corpses of their compatriots,
, and became millionaires. It can be said that every penny they earned was stained with the blood of their compatriots, and there were innocent innocent souls attached to them.
It's a pity that the drama of "the fox and the rabbit dies, the running dog cooks" and "the donkey is killed by removing the mill" is commonplace in feudal society and has been performed repeatedly. "Watch it build a tall building, watch it entertain guests, watch it collapse." This way.
The plots of the stories are similar, the endings are similar, and there is never anything new.
It's true that God's will is to save the country. The traitors who surrendered to the Tartars and betrayed their compatriots. The once-unparalleled imperial merchants were so quickly targeted by their masters for exploitation. I'm afraid they never expected it, right?
As Zhu Yongxing said in an imperial-written article published in Di Bao: Commerce has no national boundaries, and businessmen have nationalities. For example, Fan Jie Yongdou, Wang Jie Dengku, Jin Jie Liangyu, etc., people from the Ming Dynasty and descendants of the Han Dynasty, but in the national war
At that time, who did not care about the benefit of the country or a cent, but respected the trust of the Qing people? There was no one who did not care about the survival of the Han people, but only cared about the personal interests of the family, and who was only interested in small profits and forgetting the great righteousness. The real way is to send a sharp knife to the enemy to kill.
The compatriots are in a sea of blood, and the country is destroyed in a day and night. Although this hatred will never be eradicated for eternity... (To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster!