Chapter 42: New Strategies for the Northern Expedition
Now that it has given up on the costly amphibious operation that was completed in one battle, and based on the current situation of material accumulation, the Ming army can start the Northern Expedition. In a strict sense, the landing in Shandong is already the prelude to the Northern Expedition.
The hoarding and supply of grain and grass materials are to coordinate the overall situation. If you save on one side, you can focus on the other side. As for opening a battlefield in Liaodong, it is now a time when the Qing army's defenses in Liaodong are empty. It can be said to be a good time. Relying on the strength of the Ming army
The navy can freely enter the mainland from the island, or with the help of North Korea, insert a sword in the so-called Longxing Land of the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
Initial plans were quickly drawn up. First, increase troops in Shandong and establish a Dengliao General Headquarters to unify the command of Shandong and Liaodong operations; secondly, expand the army in Shandong and prepare for the battle in Liaodong with Shandong troops; and finally, gather troops.
Dang Shuo's army, destroy Shuo's army, conquer Shuo's army, launch an offensive in Lianghuai, and go north along the canal, striving to integrate with the Shandong battlefield. Judging from the preliminary plan, it is very similar to Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang's Northern Expedition route.
"First take Shandong and remove its shield; rotate to Henan and cut off its wings; pull out Tongguan and defend it, according to its threshold. The situation of the world is under my control, and then march to Yuandu." This is the route of Zhu Yuanzhang's Northern Expedition, first Shandong, then
Henan, then turn to Shandong and go straight to the capital.
Judging from the military strength, Zhu Yuanzhang mobilized an army of 250,000 for the Northern Expedition. Before capturing Yizhou (now Linyi) in Shandong, he almost did not divide his troops. After that, he attacked Henan and went straight to the capital. It can be said that the momentum was overwhelming, and finally he took advantage of it.
Sheng moved westward and occupied Shanxi and Shaanxi.
The current deployment of the Ming army is to oppress everywhere, from Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Huaihe, and Shandong. The troops seem to be dispersed. However, it also caused the Qing army to deploy defenses everywhere. This is different from the fact that the Yuan court's foreign aid had been reduced during Zhu Yuanzhang's Northern Expedition.
There are definitely some similarities.
Now, as long as the Ming army concentrates its efforts in one direction and achieves a breakthrough, it is possible that the entire Manchu and Qing defense lines will be shaken. For example, the current southwest offensive and the upcoming Lianghuai offensive form a pincer shape, no matter which side gains the
Without success, the Qing army, which was confronting the Ming army in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, was in danger of being surrounded by rotating troops.
Zhu Yuanzhang's Northern Expedition went north along the canal and hit Tianjin directly. Now the Ming army can do the same. Although the canal was blocked by the Qing army in many places, it is not impossible to reopen it and make it a transport for soldiers and supplies.
The more advantageous point is that the Ming army already has a stable base in Shandong, and the Qing army in Huaihe and Huaihe is in danger of being cut off from its retreat.
Obviously, the Manchu Qing Dynasty wanted to exchange the land of the Huaihe River and the Huaihe River for Jiaodong, and they also saw this. However, Zhu Yongxing had already regarded the areas that had not yet been recovered as territory, and had no sincerity in "negotiating peace" at all. On the contrary, he wanted to use the Manchuria to
The Qing Dynasty intended to abandon the two Huaihe Rivers and easily regain these areas.
"The Emperor Gao restored the south of the Yangtze River, causing the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty to lose its grain production areas and cut off water transportation. The Mongolian Yuan rulers who had their lifeline cut off were no longer able to maintain their rule in the north and soon collapsed." Zhu Yongxing's confidence in the Northern Expedition did not only lie in military strength, "
The situation is the same now. Caoliang was not only the source of rations for the Manchu and Qing royal families, princes and ministers in the capital, but also the source of supplies for the Eight Banners troops stationed in Beijing. Although in the short term, the Manchu Qing could rely on inventory or plundering from the private sector to sustain itself.
The fact that it is unable to seize Jiangnan is already obvious. In other words, in the long term, the Qing Dynasty's defeat is certain. This will inevitably cause disunity among the civil servants and military officers within the regime. Ye Qing, Ministry of National Security
We must take the first step to create favorable conditions for the army's northern expedition."
"What Long Live said is absolutely true." Ye Hu from the Ministry of National Security came forward and said: "According to the recent intelligence, the work of instigating rebels and recruiting surrenders has been more effective than before. Although some officials of the Qing court were hesitant, they did not dare to confront our intelligence personnel.
Be tough."
"Search and rebel. We must use both." Zhu Yongxing knew that the Ministry of National Security was very cautious in instigating rebellion. Those who did not test their intentions many times would never show their cards easily, but he still added a few more words.
Let me remind you, "The true and the false are mixed together to cause the Manchus to become suspicious and murderous, and to use the enemy's hands to destroy the enemy. You need to write all over the place to show the false and the true, so that the Manchus will be more suspicious and fearful, and they will be fearful all day long."
"We sincerely obey the holy edict." Ye Hu respectfully replied: "If you use doubts to make yourself feel like a fish, you will definitely live up to Long Live's teachings."
Successive victories can make people's confidence soar, but suspicion is often most severe when the environment is bad or when they are at a low point. The Manchu Qing Dynasty is obviously on the decline, and its wariness and suspicion of the Han people will only become more intense. First, make it internally chaotic.
If you are centrifugal, and then use military force to force you, it is very likely that the descendants will appear in waves.
Historically, the combat effectiveness of the Green Banners in the north was higher than that in the south. When quelling the San Francisco Rebellion and the rebellion with the Junggar and other Mongolian tribes, they gradually replaced the Eight Banners and became the main force relied on by the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
But the current situation is very different. A considerable number of northern green battalions are being consumed in the south. The decline of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is irreversible, and food and salary will become increasingly scarce. The pillars that maintain the morale of the northern green battalions have been seriously unstable, making it easy to instigate rebellion and recruit surrender.
It's completely possible.
Of course, Zhu Yongxing's edict is somewhat redundant. Years of intelligence work have given the Ministry of National Security a wealth of experience, and Yongjian is one of China's ancient military techniques. How could Ye Hu not know about it?
But the emperor is the emperor. As long as there is a little bit of truth, there will always be people praising the "sage". Zhu Yongxing naturally knew this, and although he did not get carried away, it was still very useful.
What is being held now is a military meeting, and Zhu Yongxing does not like to use court meetings to deal with issues. However, this kind of explanation and discussion with a small number of people and more casual discussions is what he often adopts.
Major officials from the Ministry of War, the Ministry of National Security, and the Ministry of Household Affairs all attended the meeting. Zhu Yongxing felt that the fewer the levels, the more effective the execution. The Ministry of Punishment, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Supervision, etc. are not related to the military, so why let those who are not very powerful
How about knowledgeable officials coming to mix things up?
The emperor's status has been determined and his authority has been established. Through a series of adjustments, there are almost no factors that can threaten Zhu Yongxing internally.
Ye Hu is the Minister of National Security, but there are two ministers below him to share the power, one is in charge of internal affairs and the other is in charge of external affairs.
Wu Sangui, the chief officer of the General Staff Department, only planned and praised the paintings and had no power to mobilize troops or use life.
Yicheng, one of Zhu Yongxing's cronies, became more careful with his life after being reminded of it, and cut ties with the original Zheng family business.
The stability of the new regime has become quite obvious, and Zhu Yongxing can completely delegate power in some aspects and focus his main energy on the military.
The Northern Expedition will be easier to strike while the iron is hot. Moreover, when Zhu Yongxing looks at the world, he will only regard defeating the Manchus as the first step to revitalizing China. He will feel that time is very tight, and will be eager to end the war and concentrate on
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