As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall was shocked.
Not only did He Zhang and Mao Jiadong look stunned and horrified, but even Fang Zhenshan, who had been burying his head on the ground, couldn't help but look up at Zhao Junchen.
After a moment of silence in the tent, He Zhang asked in a trembling voice: "Recovering the Hetao...Do you really have this ambition, Imperial Envoy?"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said firmly: "At this time, I will naturally not lie to you about this kind of thing."
After receiving Zhao Junchen's guarantee, He Zhang's old face was full of excitement, and he said repeatedly: "Your Majesty, you have such great ambitions. In this humble position, you are willing to be a pioneer and serve your life with your life! You will go through fire and water, no matter what!... Recapture the Hetao,
Recovering the Loop, if it can be done...that would be great, I have been waiting for this day for too long..."
Next to him, Mao Jiadong was also full of uncontrollable excitement, and said: "If we can really regain the Hetao area, you, the imperial envoy, will definitely become the first minister of the imperial court in the past century, enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with Wang Mingyang, Zhang Juzheng, Yu Qian and other sages!
For us generals to follow the Imperial Envoy, it will be enough to leave a name in history!"
Even Fang Zhenshan, who has always been deep in the city and good at calculations, was subconsciously muttering to himself at this time: "Hetao, Hetao... Can this really happen?"
It’s no wonder that the three of them couldn’t help themselves. Opening up territory and killing foreign invaders has been the highest life ambition of military attaches since ancient times, and the Hetao area also had a very special significance to the Ming Dynasty’s border troops!
*
The Hetao area is the area around Ningxia and Helan Mountain in Inner Mongolia, extending from Shanxi Pianguan to the east, Ningxia Town to the west, Mingbianqiang to the south, and the Yellow River to the north. It has an excellent environment surrounded by the Yellow River on three sides, with abundant water and grass, warm in winter and cool in summer.
, not only suitable for animal husbandry, but also good soil for farming.
In addition to the excellent natural environment, the strategic location of the Hetao area is also extremely important. It has been a battleground for the Central Plains dynasties in the past. Once the Hetao area is lost, the northern nomads can march straight in, and even directly threaten the hinterland of the Central Plains dynasty.
It cannot be ignored!
After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the northern Xinjiang defense line originally set up by Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty was the three-point and one-line line of Daning Guard, Kaiping Guard, and Dongsheng Guard. This defense line was enough to ensure the Ming Dynasty's control of the Hetao area. However, because Ming Emperor Chengzu
In order to borrow Mongolian troops in the Battle of Jingnan, the territory of the Daning Guard was given to the Mongolians of the Duoyan Guards as a reward.
After losing the Daning Guard, the Dongsheng Guard also moved inland to Hebei due to the harsh environment. The remaining Kaiping Guard was naturally unable to support itself.
At the same time, due to the fertile water and grass in the Hetao area, more and more Mongolian tribes moved here. By the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty's rule over the Hetao area was in name only, and the basic territory of the Ming Dynasty was also completely
Retreat to the line south of the Great Wall.
Today, the Hetao area has become a long-term grazing place for the Ordos tribe. It is precisely because of the rich Hetao area that the Ordos tribe has become the most powerful tribe on the right wing of Mongolia. It is precisely because the Ming Dynasty lost its
The Hetao area, which has an extremely important strategic location, has been suffering from fire and invaders for hundreds of years!
From a certain perspective, if the Ming Dynasty had not lost control of the Hetao area, there would not have been the "Tumu Fort Incident", which was the biggest shame in the history of the Ming Dynasty!
All these are enough to explain the unique position of the Hetao area in the hearts of the generals of the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, after hearing Zhao Junchen's mention of "recovering the Hetao", several military attachés in the tent were a little out of control.
At the same time, He Zhang, after being excited for a long time, finally came to his senses and asked: "Your Majesty, the imperial envoy, you have such great ambitions, which is naturally a good thing. What does this matter have to do with Fang Zhenshan? Do you want to regain your power?"
Do we have to let Fang Zhenshan go in the Hetao area?"
After hearing He Zhang's inquiry, Zhao Junchen looked helpless and said: "As I said just now, it is precisely because of the heavy losses to our army that I want to let Fang Zhenshan go! This is not only considering
The morale of the soldiers also takes into account the mentality of the military attaches everywhere! After our army suffered heavy losses, it was already very difficult to defeat the main Mongolian force under Jiezhou City alone. If we wanted to march into the grassland to regain the Hetao, it would be even more difficult.
It’s even more difficult!
At this time, if you want to increase your strength and make up for the lack of troops, you must rely on the strength of the border troops from various places! However, on the two battlefields of Xiaochuan River and Zhenning Acropolis, the troops of Guyuan Army Town will suffer the most damage.
It is serious, accounting for most of our army's lost troops. If I severely punish Fang Zhenshan at this time, no matter how good the reason is, there will still be suspicion in the eyes of the military attachés of various frontier armies. They will
After receiving the news, I will definitely feel worried...
After all, although General Fang has made a big mistake now, since I took control of the military affairs of Shaanxi and Gansu, his performance has been the most obedient and cooperative, and he has become a banner. Even if it is just to show off to the military attachés everywhere, I will
I must be more lenient with him, otherwise if even the most obedient General Fang doesn't end well, the border military attachés everywhere will probably die in despair, and it will not be easy for me to command them again..."
At this point, Zhao Junchen increased his tone and expressed his conclusion: "In short, if we want to regain the Hetao area, our army's current strength is not enough, and we need the active cooperation of the border troops from all over the country. But if we want to regain the Hetao area,
The border troops are actively contributing without any scruples, so I must give Commander-in-Chief Fang a chance to make meritorious service! General He, you should know best that this is the situation on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, and even I must make some compromises!
"
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, He Zhang couldn't help but fell silent.
Zhao Junchen drew a big cake for him, but I have to say that this big cake is indeed extremely tempting!
After a long silence, He Zhang raised his head and asked, "Imperial Envoy, are you really sure you can regain the Hetao area?"
Zhao Junchen nodded seriously and said: "Of course! I already have a very detailed plan! This matter is very promising!"
After receiving a positive answer, He Zhang's expression changed for a long time, and finally he gritted his teeth and said: "If this is the case, I agree with you to let Fang Zhenshan go for the time being, but even if Fang Zhenshan is not held accountable, Fang Zhenshan will no longer be suitable to be alone in the future.
Leading the troops!"
Compared with his resentment towards Fang Zhenshan, He Zhang's desire to make contributions was stronger in his heart.
Therefore, He Zhang finally compromised.
A trace of relief flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes, and he nodded: "Of course, Fang Zhenshan is indeed guilty of serious crimes. Even if General He doesn't tell me, I don't plan to let him lead the army alone again! Let's do this, General He.
You are also from Guyuan Military Town, and you know the situation of Guyuan Military Town best! In the next period of time, the troops in Guyuan Military Town will be commanded by General He! In addition, in order to boost the morale of the soldiers,
I also plan to vigorously publicize General He’s outstanding military achievements during this period, so that General He’s reputation for bravery will be thoroughly known among the three armies, which will be very helpful for the soldiers to restore their morale in the future.”
He Zhang couldn't help but be startled when he heard what Zhao Junchen said, but after hesitating for a moment, he still did not refuse Zhao Junchen's kindness. He saluted and thanked Zhao Junchen and said: "Thank you, Lord Imperial Envoy. I must do my best for a humble job, and I will never do it."
I have betrayed your trust, the Imperial Envoy!"
Zhao Junchen also knew that although he had reluctantly convinced He Zhang, He Zhang was still a little unconvinced, so he had to make various statements now to compensate and appease He Zhang.
But it is difficult to say whether Zhao Junchen's compensation and comfort will be good or bad for He Zhang's future.
*
But he said that after convincing He Zhang, Zhao Junchen asked He Zhang to leave the commander's tent and continue to deal with the funeral affairs on the battlefield.
At the same time, Mao Jiadong, Zhao Dali and others were also taken away by Zhao Junchen.
As a result, only Zhao Junchen and Fang Zhenshan were left in the handsome tent!
After everyone left the commander's tent, Fang Zhenshan, who had been silent for a long time, immediately kowtowed to Zhao Junchen again and said loudly: "I am so grateful for the life-saving grace of the Imperial Envoy! If it weren't for the protection of the Imperial Envoy, I would have been forced by He Zhang today.
Kill him! From now on, I will look up to you as an imperial envoy!"
Zhao Junchen looked at Fang Zhenshan in front of him and sighed: "Mr. Fang, I'm not talking about you. You always think of yourself as a Confucian general. Why don't you have any patience when things happen? What happened this time is all because of you.
You are too eager to claim credit... That's all, you have been kneeling for too long, you should get up and speak... From now on, we are our own people, and the future will be long!"
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Fang Zhenshan finally stood up.
Zhao Junchen went on to say: "Don't blame me for taking away your military power this time. Otherwise, if He Zhang becomes dissatisfied and makes your various crimes public, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you!"
"
Fang Zhenshan hurriedly lowered his head and said: "Even in a humble position, I know that my guilt is extremely heavy. If I can save my life and official position, this is the best situation. I don't dare to ask for more, and I don't dare to blame the imperial envoy!"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "As long as you understand!"
After hesitating for a moment, Fang Zhenshan couldn't help but ask: "Master Imperial Envoy, is what you just said about recovering the Hetao true or false?"
Zhao Junchen did not hesitate and replied: "Of course it is not empty talk. If I deceive He Zhang about this kind of thing, he will definitely be unyielding. If he is stubborn, he will not let me down."
Among several military attaches, Fang Zhenshan was the one with the deepest knowledge. He was excited when he first heard about Zhao Junchen's ambition to regain the Hetao, but he soon calmed down and discovered the inconveniences of such a plan.
It is practical, so I think that Zhao Junchen's statement of "recovering the Loop" is just to divert He Zhang's attention and is not sincere.
Now, after hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, Fang Zhenshan couldn't help but look surprised.
After Fang Zhenshan hesitated for a moment again, he expressed his doubts: "But... will the imperial court agree? You know, during the Jiaqing period, Xia Yan, the Minister of War, and Zeng Xian, the governor of the three sides, wanted to regain the Hetao.
In the end, they all died unjustly!... What's more, your Majesty, the imperial envoy, is an important minister of the imperial court. His Majesty must not want you to leave the center of the temple for too long, and you will not be able to preside over the military and political affairs of Shaanxi and Gansu for a long time. If you really want to recover
As for the Hetao, I'm afraid the chances are slim... In addition, the Hetao area has been managed by the Ordos tribe for hundreds of years, and it will not be easy to regain it..."
…
PS: I would like to point out that the specific time period and the process of the Ming Dynasty losing control of the Hetao area have always been controversial. Chongzi’s point of view in this article comes from the "History of the Ming Dynasty", but it is known that the History of the Ming Dynasty was written during the Qing Dynasty.
It may not necessarily be correct. In recent years, historians have also put forward many different views. For example, the views in "Those Things in the Ming Dynasty" are different from the official history. It is difficult to distinguish between different opinions. If you have any objections, don't take it too seriously.