Chapter 161 Zhu Han goes to Peiping! Conquers the grassland!!!
Tuotuo kowtowed his head respectfully, then prostrated on the ground, waiting for the Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang's words.
After finally waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang to ask him to level up, Tuotuo breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up.
Tuotuo took a peek and saw two people sitting in front of the palace hall.
The young man with a beard on the front was only about thirty years old, but his face was full of majesty, making people dare not look directly at him. Tuotuo knew that it was the Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.
Next to Zhu Yuanzhang, there was another younger man sitting. During these days in Yingtian Mansion, Tuotuo had spent a lot of money and jewelry from the Western Regions. He had already found out the news in the Ming Dynasty very clearly.
I know that this younger man is Zhu Han, the King of England in the Ming Dynasty.
There is no direct territorial border between the Ming Dynasty and the Chagatai Khanate, so there is no point of conflict between the two parties regarding the matter of alliance and tribulation.
Soon, the Ming Dynasty decided to send troops to the northwest to wipe out the remaining Mongolian Yuan forces, and also gave the Chagatai Khanate a guarantee that within a year, the Ming army would clear out the remaining Mongolian Yuan forces from Shazhou to Ganzhou.
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At the same time, the Ming Dynasty would also provide intelligence and weapons support to the Eastern Chagatai Khanate that sent troops to Turpan.
"What are the specialties of your Eastern Chagatai Khanate?" Zhu Han asked after the two sides discussed the conditions for sending troops to attack the Mongolian and Yuan forces.
"To inform His Majesty the King of England, our Chagatai Khanate has a large number of bloody horses, as well as valuable products such as gold, gems, medicinal materials, etc., all of which can be used for trade with the Ming Dynasty." Tuotuo said respectfully.
Tuotuo acted as an envoy this time and acted very realistically in order to get through under the eyes of the Mongolian and Yuan forces in the Shazhou Turpan area.
Not only are everyone dressed like businessmen.
Moreover, many real businessmen were hired to serve as guides and advisors among the envoys.
And the team accompanying the envoys brought a large amount of goods. Now after arriving at Yingtian Mansion, these goods also came to Yingtian Mansion.
Of course, these goods were not goods for trading, but tributes to the Ming Emperor.
According to the tribute order before the Ming Dynasty, after the vassal states paid part of the tribute, the Ming Dynasty would give part of it in return.
These rebate products are often valuable specialties from the Central Plains, and most of them are silk porcelain and rare treasures that far exceed the value of tribute.
However, not long ago, Zhu Han was in charge of the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple for a period of time.
To deal with this stupid behavior of vassal countries paying tribute with a basket of grass and the Ming Dynasty giving them a basket of silver in return, drastic reforms were carried out.
Zhu Han set new rules for the tributary countries, that is, all tributes must be inspected by the Ministry of Rites and Inspections of the Ming Dynasty. Not only are they inspected for their purpose, but they must also meet the standards of epidemic prevention and hygiene before they can enter.
The territory of Ming Dynasty.
Otherwise, they will all be returned to the original place in the border area or destroyed on the spot.
As for the gifts in return.
All gifts will use the predetermined specifications, no longer using silk porcelain, etc., but new low-cost goods such as glass white sugar that can be mass-produced in the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Han also reformed the behavior of many vassal states that wanted to conduct trade in the form of tribute.
No matter how many items the vassal states paid as tribute, there must be a fixed amount of gifts given back by the Ming Dynasty.
Any amount exceeding this quota will not be rebate.
If you really want to obtain any goods from the Ming Dynasty, you must go through formal trade.
As the envoy of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, Tuotuo already had a very good understanding of the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, there was not the slightest objection to the proposal of becoming a vassal and paying tribute, and they all accepted it.
Zhu Yuanzhang admired Tuotuo's respectful attitude very much.
He immediately rewarded Tuotuo with some official uniforms and silver coins, all of which were the latest minted Hongwu Tongbao silver coins of the Ming Dynasty.
Except for some nobles of the Ming Dynasty, ordinary people could not obtain these silver coins, so Tuotuo was extremely grateful for these rewards.
It was thus decided that the Eastern Chagatai Khanate would become a vassal and pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty.
Moreover, the two sides also agreed that after attacking and eliminating the remaining forces of the Yuan Dynasty in the northwest, they would launch large-scale trade in Shazhou, Ganzhou and Lanzhou.
Regarding the increasingly numerous military and political affairs, Chang Yuchun felt somewhat powerless.
He was a general who only knew how to march and fight, but he was not very good at establishing a good relationship with the Eastern Chagatai Khanate and jointly dealing with the remaining forces of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty.
Therefore, Zhu Han had different ideas about the general in northwest Lanzhou.
"Brother, I think Chang Yuchun is very good at marching and fighting in the northwest. However, now that we are joining forces with the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, there are not only military matters to deal with, but also many political and trade matters.
, we all need a more reliable general to take charge of Lanzhou’s defense.”
After hearing this, his elder brother Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded and said: "Chang Yuchun is a talented general! He is as fierce as a tiger in marching and fighting, but his temper is a bit hasty. I'm afraid he is really not suitable for presiding over government affairs in Lanzhou. What's so good about you?
Can you choose?"
Zhu Han thought for a while and felt that there were not many military and political talents in the Ming Dynasty.
Apart from Xu Da, Zhu Han could not think of any other candidate.
He told his brother what he thought.
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded and said: "Let Xu Da return to the northwest to preside over military and political affairs. Chang Yuchun will still serve as his deputy. But with Xu Da gone, who will handle the affairs of Peking?"
Zhu Han was not worried about this issue.
He pointed to his own and said, "Let me go, I will go to Peiping and take charge."
Hearing that Zhu Han took the initiative to ask Ying to go to Peking to take charge of Dusi, his elder brother Zhu Yuanzhang was a little reluctant to leave.
"Beiping is too far away from our Yingtian Mansion. If you go there, we won't be able to properly discuss national affairs with you."
Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty is attacking in all directions, and every place has a general in charge. It is not enough to just march and fight. It must have talents with both military and political skills.
So even if my brother Zhu Yuanzhang is reluctant to part with him.
Nowadays, Zhu Han must personally take charge of the affairs of the Peking Capital Division.
After settling Yingtian's affairs, Zhu Han left Yingtian together with Tuotuo, the envoy of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate.
They first went north along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal until they arrived in Linqing, Shandong, and then separated here.
The envoys of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, Tuotuo, were escorted by the Ming army, heading west along the land route, entering Guanzhong and then returning to Lanzhou, and finally arrived at their Eastern Chagatai Khanate, bringing the tributary alliance with the Ming Dynasty to Dongcha
Tuluhei Timur, the Khan of the Khatai Khanate.
Zhu Han continued northward along the canal from Linqing, all the way to Peiping.
At this time, Xu Da had also received the transfer order from the imperial court. Xu Da had properly handled all the military and political affairs of the Peking Capital Division, sealed the seals and arrows, and waited for Zhu Han to come and receive them.
When he first met Xu Da, Zhu Han was also very emotional. Because after not seeing him for a few months, Xu Da was even thinner than before. This shows how busy the affairs in Peiping were.
The first strong man was so exhausted that he looked like this.
"Brother Xu, Chang Yuchun can't handle the military and political affairs in the northwest. The governor of Lanzhou is very important. This job affects the entire Ming Dynasty. I don't trust anyone except you to take the lead." Zhu Han said.
Xu Da was very moved by Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han's trust.
"My ambition, Xu Da, is not to be a popular drinker in the city. If I don't fight in battle, there will be no military merit. There will be no pie in the sky, haha!"
Xu Da was very open-minded about these things.
He had long been accustomed to military life. After Zhu Han arrived, Xu Da immediately led some of his guards on a journey to the northwest.
Zhu Han, on the other hand, was in Peiping looking at a pile of military reports in his hands and making his next plan.
Zhu Han was in Peiping this time, not only in the name of the King of England, but also obtained the Shangfang Sword from Zhu Yuanzhang, which gave him the power to kill officials, common people, soldiers and generals below the third rank first and then punish them later.
Therefore, no one in the entire Peking Province dared to disobey Zhu Han's orders.
After several days of planning, Zhu Han made a series of arrangements for the capital city of Peking.
At this time, the generals in the Peking Department mainly included Guo Ying, Zhou Dexing and other Huaixi veteran generals, as well as some new generals from Huaixi such as Qi Xiang, and then Luo Guanzhong in Yingchang Mansion, a young general from the Ming Dynasty Military Academy.
Everyone has a strong desire to achieve success.
Zhu Han is also taking advantage of their thoughts.
It was decided to launch a purge attack on the Mongolian tribes on the Monan grassland.
"These tribes on the grassland are really cunning. As soon as our army arrives, they flee. When our army leaves, they run back like mangy dogs, and then continue to herd or rob. After thinking about it, I really can't do anything with them.
What a good idea." Zhou Dexing complained immediately when he heard that Zhu Han planned to wipe out the Mongols on the Monan grassland.
"Haha, we must use new methods to deal with the Mongols on the grasslands, instead of using the tactics used in the Central Plains. Their logistics supplies move with the cattle and horses, and we can no longer force them to fight using the original method of attacking cities and plundering land.
We must proceed steadily." Zhu Han said immediately.
"I previously sent Luo Guanzhong and a group of generals from the Ming Dynasty Military Academy to build a fortress in Yingchang Mansion. Now that a few months have passed, there should be some success. You can follow me to Yingchang Mansion to see the effectiveness of the fortress tactics there.
how."
Zhu Han led Guo Ying, Zhou Dexing, Qi Xiang and others from Peiping to Yingchang Mansion soon.
As soon as I arrived at Yingchang Mansion, I saw towers standing on both sides of the road.
Zhou Dexing, Guo Ying and others didn't know what it was. They had been staying in Peiping and had never been to Yingchang.
Zhu Han was very familiar with these small fortresses, because this was what he taught Luo Guanzhong in fortress tactics.
Zhu Han pointed to these small fortresses and said to Guo Ying, Zhou Dexing and others.
"This thing is called a tower. It is specially used to perform security missions on the road. It contains two small artillery pieces and a dozen muskets. As long as the iron door under the tower is closed, the soldiers inside can use their muskets and
Use artillery to guard this tower, and then light smoke on the top of the tower to alert towers at other locations."
"It turns out it is something like this. Isn't it similar to the Great Wall beacon tower outside Peking City? It's just taller and larger than that beacon tower, and it looks sturdier." Zhou Dexing said next to him.
"Yes, the beacon towers on the Great Wall and the towers on the grassland actually have the same function. They are nothing more than beacons for storing troops and issuing warnings."
Zhu Han continued to point to several towers and said.
The commander of Yingchang, Luo Guanzhong, has also received the news that His Royal Highness is coming to Yingchang for inspection.
But he didn't know that Zhu Han came so quickly. He didn't even stay in Peiping for a few days before running to Yingchang.
Therefore, Yingchang Mansion did not specially arrange people to come on the road to greet Zhu Han, so they could see the most real situation.
Many towers have been built on the grassland outside Yingchang Mansion, and there will be a strange-looking fortress standing on the ground at intervals.
Zhu Han immediately ordered his men to unfurl the military flag of the North Pingdu Division and came to a fortress to inspect.
The guard of this fortress is also a student of the Ming Dynasty Royal Military Academy.
Naturally, he recognized King Zhu Han of England and immediately ordered the gates of the fortress to be opened to welcome Zhu Han and others in for inspection.
Zhu Han led Guo Ying, Zhou Dexing, Qi Xiang and others to inspect the new fortress and felt very satisfied.
Although spring has begun, the climate on the grassland is still cold.
The soldiers' dormitories inside the fortress are all built underground, and there are other heating measures. Once inside, it is as warm as spring, and you are not afraid of the cold at all.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The ammunition depot on the bastion is also buried in this kind of basement, which can well prevent fire attacks and provide the best protection.
Zhu Han was very satisfied with the defensive power of the bastion.
Zhu Hanyou then led everyone to inspect further places.
Halfway through, they happened to encounter a group of Ming soldiers. It was Luo Guanzhong, the commander of Ying Changwei.
"General Luo Guanzhong, please see His Royal Highness the King of England!" Luo Guanzhong and others immediately dismounted from their horses and saluted Zhu Han.
Zhu Han asked Luo Guanzhong to lead the way and inspected many fortresses outside Yingchang Mansion. The inspections continued for several days, and Zhu Han was very satisfied.
These forts were well built and the soldiers were well-trained, which shows that Luo Guanzhong had strong ability to lead troops.
When Zhu Han and the others came to inspect a fortress called Wild Wolf Castle.
There happened to be a late spring cold storm, so everyone stayed at Wild Wolf Castle.
Unexpectedly, early the next morning, nearly 10,000 Mongolian cavalry came to attack outside the bastion!
These Mongolian cavalry were discovered by the sentinels at Wild Wolf Castle and promptly reported to the garrison at Wild Wolf Castle.
The garrison at Wild Wolf Castle also received a signal last night and rushed to Wild Wolf Castle to prepare for reinforcements.
As a result, before we even got close to Wild Wolf Castle, we encountered a late spring cold storm and were forced to stop and camp outside Wild Wolf Castle to rest.
When Zhu Han heard about the incident of the Mongolian cavalry, he couldn't help but feel in his heart: What's going on? Could it be that his plan was leaked and the Mongols discovered it in advance, and were they planning to strike first?
However, after thinking about it carefully, Zhu Han felt that it was impossible.
Because no one else knows about this plan except Guo Ying and Zhou Dexing.
Moreover, even if Guo Ying and Zhou Dexing leaked their plan, it stands to reason that it would never be known to the Mongols. You must know that this kind of plan is very secretive.
In any case, since the Mongols came to the door, they definitely weren't here to pay Zhu Han New Year's greetings.