Chapter 321: Prepare for war in winter, start war in spring
The north wind is lingering, the frost is falling, and it's already October before you know it.
Zhang Yangquan stood on the wall of the west gate of Jiangdu Prefecture, looking to the west.
Liu Bowen and Ma Yulin, who were sent by him to patrol the south, have both returned.
Ma Yulin was in charge of the prefectures and counties north of Hangzhou, and Liu Bowen was in charge of the south of Hangzhou. Both of them went on patrols with their guards incognito, and punished several corrupt officials along the way, leaving many folk stories.
Generally speaking, most of the officials who have just taken office are down-to-earth people who do practical things, and there are only a few bad apples.
After Zhang Yangquan listened to the two people's patrol report, he finally felt at ease.
Ma Yulin deliberately stayed in Danyang County for two days. He has always been arrogant, but he praised the governance of Danyang County a lot, which shows Li Shanchang's governance ability.
In terms of implementing the pilot work, Li Shanchang has actually been reporting specifically to Zhang Yangquan.
The county government has limited energy, so it does not recruit migrant workers directly, but selects some trading companies to recruit migrant workers.
It is said that several small trading companies have been established in Danyang County, which are responsible for contracting fortifications such as Yamen. They are all composed of villagers and refugees who do not like farming.
Because they are paid according to the project, these people work far more efficiently than corvees. Sometimes dozens of people work faster than hundreds of corvees.
In addition, Zhang Yangquan also transported a large amount of cement produced by the cement workshop to Danyang County. In a short period of time, all the official roads around Danyang County were renovated.
Li Shanchang also ordered several canals to be opened and connected to the river, which greatly increased the speed of cargo ships.
According to Li Shanchang's report, Danyang County's commercial tax revenue has begun to increase significantly in September, which at least proves that the pilot has been successful.
Now it depends on whether the increased commercial tax and land tax can cover the expenditure.
Leaving aside Danyang County, other prefectures and counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces have slowly returned to stability, and the people have gradually recognized Jiangdu Army.
After nearly half a year of repairs, Jiangdu Army has hundreds of warships and more than 200 new artillery pieces. The interior has stabilized, so it is time to continue the great cause of unifying Jiangnan.
For large-scale marches, food and fodder must be prepared in advance.
It's October now, and winter will soon begin.
Winter is not suitable for marching, so Zhang Yangquan plans to use these months to prepare for war and lead his troops westward in early spring next year.
The question now is, should we fight the Zhu Zuo coalition? Or should we fight Chen Youliang?
At present, the Jiangdu Army has 400,000 troops, of which 100,000 are located in Wenzhou and Quzhou, led by Shanzhu.
These two areas are bordered by Jianning and Shaowu, and they currently belong to the territory of Tianwan Army.
Another 50,000 troops were located in Jiande, which was originally commanded by Xu Baisheng. After Zhang Yangquan transferred Xu Baisheng to Hezhou, he sent Li Er to guard it.
Jiande is connected to Raozhou and Xinzhou. Raozhou has fallen into the hands of Zhu Yuanzhang, and Xinzhou still belongs to Tianwan Army.
The remaining Chizhou and Hezhou have 50,000 troops, commanded by Fu Youde and Xu Baisheng respectively.
These two places are bordered by Zhu Yuanzhang.
The remaining more than 100,000 troops are all in the city's north camp, north of Jiangdu Mansion.
Therefore, if you want to attack Zhu and Zuo, you should attack from the north. If you want to defeat Tianwan's army, you can only attack from the south.
At present, the Zhuzuo Allied Army and Tianwan Army are fighting fiercely. No matter which side Jiangdu Army joins forces with, they can calmly deal with the other side.
In response, civil and military officials were divided into two groups.
Some civil servants felt that Zhu Yuanzhang and Zuo Junbi had broken up, and that Zhu Yuanzhang was on his way to Jiangdu Mansion again.
Then you can join forces with Zhu Yuanzhang to destroy Zuo Junbi first, then Tianwanjun, and finally deal with Zhu Yuanzhang.
The military generals believed that Zhu Yuanzhang's territory was blocked in the middle, which would easily extend the front line and cause many unnecessary risks.
So they all thought that they should capture Zhu Yuanzhang and Zuo Junbi first, and then deal with Tian Wanjun!
Zhang Yangquan did not accept the opinions of any party.
He wanted to meet Zhu Yuanzhang first and find out why he would rather break with Zuo Junbi than come to Jiangdu Mansion before making a decision.
While I was thinking, my shoulders suddenly felt heavy and a warmth came.
When he turned around, he saw that there was a cloak on his shoulders. Shen Qianqian was wearing a light green dress and was standing next to him.
"Your Majesty, it's windy on the city wall, don't catch a cold." She said softly.
Zhang Yangquan smiled and said: "Why are you here?"
Shen Qianqian said: "Do you know what time it is?"
Zhang Yangquan looked up at the sky and said with a wry smile: "The sun has set. Are you here to ask me to go back for dinner?"
Shen Qianqian nodded her chin and said, "Your Majesty, your brows are furrowed so tightly. Is there something bothering you?"
Zhang Yangquan looked into the distance and said: "It can't be called an annoyance, but there is something I still can't figure out!"
Shen Qianqian blinked and said, "Can you tell me?"
Zhang Yangquan glanced at her and said, "Why do you think Zhu Yuanzhang came to Jiangdu Mansion?"
Shen Qianqian thought for a long time and said with a smile: "Qianqian does have some ideas, but if what he says is not good, the king is not allowed to laugh at me!"
Zhang Yangquan patted her shoulder and said with a smile: "When have I ever laughed at you? Tell me now!"
Shen Qianqian said: "Qianqian once heard an allusion. Once upon a time, there was a hunter. His hunting ability was superb and he was deeply respected by the people nearby. Later, there was a tiger infestation in a village. The village chief asked the hunter to kill the tiger. The hunter went into the mountains.
, after a fierce fight with the tiger, he was unable to defeat the tiger and had to escape!"
Zhang Yangquan was slightly startled and said: "What happened next?"
Shen Qianqian smiled and said: "Exactly sixty miles away, there was another village where tigers were also infested. The village chief also invited hunters to kill the tigers. When the hunters came to the mountains, they found that the tigers were smaller this time. They thought they could defeat them, but they failed. You didn’t take action, does your Majesty know the reason?”
Zhang Yangquan laughed and said: "He wants to lead two tigers to fight, and he will sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight!"
Shen Qianqian clapped her hands and said with a smile: "The king guessed it right! He used cow blood to lure the big tiger to Xiaohu Mountain, and the two tigers fought hard. The big tiger finally killed the little tiger, but was also injured. The hunter took the opportunity to step forward, Killed the big tiger!"
Zhang Yangquan said thoughtfully: "I understand what you mean. You think Zhu Yuanzhang is the hunter. He wants to lead us to fight Tianwan's army and reap the benefits for himself!"
Shen Qianqian said expectantly: "What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Zhang Yangquan pondered for a long time and said: "Your idea makes some sense. Although Zhu Yuanzhang has territory, he is sandwiched between our two families. It is the best strategy to join forces with one to fight the other, but..."
Shen Qianqian hurriedly asked: "But what?"
Zhang Yangquan laughed and said: "Zhu Yuanzhang's idea should not be that simple! Chen Youliang and I can see through this kind of strategy at a glance, and it will be difficult for him to succeed!"
Shen Qianqian's face turned red and said: "Qianqian doesn't understand military matters, which makes the king laugh."
At this moment, the sound of horse hooves sounded in the distance, and a dozen riders were seen running from the official road, and the dust was flying.
Zhang Yangquan's eyes lit up and he immediately looked towards the group of people.
He had already received news that Zhu Yuanzhang would arrive at Jiangdu Mansion tonight, and he would only bring a dozen followers with him.
Judging from the time and number of people, these riders should be Zhu Yuanzhang and his party.
The group of cavalry stopped after approaching the city wall, and a rider stepped forward to negotiate with the city gate guard.
Zhang Yangquan looked at the leader and saw that the man was twenty-seven or eighty years old, with a medium build and a broad and bright forehead.
Seeing Zhang Yangquan staring closely at the man, Shen Qianqian also looked over curiously.
After looking at it for a while, the other party led his men into the city through the side door.
There was a sound of footsteps, and Yang Sanqiang came from behind and said: "Your Majesty, Zhu Yuanzhang has entered the city!"
Zhang Yangquan nodded, smiled at Shen Qianqian and said, "Okay, let's go home and have dinner!"