Early the next morning, the four major battalions of the capital totaled 32,000 soldiers and horses, plus the accompanying Jin Yiwei and 1,000 imperial guards. Without notifying the civil and military officials, they set off for the expedition under Zhu Youxiao's order.
Because military discipline and law are extremely strict, nothing happened along the way.
Even the soldiers falling behind and being injured did not happen.
It only took three days, and we arrived at Shanhaiguan near noon on the fourth day.
Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but sigh, the daily meals and drills of the army are really extremely important.
If he remembered correctly, when the Manchu Qing invaded Beizhili for the first time in history, Chongzhen ordered Yuan Chonghuan to be King Qin.
Yuan Chonghuan led the Guan Ning cavalry and traveled day and night. Without daring to waste a moment, it took him two days and two nights to reach the capital city.
He was marching with horse and infantry in parallel, and it was a regular march. Both the number of people and the baggage were larger, and it only took less than four days.
"Zhou Xingwu, the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan Customs, respectfully welcomes His Majesty the Holy Ann."
Outside Shanhaiguan, Zhou Xingwu had already lined up to greet him.
Naturally, Zhu Youxiao was extremely affectionate towards this former commander of the Xiaoling Guard and his absolute confidant.
"General Zhou, are you still used to it?"
In response to the emperor's cordial greetings, Zhou Xingwu couldn't help but smile and said:
"I would like to thank Your Majesty for your concern. Not only do you enjoy the emperor's salary, but you also share your worries. I don't have to say whether I am used to it or not."
"I understand your loyalty, so I leave this first critical link between the inside and outside in your hands."
Although Zhou Xingwu is a military general, he is not a fool. He has been in the north for more than two years. He is naturally aware of His Majesty's situation and the situation in the capital.
Therefore, he also understood the meaning of these words.
He immediately said seriously:
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, there are ministers here. No one will be allowed to pass without His Majesty's orders."
Principal Zhu You smiled and said:
"With you here, I feel relieved."
Then he ordered the troops to start leaving the country.
It's still early in the morning, and after lunch at Shanhaiguan, the army will officially head to the Liaoshen front line.
Just before departure, a messenger from Liaodong Governor Hong Chengchou arrived.
It turned out that the advance supply troops had already arrived in Jinzhou.
It took another day and a half, hurrying and hurrying, and finally arrived in Jinzhou as night fell.
Hong Chengchou's governor's office was set up in Jinzhou.
This was naturally Zhu Youxiao's intention.
Xiong Tingbi was famous for his bad temper, and Hong Chengchou was a bit worse than Xiong Tingbi, and he was very utilitarian.
These two people serve as high-ranking officials in the same area, and something will happen over time.
However, Zhu Youxiao had already made a decree. Xiong Tingbi was in charge of the army and Hong Chengchou was in charge of governance. They also separated the two places, thus avoiding conflicts between the two.
Moreover, Jinzhou is closer to the Three Guards of Duoyan, which makes it easier for Hong Chengchou to monitor and control the three guards to prevent them from turning to Jiannu.
After entering the government office and having dinner, Zhu Youxiao asked Hong Chengchou and a group of Liaodong officials about the specific conditions of the local people.
Hong Chengchou is also really talented. Although he has only been here for more than a year, he has a quite detailed understanding of the people's livelihood conditions in various parts of Liaodong.
Today, the Western Liaoning Corridor area is full of refugees, homeless and without land to cultivate.
If Zhu Youxiao had not adopted the work-for-relief method and had a steady stream of food, clothing, cloth and other materials shipped from the customs, many people would have died of starvation and freezing.
Along the way from Shanhaiguan, Zhu Youxiao also saw it with his own eyes.
But even so, I still found that many people were half-clothed, with sallow complexions and thin skin, almost reaching the limit of human body endurance.
If the war in Liaodong cannot be quelled, another group of people will die because of slavery this winter.
"Your Majesty, the straight road from Shanhaiguan to Jinzhou, and then to Liaoyang and Shenyang has been repaired, and several important military forts and cities have also been reinforced."
"Do we still need to mobilize the people to do other things?"
Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said firmly:
"No need, the war is about to begin. The people are looking forward to it day and night, hoping that the imperial court can wipe out the slaves as soon as possible. Now that I have personally led the army, I will let them rest and preserve their vitality."
"After I officially send out troops to conquer the slaves, I will let someone notify you. Then you will organize the people who are living here and help guide them to return to their hometown."
"I will do my best in this battle and wipe out the Jiannu slaves in one fell swoop so that our people in Liaodong will no longer suffer from war."
Hong Chengchou did not doubt the emperor's confident remarks.
In his view, the destruction of the slave establishment was only a matter of time, so he was half-flattering:
"Your Majesty is the benevolent Lord, so he will definitely achieve a good result. I will wait in Jinzhou for the report of your Majesty's victory."
After questioning, Zhu Youxiao began to arrange military tactics.
In his plan, he planned to advance troops in three directions and encircle and exterminate the slaves from two directions.
One of the roads was occupied by Mao Wenlong's troops who were stationed on Phi Island, as well as the North Korean army.
They will cross the Yalu River and attack the hinterland of the Jiannu from south to north. This is to be a partial force and mainly to prevent the Jiannu from escaping south to Korea.
As for the other two routes, he has not yet made specific arrangements, but Mao Wenlong and North Korea should also make pre-war preparations.
That night, a group of more than a dozen riders from Jinzhou City rode out and headed straight for the navy station.
Zhu Youxiao only rested for one night in Jinzhou before heading to Liaoyang.
When he looked at the current situation of the people along the straight road, he became more determined to completely eradicate the idea of establishing slaves.
It was also the first time for the refugees and civilians along the way to see an army that was well-organized, all wearing armor, and with such a large number of people.
Moreover, looking at their momentum and the banner, they are obviously different from the Liaodong army.
A few boldly stepped forward and asked:
"I wonder where you heroes got your troops?"
But no one answered him. After asking several questions but getting no response, he was ready to retreat in frustration.
At this moment, a young general rode forward and said with great momentum:
"This is the Emperor's Yulin personal army."
"The troops are here, is His Majesty the Emperor also in the army?"
"Of course, this time the emperor personally came to Liaodong to conquer the slave slaves. It won't be long before everyone can go home."
Upon hearing the emperor's personal conquest, the middle-aged man quickly knelt down on his knees. After the people around him heard about it, they also acted in unison.
Some people even shed tears and cried.
"Everyone, please get up and don't cry. It's the emperor and the imperial court who can't stand you. The imperial army was defeated one after another, which led to the expansion of the slave establishment and your exile here."
"When we win the victory, you will have to go back to your hometown and start your life again. The ground is wet, so don't break your knees."
The leader saw that the young general spoke so calmly to them, which was unheard of, and they couldn't help but ask:
"I don't know the general's name so that we can know it."
Just listen to the man on the horse reply:
"Zhu."
Then he waved his horse whip in his hand, caught up with the army, and left here.
But the person who asked the question had not yet reacted. He just kept mumbling Zhu Zhuzhu repeatedly, as if he was searching his memory to see if he had heard of it before.
But after thinking about it, I still had no impression of this person, thinking that he looked so young and might not be famous yet.
Just as he was about to ask everyone to leave, a voice suddenly sounded:
"Could it be that the man just now was the emperor?"