In the inner study of the General Military Office of the Xuan Mansion, General Ma Fang and Ma Rong, who was only fifty-three years old but already full of white hair, paced anxiously while an old servant stood cautiously at the door.
This old servant was Ma Fang's housekeeper. He had served Ma Fang for many years. In his early years, he was his servant. Later, he injured his lumbar spine and could no longer fight, so he became a house servant and was trusted by Ma Fang. At this time, he saw his own family.
The old man was anxious and couldn't help but persuade: "Sir, since Mr. Gao Ge has written a letter explaining the situation, why are you still so worried? Now that Mr. Gao Ge has made the decision to exchange the generals of Xuanda and Dazhou, it is impossible for him to come to Zhao Dazhou.
If you really put your hand in our Xuanda, I think I can safely switch to defense."
Ma Fang's expression was still bad, and she said in a deep voice: "That fellow Zhao Zhenji only knows how to talk. I declare that the second town of Da Er is the gateway to the capital. How important it is! It's good for him. As soon as he entered the cabinet a year ago, he insisted on changing to Xing'an Gong.
Fortunately, Mr. Gaoge returned to the court in time and saved Duke Xing'an, and ordered him to temporarily assist in the military affairs of the capital camp. He also transferred Duke Jianchuan from the three sides of Shaanxi to replace him. Otherwise, there would be no ministers to guard the important land, and God knows what would happen.
What a big deal! If there is another Gengshu Incident, it would be a shame for a military minister named Ma of mine to die, but Zhao Dazhou can save his life, right?"
The Xing'an Gong in Ma Fang's mouth refers to Chen Qixue, the former Governor-General of Xuan Dynasty, and the Jianchuan Gong is of course Wang Chonggu. Xing'an and Jianchuan are the titles of Chen Qixue and Wang Chonggu respectively.
The old steward smiled bitterly and said: "Nowadays, the assistant ministers who know the affairs of the army are nothing but high-ranking people. Zhang and the two elders are the elders, and Zhao Dazhou is just a guy who is not well-educated. How does he know anything about the side affairs? The current affairs... are
It’s getting harder and harder!”
Ma Fang became even angrier after hearing this and said: "If this loser knew about side affairs, would he think that Chen Butang was guilty? Would he think that General Zhao was afraid of the enemy? As for the situation on the Nine Borders, which has been getting worse and worse over the years, I'm afraid just standing in front of him
Explain to him, but he can’t even understand! In the 200th year of the Ming Dynasty, the overall situation in the north has become increasingly tight. Xuanda’s defense is said to be the top priority, but in fact it is becoming more and more empty now. What can really be done
How many soldiers are left to fight? In this situation, he still wants to withdraw Zhao Ke! If Zhao Ke is withdrawn, let alone Datong, the camp will be empty, and even Shanxi's defense will be opened! What's the matter, you think so highly of me, Ma Fang, I'm just a man
Can one man hold three towns? Damn it, I have only three heads and six arms?"
It’s not surprising that Ma Fang was so angry. It turns out that since I invaded Datong in September last year and raided Shanyin, Yingzhou, Huairen, and Hunyuan, Zhao Zhenji, the new member of the cabinet, took advantage of Xuanda and ignored the general of Datong at the beginning of the year.
The reason why the soldier Zhao Ke defeated An Yu at Hongzhi Fort was not only due to Chen Qixue, the governor of Xuan Dynasty, but Zhao Ke, the general soldier of Datong, was afraid of the enemy and wanted to capture these two men. In fact, it can be seen from the deployment of their troops at that time.
They were afraid that Anda's invaders would harass the imperial mausoleum, and when they saw Anda trying to leave after looting, the two of them immediately attacked and tried to chase them down. However, the infantry could not outrun the cavalry, and they only captured three or two big cats and kittens.
, ended up being caught by Zhao Zhenji. Thanks to Gao Gong's timely return to the court, the two of them were saved. Even so, Chen Qixue still lost his position as governor of Xuanda, and was temporarily transferred back to the capital by Gao Gong.
What makes Ma Fang even more angry is that judging from Zhao Zhenji's behavior, he has no idea how tight the defense situation in Xuanda and even Shanxi is, and he is just fooling around. Recently, Gao Gong sent him a letter, saying that Zhao Zhenji still
Unwilling to let the matter go, he insisted that Zhao Ke could not continue to serve as the commander-in-chief of Datong. Gao Gong did not want to argue with this person over this matter, so he decided to give him a little face and let Ma Fang and Zhao Ke exchange defense zones.
Ma Fang could understand Gao Gong's reaction. After all, he had just returned to the court and it was no longer easy to save Chen Qixue and Zhao Ke. There was nothing wrong with making a little concession to save the face of a certain pavilion elder. It was just Ma Fang.
Fang knew that the action between him and Zhao Ke would most likely make An Da have evil thoughts again, and it would cause another disaster.
His thinking is not unfounded, but is determined by the balance of power between Ming and Mongolia in the north and the strategic situation of both sides.
In the early Ming Dynasty, under the careful management of Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, the northern border defense line of the Ming Dynasty was pushed to the north of the Great Wall from Liaodong, Daning, Kaiping, Dongsheng to Jiayuguan. At that time, Datong and Xuanfu governed a large area outside the mouth, and the defense pressure
It is not obvious yet. After Zhu Di ascended the throne, the capital moved northward, and Daning was bordered by Wuliangha. Dongsheng moved inward, Xinghe was abolished, and the northern defense line moved hundreds of miles southward.
During the Xuande period, the northern border defense line further shrunk, especially the inward movement of Mongolia from Kaiping, which reduced the area of Xuan and Daer towns and brought them to the border. They inevitably changed from the second line of border defense to the first line of border defense, becoming the key to preventing Mongolia from moving south. In this regard,
In addition to strengthening the defense of the two towns, the Ming Dynasty also continued to improve the defense system of the area. In order to solve the problems of inconsistent powers and mutual constraints among the guarding officials, and the shortcomings of mutual evasion and failure to respond to enemies in neighboring towns, a special Xuanda was established.
The governor strengthened coordination and promoted the establishment of Xuanda Defense Zone, which became an important part of the northern defense system in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.
As the northern border defense line of the Ming Dynasty repeatedly moved southward, the strategic importance of the Xuanda area increased day by day, and the defense pressure increased.
"The belly and heart of Youren in the capital, Xuan, the back of the big neck, Yan, Ning's limbs, the heels of Gansu."
"If we talk about the importance of the land, all sides are important, but Jizhou, Xuan, are big, and Shanxi is especially important. How can we defend the mausoleum, and Ding Shenjing at the bottom? Xuan is as big as the shoulder and back, Ji, and Jin are as big as the elbow and armpit."
Especially after Hetao was abandoned during the reign of Emperor Yingzong, the Mongolian tribes "exited Hetao and invaded Xuanfu, Datong, and the three passes with Zhenji as assistance; entering Hetao, they invaded Yansui, Ningxia, Gansu, and Guyuan to disturb Guanzhong." They attacked the northern border defense line of the Ming Dynasty.
pose a great threat.
In addition, most of the Xuanda area is "administered by dividing the territory, without mutual jurisdiction, and there are many constraints on the urgent dispatch of reinforcements." The troops are dispersed, but this is not the case in Mongolia, which often concentrates various ministries to take advantage of the weakness and specialize in one town. In this case, one town
The soldiers were simply unable to resist, and neighboring towns needed to rescue each other. However, the governors and general soldiers of each town had no right to mobilize soldiers and horses from other towns. When neighboring towns were in trouble, they often sat back and did nothing to save them.
Everyone is divided against each other and refuses to come to the rescue. Even if they are willing to come to the rescue, they wait and see too much and often miss the opportunity." This creates a situation where they only want to protect themselves but cannot protect themselves.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "If the order violates the Xuanfu, it will be urgent for Datong to respond. If it simultaneously violates Datong, it will be urgent for the Xuanfu to respond.
Then there will be some blame, and during the war, it will be easy to shirk each other, and things will inevitably go wrong."
In view of this, in order to unify the military power of Xuanda and Daer Town and strengthen the unified leadership and coordinated actions between the two towns, it was necessary to set up important ministers to control. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty established Governor Xuanda during the Jingtai period to unify the two towns. After the establishment of Governor Xuanda,
, the setting was not permanent, and it was not changed until the 21st year of Jiajing.
After the establishment of Governor Xuanda, in addition to commanding the town troops and coordinating the operations of the two towns, he also gained the power to manage food and wages in the 21st year of Jiajing.
"In Renwu, he was promoted to the post of Zhai Peng, the censor of the right and right capital of the Zhili, Shanxi, and Henan, as the right minister of the Ministry of War, and also the censor of the left and right capital of the Imperial Procuratorate, Governor Xuan, in charge of military affairs, and also in charge of food and wages."
Later, the defense situation became increasingly severe, and the power of the governor-general was increased. Except for those who were involved in confidential matters, they were not allowed to take charge of themselves. The rest of the troops, money and food were allowed to be engaged cheaply, and they were sent first and heard later. "Records of King Sejong" records: "The household department is responsible for the affairs."
Liu Hui reported: "In Qing Dynasty, the northern captives invaded the south. Your Majesty specially ordered Zhai Peng, the minister of the Ministry of War, to supervise the military affairs. However, the captives escaped and the governor was dismissed. When the captives arrived, the governor was added. Things happened in a hurry and the timing was not fixed. This is not the case.
I would like to ask your majesty to take charge of Zhai Peng from now on, so that all military horses, money and food can be obtained cheaply.'??The above is the order, that is, Zhai Peng is not allowed to specialize himself except those who are related to secrets, and his soldiers
Horses, money and food are cheap to engage in, and you will hear about it first."
In fact, starting from the 21st year of Jiajing reign, Governor Xuanda has been in place permanently, and his jurisdiction and powers have been expanded. "Zhai Peng ordered to also supervise Shandong, Henan, and the governor and below, all of whom are subject to restraint, and things remain peaceful as before."
In the 23rd year of Jiajing, the governor was ordered to supervise the payment of all soldiers. In the 24th year of Jiajing, the power of the governor-general was further increased. Governors, general soldiers, and officers who were responsible for military affairs must be shut down by the governor. "It is appropriate to order the governor and others
In all matters involving the military and military affairs, officials should always keep an eye on the governor. When there is an advantage, let him take action first and then hear about it, and there should be no suspicion of each other."
In the 29th year of Jiajing's reign (the 29th year of Jiajing reign), Governor-General Xuanda assigned jurisdiction over Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi, and this has not changed since then.
Facts have proved that the establishment of the Governor-General of Xuanda in Xuanda's defense was quite effective. In the 28th year of Jiajing, Mongolia invaded the Xuanfu.
According to his authority, he transferred Datong Commander Zhou Shangwen to Xuanfu to defend against the enemy. "He sent Datong Commander Zhou Shangwen to lead the elite troops to temporarily replace Xuanfu Commander to contain the enemy's attack. He also sent a letter to the auxiliary ministers and his own troops, saying that the captives would be tested in depth."
It was said that the commander of the Xuan Mansion, General Pian Zhu, could not be entrusted. He sent Datong soldiers to his deputy commander and urged Zhou Shangwen to go. So Shangwen traveled day and night to Caojiazhuang, but the captives had already entered the dangerous position. Unexpectedly, Shangwen arrived unexpectedly.
Also, on the night of the third month of March, there was a great battle, and the siege was repeatedly lifted. The Duke (Weng Wanda), with his ring armor and the governor's troops, came to the rescue with thousands of soldiers. The captives were shocked and said: "Weng's troops have arrived." He escaped at night after relieving the siege, and the Duke, the governor, Shangwen pursued him out of the country.
, it does more to protect people than to kill them.”
After the establishment of the Xuanda Governor-General, he gradually obtained the power to dispatch troops and horses, manage money and food, supervise, and sponsor. Later, he also obtained the right to establish his own counselors, which marked that the Xuanda area had a centralized dispatch and control.
The organization of the response force contributed to the establishment of the Xuanda Defense Zone.
In other words, Xuanda and Shanxi are a defense unit, and one move can affect the whole body. But now, because the situation is difficult to control, Xuanda is under great pressure, and it is basically in a passive situation. Who knows?
Zhao Zhenji not only removed Chen Qixue, but also captured Zhao Ke. As a result, Gao Gong was forced to transfer Wang Chonggu to stabilize the situation, and he also had to exchange positions between Zhao Ke and Ma Fang.
Ma Fang had a strong hunch that when the two of them exchanged words, I would definitely not turn a deaf ear - the person who knows you best is often not you, but your enemy or opponent.
Therefore, Ma Fang sent someone to the capital to inquire about the court's movements. And today, according to the agreement, was the day to come back and report to him the situation in the capital.