Chapter 499 The emperor goes to war and the prince supervises the country
After the military reform, the Ming Dynasty had a standing army of 600,000 soldiers.
There are 60,000 naval troops in the navy. Now, except for the 50,000 Nanyang navy, most of the rest have gone to Japan.
There are 150,000 troops in the Beijing camp, and more than 20,000 have already gone to Japan. It is impossible to leave all the border areas.
There are about 20,000 Jinyiwei and Nanjing Zhenwu Camp each. They mainly defend the imperial power and suppress the capital and Jiangnan.
The Qinggan, Hetao, and Xuanning Border Regions are now full of border guards, with a total of more than 160,000; the Jiliao Border Region has more than 40,000 troops, half of whom are now in North Korea. Yunnan and Guangxi have a total of more than 30,000 troops, plus more than 10,000 troops in the Taiwan Border Region
, which is a total of about 250,000 border guards in the Ming Dynasty.
There are about 100,000 remaining territorial troops distributed in the hinterland provinces, with an average of no more than 10,000 per province. They are not a mobile force.
After the first lunar month, Ming Dynasty soon became restless.
"Ming Pao" suddenly became a weekly issue. This is the current arrangement, the publishing power has increased, and the situation requires it.
The above article makes people very angry.
"The Ming Dynasty sent troops to North Korea at the request of the North Korean princes and the people! At that time, the bad news came. Who knew that Duke An Dong was responsible for killing the murderer? The traitor was so bold that he slaughtered the king and the crown prince. How much money did the Ming Dynasty spend on food relief?
Refugees? How can we say that the Ming Dynasty deliberately embezzled the vassal state?"
"Who says it's not the case? The ones who destroyed Ryukyu were Japanese bandits. All the kings, ministers and people of Ryukyu lost their lives. The people of this country only survived one or two out of ten! That princess's blood letter was an edict to the world. How much money did your majesty spend to rebuild Ryukyu?
?How can we not suppress Japanese pirates and other unscrupulous beasts?"
"Your Majesty is right! The imperial court has good intentions to establish diplomatic relations and become a brotherly country in the future, but they collude with the border! In the past, they pretended to be submissive and submissive, but now they have shown their true colors! Can't they do it if they love the people and live in peace? In the end,
What a thieves!"
"..."
The Ming court was paying attention to what the people were talking about, but it wasn't too worried.
Ming officials now have some experience in how to guide mobilization through public opinion, not to mention that the emperor is well-informed and knows more?
"Emphasis on a few points." Zhu Houcong told the current editor-in-chief of "Ming Pao", "Master Wang is brave and skillful in fighting, and there is no possibility of the war spreading beyond the border areas. In the past 20 years since the new law, the national treasury is full and the food is sufficient. This self-defense of the Ming Dynasty
Counterattacks will never be imposed on the people. Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the country, so the military situation is informed to the Ming Dynasty, and the people need to know how the king is protecting his family and the country."
For Zhu Houcong, it is necessary to fight a "live broadcast" battle of this era.
The nature of the army and the relationship between the army and the country must connect the royal family, officials, people and soldiers.
It is naturally uncomfortable to be surrounded by enemies on all sides, but I am afraid that in the strong state of the Ming Dynasty, there is no better opportunity than this: to truly shape the concept of the country and the concept of the nation.
Why do the vassals still have to take risks despite knowing that the Ming Dynasty is stronger?
Because the Ming Dynasty put forward the standard of loving and tranquilizing the people, and used it as the basis for future relations between countries.
This underlying value orientation will shake the legal system and status foundation of the feudal elite.
The people of the Ming Dynasty have had personal experience of changes over the years, so they can tell that the audacity of these vassal states is indeed for their own status and self-interest.
He still treats the people under his rule like slaves, levies them violently, and beats them with eggs. Once the Ming Dynasty becomes weak, how can other people eat them indiscriminately due to their greed?
In addition to articles written by the emperor, the State Council and various ministries, Ming Pao now also contains many manuscripts submitted by scholars and celebrities.
In February, an article spread throughout Ming Dynasty through Ming Pao.
The author is called Taiyue, but he did not sign his real name.
But this is a majestic article. From the time when the Han Dynasty was strengthened, the Han people traveled south, and after the Tang and Song Dynasties, the Han people were reduced to two-legged sheep, and it recounted the rise and fall of history.
Then the conversation changed, why are we fighting for power and land?
For thousands of years, in all dynasties, the people have longed for good governance. Kings of all dynasties, no matter whether they are virtuous or mediocre, can really include the people in the official name of the country, and write loving and serving the people into the constitution as they do now.
People of all ethnic groups living in China are treated equally, only in this way.
This is why China is obviously the most powerful, but there are still so many neighboring vassal states that are attacking in groups.
Many new laws and restructuring are for the sake of the people of Ming Dynasty, which is no longer the same as them.
This is the desire of the world's powerful to "eliminate dissidents". After all, they all just take advantage of the people's fat and enjoy their wealth no matter who is king or hegemon.
China is only on a new path and has already become the enemy of the whole world.
But let me ask the Chinese people, do they still want to go back to the era when foreigners were treated as slaves and two-legged sheep? Do they still want to go back to the era when taxes and servitude were extremely heavy and officials were corrupt and abusive?
The good governance of the Ming Dynasty is still improving, and the official style has only improved. However, His Majesty is not yet forty, and the prince has traveled among the people to understand the sufferings of the people. Is it possible that the Ming Dynasty walking on this road can be beaten back by the vassal national thieves and fight with them?
Are we colluding together?
As soon as this heroic article came out, it was really discussed among the scholars and the common people heard about it.
Those who are above the fourth rank in the capital are all sweating profusely.
This was also a battle that allowed the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty to deal with both internal and external affairs at the center of public opinion.
It was the emperor who advocated the new law. Officials who were loyal to the emperor wanted to implement the new law that loved and served the people. Soldiers who were loyal to the emperor also wanted to defend their country and protect their people.
Because of his love for the people, the emperor first became the enemy of the powerful people in the surrounding vassal states who "did not join in the same deeds." If the civil and military officials of the Manchu dynasty did not follow this path, would they have the same intentions as the powerful people in the foreign vassal states?
Zhu Houcong naturally reviewed this article first. Now after hearing some of the news reported by Lu Bing, he could only say to his son with emotion: "Did you see it? This kid wants to recruit himself, so there is no need to take care of him."
Is there anything more suitable for Zhang Juzheng to support him than this?
Pointing out that the emperor is young and strong and the prince is wise, he insists that this path can continue stably from the Ming Dynasty and make the Ming Dynasty better and better. This not only helps the Zhu family establish the authority of the legal system more firmly, but also makes people want to be in the future because of
He seemed to be worried about those who continued to suppress him with evil intentions.
Of course, since he has said such things publicly, if he becomes an official in the future, he will be watched by others and must not go against his original intention.
Zhu Zaiyi could only nod his head with emotion: "My father has a keen eye for knowing people, and he never makes a mistake."
"This time, the most dangerous thing is the country." Zhu Houcong had a complicated mood and only lamented Zhang Juzheng's talent. "If there are still old-minded gentry who are dissatisfied with the new law, the danger Ming Dynasty faces now is their last chance.
"
Zhu Zaiyi's heart suddenly thought: "Father...you have such a high prestige, but there are still people who dare to..."
"Don't underestimate the patience and courage of some people. The Ming Dynasty is at its peak, so many foreign enemies dare to jump out?" Zhu Houcong sneered, "Zhang Juzheng wrote this article very well, I have to thank him. But you have to be sober, this
This is indeed their last chance. For this, you have to be prepared."
"My son...what preparations should I make?"
"Dad goes to Xuancheng, and you come to supervise the country." Zhu Houcong said calmly, "This is not that dad is deliberately trying to lure the snake out of the hole, it is just a trick. Xuanning is extremely important. You are also getting married. It's time to start real experience. Dad values practical learning.
There are many things that you also need to practice."
Zhu Zaiyi looked at his father's eyes, and his heart couldn't help but tremble.
"Father, at this critical moment, my son...can't bear it!"
"Xuancheng is not far from Beijing. You have your own opinions on how to deal with it. If you come back again and again, you can't miss important things. If you want to kill people or do evil things, leave it to dad. There are many ministers in the court, so you should also do it with
You can take on the role of a master to fight against them. Otherwise, how will you make good use of people like Zhang Juzheng in the future?"
"But……"
"Don't pretend, I know what I know." Zhu Houhuang glanced at him, "I'll give you this opportunity, just understand it. I said, you need to practice, and I don't want to test you. I do it for the future of China.
The inheritance will last for all generations, and you must do the same."
"...I understand, my son."
"For more than a month, this is just one of the general strategies that I and all my ministers have discussed. Now that we have set the general tone that my royal palace will be in charge of the border areas and that the prince will supervise the country's governance, in the following military affairs meeting, you will
I have officially participated. There are many plans that we cannot be unaware of!"
"My son, I accept the decree!"
Even if we have to deal with the current situation, there is no need to make hasty mobilization.
The Ming Dynasty's border troops were not weak to begin with, and there was no reason why they could be defeated thousands of miles away.
What's more, I'm afraid I've also seen clearly that since the Ming Dynasty had already marched eastward and established two vassal states as rulers, there was no way it would have hastily abandoned the defense without substantial gains.
"The Tatars have been resting and recuperating in Mobei for more than ten years. I have been fighting in the Western Region for several years, and I don't know how many people they have captured. Knowing that they are difficult to defeat, they attack brazenly. How can they only have less than 50,000 troops?" Zhu Houcong snorted again.
He said, "Remember, after you supervise the country, the most important thing is to see if anyone is playing tricks in front of you on the time difference between the Liaodong Army intelligence reaching Beijing and Xuanfu and back!"
…
After withdrawing from the diplomatic embassies of various vassal states, Ming Dynasty naturally lost a network for surrounding intelligence work.
The remainder are mostly merchants in border trade.
But what the Ming Dynasty is doing in Korea now naturally touches the sensitive nerves of the rich and powerful in other vassal states.
Not every family dares to bet that their leader's surname has been changed to Zhu, and that after a large number of officials from the Ming Dynasty have occupied prominent positions, their lives will be better than they are now.
Did Ming Dynasty consider this possible situation?
After actually participating in the military affairs meeting as a supervisor, Zhu Zaiyi understood: he had considered it.
In other words, the withdrawal of the diplomatic envoys was to give them an opportunity. With fewer informants and the pressure from the Ming Dynasty, whether the pro-Ming faction finally gained the upper hand or something else, it was to make them internally chaotic first.
It's just that Daming really didn't expect that they could really connect on such a large scale.
Zhu Houcong still couldn't figure out that problem. This is not the future with telephones. In today's era, which stretches for tens of thousands of miles, from the twelfth lunar month to the first lunar month, things happen one after another. It is strange that there is no pre-planning.
This is nearly impossible.
What the military affairs conference is studying and judging now is the variable that has not yet been understood.
"There is no need to assume that there are people inside and outside the country who are planning to seize the main contradiction." Zhu Houcong pointed to the north on the map, "I am the only one who has the strength to cause real trouble to the Ming Dynasty. He has the most soldiers and the most combat power.
Strong. In other directions, as long as Da Ming concentrates on guarding it first, there will be no problem."
Mao Bowen agreed: "According to what has been discussed before, the most likely possibility...is always the northeast?"
"Let go of Xianjing Road and leave Jiangyuan Road alone. If tens of thousands of troops suddenly appear there, North Korea and Japan will be unable to succeed." Zhu Houcong frowned, "I just haven't thought about it clearly. I promised to plunder the Jurchens for many years before.
How can they abandon their prejudices and join forces?"
"Most of the Jurchens plundered by the Khan's court were Haixi, Barbarian and Jianzhou Jurchens."
"The Liaodong border wall is still there. Apart from this road, there is probably no other solution that really puts Ming Dynasty in a dilemma, right?"
Zhu Houcong pointed to the Yalu River again.
As long as the Jurchens are not only mixed with the remnants of the Korean soldiers, but the real main force can also pass through the Jurchen and Korean streets, then the area on both sides of the Yalu River from Jiuliancheng to North Korea will become the best route for the Mongolian cavalry to enter the Liaodong border wall.
By the way, the land route from Ming Dynasty to North Korea will be cut off, and the situation in North Korea will change.
Maybe they had the idea of the Jurchens taking over North Korea and the Khans taking control of Liaodong?
Under attack from inside and outside, if a section of the Liaodong border wall is breached and I continue to hold the Liaoxi corridor outside Shanhaiguan leading to Liaodong, Ming Dynasty will indeed be in a passive position.
The domestic conflicts caused by the ineffective Eastern Expedition were not small, as tens of millions of military expenditures were wasted.
At present, everything in North Korea is not stable.
There are still language barriers to communication between the newly established team of the King of Liao and the Korean people, which is not smooth.
The number of real elite soldiers left in North Korea to guard the situation was just over 10,000. After Yu Dayou laid down Gyeongsang Province like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, he went to Japan.
"If we really choose here, that's fine! It's just that if we transfer to Liaodong, the Beijing camp will move quickly."
"Don't forget, this year it has been decided that money and food from the south of the Yangtze River will be transported to Beijing." Yang Shen said in a deep voice, "There must be traitors in the Ming Dynasty! Qinggan, Hetao, and Xuanning also have to guard against it. Only Huanghuai
The food in the north will indeed be exhausted from the left to the right."
"I have arranged to go check it out." Zhu Houcong said calmly, glanced at the ministers and then said, "Since after several studies and judgments, we all think that the war situation is going like this, let's prepare according to this direction first. In short, if North Korea has
Change, the 30,000 soldiers from the Beijing camp who claim to be reinforcements for Japan will cut off their retreat from Jeju Island where they are hiding! If I come from Xuanning, Hetao, I will be in Xuanfu, and he will not gain much!"
"The capital is in danger..." Yan Song reminded.
"If we can still allow outside thieves to threaten the capital, or allow internal thieves to cause chaos in the capital, it is useless to leave more. I will bring 30,000 soldiers from the capital to reinforce Hetao and Xuanning, and another 10,000 each will go to Qinggan, Yunnan, and Guangxi.
, not only to confuse the enemy, but also to calm the hearts of the people."
There are 150,000 troops in the Beijing camp, and more than 20,000 have gone out. Now there will be another 30,000 to accompany the Northern Expedition, and a total of 30,000 will be mobilized to reinforce the other directions. 30,000 are planned to reinforce Liaodong and North Korea, and less than 30,000 will remain in the capital.
That's all. Coupled with the power of the Jin Yiwei and the General Secretary of Public Security, the capital is empty.
But the Emperor's new northern expedition can indeed boost the morale of the people. After all, the emperor's two previous northern expeditions had great successes.
However, Zhu Houcong is still going to Hetao this time, towards Xuanfu, and he is taking quite a few people with him. If Anda really intends to go to North Korea and Liaodong, and he knows that the emperor is going to Xuanfu tomorrow, he should take action, right?
In the third month of Yangchun, the capital camp set off for an expedition.
30,000 to Japan for a quick battle.
Ten thousand goes to Qinggan, ten thousand goes to Yunnan, and ten thousand goes to Guangxi.
And after more than twelve years, the Emperor of Heaven once again led the Northern Campaign.
Yang Shen watched the imperial driver go to Juyong Pass, turned around with a majestic look on his face: "Bite your teeth and work together!"