Chapter 190: The means of differentiation and disintegration
Strategic contraction was a strategy that Zhu Youxiao once adopted.
Abandoning Guangning and guarding Ningyuan, shortening the supply line, equip new weapons, practicing new tactics, and training soldiers and generals. These are the purposes of shrinking defense.
To put it bluntly, according to the equipment and combat power of the Ming army at that time, it was very costly and difficult to confront Jiannu in Guangning.
Therefore, it is definitely wise to temporarily break away from contact, accumulate strength, and improve combat power.
The contraction of Jiannu is another reason. The most important thing is that Jiannu's troops are unable to take care of the vast occupied areas when facing the Ming army whose combat power is constantly increasing.
The four defenders of the troops have proved that they could not defeat the Ming army in the local area. They spread their fingers too much, but they were not tightly covered. There is also the danger of being cut off their fingers. Retracting and clenching the fist should be the right choice.
Right is right, but it does not mean that the situation can be reversed. In other words, if it can be kept, who will give up retreating?
Therefore, Jiannu retreated with helplessness, and he chose the least of both evils. He just didn't want to continue to be consumed by the Ming army, so he was trying his best to support him.
Historically, Jiannu retreated and calmed down for several years under the situation where Teacher Sun was in charge of Liaodong, Teacher Yuan's maritime offensives, and the Ming army in western Liaoning defended Ningyuan.
But similar shrinking actions are completely different situations. Both Zhu Youxiao and many civil servants and generals can see this clearly.
Without the generous looting of Guangning Dasheng, it was still defeated in repeated mobilizations, consumed the small amount of food and fodder and lost the fertile land of Liaonan. What support does Jiannu rely on?
Many people even believe that there is no need for major military operations. As long as the siege continues to be siege and blockade, the Later Jin Dynasty will not last for a year or two.
Zhu Youxiao also agreed with this and expected that the famine in the Later Jin Dynasty would break out, but he was not ready to wait passively.
The war in Liaodong involved too much energy and consumed too much material and money from the Ming Dynasty. The sooner it ended, the more beneficial it would be for the Ming Dynasty to revive and overcome major disasters.
But the emperor was anxious but cautious in his actions, which also made the ministers feel some illusion. For example, Teacher Yuan proposed to take advantage of the victory and wanted to move from Dengzhou to Lushun to command nearby.
Taking advantage of the victory and making progress, the Gaizhou abandoned by Jiannu must occupy, or accept.
But if you want to continue to go deeper, Zhu Youxiao still thought it was too hasty. Jiannu had already accumulated troops, and the Ming army in southern Liaoning and the troops in Dengzhen were not advantageous in terms of military strength.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao will arrange next year's winter and spring offensive. The three parties in western Liaoning, southern Liaoning and eastern Liaoning will launch at the same time, and make steady progress, and continue to compress the space for Jiannu's activities.
Moreover, according to information, as well as estimates from the Ministry of War and martial arts, Jiannu's material reserves can last for at most half a year. When the three parties launched the campaign, it was a difficult time for Jiannu to not be able to handle the situation.
With external forces plus internal factors, the three parties will not be able to solve Jiannu once and for all, and it will greatly consume its strength.
The Ming army units continued to launch attacks, which happened to be summer and was not suitable for the Jiannu war. After a year, they were still somewhat sure to fight the disabled Jiannu.
Next year, we will pacify Liao!
Zhu Youxiao walked to the sand table, his eyes moved to the coastal areas of Gaizhou, and narrowed his eyes slightly. Observing Gaizhou, western Liaoning and southern Liaoning tended to be connected, and the strategic situation was extremely favorable.
………………………………………
The Ming Empire was vast. The capital was even more at the foot of the emperor, and the people were rich in Wumao. In addition, the cleaning and hygiene campaign launched by Zhu Youxiao was even more refreshing.
For people from remote areas, when they come to the capital, they are like people from the countrymen entering the city. Not only are they blinded, but they are also a little ashamed of themselves. Then, awe of the Ming Empire suddenly arises in their hearts.
This is not about others, but about the Liu Xingzuo brothers who came to Beijing under the imperial edict. Although they knew the vastness of the Ming Empire and the numerous people, it was better to see them than to hear them.
The majestic city walls, wide streets, and people coming and going, the shock they brought to them was definitely something they would never imagine in the future.
When he arrived at the capital, Liu Xingzuo first reported to the Ministry of War. Teacher Sun personally received it. After comforting him, he asked about the situation of the Later Jin Dynasty. He was appointed as the general of the official position of official position as the general.
Sun Chengzong agreed with the emperor's desire to promote Liu Xingzuo's return to the Ming Dynasty anyway, and Yuan Keli also submitted a memorial, saying: "I often use Chinese rebel generals to defend the four guards, but when Liu Aita surrendered, he used slaves to carry two. At one time, the Chinese rebel generals were killed by slaves and barbarians. The captain abandoned Jin and restored the city, and then regained four hundred miles to the land and returned to the territory."
To put it bluntly, Liu Xingzuo's psychological blow was a heavy psychological blow to Nurhaci. He originally didn't trust the Han officials and generals, and this blow made the old slave go crazy.
Those Han officials and generals who surrendered to the Later Jin Dynasty killed and killed, and those who were demoted almost cut off the arm of the Later Jin Dynasty. Without the need for the Ming army to take action, the strength of the Later Jin Dynasty was reduced by another level.
The more polite he treated Liu Xingzuo and the more he valued it, the more he slapped Lao Nu in the face, the more angered him, and the more he weakened his strength.
At the same time, Liu Xingzuo was able to receive heavy use and courtesy, and he also set an example for those Han officials and generals. There will be more things that can be imagined in the future.
But agreeing is agreement. Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli are still cautious about the use of Liu Xingzuo. High officials can be given a generous salary, gold, silver and treasures can be rewarded, but if he continues to lead troops to fight, he still needs to observe it.
Zhu Youxiao did not object to this, but his observation was to look at Liu Xingzuo's military talent, rather than to examine his loyalty.
After seeing you, Zhu Youxiao wanted to send the Liu brothers into martial arts, and then go to the Beijing camp to train in the flying cavalry, striving to let him lead his troops to fight next year's winter and spring offensive.
Some bad habits of being a general have been fundamentally changed by the establishment of martial arts. Not to mention Liu Xingzuo, even Zhang Pan, Kong Youde and other generals, and even Mao Wenlong, did not have the conditions to lead the troops to rebel.
The salary and food were all transferred by the court and were managed by the supervisors; middle and lower-level officers were also trained in martial arts and assigned to them. Without private soldiers, just a few trustees could make the army rebellious, which was obviously unlikely.
Therefore, there was no big problem to let Liu Xingzuo continue to lead troops to fight. Moreover, because he had a better understanding of the reality of Jiannu and the terrain of Liaodong, he had a better advantage in commanding operations.
The emperor even believed that Liu Xingzuo could be used as bait. Isn’t the old slave hating him as crazy? Then he put a clear banner and led the old slave to attack and beat him up to find teeth.
Liu Xingzuo didn't know the emperor's idea, so he received the appointment letter from the Ministry of War and learned that the emperor was going to summon him. He was so excited that he couldn't close his eyes all night.
The next day, Cao Zhenghua, the Jinyiwei who returned to Beijing with the Liu brothers, accompanied them to visit the capital for a day and experienced the prosperity under the emperor's feet.
On the third day, officials from the Ministry of Rites came to the inn to teach Liu Xingzuo the etiquette for the visit of the palace. This was a normal procedure. Liu Xingzuo was also afraid of being rude and was very careful to learn until dinner, and he was not bored at all.
"I will come to the palace tomorrow to see you. Long live my brother, and my future is bright!" Liu Xingren poured a glass of wine for his brother and raised his glass to toast.
Liu Xingzuo picked up the wine glass and toasted him, but he just took a sip and put it down and sighed: "I was so worried that the court would punish him, but I was also nervous. I was afraid that the court would punish him, or that he would not accept him."
After pausing, Liu Xingzuo continued, "I never expected that I would startle the Shengting and get the trust of Long Live. Anyway, things will succeed in one fell swoop."
Liu Xingren was also very moved. He was worried before and now he seemed so ridiculous, indecisive, and his heart for Guiming seemed not sincere and firm enough.
"It's already the position of general, and I can also satisfy you." Liu Xingzuo smiled, but he showed a hint of bitterness and a little self-deprecating.
In his opinion, he was the deputy general in the Later Jin Dynasty, and after he was promoted to general, the Ming court had fulfilled his promise. As for whether he could lead troops to fight in the future, he did not dare to expect it.
The surrendered generals, although the Ming court once encouraged him by "Li Xianzhong of the Song Dynasty", in fact, who dares to use it with confidence?
Liu Xingren also felt the same way and comforted him: "Brother's desire to serve the country will be known to the court in the long run. Now that the old mother, wife and family are safe, let's settle down first, why bother to hurry up?"
Liu Xingzuo smiled and raised his glass and said, "As my brother said, come and drink, congratulate the wise king, congratulate us for the return of the wise king."
Liu Xingren raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp. He knew that his brother was still a little unwilling, but he could only use time and performance to prove himself and win the trust of the court.
………………………………………
I can trust Liu Xingzuo, but other ministers and generals from various departments are probably still worried.
Although Zhu Youxiao decided to reuse Liu Xingzuo, he also knew that this was not just his own business.
In history, after Liu Xingzuo returned to the Ming Dynasty, because Yuan Keli had left Denglai, neither Mao Wenlong nor Yuan Chonghuan could be treated well. "When Wenlong died and returned to the Ming Dynasty, they were both disappointed and unsuccessful."
There is no need to be harsh on this. Teacher Yuan has a broad mind and a bold spirit, but Mao Wenlong and Yuan Chonghuan both formed their own mountain and had their own confidants, which was not inferior to Liu Xingzuo.
It is almost the same now. Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong have a large number of generals from martial arts backgrounds. One of them, Liu Xingzuo, is of little use.
After thinking for a long time, Zhu Youxiao felt that it would be safer to let Liu Xingzuo go to martial arts to study first. If he was a talent, he would be transferred to the Beijing camp to serve. After observing it, he would decide whether to lead his troops.
"Cao Zhenghua is very good at doing it. Liu Aita has made great contributions anyway." Zhu Youxiao listened to Cao Zhenghua's detailed report, praised him, and then said, "I intend to let you change your military position. What do you think?"
Cao Zhenghua turned his head and looked at his boss. Luo Sigong, who brought him to meet, did not dare to answer easily.
Luo Sigong smiled and said, "Long live to appreciate it, aren't you thanking me?"
Cao Zhenghua hurriedly knelt down, kowtowed and replied, "Long live the point of being the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is in charge of the empress.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "You are familiar with Liu Xingzuo, so you will go to martial arts with him and then go to the Beijing camp for practical training."
"I obey the order." Cao Zhenghua kowtowed and replied.
Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "Liu Xingzuo has a strong heart anyway, and Jiannu is already at the end of his journey. I think it can be used more. But his background is obviously not easy to gain a foothold in the army. If you want to make arrangements in the future, you will be more familiar with him and more suitable."
The words were not very thorough, but Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua understood it. During the martial arts and practical training, Cao Zhenghua was also responsible for the inspection. If Liu Xingzuo was let go of the army, he would also have the role of supervision and assistance.
"I understand." Cao Zhenghua kowtowed again and replied.
"Well, let's be flat!" Zhu Youxiao then asked Cao Zhenghua to get up.
The treatment is different for different levels. Cao Zhenghua kowtowed a few times and felt no discomfort and thought it should be so; the emperor also showed his majesty and had the best of both worlds.
His eyes turned to Luo Sigong, and Zhu Youxiao explained: "You should not relax the spy on Mongolian tribes. No one can tell whether friends and enemies are changing. The more accurate the intelligence is, the more convenient it will be for the future."
"I dare not slackew, please rest assured." Luo Sigong bowed to accept the order.
If Jiannu was destroyed, the Mongolian tribes in the north would become an unstable factor. Spying and collecting information, being exhausted or not is one of the emperor's ambitions; taking advantage of the arrival of great disasters to conquer the Mongolian tribes to the greatest extent is also one of the emperor's ambitions.
"Li Yangeng must not be harsh in prison." The emperor pursed his lips and showed a few sneers, "Luo Qing knows my plan."
"Long live and don't worry." Luo Sigong bowed and replied, "I will definitely raise Li Yangeng to be fat and fat for later use."
Zhu Youxiao nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "There are still those surrendered to Zhenjiang Fortress, led by Nara Zhongming. You must also release the wind to let Jiannu know."
"Yes, I will make arrangements immediately when I go back."
Zhu Youxiao leaned into the chair, relaxed, and said to Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua: "There is nothing else, Luo Qing and Cao Qing can take his leave."
"I'm going to leave." Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua bowed and took the order and left the hall.
Because of Liu Xingzuo's case, the civil strife caused Jiannu's rebellion, but the emperor was obviously not satisfied and wanted to continue to cause chaos for Jiannu.
Zhu Youxiao's purpose is to combine military operations and disarmament and disintegration to shorten the process of pacifying Liao as much as possible.
In the past, civil strife in the court and party struggles caused the situation in Liaodong to corrupt; now, Zhu Youxiao wants to turn around and let Jiannu taste this taste.
The main reason why the Mongolian tribes could not defeat the Jiannu was that they were not united and could not be united to the outside world; the Later Jin Dynasty was not a monolith, and in the harsh situation, it was difficult to guarantee that people would not be disintegrated.
As the saying goes: husband and wife are birds in the same forest, but they fly away from each other when the disaster strikes. Even if the husband and wife are like this, let alone the bandit group of Later Jin.
On the one hand, there are increasingly strong military pressure and increasingly harsh situations; on the other hand, it is used as a role model and a banner, Nara Zhongming and surrender to the barbarians.
Zhu Youxiao could foresee that the first person to escape from the sank of the Later Jin Dynasty was the Mongolian vassal who was dependent on the Later Jin Dynasty; the second was the Han soldiers who were not valued and used as cannon fodder.
In the end, of course, the Jurchen tribes that wanted to save their lives. For example, the descendants of the four Jurchen tribes Yehe, Hada, Ula, and Huifa tribe, as well as the Woji tribe of the East China Sea Savage Jurchen, Wuji tribe, etc.
It was precisely because Nurhaci unified the Jurchen tribes and plundered a large number of people from the East China Sea savage Jurchens that the Later Jin Dynasty had the strength to challenge the Ming Dynasty.
……………………
Chapter completed!