Chapter 20 Expanding the Territory and Attacking Kyushu

Emperor Chongzhen has never had the intention of having a final showdown with Zhang Zhimu, and Zhang Zhimu is not in a hurry about this, and now everything is going steadily as Zhang Zhimu expected. However, there is one thing that makes Zhang Zhimu a little uneasy, that is, his body does not seem to be as good as before, and he always feels that his energy is not enough. Zhang Zhimu felt that it was not the reason for the large number of wives, and deliberately controlled it for a while, but the situation did not improve as expected. The most important thing is that sometimes I forget things, which makes Zhang Zhimu think a little more, whether he has crossed over by himself, and his body and this time and space also have a rejection reaction. Thinking of this, Zhang Zhimu felt uneasy. He knows that everything in front of him is still in an unstable state, and if he doesn't have himself, everything will be restored to its original state by the powerful repair force of history. Zhang Zhimu knew that everything had to be accelerated.

For this reason, Zhang Zhimu thought about it behind closed doors for a while, made some preparations, and met Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He, and then convened the main cadres of the kiln gang for a meeting.

Attending the meeting were Chen Yufeng, Huang Yukun, Yan Boju, Ouyang He, Lu Bingyi, Lu Chengxiang, Zhang Bengui, Qiu Yunsheng (Qiu Laodong), Yan Xing, as well as Liu Yun, Li Wei, Li Jing, Li Zhi, Li Yunhe, and Yang Jing. Yang Yulin took the two to take minutes of the meeting.

The corridor outside the conference room was full of soldiers, and outsiders were not allowed to approach.

Everyone who attended the meeting knew that this meeting was going to be very important. Everyone came to the small conference room, sat in their own positions, and did not speak loudly.

Zhang Zhimu, who was sitting at one end of the conference table, saw that everyone had arrived on time, and said, "Everyone is together, let's have a meeting!" ”

The voices below have stopped.

Zhang Zhimu glanced at everyone and said, "At today's meeting, I have a few things to talk to you about.

Our Yaogang army is fighting in all directions, and the progress is very smooth, presumably everyone knows this. We are all accustomed to the constant good news from the front. Still, some things have progressed far beyond our expectations. Let our plans change as well. This shows that our plans have not kept up with the situation. I think it's time for us to make a bigger picture. ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhimu took a sip of water, and also whispered for a while.

"First of all, let's talk about our own domestic construction. We all know that a complete national governance requires good transportation and information channels to connect the whole country. This way, we can react quickly if something goes wrong. Otherwise, just like the Yuan Dynasty, the territory is very large and cannot be managed, and it will soon disintegrate. So we're going to get all of our states and counties open to roads as soon as possible. In addition, the construction of railways should be accelerated. My idea was that we would complete the railway from Beihai in the north to the southernmost tip of Annam in the south, and even to Manchurka (Malacca). It is also necessary to build a railway from Vladivostok (Vladivostok) in the east, through Liaodong to Beijing, and then to Hami and even further west in the west. It is also necessary to plan and design the east-west railway from the mouth of the Yangtze River to Sichuan, and to build a railway from Xi'an to the Qinling Mountains to Sichuan and to the south of the Yangtze River. In short, it is necessary to complete several horizontal and vertical railway networks. We need to set up an independent railway committee, which will be responsible for the planning, design, construction and operation of the railway. A well-developed railway network can give us a great boost to our industrialization. Our power construction is still very unbalanced, the power in Shanxi is still enough, and there is almost not much power in the south of the Yangtze River, so we must make the focus of power tilt to the south of the Yangtze River in the future. There is also the iron and steel industry to take the lead in development, the Hankou steel mill is now under construction, and we also have abundant iron ore and coal in eastern Liaoning, which is also the focus of the construction of the iron and steel industry in the future. Several new oil fields should also be explored as soon as possible. Without the oil industry as a foundation, the automobile industry could not develop. Transportation, electricity, and steel are the foundation of our industrialization. We also need to build several large-scale grain processing enterprises in several grain-producing areas, and we cannot transport all grain to Shanxi and Shaanxi for processing.

I would also like to mention that the shipbuilding industry needs to be expanded. Our Quanzhou shipyard, in the era of Zheng Zhilong's leadership, could build five large ships a year. Then we need to build at least ten steam-powered ships a year. Although we can't build all ships out of steel yet, there is no problem with transporting ships made of wood, and we can build wooden ships with steel keels. The scale of the Zhenjiang shipbuilding base should also be expanded, where steel and wooden ships can be built together.

Externally, we in the southwest should completely resolve the Myanmar issue this year. We are also going to build a dock at Spurs House (Malacca) that can dock large boats. As our secondary school station for entering and exiting the Western Ocean (Indian Ocean). To solve the Burma problem, we need to build a large wharf at the mouth of the Greater Jinsha River (Ilihwady River). As a base for our naval forces in the Western Ocean (Indian Ocean).

Our next target is Australia, where we can send an army to build a base to march into the interior of Australia, and then try to get 500,000 immigrants there, where there are vast grasslands and forests, rich in mineral resources. There are only a few local natives, and we will put down roots there and find a new land that is easy for our children and grandchildren to live on.

To the north, when the armies of Zhou Yuji and Jiang Pai have converged, we will order them and organize the army to march westward, all the way to the Ural Mountains. Shall we build a few castles there, hold the line of the Ural Mountains, and no one shall be allowed to climb over the Ural Mountains and advance eastward. The Ura Mountains stretch more than 2,000 kilometres south from the Arctic Ocean and are a natural barrier for us. It's so vast and sparsely populated that we can't manage any of the places like we do here, we just need to build a few castles to garrison there. In order to cooperate with the garrison on their side. We suggested that General Ningde build the railway to Hami to the northwest along the southern side of the Altai Mountains to the banks of the Irtysh River. In this way, we will be able to transport supplies to the Ob River through the Irtysh River, and supply the troops stationed in the Ural Mountains through the large and small rivers of the Ob River basin.

After the construction of the railway to the west of the river to Lop Nur, we can develop along the Tarim River to the west. We will wait for Li Kui to come back, and then we will make a decision. I am optimistic that to the west we should develop to the Black Sea, from where we should have another outlet to the sea. ”

To the east, we will deal with the Japanese this year and next. Further east from Japan, across the ocean, there is a magical land. There are vast expanses of great plains, and there are several times more arable land than we have here. The Atlantic Ocean and the moist air of the Pacific traversed the continent, bringing abundant rain and few times of drought. There are abundant mineral deposits of all kinds. There are only a few tens of millions of uncivilized natives of the same skin color as us. We can send a large number of immigrants to bring our culture and technology with us, and live in peace with the natives there and prosper together. It is also a very good place for our nation to survive. These require us to have a large number of large ships that connect that land to us. Of course, we can also take a boat from the north to the nearest of the two landmasses.

Today, I would like to tell you about our goals for the future, just to give you a goal and direction. As a guide for our future work. ”

In order to make it clearer, Zhang Zhimu made a speech to everyone based on the map in front of him.

Zhang Zhimu's speech today is enough to shock everyone. Many people have never thought about such a thing, let alone in such a large space. After Zhang Zhimu finished talking about many things, they couldn't react at once. Zhang Zhimu wants to finish his goals, what changes will there be in the future, and the people who stay will also know how to struggle.

After Zhang Zhimu finished speaking, everyone discussed for a while, and Yan Xing couldn't help but ask, "Zhimu! That's a good goal! We all have a direction for the future. But what is in front of you, do you give us a bottom? What do you want to do with this Emperor Chongzhen, when will our republic be established? ”

This is also a question of common concern to everyone, and everyone is waiting for Zhang Zhimu's answer. Seeing everyone's expectant eyes, Zhang Zhimu smiled and said, "I know that this matter is what everyone is looking forward to." However, now that Emperor Chongzhen is with us, it will not affect us to do anything at all. Have you ever thought about it, without the court of Emperor Chongzhen, we will take over everything. Those who want to restore the rule of the imperial court will also secretly oppose us. We're going to have to put a lot of energy into dealing with them. ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhimu glanced at everyone, and after everyone discussed it, Zhang Zhimu continued: "Have you ever thought about it, if Emperor Chongzhen can take the initiative to talk to us about this matter, whether he wants to or not, as long as he agrees with our idea of building a republic and personally participates in the construction of the republic, will the effect be much better?" ”

Zhang Zhimu's statement made everyone talk about it.

Yan Boju asked, "Zhimu, do you still want Emperor Chongzhen to be the head of our republic?" ”

Everyone stopped talking and turned their eyes to Zhang Zhimu again.

Zhang Zhimu smiled and said, "How is it possible? Emperor Chongzhen can't be the head of the republic, I think let him be his emperor, and Emperor Chongzhen is still a good emperor as an emperor. However, he is only our last emperor. After Emperor Chongzhen, we no longer have an emperor. What do you think? ”

Qiu Laodong listened to Zhang Zhimu's words, clapped his hands and said: "I agree with Mr. Zhang's idea, Mr. Zhang is really atmospheric!" With Emperor Chongzhen's cooperation with us, let those who oppose us have nothing to say, and don't delay our affairs, how good is this! It's just a matter of building the country, and we have to prepare for it. ”

"Actually, we, Li Yan, Li Gongzi, and a group of people have been doing this. What kind of country we want to build needs to be regulated by law. Li Yan: They have been formulating our future laws. A lot of our work now is also about improving these legal systems from below. Zhang Zhimu said.

Lu Bingyi was still very excited about Zhang Zhimu's huge railway construction plan, "Mr. Zhang, I think it's too good what you said about building a railway today." Our old railroad commission was no longer able to meet the needs. It is time for us to set up a railway committee that integrates exploration, design, construction and operation. Once this committee is formed, we should make a detailed plan based on the goals you have proposed. ”

"Mr. Lu's words are right," Zhang Zhimu said, "but I want to merge with several of Li Wei's engineer divisions on the basis of the original railway construction companies to form a special branch of the army, which is called the railway soldiers." Such a railway division can carry out the most difficult engineering tasks, and we can also equip this railway division with the best technicians and the best construction machinery. There are several such teams, which will play a big role in accelerating the construction of the railway. ”

Zhang Zhimu's proposal to set up a railway soldier was unanimously supported by everyone.

Ouyang He said: "Now the railway is not just a matter of transportation, but a part of our military strategy. As long as the railroad is built, it will be much easier for us to manage. In the next few decades, we will not be able to finish the construction of our railways. I suggest that Li Wei also take care of this railway soldier! ”

Everyone agreed with Li Wei to manage this railway soldier, and Li Wei got up and saluted to agree, but Li Wei suggested: "We can use an engineer regiment as a unit to expand the personnel to form a railway division." Other sappers also have their own tasks, and it is not possible to change all sappers to railroad soldiers. ”

This suggestion was also unanimously agreed by everyone. The formation of the railway division was also handed over to Li Wei.

When the ships of the kiln were sent to Vladivostok to pick up the troops, the Japanese were not idle, and Tokugawa Ietsuna's envoy rushed back to Edo (Tokyo), and in a house outside the original Edo Castle, he saw that Tokugawa Ietsuna, who had not healed from his wounds, and told them to surrender. The Tokugawa family didn't speak for a long time. The envoy didn't dare to speak.

After waiting for a while, Tokugawa Ietsuna took a breath and said, "The Ming army is too many!" After saying that, he smiled and said, "Hehe! They're too self-conscious! I don't know that on land, we samurai are invincible. We Yamato people have the determination to fight to the death with anyone. All right! We waited for them, we didn't have as good warships and cannons as they were, but when we came to our land, we let them know what the Yamato people were like! The herald has entered a state of war in an all-round way, and we must fight for the survival of the Yamato people. ”

In order to avoid the threat from the north, Tokugawa Ietsuna gathered more than 200 large and small warships carrying more than 10,000 people, and went north to Ezo Island (Hokkaido), landed from a place where the kiln people were unprepared, and suddenly launched an attack on the kiln people. However, they were the opponents of the kiln people, and as a result, out of more than 10,000 people, only more than 2,000 barely escaped to the ship and ran back.

This blow was simply fatal for Tokugawa Ietsuna. Originally, he wanted to fight a decisive battle with the Ming army on land, but he understood that he couldn't take advantage of fighting the Ming army on land. But surrendering without a fight is not the character of people like them. The whole of Japan is in a state of readiness. However, Tokugawa Ietssuna had no intention of attacking Ezo Island again.

One cavalry division and two infantry divisions arrived at Tsushima, and the officers and men were eager to fight. Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong discussed it and decided not to wait for Wu Sangui's army to arrive, and launched an attack on Kyushu Island first. Occupy a port on Kyushu Island, Wu Sangui and their people come, so they don't need to stay on Tsushima Island and land directly on Kyushu Island.

The island of Kyushu is actually divided into nine parts, which is why it became Kyushu, and Kyushu Island means nine places.

Muyi and the others first cleared the outlying islands of Kyushu Island from the threat, such as completely eliminating all the resistance forces on the Goto Islands, and escorting the men who did not participate in the resistance to Tsushima Island. Then they sent sailors to land from Fukuoka. The landed Yaogang Marine Corps set up an advance base near the seaside pier.

At this time, the Japanese on Kyushu Island stopped doing it, and the daimyo of Fukuoka Domain received the full support of the other countries on Kyushu Island. They knew that if they did not drive the landed Ming army off Kyushu Island, they would be in danger when the Ming army completely gained a foothold. Therefore, the Japanese were ready to attack with all their might.

This is exactly what Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong want to see the most.

It was discovered that the Japanese were gathering in front of the base, and the warships of Yaogang were also assembled in Hakata Bay.

The Japanese were also frightened by the cannons of the Yaogang people, and they also brought a lot of artillery this time, but the scouts of Yaogang were hidden in the mountains, and with their observation equipment, they stared at their cannons early.

That morning, the scouts suddenly found that the Japanese artillery had been pushed out and placed on the position. The scout immediately informed the command on board by radio.

Mu Yi glanced at the telegram while eating breakfast, and said to Zheng Zhilong: "Hey! All right! Lao Zheng, finally our guests are here. ”

Zheng Zhilong scolded, "Damn, Little Japan got up so early, and he didn't let people finish breakfast properly!" ”

"Huh! What to eat for breakfast! We'll be able to cook meat again in a while! Mu Yi said with a smile.

"Haha! It's still fun to fight the Japanese! I haven't heard the sound of cannons during this time, and Lao Tzu can't sleep well! Zheng Zhilong was looking forward to fighting.

"It's strange to say, every time we fight, Mr. Zhang advises us to kill as few people as possible, but when dealing with the Japanese, Mr. Zhang has never been polite!" Mu Yi said.

"Then we're even more welcome!" Zheng Zhilong was very willing to listen to such words, "We have to wait for their infantry to start attacking, and then destroy their artillery." ”

"Yes! The only thing that little Japan can give us a little trouble is their artillery. Mu Yi said.

The landing marines, numbering more than 2,000 men, built several rings of positions with cut trees and sandbags, and put barbed wire in front. The Marine Corps commander heard the scouts report that the Japanese had pushed out the artillery and knew that they were finally looking forward to the Japanese and that they would be able to attack today. Therefore, he urged the officers and men to finish their meals and enter the battle positions as soon as possible.

The officers and men who landed waited for several days, and they were very bored waiting, and finally when the battle began, they all became excited. The Marine Corps has also participated in many battles, fought in Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan), fought the Annamite in Annam, and now has the opportunity to fight the Japanese, and they all want to see how the Japanese are.

The Japanese were not stupid, they knew that they could not defeat the Ming warships at sea with artillery, and they had to retreat after a surprise attack. Otherwise, they would have no chance of winning if they were counterattacked by the artillery fire of the Ming army. Japanese people don't necessarily do things openly, but sneaky things are okay.

These cannons, which were discovered by the Yaogang scouts, were shown by Japan to the Ming army. There were also some cannons, which the Japanese had quietly pushed into the woods along the coast of Hakata Bay, scattered and hidden. Maybe the kiln people looked down on the Japanese too much, maybe the Japanese prepared too well, in short, the kiln people really didn't find them.

When the Japanese infantry came out in line to prepare for the attack, the artillery positions began to be busy, and the 130 and 293 caliber cannons on the Yaogang warship opened fire at the same time after two test shots.

The earth-shattering sound of artillery covered the Japanese artillery positions. But at this time, countless artillery pieces opened fire from the woods along the coast of Hakata Bay at the kiln warship.

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New progress in "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty": the Battle of Yashan, the defeat of the Yuan army, the counterattack of the Song army, and the landing in Fuzhou.