Chapter Seven: The King Breaks Down and Takes Charge of the Western Expedition

After Li Zicheng's defeat in Shanxi, he was convinced of defeat. There is no one up and down the Dashun army who is not afraid of the kiln gang people. It's not just that the weapons are too different, but even the strategy is too bad. It seems that the kiln man will always think one step ahead of them, and this is what scares that person even more. Li Zicheng relied on years of experience and came to the conclusion that the next target of the Yaogang people was Shaanxi. Although his military advisor Wenchen did not agree with this, Li Zicheng now had no doubts. He knew that when the Yaogang people wanted Shaanxi, it was that all the conditions were ready, and he couldn't keep it at all. He asked people to find Li Yan's family in Henan and come to Xi'an. Prepare to send them to negotiate with the kiln people.

Due to the occupation of Tongguan by the Yaogang people, the only way to pass from Shanxi to Henan was to cross the Qinling Mountains and take the road of Wuguan. So it took a lot of effort and a long time to invite Li Yan's family to Shaanxi. Li Zicheng met these people in person and told them a lot about his friendship with Li Yan back then. And proposed that after asking them to go to Shanxi to find a way to meet Li Yan, through Li Yan, he sent the letter with his own big seal to Zhang Zhimu himself. In the letter, Li Zicheng put forward the idea of talking with Yaogangren.

But just as these people were about to rush to Tongguan and enter Shanxi through Tongguan, he got the news that the Yaogang people had killed 500 officers and soldiers. Li Zicheng's military advisers and Wenchen did not agree to Li Zicheng's peace talks with Yaogang, and they immediately persuaded Li Zicheng to suspend his actions. They judged that the Yaogang people were likely to fall out with the imperial court because of this, and in this case, the Yaogang people would take care of the imperial court behind them and would not attack Shaanxi.

Therefore, Li Zicheng's peace talks stopped, and he also lost an opportunity to negotiate with Yaogang. History has thus developed in a different way.

As soon as the matter of peace talks was put down, Li Zicheng never mentioned it again.

The people of Yaogang don't know about these things, because only a few core figures in Li Zicheng's army know.

After the incident in Taiyuan was resolved, Li Yan came to find Zhang Zhimu.

Zhang Zhimu knew that Li Yan was not a person who liked to chat, and Li Yan must have come to him for something.

Sure enough, after the two sat down and drank some tea, Li Yan said, "Mr. Zhang." After we went down to work with the team this time, we found that the following work is really not a simple matter. The officers we sent down were basically very competent, because most of them were former officials and had work experience. We are about to set up a School of Commerce and Law, which is to train political officials. However, I think that the students trained by the college do not have specific work experience, and it is difficult for them to be qualified for specific jobs as soon as they graduate. I had an idea that I wanted to tell you when I came back, but I never thought about it. After the Taiyuan incident, this idea suddenly became clear in my heart. After this incident, those officials who hope that the imperial court will return to power and that they can enjoy the blessings of officials again will be disappointed. Those people have been insisting on Shanxi without Yulu, but they feel that there is still hope. Now it is estimated that most of them have been completely disappointed. During this time, it was a problem for many officials to eat. Because most of them can't do anything but be officials. My idea is that these people should be used by us. ”

When Zhang Zhimu heard Li Yan say that these people are used by us, his heart moved, and he asked: "Tell me more about how these people are used by us." ”

"We recruit people among them, even if they are officials in the future, and they will definitely be willing. Let's pick some people who can accept our ideas and train them as officials in the area that we will take over in the future. At present, we can only send one official from each locality, and it is okay for us to be close to Shanxi, but in the future, we will need to send several people to each place in other areas. I think our success in Shanxi will attract many such officials to join us. They should be able to see that this is a promising option for them. It seems that Li Yan is very thoughtful.

Zhang Zhimu said: "Okay! Li Gongzi, your suggestion is so good, in this case, we don't have to worry too much about the management staff. In particular, there are many officials at home in Shanxi, and Mr. Lu is going to go out and invite some back. If only some of these officials could be recruited, the management would be easier to manage. By the way, we don't just want to recruit people in Shanxi, we can also recruit people in other places. Recruit good talents for our use. ”

"Yes, it can't be limited to Shanxi." Li Yan agreed.

"However, in this case, you will have to be a little stricter in your training and gatekeeping. You can't use what you can't do with us, and you can't use what you don't have a good character and official character. Those who fail to pass the training cannot be used. Zhang Zhimu knows that if officials don't choose well, they will ruin a place.

"Huh! I've thought about it. Li Mao said, "We already have some cadres in Shanxi who have been tested and have done a good job. In other places, cadres should be used together. As for cadres, we also need to have a supporting method of assessment, supervision, and management. ”

"Li Gongzi, your suggestion today has solved a big problem in my heart." Zhang Zhimu said, "To be honest, no one can stop us in our current military strength, but whether we can manage the places we have laid down is what I'm worried about." ”

"We still have a little more than a year to prepare cadres for Shaanxi. I think it's still too late, but I need to hurry up now. Li Yan said.

"We'll discuss this with you in a moment. Implement the specific how to do it, and then advertise in the "Kiln Gang Weekly" to recruit talents. Zhang Zhimu said, "However, there is one more thing I want to tell you." ”

"Oh?" Li Yan didn't expect Zhang Zhimu to have something to do.

"That's right, haven't we always had to have a double commander in the army? I'd like to discuss this with you. Zhang Zhimu said.

"I have considered this matter, our army is already an army that is different from other official and righteous armies. Not only the strict discipline established by Mr. Chen and Mr. Ouyang, but also the good treatment of our soldiers, the soldiers are respected. It is already a very glorious thing to be a soldier in our ranks, and many soldiers have begun to read and write through learning, especially the original veterans of our kiln gang, most of whom can now read books, newspapers, and write letters to their families, and they set a good example for later soldiers. So I think the loyalty of our army is unmatched by other armies. "Therefore, the workload of the officers of our army is much greater than that of other armies, and they not only have to organize military training, but also urge soldiers to learn culture." I believe that the establishment of the system of dual commanders is a great step forward in our army building. However, this requires us to clearly distinguish the responsibilities and rights of the two commanders, and it is even more necessary for our senior generals to be able to accept such a configuration. ”

"I don't think I'll tell you about the importance of this matter." Zhang Zhimu said, "I have discussed with Uncle Chen and Mr. Ouyang He that our army building needs to be further improved. Next, we are preparing to set up a General Logistics Department, a General Political Department, plus the original General Staff Headquarters, and three departments under the Military Commission. The General Political Department is responsible for the political work of the armed forces in order to ensure the purity and loyalty of our armed forces. ”

"It's best to make sure that we have someone to do in the organization." Li Yan agrees with Zhang Zhimu's approach.

"As a result of our deliberations, we all felt that it was most appropriate for you to be the head of the political department. What do you think? Zhang Zhimu asked.

"I, I'm not prepared for that." Li Yan was a little nervous, "Besides, we have never had seniority in the army. I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public? ”

Li Yan knows very well that the army is a place that emphasizes seniority, and soldiers naturally respect those veteran officers with seniority. Li Yan is more aware of the greater responsibility of this position.

"You don't have to worry about anything else." Zhang Zhimu said, "We must build this army into a army that can fight in battle and govern local areas when dismounted." It's going to take some effort. ”

"And what about the job I have now?" Li Yan asked.

"Can't give up. We want to shatter an old world and build a new one. What this new world is like needs to be depicted in legal form. This is something that needs to be perfected slowly. You can do it both ways! Zhang Zhimu said.

Li Yan didn't expect that Zhang Zhimu would hand over such a major matter to him. I also felt a little pressure. Li Yan is a person who wants to do things and can do things. But the matter is too important, and it is inevitable to be a little nervous when you accept it.

Li Yan said: "My preparation is a little insufficient. But since Mr. Zhang trusts me, I will try my best to do things well. ”

"We all believe that you will be able to get things done," Mr. Zhang said, "but there is one more thing I want to tell you." If I don't say it, I always feel sorry for you. ”

Li Yan smiled and said, "Hehe! Didn't Zhang always want to say, you gave me a stumbling block in front of Li Zicheng? ”

"Huh! Li Gongzi already knows about this? ”

"I don't know exactly what's going on. But you have resorted to the means, and I have felt it since I came out of Tongguan. "Li Yan is also very smart.

"Huh! That is true. Mr. Ouyang recommended you to me very early on. Zhang Zhimu said, "At that time, you were already not too proud in front of Li Zicheng. He also wants to invite you over, but Mr. Ouyang understands your temperament and knows that you will not leave Li Zicheng easily. We're going to have to do it. I also ask Mr. Li to forgive us for our hard work. ”

"Huh! It seems that Mr. Zhang is really a gentleman and can tell each other with sincerity. Li Yan said, "However, I didn't expect that you started to use methods so early, and it's no wonder that Li Zicheng is undefeated!" ”

"We work together every day, and we all feel like we shouldn't hide it from you. I think Li Gongzi can understand our approach. Zhang Zhimu said.

"Huh! If you don't hide this from me, it means that you are all gentlemen. But this matter can't end like this, let Ouyang He invite me to drink and apologize to me! Li Yan is also very open-minded.

"Good! That's it. Speaking of this matter, Zhang Zhimu was also very happy, otherwise he would have been hiding it from Li Yan and always felt that it was a matter.

Of course, in the name of Ouyang He, a banquet was set up in the Yaogang Hotel to make amends to Li Yan. Because Li Yan and Ouyang He are good friends, the matter was also started by Ouyang He.

In this banquet, several leaders of Yaogang came. Since the red lady also attended the banquet with Li Yan, Huang Yukun, Yang Yulin and Zhou Yuji's wife also attended. Sister-in-law Xu is about to give birth recently, and she didn't come over because it was inconvenient. This is also the first time that the leaders of Yaogang have gathered in the Yaogang Hotel.

This time, Ouyang He personally apologized to Li Yan and the Red Lady, Ouyang He was taken the opportunity by the Red Lady to pour a lot of wine, but Ouyang He drank too much today. Fortunately, there are guest rooms in the hotel, and they were taken directly to the guest rooms after drinking.

Everyone is very happy to be able to drink in such a hotel, and these people have watched the kiln from the beginning to the construction step by step to today's appearance.

Yan Boju then said energetically: "I think that back then, when we came back from killing Hukou to get some sheep, we could drink sheep soup in winter, and we thought it was very beautiful. At that time, how could I have imagined what it is today? ”

"Hey! Don't talk about you. Beat Li Zicheng away, my family couldn't stay long after returning to Yuncheng, no, see me come back. They all found a reason to go back to the kiln. They said they didn't want to go back to Yuncheng. Old Uncle Qiu said with a smile.

The red lady was even more fast-talking, and said to Mrs. Zhou Yuji: "We, Mr. Zhou Zongbing, have taken Mrs. Zhou back to Ningwuguan several times, but she doesn't go back, and you still talk about others." ”

After listening to the words of the red lady, everyone laughed. Zhou Yuji wanted Mrs. Zhou to go back several times, but Mrs. Zhou resolutely refused to go back, everyone knew it. Zhou Yuji couldn't help it, but fortunately, now that the train is open, Zhou Yuji has no choice but to return to the kiln every once in a while.

After today's banquet, several giants of Yaogang will stay in the Yaogang Hotel, because tomorrow everyone will have a meeting here.

Some time ago, the leaders of the kiln gang were busy in various places, and Zhang Zhimu always wanted to hold a meeting but it didn't work.

The main purpose of this meeting is to summarize the work of the previous paragraph, and then discuss the following work, because it will be cold soon, and many things will have to be decided.

Zhang Zhimu first gave great affirmation to the work of the kiln work team, and this time the team went down to the local area not only successfully completed the task, but also trained our own cadres, and also found a way to concentrate on solving problems. We also inspected the work of the cadres we have sent down, and we are very happy that our cadres are very conscientious and hard-working, and we have also found some cadres with particularly outstanding work ability. However, Zhang Zhimu reminded everyone that our cadres' current work is all work that does not come into contact with much money, because there is no tax revenue in various places, so there is less temptation of money. So we can't be careless on this point in the future, and that's something we need to pay special attention to.

Zhang Zhimu focused on the preparations for the Western Expedition. The preparations for the Western Expedition are divided into three aspects, one is to expand the army; the second is the preparation of local cadres; The third is material preparation.

The expansion of the army includes two aspects: First, the number of military personnel is expanded, and the task of expanding the army's infantry to 16 divisions and cavalry to six divisions is required to be completed by the end of this year.

As a result of the change in circumstances, it turned out that the number of posts in each regiment and each division would have to be increased. Because each division and regiment must increase the strength of artillery, communications, reconnaissance, medical personnel, and so on. So each regiment used to be more than 1,200 people, now it is more than 1,600 people; Originally, there were 6,500 men in one division, but now there are more than 8,500 men.

In particular, it is necessary to complete the construction of the dual-chief official system. The military committee of Yaogang is preparing to set up a political department and a logistics department. The two departments are headed by Li Yan and Yang Jing respectively.

In addition to the last study and decision to recruit those former officials who were at home, the local cadres have decided to recruit those court officials who have nothing to do in various parts of Shanxi, they have no role at all in various places, and it is even difficult to eat.

In short, the personnel preparation for the Western Expedition was divided into two parts, one was the preparation of the army, and the other was the preparation of the cadres to take over. The requirement is that all localities in Shaanxi must make arrangements in advance to take over the cadres, and they must all implement the personnel, and each place must have a cadre team and be equipped with police.

As everyone knows, the preparations for the western expedition of the Yaogang people have reached a very specific stage.

Material preparations are what Lu Chengxiang said, mainly food preparation, Lu Chengxiang said that the army can prepare enough food for two years before the army goes out. In addition, there is no infantry squad with a load-bearing horse, and it is guaranteed to be in place next year. Because it was now far away from Shanxi, each infantry carried a lot of weight, so in order to ensure the speed of the march, it was decided to equip each infantry squad with a mule and horse.

After discussing these matters and adding some opinions, it was decided.

Li Yan was very touched, he knew that with such a discussion, many unexpected things would be perfected. Thinking that Li Zicheng's military advisors often deliberately did not let the people below know more about the situation in order to be more mysterious, in contrast, they saw themselves.

Lu Bingyi saw that everyone was there, and also introduced the progress of the railway.

Now that the railroad and road to the cement factory have been completed, most of Duan Jingzhong's men and horses have begun to move to the construction of the railroad from Biguan to Hequ and from Yaogang to Lingshui Wharf.

Now the railroad track laying to the mouth of the killing is about to be completed. Lu Bingyi wanted to invite the leaders of Yaogang to go to Kill Hukou to attend the opening ceremony.

This incident is also a great joy, and it was decided on the spot at the meeting that Zhang Zhimu must attend the opening ceremony. After determining the opening time, the leaders of the kiln gang at home must participate in the opening ceremony.

There is one thing that Lu Bingyi would like to ask you to discuss. Because the Yaogang prospecting team found a large amount of bauxite in Baode, which is very close to Niutou Mountain. Now it is an advantage to build an aluminum plant in Niutoushan to use electricity, but the water resources of Niutoushan are not enough for large-scale production, so it is necessary to build a canal to divert water. The aluminum plant in Baode is close to the Yellow River and has convenient access to water, but the current power plant has a long cycle. Otherwise, it is necessary to divert electricity from Niutou Mountain to Baode, but there is still a problem of transportation.

Zhang Zhimu knew that no one else knew the significance of aluminum production, so everyone couldn't give any opinions.

Zhang Zhimu compared several plans and said: "My opinion is that an aluminum plant will be built in Baode. We can build the railway to the meander, and then along the Yellow River to the meander. Of course, our electricity will also be diverted from Niutou Mountain to Baode. ”

Lu Bingyi said: "Since Mr. Zhang is so determined, we will do it. ”

Zhang Zhimu also said: "Next year, our Niutoushan steam turbine generator will generate electricity. But soon the electricity was still not enough. I suggest that we make up our minds now to build another such generator unit in Niutoushan. ”

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The Song army occupied Hokkaido, and Yuankou landed on the island of Kyushu. Opening up the Japanese battlefield. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".