Chapter 118: Datong runs out of food

Jiang Zongbing said: "What I want to hear most is your method of dealing with their cavalry. Come on, I can't wait. ”

"Don't worry, Lord Chief. Listen to me. If we are fighting cavalry against cavalry, we must make our horses run as well, so that we can also use our speed to hedge with them, and the time before the two sides meet will be very short. And after we have muskets, after their cavalry is within range of muskets, the longer the two sides get closer, the better, because the lethality of our muskets can play a role during this time. Therefore, it is better for the cavalry with muskets not to move, so as to prolong the time for the two sides to approach, and the musketeers who do not move can also aim calmly and improve the hit rate of shooting. Chen Yufeng said.

Jiang Zongbing nodded and said, "Yes, this way you can kill some of the people who rushed to the front first." But soon the cavalry behind will rush up. So what's good. ”

"At this time, if we don't have a position, we have to work in groups of three and change to shotgun ** stream. Because the cavalry is fast, it is difficult to aim, and it is almost impossible to aim when shooting with shotguns at close range. If the three of them cover each other, they can ensure uninterrupted shooting. If there are too many cavalry rushing over and it is too late to reload, the person in front can also take advantage of the fact that the barrel is longer than the saber for a while to cover the reload of the person behind. Loading two shotguns at a time can cover another person loading two shots. In this way, a group of three people is a combination that is not very combative. Chen Yufeng carefully explained the tactics he had studied before to General Jiang.

Jiang Zongbing nodded when he heard this, and said: "This requires a lot of muskets, and the tactics are okay, but it still has to be tested on the battlefield, the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, and there are still a lot of contingency measures." "Jiang Zongbing is really an expert, and he got to the point all of a sudden.

Zhang Zhimu said: "We just summed up some of our thoughts after we had muskets and after a few small battles, and you are the ones who really have battlefield experience." Your Excellency and your experienced officers, after getting acquainted with our new firearms, can work out tactics that are truly right. ”

Jiang Zongbing said: "Zhang Yishi misunderstood. Chen Yingying's tactics have surprised me very much. Your study of the Mongol cavalry is more detailed than ours. It was a great inspiration to us. Your musketeers' tactics against cavalry are even more refreshing. In fact, this tactic worked for both musketeers and musket infantry. It's just that any tactic has to be tested on the battlefield. The battlefield is the most ruthless, and there are often no second chances. ”

Zhang Zhimu felt that this general soldier still had some real talent and learning, and based on his opinions, he was not a mediocre talent, if he supported him well, he could make good use of his advantage in holding the general army to resist these fierce enemies in the north. If this person hadn't been forced to have no way out, he wouldn't have swayed from side to side like a wall. Maybe that's where his wisdom comes in. Being able to preserve his strength to the greatest extent under the condition that he can't control the overall situation, in order to make a comeback, he finally became loyal to the Ming Dynasty, which shows this.

In the next few days, Li Jing led some people to help Jiang Zongbing train the officers he had picked, from shooting to rotational firing tactics; from individual combat to squad-based offensive and defensive tactics; From against infantry to against cavalry. These officers have been trained for a long time. Fortunately, General Jiang often came to the scene in person, and these officers who were used to being arrogant on weekdays did not dare to be disobedient. In fact, there are disobedient Li Jing, and there are also ways to treat them. Although the training was very tiring, after a period of training, these officers slowly understood that this was not in vain. If you use this tactic to fight, you will take advantage of it. Slowly, this person became more and more respectful of Li Jing and other instructors, and then slowly became friends. Especially Liu Jun, the little instructor, has been loved by these officers. The spirit of others, the marksmanship is superb, and it really refers to where to fight. The officers said that if a battle broke out and a few people loaded him, he could take at least a hundred men alone. The other man immediately said that even a hundred people could not reach him, because no matter how fast you run, you can't pull the trigger as fast.

Zhang Zhimu also took the time to explain to the skilled craftsmen in the Datong Army how to make these guns, bows, crossbows and bullets, and let them copy a large number of them themselves, so that they could equip the troops on a large scale.

Jiang Zongbing definitely saw the importance of these new weapons and tactics to them, and he also stared at these things wholeheartedly during this time.

The rest of the time, Zhang Zhimu, Chen Yufeng, and Ouyang He took Yang Yulin to travel around. Yan Boju and Lu Chengxiang didn't go, and their pair of "enemies" who pinched each other when they met were willing to go to the horse market and the market.

At this time, Datong City is very magnificent and majestic, the city is solid, and all kinds of defense facilities are self-contained, and it is indeed a famous city with quite a distinctive characteristic. The city is 1.8 kilometers long from east to west, 1.82 kilometers from north to south, 7.24 kilometers in circumference, and covers an area of 3.28 square kilometers. The city wall is all rammed with "Sanhe soil" on the basis of regular and systematic stone strips and stone squares, covered with blue bricks, the bricks are divided into large, medium and small three, medium bricks are 40 centimeters long, 20 centimeters wide, 10 centimeters thick, and weigh 18 kilograms. The city wall is 14 meters high, and the buttress wall is built with a length of 5 meters, a height of 0.8 meters, a thickness of 0.5 meters of brick stacks, the buttress spacing is 0.5 meters, the battlement mouth is the rock mouth and the shooting mouth, a total of 580 meters to the battlements, representing the number of villages under the jurisdiction of Datong at this time.

The city has four gates, the east gate is called Heyang Gate, the south gate is called Yongtai Gate, the west gate is called Qingyuan Gate, and the north gate is called Wuding Gate. Outside the four gates is the urn city, the face is square, the area is 17,000 square meters, the urn city is set up next to the city gate, turn in and out. The door hole is about 30 meters deep, and the door is built with "arrow tower" or "plaque tower". In the east urn city, Yue Wang Temple, Wang Prison Temple are built; There are Lao Ye Temple and Baiyi Temple in West Urn City; There is a Yaowang Temple in the south of the city; There are eye temples and Guandi temples in the north urn city.

The city is centered on four archways, and distributes "four main streets, eight alleys, and seventy-two endless alleys".

With Jiang Zongbing's permission, Zhang Zhimu and others came to the city, looking at this solid Datong City, Zhang Zhimu's heart was very complicated. He knew that this Jiang Jiu was surrounded and suppressed by the Qing army after he rebelled against the Qing Dynasty. When the situation was urgent, the regent Dolgon personally supervised the battle, and even Wu Sangui, the "King of Pingxi" in Shaanxi, was ordered to lead the army to help in the war. It can be said that 90 percent of all the famous kings and good generals in the Qing court at that time were concentrated in the Shanxi battlefield. But the city wall of Datong is very strong, the Qing army did not capture Datong for more than nine months, Jiang Hao was trapped in Datong City, there was a lack of food and grass inside, there was no rescue outside, and there was a phenomenon of cannibalism in Datong City. Although the Qing army persuaded him to surrender many times, Jiang Hao knew that if he surrendered, he would die, and if he did not surrender, he would die. Anyway, there is no escape from a dead word.

However, Jiang Pai did not die under the butcher's knife of the Qing army in the end, but died at the hands of his own people. Yang Zhenwu, the general soldier under him, defected, and in order to get rich, he led hundreds of his subordinates to suddenly rush into Jiang's house, and killed Jiang Jian and Jiang Jiu's younger brother Jiang Lin and Jiang You's three brothers on the spot. Then, these people carried three bloody heads with high poles and opened the door to surrender to the Qing army. It is a pity that the Qing army did not spare the soldiers and civilians of Datong, except for a few hundred officers and soldiers of Yang Zhenwu's department, the Qing army slaughtered more than 100,000 military and civilian officials in Datong City, and the blood flowed soundly.

Zhang Zhimu secretly thought, can my arrival change this history?

Ouyang He pointed to the majestic acting king's mansion in the city and said: "Mr. Zhang, when you come to Datong this time, you should want to meet the acting king, and maybe you will need this acting king in the future." ”

In the distance, the palaces of the kings are very large, compared to the palaces in Beijing, which are just gardens. Zhu Yuanzhang's thirteenth son, Zhu Gui, was named the king of Jian, and he was first named Yu. Hongwu 25 years to change the title. It was the year of the Great Domain. Since then, this vassal king has been hereditary in Datong, until the current acting king Zhu Chuan, if the history has not changed, when Li Zicheng hit the city of Datong in the seventeenth year of Chongzhen, he was persuaded to surrender by his brother Jiang Rang, who had already surrendered to Li Zicheng, and shot Zhu Chuan to death with a bow and arrow, as a pilgrimage gift for surrender. It's a pity that the Acting Palace's Mansion was burned down by Li Zicheng's general, Zhang Tianlin. The fire burned for three days and three nights, and a magnificent palace of the king was reduced to ruins.

Zhang Zhimu was thinking again, I'm here, can I keep this magnificent palace?

In fact, the vassal system of the Ming Dynasty had a very adverse impact on the Ming Dynasty. For the sake of the stability of the society, later these vassal kings were basically deprived of military power, and they were eating, drinking, and having fun when they had nothing to do, and eating the common people, which aggravated the class contradictions. Therefore, Li Zicheng killed these vassal kings everywhere and won the support of the vast number of people.

Zhang Zhimu felt that it was useless not to see this acting king now, and said: "If the acting king doesn't summon me this time, I won't go to see him." The last time I saw King Jin, I saw that few of these vassal kings were like King Zhou, and it was of little use to see him. ”

After a few days of actual inspection, Datong is really a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and with the existing military means, if there is enough food and grass in the city, the defenders can be stationed for a long time. The main city and the surrounding thirteen guards formed a solid northern defensive line, and it was a place where the staff could be relied upon.

Ouyang He said that with 2,000 musketeers, plus 1,000 crossbowmen and thundermen, and sufficient ammunition and constant food and grass, it was enough to hold this city for a long time.

Chen Yufeng also felt the same way, saying, "This city is located in a basin geography, surrounded by mountains, when really defending, if the enemy soldiers are too strong, you can fortify layer by layer, use musketeers to consume the enemy, and finally retreat into the city to hold on, so that when the enemy soldiers come to the city, they are already exhausted and tired." ”

Zhang Zhimu said that Li Zhi has been very busy in the past few days, one is to deploy informants again, and the other is to draw maps. I told him to go back not only to get a detailed map, but also to make a sand table. When we go back, we can do a sand table deduction of this place. In this way, it is possible to have a clear idea of the results of different countermeasures in each situation.

Ouyang He said: "Mr. Zhang's sand table is really wonderful, and the whole situation is clear at a glance. This sand table is too useful for those who are just learning military affairs. With it, our officers advanced very quickly. After I went back, my study class couldn't do without this sand table. Let officers at all levels be able to read the sand table and understand the sand table deduction. ”

"It is also necessary to run a study class for staff officers, and these staff officers must draw diagrams, pile sand tables, calculate and other techniques. They are also candidates for senior military officers. Zhang Zhimu said.

I saw that the three of them were on the city wall, and they talked endlessly. Yang Yulin said: "Brother, didn't you say that you want to visit the scenery in a few days?" It's endless. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Yes, yes, let's go to the scenery now." ”

"Mr. Lu said that the Yungang Grottoes should be the most important to see, and we have time today, so let's go to the Yungang Grottoes. It's not far away, let's ride a horse! Chen Yufeng suggested.

The group agreed, and went down to the city and went to the Yungang Grottoes.

This Yungang Grottoes is at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, which is more than 20 miles west of Datong, and it didn't take long for the three people to arrive on horseback.

This magnificent grotto is carved by the mountain, stretching for about a kilometer from east to west, and it is magnificent. As soon as you get here, you will immediately feel awe-inspiring.

In fact, in the previous life, Zhang Zhimu knew that the Yungang Grottoes are one of the largest grottoes in China, and the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang and the Maijishan Grottoes are known as the four major grotto art treasure houses in China. He has already been to the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. Today is the first time he came to the Yungang Grottoes, and it is also the second majestic grotto he has seen.

There are too many to see in this grotto, and the most impressive thing is the big Buddha statue, the big Buddha statue is tall and majestic, showing the unique and incomparable spirit in the world.

It wasn't until it was very late, afraid that they wouldn't be able to enter Datong City, and the four of them were reluctant to leave the thousand-year-old grotto.

This Datong is an ancient cultural city, and there are so many places to visit. But Zhang Zhimu, they don't have time to play in the mountains and rivers.

Liu Yun sent fast horses to report that they had already joined the second group of caravans from Yaogang and would arrive in two days. Jiang Zongbing came to invite Zhang Zhimu over again, saying that there was something to discuss.

Zhang Zhimu had no choice but to go over with Chen Yufeng and Yang Yulin again.

When Jiang Zongbing saw Zhang Zhimu arrive, he got up to greet him and said, "Zhang Yishi, thanks to your brothers for their help these days." My little cubs are also very quick learners, and I watch them train these days when I'm fine. It's okay, none of them dare to be disobedient, and these little cubs who participated in the training have learned well. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "I heard that the adults did not lose them much, they killed pigs and sheep. Don't spoil them, adults. ”

After they all sat down, Jiang Zongbing sighed and said, "Alas, I don't have anything good to entertain them now, and my brothers can only eat two meals a day. ”

Zhang Zhimu, Chen Yufeng and others were stunned when they heard this, and Zhang Zhimu asked: "What did the adults say that the soldiers can only eat two meals a day?" ”

Jiang Zongbing nodded and said, "We all know that the army is defeated without food. However, our military rations just can't be delivered, and if we don't get this food anymore, I'm afraid we won't have two meals a day. That's what I meant by coming to you today. It's not that I really can't help it, I really can't give up this face to tell you this. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "The imperial court has 4 million stones of grain every year, most of which should be given to the border guards, why is there no food at the border pass." The salt introduction of the imperial court is also the salt introduction when there is grain. ”

Jiang Zongbing was also anxious to speak, "Now a lot of things in the Ming Dynasty are messed up, from the Ming Lord to now, when the border is cut off." If this had happened in the past, I don't know how many people would have lost their heads. But I sent out several urgent paperwork, but it was all in vain. ”

"Isn't that dangerous?" Zhang Zhimu asked.

Jiang Zongbing said, "Zhang Yishi, you are an understanding person. I won't talk about the consequences of this lack of food. I just want to buy some food from you to solve your urgent needs. I wonder if you can think of a solution? ”

Zhang Zhimu thought for a while and said: "Border soldiers, you can't fight hungry. I originally had a little food in stock, but I kept it for food rations for fear of another drought next year. I'll send it to you first. My men will arrive the day after tomorrow, and then they will send back and bring you five thousand stones of rice and five thousand stones of wheat. This is what our kiln gang gave to the border soldiers, and we don't need your silver. We can't let the border soldiers go hungry and guard the border. Zhang Zhimu was startled when he heard Jiang Zongbing say that there was no food at the border pass. If the Manchu Qing attack at this time, there will be chaos if you don't have to fight here.

Jiang Zongbing listened to Zhang Zhimu's words, but he didn't understand it for a while, and asked: "You mean 5,000 stone rice, 5,000 stone wheat?" ”

"Yes, that's right." Zhang Zhimu nodded.

Jiang Zongbing stood up and arched his hand and said, "I thank you for the border soldiers." ”

Zhang Zhimu had no choice but to get up and said, "You're welcome, this is as it should be." It's just that it's not a long-term solution. I'll think of a way to find out how to solve this grain when I go back. ”

Jiang Zongbing said: "Zhang Yishi, you must think of a way, we have silver, but we can't get food." I think that grain is very expensive now, and it is very likely that the grain has already been sold by those officials. I can't wait for them, but I can't afford to guard the border. Alas, it's difficult. ”

"In this way, I will immediately transfer a thousand stones of grain to kill Hukou, can you send a car to pull it?" Zhang Zhimu asked.

"Yes, we have a lot of horses and carriages here. Although our carriage is not as good as your steel spring carriage, it is okay to pull grain. Jiang Zongbing said.

"Well, without further ado. Tomorrow, you send a car, and I will send someone to follow you, and bring some emergency food to kill Hukou. Then immediately send someone back to the kiln to transport the grain. The day after tomorrow, I'll know how much food we can raise for the adults. I wonder how big the food gap is? Zhang Zhimu said.

Jiang Zongbing thought for a moment and said, "The grain you sent over is 10,000 stones, if you can help me buy 10,000 stones." I can breathe a sigh of relief. However, it will not solve the problem in the long run. In the long run, each person will need five stone of grain a year, and I will need 500,000 quintals of grain for 100,000 soldiers. Other garrisons can produce a little food, that is, they can add to it. ”

Zhang Zhimu felt that military rations were also a good deal, and now was an opportunity, and said: "My lord, in addition to the one I gave to my lord, I will raise another 10,000 stone of grain for my lord as much as possible, but this matter will not be determined until my people come the day after tomorrow." The price of grain is at six taels and one stone, how about it? ”

"No, I can't. Jiang Zongbing said.

Zhang Zhimu was stunned. Jiang Zongbing said: "Now in Datong, you can't buy grain, I can't let you lose too much." Just press seven, two, five, and one stone. ”

Zhang Zhimu was relieved and said, "My lord, let's count it according to seven taels." This time, you are in a hurry, and the cost I need is a little higher. If you want food in the long run. I can send you six taels to Datong. ”

Jiang Zongbing said: "Zhang Yishi, if you can guarantee to supply me with food for a long time, within fifty stones a year, I will transport as much as I want." The price was set at six taels or five. ”

"Okay, I'll start arranging now, and I'll get as much food as I can to you. Also, I have always wanted to build this border road before, but I have never made up my mind. This time, there was food for the adults, so I made up my mind to build this road. The road has been repaired, not only the volume is convenient. There is something going on at the border, and it is more convenient to use. Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, there is such a thing as transporting military rations, and it is justified to build roads and change the name. So I just got on with it.

"That's great, that road should have been built by the imperial court a long time ago. Zhang Yishi really has the court in his heart. Now what merchant is willing to give so much grain to the border soldiers? I will definitely report this matter to the court, so that everyone in the court can take a look at it and see if they are at a loss in their hearts. Jiang Zongbing said.

Zhang Zhimu said: "In fact, we help the border soldiers to help ourselves, without the border soldiers guarding, the wolves on the northern grassland will soon sweep over." There are no eggs under the nest. ”

This Jiang Zongbing kept looking at Zhang Zhimu and said, "Brother Zhang Xian, you are by no means a mortal. As long as I have breath left, I'll see how much you can accomplish. "Jiang Zongbing's title has become a virtuous brother.

Zhang Zhimu felt that he had been taken seriously so early, and he shouldn't have been, but he couldn't help it. said: "Lord Commander, in fact, the imperial court has been very kind to me. Otherwise, I am a businessman, and it is a felony to possess a firearm. Not only did the court not blame me, but the emperor also gave me a bronze medal. I should be able to contribute to the court. ”

"Haha, you are the only civilian in the Ming Dynasty who dares to gather a crowd to hold a musket, and the emperor is not to blame for this, that is, it is gracious. Others who dare to say more. But this musket in your hand has established a shocking feat for the imperial court, and all the generals of the Ming Dynasty have been ashamed. It shows that the emperor is wise. After Jiang Zongbing finished speaking, he stood up again and said, "Brother Zhang Xian, please come with me, there is one more matter, involving confidentiality, we will talk in the secret room." Then he said to Chen Yufeng and Yang Yulin: "A few people sit here first." ”

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By the way, I recommend "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty", similar to this article, it is also a "technology flow" through the novel, but it takes place in the Southern Song Dynasty, Yashan, Anti-Yuan, Restoration, and European World Wars.