Chen Zuocai is pedantic, and in history he is still a spiritual model of "loyalty" for the people of the time with mavericks. Although Zhu Yongxing's words and deeds of strictly abiding by "monarchs and ministers" were not liked by Zhu Yongxing, in order to make Menghua Mansion truly under his rule and become a member of the great cause of resisting the Qing Dynasty, Chen Zuocai's background and his relationship with Zuo Xinghai could not be found more suitable than him.

Therefore, Zhu Yongxing did not show anything on the surface, but gave Chen Zuocai the title of official of Menghua Mansion. Because, Chen Zuocai is enthusiastic and enthusiastic, and he will inevitably do his duty, so that someone in Menghua Mansion can contribute and make a strong contribution, instead of falling with the wind like before. As for Zuo Xinghai's request, Zhu Yongxing also happily agreed. Losing the people and granting land, anyway, the land is there, scattering the people and dividing their rights, which is a long-term plan to break the Tusi system, and those Tusi still think they have taken advantage.

When Zhu Yongxing led the army out of Dali, everything had been basically arranged. If the battle of Tengchong made people see the flash in the darkness, the counterattack in western Yunnan pulled out a dark cloud. After experiencing the violence of the Qing army and being liberated by the Ming army again, the haze suppressed in the hearts of the people dispersed, and the people who felt the contrast hoped that the depressed days would not come again.

With the improvement of the treatment of the Ming army, as well as the fulfillment in Annam, coupled with the encouragement of victory, more and more people in the Xinguang Liberation District of western Yunnan joined the army. Among them, the more famous and leading the crowd are Yongchang Zhang Qi, Dali Zhang Tai, Mei Asi, Heqing Yin Shixing, Miao Shihong and so on.

After the Qing soldiers of the captured Ganshan Green Battalion and Huguang Green Battalion were selected and subdued, most of them were supplemented into the troops of Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, and Bai Wenxuan, the king of Zhao. Because Zhu Yongxing still has to lead the army back to Yuanjiang, it is not good to bring too many troops who still need to be educated and have not proved their loyalty.

If a few new support soldiers were added, the total strength of the Ming army had not been reduced from the counteroffensive to the present, but had increased by more than 10,000. But the combat power is not easy to say. Zhu Yongxing felt that he would have to go through a period of digestion and training before he could fight again. Therefore, although Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, led his troops to capture Erhaiwei (now Xiangyun County), which had few defenders, defeated the town of Fuqian that came to help, and made a gesture of continuing the offensive against Yao'an and Chuxiong, the counteroffensive in western Yunnan was actually over.

Bite off more than you can chew. This has always been the principle that Zhu Yongxing upholds. It was because of the vast area to be defended by the Qing army in Yunnan Province that the Ming army seized the weakness of its division of troops and defense. Coupled with the use of effective means of breaking the city, the Qing army's stubborn defense became a dead defense, and the Ming army broke it one by one.

As long as we gain a firm foothold in western Yunnan, recuperate our strength, and form a strategic threat to Chuxiong and Kunming to the west, the purpose of this counteroffensive will be achieved. If the Battle of Yuanjiang can be won again, the strategic situation of Yunnan Province will become more favorable to the Ming army. The Qing army in Kunming had to face threats from the west and south, and had to defend Kunming, a city of great political significance, with heavy troops. It is obvious that it is very difficult to do this in a short period of time.

The topography, climate, water and soil of Yunnan Province are obviously more conducive to the maneuvering operations between the Ming army and the Qing army. Zhu Yongxing hoped to contain and eliminate more enemies in Yunnan Province, so that he could reduce the resistance when infiltrating and opening up the battlefields of Sichuan and Guangxi.

When Zhu Yongxing led his army to the Acropolis of Erhai, Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, and Bai Wenxuan, the king of Zhao, rushed to discuss the future military deployment and saw Zhu Yongxing off. In the Erhai Acropolis, Zhu Yongxing saw that many people joined the army. Most of them come from surrounding villages. This is exactly what his edict is in, and it will be more and more widespread.

After the Ming Dynasty initially settled in Yunnan. With Lan Yu and Mu Ying pacifying Yunnan, the army with the Han nationality as the main body stayed in Yunnan. In the seventeenth year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered that all the military dependents who stayed in Hunan should be sent from the mainland to Yunnan within a time limit. The troops that entered Yunnan became settled military households, especially in the Erhai Weiba area. Many villages also retain the names of the office, camp and tun, such as Housuo, Qiansuo, Zuosuo, Liuguantun, Dongying, Kongwuying, Ruanjiaying, etc.

These descendants of the Tunxu Ming Army obviously have a deeper affection for the Emperor Ming than the ethnic minorities, and the military families are exempt from paying rent and grain taxes this year, and will only pay 20% of the harvest in the future. It is still very attractive to the people who were looted by the Qing army in Yunnan and suffered serious property losses. After all, it means that this year will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and the family will be able to eat a few more full meals.

If the military home is rented land, those who are willing to go to Annam or other places will be granted new fields; Those who are unwilling to leave will be replaced or redeemed by the government, and then issued to military dependents for cultivation according to the number of land tickets. The original landlord had to accept other lands. Either accept the IOU and get the money back after five years with interest.

After the war in Yunnan Province, there are many ownerless fields and barren fields, which will be measured and registered by the government, and resold or leased. Zhu Yongxing's method was nothing more than turning land into money to settle military salaries, but the soldiers and their families did benefit from it, and the policy was therefore supported and welcomed by the common people.

There are more poor people than rich people, and Zhu Yongxing certainly wants to win over the majority. The interests of a few can be properly taken care of, but they should not be tilted in favor of them. Moreover, Zhu Yongxing would rather slow down the pace of military operations and prolong the time for accumulating money, food, and materials, but also lay a solid foundation so that the people under his rule could live a better life.

If this corner is not solid and stable, after several wars, the people are killed and wounded, and the place is destroyed into ruins, how can it still be supported?

"If the policy is to be implemented, local officials must be honest." Zhu Yongxing called the newly appointed Wang Junzhi of Erhai Weizhi County and introduced him to the two kings of Jin and Zhao, "Although Wang Xian Ling is young, he has his own momentum and drive, so that he can stabilize the place as soon as possible and serve our Ming army." ”

"Your Highness has a discerning eye, and Wang Xian Ling must be outstanding." Zhao Wang Bai Wenxuan nodded politely, since he was an official selected by Zhu Yongxing, he naturally wanted to give some face.

"The current general of the Erhaiwei garrison is the general Hu Shundu, and if there is anything in the county order, you can inform him." Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, also smiled and said hello.

"If the government and the arrester are to be recruited, it will take this time, so I will ask General Hu to send a small flag soldier to Wang County to send it first." Zhu Yongxing said to Li Dingguo with a smile: "If the local tyrant is arrogant and powerful, the Wang County Order can be pressed in time, and there is no need to make a mistake." King Jin, what do you think? ”

"This matter is easy to do, and this king will give an order to General Hu Bing." Li Dingguo nodded happily in agreement.

Zhu Yongxing paved the way for Wang Junzhi and ordered him to retreat. Only then did he begin to discuss the future deployment of actions with the two kings of Jin and Zhao. Although there had been rough plans before, the situation was different and there was a need for revision or refinement.

"It seems that the main force of our army can be stationed in Erhaiwei and Midu to defend Dali with the strength of horns." On the unrolled map, Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, began to tell his thoughts, "Menghua Mansion (now Weishan, Nanjian) and Binchuan will also send troops. Use this as a line of defense to defend western Yunnan. ”

Zhu Yongxing's finger swiped on the map and said, "As for the outpost, I think we can get close to Nanhua and Yao'an to gain more warning time." When the Battle of Yuanjiang is over, the feints on this side can be stopped. In the middle of the time, all the roads were destroyed, which made the Qing army's attack more difficult. ”

"I think I can." Zhao Wang Bai Wenxuan nodded in agreement and said: "After a few months of rest and training, our army will not be afraid of the Qing army attacking. It can even turn defense into offense. ”

"yes!" Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, agreed: "At present, the recruits are not yet available, and it really needs time to rectify and train. ”

"How about training in battle?" Zhu Yongxing said thoughtfully: "There is a master of the art of war who once said: Defense is not a simple shield in this form of warfare, but a shield composed of ingenious strikes. It's just defense, I'm afraid it's too passive. If there is also an offensive in the defense, that is, in the overall strategy, it is better to carry out a lasting defense on the inner line, and tactically to carry out a campaign or battle on the outer line. ”

For Zhu Yongxing's strategy, tactics, internal line, external line and other terms, Li Dingguo, King of Jin, and Bai Wenxuan, King of Zhao, have already understood. So it's not surprising. After thinking carefully about the concept of active defense mentioned by Zhu Yongxing, the two kings both focused on the map. Looking for a place to fight on the outside line.

"How is Da Yao?" Li Dingguo pointed to the map and said: "Yao An and Nanhua can also make the Qing army afraid from time to time and dare not move lightly. ”

"The two princes can flexibly use troops according to the actual situation, and they are cautious in big battles, and small battles are common. Not only did it make the Qing army fearful, but it could also test its weaknesses. Zhu Yongxing didn't want to make a judgment now, so he turned to other military issues, "Expand into Shu or take infiltration as the top, and first enter Yongning Mansion with a small number of elite troops." Establish a solid base, and then gradually transport grain to increase the number of troops and relocate the people, or to the north, or to the east, to expand the territory. ”

"At that time, Kublai Khan marched along Gansu, Shaanxi, Shudi, and Yunnan provinces, wanting to destroy the Southern Song Dynasty in a roundabout way." Li Dingguo thought about it and said, "Your Highness wants to do the opposite?" ”

Zhu Yongxing smiled ambiguously and did not answer directly. Expand into Shu, and also meet with the thirteen families in Kuidong to break through the Yangtze River defense line of the Qing court. However, the Great Western Army and the Great Shun Army had always had a disagreement, so he did not want to put forward this idea too early, lest Li Dingguo or Bai Wenxuan not actively expand to Shu.

Zhao Wang Bai Wenxuan had no opinion on this, and said: "The three thousand men and horses of Zhenshuo, Bo and Wu provinces are already in Lijiang, and when the grain and grass are ready, they can transfer the Mu clan's native soldiers to help in the battle and enter Yongning Mansion in the north." ”

"The Qing court did not have many troops in Shu, and its rule was not stable, so it was a good time to open up a battlefield at this time." Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, also expressed his agreement and took the initiative to ask, "When the situation in Yunnan Province is stable, I am willing to lead a large army into Shu to fight." ”

Zhu Yongxing was stunned for a moment, Li Dingguo's decision made him feel a little surprised, leaving Yunnan Province, didn't he care about Yongli and the small court in Burma?

"The inappropriate measures for the westward retreat that day caused the morale of the troops left behind in southern Sichuan to be lost. And the generals were discordant internally, attacked and killed each other, and then surrendered to the Qing, and the south of Sichuan did not defend, all of which were my faults. Li Dingguo said with some sadness: "This king has always been in his heart, and he is willing to make up for his merits at this opportunity." ”

"King Jin is too harsh." Zhu Yongxing comforted him, but he pushed the boat down the river, and handed over the task of entering Sichuan to Li Dingguo.

Due to years of war in Sichuan, the population has been greatly reduced, and the most serious places are in northern and western Sichuan, and only 23 out of 10 of the people survive. Because of the frequent military incidents in Sichuan, the fields were barren, there was no food accumulation, and the famine was serious. This was the reason why it was impossible for the Qing army to garrison troops on a large scale and occupy a large area, and it was also the difficulty for the Ming army to expand.

Logistics supply is the top priority, and the war after entering Sichuan is secondary. Western Yunnan is newly restored, the autumn harvest has just passed, and there is Siam's reinforcement, which can still support it for a while, but it is obviously still very difficult for the army to enter Sichuan immediately. Li Dingguo and Bai Wenxuan were also well aware of this, so they had no opinion on Zhu Yongxing's plan to infiltrate with a small force and establish a base first.

The next step was the discussion of the Battle of Yuanjiang, and the two plans made Zhu Yongxing and the two kings hesitate, and it was difficult to make the most difficult decision.

The prudent and conservative plan is naturally for the army to go south to Menghua (now Weishan and Nanjian). Passing through the house, and then going down the Yuanjiang River, joining forces with the Yuanjiang Righteous Army to resist Wu Sangui.

The positive and bold plan was for the army to march eastward in the middle of the Yuanjiang River, passing through Xinping and Asan along the way, and pointing to Shiping from the northwest. Thus forming an encirclement posture against the Qing army attacking Yuanjiang.

"Don't be too greedy." Zhu Yongxing smiled bitterly and vetoed the positive and bold encirclement plan, although it was very tempting, but there were too many variables, the risk was too great, Western Yunnan had won a big victory, and Yuanjiang only had to repel the Qing army, it was already perfect.

Zhao Wang Bai Wenxuan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "It's better to be safe, just let Wu Shun and the three ghosts live a few more days!" ”

Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, bowed his head lightly. said: "The Qing army led by Wu is powerful and cannot be underestimated. As long as you hold the Yuanjiang River steadily, wait for its food and grass to continue, and then pursue it when the troops retreat, you may be able to win easily. ”

The pursuit of victory, for an old soldier like Wu Sangui, it seems that it is not easy. Although Zhu Yongxing adopted a prudent plan, it did not mean that the Qing army could not be dealt a heavy blow. Or even devastating annihilation. The topography of Yuanjiang City is a condition that can be used, and what kind of results can be achieved. It depends on the arrangement of Wu Sangui's attack on Yuanjiang City.

Zhu Yongxing doesn't want to say it yet, after all, it's just a possibility. The next step is the redeployment of troops. When he came to western Yunnan from Yuanjiang, Zhu Yongxing brought a total of 7,000 men and horses, and not many were killed in battle, but some artillery and sappers were pulled into the command of Li Dingguo and Bai Wenxuan as instructors. The wounded also stayed for treatment and recuperation, and now there are less than six thousand left.

Zhao Wang Bai Wenxuan pulled the general soldier Chen Sheng and three thousand elites to Zhu Yongxing, and Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, did not hide his smuggling, and the general soldier Wang Daoheng was an old soldier, and the three thousand soldiers also experienced many battles.

That's all about unity. The appearance of the enemy in unison. Zhu Yongxing was pleased with this, perhaps the two kings of Jin and Zhao were grateful for Zhu Yongxing's sincere treatment and reciprocated Li with peach; Maybe they knew that Yunnan Province's resistance to the Qing Dynasty was a game of chess, and defeating Wu Sangui was good for everyone; Perhaps there have been other changes in their thinking, Bai Wenxuan showed favor to Zhu Yongxing, and Li Dingguo asked Ying to leave Yunnan and enter Sichuan, which can explain the problem to a certain extent.

After all the deliberations were completed, the three leaders of the Southwest Ming Army seemed to be in a good mood, setting up wine and drinking, talking happily, and dispersing slightly drunk.

……………

The moonlight adorns the night sky, like an endless transparent sea, quiet, vast, and mysterious. Dense stars, twinkling and shining, dancing with tiny points of light.

Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, was half-leaning in the chair, alone in the courtyard, his eyes seemed to be closed, calmly facing the night sky. He seemed to be asleep, and he seemed to be contemplating for a long time.

The prince Li Sixing walked slowly, put the big hat on his father, and when he looked up, he found that his father had opened his eyes and was looking at him with a smile.

"Father-" Li Sixing called, paused, and said: "The child will go east to Yuanjiang with His Royal Highness Min tomorrow, I don't know what other teachings my father has?" ”

Li Dingguo glanced at the night sky again, exhaled a long breath lightly, and said meaningfully: "The folk have been discussing this celestial phenomenon for a while, and after a while, it will be said that the rain will not be sunny for a long time, the yin will flourish and the yang will decline, and the water virtue should extinguish the fire; After a while, it was said that the sky was cloudless and thundering, and the heroes descended on the day to save China; After a while, he said that the white star body was small and ambiguous, and the main army was defeated and the country perished. In short, there are different opinions, and there is no consensus. ”

"The art of asking the heavens, those who believe in it have, but those who don't believe it don't." Li Sixing pondered the words and said slowly: "And there are many vain words, and if you believe it, you are suspicious, and it is better to do your best and obey the destiny of heaven." ”

Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, nodded lightly, glanced at his son appreciatively, and said with a smile: "My son has grown." ”

His Royal Highness Min once said: The sentence of impermanence in heaven is not entirely true, and there are still laws that can be followed as warnings. The collapse of the building is the punishment of heaven for our dynasty, and only by promoting the way of heaven can we turn the crisis into safety. Li Sixing said with some surprise: "I have riots in the DPRK, so that the Qing troops entered the customs and swept the world, which is not so much a natural disaster as a man-made disaster. The party is fighting against differences, internal strife continues, the people are treated harshly, and corruption is rampant...... If you don't know why you are falling, how can you know how you are recovering? ”

"I don't know why I lost, how do I know why I prospered?" Li Dingguo pondered carefully, shook his head lightly with emotion, and sighed: "My father knows why he was defeated in the past, so he invited Yingying into Sichuan." First, make up for the mistakes; Second, I also want to stay away from the land of Yunnan Province. ”

"The recovery of Yunnan Province is just around the corner, what is wrong with it?" Li Sixing asked strangely.

Li Dingguo smiled faintly, and did not explain, for fear that his son would have a bad heart, but it would be difficult to follow Zhu Yongxing's side. After a pause, he said faintly: "If it is for my father to fight against His Royal Highness Min on the battlefield, well, it's just an analogy, who does Wu'er see is stronger?" ”

"Father-" Li Sixing was stunned for a moment, misunderstood what his father meant, thinking that his father was worried that Zhu Yongxing was not Wu Sangui's opponent, so he said: "Fighting in the polemic battle, my father is experienced and full of wisdom; Although His Royal Highness Min is also a genius, he is still inferior to his father. ”

"I might as well be His Highness Min!" Li Dingguo shook his head lightly and said, "The hearts of the people and the hearts of the army are gradually returning to His Highness." is a battle array, and it is difficult for a father to win. Besides, His Highness has the art of asking the sky, and he is invincible. (To be continued......)