"According to my judgment, Wu Sangui will most likely first solve the Yuanjiang Na clan, deter the Tusi in the east of the country, and eliminate its threat to Kunming, and then launch an operation against western Yunnan and central Yunnan." Zhu Yongxing still took advantage of his foresight and foresight, but he didn't say it so certainly, "As long as you can hold out in Yuanjiang for more than 40 days, or a month, the counteroffensive in western Yunnan may end successfully, and the three armies can attack the Qing army in the east." ”

At this moment, all the generals understood, but they also had doubts. As long as the Eastern Yunnan clan is undefeated, the Annam base will not be threatened by the Qing army in Yunnan Province, which is the safest plan. If you fight in western Yunnan first and then aid eastern Yunnan, who dares to guarantee that you can hold out for more than a month? If the plan fails, the Annan base, which has been painstakingly built, will have to face the war head-on.

"Your Highness." The prince of the Syrian State hesitated for a moment, and asked tentatively: "I don't know how many troops our army can invest in the early stage in Yuanjiang?" ”

"Three thousand." Zhu Yongxing had already calculated carefully, he was ready to lead at least 7,000 soldiers to western Yunnan to help in the war, and Annan also needed more than 3,000 people to defend it, and this had already counted the native soldiers of various ethnic groups, including the Mengshan Ke people. Of course, there may be small discrepancies in this, after all, there is still more than a month to go, and it is difficult for him to say how many recruits he can recruit.

After Zhu Yongxing finished explaining the reason for sending 3,000 men, the generals fell silent again. This is not to blame them, after all, they don't know the things in the history of Lu Dao, and they don't know that the appeal of Lu Dao Yuanjiang Na Song is not trivial, and they can still hold out for more than two months without foreign aid, so naturally they don't have the same self-confidence as Zhu Yongxing.

But Zhu Yongxing didn't dare to be too big, after all, history has changed, and Wu Sangui's troops, generals, and tactics and strategies for conquest of Yuanjiang may change. He's still going to be as safe as he can.

"There's still a little more than a month to go!" Zhu Yongxing smiled and encouraged the generals, "The native soldiers of Yuanjiang can be trained to improve their combat effectiveness; Our army will also recruit troops and expand its strength; King Jin and King Zhao can also support one or two, you don't have to be so unconfident, right? Otherwise, I would have commanded the battle in Yuanjiang. Another general was sent to lead the army to western Yunnan. ”

"Your Highness is serious, let me be ashamed." Ma Bao, the king of Ruyang, hurriedly said, "The last general is willing to go to Yuanjiang, and the Qing army will be defeated under the fortified city and will not be allowed to advance an inch." ”

"The last general is also willing to go." Ma Weixing arched his hand and said: "If you just hold on, 3,000 soldiers, plus native soldiers to help you fight, you should be fine." ”

"The last general is willing to defend the Yuanjiang ......"

"The last general swears to live and die with Yuanjiang......"

This consciousness and momentum are not bad, but how can it look like jumping into a fire pit? Zhu Yongxing felt that he had to give some more money. Boost everyone's confidence.

So, Zhu Yongxing first comforted and praised the generals of the Ming army who were vying to "jump into the pit", and then said: "The battle of Yuanjiang is mostly thrilling and dangerous, first there are local soldiers harassing and attacking along the way, there is a natural barrier of Yuanjiang, and then there is a city to hold onto, is it easy for the Qing army to attack?" Again. Na's influence and appeal are not trivial, and there is a court pardon and seal. Most of the Tusi in the east responded, and it was not difficult to gather tens of thousands of people. In addition, I am ready to rush to build dozens of artillery pieces to help in the war. Besides—"

After a pause, Zhu Yongxing showed an unfathomable smile and said, "I still have a number of methods to ensure that Yuanjiang City is impregnable." At this time, I won't go into detail for the time being, you will know later. ”

Bragging is sometimes necessary, thanks to the victory of Tengchong and the success of Annan's strategy. The generals have developed a sense of authority and awe for Zhu Yongxing, and they are also very convinced of the theory that God bestows heaven on him. Therefore, the solid words did not arouse any opposition and doubt, but really strengthened their confidence. In particular, the small staff group of Yuanjiang headed by Chen Guogong, Wu Zisheng, and Xuguo Gong Ma Weixing gladly accepted the order, which was completely different from the appearance of "jumping into the pit to block the gun" for Zhu Yongxing just now.

……………

Jingdong, located in the southwest of Yunnan Province, north of Pu'er, was reduced to a state in the fifteenth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, and was re-promoted to the government in the seventeenth year of Hongwu. It is inhabited by Han, Yi, Hani, Yao, Dai, Hui and other ethnic groups, and the Yi nationality is the most.

"Annan has decided!" Li Dingguo, the king of Jin, put down the letter and couldn't help sighing.

Although Li Dingguo did not express any objection to Zhu Yongxing's plan to take Annam in the east, he did not expect that it would be more than a month and would have been a great success. couldn't help but seize the land and establish a foundation, and even made the Zheng family apologize and pay, and there was no longer an entanglement battle. Such a result really surprised and admired Li Dingguo.

A large piece of land is in hand, and the coveted one is the Tusi of Yunnan Province. It turns out that those who are on the sidelines are bound to compete for the people and land, which is something that Li Dingguo can predict.

The people are the source of soldiers, and a large number of free people who have got rid of their personal dependence on Tusi are bound to add a large number of recruits of various nationalities to the Ming army. Such a situation and situation are all beneficial to the troops led by Li Dingguo, Bai Wenxuan, and Zhu Yongxing, and are not exclusive to a certain army.

Because, along with the arrival of the letter, there was also an edict issued by Zhu Yongxing, as well as the officials sent. The edict on the granting of land to the people was more clear and detailed, and after a brief period of confusion in which the Tusi of Yunnan Province invaded Annam without authorization and fought for the land and population, the officials who were now assigned to the office became more professional and more sophisticated in their grasp of the policy.

"Wenzhi martial arts, His Royal Highness Min has unique features, and it can achieve excellent results." Jin Tongwu read the letter, and he was also sighing and praising endlessly, "The Siamese envoy has returned to China, and the brocade line will also be handed over to the officials sent by His Royal Highness. ”

"Siam's aid is the Ming Dynasty, not an army alone." Li Dingguo waved his hand lightly and said, "His Royal Highness Min is fair, and the officials he sends will receive the assignment, and he will definitely not favor one over the other." ”

Zhu Yongxing also gave Li Dingguo and Bai Wenxuan a share of the seized materials for the crusade against Annan, which somewhat alleviated the lack and embarrassment of materials for the Ming army under Li Dingguo. And Tengchong's big victory made Bai Wenxuan's situation relatively better.

"The road to overseas trade has been opened, and His Royal Highness Min has set a way to solve the problem of military salaries through tea trade." Jin Tongwu hesitated for a moment and said, "Can the king recommend officials to participate in it, instead of-"

The area where Li Dingguo's department is stationed includes Pu'er, Jinggu, Simao, Jingdong and other places, and many places have large tea plantations, which are the main production areas of Pu'er tea. Therefore, Jin Tongwu has such a mind, hoping to gain more benefits in the tea trade.

Li Dingguo pondered for a moment. He smiled bitterly and said, "Let's talk and give it a try!" Although there are many civilian officials in the army, His Royal Highness Min doesn't seem to like them, and most of them are young scholars, and some don't even have fame. It's just that at this time, it is probably not suitable to pay attention to these court systems. Moreover. We are all military generals, if we interfere in government affairs, I am afraid that His Royal Highness Min or outsiders will be suspicious! ”

Jin Tongwu looked down on those civilian officials with low eyes, but for the sake of the interests of his own army, he could only pull out the big one and find someone who was more able to do things in a down-to-earth manner. If the recommendation is not human, it is not only difficult to achieve the goal, but also shameful to others.

"His Royal Highness Min intends to carry out a counteroffensive operation in September, and the time is pressing. Our army must also pay attention to recruiting troops and stepping up training. Li Dingguo's face became serious, "He fought with the three armies of the Japanese army, and he must not lose his military prestige and provoke ridicule." ”

"Your Majesty, rest assured." Jin Tongwu bowed down and replied: "Our army was originally an elite soldier in Guangnan, and it has not been defeated, and new soldiers are constantly joining, how can it be weaker than other armies." ”

Li Dingguo softened his face at this time. Nodding slightly. After the Battle of Mopan Mountain, only a few thousand remnants of his army remained. The more than 10,000 elite soldiers that He Jiuyi brought back from Guangnan suddenly swelled their strength. About half of the officers and soldiers under Zhao Wang Bai Wenxuan and Zhu Yongxing were surrendered after the Battle of Tengchong and newly recruited recruits, and the time gap was so short, Li Dingguo felt that the soldiers and horses of his headquarters would not be weaker than others.

………………

"His Royal Highness Min is victorious again!" Zhao Wang Bai Wenxuan, who was in Tengchong, read the letter and patted the table. said with a smile: "In January, he marched hundreds of miles, broke more than ten cities in a row, defeated 100,000 Annan troops, and forced the Zheng family to pay for peace.

"This must be the work of the Heavenly Thunder Cannon." The Duke of Changguo Gao Wengui exclaimed: "The emperor is a fire virtue. His Highness Min - hehe, it will definitely be several times more powerful. ”

This is a somewhat sensitive topic, but at this time there are only two people, Bai Wenxuan and Gao Wengui, Bai Wenxuan just smiled unnaturally, and turned to the preparations for the major counteroffensive in September.

Since the Battle of Tengchong, rumors have gradually arisen in the army, which is about Zhu Minghuode. The soldiers and generals who have seen the power of the Sky Bombardment Cannon prefer to call it the Heavenly Thunder Cannon, and they believe that Zhu Yongxing inherited the Emperor's fire virtue, which doubled the power of the artillery. But this fire virtue inheritance is not a casual thing, if it is deeply excavated and explored, it is likely to involve royal power. Therefore, since Bai Wenxuan and other senior generals could not prevent the spread of speculation among the soldiers, they could only turn a deaf ear and pretend not to hear it, so as not to be in a dilemma.

"Tengchong, Longling, Yingjiang, Lianghe, and Longchuan have been occupied by our army, but it doesn't stop there." Although Bai Wenxuan's department already has a lot of territory, but it is all remote places, which obviously does not make Gao Wengui satisfied, but if he wants to develop, it is a little difficult, "Yongchang is like choking in the throat, and if it is not removed, it can only be cramped to the west of the Nu River." ”

"Attacking Yongchang, our army is beyond the reach of our army at present." Bai Wenxuan shook his head and vetoed Gao Wengui's proposal, and said: "Now we should suspend the army and rest the soldiers, repair the army, store grain and grass, and wait for the September army to fight." In addition, it is necessary to send a soldier and horse out of Luxi, stationed in Mengnuo, and the soldiers and horses of His Royal Highness Jin across the Nu River as a corner. ”

"His Royal Highness Min suggested that more ships should be built, which can be used to cross the river to fight, or there is the intention of transporting troops by water and smashing Yongchang." Gao Wengui speculated on Zhu Yongxing's train of thought and said: "In fact, it can also be used for other purposes, and in the future, you can go down the river to take Awa, the capital of Burma, and welcome the saint back to Yunnan." ”

Bai Wenxuan hesitated for a moment and nodded slightly, but he still had a problem in his heart, and he was very worried about entering Myanmar. Obviously, Yongli's edict to withdraw from the army left a lot of psychological shadows on him.

Speaking of which, Xiying has some improper backgrounds and a history of usurpation by Sun Kewang, so it is necessary to be as respectful to the court as possible, so as not to make all the anti-Qing forces and people in the world think that the Great Western Army is coercing the princes of the Son of Heaven and has a living Cao Cao like Sun Kewang.

Thousands of miles away, if there is another edict ordering the troops to retreat, Bai Wenxuan thought to himself in his heart, and sighed silently. As long as he does not obey the order, he will not be able to escape, that is, he will rescue the emperor, and maybe the emperor and the cabinet will be suspicious of this in the future - as long as the emperor is the emperor, it is difficult to tolerate the courtiers ignoring his will, even if this ignorance is to save his life.

Moreover, if the Burmese people are forced too much, so that they are mad and kill Yongli, and there is a relationship with the edict of retreat, in the eyes of the people of the world, will the rescue operation become an act of killing people with a knife?

Alas, Bai Wenxuan reluctantly shook off these distractions and continued to discuss with Gao Wengui. Prepare for the counteroffensive in September. In his mind, he can't rush to take over, and it's best not to use force. As long as the Ming army recovers Yunnan Province and sends people to negotiate with Burma, there is still a great hope that Burma will peacefully send out the Yongli. Of course, there is a premise for this. That is, the emperor and the princes of the court are willing to come back.

……………

A torrential downpour had just stopped, the leaves were greener than usual, and the water between the cracks in the stones was even more rapid. In the distance, and in the vast distance that cannot be seen, it is all unexpected tranquility!

It's just the environment that is quiet, Zhu Yongxing read a letter, but his face became more and more gloomy, and he threw it to the ground with a snap.

What court customizes, what etiquette rules. Can you still be confined to a variety of boxes at a time like this? Besides, I was originally trying to break through these unreasonable red tape and strive to build an efficient management organization. Origin, fame, can be used as a reference, but not a decisive condition; Official names, powers and powers are set and divided according to actual needs. Like the Governor of Annam. It was the creation of Zhu Yongxing and his staff, specifically to divide and disintegrate the Annan Zheng clan.

What about other official positions. As long as you are educated, willing to work hard, and able to comprehend and understand policies, then you don't need to have any talent and fame. In this regard, Zhu Yongxing is very open-minded, and it can be called eclectic. But some. Especially the civil officials of the former Nanming, they are very argumentative. Fortunately, Zhu Yongxing did not bring many stumbling blocks when he went to fight for Annan, but now the critic is not an ordinary person, and he is a heavyweight in his official position. Historically. Also a celebrity.

Guo Zhiqi, an anti-Qing official in the late Ming Dynasty, one of the seven sages of Chaozhou. Worship Wenyuan Pavilion University Scholar, plus the prince Taibao, and the two books of rites and soldiers. In the thirteenth year of Yongli, the Qing army entered Yunnan, and Guo Zhiqi went to Annan. Since then, they have migrated steadily, or hid in valleys, or barren mountains, rain, sleep, and meals, and experienced several times of food failure, wind and miasma, and the danger of tigers and wolves. Originally, Guo Zhiqi would be ensnared by Annan Wei Yongfu in the fifteenth year of Yongli and sacrificed to the Qing court and killed, but he escaped because of Zhu Yongxing's crusade against Annan.

Loyalty, perseverance, generosity, righteousness, and no change in face. Such a good comrade, you can come to help, but why do you want to point fingers and block yourself? Zhu Yongxing was distressed for a while, sighed, got up from the chair, squatted on the ground and picked up the scattered books one by one.

No matter how annoying it is, I have to read it, and I have to give Comrade Guo a reply. Zhu Yongxing sorted out the book, patted it gently, and was waiting to continue reading patiently, when a sound of footsteps sounded, and Mengzhu walked in with a smile.

Zhu Yongxing breathed a sigh of relief, this old Guo is not familiar with himself, the article is written very well, and he has made several pages, but he can understand it, but he is tired. Some officials who have been following for a long time have already known their likes and dislikes, and when writing reports, they try to be as simple as possible, putting the style in the second place. Moreover, this has been used as a trick and has become more and more widely spread among officials.

"Azhu, you're just in time." Zhu Yongxing leaned back in the chair, pointed to the book on the table, and said, "This is written in a long and long way, and it is really tiring to read." Tell me what the next few pages mean, and then write a reply. ”

"Long Er has learned almost, and then I can be by His Highness's side every day, and be busy with this correspondence for His Highness." Mengzhu smiled a little apologetically, put down the things in his hand, picked up the book on the table first, read it, and slowly explained it to Zhu Yongxing.

The Miao people have a language but no writing, Mengzhu has been influenced and educated by the great witch Zheng Yannan since she was a child, and the foundation of ancient literature is there, but there is less communication with the Han people. Since following Zhu Yongxing, the little girl has become more studious, collected a lot of books, read them when she has time, and study. She is not as complicated and far-reaching as Zhu Yongxing, but she has more time and energy.

"Wait, he said I was Wang Mang?" Zhu Yongxing listened, his brows furrowed again.

"He doesn't say that His Royal Highness is Wang Mang, but he wants His Highness to learn from Wang Mang's reform in the Han Dynasty, and don't learn from Wang Mang." Mengzhu hurriedly explained: "Your Highness, do you know about Wang Mang's restructuring in the Han Dynasty? ”

"I know a little bit about it, but I failed anyway, and I lost myself." Zhu Yongxing rolled his eyes and said, "Where am I like Wang Mang?" Sounds like scolding me! ”

Wang Mang, as a reformer, is quite similar to Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty, and before the reform, he was extremely famous, and there was a call for "this public is not out, and the people are born". However, the reform and reform were unsuccessful, and his reputation was half ruined, and Wang Mang further intensified various social contradictions because of the reform, which finally led to a peasant uprising dominated by red eyebrows and green forests, and finally broke off his dynasty.

"The failure of Wang Mang's restructuring lies in his manic temperament, light on reform, blindly admiring the ancients, unrealistic, rigid and self-serving, and using non-human beings, Your Highness, you are wise and martial, humbly admonished, and you are different." Mengzhu blinked her eyes and smiled: "This Guo Shaobao, it's not that I am scolding you, but that I mean to admonish." ”

"Oh, I'm as good as you say?" Zhu Yongxing glanced at Mengzhu and said with a smile: "I understand, I don't have the same knowledge as him, so I don't have to be as rigid as Wang Mang." ”

"Your Highness is wise." Mengzhu smiled and complimented, looking very cute.

Zhu Yongxing smiled helplessly and said: "Abuse of the official position of the prince, do not follow the rules and etiquette, do not abide by benevolence, mess with the laws of the ancestors, lightly change the court customization, and employ people only according to their own likes and dislikes...... Well, what's more, I didn't expect that there would be so many places for Lord Guo to look at, and many civil officials who are too idle to do anything probably think the same way, right? (To be continued......)