On March 25, Yan'an's army set out.

An army of 50,000 people, led by King Yan'an, went to Liaojiang to support.

And the government and military affairs of the entire Yan'an region were all transferred to the hands of several uncles and brothers of the king of Yan'an.

Yan'an's troops became empty all of a sudden, and the Yan'an royal family was not steady, so they had to start recruiting troops and absorb the soldiers who had retired earlier to return to the barracks.

In a short period of time, they barely managed to gather 20,000 troops and spread them around the fortresses.

Staffing is stretched.

They knew that in addition to the original remaining more than 5,000 elite soldiers, the team they gathered was just paper tigers. They only hope that the war on the Liaojiang River will end as soon as possible, and the prince will lead the army back to Yan'an as soon as possible.

At this time, the second batch of supplies of the imperial court, grain and grass, was also ready and began to be transported to the front.

By the end of March, the entire Gyeonggi region, including the capital, was filled with displaced people one after another.

First of all, the displaced people from the severe drought in Shaanxi have begun to enter the relatively rich Gyeonggi region to beg for food. Later, because of the fighting in the northeast, the displaced people have slowly dispersed to safer inland areas after more than a month.

There are a lot more beggars in the capital.

Rong'an's Charity Hall was also overcrowded, and camps were erected around the Charity Hall to house these refugees......

When there are many refugees, law and order are likely to fail.

Two days later, the Cabinet ordered the city gate to guard that the capital would no longer accept refugees.

The Liaojiang region has gathered more than 100,000 troops and hundreds of thousands of people who have evacuated south because their homes have been destroyed, and there is not enough food and grass at all. As a result, the imperial court could only increase its support, and at the same time, it had to temporarily agree to the request of the king of Liaojiang and think of temporarily relocating the refugees evacuated from Liaojiang.

A refugee camp was set up on the outskirts of Beicheng, and in just a few days, nearly 20,000 people were sheltered. And this is just the beginning, there is no doubt that in the coming days, if we can win again and again, it will be good, if not, there will be more and more refugees.

Officials and wealthy households, the former dynasty and the harem have all begun to donate money and materials.

The granary of the national treasury barely prepared the third batch of grain and grass, and saw the bottom, so the grain depots in Gyeonggi were urgently called, and grain from all over the world began to be transported to the capital.

Food prices have risen.

Rong An was even more uneasy.

Thanks to the fact that she has been stockpiling grain in the past few years, except for the Jiangnan grain land, otherwise according to the current grain price, if she relies on her own to buy grain, Shantang is afraid that it will not last for ten days and a half months. At the moment of the refugees, with the imperial court coming forward, Rong An also became a turtle with a shrunken head and did not take out any more food.

Because she is worried that according to the trend of her previous life and the current situation, the price of food will have to rise.

Her food was well stored and would have been safe. But at this moment, if she is being seen by anyone, she is directly robbed or requisitioned by the imperial court, where is she crying? To be on the safe side, she, like everyone else, donated two taels of silver......

The Liaojiang army was sufficient, and the Tartars seemed to be afraid, and began to die down. There has been no bad news from Liaojiangdi in the past few days, which makes everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

But everyone's hearts have not yet been fully settled, and on March 30, Yan An came with news.

Three days ago, only two days after the departure of the army of King Yan'an, the goods of the three major caravans were all robbed on the silk trade route to the west. The total value of the goods is over 50,000 taels.

It was the remaining Tartar Department who saw that Yan Andi's troops were empty, so they took advantage of the fire to rob it.

Yan'an originally had a long defense line, but at the moment there was a shortage of manpower, and it was full of loopholes. So those nimble and mobile Tartar cavalry were almost a dozen and accurate. In the three robberies, the Tartar troops dispatched no more than 2,000 people.

Half a day later, there was another report, and it was still Yan An.

Seeing that the Yan'an army was slow to react and had insufficient troops, the Tartars directly squatted on several trade routes, made interception obstacles, or robbed or blackmailed. Yan'an organized two encirclement and suppression, although it was a small success, but only one defeated the Tartars, and the other time due to the weakness of the number and strength of the troops, paid the price of 500 lives.

The letter was written by the uncle of the king of Yan'an, the old man sprinkled thousands of words, and directly moved out the first emperor and Taizu Taizong, and the words were full of dissatisfaction, warning the emperor that the Tartar temperament is to gain an inch, at this moment Yan'an's troops are not enough to intercept them, not to mention that the trade route cannot be held, and even the land of Yan'an is difficult to defend.

His words were sincere, emphasizing the importance of trade routes and the source of survival for tens of millions of people of the Great Zhou. Once lost, it is not only easy to arouse public anger, but even Da Zhou may face the situation of being attacked on his back.

He asked the emperor for permission to transfer back 20,000 elite soldiers to Yan'an to protect his family and land......

The court quarreled again.

Some people feel that Yan An's soldiers really shouldn't be used as support, and some people feel that it is only the remnants of the Tartar army that can disturb Yan An, and Yan An may be deliberately exaggerating to preserve his strength......

Yu Bohong was in the court, and he did not express a word of opinion, but only secretly observed the emperor.

He also wanted to know what the emperor thought.

"The main army of King Yan'an has reached the halfway point, counting the time, the first force should be almost there. At this time, turning back, time is all wasted halfway. ”

The emperor watched the ministers gossip for a while, and then crossed the rosary in his hand and opened his mouth faintly.

"What is the most taboo thing to march and fight? The morale of the army is unstable! King Yan An finally made up his mind to make a desperate bet, if this news spread out indiscriminately at this moment, wouldn't it make people think wildly? and then transferred back 20,000 elite soldiers, and King Yan'an was worried about Yan'an. The heart of the Liaojiang River is in Yan'an, and this battle has already been defeated without fighting.

I thought that the Tartars might have been fighting like this. deliberately harassing Yan'an, maybe it was also to force Yan'an to withdraw his troops to relieve the pressure on Liaojiang......"

What the emperor said made sense, and some officials immediately came out to echo it.

"What the emperor said is extremely true. At this moment, the war in Liaojiang is tight, and we must not take the slightest risk. Although Yan'an said that the troops were insufficient, there should not be many people left near Yan'an! ”

This sentence is exactly what the emperor wants.

Everybody counts.

The Tartars placed all their main forces on the Liaojiang River and had captured a lot of land. More than ninety percent of their troops are in Liaojiang, so what remains near Yan'an is basically a rabble. The distance between the Liaojiang River and the western trade route of Yan'an was too far, and it was impossible for them to draw their forces at any time and take care of each other. Therefore, although Yan'an's troops look empty, there will be no great danger.

Even if there is no retreat, Yan An is also for the sake of the overall situation, endure it, and endure it.

However, Tartar can go to Yan'an to take advantage of it at this moment, why can't Da Zhou go to Tartar to settle accounts? Or go to Yan'an...... Take a walk?

Many courtiers thought the same way. Instead of letting the Yan'an army retreat partially, it was better for the imperial court to send troops to Yan'an to help recover the lost territory and beat the Tartars.

"Didn't anyone complain a while ago that the imperial court did not contribute and forced Yan An to send troops? Just enough to dispel this rumor. You can also let Yan Anbing know that the court shares the same hatred with them. ”

"The imperial court has always been not taken seriously by the Tartars, so it is better to teach them a good lesson to boost the majesty of the imperial court."

"The prestige of the imperial court in Yan'an Land is insufficient, and this time I helped drive away the Tartars, which is just enough to harvest a wave of prestige."

“……”

Many courtiers were involved and felt that this was a good opportunity and should not be missed.

Yu Bohong was still secretly looking at the emperor who was nodding his head.

This idea was actually mentioned by the emperor first, and he was not sure whether the emperor's intention was really for the sake of the overall situation, or to infiltrate the troops into Yan'an. I love Chinese.com

If you really want to send troops to Yan'an, you will definitely be able to win a big victory, and this battle is easy to fight. After all, Yan An's letter only required 20,000 troops to retreat. Combined with the analysis of the strength of the Tartars by the King of Liaojiang, it is estimated that the Tartars faced by Yan'an did not exceed 10,000. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been a thousand sneak attacks every time.

I think it's because it's easy to fight, so the emperor's idea is more firm. Otherwise, according to the strength of the imperial court at this moment, the emperor would not be so bold. After all, just to support Gyeongnam a while ago, more than 50,000 troops had been transferred from Gyeonggi Prefecture one after another.

Yu Bohong couldn't help but take into account what his daughter mentioned before, this is easy to send troops and difficult to collect.

What about the imperial court after the victory in Yan'an?

Will the Emperor let those troops come back? The Tartars will face the two Cypriot coalition forces this time, and after the battle, their strength will inevitably fall. So by that time, will Da Zhou still need Yan'an?

In other words, what Yan An wants to do, Da Zhou can do it himself, so what else do they need to do? When the time comes, the removal of the plug will naturally be completed......

Yu Bohong's heart was also covered with a layer of worry.

The ministers are gossiping according to the holy will.

The emperor finally officially gave his decision: he wanted to send the crown prince to Yan'an at Yan'an's request, and the improvised king led troops to Yan'an, exterminate the Tartars, restore stability to the people of Yan'an, and return the westward trade route to clean up!

Zhu Yongxing was dumbfounded.

What's that? Worms in your ears?

Myself? Fight?

Asked him to criticize the fold before, although he didn't use a paintbrush, but it was also a pen, and now let him take a knife? What can he do? He doesn't even ride as well as his twelve brothers, who are eighteen years younger than him! Not to mention leading the troops to command and kill the enemy.

"Father...... Father......

His head was about to shake, but he received a warning from the emperor.

Zhu Yongxing had to shut up, but his hands trembled.

The emperor saw it in his eyes and let out another long sigh.

He had no choice but to stretch out his hand and beckoned his eldest son to take a few steps forward:

"My father knows that you have not marched and fought, so I don't know the bottom of my heart, and I feel that I am not competent. But don't worry, your father will give you the best general to assist you! Your main task is to learn and experience! You will ascend the throne in the future, this is the most important experience of your life, and it will be of great benefit to you to accumulate it. ”

The emperor lowered his voice again: "Don't refute, this is my chance to give you." There will be no danger. You're just going to gild, you know? ”

The emperor really took great pains with this son.

The eldest son is too far behind Zhu Yonghao earlier in terms of ability, courage, observation and execution, and even the heart required by the emperor. Whether it is a courtier or a common person, it is natural that the two princes will often be compared in private. To this day, many people still think that Zhu Yonghao is too suitable for this position than Zhu Yongxing.

The emperor could only try his best to help his son.

There is no way, he has been feeling more and more powerless lately.

He has been coughing for a year and a half, and he has not recovered from it on and off. The government is busy, and he is in a hurry. His sons had accidents one after another, and his liver was depressed. One thing after another, just kept pressing him.

A few months ago, when he pressed the imperial doctor to prescribe him the medicine of the tiger and wolf, he had asked how his illness would develop. The head of the hospital was his own person, and he did not hide it, telling him that if he could follow the doctor's instructions, then he would have at least three more years.

Three years? It's too short!

Hongwen is not yet ten years old, and even if he lasts for three years, Hongwen can't afford to be in power. So Xing'er ...... He still has to bear Hongwen for at least three or five years, right?

And what the emperor knows even more in his heart is that the three years that the imperial doctor said is already good. Recently, he has always dreamed of Empress Yuan, and he has also dreamed of his father, the emperor, his Tai'er. He knew that his days were numbered.

So he pressed the imperial doctor again, if he developed according to his state at this moment, how long would it be?

The answer is a year.

A year?

Is it enough?

Of course not enough!

So he can only try to do more for his children and grandchildren within this year.

Xing'er, the crown prince, is not enough to convince the public, he needs his own forces, his own manpower, he needs to have confidence, he needs the support of the people, and he needs word of mouth, praise and prestige.

Going on the expedition is the best way. Externally, it is the best means.

Killing captives is the best and fastest way to accumulate prestige and reputation.

And military power and military prestige are the most needed and precious things for Zhu Yongxing at present. After a battle, those troops and men are his subordinates. The Emperor intended to give him all these forces. When he succeeds to the throne in the future, even if he is not strong enough elsewhere, he can still use force to suppress it!

So, this is the best thing the emperor can think of.

"Prince! I have high hopes for you! For the sake of the Great Zhou, for the sake of the court, and for the sake of the people, you should take on the responsibility of being the crown prince! The emperor made the final decision and didn't give Zhu Yongxing a chance to say no.

"The minister is willing to ask for his life to assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in driving out the Tartars and pacifying the Yan'an Tartars!" Yu Bohong knelt down and begged for his life.

He wanted to go. He had to go.

He felt that if he didn't go, he would be sorry for his daughter and son-in-law. If he goes, he may be able to balance the situation in the future. In case the emperor has other ideas in the future, he will be there and it will be much easier.

But he never imagined......

"Yu Aiqing took the initiative to ask for help, and sure enough, it was my big Zhou Dongliang! But internal and external troubles, Yu Aiqing still has to stay in the court, so I can feel more at ease! Rest assured, the person who assisted the prince has already made plans. ”

The emperor actually rejected Yu Bohong.

Yu Bohong was stupid.

He and King Yan'an have become in-laws, and it is most suitable for him to go. And several fierce generals close to the emperor have already set out to fight, and it's time for their turn, isn't it? ……

The emperor decided that it was his personal guard who would be sent to assist the crown prince.

The emperor would rather send his own personal guard commander out to lead the troops. But the commander of the guard, when has there been a precedent for going on an expedition?

Yu Bohong immediately understood that the emperor just didn't want him, a person who already had a relationship with Yan'an, to go.

Does this just prove that the emperor really has plans for Yan An? Really...... Does the emperor have the idea of clearing all the chaos for King Xing, including sweeping away the hidden dangers of Yan'an? It's hard not to think so.

Oh, although the emperor is not enough to doubt himself, he is also worried that once he is involved, he will stand in the way, right?

Yu Bohong also felt that it was time to do something. He himself is fine, after all, the Yu family's founding merits have been passed down for generations, as long as they don't commit major crimes, they basically can't be shaken. But the daughter and grandson are already from Yan'an, and the situation is really dangerous, so they have to be saved.

……