Strategic contraction is the strategy that Zhu Youxiao once adopted.

Abandoning Quang Ninh and defending Ninh Yuan, shortening supply lines, equipping new weapons, practicing new tactics, and training non-commissioned officers and generals are all aimed at shrinking defense.

To put it bluntly, according to the equipment and combat strength of the Ming army at that time, the confrontation with Jiannu in Quang Ninh consumed huge amounts of money and was quite difficult.

Therefore, it is definitely a wise move to temporarily disengage, accumulate strength, and increase combat power.

The contraction of Jiannu is another reason, the most important thing is that Jiannu's men and horses, in the face of the Ming army's increasing combat strength, can no longer take care of the vast occupied area.

The division of troops and four guards has proved that it is impossible to defeat the Ming army locally, the five fingers are crossed and covered too much, but they are not covered tightly, and there is the danger of being cut off fingers, shrinking and clenching fists should be the right choice.

Right is right, but it doesn't mean it can turn things around. In other words, if they can hold on, who will give up and retreat?

Therefore, Jiannu's retreat is helpless, the lesser of two evils, but he doesn't want to continue to be consumed by the Ming army, and he is trying his best to support it.

Historically, under the situation that Mr. Sun was in charge of Liaodong, Mr. Yuan's naval offensives continued, and the Ming army in western Liaoning held on to Ningyuan, it also retreated and stopped for a few years.

But similar contraction actions are in a completely different situation. This point, whether it is Zhu Youxiao or many civilian and military generals, can see it clearly.

Without the rich plundering of Guangning's great victory, it was also thwarted in repeated launches, consumed the small amount of grain and materials left, and lost the three guards of Liaonan, what support did Jiannu rely on?

Many people even think that there is no need for major military action, and as long as the siege and blockade continue, Houjin will not last a year or two.

Zhu Youxiao also agreed with this, and expected that the famine in Houjin would break out, but he was not prepared to wait passively.

The war in Liaodong involved too much of his energy and consumed too much material and money of the Ming Dynasty, and the sooner it ended, the more beneficial it would be for the Ming Dynasty to refresh and survive the catastrophe.

But the emperor was anxious, but he was cautious in his actions, which also gave the courtiers some illusions. For example, Mr. Yuan proposed to take advantage of the victory to forge ahead, and wanted to move from Dengzhou to Lushun to command nearby.

There is no problem in taking advantage of the victory to forge ahead, and Gaizhou, which Jiannu has abandoned, will be occupied, or received.

But to continue to go deeper, Zhu Youxiao still thinks that it is too hasty. Jiannu has already accumulated troops, and the Ming army in southern Liaoning, plus the men and horses in Dengzhen, does not have an advantage in terms of troops.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao will arrange next year's winter and spring offensive. Western Liaoning, Southern Liaoning, and Eastern Liaoning launched at the same time, steadily advancing, and continued to compress the space for Jiannu's activities.

Moreover, according to intelligence, as well as the estimates of the Ministry of War and Martial Arts, Jiannu's material reserves can last for half a year at most. When the three parties launched, it was a difficult time for Jiannu to be in a difficult situation.

External forces plus internal factors, the tripartite launch is not able to solve the Jiannu once and for all, and it will also greatly consume its strength.

The various units of the Ming army continued to attack, it happened to be summer, and it was also a period when it was not suitable for the Jiannu war.

Pingliao next year!

Zhu Youxiao paced to the sand table, his eyes shifted to the coastal area of Gaizhou, and his eyes narrowed slightly. With the occupation of Gaizhou, western Liaoning and southern Liaoning will be connected to each other, and the strategic situation will be extremely favorable.

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The Ming Empire is vast. Jingshi is at the foot of the Son of Heaven, and the people are abundant. In addition, Zhu Youxiao's cleaning and sanitation campaign is even more refreshing.

For people in remote areas, coming to Beijing is like a country man going to the city. Not only is it dizzying, but it's also a little ashamed. Then, the awe of the Ming Empire rose in his heart.

This is not talking about anyone else, but the Liu Xingzuo brothers who were ordered to enter Beijing. Although I know the vastness of the Ming Empire and the large number of people, it is better to hear than to see.

The majestic city walls, the wide streets, and the crowds of people who came and went brought them a shock that they could never have imagined in the future.

When he came to Beijing, Liu Xingzuo first reported to the military department, and was personally received by Mr. Sun.

For the emperor's desire to publicize Liu Xingzuo's return to the Ming Dynasty anyway, Sun Chengzong agreed very much, and Yuan Keli also played a note, saying: "The slaves used the Chinese rebels to defend the four guards, and Liu Aita's surrender was to open the slaves with the two, and for a time the Chinese rebels were wiped out by the slaves." Because of the abandonment of gold and the restoration of the city, the captives raised 400 miles of mourning land to return to the territory. ”

To put it bluntly, Liu Xingzuo's gave Nurhachi a heavy psychological blow anyway. I didn't trust the Han officials and generals very much, and this blow made the old slave fall into madness.

Those Han officials who surrendered to Houjin were killed, and those who were deposed were deposed, almost breaking Houjin's arm. Without the Ming army's action, Houjin's strength dropped another level.

And the more courteous and reused Liu Xingzuo is, the more he slaps the old slave in the face, the more he angers him, and the more he weakens his strength.

At the same time, Liu Xingzuo can be reused and courteous, and he will also set an example for those Han officials and generals. It is also conceivable that there will be more anyway in the future.

But approval is approval, and Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli are still cautious about Liu Xingzuo's use. High-ranking officials can be rewarded, and gold and silver treasures can be rewarded, but let him continue to lead troops to fight, or observe.

Zhu Youxiao did not object to this, but his observation was to look at Liu Xingzuo's military talents, not to examine his loyalty.

After His Majesty saw him, Zhu Youxiao wanted to send the Liu brothers to martial arts, and then go to the Beijing Flying Cavalry for practical training, so as to let him lead the troops to fight in the winter and spring offensive next year.

The bad habits of soldiers as generals have been fundamentally changed because of the establishment of martial arts, not to mention Liu Xingzuo, even Zhang Pan, Kong Youde and other leading generals, and even Mao Wenlong, do not have the conditions to lead the troops to rebel.

The salaries and grains were paid by the imperial court and were managed by the overseers; Middle- and lower-ranking officers are also trained in martial arts and then assigned. Without private soldiers, it is obviously impossible to make the army follow with a few cronies.

Therefore, it is not too much of a problem to let Liu Xingzuo continue to lead the troops to fight. Moreover, because he has a better understanding of the reality of Jiannu and the topography of Liaodong, he has more advantages in commanding operations.

The emperor even thought that Liu Xingzuo could be used as a bait, didn't the old slave hate him like crazy, so he set up a clear banner, led the old slave to lead the troops to attack, and beat him all over the ground to find teeth.

Liu Xingzuo didn't know the emperor's thoughts, so he received the appointment from the Ministry of War, and also learned that the emperor was going to summon him, so he was so excited that he didn't close his eyes all night.

The next day, Cao Zhenghua, a brocade guard who returned to Beijing with the Liu brothers, accompanied them for a day in the capital and appreciated the prosperity at the feet of the Son of Heaven.

On the third day, officials from the Ministry of Rites came to the pavilion to teach Liu Xingzuo the etiquette of entering Beijing to see His Majesty. This is a normal procedure, Liu Xingzuo is also afraid of being rude, so he studies seriously, and he has no intention of getting bored until dinner.

"I'm going to enter the palace tomorrow to see Your Majesty, my brother is very much valued by Long Live and has a bright future!" Liu Xingren poured a glass of wine for his brother and toasted him.

Liu Xingzuo picked up the wine glass and saluted back, but he only took a sip, put down the wine glass and said with emotion: "At the beginning, I had the heart of returning to the inside, but I was also nervous, and I was deeply afraid that the court would condemn him, or doubt it and not accept it." ”

After a pause, Liu Xingzuo continued: "I never expected that it would alarm the Holy Hearing, and I had the trust of Long Live to succeed in one fell swoop anyway. ”

Liu Xingren was also very emotional, he was worried before, but now it seems so ridiculous, and he seems indecisive, and his heart is not sincere and resolute enough.

"It's already the job of the chief soldier, and a certain can be satisfied." Liu Xingzuo smiled, but showed a hint of bitterness and a little self-deprecation.

In his opinion, after Houjin is a deputy general, anyway, after being promoted to the general army, Ming Ting has fulfilled his promise. As for whether he can lead troops to fight in the future, he does not dare to hope for it.

Surrender to the general, although the Ming court once encouraged him with "Li Xianzhong of the Great Song Dynasty". But in reality, who dares to use it with confidence?

Liu Xingren also felt the same way, and comforted: "The eldest brother's heart to serve the country will be known to the court for a long time." Now that the old mother, wife and children are all safe, and they have settled down first, why rush for a while? ”

Liu Xingzuo smiled, raised his glass and said, "As my brother said." Come, drink, congratulate Mingjun, and return to Minghe for us. ”

Liu Xingren raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, knowing that his brother was still a little unwilling, but he could only prove himself with time and performance and win the trust of the imperial court.

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I can trust Liu Xingzuo, but the other ministers, as well as the generals of various ministries, may still be suspicious.

Although Zhu Youxiao decided to reuse Liu Xingzuo, he also knew that this was not just his own business.

In history, after Liu Xingzuo returned to the Ming Dynasty, because Yuan Keli had left Denglai, Mao Wenlong and Yuan Chonghuan could not be treated well, "Wenlong died and returned to Yuan Chonghuan, and they were all unhappy." ”

There is no need to be harsh, Mr. Yuan has a big mind and boldness, but Mao Wenlong and Yuan Chonghuan have formed their own mountains and have their own cronies available, not missing Liu Xingzuo.

Now it is a similar situation, Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong have a large number of generals with martial arts backgrounds, and one Liu Xingzuo is of little use.

After thinking about it for a long time, Zhu Youxiao felt that he should first let Liu Xingzuo go to martial arts for further study, and if he was a talent, he would be transferred to Beijing to serve. After some observation, it is safer to decide whether to let him lead the troops.

"Cao Zhenghua is doing very well, Liu Aita is doing it anyway, and he has contributed a lot." Zhu Youxiao listened to Cao Zhenghua's detailed report, praised him, and then said: "I intend to let you transfer to the military, what do you think?" ”

Cao Zhenghua turned his head and glanced at his boss, Luo Sigong, who had brought him to meet him, and did not dare to answer easily.

Luo Sigong smiled and said, "Long live appreciation, aren't you grateful?" ”

Cao Zhenghua hurriedly knelt down, kowtowed, and replied: "Long live what you refer to is what Weichen wants."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "You are familiar with Liu Xingzuo, so you will enter martial arts with him, and then go to Beijing for practical training together." ”

"Wechen obeys." Cao Zhenghua kowtowed and replied.

Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "Liu Xingzuo's heart is very strong anyway, and Jiannu is at the end of the road, I feel that it can be reused. But his background is obviously not easy to gain a foothold in the army. If you want to arrange it in the future, you will be his deputy, which is more familiar and suitable. ”

The words were not very thorough, but Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua understood. During the period of martial arts and practical training, Cao Zhenghua was also responsible for inspection. If Liu Xingzuo is allowed to lead the army, he will have the role of supervision and assistance.

"Wechen understands." Cao Zhenghua kowtowed again in reply.

"Well, let's get flat!" Only then did Zhu Youxiao let Cao Zhenghua get up.

Different levels have different treatments. Cao Zhenghua kowtowed a few more times, there was no discomfort in his heart, thinking that it should be so; The emperor also showed his majesty, the best of both worlds.

Turning his gaze to Luo Sigong, Zhu Youxiao explained: "The spying on the Mongolian tribes must not be relaxed. No one can say for sure, and the more accurate the information, the more convenient it will be to act in the future. ”

"Wechen doesn't dare to slack off, please rest assured." Luo Si bowed down to receive the order.

If Jiannu was destroyed, the Mongol tribes in the north would become a factor of instability. Spying and collecting intelligence, there is no trouble is one of them; Taking advantage of the catastrophe to subdue the Mongol tribes to the greatest extent was also one of the emperor's ambitions.

"Li Yangeng must not be treated harshly in prison." The emperor pursed the corners of his mouth, revealing a few sneers, "Luo Qing knows my plan. ”

"Hurrah rest assured." Luo Sigong bowed and replied: "Weichen will raise Li Yangeng to be white and fat, so as to be used later." ”

Zhu Youxiao nodded, pondered again, and said, "There are also those who surrendered, sent to Zhenjiang Fort, and led by Nala Zhongming." I also want to let out the wind and let Jiannu know. ”

"Yes, Wechen will arrange it as soon as he goes back."

Zhu Youxiao leaned back in the chair, relaxed, and said to Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua: "There is nothing else, Luo Qing and Cao Qing can retire." ”

"Wechen retired." Luo Sigong and Cao Zhenghua bowed down to receive the order and withdrew from the main hall.

Because of Liu Xingzuo's anyway, it caused civil strife in Jiannu, but the emperor was obviously not satisfied and wanted to continue to cause chaos in Jiannu.

The purpose of Zhu Youxiao was to take a multi-pronged approach, combining military action with disintegration and disintegration, and to shorten the process of Pingliao as much as possible.

In the past, it was civil strife in the imperial court, and the situation in Liaodong was corrupted by party strife; Now, Zhu Youxiao wants to turn around and let Jiannu also taste this taste.

The main reason why the Mongol tribes can't defeat Jiannu is that they are not united and cannot be united with the outside world; Houjin is not monolithic, and in the bad situation, it is difficult to guarantee that the people will not be discouraged.

As the saying goes: husband and wife are birds of the same forest, and they fly separately when disaster comes. Even husband and wife are still like this, let alone the robber group of Houjin.

On the one hand, there is increasing military pressure and an increasingly bad situation; On the other hand, it serves as an example and a banner and Nala is loyal and surrendered.

Zhu Youxiao could foresee that the first to flee from the wrecked ship of Houjin was the Mongolian vassals who were attached to Houjin; The second is the Han soldiers who are not reused and used as cannon fodder.

In the end, of course, it is the Jurchen tribes who want to save their lives. For example, the descendants of Yehe, Hada, Ula, and Huifa, who originally belonged to the Haixi Jurchens, as well as the Woji Department and the Wuji Department, which originally belonged to the East China Sea Savage Jurchens, and so on.

And it was precisely because Nurhachi unified the Jurchen tribes and plundered a large number of people from the Jurchens, the savages of the East China Sea, that the Later Jin had the strength to compete with the Ming Dynasty.

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