In the past 20 years, I have given the impression of the Ming monarchs and ministers: cunning and knowledgeable.

In the battle of Lotus Leaf Mountain, his subordinate was unexpectedly defeated by Li Jin, and it was I who saw the determination of the Ming Emperor to implement the new law, and organized the large-scale southern invasion of the Khan Court.

But that time, after he defeated the Ming army in Yutailing, he relied on the initiative to create a situation in which Bodi went deep into Xuanfu, and then quickly withdrew, allowing Daming to concentrate on encircling Bodi, and finally became the "reinforcements" of Chahar and other departments, rescued them, and formed some good fate.

In the eleventh year of Jiajing, the Ming Dynasty marched northward, but I gave up Fengzhou Beach, leaving Ordos Wanhu and Yongxie Bu Wanhu to become a lone army. With these two ten thousand households as bait and evidence, he used the great enemy of the Ming Dynasty to unite the rest of the tribes and became the lord of the Khan Court.

But then, he took avoiding the edge of the Ming Dynasty as his main strategy, avoiding the important and light, and focusing mainly on the western expedition.

Now the Ming Dynasty is full of smoke, and the judgment of the Ming monarchs and ministers is that I have a clear answer to the situation and the comparison of strength, which is to incite many vassal states, and want the Ming Dynasty to continue to lose national strength on all sides, and finally change the strategy.

But when the army of more than 300,000 approached Xuanning in Hetao, Zhu Houxi's expression became grim.

"More than 300,000? Are you kidding! Zhu Houxi stood up and stared at Ma Fang, who came specially.

"Can't be wrong!" Ma Fang replied with certainty, "Now it is only slowly moving south." Of the more than 300,000 people, most of them are herdsmen, but at least a few of them came south with cattle, sheep and horses. It seems to be a migration, but in fact it supplies the army first. There were not many horses, probably to be stronger, and then they were driven from the north to the south. The minister lost more than 20 sentry horses and went deep to find out the news! ”

The atmosphere was solemn.

The judgment of the Ming monarch and ministers was wrong, that is, the real idea of the fight of the emperor, who had escaped for so many years, was to fight head-on.

It was already the end of summer, and in the face of the northern captives who could be regarded as a nest attack, Zhu Houxi looked at Ma Fang, who was still very young, and his mind was finally more transparent.

Qinggan, Waidian, Jiaozhi, North Korea...... There are movements in several directions, and although Daming is mainly defensive, he has to defend.

The Eastern Crusade is the first step of the Ming Dynasty, and this step, the Ming Dynasty wants to do it simply and neatly. Reflected in the specific arrangement, it is Xia Yan, Tang Shunzhi, Zhang Jing, and Yu Dayou...... So many famous ministers and generals have all gone in that direction.

Now, they can't get back.

The problem left to the northern border of the Ming Dynasty is: the civil and military ministers are not the first echelon figures of the Ming Dynasty.

If I still rely on attacks and harassment, then with the blessing of armaments, it is not a big problem to hold on.

But in the largest national war for survival in more than 20 years, will the generals of Hetao and Xuanning beat drums in their hearts right now?

Ma Fang hasn't really proven himself yet.

Zhu Qi and Li Quanli have both passed away, Guo Xun is dying of old age, and he has long been unable to get on the horse, and I am afraid that his death will be a matter of these two years.

In fact, if it weren't for the different circumstances in this life, Guo Xun would be dead now. He was impeached in the twentieth year of Jiajing and sent to prison in Jinyiwei, and died in prison the following year. I haven't experienced this now, but I'm seventy years old, do you have the courage to deal with such a big war?

Mao Bowen ...... It's also a little worse, he's only a temporary transition.

There are brave generals like Ma Fang here, but there are no handsome talents who can preside over several aspects.

The decisive battle that Zhu Houxi had in mind arrived, but he found that in this situation, it was best for Daming to just hold it first.

But Da Ming is the strongest in the world! If I answered that the energy of the Ming Dynasty and more than 100,000 border troops would be pressed to the north like this, and if I were to defend passively, I could only hold a few cities in this place where the Great Wall had not yet been built.

So what are the achievements of the development of Xuanning in Hetao in the past ten years? Those fertile fields, pastures, mines, villagers...... They are all the objects of my plunder.

Even if Zhu Houxi drove the Xuanfu, the military preparations made by Xuanning in Hetao were only to hold the pass in the midst of the attack, and not to let the northern captives in. The direction of the research and judgment is Liaodong and North Korea, and for this reason, there are even 30,000 Beijing battalion generals who have gone over and pretended to reinforce Dongying.

"Move to Datong!" Zhu Houxi made a decision, "In this battle, I agree to take the Hetao and Fengzhou Beach!" Daming more than ten years of construction achievements, he wants to take back. If you want to force Da Ming back to the side wall, regain the lost ground and shake your prestige, you can't let him succeed! Summoned Zeng Milling and Zheng Xiao to see you in Datong! Spread the message to Mao Bowen and Li Mo, and let them also come to Datong. Lu Bing, transfer all the special operations battalions. Datong to Beijing line, you arranged! Escort the concubines back to Beijing! ”

arranged many things in one go, namely the governor Hetao, Zeng Mo and Zheng Xiao of Xuanning, and the time came to really test their ability.

In the face of the worries that the middle and low-level generals may have about their abilities, what Zhu Houxi can do at present is to get close to the front line first.

Two northern expeditions, the royal car is there.

The third time, no exception.

When the urgent report was transmitted back to the capital, Yang Shen was naturally shocked, and then he couldn't help but find Cui Yuan, Yu Chengye and Guo Xun: "At this time, Xun Qi should go to the king's worries together!" Old man, you should go! Brother Cui, Mao Xian, money, food! ”

Guo Xun nodded silently, clasped his fists and saluted: "If you can die on the battlefield, you will be worthy of Your Majesty's grace." ”

The emperor didn't name him, but Guo Xun felt he should go.

Dying on the battlefield or something, it's unlucky, and there's no possibility, at most, the body really collapsed and died of illness in the border area.

But when he returned to the place where the exploits of this life really began, he did not respond to the comments of the outside world and his heart.

He Guo Xun didn't get the favor of the emperor by shooting the emperor's horses at the beginning, and he didn't borrow Yu Dayou's light to have such a status.

At this age, why not be more loyal?

Guo Xun began to ask Zhu Houxi for his life with this mentality, and Cui Yuan He Yu Chengye also understood what Yang Shen meant.

This was a war on a larger scale than the Eastern Crusade, and the Ming Dynasty had to quickly shift from a military focus to an eastern crusade to a military crusade to deal with the Northern Crusade. If the military needs of North Korea and Dongying cannot be cut off, then they can only cut out new money and food.

If we insist on not increasing the burden on the people, at this moment, only the enterprises under the Emperor Assets Bureau can respond faster.

"Uncle Cai, I intend to halve the salaries of officials this year." Yang Shen looked at Huang Zuo again, "If you stay up until next year, I should also resign, just say that I am a strong advocate!" ”

"General Auxiliary ...... I'll do the work of the hundred officials. Huang Zuo bent down solemnly.

"Chang Pingbo, who do you want to take, you just order!"

Yang Shen spoke to Li Mo again, Li Mo is now the Minister of State, and the emperor ordered him to go over, naturally to let him be responsible for logistics in the Xuanfu after seeing him.

At this moment, Yang Shencai saluted Zhu Zaiqi: "His Royal Highness the Prince, there is something wrong with these arrangements, please give instructions." ”

Yan Song looked at Yang Shen silently.

He was a student of Yang Tinghe, and Yang Shen was Yang Tinghe's son.

Now, Yang Shen, who is eight years younger than him, has the momentum of his words at this moment, and even the posture arranged by himself is first of all.

But he is the crown prince, and the ministers in the palace don't think that Yang Shen is too strong now.

The sentence that he should resign until next year shows that he just has to take on heavy responsibilities at this time.

After being the prime minister and minister of state for several years, Yang Shen has not yet reached sixty, and his head is gray, which is in everyone's eyes.

Yan Song suddenly felt that His Majesty had not let him sit in that position, was it because he had something less than Yang Shen.

Zhu Zaiqian nodded with a serious expression: "There's nothing wrong with it." There is only one point, do you still do what your father said, and do not hide the feelings from the people? ”

There was a moment of silence.

I said before that I wouldn't hide it from the people, because although there were enemies on all sides, they were not strong, and they were not so terrible.

But now it is more than 300,000 elite soldiers and people from the north who are pouring south, which may evoke bad memories and cause panic.

Yan Song stood up and said, "I think there is no need to hide it!" In the "Ming Pao", it is necessary to publicize the results of His Majesty's two northern expeditions, and to tell the people that His Majesty has personally gone to Datong to defend the society and the fruits of 20 years of good governance. It is necessary to re-announce the words of the general assistant and not to give money, to publicize the donation of funds from wealthy families, to invent literature, and to recruit porters at a clear price to assist in the transportation of military supplies. It is necessary to declare the world: the northern captives took advantage of the Ming Dynasty to solve the Korean Dynasty, the Ryukyus, and the people of Dongying to invade the south and take the initiative to seek war, so after this war, the Ming Dynasty will have no trouble in the north! ”

"The family and the country are one, and the ministers think so!" Yang Shen also bent down, "Your Majesty once said that this battle is the battle of the Ming monarch and the people to shape the unity of the family and the country. Why to fight, how to win the war, after crossing this hurdle, the Ming Dynasty will build a new foundation, the top and bottom are the country, and the monarchs and ministers are all the people! ”

Zhu Zaiqian couldn't help but be a little excited, and then said: "I want to tell the world again, this summer's heavy rain, Huanghuai has no serious trouble, and the autumn grain is expected to be harvested." My father has ruled the river for more than ten years, and he can finally benefit all the people! Mr. Tang has made outstanding achievements and should be promoted! ”

"Your Highness has a point!" Yan Song's eyes moved, "Changping Bodu needs to transfer the troops of the Northern Expedition, and the Minister of State needs to make up for one of them, and the Minister of State of the Tang General River Administration is asked to lead the Ministry of Industry to ensure the ordnance manufacturing office!" ”

The crown prince is going to take the opportunity to show favor to some important ministers, but there is no need to avoid this matter.

was originally the person to be promoted in the plan, and the emperor asked him to come to supervise the country to train him.

On the capital's side, the response to the new situation has become a rope.

In the past 20 years or so, at least so many people in high positions have benefited from the new law. There may be some internal competition for position, but everyone understands the importance of this difficulty.

In the face of the invasion of the northern captives to the south, if there is really any bad result in this battle, then the upward momentum of the new law of the Ming Dynasty for so many years will be interrupted, and many strategies will have to be adjusted.

The rest is not terrible, but the terrible thing is that if those things happen, no one can say for sure what will happen next.

Even His Majesty approves of it, or thinks that everything has pros and cons. Daming is not without problems, but it is hidden under the current momentum of development. As long as there is enough time, it can be digested slowly and this new interest structure can be more and more stable.

Once this momentum of development was lost, even the emperor himself had to face the reality and adjust the strategic focus.

In that case, they, who currently occupy prominent positions, will naturally be the targets of adjustment.

This is the fundamental reason why we must now respond together.

At this moment, Daming's war machine was finally starting at full speed.

The public opinion propaganda and mobilization system built by Zhu Houxi, the material logistics response system with national relatives as the backbone, and the administrative system of many vertical ministries began to make every effort to deal with the unprecedented national war that will come this autumn and winter.

Guo Xun once again rushed to the border area with the Wanwu Beijing battalion, and the territorial armies of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, and Shandong provinces also transferred a part of each, totaling Wan2 to reinforce the northern border.

In this case, the remaining troops in the Beijing camp are already the least, and even the nearby troops are the most empty.

The external troubles are the most severe, and the internal worries should be prevented?

Even the Beijing battalion that "reinforced Dongying" could not be transferred back, because the reconnaissance team arranged by Ma Fang on the side of the Great Xing'an Mountains also reported the news: At the same time that the Beiyu had gathered such a large force in the north of Xuanning in Hetao, there was actually a group of about 20,000 people who crossed the Great Xing'an Mountains and went to Liaodong.

It seems that there have been looting of the Haixi Jurchens and Savage Jurchens in the past, but in this situation, it is obvious that it cannot be treated as such.

On the Datong side, Zhu Houyu was listening to the reports of those affiliated tribes, seeing their trembling appearances, Zhu Houyu also understood more why I did this.

Only by returning to the Hetao area can he curb the Khalkha Wanhu that has been infiltrated by the Ming Dynasty with "smuggling" trade for more than ten years.

There are indeed hidden worries in the Khan's court, and if I always dodge, I can't change this change, and in the end it will only usher in the outbreak of internal problems.

Now that he can mobilize so many troops and logistics personnel, it can only be said that perhaps the results of the "smuggling" between Khalkha Wanhu and Daming in the past ten years have also been intercepted by him.

If he succeeds in recapturing the Hetao and Fengzhou Beach, which are not defended by a border wall, then the construction of Daming here for more than ten years will be like a wedding dress for him.

Didn't he originally want to build a big city in Bansheng, develop agriculture and industry, and enhance his strength, but he lacked farmers and craftsmen? Now it seems that giving up Fengzhou Beach at the beginning seems to be done with the power of the Ming Dynasty.

Nowadays, there are not a few border people in the border areas.

Among them, some of them are attached to the Mongolian people, and if I am victorious, it is needless to say that I will surrender again; If the Han people who moved to the border area were also hit hard, then it would be difficult for the Ming Dynasty to encourage the people to migrate to the vassal kingdom later.

Looking at the aging Guo Xun, Zhu Houxi was silent.

It was he who sent Xia Yan, Tang Shunzhi, Yu Dayou, and Yan Chunsheng to Dongying, and now, only he brought the characters who seemed to be in the next class to deal with it.

But looking back on his efforts for more than 20 years, Zhu Houxi is not afraid.

"Do you still remember that when you are in Kaiping, you are only worried a little, and I will avoid Daming in the future?"

Guo Xun laughed when he heard this: "Yes, Xia Gongjin and Tang Yingde are still discussing how to set up bait in Tubo to seduce me." Now he has taken the initiative to come, Your Majesty, and the ministers congratulate Your Majesty! ”

"Well said!" Zhu Houxi patted Guo Xun on the shoulder, "Duke Yi Guogong also came with the Beijing camp, and the morale of the soldiers was already greatly boosted. This battle is dignified, and you don't need to go to the front line in person, and you don't need to spend your mind. Take good care of it, and return to Beijing triumphantly with me at that time! ”

Walking outside the temple, the north wind had risen.

Behind him, the reinforcements from Beijing and the four provinces were still marching, and Guo Xun arrived first with a light car.

Recruits also transported military supplies along the route from Beijing to Xuanfu, from Xuanfu to Zhangkou, or through the Sanggan River to Datong.

Beyond the mountains to the north, further north is the territory of the Ming Dynasty in the south of the Yin Mountain.

On the front line of Yinshan, a total of nearly 100,000 border troops are waiting for them.

To the north of Yinshan, in front of Altan were not only the elite cavalry of the Khan's court, but also a troop of Chagatai, as well as the slave soldiers he had captured from the west and north over the years.

"Expedition!"

(End of chapter)