After listening to Li Xiao talk about his second mistake, Zhu Youjian stood there blankly without speaking.
Obviously Zhu Youjian also acquiesced in his mistake.
What Li Xiao said were facts, and he had no way to refute them.
Zhu Youjian could only stand there and wait quietly for his next fatal mistake to come.
Looking at Zhu Youjian's appearance, Li Xiao didn't hesitate too much.
He said in a deep voice: "Zhu Youjian, your first fatal mistake was your lack of experience in rectification and choosing the wrong time to kill Wei Zhongxian."
"Let the Donglin Party take the opportunity to rise and eat away at the foundation of the Ming Dynasty."
"The second fatal mistake is to be indecisive and not decisive enough to kill."
"I directly missed two opportunities to kill Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, which made them a problem later and completely overturned the Ming Dynasty."
"As for your third fatal mistake, you are stubborn, suspicious, and self-destroying the Great Wall!"
Hearing Li Xiao talk about his third fatal mistake, Zhu Youjian turned his head.
He didn't offer any rebuttal.
Because every mistake Li Xiao has said so far is real and is his own shortcoming, and he can't hide it even if he wants to.
But now, Li Xiao says he destroyed the Great Wall himself.
He was a little confused about this.
As the emperor of the Ming Empire, how could he destroy the Great Wall?
Even if he was an emperor with many flaws, he would not be stupid enough to destroy the Great Wall.
Immediately, Zhu Youjian looked at Li Xiao: "Li Xiao, you said I destroyed the Great Wall myself."
"Where do you start talking about this?"
"I know I made a lot of mistakes, but at least I was working hard for the Ming Dynasty."
"How could I be so stupid as to do something that would destroy the Great Wall?"
"Even though I'm not a wise man, I still know what I shouldn't do."
Zhu Youjian really wanted to think about what he had done recently to destroy the Great Wall.
After hearing Zhu Youjian's words, Li Xiao replied calmly: "Zhu Youjian, do you still remember Yuan Chonghuan?"
"Think about it for yourself now, are you destroying the Great Wall by killing Yuan Chonghuan?"
"Yuan Chonghuan?" Zhu Youjian murmured, and the look on his face changed a little.
The name Yuan Chonghuan is definitely no stranger to Zhu Youjian.
Zhu Youjian ordered not many people to be killed in his life, and even fewer court officials.
And this Yuan Chonghuan was one of the few high officials of the imperial court who Zhu Youjian ordered Ling Chi to execute.
Before he ordered Yuan Chonghuan to be late, Zhu Youjian also regarded Yuan Chonghuan as the savior of the Ming Dynasty and a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty.
They also hoped that Yuan Chonghuan could lead troops to subdue the Liaodong area, and put all the treasure on Yuan Chonghuan.
But a person that Zhu Youjian valued and trusted so much was finally executed by Zhu Youjian under the order of Ling Chi.
Yuan Chonghuan was also charged with treason for colluding with foreign enemies.
Speaking of Yuan Chonghuan, we have to first talk about the situation in Liaodong at the end of the Ming Dynasty.
In fact, Houjin has been slowly rising since Wanli's later years.
Nurhaci, with his ancestors and father's legacies, raised thirteen troops and unified all the ministries in Jianzhou.
It successively annexed the Haixi Jurchen and the East China Sea Jurchen, and unified the Jurchen tribes in the Northeast.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country was named Jin, and it was known as Hou Jin in history.
After Nurhachi established the Later Jin Dynasty, his power became more and more powerful, and he focused on the declining Ming Dynasty.
Since the failure of the Battle of Sarhu, the Ming Dynasty changed from offensive to defensive.
We have lost the initiative and control of the battlefield.
The situation in the Liaodong region has basically been controlled by Hou Jin. Although the Ming Dynasty was not defeated, it basically lost control of northern Liaoning.
They can only huddle up and defend in the Liaodong area.
During the Tianqi years, Hou Jin became more and more eyeing on the Ming Dynasty.
They constantly sent troops and horses to invade the borders of the Ming Dynasty and plunder the people and caravans of the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming army, which had already lost power, had nothing to do when facing the Houjin Iron Cavalry, which was at the peak of its integrity.
In addition, there were constant party disputes within the Ming court at the rear.
Whether it is the Donglin Party or the Eunuch Party, the battle between them has spread to the frontline battlefield.
Not only did the leaders of the Ming army change frequently, but even military aircraft orders were sometimes contradictory and unclear.
This is the strategic plan today, but in a few days we may have a different idea.
The court's lack of clarity on frontline orders also led to the Ming army's hesitation and procrastination when fighting Houjin.
Even the struggle between the two parties above the court will affect the supply of military pay and food.
The Ming court's command was chaotic, and the Ming army on the front line had no confidence and no fighting spirit.
Coupled with the logistical supplies that cannot be kept up with in time.
Such a Ming army was completely incompetent against the Houjin army, which was almost at its peak. It was no match at all.
The Ming army suffered successive defeats against the Hou Jin army in the Liaodong region and continued to shrink its defense line.
This state lasted until the death of Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youxiao and the accession of Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian to the throne.
After Zhu Youjian ascended the throne, the rise of Hou Jin and the rebellions of Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong in the northwest became the two most difficult things for the Ming Dynasty.
Hou Jin was outside and constantly coveted the Ming Dynasty.
Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, among others, continued to impact the rule of the Ming Dynasty.
The Hou Jin Dynasty and the peasant army revolting in the northwest have become two serious problems for the Ming Dynasty.
However, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong have always been internal loyalists, and they are also farmers with little fighting ability.
Therefore, the Ming court's focus was always on the Liaodong region, and on Hou Jin.
The Ming court did not expect to recover the Liaodong region from the beginning, but planned to stabilize the situation in the Liaodong region first.
After stabilizing the situation at the border and ensuring that the Ming Dynasty would not be invaded by foreigners, they turned back to deal with the peasant uprisings Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong in the northwest.
In fact, the Ming court's idea was correct.
After all, the peasant rebel army in the northwest was always far behind in combat effectiveness compared to Hou Jin's cavalry.
The cavalry of Hou Jin were professional, and each of them was brave and good at fighting. It was very difficult for Ming's regular army to deal with them.
The peasant uprising army in the northwest is just a ragtag group of common people and bandits who have no food to eat.
Although there were several larger forces such as Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, in the eyes of the Ming court, they were just a few bandits with a larger number of people.
After the situation at the border has stabilized, some Ming regular troops at the border will be transferred back.
It only takes a matter of minutes to eliminate the rabble like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong.
Therefore, from the beginning, the war against the Liaodong region was the Ming court's top priority.
At the beginning, the Ming court thought that the Ming army coach in Liaodong was not good enough.
Therefore, it was planned to replace and adjust personnel from the beginning, hoping to change the situation in Liaodong in the future by changing the leader.
Several Liaodong coaches appointed by the Ming Dynasty were unable to prevent Hou Jin from encroaching on the Liaodong region because of the partisan strife within the Ming Dynasty.
At that time, the Ming Dynasty was in disarray.
The Eunuch Party and the Donglin Party almost took turns sending people to Liaodong to lead troops.
Because they both dislike each other and don't want the military power at the border to be held by the other party's people.
Moreover, if we can really handle the war at the Liaodong border, it will be an absolute great achievement.
Therefore, whether it is because of the control of this military power, or for the possible subsequent military exploits.
Neither the Eunuch Party nor the Donglin Party are willing to let go.
When the two parties fight, the most uncomfortable people are the soldiers of the Ming army at the border.
Their commanders were replaced every three days. Before they even got to know this one, another one came.
One order today and another order tomorrow.
The Ming army officers and soldiers at the border didn't know how to carry out the execution.
Morale, which was already somewhat low, became even lower after being treated like this by the Ming court.
Moreover, due to the constant replacement of the Ming army's generals, the efficiency of the Ming army in Liaodong was extremely low.
A combat order was issued, but no one carried it out for several days.
The Ming army's low morale, chaotic military discipline, and low efficiency allowed Hou Jin to seize the opportunity.
The troops of Hou Jin continued to encroach on the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and the Liaodong region gradually fell into the hands of Hou Jin.
Even Hou Jin's cavalry once approached the three customs, and the Eight Banners soldiers pointed directly outside the customs.
Under such internal and external troubles, Zhu Youjian made frequent mistakes.
After he killed Wei Zhongxian, he escorted the Donglin Party.
But he didn't want to be the Donglin Party, which was even worse than what he wanted. It had almost no effect on the current severe situation of the Ming Dynasty.
Later, Zhu Youjian re-activated Yuan Chonghuan on the recommendation of the courtiers.
Yuan Chonghuan was appointed as the Minister of War and the right deputy censor of the capital, supervising Ji Liao, Denglai, and Tianjin military affairs.
Although his official position was not high, Zhu Youjian gave Yuan Chonghuan great power.
Almost all the military power in the north was handed over to Yuan Chonghuan. This may show the degree of Zhu Youjian's trust in Yuan Chonghuan at that time.
Yuan Chonghuan did not live up to Zhu Youjian's trust in him at the beginning.
He began to adjust the Ming army in Liaodong and began to rectify the morale and military discipline of the Ming army.
He began to actively defend with a plan and would seize the opportunity to counterattack Hou Jin's army.
At the beginning, it was because of Yuan Chonghuan's series of methods and commands.
The situation of the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong has indeed undergone some changes, which can even be said to be visible to the naked eye.
The Ming army, which was originally suppressed by Hou Jin, now had the confidence to fight against Hou Jin's cavalry.
Although Hou Jin was not completely defeated, the lost land in Liaodong was not recovered.
However, Yuan Chonghuan greatly improved the morale of the Ming army, and he did not fall behind in several battles with the Hou Jin army.
This stabilized the entire situation in Liaodong and did not allow Hou Jin to take another step beyond the thunder pool.
It can be said that it basically stabilized the situation in Liaodong and stabilized the border for a period of time.
Seeing that Yuan Chonghuan had contained the deterioration of the situation in Liaodong, Zhu Youjian was very happy.
Thinking that he made the right bet, it was a very wise decision to use Yuan Chonghuan.
After that, Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian summoned Yuan Chonghuan on the platform.
He also gave Yuan Chonghuan the Shangfang sword and gave Yuan Chonghuan the power to "kill first and then report".
He also verbally promised that Yuan Chonghuan could handle all border affairs on his behalf.
Faced with Zhu Youjian's trust and respect, Yuan Chonghuan also promised Zhu Youjian to "return to the Liao Dynasty in five years."
It is necessary to completely conquer the Liaodong region within five years and make Ming Dynasty once again stand on top of the world.
After gaining the supreme power granted by Zhu Youjian, Yuan Chonghuan became more comfortable and convenient in presiding over Liaodong's military affairs.
Under his series of efforts and reforms, the discipline and combat effectiveness of the Ming army were greatly improved.
It didn't take long before the battle at Ningyuan broke the myth that the Eight Banners soldiers of the Later Jin Dynasty were invincible.
This move completely boosted the morale of the Ming army and gave the Ming court hope of conquering Liaodong.
Zhu Youjian also looked forward to the changes in the situation in Liaodong.
If he can conquer the Liaodong region in his hands, it will definitely be a great achievement.
Not to mention being written into the history books, at least this is where he, as an emperor, can brag to future generations.
So at the beginning, Zhu Youjian was very relieved when facing the Liaodong area where Yuan Chonghuan was in charge.
He even looked forward to Yuan Chonghuan's "five-year restoration of the Liao Dynasty".
Zhu Youjian almost met all of Yuan Chonghuan's requirements.
If you want money, give money, if you want food, give food, if you want soldiers, give soldiers.
With Zhu Youjian's unconditional support from behind, Yuan Chonghuan also began to show his talents in the Liaodong region.
During this period, he used a red cannon to injure Nurhaci, the founding emperor of the Later Jin Dynasty.
Nurhaci of Houjin died shortly after being bombarded.
Because of Nurhachi's death, Houjin, which was booming, stopped its upward momentum.
And because of Nurhachi's death, Houjin even fell into civil strife to seize power.
The Ming court was extremely excited after learning the news.
Zhu Youjian even felt that this was God's will.
This was God's will for him to regain Liaodong and write a heavy page in his merit book.
This time, Zhu Youjian believed in Yuan Chonghuan even more.
Regarding the appointment of Yuan Chonghuan, Zhu Youjian felt that this decision was too correct.
Due to the power seizure within the Hou Jin Dynasty, they had no time to take care of the Ming court.
Even if the latter two Huang Taiji succeeded to the throne, not everyone would obey him, and Huang Taiji's throne would be extremely unstable.
Mongolia and Korea also looked around and did not join the team immediately.
Therefore, for a while, the Liaodong area became extremely peaceful.
This timing was extremely favorable for the Ming Dynasty.
Yuan Chonghuan did not miss this opportunity and began to launch a counterattack against Houjin.
Under the civil strife of Hou Jin, the Ming army led by Yuan Chonghuan took the opportunity to regain a lot of lost territory.
For a time, both the morale of the Ming army at the border and Yuan Chonghuan's prestige increased invisibly and crazily.
The evaluation of Yuan Chonghuan within the Ming court is getting higher and higher.
The situation in Liaodong is increasingly leaning towards the Ming court.
In the eyes of everyone at the time, if this trend continues.
Yuan Chonghuan's "restore the Liao Dynasty in five years" is definitely not an empty talk, but it is entirely possible to realize it.
(End of chapter)
