Zhu Cizhao, who had never been able to fight in his previous life, relied on good luck to achieve the unparalleled feat of restoring the Annan vassal state. In this life, he served in the army with his hair hanging open. He went into battle as a young man and experienced dozens of battles. His bravery in the army was no less than that of Zhu Cixuan and Zhu Cijiong, professional soldiers.
Moreover, Emperor Chongzhen had already begun to train him to be King Annan, so in the past few years after he graduated from the guard corps, he fought with Mu Tianbo in Myanmar to suppress the chieftains who rebelled from time to time. During this period, he was also invited by Mo Jingyao, the leader of Annan, to send troops from Yunnan to Gaoping to support the Mo regime that had surrendered to the Ming Dynasty against the regime of Zheng who had hijacked the Emperor of Li to control Annan.
Although the Ming Dynasty's national policy at the time still regarded Annan as a "country not to be conquered", Zhu Cizhao only persuaded the defeated army of the fifth generation Zheng Lord, Annan Dingxi King Zheng Zao. But after this battle, he became very clear about the domestic situation in Annan and the balance between the "four masters" Zheng, Ruan, Mo and Wu. He also knows how to conquer Annan and become the king of Annan.
It turns out that the political and economic centers of Annan in this era were in the north, that is, on Lord Zheng's territory, and the population was mainly concentrated in the north. The territory of the Ruan Lord in the south is small, the population is sparse, and the economy is not very developed. The troops that can be mobilized are only one-fifth of the Zheng Lord in the north. However, the Ruan Lord in the south is better at copying Western military technology, so Zheng Zheng will lose almost every battle against the Ruan Lord.
However, although Lord Zheng is often defeated, it is not easy to destroy Lord Zheng. Firstly, although Lord Zheng's troops are weak, his equipment is actually not bad. He has a large number of matchlock guns in the army. Annan has been fighting and has been in contact with Westerners relatively early, and he is also good at using firearms. Therefore, the armies of the Four Lords of Annan not only had a large number of matchlocks, but also a large number of sharpshooters. Be careful with black guns when fighting them!
Secondly, the terrain of Annan was unfavorable to the Northern Army (the Ming army attacking from the north). There were many rivers in the north of Annan, which was not conducive to the cavalry advance. Moreover, the Northern Army, which lacked naval forces, could easily be blocked by the large rivers of Annan. Over time, supply problems are prone to occur, and epidemics are also prone to epidemics in the military.
Therefore, in order to pacify Annan, targeted arrangements must be made.
The first is to equip the troops with flintlock muskets that can be equipped with bayonets so that they can use the firepower of the flintlock muskets to inflict devastating damage to the enemy. The elite soldiers of the Zheng family suffered heavy casualties in the battle with the Ruan family a few years ago. Their strength has not yet recovered. As long as they can kill hard one more time, there will not be many left.
The second is to take advantage of the sea and advance by sea. The terrain of Annan is long and narrow, and the coastline is even longer, so it is very difficult to march by land, but it is much easier to march by sea. If we can first occupy the mouth of the Red River, then build river boats, and then travel upstream on the Red River, we will definitely be able to defeat Thang Long.
Third, the banner of King Li must be raised high. Although King Li of Annan Kingdom has long been out of power, he has always been praised as Zhengshuo.
Therefore, Zhu Cizhao was able to march in the name of restoring the power of King Li, and then created a situation where all the kings of Li were killed by the rebels of Lord Zheng, leaving only the young daughter. If Zhu Cizhao's son is allowed to marry the Li princess, it will be a matter of course for Zhu to replace Li...
In other words, the plan to seize Annan has been in place for a long time, and it seems quite feasible. It only requires a few million investment!
That’s right, you still need to attract investment!
Although Zhu Cizhao followed the path of feudal militarism, his expansion goals were too far-reaching and his strength was not weak. This is not a village war. Go out for a walk and annex a few cottages next door.
This time, they have to send troops thousands of miles away to Annan. While sending troops, they also need to prepare to relocate their families and recruit a group of soldiers nearby in Guangxi and Yunnan... Without millions of military expenditures, it is impossible to succeed.
And millions of military expenditures cannot be raised by feudal warlords, they can only rely on capitalist profiteers!
In a large house in Siwang Castle, in a bedroom with an unusually simple decoration style, Zuo Mengmei was looking after the "treason contract" for Zhu Ci with the help of dim lights.
After looking at it for a long time, I was still confused.
I don't understand...I don't know where the country was sold?
"My lord, you just said that this is a treasonous contract, but I don't think there is any treason at all? The conditions given to us by His Highness are quite generous..."
"It's just that you don't understand!" Zhu Cizhao had already finished washing and changed into a pair of comfortable silk pajamas. He was leaning on the warm bed with his legs crossed and looking at his wife with a smile.
"Your Highness, can you tell where the country has been betrayed?" Zuo Mengmei said, "Firstly, without ceding the land, and secondly, without paying tribute... How can there be betrayal of the country? And there is nothing wrong with paying back debts. You can also use the land. Credit the account..."
"How do I know this?" Zhu Cizhao said with a smile, "Father said it all, I can't be wrong! Father said that my eldest brother is the most profiteer in the world, and even if he gets a loss-making business, he can turn it around. So Ananguo will definitely suffer a big loss!
But if eldest brother doesn't have this ability, I will be defeated by my father sooner or later! "
There is no better son than a father! Although Chongzhen didn't know that Zhu Cixi would exploit Annanguo in this way, he knew that Annanguo would be severely exploited by him.
"Have you ever said that about Long Live Lord?" Zuo Mengmei glared at Zhu Cizhao angrily, "Long Live Lord is the most holy king in history!"
"Hey, don't you know about my father? He is a man who enjoys great achievements and is very aggressive in military affairs... he can spend more money than Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty!" Zhu Cizhao said, "If it weren't for my eldest brother who was filling holes for him, The Ming Dynasty will be defeated sooner or later!"
Zuo Mengmei frowned when she heard Zhu Cizhao comparing Chongzhen to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. She had read history books, so of course she knew what happened to Liu Zhi, the prince of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty!
Zhu Cizhao saw Zuo Mengmei's expression and said with a smile: "My father is still self-aware... Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. It's getting late. Let's rest early. We have to see the people under our hands tomorrow. Where are the retainers!
They have been looking forward to sending troops for a long time... If they don't send troops, when will they get high-ranking officials and generous salaries? "
...
At this time, Zhu Cixiang had already passed Huai'an and boarded the canal boat heading south. This boat is a large passenger ship specially built for Zhu Cixiang's exclusive use. It has a huge internal space, is sturdy and comfortable.
Waterships do not sail at night, so Zhu Cixiang's official ship is also docked at the dock at this moment. The cabin where Zhu Cixiang is located is still brightly lit. His Royal Highness, who has spent his life mending holes in the Ming Dynasty, is giving Zheng Zhilong, Shen Tingzhi, Liu Xiang, Li Guozhu and others wrote letters recommending the Annan project.
Annan’s project is certainly huge!
Because Zhu Cizhao can't pay off his debts in this life... How can he be asked to pay off? Even if he used 2 million acres of land to pay for the current 5 million, Zhu Cixiang would still make him owe new debts.
In order to repay the debt, Annan's minting rights and customs rights must be handed over. Of course, the trading port must also be contracted by Zheng Zhilong, Shen Tingzhi, Liu Xiang, and Li Guozhu.
In addition, there will be many "Shangtun" (large farms) owned by Ming merchants in Annan.
In short, this transaction must not be a loss! Not only do you not lose money, but you can also make a fortune!
Once this project is completed, there will be a precedent for feudal expansion after Zhu Youjian to follow. By then Zhu Cihong will be able to win all these loss-making projects...
