The further north you go, the colder the weather becomes.
The Northern Expeditionary Army crossed Shanhaiguan before November and arrived at Liaodong, Ming Dynasty's last line of military defense in the Northeast.
Zhu Yuanzhang once said: "To the east of the Canghai, Liao is the first frontier. Since Zhongxia is peaceful, it must be defended."
Liaodong is a well-deserved military town. It is the military town with the largest number of garrison troops among the nine borders of the Ming Dynasty. There are hundreds of thousands of troops stationed there. There are no civilians here, only the army. Various garrison cities have been established according to the defense system.
After the Northern Expeditionary Army left Shanhaiguan, they arrived in Liaodong to borrow a road and temporarily camped in Guangning Mansion.
Liu Rong, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong who was located in Guangning Prefecture, Liaodong, quickly went out of the city to greet him. Although he would not send troops to follow King Qi to conquer Jianzhou, he could still have moral support.
The sergeants had a good meal and refreshed themselves in Guangning Mansion, while Zhu Gaojie, British Duke Zhang Fu, Cheng Guo Gong Zhu Yong, and Liaodong General Liu Rong were in Zhendong Hall to take stock of military information related to the founding of the state.
Guangning is the highest military and political authority in the northeastern region of the Ming Dynasty. There is Zhendong Hall built in the city, which is the "meeting hall" where the governor of Liaodong, the eunuchs of Liaodong, and the general military officer of Liaodong discuss and work. But now that Zhu Gaojie has arrived, the Zhendong Hall has become his temporary office location.
…
On the desk were maps of Jianzhou collected by Liaodong, the distribution of tribes, and relevant information about Jurchen tribes. Zhu Gaojie randomly picked out a piece and flipped through it, getting some ideas in his mind.
The Ming Dynasty stationed hundreds of thousands of troops in Liaodong, and its targeted enemies were always the Mongols, not the Jurchens. Before Li Chengliang resigned, the Jurchen tribes had been treated as dogs by the Liaodong General Soldier, and they implemented a strategy of continuous differentiation to make the Jurchens fight among themselves.
It was just that the Ming Dynasty did not expect that tiger breeding later became a problem. During the short vacancy after Li Chengliang resigned, Nurhachi completed the unification of Jianzhou, and then sent troops to defeat the Mongols, and the threat in the Northeast continued to expand.
The imperial court at the end of the Ming Dynasty was not up to par, with internal and external troubles and constant rebellions. The military defense line in Liaodong turned into a bottomless pit, and a series of negative buffs were lost to the Ming Dynasty.
Liu Rong drew on the map of Liaodong and said: "Your Majesty, according to the plan, you should lead the troops from Guangning, bypass Liaoze, station at Niuzhuang and station in Liaoyang, Shenyang, Kaiyuan, and then march from Kaiyuan to Jianzhou. …”
"Wait a moment." Zhu Gaojie suddenly said, "Why can't I go directly from Guangning to Kaiyuan and have to go around in such a long circle? I went directly from Guangning to Kaiyuan, and the journey is only three days. But according to you As I said, I had to walk almost a thousand miles and detour through most of Liaodong, which would have delayed more than ten days at least."
"My lord, I don't know. You have to go around Liaoze." Liu Rong said with a smile, "The upper water systems of the Liao River, such as the Laoha River, the Xilamulun River, and the Uli Jimuren River, flow into the wilderness of northeastern Liaoning. Due to flat and low-lying terrain and other reasons, the flow rate slowed down, the river bed was widened, and the river overflowed, forming a large swamp area of rivers and lakes in this area, and Liaoze was born. There were many underground floods, and outside the Yibao pier, residents were in danger. There is no smoke in sight, except for the faint sound of reeds. Liaoze is hundreds of miles away, so if you want to get from Guangning to Kaiyuan, you can only take a detour."
Zhu Gaojie nodded slightly. Of course he knew about Liaoze, a typical swamp wetland environment.
Liaoze is not only not conducive to travel, but the wetlands are suitable for breeding mosquitoes in summer and are difficult to cultivate. In the Ming Dynasty, Han people in Liaodong were unwilling to move here. The Ming Dynasty might as well stop using this area.
However, the Ming Dynasty blocked Liaoze to the north of the border wall, allowing the border wall in Liaodong to form a huge "V" shape. From a military perspective, this was a very serious mistake!
"General Liu, Liaoze only appears during the summer flood season every year. Starting from late autumn, when the rainy season ends and the swamps dry up, Liaoze will shrink and disappear." Zhu Gaojie said slowly, "It is winter now, and Liaoze can be called a desert. Tan Tu, do you think I still need to take a detour?"
Liu Rong's brain fell into a short circuit, because he suddenly realized that he had no way to defend himself - what King Qi said was so reasonable!
This also made Liu Rong suddenly realize a problem. The reason why the Ming Dynasty abandoned Liaoze was because Liaoze was a natural defense barrier and used swamps to restrict the Mongolian cavalry.
Near the southern bottom line of the Liaoze border wall, there is a city called "Niuzhuang". It was not only an important seaport in Liaodong in the Ming Dynasty, but also an important route connecting Liaoyang in Liaodong to Kaiyuanyuan and Guangning in Liaoxi to Shanhaiguan. It was a choke point.
Because the Ming army abandoned Liaoze, the Liaodong region was almost divided into two. Kaiyuan, Liaoyang and Guangning were unable to form support.
Now King Qi said that except for the rainy season, Liaoze is actually a very wide plain. Not to mention that there are no restrictions on cavalry, even infantry can travel freely...
I paid such a high price for abandoning Liaoze, but now you tell me that Liaoze actually has no restrictions on the Mongols?
It's not that Liu Rong has never thought about this issue before. He also discovered that Liaoze seemed to have military strategic value, but he never dared to report it to Zhu Di.
Because the person who made the decision to abandon Liaoze was Zhu Yuanzhang.
After Zhu Yuanzhang's death, "abandoning the strategic deployment in Liaoze" had become the ancestral system, and no one dared to disobey the ancestral system.
But now a prince named "Zhu Gaojie" suddenly broke into Liaodong and told everyone: "Hey! You are all so blind. Can't Liaoze leave now?"
This is really embarrassing.
Seeing Liu Rong's expression, Zhu Gaojie said seriously: "General Liu, the Ming Dynasty has been strong in the Northeast in recent years, so the disadvantages of abandoning Liaoze have never been revealed. But if Liaodong is weak, I don't need to say more about the consequences. Bar."
Liu Rong wiped the sweat from his forehead: "I will finally understand."
Because the Ming army was strong, it could always suppress the Mongols in the northeastern region, and there was no need for Liaoze to restrict the Mongols.
But once the Ming army is at a disadvantage against the Mongols, a strategic mistake in Liaoze, a key place, can allow the Mongols to advance directly and cut off the entire Liaodong, which is equivalent to handing over the country to others!
"I understand that General Liu has his own reasons and is unwilling to disobey Taizu's ancestral system." Zhu Gaojie suddenly said, "You can use my signature to demonstrate the interests and disadvantages of Liaoze to His Majesty as mentioned above."
Liu Rong's face condensed: "How dare you, general? Doesn't this mean that you, the prince, will take the blame for me, Liaodong?"
"No one can be immune to Ming's national interests."
Zhu Gaojie said with calm eyes, "If necessary, this person can be anyone, and I am no exception. Everyone can devote themselves to the Ming Dynasty. I am just lending a name, so why not?"
He said it very lightly, but Liu Rong knew in his heart how much pressure King Qi had to bear for lending this name!
Liu Rong couldn't help but be in awe: "This great righteousness is something that I will admire endlessly. Please accept Liu's worship! If your Majesty makes a request in the future, the Liaodong Army will surely respond!"
Zhu Gaojiao cupped his hands and said, "General, you're welcome. Your Majesty just did what you should do. I can't ask for anything more."
The British Duke Zhang Fu and the Cheng Guo Duke Zhu Yong wanted to dig out a three-bedroom apartment with their toes on the ground, hide themselves in the cracks in the ground and pretend to be dead!
Is this what they both should hear?
The 300,000 Liaodong Army, represented by Liu Rong, the Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong, had an ambiguous relationship with King Qi. If this matter spread, Liu Rong could be accused of "colluding with the prince", and he could be dismissed from office or beheaded in public. And King Qi will also be questioned!
You, King Qi and Liu Rong, can just talk about this in private. Why do you let us hear it? How embarrassing.
That's all Zhang Fu, he and Prince Qi's Mansion are on the same boat, and he may have many shady deals with Prince Qi behind his back.
But Zhu Yong felt that it was not appropriate for him to appear on this occasion. It was true that Duke Chengguo and King Qi were from the same faction, but the words of King Qi and Liu Rong should obviously only be heard by the confidants of Prince Qi. How could he Just listened!
Zhu Gaojie glanced at the embarrassed Zhu Yong and said, "Is Duke Cheng Guo feeling unwell? Why does he look so embarrassed?"
Zhu Yong hesitated and didn't know what to say.
Liu Rong also realized that something was wrong, and bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I will retire in advance. If anything happens, send someone to the General Military Mansion to inform the general. On behalf of the Liaodong Army, I will respond to your request!"
Zhu Gaojie nodded slightly, waved his hand and said: "General Liu, I will see you off not far away, please go slowly."
"Farewell."
After Liu Rong left, Zhu Gaojie turned his attention to Zhu Yong and raised his eyes: "Mr. Cheng Guo, are you feeling unwell?"
The corner of Zhu Yong's mouth twitched slightly: "No, no, the prince trusts me so much, I am deeply touched."
Zhu Gaojie patted Zhu Yong on the shoulder: "Mr. Cheng Guo, there are some things that are not a big deal once you understand them in your mind. But if you don't understand them, you will always be confused."
Zhu Yong was horrified when he heard this. He cupped his hands and said, "I am not feeling well and would like to leave first. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Gaojie smiled and stretched out his hand to signal: "Mr. Cheng, please help yourself. Go back and think about it carefully. I don't like to embarrass others."
Zhu Yong felt relieved and said quickly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Just as he turned around to leave, Zhu Gaojie suddenly said unhurriedly: "The previous generation's Duke Chengguo was such a hero. He made immortal contributions during the Jingnan crisis. How come in the modern era, there are so many Duke Chengguo's offices?" Some merchants’ copper odor?”
When Zhang Fu heard what King Qi said, he pursed his lips to hold back a smile.
This statement obviously implies that Zhu Yong is also very good at doing business. He jumps with both feet repeatedly and never puts eggs in a basket when investing. Now that they have all chosen to side with Prince Qi's Mansion, they are still undecided and tend to act according to the prevailing circumstances.
He almost pointed at the tip of Zhu Yong’s nose and cursed!
Of course, Zhu Gaojie's words were not purely for the sake of connotation Zhu Yong, but more of a knock.
Zhu Yong was sweating profusely after hearing this, and left in a hurry, looking in a miserable state, whether because of embarrassment or cowardice.
Zhu Gaojie and Zhang Fu looked at each other, and the old father-in-law and son-in-law laughed out loud at the same time.
…
Zhu Gaojie did not stay in Guangning Mansion for long. After reorganizing the troops, 30,000 elite troops crossed Liaoze. In winter, Liaoze had dried up and was flat.
Originally a journey of more than ten days, after crossing Liaoze, the Northern Expedition Army only took three days to reach the border of Kaiyuan from Guangning Prefecture, and arrived at the Tumen River in the east. It was like a tiger leaving its cage and rushing towards Suifen River.
The Suifenhe area is home to the largest Jurchen force in the Jianzhou area - the Jianzhou Guards.
The commander of the Jianzhou Guard was called Shi Jiannu, whose Chinese name was Li Xianzhong. He inherited the identity of his father Aha as the commander of the Jianzhou Guard.
…
In the birch bark house by the river, Sakyamuni sat on the fire kang, drinking shochu to warm up.
"Did you know that King Qi of the Ming Dynasty is coming to Jianzhou." The man sitting opposite Sakyamuni spoke slowly.
Shakanu took a sip of the wine and said with a smile: "Brother Meng Timur, what are you afraid of?"
Meng Ge Timur, whose original name is Aixinjueluo Mentemu, is the leader of the Oduoli tribe and the commander of the Jianzhou Left Guard.
"Don't you know that King Qi of the Ming Dynasty came to our Jurchens?" Meng Brother Timur frowned slightly.
"So what?" Shijanu said calmly, "He still dares to attack me. Don't you know who my brother-in-law is?"
Sakyamuni's sister, the Third Empress, married Zhu Di, who was still King of Yan.
"Then when King Qi comes here, he should call me uncle." Sukyanu smiled and said, "Brother Meng Timur, please be more relaxed."
Meng Brother Timur frowned slightly and said, "I advise you to be more cautious. I have a feeling that King Qi is coming with bad intentions this time."
However, Sukyanu didn't take it to heart. Upon seeing this, Meng Brother Timur said helplessly: "I'm leaving first. There are still many things to deal with in the tribe. You can take care of yourself."
"Go slowly and don't see me off." Sakyanu said.
After Meng brother Timur left, Sakyamuni's son Li Manzhu (Chinese name) came in and saluted respectfully: "Father."
"Yuexia (Li Manzhu's real name), you're here." Sakyamuni nodded slightly.
He loves his son very much, he is ambitious and courageous.
"Father, what is Meng Brother Timur doing here?" Yuexia asked.
This tone didn't sound right, but it was within common sense.
Although the Sakyamuni family and the fierce brother Timur were related by marriage, under the deliberate guidance of the Ming Dynasty, there was constant friction between the various Jurchen tribes, and they were all thinking of annexing each other's tribe.
"Humph, timid fierce brother Timur, when he heard that King Qi of the Ming Dynasty was coming with his army, he was so scared that he wet his pants."
Sukyanu snorted coldly and said, "Oduoli people have always been timid. Whenever there is any disturbance, they will feel that the grass and trees are all in danger. I have become accustomed to this."
Li Manzhu smiled and said: "Father is right, what can be terrible about the Ming Dynasty? We have always had a good relationship with the Ming Dynasty. Speaking of which, we followed the Ming Emperor in the crusade against Arutai and made military exploits! The Qi Dynasty of the Ming Dynasty When the king sees us, he might come and give us a reward of silver!"
"Ha ha ha ha."
While the father and son were chatting and laughing, suddenly the noise of the tribe came from outside.
Sakyamuni came out slightly dissatisfied: "What's the fuss about?"
However, as soon as Sakyamuni walked out of the door, he found a man covered in blood squirming in front of the door. His face was like gold paper, as if he would stop breathing at any time.
This person is a relative of Sakyamuni, leader of Mao Lianwei, Baerxun, and a giant of the Jurchens in Jianzhou.
"Damn it, Boy Xun, what are you doing?!"
Sukyanu's expression changed greatly, and he tried to help Erxun up, but his hands were stained with blood.
The leader of Mao Lianwei, Erxun, had a weak breath: "Qi...King Qi!"
"What?" Shijianu didn't react for a moment.
King Qi? !
(End of chapter)
