In the room, Mrs. Xu stood beside Zhu Di and took off her husband's armor.
Zhu Di breathed calmly, but in fact he was very uneasy inside.
He felt that his already dying state of mind was rejuvenated with this body in its prime.
The warmth of his wife, the filial piety of his son, the joy of lying drunk on the battlefield, the passion of his lofty ideals, everything is developing in a better direction.
Although Zhu Di knows that all this is just a false world...
But does it matter?
If it were the real world, then he should be a twilight old man walking half-legged into the coffin board. Although in the real world he has everything, he has become the emperor of the empire, and has the wealth and power in the world.
But at this age, wealth and power no longer matter.
He just wants to find out what's going on on the road to universal unity.
…
In the palace in Nanjing, Emperor Jianwen did not know that the Ningxia and Liao coalition forces had been defeated by Zhu Di. He was discussing national affairs with his three gentlemen.
These three gentlemen are the "Three Fools of Jianwen", Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and Qitai.
Among the three, Fang Xiaoru studied the most in academics and was the teacher of Confucian scholars in the world. He once studied with Song Lian, one of the four great masters in eastern Zhejiang. Although his official position was not high, he was only a bachelor in the Hanlin Academy. Emperor Jianwen always asked Mr. Fang for advice on major matters.
Huang Zicheng was born in Donggong as a companion, and he was also a great scholar in the world. Qitai was the Minister of War, and he had a deep understanding of military literature.
"Third gentlemen, tell me, what does my fourth uncle mean by this?"
Emperor Jianwen asked with a puzzled face, "He openly rebelled, but he didn't use the slogan of rebellion. Tsk, he didn't want to be the emperor, but he didn't let anyone else be the emperor. What kind of world harmony did he create? It's really hard to see." Understand."
Originally, after hearing that his fourth uncle had rebelled, Emperor Jianwen was shocked and angry. He thought to himself, I just want to cut off a vassal. They are all from the Zhu family. Why don't you, the uncle, take care of your nephew?
But when he heard Zhu Di shouting the slogan of world unity, Emperor Jianwen couldn't help but laugh.
Ridiculous!
This bullshit idea of universal unity is unheard of. I don’t know which scholar deceived my fourth uncle into being able to do such stupid things.
Huang Zicheng smiled and said, "I have heard earlier that King Yan was suffering from hysteria and liked to wallow madly in the pig pen. I originally thought that he was deliberately pretentious to cover up his wolfish ambitions. From what I saw, it seems that the old illness has relapsed!"
Qi Tai frowned and said: "How can we underestimate the enemy now? King Yan became famous as a young man. He was famous for his ruthlessness, cunning and patience. Even Lijiang King Fu Youde could only condescend to his lieutenant in front of him. In the past, King Yan led his troops into Mobei. , thousands of miles of snowy night attack, after ascertaining that the enemy's situation was empty, although heavy troops suppressed the situation, they still outmaneuvered them, and captured Beiyuan Taiwei Nai'er Buhua without losing a single soldier."
"With Mount Tai collapsing in front of him, his face remains unchanged, and his mind is as firm as the mountains and the vast sea. Even the late emperor praised him, 'The one who cleared the desert is King Yan.' How can he be a hysterical lunatic?"
Unlike the other two gentlemen who relied on their profound knowledge to gain the attention of Emperor Jianwen, Qi Tai relied on his professional skills to become the Minister of War.
Qi Tai could remember the names of every frontier general and even the maps of the mountains and rivers in the Ming Dynasty.
When Emperor Jianwen first came to the throne, he also proposed to cut down the vassal vassal, but his suggestion was: if you want to cut down the vassal vassal, you have to capture the thief first and capture the king first, and capture King Yan first before going to other vassal princes.
Although the kings of Ning and Liao had heavy troops, they were not as ruthless as the kings of Yan.
However, his suggestion was not adopted by Emperor Jianwen.
"Qi Shangshu, the war has not yet begun, but you are already timid about the enemy?"
Fang Xiaoru smiled and shook his head and said, "King Yan, there is nothing to be afraid of. Although this deer is howling and barking now, His Majesty has already issued an order to King Ning and King Liao, ordering them to enter from the mountains and seas and approach Peiping. The two kings happily agreed. Yan Among the three kings of Ning, Ning and Liao, King Yan’s military strength is particularly weak, let alone the two kings of Ning and Liao joining forces.”
"I'm afraid it won't be long before news of a great victory comes from the North. The Ningxia and Liao coalition forces quelled Yanni as easily as a hungry tiger devouring a sheep."
Huang Zicheng nodded and said: "Mr. Fang's words are reasonable, and I agree with him. I think that after the Ningxia and Liao coalition forces defeat King Yan, they can use the captured Beiping Mansion as bait and give it to the two kings of Ningxia and Liao, so that they can fight for it." Dogs and dogs fight over Peiping, fighting each other until both of them lose, and then my imperial army will send troops northward to recapture the two kings of Ningxia and Liao who are weakened by internal strife."
"In this way, the three kings will be abolished, and the reduction of vassals will be accomplished!"
Emperor Jianwen was overjoyed after hearing this: "Then follow what Mr. Fang and Mr. Huang said!"
He seems to have seen that in less than a year since he took office, he has eliminated his uncles who were a huge threat one by one.
In front of me, don't these rebellious uncles all have to submit obediently?
They seemed to have regarded King Yan as a joke and were studying their opponents after destroying King Yan.
Qi Tai couldn't help but shook his head and sighed: "Underestimating the enemy before a battle is a taboo for military strategists."
He always felt that King Yan was the biggest thorn in his side. Therefore, after he came to power, he has been trying his best to petition the court to weaken King Yan's power.
But his words were not taken seriously by others.
In the eyes of Fang Xiaoru and Huang Zicheng, King Yan was just a little Kalami, not worth mentioning at all. No matter how many people you send, they can be dealt with by King Yan. I don’t know where these two people got their confidence.
The most important thing is that Fang Xiaoru and Huang Zicheng sang together, which made Qi Tai's position very embarrassing. Both of them were almost fooled by Emperor Jianwen, making Emperor Jianwen really think that he was an omnipotent king of destiny, no matter what Qi Tai did. The emperor could no longer listen to anything he said.
At this time, the guard general on duty outside the palace hurriedly entered the palace to pay his respects.
"Your Majesty, please hurry up for 800 miles. The Daning Army and the Liaodong Army were defeated by the Yan Division. Both the King of Ning and the King of Liao were captured alive!"
Like a thunderbolt, the four people in the hall were stunned on the spot.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
Emperor Jianwen laughed and said, "The Daning Army has 80,000 soldiers with armor and 6,000 leather chariots. It is considered the most powerful among all the kings! The Daning Army has 80,000 elite soldiers, 80,000! Even if it is 80,000 steamed buns, he, King Yan, You have to chew it for eight months, how can you just throw it away?"
"What's more, in addition to the Daning Army, there is also the Liaodong Army of the King of Liao. King Yan only has so many soldiers and horses, how can he win the battle!"
Qitai whispered: "Your Majesty, it is entirely possible."
Emperor Jianwen looked at Qitai suddenly: "What did you say?"
Qi Tai replied: "The King of Yan relies on Shanhaiguan to resist the enemy. He is already waiting for work. Fighting at Shanhaiguan, one soldier under King Yan can be used as ten soldiers. Moreover, in the past when the king of Jin passed away, the late emperor ordered King Yan to control Peiping. The Dusi, Xingdusi, Liaodong Dusi and Liao Mansion guard troops and horses, allowing him to lead the kings to guard against border troubles. He has a good understanding of the organization and tactics of the Daning Army and the Liaodong Army. With the combination of multiple factors, he is indeed expected to win... …”
Emperor Jianwen felt that his mind was blank, his body was swaying, and he almost fell to the ground.
Fortunately, Fang Xiaoru and Huang Zicheng rushed up to support him and comforted him: "Your Majesty, you are the son of God, and you are responsible for the destiny of the country. Although Yan Ni is rampant, it is not worth mentioning. As long as our imperial army sends troops to attack, how can Yan Ni stop it?" ?”
Qi Tai bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the top priority is to send troops to the Northern Expedition to quell the rebellion of Yan Fan. The longer time passes, the greater the impact of Yan Fan's rebellion will be, and the more changes will occur."
Emperor Jianwen also regained a little sense of reason, and murmured as if grasping a life-saving straw: "Yes, send troops to the north to conquer Yanni..."
"But who should be the general?"
Emperor Jianwen was a little confused. In order for him to secure the throne, his grandfather killed all the founding generals of the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays, the generals who can fight in the Ming Dynasty are old and dead. I really can't think of anyone who can be a general.
Qi Tai suddenly had an idea and said: "General Geng Bingwen, Marquis of Changxing, served successively as marshal of the general army, general of the governor's office, etc. Later, he followed General Chang Yuchun, King of Kaiping, and General Xu Da, King of Zhongshan, to attack Datong, Shaanxi and other places, and made many achievements. War merits. Changxing Hou has repeatedly defeated Zhang Shicheng’s army and made great achievements in the founding of the Ming Dynasty. Let Changxing Hou serve as the commander-in-chief, and we will definitely win."
"Absolutely not!"
Huang Zicheng interrupted, "How can the Marquis of Changxing be the commander-in-chief of the three armies and shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Northern Expedition? He is good at defense but not good at offense."
Qi Tai said helplessly: "Tell me, Mr. Huang, who else is there?"
He naturally knew that Geng Bingwen was good at defense but not good at offense, but there was no one available for him.
In today's imperial court, all those who can fight are the vassal kings from the north. The imperial court cannot find any general who can defeat Yan.
There was no other way to let Geng Bingwen serve as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition.
Huang Zicheng said confidently: "I have a candidate who can restore the darkness to the north!"
Emperor Jianwen was overjoyed: "Mr. Huang, please tell me quickly!"
Huang Zicheng said slowly: "There is such a person. When he was young, he liked to read military books and behaved gracefully. He was highly valued by the late emperor. He went to Huguang, Shaanxi, Henan and other places many times to train the army. He was quite prestigious in the army. If this person is allowed to be the chief general, , will definitely make King Yan capture him without any help!"
Qitai had a bad feeling: "This person you are talking about cannot be..."
Huang Zicheng said with a smile: "That's right, he is the son of the founding minister, King Qiyang, the governor of the Zuo Army Governor's Mansion, the crown prince and Taifu, the talented general who succeeded in his youth, Li Jinglong, Duke of Cao!"
Fang Xiaoru touched his chin: "Indeed, I also think that Duke Cao Guo is more suitable to be the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition than Marquis Changxing."
Emperor Jianwen nodded slightly: "I know Cao Guogong. Only by letting him serve as the general can I feel at ease."
Qi Tai was shocked and said: "Your Majesty, you must not do it. Cao Guogong has a lot of money on the outside, but he is defeated on the inside. How can he be the commander-in-chief of the three armies of our imperial court? If this person is appointed as a general, the matter will be a disaster!"
Although he doesn't know how to fight, as the Minister of War, he still has some experience in advising generals.
Li Jinglong knows how to lead troops!
This man's only political achievement is probably that he was in charge of the tea and horse trade with Xifan, which prospered and made a lot of money.
Being able to make money and being able to fight are two different things.
Did Huang Zicheng lose his mind? He actually asked Li Jinglong to serve as the commander-in-chief of the three armies. More importantly, Emperor Jianwen and Fang Xiaoru actually expressed their deep approval.
Emperor Jianwen waved his sleeves and said, "I have made up my mind, Mr. Qi, please stop talking."
"According to my decree, from tomorrow I will make a sacrifice to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, cut off the royal family status of King Yan, and depose him to a commoner."
"Appoint Cao Guogong Li Jinglong as the general of Pingyan, and Changxing Marquis Geng Bingwen as his deputy, and lead our Ming Dynasty's 300,000-strong army to attack Yanni in the north!"
Qitai held his forehead and murmured: "It's over."
…
"Emperor Jianwen made Li Jinglong the commander-in-chief?"
Zhu Di touched his chin and fell into deep thought, "Seriously?"
He originally thought that his next enemy would be the same as the original history, and he would first fight Geng Bingwen.
Although in the real world, he defeated Geng Bingwen in the Battle of Jingnan, the old general still gave him some headaches.
Geng Bingwen was given the title "Marquis of Changxing" because he captured Guangde, attacked Changxing, defeated Zhang Shicheng's general Zhao Dahu, captured more than 300 warships, captured the enemy guard Li Fu'an and others alive, and captured Changxing. Changxing is located at the mouth of Taihu Lake, connected to Guangde by land, and borders Xuan, She and other places. It is the gateway to Jiangsu and Zhejiang. From then on, he guarded Changxing and with thousands of troops, he resisted Zhang Shicheng's ten-year attack.
This person is one of the very few who can survive the "Hongwu layoffs" incident.
The Hongwu layoffs were slightly different from the layoffs in later generations. They were N+1 compensation layoffs. However, this compensation is not the emperor's compensation for employees' layoffs, but the employees' lives. It truly realized "learn a skill and sell it to the emperor's family".
The so-called N+1 compensation means that in addition to the laid-off employees themselves, there are N people who have to pay compensation. The common one is 3N+1, which refers to the three Yi tribes. The more extreme one is 9N+1, which means killing the nine tribes.
N+1 compensation is not the most extreme, the most extreme is W+N compensation. The most typical one is 4.5w+2N, which refers to Hu Lan's Prison. In addition to Lan Yu and Hu Weiyong's entire family, more than 45,000 people were also implicated in the massacre.
Zhu Di still respected Geng Bingwen, an old general who had survived several layoffs. In fact, he was not willing to fight with this old general (old bastard). But what he didn't expect was that this time Emperor Jianwen would turn on the power and release Li Jinglong, the first-generation God of War.
…
Zhu Di convened a meeting of the generals in the council house. At the meeting of the senior generals of the Datong Army, he made relevant remarks about "Li Jinglong is a basket of waste, Emperor Jianwen jumped over the wall in a hurry, and our army will win the second battle with Changhong Qi."
This statement was recognized by all the soldiers. After defeating the Ningxia and Liao coalition forces in the Battle of Shanhaiguan, the morale of the Datong Army reached its peak.
At the end of the meeting, Zhu Di clenched his fists and said:
"The Ming Dynasty is above us. The greed of the emperor and the powerful has eroded the foundation of our country. What we have to do is to depose this group of black sheep and drive these plagues out of our land!"
"What we say now will soon be forgotten, and we will one day be buried under the soil."
“But everything we do now will last forever!”
(End of chapter)
