Faced with King Kaiping who had killed countless people, Zhao Huaian could not help but tremble a little, but fortunately he still remembered his identity and did not show any ugly appearance.
Hu Weiyong said: "If there is a war, it will be necessary for the Ministry of Revenue to raise food and supplies. It is the beginning of spring, and the Ministry of Revenue may have difficulties. Your Highness, please ask Shangshu Zhao to come over and discuss it together."
"As the Prime Minister said, please invite Zhao Aiqing in."
"promise."
Zhu Biao was silent for a moment while looking at the map. He did not pay attention to the besieged places in the military report. Instead, he finally pointed his finger at Kaipingwei, the former Xanadu of the Yuan Dynasty, the place Zhu Biao personally captured during the Northern Expedition.
"Who is guarding this place?"
Chang Yuchun replied: "The Kaiping Commander-in-Chief, General Longhu Song Sheng, does your Highness think Yesudier wants to recapture Kaiping Guards?"
After capturing Kaiping, the Ming Dynasty established Kaiping as a grassland military town to respond to the invasion of Mongolian tribes at any time. In terms of division, it belonged to the Beiping Dusi.
At the same time, in order to ensure the smooth transportation of grain and grass in Kaiping, eight post stations were established around Kaiping Wei. To the east are Liangting, Nihe, Saifeng, and Huangya, and to the west are Huanshu, Weilu, Ming'an, and Shining.
Kaiping was located in the middle of the northern defense line in the early Ming Dynasty. It was deep into the grassland, which could ensure that the Xuanfu in the south would not directly contact the enemy, and also ensure smooth transportation routes with Liaodong.
It is a strategic location in the Mongolian grassland. Occupying Kaiping means blocking the throat of the Mongolian grassland. It can overlook the Mongolian kings and curb the southward intrusion of the remaining forces of the Yuan Dynasty.
"Song Sheng?"
Chang Yuchun thought for a while and replied: "Song Sheng and his father, brother and ministers all defected to the throne in the fifteenth year of Zhizheng. His brother died in the battle when he captured Jiqing, which is the capital. After that, his father became old. Resigning, Song Sheng inherited his father's position as Marshal of Tianningyi. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was granted the title of General Huaiyuan. Last year, he was transferred to his subordinates and appointed to guard Kaiping Guards.
"I think he is capable enough to allow his father-in-law to entrust him with important land."
"Don't worry, Your Highness, although he served in the same year as Long, the general has no connection with the Song family. Song Sheng was appointed solely because of his sufficient qualifications and ability, and there is no personal relationship."
Zhu Biao felt relieved when he heard this. Yesudier's action without any warning must have a motive. Although this person is not a peerless hero, he is by no means an ordinary person.
At this time, Zhao Wenjing also hurriedly walked in. After calming down his breath, he saluted and said, "I pay my respects to His Royal Highness, Your Highness Qianqiu."
"Well, Zhao Aiqing doesn't need to be polite."
Zhao Wenjing stood up and handed over to Chang Yuchun and Hu Weiyong: "I have met King Kaiping and Prime Minister Hu."
Hu Weiyong nodded, but Chang Yuchun looked sideways and asked in a deep voice: "As a minister, why do you insist on coming in without obeying His Highness's order?"
Zhao Wenjing's expression didn't change. If he was scared and flinched, how could he be the Hubu's family? Not to mention the bad words, even if he held a knife to his neck, he couldn't even take away a grain that shouldn't be given to him.
"Tomorrow, there will be an impeachment report from the imperial censor on the matter of dismissal. It will be up to His Highness to decide whether to punish, demote, or dismiss. At the moment, the military situation in Northern Xinjiang is at the forefront. King Kaiping should still give top priority to military affairs."
Such strong words made Chang Yuchun unable to help but look at him. Zhu Biao saw that the atmosphere behind him was a little tense and turned around and said: "Zhao Aiqing is worried about military and national affairs. I am very pleased. How can there be punishment? Father-in-law, Do you think my cousin can guess Yesu Tui'er's intention?"
Chang Yuchun first snorted at Zhao Wenjing, his dissatisfaction evident, and then turned back to answer the prince's question and answer. Zhao Wenjing bowed slightly to the prince to express his gratitude.
Hu Weiyong, who was silent, looked at Chang Yuchun's back unexpectedly. This murderer knew that he had made an enemy in front of the prince. He must have grown brains after living for a long time.
Chang Yuchun's real power has reached its peak, and the more than 300,000 elite troops in the Beijing camp are under his control. If he still wins over the party members, it will be a recipe for death. However, the army cannot survive without food, and it is difficult for the horse to move without grass. The Ministry of Household Affairs controls the middle of the capital A few large granaries are the greatest restraint on the army.
Seeing the prince's gaze, Hu Weiyong also said: "King Qiyang's weapons are unpredictable to Shen Hong and others, and he is fierce and fierce when facing the battle, and becomes stronger when he encounters a powerful enemy. This is known to both the government and the public. Yesu Die'er is nothing more than a rebellious and evil villain." , how can it be confused?"
"Sir, I would like to see Shang Honghai, the general commander of our army."
"Call in, it should be information about Northern Xinjiang."
Shang Honghai came in, bowed in turn, and presented the news obtained by the pro-military captain's mansion, which was roughly the same as what Li Wenzhong sent, except that there were some more movements and speculations about the Mongolian tribes.
Seeing that there was speculation that the other party was attacking in the east and west to recapture the Kaiping Guards, Zhu Biao felt reassured. Li Wenzhong had a colleague from the pro-army Duwei Mansion beside him, who would definitely remind him.
Chang Yuchun firmly expressed his opinion: "Fight them! No matter what their plan is, they must be killed hard. If you don't hurt them, these wolf cubs will make mistakes every now and then."
There was also murderous intent brewing in Zhu Biao's eyes. It was just a matter of the cost of a big battle. There was not much difference in the amount of food the soldiers ate on the battlefield and in ordinary times. The food eaten by cattle, horses, mules and other animals was also similar to that in ordinary times. This part The gap is not enough to make food and grass on the battlefield a problem.
The main reason is that if a country is poorer than its divisions, it will lose far away, and if it loses far, its people will be poor. Although the north has been actively opening up wasteland for military camps, the supply of such a large number of troops is still far from enough, and the court needs to be transported from the south.
Normally, if the rear is stable, food from Northern Xinjiang can be transported in an orderly and prepared manner, and the cost along the way is still at an acceptable level. However, once a war is about to begin, in order to appease the army, food and grass must be transported to the army as soon as possible and stored. This cost It's very scary.
"Zhao Aiqing..."
It was difficult for Zhu Biao to speak. A few days ago, he asked the Ministry of Revenue to tighten up and support the imperial court in regaining Yunnan and Liaodong. Now it was the spring plowing season, but it was difficult for the Ministry of Revenue to suddenly provide food and grass for a big war.
Zhao Wenjing bowed and said: "Your Highness, I have arranged for officials to check the grain and grass. The first batch of grain and grass will be shipped to Northern Xinjiang tomorrow. The following ministers have also been prepared. Your Highness, please don't worry!"
"Zhao Aiqing! The pillar of the true country!"
Zhao Wenjing was constantly harassing him every day for having no money or food. Now that this happened, it was really surprising and touching. Zhu Biao thought in his heart that when you die, I will definitely give you a good posthumous title.
Most of the time, the battle is about logistics. As long as the logistics and supplies can keep up, the victory or defeat is insignificant. It doesn't matter whether you lose or fight repeatedly. There will always be a time when you win.
There were Xiao He and Li Shanchang in the past, but none of them had great military exploits. Why were they so successful? It was because they could transfer grain stores and supply equipment for the army in any situation. Everyone will have no worries.
Appreciation also flashed in Chang Yuchun's eyes. The generals who led the troops to fight hated civilian officials, and they would not hate civilian officials who could provide them with food and grass. Without food and grass, no matter how prestigious you are, you can't get your soldiers to serve.
"Huh, it's just his duty. Your Highness is over-praising me."
Zhu Biao couldn't help but was speechless, and he didn't know who gave his father-in-law the idea. Although it was understandable, it was a bit too blunt.
Hu Weiyong laughed at the side and said: "Zhao Shangshu did not live up to the trust of His Majesty the Holy Highness. He went so far as to defend Mongolia in the north, capture Liaodong in the east, and secure Guizhou in the south. He provided supplies for the war on three sides. Zhao Shangshu worked hard and made great achievements. I am really ashamed."
This statement somewhat alludes to Zhao Wenjing’s appointment as the crown prince a few days ago even though he had enough food and grass. After all, everything in the household department and the treasury belongs to the emperor, and the ministers are only in charge of it. How can they do it? Hidden secretly.
Zhao Wenjing responded without changing his expression: "Everything I do is out of public interest. I haven't taken a grain of food from the national treasury to satisfy my hunger. If Your Highness wants money and food to build a palace or to open a border that is not urgent at the moment, Tuo Tu, Na Chen still said the same thing, no!"
"But if Your Highness needs money and food to defend the country from enemies, then I will definitely raise enough food for the army by selling iron and steel. I will never let the soldiers go to the battlefield hungry!"
"I have saved some money and food in recent years, but they are all squeezed out of the food provided by the people of the Ming Dynasty. Not a single penny can be wasted. I beg you, Your Highness, the people's livelihood is very difficult and it is not easy for the people to survive."
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