"Daily News" was the first to publish this shocking news. The Great Zhou Dynasty defeated the Jianzhou Jurchens in Liaodong, killing 100,000 enemies and taking thousands of prisoners.
This news immediately became the hottest topic in the entire capital city. Whether it was teahouses, restaurants, brothels, or streets, this news has always been the most enthusiastic topic of discussion.
In fact, since Yonglong came to the throne, it seems that the Great Zhou Dynasty has never achieved any satisfactory results in the Liaodong War. Every time there is news related to the Liaodong War, the enemy is increasing day by day, harassing the border and taking the people captive. Anyway, There is no good news.
Later, even the newspapers in Beijing rarely mentioned the situation in Liaodong. If you want to know more about it, you can only read the imperial palace newspapers.
But this time, the most authoritative "Daily News" published a long article about the causes and consequences of the Liaodong Campaign and the changes in the entire battle situation. It even briefly reviewed the unfavorable events of the early court war, but all this was for the later period. Commander Xiao Feng laid the groundwork after taking over the battle in Liaodong.
The vivid scenes of mobilizing troops, strategizing, sitting in the army, and scolding Fang Qiu were even more vivid in the literati's pens, which made the sergeants and people in Beijing mesmerized.
Zhao Lejiao, Cao Wenzhao, You Shilu, and Du Song, especially Mao Wenlong, who sneaked hundreds of miles and made meritorious service in the first battle, became heroes praised by everyone in Beijing, and the details of their actions in the war were also revealed. After being processed, under the wise leadership of Commander Xiao Feng, he finally defeated the powerful enemy and achieved great success.
Even "little people" such as He Renlong, He Huchen, Yang Zhaoji and Mao Chenglu have all shined in the writings of literati and become household names. In particular, Mao Chenglu has become the second most popular subject matter processed by storytellers in Beijing, after Feng Ziying. By.
Qi Yongtai dropped the "Daily News" in his hand and couldn't help but shake his head, "Why has the "Daily News" fallen into such a style? How is it different from those street tabloids?"
Li Sancai laughed, "Brother Chengfeng, are you reading the supplement? Nowadays, the "Daily News" publishes more and more extensive content, so it has a supplement. The main issue is still mainly about current affairs and business, but the supplement is not It’s the same, specially separated out, all kinds of weird things, and the creations of the literati can be placed on it, curiosity is also very popular,..."
Qi Yongtai turned the newspaper over and took a look, only to realize that it was really a supplement.
Its special edition is to create stories similar to legendary stories, but it is well integrated with current events. For example, the story about Mao Chenglu who was not afraid of danger and made a decisive decision to burn the fodder yard was undoubtedly very artistically processed, and it was The officers and soldiers of the Liaodong Army were well portrayed, which greatly inspired civilian morale and had a very good effect.
"Daofu, I didn't expect you to be so familiar with this. Why do you want to read the stories in the supplement even if you have nothing to do?" Qi Yongtai asked in surprise.
"Well, Brother Chengfeng, this "Daily News" has a big article every day. It's really interesting to read it when you have nothing to do. It can increase a lot of knowledge. Compared with other newspapers, it's quite good. It is much more reliable and interesting, and they have done a good job in treating me." Li Sancai was full of praise for the "Daily News", "And this kind of newspaper is very helpful in stabilizing people's hearts and boosting morale. For the benefit, the Ministry of Rites should strongly support this type of newspaper."
"I have exaggerated the war in Liaodong. I am afraid that something will go wrong. How can I save this face?" Qi Yongtai's eyebrows were a little more worried. "It is difficult to take back Liaohaiwei. The Jurchen line of control in Jianzhou It has been pushed to the Qinghe Pass - Zhonggu City - Songshan Fort line. Tens of thousands of people in Anle Prefecture were captured by the Jianzhou Jurchens. Now the Tieling Guards are no longer safe. In this battle, we still lose more than we gain and lose. Yeah."
Li Sancai's face also became gloomy, and he pondered for a long time before he said: "This is already a blessing among misfortunes. I originally only hoped that the entire army of Jun Song would not be annihilated. If I take a step back, as long as Jun Song does not die and is not captured, , even if there is an explanation, but now there are more than 10,000 people and more than 6,000 people are back, and the Tieling Acropolis has been defended, what else can we demand? It’s not easy, Brother Chengfeng, we have certainly lost tens of thousands of people. , but Jianzhou Jurchens also suffered huge losses. It is certainly an exaggeration to kill 100,000 people in formation, but as far as I know, the losses of Jianzhou Army will not be less than 20,000 people. Even excluding Li Yongfang’s Han army flag, they Jianzhou Army Eight Banners
The casualties will not be less than 15,000, which is unprecedented in the past ten years or since the Jianzhou Jurchens became a serious problem for the imperial court. "
Qi Yongtai smiled bitterly.
Li Sancai is right. The Jianzhou Jurchens are different from the Mongols. In the past ten years in Liaodong, we have never heard of casualties of three to five thousand, let alone tens of thousands.
Every time a formation can kill three to five hundred people, it has to be multiplied several times. If it is a victory of thousands of people, it will immediately be a big boast, going straight to tens of thousands.
But this time, the imperial court sent people with official positions in various ministries to observe, as well as people from Long Jinwei, to supervise each other. Judging from the information obtained by both parties, the combat achievements reported this time are basically reliable.
It is said that Zhao Lianjiao, You Shilu and even Mao Wenlong intended to report to the enemy and kill more than 50,000 enemy troops. Feng Ziying reprimanded him, saying that this was how the atmosphere in Liaodong was ruined. He asked the court to report truthfully, but also asked the court to reward him. Every time, we must give it to you without compromise.
"But after the Jianzhou Jurchens captured Anle Prefecture, their Han army flags were able to grow rapidly immediately. The traitor Li Yongfang is now determined to betray his ancestors and follow Nurhachi all the way to the dark side. Now the defense system of the Tieling Guard line is in dire straits. Jianzhou Jurchens can cross Qinghe Pass - Zhonggu City - Songshan Fort at any time and break into the hinterland of Liaodong to plunder people and property. Without the resistance of the border wall, Liaodong's defensive situation will be even worse. Qi Yongtai obviously specializes in research Looking at the current situation in Liaodong, the issues mentioned are what Li Sancai and the Ministry of War are most worried about now.
Without the border wall, the entire hinterland of Liaodong, from Tielingwei to Shenyang Zhongwei, and even from Fushun Pass to Crow Falcon Pass in the east, and from Xin'an Pass to Zhenxi Fort in the west, lacks systematic defense and is easily attacked by Jianzhou Jurchens. Looking for opportunities to break through, the Liaodong Army will fall into a situation where it is passively attacked, full of loopholes, and impossible to guard against.
It can even be said that Tielingwei may have become a burden to Liaodong Town, and it will be difficult to explain to the court if it is abandoned. However, if you want to hold on, you need to bear great risks and pressure, and it is easy for the entire Liaodong Town behind it to be surrounded at any time for reinforcements. dangerous situation.
But can we say we will give up Tieling Acropolis now?
You spent so much money to hold on, and now you just want to give it up?
Also, once abandoned, the Jianzhou Jurchens stationed in Tielingwei will directly face the three original key passes of Fanhe, Yilu and even Puhe. The possibility of holding these three places is very small, and Fanhe cannot be held. , Yilu and Puhe, then the Shenyang Zhongwei had to face the risk of Jianzhou's army approaching the city.
"Whether we should defend the Tieling Acropolis or not, we have to carefully discuss it again. We will discuss it again when Ziying comes back from Liaodong. However, Ziying gave me a suggestion before leaving, saying that we should go from Jiulian City (Zhenjiang Fort) to Pidao I think it is very innovative to form a sufficient army on this front line." Li Sancai said slowly: "The Koreans and Jianzhou Jurchens are getting closer and closer. If we don't put some pressure, this trend will continue. Liaoyouwei and even southern Liaoning will be in danger."
"Why is Liaonan in danger?" Ye Xianggao walked in and asked as he walked: "Isn't it just that the situation is great?"
"No, it was a suggestion made by Ziying before she left. I think it is very innovative, and it can also help the Jurchens in Jianzhou." Li Sancai explained.
Fang Congzhe also followed in. Hearing Li Sancai's words, he couldn't help but frown: "Daofu, silver, silver, where does the silver come from? The battle in Liaodong was widely reported outside, and everyone felt proud and elated. Don’t you know that the money you spend is like running water? You will be forced to hang yourself tomorrow and you have to form a new army. Where will the money come from?”
When it comes to spending money, it is not a pleasant topic.
"Then we should negotiate with Nanjing as soon as possible and let the taxes from Jiangnan be sent immediately!" Li Sancai also got a little angry. "I know the Ministry of Revenue is difficult, but where is it not difficult? It is not easy for Shanxi to be stable. The situation has changed. It is said that Li Qing has lost ten pounds. Isn’t it difficult? What if Shenyang is lost? Give up Liaodong? Once Liaonan is lost, Jianzhou Jurchen will be across the sea from Denglai, and we can log in at any time. Shandong,...."
Fang Congzhe was also a little angry, "Daofu, you also know that Shanxi has stabilized the situation? But the Ministry of War has come to ask for money again. Where can Mingqi and I get money? Over there in the south of the Yangtze River, to put it lightly, we are loyal and loyal.
Is the king so easy to get along with? Do you think the conditions they are asking for are acceptable? "
Li Sancai choked back again with one sentence and became silent.
Of course Nanjing is aware of the current difficulties of the court, so they are so tough. If they hadn't won the Liaodong battle and Ma Chengxun withstood the Chahar attack in Xuanfu Town, I'm afraid there would still be another attack on Nanjing. The asking price is higher.
But even so, the Ministry of Accounts really couldn't afford it, so Haitong Bank borrowed another two million taels of silver. The debt exceeded ten million taels, which kept Fang Congzhe awake at night, and sometimes he talked about it in his sleep.
"If not, continue to borrow from Haitong Bank." Qi Yongtai said calmly: "As long as we can borrow it, as long as we can win, and the court's reputation is still there, we won't be afraid. Ziying and I have also talked about this matter, and his The viewpoint is different from ours. They say that the borrowed money is also spent within ourselves. The armaments workshop makes guns, smelts iron, makes gunpowder, purchases grain, makes clothes, and manufactures carriages, carts, and ships. Well, the horses have been purchased, and the money has returned to the hands of the people and businessmen, so don’t be afraid..."
