Although the call was over, Zhu Yijun still took Shen Shixing's words to heart. Shen Shixing mainly had two views: on the one hand, he did not advocate launching a counterattack against the Tumen in Liaodong, insisting that as long as he firmly defended the territory; on the other hand, he criticized the Ministry of Revenue, believing that the performance of the Ministry of Revenue could not make people People are satisfied, but they are too rigid in handling affairs and do not know how to adapt. They are at a loss when faced with the sudden need to spend large sums of money.
In addition, Shen Shixing also said something about this that impressed Zhu Yijun deeply, that is, he mentioned, "The fault does not depend on the first month of Ningxia. What should the Ministry of Households do now?"
Zhu Yijun didn't know what to do, but he knew that judging from this year's situation, if Gao Pragmatic's battle to pacify Ningxia lasted for three months, the Ministry of Household Affairs would probably starve to death; Count them one by one, and there will be no injustice if they are all killed.
But normally, with the number of rebels as high as 60,000, and so-called 200,000, it is really not unusual for the counter-insurgency war to last for half a year. This time, the battle was basically concluded after only one month of fighting. There is really no other reason to say. It is completely pragmatic and unparalleled.
Although Zhu Yijun does not know how to fight, he has been the emperor for more than ten years and has been in charge for five years. He can see the two most critical points of this battle.
The first key point is Gao Pragmatic's entry point. He did not choose to lead the army straight to Ningxia and use the most common counter-insurgency strategy of gathering an army and encircling it in several directions. Instead, he ordered Li Rusong to strengthen Shaanxi's defense. In order to prevent the chaos in Ningxia from spreading more widely, he personally led the troops to solve the problem in Ordos.
As an afterthought, Zhu Yijun can now see that Gao's pragmatic style of play is a bit like "surrounding the point and calling for reinforcements" he told himself when he was a child, and it is like a classic battle of "surrounding the point and calling for reinforcements" - Tang Zhenghu Like the Battle of Laoguan, the Ordos tribe, which was regarded as a back-up force by Ningxia, was defeated, allowing the rebels in Ningxia city to experience Wang Shichong's despair.
And in Zhu Yijun's view, Gao Pragmatic was even more effective this time than the battle of Hulao Pass, because he not only defeated "Dou Jiande", but also took the power of the Loop for his own use. After this battle, in addition to the 30,000 Tuotu troops sent by King Shunyi, Gao Jingshi also obtained more than 40,000 cavalry from Taihu Hantong and Yileduqi out of thin air, laying the foundation for defeating the Huo Luochi brothers with the barbarians.
"Using barbarians to control barbarians" is a trick played by all Chinese dynasties, but not many played it well. For example, the Tang Dynasty played it well in the early stage, but unexpectedly failed in the later stage. Not only the Anshi Rebellion was started by "Hu'er", but also the Geluolu people in the Talas War, the Uighur people in the recapture of Chang'an, etc., are all manifestations of being out of touch.
According to what Gao Pragmatic said at the time, this was a sign that the Tang Dynasty was unable to effectively deter the vassal armies due to its own decline. However, he also said that the Tang Dynasty's control was different from the current Dynasty's control of Tumut. The Tang Dynasty basically relied solely on It is controlled by military strength, while the Ming Dynasty's control of Tumut relies more on economic means - of course, there are still military prerequisites, that is, Tumut can neither attack in nor grab what it wants.
These words were said by Gao Jingshi to Zhu Yijun when he was explaining the feasibility of controlling Mongolia. Zhu Yijun always remembered it clearly, so Zhu Yijun was even happier when Gao Jingshi used this method this time. This shows that what Gao Pragmatic said before is true. When Tumote could not obtain enough living materials in the Ming Dynasty through military means, he had to rely on the Ming Dynasty. Over time, when this dependence became stronger and stronger, it became more and more important. After forming a habit, even their own military power had to be used by the Ming Dynasty.
After the Battle of Monan, Gao pragmatically persuaded Tumote to help the Ming Dynasty guard the retreat of Daning City, but Tuotuo only brought 10,000 to 20,000 cavalry, and even received a thank-you gift from Han Naji. A few years later, when Ningxia suppressed the rebellion, Tuotuo went out again and directly brought 30,000 troops. Not only did he help defeat Ordos, but he was also willing to send troops to Gansu without making any other demands. This is proof of the success of "Xihuai".
Gao Pragmatic's handling of the Ordos Division first was the first reason why the Battle of Ningxia was so successful. It not only destroyed the retreat and confidence of Kuai Bai and others, but also directly added more than 70,000 cavalry to himself, forming a counterattack. Huo Luochi's brothers have a huge military advantage.
The next key point is the psychological attack strategy used by Gao Jingshi in the battle to capture Ningxia.
This strategy of attacking the heart can also be divided into two parts. The first part is to surround without attacking, and the second part is to alienate the enemy.
Defeated the main force of Boshu Ketu in one battle and captured Lingzhou in one day. After World War II, the Ningxia rebels had developed a strong fear of the officers and soldiers led by Gao Pingshi, so they had no choice but to huddle in the fortified cities of Ningxia and resist. At this time, what would happen if Gao Pragmatic led an army of 70,000 people outside Ningxia City and did not fight? Of course, people in the city were panicked, and no one knew how violent the next thunderous strike would be.
The reason is simple: Xiao Li's flying knife is the most intimidating when he does not take action, because no one knows whether he will die under this knife next.
When we meet on a narrow road, the brave will win. Under this continuously strengthening psychological deterrent, there will of course be different voices in Ningxia City. This is the meaning of siege but not attack.
But that alone was not enough. Gao Pragmatic did not have time to wait for them to "change over time," so the second plan came up, which was to alienate - to add fuel to these different voices.
After Zhu Yijun received the battle report, he was really amazed by Gao Pragmatic's combination of punches. The victory in this battle was not due to Gao Pragmatic's calculation of all the secrets of heaven, but his calculation of all the people's hearts.
Although several rounds of artillery fire were fired in the end of this battle, it can be regarded as a victory over Ningxia Jiancheng "without spending a single soldier". If this is not a famous commander in the world, then what is a famous commander?
So Shen Shixing's words actually make sense. If Gao Pragmatic hadn't fought so quickly and smoothly, the Ministry of Household Affairs wouldn't have come crying every day and said they really had no money? Not to mention that if we fight a normal counter-insurgency war, Ningxia will be almost destroyed after this battle, and it may not be able to recover in ten years.
Zhu Yijun didn't know that after the historical Battle of Ningxia, Ningxia was really destroyed. In that war, the siege lasted for six months. During this period, the officers and soldiers used various tactics, and in the end even flooded Ningxia. After the war, Ningxia City was basically close to being scrapped, and I don’t know how long it took to recover.
When Zhu Yijun thought of this, he couldn't help but feel dissatisfied with the Ministry of Revenue, and he also had some doubts about the talents of his former husband, Shen Li. Zhu Yijun knew that Shen Li had good character, but in terms of his recent performance as Chief Situ, Zhu Yijun thought that Shen Li was not suitable. In terms of his character, he can manage money, but managing money is not the same as managing finances. His performance as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is unqualified.
Shen Shixing's soft nail was very clever, and Zhu Yijun had already thought of adjusting the Minister of Household Affairs.
However, Zhu Yijun is not only concerned about this issue now, he is also very worried about the situation in Liaodong.
Gao's pragmatic vision has been proven time and time again, so the "Songnen Plain" he talks about must really be a treasure. It would definitely not be a good thing for the Ming Dynasty if such a treasure land was controlled by the Chahar tribe, which began to engage in farming.
Zhu Yijun had heard about it when I was paying tribute. One of the main reasons why the Mongols were not prosperous was because of limited food. Although nomadic life requires little capital, disasters such as white and black disasters have a great impact on them. If they are unlucky, a large number of cattle and sheep will freeze to death.
Of course you can eat frozen cows and sheep, but you have to know that eating meat itself is only enjoyed by a few people. The vast majority of herdsmen usually live mainly on various dairy products. Frozen cows and sheep cannot provide this, so the total amount of food It's greatly restricted. If the food is not enough, the population will certainly not grow. No matter how powerful the Mongols are, they will not be able to survive by drinking wind and smoke.
So when Tumut started farming, some people were worried that the Tumut people would become uncontrollable in the future, but their pragmatism at that time dispelled their concerns. Gao Pragmatic said that Tumut's territory suitable for farming is too close to the Ming Dynasty. If they are really out of control in the future, it will lead to a situation where "the monks who can escape cannot escape the temple" - the Ming Dynasty can easily go out to sweep them away. field.
The Tumut people either choose to protect land or protect people. If they protect the territory, they will not be able to take advantage of the cavalry and will be forced to engage in positional warfare with the Ming Dynasty. For Tumote, this is absolutely a matter of using their own shortcomings to attack the other's strengths; if they protect the people, then the crops they plant will count. It was given to the Ming Dynasty, and after they became accustomed to food supply, they would be severely hit by this, and large-scale non-combat attrition was foreseeable.
But there is a key element in Gao Jingshi's statement, which is that Tumut's farmland is too close to the Ming Dynasty, and the "Songnen Plain" mentioned by Gao Jingshi is not only very large, but also a certain distance away from the Ming Dynasty, at least better than Tumo. The farmland in the special area is much further away. What's more, the Haixi Jurchen side is colder than Monan, and the Ming army will have to overcome greater difficulties if it wants to send troops.
"Your Majesty?"
Chen Ju's soft call woke up Zhu Yijun. He looked at Chen Ju and asked, "What's the matter?"
"The Kaiyuan general Ma Chengxun and the Shenyang guerrilla Qi Jin have both submitted new memorials. Does the emperor want to read them?"
Not every emperor is a workaholic like Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yijun rarely reads the memorials of generals and guerrillas. Only civilians of the same rank will read them. So he shook his head slightly and said: "You can tell me, they have all said it." Something."
Chen Ju agreed, opened Ma Chengxun's memorial, read it, and said, "Ma Chengxun said that Tumen brought about 40,000 to 50,000 horses this time, but Ye He's scouts seemed to have found out the news first. , the Ye He tribe has concentrated a large number of tribesmen and materials in the east and west cities, and is currently holding on to the city to defend it."
Zhu Yijun curled his lips and said: "Ye He is still alert, and he was not attacked by a sneak attack." But he thought in his heart: Could it be that he was scared by Qiuzhen last time, so he was so alert?
Then asked: "Ma Chengxun just reported this situation?"
"Back to the emperor, no." Chen Ju took another look and continued: "Ma Chengxun said that the Ye He tribe sent people to Kaiyuan, and as the Ming Dynasty's general, asked the Ming Dynasty to send troops to defeat the Mongols and save them. One life.”
Zhu Yijun snorted softly: "Hey, after being beaten, did you remember that you were a minister of the Ming Dynasty?" But this was just talk, he paused and asked: "What do Ma Chengxun himself think? The governor, Fu and others Can anyone express anything?"
Chen Ju said: "The governor's opinion has not yet been submitted to the capital. Ma Chengxun's opinion is that troops should be sent, but he said that the troops he has on hand are definitely not enough to defeat Tumen. If he wants to send troops, the imperial court must order the mobilization of the army."
Zhu Yijun thought for a while, but did not answer. Instead, he asked: "What did Qi Jin's memorial say? Is this the same thing?"
Although Chen Ju was the second-in-command of the Director of Ceremonies, the Director of Ceremonies could not take the initiative to express his opinions without the emperor's inquiry. Therefore, he could only open Qi Jin's memorial and read it again, and replied: "Qi Jin He was talking about Nurhachi. He said that Nurhachi’s expedition to Hada was almost overwhelming. Now Jianzhou Guard and Jianzhou Left Guard were extremely empty. He went to Shu to ask for permission to send troops to Jianzhou Guard to help Nikan Wailan regain the old territory. .”
"Huh?" Zhu Yijun was stunned for a moment: "He wants to help Nikan Wailan regain the old territory?"
Chen Ju thought for a while and replied: "From what I see, what I mean seems to be following Gao Shutai's previous advice when he was in Liao Dynasty, which is to balance the strength of Jianzhou and prevent the Nurhaci family from becoming dominant."
"I know that his meaning comes from the pursuit of truth." Zhu Yijun frowned: "But I very much doubt that even if Nikan Wailan reoccupies Jianzhou Guard with the help of my Ming Dynasty, he may not be Nurhachi's opponent. To After the battle between Nurhaci and Hada was over, he might have defeated Nikanwailan in one fell swoop when he turned back south, just like chasing chickens and dogs. He was able to run away last time, but he may not have the same luck this time. He is not worthy of death. It’s a pity, but then I will be embarrassed.”
That was quite embarrassing, and the person who was supporting him couldn't hold himself up to the wall, but if he was chopped down by Nurhachi, should Ming Dynasty send troops, or should he endure this tone? Gao Pragmatic's original principle was that the Ming Dynasty should rely on political and economic means to balance the Jurchens' internal strength, and try to avoid taking the initiative to help fight the war.
Chen Ju shook his head and said: "This... Qi Jin didn't say anything. Judging from his memorial, he probably mainly felt that this opportunity should not be missed."
Zhu Yijun shook his head: "This move is meaningless. Firstly, even if he helps Nikanwailan fight back the Jianzhou Guard, he may not be able to hold it. Secondly, the Jianzhou Guard has just been ravaged by Nurhaci. It doesn't matter what you want. Just capture it." We can't cause much harm to Nurhachi. If we really want to fight, it's better to fight Jianzhou Left Guard directly. There is no need to mention this matter, it is not allowed."
Chen Ju nodded, put Qi Jin's memorial into his right sleeve, and asked: "What about Ma Chengxun's memorial..."
Zhu Yijun frowned and hesitated, and after a while he asked: "Send someone to ask Qiu Zhen privately how long it will take to finish fighting the northwest. In addition, ask him again if Huo Luochi needs him to go there in person. If If you can’t go, when can you return to Beijing?”
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