"Your Majesty, I think the third day of March is the best time!"
Sun Chengzong immediately gave advice and explained: "Your Majesty, the third day of March is a traditional festival, also known as Shangsi Festival. The customs of different ethnic groups are different, but the wishes expressed are good.
For example, to exorcise evil spirits and pray for blessings, we can set off after holding a blessing ceremony in Beijing, which is also a good sign!
Secondly, most of the interior of the Ming Dynasty is now covered with ice and snow, and Mongolia is even more serious. But by the time we set off for the expedition, the ice and snow had melted.
Whether it's marching or logistical support, it will be much smoother.
Thirdly, during this season, the grasslands are withering, which is also the most difficult time for Mongolia. The grain and grass stored in the winter are almost used up.
Especially due to the lack of replenishment of war horse essence, their war horses' physical strength and endurance have greatly declined, and their combat power has also declined. This is the most advantageous time for us.
Fourth, there are still more than 40 days before March 3rd. Let us do more deductions, consider more comprehensively, and formulate some response strategies. We will be more prepared and have greater certainty. "
"I second the proposal!"
"Seconded!"
…
The ministers only thought for a moment before agreeing to Sun Chengzong's suggestion.
"In this case, it will be set on the third day of the third month of the third lunar month. During this period, all work will be carried out as confidentially as possible. No matter what the outside world speculates, the ministries and agencies are not allowed to come forward to clarify, so go and prepare!"
"Sun Chengzong, Yuan Keli, and Li Ruolian stay!"
Everyone bowed and left. After a few brief discussions, they immediately started working.
In Dongnuan Pavilion, Chongzhen put his hands behind his back, looked at the map, and frowned slightly.
After a while, Chongzhen said softly: "I still have some ideas about the plan just now, but I am not sure. Please analyze it!"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to share your worries with you!"
"I'm thinking about whether to implement the art of combining vertical and horizontal, and making friends from far away and attacking at close range!"
"Your Majesty wants to associate with the defeated Tumut and other troops in the north of Guihua City?"
Yuan Keli reacted quickly, then took two steps forward and looked at the map carefully: "After Tumut's defeat, it was divided into two parts. One part entered the Hetao Plain to the west.
Part of them retreated northward, relying on the Daqing Mountains to resist defence, and gained a place to breathe.
Although they were defeated miserably, they still had at least 30,000 to 40,000 cavalrymen, which was also a force.
The imperial court sent envoys to contact Tumote and other remnants, using them to contain the Chahar cavalry and reduce our pressure.
The condition is that after we kill Chahar, we will return Guihua City to Tumut, and give them a grazing area of 300 miles around Guihua City.
But they must give us a number of good war horses every year. We can also open a trade market in Datong and let them exchange furs, medicinal materials, etc. for food.
After a great war, Tumut's strength has been greatly reduced again, so he must rely on us.
Otherwise, what awaits them will either be killed by the imperial court, or Huang Taiji will contact Mobei Mongolia to kill them. "
"Mr. Yuan Ge, this strategy is good, but I am also a little worried. They all understand the meaning of lips dying and teeth falling cold.
It is definitely better to be stuck between Chahar and Mobei Mongolia than to face the Ming Dynasty directly.
Although Tumut suffered a tragic defeat, he was particularly proud of being a descendant of the Golden Family. Moreover, we just plotted against them last year. Will they agree to cooperate with us?
Don't kill the envoy sent out and then inform Chahar. If the plan is exposed in advance, the gain will outweigh the loss. "
"Yuan Aiqing's thoughts are the same as mine, but Sun Aiqing's concerns are also my concerns. It doesn't matter whether we agree or not, but I'm afraid that reporting the news in advance will cause trouble!"
"Your Majesty, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends. It's just that the benefits given are not enough."
Yuan Keli continued to hold a different view: "But we can change our strategy, for example, the envoy can go later.
After the army leaves Xuanfu, it will take about ten days to reach Guihua City. Then let the envoy go to the Tumut Department when the army is two hundred miles away from Guihua City.
Their cavalry can mount their horses at any time and do not need to be mobilized at all. If they agree, they can immediately assemble their troops and set off.
If you don't agree, we are almost there anyway, and if they want to spread the word, just let them go.
After we captured Guihua, the army turned around and attacked Daqingshan, crippling them again! "
Yuan Keli's words had a strong flavor that those who obey me will prosper and those who go against me will perish. Although they were a bit overbearing, they suited Chongzhen's taste.
"Mr. Yuan Ge's proposal is feasible. Let the envoys tell Tumote directly that if he dares to kill our envoys, he will issue an edict directly.
No tribe is allowed to trade with them, otherwise they will be directly prohibited from entering the border market and trade with each other, which will trap them to death! "
Deterrence by force and economic sanctions are a two-pronged approach, with one hand hard and the other soft.
Civil servants are ruthless, sometimes much more ruthless than military generals.
Chongzhen withdrew his gaze from the map and looked at Sun and Yuan: "Since you two think we can give it a try, let's give it a try. Who is the most suitable to send?"
"Your Majesty, do you still remember the envoy who went to Guihua City to negotiate with Lin Dan Khan last year?"
"Yuan Aiqing is talking about Hei Mingxiao, the sixth son of Hei Yunlong?"
"Your Majesty has a good memory!"
Yuan Keli complimented: "In the process of plotting against Chahar last year, Hei Mingxiao was brave and resourceful and made great achievements.
The messenger is nothing more than courage, courage and control of complex situations. These have been demonstrated last time. Since he has experience, let's arrange for him to go there! "
"It's settled, the general will be the ambassador, I can rest assured!"
"After you two go back, you two, please discuss what conditions you should promise Tumo and come up with a charter!"
Chongzhen made the decision without any hesitation, and then looked at Li Ruolian who was waiting on the side: "Li Aiqing, send an order to Hei Mingxiao to enter the capital immediately."
After a few more instructions, Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli left.
After the two people exited Dongnuan Pavilion, Chongzhen looked at Li Ruolian: "Li Aiqing, three things. First, send out as many Jinyiwei as you can. Chahar, Jiannu, and Dongjiang should pay close attention, and pass the news to Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli;
Second, after our army sets off, you can plan to see if you can burn the food and grass that Jiannu left in Liaoyang.
You can also carry out some assassinations. Kill a few of the leaders and Khans of the various Mongolian tribes who stayed in Jiannu, and put the blame on Huang Taiji.
Anyway, there is only one principle, Huang Taiji cannot be easily allowed to regain power.
Third, send an order to Mao Wenlong. Once Jiannu attacks Ningyuan, let him lead an army to harass and reduce the pressure on Ningyuan! "
"Oh, by the way, don't take action on the Dongjiang side for now, wait until the army returns to the court!"
"I obey the decree!"
After saluting, Li Ruolian exited Dongnuan Pavilion.
As soon as he exited Dongnuan Pavilion, Wang Chengen stepped forward and said softly: "Your Majesty, Xu Guangqi, the director of the Firearms Research Institute, and Zhang Jingyue, the director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, are asking for an audience outside the palace!"
