"this……"
Listening to Mao Wenlong's question, everyone looked at each other in confusion, not sure what the commander-in-chief meant.
Before they could think about it, Mao Wenlong continued: "I joined the army at the age of thirty and have been in the army for twenty-five years. I have experienced nearly a hundred battles and killed more than a thousand enemies.
After the opening of the town of Dongjiang, they have been containing Jiannu from the rear to relieve the pressure on Ningyuan's defense line.
Big victories such as the Great Victory of Zhenjiang were the first victory between the Ming Dynasty and Jiannu, the first time they regained lost territory, and the first time they sacrificed prisoners.
From the initial 200 people, it has grown to nearly 30,000 elites and hundreds of thousands of civilians.
If it weren't for this commander-in-chief, not only would all the hundreds of thousands of Liao people be massacred, but at least their lives would definitely be difficult! From this point of view, I owe a lot to Ming Dynasty.
But I have indeed fallen into depravity in recent years, cheating on military pay, smuggling prohibited goods, collecting customs duties privately, liaising with slaves, etc.
Regarding these problems, I dare to say that before His Majesty ascended the throne, at least nine out of ten military generals above the third rank of the Ming Dynasty had these problems.
So these problems are both big and small.
But I had no choice but to do so. The court refused to pay me any money, and the Ning army was not imprisoned for more than a year in four years.
Tens of thousands of soldiers need to eat, and hundreds of thousands of people also need to eat. What can I do if I don't do this, and watch tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of thousands of people starve to death?
From this point of view, although I had difficulties and had no choice but to do so, I still exceeded my duty as a minister.
Especially if you communicate with Jiannu, you may be labeled by civil servants as colluding with the enemy, and you are a treacherous minister!
Therefore, I am neither a loyal minister nor a treacherous minister. I can only be said to be a capable minister and an official! "
"Over the years, if I wanted to join the Jiannu slaves, I would have done so long ago. Why not? Because I am also waiting and watching.
Living in troubled times, we only seek a way out to settle down and live in peace. I can ignore myself, but what about the 30,000 soldiers in Dongjiang? What to do with the hundreds of thousands of other people?
Whether you are a slave, a maid, or an ordinary citizen, it all depends on the commander's thoughts.
The Ming Dynasty was declining day by day, but an emaciated camel was bigger than a horse. The Jiannu rose from a weak position, but they were able to gradually win over the Mongolian tribes and compete with the Ming Dynasty. However, they had insufficient background and it was still unclear who would win in the end.
As for those civil servants who said that I want to become a king, become a warlord, and establish a vassal state, this is all nonsense.
The entire Dongjiang River is only so big, and we cannot support ourselves in terms of food, clothing, etc. No matter which side wins, as long as a sea ban is issued, only death awaits us. "
"It's true that wealth and honor are sought in danger, but you must remember that wealth and honor are sought in danger, and lost in danger. One tenth of the time you seek it, and nine out of ten you lose it. When acting as a man, you should abandon the idea of luck.
Although the reward is not as great as the risk, the victory lies in the certainty. As long as people are alive, everything is possible. "
Listening to Mao Wenlong's evaluation of himself and analysis of the situation, the confidants opened their mouths to say something but didn't know where to start.
At this moment, they realized that the usually domineering commander was the most sober.
Perhaps it was this sobriety that allowed the commander to survive among many forces and gradually grow stronger.
"But, foster father, after saying so much, you still haven't said where our way out is?"
"Two o'clock!"
Mao Wenlong pointed to the looming Jiannu City at the end of the sea: "First, if Jiannu invades North Korea, we will harass and even seize the opportunity to recover the Jiannu City from Dandong to Phoenix City.
As long as the court sees our combat power, it will be easy! "
"Secondly, do you still remember the oath His Majesty made when the White Guards came to Beijing? At first I thought His Majesty just wanted to inspire people and boost morale.
Now it seems that His Majesty is not arrogant, but sincerely wants to achieve these goals.
Even after Your Majesty destroys Jiannu and all foreign enemies are gone, if you want to accomplish these goals, you will always need military commanders.
Your Majesty's martial arts hall is prepared for this, but those students are still too young after all. This is our opportunity!
Although there are only 30,000 elite troops in Dongjiang today, we are fully equipped with infantry, cavalry, navy, and gunmen, and they dare to fight. Facing Annam, Siam, and other Western countries, we are a force that cannot be underestimated.
The emperor does not care about loyalty, good or evil, but how to use people. Yan Song and Wei Zhongxian, can you say that Jiajing and Tianqi didn't know this? "
"Now the situation is clear. No matter how the slaves writhe, the Ming Dynasty will definitely win.
What we have to do is to let the court see the value. This is our way to survive. You can figure out the truth for yourself! "
Looking at the people who were deep in thought, Mao Wenlong sighed softly in his heart, with a trace of compassion flashing in his eyes.
What he said is correct, and there is a way to survive, but it is probably limited to himself, and it is hard to say for others, but he cannot save everyone.
Looking at the undulating dark blue water, the once overwhelming pride was slowly retreating. The power of the Ming Dynasty had made him stop thinking too much.
Such as occupying the southeastern part of Korea, truly tearing apart the soil and enthroning the king, or forming a navy, going overseas, going north along the Korean Strait, occupying a small country, or going south, occupying Lu Song and Brunei.
"That's all, I'm already fifty-three this year, and I won't live for a few more years, so I won't worry about it. I just hope that I can spend the rest of my life in peace and find a way out for my son. That's what I'll be satisfied with!"
While he was lost in thought, on the sea dozens of miles away from his official ship, a Haicang ship was riding the wind and waves. On the deck, Wang Guoxing looked at the vast sea behind him and more than ten warships in front of him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. .
He was really afraid that Mao Wenlong would be ruthless and sent people to kill them. Now it seems that although Mao Wenlong does not obey orders, he still has concerns.
After sighing with emotion, Wang Guoxing looked at the two men with shackles on their hands and feet, and chuckled: "Do you think I should call you Geng Zhongming and Kong Youde, or should I call you Mao Youjie and Mao Yongshi?"
"Are you a little disappointed that Marshal Mao didn't come to rescue you?"
"You have become abandoned. Why don't you take the initiative? Maybe there is still a way to survive!"
"Hmph, don't worry about it. We are living a life of licking blood on the tip of a knife in Dongjiang. Maybe we will die in a battle one day, but now it is just a death!"
Listening to Geng Zhongming's cold snort, Wang Guoxing was not angry and said softly: "Geng Zhongming, you are famous for your cunning and wisdom in Dongjiang. With your intelligence, it is not difficult to see the situation in Dongjiang. Sooner or later, Dongjiang will be completely taken over by the imperial court.
There is no point in stubbornly resisting. It is better to cooperate with us and make meritorious service, and there is still a way to survive! "
"Since we will be taken over sooner or later, what's the point of my cooperation or not? It's too shameless of you to think of me for the lives of tens of thousands of Dongjiang soldiers in exchange for my life. Use whatever means you have!"
"Okay, I like hard bones. I hope your mouth can still be so hard in a few days!"
Wang Guoxing snorted coldly. Before entering the imperial prison, he was always tough-talking. After entering the imperial prison, there are really not many people who can resist.
