As soon as Zhu Houzhao left the capital, he was like a wild horse running wild. Zhang Mao, Yang Yiqing and others were driven away early. There was no one around to nag and advise. Would Liu Jin dare to speak to His Majesty? Zhang Zhonghui said, Your Majesty, of course not. Naturally, the three ministers who are expected to take charge of the overall situation in the court cannot come. Now is the day I want.
But not long after being happy, the people along the way became troubled. They were all as skinny as wood, lying crookedly on the side of the official road, looking miserable with their families and young children. Where could you see such a situation in the capital? Even if it existed, it would not happen. Appear before the emperor's eyes.
It happened last time, and the world was in chaos. If the emperor sees this situation again, I don't know what the emperor will do.
Zhu Houzhao sighed in his heart; "This is the so-called peaceful and prosperous age."
The more he saw, the more urgent he became. There was not much time. After defeating the Tatars this time, he asked Qi Jingtong to go to sea immediately and fetch the potatoes for me. There were also corns and sweet potatoes. I guess I needed one. A year or two, and he had to waste so much time. He thought he was following the trajectory of history. Zhu Houzhao was a short-lived ghost, and he was also a short-lived ghost.
The mood was completely destroyed and there was no time to wander. Zhu Houzhao ordered the army to rush to Datong Mansion at full speed.
The imperial court did not recruit civilians to transport supplies. The 5,000-strong army carried their own dry food and traveled lightly. The marching speed was naturally much faster. The food from the south did not enter Beijing and was diverted directly to Datong.
Along the way, the troops marched non-stop, taking short breaks for an hour or two to eat some solid food. Fortunately, this army, brought out by Zhang Zhong, was of relatively high quality, otherwise it would have been defeated long ago.
Zhu Houzhao didn't do anything special. He ate whatever the soldiers ate. He didn't ride on a chariot along the way. Gradually, he gained more loyal support from these big-headed soldiers. People are all creatures of flesh and blood. Even the emperor, who is above us, did not do anything special. They are so approachable and approachable, without any pretense, what else can they be dissatisfied with? What's more, they are the late emperor's secret guards, and they only have loyalty in their hearts. This is even more rare.
And Zhu Houzhao, like a military instructor in his previous life, did ideological work with every soldier, encouraging them to not be afraid of sacrifice, carry forward the fighting spirit of courage, and make wishes and promises.
"You are the soldiers of the common people, you are the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, you are the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty with supreme glory...!"
"If you are killed in battle, I will ask the court to support your wife, children, and parents until they die. Don't be afraid, I will be with you."
Zhang Zhong followed Zhu Houzhao silently. Seeing His Majesty's impassioned encouragement to the soldiers, the blood in his heart that had long been cooled gradually became warmer, and there were tears in his eyes.
As a soldier, they also need recognition from others, especially the emperor's attention. This is more important than anything else.
The exhausted bodies of the soldiers were transformed by Zhu Houzhao's thoughts, and their fighting spirit was immediately high. They wished they could appear on the wall of Datong immediately and fight the Tatars. The emperor even said that they are heroes and the city wall of Ming Dynasty. , the honor and pride of being a soldier arise spontaneously.
"The country has treated you badly, but it won't happen again in the future. Reading is the only one who is inferior in everything. Without you to protect the country and the country, there would be no peaceful life for scholars. That's why you are the solid shield of the Ming Dynasty. With you, Only the Ming Dynasty can be at peace. Only with you can I be at peace and the world can be at peace. Pick up your weapons and let everyone see. Who said that being a soldier is not as good as studying."
Roar~! For the emperor, for the Ming Dynasty, kill, kill, kill.
The passion of the soldiers was aroused, and their momentum was like a rainbow. They roared and rushed towards Datong Mansion with red eyes.
Zhu Houzhao said happily, although I have weapons that transcend the times, the disparity in strength is too great. If I don't give you some more spirit of not being afraid of sacrifices and daring to fight and kill, this battle will really be impossible to fight. Don't blame me. Cruel, I am just gambling. If I win, Ming Dynasty will have an unlimited future. If I lose, I will be doomed. After more than ten years, when I die, Ming Dynasty will still return to its original state, so you must win, Tumu The castle broke your spine, and I will pick it up for you again.
Yingzong's army of 500,000 people advanced in three directions. Yingzong led his own army of 200,000 people, but was annihilated one by one by Washi's 50,000-strong army. Isn't this an example of a battle in which fewer people win more? Zhu Houzhao wanted to regain what the Ming army had lost. morale.
The Tatars and the Wazai people are not terrible. They can defeat more with less. Every year they come to disturb the Ming Dynasty's border walls, plunder and kill the people. The Ming Dynasty has no good way except to drive them away and comfort them. Then Zhu Houzhao will Use an even more exaggerated war style to regain the decadent courage and fighting spirit of the Ming army, and let all the vassal countries see clearly that the Ming Dynasty is still strong.
Thermal weapons will be a major trend in the future. Now, the Ming Dynasty has an absolute advantage of hundreds of years ahead of other countries. This battle can be said to be very critical. From now on, it will be a war of elite soldiers. How many troops does the Ming Dynasty have now, plus local guards? Almost two million.
The imperial court only had a small amount of tax revenue, more than one million, and could not make ends meet, which was why it was in this predicament.
If Jiangnan is sufficient, the world will be prosperous. If there is a natural disaster in Jiangnan, the world will be in chaos.
In order to change this situation, when Zhu Houzhao came to power, he tried to find ways to raise commercial taxes, but he never succeeded. Until now, Zhu Houzhao wanted to lay a solid foundation in one battle. He first learned from Emperor Yongle and held firm. Anyone who dares to be dissatisfied with military morale will have won half the battle in the court.
When the grain is retrieved and the people have food, they will get half of it. Then what can the ministers do? That is when he can truly say that the emperor wants to spend time wherever he wants. , if you are unhappy, I will destroy you. This is the life Zhu Houzhao wants. The current emperor is really delicious.
To set up a royal manufacturing bureau, the ministers said a few words to each other and discussed a few words to each other. Zhu Houzhao secretly felt ruthless and must find an opportunity to make these rustic ancients convinced of me.
As people wished, the Tatars came, and Zhu Houzhao also successfully seized the opportunity. The imperial commander went to fight in person. The court was in a state of excitement, and the people were watching to see if the young emperor, who had just ascended the throne, could sing loudly. Return with a great victory, displaying the majesty of the Ming Dynasty.
Datong Mansion.
"Your Majesty, Zhu Chongyao, respectfully welcomes the Holy Master." The King of Dai bowed down and performed the courtesy of a prince.
"Your Majesty, Wang Shouren, the Commander-in-Chief of Datong Prefecture, is here to welcome the Holy Master." He knelt down and bowed to the emperor. He did not regard himself as a military general, but as a minister. This Confucian general who was famous in ancient and modern times still regarded himself as a civil servant in his heart.
"Your Majesty, Hu Zan, the commander of the Anning Guards of Datong Prefecture, welcomes the emperor." This man is also a famous figure. In history, he once saved the emperor and his name is recorded in the annals of history.
"The ministers and others respectfully welcome the Holy Master." The rest of them knelt down and paid homage.
Under the leadership of Zhang Zhong, the five thousand Iron Eagle Guards all came out with stern faces and murderous intent. They held their heads high and chests high, carrying long guns on their shoulders and artillery barrels on their backs. They came out with only ammunition. This is military The secret technology must not be leaked, and it is not too late to make the rest of the fire mines. Anyway, the cannons have no strict requirements on what to throw, so Zhu Houzhao did not bring them.
But when this strange-looking army appeared in Datong, Wang Shouren and others were surprised!
When Zhu Houzhao was approaching Datong, he got up to his banquet. He was dressed in golden armor and carried a sword symbolizing the emperor on his waist. He stepped down from the banquet and looked at the king first, then took a look at the emperor's uncle. , said: "Uncle, please rise."
He helped the acting king Zhu Chongyao to stand up. Zhu Chongyao smiled brightly. The vassal king was not allowed to leave the fiefdom without an edict. Therefore, the late emperor was greatly moved. He only expressed his condolences. He never thought that the emperor would come to Datong. As a landowner, he naturally came all the way to greet him. Shengjia was really frightened in his heart. He was timid and did not dare to think of anything else. Therefore, the line of Dai Wang did not change much until the last Dai Wang was killed by Li Zicheng.
Zhu Houzhao smiled again and said to Wang Shouren and other ministers.
"You can get better soon."
"I thank you for your grace."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I have prepared a banquet in the palace. Your Majesty, please come to the palace for a while." The King of Dai respectfully respectfully said.
Zhu Houzhao shook his head lightly and said, "When Datong Mansion is settled, I will definitely go to the emperor's uncle's palace to visit and stay for three to five days. I have been famous for the scenery of Prince Dai's Mansion for a long time, haha." He said it casually. .
Zhu Chongyao felt panic in his heart. The emperor has been famous for the scenery of the palace for a long time, which means that the scenery of the palace is not as good as that of the palace. This is not to say that he violated the rules and regulations. Are you warning the old minister?
Zhu Houzhao didn't care what he thought. He turned to Wang Shouren and said, "Go to the city and have a look. I want to know the current battle situation."
"Zhang Zhong, you take the Iron Eagle Guard to the city tower to arrange it first."
"Vice General Zhang, Yang Canjun, you go together." Zhu Houzhao ordered.
Seeing this, Zhu Chongyao did not dare to say anything anymore and followed him carefully. Looking at the situation, he realized that the emperor was well prepared and it was better not to disturb the emperor.
Wang Shouren was called to his side by Zhu Houzhao, and Liu Jin and Dai Wang followed them towards the city gate tower.
Zhang Mao and Yang Yiqing followed Hu Zan and led the army to the city tower to set up defenses.
The Iron Eagle Guards, five in a row, walked side by side, marching in uniform steps, following behind the emperor without looking back, which was shocking.
The army passed through the city. The people looked at it curiously and then lowered their heads, as if they had no strength.
Zhu Houzhao was very worried. What he saw was the bleak face of the people. Even if the garrison officers saw His Majesty in person, they were all lackluster. Although they shouted loudly, they had no spirit. Apart from so many days, The rest of the soldiers who had been fighting were basically like this. Wang Shouren explained helplessly to the emperor; "Your Majesty, the humble minister is guilty. These days, it has been freezing cold in Datong Mansion, and the soldiers lacked food and clothing. It is really..." ·.”
Zhu Houzhao did not blame him, but said to himself in shame: "You are not wrong. It was me who was sorry for them. It was me who did not feed and clothe the soldiers. I am the guilty one. I don't blame you. The food is coming soon." , it’s almost here, please bear with it a little longer.” His words made everyone behind him feel sad and ashamed.
Wang Shouren's eyes were red. Is the emperor blaming himself? Your Majesty, you are truly a benevolent monarch. I am ashamed of myself. Your Majesty understands righteousness so well and has the demeanor of a benevolent monarch in ancient times. It is worthy of me to follow an emperor like you.
What can he say? The current situation in Ming Dynasty is like this. The nine border towns are different. If you want to supply so many military supplies, there will always be places that cannot be taken care of. The situation in Datong is not bad. If Nuer does it Over there, Wang Shouren knew something about the situation in other places.
It's all because of the food, and the damn weather. It's only October and it's so cold that people can't live.
Zhu Houzhao looked at their tired bodies and then looked at the officials in the capital. He suddenly felt very angry. He was sad and angry at the same time. He had no choice. What could he do? He had to work hard and go to battle in person. , and then play the role of instructor for a while to cheer them up.
I saw him take a few quick steps, climb the tower, stand by the crevices of the tower wall, and tell Wang Shouren, "Gather all the soldiers."
"According to the order."
