"Although Suzhou Prefecture does not have many troops, Yingtian Prefecture has 200,000 troops from the capital."
"Even if we remove the old, weak, sick and disabled troops and the troops who must stay in the capital, we can still mobilize an army of 50,000."
After Lan Yu got the news, he immediately ordered someone to bring a map and analyze the battle situation.
He is a general who has been on the battlefield for a long time, and his vision is not bad.
Zhu Yunzhen had no experience in this area at all, so he had to humbly ask him for advice.
"With 50,000 elite troops, it is very easy to win against tens of thousands of troops drawn by Japanese pirates, Zhang Shicheng's old troops, and private salt dealers."
"It's just that the three armies have not moved, and food and grass go first. It will take at least ten days to mobilize 50,000 elite troops and rush to Suzhou."
Zhu Yunzhen frowned slightly.
He also knew very well that marching and fighting was not just about dragging people and horses in a procession, shouting "Let's go" and leaving immediately.
For a small force, this is fine.
Logistics and supplies can be solved midway, and there are no overly complicated organization and coordination issues.
But large-scale military mobilization is very complicated.
How to coordinate among the various troops, how to ensure the supply of food, grass and various military supplies, the planning of the marching route, and even where to set up camp... and so on.
If there is no careful planning, the number of troops is large and the numbers are chaotic, it can easily become a mess.
Suzhou is about four hundred miles away from Yingtian Mansion. This distance is not too far.
But when the army is dispatched, it can't actually go very far in one day.
"Japanese pirates come and go like the wind. Although Suzhou Prefecture has seven guards, they may not be able to defeat them. To rush to Suzhou's aid, we can only send a small but capable vanguard army to Suzhou as quickly as possible to help defend the city."
"As long as Suzhou can hold out for ten days, once the army arrives, it will be the end of the Japanese pirates and those rebels."
"There is a group of elite soldiers and horses near Yangshan Hunting Ground, with about three thousand people."
"Because we are stationed at the hunting ground, we are fully prepared and can be dispatched at any time."
"Immediately give the order to assemble the army and set off immediately, traveling under starry night, to rush to Suzhou for reinforcements."
"In addition, you can also transfer..."
…
Lan Yu pointed out the situation of soldiers and horses in a guard station near Jinling City. The approximate number of soldiers that each guard station could draw was 50,000 soldiers and horses.
Zhu Yunzhen didn't understand anything about this, so he just listened quietly and let him arrange it.
After the plan was formulated, Lan Yu added: "If Your Highness Taisun can trust me, I will be willing to command the three thousand vanguard troops from Yangshan and rush to Suzhou all night long. I will definitely hold Suzhou firmly."
Zhu Yunzhen was silent for a moment.
This is the best way.
Putting aside Lan Yu's ability to lead troops in battles, relying on his great reputation, he could immediately stabilize the people of Suzhou by rushing to Suzhou in person.
At this moment, that's the most important thing.
The most fearful thing was that when the common people and even officials heard that the Japanese pirates were coming, they all became frightened and lost the will to resist, so they rushed to flee.
In the Ming Dynasty, this kind of thing happened countless times.
Especially in the later period when the armaments are relaxed.
During the Jiajing period, more than a hundred Japanese pirates landed from the sea, burning, killing and looting all the way from Zhejiang to Anhui and all the way to Jinling City.
Although Jinling City was not the capital at that time, it was still one of the two capitals among the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty and an important place in the country.
When the Japanese pirates arrived at Jinling City, there were only fifty or sixty people left. There were tens of thousands of troops stationed in Jinling City, but they were so frightened by the fifty or sixty Japanese pirates that they quickly closed all the city gates and did not dare to go out to fight.
Fifty or sixty Japanese pirates, under the nose of tens of thousands of troops in Jinling City, flaunted their power outside the city, burned, killed, looted, and walked away.
Then the Ming Dynasty quickly mobilized elite troops to pursue and kill thousands of Japanese pirates before finally annihilating them all.
Later, the scholar-bureaucrats regarded this incident as a great shame for the Ming Dynasty.
Throughout history, it is indeed very outrageous for a band of more than a hundred people to penetrate deep into the hinterland and kill people wantonly.
The most important reason is not that the Japanese pirates' fighting power is really incredible, but that the Ming Dynasty's army has no fighting spirit. Before the Japanese pirates came, they themselves were in chaos and fled first.
In many places, Japanese pirates captured them almost effortlessly and without any bloodshed.
The frightened deserters and refugees did not dare to resist the Japanese pirates and almost allowed them to kill them.
certainly.
At the moment when the Ming Dynasty is set, the army's combat effectiveness is still very strong, and it will not be as overwhelmed as it was in the later period.
But Songjiang Prefecture was occupied and the Japanese pirates were powerful. Rumors were bound to spread, and the morale of the army and the people was unstable.
All in all, Suzhou has been free from war for twenty-six years since Zhang Shicheng was pacified.
The Ming Dynasty had a military household system, and the garrison troops were still the same soldiers and horses.
But in twenty-six years, generations have changed.
The former soldiers are all old, and the newly grown generation has not yet been on the battlefield.
Although they are hereditary military households, their combat power is actually worrying.
The fact that Songjiang Mansion could be captured so easily can also be seen in this aspect.
Otherwise, Songjiang Mansion will not be lost.
This is a natural shortcoming of the military household system.
If it is a military household stationed on the northern border, the newly grown second- and third-generation children will continue to fight on the battlefield and be fully trained, so their combat effectiveness will naturally be maintained.
However, if military households stationed in peaceful areas do not go to the battlefield to fight, their combat effectiveness will be significantly reduced in just one generation.
In addition, there may be hidden wealthy merchants in Suzhou spreading rumors and cooperating with the Japanese pirates' attacks, and the situation becomes even more dangerous.
Ordinary generals, even if they are very good and have strong fighting skills, will spend a lot of energy just to stabilize the morale of the army and the people.
And with Lan Yu's prestige, even if he goes alone, he can quickly stabilize the morale of the army and the people.
"good!"
Zhu Yunxuan nodded in agreement.
Lan Yu suddenly smiled heartily and said: "Your Majesty Taisun, there is no need to worry too much. In fact, with these three thousand vanguard troops and the reorganization of the original garrison in Suzhou, I can be sure to pacify the tens of thousands of Japanese pirates in Songjiang Prefecture." and rebels.”
"It's just that this would probably take a long time. Not only would it cost more in terms of military pay, but it would also be inconsistent with the imperial court's policy of suppressing rebellion with thunderous force."
"But it's definitely possible to pacify it. They can't change the situation yet."
He said it very firmly and with full confidence.
Zhu Yunzhen smiled and said, "I believe in you."
Lan Yu bowed her hands and left in a hurry.
Zhu Yunxuan did not rush to report to Zhu Yuanzhang, but still stood in front of the map to analyze the situation.
The map is not very standard and is obviously different from later modern maps. This can be seen at a glance just from the shape of the coastline.
But it's not bad, and it can be used barely.
As he was watching, a voice came from outside: "You can't go in!"
"Go and report quickly. I want to see His Highness the Grand Sun immediately."
It was Xu Miaojin's voice.
Zhu Yunzhen frowned, why did she come into the palace?
He used to be quite annoyed with little girls.
But after getting along for a long time, I gradually felt that it was pretty good.
Know the importance, know how to advance and retreat.
Although he is occasionally a little unruly and willful, he is basically pretty good.
The main thing is that the little girl is really nice to him.
Not only did he save his life, but he also kept running around beside him to help him with errands.
As the daughter of the other party's Zhongshan County Prince, there is no need to be like this.
"Let her in."
Zhu Yunxuan gave an order.
Soon, Xu Miaojin walked in.
She wears a ponytail, looks young, and has a strong girlish air.
Most of the women in this era, influenced by feudal ethics, were weak and timid in front of others.
Regardless of whether you are a lady or a little girl, you should be quiet, smile without showing your teeth, speak in a low voice, be cautious in everything you do, and show humility in everything.
Youth is lifeless.
The little girl is different.
He is generous and energetic in his dealings with others.
Xu Miaojin also carried a long box on his back.
Zhu Yunxuan asked: "You are entering the palace now, but is there anything important?"
"I just came from the Technical Research and Manufacturing Bureau. This is their new product. Please take a look at it."
The little girl said, putting down the box behind her.
She looked at the map and said, "I heard that an urgent message from 800 miles away was sent to the palace. Looking at the signs on the map, could it be that Songjiang Mansion has rebelled?"
After all, she is the daughter of Zhongshan King Xu Da.
Although Xu Da died when he was still very young.
But my brothers are also generals.
Affected by her family environment, she is very familiar with the military.
Zhu Yunzhen glanced at her and didn't hide it.
"The Japanese pirates landed from the coast, colluded with Zhang Shicheng's old troops and private salt dealers, and even secretly funded them. They were also secretly funded by large businessmen. They had a huge momentum. They had occupied Songjiang Prefecture, gathered tens of thousands of troops, and directed their troops towards Suzhou."
"Ah!" The little girl lost her voice in surprise, and her bright eyes suddenly enlarged.
This news is too shocking.
She was momentarily distracted.
She took two steps forward and stared at the map.
After a moment, he suddenly raised his head and said, "I just saw Duke Liang leaving the palace. Did you send him to Suzhou to take charge?"
Zhu Yunxuan nodded: "Exactly. Now that the Japanese pirates and rebels are powerful, they are afraid that the morale of the army and the people in Suzhou will be unstable, so sending him there is also to stabilize the morale of the army and the people."
Xu Miaojin shook his head, pointed at the map and said: "You said that the Japanese pirates and anti-bandit troops are heading directly towards Suzhou, but I don't think so. They want to attack not Suzhou, but Jiaxing Prefecture, and then go south from there to attack Hangzhou. "
(End of chapter)
