Datong Town.
As the governor of Xuanda, Wang Shouren is holding a meeting on building cities in Maoerzhuang and Weininghai.
The construction of the city in Maoerzhuang was decided early in the morning and has already been implemented. The construction of the city in Weininghai was entirely due to Dayan Khan's request for the Ming Dynasty to grant the land of the East and West Hetao to He, Daming responded.
"Wang Zhitai, if he sends servants from Xuanfu and Datong to raise money and food, and build two forts at one time, and they are in places where transportation is inconvenient by grassland roads, I am afraid it will be difficult to accomplish. Now that it is winter, should we ask the court to allocate 200,000 taels of coins to build the city?"
Datong guerrilla general Hu Gui raised difficulties as a local.
The chief military officer of Datong on the side, Xiangcheng Bo Li Na, said, "Even if we transfer 200,000 taels of silver, I'm afraid we won't be able to build a big city. Now the city of Mao'erzhuang can't be finished. It can't be built anyway." It is more than two miles away. Apart from garrisoning troops, what other use does it have?”
For building a city, two hundred thousand taels are not enough.
This is simply the construction of city walls, towers, gates and other fortifications. Even the laborers are recruited locally, which means that labor does not cost money, and even rations and other items are brought by Lifu himself.
Even so, not even a Maoer Village can be built, let alone Weininghai.
Wang Shouren is a good fighter, but for him to deal with the ministers, especially the people's livelihood, is a bit complicated from Wang Shouren's point of view.
You can fight a war with passion, but to govern a country, passion alone is not enough. Money is needed everywhere, which is exactly what the northwest lacks.
After the military meeting.
Wang Shouren immediately wrote a memorial to Zhu Youtang, mentioning the inconvenience of building a city in Weininghai
“It is a long way from the Ming Dynasty border pass, and there is no rest or supply along the way. The cost of building the city at Maoerzhuang is already huge. If we consider building a city at Weininghai, it will only ruin the livelihood of the people on the front line of Xuanda, and more people need to be dispatched to repair and reinforce passes such as Piantou Pass."
Written down a set of difficulties, but Wang Shouren did not sign his name.
He also realized that if he continued to report like this, the trust of the emperor and everyone in the court would be greatly reduced.
"Wang Zitai, I don't know if I can enter because of my humble position." Li Na's voice came from outside.
"Come in."
Wang Shouren didn't even bring his family with him when he came to the northwest this time. He almost always ate and lived with the soldiers, and he never put on airs. He quickly won the favor of everyone in the army.
Li Wei walked in and did not approach Wang Shouren's desk. He cupped his fists and said, "Wang Zhitai, I heard that many Tatar tribes want to complete trade with the Ming Dynasty. Now the city of Maoerzhuang has not yet opened." After the construction is completed, do you think it is feasible to use Maoerzhuang to trade with the Tatars?"
Wang Shouren said, "This will definitely cause many Tatars to sneak into Maoerzhuang..
Li Nuo said, "Isn't this a compromise? The coal mines in Datong are in full swing, but I heard that they were all used by the imperial court and Cai Guogong, leaving no room for us in Datong to build the city or even the Haining Guard." You get the new salt field and exchange it for salt bait. You only use the salt bait from three sides, but you still have many constraints on the use of troops. ”
Wang Shouren remained silent.
While he was talking, Wang Shouren’s servant appeared at the door. However, when he saw Wang Shouren meeting guests in the hall, the servant wisely gave way. aside.
“I’ll think about it. "Wang Shouren said, "Even if the border market in the northwest is to be reopened, it still needs the permission of the imperial court. Even if a border market is opened from Mao'erzhuang, the harvest of the border market will be less than 20,000 taels a year. It is still not enough to build forts and so on. I will still propose to Your Majesty that only one part of the city in Mao'erzhuang should be completed. Weininghai will mostly send troops to patrol. host. ”
If you don’t have such a big head, don’t wear such a tall hat.
Wang Shouren fully understands this, so he can only do his best to appeal and keep his mouth clear. It was said that a city was to be built, but in the end it was only a city the size of a bullet. When the Tatars came, it could not even be used as a fortress, so it would be better not to build it.
After Li Wei left, the Wang family's servants came in. .
"The master has written from the capital. "The servant was very excited.
After Wang Shouren arrived in the northwest, Wang Hua almost ignored his son. Recently, the servants of the Wang family could also feel that their young master was worried about the money, rice, oil and salt. Now Wang Hua The once most powerful person in the Wang family finally extended an olive branch to his son, which made the Wang family feel that it was a joint effort between father and son.
Wang Shouren did not look forward to Wang Hua's letter that much. /p>
Because Wang Shouren knew that Wang Hua was just a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, and even if he wanted to help him solve the problem, he was not professional enough.
Wang Shouren then opened Wang Hua's letter.
"Master, what did the master say?" The servant was very concerned
Wang Shouren did not answer, but read all Wang Hua's letters carefully, and then became slightly worried.
"My father said that he would try his best to help me with planning and management in the capital. He also mentioned that the position of the Xuanda General System seemed to be high, and it might be better to stay in the Nuergandusi to pacify the Jurchens. Although the latter worked harder, but At least you don't have to worry about money and food arrangements. "Wang Shouren did not inform his servants in more detail.
In fact, Wang Shouren's worries mainly came from his feeling that Wang Hua might have to make some "sacrifice" for him.
Wang Hua mentioned that the emperor wanted to increase the number of cabinet ministers. Although he did not explicitly mention the good intentions of Li Dongyang and others, Wang Shouren knew that once Wang Hua entered the cabinet, it would inevitably involve a dispute between Zhang Zhou and traditional civil servants.
Because Wang Shouren was promoted by Zhang Zhou, Wang Hua entered the exclusive domain of traditional civil servants when he entered the cabinet.
"Reputation is not important anymore. ”
Wang Shouren immediately signed the memorial he had written before, which was equivalent to completing the formal document.The imperial memorial was handed over to the servant, "Let the inn pass it to the capital."
The servant said, "Master, this was just written today. Do you want to wait for two more days and polish it up?"< /p>
"No need." Wang Shouren replied simply, "If I don't even have the courage to face difficulties, I will stay in the northwest and face many difficulties that are beyond my ability. If I raise it with the court, I will let them I know that taking care of Xuanda's military affairs may not be suitable for me."
"Yes."
The servant heard the loneliness in Wang Shouren's words.
We can win battles on the grassland many times, but we have just entered the court. Facing the difficulties is actually facing our own shortcomings.
With Wang Shouren’s arrogant heart, this requires great courage.
When Wang Shouren's memorial arrived in the capital, the Yanwu Hall had just opened, and cannon drills were still in full swing.
There are more than a dozen classes a day, three artillery training ranges, and artillery fire takes turns. The artillery used is still the same as before, but it is like getting a professional artillery qualification certificate. Almost every general who comes to learn The nobles and nobles must personally light the artillery and learn how to aim it theoretically. They must also learn the art of war and know the advantages and disadvantages of artillery in various situations.
On this day, Zhang Zhou took Zhu Houzhao out of the city to check out the artillery performance. It was the first time Zhu Houzhao was allowed to leave the city after the New Year. It was regarded as Zhu Youtang's reward for his son's hard study after the New Year.
After Zhu Houzhao returned to the palace, he felt much calmer than before. He had gone out and had enough fun. After returning, he could finally settle down and study. However, after only studying for more than a month, he was already a little impatient. , always clamoring to come out and play.
"Sir, I heard that there are new cannons, where are they?"
Zhu Houzhao arrived at the artillery practice range. He had lost interest in traditional artillery and only wanted to see new ones. Rifled cannon.
Zhang Zhou looked into the distance with a telescope and said casually, "New cannons are still being developed and are more dangerous. What you are seeing is not enough for you."
Zhu Houzhao curled his lips.
He picked up the telescope and looked at it for a while, then put it down and said, "What's the point? The Tatars are probably familiar with the power of this artillery, and they will find tactics."
Zhang Zhou also put down the telescope and said, "In your place, what tactics are you looking for?"
"Dispersion, and surprise attacks. Didn't you say so yourself?" Zhu Houzhao looked disapproving. You have taught me all this. Things, come to test me
Zhang Zhou smiled with disdain.
In the era of hot weapons, everyone knows the power of guns and artillery. The problem is that no matter how good the cavalry is, no matter how they find tactics, they will still be defeated by guns and artillery. After the 20th century, the cavalry It has basically withdrawn from the war stage. This does not mean that you are qualified to challenge the times because you have the heavy cavalry with the crown of cold weapons.
Zhang Zhou said, "Artillery and fire muskets will definitely become the mainstream on the battlefield in the future. What I want to do is not only use the Shenji Battalion as the offensive force, but also make every soldier equipped with flint muskets. Swords, crossbows, etc. can even be eliminated. As for artillery, everyEveryone along the way has learned how to cooperate with the prince. Do you want to come here to watch the fun?"
"If you don't want to watch the fun, what are you watching? And I won't let you go up and light the cannons myself. "Zhu Houzhao seemed to be using provoking methods.
He had long wanted to light the artillery fuse himself and try firing a cannon himself. However, the danger was still there. Even Zhang Zhou would not take such a risk.< /p>
Zhang Zhou said coldly, "Whenever you think about it later, write a 500-word reflection every time and give it to me later. ”
“What”
Zhu Houzhao thought he heard wrongly
My young master came out to watch you perform. It was to give you face and to relax. , you actually asked me to write "Reflections after Viewing"
Zhang Zhou said, "Five hundred words, it's just to give you face. I know you usually have heavy homework and don't have time to write so much. If you continue to argue, just write a thousand words. If you can't write it, don't even think about leaving the palace or the city next time. "
"Zhang, you are threatening me again?" Zhu Houzhao became angry when he heard it.
Even the title was changed.
Liu Jin quickly pulled Zhu Houzhao over. He didn't say anything, but he winked at Zhu Houzhao.
It means, don't fight him. No matter how awesome you are, you can't fight him.
< p> "What should I write for five hundred words?" Zhu Houzhao didn't bother to watch the artillery demonstration. He ran directly to the back and sat down. He muttered while thinking about it, "I should write about how far this artillery can hit or the results of those people's training." I have to give you some direction."Zhang Zhou ignored him.
At this time, Li Rong, the admiral of Dongchang, came up with Guo Ang, the envoy of Fusi Town in Jinyiweibei Town. .
The two of them were originally escorting Zhu Houzhao out of the palace, but they were also at Zhang Zhou's disposal at any time.
"Sir, I just learned that the General Administration of Military Affairs of Xuanda and other departments. Uncle Xinjian wrote a memorial to Your Majesty, mentioning the difficulties of building a city outside the Datong Pass. This is the transcript. Please take a look. ”
Li Rong handed the copied copy of Guan Bai’s memorial to Zhang Zhou.
As the Minister of War, Zhang Zhou took it and took a look at it, and he probably understood Wang Shouren’s recent actions. He suffered a lot from the position of General Secretary of Xuanda.
This kind of anger is not something that a general officer can inflict on him, but a lot of it is caused by poor progress.
Taking it a step further, the imperial court did not support the strategy of using troops in the northwest at all, and deliberately deducted the money and food used in various places in the northwest. The emperor was talking about policies, saying that he wanted to build cities, build artillery, and train troops, and the ministers below were talking about it. I didn't object much, but I refused to cooperate with practical actions.
I want money and food.
Sorry, the imperial treasury is stretched thin and needs to be used in other places. People's livelihood cannot be guaranteed. , how to engage in those "military" things
Li Rong said, "Look, how to report to His Majesty"
What Li Rong showed to Zhang Zhou was equivalent to the task of going to the listening office. .
A report from a northwest general concerns both the cabinet and the superiors. It is different from the cabinet draft. Zhang Zhou’s opinion isCommunicate it directly to Zhu Youtang.
Of course, ordinary small matters, such as local affairs, do not require Zhang Zhou to personally take action. Zhang Zhou is currently responsible for the deployment of troops and money and food in the towns of Jiubian, as well as matters involving Go to Jiubian’s employment strategy, etc.
"The proposal of opening a border market proposed by Uncle Xinjian is very good, but it will only do business with some Tatar tourist merchants." Zhang Zhou said.
Li Rongdao: "In terms of execution, I'm afraid it will be difficult to complete. The little Tatar prince is very powerful on the grassland. Those Tatar traveling merchants, who knows they will buy the ironware, Who should I sell the silk and satin to?"
Zhang Zhou combined Wang Shouren's memorial and wrote lightly, "It's just a statement. The main purpose of opening a border market is to first ease the conflict with the Tatars. It will be convenient for our Ming Dynasty’s border troops to prepare for war in the next few years.”
Win first on the battlefield, and then give the Tatars a sweet date to eat, and reopen the border market so that the grassland can compete with the vast and rich Central Plains. There is no exchange of goods.
This makes the Tatars feel that there is no need to rob, but in fact it is to ease the conflict and prepare for the future of beating the Tatars to death with a stick.
"Mr. Zhang, do you need to worry? The Tatars will also learn our cannon-casting technology from the border market trade. Even if the pig iron stored in the grassland is not much, as long as it is made, If we come out and fight again, we may not have the advantage." Li Rong was still worried.
Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head and said, "If our Ming Dynasty wants to cast cannons, I have to mine, smelt, and cast them myself. If the Tatars can cast cannons on a large scale in three or two years, , the manpower and material resources consumed are beyond their reach. What's more, as you said, the grassland does not have so many resource allocations. Just follow my instructions and raise it with Your Majesty. If there is further trouble, we will bring it up in court. "
Li Rong cupped his hands and said, "Then we will go back to the city first. Your Highness, you will learn from Mr. Zhang first, and I will go back to the city to meet the saint first." Please remember to bookmark the latest and fastest website. Free reading without anti-theft