Chapter 917 1006 Liaodong Preparations
"Sir, the Ministry of War is reporting urgently.
Lu Bu walked to Wei Guangde's desk and respectfully handed over an official document.
Wei Guangde raised his head and glanced at him, then put down the memorial in his hand and reached out to pick it up and read it.
After a moment, a smile appeared on Wei Guangde's face.
This official document was handed over by the Ministry of War after receiving documents from Huai'an Prefecture. Naturally, it said that the Nanyang Navy led by Yu Dayou had already set out to sea with 500,000 shi of grain and would arrive in Tianjin in more than a month.
By reporting the itinerary, one is to let the court know about the matter, and the other is to let the court send a message to Jizhen and Tianjin in a timely manner, so that they should not be nervous and be prepared to respond.
After all, 200,000 tons of grain will be unloaded in Tianjin this time. Whether it is by land or river, it can be transported to the capital or Tongzhou more conveniently.
At that time, Nanyang Navy warships and tankers will carry 300,000 shi of grain and grass and 10,000 soldiers from Jizhen to Gaizhou to join the Liaodong theater.
Wei Guangde immediately approved the official document as "OK", and then did not put it on the desk. Instead, he handed it to Lu Bu and said, "You will go and send it to the Supervisor of Ceremonies. Please send it to His Majesty for inspection as soon as possible."
Although the sea transportation from Huai'an Prefecture to Tianjin can take more than one month at the fastest and two months at the slowest time, including the time spent on document delivery, it seems that there is at least one month in between, which is plenty of time.
But don't forget that the Jizhen army and horses have not reached Tianjin. It takes at least ten days and a half to travel from Santun Camp to Tianjin.
Ten days means that the Ming army marches according to the standard of forty miles a day. It will take about ten days to arrive. However, if there is an unexpected delay on the way, it is hard to say.
It took several days from the time when the military subordinates issued the document to when the Jizhen army was ready to set off.
When the army arrived in Tianjin, it still needed to rest for a few days, which was another delay.
Speaking of which, there really isn't much time left.
Of course, if the wind direction is not good and the fleet is at sea for two months, it will be a different story.
However, Wei Guangde would rather let Qi Jiguang wait in Tianjin with his troops to board the ship than let them rush to Tianjin and board the ship directly to go to sea.
Living conditions are not good when traveling by boat these days.
It was for transporting troops, so it was naturally relatively compact.
Most people in the north are not familiar with the nature of water. It is unknown how many people will get seasick when taking a boat to the sea.
In fact, Wei Guangde also made some determination when crossing from Tianjin to Gaizhou.
In the end, after calculating that it only took a few days, I felt relieved to let Jizhen's army and horses go by sea.
He didn't want the Jizhen Army to need a lot of time to rest and recuperate after arriving in Liaodong due to the transportation method. That would be too bad.
Lu Bu took the document and turned around and left the duty room. Wei Guangde thought about it for a moment and planned to talk to the chief minister Zhang Juzheng later. Then he would go to Tianjin to meet Yu Dayou and tell Qi Jiguang the news about Liaodong and the court's plans. I also asked Yu Dayou to take a closer look.
After all, Wei Guangde has always regarded Ma Fang and Yu Dayou as important military advisers.
Both of them are brave and good at fighting. Although they have never been to Liaodong, they are actually similar in fighting.
As for the difference caused by the environment, it is Qi Jiguang's ability to adapt to changes and cannot be taught.
Moreover, Qi Jiguang is not a person who lives in vain, he has fought many battles in his life.
The focus of this battle is actually the relationship between the Jizhen Army and the Liaodong Army, and whether Zhang Xueyan, the governor of Liaodong, can successfully appease the Jurchen tribes so that they can remain neutral when the Ming Dynasty besieged Wang Gao.
Otherwise, the imperial court's original plan of 40,000 troops to encircle and suppress Wang Gao might change, and more troops would need to be invested in the war.
At this time, in the lobby of Liaoyang Governor's Yamen, there were people kneeling in black crows.
However, from the thin and short whip left on the back of their heads, we can tell that they are definitely not Han people, because Han people do not have such hair accessories.
Zhang Xueyan, the governor of Liaodong, was sitting in the middle of the hall, looking at the kneeling leaders of the Jurchen tribes with a contemptuous smile on his lips.
To be honest, Ming people are really arrogant and arrogant towards foreigners these days, with a completely arrogant attitude.
This is entirely based on the culture of the Han people that has been passed down for thousands of years. It not only profoundly affects itself, but also affects the surrounding countries.
The East Asian cultural circle is essentially the culture of the Han people. It not only affects itself, but also attracts neighboring countries to learn from it. Although it has more or less added their own things, it never deviates from its origins.
Zhou Bang's admiration made the Chinese scholars who regarded themselves as orthodox naturally even more arrogant.
In fact, not only literati, but also ordinary people in the market, most of them have this attitude.
Most of them have a contemptuous and condescending attitude toward those who are not of my own race.
Zhang Xueyan made these Jurchen clan leaders kneel for a moment, and then he said: ‘Everyone, get up. ’
"Thank you, Lord Governor."
After Zhang Xueyan spoke, all the Jurchen tribe leaders thanked him solemnly, stood up slowly, and just stood there.
Even on both sides of them, there were some seats.
But there were so many of them, it was obvious that these seats were not prepared for them.
Otherwise, the governor's office will arrange more chairs here in advance.
"Today Japan invites you to come to Liaoyang. I think you can guess a little bit about it.
Wang Gao was so rebellious that he dared to openly attack and kill the officers and soldiers, which was regarded as treason. "
Suddenly, Zhang Xueyan increased his tone and almost shouted.
When the words rang out, Wang Wutang and other leaders of the Jurchen clan who were standing at the front all shuddered in unison.
"In the past few years, Wang Gao'er had repeatedly provoked foreign affairs. Afterwards, the court sent people to issue orders, but he could only deny that it was the subordinates or other tribes who did it under his banner.
God has the virtue of favoring life, and the court does not want to kill, so it only gave a warning and did not use any force because of it.
But this time, it was so bad that not only Liaodong was shocked, but even the imperial court was outraged."
Zhang Xueyan lectured a group of Jurchen leaders. The group of people bowed their heads and did not dare to say anything.
This incident was indeed a big deal. It was not only spread throughout Liaodong, but also among the Jurchen tribe.
Wang Gao ambushed the Ming army and killed thousands of people. It is said that he also captured the Han people who came forward as slaves.
For this reason, Zhang Xueyan sent people to Gule City to ask for people, but Wang Gao refused and completely denied the matter.
Well, I don’t know what Wang Gao was thinking. He really thought that this incident would be the same as before. Because he didn’t catch the current situation, he could get past it.
At this time, the leaders of the Jurchen tribes standing below knew that the Ming Dynasty was going to send troops to attack Wang Gao this time, and no direct evidence was needed.
Once identified, we must fight.
Some small tribe leaders were still secretly rejoicing. Wang Gao had angered the Ming Dynasty. This use of troops against Wang Gao would not only cause a large number of casualties to Wang Gao's tribe, but also cause more tribesmen to flee.
When the time comes, should I also take the opportunity to recruit some people? It doesn’t matter whether they are willing or not. Anyway, I will first collect them under myself and enhance the strength of my tribe.
Some of the more powerful tribal leaders were thinking more. They were not only considering incorporating Wang Gao's old tribe who had escaped, but they were also considering whether the Ming Dynasty's attitude towards the Jurchen tribe would change as a result.
Although everyone had secretly shot each other in the past, they had not openly broken up and started a war.
Yes, the Jurchen tribe that bordered the Ming Dynasty would conflict with the Ming Dynasty border patrol soldiers from time to time.
Sometimes their people deliberately attacked the Ming army and robbed their horses, armor and weapons. Sometimes the Ming army would sneak across the border and plunder their people and villages, the so-called grass-breaking valley.
It's just that because the scale of such things was very small, the middle and lower-level generals of the Ming Dynasty kept it secret from their superiors and did not report it.
But if Ming Dynasty eliminates Wang Gao this time, what will happen next?
Will they send troops to fight other tribes because of this kind of thing?
Especially for tribal leaders such as Wang Wutang and Wang Tai who were close to the border of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Gao, a fool, used to attract Ming Dynasty's attention from the front. If they made small moves behind their backs, it would be difficult for the Ming Dynasty to tell who the culprit was.
But if Wang Gao is eliminated, they will stand out in isolation, and it will not be easy for them to hide behind the scenes and make small moves.
Again, the matter this time was too big, and none of them dared to intercede for Wang Gao here.
Governor Zhang did not see Zhang Xueyan and did not discuss the matter at all, which meant that he had no intention of finding out who did it. He had already determined that it was Wang Gao and wanted to beat him.
The sudden strong attitude really silenced them.
The level of the Ming Dynasty's foreign wars in recent years has been very high. Regardless of whether it was Mongolian Chahar or others, they failed to get a good result from Li Chengliang, and almost failed every time.
Such a Ming Dynasty is not something they can afford to offend.
"I am notifying you this time just to tell you that the capital has already made a decision on this matter."
Having said this, Zhang Xueyan stood up, clasped his fists towards the south and said: "The rebel king Gao is cunning and fierce. He has invaded the border several times and killed many people. Now he has trapped and killed our general Pei Chengzu and others. He is an unforgivable evil and should be punished."
Zhang Xueyan's words have already sentenced Wang Gao to death. There is no possibility of relaxation between Daming and Wang Gao.
"I called you here just to tell you this. I hope you all will return to your respective tribes, restrain your men, and stop running around, lest the imperial officers and soldiers mistake them for the remnants of Wang Gao and exterminate them."
These words actually meant to urge them not to interact with Wang Gao secretly, or even to send people to help.
"Next month's mutual trading will be suspended, waiting for the imperial court to kill the rebel king Gao, and then resume at another date.
What you have brought, please take it home with you, and I will come back when the time comes. "
Zhang Xueyan said again.
There was supposed to be a traditional mutual trade next month, and the mutual trade was also one of the methods used by the Ming Dynasty to check and balance the Jurchen tribe.
Trade goods with them, which are all needed by the Jurchen tribes.
Suppressing them with trade means has been a policy that Ming Dynasty has always implemented.
But the war was imminent, and it was obvious that Ming Dynasty did not intend to continue the tradition of mutual trading.
In other words, this is also a warning to them. If someone secretly provides help when Ming Dynasty attacks Wang Gaobu, then the mutual market will naturally be cancelled, or their qualifications to participate in the mutual market will be cancelled.
"Do you all understand what I mean?"
After a burst of grace and power, Zhang Xueyan finally said everything he wanted to say.
"Yes, Lord Governor, we all understand."
Wang Wutang took the lead, and many Jurchen leaders agreed one after another. From time to time, leaders of small tribes stood up to criticize Wang Gao.
Indeed, Wang Gao has not only been disrespectful to the Ming Dynasty in recent years, he has also secretly taken action against the clans within the clan, robbing their resources and manpower to expand his own strength.
To say that the most unpopular among the Jurchen tribe is actually Wang Gao.
However, Wang Gao has always been powerful, and even if everyone is somewhat dissatisfied with him, they dare not show it.
If you dare to tell others, the news will reach Wang Gao's ears, and the next day they will lead troops to attack the door and loot it.
Wang Gao was so tyrannical in Liaodong.
Seeing the attitude of the Jurchen leaders, Zhang Xueyan was very satisfied.
The imperial court was still very intimidating to these usually rebellious Jurchen tribe leaders, which ensured that this matter was mostly successful.
In fact, what Zhang Xueyan fears most is that the Jurchen tribe will unite to fight against the Ming Dynasty.
If they really unite, it is still possible to gather thirty to fifty thousand young men.
To deal with such a scene, Ming Dynasty could only deploy more troops and horses to participate in the battle, which would be very costly and the casualties would be even heavier.
After all the leaders of the Jurchen tribe left, Zhang Xueyan wrote another official document with his own hand and called someone to say: "Let the scribes copy this book into two copies and send them to Ping'an Road and Xianjing Road in North Korea respectively, so that they can execute this order. , there must be no mistake.”
"Yes, sir, let's do it now."
The soldier took the governor's handwritten letter and went down to find the clerk to handle it. This was an official document and had to be handled with care.
Zhang Xueyan's official document was naturally an order he gave to the officials of Ping'an Road and Xianjing Road in North Korea, asking them to send troops to strictly guard the Yalu River and not allow the Jurchen tribe to swim across the river.
The army was approaching. Zhang Xueyan didn't think that Wang Gao had several escape routes. What else could he do other than fight against the trapped beast?
He fled to other Jurchen tribes to seek asylum. He had warned him beforehand that anyone who contacted Wang Gao would be deemed to be guilty of the same crime. If Wang Gao could be captured, the court would reward him.
The Jurchen tribes had no way out, so the only way Wang Gao had left was to cross the Yalu River eastward and run to North Korea.
Anyway, Jurchens and Koreans often go to war to compete for territory.
In fact, the large areas of Ping'an Road and Hamjing Road close to the Yalu River once belonged to Liaodong in history. However, because of the remoteness, the King of Liao and others did not send large armies to the border at first.
This gave the Korean kings the opportunity to encroach. They continued to send officers and soldiers to invade these places until they collided with the Jurchen tribe. The two sides fought many battles for the land, and each side had its own victory or defeat.
In fact, the reason why North Korea invaded eastward was to recruit Jurchens, because the tributaries on the left bank of the Yalu River include the Xuchuan River, Changjin River, and the Tulu River, and the tributaries on the right bank such as the Hun River all have Jurchens living there. In the Liao Dynasty, they were called the Yalu River Jurchens or Jurchens. Changbai Mountain Jurchen.
By recruiting them, the Joseon king thought he had possession of the land.
However, after Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty expressed his strong stance, Meng Ge Timur, the leader of the Jurchen tribe at the time, met with Zhu Di and was named the commander of the Jianzhou Guard.
Under the influence of Timur, the fierce brother, the other Jurchen tribes also attached themselves to the Ming Dynasty.
Since then, North Korea has also lost the opportunity to continue to expand its territory westward.
If we continue to advance westward, we can only seize territory from the actual control area of the Ming Dynasty. When the Yuan Dynasty is exhausted and China has the master, we can only choose to rely on it.
Zhang Xueyan informed North Korea's Ping'an Road and Xianjing Road in order to completely block Wang Gao's escape route and give him no chance to escape.
Even now, he still believes that it is enough to destroy Wang Gao and re-establish the Ming Dynasty's prestige in the Jurchen tribe, without building the Six Kuandian Forts. (End of chapter)