Chapter 329: The Frontier of Order
Yu Dayou did not answer Lu Er’s question.
He looked at the spreading and messy autumn grass, entangled with the distant edge line.
Galloping horses on the vast grassland will give you the feeling of walking on the border of civilization.
After staying in Hezhong Fort for a long time, Yu Dayou had a lot of thoughts.
"Zhuangshi Lu, is this your first time coming to the grassland?"
Lu Er was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
He has been working as a guard in the capital since he came of age. Even when he travels to the capital for business, he usually goes to big cities. This is also his first time to the frontier.
"When I was in the capital, Xianggong Su came to see me in prison. At that time, the court had not yet convicted me. Xianggong Su told me that the court would most likely send me to the frontier." "Xiangong Su saw thousands of miles, and as expected, I came to Datong
. , saw the grassland in the Hetao."
Lu Er looked at Yu Dayou doubtfully, not knowing why he wanted to talk about this.
Yu Dayou said: "When I was leaving in prison, Xianggong Su once told me about the frontier."
Lu Er now admires Su Ze very much. When Yu Dayou talked about Su Ze, he couldn't help but ask: "What did Xianggong Su say?"
Yu Dayou said Said: "Xianggong Su said that the border is the boundary of civilization and order. In the world we live in, order is the minority."
Lu Er was stunned for a moment.
Yu Dayou pointed to the south and said:
"The Great Wall, the imperial court, laws, regulations, the world of order built by the ancestors and sages seems very big."
Yu Dayou pointed to the skyline of the northern grassland and said:
"But the territory of order is here . ."
Yu Dayou was born in Fujian, a hereditary military family. In fact, his life was pretty good when he was young.
Later, he won the military examination and his official career was smooth.
Although he loves the soldiers, it is an instinctive behavior based on learning the art of war. This is just his "performance" as a qualified general.
But this time when he was assigned to Hezhong Fort, Yu Dayou saw the living conditions of the garrison soldiers, and his thoughts about the grassroots soldiers completely changed.
He saw the brutal border war, where Mongolian horsemen intercepted and killed the soldiers of the river fort for a load of grain.
Han soldiers may also kill herdsmen for a batch of sheep.
Killing good people and claiming merit is a common thing in this frontier.
And if a military camp or fort disappears from the map, it is just an insignificant rumor from passing merchants.
This is the frontier, not so much the frontier of order as the front of barbarism.
Yu Dayou suddenly asked: "My son is serving under Xianggong Su, right?"
Lu Er quickly said: "The major general is now the commander of the third brigade, commanding the Qi army to fight in Guangdong."
"General Qi? Qi Yuanjing also voted for the governor. ?"
Lu Er said: "General Qi is just recuperating at the governor's place."
Yu Dayou grinned and said: "That will be a matter of time, sooner or later. Brother Qi is here, and my nephew from the Lin family, plus my useless one. Quanzi, there is no shortage of people under the command of the governor."
Yu Dayou said: "I want to stay here."
"Stay here?"
Yu Dayou nodded and said: "I heard from the merchants who come and go that there are actually many Han people in the Hetao area. Juntunwu Fort, they are all Han Chinese who were still unwilling to leave their homeland after the retreat of Datong Town." "
Some of the family trees in the Wubao can be traced back to the Han Dynasty, and some are descendants of Shuofang soldiers in Tang Town." "
Except for Han people, as well as many Mongols and Qiang people who have been Hanized for a long time. They speak Chinese and practice Chinese customs, just like us Han people." "
General Yu wants to recruit these people?"
Yu Dayou said: "Yes. Yes, I have read many articles by Su Xianggong, among which "The Theory of Barbarian China" is Yu's favorite article." "
Renewing the spirit of Zhu Xia and opening up the frontier of civilization is what Yu is willing to do." "
I am in Hetao . The area is somewhat famous, so we should be able to raise a team."
Lu Er thought for a moment and suddenly said, "Then Lu also wants to join General Yu!"
"Don't you need to go back and work for Mr. Su?"
Lu Er smiled. He said: "Xiangong Su has so many capable people, so why am I missing? I also want to see what the boundaries of civilization are like on the grassland." "Okay!"
Yu
Dayou turned his horse and said, "There is one ahead. It's a Han people's Wubao. I once exchanged food there, so let's go there first."
Fuzhou, in the governor's mansion.
Su Ze fiddled with his son and whispered:
"Civilization and order are as natural as the rising sun in the civilized world. They are just a small ark in our human world." "
Your father and I are just for this. Don't let this ark crash into chaos."
Fang Ruolan suddenly appeared, destroying Su Ze's rare family time.
"Tan Zili is here."
Su Ze handed his son to his wife, and Fang Ruolan asked, "What were you father and son talking about just now?"
Su Ze smiled and said, "A fairy tale."
"A fairy tale?"
"An enlightening story."
Fang Ruolan smiled slightly . Nodding, with a smile on his face, he only saw his son's eyes rolling, not knowing what he was looking at.
Facing the dusty Tan Lun, Su Ze received him with the highest standards.
"Mr. Tan!"
Tan Lun said quickly: "The Governor is here! I don't dare to claim the title of Duke."
Su Ze pulled Tan Lun into the main hall and still said: "That day when Mr. Tan was released, Xu Wenchang persuaded me, saying that Mr. Tan You are an all-rounder in both civil and military affairs. If you are allowed to go back, you will be letting the tiger return to the mountain. You will become a big trouble in the future." "
I told Xu Wenchang at that time that those who want to stay in Fujian and Zhejiang will come back naturally after they figure it out. Those who don't want to stay, If you stay, you won't really do anything for the people."
"A man like Mr. Tan who cares about the people will soon know how to choose." "
As expected!"
Tan Lun covered his face with his sleeves and said,
"A bereaved dog is lucky to have the governor. Take him in."
Su Ze immediately said seriously: "Why should Mr. Tan humble himself! This is because the emperor is stupid and the Ming court does not know how to use talents. How can it be the fault of the public?"
Tan Lun felt warm in his heart.
Su Ze added: "The "Seven Strategies for Combating Thieves" that Mr. Tan taught the Ming Dynasty really hits the key points of the Ming Dynasty. It's a pity that those stupid kings and traitorous ministers don't use it. Now what advice can Mr. Tan teach me?"
Tan Lun's face suddenly turned red. If he defeated the thief Qice, wouldn't the thief he defeated be right in front of him?
Tan Lun felt that the world was a bit absurd, he was passionate, and the Ming court wanted to arrest him. He deliberately planned to deal with Su Ze, but Su Ze treated him so politely.
Tan Lun sighed and said: "The so-called Ping, Qi strategies are also the imperial reform countermeasures summarized by Tan based on the governor's administration. The governor has already done his best. Whatever Tan says is just trying to do what he wants." Su Ze
said "Please, Mr. Tan, please stop hiding your clumsiness."
Tan Lun paused and said,
"Let me tell you, under the rule of the Governor, the industry is prosperous and prosperous, but there are still some hidden worries." "
Please tell me!"
Tan Lun said during this period. He has been summarizing and thinking. He has also been to many places, from Nanzhili to Susong, served as an official in Fujian and Zhejiang, and led troops to fight.
Tan Lun said: "One is the administration of officials. The reason why the Ming Dynasty suffered repeated defeats is that the administration of officials is unclear. There is only a good location but no support for the people." "Nowadays, most of the officials under the governor's rule govern the Qingming Dynasty, but the times are changing
. When Tan looked at Su and Song's second mansion, he found that the commercial taxes handled by a tax collector could amount to a thousand taels of silver. Even if the governor treated officials far better than the Ming court, a tax collector's monthly salary was only one tael of silver." "Not now
. The problem arises because the career of the Governor-General is developing. Even the petty officials cherish their reputation and dare not be greedy. But what about the future?"
Su Ze looked at Tan Lun again and did not expect that this anti-Japanese warlord would be named in the history books. A hero actually has such acumen in politics!
Today's Ming Dynasty does not lack capable ministers and generals, but they are unable to realize their ambitions under the Ming Dynasty system.
"As far as Tan Gong is concerned, what should be done?"
Tan Lun said: "Of course we need to legislate to punish corrupt officials. Most governors support officials generously, and those who still extend their hands are unforgivable. The people should be judged according to the law and be fair. !"
Su Ze said happily: "Mr. Tan and I thought of going together! I also have the same intention, but I lack the manpower and can't do it myself!"
Su Ze nodded and said: "Mr. Tan, I am going to follow the old Ming Dynasty system. Set up patrols, inspect Fujian and Zhejiang, deal with unjust imprisonment, and deal with unjust officials!"
"Does Mr. Tan still have it?"
Tan Lun continued: "The rest is a military strategy."
"Military strategy? Come here, bring the map!"
Tan Lun was secretly frightened when he saw the precise map.
The Ming court probably didn't even have such a detailed map. Sure enough, Su Ze's rebellion was premeditated.
However, Tan Lun no longer has any psychological burden. He has now openly voted for Su Ze, and he can be regarded as a "thief".
Tan Lun looked at the map, recalled the news he got from the newspaper on the way, and said:
"The Governor has gone to Jiujiang Prefecture and occupied the four prefectures in Jiangxi. I wonder what the Governor's next plan is?"
Su Ze was silent. It was not that he didn't trust Tan. Lun, but currently there is no unified opinion within the entire Zhejiang-Fujian Allied Forces.
The group that attacked Anqing, besieged Nanjing, and captured all of Southern Zhili was one group.
It is also the same faction to occupy Jiangxi first and then attack Huguang.
There are also stories of going south to Guangzhou, north to Dengzhou, and even attacking Japan to seize Nanyang and North Korea.
Su Ze has also done a lot of military deductions. Although he has some plans, he still can't make a decision.
Tan Lun said: "In Tan's opinion, we should not attack Nanzhili at this time."
Su Ze raised his head and asked,
"Mr. Tan, please speak."
Tan Lun said: "Nanzhili is the second capital of the Ming Dynasty. Tan For a long time in Nanzhili, the people of Nanjing are different from other places and have not given up on the Ming Dynasty."
Su Ze nodded, Nanjing was one of the second capitals and enjoyed many preferential treatment.
Not to mention that there are a large number of nobles and court ministers in Nanjing City. These people have finally climbed to this position in the Ming Dynasty court, and it is impossible for them to surrender to Su Ze easily.
Tan Lun continued: "If the Governor really takes over Southern Zhili, he will definitely invest a lot of troops to control and eliminate Southern Zhili. The gain will outweigh the losses." "
And the Ming Dynasty lost Nanjing and the location of the ancestral mausoleum, so it will definitely fight to recapture it. Yes."
Su Ze nodded repeatedly. This was also the reason why Su Ze asked Lin Mojun to withdraw to Shanghai after the attack on Yangzhou failed.
Entering Nanjing now, you are faced with a hot potato.
"In this case, where does Tan Gong think our army should go?"
Tan Lun immediately said: "Guangdong!"
"Why is this?"
Tan Lun said: "When Tan went south, he often thought about the impact of artillery and muskets. Come, the times are different!"
"In battles in the past, we needed to conquer cities and strongholds, ensure the smooth flow of military and food routes, and capture passes and strategic towns." "
But things are different now. The weapons used by the governor in Jiujiang can defeat Jiujiang in an instant. The city wall, no matter how strong the defense is, cannot stop the attack." "
The battle at this time does not depend on the number of troops, but on the quality of the troops and the speed of the troops." "
Apart from the Yangtze River waterway, the most important thing is naturally the sea. "
Guangdong has good ports and can produce grain, especially Guangzhou. It is an important maritime trade town with prosperous commerce. Why is the governor still hesitating?" Su Ze said quickly: "What Mr. Tan said
made Su suddenly enlightened!"
Tan Lun said again He said:
"The Governor, Pan Jixun, the Inspector of Guangdong Province, is a good friend of mine from the same department. I heard that Bai Zhifu of Guangzhou is also an old friend of the Governor." "When I was in South Zhili,
Pan Xunxun was an official from Zhejiang. , is now quite marginalized in the officialdom, and Magistrate Bai was impeached by the Sixth Section and Thirteenth Section because he was an old friend of the Governor." "If the Governor believes in
me, Tan is willing to go to Guangdong and persuade these two to surrender,"
Su Ze said . : "Zhifu Bai used to be the magistrate of Nanping County. He was the one who ordered the first trial case in our county. He also has a teacher-student relationship with me. I didn't expect that Tan Gong and Pan Xunping also had such a friendship. It's so good that I will write a letter. A letter to Magistrate Bai."
"In addition, I have something else that I can bring to Mr. Tan when he meets Pan Xun."
After hearing this, Tan Lun looked at Su Ze in confusion, and he immediately nodded and said : "Then please ask the Governor to prepare a fast ship. I will go south to Guangzhou City now."
Su Ze appreciated Tan Lun's vigorous and resolute style, and arranged for Tan Lun to go south the next day.
On October 5, news came from Yu Zigao, who was besieging Chaozhou Prefecture. He led the Qi army to land from the sea, attacked Chaozhou City with the help of gunboats, and captured Chaozhou Prefecture in Guangdong.
From then on, Su Ze's southward strategy never wavered. Su Ze gave Yu Zigao an order to reorganize and expand his troops in Chaozhou and wait for the opportunity to go south.
Letters for help from Guangdong Province were constantly sent to the court, but at this moment the entire court had no time to take care of Guangdong. The entire court was preparing for Jiubian's move south.
Among the nine sides, Liaoyang Town was the most active. Chief Military Officer Li Chengliang wrote to the court and asked himself to go south to quell the rebellion.
Li Chengliang also suggested to the court that three thousand cavalrymen could be recruited from the three Jurchen tribes. As long as the court provided them with horses, food, wages and winter clothes, these Jurchens would be willing to work for the court.
The Ministry of War expressed strong opposition to this request.
The objection of the Ministry of War is that the cost of three thousand Jurchen cavalry along the way is too great, and now the court simply cannot afford it.
The bigger problem is how the imperial court will place these Jurchen soldiers if the war is calmed down. If they are released to the Jurchen tribe, these Jurchens, who are skilled in horseback riding and archery and have been on the battlefield, may become a serious problem.
However, the emperor still couldn't forget the three thousand Jurchen cavalry, because Li Chengliang pointed out that although bird cannons are lethal, as long as the cavalry can be used to rush into battle and the bird cannon formation collapses, the enemy can naturally be defeated.
This was a method clearly proposed by the generals of the Ming Dynasty to defeat the enemy, and it deeply touched the emperor's heart.
On October 10, the Ministry of War's report was rejected, and the emperor ordered the cabinet to discuss the matter of the Liaoyang cavalry going south again.
As discussed, the cabinet agreed to recruit Jurchen cavalry from Liaoyang to go south.
The pressure came again to the Ministry of War, which was preparing to transport winter clothes.
(End of chapter)