Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 194 Open the bow without turning back the arrow
In the East Pavilion, there are a lot of important ministers above the third rank in the center.

Now that he decided to fight, Lao Zhu let everyone speak freely and put forward their own ideas.On these matters, Lao Zhu is also very divided, has an assertive side, and likes to listen to his courtiers' suggestions.

Everyone chattered, and quickly finalized the preliminary strategy.

If you want to fight, you have to press all the way, not just Chang Yuchun's side, Wuchang's Liao Yongzhong and Yang Jing's troops should also be dispatched. On the one hand, they are seeking a breakthrough on the Eastern Front, and on the other hand, Xia Guo is also attracting troops to ease Chang Yuchun's direction. pressure.

Not without problems.

The change was too hasty, and it was doomed that both the northern and eastern routes of Sichuan and Sichuan were under-prepared. Although the Chongqing side should not have expected that Xingyuan would lose it as soon as it said it, but in order to resist the Ming Dynasty's advance, relatively speaking, Mingxia will be in two directions. The garrison is still tighter.

Furthermore, Shaanxi is initially determined after all.

Although Lao Zhu has already ordered Li Siqi, Zhang Liangbi and other Shaanxi feudal families to be moved to Jinling, if Chang Yuchun leads troops into Shu, Shaanxi will inevitably be unstable.

The result of the discussion was to ask Chang Yuchun to bring as many Li Siqi and other tribal troops into Shu as possible as possible, and at the same time send generals into Shaanxi to guard Chang'an.

The matter was finalized quickly, and Tanghe was chosen.

The Battle of Dadu was over, and Shanxi and Shaanxi were unexpectedly captured consecutively. It stands to reason that the Northern Expedition that started in October last year has ended.However, Lao Zhu did not cancel the previous Northern Expedition sequence, but re-deployed all aspects before and after returning from Bianliang.

Xu Da is still the general who conquered captives, and changed from his previous position in Bianliang to guard Dadu.

Chang Yuchun, as the deputy general of Zhenglu, was sent to Shaanxi before the raid on Kaiping.

The third person, Feng Sheng, was promoted by Lao Zhu to the right deputy general of Zhenglu, and he is currently in Dadu.

Then there is Tang He, the No. [-] general who conquered the captives, who was arranged by Lao Zhu to be stationed in Taiyuan after he took Shanxi before. Compared with He Wenhui, the Henan Metropolitan Commander stationed in Bianliang, although he is farther away, his weight is heavier after all.

Tang He went to Chang'an, and Feng Sheng transferred to Taiyuan.

Feng Sheng was in charge of the plan to reverse the grass valley to train the Ming cavalry, and it was replaced by Li Wenzhong.

Speaking of it, it is already a cold winter in the north. Before spring, the Ming army will not go out at will for the sake of caution. After all, once it encounters a snowstorm, it will be disastrous for the cavalry.

After the general discussion, Lao Zhu looked at Zhu Yuan, who had not spoken much except for the initial expression of approval, on the opposite side of the desk: "Yuaner, why don't you talk, do you have any suggestions?"

Compared with Yang Xian and others who were standing outside, Zhu Yuan was sitting, and Li Shanchang on the other side was also able to sit down.

Hearing Lao Zhu's question, Zhu Yuan stood up and said, "My ancestor, Yuan'er doesn't understand specific military affairs, so I dare not speak nonsense. However, Yuan'er took the liberty to say two things. Please correct my ancestors and colleagues."

Old Zhu smiled and signaled: "Say it quickly, you are shy."

Zhu Yuan was a little embarrassed, and said: "First, whether it is the northern line or the eastern line, there are many dangerous places in front of the army. My suggestion is that if you can use gunpowder to explode, you must use more. Therefore, you need to strengthen the gunpowder. supply, this will definitely increase the speed of the army’s advance.”

Old Zhu nodded: "That's the reason. I will tell the firearms department to send all the gunpowder in stock to Wuchang later. Oh, and your hot air balloon must also be used."

Zhu Yuan went on to say: "Secondly, ancestors, and everyone, we must make sure that once the army is launched, there will be no turning back when the army is fired, and it will not destroy the country of Xia. It cannot be stopped."

Old Zhu was a little surprised: "Why?"

Regarding this point, Lao Zhu just thought about it, if Chang Yuchun's advance is unfavorable, he should withdraw his troops and take a while.After all, the land of Shu is too dangerous, and no one can guarantee whether there will be any accidents.

Many of the surrounding courtiers had similar thoughts.

Everyone didn't mention it in the previous discussion, and they didn't want to destroy their prestige.Moreover, for this battle, everyone generally has very optimistic expectations.

Zhu Yuan glanced around, and said: "Da Ming swept across the universe in the past year, and the north and the south were all invincible. It is conceivable that this put a lot of psychological pressure on Xia Guo, and this psychological pressure can make the army enter Shu. Get twice the result with half the effort. However, no one can ensure that they will always win the battle, which requires us to prepare in advance, in case the march is not smooth for a while, how should we choose?"

Lao Zhu felt that he understood, but he didn't understand it thoroughly: "Then why do you have to fight?"

"In order to maintain our psychological advantage over the Shu land, and at the same time, not let the Xia Kingdom have a fluke mentality. Ancestor, think about it, once our march is unfavorable, we will suspend our military operations, and the mentality of many people who are inclined to surrender may happen. Change, I feel that Bashu can still defend and maintain self-reliance, which will double our next march."

"Well...that's right."

The people around...Although, listening to a certain Xiao Pingzhang speak, it always feels weird, but they can understand it, and at the same time they have to nod in agreement.

Zhu Yuan didn't stop, but continued: "My ancestors, each army has been fighting for a year, and the soldiers are physically and mentally exhausted. It was originally planned to rest for a period of time. Temporary changes will inevitably affect morale. I think it can be encouraged?"

Without waiting for Lao Zhu to ask questions, Zhu Yuan has already given a plan: "As for the statistics of the whole army this time, the follow-up rewards, and the future rewards for the fields, I think that the whole army can be notified in advance, especially those who enter Shu. Let them know that the more meritorious deeds they have done, the more rewards they will receive in the future, even if they die in battle, their military achievements will not disappear, but will be passed on to their families."

Although he did not go to court, Zhu Yuan still knew about the two major events at the court meeting in the morning.

Hearing what Zhu Yuan said, Lao Zhu naturally agreed again.

Everyone present had no objection at all, but they all noticed one point keenly. During the process of looking at each other, Yushi Zhongcheng Zhang Yi couldn't help it first, and asked: "Your Majesty, where did you come from... to reward the field?"

"Oh, this is a private discussion between Yuan'er and I, and there is no specific charter yet," Lao Zhu said, and signaled to Kang Maocai: "Isn't Maocai going to farm in the future? The soldiers of the army can also be regarded as rewards for following me to conquer the country, and I think it is good."

Everyone was silent for a while.

After a while, Yang Xian, the secretary of Zhongshu, said: "My lord, this move is like the system of equalizing land in the Tang Dynasty. I think it is inappropriate. In the future... if there is no land to divide, how can the soldiers use their lives?"

"I've said it all, there is no specific charter, and I will definitely not repeat the mistakes of Li and Tang in the future," Lao Zhu said, ignoring Yang Xian, turning to Li Shanchang and saying, "As Yuan'er said, you guys will come back later. Also add this report and send it to the whole army."

Li Shanchang didn't look at Zhu Yuan, nor did he object, he sat on the chair and bowed slightly to agree.

Lao Zhu asked everyone if they had any other opinions. Seeing that everyone shook their heads, he sent all the ministers to get busy.

Only let Zhu Yuan stay.

When everyone else left, Lao Zhu motioned Zhu Yuan not to get up, picked up a memorial on the desk and opened it, and asked with a smile, "How are you feeling?"

"It's much better. I went to Jinling University to read the test papers today."

"You should pay more attention and don't worry about it," Lao Zhu said, and then changed the subject: "Recently, I wrote about your economics, oh, the article on 'production', and you in Mingzhou The diary from that time was given to Biao'er to study. Biao'er said that she had a lot of insights, and there were also many unclear points... Well, let's forget about today, and the days to come will be long. Wait...I went to the inner palace to talk about things, so I hurried back to rest. "

The inner palace... things?
What's happening?
Faced with Zhu Yuan's doubts, Lao Zhu looked mysterious and said with a smile: "I called you these two days, but today just so happens, you can go directly to the queen and let her talk to you. "

Zhu Yuan was confused and had a bad feeling, but he could only agree.

Seeing Lao Zhu waving his hand to chase away people, Zhu Yuan didn't leave immediately, but thought for a while and said, "My ancestor, I think we can open a conference room here."

Only then did Lao Zhu write a few words on the memorial in front of him with a red pen, and raised his head upon hearing this: "A meeting room?"

Zhu Yuan gestured: "It's just... a big table. The ancestors sit at the head, and the courtiers line up on both sides. During the meeting, they can record or read documents at any time. In addition, it is best to have a blackboard at the end of the table, so that the courtiers can hang documents or write. Explain. Ancestor, to be honest, this is more efficient than everyone standing with empty hands and using their brains to talk about things. Just like me, I am weak and discuss things for a long time. If I stand, my legs will soon become sore and my head will feel dizzy. I can't think of what to say at all, and I think some old ministers are the same."

"I know," Lao Zhu nodded, "You did that in Mingzhou... Heh, there are people impeaching you for this, you mess around."

Letting Lao Zhu and his courtiers sit at the same table is indeed against the rules of etiquette. In this day and age, we have to pay attention to these things.

Zhu Yuan thought for a while and said, "Then change it. In the same meeting room, the ancestor has a separate throne, which is set higher according to the regulations, and then there is still a long table... Well, if the ancestor thinks it is inappropriate, forget it."

Speaking of this, the main reason is that before Zhu Yuan and Prime Minister Zuo were sitting, the others could only stand, which felt somewhat awkward.

Moreover, having a conference room can indeed improve efficiency.

Lao Zhu didn't shake his head, but pondered for a while, and said, "You say it's all reasonable, and I'm not a stickler, um... I'll have someone clean up the south house later, and make it into what you said...the conference room. "After saying this, Lao Zhu chased people away again: "That's all for today, you go to the harem."

Zhu Yuan didn't say any more, and got up to salute and leave.

After leaving the East Pavilion, I took a small sedan chair all the way north to the gate of Qianqing. Because it was Lao Zhu's order, I was able to enter soon after the notification.

Mrs. Ma was waiting for herself in a side hall of Qianqing Palace.

After seeing the ceremony, he ordered the waiter to bring a stool for Zhu Yuan to sit down. After Ma asked a few words about his body, he opened a mahogany box on the side table with a smile: "Yes, you have reached your age. My husband ordered me to pick one for you, to see which girl is suitable, I just picked a few and drew a portrait, come and have a look."

Speaking of which, he took out a one-foot-long scroll from the box, unfolded it and said, "This is the daughter of the governor Tongzhi Kang Maocai's family. She is sixteen this year. I think she is the most suitable, and the others are smaller."

The couple discussed before to choose an older girl for Zhu Yuan. The problem is that in this day and age, even if they are not married, it is not common for them to be 16 years old and not engaged.

It was only then that Zhu Yuan remembered that Kang Maocai looked at his expression at the East Pavilion...it seemed a little strange.

Ok.

It seems that Kang Maocai is not the only one.

Could it be... everyone knows that the Empress is picking a wife for herself, but I don't?

wrong!
This is not the problem now.

Seeing the servant took the scroll and unfolded it in front of Zhu Yuan, Zhu Yuan didn't look at the portrait, but turned to Mrs. Ma: "My lady, I...I'm still young."

"It's not too young. Some families, at your age, have quite a few children." Ma looked over with gentle eyes, paused, and said, "This is your 'master' order, I hope you Get married and have kids earlier."

Ma Shi mentioned the word 'Master' with a touch of ridicule.

They are already a family, and Mrs. Ma felt that this name was not right, but seeing that both grandparents and grandchildren were used to the appearance, she did not deliberately correct it.

Obviously, she didn't know that what Zhu Yuan said was 'ancestor', not 'lord'.

Zhu Yuan didn't have time to worry about this, but he understood Lao Zhu's thoughts in an instant, probably because he was worried that his body... would die too early, so he hoped that he would have an offspring sooner or something.

This is also the general mentality of this era.

There are three types of unfilial piety, the worst is to have no descendants, and this is probably the case.

Just like... There is a traditionally criticized custom of 'Chongxi'. On the one hand, it is hoped to create some unlikely miracles with happy events. On the other hand, is it not for the sake of leaving future generations?

Thinking about this, Zhu Yuan was a little moved for a moment.

Lao Zhu really had nothing to say to himself.

However, being moved is moved, getting married... Glancing at the melon-faced girl on the scroll, Zhu Yuan quickly turned to Mrs. Ma: "My lady... I, um, Yuan'er is very grateful to my ancestors, and my lady, but... I Think, I... can I talk to my ancestors first?"

Mashi was very interested: "Can you talk to me if you have anything to say?"

This... really can't.

I want to say that I come from 600 years later, I am afraid that you will call people to kill demons and demons on the spot.

Seeing that Zhu Yuan was speechless for a while, Mrs. Ma picked up another scroll: "I think it was dissatisfaction with Kang Maocai's family, and then look at this, Wu Liang's family, Wu Liang...you know, your lord doesn't like his He is stubborn, but he also knows his virtues, and the Wu family's family style must be good, this is the aunt of the Wu family, and she is fifteen this year."

Another servant took the scroll and displayed it in front of Zhu Yuan.

Madam Ma saw Zhu Yuan fidgeting, smiled and said: "Even if you want to talk to your lord, you have to read the girls I selected first, I have spent a lot of time thinking."

Ok.

Zhu Yuan could only bite the bullet and watch while listening to Ma Shi's introduction.

I can't help recalling the past history of the relevant people and others in my mind, it seems...it's quite bumpy.

Ups and downs!
After seeing the eight portraits, Madam Ma finally let Zhu Yuan go: "Go ahead, finish talking with your lord, at least give me an answer."

Zhu Yuan stood up and said goodbye.

When I saw Lao Zhu again, I found that someone was instructing some guards to move a room in the south of the East Pavilion.

Really vigorous and resolute.

Unexpectedly, the 23rd generation grandson of his own baby would come back again, Lao Zhu asked Zhu Yuan to give advice on the spot, and the grandparent and grandson returned to his study room.

Sitting down opposite, seeing Zhu Yuan's troubled face, Lao Zhu also showed a rare tease: "What's the matter, are you not satisfied?"

Zhu Yuan sorted out his thoughts a bit, finally made a decision, stood up, solemnly knelt down to Lao Zhu who was opposite the desk, and saluted, "My lord, Yuan'er doesn't want to get married."

(End of this chapter)