Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

"How did Chen Xuan fight?"

In the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion, Zhu Di looked at the report coming back from the front line and threw it to the ground unceremoniously.

The purpose of Zhu Di's visit today was to listen to the reports from the generals of the Governor's Office on the conquest of Annan.

There had been loud calls for the conquest of Annan before, but Zhu Di had been suppressing it, just to wait for Jiang Xinghuo to complete the water control in the south of the Yangtze River and settle the refugees, so that large-scale cotton textile production could be carried out, and the handicraft workshops were opened. Ming's army can naturally find sales.

With this prerequisite, the expedition to Annan will not turn into a loss-making business. Otherwise, just by grabbing a sum from Annan, you will still lose money. After all, with hundreds of thousands of troops setting off, they are throwing money into a bottomless pit every day, let alone The cost of maintaining rule.

But the generals of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion didn't care about this. They only focused on expanding their territory and gaining meritorious service. Therefore, even Zhu Di could hardly suppress their voices.

The army is Zhu Di's base and the core source of his power. Zhu Di cannot ignore the opinions of the generals.

Moreover, Chen Tianping, the grandson of the Annan Emperor who was sent from Laos a while ago, burst into tears in the main hall in front of all civil and military officials and said, "The traitor invaded Siming Mansion and took its land. Let's investigate his true intentions." , really want to compete with the higher country." He clearly said that Annan's current puppet dynasty was against the Ming Dynasty, and then said, "Your Majesty's virtue is worthy of the world, and he has nurtured the world. The rise and fall will continue, this is the hope of the distant barbarians, and the great wish of the humble ministers." He encouraged Zhu Di to send troops.

As a result, Zheng Annan gained face, and the generals became more and more excited.

Therefore, the specific strategy and campaign planning for the expedition to Annan were naturally put on the agenda.

This process began around the time Jiang Xinghuo prayed for rain. Over the past few days, after intense preparations by the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion, a complete combat plan was presented to Zhu Di today.

But Zhu Di was not satisfied, not with the specific content, but with the leader.

The three living Jingnan Dukes, Qiu Fu and Yao Guangxiao, are all old. Only Cheng Guo Gong Zhu Neng is free to do whatever he wants and has asked for battle several times. Zhu Neng was originally the best candidate, but unfortunately after Jiang Xinghuo reminded him , Zhu Di does have concerns in his heart now, fearing that this pillar of the Mesozoic era in the Ming Dynasty's military circles may have three strengths and two weaknesses.

Zhu Di personally visited Zhu Neng and found that Zhu Neng was indeed in good health. However, during daily observations, Zhu Di carefully discovered that Zhu Neng did appear weaker than before in some details, such as coughing from time to time.

But Zhu Neng said that he was fine. Although Zhu Di had the final decision-making power and could be arbitrary, Zhu Di still gave fair rewards and punishments to the generals. The opportunity to lead the army on the expedition was of course a kind of reward.

Zhu Di couldn't force Zhu Neng, the most suitable candidate, to lead the army with the ridiculous reason of "the national division predicts that you will have an accident."

Otherwise, it would make the generals think that the emperor was afraid that Zhu Nenggong would shock the master? Then will we have to drink and release our military power next?

The world has decided that this is what the generals are most worried about.

Zhu Di didn't know what to say, so he picked a few thorns at random.

However, by coincidence, Chen Xuan's military report also happened to arrive, which hit Zhu Di's bad luck.

"Chen Xuan arrived in Jiangnan so long in advance, but he didn't know how to build bridges and roads, build military depots, and reserve food and wages?"

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

The generals in the Governor's Mansion hurriedly knelt on the ground, and some even said in fear: "I am incompetent, please forgive me..."

Even so, the teasing in his tone was obvious.

The progress in quelling the rebellion in Jiangnan was slow, and they were not leading the troops. It was Ping Jiangbo Chen Xuan who was actually commanding. What does it have to do with them? It is nothing more than a detailed manifestation of the factional strife within the Ming army.

More than half a year ago, Chen Xuan, as a general of the Southern Army who was not a descendant of the founder of Hongwu, led the navy to deploy river defenses to resist the Yan army. However, he voluntarily surrendered to the Yan army, allowing Zhu Di to successfully cross the river. "For his merits, he was still appointed as the Governor of the Right Army Governor's Mansion, and was awarded the title of Fengtian Yiwei Xuanli Military Minister. But can he, the hero of Jingnan, be the same as others? Compared with Li Jinglong, who also opened the door and surrendered, his gold content was slightly less.

Therefore, in the current contempt chain of the Ming Dynasty military circles, if you can collect the keywords at the bottom of the contempt chain such as non-Hongwu nobles, surrendered generals, navy, etc., you will also have the opportunity to lead an army to suppress the rebellion and show your face. , it is normal for Chen Xuan to make people jealous and tease her.

Zhu Diyu was still angry and pointed at the Kanyu map and said: "Jiangnan has been delayed for so long. Doesn't it delay my major event of conquering Annan?"

After being awarded the title of Rongguo Gong, Yao Guangxiao actually participated in important military and military matters as a military minister. Therefore, of course he was present at the meeting to conquer Annan.

Seeing that the emperor was furious, the other generals also had average relations with Chen Xuan, so naturally they were too lazy to speak for Chen Xuan. However, Chen Xuan's command was theoretically entrusted to him by Jiang Xinghuo, so for Jiang Sheng's sake, Yao Guangxiao stepped forward. That's fair.

"Chen Xuan and his thousands of naval troops had previously received orders to dredge the waterways, not to prepare for war. When the civil unrest broke out, Chen Xuan also did some garrison work in Suzhou Mansion. Not a single city in Suzhou Mansion fell. Your Majesty fell. Don’t be too harsh.”

"snort!"

Zhu Di knocked on the sand table and said: "After all, he was not thoughtful enough, so he fined him a year's salary as punishment. He immediately issued an order urging him to assist the national army in quickly suppressing the civil unrest."

Zheng He slightly cupped his hands behind him, but turned around to deliver the order. Several imperial edicts were outside.

In the military council hall, Cao Guogong Li Jinglong was not there. As the current leader of the Hongwu nobles, Wei Guogong Xu Huizu looked on silently and said nothing.

Of course Xu Huizu could see that the emperor didn't seem to be really angry. Instead, he found some excuse and cursed openly, but he was still very happy in his heart.

Moreover, the tacit explanation between this accusation and Yao Guangxiao was actually some kind of protection. With the emperor's determination of the matter, others would not be able to attack Chen Xuan any more.

"Ahem. Your Majesty, let's continue the discussion."

Chengguo Gong Zhu Neng covered his mouth and coughed twice, then continued.

"Where did you talk about just now?" Zhu Di asked with his hands on his hips.

I don’t know if the emperor did it on purpose or something, but the people next to him quickly reminded him.

"Annam's Elephant Soldiers."

"Oh." Zhu Di nodded and said: "Annam, Champa, Siam and other countries have always liked to use elephants to fight. The elephants are huge. Even if they are heavily armored and cavalry, if they collide, the elephants in formation will be Everyone in front of them will be destroyed from the front, and their elephant soldiers must be guarded against, so do you have any good strategies?"

At this time, Liu Sheng, the minister of the Zuo Army Governor's Mansion, suddenly said: "Your Majesty, I heard that King Muying of Qianning used fire blunderbuss, crossbow bolts, and cannons to defeat the Luchuan Elephant Formation. Now the lightweight field bronze cannons and Yongle The first-year matchlock gun has been manufactured on a small scale, why not use it to conquer Annan?"

"Oh." Zhu Di's eyes flashed: "This is a good idea! As long as we can deal with the elephant formation with confidence, Annan will not have any tricks that he can use to fight against our tomorrow's army."

"Your Majesty is wise." The generals behind Zhu Di agreed.

Duke Qiu Fu of Qi frowned and admonished displeasedly: "Your Majesty, firearms are only useful for scaring wild beasts. In ancient times, those who can win in battles rely on armored horses and brave soldiers. I haven't heard of it. We can win by relying solely on firearms. Even in times of crisis, if we place firearms in advance and rely on car formations, wouldn't they be washed to pieces? Your Majesty, please don't indulge in this crooked alley."

Tong'an Hou Huozhen, a Mongolian general with a cavalry background, also spoke Chinese with a northern accent and agreed: "Ping Jiangbo's progress in Jiangnan is slow, probably because there are too few tax guards and cavalry, and most of them are infantry armed with firearms and spears. , Firearms are useless when it rains, and Annan is also hot and rainy all year round. If we really use firearms, I am afraid we will have to fight depending on the weather, which is far worse than riding horses and rushing back and forth."

This was Qiu Fu and other cavalry generals making a clear statement to the emperor.

Firearms are just for scaring elephants. Don't really use them as an independent military unit.

In fact, Qiu Fu, as the principal of the Ming Dynasty Army Officer School, has always had a disdainful attitude towards the teaching of artillery and gun-related firearms subjects in the school.

There is also a concern about cutting watermelon. The more you cut it, the less I will worry about it.

Traditional cavalry officers are very, very concerned about safeguarding their own interests.

Ping An and Sheng Yong, who also support the use of firearms but have extremely embarrassing positions in the army, have been sent to the North to train the three guards returned by the kings of Sai. Therefore, Liu Sheng looked around and found that he was somewhat isolated. Helpless.

Fortunately, at this time, Wei Guogong Xu Huizu stood up and spoke for him.

"Whether firearms can form an army alone, it is hard to say how well the Tax Guards are performing. After all, they are not equipped with new matchlocks and bronze cannons. Your Majesty might as well send this batch of firearms produced by the War and War Bureau to the front line to try them out. try."

"If we can't transport food, how can we transport firearms?" Zhu Neng also read Chen Xuan's battle report and naturally knew how difficult the transportation conditions in Jiangnan are now.

Xu Huizu explained: "The grain bags cannot be carried because they are afraid of water. Moreover, the amount of grain required is too much, and transporting less is just a drop in the bucket. However, the number of these firearms is not large, and they are placed in boxes covered with raincloths. A transportable box can probably hold dozens of matchlock muskets. If you organize a team of people, you can transport them to the front line through the difficult roads in Suzhou Prefecture. At best, the transport will be slower."

Zhu Di said thoughtfully: "The imperial army's vigorous and resolute actions in Changzhou Prefecture have established a solid rear area for Jiangnan's actions. What is difficult to move at this time is just the middle section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in Suzhou Prefecture."

"I can understand your concerns."

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Di made a decision.

"But new firearms should be used in actual combat. Let's follow Wei Guogong's wishes and organize a batch of dozens or more than a hundred large boxes to be sent to the front line."

"Liu Qian's story."

Liu Sheng, who was named, responded quickly: "I'm here."

Zhu Di instructed: "With my will, you allocate all the muskets and several small cannons made during this period from the Military War Bureau, and transport them to the front line of Jiangnan to quell the chaos first. Then we will see the specific situation at Xushuguan. If If the rain lightens or stops, then you can transport food if you can; if it still rains heavily, you can help transport food."

"I obey the decree!"

At this moment, Zheng He suddenly came back with a memorial.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Master has something to say."

Zhu Di unfolded it in a hurry and was immediately confused.

"You want a large number of craftsmen from the Military and War Bureau to take the Yangtze River waterway and then by sea to Songjiang Mansion? In addition, you also need to carry a batch of gunpowder?"

"What does the Imperial Master want to do?"

However, despite his doubts, Zhu Di still maintained his trust in Jiang Xinghuo and changed his order.

"Liu Qianshi, you can go to Songjiang with the craftsmen of the War Bureau with your matchlocks and bronze cannons. The Imperial Guard said he has a way to connect Dahuangpu and Wusong River, and then transport the supplies to the front line by water."

Liu Sheng bowed and asked, "But I would like to ask your Majesty's permission to bring some military students who are well versed in artillery skills to go with me."

"Of course you can."

Therefore, Liu Sheng and a large number of craftsmen from the War Bureau, as well as Xu Jingchang, Zhu Yong, Zhang Anshi and other military cadets, took several ships of gunpowder and, under the escort of Zheng He, embarked on a new journey.

Jiang Xinghuo didn't know that the memorial he took the time to write before the banquet for the local gentry in Songjiang Prefecture was originally just to attract some people to help, but it suddenly attracted so many reinforcements.

In fact, this is also the first time that gunpowder and firearms have exerted enough power to impress the ruling and opposition parties in a specific incident.

PS: [Important reminder (there is no charge for this content)] Chapters 316 to 356 are about the rectification of officialdom and the suppression of rebellions in Jiangnan. They do not contain any theoretical knowledge. They are all practical content. If you are not interested, you can jump directly to Chapter 366. "Class" will contain theoretical knowledge content from now on.