Zhu Sheng revealed the nine-character mantra, which really shocked Zhu Yuanzhang. Although he had heard a lot of similar suggestions, the old man could speak it so concisely and accurately, at least his level should not be bad.
Even if he is not as good as Zhang Ximeng, he is still on the same level as Li Shanchang and Jia Lu, and is worthy of reuse.
But talent is one thing. This person is not reliable. It is hard to say about Zhu Yuanzhang. He still needs to observe for a while. Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang can only say that he is affectionate to this group of civil and military personnel crossing the river, and he does not dare to trust too much.
Only a few people are qualified to participate in strategic decision-making.
"Sir, we happen to have something to discuss with you, and I'm worried if we can't come up with an idea!"
Zhang Ximeng was stunned, and had no choice but to nod. He knew what Zhu Yuanzhang meant, and he was sensible enough not to bring anyone else over, just the two of them.
"Sir, what do you think we are going to do next?"
Zhang Ximeng said: "What I mean is that my lord captures Taiping Prefecture as soon as possible, and then enters Jinling to establish the overall situation of the southeast. If we can capture Pingjiang Prefecture (Suzhou) to the east, capture Anqing to the west, and seize the southeast, then the general trend will be achieved!"
"
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and asked again: "How many troops have you gathered in Jiangnan, sir?"
"This... the subordinates from Tongling, Chizhou, and Naha total more than 15,000 people. In addition, after the Chaohu Navy has been reorganized, there are more than 10,000 people. We really don't have many troops of our own." Zhang Ximeng said.
He knew the truth, but he also understood Lao Zhu’s thoughts, so he said: “My lord, do you think you want to organize the army first?”
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed deeply, "We defeated the Yuan army in Liuhe and Tianchang, and gathered many prisoners under Gaoyou City. Now in the battle with Hezhou, we have captured almost 40,000 to 50,000 people, plus the 20,000 to 30,000 from Jiangnan."
People, all added up, the number of prisoners has already exceeded 100,000, and our old subordinates were only more than 20,000. One to five! How to control these people? Furthermore, we have a worry, if these prisoners
The Yuan army led our troops to ruin, wouldn’t it mean that we have failed in our efforts!”
Zhang Ximeng was horrified. Such a powerful Zhu Yuanzhang had indeed seen the key to the problem.
In fact, Zhang Ximeng was also aware of it, but he wanted to carry out rectification after entering Jinling, but Zhu Yuanzhang obviously did not think so.
"Sir, you are different from us. You don't know what it's like to suffer from childhood. Originally, after taking Yangzhou, it was time to rectify it. But then the Battle of Hezhou happened again, and then we had to cross the river. There were more and more people and horses, and the territory
It's getting bigger and bigger, but our hearts are always hanging on, for fear that something big will happen. The colorful world of Jinling, and the most charming eyes, I'm afraid those old brothers may not be able to bear it!"
Zhang Ximeng was more and more frightened by Lao Zhu's intuition. For such a long time, although Zhang Ximeng could do things perfectly and beautifully, the real strategic decisions were all made by Lao Zhu. What is amazing is that Zhu Yuanzhang never missed any major events.
Zhang Ximeng was also impressed by this point.
"What my lord said is absolutely true. Now that Zhang Shicheng is still recovering, Xu Shouhui can't reach us for the time being. And my lord killed the tripping horse and captured Tu Jian and Chen Yexian. Jinling is already within easy reach. We must rectify the troops and enforce military discipline."
, I think it’s very suitable, but I don’t know what the lord plans to do?”
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a while and then said: "What else can we do? Knock on the mountain to shock the tigers and kill them as a warning. Pick a few bastards and let's skin them. Then those people will know what to do."
Zhang Ximeng couldn't help but grin, he really looked like Zhu Yuanzhang!
After careful inspection, Lao Zhu has been doing this all his life, and it seems to have worked well. At least he has survived the prosperous age of Hongwu. Lao Zhu's killings must not be simply understood to mean that he has a brain problem and just likes killing... If that is the case,
Zhu Yuanzhang definitely has no ability to dominate the world. Everyone knows the results of the one who likes to massacre cities. He can only become an overlord at most.
Lao Zhu not only sat firmly on the throne, but also quickly restored people's livelihood with outstanding results. Then we have to talk about his art of killing. To a certain extent, Lao Zhu's killing is more like being eliminated from the bottom.
Regularly remove some scum, either 3% or 5% every year... From civil servants to generals, from those after crossing the river to those before crossing the river, from sparse to close... It's like an old farmer plowing
As long as you commit a crime, you will inevitably die.
Zhu Yuanzhang was very interesting in killing people. He did not do it casually, but every time he killed someone, he had to commit sufficient crimes and do it strictly in accordance with the national law.
Some cases may seem excessive in later generations, but from the legal level of the early Ming Dynasty, they were definitely solid cases.
Take Hu Dahai as an example. He was leading troops from the front, and Lao Zhu found Hu Dahai's son. His subordinates all advised Lao Zhu not to kill him...but Zhu Yuanzhang dealt with it cleanly.
We would rather Hu Dahai rebel than break the law!
In the end, Hu Dahai was more loyal than anyone else. He fought for Lao Zhu in the east and west, risking his life in it.
If you have a little understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang's acting style, you will understand that the higher the status and the greater the influence, the more justified it is. As for what kind of goose meat is used to harm people, it is simply a folk fabrication, and it is nonsense that cannot be put on the stage. If the old
If Zhu wants to kill Xu Da, he will definitely eliminate the root cause. After all, Xu Da has too much influence to leave any hidden dangers.
In this case, can using goose meat to kill people still remove party members?
Definitely not!
So when it comes to Xu Da's level, either he doesn't do it, or he must do it, it must be rebellion... In fact, Xu Da just died of a normal illness.
Military generals of their age have been through life and death, suffering from injuries all over their bodies, and they can live to be over fifty years old, which is considered a long life.
"Lord, I agree with you in principle." Zhang Ximeng said carefully.
"In principle?"
"It means standing at the height of the overall situation, taking a macro perspective, and aiming at the entire army. We really need thunderbolt means, a resolute attitude, implement military laws, strictly enforce military disciplines, realize the unity of the top and bottom, and use the fingers like an arm. Create the maximum value of the team and achieve the goal of soldiers and generals.
The ecological reaction of time creates the strongest Great Wall of Discipline to fight for the Lord’s hegemony in the world!”
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, and the more he listened, the more he frowned, "Speak to us in human terms!"
"To put it bluntly, can we be a little more accommodating on the details, such as clarifying some disciplines first, organizing and implementing them, and being a little more lenient for first-time offenders. Only those who are persistent in their evil will be severely punished?"
Lao Zhu snorted coldly, "After all, don't we still need to be merciful?"
"It's not soft!" Zhang Ximeng said sternly: "Lord, the essence of punishment is to alert people. So as long as the price paid is much higher than the income. For example, if a person steals a chicken, beat him twenty times, and beat him twenty times.
The skin is torn and the flesh is torn, and he cannot get out of bed for half a month, which is enough. But if he steals a chicken, he must beheaded. Although the punishment is severe enough, it weakens the authority of beheading.
If you do anything, you will lose your life, so I am lucky enough to act recklessly and just hope not to be discovered."
"What do you think, my lord?"
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time and said slowly: "Sir, if you do this, will you be too indulgent and let those people think they can escape punishment and then act recklessly?"
Zhang Ximeng said: "My Lord, what you are worried about is indeed justified. Considering the current situation in the military, it will indeed be like this. It is said that we are investigating the case and we will not unjustly accuse good people, but how many people investigate the case and how many things can be investigated... In the end, it will be done."
This will allow many evildoers to go unpunished, and the military law will become useless... So my idea is to specifically increase the law enforcement force and set up special personnel in the military, who are mainly responsible for preaching military law. The soldiers must be clear about it, and at the same time, there must be law enforcement personnel to target
Violations of military law must be dealt with as soon as possible and punished severely in front of soldiers to warn people, only in this way can they be effective."
Lao Zhu was slightly startled. It sounded good, but he was still not sure what it would do.
"In this case, we will do what you want, sir... But if it doesn't work, we will still have to ask, and we will do what we want!"
Zhang Ximeng said hurriedly: "I am just turning the master's wishes into a plan that can be implemented. I don't have any ideas, and even if I do, I firmly disagree with my own ideas!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a long time before he understood what Zhang Ximeng meant... Lao Zhu laughed angrily, are we so scary?
"Okay, just go ahead and do it with confidence. If something happens, I'll take care of it. Is that okay?"
Zhang Ximeng got his wish. In fact, compared to reluctantly leading the army, he prefers to organize the army... strengthen military discipline, organize logistics, cultivate talents, and establish a management system. This is what he is good at.
It is much safer than rushing to kill on the battlefield with a knife and a gun.
Therefore, after Lao Zhu crossed the river, Zhang Ximeng quickly gave up his position as naval commander, and all land, water, and troops were under Lao Zhu's direct jurisdiction.
Moreover, when Zhang Ximeng revised the records in the future, he deliberately downplayed this matter. He has never been a governor! Don't blame us!
After two days of busy work, Zhang Ximeng announced the first batch of military disciplines.
The first one is to obey the command in all actions.
This is the fundamental of fundamentals.
Any strong army must work as one, be obedient, obey orders, and overcome difficulties.
I won’t go into too many negative examples. The Yuan army was defeated miserably all the way, and it was because of military discipline.
Whether on land or in the Yangtze River Navy, the generals cannot give orders to their subordinates. The people below have their own agendas, plot against each other, and are selfish.
How can such troops be invincible?
In addition to obeying orders, you are not allowed to disturb the people, you are not allowed to rob the people, you are not allowed to live in people's houses, and you are not allowed to touch even the needles and threads of the people.
We must know that the foundation of the Zhu Jiajun lies in the hearts and minds of the people. If we lose the hearts and minds of the people, everything will be lost.
Another thing is that due to continuous fighting, a considerable number of Yuan troops were defeated. On the battlefield, there were quite a lot of armors, weapons, horses and baggage, and even gold and silver treasures.
No one is allowed to keep it secretly, it must be handed over, and then distributed uniformly according to the merit and urgent needs.
If someone quarrels with each other because of the seizure, and a serious situation occurs, and even hurts or kills someone, the principal culprit will be sentenced to death!
Zhang Ximeng clearly wrote that anyone who dares to grab loot randomly and refuses to obey the management will lose their head.
When all these are boiled down, the core lies in obeying orders.
In addition, Zhang Ximeng also formulated some codes of conduct, such as speaking kindly, buying and selling fairly, paying back borrowed things, compensating for damaged things, not beating and cursing people, not damaging crops, not molesting women, not abusing captives...especially the last one, Zhang Ximeng
Strict regulations were formulated regarding the issue of prisoners.
First of all, those who voluntarily surrender and are able to fight back and help defeat the enemy are defined as uprising. The uprising team must refer to Zhu Jiajun's standards. Even if they do not meet the requirements, they must be properly arranged. Except for a few extremely guilty ones, they cannot be killed.
Secondly, even if under the pressure of a large army, one knows that there is no hope and surrenders voluntarily, this is considered surrender and must be dealt with appropriately.
Finally, those captured in battle should be defined as prisoners of war. They need to be strictly educated and cannot easily be incorporated into the army. They must also work for a period of time. Only after they are confirmed to have reformed can they be treated like ordinary people.
In addition to these, Zhang Ximeng once again took out several military disciplines and warned everyone that they are not allowed to gamble, drink alcohol, bring women into the military camp without permission, and are not allowed to go out to visit brothels. Also, weapons must be properly handled
Protect it, do not damage it, and cannot sell it privately.
The frame of the war horse must be properly maintained, and food must not be wasted. Soldiers' pay and food money must not be corrupted. Every purchase must have detailed accounts, which must be disclosed regularly and open to everyone's scrutiny.
There are more than a hundred codes of conduct in total.
Faced with these things, everyone including the Chaohu Navy was stunned... Zhu Jiajun was too harsh, wasn't he?