Zhu Yuanzhang has already experienced the power of ideological propaganda, but there is no doubt that he must have strong strength and be able to defeat his opponents on the battlefield in order to implement these ideas.
This is also the reason why Lao Zhu didn't let Zhang Ximeng go away. He had to start planning for the battle with Tian Wan.
Even though Tianwan's country name is quite funny, their strength is not bad at all. It can even be described as a gathering of warriors.
After Peng Yingyu's death, Xu Shouhui became the nominal emperor. Under him were Taishi Zou Pusheng, Marshal Ni Wenjun, generals Zhao Pusheng, Chen Puwen, Ou Puxiang, Yang Puxiong, Xiang Pulue and other figures, naturally including those under Ni Wenjun.
Chen Youliang et al.
Take out any one and you can stand alone.
In terms of overall quality, these generals are no worse than Lao Zhu's Huaixi generals.
Even because of their rich war experience, they are more fierce and difficult to deal with than the Huaixi generals.
This can be seen from the collision between Chang Yuchun and Zhang Dingbian...
It would be fine if Tianwan was simply powerful, but the problem is that they dominate the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Upward, they have sent Ming Yuzhen to invade Bashu. Downward, they have seized Anqing and at the same time taken away Hongdu.
In addition, Tianwan captured Fuzhou, forming a thousands-mile-long confrontation front across the Yangtze River from north to south, intertwined with each other, and the situation was very complicated.
Lao Zhu urgently needs to work with Zhang Ximeng and others to come up with a proper strategy.
"The most critical places at the moment are Anqing and Hongdu... Taking back Anqing is equivalent to having an additional barrier on the Yangtze River, which can stop Tianwan's navy from flowing down the river. Capturing Hongdu will open up the hinterland of Tianwan
The situation of the springboard for inserting the knife is still very clear, but these two places are not so easy to remove."
Zhang Ximeng was also helpless. On the Anqing side, with Zhao Pusheng and Zhang Dingbian, it was definitely easy to defend but difficult to attack. And on the Hongdu side, Chen Youliang was there.
Although this guy joined the Red Turban very late, he rose to prominence very quickly, and he used troops to fight with skillful tactics. He was definitely a formidable enemy.
"Lord, both of these places are very difficult to defeat. If I had to choose, I think it should be Hongdu."
"Why?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
"There are two reasons. First, I am still not that confident in our navy. It will be difficult to defeat Tianwan. Second, our advantage is still attracting farmers. If we can win Hongdu,
The people all around Poyang Lake will stand by our side. With these land of plenty, our power will definitely increase greatly, and we will be very confident when we fight against Tianwan."
Zhu Yuanzhang listened carefully and concluded: "What do you mean, sir, is to make use of strengths and avoid weaknesses?"
"Yes, my lord is wise!"
Lao Zhu thought for a while and said: "In this case, we need to mobilize elite troops and generals, make preparations, and strive to be foolproof."
After setting the tone, the next step is to concentrate resources. The army will not move, but food and grass will go first.
This is also Li Shanchang’s main mission.
Faced with Lao Zhu's request, Li Shanchang gritted his teeth and said, "As high as I am, I can raise 800,000 shi of food, 8,000 sets of armor, and 30,000 oxen and horses."
This number made Zhu Yuanzhang not so satisfied, "Can't it be more?"
Li Shanchang grinned bitterly, "Your Majesty, our food is mainly from Huaixi, and in order to support Liu Futong's Northern Expedition, we sent 500,000 dan of grain, and another 200,000 dan to Fang Guozhen. Recently, in order to hire his
The fleet also gave a hundred thousand stones... Although there is a lot of food, it cannot be used like this. The biggest hope at the moment is the summer grain from Jiangnan. If there is a good harvest, more can be allocated. But I am not familiar with Jiangnan.
As for the situation, this is still the first year. How effective it will be will be known only after it is collected!"
Zhu Yuanzhang recalled what had happened since crossing the river. In fact, in less than a year, places like Chizhou, Taipingfu, and Jinling had some harvest results last year. In terms of grain output, they were much richer than in Huaixi.
But the other state capitals are still unclear, and they still lack experience in Jiangnan agriculture. Indeed, they can only know the situation after harvesting.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it again and again, and finally said: "Food is still the key to everything. Mr. Li must go all out, not only to collect the grain, but also to prevent embezzlement... Theft of grain into the warehouse without permission, and the use of grain to make wine, all must be severely punished."
!We don’t care if we chop off hundreds of heads... Do you understand?"
Li Shanchang was horrified. It was already obvious that Zhu Yuanzhang had murderous intentions.
Li Shanchang also knew that he could not make mistakes, otherwise his position would not be preserved.
"Your Majesty, I have thought about it over and over again. I have a suggestion. Can I give officials to the grain chiefs of various places?"
"Award to the Grain Chief?"
"Yes!" Li Shanchang said with a smile: "When we were in Huaixi, there were local wealthy households who took the initiative to transport tax grains. The superiors also said that they would be given official positions. I think it should be carried forward now and simply promote some people who transport grain in a timely manner.
Chief of grain, let them join the six ministries, give them at least a minister, and send them to local areas to serve as prefects and prefects... There must be brave men under heavy rewards. Only when the people below actively send grain can the treasury be sufficient to cope with the war and the army's grain will be safe.
"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he nodded slightly. He was willing to work for an official. Even though he was a minister, he was very high, but it was not impossible for him to do it.
"Mr. Li, official administration is our foundation. The grain chief can be an official, but he must first go to the bachelor's college and accept the assessment. You can't not know a word, and just because you have merit in delivering grain, you can only be a high-ranking official, right?"
Li Shanchang nodded immediately, "The superior has thought carefully, so this is the most appropriate thing to do."
After discussing with Zhu Yuanzhang, Li Shanchang immediately issued official documents to various places, telling them to fully cooperate with the collection of tax grains. Grain chiefs who can deliver tax grains on time can meet with superiors, and those with outstanding talents will be selected to enter the academy and hold important positions.
After this order was issued, all places in the south and north of the Yangtze River began to move.
No matter when, being an official is very attractive.
You must know that although Lao Zhu held the imperial examination, it is not that easy to pass the examination. Moreover, the officials awarded in the imperial examination are not high. This time, he is expected to be appointed as a minister, which is equivalent to directly entering the ranks of senior civil servants. Isn't it unusual!
The Jiang family attaches great importance to this food collection.
Their family was originally in the wood furniture business. Just a few months ago, they got a big job. Zhang Ximeng advocated the establishment of a school. At one time, the Jiang family ordered 20,000 sets of seats and benches, worth more than
One hundred thousand guan.
The Jiang family does a lot of business, but this is the first time they have seen such a big deal.
What especially surprises the Jiang family is that it stands to reason that someone will ask for benefits, peel off layers of skin, and try their best to take advantage of others. This is in line with past experience.
And they also heard that Zhu Jiajun was not so friendly to merchants.
The Jiang family was still uneasy at first, but after they actually placed the order, they found that was not the case at all.
Zhu Jiajun paid special attention to the matter of starting a school. He indeed sent people here many times, but instead of embarrassing them, he asked if they needed help, whether they had enough raw materials, and whether they had enough manpower... He had been dealing with the government for many years, so he could help solve the problem.
Yeah, this is the first time I’ve seen it.
What surprised the Jiang family even more was that Zhu Jiajun was very happy to pay money. Basically, he paid the money with one hand and delivered the goods with the other hand, without any deduction or delay.
Doing business with Zhu Jiajun was actually smoother than with ordinary businessmen.
Of course, there is a prerequisite, that is, you need to pay business tax in accordance with the rules. However, since this is for students, the tax rate is not high, only 5%.
After one business deal, a total of 20,000 yuan was recorded in the account.
The old man Jiang Yuan sighed very much, "The Zhu Jiajun is worthy of being the master of kings. If you ask me, the world will belong to the Zhu Jiajun sooner or later. If you can follow the Zhu Jiajun, you will definitely be able to flourish and shine."
Jiang Yuan glanced at his son Jiang Ke and said to him: "You must do a good job in this errand of grain chief. It will not be easy to win for you!"
Jiang Ke nodded repeatedly.
According to Zhu Jiajun's rules, the position of grain chief is generally held by wealthy households with a lot of land, a lot of land, and a lot of taxes and grain.
The Jiang family was a merchant family. Although they had a lot of money, they did not have much land. During the equalization of land, their family only handed over less than one hundred acres.
When it comes to Dingduo, the Jiang family is not close. Jiang Yuan is already over 60 years old. He only has one son, Jiang Ke, and a little daughter. Strictly speaking, only his son Jiang Ke is considered a mature Ding. The old man can already remove his Ding status.
Already.
Since there is not much land, there is not much natural tax revenue.
From any point of view, the Jiang family is not qualified to be the head of grain.
However, the Jiang family also has an advantage, that is, they are in the lumber business and own a carriage and horse business, with livestock, carriages, and some coachmen.
Taxed food is real food and requires long-distance transportation. Even wealthy families may not be able to afford it!
Therefore, once the grain is transported, in addition to the grain chief's family having extra animals and vehicles, ordinary people's families will also have to send their young men and women to help. It is very hard to carry the grain long distances.
The Jiang family promised the people in the area that as long as they serve as grain chiefs, they do not need to requisition civilian labor, and the Jiang family will be responsible for everything.
Not only transportation, but also losses. In short, they will send the food to Jinling smoothly.
Relying on his ability, he finally got the job of grain chief.
Since the beginning of the summer grain harvest, the waves of wheat have surged and turned golden, as far as the eye can see.
It’s another good harvest year.
For ordinary people, nothing is more touching than these two words.
If there is, it is equal land.
The land belongs to you, and so does the food. As long as you pay enough land tax, you can enjoy a good harvest.
The Jiang family is also well-informed, but this is the first time that ordinary people are scrambling to pay their land taxes, and many people have paid more.
Because they all know that the losses on the road are still huge.
"Master Jiang, thank you for your hard work. You must send it to Jinling and give it to Duke Wu!"
Jiang Ke clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, folks, I will deliver it safely."
Twelve thousand shi of grain were all prepared, and Jiang Ke was personally responsible for loading the cart, making sure everything was done perfectly. While he was busy all night, a farmer holding a torch accidentally bumped into the horse pulling the cart.
The pained horse immediately pulled half a cart of grain and galloped away, hitting Jiang Ke. Not only did he knock down, but the wheel also ran over his thigh.
Click!
Broken bones!
Jiang Ke fainted from the pain, but before losing consciousness, he only had one thought left, that is bad, he will set off at dawn, his leg is broken, his father is old, and he has no brothers, is it possible for his little sister to let him go?