Chapter 443 The fifth step, the Northern Expedition
"Guan Duo is far away in Goryeo and can't stand alone. Without our support, he would have collapsed a long time ago. The last time an injured soldier from the Central Route Army attended the lord's enthronement ceremony, it was proof that this man can't escape." Zhang Ximeng said with a smile.
He said this with full confidence. In fact, as these wounded soldiers returned home, Zhang Ximeng arranged for people to write some letters, mainly to report that they were safe, and then asked the merchants who transported supplies to send them to Goryeo and hand them over to the Northern Expedition.
Military officers.
Although it is a letter of peace, it still tells them what they have seen and heard, the situation at sea, and what their future will be like... Some people in it were assigned land and chose to settle in the Ming Dynasty, and some people got the land deeds of the Ming Dynasty.
Fang Guozhen's fleet comes and goes every two or three months, and all kinds of news are constantly sent there.
Can Guan Duo stop me?
Can't stop it!
It is precisely because of these good news that the morale of the Central Army has been maintained and will not collapse. After all, there is still a Ming Dynasty and there is still hope!
But the problem is that the more we know about it, the less this army belongs to Han and Song.
Why did some soldiers say that it was a pity that the seal did not belong to Zhu Yuanzhang?
Zhang Ximeng has always liked to work from the bottom up, dripping water through the stone. The pot of porridge of the Northern Expeditionary Army was almost cooked.
"Sir, Guan Duo and the others are currently in Goryeo. If we support Guan Duo, will it anger Goryeo? If they join forces with Yuan Ting, wouldn't they become a big problem?"
Zhang Ximeng smiled lightly and said, "My lord, do you know the survival wisdom of the Korean people?"
Lao Zhu frowned slightly, "We don't know about this. I think they are just ordinary people, what else is weird about them?"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "Lord, we have always said that heaven is on its way, and a gentleman should strive for self-improvement. What we are talking about is self-examination and striving to make progress. We all focus on ourselves, because as long as we do our own things well, there will be no solution.
Things that cannot be done. But Goryeo is different. They are a small country. Even if they use all their strength, they still cannot resist the destiny. Therefore, they must look up to the big country and seek protection from the big country in order to survive."
"So they believe that doing big things should be done with kindness and small things should be done with wisdom. To put it simply, as long as they serve the big country well, they will probably be safe and sound!"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he couldn't help but said angrily: "That's it!"
Speaking of which, Zhu Yuanzhang still knew a little about the situation in Goryeo over the years. There were many Goryeo beauties in the harem of the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and there were many Goryeo eunuchs among the eunuchs. There was even a Goryeo army in the Yuan army. They
He even participated in the siege of Gaoyou and was said to have fought fiercely and tenaciously.
In the past, Lao Zhu didn't understand, but now I think about it, this Goryeo was really a filial son and grandson of the Yuan Dynasty, so loyal!
"Sir, Goryeo is so filial to Dayuan. How can we separate them? Is it necessary to use coercion or inducement?"
Zhang Ximeng said: "My lord, if you are a warrior who would rather die than surrender, you will naturally have to understand and use reason to move him with emotion. But when it comes to a dog, you only need to beat it to make it scared. That's it. If they want something big, just tell them who can do it."
If it is a big country, these people will take the initiative to kneel down."
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, and found it really unique and interesting... Even though Zhang Ximeng refuted so many Confucian views, some things are still rooted in his bones and cannot be changed at all.
For example, compare your heart to your heart, and don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you.
It has always been the custom of the Central Plains Dynasty that I treat you well in exchange for you being loyal to me. If you give me a little tribute, I will give you ten times as much, in order to win people's hearts.
It's hard to say whether this behavior is right or wrong. After all, it is rooted in our cultural habits and thinking patterns.
But most small countries obviously don’t think so.
Dignity is a luxury that only big countries can possess. As for small countries, all they want from the beginning to the end is survival. Things like dignity are too luxurious and cannot be afforded by them.
Therefore, when facing a small country, you must learn another set of thinking patterns... Zhu Yuanzhang naturally opened a new door, and the more he thought about it, the more interesting he became.
"Sir, it seems like we should have a different strategy for dealing with the small barbarian countries around us in the future."
Zhang Ximeng smiled modestly and said: "It's hard for me to say, but I can try my hand at Goryeo to see if what I said is right or wrong?"
Lao Zhu raised his eyebrows again and again, and said in a deep voice: "Tell Liao Yong'an to lead a hundred warships, join the fleet of the King of Yue, and go to Goryeo as an envoy... By the way, the envoy will choose Yang Xian and let him go there.
, tell Goryeo that Shangguo is back! Let them rein in the situation as soon as possible and change their ways, otherwise they will be destroyed when the heavenly soldiers arrive!"
The subordinates agreed and immediately went to deliver the order.
Liao Yong'an also mobilized the navy, and Yang Xian also came from Yingtian to take the order and set off... But Yang Xian was a little embarrassed, the order was not easy to explain!
Zhu Yuanzhang was already full of murderous intent, but his real intention was only one sentence: Your father is back!
When it comes to simplicity, it is unprecedented among all credential documents.
Zhang Xiang’s action is indeed extraordinary!
As long as Goryeo still has some shame, it is estimated that there will be a war. We need to talk to Liao Yongan and Fang Guozhen and let them prepare for war and not be careless.
After dealing with Goryeo, Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang still focused on Mao Gui of Shandong.
Compared with Guan Duo's coyness, Mao Gui made no secret of it and learned from Zhu Jiajun's approach.
His achievements are obvious, and so are his difficulties.
This is where Mao Gui is helpless.
There are many powerful families in Shandong, but his foundation is not enough. It will be extremely difficult to completely eradicate the influence of the powerful families.
Moreover, the Yuan army also put their troops on him and launched attacks frequently, and the big families inside were also restraining him.
The most terrible thing is that his actions also angered some people within Han and Song Dynasties, who frequently complained in front of Liu Futong, criticized and smeared him.
As a result, Mao Gui was overwhelmed and overwhelmed.
Fortunately, in the direction of Huaixi, the Ming Dynasty firmly supported him, providing food, weapons, and trade, and spared no effort.
When things got to this point, even if Mao Gui didn't want to surrender to the Ming Dynasty, he probably wouldn't be able to.
Of course, Mao Gui's men also numbered 100,000 or 200,000, including the elites of Han and Song Dynasties. They also occupied a whole province. If they wanted to swallow it up smoothly, they would have to put in some effort.
All in all, Han and Song Dynasty were both eccentric and disloyal, and Zhang Ximeng kept poaching, and it had become a crumbling house.
Just one kick and it will collapse.
And the person who kicked him was none other than Chahan Timur!
In fact, just when Guan Duo defeated Liaoxi, another Northern Expedition army had to enter the Ningxia Road in order to avoid Chahan Timur's attack.
In other words, the Western Route Army of the Northern Expedition was also defeated.
Chahan Timur did not even pursue Li Wu and Cui De of the West Route Army. Instead, he personally led the troops and captured Hulao Pass. After capturing Hulao Pass, the army was divided into two groups, the north and the south.
Attack from both sides of the Yellow River in a pincer shape.
They also mobilized Shaanxi's troops and horses to leave Hangu Pass. Shanxi's troops and horses crossed the Taihang Mountains and the Yellow River and met at the foot of Bianliang City.
Chahan Timur personally stationed himself at the Xinghua Camp in the west of Bianliang City, commanding various armies to build forts around Bianliang City and besiege Bianliang.
At this moment, Chahan Timur had hundreds of thousands of troops and many generals under his command, all of whom were capable of ruthless fighting.
There is no way, those who can't fight will have been eliminated long ago.
You can think that these Yuan soldiers are fierce and brutal, worse than animals, but you cannot deny their strength and ferocity.
Within a few years, Liu Futong conducted three Northern Expeditions, which were vigorous and vigorous. Although they shook the foundation of the Yuan Dynasty, they also trained a powerful landlord force for the Yuan Dynasty. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zeng Wenzheng became the leader.
Interestingly, Chahan Timur also understood the principle of building a stronghold and fighting a dull battle. He built forts from all sides and besieged Bianliang.
Faced with this situation, Liu Futong sent troops many times to try to defeat the Yuan army, but unfortunately not only did he fail, but he also lost troops and generals, further weakening his power.
The Northern Expedition was so generous at the beginning, but the defeat is so embarrassing now.
It only took a few months.
When Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, Liu Futong aggressively challenged Chen Youliang. As a result, Zhu Yuanzhang defeated Chen Youliang and accumulated enough power.
But the situation in the Central Plains has plummeted to pieces.
First, the Central Northern Expedition Army was defeated in western Liaoning, and then the Western Northern Expedition Army was driven to Ningxia Road... Then the gate of Hulao Pass was captured, and hundreds of thousands of Yuan troops besieged Bianliang.
Liu Futong's only hope was Mao Gui from Shandong.
However, there had been a lot of quarrel between them and Mao Gui before. Now, sending Mao Gui to Kaifeng is no less than bringing Grand Master Dong to Beijing. This is a life-threatening matter, how can we agree to it?
The "Zhongliang of the Song Dynasty" that Zhang Ximeng gave to Liu Futong did not live up to expectations. When Han and Song Dynasties were facing the crisis of national subjugation, they performed as well as they did when the Song Dynasty collapsed.
Zhu Yuanzhang saw all these things. To be honest, the situation changed faster than imagined... He contacted Ming Yuzhen and hoped to join the Northern Expedition. He planned to send troops from Nanyang to seize Tongguan and block the Yuan soldiers in the pass.
Prevent them from aggressively attacking the Central Plains.
What a pity, Zhu Yuanzhang really had no selfish motives at all, he was all thinking about the great cause of the Northern Expedition.
He had already seen that Liu Futong could not hold on any longer.
But Ming Yuzhen made an operation to divide China equally. Liu Futong was also guarding him as if guarding against thieves, and Lao Zhu was also anxious.
But if you think about it, you know that even Mao Gui is so suspicious of him, how can he give Lao Zhu a good look?
In a short period of time, the situation changed and Bianliang almost became an isolated city.
Prince Xiao Ming is already in danger.
"Sir, you see the overall situation of the Central Plains is like this, what should we do as the first step?"
Zhang Ximeng said: "Our first step is to say that nothing happens and Liu Taibao sits back and relaxes."
Zhu Yuanzhang was startled and said, "Well, what about the second step?"
"The second step is to declare that the Yuan soldiers may be coming fiercely, but we believe that the Song Dynasty King's Division, which has experienced countless tests, can successfully defeat the ferocious enemy."
Lao Zhu's face changed slightly, and he muttered: "Third, what about the third step?"
"The third step is to say that Bianliang is dangerous, but in a hurry, we can't do anything."
Lao Zhu shook his head and sighed, "You are going to watch Liu Futong and Han Lin'er die!"
"That's right, when you reach the fourth step, you can declare that it would have been better if you could have done something, but now it is too late."
Lao Zhu's brows raised, "Sir, do you want us to just sit back and watch?"
"No, there is still a fifth step...the Northern Expedition!" Zhang Ximeng said with a smile.