Zhu Yuanzhang stayed in Huguang and did not respond to the emperor for a long time. He was just dealing with military affairs. Otherwise, the people below could do immigration, crack down on powerful people, and deal with temple property. These things could be done very well. There was no need for him, the emperor, to put too much thought into it.
Only the most important military affairs were the ones that Zhu Yuanzhang did not dare to relax at all. Even Zhang Ximeng avoided the military affairs very principledly. But Lao Zhu was not willing to let Zhang Ximeng be so free. He brought Zhang Ximeng over and asked him to be responsible for compiling teaching materials.
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This matter fell on Zhang Ximeng, and he was a little confused.
If you say that Zhang Ximeng does not understand military affairs, you are definitely wronging him. On the contrary, almost all generals respect this Xianggong Zhang.
But if you want to say that Zhang Ximeng is a talented general who can win decisively from thousands of miles away, then you are exalting him too high, which is simply nonsense.
Zhang Ximeng also knew his level, so after thinking about it, he recruited Xu Da and Feng Guoyong, and the three of them were responsible for editing together. Zhang Ximeng was only responsible for outlining the outline and formulating the format and specifications of the teaching materials. Then these two talented people filled in the work.
Zhang Ximeng temporarily divided the teaching materials into three subjects, including infantry, cavalry, and firearms.
As for the part about water warfare, Zhang Ximeng was really an outsider, and since it wasn't that important, he put it behind... Let's focus on these three subjects for the time being.
The three of them actually work well together and complement each other.
For example, Zhang Ximeng was responsible for explaining the war and focused on the big picture, while Xu Da used his many years of command experience, analyzed it based on specific battle cases, and then summarized the experience and wrote it into the textbook.
Feng Guoyong was an all-rounder in both civil and military affairs. He knew more about military strategy than Zhang Ximeng and had better literary talent than Xu Da... Such an outstanding talent naturally had to pick up the pieces and fill in the gaps.
While Zhang Ximeng was editing the book, he was also able to share his experiences with the two generals.
Gradually, Zhang Ximeng discovered Xu Da's uniqueness. Although Zhang Ximeng was familiar with him in the past, after all, it was nothing like this time. He was specialized in communicating military affairs, openly and honestly, and put everything on the table.
Xu Da's commanding genius was not innate. Even after following Zhu Yuanzhang, he began to think about military affairs... During every war, Xu Da would carefully survey the terrain, observe it personally, and then constantly draw maps in his mind.
.Sometimes I think so much that I forget to eat, as if I am obsessed with it.
But as long as Xu Da figures it out, there is no doubt that there will be no suspense about the outcome of the battlefield. The Battle of Hezhou, the Battle of Jinling, the Battle of Hangzhou, the Battle of Hukou... After each battle, Xu Da will follow the battlefield
He received feedback and reviewed his pre-war plan. Over time, the war turned out to be exactly as Xu Da expected, with very few differences.
In addition to summarizing tactics, Xu Da also formulated corresponding tactics and methods for different arms, such as cavalry, infantry, spearmen, sword and shield soldiers, and firearms battalions, and had methods to deal with them.
After Zhang Ximeng chatted with Xu Da, he found that these experiences were really important, so he encouraged Xu Da to write them down, let Feng Guoyong polish them, and Zhang Ximeng revised them into a manual.
They made a copy here and asked all the generals to learn from it.
Let's discuss the deduction together and see who is better!
Not surprisingly, Xu Da defeated everyone, even Chang Yuchun was helpless!
"This, this is just talk on paper! I'm not convinced. If you have the ability to pull people together, use real swords and guns, and fight on the battlefield, I don't believe it. I will always lose!"
Xu Da said with a sullen face: "If you want, you can compete in the martial arts competition."
"No!" Chang Yuchun flatly refused, "Well, what's the difference between that and talking on paper? You just saw my weakness. No matter how you drill, I'm no match for you... But on the battlefield, I can adapt to changes.
Yuchun will naturally have a way to win."
Xu Da simply doesn't argue with him. Is it possible that each of them can lead 5,000 people and kill each one to make a river of blood?
At this time, Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "Chang Yuchun, I agree with what you said. You do have the ability to perform beyond the ordinary, to have an antelope hang its horns and to fly to heaven."
Chang Yuchun was immediately overjoyed and said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Zhang, for the compliment. Mr. Zhang can speak to me, Mr. Chang."
Zhang Ximeng smiled faintly, shook his head and said: "I'm not talking to you, I'm saying that people like you are exactly what need to be eliminated from the Ming Dynasty's army in the future!"
Chang Yuchun's eyes suddenly widened with astonishment on his face. The other generals also laughed. Feng Guoyong even said: "That's right. He brags all day long that he has 100,000 people across the world. He talks about how brave he is. It makes people look at him.
If he feels uncomfortable, it’s a good idea to drive him out!”
Chang Yuchun was anxious, "Xiang Zhang, you can't listen to their nonsense! These are just mediocre people who follow the script. To really go to the battlefield, you still need something different like me."
Zhang Ximeng waved his hand, "Chang Yuchun, I agree with your ability, but what I want to say is that our Ming Dynasty cannot rely on one or two genius generals. In fact, military generals in all dynasties have this problem. With the rise of a generation of famous generals, they swept across
The Eight Wastelands are invincible in the world. When these generals wither and the warriors are no longer available, the fighting strength will decline sharply. Even at the beginning of the founding of the Zhao and Song Dynasties, neither infantry nor cavalry were afraid of the Khitan. However, after the failure of Yongxi's Northern Expedition, the old soldiers
We suffered all the losses, and when we arrived at the Chanyuan Alliance, we were suppressed and beaten."
Zhang Ximeng said to everyone: "The Xiongnu, Khitan, Jurchen, and Mongolia live in a harsh environment. They have to learn to ride horses since they were young. When they get a little older, they have to fight all day long. I don't think you want to say how fierce they are.
Not necessarily. But due to the cruel environment, their basic combat power is guaranteed."
"If famous generals like Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, Li Jing, and Hou Junji appeared in the Central Plains, they would naturally be suppressed. Needless to say, even the second-rate generals could remain undefeated and protect the peace of the country.
But there is one situation that is the most dangerous."
Zhang Ximeng glanced at all the generals, and then said: "This is the situation in the Song Dynasty. Jurchens came out in large numbers, and only eunuchs were available in Zhao and Song Dynasties. As a result, Jingkang was humiliated. Fortunately, the rise of generals such as Han Shizhong and Yue Fei was able to maintain the situation.
The southern half of the Yangtze River. When the more powerful Mongols rose, Zhao and Song did not even have any capable military generals. They could only rely on the support of passionate scholars like Wen Tianxiang and Lu Xiufu. Yashan was defeated miserably, and the country was ruined and the family was destroyed.
It’s a hard lesson to learn!”
"Having said this, I believe everyone understands that we actually have an advantage against the nomadic cavalry on the grasslands. Most of the time, we can hold on and even fight back... There is only one situation.
Even if the enemy is extremely strong and we are extremely weak, we will be unable to recover."
"This time we set up martial arts, train generals, and compile teaching materials, the purpose is to come up with a set of reliable methods. It may not be perfect, but as long as we follow this method, we can create a decent and capable soldier.
By resisting the nomadic cavalry, we can at least preserve the Central Plains."
"If you want to seal the wolf as a cub, restrain Shi Yanran, and establish supreme merits, you need your own efforts and talent... This is something we can't teach, and it's not the purpose of our martial arts school. The school can only guarantee the minimum limit. Books are just the most basic things. If you want to reach a higher level, you must have the ability to surpass books."
Zhang Ximeng glanced sideways at Chang Yuchun, "Is there that kind of miraculous person in this world who can't learn from books but can gallop on the battlefield? Maybe there are, but there are definitely not many in number, and we are too lazy to gamble. What we need is someone who can Talents who are proficient in the most basic things, and then use this foundation to develop their special talents. Therefore, if some people cannot even pass this test, they will be kicked out of the team!"
Chang Yuchun was suddenly stunned, rolling his big round eyes, without any temper at all.
When he argued with Xu Da, it was just a grudge between the generals. To explain it more positively, it meant he was extremely motivated. But when he talked back to Zhang Ximeng, he was unhappy.
If Zhu Yuanzhang hears this, he will not end well.
Chang Yuchun drooped his head and said helplessly: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang, I, I will definitely graduate with first class!"
Zhang Ximeng nodded, "It's good to have this confidence. When the assessment is over, my lord will have a heart-to-heart talk with everyone in Yueyang Tower."
All the generals nodded together, feeling awe-inspiring in their hearts.
After the army reorganization this time, I am afraid that the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains will begin. Who can come out on top is eagerly awaited.
Sure enough, twenty days later, Zhu Yuanzhang held a banquet with military generals at Yueyang Tower. This time was very special. Except for Zhang Ximeng, a civil servant, the rest were generals. In other words, others were not eligible to participate.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced around and looked at the tigers under his command. Old Zhu's heart was surging. He said slowly: "In the past, I personally commanded or held the battle from behind. But this time is different. We have to sit in front of the sky and guard the front. The commander must make his own decisions on how to mobilize horses and how to fight, so the burden on his shoulders is much heavier!"
When all the generals heard this, they were all horrified.
What does this mean?
The superiors have to completely let go. All major decisions, victory or defeat on the battlefield must be borne by themselves. Whether they are mules or horses, it all depends on themselves.
This is both an opportunity to become famous in the world and a danger of ruining your reputation. It all depends on your own ability.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him, Xu Da shook his head slightly, but did not move, while Chang Yuchun met Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze with an expectant look on his face.
But contrary to everyone's expectations, Lao Zhu finally fell in love with Feng Guoyong.
"Feng Guoyong, Ding Pulang, Fu Youde, Feng Guosheng, Deng Yu!"
Lao Zhu named five people in one breath. The five people whose names were called met in surprise and bowed together.
"Please give orders from your superiors!"
Lao Zhu said: "We will give you 50,000 horse and infantry soldiers. Set out from Wuchang immediately, capture Xiangyang, and march to Nanyang. You must be like nails and nail them to Nanyang. No matter who dares to invade, we will give them a hard blow." Fight back!"
When Feng Guoyong and others heard this, they all responded in unison, "Your Majesty, please rest assured!"
Zhu Yuanzhang then said again: "Guo Xing, as a military trainer, you also go out with the army. Remember, you can take care of them for us."
Guo Xing was stunned for a moment, then said: "Ascension, I will assist several colleagues and take good care of the soldiers together!"
His words fully reflected the emotional intelligence of a trainer. This time he marched into Nanyang, including Guo Xing, six generals at the level of a prince went out. Lao Zhu really made a big investment!
