Zhu Yuanzhang drew the Emperor's Sword and gave an order. Nearly 60,000 cavalrymen, plus the troops of Zhu Wenzheng and Li Wenzhong, a total of 100,000 troops, set off towards the Western Regions in a mighty manner.
There are a hundred thousand horses and horses, stretching the ground to the sky, boundless... And don't forget, these people are also equipped with war horses. When the army passes by, the ground shakes, the mountains and rivers roar.
I am afraid that except for the recovery of Yanyun, this is the only dispatch of such a large scale.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the retreating troops and the flags flying in the sky. His heart was filled with excitement. He wished he could rush up and lead the troops in person to fight this crucial battle!
"Grand Master, Timur is just a Mongolian slave. He is not a descendant of the Golden Family. He was lucky enough to steal the river. How can he resist in the face of tomorrow's soldiers? Even if he loses, he can mobilize his troops again and defeat them sooner or later.
That’s it, I think the superior cares so much about it and I’m afraid it’s too late!”
Zhang Ximeng glanced sideways at Old Li and chuckled: "Brother Li, do you think the Celestial Empire is self-proclaimed?"
Li Shanchang was startled, and Zhang Ximeng immediately said: "Zhang Qian's passage to the Western Regions opened up a new situation, and the Han civilization was able to continue westward. The Sui and Tang Dynasties managed the Western Regions and continued to expand. Dozens of countries all belonged to the Tang Dynasty. The Battle of Talas made the Tang army
It suffered a temporary setback and failed to unify Hezhong smoothly. The Anshi Rebellion that broke out later ruined the efforts of several dynasties and countless people who succeeded. If the Western Regions are no longer restored, how can we call it a rejuvenation of China? If we can't take it from Hezhong, how can we say that it is far away from Han and Tang Dynasties?
?”
Zhang Ximeng sneered and said: "In front of me, everyone in the world has surrendered. Even the Fulin Kingdom also respects Emperor Hongwu. The only ones left now are a few countries such as Timur and Osman. After this battle, we, China
Order and the majesty of the kingdom have been achieved. Brother Li, how can you remain indifferent to such a feat of eternal hegemony that will be recorded in the annals of history?"
Zhang Ximeng indeed made it clear that today's Ming Dynasty has recovered all the land that should be recovered. Looking at the world, it can be said that it has no rivals.
It's just that there are still a few guys who don't accept Wang Hua.
Among them, Tamerlane is the most prominent one, and he still occupies the land in the river. It is simply unreasonable not to fight him.
"Master Zhang, even though you are right, I still think it is inappropriate to leave such a big matter to Lan Yu, right?"
Li Shanchang said: "Now there are kings of Qin, kings of Jin, and armies of Feng Guosheng, Fu Youde and others in the Western Region. The total number is 200,000. Now so many people are sent, Hu and Han are mixed together. In case Lan Yu's power is not enough,
If caught, it will lead to a big disaster, who can take care of it?"
Zhang Ximeng frowned, "Brother Li, what do you mean?"
Li Shanchang chuckled, "I don't mean anything else. I just think that for such a big matter, Grand Master Zhang should be the one to supervise the troops. After all, only the Grand Master sitting in command can make the good and the bad work and the people will be impressed. Only in this way can the soldiers work hard and work together."
Nothing goes wrong!"
Zhang Ximeng frowned slightly and suddenly whispered: "Brother Li, are you really looking forward to me going to the river?"
Li Shanchang grinned, "Grand Master, state affairs are of paramount importance. If I were twenty years younger, I would definitely work tirelessly to supervise the troops... Grand Master Zhang is much younger than me, so it would be appropriate for me to go to the Western Regions!"
Zhang Ximeng rolled his eyelids and couldn't help but laugh. This old Li can't hold back the bad water in his stomach... It's not that Zhang Ximeng doesn't want to go, but that his health is not good. If he goes there, he will definitely lose ten years of his life.
.
In addition, with Lan Yu's ability, he can definitely control this situation. Zhang Ximeng's departure is just superfluous and unnecessary.
But Lao Li was determined to deceive people and couldn't find a suitable reason to refuse... At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang had returned. Seeing them chatting, he couldn't help but ask.
Li Shanchang naturally said what he said, "Your Majesty, this battle is so important, why don't you fight it yourself? If your Majesty thinks it's too much trouble, it's natural to ask the Grand Master to supervise the troops. He can definitely do this well. Your Majesty
You can rest assured.”
Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his eyelids and suddenly laughed.
Naturally, he wanted to go on a military expedition in person...but the manpower and energy required to conduct different tours personally were too great. When the emperor's imperial commander came in person, the soldiers were under great pressure and could easily collapse.
The example of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty personally conquering Goguryeo is just before. We must not repeat the same mistake.
If the emperor cannot conquer the land himself, it seems logical to send important ministers to supervise the troops.
Then he asked Zhang Ximeng to go, as he happened to have enough status... But Lao Zhu knew very well that Zhang Ximeng was not in good health and went to the river to supervise the troops. Wouldn't that mean killing him!
What's more, does Zhang Ximeng still need to take action in such a trivial matter?
"Mr. Li, we have prepared this!"
As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang winked at his men, and soon the guard brought a mahogany box. After unfolding it, there was a gold seal inside.
Zhu Yuanzhang motioned to Li Shanchang to take it over and have a look.
Lao Li took the gold seal in his hand and read it carefully. There were several words on it, which were clearly visible: Seal of the General of the Ming Dynasty to the West!
Li Shanchang was startled, and Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "We are going to issue an order to appoint Lan Yu as the general to conquer the west, to be the governor of the troops and horses on the west route, and to control all military affairs. What do you think, Mr. Li?"
Li Shanchang was speechless. General Zhengxi, this is another great artifact after the champion. There is no way Lan Yu will not take the bait.
Unexpectedly, Lao Zhu added: "It's not enough to be a general who conquers the west, and then add a governor of the Hezhong Protectorate to him!"
Double insurance, you don’t have to worry about Lan Yu not risking your life this time!
Coupled with Lao Zhu's important role, all the generals below will definitely be obedient, and the chances of winning this battle will skyrocket.
Even if Zhang Ximeng is not required to supervise the troops, the difference will not be much different.
Li Shanchang can only be honest, don't think about anything, just go home honestly!
But at this moment, Zhang Ximeng suddenly laughed, "My lord, you give Lan Yu the General of Zhengxi and the Governor of Hezhong. I can't reward you with anything, so why not give him a poem!"
"Ci?" Zhu Yuanzhang was startled. He still knew that Zhang Ximeng could indeed write lyrics and write poems, but he hadn't written much in so many years. Lao Zhu thought he had forgotten it!
"By the way, let's remember that Lan Yu said back then that he had made great achievements and won the championship, so he wanted to ask Mr. Zhang for a poem. What, Mr. Zhang, plans to let Lan Yu get what he wants?"
Zhang Ximeng nodded, "They fought for the country. China has the sun and moon, and the Ming Dynasty has a new sky. The soldiers have made great contributions, and I should not hesitate to write."
Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed, "Hahaha, with this poem by Mr. You, there will be no more accidents... Hurry up and start writing, let us take a look!"
Zhang Ximeng didn't say anything else. He just took a pen and paper, wrote a preface, and then recorded the lyrics. Finally, he sealed it with fire paint and handed it over to the imperial envoy. Together with Lao Zhu's golden seal of the imperial edict, they were sent to the Western Regions.
, give it to Lan Yu.
Li Shanchang watched from the side. Old Li sighed and let him pretend again. I didn't want to see his annoying face anymore.
Li Shanchang bid farewell to Zhu Yuanzhang and returned to his hometown.
After returning home, Lao Li basically had nothing to do and began to write his memoirs.
Having dealt with Zhang Ximeng for so many years, Lao Li is also as cunning as a fox. Zhang Ximeng will definitely review whatever he writes... In this case, I divided the memoir into several parts.
Let me praise you first. As long as you let me publish it, later on, if you don’t let me publish it, you can use the newspaper to put pressure on Master Zhang!
You have a good plan, I have a wall ladder.
Let's see who is more powerful!
This old Li is really high-spirited and terrifying.
Of course, Zhang Ximeng had no intention of dealing with him for the time being. After seeing off the expedition army, they set up a stone tablet outside Shanhaiguan to record the expedition.
It is emphasized that both Jurchens and Mongolians are all Chinese people, and they jointly contribute to the country, which is a special award.
He also encouraged the rest of the people to follow the example of the officers and soldiers and to be loyal to the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty would not hesitate to reward them.
Immediately, the imperial court dispatched a group of agricultural experts to help plant potatoes, and also sent a group of doctors and prospecting experts to search for the treasures of Liaodong.
Zhu Yuanzhang understood the decree very well. Once a large mine is discovered, a 30% dividend will be given to the local people.
We must improve people's livelihood and establish education.
This statement completely appeased Liaodong.
The big strategy has been decided, all that's left is time.
Develop the local economy, accumulate wealth, and promote education.
Perhaps in twenty or thirty years, there will be a Jurchen Jinshi, and by that time, Liaodong will be almost the same as Southwest.
Zhang Ximeng and Lao Zhu stopped for a while and then headed west. They planned to visit Xi'an and see the land of Guanzhong.
"Sir, we remember that Mr. Jia's suicide note said that if you want to control the Yellow River, you must control Guanzhong." Zhu Yuanzhang said thoughtfully: "At first we thought about moving the capital to Guanzhong, but today, let's take a look at what Guanzhong is like.
"
Zhu Yuanzhang mentioned Jia Lu, and Zhang Ximeng pondered for a while. It seemed that he had not heard this name for many years, but the figure of the old gentleman seemed to appear in front of him again.
Since he was captured that year, Jia Lu helped Zhu Yuanzhang a lot. He also made great contributions when the Ming Dynasty established the tripod. Later, the old man devoted himself to regulating the river until his death.
"My lord, after we go to Guanzhong, let's go to the Jialu River to pay homage to the old man!"
Zhu Yuanzhang agreed without hesitation, "This is also appropriate. Let's take a look at Liu Futong by the way. We just agreed to Guan Duo's resignation, and he has already returned to his hometown and returned home."
Guan Duo is another ruthless person!
He led the Red Turban Army in the middle, made extreme detours, and penetrated directly into Goryeo, creating a miracle in the history of war.
Such a ruthless man is already old and has no choice but to retire and live out his old age.
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "I will write a letter later, asking him to recall how he commanded the army back then. This book should be used as a teaching material and placed in martial arts for everyone to read."
Lao Zhu readily agreed. They left Peiping, took Datong, entered Shanxi, and then crossed from Fengling into Guanzhong, passing Fenshui and the Yellow River...
"Sir, when we look at the water of the Yellow River, it seems to be much clearer!"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "When the saint comes out, the Yellow River becomes clear. Your Majesty is virtuous!"
Zhu Yuanzhang blinked and said, "Really? But how come we heard that the saint of the Ming Dynasty was Grand Master Zhang!"