The prairie is endless as far as the eye can see, and it is not easy to hide the marching army. If you want to hide your whereabouts, you can only send a small group of cavalry to kill all the Mongolian people along the way, just like Han Du did last time.
"Once the Tatar tribe gets the news, the initiative will fall into their hands. If they see that we are stronger than them, they will retreat to Mobei in advance, making our efforts in vain. If they see that we are weaker than them, then they will
Only then would he choose to fight the Ming Dynasty head-on."
Zhu Biao suddenly realized it. His trembling right hand pointed at Han Du and said, "Yes, yes, you are right."
Suddenly raising his head and looking in the direction of the imperial mausoleum, Zhu Biao was filled with emotion, "My father made several Northern Expeditions, but they were never fully successful because these Meng Yuan people did not fight head-on with the Ming Dynasty at all. The situation was not good, and they turned around.
He mounted his horse and turned around to run away. He was like a rat in the gutter, which was both annoying and helpless. Liang Guogong was also lucky that time and met Emperor Shun who had gathered together. Otherwise, I am afraid it would be the same as those previous Northern Expeditions.
Just the same, it will all be in vain.”
Han Du felt embarrassed for a while. What Zhu Biao said was indeed true, but there was no need to say it, right? If Lan Yu heard this, I don't know what he would think.
Zhu Biao glanced at Han Du and immediately said with a smile, "Haha, I only said this in front of you. Of course, I will bear in mind the contribution of Duke Liang."
Han Du smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will definitely live up to Your Majesty's trust."
Zhu Biao nodded and said with a smile, "Okay, since you think you need to send troops immediately, can sending troops now prevent the Tatar tribe from fleeing?"
"The Emperor's Holy Ming."
Han Du nodded and said, "It's not winter yet. When the army arrives on the grassland, it will be winter. At this time, the grassland tribes will gather together in advance and will no longer be scattered across the grassland. Because only by gathering together can they
Only by working together can we minimize the losses throughout the winter."
"In fact, if you look at the history books, you can see that the threat from the grassland to the Central Plains has always been there. Since ancient times, the Central Plains has conquered the grassland and fought many beautiful annihilation battles, all of which took place in winter. Huo Qubing sealed the wolf as Xu, and Li Jing destroyed the Turks
In the same way, the black geese fly high, and Shan Yu flees at night. He wants to chase Qingqi away, but the heavy snow covers his bow and sword."
Zhu Biao was startled and looked at Han Du. Common sense among ordinary people is that the best time to attack the grasslands in the Central Plains is in late spring. Because at this time, spring plowing has been completed, and the ice and snow on the grasslands have just melted, and there is no time for green grass.
grow out.
At this time, the grassland tribes had just experienced a severe cold winter, when their cattle and sheep had suffered heavy losses and their strength was greatly reduced.
It was the most timely period for the Central Plains to send troops to the Northern Expedition.
However, Han Du firmly opposed it, believing that it would be better to send troops to the Northern Expedition in winter, so as to be able to carry out a war of annihilation and eliminate the effective forces of the grassland. He also produced famous victories in history to prove it.
Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and asked with some worry, "If the Tatars go to war in winter, won't they escape?"
Han Du immediately raised his head, "First of all, the Tatar tribe will definitely gather in several places to spend the winter in winter. Compared with the strong winds and snowstorms in Mobei in winter, it is obvious that the warmth of Monan is the most ideal place for them to spend the winter.
. Therefore, every winter, both the Tatar tribe and the Oara tribe will leave Mobei and go south to the land of Monan.
Secondly, with everyone gathered together, our army can move in stealth. After quietly approaching the gathering place of the Tatar tribe, we can launch a fatal blow to them. As for whether the Tatar tribe can escape where they are going.
Escape? In the past, once they were defeated, they could flee to Mobei, but now there is only wind and sand in Mobei and blizzards. They have only one way to go to Mobei. What's more, the heavy snow in the sky blocks their sight. Even if they want to escape, they can't find them.
direction. We will catch up easily and kill them one by one."
I heard Han Du talk about the great convenience and benefits of attacking the grassland in winter. Then why did people in the past rarely choose to attack the grassland in winter? Is it because they were all stupid?
"You said that the Northern Expedition to the Tatars in winter would have so many benefits, but there should also be a disadvantage to the Ming Dynasty, right?"
Han Du did not deny it, nodded and said, "Of course there is, after all, the grassland in winter is full of wind and snow. It is a fatal environment for the Tatar tribe, and it is naturally even more so for us. First of all, just a cold problem is enough to make people
This is why previous dynasties rarely chose to attack the grasslands in winter."
"But it's different now. Cotton-padded clothes made from cotton can have a great warmth-keeping effect. Cotton production in the Ming Dynasty has increased every year, and coupled with the inventory over the years, it is still enough to make hundreds of thousands of sets of cotton-padded clothes. With cotton-padded clothes, even
On the snowy grassland, the army can move freely."
When Zhu Biao saw Han Du looking like he had already planned to this point, he immediately smiled and said, "It turns out that you have already planned it."
Han Du immediately smiled and said, "It's not that I planned it, but the time has come. Your Majesty, this is the best opportunity to eliminate the Tatar tribe. The Ming Dynasty has never had this opportunity in so many years."
Attacking the grassland in winter will definitely make them take it lightly, just in time to catch them off guard!"
"Okay." Zhu Biao smiled broadly, and after pondering for a while, he said, "The key now is the cotton-padded clothes. Can you get them together in a short time?"
Han Du glanced at Zhu Biao speechlessly and said dissatisfiedly, "Your Majesty, how many people do you have? How can you produce hundreds of thousands of sets of cotton-padded clothes in a short period of time? There are tens of thousands of female workers in Ming Dynasty Textile. If the Emperor lets them first
Making cotton-padded clothes can be done in a short time."
Making cotton-padded clothes is extremely simple. You only need to fill two pieces of fabric with cotton and sew them together with needle and thread. It is not difficult to make at all. Even an ordinary female worker can make it even if she doesn't know how to do it, as long as she is taught a lesson.
Can be learned and completed quickly.
Zhu Biao thought about it and felt that Han Du's words were reasonable. As long as the Ming Dynasty textile industry was stopped, tens of thousands of female workers could make cotton clothes in half a month at most. If there was not enough manpower, the maids in the palace could also be used.
"Okay, I will figure out a solution for the cotton-padded clothes. You can go back and prepare."
"Huh? What are you preparing for?" Han Du was stunned when he heard this, and had a bad premonition in his heart.
Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Get ready to go to war!"
Going on an expedition?
To be honest, Han Du also really wants to go on an expedition. After all, which man doesn’t want to lead an army to gallop around and seal the wolf as a slave? .??.??
"But, Your Majesty, I am now the Minister of Household Affairs. Is it appropriate to go on an expedition?"
Zhu Biao, however, had a nonchalant attitude, waving his hands and saying, "What's inappropriate? You are still the Marquis of Zhenhai. Isn't it natural to go on an expedition?" After saying that, Zhu Biao sighed and said, "I originally wanted to make you the Duke of the country after I ascend the throne. Yes, but you have been repeatedly dissuaded by people saying that you have not made great achievements under my command. This time, as long as you go out and make great achievements, I will definitely make you the Duke of the country!"
Does Han Du want to be the Duke of the country? Of course he does.
So, Han Du glanced at Zhu Biao and thought, whether it is persuasion or inducement, I am determined to be the Duke of the country.
"Since the emperor wants me to go to war, I should obey the order." Han Du smiled and bowed.
"Okay, you go back and prepare first. You will still be in charge of the Household Department, but you still have to explain it clearly in advance. You have to ensure that the Household Department can continue to operate as usual during your expedition."
"I obey the decree!"
Han Du left Qianqing Palace and just walked out of the palace. Seeing that it was still early, he gave up and went back directly.
The plan was to head towards the household department instead.
Instructing the scribe to find Wang Yuanji and Zhao Yu, Han Du sat in his office, drinking tea and waiting.
The Ministry of Revenue has just completed the collection of taxes, which can be said to be the biggest thing of the year for the Ministry of Revenue. Therefore, the entire Ministry of Revenue is somewhat free, and Wang Yuanji and Zhao Yu naturally also There isn't much business.
When they heard that Han Du wanted to see them, they hurried over.
As soon as they entered the door, they all saluted Han Du.
"Greetings, my lord."
Han Du raised his head, glanced at the two of them with a smile, and extended his hand to indicate, "Come and sit down."
"Thank you, sir."
When the two sat down, Han Du smiled and poured tea for them.
The two of them accepted it calmly, knowing that the master would come to them for something important today.
Han Du paused and said, "I came to you today because I have something to explain."
Wang Yuanji and Zhao Yu looked at each other. Wang Yuanji smiled and said, "Please give me your orders. I will do my best to relieve your worries."
Han Du nodded slightly and said, "After a while, I may leave the capital. I still need you to take care of the household affairs here."
Zhao Yu was immediately startled and hurriedly said, "My lord, I am a low-ranking official with few talents and little knowledge. I am afraid that it will be difficult for me to take on such a big responsibility. In the household department, it is only right that my lord should be in charge of the overall situation!"
Han Du suddenly said such words, Zhao Yu thought that Han Du wanted to test him, and quickly expressed his loyalty to Han Du.
Indeed, Zhao Yu had never thought about sitting on the position of Minister. He was very clear about how much he weighed. He also knew that Han Du could successfully change the tax system and collect taxes safely. I admired him from the bottom of my heart and thought that the post of Minister of the Ministry of Finance was tailor-made for Han Du.
However, Wang Yuanji is familiar with Han Du and knows that the gentleman would not be so petty as to test them like this. Since the gentleman said this, it must be that the gentleman really has something more important. If the gentleman did not tell him directly what it was, then obviously This is not something he can know yet.
After thinking clearly, Wang Yuanji asked, "How long will your Excellency leave the capital?"
Zhao Yu immediately realized, yes, if you have made up your mind to leave, then how long you will leave is the key.
Han Du pondered for a moment and estimated, "I don't know about this. It may be as little as half a year or as much as a year."