Chapter 455: The Battle for the Southwest Frontier
The second month of July is a harvest season.
For the southern region, whether it is two-crop rice or three-crop rice, harvesting begins in early July.
Early rice matures in July. After harvesting, the fields must be plowed and transplanted immediately. Late rice seedlings must be planted around the beginning of autumn, which is commonly known as double grabbing.
For the Ming Dynasty, which was based on agriculture, the harvest of rice, especially the double harvest season, was the most important.
The whole country is busy with this matter, which is really the key to livelihood, food and clothing, and peace.
Both the capital and local officials have to go to the countryside at this time.
On the one hand, it is supervision, and on the other hand, it is supervision.
Daming Palace, in Huagai Hall.
Zhu Yuanzhang rarely went to review the memorial, but kept checking some relevant news about the harvest.
Zhu Ying was naturally by his side.
"This year's harvest is really good, especially the high-yielding crops that Dasun brought over before. Although there is only partial news around the capital."
"But as of now, the yield per mu has reached 800 kilograms."
"According to this calculation, the national treasury will definitely become more abundant this year."
"We heard from officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development that just because of these high-yielding crops and the availability of cheaper options, the price of rice has been affected."
"The current rice price on the market is already the lowest in the past 20 years. The last time the rice price was this low was because of three consecutive years of bumper harvests."
"According to the estimates of officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the current rice price is far from reaching the lowest level and will continue to fall."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled very happily.
Because this year's Ming Dynasty is not a great harvest year, it can only be said to be decent. Moreover, because of the 500,000-strong army conquering the Japanese country, the imperial court has consumed too much food, and the national treasury is almost at its bottom.
Minor famines also occurred in some areas.
However, under such circumstances, when the rice is harvested, the price of rice shows a continuous downward trend.
In the past, Zhu Yuanzhang could only be described as unfamiliar with business, especially the field of market prices of goods.
I don’t understand the laws of business, so I don’t feel much about the rise and fall of some prices.
But it is different now, because the continuous development of the Zhu Ying Chamber of Commerce in the capital has given Zhu Yuanzhang more attention.
Coupled with his own talent and quick learning, he also had the guidance of his eldest grandson.
This allows Zhu Yuanzhang now to have a detailed understanding of some business changes.
And the fact that the current situation can cause rice prices to drop so sharply only shows that the advantages of high-yielding crops are reflected at this time.
Zhu Ying thought for a moment and said: "Currently in Japan, due to the ravages of hurricanes, the most serious area is Kyushu Island where our army is currently staying."
"The rice grown by the Japanese country on Kyushu Island was not affected by natural disasters and man-made losses, so the gap was not small."
"Fortunately, some time ago, Song Guogong arranged for all the fleet to come back."
After hearing the news about the Japanese state, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "We have issued an order to give priority to Shanghai County to load military rations."
"Fortunately, we have high-yielding crops now, otherwise it would have been much more difficult to conquer the Japanese country."
"A few days ago, when Dasun was still inspecting Hangzhou, we received a document from the Japanese envoy."
"These guys are really funny. They actually came to seek peace with us. They really don't know what to do if they don't fight."
"But it's too late to sue for peace now. Not to mention other places, at least the Yinshan Mountain that Dasun mentioned must be occupied."
"Our Ming Dynasty now has food, but it is still very short of money."
The Japanese country is also an agricultural-based country, mainly growing rice.
The production of rice in Japan had both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that the climate has rain and heat at the same time, the soil is fertile, and there are many rivers and lakes, which is conducive to rice irrigation.
The disadvantage is that the plain area is small and the paddy fields are scattered.
And because of the environment and climate, the rice in Japan is only harvested once a year.
It was very difficult for the people of Japan to be self-sufficient when it came to food, so how could Zhu Yuanzhang have the idea of conquest after learning about these things.
But now with Yinshan, it's completely different.
War is all about interests.
If there is not enough benefit, it is a loss.
At present, on Kyushu Island, there are not only famous generals like Song Guogong, but also Yan King Zhu Di, Jin King Zhu Fan, and Qi King Zhu Shu.
All of Zhu Yuanzhang's many sons inherited excellent military talents.
Therefore, as long as the food and salary supply for the Japanese expeditionary army is maintained, then there will definitely be no loss in the expedition against Japan.
"Grandpa is still thoughtful," Zhu Ying said with a smile.
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said: "Okay, we still have many things to deal with here. Grandson, you should go and accompany your wife first."
"In a few months, you will be a father and it will be time for us to have our great-grandson."
"But to take good care of our great-grandson, it's best to give birth to a big fat boy."
Listening to the old man's words, Zhu Ying's face couldn't help but be filled with a look of happiness.
.....
Four months into her pregnancy, Ye Yueqing's belly is already slightly bulging.
And according to what the imperial doctor said, it was almost certain that it was a boy.
Zhu Ying doesn't really care about these things. After all, he has been affected by some influences from his previous life, so there is not much need to worry about boys and girls.
As long as Ye Yueqing's health is taken care of, there will definitely be more children in the future, and there will naturally be boys.
The first boy born was the heir to the Ming Empire.
In the next few days, Zhu Ying did nothing else. He occasionally read the memorial and took a walk with Ye Yueqing to rest.
Although she was conceived in ten months, she was still only nine months old.
According to the current time calculation, there are still five months left before Ye Yueqing gives birth, which happens to be at the end of Hongwu's twenty-sixth year or the beginning of Hongwu's twenty-seventh year.
There is no need to worry too much about this. Currently, the imperial physician and midwife have been prepared in Kunning Palace.
No matter when the baby is born, preparations can be completed very quickly.
However, the peaceful life lasted for less than seven days before it was interrupted by an urgent military report from the southwest border.
"It's totally outrageous. These small countries dare to invade the border at this time. It really looks like we are old and easy to bully."
Zhu Yuanzhang made an angry roar of filial piety in the morning.
The southwest region is the Yunnan border where Mu Ying was previously guarded.
Three neighboring countries, Ava, Luchuan, and Menggen, jointly sent troops to invade the Yunnan border of the Ming Dynasty.
At the same time, harassment of the Ming Dynasty border began to become more frequent on the grassland.
The border issues between the north and the south are naturally very difficult for the Ming Dynasty.
Not enough seems troublesome, but it's actually pretty good.
For example, here in the southwest, the alliance of the three countries only has more than 100,000 troops.
In Yunnan alone, there are many guard posts, with a total of almost 200,000 sergeants, without any problems.
According to Zhu Yuanzhang's edict, Mu Chun, the son of Mu Ying, who had seized the title last year, had already begun to lead his soldiers to fight.
It's just that there are many mountains in Yunnan, so it's quite troublesome to fight.
Above the court, more than ten foreign ministers were tied up here.
"I'm not being kind to you, right? Why are we offending our Ming Dynasty at this time?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the suppressed foreign ministers with a gloomy face.
These people were basically envoys who were stationed in the Ming Dynasty and represented their own countries. They agreed and also assumed the task of paying tribute.
"Your Majesty, Ming Dynasty, forgive me. We don't know what is going on in the country. This must be caused by villains."
"Yes, our country, Ava, has always been loyal to His Majesty the Ming Dynasty. It is impossible for us to do such a thing."
"Your Majesty, how could our Luchuan Kingdom invade the southwest? Our king admires the Central Plains the most and it is absolutely impossible for us to do such a thing."
The foreign ministers kowtowed vigorously and kept begging.
But Zhu Yuanzhang, who has been angry for a long time, still cares about this.
"Is it possible that our military reports are all fake?"
"Drag them all out and kill them. If these small countries don't participate in the tribute trade in the future, or if anyone comes again, they will be blasted out directly.
Following the order of Lord Zhu Yuanzhang, more than ten envoys who were escorted from Tianjie Temple left a few screams in the end and were all beheaded at the entrance of Fengtian Temple.
The officials at Fengtian Palace were trembling with fear because they knew that His Majesty was back again.
Once this murderous nature is unleashed, it's not that easy to take it back.
The officials' guesses were very accurate, as they had been practiced in the imperial court for many years.
In the next few days, several officials in the Fengtian Palace were beheaded.
They all involve some corruption matters, and they were not so severe before, but when Zhu Yuanzhang was in a bad mood, he naturally had to use some people to vent his anger.
Naturally, Zhu Ying could not say that he would protect those who were corrupt and perverted the law.
The Yunnan area is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Military reports go up the river. It only takes four or five days of driving day and night to reach the capital.
The first round of military reports was not good news.
The Allied Forces of the Three Kingdoms destroyed the city in a very short period of time and quickly approached. But Mu Chun was obviously not ready yet and was taken advantage of.
"I report that although the current Marquis of Xiping, Muchun, is the son of King Qianning, his ability to command troops is far weaker than his father's. As a result, many cities were lost and the people under his rule were displaced. Mu Chun must be held accountable."
"I second my opinion. Now our Ming Dynasty is fighting on many fronts and our military strength is slightly lacking. However, the current Xiping Marquis Muchun, despite gathering 200,000 troops, is still being bullied by a small country. This is really a big mistake."
"I report that there are many mountains on the border and the situation is complicated. The soldiers of the Three Kingdoms are mostly indigenous and are very good at fighting in the mountains. Therefore, it is difficult for the Xiping Marquis to hold the barrier. This is a common thing for military strategists."
In the court hall, because of Muchun's relationship, there was a huge quarrel. Officials kept coming out, either to report severe punishments or to ask your Majesty to arrange for soldiers to support immediately. It was a mess.
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and looked at Zhu Ying beside him.
"Grandpa, I have met Muchun's grandson. He has followed King Qianning since he was a child. He is very organized when leading troops to fight."
"This time it was a calculation without intention. The temporary failure is nothing."
"Yunnan has a vast territory and numerous mountains and forests, so it is already a relatively urgent time."
"My grandson believes that it won't take too long for Mu Chun to win."
Zhu Ying said slowly.
But these words made all the officials below shut their mouths.
From what Zhu Ying said, it was basically a certainty. Although some officials wanted to use this to suppress the military attache, His Highness Taisun directly determined the general direction.
Naturally, there is no room for impeachment.
At this moment, the border of Yunnan.
Muchun, as the new generation of Xiping Marquis, took charge personally.
Facing the Allied Forces of the Three Kingdoms, there was no intention of timidity.
There are many mountains and dense forests in Yunnan. If the Central Plains army comes over, its combat strength will be reduced by at least 40%. However, here in Muchun, the main sergeants led are not Han people.
Among the nearly 200,000 troops, 150,000 are local Yunnan indigenous people who have lived in the dense forests for a long time.
The army looks chaotic, but in fact each has its own methods.
"This Luchuan Kingdom is full of weight, and ninety-nine times are full of rebellion. In the 21st and 22nd years of Hongwu, King Qianning defeated Luchuan twice, and fought all the way to his home base."
"It's only been a few years, and the rebellion has started again. King Qianning was too merciful at the beginning. If you ask me, I would just kill them all."
In the middle of the army, a general next to Muchun said.
This general followed Mu Ying in the north and south for many years, and then settled down in Yunnan with peace of mind, and followed Mu Ying from then on.
I am very familiar with some of the things that happened before.
Mu Chun was relatively friendly and gentle to these generals who followed his father's older generation, and said: "Uncle Zhang, Luchuan was probably coerced this time. He was put down by his father several times, and his country has long lost its vitality."
"The main force among them is either Ava or Meng Gen. I think it is more likely to come to Ava."
General Zhang asked with some confusion: "This Ava country is not bordering our Ming Dynasty, and its territory is still behind Luchuan and Menggen. Why do you come here to join in such fun? Do you really think that our Prince Mu's Mansion is easy to bully?"
Muchun paused slightly and said: "I read the capital's newspaper some time ago. Our Ming Dynasty is currently conquering the Japanese country. We have raised an army of 500,000 and have occupied the Japanese country's Kyushu Island."
"On the grassland, there are a large number of people gathering again because of the fertile soil in Liaodong."
"Seeing this, these small countries want to fish in troubled waters, which is really ridiculous."
At this moment, a postman from the army at the rear came galloping over on horseback.
"Marquis Xiping, urgent report from the capital."
Mu Chun took the document, looked it over, and snorted coldly: "These civil servants in the court, at such a time, want to impeach me. They really don't know what to say, and it is not a pity to die."
The generals accompanying him quickly asked, "Master Marquis, what happened in the capital?"
Muchun shook his head and said, "It's just some civil servants who want to impeach us and abandon the city, but His Highness Taisun has already rejected it."
"Don't worry about them, just march according to our designated plan."