Facing Emperor Longwu's inquiry, Zhu Shuren answered very honestly and without any falsehood:
"The Central Plains was broken, and the six northern provinces were restored within a year or two. It will take at least three years to completely restore their vitality and allow the people to work with peace of mind.
Therefore, within three years, it is impossible to go deep into the grasslands on a large scale and pursue them in white mountains and black waters. However, it can be done by using harassment and gentleness to divide and disintegrate part of the enemy army, or consume it along the Liaodong coast.
Hauge's withdrawal from the customs also left a major hidden danger within the Tatars. In order to be dictatorial and authoritarian, he finally designed to kill Jilharang and labeled him as a traitor to the Bumubutai party.
At the same time, with the death of Bumbutai, the system of Manchu and Mongolian unity left by Huang Taiji was completely destroyed, and the power of Mongolian concubines in the Manchu harem had been dealt a devastating blow.
When Haug retreated, he also betrayed many Mongolian interests, and his military strength delayed the Ming Dynasty. During the decisive battle in Neihuang, the Mongolians were also sold out.
All of this has led to the hope that the Ming Dynasty will solve the grassland problems left over since the early Ming Dynasty and the Northern Yuan Dynasty. We must not miss this unfinished business even before the ancestors of Taizu became emperor.
After all, until Ezhe, the son of Lin Dan Khan, surrendered to Huang Taiji during the Huang Taiji period, Meng Yuan had always maintained his reputation and appeal as the "successor of Genghis Khan" and maintained his position as the Great Khan.
Huang Taiji suppressed Mongolia as a vassal and accepted Ezhe as a vassal. This is equivalent to helping our Ming Dynasty and knocking off the proud heads of the Mongols.
Since the Mongols are now accustomed to submitting to others, and the legal system since Genghis Khan has been completely cut off, they can submit to the Manchus when the Manchus are strong. When the Han people become strong, surrendering to the Han people is also surrendering. Is there any difference?
Therefore, in the next few years, the treatment of Mongolia must be supplemented by pain and warning, and the main focus is gentleness and deterrence. As for the establishment of slaves, the main purpose is to harass and weaken their effective forces along the Liaodong coast. Only when the time is ripe for the reconstruction of the north can it be done.
Consider the final blow against the establishment of slaves."
Even though Zhu Changzi was already overwhelmed by the great joy of victory, when he heard the newly painted pie by his son-in-law, he couldn't help but get excited again.
Originally, in Zhu Changzi's view, being able to regain his homeland within the Pass had already given an account to his late emperor and his ancestors. After all, Chongzhen died for his country in the fall of Beijing, and he took it all back.
As for completely solving the threat of grassland and white mountains and black waters, Zhu Changzi originally did not dare to think about it. It was a threat for nearly half a century since Wanli and the Apocalypse. God knows how much money, lives and time it would take to pile it up.
But when his son-in-law said this, he suddenly realized that now seemed to be a perfect opportunity to completely solve the Mongolian problem - Mongolia had been stripped of its dignity by the Manchu Tatars, and had become accustomed to being dependent on others.
proud.
But at this juncture, in order to protect the core interests of the Manchus, Hauge betrayed and offended the Mongols many times, and there was another rift between them.
If the Mongols can be completely eliminated, even if they are not completely eliminated physically, but they can be made vassal to the Ming Dynasty, this will definitely be enough to surpass Taizu Chengzu! After all, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di failed to accomplish the feat of making Bei Yuan vassal!
With such a big fruit in front of us, it seems completely reasonable to regain Liaodong in a few years and then march north to the White Mountains and Black Waters. The hearts of the people in the world and the morale of the army that has fought hundreds of battles can be maintained by this temporary goal.
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Zhu Changzi couldn't help but rub his hands together for a while, and then asked anxiously: "To implement such a plan, do we need to continue to accumulate heavy troops in northern Xinjiang? Will the six northern provinces be able to save money and food for the rest and recuperation in the next few years? Is it possible?
Will it be exhausted by the huge army that used troops against Mongolia? If money and food are not enough, there is no harm in waiting a few more years."
Zhu Shuren had already made plans on his way back to Nanjing, and immediately explained: "I have already calculated that of the 500,000 troops that were recovered from Hebei, 200,000 will be brought back to the south to reduce the military food pressure in northern Xinjiang.
Of the remaining 300,000 people, half will be deployed inland along the Yanjiu border, and the remaining half will be deployed along the northern coast. Our Ming Dynasty's reform of water transportation by sea has now been completely realized.
In the past few years, it was simply because the north had not recovered that water transportation was cut off. However, the shipping capacity of sea transportation ships has definitely been sufficient. This year, the military rations needed along the northern coast can be transported by sea at any time.
I have asked the Ministry of Household Affairs to make an accounting. Such a deployment is light enough and the tax is light. Moreover, the garrison can farm on the spot when there is no war. From next year, there will be no need to rely on the land tax from the six northern provinces to supply military food. As long as it is provided for one year this year, the follow-up
You can save it all.”
Seeing that his son-in-law was so confident, Zhu Changzi was happy to let go again, saying that Zhu Shuren could handle everything by himself.
Zhu Changzi has finally seen through it. His son-in-law's ability is not limited to reversing the situation and solving the mess caused by the death of the late emperor. He can also establish outstanding military achievements that even Taizu Chengzu could not establish.
If you continue to limit such prestige and ability, you will make yourself uncomfortable. It is better to let go completely, enjoy the glory and wealth, and wait for the emperor's grandson to take over in the future.
Zhu Changzi was naturally cowardly, and in recent years he has gradually become more cautious in life.
For example, after he usually favors the concubines in the harem (he has not favored the original queen for many years, because she is already an old woman in her forties, about the same age as him), when the maid serving next to him asks him to indicate whether to clean up, he will give instructions.
Let the maid take the concubine who just accepted the favor to wash herself——
In the ancient palace, whether the emperor wanted to let his concubine retain the dragon-bearing seed, eunuchs or maids could assist in the operation. Although the contraceptive rate was not 100%, it had a certain effect.
Zhu Changzi had not allowed his wife to conceive for 20 years, and the chances of getting pregnant were almost zero if he did not take measures. But seeing how strong his daughter and son-in-law were, for the sake of his own safety, he did not want to cause more trouble, and would rather put thousands of children to death.
The probability is 1 in 10,000, and there is also an insurance step.
As long as he has no biological son, he is absolutely safe! He can be a wealthy emperor for the rest of his life! Zhu Changzi has already figured this out in his heart and does not need anyone to teach him.
This can be regarded as the invisible benefit of Zhu Shuren specifically choosing a weak vassal king to support him. If he had chosen a slightly independent-minded person like King Fu, King Tang and King Lu, he might not have been able to ensure that he could control him for the rest of his life.
As a puppet, of course, the more cowardly the better, the better the king and his ministers will be able to live happily together. As long as Zhu Changzi is cowardly for the rest of his life, Zhu Shuren will definitely sincerely support his father-in-law until the end of his life.
…
After entrusting the plan to expel the Tartars in the next few years to his son-in-law, the family banquet was naturally a feast for the guests and the host. Finally, Zhu Changqi had time to ask about family arrangements - these questions were not for national affairs, but purely for the sake of national affairs.
For my daughter's personal happiness.
"Since you think that continuing to expel the Tartars will require many years of preparation before you can achieve full success, do you still need to be in Beijing personally during these years of preparation? Or should you first entrust Zhang Huangyan with full authority? When all-out war starts again,
Will you go north in person again?"
Of course Zhu Shuren knew that Zhu Changzi was not worried about his monopoly because he already had monopoly, so this question was for Zhu Yuchan.
Zhu Shuren said confidently: "The Northern Territory has just been settled, and the war is still going on. It is not appropriate for the governor to be in charge of the overall situation for a long time. I will return to the south this year to report on my duties, and it is okay to stay for a few months."
Next year I still hope to go north in person and take charge of the overall situation in northern Xinjiang. If there are major changes in the military situation, it will be easier to respond in a timely manner so as not to delay the war. However, I sincerely request that you can take your family and go north. Please allow your majesty."
His words made it clear that he was going to Beijing, but he would take Zhu Yuchan with him. It would no longer be the pure wartime situation before. He could not bring his wife with him, but could only bring a few female officials with him at most.
Zhu Changzi does not have to worry about his daughter being neglected for a long time, as long as he is willing not to see his daughter for several years, or her daughter can only come back to Nanjing to visit relatives once a year at most.
Zhu Changzi thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "What about Yu'er's upbringing? Isn't it inappropriate if he doesn't have his biological mother by his side?"
Zhu Yuchan was just a princess, so it was okay to marry her husband and go to Beijing with him. However, her son had been adopted legally and was officially crowned as the grandson of the emperor. There was no reason to follow his biological mother northward. He could only live in the Spring Harmony Palace in the Forbidden City in Nanjing without moving at all.
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Zhu Shuren said in a consultative tone: "The emperor's grandson is already four years old and has reached the age where he should be literate. I plan to let him gradually adapt to it this year. If he is too young to formally enter school, he can also choose a foster mother.
, and be raised together with his original concubine. After spending the first half a year getting used to it, you can officially enter school."
Seeing that his son-in-law had thought of everything, Zhu Changzi stopped talking.
Zhu Yuchan on the side saw her husband's actions and roughly understood what her husband was thinking. As long as she could follow him to Beijing and not take care of her son personally for the time being, Zhu Yuchan could accept it.
…
After the banquet was over and he returned to his residence, Zhu Shuren found Fang Ziling, the concubine of King E, and entrusted him with the upbringing of his children in the next few years after he went north to stay in the country next year.
The education of the emperor's grandson is of course also a top priority, as it involves the stable handover and long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty in the future.
Zhu Shuren would not be polite to his concubine, and directly held Fang Ziling's hands, as if talking about business:
"Ziling, in the next few years, you may have to endure some hardships. Anyway, you have to take care of one son, and you have to take care of two sons. I have asked for a decree for you, and you can go to Chunhe Palace on your own in the future without being summoned.
You can take Yu'er with you. Yu'er is four years old and can also read and write. Next year, he will officially find a Hanlin to study. Those Hanlins must be talking about the study of literature and ink. You can help teach him some skills.
.”
Fang Ziling's own son is only two years old now. He is far from being able to read. He has only learned to speak and is helped and played with by his maid every day. However, in the future, it will be okay to raise him as a playmate with his half-brother.
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The child Fang Ziling gave birth to to Zhu Shu was named Hui Shen, and it was planned that he would inherit the Shen family's own business in the future.
If Zhu Yuchan is unable to give birth to a second son in the future, but Fang Ziling can still give birth, then it is possible that Fang Ziling's eldest son will be renamed Zhu and inherit the title of Prince E's palace.
And if Zhu Yuchan is still alive, there is no need to change Fang Ziling's son's surname to Zhu. Zhu Yuchan's second son can directly inherit the title of King of E.
Calculated, Zhu Shuren needs at least three sons, one to inherit the throne, one to inherit the title of Prince E, one to inherit the Shen family business, and at the same time, he must inherit Shen Tingyang's marquis——
Shen Tingyang has been the Second Assistant to the Cabinet for many years and the Minister of Household Affairs. During the unification process, he also gained a lot of credit for the logistics and governance of the country. Who gave him a good life? There are still some who will be granted the title of Marquis, and the treatment of titles and titles is better than that of the Cabinet.
The chief assistant, Shi Kefa, was fine, but no one in the whole court would care about him.
In the future, if Mongolia is completely conquered and the Manchus are annihilated, the titles of important officials in the court may still be promoted - when Zhu Yuanzhang founded the country, civil servants like Li Shanchang could also be granted the title of Duke (Korean Duke), and they did not have to personally lead the troops.
Among the generals who fought were dukes.
From this point of view, even if Zhu Shuren does not become the emperor himself, he is still very restrained in the treatment of his children. Because if he becomes the emperor himself, then any number of sons he has will be princes.
But if he himself does not become the emperor, and his eldest son adopts the title of grandson and inherits the throne, then Zhu Shuren's other sons cannot legally directly possess the title of king. The only title of king was earned by Zhu Shuren himself through meritorious service.
However, everything has its own gains and losses. Zhu Shuren did this to set a good example - with Zhu Shuren's great achievements, his descendants will only have one emperor, one prince and one duke at most. Then the future Ming Emperor will be
, you have the nerve to make a lot of princes and make all your sons hereditary and irreplaceable princes?
Even if the emperor wants to make all his sons princes, Zhu Shuren can add another prohibition as a lesson to the future ancestors, imitating the Qing Dynasty's method of "reducing one rank every generation". When a prince passes one generation, his eldest son will be reduced to a county prince, and the county prince's legitimate son will be reduced to a prince.
The eldest son was reduced to a duke.
Except for a few special periods, the "Iron Hat King" who has relatives and great achievements can be hereditary and can be replaced. In the future, other people who have only relatives and no merit will return to the lowest level of Hou or Bo in five or six generations, and so on.
There will be no royal title.
In this way, the biggest threat to the long-term survival of the Ming Dynasty, the exponential expansion of the number of clan kings, can be easily solved. No matter how bad the Qing Dynasty's system was in history, there is a saying in terms of controlling the number and expenditure of the royal family.
Yiqing did indeed do better than Ming, or it could be said that he learned from Ming's lessons.
Of course, Zhu Shuren must find clever ways to learn from such good places.
Fang Ziling also understood Zhu Shuren's painstaking efforts. She was a woman with a pure heart. She was with Zhu Shuren more to learn from each other than to have fun together. So she quickly accepted the task and will start from next year.
As a de facto concubine, she helps to officially take care of the emperor's grandson. This year, we can get familiar with her first.
Nowadays, she also works as a female officer of the Academy of Sciences. She does not have any prescribed tasks every day. She just looks at the scientific observation data sent back from the observatory, meteorological observatory, and museum every day. She is intoxicated by it, and she has the pleasure of summarizing and summarizing the laws of nature.
In the future, if you want to educate your son, you can also give him more literacy in natural philosophy, which cannot be taught by the traditional Hanlin Academy.
Zhu Yuchan was very grateful when she saw that Sister Zi Ling had taken over the task of raising her son for her, and that she would be separated from her husband for the next two years, with one living in Nanjing and the other in Beijing.
Therefore, during the remaining half of this year, everyone was in Nanjing, and Zhu Yuchan did not compete with her for favor, and graciously asked her husband to spend more time with Sister Zi Ling while he was still in Nanjing to make up for her. After going north next year,
We won't see each other for at least two or three years.
Zhu Shuren's other concubines are also very obedient. They have no task of raising children. They can follow Zhu Shuren to Beijing in the future, and their days in Nanjing will not be competed with the concubines.
…
Zhu Shuren had been away from Nanjing for nine months for the Northern Expedition. When he came back this time, he naturally had to deal with a lot of things in the rear. The sporadic wars in the north in the second half of the sixth year of Longwu relied entirely on the adaptability of the frontline generals and governors.
There was no need to consult Nanjing for some fleeting fighter planes. Zhang Huangyan made the decision directly if Beijing stayed behind.
At first, Zhang Huangyan did not take any big action because the north had just been recovered and the situation was relatively dilapidated. There was a shortage of food in the spring famine. Even Shanhaiguan was not in a hurry to recover.
However, as time came to July and August of the sixth year of Longwu, four or five months had passed since the rest of the pass was liberated.
Seeing that this year's summer grain in the north has been put into storage, and the autumn grain is about to be harvested, Zhang Huangyan has saved up, and noticed that the Qing army is also moving. It seems that he wants to try to return to his old business, and play some "grab and run after entering the customs".
trick.
The Qing army abandoned the Central Plains, but gave up the rule mode of "rescuing those who were attacked by the Ming army" and returned to a flexible lifestyle of roaming and plundering. Robbery still had to be done every year, and it was
They have to wait until the Han people have finished production and the harvest season is approaching. If they don't grab it, the Manchus will simply not be able to maintain the cost of their own rule.
Zhang Huangyan made a prompt decision and decided to take advantage of the time before the autumn harvest to attack Shanhaiguan, blocking the best way for the Qing army to enter and rob. He also tried to consume the effective strength of the Qing army's looting troops at Shanhaiguan and completely defeat the Qing army.
Wake up and let them know that "not only can the Tatars not be able to stand firm in the Central Plains, they can't even occasionally grab a handful."
Regarding the military cooperation between sea routes and North Korea, Zhang Huangyan secretly reported to Zhu Shuren in advance and allocated resources. As for the army operations in Hebei, Zhang Huangyan made the decision himself.
Zhu Shuren received Zhang Huangyan's request at the end of June, and he was not shy about it. He immediately asked Zhang Mingzhen and Zheng Chenggong from the sea route, and Li Yu from North Korea to prepare secretly in accordance with Zhang Huangyan's request.
The Tatars still want to enter the pass, even if they just want to get back together and regain their dominance and rebuild the ruling prestige of Hauge, who has been defeated repeatedly. Zhu Shuren will make sure that these people never come back.
Both sides thought that they were deploying troops without knowing it. By the end of July of that year, the Battle of Guanguan finally reignited a new round of war between the Ming and Qing Dynasties.