First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Zhang Ximeng sits in Yangzhou, and he has a lot of thoughts, why did he come to Yangzhou suddenly, something must have happened!

"You go out first!"

Old Zhu drove Zhu Wenzheng out. You must know that Lao Zhu and his nephew have been inseparable these days, but now he wants Zhu Wenzheng to go out, which shows how much he attaches importance to it.

Sure enough, after seeing Lao Zhu, Zhang Ximeng said directly, "My lord, the soldiers and horses in Jiangnan of Yuanting have moved, and an emergency document has been sent from Hezhou!"

"What?" Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback... Frankly speaking, this news did not scare him, because the Jiangnan Yuan Army had long been in their consideration.

It's too late to attack Hezhou even at this time, and the best opportunity has been missed!

He neither fought against Tuotuo from the north to the south, nor won the battle to save Tuotuo's fate... There is not much doubt about this, because the reason is very simple. If you can cooperate with Tuotuo on time, then there is a problem!

It's just that the Yuan army appeared at this moment and directly attacked Hezhou, which made Zhu Yuanzhang fall into an unprecedented passivity!

"How many are they?"

"Not less than one hundred thousand."

"Who is stationed in Hezhou now?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked again.

"There is Geng Zaicheng, Hu Hai, return, and Chang Yuchun!" After Zhang Ximeng finished speaking, he felt guilty. Chang Yuchun claimed to be able to lead [-] soldiers, but he could fight [-] soldiers!

"If we don't save Hezhou, what will happen?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked seriously.

Zhang Ximeng pondered for a while, and said helplessly: "Hezhou is our last income. If you want to say how important it is, it may not be so important. It's just that the fields were divided after autumn last year, and the winter wheat was planted. In another month, the wheat will be ripe. 10 people are waiting for this season's food to fill their stomachs, if the 10-yuan army is allowed to kill them wantonly, the people of Hezhou will starve this year!"

Chapter 139 Take the initiative to deliver it to your door

The Jiangnan Yuan army decided to launch an offensive. In terms of time, they probably followed Tuotuo's order. After all, the allocation of food and grass, the requisition of civilians, the battle plan, and the mobilization of soldiers... It is absolutely impossible to complete the whole set without a month or two. of.

Even a delay of three to five months is not uncommon.

It is very likely that when Tuotuo went south, he urged the Jiangnan Yuan army to cooperate, until today, Tuotuo was taken down, and the Jiangnan Yuan army took action.

"Tuotuo, Tuotuo! The Yuan Dynasty has treated you like this, why are you continuing your life for Yuan Ting?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed deeply, slapped the table, and his anger rushed straight to the top of his head.

Zhang Shicheng had already been defeated, and he was huddled in Gaoyou. This time, he would never last for a few months.At most ten days or eight days, he can kill him, and Zhang Shicheng will be defeated!

As long as Zhang Shicheng is resolved, hundreds of thousands of Yuan Ting's defeated troops will be collected by the way, and the entire Lianghuai will be occupied, just around the corner.

Once you sit in the land of Huaihe River and Huaihe River, you can go to Jiangnan and take Shandong at your fingertips.

The demise of the Yuan court is also just around the corner.

It can be said that the future is bright, most dragon chairs are beckoning, and reaching the pinnacle of life is right in front of you.

But if this opportunity is missed, Zhang Shicheng will come back to life, recruit surrender and rebellion, expand his strength, and sooner or later he will become a formidable enemy.

Zhu Yuanzhang is naturally clear about the truth that killing does not kill but becomes enmity.

Therefore, killing Zhang Shicheng in one go is of great benefit.

Abandoning Gaoyou, rescue Hezhou, a great loss of opportunity, the consequences are huge!

How to choose?

One of the biggest problems fell on Zhu Yuanzhang's shoulders again.

"Sir, can you say no again, let's see what we can do, can we have the best of both worlds?"

Zhang Ximeng frowned deeply, "My lord, the Jiangnan Yuan Army dispatched 10 people, and the Yangtze River Navy cooperated. Even if they are not strong in fighting spirit, we have to divide up 5000 people, preferably 2 people, to be sure. Yangzhou has just been taken, and at least 1 people are needed to hold the scene. Gaoyou has experienced a siege of 40 people. If you want to re-siege Gaoyou, you need 5 people, including 10 veterans... Besides, the Yuan army has several [-] Thousands of people collapsed, Sizhou, Tianchang, Liuhe, Chuzhou, these places, don't have thousands of elites combined with tens of thousands of militiamen, don't even think about defending them."

At this point in the calculation, Zhang Ximeng couldn't go on talking anymore, Zhu Jiajun was still too small, no matter what, he couldn't take care of it all, he wanted everything, but all failed.

So a decision has to be made.

Chuzhou and other places are fundamental, and nothing can happen.

Yangzhou has already eaten it and can't spit it out.

Gaoyou, Hezhou, which one should you choose?

"Which one do you think it should be, sir?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled sadly, "To be honest, I don't know."

"why?"

"Because Hezhou fell into our hands for several months, we have worked hard to achieve the current situation. As long as the summer grain harvest is completed in May and June this year, Hezhou will be alive and will become a foundation comparable to Chuzhou. No matter what , and should not give up. But then again, Zhang Shicheng, the future enemy, and the interests of salt, are much bigger than Hezhou..." Zhang Ximeng sighed helplessly , "My lord, if I say something to be scolded, this decision can only be made by you. I am only responsible for carrying the fruit of my lord's deliberation. I, I am just a humble public weapon!"

Zhang Ximeng lowered his head silently. In fact, after getting along for more than two years, Zhang Ximeng has realized his flaws more than once...

Take the situation in front of you as an example, how should you choose?

It is said that the lesser of two evils and the more important of two benefits... In fact, this is a correct nonsense. If you can distinguish the seriousness from the seriousness, is there any need to struggle?

And in the face of this kind of problem, the experience of time travel can't help Zhang Ximeng make a correct judgment, on the contrary, it will interfere with Zhang Ximeng, which is why he can't give the final suggestion.

The reason is not complicated...Because history told Zhang Ximeng that the Yuan army in the south of the Yangtze River was vulnerable, and history told him that although Zhang Shicheng had many problems, he was definitely not easy to mess with. Such a good opportunity, no matter how much he paid, he had to eliminate Zhang Shicheng as soon as possible. yes.

According to these two items, Zhang Ximeng will most likely choose to continue to deal with Zhang Shicheng, and let the Yuan army attack Hezhou. After Zhang Shicheng is dealt with, he will deal with the Yuan army later. As for the situation at that time, he cannot predict.

From the point of view of severity, it seems to be the case.

But don't forget that reality is always an extremely complicated chaos.

After Zhu's army captured Hezhou, they built beacon towers along the river, built water conservancy projects, and did many things.In order to support the project, Zhu Yuanzhang borrowed a lot of food from the food bank, and Zhu Yuanzhang also allocated a lot of materials from the warehouse in Chuzhou.

The current situation is that the summer grain harvest in Hezhou is bumper, the grain is paid and taxes are paid normally, the grain bank can recover the loan, and there is still a small profit.

After the people in Hezhou paid the land tax, they also had enough rations.

Zhu Jiajun's financial situation will also be greatly improved. All in all, it's hello, hello, hello, everyone, so all problems can be solved easily.

But, but!

Once Hezhou was destroyed in the hands of the Yuan army, it was impossible to harvest on time, and it was impossible to fill the holes in the food bank, and there were tens of thousands of people who could not eat.

After the people of Chuzhou have suffered a huge loss of interests, are they still willing to fanatically support Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Jiajun?

It seems that the interests here are big, but after careful analysis, it may not be the case.

It seems that there is not much to do there, but when it is involved, it is a turbulent sea, enough to smash one's body to pieces.

The situation is like this, you have to ask Zhang Ximeng to clarify what the situation is, he really doesn't have that ability.

The two sat opposite each other, and after a quarter of an hour, Lao Zhu suddenly smacked his forehead with his hand, and laughed loudly: "Sir, we have actually made a decision, don't you think so?"

Zhang Ximeng shook his head immediately, and immediately said, "My lord, you decided to save... Hezhou?"

At this moment, Zhang Ximeng's heart rose to his throat. No matter what the situation, like-minded people can always resonate.Common values ​​can even surpass blood relationship and family relationship, surpass everything!

And at this moment, it is to test whether Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Ximeng can communicate with each other and trust each other!

"Hahahaha!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, stretched out his big hand, and patted Zhang Ximeng's shoulder. At this moment, both of them felt a great sense of happiness.Boya Ziqi, high mountains and flowing water.

Liu Xianzhu met Kong Ming in Longzhong, and Fu Tian Wang Bashang met Wang Meng.

Mingjun Xianchen, the story of the ages belongs to yes.

"Mr. said that we must not forget our original intention. When we were in Linhuai, we made it clear that we must strengthen the army and save the people. Now the hundreds of thousands of people in Hezhou depend on us, but we put the lives and deaths of the people at risk for our own ambitions of dominance. What can we do if we defeat Zhang Shicheng? It’s just the second Yuan court that doesn’t care about the life and death of the people!”

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, he stood up, shook the armor on his body, and said to Zhang Ximeng: "Sir, we are leaving now. Gaoyou and Yangzhou, everything must be finished by Mr. No matter what it looks like, We all believe in sir!"

Zhang Ximeng also stood up, meeting Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze, his hands trembling slightly.

Don't look at him analyzing so much, and he has a decision in his heart, but letting Zhang Shicheng go, still makes him feel uncomfortable!

Not forgetting the four words of original intention, it is easy to say, but how difficult is it to do?

Perhaps only a person like Zhu Yuanzhang can follow through!

"Don't worry, my lord. I will handle these matters properly. My lord, just feel free to lead the troops. After I've dealt with it, I'll go to assist my lord. We will win this battle!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction, he can rest assured.

Immediately, Lao Zhu turned his head and walked outside.

Just at the entrance of the tent, a burly black-faced man knelt there with tears welling in his eyes.

This person is Hu Dahai.

"The superior, the inferior, the inferior and the people of the state, thank the superior for the grace of life!"

Bang bang bang!

Hu Dahai punched his head on the ground, trembling with excitement.

Zhang Ximeng came in a hurry, and there was a crisis in Hezhou, which could not be concealed.

In Lao Zhu's army, although Haozhou and other places were the main generals, more than [-]% of the soldiers were from Hezhou.

If Zhu Yuanzhang continues to use troops against Gaoyou regardless of Hezhou, these people may not rebel, but there is no doubt that a deep thorn will be planted in their hearts, the kind that will never be pulled out!

May I ask the Yuan court's hundreds of thousands of troops, why did the whole army collapse just because Tuotuo was dismissed?

Where is military discipline?

Isn't there a minister who cares about the life and death of the Great Yuan, the general of the country?

Gone, really gone!

Under the ignorance of the rulers and ministers, under the bloody massacres, in front of the bloody examples... that point of cohesion has long since disappeared, and it is all maintained by Tuotuo alone.

Compared with them, Jiangsu is so unbreakable.

Therefore, as soon as Tuotuo left, the hundreds of thousands of troops immediately collapsed.

In the same way, Zhu Yuanzhang did not abandon the people of Hezhou, and the soldiers of Hezhou were willing to die for Zhu Yuanzhang!There are too many similar examples, so Zhu Yuanzhang's soldiers and horses became stronger and stronger, and they could not be defeated or defeated, and finally they could sweep the world and become the king of troubled times.

After understanding this truth, I also understand why Zhu Yuanzhang dared to eradicate any illegal nobles. No matter how much credit they have, how many old ministries they have, as long as they corrupt the national code and face Zhu Yuanzhang's butcher knife, they have no ability to resist at all. .

It's not that these people don't want to do things, but that Zhu Yuanzhang has unparalleled prestige both in the army and among the people, and his power comes from the great book of each family!

After all, for thousands of years, there have been too few emperors who can sincerely treat the people well, and Zhu Yuanzhang is the one who stands out!

"Hu Dahai, you came here to eavesdrop on the military situation, break the military discipline, and punish you with thirty sticks. After you save Hezhou, you will come to receive the punishment. Now you must immediately mobilize your subordinates, act as the vanguard, and send troops to rescue Hezhou!"

Hu Dahai hastily agreed, grinning wide and just laughing.

"If I can save the elders of Hezhou, even if I die, I am willing to die!"

After finishing speaking, Hu Dahai turned around and went down, mobilized the troops and horses of the headquarters, and set off quickly.

Zhu Yuanzhang followed closely behind, Xu Da, Hua Yun, Fei Ju, Wu Zhen, those who could fight, all left with Lao Zhu.There are not many people left for Zhang Ximeng.

Tang He was still stationed in Yangzhou, and Feng Guoyong was the only one left beside Zhang Ximeng.

Fortunately, this guy is well-known for both civil and military skills, and Zhang Ximeng is also the best fit with him.

"It's a great benevolence and courage for the superior to save Hezhou! You can give up tens of thousands of people here, and Gaoyou City is at your fingertips. You really deserve to be the hero of the world! We didn't follow the wrong person!" Feng Guoyong was extremely excited.

If there is no difficulty in choosing, and everyone knows how to choose, what's so great about it?

Zhu Yuanzhang's behavior has really won the respect of everyone.

But now there is a problem, just retreat like this, and give up such a big benefit to Zhang Shicheng?

That was too cheap for him.

"I was wondering if I could squeeze some oil out of Zhang Shicheng?" Zhang Ximeng thoughtfully.

Feng Guoyong nodded immediately, full of interest.

"Mr. Zhang, this Zhang Shicheng is very fat, among other things, the salt alone is immeasurable!"

Zhang Ximeng is deeply convinced that no one can tell how much profit the salt from the Lianghuai River is. In a normal year, the Yuan court would import 95 salt from the Lianghuai every year. Perhaps everyone has no idea about this figure. Once the salt is imported, it will be converted in the Yuan court There are 150 guan banknotes in the central government... and there are nearly a million citations in Lianghuai!

The great benefit of salt can be seen.

This was before the Red Turban Uprising, and it wasn't considered private salt!

After all, Zhang Shicheng is a private salt dealer, and he knows better than anyone how to make a fortune with private salt.

Regardless of the current war, no matter when, as long as the common people don't die, they will eat food and salt, and there will be no reduction in the slightest.

In history, why did Zhang Shicheng fight Zhu Yuanzhang for so many years? The biggest reliance was the huge profit from salt!

But at this time Zhang Ximeng planned to tear a piece of fat from Zhang Shicheng's hands.

"Sir, there is a man named Shi Naian who came down from the city and asked to see the superior!"