inspire-indiana Chapter 1377 Emperor Chongping: Good, good, Zi Yu is truly an ever-victorious general.
Chapter 1377 Emperor Chongping: Good, good, Zi Yu is truly an ever-victorious general.
Chapter 1377 Emperor Chongping: Good, good, Zi Yu is truly an ever-victorious general.
North Korea, Wang Jing
In the evening, Jia Heng also returned from the ancestral hall and came to his residence in the backyard of the Council of Government. As soon as he stepped over the threshold and entered the wing room, he looked up and saw Gu Ruoqing dressed in a flying fish dress.
Gu Ruoqing's beautiful eyebrows were filled with worry, and her cold eyes were full of concern. She said, "Are you done with the things outside?"
Jia Heng nodded and said, "There are still many things to deal with. It is impossible to finish them all. However, after the Lantern Festival, we will return to Beijing."
As he spoke, he sat down on a throne in the hall.
Gu Ruoqing walked gracefully and slowly came behind Jia Heng. At this moment, she helped the young man in the python robe to hold his shoulders with both hands and said, "Why don't we hand over North Korea to the young Prince Mu?"
Jia Heng also relaxed a little, and said softly: "Let him take charge of the affairs related to North Korea. We will set off by boat after the Lantern Festival."
Although he and Gu Ruoqing were together, they didn't have much time to develop their feelings for each other.
Gu Ruoqing said "hmm", with a look of longing in her beautiful eyes, and said: "This time when you go back, you won't go to Gaizhou or Haizhou to see your junior sister?"
Jia Heng said: "She is in Gaizhou and Haizhou, helping to lead the troops, so it would be fine for her to go there."
He was still hesitating whether to let Xiaoxiao take him back. If Xiaoxiao was not in the capital to report the news when he was pacifying Liaodong, it would not be very convenient.
What if he was fighting on the front line and something new happened in the capital, and he didn't know the intelligence in the capital, he would be completely in the dark.
"What are you thinking about?" Gu Ruoqing stretched out her slender hand and waved it in front of Jia Heng, with a puzzled look on her face.
Jia Heng said: "I'm not thinking about anything. I'm just thinking about going back."
After returning, if Emperor Chongping proposed a reward, he would ask for the title of Lady with Imperial Noble Consort to be given to Miaoyu.
After all, she gave birth to two children.
Of course, maybe Tianniuer would arrange Song Yan's marriage to him. After all, this is also a reason for arranging a marriage.
……
……
In the following days, as the Joseon royal capital was breached, the Joseon crown prince, Yi Won, who was originally in exile, also embarked on the journey back to the royal capital from Chungju, Chungcheong Province.
Afterwards, the proclamations issued from the royal capital of Joseon, to the local clans in Hamgyong Province, Hwanghae Province, and Joseon, all surrendered to the Joseon Council of Government in the royal capital after receiving the court's promise that "only the head of the family will be executed and the rest will not be questioned."
On the third day, Jia Heng held a grand ceremony to commemorate King Hyojong of Joseon, Lee Hao. He used the head of General Oboi of the Qing Dynasty to commemorate King Hyojong of Joseon and the loyal ministers and righteous men who died. He also built a monument to the Tartar invaders and commemorated the dead soldiers and civilians in order to win the hearts of ordinary people, soldiers and civilians, and literati of Joseon.
Chongping 19th year, January 14th -
On this day, Jia Heng set up an office in the royal capital, mainly to conduct a comprehensive review of North Korea's military forces.
The military institutions of Korea were divided into five military camps (the Training Command, the Imperial Camp Office, the Royal Guard Camp, the Rong Office, and the Defense Office), three internal offices (the Internal Guard, the Servant Office, and the Yulin Guard), the Training Institute, the Crown Prince's Guard Office, the Guard Office, the Bandit Catching Office, the Pacification Camp, the Management Camp, and the Dragon and Tiger Camp.
There are numerous military units, chaotic management, and severe constraints on military commanders. There are roughly 100,000 troops, which are extremely difficult for the Han generals to control and manage.
This was obviously inconsistent with Jia Heng's established national strategy of "weakening Korea's military forces, taking over its territory and population, and strengthening the Han state."
After Jia Heng took over Wangjing, the first thing he did was to lay off soldiers and streamline the organization.
Of the five military camps, only the Imperial Camp Hall, the Royal Guard Camp and the Defense Hall were retained, which was called one camp and two halls.
A Han general with 30,000 naval forces served as the chief governor, and three generals from Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces served as the chief commanders. They selected the best Korean soldiers and gathered a Korean army of more than 100,000 for the Northern Expedition.
Of the three inner halls, only one inner guard office was retained, which was called the Inner Guard Office.
The officers and soldiers were from the Jinyifu Guards and the generals of the Beijing Camp, with a force of nearly 10,000 to guard the palace.
To this end, the titles of the Pacification Camp, Management Camp, Dragon and Tiger Camp, etc. were gradually abolished, leaving only the Guard and Bandit Catching Offices to maintain public order in the capital city and protect (surveillance) officials.
Its main purpose was to seek centralized command of the Korean army and the Han army. If there were too many military numbers, it would be easy for multiple people to control and interfere in the deployment of soldiers.
This was a means used by the King of Korea to balance and restrain the power of various military leaders and prevent military commands and power from being concentrated in one place, which would threaten the royal power.
This obviously goes against the Han Dynasty's strategy of centralized management and deployment.
To this end, concentrating military power under the pretext of a northern expedition would be beneficial to the conquest of Liaodong and the revenge of Emperor Xiaozong and the people who died.
There is nothing wrong with this from the perspective of righteousness.
During this Korean rebellion, the Jurchen Tartars burned, killed, raped and looted in various prefectures of Korea, which greatly aroused the anger of the Korean people.
However, this move undoubtedly aroused the suspicion and vigilance of Kim Yu, the Korean councilor. Today, accompanied by several servants, he came to Jia Heng's office to test Jia Heng's attitude.
In the government office, in the meeting hall——
Jia Heng looked at Jin Yu and said, "Jin Yizheng, if you are not in the city to appease the people and the scholars, how can you have time to come to me?"
After the fall of Wangjing City, the common people and scholars in the city gradually returned home.
Jin Yu smiled and said, "Duke Weiguo, there is something I don't understand, so I would like to ask you for your advice."
Jia Heng picked up the teacup, gently stirred the tea foam, and said, "Jin Yizheng, what is it that you don't understand?"
Jin Yu said: "Recently, the three armies mentioned that they were originally three armies, but the Duke of Wei wanted to put them under the management of the Han army. The two sides don't speak the same language, so how can they coordinate their troops?"
Jia Heng put down his teacup and said calmly, "Kim Yi-jeong doesn't know that this is just for joint command and deployment in order to quell Liaodong. Besides, the previous rebels had rebelled against the royal family before. If they are not disbanded and dispersed, and are simply integrated into the army, it will affect the stability of Korea. Besides, the food and fodder in the treasury will not be able to supply enough."
The loyalty of Gui Sizhe and the soldiers in Wang Jingcheng was obviously questionable.
"Let's not talk about the soldiers in the five military camps. The three inner halls are for soldiers guarding the royal family. Why did the Duke of Wei make adjustments this time?" Jin Yu couldn't help but ask.
Jia Heng said solemnly: "This time the royal capital was breached, and many military officers and aristocratic families rebelled against the Joseon Dynasty and rebelled again. This shows that some Joseon soldiers are restless. For the sake of the Li clan, we, the Han Dynasty, should also protect the royal family."
He wants to use this to fully control the political situation in North Korea. Of course, this cannot be achieved overnight and requires time to plan and lay the groundwork.
Upon hearing this, Jin Di stared at the young man in the python robe, and for a moment, he felt a chill in his heart.
If you still don't know what this Duke of Wei is planning, then you have lived in vain for so many years.
In particular, there is the precedent of Japan.
This means stationing troops in North Korea and controlling the political situation in North Korea, thereby strengthening control over North Korea.
But at this time, the Han army was strong, and they had to bow their heads under the eaves.
Although Jin Di was angry, he calmed down and prepared to think about how to break the impasse, or how to get rid of the Han court's control over Korea after pacifying Liaodong.
In this way, the previous efforts to win over the powerful families in the local prefectures and cities were indeed aimed at gathering North Korea's strength and planning for future independence.
Jia Heng asked, "Jin Yizheng, what are you thinking about?"
This old fox must be thinking about how to get rid of the Han Dynasty's control over Korea, probably by connecting with all of Korea's forces and seeking independence after the Han Dynasty conquers Liaodong.
However, the previous recruitment and appeasement of the Korean clans would become Jin Yu's crime in the future.
At this moment, both sides have thought about the future direction of North Korea's political situation.
Jin Yu changed the topic and asked, "Duke Weiguo, when will the Han army start to conquer Liaodong this time?"
Jia Heng said softly, "In March of next year, Governor Mu will be in charge of the Korean side. He will be responsible for raising food and fodder, training soldiers and replenishing matters. I hope that Jin Yizheng will help."
The day before, he had submitted a memorial to the capital, appointing Mu Sheng as the Governor-General of Korea and Japan, in charge of the military and political affairs of Korea and Japan.
This was undoubtedly an attempt to win over the power of the Prince of Dongping, or in other words, at his level, it was time to make some arrangements at the local and central levels.
Jin Yu said: "Don't worry, Duke Weiguo. The Jurchens are the eternal enemies of our Joseon. They want to enslave our Joseon people. We, the whole Joseon, will fight them to the end."
When Jia Heng heard this, his heart moved slightly. Jin Di's words seemed more like they were directed at the big man.
But where did the Korean people come from? And how many of them were Han Chinese a long time ago?
Jia Heng said, "Kim Yi-jeong, in addition, if we set up a port in Incheon, the two countries can strengthen maritime trade, and allow silk and tea utensils from the Central Plains to be transported to Korea, it can also alleviate the livelihood difficulties of the Korean people. What do you think?"
Incheon is close to the seaport and can be used as a trading port with places such as Dahan Mountain and Shandong to complete economic colonization and dumping of goods in North Korea.
Over time, the economic dependence will allow the two countries to merge into one.
Jin Yu listened to what the young man in python robe said, and became more alert. However, the young Duke was in a strong attitude, so Jin Yu should not disobey him. He could only respond: "It is a good thing that the two countries can strengthen their exchanges."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "The construction of Incheon Port will be done by the Korean puppet soldiers who surrendered this time. They rebelled against the court. Although the Korean royal family and the court no longer punish them after the rebellion, they can be spared the death penalty, but they cannot escape the punishment of life. They should go to the port to build Incheon Port."
When Jin Di heard this, Cang Sheng responded.
Jia Heng looked at the absent-minded Jin Di. He knew that the old man was worried, but he didn't take it seriously.
After Jin Yu left, Gu Ruoqing came over and asked softly, "Will this cause dissatisfaction among the Korean ministers?"
Jia Heng said: "Dissatisfied? Of course I am dissatisfied, but we, the Han people, have come all the way to fight the Jurchens, not to be Bodhisattvas."
Gu Ruoqing asked: "Will North Korea interfere in the imperial court's war to quell Liaodong?"
Jia Heng said coldly: "They dare not. If North Korea does that, it will be in a dilemma. The only way out is to destroy the country."
North Korea's only chance is to rely on political changes in the Han Dynasty, such as when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dogs are cooked; when the birds are gone, the good bows are hidden.
For example, if he failed in his struggle in the court, or was suspected by Emperor Chongping, the new ruler might not have imposed such a high-pressure situation on North Korea.
On this side, Jin Di walked out of Jia Heng's office and got on the carriage. His old face beneath his white beard suddenly turned gloomy.
Do you really think he doesn't know what the Han court is thinking?
This is to completely control North Korea!
Jin Di's old hands tightly grasped the handlebars beside him, trying to calm his inner anger.
However, compared with the brutality of the Jurchens, the Han court was very smart and gentle. Everything they did was in the name of what was good for Korea, but they controlled Korea's military and political affairs in a subtle way.
Jin Di closed his eyes slightly, thinking quickly about countermeasures in his mind.
After a while, Jin Yu's thin face became solemn, his old eyes flashed with a gleam, and he had an idea in his mind.
The political situation in the Han court has always been volatile and unpredictable, and it is hard to say whether this Duke of Weiguo can have a good ending if he can really conquer Liaodong. Even if he can save his life and property, according to the political rules of the Celestial Empire, he will most likely be put aside.
If he no longer holds power in the DPRK, the control over North Korea will be relaxed a lot, and then it will be a chance for North Korea to become independent again.
Now, we still have to endure the humiliation and bear the heavy burden.
……
……
Dahan, Godly Capital City
In the palace garden——
Emperor Chongping was wearing a bright yellow imperial robe and crown. Under the sunlight, his cheeks were sunken. At this moment, he was sitting in the hall, reviewing the memorials in his hands.
As Jia Heng led his troops to Liaodong, and the two guards of Haizhou and Gaizhou were occupied by the Han army, there was a glimmer of hope for the pacification of Liaodong.
Emperor Chongping once again felt a desire to show off his achievements in civil and military affairs to future generations.
For example, our late Emperor Longzhi once compiled the book "Longzhi Huidian", which compiled and summarized the imperial edicts and political documents during his reign as a model for the world for all eternity.
Recently, Lu Li, the president of the Hanlin Academy, submitted a memorial proposing the compilation of a book covering the classics, history, and collections of literature. This was undoubtedly exactly what Emperor Chongping wanted.
Therefore, he ordered the Hanlin Academy to take charge of this matter and named it "Chongping Complete Works", which collected all kinds of folk classics, history, and collections of books on agriculture, industry, medicine, divination, and astrology, and included them all.
Lu Li became the chief executive officer of the book, which was obviously what Lu Li had been thinking about. When the book was completed, he would gain more prestige and be able to move up to a higher level in his career.
And because of the battle report that asserted that Jia Heng would be defeated in the battle in the northwest, those past stains gradually disappeared with the wind.
In other words, no stain can withstand the passage of time.
Emperor Chongping put down the memorial at this moment, and a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes under his thin brows.
After two years of implementation of the Chongping New Deal in local areas, it had already produced explosive power, the national treasury was full, and the scene of prosperity and wealth was presented.
At this moment, Dai Quan slowly approached, a thoughtful look on his fair face, and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Li and Lord Gao are already waiting in Wuying Hall."
Emperor Chongping paused for a moment, nodded, and said, "I'll be there right away."
After thinking for a while, he asked, "Go to Jinyi Mansion and see if the memorial and military report from Duke Weiguo have been delivered?"
Dai Quan responded and whispered, "I will send someone to Jinyi Mansion to inquire about the situation."
Emperor Chongping nodded and without saying anything else, he stood up and walked towards the Wuying Palace.
As time passed, the Han court was looking forward to what new battle reports Jia Heng could deliver from Liaodong and Korea.
Daming Palace, Wuying Hall——
Emperor Chongping was wearing a crown and had a solemn expression on his face. He walked into the hall, fixed his eyes on Li Zan and Gao Zhongping, and sat down.
Li Zan and Gao Zhongping walked a few steps quickly, bowed to Emperor Chongping, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, long live the emperor."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said gently, "My two beloved ministers, please stand up."
As time passed, the new policies of the Han Dynasty advanced rapidly, and Li Zan and Gao Zhongping also focused their attention on the wars in Liaodong and Korea.
Emperor Chongping sat down and said thoughtfully, "Since the beginning of last spring, the local military garrisons have been comprehensively rectified. Does the Ministry of War have any latest results?"
The Han Dynasty's military system had won successive victories in foreign wars since the reorganization of the Beijing camp. This trend of rectification and anti-corruption gradually spread to the local military garrisons.
The Ministry of War and the Grand Council reviewed the national garrison system and severely punished military officers who had committed crimes such as embezzling military pay, encroaching on military grain fields, and misappropriating military equipment funds.
After so many years, the military leaders of the local garrisons, who were far away from the emperor, had long become local tyrants. There were so many malpractices in military and garrison administration that you would not know unless you investigated. Once you do, you will be shocked.
From the purchase of military equipment and armor, the embezzlement of military grain fields to the military pay allocated by North Korea, the local military leaders were enriched to their heart's content.
During the 19th year of Chongping, several major cases broke out one after another. First, the commander-in-chief of Huguang was imprisoned, and then the commander-in-chief of Jiangxi was also successively dismissed.
It was common for a local garrison to be wiped out and all investigated.
The local tyrants and military leaders were trembling in fear, but they could not make any waves at all. After the Beijing camp won consecutive victories in foreign wars, the world was as stable as a rock.
Later, Fujian, Zhejiang and other places followed suit. The anti-corruption storm surrounding the military, political and military systems became increasingly fierce under the leadership of the Chief Minister Li Zan and with the assistance of the Second Minister Gao Zhongping.
Compared with Jia Heng's rectification of the Beijing Camp and the Jiangnan Camp, which was mainly focused on returning stolen goods and recovering them, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping, on the contrary, were very courageous and showed no mercy to the corrupt soldiers, confiscating their properties and executing them.
Of course, this is a different situation.
When the two camps were reorganized, the focus was more on stability, which involved a fight at the top level.
The most important thing is to avoid causing major unrest. Using the central government to attack the local governments would be like an adult beating a child. The local military would be so powerful and deeply rooted that they would not be able to fight back.
Li Zan said in a clear voice: "All the military officials have returned to the capital one after another, and the local garrisons have been organized."
Emperor Chongping said: "In recent years, the local military and political affairs have been corrupt. Now the atmosphere has been strengthened and the fighting power has also increased."
It can be said that Emperor Chongping felt that the rapid development in recent years was even more effective than the previous ten years when he ruled the Han Dynasty.
All this is due to the victory in foreign wars, which promoted the momentum for internal reform.
Gao Zhongping said, "Your Majesty, several ports were previously congested with cargo ships. This year, the cabinet has decided to set up more ports in Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and other places, and to set up customs to facilitate trade."
Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, then said in a clear voice: "I approve this matter in principle, but Prince Beijing Shui Rong and Jia Ziyu proposed to build a naval fleet to unify the escort of maritime trade and expand the sea borders. What do you two ministers think?"
Gao Zhongping cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think it won't be too late to set it up after Liaodong is pacified and the nine frontiers are properly abolished."
The nine frontiers did not need to be completely disbanded, but it was obvious that one frontier town could not have nearly 100,000 soldiers and horses, so the number of soldiers and horses had to be greatly reduced.
While the emperor and his ministers were discussing, suddenly, an eunuch from outside entered the hall and reported, "Your Majesty, the urgent military report and memorial sent by the Duke of Weiguo from six hundred miles away have arrived in the capital."
After such a long time, Jia Heng's battle report in Korea was finally delivered to the capital.
Emperor Chongping was about to say something, but upon hearing this, he was overjoyed and said, "Dai Quan, go and bring the person back."
After a while, the red-feathered messenger who brought the news entered the inner study, took out the military newspaper from the recruitment bag on his body, and delivered it through Dai Quan.
At this moment, Emperor Chongping took the military report and couldn't wait to read it. He glanced through it ten lines at a glance, and then read it twice again. His dark and thin face could not hide the joy.
He praised repeatedly: "Good, good, Ziyu is really an ever-victorious general."
Since he went to war, he has rarely been defeated. If he is not a general who always wins, then what else could he be?
At this moment, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping were moved slightly and showed joy on their faces when they heard what Emperor Chongping said.
Judging from the situation, the Duke of Weiguo should have won another victory, but I don’t know whether it was in Liaodong or Korea.
It can be said that this is also the reason why the two cabinet ministers insisted on waiting for Jia Heng to come back and lead the troops to pacify Liao, because this feeling of security is something that no military hero of the Han Dynasty can give.
This is the victorious general. As long as Jia Heng leads the troops to fight, the war will be safe and all we have to do is wait for the good news.
This feeling will only be shaken if Jia Heng suffers a defeat one day.
Emperor Chongping greeted the expectant gazes of the two cabinet ministers and said happily: "Li Qing, Gao Qing, Zi Yu was in Korea, and he deployed the navy stationed in Japan to recapture the royal capital with the Korean coalition forces. He killed the commander Oboi in battle and defeated nearly 10,000 Jurchen troops. Our Han Dynasty has recaptured the Korean royal capital."
Emperor Chongping was not particularly surprised by the capture of the capital city, but was mainly interested in annihilating the Jurchens' effective forces once again.
There are nearly 10,000 Jurchen Tartars. The Jurchens are already a small country with few soldiers. If they keep weakening like this, how much wealth will they have left?
The hope of pacifying Liaodong has increased.
(End of this chapter)