The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 165 Pull it out for practice

On the 15th day of the seventh month in the first year of Taichang, the lingering clouds brought an end to summer, while new rains ushered in autumn.

The White Lotus Sect continued to attack Qingzhou fiercely, and Wendengying and Weihaiwei suffered successive defeats with heavy casualties.

The lieutenant general of Wendeng Camp was captured, the deputy governor of Weihaiwei was killed in battle, and nearly half of the prefectures and counties in northern Shandong were captured by Xu Hongru.

When the news reached Kaiyuan, Ping Liaohou immediately ordered all camps to enter a wartime state.

In late July, the emperor finally issued an edict appointing the Kaiyuan Army to quell the rebellion. According to the rebellion suppression plan formulated by the Ministry of War, the garrisons in Deng, Lai and several counties in southern Liaoning were responsible for dispatching sea vessels to coordinate the landing of the Kaiyuan Army. After the Kaiyuan Army landed in Shandong, they joined forces with the local garrison troops to suppress the rebellion.

Considering that the garrisons in Deng and Lai were already in name only, the only troops actually involved in suppressing the rebellion were the Kaiyuan Army.

Officials from Jinzhou, Fuzhou and Denglai argued for more than ten days over the issue of sending out sea vessels. Both sides used the excuses of rough seas, small vessels and insufficient sailors to ask the court for more money.

Emperor Taichang was so annoyed by this group of civil servants that he had to spend another 800,000 yuan from the treasury to purchase Fujian ships, buy food and fodder, hire sailors, etc.

The area near the Shandong Grand Canal also began to be threatened by the White Lotus Sect. The Ministry of War sent one document after another urging them to go. General Liu was on high alert and prepared to hire ships with his own money or send troops directly from Shanhaiguan several times, but he was stopped by Kang Yingqian every time.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the court's move was somewhat like getting rid of the donkey after it had served its purpose.

"The emperor has distributed 800,000 taels of silver, and we haven't received a single tael, yet you're still trying to take advantage of the situation. Even the governor of Denglai isn't anxious, so why should we be? Don't rush this kind of thing; we need to delay it!"

Kang Yingqian was quite dissatisfied with the arrangements made by the Ministry of War. The troops in Kaiyuan were still resting, but the capital was urging them on.

However, Liu Zhaosun could not bear to see the people suffer, so he hurried to Shandong.

He asked Ma Shiying to submit memorials every day, urging the preparation of sea vessels in Shandong and Liaodong.

Ma Shiying was now so exhausted from writing memorials that every time Liu Zhaosun saw him, he felt that this top-ranked Jinshi was going bald.

Due to obstacles and delays from all sides, it took from May to mid-August before the Kaiyuan Army was finally able to send troops.

The new recruits who have been training for half a year are all eager to try.

Ping Liao Hou said to Qi Jin and Deng Changxiong:

"I've been preparing for half a year. I don't have to go to Chongming in the southwest. I can practice the Wenxiang Sect right at my doorstep."

"Whether it's a mule or a horse, take it out for some practice!"

~~~~
On August 18, scouts from Kaiyuan City went out in all directions, carrying orders from General Ping Liaohou at night, and headed for Kuandian, Qinghe, Tieling and other cities.

According to the order of General Liu Zhaosun, each city garrison officer left part of his troops to guard the city, and the remaining troops all went south and met at the foot of Fushun City on August 30.

The remnants of the Eight Banners lurking in Hetuala were not taken seriously by General Liu. In the eyes of Ping Liaohou, it was a miracle that Huang Taiji could survive last winter.

Since a simple economic blockade can trap the Jiannu, why waste military forces on them?

However, at Yuan Chonghuan's firm request, a thousand decoy soldiers were left on the Hetuala front to prevent Huang Taiji from taking desperate measures.

From the very beginning, Yuan Chonghuan firmly opposed the dispatch of troops to Shandong to encircle and suppress the White Lotus Sect. However, after receiving the order from Ping Liaohou, he put aside his affairs, reorganized his troops, and rushed to Fushun overnight.

On August 19th, Ping Liaohou left two thousand combat soldiers to guard Kaiyuan, and personally led the main forces of the combat battalion and the cavalry battalion, totaling 13,000 people, south to Fushun.

The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.

The Kaiyuan army had not yet completed its assembly, and rumors were spreading throughout southern Liaoning.

Rumor has it that Ping Liaohou will take advantage of the opportunity when Zu Chengxun and Zu Dashou lead the Liao troops into Lu to launch a surprise attack on Guangning, stab Shanhaiguan in the back, and annex southern Liaoning in one fell swoop.

There are rumors that the Kaiyuan army will occupy southern Liaoning and force wealthy families to pay back land taxes, and will plunder farmers to Kaiyuan to feed their horses.

The price of rice in southern Liaoning skyrocketed, and bandits swarmed. The gentry who had previously offended Liu Zhaosun were afraid of being liquidated and fled to Yongping Prefecture.

The Kaiyuan Army's enclosure movement in various parts of Liaodong was shocking to these evil gentry and powerful people.

In the eyes of most gentry, Ping Liaohou was no different from the White Lotus bandit leader he wanted to suppress.

They are all a bunch of robbers who trick the peasants into being cannon fodder and enrich themselves!
~~~~~~~~~
August 30th, Huxiaoting, south of Fushun City.

Kaiyuan's civil and military officials sat around in the pavilion, with Ping Liaohou sitting at the top, and a huge map behind them.

Aside from Wu Aheng, who was supervising the warship construction in Korea, Kang Yingqian, Qiao Yiqi, Yuan Chonghuan, Sun Chuanting, Shao Jiechun, Deng Changxiong, Wang Erhu, and others were all present. Yuan Chonghuan and Shao Jiechun each brought 2,000 soldiers from Kuandian and Qinghe, recruits they had recruited over the past six months. Together with the 13,000 soldiers brought by Liu Zhaosun and the 2,000 soldiers from Fushun, the total force crossing the sea reached 20,000.

Several city defense officers rushed over. Everyone originally thought that the heavy troops were gathered to attack the Later Jin or Liaoxi, but they didn't expect it to be to deal with the White Lotus Sect.

Shao Jiechun said disdainfully, "The White Lotus demons are just a mob. I can defeat them by myself with a small force. Why should we mobilize the whole army to suppress the Marquis of Liao?"

Just as Qiao Yiqi was about to speak, Kang Yinggan coughed twice and interrupted, "Master Shao, you may not know that this White Lotus Rebellion is no small matter. I heard that even the Imperial Palace has their manifesto..."

Kang Yinggan was worried that Qiao Dazui would accidentally reveal Ping Liaohou's plan to "visit" Yanshenggong, so he had to exaggerate the details of Xu Hongru's rebellion in front of everyone.

Everyone was stunned when they heard that the White Lotus had occupied several prefectures, even threatened Jinan at one point, and had spies all over the capital.

How can this be called a mob?
Liu Zhaosun glared at Kang Yinggan and said awkwardly, "Ahem, this White Lotus sect in Yanzhou is indeed difficult to deal with. Before I even set out, they were already spreading rumors all over Liaodong. The intelligence agency has captured several spies in the past few days. In short, Xu Hongru must have been well prepared."

Ping Liaohou looked stern as he continued, "I summoned you here to unite the Kaiyuan forces and strike a thundering blow against the demon! Save the people of Shandong from their misery. Of course, this is also to enhance the influence of the Kaiyuan Army in Shandong and, incidentally, to make up for the shortfall in military funds..."

Liu Zhaosun's voice gradually became lower as he finished speaking.

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned to look at Sun Chuanting and asked about the recent progress of military farming and training.

Sun Chuanting reported on the situation of military farming and recruiting soldiers over the past six months. During the six months of governing Fushun, he had cleared more than 53,000 acres of military farms and trained 2,000 elite soldiers.

Liu Zhaosun praised sincerely:
"Lord Sun has made great contributions to the farming cause. These military supplies and fodder are of paramount importance..."

Historically, Sun Chuanting governed Shaanxi, "using Qin soldiers to defend Qin territory and using Qin pay to support Qin soldiers." He rectified the administration, cleared out garrisons, paid salaries, and trained the troops (eliminating the elderly and weak military households). The combat effectiveness of the Qin soldiers increased dramatically, and they defeated the bandits Li Chuang many times.

In fact, Sun Chuanting was the only official during the Chongzhen period who actually implemented the cleanup of military farms.

In Liu Zhaosun's view, this person, like Yuan Chonghuan, is a capable person who has the ability to govern a province or county.

"With Sun Baigu here, there is no need to worry about Liaonan!"

Kang Yingqian followed suit and said:
"I have read the article "Strategy for the Pacification of Liao" written by Lord Sun during the imperial examination in the capital last year. Every word is a gem and his writing is brilliant. I thought Lord Sun was only good at writing, but I didn't expect him to be such a capable person. He governed Fushun so well that he could leave his doors unlocked at night. What a rare achievement!"

Sun Chuanting quickly stood up and said, "You're welcome."

Liu Zhaosun noticed that Yuan Chonghuan seemed a little unhappy. He thought for a moment and said, "Yuan Ducha has been cultivating wasteland in Kuandian and running a horse market, competing with Yizhou in Korea for manpower. I heard that he has recruited more than a thousand Koreans, so his contribution is not small."

Yuan Chonghuan quickly bowed, his face filled with pride.

Yuan Chonghuan was three years older than Sun Chuanting. In the imperial examination in the 47th year of Wanli, Yuan Chonghuan ranked ahead of Sun Chuanting in the third class of Jinshi. In terms of qualifications and abilities, he felt that he was superior to Sun Baigu.

In the 47th year of Wanli's reign, Sun and Yuan both fled to Kaiyuan. Yuan Chonghuan compared himself with his peer in every way, trying to surpass Sun Baigu.

Kang Yingqian was about to congratulate Yuan Chonghuan again, but Ping Liaohou couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"Okay, let's talk about the war."

Lao Kang stopped talking and everyone looked at Ping Liaohou.

"In order to prevent Zu Dashou from misunderstanding, we cannot go through Shanhaiguan and must take the water route."

Then he pointed to several points on the map with a wooden stick:
"We will board the ship from Jinzhou, cross the Liao Sea, and land in Wendeng. Jinan Prefecture and Qingzhou Prefecture will be responsible for transporting the troops and food. Once we arrive, officials from Qingzhou Prefecture will meet us and provide the food and fodder we need along the way. Zhao Yan promised me that the food and fodder will be fully supplied."

Qiao Yiqi was surprised and said, "They're willing to give us food. It's really a blessing in disguise."

In the past few days, Kang Yingqian was responsible for receiving officials who had crossed the sea from Qingzhou Prefecture to seek assistance. Old Kang had a better understanding of the war situation, so he explained to everyone:

"Yanzhou is rotten, and Qingzhou is about to collapse. The Wendeng Camp and Weihai Guard are useless, and even Lieutenant General Chen has been captured. Jizhen and Liaozhen are unwilling to contribute. Besides the Kaiyuan Army, who else can Zhao Yan and Yuan Keli rely on? The gentry and powerful people in Qingzhou have long since sent silver and grain to the military preparation office. They have no shortage of money. It is only right that some of it be given to Kaiyuan."

"The imperial court is truly wealthy. Transporting 20,000 troops across the Liao Sea must have cost an armies countless taels of silver!"

"If the canal is cut off, countless grain transport soldiers will lose their livelihoods. Shandong will be finished, the capital will be finished, and prices in Liaodong will skyrocket. The White Lotus Sect deserves death!"

Everyone was talking about it.

Sun Chuanting and Yuan Chonghuan remained silent.

Ping Liaohou knocked on the table and concluded:
"Before September 10th, the army must gather in Jinzhou and cross the sea. Qingzhou Prefecture won't hold out for much longer. The White Lotus Sect is even more despicable than the Jiannu. If Xu Hongru takes over Shandong, our trade will be gone, and our good times will be over. Therefore, this time we must cooperate fully with the court and completely destroy the White Lotus demon."

(End of this chapter)