Could Xiong Tingbi's memorials, his correspondence with Wang Huazhen, and his relatively high evaluation of Mao Wenlong bridge the gap between the two, enabling them to unite sincerely and accomplish the great cause of pacifying the Liao and destroying the slaves?
Zhu Youxiao was not entirely sure about this, but he had a backup plan, which was the Jinyiwei stationed in the army.
I believe Mao Wenlong was also very clear that the emperor had very sharp spies. If he dared to act selfishly and disobey orders, the consequences would be very serious.
The emperor's emphasis on the great cause of pacifying the Liao Dynasty couldn't be more obvious. Having invested so much, if something went wrong at this crucial moment, who could withstand the emperor's wrath?
Transferring Yuan Keli to Liaodong was the most appropriate solution the emperor could make. How could Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong not know this, and how could they dare not let the emperor down?
After receiving the official imperial edict, Mao Wenlong finally got the secret edict brought by Chen Zhong. The contents of the edict were beyond Chen Zhong's knowledge, and only Mao Wenlong could decipher it with the code.
Mao Wenlong secretly rejoiced in his heart, knowing that he had passed the test.
If he had hesitated in his previous response, Chen Zhong would probably have issued an imperial decree requiring him to report to the capital, and he would have had nothing to do with the great battle to pacify the Liao and destroy the slaves, a battle that would go down in history.
After reading the secret decree, Mao Wenlong immediately wrote a reply.
Although the emperor was thousands of miles away and rarely commanded battles remotely, this did not prevent him from making suggestions and showing considerable interest in military affairs.
It's true that some of the suggestions are quite novel and feasible. Furthermore, regardless of whether the emperor is right or wrong, you must respond. Don't pretend you didn't see or hear them and ignore them!
Of course, if it's wrong, you should be more tactful and not just bluntly retort. The emperor doesn't care about face, or you are just tired of living.
According to the emperor's instructions, from now until the launch of the war, small battles will continue, and the Jiannu will not be left idle. As long as the Jiannu move, the speed of material consumption will definitely increase.
Mao Wenlong agreed with this and complimented him in his reply: "Your Excellency, Your ...
As for the emperor's mention of winning through firepower, and expanding the Liaodong Ming army's artillery by hundreds of pieces so as to defeat the Jiannu in the most winning way of fighting, Mao Wenlong grinned.
Too cautious. Isn't the Ming army's firepower strong enough now? If compared with the Jiannu, it would be absolutely suppressed.
Well, the emperor is willing to invest and spend money, so why are you finding fault with it?
Long live the wise! With this thunderous attack, the Jiannu will surely collapse and be vulnerable...
Mao Wenlong scratched his head, smiled bitterly, and continued writing his reply.
…………………….
The waves beat rhythmically against the side of the ship, turning it into a pile of broken jade, splashing up and returning to the sea. Yuan Keli stood on the deck, gazing into the distance.
The old servant Yuan Chang came over and put the cloak on the master of the house, and reminded him: "Master, the sea breeze is strong, be careful not to catch a cold."
Yuan Keli nodded slightly and asked, "You are old now. Can you still bear the rough seas?"
Yuan Chang smiled and said, "Master, I am a few years younger than you!"
Yuan Keli laughed heartily, turned his head to look at the old servant, and said, "Lian Po is old, can he still eat? You fellow, do you think I'm old?"
Yuan Chang shook his head repeatedly and said, "Master, you are in good health and can ride a horse or a boat. How can you be old? Even the great cause of pacifying Liao was dependent on you, Your Majesty!"
Yuan Keli shook his head slightly, his gaze returning to the distant sea and sky. He slowly said, "I have been on duty at sea, inspecting the army, and now I have been promoted. I know I am deeply favored by Your Majesty. The safety of the country and the concerns of Your Majesty, how dare I neglect you?"
After a pause, Yuan Keli added, "Don't talk about relying on others; it will only make you laugh. Liaodong today is home to a large concentration of elite troops and generals, with ample food and supplies. This is all thanks to Your Majesty's strategic planning. I am truly fortunate to be able to lead the army to pacify Liaodong."
Yuan Chang didn't know the specific situation in Liaodong, but he had only heard reports of victory in recent years and assumed that the Ming army had the upper hand. Now, after hearing what the master said, he was even more certain.
"Master, that means the pacification of Liao and the extermination of slavery will be completed soon?" Yuan Chang grinned, his beard curling up.
Yuan Keli smiled and said, "Although we have a great advantage, we must plan carefully to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
With a soft sigh, Yuan Keli said, "If this war, which has mobilized the whole nation, fails to succeed, even the Emperor will be disappointed and discouraged."
Yuan Keli, the emperor's tutor, was quite pleased with the emperor's success. He had to say that the emperor deserved the greatest credit for turning the tide in Liaodong over the past few years.
It is easy to say that we are mobilizing the whole country, but considering the imperial court’s finances a few years ago, how much money and grain could it provide, how many troops could it mobilize, and how much supplies could it transport?
But the emperor's age was there, and no one knew that Zhu Youxiao was the soul of a time traveler. Including Yuan Keli, everyone was somewhat worried that the emperor would not grow up.
If this decisive battle could not resolve the issue, the emperor might become disheartened and unable to recover. How many emperors have there been in history who were first wise and then foolish? Even if you counted their toes, they wouldn't be enough!
Therefore, Yuan Keli, a veteran of three dynasties, felt the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders.
There are only a few people in the whole court who are qualified and capable of leading the army to Liaodong. Sun Chengzong, the Minister of War, is one of them, and Yuan Keli is another.
As for the emperor, it was possible that he could lead the army in person. But it was only possible. If the emperor had the slightest intention of doing so, Yuan Keli would be the first to oppose it, and he would oppose it even at the cost of his life.
The Battle of Tumu, what a painful memory! Even though the Ming army now held a huge advantage, they dared not send the emperor to the battlefield. Not to mention stray arrows and flying locusts, even falling from a horse would have been a shattering event.
"Sir," Dengzhen General Zhang Keda stepped onto the deck, bowed, and said, "We'll be at Port Arthur in half an hour. Does your Excellency have any changes?"
Yuan Keli waved his hand and said, "Let's go ashore in Lushun. I will first check on the transportation and storage of supplies."
The Ming army had already occupied the coastal areas of southern Liaoning and Liaodong. There were many places where they could land after crossing the sea from Dengzhou.
But Lushun, as the largest port and the largest material transit point, is incomparable to other places.
Moreover, in Yuan Keli's battle plan, Liaonan will be the top priority. Attacking Liaoyang and taking Shenyang will be half the victory, and he can report to the emperor.
As for Jianzhou, a remote and impoverished place, even if the Jiannu retreated to their old nest, they would be like a candle in the wind, not even able to survive.
Considering the different official positions of Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong, there is nothing wrong with meeting Xiong Tingbi first.
Although Mao Wenlong was the commander-in-chief, he was always under the control of Yuan Keli, although Yuan Keli did not interfere much in military command.
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