"Liaodong is rich in minerals. When Wu Qing was in Ji Liao, he led the army and the people to develop mining and smelting in exchange for food and wages. The same can be done in Liaodong. Fushun's coal, Anshan's iron..."
"The Jiannu are unlikely to become a force to be reckoned with and can be destroyed in a few years. However, the Mongol tribes cannot be underestimated. The horse market not only facilitates supply but also serves as a means of containment..."
"The Jiannu rebelled against the Ming and wreaked havoc in Liaodong. Although we were able to suppress them, if we fail to learn from their mistakes, war will sooner or later break out in the border areas. From the military system to the people's rule, all corruption in Liaodong must be reformed and eradicated..."
Although Northeast China is rich in mineral resources, based on the production and technological levels at the time, only coal and iron had been developed and were easy to continue operating.
Establishing a coal and iron complex and military factories in the Northeast will not only save the cost of transporting military supplies, but also provide a place for the people of Liaoning and retired officers and soldiers.
The Jiannu were able to run rampant during the Liaodong War because, firstly, the Ming army was already weak and demoralized, and secondly, the Liao people lacked organization. In other words, the Liao people had no power to resist.
The emperor's solution was simple: the army had already been revved up, and as for the people of Liaodong, he implemented universal conscription. This meant that all male citizens of military age had to serve for a certain number of years, creating a sense of universal conscription and a compulsory system.
Furthermore, retired officers and soldiers can return home with their weapons, register, and become reserve forces. If war breaks out, they can be called up and fight.
The emperor was not the first to do this. He drew on the experience of Prussia, which later became Germany.
Universal conscription ensured that Germany's military strength was always maintained at a relatively strong and efficient level, providing the German war machine with an inexhaustible supply of fuel and becoming an important backing for Germany's external expansion. During the First World War, Britain, France and other countries witnessed the military power of Germany under its universal conscription system.
The Ming Dynasty is no longer the same Ming Dynasty. In order to continue to grow its population, it must show its fangs and use weapons to fight and plunder in this world of jungle law.
Wu Yongxian was shocked. "Your Majesty, are you not afraid of rebellion?" Of course, if there's no civil unrest, the benefits are obvious. Hiding troops among the people also saves a lot of military pay.
In Zhu Youxiao's view, if the emperor was unjust and the people were in chaos, it was his own fault. Being overthrown by the people was what he deserved.
There is another point that Zhu Youxiao has not yet explained to Wu Yongxian.
That is to expand borders and cultivate land. The army does not have to be the main force, but can serve as an auxiliary. The people who have weapons will undoubtedly have greater confidence and courage to form groups to reclaim wasteland and compete with wild beasts and enemies for living space.
This idea and thought has been put into practice. The policy of the General Chamber of Maritime Merchants is to face Southeast Asia and encourage pioneers to take risks and strive for wealth.
It would take at least two or three years to rebuild Liaodong after the war, and then we could expand northwards. Therefore, there was no rush to tell Wu Yongxian.
Moreover, the governor of Liaodong was only temporary. Zhu Youxiao planned to divide Liaodong into two or three provinces after stabilizing it for a year or two, which later became Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning.
The division of Liaoning Province was relatively easy, but as for Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces, they still needed to expand borders and cultivate land, turning the former territories of the Nurgan Regional Administration and the areas of the Khorchin tribe of Mongolia into territories that were actually controlled by the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Majesty." Wu Yong listened to the emperor's story first, then took the opportunity while Zhu Youxiao drank water to bow and report: "Since the war in Liaodong, more than a million Liao people have entered the pass. After the Liaodong is pacified, if too many return home, I am afraid that the financial resources will not be enough."
"We need to resettle them in batches according to a plan." The emperor put down his teacup and said slowly, "For the people in Liaodong right now, we can provide some relief and support. Those returning home from the interior can do as they please. This must be made public. In the future, when recruiting people for settlement and reclamation, we will also ask Minister Wu to coordinate the planning, do what we can, and limit the number of people."
After a pause, the emperor continued, "Work-for-relief is a good idea. We should take this opportunity to build up Liaodong's infrastructure. Roads, water conservancy projects, and water transportation, which are crucial to people's livelihood, cannot be delayed. The court's finances can still support it. If the cost is too high, then Wu Qing will have to find a solution."
"The Governor's Office will be temporarily located in Liaoyang, and the Liaodong Military Region will be stationed in Shenyang." The emperor paused for a moment and said, "Shenyang Zhongwei has been renamed Shenyang Prefecture, and the prefect is Wu Zhiyu, whom you should know."
Wu Yongxian smiled and said, "Although I have never met him, I have heard of the name 'Wu Jing Street'."
Wu Zhiyu was a Jinshi in the second year of the Tianqi reign. He served as the magistrate of Shunde Prefecture in Zhili. He enforced the law with integrity and cracked down on the powerful. He was known as "Wu Jingjie".
The emperor also laughed and said, "He is upright but inflexible, compassionate to the people but harsh on the rich. This is a bit extreme. I have already told him that everything should be done according to the law, and right and wrong should not be judged by wealth or poverty."
"There is also Wang Yining, a former student from Liaodong, who is quite courageous and insightful. He serves under Master Yuan. Lord Wu can appoint him based on his talent. The Ministry of Personnel is currently deliberating on the selection of other officials, and Lord Wu can also recommend them."
Wu Yong first bowed in thanks, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Your Majesty, I wonder who the commander-in-chief of the Liaodong Military Region is, and how I can work with him and cooperate with him?"
The emperor shook his head and said, "I haven't decided on the final candidate yet. The military and political affairs will each be in charge of their own affairs. The responsibilities are clear, and there will be no difficulty in working together. There are dedicated people in charge of food, wages, and military discipline, and there will be dedicated people to supervise them. There is no need for Wu Qing to make things difficult."
I understand. Although it doesn't appear that the civil officials are controlling the military, and the governor is commanding the generals, the emperor has other arrangements and is definitely not leaving the military leaders alone.
Wu Yongxian stopped asking questions about this matter and then consulted the emperor on several unclear points, and received answers to all of them.
"Agriculture in Liaodong is of utmost importance. Mr. Wu will surely benefit greatly from visiting Xu Guangqi." The emperor showed some signs of fatigue, and finally reminded Wu Yongxian before ordering the palace ladies to award the rewards.
Wu Yongxian stood up and bowed to take his leave. If he had any further questions, he could just submit a memorial. The emperor's long summons to the court was like giving him personal instructions, which showed his trust and expectations for Wu Yongxian.
There are so many things to think about!
The emperor stroked his forehead gently. The separation of military and political power in Liaodong was a source of considerable worry. However, since Liaodong had recently recovered, the implementation of the new policy would face minimal resistance and difficulty. He could not delay it simply to save trouble.
The division of military regions was not an original idea. Although the names were different, the border towns of the Ming Dynasty were not much different from the military regions of later generations.
However, the emperor was still hesitant about the appointment of Mao Wenlong.
If he used generals he trusted more, such as Zhang Pan and He Kegang, they would lack the experience and prestige to lead the entire Liaodong army. Secondly, it would be seen as a case of abandoning the donkey after it has served its purpose, which might dishearten the soldiers.
The emperor frowned slightly and pondered for a while. He felt that it would be better to summon Mao Wenlong to Beijing after the Liao Dynasty was pacified, to remind him in person, or to give him a warning, to observe his performance, and then to appoint him.
Moreover, the emperor had already changed the original military system since the establishment of Dongjiang Town. Mao Wenlong was supervised and restricted, and did not have that much power, so there was no need to worry too much.
Liaodong's military and political systems need reform, and the imperial court also needs changes. It's time for the General Staff to become independent.
Thinking of this, the emperor smiled helplessly. These were all things that required him to plan carefully.
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