Mobilization for the attack on Huguang has begun. In order to boost morale, the army also shouted various slogans. For example, "If we hit Huguang, we will eat pigs and sheep." "If we hit Huguang, we will rob money and food."

It is very down-to-earth and very affordable. For ordinary soldiers, it is indeed very exciting and exciting.

But for the Huguang prisoners who joined the Ming army, what they hoped more was to "fight back to Huguang to pick up their parents."

After Hu Daxiong finished training, he returned to the barracks, tidied up briefly, and then rushed to eat.

From a prisoner to an auxiliary soldier, and then to a supervisor, Hu Daxiong was quite satisfied with being able to have enough to eat.

Now that he was promoted to a soldier, to be honest, Hu Daxiong didn't feel very happy. But after learning about the preferential policies for soldiers and military family members, he couldn't help but be tempted.

One hundred acres of land still only pays 10% tax, which is equivalent to 90 acres owned by the family. Thinking of the few acres of thin farmland at home and the poverty at home, Hu Daxiong became eager.

"I wonder if this time when we fight against Huguang, we can pass through my hometown and pick up my family members." Hu Daxiong didn't have the good appetite as before, and he was a little distracted.

Speaking of which, the food in the army is just that. The food is enough to keep you satisfied, but the dishes and non-staple food have always been very monotonous.

Because this has always been the standard, the armies of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were almost the same, and the soldiers were not dissatisfied.

But since moving to eastern Sichuan, the food of the Ming army has continued to improve.

After three to five days, you can get some fish, mostly fish caught by the navy. A large number of small boats were used as loans and sold to the common people, and the development of the fishery began.

After the last battle in Guangyuan, the soldiers even ate pickled horse meat. Hu Daxiong still remembers the aroma of the cooked meat and the taste in his mouth.

The military's logistics department has already begun to raise chickens and sheep, and it is estimated that by the Chinese New Year, they will be able to slaughter and eat meat.

"Huguang is rich, and there are plenty of pigs and sheep. This time we will satisfy our hunger." The soldiers at the table next to them were talking excitedly, "Last time in Boryeong, I tasted a lot of delicious food."

"It's the same this time. Robbery is strictly prohibited, and you will be beheaded. If you want to eat pigs and sheep, your Highness can buy them for us with money."

"His Royal Highness is sure to be invincible in the battle. When we were in Zhaohua, I saw that His Highness just pointed a knife and the city wall was blown open."

"When you were in Wushan, Your Highness had to practice the magic altar! I didn't expect that the thunder spell would become powerful again so soon."

Hu Daxiong smiled and wanted to tell his comrades that Huguang is not that wealthy, and ordinary people's lives are also miserable.

At this time, the military clerk appeared in the banquet shed and announced loudly: "If you have family members from Huguang who want to come to eastern Sichuan, please come to me to register after dinner. During this expedition, the army will try to stay as long as possible to help you pick up your family."

Come."

Hu Daxiong's eyes widened immediately, and he almost got up in a hurry to register. Finally suppressing the surprise in his heart, he wolfed down his food and wanted to rush there as soon as possible.

………………

With three days left before the launch, Huang Li returned to Chongqing again and held a military meeting in the Governor's Mansion to make final arrangements.

"After expansion, our army now has fifteen battalions of troops, and two more battalions of chieftains have not yet been assembled. The navy dispatched three fleets, with a total of more than 600 ships, and the sailors and civilians recruited 6,000."

Because of the advantages of naval transportation, it is no better than traveling on land, which greatly saves auxiliary troops and reduces the consumption of food and supplies.

Liu Tichun glanced at Huang Li and continued to report: "There is no need to worry about the upper reaches of the Jialing River for the time being. The Jialing River fleet remains behind and there are two more battalions, which is enough to ensure the safety of eastern Sichuan."

Huang Li pondered for a moment and said: "It is better to follow the original plan and leave three battalions to guard the home. Huguang is empty, and the twelve battalions are enough."

Turning to Prince Guangxing of the Kingdom of Jing, Huang Li smiled and said, "Duke of the Kingdom of Jing will be the one to thank for this expedition."

Duke Guangxing of the Kingdom of Jing hurriedly bowed slightly and said: "Being able to fight with His Highness is something that Your Highness values ​​highly and it is also an honor for the general."

Huang Li smiled and nodded, and said: "The Duke of Jing, the Marquis of Yangcheng, and the Marquis of Yidu are also participating in the battle this time, as well as Duke Lin and Duke Yi of Maolu Mountain."

"The combat time is expected to be about two months, which does not include the time when a large number of people may migrate. In order not to delay the operation to assist Shuixi, transfer stations will be set up in Badong and Wushan, and a main force will also return to eastern Sichuan first.

”

If it weren't for Shuixi's action, Huang Li would have planned to fight against it in Huguang for three or four months, completely destroying the local rule of the Qing court and plundering more people and materials.

Now the time is shortened to two months, and it may be even less. The finishing work can only be completed by part of the army and navy. The main force will return early and attack Zunyi via Qijiang and Tongzi.

"After the two mountain camps of soldiers were gathered together, they rushed to Qijiang first, transported and stocked up grain and grass supplies, and prepared to march to Guizhou."

Huang Li pondered for a moment and then added: "Mobilize the people and make more dry food. It will be easier for the army to carry and reduce the logistical burden."

Ancient field military rations included big cakes, pot helmets, sesame cakes, etc. In the Ming Dynasty, there were also convenience foods that steamed rice and then dried it, which could be soaked in water and eaten.

Huang Lize also added fried noodles, fried rice and noodles to the army, making the military rations more abundant.

Several battles had the advantage of boats, and even military rations were not needed. But if we want to march to the west of Shui River, the journey is long and dangerous, so military rations are indispensable.

Dang Shousu took the initiative to ask for the imperial tassel and said: "Don't worry, Your Highness, the general will go to Qijiang to garrison, train soldiers, and reserve food. We will go straight to Shuixi just after the army returns to the division."

Huang Li nodded in appreciation, smiled and praised a few words, and then continued to make arrangements, "If the siege of Maolu Mountain can be solved as soon as possible, I will ask Lin Guo Gong or Yi Guo Gong to lead 20,000 troops back to eastern Sichuan, right at Qijiang

Stationed. In this case, there is no need for the troops to attack Huguang to return to the division to rest and recuperate, and they can march to Shuixi as soon as possible."

This is probably the best way. The troops are fighting continuously. According to the nutrition level in ancient times, it is indeed difficult to quickly replenish physical strength.

If we can fight in Huguang for a longer time, we will naturally gain more, whether it is materials or population.

If everything goes well, Huang Li can lead part of the army to return early and lead the troops waiting at home to start the operation.

"Perhaps there is no need to be too hasty." Liu Tichun suggested cautiously: "With the presence of Lin Guogong's men, some Qing troops can be restrained, preventing the entire army from withdrawing from the siege and returning to Huguang to aid."

Wang Guangxing was also concerned about the tens of thousands of Qing troops besieging Maolu Mountain, and said: "If our army attacks from inside and outside, first defeat these tens of thousands of Qing troops, and there will be no strong opponents across Huguang."

Huang Li shook his head and said: "Including the troops from Maolu Mountain, our army's strength is similar to that of the Qing army. Even if we can defeat the enemy, the losses will be quite heavy."

"The attack on Huguang is not only to relieve the siege of friendly forces, but more importantly, to plunder the population and materials, to destroy the Qing rule in Huguang, and to make it impossible to pay taxes to the Qing government in a short period of time."

"Using the advantage of the navy, our army can attack cities and villages along the river. The Qing army will retreat and pursue them, but the speed will be slower than our army and it will be difficult to catch up."

"As long as the enemy moves, it is easy to reveal flaws. Our army can wear down the enemy or lay an ambush to strike, but we are not necessarily forced to destroy many enemies. This deviates from the main purpose of the attack on Huguang."

If given the chance, Huang Li would like to severely injure or annihilate the Eight Banners soldiers again. Such a shock is the most powerful and sensational.

It not only boosts the mood of the heroes or people who are willing to fight against the Qing Dynasty, but also helps to eliminate the fear of the Eight Banners soldiers among the Green Camp officers and soldiers, laying the groundwork for future counterattacks.

Liu Tichun and others exchanged glances with helpless expressions.

This third prince often talks nicely, but often does unexpected things. Just like the Eight Banners soldiers who annihilated Guangyuan, this also deviated from the battle plan and was not the main purpose of the attack on northern Sichuan.

The military discussion lasted for a long time, and finally the entire battle plan was finalized.

Huang Li decided to stay one night in Chongqing and take a boat to Wushan tomorrow, where the navy and participating troops were gathered.

When he came to Chongqing, Huang Li couldn't take any time off. The Government Affairs Office of the Prime Minister invited him to come over again to listen to the report and guide the work.

Proposals such as the elimination of lowly status and the abolition of torture were all approved and implemented by officials. Huang Li felt that it was a great honor and was embarrassed not to go.

Mao Shoudeng, Hong Yuao, Jiang Shangying, Zhang Gongjie and other officials respectfully welcomed Huang Li into the meeting hall. What made Huang Li feel comfortable was that the decoration of the meeting hall was similar to that of the Governor's Mansion.

After sitting down and chatting for a while, we got down to business, with Mao Shoudeng making the main report and asking for instructions.

"Immigration has been arranged one after another to Jiangjin, Yongchuan, and Rongchang. Next is Zixian (Neijiang) to the west, or Luzhou to the south. Please give your instructions."

Huang Li thought for a while and said: "If there are no practical difficulties, developing westward is the strategic direction. After all, Chengdu is our backup base."

After a pause, he added: "Zixian can grow sugar cane, which is also what I value."

In later generations, Neijiang was known as the "Sweet Capital of China".

It is said that there were records of planting sugar cane in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. By the middle and late Qing Dynasty, it was also known as the three largest sugar industry bases in the country along with Fujian and Taiwan, and its output accounted for almost half of the country's total.

Not only Neijiang, but also Leshan, Jianyang, Zizhong, Ziyang and other places are also suitable places for sugarcane cultivation.

Sugar is a strategic material and a hard currency during war, although no one knew its importance at the time.

Sugar can increase the power of explosives and quickly provide heat to the human body. Huang Li has been thinking about these two points for a long time.

According to the intelligence gathered and the confessions of prisoners in Huguang, sugar cane seems to be grown in Yiyang and Changde, west of Dongting Lake in Hunan.

Therefore, this attack on Huguang to obtain sugarcane seeds and grab experienced sugarcane farmers is also one of the tasks.
Chapter completed!