Chapter 604: Exchange food for war horses, use everything

Shandong, Qingzhou Prefecture.

Zhang Zhun stood above Qingzhou City, holding up a thousand-mile mirror and carefully observing the road to the west.

From the west road, many people with family members came. They were all guided by some "gods" and moved to Laizhou Prefecture. As for whom the so-called "gods" were, they were naturally the backbone of the former incense smelling sect.

Dong Shuyan, with 500 backbone members of the Smelling Sect, was distributed in various areas in the southern part of northern Zhili. The organized spread of rumors really caused panic among many people. In the end, a considerable number of people chose to migrate.

As the Tartars crossed the Great Wall, various rumors and gossip became even more intense. In the past few days, northern Zhili, Shanxi, Shandong and other places began to have a large population migrating towards Laizhou Prefecture and Dengzhou City. The governments along the way were shocked by the news that the Tartars went south, so they naturally had no intention of paying attention to these refugees. Therefore, the migrant refugees continued to drive other refugees to migrate, and eventually they seemed to be snowballing, migrating to Laizhou Prefecture and other places.

Seeing the arrival of large groups of people, Zhang Zhun was still very moved. These people were the most pitiful people at the bottom. They were suffering from natural disasters and man-made disasters every day, and were living tenaciously with almost Xiaoqiang's perseverance. Without their own arrival, many of them would either be slaughtered by the Tartars, or become slaves of the Tartars, and eventually headed to another completely different world.

Zhou Yiming stood beside Zhang Zhun and whispered: "Sir, we have received more than 30,000 refugees in the past five days."

Zhang Zhun said confidently: "It should increase slowly."

Zhou Yiming said again: "These people who arrived first were settled in Laiyang and Qixia. The people who arrived in the future were ready to settle in Wendeng, Rongcheng and other places. The population there was too small and needed a lot of supplements."

Zhang Zhun said with satisfaction: "It's very good, we need to make a comprehensive plan. Since others are here, we must place them well and let them do their jobs as soon as possible. Some people have labor, labor has productivity, and productivity has combat effectiveness."

Zhou Yiming said with some concern: "Sir, will there be spies from Tartar among these refugees? The notice said that Huairou's city gate seemed to be opened by traitors. Rapes are constantly killed, what should we do?"

Zhang Zhun said confidently: "So what about spies with Tartars? Are you afraid that they will fail on the ground in Shandong? However, for safety reasons, all refugees are not allowed to stay within the Qingzhou Prefecture and must all move east of Laizhou Prefecture. If someone disobeys, some coercive measures can be taken."

Zhou Yiming nodded and said that he knew. Then, he seized the time to report to Zhang Zhun the relevant personnel arrangements of Qingzhou Prefecture. According to Zhang Zhun's estimate, the court must have sent troops to fight against the Tartars. The entire Shandong may not have fallen into his own hands so easily, but no matter what, Qingzhou Prefecture will definitely be controlled by itself. From now on, it is time to run Qingzhou Prefecture.

Most of the central part of Qingzhou Prefecture is mountainous, which is not conducive to agricultural production but is quite beneficial to the development of industry. Iron ore, sulfur, saltpeter and other urgently needed minerals can be found here. The northern and southern parts of Qingzhou Prefecture must continue to increase their efforts in development, reclaim more wasteland, and strive to produce more grain.

After the Tartars went south this time, the agricultural production in Northern Zhili would basically be destroyed. It would not be possible to return to the previous level without five years. Unless the Hu Ben Army took over and implemented the "Junior Field Order" to greatly stimulate the production enthusiasm of the majority of farmers. At the same time, a lot of manpower, material resources and financial resources are invested to renovate water conservancy facilities. Otherwise, based on the current situation, the agricultural production in Northern Zhili would only get worse and worse.

If there were no accidents, after the Hu Ben Army defeated the Tartars' third invasion, the Tartars should have no chance to invade. In other words, in the future, in the area controlled by the Hu Ben Army, the most important task is to develop production and enrich material supply. Laizhou Prefecture has taken the lead, Dengzhou Prefecture is catching up, and Qingzhou Prefecture must also work hard to catch up.

While speaking, Lu Yidian arrived and reported to Zhang Zhun: "Sir, Shandong Governor Zhu Dadian asked for a visit."

Zhou Yiming then said goodbye and left.

Zhang Zhun said to himself: "Please see? Did he use such words?"

Lu Yidian answered affirmatively: "Sir, the other party did say so."

Zhang Zhun nodded thoughtfully.

Zhu Dadian's attitude this time was very straightforward! It seems that there is something to ask for!

Zhu Dadian was indeed seeking a visit. When the Tatars went south, Zhu Dadian immediately realized that it was not good. The Ming army's troops in northern Zhili were too weak. As long as the Tatar cavalry bypassed the capital and headed south, they could completely penetrate into the ground in Shandong. In the severe winter, the Yellow River could not stop the Tatars' cavalry.

Northern Zhili was just robbed by the Tartars last year, and production and life have not yet recovered. This year, the Tartars came again and obviously could not grab more things. If the Tartars wanted to obtain more spoils, they had to continue to move south. Therefore, it was inevitable that Shandong would fall into war.

On the ground in Shandong, the only one who can fight against the Tartars is Zhang Zhun. No one else can expect. The Ming army in other provinces will only reinforce the capital and will never reinforce the Shandong. If you want to ensure the safety of Shandong, only the Shandong military and civilians will work hard on their own. In the words of the Hu Ben Army, it is self-reliance and full of food and clothing.

So, after thinking about it, Zhu Dadian decided to come to see Zhang Zhun in person. The military situation was in critical condition and he didn't want to pass other people's retelling. Although doing so would have greatly reduced his identity and he would not care about so much. If the Tartars really fought to Shandong, it would be unknown whether he could survive, and would he still care about these red tape?

"Please go to the living room of Hengwang Mansion."

Zhang Zhun said casually.

Lu Yidian agreed to go.

The Hu Ben Army drove into Qingzhou City to assist Song Degang in the deployment of defense. King Heng was afraid and ran to Jinan Prefecture to take refuge. The Heng Palace is now vacant for the time being, only the original servants were there. Zhang Zhun sought to borrow a visit. But he still lived in the Hu Ben Army's military camp at night. It was not because of the bad influence, but because he lived in the military camp and was absolutely safe.

The situation is quite special now. He has become the target of attention of all forces. In order to kill himself, others may do anything. Zhang Zhun will not easily make fun of his life. Of course, everything must be safe. If you make a beautiful assassin or something, it will be bad.

Shortly after Zhang Zhuan returned to Prince Heng's Mansion, Zhu Dadian arrived.

Zhu Dadian looked a little haggard, and he walked in a hurry. He bowed his hand to politely and said in an obscure tone: "Governor, the lower lord is polite."

A civil servant of the second rank who saluted to a military officer of the first rank was definitely awesome during the Chongzhen period. If someone else had changed, even a civil servant of the fifth rank would not have to saluted to a military officer of the first rank. This was indeed very uncomfortable for Zhu Dadian. However, if he had to ask for it, he had to do so.

Zhang Zhun nodded as a gift, and then said calmly: "Mr. Zhu came from afar, what can I do to see?"

Zhu Dadian looked tumbling and handed a document to Zhang Zhun.

After seeing it, Zhang Zhu said calmly: "Deploy the defense of Dezhou... Does Lord Zhu have so many troops in his hands?"

This document was sent to Zhu Dadian by the Ministry of War, saying that the Tartars might go directly to Shandong to carry out looting, and asked Zhu Dadian to draw troops from various parts of Shandong and focus on defense in Dezhou. Zhu Dadian felt that this strategy was uncertain, so he came to Zhang Zhun. Subconsciously, he felt that Zhang Zhun was authoritative in military command, and he must be right to listen to his opinions more.

Last time he predicted that Li Zicheng would attack Fengyang, defeat the Tartars in Huangxian, and predicted that the Tartars would go south in advance. All of this made Zhu Dadian very believe in Zhang Zhun. He hurried to Qingzhou City to listen to Zhang Zhun's suggestions. Of course, this belief would not be revealed. After all, the camps of the two people were different.

Zhu Dadian said obscurely: "The Ministry of War means Dezhou as the main and Jinan as the auxiliary."

Zhang Zhun said coldly: "What if the Tartars bypass Dezhou and go straight to Jinan Prefecture?"

Zhu Dadian could only sigh helplessly and said obscurely: "I don't know what to do. I can't lose Dezhou and Jinan, but I have to make a choice."

In fact, the Tartars bypassed Dezhou and rushed directly to Jinan Prefecture was what he was most worried about. The status of Jinan Prefecture is more important than Dezhou in any case. There is a royal palace here, two princes, and any princes will have any problems, and he will be scouted and beheaded. Jinan City also has a complete set of administrative agencies in Shandong. Shandong's political, economic and cultural centers are all in Jinan City.

The Tatars heading south were all cavalry units, with strong mobility. A small Texas could not stop their way forward. Both sides of the Yellow River were actually flat. As long as the Tartars bypassed Dezhou, they could directly attack Jinan Prefecture. If Zhu Dadian had made his own choice, he would of course choose to focus on guarding Jinan Prefecture and give up Texas for the time being.

The problem is that Dezhou is a key channel for the canal transport. All the money and grain from Jiangnan must be transported in Dezhou. If the canal transport is cut off, the supply of money and grain from the capital will definitely be bad. The order from the Ministry of War is obviously aimed at the safety of the canal transport. Bypassing the canal transport, the safety of the capital will be in danger.

If Zhu Dadian insists on guarding Jinan Prefecture, it may be strategically correct but politically fatal. If he does not act according to the orders of the Ministry of War, the court will definitely hold him accountable. If this responsibility is held accountable, it will be a big problem. With Chongzhen's character, it is very possible that Zhu Dadian's head will be put into the ground.

Zhang Zhun looked at Zhu Dadian meaningfully and said slowly: "You came to me for this reason?"

Zhu Dadian said sincerely: "I would like to ask the Governor for advice."

Zhang Zhun said casually: "Give up Dezhou and stick to Jinan."

Zhu Dadian said helplessly: "That means disobeying."

Zhang Zhun smiled coldly and said disdainfully: "You are going to act according to the orders of the Ministry of War."

Zhu Dadian had to say bitterly: "Governor, the lower-ranking officials are here to ask for advice humbly. Please ask the Governor to give me a way out."

Zhang Zhun threw away the official documents casually and said coldly: "The Tartars are all cavalry, and they act like the wind. With the combat effectiveness of your army, the only thing they can rely on is the strong city. Just like on the front line of Jinzhou, relying on solid city walls and fortifications and artillery fire to resist the Tartars' attacks. If you want to fight against the Tartars, you don't think about it at all."

Zhu Dadian said obscenely: "There are still some urban defense fortifications in Dezhou. If it is reinforced, it should be able to resist."

Zhang Zhun said coldly: "The question is, where is your troops?"

Zhu Dadian was speechless.

At present, there are still 30,000 to 40,000 Ming troops in Shandong, which seem to be quite large, but in fact, it is very thin after being divided. Especially, more than 10,000 people are needed to station Yanzhou Prefecture to protect the safety of the Lu Palace. Compared with the two princes of King De and King Heng, the status of King Lu is more important. The key points of the canal transportation on both sides of the canal, such as Linqing, Jining, Dongping, Liaocheng, etc., all require troops to be stationed. In the end, Dezhou and Jinan Prefecture are obviously difficult to take into account. If there are only about 10,000 defenders in each city, they will not be able to withstand the strong attack of the Tartars.

Zhang Zhun said slowly: "My suggestion is to concentrate the population in the big city and then defend the city to the death. If no one is left in the small city, just leave it to the Tartars. As for the canal transportation, give up temporarily. When the Taurus troops arrive, will the canal transportation yamen dare to transport grain? I don't think they dare. If they defend Jinan City, they can still wait for an opportunity to counterattack Dezhou. If Jinan City is lost, Dezhou will definitely not be able to defend it."

Zhu Dadian frowned and said, "If this is the case, wouldn't we have to give up many towns?"

Zhang Zhun said coldly: "Even if you don't give up, you will eventually be captured by the Tartars. It seems that if the Tartars attack the Tartars, if the Tartars attack, can the local defenders block it? Miyun and Huairou and other important border towns cannot stop the Tartars' attack, let alone these counties in the mainland? Since they cannot be stopped, it will eventually be the result of the city being destroyed."

Zhu Dadian said obscurely: "In this way, wouldn't there be a million people who need to retreat?"

Zhang Zhun said without hesitation: "Do you hope these people can escape the disaster, or do you hope they are stolen by the Tartars?"

Although Zhu Dadian is not a good official, this multiple-choice question does not need to be considered. He said without thinking: "Of course I have avoided a disaster."

Zhang Zhun spread his hands and said coldly: "Isn't this going to end? As long as you inform all the locals that the Tartars are coming, the people from all over the world will find ways to concentrate in big cities, and you don't need any effort. As for food and food, you can't have no reserves at all."

Zhu Dadian said honestly: "There is one, not much."

Zhang Zhun said sternly: "During the war, the supply of food must be extremely tight. Food is a very critical weapon. After the population migration, I suggest that the Tartars cannot get an effective food supply on the territory of Shandong. It is best to make the Tartars unable to eat enough, live in warmth, sleep at night, and be exhausted."

Zhu Dadian said in embarrassment: "It is difficult to achieve complete solid walls and clear the fields."

Zhang Zhun said firmly: "No matter how difficult it is, we must do it. As long as it is something that can make the Tartars unhappy, we must do it. On the contrary, we should not do anything that may make the Tartars happy."

Zhu Dadian pondered for a moment and said expectantly: "Can you support me with 50,000 shi of grain?"

Zhang Zhun said readily: "Yes, you give me two thousand war horses."

Zhu Dadian subconsciously shook his head and said, "Impossible."

Zhang Zhun glanced at him and said coldly: "I know you have two thousand war horses on your hand, which were transported from Beizhili to Shandong last month. You re-established the cavalry camp. But I ask you, your cavalry camp really dares to go out of the city to fight the Tartars? Since you don't dare to go out of the city, what's the purpose of your cavalry camp? What I lack the most now is war horses, and what you lack the most is food, so why don't you exchange it?"

Zhu Dadian didn't expect that his foundation would be seen through by Zhang Zhun again, and his face was really weird. He finally formed the cavalry camp. He happened to transport two thousand war horses from Shanxi, and had not yet formed combat power. This matter was originally very confidential, but Zhang Zhun knew about it again. In fact, when his war horses were transported from North Zhili to Shandong, Zhang Zhun knew. The people of the Scented Sect were not those who were eating.

50,000 stones of grain, the market price is more than 60,000 taels of silver. Two thousand war horses, calculated at twenty taels of silver per horse, that is, forty thousand taels of silver. In comparison, he took a little advantage. However, he still felt very awkward. I bought these war horses and used by myself. Why were they snatched away by you, Zhang Zhun, not yet warmed up in my hands? What did I become a magistrate? Is the horse dealer?

Zhang Zhunyu said earnestly: "It's all for everything! Governor! Your Jinan Prefecture needs to be kept. It's probably a bit difficult without the cooperation of our army! This way, if the Tartars attack Jinan Prefecture, I promise to send cavalry to harass the Tartars' flanks, what do you think?"

Zhu Dadian said helplessly: "Add another 50,000 stones of food."

Zhang Zhun shook his head without hesitation.

Zhu Dadian gritted his teeth and said, "I will find a way to get you two thousand Mongolian war horses in the future."

Zhang Zhun stared at Zhu Dadian for a moment, finally nodded gently, and said slowly: "Governor, you have to keep your word."

Zhu Dadian was obviously relieved and said swearingly: "With your ability, if I ruin my promise, it will not be difficult for you to kill me, right?"

Zhang Zhun nodded thoughtfully and said slowly: "This is! OK! I will give you another 50,000 stones of food!"

Zhu Dadian then breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said goodbye and left in a hurry. Since the two of them had discussed it properly, the specific operational matters would naturally be busy. The exchange of war horses and grain should be completed within more than ten days.

"Walk!"

"Let's go to Hejian Mansion!"

After Zhu Dadian said goodbye and left, Zhang Zhun immediately turned over and set off for Hejian Mansion.
Chapter completed!