Seiwa

Chapter 169 Family Dinner

Fifty thousand frontier troops went south to attack Annan under the order, which was a first-class event for the imperial court.

The northern frontier army is dominated by cavalry, who are good at using bows, crossbows and long knives.

Most of the infantry carried strong bows, long spears, firecrackers, waist knives, and arrayed with swords and shields.

Wuliangha and Tatar cavalry are good at using sabers, and the elite selected from the frontier army are fond of standard long swords and long spears with iron spikes.

The body of the gun was filled with molten iron and copper, and the knife cut it continuously, making it extremely strong.The tip of the gun is longer and thicker, with dozens of iron thorns of different lengths and wooden thorns brushed with tung oil, which are terrifyingly sharp.

In the process of making long spears, craftsmen combined the characteristics of mace and mace to create a variant version of long spears unique to the frontier army.Its power has been verified in the battle with the Tatar cavalry. When encountering the enemy, they charge each other head-on.

Some military craftsmen used their brains and thought that the results of such battles were not enough, so they created the ultimate version of the mutant spear. Not only did the gun have iron thorns and wooden thorns, but also several barbs were added. Experience, you can imagine what it would be like to be poked.

The frontier army gave a very apt description, "iron plow".After being circulated in the army several times, it evolved into "iron skinning".

Hearing the name alone, he was already domineering, but seeing the real thing, he was even more bloody.

In a word, once the iron skin comes out, who will fight for the front.

Eunuch Bai of the Military War Bureau was very satisfied. He stroked his beardless chin and nodded again and again, good, good!

The purpose of our family to take over the Bingzhan Bureau is to lead everyone to innovate and produce high-level, cross-generational, and surprisingly lethal weapons, which will severely crush the Nanjing Bingzhan Bureau and the Military Weapons Bureau.Now that I have finally made an achievement, I should ask the court for credit!

The credit is not small, and the problems follow.In the continuous improvement of the craftsmen, the power of the variant version of the spear has increased, and its weight has also reached a new level. Even the strongest Uliangha cavalry, holding such a weapon, cannot freely swing it on horseback.

A rush, a pick, with the inertia, stand up.

Ten charges, nine times you will fall under the horse's back.

Eunuch Bai couldn't think of a way to repay it, but he was unwilling to give up these magical weapons. When Shen Xuan learned about it, he went directly to the Military War Bureau and took away all the finished products in the warehouse.

"No cavalry, infantry should be of great use."

A team of 50 Daning and Beijing infantry practiced a new formation before going south. That is, iron pawskins were used to open the way, with spears and sword shields on both sides. .Every [-] to [-] people are in a team, led by the general banner, and the two teams form a formation, and a hundred households give orders.Then formed a formation of five hundred households, a formation of a thousand households, and even tens of millions.

The formation of the new formation is mostly the army of hundreds of battles, either dispersed or formed as a whole, and there is already a tacit understanding during the march.

"Master Ding is a great talent!"

After watching the small-scale drill, the frontier generals such as Daning Kaiping Xuanfu who went south with Shen Xuan gave their thumbs up one after another.In terms of military strategy and formation of troops, looking at northern Xinjiang, only Wei Guogong can match Dingguogong, slightly higher.Even Song Sheng, the commander-in-chief of Gansu and He Fu, the commander-in-chief of Ningxia, would be willing to bow down.

Shen Xuan ordered the army to rush all the way, bypassing the farmland and camping in the suburbs.Unless you have to, you can't stop passing the post station, and you can't enter the Lincheng Pool.

Being able to go south so quickly, apart from the superior physique of the frontier army, it mostly relied on the abundant grain production in the towns in northern Xinjiang, and the troops carried ample grain and grass.Although it is not enough to support [-] to reach the border, it is full of money, and it is no problem to eat in Nanjing.

"Passing through Jinan tomorrow, order the battalions not to disturb the people, not to trample on the farmland, and those who violate the military order will be dealt with!"

"Follow the order!"

The commander-in-chief's order quickly spread to the entire army. Shen Xuan's purpose was very clear. He rushed to Nanjing as quickly as possible, joined several armies mobilized by the imperial court, received food and grass, and swore to go south.

Compiling and training the new battle formation is also a complete preparation for the conquest of Annan.

There are many desert grasslands in northern Xinjiang, which are endless and empty, and are most suitable for cavalry charges.The forests in the southwest are lush, it is rainy and miasma, cavalry may not be able to use it well, firecrackers and infantry will be of great use.

Once it invades Annan territory, all aspects that need to be considered must be planned in advance.

Unfolding Meng Qinghe's letter, caressing the private seal at the end of the letter, her thin lips curved slightly, a smile line suddenly appeared, and then disappeared without a trace.

In the middle of June in the fourth year of Yongle, various armies mobilized by the imperial court gathered in Nanjing, and Shen Xuan arrived halfway.After the [-] frontier army crossed the river, they were stationed outside the city together with the Daning frontier army.

The frontier army is strong, majestic, and prohibitive, no less than the time of Jingnan.

When Shen Xuan entered the city, he went to the Mansion of the Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies to sign and seal, proving that there were not a few of the [-] frontier troops, and all of them had come.

Leaving the Governor's Mansion on the front foot, he met someone from the palace on the back foot.Hou Xian smiled and bowed, and said, "Master, Your Majesty has summoned you."

Shen Xuan arranged all the affairs of the barracks, changed his armor, and entered the palace with Hou Xian.

After the dismissal, Zhu Di mostly worked in Xinuange, and today is no exception.

The servant informed that Shen Xuan stepped into the West Nuan Pavilion, before bowing down, Emperor Yong Le walked up to him in a few strides, held his arm, and said: "Xuan'er, I haven't seen you for a few months, how is your journey?"

Don't think that when the iron-blooded emperor has no warmth, Zhu Laosi is a real tiger father. He whips his son to teach him that he is never merciless, but after a long time no see, he will miss his child like an ordinary parent.

For this point, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui both envied Shen Xuan very much.Before Emperor Yongle formally robbed his son with his righteous brother, to the Zhu Gaoxu brothers, Shen Xuan was the legendary "other people's child", and he was always hitting their crystal hearts.

Both brothers felt incredible that they could get along with Shen Xuan like this.It's as miraculous as Zhu Gaochi's not being beaten by his father so much that he wants to take revenge on the society.

Sure enough, as Uncle Xingning said, the world is really wonderful?

"Return to Your Majesty, the minister is fortunate to live up to his mission, and fifty thousand frontier troops are camping outside the city."

"it is good!"

Zhu Di laughed loudly, patted Shen Xuan on the shoulder vigorously, and said, "You are worthy of being my unicorn!"

Add the word "righteousness" in front, and he is also my son!

This is the character of the king crab, so you can't accept it.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhu Di sat down.

Shen Xuan said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it's against the rules."

"I'm the rule." Zhu Di waved his hand, "Sit down, let's talk to father and son. Hou Xian, the pancakes that came in yesterday were good, so I'll bring some more. You haven't eaten yet, let's make a cushion first, and go to Kunning later I had dinner with the palace. Gao Sui was clamoring to go out together, and I wanted him to return to Kaiyuan as soon as possible, so I have a headache."

"His Royal Highness King Zhao intends to go out with the army?"

"I'm also embarrassed, and I don't want to spoil him." Zhu Di shook his head, "Come on, let's discuss this matter later. I heard that you have developed a new battle formation, using infantry as your battalion?"

"Return to Your Majesty, that's right."

Shen Xuan got up, took out the written military training atlas, and presented it to Zhu Di.

It was a thin booklet, only ten pages, but Zhu Di read it for a long time.Hou Xian led someone to bring refreshments, but he still didn't lift his head.

Hou Xian knew the trick, and without making a sound, he waved his hands behind him twice, and the eunuchs and palace servants who followed him immediately retreated, leaving only the right monarchs and ministers in the Xinuang Pavilion.

After a long time, Zhu Di turned over the last page, closed the military training booklet, breathed a sigh of relief, picked up another thicker booklet from the imperial case, and handed it to Shen Xuan, "Let's have a look."

"Yes."

Shen Xuan took it, only looked at a few words on the cover, his pupils shrank, and recognized Meng Qinghe's handwriting, he didn't say anything, but read page by page.

Artillery, firecrackers, cavalry, drill formation, every word and sentence, are all written by Meng Qinghe.It was Emperor Yong Le who added infantry and crossbowmen after the musketeers.

Emperor Yong Le's cursive script is unique, very wild, but fortunately Shen Xuan has studied and studied his calligraphy since he was a child, it seems effortless.

From the beginning to the end, the words, sentences and layout diagrams in the booklet have been clearly imprinted in my mind, and I quickly found a few omissions, which can be corrected or not.Or it should evolve after confronting the enemy.

"Xuan'er thinks, how about training soldiers according to this book?"

"Nature is great."

"That's what I mean too." Zhu Di seemed to have expected Shen Xuan's answer, and said with a smile, "I have ordered those who are proficient in using firearms in the army to set up a battalion to compile and practice this method of warfare, which is the Shenji battalion."

"Your Majesty Shengming."

"The Battle of Annan is imminent." Zhu Di tapped his fingers, and slowly put away the smile on his face, "The Shenji Battalion is still in its infancy, and it is not appropriate to go to battle. I want to transfer three hundred artillery pieces and five thousand firecrackers. In your army, use it in battle."

The Shenji Battalion has not yet formally formed an army, and the formed army has no time to practice. If you want Annan to go to practice in actual combat, I'm afraid it won't work.However, it is not a big problem to train a group of artillery and musketeers through the battlefield.

The meaning of Zhu Di's words was very clear, and the purpose was very clear, Shen Xuan naturally would not object.

The three hundred cannons must not be bulky old cannons, not Francophones, but also tiger squats.

The firecracker is not known for the time being, but it is of course good if it is a bird blunderbuss. It doesn't matter if it is a fire stick.

A long gun can be converted into a mace, what else is impossible?

Shen Xuan clasped his fists, "I obey the order."

Zhu Di was very happy and asked about many matters in the north one after another.Hearing that the Tatars had invaded the country in the spring, he snorted coldly and dealt with Annan first, and when he was free, he would go to the grassland to meet his old friends in person.

Courtesy is reciprocal, there must always be reciprocity.Just come and go, not in line with Zhu Di's style.

"Is Xuanfu okay?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, when I set off, His Royal Highness the King of Han was leading troops to patrol the border north. The spring farming has been completed in various places, and the guards and passes in the frontier fortresses have been deployed for defense. The beacons are connected, the bunkers are strong, and the villages echo. "

Emperor Yong Le stroked his beard and nodded, "Gao Xu has also improved."

After discussing the business, Emperor Yong Le got up and took Shen Xuan to Kunning Palace to hold a family banquet.

King Ping and Princess Heping, who were in Beijing, came to Kunning Palace early, Princess Zhao was still in Kaiyuan, Zhu Gaosui had no side concubine, and sat alone in the hall, talking to Empress Xu.

Under Zhu Gaosui's head, it was Meng Qinghe who was announced temporarily.Wearing an imperial unicorn suit and a jade belt around her waist, she is a little thinner than when she entered Beijing, but she is in good spirits.

"My queen, my son had a delicious meal at Uncle Xingning's mansion. It was very good. I have told Wang Ying to take the list to the imperial dining room. My queen will definitely like it."

Empress Xu smiled kindly, "My son is attentive." Then she smiled at Meng Qinghe, "Uncle Xingning is also very good."

Meng Qinghe laughed dryly, his hands and feet were a little stiff.

What's the matter with this kind of feeling of a son-in-law facing his mother-in-law?

Zhu Gaochi smiled honestly, and Princess Ping had a gentle demeanor, and when she spoke occasionally, it could make Empress Xu show off her face.

The emperor's grandson Zhu Zhanji was very curious about Meng Qinghe. If Princess Ping hadn't pulled him over, he might have sat beside Meng Qinghe and asked questions.

Even so, Princess Ping was still a little embarrassed, and said softly: "Bo Xingning must take offense."

strange?

Meng Qinghe frowned, did he offend Princess Ping?Otherwise, why did you give him eye drops in front of the queen?

The eldest grandson of the emperor just asked him a few questions out of curiosity, it was nothing at all, it seemed that he was impatient when Princess Jingping said this.It's the same as dealing with it out of face.

Who doesn't know that Emperor Yongle and Empress Xu like this big fat grandson in front of her, and she is impatient with Zhu Zhanji, he is not so bold yet.

"Sister-in-law Wang's words are out of character." Meng Qinghe didn't say anything, Zhu Gaosui took the initiative to help him out, "Uncle Xingning is his own family, and his personality is also good. Xiao Wang went to the uncle's residence every day to ask for advice, and he didn't mind. See Uncle Xing Ning kicked Xiao Wang out. My nephew just asked a few words, so why not take offense."

Princess Ping smiled, she didn't say she was wrong, and she didn't continue to pursue this matter.Zhu Gaosui is her serious uncle, so naturally he can't say some things.

With Empress Xu on the side, Zhu Gaosui naturally wouldn't go too far.With a grin, he waved to Zhu Zhanji and said, "Nephew, come here, third uncle knows what you asked."

Zhu Zhanji first glanced sideways at Zhu Gaochi, and seeing his father nodding, he happily walked to Zhu Gaosui's side, "Is what Uncle Wang said true?"

"Naturally." Facing a face similar to his own, Zhu Gaosui's smile was a little more sincere, "Not only I know about the overseas survivors, but your father and king also know. The envoys sent by the West live in Huitong In the hall, Sanfoqi knows, right? The king there is originally a subject of my court.”

"My nephew knows about this matter." Zhu Zhanji nodded and continued to ask, "Is it true that the former Song Dynasty adherents have sweet potatoes and corn in the ocean?"

"Of course it's true." Zhu Gaosui was very sure, "Otherwise, if you ask Uncle Xingning, he has seen that old man with his own eyes, and even talked to that old man."

"The old man who Uncle Wang said he wanted to erect a monument for?"

"Exactly."

Zhu Gaosui tossed the topic, Meng Qinghe thought for a moment, organized the vocabulary, and explained the distant continent at the other end of the ocean for the young man who was full of curiosity.

Red-skinned barbarian people, high-yielding food, and various wonderful animals, introduced Perfect Continent. Seeing that Zhu Zhanji still had a lot to say, he simply mentioned Australia.

The kangaroo who likes boxing, the chubby koala, and the mysterious indigenous people, not only Zhu Zhanji's eyes widened, but other people in the hall were also fascinated by it.

"Uncle Xingning, is there really such a magical place?"

"Naturally." Meng Qinghe added emphatically, "As long as my fleet can continue sailing, there will be a day when I can reach there."

Zhu Zhanji's blood boiled immediately.

"One day, Gu will set foot on this land himself!"

As soon as the words fell, there was a sudden burst of laughter outside the hall, "Okay! This is my grandson!"

"His Majesty."

Empress Xu stood up one step ahead. The real red sleeved gown, the red Luo long skirt, and the gold embroidered dragon and phoenix inscriptions on the bezel were shining brilliantly.

All the people in the hall, after Empress Xu, saluted Zhu Di together.

Zhu Di helped Empress Xu up, and Shen Xuan stepped forward to salute Empress Xu as a junior.

There are no outsiders in Kunning Palace, so it is natural to follow the rules of the royal family.As for Meng Qinghe, even though he hadn't formally opened the window paper, he should know, and he was clear in his heart.

Seeing Shen Xuan, Meng Qinghe couldn't help being a little excited, and he didn't have the slightest impression of how the whole meal was finished.

After the banquet, Zhu Gaosui still wanted to go to the uncle's mansion to continue to ask about the New World, but Zhu Zhanji also blinked his eyes, reluctant to part.

It's a pity that everything retreated in front of Duke Ding's evil spirit.

Duke Ding, domineering and mighty!

Meng Qinghe left the palace, followed Duke Dingguo back to the mansion in a hurry, and talked at night by candlelight to discuss military issues.

In addition, he still has a very important batch of medicinal materials in his hand, waiting for Duke Ding to receive them.If Shen Xuan doesn't come again, Court Judge Zhao of Tai Hospital will be bothered.

Zhu Di didn't keep anyone, but just let go, this time to conquer Annan, Xing Ningbo will also lead a team to listen to the announcement under the account of Dingguo Gong.

Zhu Gaosui secretly thought that before Ding Guogong settled in Xingningbo Mansion and the army swore to go south, there would be no chance to have a meal at Xingningbo Mansion.Uncle Xingning doesn't know how to kick people out, Duke Ding doesn't care, he kicked Marquis Wuyang before?

However, with Ding Guogong here, leading the army to go out with the army, maybe we can fight for it again.

Zhu Zhanji, who went out of the palace with his father, queen and concubine, was very excited all the way.

Literally speaking, a brand new door appeared in front of the boy, and when he opened it, he saw a world he had never seen before.Raise the sails, raise the long sword in your hand, the young man's journey will be a sea of ​​stars!

Practically speaking, Zhu Zhanji is ready to embark on the road of secondary school at any time.

If Meng Qinghe knew that what he said would probably lead the historical Ming Xuanzong to a completely different path, I don't know how he would feel.

Even if he knew, he probably could only scratch his chin. The stars and the sea are better than a fine furnace. As for the question of history... As long as Daming can continue to be mighty and majestic, what does it matter if the nephew or uncle sits on the throne?

On this point, Emperor Yong Le can speak for himself.