Chapter 129: The meeting is not available
Then, Zhao Yulin asked Wu Yuqi to take action to crack down on merchants who hoarded goods, especially those who illegally resold grain, and offered a reward for reports from the public.
Those people who bought grain at high prices saw that there were people backing them up and offering rewards for reporting, so they rushed to the government office to sue the illegal grain merchants.
With the participation of the people, the game came alive. The unscrupulous merchants were quickly arrested and their heads were immediately chopped off if the facts of their crimes were clear. All their property was confiscated from the government treasury.
In this way, the Song army controlled a considerable portion of the grain and stabilized the grain price, and no longer had to worry about the people having nothing to eat.
After three blows of the axe, Chang'an City quickly stabilized and gradually returned to peace.
At this time, Zhao Yulin organized civilian workers and soldiers to thoroughly clean up the city's garbage, dredge the city's drains, demolish damaged buildings, and set up a sewage cleaning bureau to maintain urban hygiene. All workers were required to pay a fee.
At the same time, the confiscated shops in the city were integrated and reopened into cooperatives, specializing in businesses essential to people's lives, and notices soliciting money were posted at the doors.
The prefectures and counties in Guanzhong followed suit, and the cities in these recovered areas gradually shifted from a formal return to an economic, political, and cultural return.
Half a month later, Miao Gui returned, and the Shenwei Army annihilated the Mongolian army in Luochuan and completed the elimination of the large number of remaining enemies in the Guanzhong prefectures and counties.
However, there are still many roaming stragglers and remnant bandits in various places, which requires the garrisons in various places to gradually resolve the issue.
Zhao Yulin proposed to transfer the command of the 1st and 3rd columns to the headquarters of the Military Control Office, and let Lai Chuanfang assist in the defense east of Chang'an. He and Miao Gui formed the Western Group in Fengxiang Prefecture to ensure the security of the western region.
Old Cao was delighted and asked with a smile, "Brother, are you willing to give it up?"
He said that they were all the general's soldiers, so there was nothing he was reluctant to let go.
He then added that Lin'an has been clamoring to recover the three capitals, but we have just taken over Guanzhong and it is still very unstable.
The Mongolian army is also eyeing us from all sides. Our entry into Guanzhong has not destroyed their manpower, so we must hold on and consolidate it. If the court orders us to go east to Luoyang to participate in the war, he will not agree to it. Please understand this, General.
Because Zhao Yulin knew that it was impossible to recover the three capitals at the moment, and the emperor of Lin'an had just taken power and definitely wanted to do something, so the court would definitely send troops to the three capitals.
Lao Cao had just been smiling, but suddenly he was stunned again.
Zhao Yulin said that he believed he would not be wrong. Isn't it enough for us to have conquered Guanzhong? If we eat too much at one meal, we will not be able to digest it and it will hurt our stomach.
Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a little cold, Miao Gui said he was hungry and wanted to go have some drinks.
Everyone sat at the table and drank.
In fact, it was not only Lao Cao who did not understand, perhaps Miao Gui and some brothers of the Shenwei Army did not understand either.
These brothers had just won a great victory, and were full of energy and enthusiasm, and were in high spirits.
The imperial court proposed a northern expedition against the Mongolian army and recapture the three capitals in Henan. Those were their former capitals. The holy land in their hearts had been occupied by the Jin people for more than a hundred years, and now it was occupied by the Mongolian army again. Who wouldn't feel aggrieved? Everyone wanted to take it back.
However, it is easier said than done.
Zhao Yulin analyzed for them that there were three disadvantages in recovering Henan at this time:
First, the land of Henan was devastated by the Jin and Mongolian armies, leaving a thousand miles of barren land, which was suitable for the Mongolian cavalry to gallop, but not suitable for the Song army to move on foot without supplies.
Secondly, the retreating Mongolian army dug up the dike of the Yellow River, causing a large area of land to be submerged and turned into a swamp. This was not conducive to our preset marching route, but was conducive to the division and encirclement of the Mongolian cavalry.
Third, all participating troops need to transport their own food and fodder, and failure will inevitably result if they are unable to get the supplies.
Zhao Yulin explained earnestly that the most important thing is that if we advance eastward in a large scale, the Mongolian army will definitely attack, and then Guanzhong will be lost. Wouldn't that mean all our efforts will be in vain?
If we march eastward to Luoyang with too few men and horses, and fail to bring enough food supplies, it will be a drop in the bucket and will be of no help.
As Lao Cao listened to his analysis, his expression became increasingly uglier, and he lost interest in drinking.
The meal was hastily cleaned up.
When he got back, Wu Yuqi started nagging him and asked him what he was talking about.
Why did it dampen General Cao’s interest?
Zhao Yulin said that this cannot be vague. He knew that Cao was too emotional. He was afraid that once the imperial edict arrived, Cao would not be able to restrain himself and lead his troops to Luoyang. If the Mongolian army suddenly invaded Guanzhong, all his years of hard work would be in vain. This was not a joke.
Yuqi was speechless. She snuggled in his arms and said, "Let's go to sleep." She couldn't interfere in a man's affairs. She had been busy fighting against traitors and tyrants in Chang'an and hadn't slept well for several days.
The next day, Zhao Yulin said goodbye to Lao Cao and returned to Fengxiang. He stayed overnight in Mei County. Miao Gui accompanied him for a drink and said sincerely that the young master had considered everything carefully. However, when the time really came, many people could not let go and would definitely go to Luoyang.
Zhao Yulin said that this was a matter of principle. There were many Mongolian troops stationed in Lingzhou, and we were infantrymen and could not maneuver. We could only sit back and wait, and we must not be careless.
He sounded a warning to Miao Gui, saying that Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty pacified the Huns after enduring humiliation and preparing for more than ten years before taking action. We have been using troops continuously in recent years, and our soldiers have long been exhausted. Occupying Guanzhong is already the limit of our Shenwei Army's strength, and we must not act rashly.
Zhao Yulin knocked on the table and said that this was the hometown of Bai Qi, a great general of the pre-Qin Dynasty. Bai Qi was the god of war. We are drinking and chatting here and are influenced by the spirit of the god of war. We must not be confused at the critical moment.
He said that when we go back we will reorganize the army, restore the old and wounded soldiers to the local area to set up garrisons, and continue to expand the Shenwei Army to strengthen the fence.
Miao Gui nodded heavily.
The next day , Zhao Yulin checked the city's recovery and returned to Fengxiang. He invited Wanyan Chengmin and Wang Gui, who were still recovering from their injuries, to his home for a drink.
Both of them were surrendered generals. When they learned that the Third Young Master was hosting a banquet for them alone, they were flattered and stood in front of him happily. Zhao Yulin smiled and shouted, "Come sit down. Why are there so many rules?"
After three cups of wine, Wanyan Chengmin stood up and toasted him, Ma Ling'er and Huo Fenghuang. Zhao Yulin asked him, the Shenwei Army is going to be expanded, what suggestions and opinions do you have?
Wanyan hurriedly said that he would obey the orders and do whatever he was told to do.
When Zhao Yulin said he wanted him to be the captain of the 9th Column of the Shenwei Army, Wanyan was immediately stunned and then said that he had not accomplished anything, so how could he take on such an important task?
Zhao Yu told him that surrendering Tongguan was a great achievement, because he had injured his hand while trying to persuade the enemy to surrender. He looked at the Fire Phoenix and said that the Nine Columns were the number of the General Yuhou, and they must be well led.
Wanyan Chengmin immediately stood up and bowed, vowing to devote himself to the cause until his death.
Zhao Yulin immediately helped him up and said that he should never perform such a ceremony again, otherwise it would break the rules of our Shenwei Army.
Then he motioned to Wang Gui to have some wine, and told him that a Second Cavalry Column was to be formed. He would be the deputy captain, in charge of combat, and lead the Second Cavalry Column well.
Both commanders looked serious and assured him that they would do a good job.
Zhao Yulin told Ma Linger that Fengxiang and Baoji had confiscated a lot of enemy assets, and they were looking for a residence for the two generals. They could settle down anywhere they wanted, and there was a place for them to stay in Hanzhong.
The two brothers immediately stood up and toasted them to express their gratitude .
Half a month later, Zhao Yulin convened a military reorganization meeting in Fengxiang Prefecture and announced that Miao Gui would be the chief of the Shenwei Army and Lai Chuanfang would be the deputy chief, responsible for the affairs of the West Group and the East Group respectively. Huo Fenghuang would be the chief military officer, supervising the military discipline of the entire army.
Adjust the commanders of each column:
Lu Huacai was appointed commander of the First Column, stationed in Luochuan and Yan'an Prefecture.
Yang Xingyun served as the captain of the Second Column, guarding the Zhejiang-Sichuan and Jinzhou line.
Du Baiyue was appointed as the third captain, guarding Tongguan.
Feng Guiqi served as the captain of the Fourth Column, guarding the Wenzhou and Jiezhou lines.
Hao Xiaoming served as the captain of the Fifth Column, guarding Qinzhou and Xihe line.
Wang Hancheng was appointed commander of the Sixth Column, stationed in Qinzhou.
Li Shichang served as the commander of the Seventh Column, stationed in Baoji and Mei County.
Wu Jie was the captain of the Eighth Column and was stationed in Shangnan.
Wanyan Chengmin was the captain of the 9th Column, guarding the Pingliang line.
Gao Jin was the commander-in-chief of the cavalry, leading the cavalry column to station in Guyuan.
Zhang Zhi was the captain of the Second Cavalry Column and stationed in the Lantian camp.
The Partridge Mountain Garrison Column was established, with Li Yunqing as the column commander, responsible for the defense of Partridge Mountain.
The Shenwei Army established the Nanzheng Garrison Column, Xunyang Garrison Column, Fengxiang Garrison Column and Lantian Garrison Column to be responsible for training new recruits and maintaining local public order.
Then, he asked Miao Gui to analyze the general trend of future wars, and Huo Fenghuang organized everyone to learn the new version of military laws and regulations of the Shenwei Army.
The new military law adopted the rules of the Eighth Route Army in later generations, which was completely derived from the military regulations of the Song Dynasty Army. It completely abolished the humiliating punishment regulations such as beating with a stick and whipping, and fully mobilized the subjective initiative of the soldiers.
Finally, Zhao Yulin made it clear to everyone: This year is a rare opportunity for the Shenwei Army to expand and train, improve combat effectiveness. Each column should give up the idea of grabbing territory and seizing cities, and focus on expanding the army, training, and preparing for greater battles.
After the meeting, he and Miao Gui had secret talks with the heads of various groups.
He told Lai Chuanfang that the Emperor of Lin'an would definitely launch a war to recover the three capitals, and the Eastern Group was not allowed to send a single soldier. However, not sending troops did not mean that they would have nothing to do. After the war in Henan broke out, a combat plan could be formulated based on the enemy situation in the defense zone. If the enemy's main force was in the eastern zone, we would wait for an opportunity to capture Yan'an Prefecture.
However, the war is limited to Yan'an Prefecture and must not be expanded further.
Afterwards, he called Yang Xingyun in to explain, telling him that the battle to recapture the three capitals would be a failure, and the friendly forces would not be able to enter the ancient road of Qiaohan and leave the battlefield. He should make preparations in advance, and take advantage of the situation to recapture some key cities to find a foothold for the friendly forces.
He told Hao Xiaoming to pay close attention to the movements of Huizhou and Gongchangfu, as these Jin people could turn to the Mongolian army at any time, especially in Gongchangfu. It is necessary to reduce their living space and increase propaganda efforts to promote their division and disintegration.
Feng Guiqi's Fourth Column was going to advance into Tubo, and the Fifth Column would have a heavier burden. Zhao Yulin held Hao Xiaoming's hand and told him not to be careless.
After seeing off Hao Xiaoming, he called Feng Guiqi in to give him the task. He asked him to lead the main force of the 4th Column into Tubo, and work with Li Yunqing to complete the naturalization and governance of the big and small Zamps in the Zheduo Mountain area, and on this basis establish the Zheduo Mountain Garrison Column. The combat effectiveness of the 4th Column must not collapse.
Feng Guiqi saluted him solemnly and said goodbye.
