Chapter 294: The Only Path to Choose (10)
The discussion of the Military Committee was coming to an end, and Huo Chong put forward his own opinion, "We should dispatch 60,000 troops to migrate."
The committee members were puzzled. Some wanted to raise questions, but they didn't dare. If no one raised questions, the matter would just pass. Huo Chong didn't want to let everyone pass so easily. "If you don't object to sending out 60,000 people, tell me why you support 60,000 people. What is the reason for sending out these 60,000 people?"
Qian Qing was the first to answer: "Let so many people leave the Daqing River area quickly. 60,000 people are fast."
Huo Chong commented on his students’ answers, “The direction is correct, but not specific enough.”
Then he asked, "Are there any other more specific ideas?"
This question really made the others stunned. However, Huo Chong had no intention of letting these people go. Some things had to be figured out, because if this matter continued, it would definitely lead to very tragic consequences.
Gao Pang broke the silence, "Can you give me some logic?"
Huo Chong praised: "That's a good question. The logic is, the logic is, whether the people hearing our words and the people believing our words are the same thing."
On the same day, the Military Commission passed the plan to return to the north with a unanimous vote.
The intensive training course for the advanced class ended in the evening, and it was already dark. Gong Yu and the other four people who lived in the same courtyard held a small meeting.
Gong Yu sighed: "It's really eye-opening to see the atmosphere of the founding of a country like this."
Zeng Jing had always admired the talents of Gong Yu and others, and asked what exactly was going on with the founding of the country. Gong Yu looked at Kong Bugeng, who knew that Zeng Jing had to be used well at this time, so he patiently explained to Zeng Jing.
The so-called "founding atmosphere" refers to the ability to make decisions on such major events. Huo Chong is definitely not the only one who thinks that the Yellow River will benefit from returning to the north, but so far Huo Chong is probably the only leader who can implement the plan of returning the Yellow River to the north. The so-called fresh atmosphere of the founding of the country is largely reflected in the fact that they can really do what they want to do. They are also united and well arranged.
After finishing speaking, Zeng Jing frowned and began to think. This explanation sounded right, but it was something Zeng Jing could not quite understand.
Kong Bugeng didn't like Zeng Jing's pedantry, so he asked Weber to continue explaining to Zeng Jing. He raised his chin to Gong Yu, and the two of them went to the yard first. No one interrupted him, and Kong Bugeng sighed in a lower voice: "Brother Gong, I thought the lord was a fierce general, but now I know that the lord is so knowledgeable."
Gong Yu fully agreed. The logic that Huo Chong put forward at the meeting was also very simple. Huo Chong believed that the people in the Daqing River Basin would not believe Huo Chong, let alone believe what Huo Chong and his friends said.
If you believe Huo Chong, you will believe that Huo Chong organized people to implement the Yellow River Northward Return Project. You will know that you will face the rolling Yellow River water when you are in the future river impact area.
Based on their trust in Huo Chong, the people had to consider whether they could survive facing the Yellow River water.
If you don't believe Huo Chong at all, you will only wonder why Huo Chong came here to "spread rumors and confuse the public."
The purpose of mobilizing 60,000 people was not to notify the people as soon as possible, but to force those who did not believe in Huo Chong to leave their current place of residence as soon as possible.
Seeing that Gong Yu only agreed but did not say anything, Kong Bugeng could no longer bear it and asked, "If the lord is so logical and methodical in his actions, he will really rule the world in no time. Brother Gong, aren't you worried?"
Gong Yu shook his head in disappointment. "If worrying is useful, then I will worry. Now that the Lord is really acting justly as he said, we don't have to think about anything else."
Kong Bugeng shook his head. "Yeah. The Lord has always done things this way, so we really have nothing to worry about. I didn't expect that. I thought the Lord more vicious."
Gong Yu knew what Kong Bugeng was thinking. In such a chaotic world, a guy like Kong Bugeng who regarded himself as a strategist naturally hoped to rise to prominence. The way to rise to prominence was naturally to make plans.
Huo Chong not only teaches logic himself, but also teaches his logic to his subordinates. The advanced and intermediate classes are already in training. I think Huo Chong will not lie, so the low-level class will also be able to speak it.
Everyone has logic, so naturally everyone can be a strategist. Kong Bugeng, who was looking forward to becoming a strategist, naturally felt that his role would be greatly reduced.
Gong Yu advised: "Don't worry, Brother Kong, those people can't be the strategist."
"If they could learn..."
"They can't learn it." Gong Yu answered decisively.
Kong Bugeng frowned, wanting to believe it but not daring to.
"Brother Kong, the Lord said that before logic was established, cause and effect relied on intuition. The intuition of a genius. Brother Kong has a talent, like metaphysical intuition. If Brother Kong was not being polite before, you have said many times that I am better at planning than you. However, from the perspective of logic, it was Brother Kong who proposed the logical form, and I worked on the cause and effect. I really can't think of asking you to work on the logical form."
Kong Bugeng felt a little better, but he didn't want to talk about it anymore. He lowered his voice and asked, "Brother Gong, how long will Zeng Jing need it?"
Gong Yu replied in the same barely audible voice: "Zeng Jing's idea of equal distribution of land is the same as yours. Since yours has used logic to decide that land must be nationalized, we must learn to understand. This is our chance. If you and I were to lead the army to fight, we would have no chance."
Kong Bugeng nodded, thinking that Gong Yu had pointed out the key to the problem just like before.
Hong Zhou did not have any spies on Huo Chong's side, but this did not prevent Hong Zhou from judging that Huo Chong must have made a decision. Although the intelligence was delayed, Hong Zhou still got the latest news. Huo Chong went south to seize Jiangning, and then marched north.
Such news made Hong Zhou understand why there was no movement from Huo Chong during the winter. Given Huo Chong's cunningness, it was impossible for him not to do something since he returned to Shandong.
The troops escorting the Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother were already close to Taiyuan, which made Hong Zhou feel relieved. The most troubled people had already reached a safe place, and it was the turn of the less troublesome people to start migrating next.
Hong Zhou ordered the relatively trustworthy Eight Banners Army to begin to move westward. However, this was not mandatory, and those who did not want to move west did not have to leave.
After the decree was issued, Hong Zhou had a good night's sleep. The next day, when he went to court, all the ministers knelt down in the court, begging Hong Zhou not to move west and stay to fight the rebels to the death.
If it were in the past, Hong Zhou would have certainly reprimanded the ministers, or explained to them the reasons for the westward migration.
This time, Hong Zhou did not express his thoughts, but watched these guys with great interest. If some people's legs were not numb and shaky from kneeling, Hong Zhou would have continued to watch.
He asked everyone to stand up, and everyone got up quickly as if they had been pardoned. Hong Zhou asked, "Who is willing to lead the army to attack the rebels in Shengjing?"
According to the reactions of those people just now, at least two or three people should have volunteered. However, after Hong Zhou asked, no one volunteered.
Not knowing whether to be happy or disappointed, Hong Zhou found himself in a dilemma.
Fortunately, there was a record in advance. Hong Zhou continued, "If you haven't made up your mind yet, you can go to the Ministry of War after the court today to request troops. The Ministry of War will register it."
With just a few words, the matter was resolved. No official mentioned going to war again, but no official mentioned anything related to government affairs.
Hong Zhou did not expect that these people would give up so quickly. He called a group of selected officials back to the palace. The first person he asked was naturally the person Hong Zhou trusted the most, "Sun Jiagan. Has the food been arranged?"
Sun Jiagan quickly reported back, "Your Majesty, the food distribution has been completed. However..."
"Don't worry. The people who are in charge of the grain stations along the way are all recommended by Prince Lian. You can trust them." Hong Zhou replied. Just mentioning his thirteenth uncle, Hong Zhou felt sad again.
Sun Jiagan loved fame, so he was given the task of allocating food supplies, a task that only those who loved fame would not touch.
After Sun Jiagan finished his report, Hong Zhou listened to the reports of officials including Liu Tongxun. The preparations for the entire westward migration had been completed, and perhaps because of the strange warmth, the execution speed was even faster than previously arranged.
After making sure that the arrangements along the way were all right, Hong Zhou asked, "Have you contacted all the ministers you were asked to contact?"
Everyone answered in unison: "We have contacted everyone."
Hong Zhou ordered: "Please ask them to set off first."
"Your Majesty, some ministers don't really want to leave."
Hong Zhou was unmoved, "If they don't want to leave, let them stay."
When things got to this point, there was nothing left to hide. That night, many people rushed to Luanzhou.
The next afternoon, some people had already started heading south towards Shandong.
At this moment, from the northwest gate of the capital, a group of officials and their families began to leave the city and enter Junduxing.
When Lao Ba heard that Hong Zhou was actually going to move the capital, he couldn't believe it at all and quickly sent someone to investigate.
This round trip took another four days. When the scouts brought back the news and confirmed that Hong Zhou had really moved west, Huo Chong also got the news.
At the meeting, the generals and officials who were busy trying to gather the people on both sides of the Daqing River felt puzzled.
Huo Chong could only make these guys believe that Hong Zhou was not crazy. "What does it mean that the great waves wash away the sand? It means that those who can keep up will be taken along, and those who can't will be abandoned and eliminated. Hong Zhou did this, and those who followed him were probably those who were loyal to him. So I think that although what Hong Zhou did was dangerous, it was not wrong."
Gong Yu felt his heart shaken, and turned to look at Kong Bugeng. He saw that Kong Bugeng had also turned his head and his eyes met Gong Yu's. Both of them were shaken, and Huo Chong's words touched on something that both of them had lamented. That is, the so-called "founding atmosphere".
Of course, Huo Chong's subordinates each have their own personalities. Although they follow Huo Chong, they are not the kind of people who follow him foolishly.
In contrast, some of the civil and military officials under Hong Zhou should have served in the three dynasties. It must have been very difficult for Hong Zhou to use these people.
However, as long as Hong Zhou can reach the west safely, the people who follow him will only obey Hong Zhou's orders. At that time, Hong Zhou will not have to deal with the government affairs in the same chaos as now. Huo Chong really saw through this point, so he praised him.
Kong Bugeng smiled bitterly in his heart. This was originally the counselor's job. If the lord knew more than the counselor, how could the counselor make a living?
At this moment, Qian Qing spoke up, "Sir, if that's the case, then where is Hong Zhou's danger?"
"Well... I think it's probably because we might be cut off by someone at the Eight Passes of Taihang Mountains." Huo Chong answered unconfidently.
Soon, a simple map of the Eight Peaks of Taihang was put up. With the map, everyone understood it after taking a look.
Weber spoke first, "I wonder which side the Qing Dynasty's Zhangjiakou garrison is on."
This military topic suddenly made all the generals unhappy. But Weber didn't care about this. He continued to ask Huo Chong, "My lord, Hong Zhou's actions can certainly help to sift through the sand, but they also bring down the mud and sand. Many people have to make a choice. The Qing army in the northwest has always been loyal. What will happen to the Qing army in the capital and the defenders of Zhangjiakou?"
When it comes to Zhangjiakou, Huo Chong thinks of one of the many jokes about the spiritual Roman on the Internet, "The authentic Roman Zhangjiakou." But this is not the time to joke, not to mention that no one would understand even if you made a joke.
Huo Chong replied: "We can't worry about so much right now. Let's start the action quickly. Hebei is in chaos, and the Qing Dynasty has no way to move south. We can gallop south of the Yellow River."
After saying that, Huo Chong's mind moved, and he asked: "Weber, what are the key points in Henan?"
Weber answered decisively: "Hulao Pass."
Huo Chong couldn't help laughing after hearing this. Then he found that his old subordinates reacted to this smile, and it was a rather unpleasant reaction. It seems that "jealousy makes people unrecognizable" is indeed true.
At this time, Henan Governor Tian Wenjing was leading his troops to Hulao Pass. He saw that there were layers of mountains and slopes to the north of Hulao Pass, and a river to the south. The river was deep and the water was fast. It was not suitable for marching at all. Tian Wenjing could not help but sigh: "It is indeed a magnificent pass."
The attendants around him expressed the same view. It wasn't that these people were just trying to flatter him, it was indeed the case.
Hulao Pass, also known as Sishui Pass, Chenggao Pass, and Guxiao Pass, is the eastern gateway and important pass of the ancient capital Luoyang. It is located in Sishui Town, 16 kilometers northwest of Xingyang City, Henan Province. As the eastern gateway and important pass of Luoyang, Hulao Pass got its name because King Mu of Zhou imprisoned a tiger here. This pass is connected to Songshan Mountain in the south and the Yellow River in the north. The mountains are intertwined, forming a natural barrier. It has the momentum of "one man guarding the pass, ten thousand men cannot open it", and it has been a battleground for military strategists in all dynasties.
Just as Tian Wenjing ordered the construction of artillery batteries and other defensive fortresses, officials in Kaifeng had a different reaction.
In recent years, hatred for Tian Wenjing has become a common feature of Henan officials. If Tian Wenjing died, these people would set off firecrackers to celebrate.
However, Henan officials were obviously not prepared to do so at this time. After all, Tian Wenjing only made the officials' lives difficult, while Huo Chong really sent people to kill people in Henan. Killing officials was fine, as the officials came from all over the country. Killing petty officials was like attacking local people, which was very detrimental to their mood.
At that time, everyone thought that Tian Wenjing was going to run away, after all, Henan and Hebei are separated by a river. There is a joke that if the governor of Henan throws a brick into the Yellow River at night, the capital will know about it the next day.
The news from the capital had also spread to Henan. Emperor Hong Zhou was going to move the capital. Everyone didn't quite believe it, but they didn't dare not to believe it.
After discussion, the information was gathered and gradually became organized.
Henan itself is a flat land, a place that is open to attack from all directions. It is easy for troops from the east, west, south, and north to enter Henan. Those who defend Henan have to face enemies from all directions.
The only place in Henan that could defend itself was "Henan Prefecture", which was Luoyang Prefecture. Luoyang Prefecture was located in the Luoyang Basin, which was the alluvial plain of the Luo River and Yi River between Xiong'er Mountain, Song Mountain, Waifang Mountain, Zhou Mountain and Mang Mountain.
The basin is high from north to south and low in the middle, with a slightly trough shape. The northern part is the Mangshan loess hills, the central part is the three-level terraced Yihe and Luohe alluvial plains, and the southern part is the Wan'an Mountain low hills and alluvial slopes in front of the mountain. The basin is an oval with a narrow east-west shape, and the terrain slopes from east to west.
The basin is a vast plain with flat and open terrain and convenient transportation. The climate is warm and the products are abundant. The fertile alluvial plain ensures a bumper harvest in agricultural production, enabling it to feed a dense population. The relatively closed natural environment is obviously also conducive to military defense. Many passes and fortresses have been set up in the traffic channels where the mountains around the basin intersect. It is known as " the danger of Chenggao and Xuanyuan in the east and the solidity of Hangu and Xiaohan in the west ". Therefore, the Luoyang Basin has always been a place of contention for military strategists and a place where emperors built their capitals.
Some people immediately questioned why the capital was not set in Luoyang. However, the officials were scholars, and although most of them did not know what Luoyang was, they had read many stories in history books. Someone immediately mocked, "Where have you heard of setting the capital in Luoyang?"
Come to think of it, if Luoyang and Xi'an were both in our hands, of course we would defend important places such as Hulao Pass to prevent the enemy from entering Luoyang from the Henan plains.
When there is a change in the world, the army can set out from Luoyang, break out of Hulao Pass, and begin to wreak havoc on the Henan Plain.
As everyone discussed, they found that Hong Zhou's method of moving the capital to Xi'an was actually fine. The Qing army in the northwest was large in number and all of them were elite. If they controlled the northwest army, they would also control Sichuan and Huguang. Even if Huo Chong captured Jiangning, what would happen?
There are officials from Jiangning here. They say that if they go down the river from the upper reaches, a large army of 10,000 can easily rush to Jiangning and lay siege to the city. Huo Chong is hard to defend against.
But after all this talk, everyone still had to face reality. After several years of the court's full-scale counterattack against Huo Chong, Henan was destined to fall into Huo Chong's hands. What should these officials do?
Many people's eyes flickered. They had been officials for so many years and had a lot of land in Henan. If surrendering could buy their own safety, many people would dare to tie up their colleagues in front of them and send them to Huo Chong as a gift.
However, Huo Chong's actions in Shandong have already caused a sensation throughout the world, and Henan, which is adjacent to Shandong, is even more aware of it.
The land of those officials had long been confiscated by Huo Chong, and the land of the gentry had also been taken away by Huo Chong. Huo Chong did this in Shandong, and he would definitely do the same in Henan. Surrendering to Huo Chong meant that the land of the family would be taken away, and no one wanted that.
The discussion ended in such a fruitless situation. Henan officials found themselves in an awkward position. Their superior emperor wanted to flee, but they could not even surrender. Such a thing had never been heard of in history books.
