Chapter 452 Dongjiang Town surrendered to the Tartars!

"good!"

"We must continue to encourage land reclamation!"

“More area to sow in September this year!”

Faced with such a huge number, Zhang Zhun was also excited.

If you have food in your hands, you are not panicked! As the war continues to spread, the grain output of the entire Ming Dynasty will become lower and lower, the price of food will become higher and higher, and circulation will become more and more difficult. Especially in the northern part of the Ming Dynasty, food will become increasingly scarce. At that time, food will be a huge strategic weapon and can play an unimaginable role.

Lingshanwei alone produces so much grain. There are nine counties in Laizhou Prefecture. If the potential of each county can be fully tapped, the grain production capacity can continue to be improved. Currently, the yield of wheat and rice per mu is only over 300 kilograms, so there should be a lot of room for improvement.

After leaving Lingshanwei, Zhang Zhun went to Xiahezhai Qianshou, Aoshancheng, Xiongyasu and other places to continue to inspect the summer harvest. The winter wheat in these places also achieved a bumper harvest. However, they were just appropriate taxes. The grain income Zhang Zhun obtained was far less than that of Lingshanwei. In total, there were about 400,000 mu of land, and 40 kilograms of tax per mu, which was 16 million kilograms, which was too different from the income of Lingshanwei. Of course, it was better than not.

As food in various places has achieved great harvests, the food prices in Laizhou Prefecture have shown a downward trend, and foreign populations can buy more food with less money. This has attracted a large number of foreign populations to come and join. Dasongwei, Jinghaiwei, and the more distant Chengshanwei, Weihaiwei, and Andongwei have all come to surrender.

Gao Hongtu felt very happy. He was glad that he did not read Zhang Zhun wrongly and did not follow the wrong person. In the second year of Chongzhen, when the Tartars invaded, the Ministry of War had no food in his hands, and as a result, the army of kings who came from Shanxi had no food, eventually led to the killing of Shanxi Governor Geng Ruqi and Shanxi General Zhang Honggong. Gao Hongtu was always worried about this matter. The most fundamental reason for this matter was that the court had no food in its hands.

Therefore, Gao Hongtu has always paid great attention to agricultural production. However, he did not expect that Zhang Zhun would pay more attention than him. All the results were done by Zhang Zhun alone on his own wisdom before he arrived. Lingshanwei's large farm model was also created by Zhang Zhun.

With so much food, Gao Hongtu felt that his confidence had increased a lot. Food is the most important thing for the people, which is an eternal truth. As long as Laizhou Prefecture maintains such a development momentum, it is entirely possible to get a piece of the pie in the future troubled times. Building high walls, accumulating grain, and slowly becoming king, Zhang Zhun has embarked on such a development path without realizing it.

In mid-June, Zhang Zhun convened all members of Shengxia Zong to hold a meeting to further strengthen the work of returning grain to warehouses. Zhang Zhun demanded that from now on, the flow of grain out of Laizhou Prefecture must be strictly controlled. Grain can be freely circulated within Laizhou Prefecture, but it must not be discharged. Otherwise, it will be severely punished. If the food is sold outside Laizhou Prefecture, it must be implemented by special personnel, special institutions, and Zhang Zhu's approval.

After the meeting, Zhang Zhun and Gao Hongtu had a few days to discuss the future development plan of Laizhou Prefecture. There is no war in Laizhou Prefecture for the moment, so it is just right to seize all the time to carry out large-scale production. Gao Hongtu was very interested in Lingshanwei's large farm model and was interested in continuing to promote it. His eyes were placed in Jinghaiwei, Chengshanwei, Weihaiwei and other places.

The Jinghaiwei, Chengshanwei and Weihaiwei are mainly military households because they are bordered by the coast, and the number of civilian households is very small. At the same time, due to the large number of military households fleeing, the number of remaining military households in the three guards is very small. If the land is divided, the manpower will definitely be insufficient. The local military households do not have so many production tools. If the production model of large farms is implemented, I believe that local military households are more acceptable, and the Hu Ben Army can also obtain huge amounts of grain storage.

Gao Hongtu estimated that as long as four guards implement the production model of large farms, the extracted food can support a 200,000 army. This is very critical for the future development of the Hu Ben Army. Before the troops move, food and grass will come first. Of course, all of this will be discussed after Zhang Zhun controls Dengzhou Prefecture.

Although the yield of corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc. imported from Jiangnan is not very high, the advantage is that they have strong adaptability. They can be planted in places with soil, and can also be carried forward with rice and winter wheat to increase the efficiency of land utilization and soil fertility. Therefore, after the harvest of winter wheat, Zhang Zhun asked all regions to seize the time and plant a crop of corn. Even if the yield per mu of land is only about one or two hundred kilograms, it is better than not.

For many poor people, corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes are life-saving food. At the same time, the increase in the yield of crops such as corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes is conducive to the people raising more poultry and livestock, increasing the market supply, and enriching people's lives.

"Wen Tiren is sad this time."

At the end of the conversation, Gao Hongtu said happily.

In the past two months, the life of the chief minister of the cabinet has indeed been difficult. Wu Zongda's retirement is a concentrated reflection of this difficult life. Wu Zongda has always been Wen Tiren's best friend and is his strongest supporter in the cabinet. Now, Wu Zongda cannot bear the pressure and has to retire. Wen Tiren's power in the cabinet will be weakened a lot. Wen Tiren's situation in the cabinet has been changed.

The situation in various parts of the Ming Dynasty was still not optimistic. Even more and more serious. The rioters in Shaanxi were still continuing to struggle in the Han River Basin. The original plan of the court to eliminate all the Shaanxi rioters in Henan was completely bankrupt. Hong Chengchou hurried from Shaanxi to Henan and killed some rioters, but it was useless. Because the rioters adopted the most expert strategy of fighting, and ran away, and ran in several ways. Some of them went north to Shaanxi, some went west to Xichuan, and some went south to Huguang. The official army was exhausted and in pain behind them.

In April of the eighth year of Chongzhen, Governor Hong Chengchou arrived in Ruzhou and ordered General Deng Qi to guard Fancheng and defend the Han River. Deng Qi was not good at controlling the army and was unable to control the military, but his army was not up to the morale. On April 26, his general Wang Yuncheng gathered troops to clamor and killed Deng Qi's two servants. Deng Qi was afraid, climbed the tower and crossed the wall, and fell into the fire alley and was burned to death. He was panicked and died of a general officer in an unknown way, and the morale of the officers and soldiers became even more depressed.

The ground in Shandong also made Wen Tiren scratch his head. Zhang Zhun had not solved it yet, and another incense smelling sect came out. In the eyes of the court, the dangers of the incense smelling sect were even more serious than Zhang Zhun. For this reason, he had to repeatedly ask Dongjiang Town and the governor of Denglai to join forces as soon as possible to quickly clear the incense smelling sect. Otherwise, the officials will hold them accountable.

However, the Ming army and the Smelling Sect in Dengzhou Prefecture fought in various places in Dengzhou Prefecture and never gained the upper hand. Because of Zhang Zhun's existence, the officers and soldiers could no longer surround the Smelling Sect from multiple directions, and could only advance directly. As a result, facing the tide of Smelling Secting Sect, the Ming army was exhausted and miserable.

In the end, the Yinxiang Sect had a slight advantage and the front line gradually moved towards Dengzhou City. If the court did not have a strong helping hand, it would be impossible for the Ming army of Dengzhou Prefecture to be defeated by the Yinxiang Sect. However, it is probably not easy for the Yinxiang Sect to conquer Dengzhou City. Zhang Zhun was already calculating when it would be most appropriate to send troops to intervene.

"Sir, there is emergency information."

While speaking, the people from the Intelligence Department hurried in and handed Zhang Zhun a piece of information.

Zhang Zhun took the information and said subconsciously: "Oh no!"

Gao Hongtu said sternly: "What happened?"

Zhang Zhun handed him the information casually.

After seeing Gao Hongtu, he said in confusion: "Shang Kexi must be anyway? This is a good thing!"

It turned out that the information said that Shang Kexi had contacted Shen Shikui, the general officer of Dongjiang Town, and tried to leave the Tartars and surrender to the Ming Dynasty again. As long as the court pardoned him for his crimes, Shen Shikui had already agreed to meet and accept him anyway. Speaking of which, the relationship between the two monks Shen Shikui was actually very close. After surrendering to Mao Wenlong, Shang Kexi was named Mao Yongxi and accepted as his adopted son by Mao Wenlong, and Shen Shikui was Mao Wenlong's father-in-law.

It can be said that almost everyone in the entire Dongjiang Town has a close relationship with Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming and Shang Kexi. Even after the three defected to the Tartars, the inextricable relationship has not been cut off. In Dongjiang Town, in private, the officers and soldiers did not even think that there was anything wrong with Kong Youde and others joining the Tartars, because they were also forced. If they did not defect to the Tartars, they would definitely be dead. Therefore, Shen Shikui always wanted to excuse Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming and Shang Kexi.

Zhang Zhun frowned and said, "I'm afraid this may not be the case."

Gao Hongtu is proficient in government affairs, but not very proficient in military affairs. He said in confusion: "Yulin, do you think Shang Kexi is false?"

Zhang Zhun nodded and said with a serious expression: "I have this feeling. If this is a trap, Shen Shikui will be in danger."

Gao Hongtu suddenly became suspicious.

If Shen Shikui was in danger, Dongjiang Town would be in danger. When Mao Wenlong was killed, it was Shen Shikui and Deputy General Chen Jisheng who were deeply aware of the righteousness, took the overall situation into consideration, and tried their best to suppress the situation. Otherwise, the officers and soldiers of Dongjiang Town would definitely use force to seek revenge Yuan Chonghuan. However, Shen Shikui and Chen Jisheng did not completely suppress all the officers and soldiers of Dongjiang Town. After all, the killing of Mao Wenlong was a great stimulation to the officers and soldiers of Dongjiang Town.

Due to Mao Wenlong's killing, most of the officers and soldiers of Dongjiang Town did not trust the court very much. Similarly, the court did not trust the Dongjiang Town very much. They always felt that they would follow Kong Youde and surrender to the Tartars. Everyone doubted each other and doubted, which would naturally cause many conflicts, and even triggered melee and rebellion. Shang Kexi's rebellion is the best example. After Shang Kexi, the court distrusts Dongjiang Town even more.

Seriously speaking, the court also distrusts Shen Shikui. No matter what, Shen Shikui is, he is Mao Wenlong's father-in-law! The relationship between monk Kexi and others is very close. God knows whether he will surrender to the Tartars as well? However, the situation in Dongjiang Town is very special and relatively independent. If the general officer is sent from outside, it will not be tenable in Dongjiang Town. There is no way, the court has to accept Shen Shikui as the general officer of Dongjiang Town.

After Shen Shikui became the general officer, he could basically control the situation in Dongjiang Town. Because he was Mao Wenlong's father-in-law, Dalala's seniority was there. However, if Shen Shikui had an accident, then no one in Dongjiang Town could completely suppress others. Internal strife and rebellion were certain. The worst consequence was that the entire Dongjiang Town surrendered to the Tartars.

"I want to do something..."

Zhang Zhun thought for a moment and decided to be cautious. He ordered the troops stationed in the east of Laizhou Prefecture to prepare for battle. If there was any accident, he could respond quickly. Those who received similar orders also had three cavalry battalions of the Hu Ben Army. If Dongjiang Town really surrendered to the Tartars, the Hu Ben Army could also prepare for the future.

Two days later, the Yinxiang Cult continued to advance towards Dengzhou City. For some reason, the Ming army in Dengzhou City was becoming less and less powerful in fighting. In the end, they simply gave up outside the city and retreated to Dengzhou City. The influx of the Yinxiang Cult army surrounded Dengzhou City. At this time, Zhang Zhun was also a little confused. At the same time, he felt something was wrong. Why did the Ming army's combat effectiveness become weaker all of a sudden?

"Urgent report!"

While he was suspicious, the Intelligence Department sent an urgent report.

After seeing it, Zhang Zhun gently bit his teeth and his face turned cold.

I didn't understand what I saw, but I understood everything in an instant.

Shen Shikui was killed!

Dongjiang Town surrendered to the Tartars!

The worst consequences really happened!

Shen Shikui was Mao Wenlong's father-in-law. After Mao Wenlong was killed, he still followed the Ming Dynasty loyally. Although he had no major achievements, Dongjiang Town led by him still blocked the Tatars' way to Shandong. Without a navy, the Tatars could not destroy Dongjiang Town, so they had to sigh.

But now, Shen Shikui is dead.

Death in Shang Kexi's hands.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to meet Shen Shikui, Shang Kexi arranged an ambush and killed Shen Shikui. Then, he used his previous relationship in Dongjiang Town to constantly lure other officers to surrender to the Tartars. Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming also dispatched together. The officers and soldiers of Dongjiang Town, who had no leader, surrendered to the Tartars. Only a very small number of people refused to surrender to the Tartars, left Dongjiang Town, and fled to all directions.

What's even more serious is that after going around in circles, these information were delayed for at least ten days. In other words, Shen Shikui was lured and killed by Shang Kexi ten days ago. With ten days, the Tatars, who were sufficiently efficient, completely controlled the entire Dongjiang Town. It would be impossible to say that there was no shadow of the Tatars behind this matter. Shang Kexi and others must have lured and killed Shen Shikui out of the arrangement of the Tatars.

Dongjiang Town is now controlled by Shang Kexi and others and has become the military force of the Tatars. For a time, Zhang Zhun didn't know what to say. With the rebels of Dongjiang Town, the Tatars could easily cross the ocean and attack Shandong. This has always been the Tatars' dream. Crossing the Hainan Islands south is much faster than crossing the Great Wall to go south. There is no doubt that after controlling Dongjiang Town, the Tatars will definitely cross the Hainan Islands and directly enter Shandong!

"I regret to tell you a sad news."

"Twelve days ago, Shen Shikui, the general of Dongjiang Town, was killed, and Dongjiang Town fell into the hands of the Tatars. From now on, we may have to face the Tatars' soldiers directly."

Zhang Zhun immediately summoned the backbone of the Hu Ben Army and the backbone of the Shengxia Sect to inform the matter. Gao Hongtu also came. When he learned that Dongjiang Town had surrendered to the Tatars, Gao Hongtu's face turned pale. What would happen if Dongjiang Town was controlled by the Tatars? Of course he knew what the consequences would be. The Tartars had controlled Liaodong and North Korea, and now they controlled Dongjiang Town... The ground in Shandong was completely hanging in the tiger's mouth.

Almost at the same time, the latest edict from the court also came to Zhang Zhun. In the edict, the emperor and Wen Tiren gave Denglai Governor Ruan Dacheng a three-month period, requiring Ruan Dacheng to immediately eliminate the Wenxiang Sect, otherwise, a department would have to be arrested. It is said that the edict was sent to Dengzhou City by a small team of Jinyiwei himself. Seeing this information, Zhang Zhun's brows immediately locked up.

Gao Hongtu asked in a heavy mood: "Yu Lin, what did you think of again?"

Zhang Zhun uttered a few words with difficulty: "Ruan Dacheng is going to surrender to the Tartars."

Even with Gao Hongtu's experience, he couldn't help but change his color.

After Dongjiang Town surrendered to the Tartars, Dengzhou City became the front line to fight against the Tartars. After Dongjiang Town surrendered, Dengzhou Navy could still hold on for a period of time and not give the Tartars a chance to go south. If Ruan Dacheng surrendered to the Tartars, what would it be? This means that the Tartars did not need to fight at all and could appear directly on the ground in Shandong. Once there was no barrier of the sea and natural danger, the Tartars might swarm like a tide. How could the situation suddenly become like this?

Zhang Zhun said a little anxiously: "Wen Tiren is pushing Ruan Dacheng to death, forcing him to surrender to the Tartars. If Ruan Dacheng wants to survive, he can only surrender to the Tartars."

Gao Hongtu slowly calmed down and then smiled bitterly.

That's right, Ruan Dacheng now has to surrender to the Tartars. Everyone from the Jinyiwei has arrived. If he cannot destroy the Wenxiang Sect, he will only be imprisoned. With the personality of Emperor Chongzhen, after being imprisoned, he will definitely be treated the same as Chen Qiyu, and there will be no light of day again. However, Dongjiang Town has surrendered to the Tartars. Not only does it have the power to reinforce Ruan Dacheng, but it also seriously threatens Ruan Dacheng's back. What power does Ruan Dacheng have to wipe out the Wenxiang Sect? If he wants to survive, he can only rely on the Tartars.
Chapter completed!