The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 370 Yao Guangxiao's Vicious Scheme
I don't have many capable people under my command right now, especially since most of the nobles from Huaixi from my era are no longer useful. It seems I can only rely on them.

We are cultivating a new generation of talent.

"Issue the order that Duke Cao, Li Wenzhong, be appointed as the commander-in-chief of this battle. The Five Armies Command of Yingtian Prefecture shall mobilize fifteen battalions from the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, and draw thirty battalions from the Gansu and Shaanxi areas. Duke Zheng, Chang Mao; Marquis Huining, Zhang Wen; Marquis Puding, Chen Huan; and Marquis Luding, Chen Heng, shall be appointed as deputy commanders to conquer the northwest!"

When Crown Prince Zhu Biao learned of Zhu Yuanzhang's appointment, he couldn't help but frown.

Since Cao Guogong Li Wenzhong is leading the troops this time, his son Li Jinglong will inevitably remain in the capital. Zheng Guogong Chang Mao has been transferred to the north for a long time, so this time Zheng Guogong Chang Mao will be transferred to the northwest, and Chang Sheng will be transferred to the Henan area.

The other appointments are even more interesting.

Marquis Zhang Wen of Huining and Marquis Chen Huan of Puding were close to Duke Lan Yu of Liang.

Since Duke Xu Da of Wei retired, Duke Lan Yu of Liang has become the top military official. However, Lan Yu is arrogant and has a short temper, making him unsuitable for having too much power.

Previously, all of Lan Yu's adopted sons were removed from the army, which was equivalent to cutting off all his roots.

Meanwhile, Lan Yu's capable assistants, Marquis Jingchuan Cao Zhen and Marquis Dingyuan Wang Bi, were transferred away.

At present, Marquis Wang Bi of Dingyuan has been enfeoffed as Duke of Li and stationed in the area of ​​Dayue Luchuan in the southeast, while Marquis Cao Zhen of Jingchuan is stationed in the Sichuan area.

Without these two men, Lan Yu no longer has many usable troops.

With the addition of Marquis Zhang Wen of Huining and Marquis Chen Huan of Puding who were transferred away this time, Jin Lanyu has very few generals at his disposal.

As for the last one, Marquis Lu Ding, Chen Heng, he was a general personally promoted by the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying. Among that group of generals, he was the one with the most stable character.

Today, the same group of people, such as Qiu Fuzhuneng and Zhang Yu, are stationed in various parts of the north.

It seems I need to have a serious discussion with Lan Yu when I get back, otherwise, given his temper, he'll definitely rebel.

Zhu Yuanzhang then turned his gaze to Yao Guangxiao, the monk in black.

"That's only one option; I wonder if there are any other solutions!"

"The second method is to relocate the people on the grasslands to the south. Although the Northern Yuan has been destroyed by us, there are still many small tribes left in the north, whether it is Togus Temur or Kökö Temur!"

"Some people are unstable factors. Once a hegemon emerges in the north, they will inevitably threaten the Central Plains!"

"Therefore, we should send multiple cavalry units to the grasslands to periodically annihilate them!"

"Let the herders from the grasslands move south. There is still a lot of arable land in the Hetao region that can be given to them. Also, abolish their language and writing system. If anyone resists or disrespects, except for children who are no taller than a cartwheel, all others will be beheaded!"

"In addition, the grasslands in the north were all covered with quicklime to make it difficult for pasture to grow, and sick livestock were all thrown into the water source to cause disease!"

"Using such methods, in less than ten years, there will not be a single living person left in the North!"

Upon hearing this, the cabinet ministers couldn't help but gasp.

That black-robed monk is truly ruthless; he actually came up with such a plan to wipe out his family line.

Liu Sanwu shook his head.

"Such a plan is somewhat dangerous and would damage the reputation of our Great Ming. It would be better not to use it, otherwise it will surely be criticized by other countries!"

The other officials all nodded in agreement. If this method were used, it would likely create a deadly feud with the tribes on the northern grasslands.

Seeing that no one had adopted his suggestion, Yao Guangxiao's eyes were full of disdain. In the face of war, what talk of morality? Besides, the Ming Dynasty had absolutely no need to care about such things now.

Most of the vassal states that are now subjugated by the Ming Dynasty are small countries in Southeast Asia.

To the west, Japan and Goryeo have been destroyed, and the southern border is also becoming more stable with the fall of Da Yue, Da Li, and the Liang King.

Although the Khmer Empire was left behind, they dared not act rashly.

With Mu Ying and Wang Bi guarding the south, presumably nothing too serious will happen.

With Marquis Hua Yunlong of Huaiyin guarding the northeastern frontier, Wu Zhen and Wu Liang leading the navy on the eastern frontier, and Duke Feng Sheng of Song stationed in the north, nothing too serious is likely to happen except in the west.

If Zhu Xiong Ying were in this place, he would definitely have different opinions.

Currently, besides developing maritime power, the only options are to extend westward to the Delhi Sultanate, where India is located, and northwestward to several khanates to the west.

After the discussion, he realized that Zhu Biao had just left the Hall of Diligent Governance when he was stopped by someone. Upon closer inspection, he recognized him as Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan.

"Fourth brother, what are you doing in this place?"

At this moment, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, rubbed his hands together, his heart filled with excitement.

"Brother, I heard we're going to attack the Chagatai Khanate in the northwest. I wonder who will lead the troops?"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao was taken aback. Previously, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, had never cared about these matters. Why was he suddenly so concerned about this matter this time?

"The one leading the troops is Duke Cao, Li Wenzhong, but what does this have to do with you? Why aren't you staying here in Yingtian Prefecture? What are you thinking about?"

Prince Zhu Di of Yan was immediately displeased upon hearing this.

“Brother, no matter what, I must go on this expedition with the army. When the fiefdoms were being drawn up, I set my sights on the territory around the Timurid Khanate in the west. I heard that to the west of this place lies the extremely chaotic former Persian region, which was once part of the Byzantine Empire, a branch of the former Roman Empire. So I plan to conquer all of these places!”

Crown Prince Zhu Biao immediately understood Zhu Di's thoughts and said with a smile.

"Then why are you in such a hurry? This time we're dealing with the Chagatai Khanate, which is quite far from those places. Why worry so much!"

Prince Zhu Di of Yan immediately became anxious.

"Big brother, you can't do this. Right now, second brother is in charge of Yunnan and Duogandu in the southwest, third brother went to Goryeo in the northeast, fifth brother has been weak since childhood and can't travel far, sixth brother was sent to Jingchu to pacify refugees, seventh brother was sent to Japan, and even twelfth brother has a job there. I'm just sitting here doing nothing!"

"Don't worry, I've learned a lot from Marquis Lu Ding, Chen Heng, during this time. I've even stolen a lot of the military strategies of Duke Xu Dabing of Wei!"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao smiled.

"It seems you're also anxious, but whether or not you can go to the battlefield is not something I can decide. You need to go to your father and mother. As long as they agree, I have no objections."

Upon hearing this, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, frowned. His father's area wasn't a major problem.

The most troublesome thing now is the Empress Dowager. As long as she agrees to this, then I won't have to worry about my own thoughts anymore.

However, I should tell Xu Miaoyun about this important matter when I get back.

(End of this chapter)