Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 242 An Unprecedented Surprise Attack [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Guo Xun vaguely sensed something.

It seems that from the very beginning, when Yan Maoqing proposed this "bird scheme," he laid a terrible trap for the Tatars.

He had seen the full picture of the "Bird's Strategy" that Gao Gong had asked him in front of the emperor.

He recalled that a rather exaggerated word was used in it.
—A permanent solution!
Guo Xun had always believed that this phrase was a way Yan Maoqing used to persuade the emperor.

Because at the beginning, he felt that this so-called coal trade was just a way to fool people for a while.

Later, Yan Maoqing indeed helped the Tatars find coal deposits, which facilitated the establishment of tributary relations with Anda, and it seemed that the two sides could achieve long-term cooperation and mutual benefit.

He didn't think this result could be considered a "one-size-fits-all" solution.

Just like Zhou Shangwen's reasons for opposing the tribute system.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the two countries have paid tribute to each other far more often than they have cut off trade. But when has the Tatar ever truly abided by the alliance and stopped invading the Ming border?
And it wasn't just the Ming Dynasty.

This practice began as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

Later, after the establishment of the Han Dynasty, it maintained a peace treaty with the Xiongnu for a long period of time.

The Xiongnu slept with the princesses of the Han Dynasty and took the betrothal gifts from the Han Dynasty, yet they still kept invading the borders of the Han Dynasty.
This is not just a problem of the Ming Dynasty, but a historical legacy of all dynasties in the Central Plains, a festering sore that has always been difficult to eradicate.

Compared to the alliance promised by the Tatars, Sima Yi, who swore an oath by the Luo River, could be called the Emperor of Integrity, since the number of times he broke his promises was less than a fraction of that of any random Tatar Khan.

And now.

Yan Maoqing just emphasized the word "road".

A road that Anda had to develop to connect Datong, Fengzhou Beach, and Langjuxu Mountain in order to conduct coal trade with the Ming Dynasty...

This finally made Guo Xun realize a hint of malice.

Hidden within Yan Maoqing's "innocent smile" was a strong malice that everyone belatedly realized!
As is well known, the nomadic peoples of the grasslands posed a major headache to the central dynasties for three main reasons:

One is that he was "born with a natural talent for riding and archery, and was skilled in both."
The second is "swift in and out, neglecting one thing for another";
Thirdly, it means "having no fixed abode and being free to move about".

Let alone the Han Dynasty more than a thousand years ago, even now, the Ming army would still get lost when fighting deep into the grasslands, especially when the troops were divided into multiple routes, making it difficult for them to support each other.

Therefore, except during the reign of Emperor Yongle, the Ming Dynasty rarely took the initiative to attack, and usually played a passive defensive role, often losing sight of one aspect while trying to attend to another.

And this was influenced by Yan Maoqing's "bird-like scheme".

Suddenly, a clearly visible road appeared on the grassland, and the Tatars possessed heavy property that could not be driven away at will like livestock, nor dismantled at will like tents...

Wouldn't the advantage of "no fixed abode and freedom of movement" be lost among these three advantages?

In this situation, if the Tatars can invade the Ming Dynasty, then wouldn't the Ming Dynasty also be able to launch a targeted attack on the Tatars?
If both sides enter this state, then the Tatars' advantage will directly turn into a disadvantage.

After all, in order to resist the invasion of the Tatars, the Ming Dynasty had built countless strong cities and passes on the border over the years, and the Great Wall was also constantly being reinforced and renovated.

The Tatars, on the other hand, had no cities, no passes, and no Great Wall. All they had were tents that could only block the wind and some simple fences made of chevaux-de-frise.

With such mutual attacks, who is stronger and who is weaker, who benefits and who suffers, is it even necessary to elaborate?

and so……

Could it be that Yan Maoqing is thinking the same thing, planning to go to war with the Tatars directly?

Thinking of this, Guo Xun suddenly felt a pang of fear and unconsciously became apprehensive.

This time, I wasn't feeling anxious for Altan Khan, but for myself, and for Yan Maoqing...

First, he felt it was necessary to clarify one thing:

Is this the Emperor's will, or Yan Maoqing's unauthorized decision?

If it is also the Emperor's will, then there is naturally nothing wrong with it.

But if Yan Maoqing acts on his own initiative...

The Emperor was eagerly waiting to establish the carbon tax office, smoothly conduct coal trade with the Tatars, firmly grasp this considerable fiscal revenue, and change his passive situation.

If Yan Maoqing dares to send troops to war against the Tatars, wouldn't that completely destroy the coal trade and leave the Emperor's outstretched hand with nothing?

Moreover, Yan Maoqing's unauthorized use of military power is by no means a trivial matter!

Even if Yan Maoqing led his two thousand soldiers and Zeng Xian followed with several thousand supply troops, even if they had military seals and command authority, it was perfectly acceptable for them to fight a few harmless peacekeeping battles internally. However, if they were to take it upon themselves to start a war externally, they would at least be convicted of the serious crime of "provoking a major conflict".

If the emperor were to catch a fart, he would surely fly into a rage.

The entire court would surely swarm forward like dogs seeing excrement, launching a massive impeachment.

How should this be resolved?

I'm afraid not only Yan Maoqing will be severely punished, but his adoptive father will also be implicated... At this moment, Guo Xun didn't even dare to think any further, because the consequences were too serious. The so-called serious crime of "provoking a huge provocation" was the lightest crime he could think of!
Will not!
Absolutely not!
Shouchang is a filial child, a smart child, and a sensible child.

Therefore, Shouchang must be well aware of the situation, understand the importance of things, and know when to advance and retreat. He would never do such a thing!
Then he saw Yan Maoqing nod, picking up where Zhou Shangwen left off, and say with a smile:
“That’s right. How can such large-scale mineral trade be transported without roads? It seems that Anda also understands the supreme principle of ‘to get rich, build roads first’.”

"Minister Yan, what exactly do you mean by asking about this matter?"

Zhou Shangwen could easily tell that Yan Maoqing's words had a hidden meaning, and he couldn't help but ask again.

"General Zhou, please don't misunderstand. The Emperor's task for me is to ensure the smooth operation of the carbon tax office and the smooth development of the coal trade. Therefore, as someone who is wise enough to protect myself, I would never cause trouble for anything unrelated to these two matters."

Yan Maoqing's eyes narrowed to slits, and his words revealed a bureaucratic style that seemed far beyond his years.

"call--"

Guo Xun breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

As expected of Shouchang, he's always reliable in getting things done!

However, "prudent self-preservation" is not a good thing to say, so it's best not to say it in front of outsiders...

"Hehe, if that's the case, then I'll go back and continue to submit my memorial to the Emperor!"

This time, Zhou Shangwen was disappointed. He sneered and was about to leave.

These civil officials are all birds of a feather. I was just bored, and because of what he did in Taiyuan Prefecture, I actually hoped that this young man would be someone who would save trouble!
That makes sense. This matter of paying tribute was started by this young man, and it was originally his achievement. How could he bear to destroy the achievement that belonged to him?
"But..."

But then Yan Maoqing continued,

"Al-Dah also said in this letter that he wanted the Ming Dynasty to guarantee the smooth and safe trade of coal within three days, otherwise he would lead his iron cavalry to raid the Jin region in the south, cross the pass and go straight to the capital."

“This move will undoubtedly ruin the excellent situation of the tribute system. Once this happens, even if I manage to set up the carbon tax office, the tribute system will have to be abandoned, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to explain it to the Emperor.”

"If I cannot answer to the Emperor, then no one will have a good time."

"Therefore, anyone who dares to disrupt the tribute system is my enemy, and I will nip them in the bud with thunderous force, daring not to betray the Emperor's trust!"

“Now that those who intend to disrupt the tributary relationship have emerged, and Anda is the first to bear the brunt, how can I turn a blind eye?”

"General Zhou, Godfather, this matter is of utmost importance, as it concerns my future career. Could you please lend me a hand to ensure that the tribute mission proceeds without any mishaps?"

"???"

Zhou Shangwen stopped in his tracks instantly, his head turning around slowly, his old eyes filled with disbelief.

What do you mean?
The one who disrupted the tribute system has suddenly become Anda?
Yan Maoqing intends to nip those who disrupt the tribute system in the bud with overwhelming force. Does this mean... he intends to take action against Anda?
"!!!"

Guo Xun gasped again, accidentally choking and coughing violently, his old face turning bright red.

"Three days it is. In order to prevent Anda from disrupting the tribute and ruining my plans, I must eliminate the hidden dangers within three days."

Yan Maoqing continued solemnly,
"As far as I know, Datong is about 400 li away from Fengzhou Beach. It would take a normal infantryman about three days to march day and night. Not only would they be unable to keep up, but by the time they reached Fengzhou Beach, the soldiers would be exhausted and probably unable to fight."

"Therefore, I need my godfather to immediately order the requisition of at least four hundred carriages for me in Datong Prefecture. Just enough flatbed carts used by merchants to transport goods to carry passengers will suffice."

"Now that Anda has opened up the road, I have decided to take advantage of the darkness tonight to lead the entire Heroes' Camp in carriages to eliminate the threat of Tonggong. This should not be difficult for my godfather."

"This……"

Guo Xun was even more dumbfounded upon hearing this.

Yan Maoqing's words were clearly not a question or a discussion, but rather a command-like request.

"This……"

Zhou Shangwen's eyes also widened.

This was the first time he had ever heard of such a marching method. The infantrymen were all riding in horse-drawn carriages. Could they still be considered infantrymen?

It was fortunate that Yan Maoqing's Hero Battalion was not large; otherwise, if it were an army of tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions that needed to be mobilized, the mobilization cost would be astronomical.

However, even he had to admit that this method of marching could indeed greatly reduce marching time and save the infantrymen's energy.

the most important is.

This was an unprecedented surprise attack, something that had never happened before in the history of wars between the Central Plains dynasties and the nomadic tribes. In the past, even surprise attacks were always cavalry attacks...

Then Yan Maoqing turned to look at him, bowed, and said:
"General Zhou, I need you to send all your elite cavalry to support me."

"There is no need to worry about the consequences, because your reason for sending troops this time is not to launch a surprise attack on Altan Khan's court, but because I acted on my own initiative, and you had to send troops to bring me back. I will bear all the consequences alone."

"Furthermore, I hope that the person who will support me this time is Ma Fang, who is currently serving as the captain under you."

(End of this chapter)