Forbidden City, Wenhua Palace, Green House.

Wu Zongrui stared at the map on the desk for half an hour. When Zeng Yongzhong and Liao Wenru entered the greenhouse, neither of them spoke and stood silently aside.

Wu Zongrui thought a lot. As far as the current situation is concerned, the total strength of the Denglai New Army is close to 500,000, and it is impossible to continue to expand. The Wu Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty have completely different understandings of the army. Zhu Yuanzhang implemented the military household

The system has long been completely abandoned by the Wu court. Soldiers are soldiers, and it is definitely not possible to be both an army and a farmer. Moreover, all the sergeants of the Denglai New Army are recruited through a recruitment system. In other words, the Denglai New Army’s

Sergeants are professional sergeants. They cannot farm their own land or make money by themselves. They need the court to support them.

Although there is the support of the Royal Bank and the rising trade taxes that also support the court's income, the consumption of the army is huge. This is understandable if it is wartime, but in peacetime, it is difficult for the court to continue to support so many soldiers.

This requires that the soldiers of Denglai's new army are extremely few but capable, and their combat capabilities are extremely strong.

Wu Zongrui, who traveled through time, had a very different understanding from others. The development direction of Denglai's new army had to be gradually adjusted. In the process of unifying the world, it focused on building cavalry and infantry, but the world gradually stabilized.

After coming down, we will focus on building the navy and expanding our strength overseas.

The combat effectiveness of the Denglai New Army Navy is very good, and the warships have been transformed many times. All the artillery on the warships are the latest and most powerful ones developed by the Ordnance Bureau. In order to speed up the warships

In order to improve the speed of travel, the Ordnance Bureau is still trying to reduce the weight of the artillery.

Although the combat effectiveness of the Denglai New Army Navy is quite strong, it has never been put to use. Most of the time, it is stationed at the naval docks in Dengzhou and Laizhou, and occasionally goes out to attack merchant ships that disrupt shipping regulations.

In terms of the overall deployment of the Denglai New Army, there is a basic balance between the north and the south. There are nearly 200,000 Denglai New Army soldiers stationed in the Shanhaiguan area, 150,000 Denglai New Army soldiers stationed in the southern Zhili area, and 50,000 Denglai New Army soldiers stationed in the capital.

The Lai New Army officers and soldiers, and the remaining 100,000 Denglai New Army officers and soldiers, are stationed at Yansui, Xuanfu, Datong and the border gates in Ningxia to take care of Shaanxi and Shanxi. Among them, there are 30,000 Denglai New Army naval forces belonging to Shanhaiguan.

of generals.

Wu Zongrui was certainly dissatisfied with such a deployment. Having traveled across time, he had already divided the territory into several war zones. In the future, the deployment of the army would be carried out completely in accordance with the requirements of the war zones, so that it could not only resist foreign enemies, but also protect the country.

Finally, Wu Zongrui's eyes left the map and looked at Zeng Yongzhong and Liao Wenru.

"Sir, Wen Ru, you have all read the memorials written by Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan. I think what they said is very reasonable."

"This year the Denglai New Army will launch a large-scale attack on the south. Everyone believes that by then the Denglai New Army will attack with all its strength to completely defeat and annihilate Zhang Xianzhong and destroy the Longwu court. However, I have not yet completely

Make up your mind, because I am still worried about the Houjin Eight Banners Army in the north."

"The Eight Banners Army has been dormant for several years. Some people in the DPRK even look down on the Eight Banners Army, thinking that Denglai's new army can easily defeat Hou Jin's Eight Banners Army. This situation may exist, but in terms of strategic layout, we

There is no time to take care of Hou Jin’s Eight Banners Army for the time being.”

"Once we completely shift our attention to the south, Hou Jin's Eight Banners Army suddenly devotes all its strength to launch an attack on Shanhaiguan and even Beizhili. Denglai's new army will face a situation of fighting on two fronts. Although we are not afraid, we

We also need to prevent this from happening.”

"The memorials of Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan reminded me of naval warfare."

When Wu Zongrui said this, Zeng Yongzhong and Liao Wenru nodded repeatedly. They both knew that the Zheng family supported the Longwu court. The Zheng family was extremely wealthy, and its main source of income was to control the commercial transactions along the southern coast.

The profits from overseas commercial transactions were huge. The Wu court relied on collecting taxes from overseas commercial transactions to make the imperial treasury have enough money to support Denglai's new army and the huge expenses of the imperial court. If the Zheng family's navy was eliminated,

Strength, comprehensive control of overseas commercial transactions along the southeast coast, and comprehensive collection of commercial taxes, the court's income will increase exponentially.

Once upon a time, the Zheng family even thought about controlling Dengzhou's maritime trade, but gave up after trying it out because the Zheng family noticed that the navy of Denglai's new army was unusually powerful.

If the navy of Denglai's new army enters the coast of Fujian and Guangdong to fight and completely defeats the Zheng family's navy, the Zheng family's income will drop sharply. Perhaps the wealth accumulated by the Zheng family can support the family for a lifetime.

Worry, but asking them to continue to support the Longwu court would be a bit reluctant.

This means that once the navy of Denglai's new army defeats the navy of the Zheng family and completely controls the coastal trade transactions, the Longwu court will not be able to maintain it well.

The two main opponents of the imperial court in the south were Zhang Xianzhong and the Longwu court.

The nature of the two opponents is completely different. When facing Zhang Xianzhong, the soldiers of Denglai's new army can use all their strength to encircle and suppress him, but when facing the Longwu court, the court must be a little more cautious.

Liao Wenru cupped his fists at Wu Zongrui and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the battles after the beginning of the new year will be mainly based on maritime operations. On the one hand, we can continue to stabilize the defense of Liaodong and prevent Hou Jin's Eight Banners Army from making rash moves. On the other hand, we can encircle and suppress the navy of the Zheng family.

Being able to completely shake the situation in the south, I feel that as long as the navy of the Zheng family is defeated, Zheng Zhilong will definitely surrender to the imperial court..."

Zeng Yongzhong followed Liao Wenru and spoke.

"Your Majesty, General Zhang Dongtao and General Li Yan have taken control of the Guangdong Province and the shipping terminal in Guangzhou. Once the Denglai New Army Navy completely defeats the Zheng Family Navy, it will be the main trading location for overseas trade.

It can be concentrated in Dengzhou and Guangzhou, so that the imperial court's trade taxes can be greatly increased..."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"You are right, but the land attack cannot be completely stopped. On the one hand, we must completely defeat the naval power of the Zheng family. On the other hand, we cannot let Zhang Xianzhong idle. Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan will start the new year.

After that, they continued to launch attacks on Guangxi and other places. I saw that Li Yan stayed in Guangzhou and Zhang Dongtao led the army to attack Guangxi. The sergeants under Gao Jie also followed to Guangxi to conquer Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan. The imperial court did not intend to send other troops to Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan.

The army goes to conquer."

"The cabinet must speed up its consideration of dispatching officials to Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places. If we stabilize Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places and control the sea routes, the Longwu court and Zhang Xianzhong will be completely surrounded. As for the Tell Li Yan that the Longwu court is preparing to send officials to Guangdong, and tell Li Yan that even if he accepts it, Zhu Yujian plans to send the most capable officials to Guangdong. We also need such officials, so just accept it boldly."

Having said this, Wu Zongrui looked at Liao Wenru.

"Wenru, have you considered the matter of naval commander?"

The command of the navy of the Denglai New Army has always been concurrently held by Niu Ben, but Niu Ben's main energy has been assigned to the Intelligence Department, and it is definitely inappropriate to continue to be responsible for the affairs of the navy.

Liao Wenru did not hesitate, cupped his fists and spoke to Wu Zongrui.

"Your Majesty, I believe that it is more appropriate for the navy to be commanded by Qiao Mingjun. Qiao Mingjun is brave and strategic, and has the ability to manage and command the army. As the commander of the navy, Qiao Mingjun will definitely be able to completely defeat the Zheng family's navy. .”

Wu Zongrui nodded with satisfaction. The candidate in his mind was also Qiao Mingjun.

"Very good. Qiao Mingjun is now in Nanjing. The governor's office has drafted the documents for his appointment. The cabinet has discussed it quickly and issued the decree as quickly as possible. Qiao Mingjun does not need to come to the capital to avoid wasting time. He can go directly to Dengzhou to command Navy."

"I gave an order to Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan, asking them to send the most effective scouts to Fujian to investigate the situation of the Zheng family. The Intelligence Department turned its attention to the Zheng family and the Longwu court. If we know ourselves and the enemy, we will never be in danger. As long as we have control of the Zheng family The detailed situation of the navy can ensure their complete defeat."

"Wenru, I will give you two months. In early March, the Denglai New Army Navy must set out on a large scale and head to the coast of Fujian to attack the Zheng family's navy."

Wu Zongrui's expression gradually became serious.

"I must warn Qiao Mingjun not to underestimate the enemy in the slightest. The navy of the Zheng family used to gallop on the sea. After taking control of the Fujian coast, even the East India Company was defeated by it and had to pay a high sum of money. Trade taxes, so in the past two months, Qiao Mingjun must be familiar with the laws of maritime warfare, not giving the Zheng family a chance to breathe, let alone allowing the Zheng family navy to escape, they must be completely defeated."

...

After Zeng Yongzhong and Liao Wenru left, Wu Zongrui stood up and walked around the hall. He finally found a breakthrough to attack the south. He would attack with the main force of the navy. Once the navy of the Zheng family was defeated, Fujian and Guangdong would basically be destroyed. Once the situation stabilizes and the main force of the Navy attacks, there is no need to divide the troops on a large scale. The main force of the Denglai New Army stationed in South Zhili can seize the opportunity and capture Zhejiang, Fujian and other places in one fell swoop.

As for Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo and others stationed in Zhejiang, they are not worthy of being called opponents of the Denglai New Army. Once the Denglai New Army enters Zhejiang, Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo and others will not dare to resist. Of course, if the Longwu court can Dispatching Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo to fight in Huguang is the most favorable situation for the Denglai New Army.
Chapter completed!