"Your Majesty, although the empire is in a critical situation, it is not without room for improvement. I believe that as long as we plan carefully and coordinate carefully, we may not be able to turn the crisis around." He Zhiqiu's words actually left a lot of room for improvement, but they were spoken with sonorous and powerful confidence. A hundred times more, the spirits of all the ministers including His Majesty the Emperor were lifted up after hearing this.
Everyone's expectant eyes suddenly focused on the Minister of Military Affairs, and even His Majesty the Emperor's eyes seemed to have a hint of hope that was usually hard to see.
"Oh, my beloved, come and listen to me and all the other ministers." Although nothing could be heard in the words, the Minister of Military Affairs knew that His Majesty the Emperor was actually filled with longing in his heart.
Sighing secretly in his heart, He Zhiqiu had to grit his teeth and said: "Your Majesty, the situation in Kansai is critical now, but there are three main reasons. First, the power of the Taiping Religion in the Kansai area is developing rapidly. Our local government has neglected to monitor it, and even some officials collude with it; secondly, Kansai is located in the hinterland, and the security is weak. The combat effectiveness of the guard force is extremely low, and it is difficult to cope with sudden changes in the situation; thirdly, and the most important point is that in order to impose sufficient force on the Machihan people in the early stage, we Due to the pressure, too many troops were deployed from the Guanxi area, resulting in the emptiness of the Kansai defense line, which gave the Taiping Sect an opportunity to take advantage of. In this regard, the humble minister should bear the main responsibility. After quelling the rebellion, I asked your Majesty to impose punishment." He Zhiqiu first analyzed the current situation and took the initiative to take responsibility.
"Okay, He Aiqing, let's not talk about this at this time. When it comes to responsibility, I am afraid that I should bear the main responsibility. Let's talk about how to deal with it first." Situ Mingyue is very sober. If he wants to mobilize the Kansai garrison south, The only person who supported him was himself, but no one thought that the Taiping Sect, which had been hidden so deeply, would rise up at this time and cause such a big wave all at once.
"The Taiping Religion seems to be very powerful now, but they also have a fatal weakness. If we can seize this weakness and pursue it fiercely, I believe we can gain an advantage soon." He Zhiqiu analyzed calmly road.
"Oh?" Almost all the ministers are interested. Now the power of the Taiping Religion is like a snowball. It is getting bigger and bigger. It has the potential to start a prairie fire. If you are not careful, it may even spread into a tsunami that affects the entire empire. Who knows that Qiu is still there? Dare to boast such a big thing, why didn't everyone here be surprised and also feel a sense of joy.
"Although the power of the Taiping Religion has grown rapidly and it is true that it has many believers, I analyze that most of its main believers come from rural areas, either farmers living in poverty, some lower-class squires who are dissatisfied with the empire, and a large number of slaves Filled with them, this constitutes the main component of the Taiping Religion. Although they have captured several prefectures, it has a lot to do with the rebellion of the main officials or security forces of these prefectures. After careful inspection, I found that they did not actually attack with armed force. How many achievements can be achieved by means. This is a huge weakness of theirs."
"According to intelligence, although the Taiping Sect has been operating within the empire for more than ten years, it has never established a real military organization. The establishment of their armed forces only started at the end of last year, and was mainly gradually established this year. Your Majesty is also well versed in military affairs. You must know that the establishment of an army is not as simple as putting on armors and issuing weapons to a group of people. To become a real army requires a long period of training and cultivation, and it also requires experiencing blood and fire battles. To temper, especially officers, they need formal training and exercise." At this time, He Zhiqiu was eloquent and gushing, and everyone was attracted by his words.
"The Taiping Religion's armed forces were only established less than a year ago. They transformed from a group of farmers who didn't even know weapons into soldiers. Its combat effectiveness can be imagined. Even if there is intelligence that foreign forces have intervened to help them train their troops, But in just a few months and without any war training, they are just a ragtag group of people who look like an army and cannot stand the test of a real war."
"If we can now concentrate our forces to attack quickly, looking for the enemy's main armed forces and annihilating them all in one fell swoop, and there are still many civilians, gentry and local troops loyal to the empire in the Kansai region, as long as we mobilize, we can even encourage the gentry if necessary Form your own private armed forces to protect yourself and fight against the Taiping Religion forces. I think the situation in Kansai will soon become clear. As for Beiyuan, Yanyun and other places, the situation is roughly the same. With better conditions, they can be handled in the same way." He Zhiqiu finished in one breath, Tell everything about your opinions.
"Very well, He Aiqing, I'm really giving you a hard time. I'm really lucky to have such a loyal minister like you in the empire! Then you can tell me more about your arrangements in detail." Situ Mingyue was very excited and said Sweeping away the gloom on his face before, he said happily.
"Yes, Your Majesty. At present, the Fourth Army's third and fourth divisions are still stranded in Tianshui. The military headquarters has re-appointed the division commanders and is on their way to take office. They are expected to arrive in two days. I have ordered them to take over. Quickly reorganize the troops and prepare to go south to attack Jincheng together with the Second Division stationed there. First, clear out the rebels in Jincheng Mansion and cut off the rebels' eastward path." He Zhiqiu's layout was to attack from east to west and north to south.
"In addition, I also want your Majesty to order the City Guard Corps to dispatch four divisions. Two of them will attack Longdong, cut off the north-south communication channel of the rebel army, and cut the rebel army in half. The other two divisions will go south from Tianshui. Push forward and squeeze the rebel army into Hanzhong Mansion. After the three divisions of the Fourth Army have completed the task of clearing Jincheng, they will advance westward and jointly conquer Hanzhong Mansion with the two divisions of the City Guard Corps. Hanzhong Mansion is the most important place for the rebel army. This important base, if Hanzhong Mansion can be eliminated, the recovery of Guanxi County will be just around the corner." The Minister of Military Affairs' thoughts are not imprudent and meticulous, but there are still many problems in the process.
Sure enough, as soon as He Zhiqiu finished speaking, someone immediately expressed objections.
"Lord He, let's not mention that the three divisions of our city guard army returned to the imperial capital after a long journey to the south. The officers and soldiers are very tired and urgently need rest to restore their combat effectiveness. According to you, the second division has already gone to the north. With four divisions mobilized, all the City Guard Corps will go into battle. Who will be responsible for the defense of the Imperial City? What should we do if there is a Taiping Rebellion around the Imperial Capital?" The leader of the list is You, the commander of the Imperial City Guard Corps. Sufu, although the City Guards Corps is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Military Department, it has actually been controlled by the emperor personally in all dynasties. If the Military Department needs to mobilize any of its soldiers, it must obtain the consent of His Majesty the Emperor and be given special military symbols before it can be mobilized. The commanders of the city guard corps are all absolute confidants of His Majesty the Emperor, and their loyalty is unquestionable.
Faced with Yusuf's aggressive questioning, He Zhiqiu was also a little angry. Although the City Guard Corps was under the direct command of His Majesty the Emperor, it was still nominally under the jurisdiction of the military. The other party was also his subordinate in name. In order to preserve the strength of the City Guard Corps, he actually ignored It is really unbearable to go against yourself in such a critical situation.
But He Zhiqiu had been an important minister for many years after all. He knew that Yusuf's status was unusual. He suppressed the anger in his heart and said calmly: "There are still 100,000 people in the Imperial Guard Corps in the imperial capital, as well as the Imperial Feather Forest Army. I am the official. I think it should be more than enough to deal with the defense of the imperial capital and the security of the city, right?"
"Lord He, I disagree with your opinion. The Imperial Guard Corps is the last force of the empire. If the entire City Guard Corps goes out, only the Imperial Guards will be left in the imperial capital. As for the Yulin Army, they are guarding the palace. The army is only a few thousand strong, so it can't help. However, there are five million people in the imperial capital. With the strength of the Taiping Sect's penetration, the official is very suspicious of how many people in the imperial capital have been dragged into the water by it? One hundred thousand? ? Two hundred thousand, or five hundred thousand? If they rebel in the imperial capital, it would be really unimaginable. The lower official thinks that for the sake of safety, it is more appropriate to ask the city guards to stay in the imperial capital." The one who came out to support Yusuf was actually It was Peake, the Imperial Deputy Minister of Affairs. On the surface, he seemed to respect his chief officer very much, but in his words, he did not give in at all.
"Lord Peake, are you underestimating the capabilities of the Imperial Capital's internal affairs department? Yes, the development of the Taiping Religion in various places has indeed exceeded our expectations, but the Imperial Capital is different from other areas. Under the emperor's feet and in front of the imperial city, the security is so strict. How can the Taiping Sect take root in the imperial capital? Even if it exists, they are just a few clowns. They are of no importance and cannot cause much trouble. The Imperial Guards are completely enough to deal with it. Your Majesty, the Kansai region is different. It has become rampant now. If strong measures are not taken immediately, I am worried that once its military strength is given time to develop and develop, it will become a disaster that is difficult for the empire to control!" He Zhiqiu was anxious and his tone was a little excited.
"Underestimating the capabilities of the internal affairs department? Lord He, I think you overestimate their capabilities! Did the development of the Taiping Sect in Kansai, Beiyuan, Yanyun and other places only happen today? Isn't it right? After more than ten years of growth in the empire, what has the internal affairs department been doing? Could it be that the originally boasted peace in the world was the Taiping Sect's "Taiping"? No wonder the demagogic slogan put forward by the rebels was "Peace in the world, peace in the world"! What happened at this time? Your Excellency, you say that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is capable of controlling the security of the imperial capital. How can this be convincing?" Ning Yuanwang, the first deputy minister of the Imperial Administration who joined the anti-He Zhiqiu camp, spoke harshly and even the Minister of Internal Affairs also Got in.
Facing the other party's fierce offensive, He Zhiqiu couldn't help but feel discouraged. He also knew that what the other party said was true and there was a certain truth to it, but the other party's purpose was definitely not out of public interest, and the current situation was so urgent that there was no way to delay at all. , he can't argue without reason.
"If you are opposed to putting the City Guard Corps into the Kansai battlefield, then I would like to ask you, how should you deal with the situation in Kansai? How should you deal with the situation in the north?" He Zhiqiu turned from defense to offense and asked.
"Sir He, this is a matter of the military department, but I also want to remind you, don't we have four divisions on the battlefield in Jerok Principality? Now the situation on Jerok's side has stabilized. Why can't those four divisions be withdrawn and devoted to the battle in Kansai or the north?" Yusuf originally felt that his tone was a bit too strong after expressing his opinions and was about to explain, but unexpectedly he got Pique and Ning Yuan saw the support from the two of them, and his back stiffened, and he suggested boldly.