Chapter 119: The Collapse of the Yuan Dynasty: Changes in Human Nature under the Tide of History
Chapter 119: The Collapse of the Yuan Dynasty: Changes in Human Nature under the Tide of History
As the night deepened, Lu Yunyi returned to the military tent with a tired face.
But he couldn't wait to sit down at the desk and take out paper and pen.
After what happened in the past two days,
He had a more profound understanding of human nature at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty.
He wanted to take advantage of the fact that his thoughts were pouring out of his mind at this moment and write them down.
Lu Yunyi pondered for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote:
"The Yuan Dynasty was originally a vast empire spanning the Eurasian continent.
Under its rule of both glory and brutality, it collapsed in the long course of history.
The demise of the Yuan Dynasty was not only a sign of regime change, but also a profound change in human nature under extreme circumstances.
Especially in the early period of Hongwu, when the Xin Dynasty was established,
The cruelty, bloodlust and extreme means of solving problems in human nature are particularly prominent.
The shadow of the Yuan Dynasty is everywhere, and the history of this period is full of complexity and depth. "
Lu Yunyi gradually became silent, his face solemn, and the fatigue in his body seemed to disappear at this moment, replaced by the solemnity of being a witness to history.
"The Yuan Dynasty collapsed:
The demise of the Yuan Dynasty was the result of the combined effect of many factors.
The Yuan Dynasty rulers implemented a strict policy of controlling the people, which made the people suffer.
This oppression eventually sparked widespread resistance.
Secondly, by reading classics in the court of the Northern Yuan Dynasty,
I found that the Yuan Dynasty relied too much on Mongolian cavalry and neglected the development of the inland army.
This also led to a lack of sufficient military strength when facing internal and external enemies.
Note: The rebellion at the end of the Yuan Dynasty first broke out in the border areas.
Furthermore, the Yuan Dynasty's economic policies were chaotic, and the massive issuance of banknotes led to inflation.
Such as Zhiyuan Tongxing Baochao, Dayuan Tongxing Baochao, Zhizheng Tongxing Baochao,
In addition to banknotes, there are also many copper coins.
Such as the Dachao Tong Bao, Zhiyuan Tong Bao, Yuanzhen Tong Bao, Dade Tong Bao, Zhida Tong Bao and Zhida Yuan Bao.
Actively issuing super notes will certainly depreciate the currency, reap the money of private gentry and big merchants, and force their currency to circulate.
However, risk transfer has caused damage to agricultural production, business downturn and increased poverty among the people.
The imperial court was plagued by corruption, the bureaucracy was in disarray, and it was unable to control the domestic situation.
The interaction of these factors created enormous pressure within the Yuan Dynasty.
The common people, bureaucrats and gentry are on the verge of exploding, and everyone is filled with resentment.
This was reflected in the Northern Yuan Dynasty.
They treated the "sinners" on the periphery like ants, beating and killing them at will.
I have seen more than once that grassland dignitaries used "sinners" as living targets for their amusement.
Of course, the orthodox Northern Yuan Dynasty, represented by the Northern Yuan Princess and Usar Khan, had compassion for the people under their rule, but they could not change the situation. "
“Humanity at the end of the Yuan Dynasty:
At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the greed and cruelty of the Golden Family and the great tribes of the grassland reached an unprecedented level.
They imposed heavy taxes on the people and imposed a cruel tax system on them.
There were rebellions in various parts of the Yuan Dynasty, but the means of suppression were simple and crude, and they were all killed.
At the same time, corruption in the Yuan Dynasty court reached its peak.
Officials sold out the interests of the Yuan Dynasty for their own personal gain.
As recorded in the Northern Yuan Dynasty court, during the reign of Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty, the powerful official Hama colluded with foreign enemies and sold out the secrets of the Yuan Dynasty for personal gain.
This led to frequent wars in border areas and the displacement of people.
The brutality of human nature displayed in the late Yuan Dynasty did not happen overnight.
Instead, it is a country that relies on military power and does not pay attention to the shortcomings of culture and education.
In the early days, Emperor Genghis conquered all directions, trying to conquer the whole world.
At that time, all political affairs of the Yuan Dynasty were handed over to ministers, which led to chaos in the early Yuan Dynasty and the failure to promote culture and education due to factional interests.
Judging from the historical inertia of the Qin, Han, Tang, and Song dynasties, we cannot trust the wisdom of later generations to solve problems that were not solved when the country was founded. "
"Changes in human nature during the early Hongwu period:
As the present emperor put an end to the chaotic times and established the Ming Dynasty,
The early period of Hongwu became a period of transition from the old to the new and of complex and changing human nature.
During this period, the cruelty, bloodlust and extreme means of solving problems in human nature were particularly prominent.
Especially among the nobles in the early Ming Dynasty, many of them still retained the personality traits of the Yuan Dynasty.
Brutal and bloodthirsty, but more of a desire for a new order and efforts to rebuild, and some impatience.
This personality trait is particularly evident when dealing with problems, often choosing a straightforward approach. ”
"The court:
The current emperor has adopted some extreme measures in the process of rectifying the style of scholars and literature and consolidating his political power.
The treatment of those who are different or disobedient often ends with killing.
Although physical destruction can easily solve the problem,
However, it will intensify the tense atmosphere within the court and affect social stability and development.
When two powers conflict with each other, choose the lesser one; when two powers conflict with each other, choose the greater one. It is a helpless move.
Human nature is complex. The current emperor has adopted cruel measures in rectifying the administration of officials.
However, he used culture and education to win over the world, encouraging childbirth through culture and education to appease the brutality and bloodlust brought by the Yuan Dynasty.
In order to transform the candidates who took the imperial examinations from the people of the previous dynasty into the people of the Ming Dynasty,
The imperial examination was stopped in the sixth year of Hongwu, and the schools opened in the second year of Hongwu were used to train students.
It was not until the 17th year of Hongwu, when the first batch of Ming Dynasty students completed their studies, that the imperial examinations were held to recruit scholars.
The effect was remarkable. In the 18th year of Hongwu, Erting spread the Great Edict throughout the world, using real Ming Dynasty students.
By this time, the younger generation had initially gotten rid of the influence of the Yuan Dynasty's chaos through cultural education.
This is reflected in the students of Gyeongju and the young soldiers in the army.
They are kind, fighting for their country, and just want to live a good life.”
"In the 21st year of Hongwu, the Ming army marched north.
Facing the powerful offensive of the Ming army, as an eyewitness,
Usar Khan, various dignitaries, and the two princes all showed despair and struggle.
They tried to reverse the defeat by using external forces and military means of the Naiman and Tatar tribes.
But internal divisions and corruption made their efforts come to naught.
When the Naiman Taiji Arisleng and the Tatar captain Borshu were teaching the art of war,
He was blocked by many powerful people in the grassland.
They are xenophobic and self-contained.
His ability to accept new things is far less than that of the two grassland princes.
During the Northern Expedition, the Northern Yuan army also showed a strong will to resist.
But overall, people have lost their morale.
The specific manifestation is that everyone fights on their own, has no leader, and flees in panic.
The cruelty and incompetence of the Northern Yuan Dynasty’s nobles further exacerbated the degeneration and fall of human nature.
In the Northern Expedition to destroy the Yuan Dynasty, the people of the Northern Yuan Dynasty also played an important role.
They gave active support and response to the Ming army.
The biggest manifestation is to sit back and do nothing and welcome the royal army.
This means that the Northern Yuan Dynasty had already lost the support of the people during the migration, and even if the Ming army had not arrived, the Northern Yuan Dynasty would not have been able to survive. "
Lu Yunyi straightened up, let out a long breath, picked up the teacup beside him and drank quietly.
After a while, he picked up his pen and wrote again:
The changes in human nature at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty were most directly reflected in the Ming army:
1. From resistance to oppression to pursuit of justice:
"At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the predecessors of the Ming army were mainly peasant uprisings.
They rose up in rebellion because they could not bear the brutal rule of the Yuan Dynasty.
During this process, the humanity of the Ming army soldiers was filled with a desire for freedom and a pursuit of justice.
They are fighting not only for their own survival, but also for the liberation of the entire Central Plains.
This awakening of human nature and sense of justice were fully reflected in the Northern Expedition to destroy the Yuan Dynasty.
Take the Red Turban Army led by the current emperor as an example.
Wherever they arrived, cities opened their gates and surrendered one after another. Local gentry of the Yuan Dynasty provided money, food, and their own children to support the army.
2. From grassroots heroes to a disciplined army
As the rebel army grew stronger, some local nobles at the end of the Yuan Dynasty brought their knowledge into the army.
The Ming army gradually transformed from a group of grassroots heroes into a regular army with strict discipline and fierce combat.
During the Northern Expedition, the Ming army strictly abided by military discipline.
From the burning, killing and looting in the early days of the uprising to the harmlessness in the later days,
This change not only reflected the maturity and sublimation of the Ming army's humanity, but also laid a solid foundation for their ultimate victory.
3. Humanized considerations of tactics and strategies:
In the Northern Expedition to destroy the Northern Yuan Dynasty, the Ming army generals made full use of humane tactics and strategic considerations.
They not only focus on military victory, but also pay attention to post-war processing.
After capturing the royal court, General Lan Yu immediately ordered his men to seal up the Northern Yuan Dynasty's treasury and documents, and strictly prohibited the soldiers from looting.
By controlling the princess of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, tens of thousands of grassland criminals were prevented from causing chaos.
As soon as the war is over, they will be settled in the border areas and become border residents of the Ming Dynasty."
Changes in the personality of the nobles:
1: From the old guard of the Yuan Dynasty to the new nobles of the Ming Dynasty:
"During the Northern Expedition to destroy the Yuan Dynasty, many nobles who were originally loyal to the Yuan Dynasty chose to submit to the Ming Dynasty. For example, the captain, prime minister, and Haixi Hou Nahachu who occupied Liaodong,
In this process, their humanity was filled with considerations of real interests and adaptation to the new dynasty.
Although these nobles may have had prominent status and power during the Yuan Dynasty,
But after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, they had to face a new court environment and power structure.
This change prompted them to gradually abandon their loyalty to the Yuan Dynasty and seek new development in the Ming Dynasty. "
2. From brutality and bloodlust to gradual restraint:
“In the late Yuan Dynasty, some nobles may have developed brutal and bloodthirsty personalities due to the long-term influence of the brutal rule of the Yuan Dynasty.
However, with the establishment of the Ming Dynasty and the current emperor's rectification of officialdom,
These nobles gradually restrained their brutal behavior and began to pay attention to their own image and reputation.
For example, some military officers traveled to various places and became local officials.
For example, He Zhen, the Duke of Dongguan, was a military commander.
Since the third year of Hongwu, he was appointed as a local councilor, and later served as the governor of Zhejiang and Huguang.
They began to participate in the governance and construction of the Ming Dynasty and contribute their own strength to its stability and development.
Three: From personal ambition to the righteousness of the Ming Dynasty:
"During the Northern Expedition to destroy the Yuan Dynasty, some nobles experienced a transformation from personal ambition to the righteousness of the Ming Dynasty.
They gradually realized that their personal interests were closely linked to the fate of the Ming Dynasty, and that only the prosperity and stability of the Ming Dynasty could guarantee their long-term development.
The brush stopped moving, Lu Yunyi let out a long sigh, and put the brush aside.
The excitement in my mind gradually faded as I stopped writing, and was followed by uncontrollable fatigue.
Lu Yunyi looked at the handwriting on the book that looked like a chicken stepping on it, feeling quite helpless.
He also added a sentence in the most prominent position of the book.
"Lu Yunyi, Lu Yunyi, you can't go on like this, you need to practice your calligraphy," he said.
It was already the Yin hour, and only an hour until dawn.
Lu Yunyi slowly stood up and began to relax his body in the military tent.
The sound of bones rubbing against each other began to crackle, spreading little by little.
The sound awakened Liu Heiying who was at the entrance of the military tent.
He was now wearing armor, holding a long sword in his hand and sitting at the entrance of the military tent.
He didn't stand up when he heard the sound, but leaned his head in, his sleepy eyes swept back and forth in the military tent.
After seeing Brother Yuner exercising, Liu Heiying breathed a sigh of relief.
Only then did he move his head back, tighten his clothes, and continue to take a nap leaning against the long wooden bench at the entrance of the military tent.
After exercising, Lu Yunyi did not rest.
Instead, he continued to sit down, his face solemn, his head lowered in thought.
After daybreak, he would lead his soldiers to protect the roads in front and behind the Halazhang camp.
To ensure the smooth construction of the camp belonging to the Ming army,
Once it is successfully built, Hala Zhang will be trapped in a jar with no possibility of escape.
Correspondingly, if Hala Zhang saw such a scene, he would certainly send troops to disrupt the transportation of various military supplies and food and prevent the establishment of the camp.
As the commander of the front-line scout unit responsible for ensuring the food supply, he must make plans early.
In order to ensure that nothing goes wrong in the future,
Although Lu Yunyi was extremely tired and his wrist was a little sore,
But he still picked up the brush placed aside, hesitated for a moment, and began to write slowly.
The military tactics of the past did not need to be written down, they were completely memorized in the mind.
But now I haven't slept for a few days, and my head is a little dizzy.
It’s better to write it down to avoid missing anything.
"Reconnaissance of important information such as the specific location of the enemy camp, troop deployment, fortifications, food reserves, water source distribution, etc.
This is the basis for formulating a siege plan and can be obtained from the former military camp.
We need to find the possible direction and entrance for the troops to march out of the Harazhang camp.
There are no spies in the enemy camp, so we need to observe everywhere.
Wu Fuliu is thoughtful and observant.
He led two hundred men to explore the surroundings of the Kharajang camp to find possible entrances for the troops to march out.
It can provide early prevention and immediate support.
For example, the perimeter of the camp looks solid but is movable and detachable.
Slopes, depressions, and high slopes on both sides that were originally not conducive to cavalry attacks but could be barely traversed through human intervention. "
"Learn in detail the topography of the encircled area,
Including mountains and rivers, terrain height, vegetation distribution, etc.
Find the appropriate attack route and retreat route from the enemy's perspective.
Pay attention to the weather changes that may be encountered during the siege.
Such as rain, snow, strong winds, dust, etc., so as to prepare appropriate response measures.
Wang Shen could lead 50 people to survey and record.
Quickly make a three-dimensional sand table of the Harazhang camp, focusing on surveying the terrain.
Most of our troops are cavalry, which is particularly important."
"If the Harazhang camp goes out to destroy the food supply route for military supplies, the troops must be assembled as quickly as possible.
According to the enemy situation and terrain conditions detected, the troops were deployed reasonably.
I have 1,500 cavalrymen. Tomorrow I will borrow 500 from the front army and form a total of 2,000.
Ten earthen forts were first built outside of Harazhan by digging pits and using wood and stone as the walls.
Each earthen fort housed fifty to two hundred soldiers, shortening the battle distance.
It is under the charge of Fang Guangnan, Yin Kexiong, Ji Hu and Ning Chong.
There are two hundred soldiers in the earthen fort in the middle of the grain road, who can provide support from the front and back at any time.
The commander of the soldiers in the middle earthen fort must be brave and valiant. One part will be led by Liu Heiying, and the other part will be led by Qian Hong. Each of them will lead 200 people to provide support at any time.
"After the sand table is built, fortifications will be built at key points.
For example, trenches could be dug, antlers could be set up, and chevaux de frise could be arranged in the direction where most of the Kharajang troops could leave to prevent the enemy from counterattacking or breaking out.
Borrow some men from the front army and have them dig. When Marquis Changxing arrives at the front tomorrow, Guo Quan will be in charge."
"Each unit should be equipped with a trumpet. Once the enemy is spotted, the soldiers will ride fast horses to report the news, and the surrounding earthen forts will quickly provide support.
Tell the soldiers to be aggressive and get rid of obstacles in time. Ma Dake's troops will be responsible for this."
"Launch psychological warfare and propaganda offensives to lure them out, then kill them.
Shouting, distributing leaflets, roasting sheep near the Kharajang camp, blowing the aroma, undermining the enemy's fighting spirit,
Now, Marquis of Changxing will come tomorrow and borrow Xu Zengshou. This will be safe and can achieve merit, and we can also use Xu Zengshou to publicize the importance of psychological warfare.
Oh, and there is also logistics support and equipment maintenance.
A field medical point was established to provide timely treatment and care for the wounded. It was located in the middle section of the earthen bunker to shorten the treatment distance.
Equipment maintenance should also be taken seriously, and craftsmen should be mobilized to disperse in the earthen forts.
It was coordinated by Xu Zengshou, who has a good family background, extensive connections, and good reputation. "
"As for the command structure, it will be set up outside the grain route, at the place where the lambs are roasted. You can take a break here. Lu Yunyi will be in charge."
"The above is the battle plan for tomorrow!"
call--
Lu Yunyi let out a long breath, smiled, and stretched himself.
His eyes were now covered with fine silk, and his eye sockets were slightly sunken.
His face looked pale and haggard, with fatigue that was hard to conceal.
The waste papers on the table were scattered all over the floor, with dense markings and labels on them, which were the results of his work in this hour.
Lu Yunyi stood up and looked outside the military tent.
It was no longer as dark as before. The night was fading away little by little, and orange-red clouds appeared from the horizon.
Lu Yunyi looked at the teacup on the table, then moved his gaze to the teapot beside him.
Finally, he took the teapot and slowly walked out of the military tent.
Outside the tent, the grassland was quiet and cool in the morning, and the cold of the night had not yet dissipated.
The breeze blows gently, bringing a hint of fresh air.
Occasionally, the sound of horses neighing and soldiers whispering in the distance reminded him that this was still a battlefield.
Lu Yunyi took a deep breath, trying to use the fresh air to dispel the fatigue in his body.
But he felt his face darken and his body staggered.
Liu Heiying, who was sitting at the entrance of the military tent, suddenly opened his eyes, which were full of sharpness.
He stood up with a bang and supported Lu Yunyi.
His dark face was greasy from staying up late, and his eyes were bloodshot. He asked nervously:
"Brother Yun'er, are you okay?"
After a long while, the world in front of Lu Yunyi returned to clarity. Seeing Liu Heiying's concerned look, he smiled gently:
"Help me sit for a while"
The two of them sat at the entrance of the military tent, with their heads leaning against the tent, looking at the increasingly spreading light in the sky.
His eyes were dull and lifeless, and his mind was empty.
The first ray of dawn on the grassland is like a smile blooming in the sky, shy and mysterious, quietly spreading in the sky.
At first, it was just a faint blush on the horizon, like a kiss of morning light, gently touching the cheek of night.
In an instant, it spread rapidly across the sky, as if it was on fire, penetrating the mist and dispelling the darkness.
It hit Lu Yunyi and Liu Heiying hard.
The two of them couldn't help but narrow their eyes, their eyes quickly changed from being confused to exuding murderous aura.
Lu Yunyi took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:
"Black Hawk, it's dawn, time to go to war."
"okay."
I will update 5,000 words today. This chapter is too difficult to write, and I can’t write the next one.
Sorry, my Lords!
Barley
(End of this chapter)