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Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

author:Xinxin's historical story

The Wanli Korean War was a long-term international war between the 20th and 26th years of the Ming Dynasty, between China, Li's Joseon and the Toyotomi Hideyoshi regime of Japan. The war involved the three most important countries in Northeast Asia at that time, the Ming Dynasty, Korea and Japan, and thus affected the pattern of the East Asian world.

Shen did not join the cabinet in the early stages of the war, and then gradually assumed the duties of first assistant in the later stages of the war after joining the cabinet in May of the 22nd year of Wanli (9 years). As an auxiliary minister to the cabinet, Shen has always played an important role in the Wanli Korean War, and what defensive measures has Shen always proposed to deal with the threat from the Japanese side?

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

First, the manager's strategy for North Korea

In February of the twenty-fifth year of Wanli (97), the Japanese army made a comeback and crossed the sea again to invade Korea. At this time, the imperial court was arguing about whether to rescue North Korea, and most of the court officials believed that North Korea should be saved, and in Shen's view, the key to this re-war was not whether to save the DPRK, but to study the strategy of using troops before supporting North Korea, so as to seek a perfect strategy and long-term plan for victory in the war, and should not blindly rescue.

Therefore, Shen and Zhang Wei jointly wrote a book entitled "A Brief Passage of Korea", proposing to deal with the protracted war in Korea by setting up important towns, training troops, opening up land and sea, and selecting southern generals. First of all, Shen has always believed that if the Wokou invaded Korea again, it must have come prepared, and our army should make a perfect plan and not take chances; therefore, the most urgent task should be to choose the best strategic position.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

If you can advance and fight, retreat you can defend, and war will be victorious, and the code will be invincible. If I want to fight, I will fight, and if I want to fight, I will stop, I will not be forced to stop, and its confrontation is like a mountain, and its gathering is like an abyss, so it is a complete solution. It can be seen that Shen, as a major minister of the imperial court, has also studied the issue of strategic preparedness in depth, and believes that he should be selected to enter a strategic place that can be fought and retreated.

At the same time, he pointed out the importance of the geographical location of Kaesong and Pyongyang: "Mo Ruo opened the town of Kaesong and Pyongyang, connected the division of Yalu and Lushun in the west, so that you can hope to return, and the east is the aid of Wang Jing and Toriling, so that you can leap forward", and advocated the establishment of towns in Kaesong and Pyongyang, so as to achieve "the situation is convenient to send light troops to seek profits, and win a decisive victory with the Wa; If it is inconvenient, it is enough to suppress its evil heart."

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

Secondly, Shen has always stressed that it is not difficult to go to North Korea, but the difficulty is that the road to North Korea is long and expensive, and it will consume a lot of manpower, material and financial resources. At this time, the Wokoutun had been stationed in Busan for many years and had mastered the art of cultivation and warfare, and once the war broke out, our army would benefit from a quick battle, which would not be conducive to a long-term battle, and the victory or defeat would be unpredictable.

Therefore, Shen has always put forward the strategy of training troops and tuntian, "set up a concubine and a road, lead the people and horses, first set up the two places to receive resources and help, so as to establish the fundamentals, still clearly show morality, do not blame the speed, and after painting for a long time, south of Bird Ridge, the camera enters and stops, there is no loss of the waves, north of Bird Ridge, and also settles for the gathering, not to lose the size, so that the country does not lack things, and the soldiers go out and the people do not know how to work." It can not only supplement the needs of North Korea's armaments, but also reduce the economic and military burden of the Ming Dynasty.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

At the same time, on top of this strategy, Shen has always pointed out that the sea route between Shandong Denglai and Liaodong should be opened, "Tongdeng and Lai into the Liaozhi sea route, and from then on the salaries should be transferred to the capital army to prosper." It was used to transfer food and wages to finance armament needs, practice water warfare in the process of crossing the army, and at the same time shorten the time spent on land for personnel to travel to and from the army, so that the two places could be closely connected and mutually supportive, and it could also lead to Hwangseong Island in North Korea, and reach Busan and Tsushima Road across the sea in order to monitor the enemy forces.

Finally, Shen has always put forward his own views on the issue of conscription, he believes that the southern soldiers have lived in the south for a long time, have not experienced war, can not adapt to the cold climate of the north, and are physically inferior to the northerners. And its only advantage is that the method of attacking and killing and the benefits of equipment are specially designed to resist the Wokou, so it is proposed to recruit southern generals instead of recruiting southern soldiers, "It is better to recruit southern soldiers than to seek southern generals, and use the southern general's coach and recruited southern soldiers to participate in it." ”

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

Use the Nan and the recruited Nan soldiers to achieve the long-term plan of the Imperial Wa. On the issue of managing North Korea, Shen has always been able to proceed from the actual situation and clearly understand that the key to the victory of the imperial court lies in a perfect strategy and a long-term plan, rather than a quick victory, which shows his far-sighted military forethought.

Although Shen Chang was a cabinet minister at this time, he was extremely humble in the process of offering advice to the Mingshen Sect, "Today, the loyal court is full, and the ministers and others also try to show their foolishness, although the opportunity may not be successful, but the intention is the intention of the past people, and it must not be ignored." It is hoped that the military department will further consider and implement it. This shows Shen's consistent humility and prudence and strong sense of monarchy, so Shen has always adhered to his duties as a minister in the officialdom, which is also an important reason why he can start and end well.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

2. It is proposed to establish the governors of Tianjin and Denglai

In August of the 25th year of Wanli (97), when the Ming army Yang Yuanbu garrisoned Nanyuan was lost and the people of Jeonju fled, the Ming Dynasty's troops to rescue Korea entered Korea from Liaodong in an endless stream. At that time, some courtiers realized that the Japanese army, which had already mastered the sea, might directly attack the Ming Dynasty by sea, and advocated focusing on fortification in Tianjin and Denglai.

Shen always believed that fortification in Tianjin and Denglei was the fundamental plan of the imperial court, so after Xing Ji, the imperial minister at the front at that time, "please set up the Tianjin Governor and Governor Shu". Shen also wrote to Emperor Mingshenzong "On the Establishment of Tianjin Denglai Inspectors", proposing that Tianjin and Denglai belong to the same sea area, and should not be divided into separate troops to command, and that a unified inspector should be set up between the two to manage border affairs. "Tianjin and Denglei are the same sea, and they cannot be divided into two soldiers. War and defense are the same thing, and they cannot be divided into two. ”

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

This coastal defense strategy was quite the same as the other two cabinet ministers in the cabinet at that time, the first assistant Zhao Zhigao and the second assistant Zhang Wei had the same sense of sea control: "Although the town of Shandong, the original inspector, it was difficult to control it remotely, Mo Ruotian equipped a member of the Tianjin and Denglai ministers, and trained troops according to the danger, so he stayed in Tun, there was no police patrol, and there was a police policy, and the Yamen was slightly closer to Tianjin to show that it was particularly important." ”

It can be seen from here that Shen at that time was almost in agreement with the ministers at that time in terms of preventing the sea control. However, Shen always had different views on the establishment of the Inspectorate Yamen, and he suggested that it should be established in the middle of the coastal areas of Tianjin and Denglai, while other ministers suggested that the Yamen should be located close to Tianjin.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

Among the four ministers' comments on the establishment of inspectors in Tianjin and Denglai, Shen has always discussed the longest and most detailed. Shen has always analyzed in detail the advantages of setting up patrols in the center: First, he can lead the general army and military equipment to govern the sea route, connect the land of Liaodong in the north and Huai'an in the south, and correspond, and can also mobilize generals who are good at water warfare in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and other places to cross the sea to kill the Wakou in Pusan, Xiansan, and Tsushima, and cooperate with each other to support Korea. Second, grain and wages can be transported by sea to Liaodong, North Korea, and other places and the areas under their jurisdiction to support the Korean war. Finally, it is conducive to our army to meet the enemy, and if the Wokou invade our DPRK, they can cooperate with each other from sea and land to attack it.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

In addition to defensive strategies, Shen has always proposed a comprehensive strategy to drive away the. Shen has always used his own life experience to explain to the Myojin Sect his understanding of the Wokou. In contrast, our army is better at water warfare, and Shen has always explained that water warfare is more beneficial to our army's warfare in terms of ship size, navigation technology, use of weapons, and food reserves.

Therefore, he believes that by setting up patrols in Tianjin and Denglai, the Yan Bushui Division can give full play to the advantages of "our division is better than water", and can also support the Korean war, form a pincer attack on the Korean war, and achieve the purpose of reducing military expenditure and increasing the number of military personnel: First, Tianjin is the gateway of the country, and Denglai is the barrier of our dynasty, so it needs heavy troops to defend and defend with war to make it more solid; Second, now our army is pursuing and suppressing the Wokou at sea, cutting off their food and pay, and attacking them on both sides, so that they will suffer the enemy in the belly and will destroy them.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

Thirdly, now let the land of Tianjin and Denglai, thinking that the return ship will be safe, the food will be paid, and the scarce will be given, so that it will look south to his hometown, his heart will be easy, and his journey to Middle-earth is far away; Fourth, if you want to pay North Korea, the cost of connecting the ship from end to end can be greatly reduced, and at the same time, the boat master can travel with each other, and no thief can covet; 5. Those who can be surprisingly capable of supporting the ships of Cang, Fu, Sha, and the people may be replaced by success, and those who tend to merit fame and fortune and are willing to serve the country may gather.

By setting up patrols in Tianjin and Denglei, it is possible to support each other between the armies, and at the same time, it can also contact important meetings and jointly try to destroy the great cause. Moreover, Shen always proposed in Shuzhong that the governor of Baoding could be moved to Tianjin, and Denglai could be specially managed for front-line military affairs, and the manager of the imperial court could assist the governor of Jiliao to govern the sea area of Tianjin and Denglai.

It can be seen from Shen's strategy of setting up patrols in Tianjin and Denglei and giving full play to our army's advantage of being good at water to deal with this war, and it can be seen that he put a lot of effort into this matter, and expressed his unique views to the Mingshen Sect in the course of his performance, reflecting his concept of understanding the overall situation and understanding the overall situation, and being good at learning from each other's strong points and giving play to his wisdom and talents. It can be seen that although Shen Chengren is in the DPRK, he has some thoughts about the situation in various places and the situation of the army, and at critical moments to show his ability to fulfill his duties, so he has won the praise of the Ming Shenzong, "Qingyan Tianjin and Denglei set up inspectors to take charge of maritime affairs in order to defend the war. ”

3. Shandong governance plan

In the first month of the 26th year of Wanli (98), under the dilemma of shortage of grain and grass and military expenditure during the war, Shen always took the strategic strategy of "Reclamation of Eastern Province" in order to solve the problem of military shortage and food shortage faced by the Ming court at that time in supporting Korea. Shen has always proposed to gather the people to open up land and accumulate wealth in response to Shandong's strategy of defending the war.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

Shen has always analyzed Shandong as the land of Qilu from a historical point of view, with a long history of farming, "Ministers only Shandong, ancient Qilu land, in the spring and autumn Guan Zhong owned the benefits of fish and salt, accumulated wealth and goods, claimed to be rich and strong, and even made a good name to raise his arms to win things, all of them were disobedient, supplemented by his junhuan gongzun, royal family, and Yidi, as the head of the five hegemons." Extended to the Han Dynasty, it was still called the country of the twelve, feeding Guanzhong, crowning the world, how heroic. As a result, Shen has always believed that his land is suitable for farming.

Moreover, when Zheng Rubi was in office as the governor of Shandong, he had already proposed that the land reclamation had prepared military food, but eventually left the post due to rumors. His idea could not be realized, so Shen always hoped that in the current situation of food and wage, he could take advantage of the favorable time and place in Shandong to implement the method of tuntian.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

Shen Chang first analyzed the reason why Shandong's economy withered due to the war, not because the land was barren, but because of the lack of management strategies, most of which belonged to abandoned land. Therefore, Shen has always advocated the implementation of the law of managing the land, "Whoever has land and herdsmen shall stay in the warehouse at four o'clock, and those who have more wealth in the country will come from afar, and those who have opened up the land will leave the people." ”

At the same time, Shen always proposed to appoint a special person to be the inspector to also manage the affairs of the tuntian, "It is appropriate to be the inspector of the special responsibility, and the inspector should be inspected by the time, and the choice of the road should be heavy, such as Yang Haozhi in Liaodong and Huo Pengzhi in Suzhou recently, all of them are based on reclamation." ”

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

Secondly, Shen consistently suggested the implementation of civil settlement, and described in detail the specific measures for the settlement: 1. Ling Liaofu selected officials to thoroughly investigate the barren land in Shandong Province; 2. Recruit people who can cultivate the country, and all those who wish to be naturalized, regardless of distance or proximity, are allowed to sign up and define their positive boundaries; 3. Discern the expediency of its original prosperity, so as to give birth to the benefits of five grains and six savings; 4. Strictly discipline the natives, do not hinder or dispute, and abandon all loans and start with it; 5. The newly registered people shall be the weaving of households, the platoons of the lijia, the following acres, the persuasion of cultivation and weaving, and the prohibition of harshness.

Shen has always believed that this method can achieve the purpose of "having spare strength, but also digging ditches for it, connecting the water flow to lighten the burden of its carts and horses, so that the four sides are radiant, the meter is more expensive, the bark is corresponding, the loss is not bothered to lose far and the profit has been more, the sea canal traffic, the merchants come to the river, the fish and salt come out and its interests are wide". He also stressed that if his recommendations were finally adopted, he would elaborate the law. It can be seen that Shen has always attached great importance to and paid close attention to the matter of Shandong Tuntian.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

At that time, the local governors did not have a good way to improve the economic situation in the areas under their jurisdiction, but Shen was always able to propose to the Mingshen Sect not to loot the people's fat and people's ointment, not to transfer money and grain from other provinces, and only to rely on their own ability to solve economic problems, which was quite appreciated by the Mingshen Sect, "Today's wealth is difficult, public and private are in difficulty, and the local officials only want to borrow from other provinces and search for poor people, and they do not pay attention to the law of land and wealth." Yan Qingxiao, with the loyalty of the country, is honest. ”

Shen has always been keenly concerned about the war situation during the Battle of the Wanli Crusade, actively offered suggestions and suggestions, solved many problems that plagued the Mingshen Sect at that time, and showed a strong sense of loyalty and patriotism in the struggle between countries, winning the favor of the Mingshen Sect. It can also be seen from Shen's consistent performance that he was clear in his suggestions for the Mingshen Sect, directly to the problem and gave detailed solutions, so aside from the troubles of the political situation, Shen has always had political talent and statecraft.

Wanli Korean War, did the Ming army come to the aid of North Korea? Cabinet Auxiliary Minister Shen Chang: The strategy of using troops is the key

IV. Summary

Shen was always the only cabinet assistant who remained in the cabinet at the end of the Battle of the Wanli Crusade, which was inseparable from Shen's consistent political strategy. Shen did not join the cabinet in the early stages of the war, but then joined the cabinet in May of the 22nd year of Wanli (9 years) and gradually assumed the duties of first assistant in the later stages of the war.

Shen has always mentioned three important strategic contents to defend against Japanese attacks: first, to provide advice to the manager North Korea; Second, it is proposed to set up special inspectors for the important coastal defense areas of Tianjin and Denglai to carry out overall administration; Third, in order to better solve the problem of military shortage of food and grass caused by the imperial war, it is recommended to carry out settlement in Shandong to meet its own needs. The above three strategies, Shen has always been based on the turbulent situation and economic tension in the coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty at that time, and proposed countermeasures of great strategic value.

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