Chapter 1274: The Northwest War Situation

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.

While this is simply said, it is truly too difficult to put into practice.

Since ancient times, everyone has known the importance of the people's hearts.

But the hearts of the people in every country and every political system are different.

For example, in Britain and many European countries, the hearts of the people lie with the majority of the elite class and the Gentry class. The hearts of the people in a slave society, the hearts of the people in a feudal society, and the hearts of the people in an agrarian civilization like Longyan are vastly different. For instance, in Europe, most food is obtained from the hands of farm owners, so as long as the hearts of these elite farm owners are controlled, the country is stable.

But in Longyan, it is different.

In Longyan, among the Scholar-Farmer-Artisan-Merchant, the status of farmers is relatively high. Therefore, how to win the hearts of the farmers becomes important.

This is also why, looking at global history, all wars and rebellions in European history were led by the elite class; there were very few led by slaves, with only one in Sparta, but it also failed. However, in Huaxia civilization, those who rebelled were mostly farmers, starting from Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, down to the later peasant uprisings, which are too numerous to mention. The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was even a monk by origin.

Of course.

These are digressions; so in the Siberia region, what kind of hearts of the people should be given more importance?

Zhai Shiqing's suggestion to Narisong was these handicraft owners and these merchants.

This is actually a very obvious matter.

The reason why a place of ice and snow like Siberia can have prosperous areas is, to put it bluntly, brought about by these merchants; it is stimulated by money and the economy. If you tell people that the farmers of Siberia are important, that is a bit of nonsense. In this place, what can you grow?

This is the difference in social structure.

The next day.

Narisong followed Zhai Shiqing's advice and gathered the merchants in the city. First, he expressed his respect for these merchants and stated that under the rule of the Chukchi, free trade would continue, meaning that in terms of taxation, he would still grant merchants greater preferential treatment.

These merchants had been trembling with fear over this matter for the past few days, as they were afraid that since Kurba had a new master, the policies would change.

These people are those who have long traveled across the Siberian ice plains, living by doing business here.

If the policy were to change, the impact would be huge, and it is even possible they would unite to rebel.

But today, hearing Narisong's policy, these merchants began to cheer.

Such a City Lord, who wouldn't want one?

It is settled.

With the merchants settled, the whole of Kurba is settled, and the vitality of the entire society is stirred up.

……

Today is another hard battle.

Rumyantsev's army launched another charge against Yanqi.

As before, it was the Cossack Cavalry charging in the front, with the infantry in the rear. The terrain of the Western Regions is naturally flat, and there are no castles here, only city walls built in the later period; fortunately, under the architectural style of Longyan, the city walls are very high. But no matter how high, they still cannot withstand the endless bombardment of Cannon.

More than a year……

After all, this war has already been going on for more than a year.

More than a year of constant Cannon bombardment has even caused the entire city wall to be shaved down by several meters. But even so, the Longyan side still held on. The Russian Army is strong, but the Longyan people and the continuous support from Loulan are not to be trifled with either.

"Fire! Fire hard for me! As soon as they reach one hundred paces, fire at them!"

The generals nearby, amidst the artillery fire, methodically executed the orders of Zou Sheng.

Siege Engine, Cannon, severed limbs, wreckage.

Wolf smoke rose everywhere, and dust filled the sky.

The city wall was being bombarded on one side while being repaired by the people in the city on the other. This year, they have all lived like this.

At the beginning, there were often stray shells falling into the city, causing casualties among the common people, so later Zou Sheng simply evacuated many of the people in the city, leaving only some craftsmen to help the troops.

Yanqi is a defensive line.

A final defensive line that must be held at all costs, otherwise the entire Northwest of Longyan will be completely exposed to the enemy's vision and striking range.

It is just that……

The recent attacks by the Tsarist Russia Army have become increasingly fierce.

Zou Sheng took a deep breath.

It seems that Tsarist Russia intends to end the battle this winter.

The weather is getting colder and colder.

This year's winter is colder than previous years. This brought great inconvenience to the Longyan soldiers; many people began to be so cold that they could not even hold their weapons, and influenza also began to ravage the camp. However, in this regard, the Tsarist Russia side was much stronger. As one wanes, the other waxes; the environment the Russians grew up in is one of ice and snow, and what they are best at is fighting in cold environments.

The temperature in Yanqi has no effect on them at all.

Under such circumstances, these few defensive battles were fought very arduously.

Previously, the Longyan soldiers could still take the initiative to attack and engage the Russian Army in head-on clashes a few times. But now, it is clearly impossible; just defending the city makes them very difficult.

"General, it is truly too cold!"

"General, the brothers can no longer run!"

"The bows can no longer be drawn!"

"General, the Cannon often jam……"

One person after another came to report.

This gave Zou Sheng a headache.

But what can be done? This is the weather; no matter how many fires are lit, it won't help much.

They can only persist.

"Strengthen the rotation!"

Zou Sheng issued the order again; in this situation, they can only strengthen the rotation to allow the soldiers to get more rest. But even so, it is of no avail. Many soldiers had their limbs frozen in this extreme weather, becoming useless on the spot, and the number of people who had to have limbs amputated is countless.

When the day's battle ended, Zou Sheng took several generals to inspect the military camp.

Seeing this tragic scene, his expression became much heavier.

At this time, the troops in Yanqi were about three hundred thousand, and the Tsarist Russia Army, after consumption, reinforcements, consumption, and reinforcements, still had three hundred thousand. Tsarist Russia has placed the focus of the war entirely on the Northwest battlefield.

How could one possibly hold out under such circumstances?

Zou Sheng felt that the most difficult moment of this battle had arrived.

Fortunately, the military provisions on the side of Tsarist Russia had not been very sufficient recently. And the advantage of Longyan was that there had never been a shortage of grain and fodder.

"Those whose conditions are not optimistic, send them away immediately to return for treatment!"

"Continue to request reinforcements!"

"Make the rotations even more frequent!"

"Have Liangzhou allocate and send over new cotton-padded clothes and quilts!"

Zou Sheng issued orders one after another.

"Yes!"

Zou Sheng returned to his own tent and took a deep breath.

He felt that in the coming days, the offensive of Tsarist Russia would become increasingly fierce. After such a long time of confrontation, he also roughly understood this famous general, Rumyantsev; he would absolutely not miss any opportunity to defeat him. As for the weather, he would definitely make use of it.

"Tonight, strengthen the guard, and rotate the sentries once every half an hour!"

Suddenly, Zou Sheng stood up and said to his orderly.

"Yes, General!"