November 28th, the eighth year of Yongli Period, Ganzhou Prefecture, Jiangxi Province.

This is an important town in the south of Jiangxi Province. Together with the four provinces of Jiangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and Huguang, it has always been a battleground for military strategists. Therefore, the governor of Southern Gansu was set up here in the Ming Dynasty to control Ganzhou, Nan'an and several other surrounding provinces. The purpose of the state capital is to strengthen the governance of these places far away from the provincial capital.

Since the establishment of the governor of southern Jiangxi, his role has been particularly significant. In the Ming Dynasty, Wang Shouren, Mr. Yangming, went down the river to suppress the rebellion of King Ning. In the early Qing Dynasty, the mighty Jin Shenghuan in Jiangxi and Li Chengdong in Guangdong a few years ago lifted the two provinces. Anyway, it was because the governor of Nangan and his elites withstood three large-scale attacks by the Ming army that Jin Shenghuan was defeated in Nanchang City and Li Chengdong drowned in the Taojiang River.

Over the years, the military and political aspects of Southern Gansu have always guarded this important military area for the Qing court. Over the past few years, in addition to stabilizing the place, they have also supported surrounding provinces and assisted in suppressing various anti-Qing forces. It can be said that they have spared no effort. However, , this year, due to the Battle of Zhoujiapu last year, Huguang was temporarily peaceful, but the collapse of Fujian and the devastation of Guangdong really shocked the Qing army in southern Jiangxi.

The chaos in Fujian only suddenly appeared in the second half of the year. Although there were signs earlier, no one took it to heart. Now that I think about it, it is only because of the realistic double singing of Zheng Chenggong and Chen Kai. However, the chaos in Guangdong is What had already begun at the beginning of the year was that the army led by the even more famous Li Dingguo was sweeping across western Guangdong. It was already clearly before our eyes.

In winter, the cold and wet wind blows, drilling into the cuffs and neck collars, and even penetrates through the skin into the flesh and into the bones. But even so, from the governor Yi Yonggui to the Ganzhou The local county officials all stood in the cold wind, looking up to the north.

Yi Yonggui was the governor of southern Jiangxi last year, replacing Liu Wuyuan who returned to Beijing due to illness. He was a native of Shenyang, Liaodong, and a flag official of the Zhengbai Banner of the Han Army.

Different from those feudal frontiers with civilian backgrounds such as Tong Guoqi, Qin Shizhen, and Li Qifeng who were also governors of several surrounding provinces, he had always been a military general. In the third year of Yongli, he was sent by the general army of Linqing in Shandong to suppress Dongping, one of the four towns in the original Jiangbei. In the process of plotting against the Qing Dynasty, his uncle Liu Zeqing brazenly caused the Caozhou Massacre. There was no record of the number of victims in that massacre, but "the atmosphere was still lingering, there were few dials in the suburbs, and the people were left in ruins. So far. In the past five or six years, the wounds have not appeared, the vitality has not returned, the dew has sucked the wrens from their roosts, and the wind has roared, which is a great misfortune since the beginning of the pottery era." (Note)

In Liaodong, the north has been an official for a long time. The wind in Liaodong is bitingly cold. Even if you are wrapped in thick layers, you will inevitably feel cold. Especially those places that cannot be covered will be hit by the cold wind and hurt. Even the spit can turn into ice. It's already the second year since I came here. The coldest temperature here is probably already spring in Liaodong, but the wet coldness is like a poisonous snake wrapped around the body. It made Yi Yonggui feel extra uncomfortable. In fact, every winter, he unconsciously missed the cold wind in Liaodong, which was a bit more profound than in summer.

"That man surnamed Chen is really not a worry-free person. First he made trouble in Fujian, and now he went to Guangdong to make trouble."

"Who says it's not the case? Zheng Ni and Li Ni are not economical, but they only work in the same province. I think the man named Chen is the culprit, the real devil!"

The cold and wet wind was blowing, and the people who were waiting had not yet arrived. Among the waiting officials and generals, the most common thing was whispering. Yi Yonggui didn't care about it, and just thought it was the officials who moved their mouths to warm them up.

.In fact, even he would chat with the senior officials and commanders around him from time to time, the least of which was about the wars in Fujian and Guangdong provinces.

The war situation in those two provinces is quite unfavorable, which is why he brought a group of officials to greet him here. On the Fujian side, it is said that the Qing court has decided to let Jidu, the eldest son of Prince Zheng Jierhalang, take command. For

There, what Yi Yonggui heard about the situation was not particularly promising. Naturally, all he could do was to guard and prevent the Ming army from entering Ganzhou as much as possible. On the Guangdong side, the Qing government sent Gushan'e Zhenzhu

Ma La is a veteran who has been fighting for many years. In addition, there are two Han princes on the ground in Guangdong, so the success rate is even greater. At this time, what he is waiting for is Zhu Mala's Eight Banners.

Reinforcements.

In fact, from what he thinks in his heart, he still hopes to come to Kakamu. It’s not that the two of them have a good relationship. In fact, Kakamu is Angbang Zhangjing of the Four Left Banners in Jiangning, Jiangnan. From Jiangning to here, two or three people

Months are enough. Where is it like now? It has been almost a year since the chaos began. The reinforcements have not yet arrived in Ganzhou, let alone Guangzhou, with the convenience of waterways.

"If Kakamu led his troops and arrived in Guangzhou at the time when Li Ni was ill and couldn't get out of bed, he wouldn't be able to deal with a Wu Zisheng with an embroidery needle in his hand. Even if he only came to pay allegiance,

It’s better than delaying it until now!”

I think so in my heart, but I will never say it in my mouth. Here, it is not only the appearance of the officialdom, but more importantly, although they are both slaves of the Eight Banners, the Manchu Army Flag and the Han Army Flag are also different in the sky and the earth.

gap.

The reason why I am patiently waiting here is because a letter came yesterday, saying that the fleet of reinforcements will arrive today. As for the reinforcements, they have been waiting for the rain for a long time and need to be prepared. Yi Yonggui has made preparations long ago——

Food, grass, civilian men, guides, and even military prostitutes from the female camp were all provided. As long as he could do it, he would definitely do it.

After standing in the cold wind and waiting for more than an hour, finally, the sound of chants came from a distant place out of sight, mixed with the crisp sound of whips breaking flesh and loud curses.

Before anyone arrives, the sound comes first.

After a long time, ships were slowly approaching, pulled by groups of trackers. Yi Yonggui looked into the distance, and even Pegasus arrived to report the flags of the Qing army they had seen. Soon,

The Qing army in front contacted the fleet and confirmed that it was Zhumala's reinforcements. Yi Yonggui couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Slave Yi Yonggui, greetings..."

The fleet arrived, with the slaves holding the flag in front, Goshiha guarding both sides, and the generals following closely behind. The coated slaves waited on their masters and got off the ship.

Zhu Mala disembarked, and Yi Yonggui quickly led his officials and generals to come forward. Seeing the real big flag on the mountain's forehead, they quickly fell to the ground and kept calling themselves slaves. They seemed to be better than the civil servants and military generals under their subordinates.

Even though we claim to be in a humble position, we still have to be superior to others.

Gu Shan'e is really not the banner leader, but he is the military and political officer second only to the banner leader under the Eight Banners system, who is in charge of the banner's household registration, production, education, training and other matters. Yi Yonggui knocked his head on the ground and raised his buttocks.

Kneeling is a matter of course, and even the subordinates are honored to do so.

Zhu Mala got off the boat and looked at the kneeling civil and military forces. His face was a little impatient, but he also said "get up". He just raised his hand and Yi Yonggui thanked him and stood up.

, apologized to a Manchu Eight Banners officer next to Zhumala, and then followed Zhumala.

"How are you preparing?"

"If you return to the master, everything is ready, and the army can go to the military camp with the local Green Camp officers to rest."

"How is the war situation in Guangdong?"

"Replying to the master, Prince Pingnan sent a letter a few days ago, saying that Xinhui has been lost."

"What about Guangzhou?"

"If I go back to the master, Guangzhou should still be there. Prince Pingnan and Prince Jingnan still have more than 10,000 vassal soldiers. Guangzhou is also easier to defend and harder to attack than Xinhui." At this point, Yi Yonggui paused for a moment.

He hesitated, then bowed and whispered to Zhu Mala: "Master, I heard from Prince Pingnan that not only the old thief is here this time, but also the traitor Chen Kai, and the destruction of Xinhui City was the work of that traitor.

.”

"Chen Kai?" Hearing this name, Zhu Mala paused suddenly, then took another step and continued forward: "He is just a Han dog. He has a little conspiracy and tricks, so he thinks he is capable. You must know that the Eight Banners

The army is looking at him, no matter how many tricks he has, he must first defeat the Eight Banners Army."

"What the master said is true, what the master said is true."

Zhu Mala didn't pay too much attention. At least in his opinion, the real difficult opponent was the two-time famous Li Dingguo. As for Chen Kai, he relied on the strong city and navy to bully the young Geng Jimao and the clever woman who could not make a living without rice.

It's okay to be happy. Conspiracies and tricks are nothing compared to absolute strength.

However, Li Dingguo is paired with Chen Kai, which cannot be ignored. After all, the combination of fierce generals and counselors is like Liu Bei sitting on the Five Tiger Generals. With or without Zhuge Liang, it is completely different.

"The news was released, saying that the army came all the way from the capital and was exhausted. It will take three months to restore the physical fitness of the horses before they can enter Guangdong to fight."

"My slave obeys your orders."

The news was spread locally and towards Guangdong. However, while spreading the news, Zhumala also sent his trusted servants to Guangzhou and informed Shang Kexi to make secret preparations for him.

It was understood that the army was in urgent need of rest and recuperation, and word soon spread. For a time, the Qing government in the Qing officialdom and among the people in Southern Jiangxi and even Guangdong was saying that the Qing government required Shang Kexi and Geng Jimao to defend Guangzhou City and wait for the Eight Banners Army to regain its combat effectiveness.

Then act as a way to rescue him.

Such an effect was exactly what Zhumala urgently needed to see. When the news spread, it was already the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. Zhumala quickly mobilized his army and set off secretly. He quickly crossed Meiling and fought with Qingyuan.

Shang Kexi also came secretly, and Geng Jimao met.

Shang Kexi still looks the same as before, but he looks a little older. Geng Jimao, on the other hand, has not been in good health since the defeat of Lu Feng the year before last. After two years of rest, he has only gotten better. This time, however,

I had to come here in person, after all, it was a very important matter.

When they met, the Han vassal king was naturally not comparable to the ordinary Han army bannermen like Yi Yonggui, but he couldn't be too confident in front of Gushan Ezhen. However, just like Kakamu last year,

For Geng Jimao, a defeated general, he can't compare to Shang Kexi, who defeated Li Dingguo. When talking about the current battle situation, it is mainly Zhu Mala and Shang Kexi who are the main ones. Geng Jimao just adds a sentence from time to time.

"The new guild is lost, and now the war situation is like this. There is one thing, but God helps the Qing Dynasty."

"oh?"

"Chen Kai was at odds with Guo Zhiqi and Lian Chengbi. According to a detailed report, when Chen Kai arrived in Xinhui, he immediately forced Guo Zhiqi away. At that time, the old enemy was in urgent need of Chen Kai's artillery team, so he

They acquiesced. When Xinhui fell, the two sides started to quarrel again, but this time the old thief did not turn on Chen Kai, and as a result, Chen Kai took the Fujian soldiers he brought and went their separate ways."

The Ming army fought among themselves, and the originally endangered Qing army turned defeat into victory. This kind of plot has been played out too many times. Whether it is Zhu Mala, Shang Kexi, or even the inexperienced Geng Jimao, they have seen too much. For

As long as Zhu Mala heard what Shang Kexi was talking about at this moment, he would immediately smile knowingly. Only Geng Jimao had a worried look on his face.

"Could this be a trap set by Chen Kai, deliberately showing weakness?"

Although heroes are not judged by success or failure, Zhu Mala lacked respect from the bottom of his heart for such a person who was frightened by Chen Kai. Regarding Geng Jimao's speech, Zhu Mala only pointed out one point, that is, "

Regardless of whether he shows weakness or not, the original bandits still have an army of forty or fifty thousand, and this has not changed." With just this sentence, Geng Jimao was blocked back.

Geng Jimao understands the truth. In the past two years, he is no longer the proud, arrogant and arrogant prince he used to be. People always have to experience setbacks to grow. He has indeed grown, at least that amount.

The pride and arrogance was cut down by Chen Kai. However, the fact that he was defeated by Chen Kai twice is also there. When you say it, there is always a feeling of fear of the enemy, which is not a good feeling.

.

Seeing Geng Jimao being blocked by Zhu Mala, Shang Kexi looked at his nephew and remembered his advice to others. Speaking of this, Chen Kai was indeed a scheming guy.

The above is recognized by the official circles of Fujian and Guangdong provinces. But this time, the possibility does exist, but there is not much room for maneuver.

As he explained to Geng Jimao, for example, Zheng Chenggong used a large number of troops in Fujian, and Chen Kai would not have many troops at his disposal; for example, Chen Kai had already separated his troops from Li Dingguo, and they were separated by a Pearl River waterway.

The division is so tyrannical that it feels like entering an uninhabited territory, but if the two sides join forces again, it will not be so easy. As for the division of troops this time, they followed the normal trend of factional disputes and won Xinhui. Both sides seemed to feel that

Guangzhou was almost certain, so it was inevitable to rush to seize a better position in the post-war party struggle and gain greater credit and benefits.

"I discussed with the King of Jingnan that Xinhui fell, so I used the three counties of Dongguan, Shunde and Sanshui to continue to hold back the bandits' army and make their soldiers tired. However, last month, Chen Ni captured Guangzhou with his navy.

Henan Island in the south of the city is probably a sign that Chen Ni intends to use this as a cover to join up with his old thieves, so I simply left Shunde to Lian Ni."

Shang Kexi deliberately took advantage of the factional disputes in the Ming army to separate Chen Kai and Li Dingguo through the Ming army in western Guangdong. Of course Zhu Mala understood it, and he couldn't help but praise him as an "old fox" in his heart.

Xinhui and Shunde fell one after another, and the Ming Navy blatantly clamped the muzzle of its guns outside Guangzhou. The current battle situation seemed to be very dangerous for the Qing army. However, after Shang Kexi's operation,

The Ming army has been divided into three, and if you include Hao Shangjiu, who was killed anyway, it has been divided into four. The multiple disconnected divisions are a good opportunity to defeat each one.

"Hao Shangjiu is still attacking Heyuan County. He has only five thousand soldiers and horses. Chen Kai has ten thousand soldiers, and the main force is in Dongguan. As for those bandits in western Guangdong, only Embroidery Needles and Chen Qice are still there.

If you are more capable of fighting, the others may not be the opponents of the local green camp. If you capture the group of thieves first, it will be easier for the original thieves to take advantage of them. The key to this battle lies in the main force of the original thieves!"

"Then capture the thief and the king, and deal with the original thief first. As long as the original thief is defeated, the other thieves and bandits will inevitably collapse on their own."

A veteran who has been fighting for half his life can easily see where his opponent's key point lies just by relying on his experience. The plan was decided and the two sides implemented it separately. The first step was naturally to deal with the vanguard of Jin Tongwu's fierce attack on Sanshui.

At this time, it was already the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month. There were less than four days left before the decisive battle in the final stage of the Battle of Xinhui in history.
Chapter completed!