The Zhoushan Islands are located along the coast of Ningbo Prefecture in eastern Zhejiang. To the north are the Qiantang River Estuary and Jiaxing Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture. To the south are Taizhou and Wenzhou. The geographical location here is extremely important, such as Chongming at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Nan'ao at the junction of Fujian and Guangdong, and what was once the

Chen Kai used it to block Hong Kong at the Pearl River Estuary.

The navy of the Ming Army is powerful, not just the Zheng Group, whether it is the Zhejiang Ming Army of the Lu Supervisory Dynasty, or Chen Qice, Li Changrong, Zhou Jintang, Deng Yao and others in western Guangdong, compared with the opponents they faced on land, it is true that

Not as good as it is, but they still have a lot of advantages at sea, and this is the key to their ability to survive in harsh environments.

Since the Ming army was defeated too quickly in the first few years after the Qing army entered the Pass, the Qing army quickly occupied several coastal provinces, such as Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong, and the Ming army naturally

Driven out of the sea. The re-emergence of the Zheng Group started from a small Nan'ao Island, and the end of the Lujian Dynasty also staged the most tragic scene in Zhoushan.

Zhang Mingzhen and Zhang Huangyan led the navy southward. On the flagship, Dingxihou's big hands were pressing on the side of the ship, with veins exposed, but his tiger eyes were staring at the south.

After having known Zhang Mingzhen for many years, Zhang Huangyan understood Zhang Mingzhen's thoughts best. With his profile in his eyes, he could still tell that what he was thinking in his heart was to seize Zhoushan as soon as possible without seeing his face.

Back then, when the army went out for battle, Lu Jianguo originally planned to take his crown prince Rong Ge on board the ship, also to allow the prince to see the war with his own eyes, which would help his growth. However, the war situation faced by Lu Jianguo was very urgent at that time, so Zhang Mingzhen decided to

The admonishment was: "My mother is old and dare not leave lightly for fear of chilling the hearts of the soldiers. The Lord Commander led the six divisions and bowed in armor. This is a polite statement. How can the prince leave in a hurry? You will look after the people?"

As a result, both the partial divisions that went north and south to intercept were victorious. The famous Jiangsu and Zhejiang first navy general Dang Huhou Ruan Jin, who was most likely to win, died unexpectedly. Zhoushan declared its fall after holding on for ten days, including Lu Jianguo and Zhang Mingzhen.

The monarchs, ministers and their families were either dishonored or captured by the Qing army, which directly led to the disintegration of the army on its way south.

Zhang Mingzhen's mother died in Zhoushan. Zhang Mingzhen has been longing for the day to go to Zhoushan to find his mother's body, bury her, and fulfill her last filial piety. Unfortunately, the enemy's and our forces are not as powerful as this.

It can be done. Now, there is a chance, but Zhang Huangyan standing aside is full of worries, worried about whether Zhang Mingzhen can fight side by side with the Fujian Ming army heading north.

In July last year, after entering the Yangtze River twice, he was short of food and grass and needed more strength. Zhang Mingzhen rushed to Fujian to ask for reinforcements from Zheng Chenggong. The reinforcements were led by Zhongjing Bo Chen Hui and included an army division.

Ten thousand, five thousand naval forces, the army rushed to Chongming to join Zhang Mingzhen and Zhang Huangyan. As a result, the two sides competed for the head coach and there was a lot of trouble. Chen Hui even led the army south to Wenzhou and stopped fighting with them.

Cooperate.

During this period, Zhang Huangyan did not fail to mediate between the two. In fact, Zhang Huangyan also knew very well that the reason why Zheng Chenggong used him, the Minister of War of the Lu Dynasty, as the supervisor of Zhang Mingzhen's army, was because Zhang Mingzhen had a stubborn temper.

But he was able to listen to what he said, and secondly, he was more able to take the overall situation into consideration. For example, Chen Hui had already planned to go north to help, so Zhang Huangyan sent a poem to Chen Hui. The poem was full of confidence that the battle would be won.

The relationship can be justified.

The existence of Zhang Huangyan acted as a licorice mediator between Zhang Mingzhen and other generals of the Zheng Group. As a result, Zhang Mingzhen and Chen Hui parted ways. After a while, Zheng Chenggong sent a Zhejiang-born general to work with Zhang Huangyan.

Cheng Yingfan, who had a very good relationship with him, came to help Zhang Huangyan mediate the conflict between Zhang Mingzhen and Chen Hui. In the end, Cheng Yingfan's trip was in vain.

Being in the game, he knows best that the problem here is not only the struggle for the leadership of the army heading north, but more importantly, the legacy of the old Tang and Lu struggles - Zhang Mingzhen tried to maintain the independence of the army, thinking that

Lu supervised the last Zhang Ben of the dynasty, and Chen Hui, as Zheng Chenggong's confidant, naturally could not tolerate this.

Here, standing on the bow of the ship, Zhang Huangyan really didn't know how Zhang Mingzhen would react when he arrived in Zhoushan, or when he met the Fujian Ming army heading north. Because this time, Zheng Chenggong appointed Zhongzhen Bo Hongxu as the governor to control the troops in the northern expedition;

Chen Liuyu was in charge of the military affairs of the fifth army and the six divisions; and Gan Hui, the admiral of the army, was the governor-general of the land division, commanding a total of twelve towns of the land and water armies heading north. Not only had the commander-in-chief of Hong Xu and Chen Liuyu been clarified

The two most critical missions of the supervisory army were to join Chen Hui's army in Wenzhou. Once any unpleasantness arises again, I'm afraid it won't be as simple as the last separation.

"Hou Fu, you should put the overall situation first."

Turning his head, Zhang Mingzhen felt the earnestness of Zhang Huangyan's words. He looked at each other for a long time and finally sighed: "I understand, don't worry, Cang Shui."

The fleet slowly headed south, and finally arrived at Zhoushan after four years of absence on October 23. The mountains and rivers have not changed for thousands of years, and the tides rise and fall day and night. Everything is still the familiar mountains and rivers, except that it once occupied the Zhejiang Sea.

The Lu Jianguo Dynasty that set off the anti-Qing upsurge in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces no longer exists. Apart from the only surviving achievements in Fujian and their achievements, most of the others were martyred by the Qing army in the fourth year of Yongli and the fifth year of Yongli.

During the organized attack of Lu Jianguo Chao.

The port of Zhoushan has been obscured by a forest of masts that can be seen almost as far as the eye can see, and its scale is much greater than theirs. The fleet heading north has arrived first, and Zhang Huangyan personally took a boat and rushed to the shore to see Hong Xu, the commander of the Zhejiang battlefield.

The officer guarding the port said that the Ming army arrived at Ligang on October 20th. On the 22nd, the army launched a landing, and then fought fiercely with the Qing army at Xijiao Ridge. They defeated the defenders and killed the Qing army in the Zhoushan camp.

The army immediately pushed to the city. At this time, the army had surrounded Zhoushan City. Generals such as Hong Xu, Chen Hui, Chen Liuyu, Gan Hui were already at the city gate.

"So good!"

The Ming army won the first battle. Zhang Huangyan was also very happy and hurried to the city to pay a visit. The people there received the news first and sent people to lead Zhang Mingzhen's fleet to other ports. Later, Zhang Mingzhen led the troops and fought in front of the city in broad daylight.

The defenders rushed to the city with great fanfare and joined Hong Xu. For a moment, the outside of Zhoushan City was filled with the fiery red color of the Ming army, like a prairie fire. Perhaps in the next moment, the entire Zhoushan City would be completely submerged.

.

"There are three thousand green battalions in Zhoushan City, divided into three battalions. The deputy general is called Ba Chenggong. He is a Tatar. However, this guy did not follow the Tatars into the country. He used to be the general who captured Tian Xiong, the governor of Zhejiang.

After the Battle of Zhoushan for five years, he was appointed deputy general of Zhoushan by Chen Jin, the then governor of Zhejiang and Fujian, and guarded this place for four years."

Hong Xu is the commander, Chen Liuyu is the supervisor, Zhang Mingzhen, Zhang Huangyan, and even Chen Hui are all coalition forces who came to join. In the big tent, Gan Hui recounted the details of the Zhoushan garrison they had collected,

Generally speaking, we are still very optimistic, because this time the strength of the troops is ten times that of the defenders, and with the huge fleet across the strait, it can be said that the success of Ba is a desperate plan without waiting for reinforcements.

Since ancient times, it has been said that if there are no soldiers outside that must be saved, there is no city that must be defended within. The next step is just to end this battle perfectly, that's all.

"I believe that Ba Chenggong is a cavalryman who is good at fighting. If he can recruit surrender, it is better to do so."

Hong Xu set the tone, and the generals also knew very well that the current Zheng Group was no longer limited to the coastal islands. The army controlled a vast area of ​​one and a half provinces. The proportion of the land division was getting higher and higher, and the Qing army was on the mainland.

Confrontations on land are becoming more and more frequent. Confrontations on land are no better than at sea, and cavalry is the most indispensable. Especially in the plains, the mobility and battlefield impact of cavalry become more and more prominent.

Now, just relying on last year's devastation, they have occupied almost the entire Fujian in one breath, especially the acquisition of Xianxia Pass, which is even more crucial for the Ming army. With the lock and key, Fujian has won this year.

To recuperate, but if they want to expand, the Qing army's cavalry in the plains of Jiangxi and the Jinqu Basin outside Xianxia Pass has an overwhelming advantage in both quantity and quality. The more this happens, the more

Looking for cavalry commanders who are good at training and using cavalry.

Historically, in the struggle between the Qing court and the Zheng group, the most indispensable thing for each other was to recruit and accept rebels. Since the Qing court's maritime power was at a serious disadvantage, it was quite eager for Ming generals who were good at naval warfare, such as Shi Lang

This is the best example. On the contrary, the Zheng Group's maritime power ranks first in the China Sea, but it is difficult to use on land. Therefore, Zheng Chenggong has always looked at Qing generals who are good at using cavalry with a different eye. For example, before

Wang Qifeng and Yao Guotai are all like this.

Today's Zheng Group is so strong that it has far surpassed the highest level in history. However, because the Fujian battlefield and the Guangdong battlefield were too smooth, it actually did not benefit much in terms of personnel recruitment.

At the moment, the best cavalrymen of the Zheng Group are Li Jianjie and Ma Bao, who just came here. These two are the legacy of Li Chengdong, and they are also serving in Guangdong today, because the battlefield in Guangdong also faces many challenges.

Despite the pressure, Zheng Chenggong did not dare to transfer them to Fujian. On the Fujian side, Wang Jin, Lian Biao, and even Chen Liuyu, a cavalryman trained by the Zheng Group, were much better than the former in terms of level.

Not enough, so one can imagine how eager he is for the Mongolian cavalry commander in front of him.

"The army continues to besiege the city and attack the city. There is no rush. Let's send people to try to persuade them to surrender first."

The commander-in-chief decided on the strategy, and the generals also followed the orders. On October 23, after defeating the defenders in the field battle the day before, the Ming army did not take advantage of the victory to launch a full-scale siege. The two sides separated from the city wall of Zhoushan City.

For the time being, they were living in peace. But behind this tranquility, the Ming army felt the joy of victory in sight, while the defenders were in a precarious state of fear.

The arrival of the Ming army's reinforcements was witnessed by the Qing troops guarding the city. The Ming army that originally attacked Zhoushan was many times their number. Now many more came, under the banner of Zhang Mingzhen. Many Qing troops in the city thought

Starting from the massacre of Zhoushan City by the Qing army four years ago when they broke through the city, tens of thousands of people were killed. Yu Zhang Minzhen even felt the hatred of his country and his family. It is estimated that with their small number of troops, the Ming army and their family members together

Even if we kill them all, we may not be able to settle the account clearly.

The defenders were helpless. It was clearly the garrison Eight Banners and the Dubiao who were responsible for the massacre. Many of them were recruited only after the war. They were not even able to participate in the Battle of Zhoushan, let alone the massacre of the city.

Good thing now, the belated revenge of the Ming army is about to fall on them, and no one will even listen to them even calling them innocent.

There were too many Ming troops outside the city, and the morale of the defenders inside the city was low and irreversible. Ba Chenggong walked back and forth in the Deputy General's Mansion with his hands behind his back, sweating profusely, but

But he had no intention of stopping at all, as if if he didn't walk more, he would never have another chance in this life.

"Commander, we are cavalry..."

"Why, can a war horse still run on the sea?!"

As if he had taken gunpowder, before the general finished speaking, Ba Chenggong directly interrupted him, angrily, as if if the next sentence the general said did not suit his mind, it would be possible for him to take action directly.

Of course, it is impossible for a horse to ride on the waves on the sea. That does not conform to the basic common sense of physics. The general does not understand physics, but he cannot say such stupid things. He was interrupted by Ba Chenggong, and he did not

He was so anxious that he continued to talk after seeing that Ba Chenggong had stopped venting.

"Commander, what the last general means is that we are cavalry. The Ming dynasty has always ruled the roost on the sea. I think the thing that is most lacking is cavalry officers and cavalry. If we vote here, if we have the ability, we are afraid that we will not be reused.

Even if we are not reused, at least Mr. Guo Xing will not kill us, which will block the way for other generals to join us."

What the general said makes sense, both emotionally and rationally. Ba Chenggong heard this and nodded. But before he could make a decision, another general mentioned that the Qing court still had

With its strong strength, the Ming army has indeed gained momentum in the past two years, but when it comes to overall strength, it is still far behind. If the Qing court slows down in the future, or the Ming army has internal strife again, it will

With the good situation gone, can those who surrendered to the Ming army still be able to surrender back?

"That's a matter for the future. Let's save our lives first!"

"Then you can't care about your head and your buttocks, right?"

The two generals were arguing in his mind as if they were two little people, until Ba Chenggong's brain ached. However, no one mentioned anything about this back-and-forth argument.

Regarding things like loyalty to the Qing court, loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, there are only disputes over ideas about life preservation, wealth and what the future will look like.

In this way, three days later, on October 26th of the ninth year of Yongli, the gates of Zhoushan City were opened, and Ba Chenggong led all the green camp defenders of the Zhoushan Association to leave the city and surrender to the Ming army. Coach Hong Xu personally untied Ba Chenggong.

He restrained himself, comforted himself, and sent the green battalion on a ship bound for Fujian. They were going to Fuzhou to await Zheng Chenggong's appointment.

The Ming army re-captured Zhoushan and gained a foothold on the Zhejiang Sea. There was no talk of unsinkable aircraft carriers these days, but with Zhoushan in hand, eastern Zhejiang and southeastern South Zhili were within the attack range of the Ming army.

Within, for the Ming army, it was like opening up another battlefield, making the Qing army even more exhausted.

The city of Zhoushan changed hands, and Zhang Mingzhen immediately entered the city. He first went to the Forbidden City of Lu Jianguo to pay homage to Chen, the imperial concubine of Lu Jianguo, and the martyred ministers. For a time, Zhang Kentang, the great scholar, Wu Zhongluan, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, Li Xiangzhong, the minister of the Ministry of War, and

The voices and smiles of the ministers who died for the country, such as Zhu Yongyou, the Minister of the Ministry, Zheng Zunjian, the general affairs envoy, Dong Zhining, the minister of military affairs, Zhu Yangshi, the official of the Ministry of War, General Liu Shixun of Anyang, Ma Tai, the commander-in-chief of Zhongzhen, and his younger brother, the governor Zhang Mingyang, are like those who died for the country.

Seeing it again, a huge sense of self-blame surged into my heart, and I couldn't help but burst into tears.
To be continued...