The Kuidong area includes Wushan, Wuxi, Dachang and today's Jianshi and Badong counties in western Hubei. When the scope is expanded, it is called eastern Sichuan. Eastern Sichuan borders western Hubei, so it is now called the Sichuan-Hubei border area. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties,
The western part of Hubei in Huguang Province is called Jingxi or Chuxi (including western Hunan) according to the ancient name of Jingchu.
This place is located in the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River, with high mountains and steep waters, and the situation is dangerous. From a military point of view, it is not only a place that is easy to defend but difficult to attack, but also cuts off the channel between Sichuan and Hubei. It can attack the two lakes, western Henan, southern Shaanxi and Sichuan.
When retreating, you can take risks and defend yourself.
In this land with a radius of several hundred miles, with Maolu Mountain in Xingshan County, Hubei Province as the center, covering more than 20 counties and an anti-Qing base with tens of thousands of troops, there are gathered the thirteen famous Kuidong families in history.
.They persisted in slash-and-burn farming, farmed for self-sufficiency, and resisted the Qing Dynasty tenaciously for fourteen years in history.
The so-called "Thirteen Families of Kuidong" is actually not very accurate. It mainly refers to the remnants of the Dashun Army headed by Li Laiheng, Liu Tichun, Yuan Zongdi, Hao Yaoqi, Dang Shousu, Ta Tianbao, and Ma Tengyun, as well as Wang Guangxing, He
Other anti-Qing armed forces led by Zhen et al.
Among them, He Zhen was stationed in Daning County (now Wuxi County, Chongqing), Yuan Zongdi was stationed in Dachang County (now Dachang Town, Wushan County, Chongqing), Hao Yaoqi was stationed in Yangjiaozhai, Fang County, and Li Laiheng was stationed in Qilianping, Xingshan County.
Su was stationed in Badong County, Liu Tichun, Ma Tengyun was stationed in Chenjiapo, Ba County, Ta Tianbao was stationed in Pingyangba, Badong County, and Wang Guangxing was stationed in Shizhouwei.
From the perspective of organizational structure, the "Kuidong Thirteen Families" is a loose political armed group. Although "Xitui Tichun is the leader and is subject to restraint," in fact, Liu Tichun's command power and appeal are quite limited.
The wind is gentle, the air is fresh, and the sun is warm. The charming spring generously spreads the fragrance, and the birds reawaken people's hope with their mellow and moving chirps.
At this time, a group of people walked over from a distance outside the Ming army camp in Ba County. The leader was a middle-aged businessman carrying a box, followed by four companions dressed as businessmen.
This group of people stopped far outside the camp. They looked at the red flag flying on the camp, but they hesitated and did not get closer.
Soon, the soldiers in the camp also noticed these people. Although these people were still far away, they had been there for a long time and their behavior was very suspicious. Soon, a group of soldiers came out of the camp and surrounded these people.
passed.
At this time, several people in the distance seemed to have suddenly made up their minds. The businessman headed by him strode straight towards the camp, and his companions behind him followed closely.
The businessman stopped in front of the Ming army team and looked at the approaching Ming army without fear: "Which general are you under?"
"He is under the command of the Duke of Anhui." Seeing the person's demeanor and hearing the other person's questions, the young officer felt that the other person seemed to have some background. He answered in a very polite tone: "May I ask who you are, sir?"
"Li Weizuo, Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty." The businessman was relieved and answered loudly with a smile on his face.
……………
The moon emerged from the clouds, spreading its light everywhere, like spreading its wings of light.
There is no need to sacrifice one's life to become a benevolent person! Li Weizuo, who had been appointed Minister of War by Zhu Yongxing, Governor of Sichuan and Huzhou Military Affairs, leaned back in his chair. He felt happy that he had finally reached his destination.
Even though Zha Rulong forged Wu Sangui's documents and pretended to be Wu Sangui's relative, he was still worried about being discovered along the way. When Li Weizuo recalled his experiences along the way, he still couldn't calm down.
After calming down, Li Weizuo moved his gaze to the box on the desk that had not left him for a moment, reached out and slowly opened the lid. Taking out the hidden things inside, Li Weizuo moved more carefully and gently cut it with a knife.
There was a thin thread hidden at the bottom of the box, and the sandwich panel had just been peeled away, revealing the edicts, letters, code books and other items inside, as well as a small, palm-sized mirror wrapped in brocade cloth.
Yes, this box is specially made. There is a gunpowder column and a pulling device in the mezzanine, which is similar to a mine. If you don't understand the secret, opening it at will will cause an explosion. In an emergency, Li Weizuo can also pull it out of the box.
Detonate and turn the confidential documents in the mezzanine into fly ash.
This idea was thought up by Li Weizuo. Although Zhu Yongxing had already had the idea of contacting the Thirteenth Family of Kuidong. However, the road was blocked and he was worried that the documents would be intercepted by the Qing army on the way, which would in turn expose his strategic intentions. Until Li Weizuo asked for help again and again, and came up with the idea
In order to destroy the documents, Zhu Yongxing reluctantly agreed and sent several dead soldiers to accompany him for protection.
The space in the mezzanine was limited, and the words on several documents were small and dense. Although Li Weizuo was given instructions by Zhu Yongxing, he only fully understood Zhu Yongxing's strategic layout and personnel arrangements after reading all the documents. Rubbing his sore eyes, Li Weizuo
I fell into deep thought for a long time.
The Kuidong area is mostly covered with mountains, sparsely populated, and underdeveloped production. To maintain a strong enough army, it is very difficult both in terms of personnel recruitment and material supply. At this time, the Qing army's main attack direction is
In the southwestern region, it was impossible to mobilize heavy troops to besiege the Kuidong anti-Qing base. Zhu Yongxing's intention was to enable the Thirteenth Family to take the opportunity to advance into eastern Sichuan and contain the Qing army in Sichuan, echoing the Ming army in Yunnan Province's invasion of Sichuan.
On the whole, the strategy of the "Thirteen Families of Kuidong" to segregate one corner of the country is too conservative. They have been huddled in the Kuiwu Mountains at the junction of Sichuan and Chu for a long time.
In the central area, they did not go to areas other than the Three Gorges to open up new battlefields and seek greater development, thus tying up their own hands and feet. Although they had used troops for many years and even made expeditions to Yidu, Dangyang and other places, they were all for the purpose of raising funds.
Food and wages are used to supply military supplies, but do not have a more significant military significance.
Although His Highness Min has a good idea, can the Thirteen Families follow the order? Li Weizuo touched his forehead lightly and felt that the matter was not that easy. Although Zhu Yongxing had explained before leaving, it would be good if it worked out. If it didn't work out, it wouldn't be a big deal.
Therefore, let him stay in Kuidong with peace of mind and serve as the liaison envoy between the two sides.
His Highness Min is just above me. He is in a high position and looks forward to Yin Yin. I will try my best to facilitate this matter so that I can live up to His Highness's trust. Li Weizuo thought for a long time and secretly made up his mind to complete the task. But to achieve Zhu Yongxing's idea, it involves
When it comes to personnel arrangements for the Thirteenth Company, this is the first issue that must be resolved.
Although the Kuidong Ming Army's attack on Chongqing failed due to the rebellion of Tan Yi and Tan Hong, the battle itself showed that most of the thirteen generals of the Kuidong family were resolutely resisting the Qing Dynasty and had the overall situation in mind. However, the original Dashun Army
As the main body, this important anti-Qing force was almost always discriminated against and excluded in the Southern Ming Dynasty. As early as the Longwu period, when He Tengjiao, Zhang Kuang and others controlled the entire territory of Hunan, they made things difficult for them in terms of food and salary at the station.
, and later he was suppressed by Qu Shichun, Chen Bangfu, Li Yuanyin and others in the Yongli court.
When Sun Kewang came to power, he never provided him with logistical support. He placed this army that was accustomed to fighting in a key position. Only Du Yinxi and Liu Wenxiu had the overall situation in mind and advocated the importance of using the thirteen families to jointly restore the Ming Dynasty. However, they
If you don’t achieve your goals yourself, empty words will be of no use.
In terms of strength, the various anti-Qing armed forces in Kuidong are quite powerful. Not only do they have many soldiers and horses, but most of them have experienced hundreds of battles. Some are good at land warfare, some are good at water warfare, and their combat effectiveness is very impressive. However, they
The weakness is that they work independently and do not form a strong leadership core. One of the reasons is that the leaders of various departments are not inferior to each other. In order to facilitate his own control, Wen Anzhi, the governor sent by the Yongli court, deliberately treated everyone equally in terms of titles and granted them
A large number of princes with equal status further strengthened the tendency of separation.
Therefore, the Ming army in the Kuidong area controls the mountains and rivers on both sides of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, which are easy to defend and difficult to attack. If they elect or appoint a commander with both talent and virtue, they will only need to leave a small number of troops to maintain the place and concentrate the main force to capture the products.
Rich and populated areas will surely play a major role in the cause of resisting the Qing Dynasty and restoring the Ming Dynasty. Instead of being like now, where they only have geographical advantages, but always stick to remote mountains and remote corners, unable to open up the situation.
A county king, I wonder who it could be? Liu Tichun is the most likely, right? Li Weizuo touched the blank edict in his hand and felt strangely heavy. How could he be so virtuous and capable? He was suddenly promoted to a high position, and he was regarded as an angel. He could fill in the edict.
.There is also the small mirror wrapped in brocade embroidered by the concubine. It was a gift to Queen Gao, the widow of King Chuang, and she was given the title of first-grade wife. What a thoughtful thought!
……………
The Thirteen Families of Kuidong have lost contact with the imperial court for a year since they were ordered to attack Chongqing to relieve the pressure of the Qing army in the southwest. Although among the Thirteen Families, there is still the highest official appointed by the Yongli Imperial Court to contact the various righteous divisions in Kuidong, the Governor's Department.
Yuan Mao Shoudeng, Hong Yuao, and Ming Dong'an King Zhu Shenglang who had been attached to Hao Yaoqi for a long time, but these people are more like decorations worshiping Yongli, and there is no imperial decree to convey.
Regarding the news from the southwest, the thirteen families in Kuidong did not know much about it. Most of them were one lin and a half claw, which was not reliable. As soon as Li Weizuo arrived, he issued an edict to Queen Gao, the widow of King Chuang, and conferred the titles of Jie, Filial Piety, Chastity, and Righteousness.
A first-class lady and a gift.
Immediately afterwards, Li Weizuo convened a meeting with the heads of the various families. Out of respect, or for the purpose of inquiring about news from the southwest, Duke Guangxing of Jing, Hao Yongzhong, Duke of Yi, Liu Tichun, Duke of Anhui, Yuan Zongdi, Duke of Jing, and Li Laiheng, Duke of Lin,
The main leaders including Yidu Hou Ta Tianbao, Yangcheng Hou Ma Tengyun, Qi Hou He Zhen, Weiyuan Hou Li Furong, Xingping Hou Dang Shousu and so on all arrived.
The first day of the meeting was mainly about Li Weizuo introducing the current situation in the southwest to the participating leaders in detail, starting from the Battle of Tengchong, the crusade against Annan, the counterattack in western Yunnan, the victory over Yuanjiang, the war in eastern and southern Yunnan, the aggressive advance in Guangxi, and overseas expansion.
... Listening to this, everyone's eyes were dazzled, as if they were in a dream. They never imagined that in more than a year, the southwest has undergone earth-shaking changes.
In the evening, all the leaders of the thirteen families gathered together and began to discuss the suggestions made by Li Weizuo during the day and recommend the leaders of the thirteen families.
"Brothers, I have read His Highness Min's autographed letter. Tell me what you think. Now behind closed doors, we are all brothers. There is nothing to hide." Liu Tichun, a landlord, picked up the tea cup.
, drank some water, and said to Hao Yaoqi, Li Laiheng and others: "It seems that His Highness Min is still aware of our doubts, otherwise he would not write to comfort us."
"His Royal Highness Min is indeed a wise and powerful man, and the turn of the war in the southwest is all due to his efforts. But I am afraid that the court's policy will be repeated. If the emperor and the court ministers come out of Burma -" Hao Yaoqi shook his head worriedly,
He ended his speech with a smile.
"His Royal Highness Min made it clear in his letter that the Qing army's offensive is now in the southwest. He asked us to prepare our troops and wait for the opportunity. He did not ask us to send out troops to attack fiercely. This shows that Your Highness is sincere. If the sky does not destroy the light, we will do our best.
It's just an assistant." Li Laiheng interjected: "After hearing the edict, Empress Dowager Gao sighed repeatedly, asked for favors, and taught a certain family with righteousness: let them be virtuous from the beginning to the end, and wait for the unification to be successful.
You were honored at the Fengtian Palace, and you were favored by the Kunning Palace. It is clear in the history, isn’t it great?”
"The Queen's words are reasonable!" Yuan Zongdi nodded and sighed: "His Royal Highness Min will not take away our military power, nor will he let us be cannon fodder. Instead, he is willing to use the power of the southwest to attract the attention of the Qing army so that he can teach me.
It is sincerity to wait for the secret opportunity to develop and grow. No matter what happens in the future, His Highness Min is now a guard of the imperial court. He has the right name in hand, and all the armies in the southwest have obeyed his orders. How can we disobey him? We should obey His Highness's orders and do it accordingly.
Fight for the blessings of a wife and a son."
"We are all officials of the imperial court, and we are ranked as princes. We are no less than close ministers of the imperial court. We should obey the orders of His Highness." Wang Guangxing was originally a general of the Southern Ming Dynasty and was not part of the Dashun Army. Because his brother Wang Guangen was innocently killed, he swore an oath with the Qing court.
At this time, Liu, Li, Yuan, and Hao all expressed their loyalty to the imperial court and obeyed the imperial clan's orders to stay with His Highness Min. Naturally, they had no objections.
"A man can't leave without a head, and a bird can't fly without a head. Since His Highness Min asked us to nominate the leader, we will do it accordingly." Dang Shousu got to the point, "Brother Liu used to be the leader, but now we still elect him.
I have no objection, but I wonder what other brothers think?"
"Brother Liu is brave and resourceful, and the most fair. I am willing to obey his command." Ta Tianbao also agreed.
"I have no objection. I am willing to listen to Brother Liu's orders." Others also confessed, but no one took it seriously, thinking it was the same as before.
"Thanks to the high opinion of all the brothers, I will reluctantly lead the brothers to fight for wealth." Liu Tichun stood up and thanked everyone, "Brothers who work together can be more powerful than gold. We will share whatever ideas we have.
Don't complain secretly."
"Er Hu, don't worry." Hao Yaoqi jumped out to support his old brother and said: "Everyone knows the truth of how the same spirit connects the branches, but the lips are dead and the teeth are cold. In the past, you were the leader, and everyone knew how well you did.
, now, it’s still the same.”
"Thank you Brother Hao, thank you all the leaders for your love." Liu Tichun chuckled and said: "Since everyone has no objection to being loyal to His Highness Min, let's do some practical things to show His Highness Min that we are not just sitting around doing nothing. Brothers of the family.
Let’s talk about it. Wherever we fight together, it would be good to raise some food and wages!”