As for the officials of the royal palace and the vassal, they occupied private houses, falsely accused good people of being thieves, extorted huge sums of money, imposed additional taxes, etc. There are countless examples. It is estimated that the annual income of Pingfan is more than one million taels of silver.
"When candles fall, the people shed tears, and where the singing is high, the complaints are loud." At that time, the poet Hua Fu wrote "Tiger Walking", which refers to Pingnan Palace. Even Zhenhai Tower (five floors), the best resort in Yangcheng, was also
"The mountain area below Pingnan Wangquan is a deer farm... Some officials didn't dare to pass by and asked.
With so much enjoyment and comfort, it would be a bit too much to expect the soldiers under Kexi to maintain their strong combat power. What's more, most of the current vassal soldiers, pacesetters, recruits, etc. are soldiers supplemented on the spot, with experience and
It is even more difficult to compare with the "war-experienced people" in terms of quality.
But facing the threat from Zheng Chenggong in the southeast, the Guangdong Navy is quite capable. It has three fleets transformed from pirates: Wu Liuqi, Xu Long, and Su Li. However, when the South China Sea Fleet was assisted by foreign aid,
, after defeating the Guangdong Navy, Shang Kexi broke an arm.
In the dusk, Zhu Yongxing had already boarded the wooden city in the west of the city. Looking into the distance, the inner city was sparsely lit and desolate. Only occasionally, shells from the Tianwei cannon fell into the inner city, and the explosions of fire flashed like brilliant fireworks.
Ma Bao and other generals were still commanding the siege of the inner city and clearing out the remaining enemies. Zhu Yongxing was only surrounded by some personal guards and Chang Shi Yicheng.
"Your Highness, the fighting is still ongoing and the siege of the inner city is not yet tight. We need to prevent the enemy from desperately counterattacking." Yi Cheng advised tactfully.
"Be careful!" Zhu Yongxing shook his head slightly and said, "The enemy is in a panic at this time. How can he have the courage to counterattack?" He said so, but Zhu Yongxing listened to Yi Cheng's persuasion.
, walked down to the top of the city, waited for the journey to the bottom of the city, and were protected by the bodyguards, then walked into the city.
Not far away, Commander-in-Chief Yan Weilong came up to him. After saluting, he invited Zhu Yongxing to rest in the house he had just found. He also told Zhu Yongxing very happily that the people in Guangzhou were really good and the battle had just ended. There were already many people there.
They made fires to cook and boil water, and sent them out to satisfy the Ming army's hunger and thirst.
"The people of Guangzhou, well, are the most righteous people." Zhu Yongxing nodded with emotion.
When Shang and Geng counterattacked Guangzhou, the people of Guangzhou showed their bravery in resisting. "The people in the city also defended the city. The men went to the city and the women gave them food. The Qing soldiers surrounded the city and were defeated.
And cannot overcome..."
In this defense battle in which the army and civilians cooperated, the Qing army suffered heavy losses. Qing general Shang Kefu and others were killed. "The Genealogy of the Shang Family" records that the corpses of the Qing invaders were piled almost as high as the city wall under the siege site. Lian Shang Kefu was happy
, the two bastards Geng Jimao were almost finished, "The Ming army destroyed the case of Ke Xi and Geng Jimao with cannons, and the two of them ate together and luckily survived."
It was precisely because of the tenacious resistance of the military and civilians that the people of Guangzhou suffered the same tragic fate as the people of Yangzhou. After the two traitors, Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong, broke into the city, they retaliated in anger and carried out massacres, rapes, and robberies crazily.
A foreign missionary recorded: "The massacre lasted from November 24th to December 5th. They brutally killed men, women, old and children. They didn't say anything else. They only said: Kill! Kill.
Kill these rebellious barbarians."
After the massacre, a monk named "Purple Monk" summoned manpower to carry the corpses, gathered them in the open space outside the east gate, burned them with fire, and piled the bones into "Chengfu" (a small hill). "Pedestrians were two or three miles away.
, looking like snow". There is also a description of blood and tears of "over the next day, the abandoned child crouched beside the corpse, still sucking his (mother's) breast, and everyone who passed by cried". According to a relatively reliable estimate, there were "
Tens of thousands of residents lost their lives.”
However, the crimes committed by Shang and Geng Erni were not limited to Guangzhou. After conquering Nanxiong, they also "slaughtered all the residents in the city." And in history, the blood of Han compatriots was recorded in the merit book of the Qing Dynasty as "famous in history".
"It is gratifying that the two traitors, Geng Jimao, did not get the retribution they deserved. It can be said that God has no eyes.
But in this time and space, what Zhu Yongxing wants is not only victory in the national war, but also justice and justice.
"After the Qing army was completely annihilated, household registrations were checked. Guangzhou residents should be rewarded during their lifetimes and receive pensions after their deaths. They should be exempted from taxes for three years as a reward for their righteous deeds. They should also erect monuments and build gardens as a memorial to all generations." Zhu Yongxing's heart became heavy.
I feel that this compensation is too meager.
"Your Highness is kind, and the people of Guangzhou will be grateful." Yicheng complimented, hesitated, and swallowed the words.
Yi Cheng was opposed to Zhu Yongxing's proposed method of severely punishing the Qing army. Being broad-minded and inviting surrender and accepting rebels would undoubtedly speed up the progress of the war. Even the Qing court could do this, so Zhu Yongxing seemed a little stubborn and not magnanimous enough.
.
But Zhu Yongxing just can't abandon all principles. He may make some changes, but he can't accept the bottom-line surrender and rebellion. It may increase the difficulty of this national war, but it will set a standard that does not involve looting in war.
Killing civilians is an ordinary thing. Prisoners of war are prisoners of war, and war criminals are war criminals. They should be distinguished clearly, which is why Zhu Yongxing insists on doing this.
……………..
The shells streaked across the night sky like meteors with flaming tails, which were the sparks ejected from the fuses of the unique shells fired by the Tianwei Cannon. They landed, rolled and bounced, and then exploded, and the meteors turned into blooming fireworks.
Miao Wenxiu sighed and plucked his still buzzing ears, unable to bring up the slightest appetite for the food in front of him.
The Ming army carried out deterrent bombardments, one shot at a time, and another at another time, so that the explosions continuously hit the Qing army's nerves and prevented them from taking a good rest.
Tomorrow is the end! Miao Wenxiu, who has witnessed the attack methods and momentum of the Ming army, has accurately predicted his own death date. Well, and his family members. Thinking of his parents, wife, children, and concubines, he feels sad.
Come to mind.
After retreating into the inner city, he didn't even have time to return home, so he was arranged by Shang Kexi at the north gate of the inner city. He had less than a thousand soldiers, plus the remnants of the killed general soldier company, which was no more than a thousand soldiers.
More than two thousand points. Of course, with only these men and horses in hand, naturally he can no longer act as the main general. He can only serve as the deputy of the commander-in-chief Ban Zhifu, who has not lost much strength, to assist in the defense of the north.
"Boom!" A loud noise shook Miao Wenxiu's body, and he squatted down subconsciously, hiding behind the crenellations. After a long while, Miao Wenxiu carefully moved his position. With thoughts in his heart, he threw down his food and began to inspect the city defense.
, but seemed absent-minded.
It was not until the inspection was almost completed that Miao Wenxiu discovered that Lieutenant General Wu Qizhen had not been seen for a long time. It seemed that he had not seen him since he entered the inner city. Could it be - no. Impossible. Li Youcai was just an isolated phenomenon. Such an absolute phenomenon must have been there for a long time.
In preparation, the family members have been secretly moved to the outer city. Hehe, he is really cunning. Miao Wenxiu wanted to sneer, but an ugly bitter smile appeared on his face. Complex emotions emerged in his heart, including resentment, jealousy, envy...
A group of men and horses came galloping from the city and stopped at the foot of the city. Under the lamps and torches, it was Shang Zhixiao who was wearing a helmet and armor. Miao Wenxiu saw the commander-in-chief Ban Zhifu coming up to greet him. Monk Zhixiao was talking.
They were far away and couldn't hear what was said. Then, Shang Zhixiao led the people away, while Ban Zhifu looked a little strange. He shook his head and sighed, and called a few soldiers to give instructions.
…………
"The inner city may be captured tonight." This news was a bit surprising to Zhu Yongxing. The Ming army already had victory in hand, and a night melee was not a good choice. But after hearing the specific report, he was relieved. Now that there was another
If you have a rebellious general like Li Youcai who can coordinate internally and externally, you will naturally seize this opportunity.
"To be able to make arrangements in such a short period of time, this guy's brain is quite smart." Zhu Yongxing rubbed his chin and thought for a while. He reminded cautiously: "Once there is a signal, be careful when attacking the city. Beware of any dangers."
Fraud."
"Your Highness has thought carefully and arranged everything properly." Ma Bao complimented and left.
As a veteran on the battlefield, such a reminder is a bit redundant, but Zhu Yongxing's identity is there, and Ma Bao doesn't mind pretending to be stupid and making Zhu Yongxing appear wise and wise.
"If people's hearts are broken, the Qing army will undoubtedly be defeated." Yi Cheng said with emotion and handed the draft to Zhu Yongxing for review.
Zhu Yongxing read it briefly and nodded in appreciation. It is said that a scholar's pen is as sharp as a knife, and he kills people without seeing blood. After reading this manuscript, it is indeed true.
"Shang Ni has not yet been crowned, so we still don't know what the outcome will be. We can make slight modifications when the matter is decided." After Zhu Yongxing finished speaking, he did not forget to praise, "A long history is a good article, every word is like an arrow, which can make Ni thieves uneasy."
, it’s hard to sleep."
"Your Highness, you are so complimentary. I am ashamed of my humble position." Yicheng said modestly, but he was really happy in his heart.
"When I first left Burma and entered Yunnan, I had only a few thousand soldiers, and we were not the ones who had fought for a long time. However, when the building was about to collapse and I was panicking, the Zheng family helped me to gather the remaining soldiers and spread my voice to all directions.
It's a great contribution." Zhu Yongxing sighed as if recalling, and Yi Cheng quickly listened attentively.
"The strong wind knows the strong grass, and the rocky ground knows the loyal minister. He will never leave me in the face of all difficulties. I will remember it in my heart. I also hope that we can start well and end well. We will not lose each other." Zhu Yongxing changed the subject and his tone became a little low.
, "Even when things go wrong, I can still tolerate Gu because of my nostalgia. But if I deliberately deceive, guess Gu's thoughts, and carry out secret room conspiracy, can Gu Wang tolerate it?"
Yicheng felt a chill in his heart. Seeing that Zhu Yongxing's eyes had moved over, he suddenly felt his back getting wet. He quickly bowed and cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness is wise, wise, and kind-hearted. How can anyone dare to deceive others in secret and do anything wrong?"
"I hope it won't happen!" Zhu Yongxing turned his aggressive eyes to the window and said meaningfully: "No one can fully understand Gu's thoughts. The Ming Dynasty is reviving, but it will no longer be the original Ming Dynasty."
Yicheng was half-shocked and half-understood. He opened his mouth and responded silently.
…………..
"Sir, the prince has an order. Please move your family members to the prince's palace. They will be protected by heavy troops and there will be no worries." A private soldier of Ban Zhifu found Miao Wenxiu and reported the truth.
Miao Wenxiu was stunned for a moment, then understood, her face changed, and finally she waved her hand helplessly and said, "I understand, I will send someone back to the palace to pick up the family members and bring them to the palace."
What about heavy military protection and no worries, they are just taking the generals' families as hostages and making them work hard for their lives. Bah, Miao Wenxiu looked at the backs of the soldiers who reported the news and walked away, and spat angrily. It seems that Li Youcai's
The rebellion reminded Shang Kexi and sounded the alarm. Now that the city would fall sooner or later, Shang Kexi would not surrender under any circumstances. Those family members, as hostages, could only be buried with him.
Sigh, is there any other way? Miao Wenxiu thought about it, sighed for a while, waved to a few soldiers, and sent them to move the family members. Now it was just a notice, but Shang Kexi still wanted to pretend to be benevolent and did not send troops to force him.
He will do it, but if he postpones it, he will have to resort to violence.
"Sir." Lieutenant General Wu Qizhen, who had not been seen for a long time, suddenly appeared with a few soldiers, but his face was stained with sweat. He didn't know what he had gone to do, and he was so tired.
"Where have you been?" Miao Wenxiu stared at this close friend with an unhappy look on his face.
"Sir, please take a step to speak." Wu Qizhen took two deep breaths and stretched out his hand to signal.
Miao Wenxiu followed Wu Qizhen to a quiet place under the city in confusion. Before she could speak, Wu Qizhen had already said in a deep voice: "I have already taken people to move the family members to a secret place, including the adults."
What? Miao Wenxiu was shocked, her mouth opened in an O shape, and she looked at Wu Qizhen in disbelief.
Wu Qizhen smiled bitterly and said: "It will be a matter of time before the inner city is destroyed. We are not afraid of death, but what will happen to our family? I only have one son. He is only one year old. The prince is really ruthless and does not consider others.
But I only want the big guy to be buried with him."
"You, you want to rebel?" Miao Wenxiu's hand grasped the handle of the knife, and someone immediately approached him, but it was Wu Qizhen's personal soldier.
"Originally I wanted to wait, but now I have to do the opposite." Wu Qizhen's eyes flashed coldly, and he looked at Miao Wenxiu. "The prince has given an order to move his family members, and your family members and mine will not be coming to the palace for a long time. You
What would he think and do?"
Miao Wenxiu pondered, and slowly released his hand from the handle of the knife and lowered it. He felt that he had fallen into Wu Qizhen's plan and had to go against it. But as soon as this feeling came out, he felt a little relaxed, yes
He was finally able to make a decision that was difficult for him to make. Or he suddenly had a chance of survival for his family, he couldn't tell.
"Sir, if you just wait, you will lose your life. You, me, and the parents, wives and children of each family." Wu Qizhen urged: "If you go against it, we may die, but our family members will be safe.
ah!"
"Why?" Miao Wenxiu asked with some confusion.
"There is a witness to prove that we two have made meritorious deeds anyway." Wu Qizhen suddenly smiled slyly and said: "I left someone in the outer city, so I should have informed the Ming army. It doesn't matter whether we can succeed or not, as long as we make some noise and let the Ming army
You know I'm fine anyway, so what are you afraid of if I die?"
"That's it." Miao Wenxiu suddenly realized that he had underestimated the wisdom of this deputy general. He had made good arrangements. He was able to do this when the outer city was about to be lost. He was very fast.
Wu Qizhen said nothing and stared at Miao Wenxiu. Several of the confidants surrounding Miao Wenxiu also showed murderous intent.
"Okay, let's do it anyway." Miao Wenxiu gritted his teeth and burst out a few words, and immediately heard the angry voices of Wu Qizhen and others.
"But there are not many of us, so we have to act quickly. By the time Shang Kexi realizes that our family members are missing, it will be too late." Wu Qizhen said with some worry.
It is best to be alive. Wu Qizhen still wanted to surrender successfully and save his life.
Miao Wenxiu thought for a while, put down the tangled mind and came up with an idea, "Let's create some trouble first. When the guards at the city gate are panicking, we swarm up and open the city gate. Did you see that they are trying to block the city gate? Yes!
Yes, what is the signal for you to discuss with the Ming army?"
"Light the fire as a signal." Wu Qizhen said it very simply. After all, he was short of time, and the explanation he gave to his confidants who stayed in the outer city could not be too complicated or detailed.
"Well, remember how Nanxiong was captured." Miao Wenxiu asked. After receiving Wu Qizhen's affirmative reply, he continued: "Just follow this plan. Dozens of spies can succeed. Let's at least,
There can be at least a few hundred people, right?”
At that time, Shang and Geng Erni led their troops across Meiling and entered Guangdong Province. Before arriving in Nanxiong, they sent dozens of spies to lurk in the city. On the night of New Year's Eve on the 30th, they set fire to the Drum Tower, taking advantage of the Ming army's panic to put out the fire.
, opened the Civilization Gate, the main force of the Qing army rushed into the city, and the city was broken.
"Understood." Wu Qizhen smiled coldly and motioned for a few soldiers to follow Miao Wenxiu, "These men of mine are quite skilled in martial arts and can keep you safe. Well, let's discuss it and we will split up."
Miao Wenxiu gave a helpless smile and said, "From now on, don't call me sir again. Putting aside our daily friendships, if you can only think about my family today, can I harm you in return?"
"Brother Miao can think so, that's great." Wu Qizhen said this, but he did not recruit his cronies to monitor and control Miao Wenxiu, but started discussing with Miao Wenxiu how to act quickly.
…………..
Although Wu Qizhen had an idea and left two confidants in the outer city to seek contact with the Ming army, the instructions were unclear and he did not know how he would be resettled after withdrawing to the inner city. The Ming army wanted to seize this opportunity, so they
We can only deploy more troops and horses, and attack the inner city from wherever there is a situation.
Looking at the dark city wall and the gate below the city tower, Habu was a little nervous, but also a little expectant. The regulations on rewards and punishments in the Ming army were constantly improved. In the past, it was too one-sided to simply judge merit by head. Although it was not abandoned, it was able to complete the task.
The new method of discussing merit gradually became popular as a basis, and the reward was no less than simply cutting off the head.
As part of the commando team, Habu knew that if he succeeded, his official position would be promoted to another level. In Xinhui, the troops who won the first victory in climbing the city were role models. Not only were the officers and soldiers promoted to one level, their rewards were doubled, but they also received
Summoned by Prince Min, he was named "Poxin Camp".
I hope that I can also get this honor and be one step closer to my dream. Habu rubbed his sore eyes, and when he looked up again, a burst of surprise came to his heart accompanied by the firelight on the city.