In Wuchang, Hu Quancai almost knocked himself to the ground after receiving the battle report from Xiangyang. "Are they all pigs? At that time, Xunyang reported that the Xingshan bandits were invading, so my officer ordered Gucheng and Xiangyang to prepare for Xunyang to be broken.
It’s only been a few days, it’s only been a few days, Xunyang has been able to hold on for a few days, but what about Xiangyang? It was breached by thieves in just one day. Did the thieves fly to the top of Xiangyang City?!"
Hu Quancai roared wildly in the official office. He was devastated by the stupidity of his subordinates, and even felt a little aggrieved. Everyone in the audience was silent and did not dare to say a word. After a long time, Hu Quancai finally took a breath, glanced at his subordinates, and said angrily: "Everyone.
Let’s talk about it, what should we do now?”
One of the staff members said tremblingly: "Sir, the thieves are so rampant, we must send troops to suppress them and capture the heads of the thieves before we can give an account to the court."
Hu Quancai snorted. This is all nonsense. If we don't send troops to suppress it, how can we just sit back and watch the enemy attack the city in Hubei? "What is the current situation of the rebel army? Will they continue to attack or will they retreat? Our army is dispatched now. If the rebel army retreats, can they stop it?"
?The rebel army is advancing so fast. Is its combat power amazing? How many troops will we need to dispatch to be our opponent? Well, do you know?"
The subordinates were silent for a while. How could we know this? Three cities were lost in a row, and the battle reports sent back were vague. At first, Xunyang reported that only 3,000 bandits were invading, and then they reported that the bandits had increased their numbers to less than 10,000. Gucheng sent out
The battle report of the incoming thieves said that the enemy was overwhelming and there might not be fifty thousand, but then there was no news. Xiangyang told the truth, the thieves were less than twenty thousand, but they could not hold on for a day. Such an inconsistent army
Report, let them strategize at the rear?
"You don't know anything, how dare you touch the army? Well, do you regard state affairs as playthings?" Hu Quancai scolded unhappily.
The subordinates were tired. You, the governor, don’t even know the situation. How can we know? A subordinate came up with an idea and offered advice: "Sir, we don’t know the situation in Xiangyang, but if the thieves take Xiangyang, they will definitely rob it. This
Supplies and people must be transported by waterways. We dispatch the Dongting Lake Navy to intercept them at the mouth of the Three Gorges, and we will definitely gain something."
Hu Quancai agreed. This was a good suggestion. It was impossible for the thieves to go back over the mountains and ridges with their harvest, so they had to take the water route. The Dongting Lake Navy had a strong combat power and could at least retain some of the enemy troops. "It's feasible.
However, dispatching the Dongting Lake Navy requires Hong Jinglue’s handwriting. To alert Hong Jinglue..." He still wanted to drive away the Ming army with only the power of Huguang. This would show his ability as Hu Quancai. If something happens to him,
He only seeks help from his superiors. This is not Governor Hu's style.
"Sir, since the matter is serious, it is important to inform Hong Jingluo. The gangsters are out in force, and this is not a matter for me in Huguang." The staff advised.
"It takes too long to send documents between Wuchang and Changsha. I'm afraid it's too late to help." Hu Quancai said thoughtfully.
"Your Excellency, you might as well issue an order first, and at the same time send a letter to the Governor to explain the situation. If you take power during the war, I don't think the Governor will care."
"Yes." Hu Quancai nodded slowly. This was a solution. Hu Quancai waited for his staff to draft the document and stamped it with two big seals, and the matter was settled.
In the dead of night, in the silence, two homing pigeons flew out of Wuchang, but no one saw them. Liu Zhen took charge of the Jinyi Guards, and according to Zhu Cixuan's instructions, he set up stations in Hanzhong, Wuchang, Changsha, and even the capital, secretly bribing everyone.
The close family members of the Qing officials, this time the Wuchang station was the first to take the lead and obtained important military information.
In Xiangyang, the great relocation is still going on in full swing. The already experienced Ming army is very good at dealing with the people. First, they opened the treasury and released food to win over the people, and then spread the news that the Manchu generals would be behind the Ming army's retreat.
In view of the bloody history of massacres in the past by the Manchus, the people of Xiangyang were convinced of the rumors of massacre. They petitioned the Ming army one after another, asking the Ming army to stay. After being rejected, the desperate people of Xiangyang were reminded by a caring person among the crowd.
There was no need for the Ming army to invite them, but they consciously stated that they would follow the Ming army to evacuate. In addition, the Ming army continued to brag about the various benefits of Chengdu, such as the distribution of fields and the death of 30% of the agricultural tax. When the people of Xiangyang thought about it, this was better than what they had in Xiangyang.
The tenant farmers are much better off, so what else is there to say? Let’s all go and mix with the Ming army from now on.
Without the mobilization of Li Laiheng and others, the people of Xiangyang cut off their braids and packed up their belongings. For a time, Xiangyang was full of bare heads and people with stubbled hair were wandering around. If Zhu Cixuan came here, he would probably think that
He traveled back to the next life again. Hao Yaoqi said proudly: "Our soldiers are pretty good, right? To deal with the people, we have to scare them and promise some benefits. Are we afraid that they won't follow us?"
Wang Qilong was sincerely convinced and was taught: "The Marquis of Nan'an is still clever in his methods, and he will finally be convinced." Thinking about the anger he caused in Xunyang, and the people scolding him, comparing it with Xiangyang, it is clear that he is superior.
Hao Yaoqi shook his head and said: "It's just a small trick. There are too many people in Xiangyang, and your appetite is too big. We have never relocated so many people at once before. This time you almost evacuated all the people in Xunyang and Xiangyang, Hubei."
Now that Hu Quan has received the news, he will definitely not give up. How do you plan to respond?"
Wang Qilong replied: "The general plans to stay in Xiangyang for a few days. When the people go far away, when the Tatars come, I will fire artillery to drive them away. If the Tatars don't come, I will not attack again. I will retreat as soon as possible."
Li Laiheng was silent for a moment and said: "The Tatars haven't made any move yet. They probably don't plan to come for a head-on confrontation. However, be careful of the Tatar navy."
Hao Yaoqi also reminded: "Yes, the Tatar navy is very strong. With so many people, we must be evacuated by boat. The Tatars can also guess that they probably want to intercept us in the Yangtze River.
.”
Wang Qilong frowned: "The general is not good at water warfare, and there is no navy in Chengdu. How to deal with this?"
"I have long wanted to have a Tatar navy. This time, I can think of a way to fight with the Tatar navy." Li Laiheng said with a smile, "Zhongzhen camp also has a navy, so let's find Inspector Wen.
Supporting a few ships can barely compete with the Tatars, but we can't lead the people to fight. We have to find a way to lure the Tatars out, first repel the Tatars, and then let the people board the ships."
Hao Yaoqi nodded: "Go to Lao Liu first, contact Supervisor Wen, and dispatch civilian ships to pick up people. Let's gather warships and block the mouth of the Three Gorges. The Tatars watch our civilian ships keep coming and going. I don't believe they won't take the bait."
Wang Qilong was very excited. He knew that Zhu Cixuan was afraid of the Manchu Dongting Lake Navy. If this problem could be solved smoothly this time, Zhu Cixuan would be very happy. If the Manchu Dongting Lake Navy goes, there will be more opportunities on the Yangtze River.
The only one with strong combat power was Su Song's navy far away in Songjiang. The Ming Dynasty ruled the Ming Dynasty again just across the river in Hubei.
While he was talking, the Jinyi Guards of the army sent a secret report. Wang Qilong read it and said with a smile: "Talk about Cao Cao, Cao Cao is here. Hu Quan has really dispatched the Dongting Lake Navy."
Li Laiheng took the secret report and read it, and he also laughed: "Hu Quancai is just a civil servant after all. Even if he has the reputation of knowing soldiers, how can he be compared to a veteran general who has been on the battlefield for a long time. Old thief Hong regards the Dongting Lake Navy as a treasure, and easily
Reluctant to use it, Sun Kewang tried to lure him several times back then, but Old Thief Hong remained unmoved. Unexpectedly, he was sent here by Hu Quancai today."
"If the Dongting Lake Water Division goes away, Wu Sangui will be crucified in Hanzhong. Even if he has the strength to go south, the Tatars will not be able to send him enough supplies." Wang Qilong also said excitedly. If the Manchus lost the Dongting Lake water
Division, the Yangtze River is no longer the main artery connecting the two battlefields of Sichuan and Hubei, but has become a natural chasm isolating the two provinces. Even if Wu Sangui captured Chongqing, the required supplies would still have to be delivered over the mountains and ridges from Shaanxi, which greatly increased the
The difficulty of Manchu attack was increased.
Li Laiheng said flatly: "General Wang will speed up the transportation of the people. I and Uncle Hao will go ahead and go to Badong to discuss countermeasures with Uncle Liu. General Wang will come back later."
In Hanzhong, Wu Sangui also received the news that his supplies had been robbed for the first time. He laughed several times, with a straight face, and shouted to everyone in the hall: "The pseudo-Ming Dynasty has indeed robbed my king's supplies. Now Hanzhong is short of food and grass, and the imperial court
I don’t know when the next batch of supplies will be delivered. For the current plan, we can only provide food to the enemy, send my order to the king, assemble the army to prepare for war, and station in Baoning in ten days, and then conquer Chongqing!"
After everyone retreated, Wu Sangui summoned a few confidants and held a small meeting. "I heard that Liu Wenxiu has been unwell recently. Du Zixiang, the current guard of Chongqing, is an incompetent person and is definitely no match for me. Wait for me.
After the king captures Chongqing, the Dongting Lake Navy can transport supplies for our army, and then take advantage of the trend to move south and attack Guizhou. Li Dingguo is attacked from three sides by the king, Mr. Hong and Zhuo Butai, and can only retreat to Yunnan. Guizhou is the king's bag.
It’s a hit.” Wu Sangui said with a smile, “The imperial court dare not move. If I conquer Chongqing, the imperial court will have to move. Once Guizhou is pacified, I will return to Chengdu. The strong bones of Yunnan will be given to Zhuo Butai and the others.
Chew it away."
"Your Majesty is wise." Liu Xuanchu praised Wu Sangui and then asked: "Doesn't your Majesty have the intention to destroy the Ming Dynasty?"
"This king is a minister of the Qing Dynasty. Naturally, I want to share the worries of the imperial court and destroy this imperial food." Wu Sangui said seriously.
"Then why didn't the prince attack Yunnan and personally capture Emperor Yongli? Yunnan is the prince's fiefdom in the future. If the officers and soldiers cause too much harm, it will not be conducive to the prince's future peace of mind." Liu Xuanchu said, "If the prince has no intention of destroying the Ming Dynasty, he will attack the emperor."
If you can go to Chongqing, why go south to Guizhou?”
Wu Sangui pondered: "Yunnan and Guizhou are barren, how can they compare to the land of abundance in Sichuan?" He had the intention of leaving Nanming behind and commanding Sichuan as the King of Pingxi.
Liu Xuanchu shook his head and said: "It is precisely because Sichuan is rich that the imperial court cannot allow the prince to use Sichuan as a fiefdom. If the prince intends to permanently control Sichuan, it is better to take it back as soon as possible. The imperial court will not agree."
Wu Sangui was unconvinced and said: "I conquered Chongqing and Chengdu. As long as Li Dingguo can withstand Zhuo Butai and the others, why can't I use Chengdu as my base to cultivate the land and raise troops?"
"What if Li Dingguo fails to withstand it?" Liu Xuanchu asked, "When Nanming is gone, and the imperial court issues an order, won't the prince obey it?"
"Zhuo Butai, shouldn't he be Li Dingguo's opponent?" Wu Sangui said hesitantly.
"Mr. Hong is still here." Liu Xuanchu said meaningfully.
Wu Sangui hesitated for a moment, waved his hand to signal everyone to leave, and then asked: "What do you mean, sir?"
"If the prince is self-reliant, he should keep Nanming, but Mr. Hong is very determined to destroy the Ming Dynasty. If the prince does anything that exceeds the rules, he will definitely not escape his eyes. Mr. Hong is old, but he is still thoughtful. I'm still alive." Liu Xuanchu replied, "If you just want to be the Prince of Peace, then you should honestly follow Mr. Hong's instructions and don't take Sichuan's idea."
Wu Sangui took a deep breath, shook his head and said: "I have fought in wars all my life, and now I just want to sing and dance and live a peaceful life. Yunnan and Guizhou are barren, how can I compare to Sichuan in raising people?"
Liu Xuanchu said bluntly: "Your Majesty wants Sichuan, but he also doesn't want to fight anymore. I'm afraid he is thinking too much."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"If Mr. Hong is here, the prince will never be able to take Sichuan for himself. Is the prince sure of the means to deal with Mr. Hong?"
Wu Sangui was silent for a while and slowly shook his head. When he was a guard at Shanhaiguan, Hong Chengchou was his immediate superior. He knew Hong Chengchou's abilities very well and he was by no means Hong Chengchou's opponent.
"The old man is already old. Who knows when he will pass away?" Liu Xuanchu was persuasive, "I heard that the old man has to take ginseng soup every day so that he can have the energy to deal with government affairs."
Wu Sangui's face trembled, and his heart jumped for no reason, "Is this possible?"
"If the old man were to die, and the civil and military officials in the dynasty would be full of people, who would be your opponent? Even if the prince occupies Sichuan and does not leave, the court will have to coax the prince and worry about you anyway. If the prince shows his loyalty, he will fight again. After a few victories, the title of Ping Xi Wang might become the King of Shu..." Liu Xuanchu was like a demon, seducing the desires in Wu Sangui's heart.
"My king, what should I do?" Wu Sangui struggled.
"To attack Chongqing is to show your loyalty to the imperial court. Chongqing is surrounded by mountains and rivers and is difficult to capture in a hurry. At this time, the prince should ask the boss to send troops to attack Guizhou and disperse the Nanming forces. If the boss goes away at this time, Zhuo Butai and others It will most likely be a huge defeat. If all the officers and soldiers except the prince were defeated by Nanming, wouldn't the prince immediately become the pillar of the imperial court? At that time, in order to stabilize the rear, it would not be appropriate for the prince to wipe out Kuidong, Chengdu. Is it righteous? If Sichuan falls into the hands of the prince, it can continue to attack Nanming or not, it all depends on the prince's thoughts. No matter what, can this strategy of attacking Nanming escape the hands of the prince?" Liu Xuanchu analyzed. .
Wu Sangui was greatly moved. As long as he occupied Sichuan and relocated the people, Sichuan would soon recover. Sichuan alone was enough to suppress Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. In this case, it might be better for him to keep Nanming. s Choice.
"Sir, you are a great talent." Wu Sangui said with a hearty smile, "According to what you said, I have to make a trip to see you, Sir."
"Students should serve themselves." Liu Xuanchu said with a smile, Hong Chengchou, Hong Chengchou, you have done so much evil and it's time to die. This chapter has been completed!