"Master Zhang, there are still hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Liaodong and the islands on the sea. They are all nourished and survived by Denglai. Now that Denglai Navy has withdrawn, these people will have no choice but to surrender to the enemy."
Shen Shouyue tried his best to express his righteousness, hoping to persuade Zhang Jimeng.
Zhang Jimeng was unmoved.
The arrangement of the Denglai Navy was planned by the military department. He is now a civilian official and has no control over the military.
A long time ago, Zuo Menggeng expressed in public that civil and military affairs should be separated. We should not be like the Ming Dynasty, where the civil servants were noble and the military were inferior, nor could civilian officials interfere in military affairs.
Although this decision made many people hesitant and worried that the old events of the Han and Tang Dynasty warriors who disrupted the country would happen again. But after seeing the construction of the new army in person, everyone's worries disappeared.
In Zuo Menggeng's words, the New Army is a truly professional regular army, and it is an army belonging to the political power.
No one can turn the New Army into a private army and use force to do whatever they want.
The training of the new army is carried out according to a unified training outline, and the training mode of all soldiers is exactly the same.
In this way, it avoids the possibility of generals monopolizing military training methods, and naturally prevents the army from becoming the generals' private soldiers.
Moreover, the officers of the New Army were transferred very frequently, and almost no general would stay in the same army for three years.
As a result, there is no time to cultivate private armies.
What's more, although Zuo Menggeng completely separated the civil and military affairs, the financial resources of the army were still handed over to the government affairs department.
Without the autonomy of the money bag, the army has no capital to cause chaos.
In particular, the training of new army generals, including soldiers, was an eye-opener for everyone. Even company-level officers had enough knowledge to serve as local county magistrates.
Zhang Jimeng, Li Banghua, Hou Xun and others discussed in private and all said with a smile that in such an army, warriors are no longer pure warriors, but more like the perfect embodiment of the six arts of the gentleman.
However, the New Army still has plans for the Ming army still in Liaodong and Bohai Sea.
Zhang Jimeng said to Shen Shouyue: "As for the handling of the soldiers and civilians in Liaodong, I would like to ask Mr. Shen to go there in person and talk to Mr. Huang of Huanglong. As far as I know, Mr. Huang is a loyal person. Dengzhou was destroyed At that time, Huang Zongzhen also led an army to come to the rescue. You tell him, no matter what choice he makes, our Shandong New Army will not make things difficult for him. We wholeheartedly welcome him to seek refuge. He is loyal to the court, and we will not attack him. He. But from now on, he will have to figure out how to provide food, grass and baggage by himself."
This is what Zuo Mengeng means.
Zuo Mengeng still admires Huang Long.
It can be said that Huang Long was the last loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong.
Therefore, Zuo Mengeng did not intend to embarrass Huang Long and the Ming army under his command, and allowed them to make their own choices.
If Huanglong is still loyal to the court, then from now on, he can only get supplies from Tianjin. Not to mention the long route, the supplies will definitely not be comparable to Denglai.
But this is already the greatest kindness Zuo Mengeng has given.
Shen Shouyue looked bitter, but he also knew that with Denglai falling into the hands of the new army, the military and civilian problems in Liaodong must be resolved.
The New Army's use of force is already the greatest goodwill, and we really cannot ask for more.
"Then...then Shen will take a trip."
On the same day, Shen Shouyue took a boat from Dengzhou to the north, all the way to Lushun.
When he arrived at the place, he discovered that the situation here was very miserable.
After Dengzhou was lost, the soldiers and civilians of Liaodong had not received supplies for a long time. They relied solely on local farming income and fishing in the sea, which was simply not enough to satisfy their hunger.
Especially in May, in order to cooperate with other Ming armies, Huang Long also led his army to attack Dengzhou from the sea. As a result, he was defeated and lost all his last wealth.
"This town has asked the imperial court for help several times, but all failed. If this continues, even if so many people do not starve to death, they will not be able to stop the Tatar attack."
Huang Long looked much haggard, and his messy appearance did not reveal his demeanor as a commander-in-chief.
In the fourth year of Chongzhen's reign, Geng Zhongming's younger brother Geng Zhongyu rebelled. Huang Long was imprisoned and not only had his legs broken, but his ears and nose were also cut off.
This was also one of the reasons that prompted Geng Zhongming to rebel against Xiancheng.
Since then, Huanglong has been plagued by stubborn illnesses and has failed to perform well, but he still insists on the front line of fighting against gold.
But without supplies of food and grass, no matter how loyal he was, he was exhausted mentally and physically as he watched the people below him starve to death.
Now that I see Shen Shouyue coming, I can't help but feel a fire of hope igniting in my heart.
"I heard that the imperial court used Guan Ning's army to suppress the rebellion, and it was a great victory?"
Otherwise, how could Shen Shouyue, who was imprisoned by the rebels, appear in front of him intact?
Seeing that the news about Huang Long was so delayed, Shen Shouyue felt sad for him.
"Mr. Huang doesn't know yet? Guan Ning's army was defeated in Shahe in August. Now the imperial court is no longer able to quell the rebellion, let alone any countermeasures."
Huang Long's body shook and he almost fell to the ground.
"How could this happen? How could this happen? Guan Ning's army is the elite in the world, why was it defeated by the traitors?"
Shen Shouyue could not answer because he did not know the history of this battle.
"That's the fact. Now the imperial court can't count on it."
Huang Long's whole body was cold and he had never been so desperate.
"Doesn't that mean that the rebels are about to sweep through Shandong and cause more harm than ever? Even the capital will be forced by the rebels' frontline?"
Shen Shouyue smiled bitterly.
"Originally, the situation was indeed like this, but Dongchang's assistant general Zuo Menggeng used his troops like a god. He had recaptured Dengzhou City a few days ago and defeated the rebels in Huang County. It doesn't take long to recover Laizhou. .”
Huang Long's face suddenly brightened up, and he clapped and laughed.
"Hahahaha, I know the destiny of the imperial court. How can a mere traitor disobey him? I have admired that General Zuo for a long time, and he is indeed extraordinary in his actions."
His joy made Shen Shouyue unbearable. But what should be said still needs to be said, but I don't know how Huang Long will deal with himself after learning the truth.
"President Huang, don't be too happy. Shen came here this time and brought a message from General Zuo."
Huang Long didn't notice his expression and was still very interested.
"I never thought that General Zuo also knew Huang. I am really lucky."
Shen Shouyue closed his eyes in pain, his heart skipped a beat, and he said it all.
"General Zuo said that if Mr. Huang is willing to surrender, Shandong will also have a place as a general. If the chief is still loyal to the imperial court, he will not be in trouble. But from now on, the soldiers and civilians of Liaodong will ask Mr. Huang to ask for help. Shandong has nothing to do with the imperial court."
Huang Long froze on the spot.
"What do you mean by this... what do you mean by this?"
Shen Shouyue paused and said angrily: "Does Mr. Huang think that the only people who conspire to rebel are the Dongjiang rebels?"
Huang Long understood, and a mouthful of old blood rushed to his throat.
"You mean... you mean... he Zuo Mengeng... Zuo Mengeng also plans to rebel?"
Huanglong was puzzled before Shen Shouyue could answer.
"That's not right. Since Zuo Mengeng is determined to rebel, why doesn't he join forces with the Dongjiang rebels? If so, wouldn't their power be overwhelming and even more difficult to control?"
Shen Shouyue grinned miserably, and what he said made Huang Long even more desperate.
"What kind of thing is his Dongjiang rebellion? How could Zuo Menggeng see it? Do you know that Zuo Menggeng has opened offices and established government offices in various places in Dengzhou, restructured legislation, and established his own system?"
Huang Long finally vomited out his old blood.
Of course he understood that Zuo Mengeng's approach was actually more dangerous.
The rebels in Dongjiang Town swept through Shandong, and they seemed to be very powerful. It can be seen that their actions were no better than the rogue bandits in the northwest.
Even if it succeeds for a while, as long as the court responds with all its strength, it will only be a matter of time before the rebellion is suppressed.
Only Zuo Mengeng's actions really hit the Ming Dynasty's weak point.
Since he has established a government office and established his own rules, it means that he has a big plan and seeks an eternal inheritance.
But Huang Long couldn't help but sneer after being frightened by Zuo Mengeng's actions.
"The greatest fool in the world, Zuo Menggeng is just a warrior. How can he be so virtuous and capable that he dare to seek the country? Does he have this ability?"
Shen Shouyue looked at him with pity.
"Do you know who I saw under Zuo Mengeng?"
Huang Long looked stunned, completely defeated by the news revealed by Shen Shouyue.
"Former Secretary of the Ministry of War, Li Banghua and Li Meng'an, governor of Tianjin. In addition, the current chief officer of Dengzhou is Shandong Inspector, Dongchang Military Preparation Road Zhang Jimeng. I also found out that Hou Xunhou Ruogu, Liu Zongzhou, Liu Niantai and many other names All the good ministers and talented people are under the command of Zuo Mengeng. Mr. Huang, do you think it is possible to change the dynasty with the ability of these people?"
A monstrous chill instantly surrounded Huang Long completely, causing him to completely lose his bearings.
I never thought why such a thief would appear in Shandong, which is so close at hand.