The Qing army was about to gather its forces again and attack Hubei. Shang Yi was not worried at all, and was even very happy, because the more troops the Qing army attacked Hubei, it meant that there were fewer troops stationed in Nanjing. The next step in the battle to regain Nanjing was , the more advantageous it is.
But what Shang Yi really needs to worry about now is to eliminate the threat in the south of Zhejiang. Therefore, at the end of July, Shang Yi also left Hangzhou by boat and rushed to Nan'ao in person to meet with Zheng Chenggong and support him in launching an army immediately.
Since the First and Second Squadrons have already been included in the fleet participating in the cross-sea raid, Shang Yi only took the Third and Fourth Squadrons on this trip, and the flagship was still the old ship Yinhao instead of the Using the newly built Yue Fei, they also brought an infantry brigade with them.
Because Fujian has now been basically occupied by the Qing army, in order to prevent the Qing army from discovering his actions, Shang Yi did not choose to directly cross the Taiwan Strait on this route from the sea to Nan'ao, but instead sailed from the east of Taiwan via a detour. It curved in from the southern end of Taiwan and made a big circle before arriving at Nan'ao Island.
When Shang Yi and his fleet arrived at Nan'ao Island on August 6, a month had passed since Zheng Chenggong swore to resist the Qing Dynasty. During this month, Zheng Chenggong, with the help of Chen Bao, surrendered again Several small groups of Zheng Zhilong's remnants, including Yang Qihuang, Du Hui, Hong Zheng and others, have expanded to 6,000 people, and there are about a hundred warships of various sizes. If we add more than 3,000 people from Zheng Hongkui's group, , there are almost nearly 10,000 troops.
Among them, Shen Shouyue had already arrived at Nan'ao Island in advance, and the money and food provided to Zheng Chenggong also played a considerable role, because only by providing food and pay to the surrendered tribesmen could the morale of the army be stabilized and more soldiers attracted. Otherwise, no matter how many great principles he talks, it will not work. Therefore, it was with this batch of money and food that Zheng Chenggong had more confidence than Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Cai when he recruited the rest of his father's troops.
This time Shang Yi sent Zheng Chenggong another 1,200 muskets, including 200 forged muskets, 50 various artillery pieces, including ten 2,700-pound Hongyi cannons, and 2,000 pieces of armor. There were more than 5,000 pieces of swords, guns and equipment. These were all seized during the battle with the Qing army. It was not that Shang Yi was reluctant to give the firearms produced in the arsenal to Zheng Chenggong, but because the muskets and artillery produced in the arsenal were shot with mercury fulminate. For fire launchers, if Zheng Chenggong was given a musket and artillery, he would have to be provided with flash caps for a long time, which is obviously unrealistic.
However, now Zheng Chenggong has recruited a lot of troops, but he is short of ordnance and weapons. The weapons sent this time are another extremely timely supply, so Zheng Chenggong is naturally even more grateful to Shang Yi.
When Shang Yi arrived at Nan'ao Island, Zheng Chenggong also led his troops to warmly welcome Shang Yi and his party. When Shang Yi disembarked and met Zheng Chenggong, Zheng Chenggong bowed to Shang Yi in public, treated him with the courtesy of a teacher, and burst into tears. Thank you Shang Yi for your support.
Seeing how Zheng Chenggong was so grateful to him, although he had met many famous figures of this era, it seemed that he had never been as grateful and virtuous to him as Zheng Chenggong, and Zheng Chenggong was the most famous among them. There was a loud sound, so Shang Yi felt quite proud.
After being polite, Zheng Chenggong also hosted a banquet to entertain Shang Yi and his party. During the banquet, Shang Yi asked: "Mingyan, I think although Nan'ao Island is separated by the sea, it is only a small place after all, let alone There is no stable population and no output, so it can only be used as a temporary shelter, but it cannot be relied on as the foundation for a great cause. So what are your plans for the next step?"
In fact, there is no need for Shang Yi to remind Zheng Chenggong that he is also thinking about this problem. Now he has more than 6,000 troops under his direct command, and there are two strongholds in Nan'ao and Anping. It can be said that the initial survival problem has been solved, but the 6,000
The amount of food, drink and cooking for many people is not a small amount. It can be maintained to this day, almost all of them
He relies on Shang Yi for support, but Zheng Chenggong also knows that he cannot always rely on Shang Yi's support. He must be able to be self-sufficient. Moreover, it is difficult to achieve greater development while trapped on Nan'ao Island, so he
We are also considering occupying a piece of land on land as a basis for launching our own anti-Qing cause.
At the same time, although Zheng Chenggong was stationed in Nan'ao Island, he never forgot to inquire about the land. Hong Chengchou and Lek Dehun left Fujian and returned to Nanjing. Both Jin Shenghuan and Shang Kexi also left Fujian one after another and turned to Ganzhou and Guangdong. Only Jue
Luo Bahana's tribe still remains in Fujian, but its military strength has been greatly reduced.
In addition, after the Qing army occupied Fujian, they killed and looted everywhere, which also aroused the hatred and dissatisfaction of the villagers in the Fujian area. After most of the Qing army withdrew from Fujian, a strong backlash began immediately. In Jianning Prefecture and Funing Prefecture,
Shaowu Mansion, Yanping Mansion, etc.
The people in the area rose up one after another to resist the tyranny of the Qing army. Although the scale of these uprisings was not large, they were more numerous and widely distributed. It also made the Qing army put out fires everywhere, which was a headache. Therefore, it can be said that,
Now is indeed a good time for Zheng Chenggong to send troops.
When Shang Yi asked, Zheng Chenggong also said: "Reporting to the governor, Chenggong also knows that Nan'ao is an isolated island and is not a place to stay for a long time. Therefore, he has already made plans to take Quanzhou as the basis, and then open a sea channel to the Yangyang Yuguo.
They prosper and sell various ports to meet their wages, and then seek to restore the country and take revenge. I wonder what the Governor thinks?"
Shang Yi also nodded. Zheng Chenggong chose to enter Quanzhou first instead of Zhangzhou, which is closer to South Australia. It is indeed very strategic. Because Quanzhou is the largest alley in Fujian Province and directly leads to the sea, so its geographical location is better than Zhangzhou.
There are many, and Anping City, another stronghold owned by Zheng Chenggong, is only less than thirty miles away from Quanzhou, so it is very convenient to attack. If Quanzhou can be captured, it will not only serve as a base for Zheng Chenggong's development, but also better develop overseas trade.
Increase fiscal revenue.
In addition, Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Cai are now stationed in the sea near Quanzhou, so it is easy to get their help when attacking Quanzhou, so that Zheng Chenggong will not have to fight alone.
After a pause, Zheng Chenggong continued: "But according to my opinion, if we attack Quanzhou and catch the Qing captives by surprise, we have a great chance of winning. But after we capture Quanzhou, the Qing captives will definitely send a large army to recapture Quanzhou.
My troops have just been formed, and they are good at water warfare but not at land warfare, so I ask for your help, Lord Superintendent."
Shang Yi thought for a while and said: "Don't worry Mingyan. Once you send troops to invade Quanzhou, I will let the defenders stationed in Xianxia Ridge attack Jianning Prefecture and Funing Prefecture to contain the Qing forces. If
When the Qing Dynasty invaders send a large army to recapture Quanzhou, I will lead the fleet north and leave the remaining troops to attack Fuzhou. By then, perhaps both Fuzhou and Quanzhou can be conquered in one fell swoop."
Zheng Chenggong couldn't help but be very happy after hearing this. If he arranged it according to what Shang Yi said, he would be very sure to capture Quanzhou in one fell swoop. With the foundation of Quanzhou, he would recharge his batteries and wait for the opportunity to seize the entire city.
Fujian. So he thanked Shang Yi again and said: "Thank you for your help, Mr. Superintendent."
Shang Yi waved his hand and said with a smile: "Mingyan, you don't need to thank me yet. I help you like this on one condition."
Zheng Chenggong hurriedly said: "Sir, please tell me what the conditions are."
Shang Yi said: "In this attack on Quanzhou, I will give you the command of a regiment led by Shouchong to increase your troops and help you capture Quanzhou. But it will be commanded by you personally, and I will not participate in the capture." Quanzhou and even Fuzhou will be managed by you, and I will not participate, but I hope to only use your own troops and not ask for help from Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Cai's troops."
Zheng Chenggong was startled. Although he had now recruited five or six thousand troops, he still felt that he did not have enough troops to attack Quanzhou. Therefore, he did plan to join forces with Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Cai to attack Quanzhou, but he did not propose it to Shang Yihui. When such a request came, I couldn't help but be puzzled and said, "I don't know what your lord's intention is."
Shang Yi looked at Zheng Chenggong and said: "Ming Yan, I hope that the capture of Quanzhou this time will rely on your own strength instead of relying on others. Only in this way can you conquer the remnants of your father's army and become the emperor like them. , you are no worse than your father. And they will willingly take refuge in your service."
Zheng Chenggong's body trembled slightly, and he understood what Shang Yi meant. After Zheng Zhilong's fall, the strongest among the remaining troops were Zheng Cai and Zheng Hongkui, but now Zheng Cai is working alone, and Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Chenggong are just relatives. , but it is only a cooperative relationship. Because of the support from Chen Bao and Shang Yi, Zheng Chenggong's power is now on par with Zheng Cai and Zheng Hongkui.
Although they are now in the same camp and have the same hatred towards the Qing army, their relationship with each other is very subtle. Especially in terms of recruiting Zheng Zhilong's remaining troops, the three parties actually have a very fierce competition. Although Zheng Chenggong is the eldest son of Zheng Zhilong, he does not have much prestige among the Zheng army because he has not been in charge of the army for a long time. Zheng Cai and Zheng Hongkui were already Zheng Zhilong almost when Zheng Zhilong started his uprising. As an important assistant, Zheng Chenggong is obviously inferior to Zheng Cai and Zheng Hongkui in this regard.
If Zheng Chenggong, Zheng Cai, and Zheng Hongkui allied forces to attack Quanzhou, even if Quanzhou could be captured, it would still be owned by the three of them and their interests would be shared equally. For Zheng Chenggong, it would not be conducive to his development. On the contrary, if Zheng Chenggong captured Quanzhou alone, then the situation would be It's quite different. On the one hand, it officially obtains a mainland base in Fujian. On the other hand, it can also improve Zheng Chenggong's reputation and prove to Zheng Zhilong's remnants that he has the ability to lead them. In attracting Zheng Zhilong's remnants, It will definitely surpass Zheng Cai and Zheng Hongkui.
Moreover, Shang Yi also made it clear that he would hand over his army to the command of Zheng Chenggong. In fact, he would give all the credit for the capture of Quanzhou to Zheng Chenggong. At the same time, after capturing Quanzhou and Fuzhou, they would all be handed over to Zheng Chenggong. Help Zheng Chenggong unconditionally.