The People's Guard has taken control of the entire fortress. Now, whether in the central hall or at the passage checkpoint, there are People's Guard soldiers wearing helmets and holding submachine guns, standing upright. These more than a hundred security agents have been transferred back and replaced with
More than two hundred mobile team soldiers.
Under the supervision of the People's Guard, the things that had been loaded onto the tram were moved back, and the documents that had been packed into boxes were also taken out. The central command hall became lively again, and many officers were either reluctant or relieved.
Or energetically devoted themselves to war command. Although the majority of officers wanted to retreat, a few old men at the top of the headquarters, such as Zhang Zhaoxian and Cao Mingqin, were still unwilling to give up Nanjing just like that.
They also all knew what Zheng Gongyin and Mrs. Li had done. Xiang Xiaoqiang miraculously entered the Purple Mountain Fortress, which impressed these old men with admiration. They also heard about Her Majesty the Queen's shocking edict, and they were a little confused for a moment, and they didn't realize it yet.
.Xiang Xiaoqiang reacted quickly, knowing that he could not wait for these old men to make trouble. Once they threatened to resign, they would all be blind.
Like a humble grandson, Xiang Xiaoqiang apologized to these old men one by one for a long time, meaning that even the students did not want to accept this edict. Her Majesty the Queen is really young and ignorant, so don’t take it seriously... The edict says that people
The fact that the Guard controls the national army does not mean that the student Xiang Xiaoqiang can control you. It just means that when necessary, with His Majesty's permission, he has the right to ask for the cooperation of the brother troops... Not to mention that the student is only a major general now, even if
After being officially awarded the title, he is just a small lieutenant general. In terms of military rank, he cannot be on an equal footing with the marshals...etc.
Marshal Zhang Zhaoxian, Chief of the General Staff of the Army Headquarters, had a good impression of Xiang Xiaoqiang. Seeing that Xiang Xiaoqiang was so humble and showed no intention of raising his tail, he first dispelled the feeling of rejection. In addition to Zhang Zhaoxian, Marshal Tang Yunsheng, Chief of Staff of the Army General Staff
, General Cao Mingqin, the commander of the eastern section of the Yangtze River Defense Line, also had a good impression of Xiang Xiaoqiang. They had a good impression of Xiang Xiaoqiang from the night when the Qing army first bombarded Nanjing, when Xiang Xiaoqiang entered the fortress for the first time to attend a military meeting and analyzed the artillery firepower of both sides.
This young man made a very good impression. These three old men took the lead in acknowledging His Majesty's edict. Even if the generals below were dissatisfied, they could not say anything.
In fact, Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that those who might really be dissatisfied should be the group army commanders, corps commanders, and division commanders below, those who directly lead troops. The old men in the headquarters knew very well that if they did not directly lead troops, their military ranks would not be the same.
He is much higher than Xiang Xiaoqiang, and Xiang Xiaoqiang cannot take advantage of him. As for "controlling the national army", without Her Majesty's will, no army will listen to him.
"Temperance" is a very delicate word, between "command" and "supervision". The People's Guard itself has the power to supervise other armies. This time the defense line collapsed, wasn't it because they stepped forward to supervise the battle and stabilize the position?
?Now asking them to "control" the national army is the same as what Xiang Xiaoqiang said. At best, "when necessary, with His Majesty's permission, they have the right to ask for the cooperation of brother troops"...
…
Zhu Yourong immediately broadcast to the whole country from the fortress, declaring his determination to live or die with Nanjing. The Queen's speech was broadcast on the front line with many loudspeakers. The People's Guard immediately felt that it was much easier to supervise the battle and no longer needed to mount machine guns.
By keeping a close eye on the defenders, they themselves can free up their hands to join the battle.
The morale of the Ming army immediately rose. On the contrary, the Qing army heard the Queen's speech on the loudspeaker, and their morale was obviously low. In many streets in the city, even where the People's Guard was not present, the Ming defenders were able to hold on.
, the Qing army felt that it was beginning to be difficult to advance.
After Xiang Xiaoqiang said goodbye to Zhu Yourong, he hurriedly walked out with his cheerful subordinates. He knew that the current battle to defend Nanjing was crucial, and if he wanted to get the big pie in the imperial edict, he must first win this battle.
Otherwise everything is empty.
He suddenly saw Fourteen Gege standing in the corridor, looking at him resentfully.
Xiang Xiaoqiang stopped abruptly.
Then everyone under his command coughed loudly and swarmed to find the toilet.
Seeing how "interesting" these people were, both Xiang Xiaoqiang and Shi Shi Ge Ge were embarrassed. Shi Shi Ge Ge hesitated and said:
"Well, I am...my room is here, and I'm watching them move my things."
"Oh." Xiang Xiaoqiang nodded.
Then, Fourteen Gege's expression was calm and he said without any tone:
"Liaoyang congratulates Mr. Xiang. I wish Mr. Xiang a prosperous official career in the future and he will become a pillar of the Ming Dynasty."
After saying that, I gave him one last look, turned around, and walked away without looking back.
Xiang Xiaoqiang watched blankly as Shi Shi Ge Ge disappeared at the end of the corridor. He noticed that Shi Shi Ge Ge's back seemed to be shaking, and he raised his hand to wipe his face.
...She cried? No way!
Xiang Xiaoqiang chewed on the words left by Shi Shigege, and suddenly realized: She is drawing a clear line and protecting herself! She is no longer willing to tie herself to me in a chariot!... From now on, she does not plan to be with me.
Coming and going!
Why? Because she thought the fruit I swallowed was too big to be digested?... Could it be that even she, a skilled fourteenth princess who once commanded the intelligence agency of the entire Qing Empire, would be frightened?
Xiang Xiaoqiang shook his head: No, there is no way out. There are only two roads in front of him, either death or victory.
But I was too young, and my ethics was far from adequate. I needed help. However, in the entire Ming Dynasty, she was the only person who was ethical enough and willing to help me caringly.
...Without her help, I cannot win.
He looked around at the subordinates who had come out one after another, and said softly:
"Besides, I am no longer alone. There are many people on my chariot. We must win."
"Sir, what did you say?!"
Xiang Xiaoqiang said firmly:
"From today on, what I want will not be allowed to escape from the palm of my hand."
After saying that, he turned around and strode towards Zhu Yourong's room, leaving behind a large group of confused subordinates.
For some reason, Xiang Xiaoqiang only remembered that night in Beiqing, when he sat in the simple kitchen and cooked noodles for her.
At that time, they were still enemies and were still deceiving each other. But the fire beating in the furnace was warm and bright, as if time had been frozen. At least at that moment, the warm and happy feeling was real. He believed that this feeling made her
I could feel it at the time.
He just saw Shi Shigege wiping away tears, and he didn't understand what was so sad about this. But now he also felt that his nose was a little sore.
Xiang Xiaoqiang said silently in his heart: From today on, what I want will not be allowed to escape from the palm of my hand!... Damn, it should have been like this a long time ago!
…
"Why... Mr. Xiang is back again?"
Zhu Yourong was very surprised to see Xiang Xiaoqiang appear in front of him again. Seeing that there were no ministers on the left and right, he called "Teacher Xiang".
"Your Majesty," Xiang Xiaoqiang said seriously, "I suddenly remembered something very important. If Your Majesty can approve it, I will be more confident when I take up this burden on my shoulders."
Zhu Yourong smiled and said:
"If you have any requests from the teacher, feel free to ask them. I will try my best to satisfy them."
Xiang Xiaoqiang said:
"Please allow Your Majesty to allow Princess Liaoyang to join the people's guard of the minister and serve beside the minister."
Zhu Yourong was startled and looked at Xiang Xiaoqiang's face with some suspicion, and his eyes gradually became ambiguous.
Xiang Xiaoqiang’s eyes couldn’t be more candid:
"Actually, since the day I took on the important task of the People's Guard, I have often gone to Princess Liaoyang for advice... I am young, have no experience, and have insufficient talents. Although I have the trust of Your Majesty to take charge of the People's Guard, many times I am really incompetent.
It's hard work. Fortunately, Princess Liaoyang is like my teacher, teaching me how to be a leader, how to manage subordinates, and how to deal with some difficult problems... I have to say that Princess Liaoyang is very experienced and talented.
.”
"oh."
Zhu Yourong nodded thoughtfully, but his eyes were still a little suspicious, observing Xiang Xiaoqiang evasively.
Xiang Xiaoqiang really began to admire Zhu Yourong's insight as a woman. But he couldn't let go and continued to smile "magnanimously":
"Actually, I can see that Princess Liaoyang is a person who is unwilling to be lonely. It is very uncomfortable to be a princess in the palace all day long. She has always wanted to do something for my Ming Dynasty, but she knows that her identity is too sensitive.
, Haha, I have been pinching my tail all day long and still can’t get it, so how can I dare to ask for a position? That is to say, I will take advantage of the opportunity of asking for advice, teach me all my skills, and use this method to do something for the Ming Dynasty as much as possible.
...Your Majesty, in fact, the fact that the People's Guard was able to sneak into the fortress to rescue Your Majesty this time was Princess Liaoyang's plan from beginning to end."
After saying this, Zhu Yourong also smiled, nodded and said:
"Ah, so that's it, I didn't know it yet! I must thank her properly... It seems that Princess Liaoyang is really talented! Well, it's a pity to waste it. However, after officially joining the People's Guard, she
Am I willing?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled and said:
"She was the one who asked me to say these words. Haha, she also begged me not to let His Majesty know what she meant!"
Zhu Yourong laughed and said:
"Okay, let's draw up the decree. Princess Liaoyang will join the Ming Dynasty People's Guard, and her status as a princess will remain unchanged. Teacher Xiang can arrange the specific position."
Xiang Xiaoqiang was elated and said again:
"Your Majesty, Princess Liaoyang still needs a military rank."
"Well, what military rank is appropriate?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang thought to himself that the military rank of the Fourteenth Princess must not be too high, because it would be too high to suppress her. Her status is more noble than his own, and her methods and experience are much better than his own. The first task is to suppress her. Not only can he suppress her
, Stomachache, Li Gensheng, Snail and others must be able to hold her down. She must be treated like a little daughter-in-law in her military rank. Only by getting closer to her can her words have weight.
...Although it is a bit wishful thinking, it can only go so far.
Xiang Xiaoqiang said:
"I think the rank of major is the most suitable one."
"Well, that's good. I'll give Princess Liaoyang the rank of major."