Early the next morning, the marching horn outside Wuchang City rang non-stop, and all the troops began to set off one after another. The Eight Banners Qing soldiers who were collected by Weidu, Zhu Youdong handed them all over to Weidu. Let him take the Eight Banners to clear the soldiers and set off directly to open the way for the army.

The fleet of sailors has already been taken, and the army of Zhou Dazhu and Ma Weixing has set off. Jiang Chao and the other three also rushed to Sanjiangkou with a large army. Wang Xing and others directly requisitioned all the fishing boats and merchant ships in Wuchang, and transported all the troops of the Hongguan battalion to Hanyang, and then several people reorganized the army in Hanyang.

Zhu Youdong did not leave Wuchang either, and first asked Li Rubi to select a 6,000-strong army to form the Hubei garrison army. After a brief training of him, he asked Li Rubi to lead the army to set off first to conquer the counties under Wuchang Mansion. Zhang Changgeng and Mayang, together with Mayang, set off with 3,000 standard battalions to conquer Xiaogan, Yunmeng, Anlu and other places.

Although Zhang Changgeng only led 3,000 troops, he had the identity of the governor of Huguang, and the cities were taken all the way. Although the capture of the city was very smooth, Zhang Changgeng had a profound impact on the march of the Restoration Army. Ma Yang didn't know who he had received, so he directly told the soldiers of the 3,000 standard battalions that wherever they went, as long as the local resistance was made, they could get a share of the property of those gentry's mansions.

Suddenly, these standard battalion soldiers were like being beaten with chicken blood. After setting off from Wuchang, it took only one day to arrive at Huangpi. blistered Zhang Changgeng's tired feet, and this person was going to collapse on the ground. But these soldiers of the standard battalion, regardless of Zhang Changgeng, are already tired like a dog. I didn't care about the identity of the former governor of Huguang and the current governor of Hubei, so I directly asked Zhang Changgeng to go forward to call the city.

When the Qing army in the city heard that the governor of Huguang was coming, he immediately did not dare to delay, and directly opened the door to welcome him into the city. Then before the Qing army could react, the 3,000 troops of the standard battalion rushed directly in. Before the county magistrate in the city could shout surrender, he was beheaded by the people of the standard camp.

On the afternoon of the second day after setting off from Wuchang, Zhu Youdong, who was still in Wuchang City, received the news that Huangpi had been captured. Seeing that Zhang Changgeng's side was going so smoothly, Zhu Youdong was also relieved. At this time, Hu Yiqing and others also came to report, and the reorganization of the Qing army was completed.

In fact, there was no reorganization, but a few generals in the original Qing army who were unwilling to obey the dispatch of the Restoration Army were dealt with. Then, the temporarily promoted deputies will be arranged into the army, and the reorganization will be completed. It's not that Zhu Youdong is unwilling to completely reorganize these Qing troops, but it's too late.

See a large number of deputy positions, have been arranged into the army. Zhu Youdong said to Hu Yiqing and the others: "We can't wait any longer, Jiang Chao and they have been off for two days." You guys prepare and let Deng Kai organize a containment team in the rear, and contain all the soldiers who have fallen behind along the way. ”

Zhu Youdong thought for a while, and then said: "You have to tell the soldiers that you are not afraid of falling behind, as long as you wait for the containment team behind you to take them in." But there were those who dared to escape without permission, and all their relatives at home were executed. Now I can't care about so much, so I have to use harsh military methods to take them all to Nanjing. ”

Hu Yiqing and the others immediately said: "Okay, let's make arrangements, and we must bring the army to Nanjing as much as possible." Zhu Youdong said: "Of course, you can't blindly cool the law, you must actively cooperate with the pacification work of the deputy, and try to make these soldiers feel the same treatment as the Qing army." In this way, the soldiers can return to their hearts, and we can also ensure that the army reaches Nanjing. Go ahead and get ready, for we'll have to leave tomorrow morning at the latest. There are also salt and basins for everyone to prepare for soaking their feet, which is the key to directly affecting the speed of our march. ”

Hu Yiqing and others also knew that the situation was urgent, and they all left immediately. Then, Zhu Youdong looked at the three people around him and frowned a little. When the three of them saw Zhu Youdong looking over, they suddenly became a little nervous.

For the three people in front of him, Zhu Youdong did have a headache, but now he had to arrange it first. Because the identities of these three people are special. They are all members of the Ming clan, one is Zhu Shenglang, the king of Dong'an, the other is Zhu Jiayuan, the queen of Han Xian, and the other is Zhu Qiling, the descendant of the Min clan who returned to Chongqing with Li Dingguo.

When he went on this expedition, Zhu Youdong planned to attack Nanjing, so he let these people go out with the army. In today's Chongqing city, there are a lot of fish and dragons, and casually leaving these people in Chongqing is to make trouble for themselves.

Looking at the nervous expressions of the three of them, Zhu Youdong said: "Everyone is of the Taizu bloodline, so don't be too nervous." "Zhu Shenglang and Zhu Ganyuan have always lived in Kuidong before, and the people in Kuidong must not have much courtesy to them. After all, in this troubled world, the clan is just a card, not to mention that Kuidong at that time was basically dominated by displaced people.

So since Zhu Youdong took a few people to the expedition, the two have been very worried, and they are terrified at any time. I was afraid that one day, Zhu Youdong would directly kill the two of them. Now when I heard Zhu Youdong say that both of them were of Taizu blood, he suddenly became even more nervous, and he couldn't speak for a while.

At that time, Zhu Qiling, although he was also in various places before, but after all, in the Yongli Dynasty, he was also appointed to the position of political envoy of Guizhou. Now Yongli has been killed by the Qing army, and Zhu Youdong is also in charge of the country in Chongqing. Of course, he knew how to speak, and immediately said: "Your Highness is the true dragon emperor, and we are ordinary people, so we are naturally very frightened in front of Your Highness. ”

Zhu Youdong glanced at Zhu Qiling and said, "You, why did you come to talk about foreign words." In fact, you don't have to worry, the world of the Ming Dynasty has become like this, and we are all of the Taizu bloodline, and we are still wary of each other. Isn't the situation in the Ming Dynasty bad enough? I really have to wait until others kill all of us who are of the Taizu bloodline. Only then did I remember, how many horns do you want to find to continue the bloodline? ”

Hearing Zhu Youdong say this, the three of them were suddenly a little gloomy. Zhu Shenglang and Zhu Yanyuan suddenly sobbed when they thought of the life under the fence that they had been displaced all these years and sent people everywhere. Zhu Shenglang said: "Your Highness is right, in this world, how come we, people of the Taizu bloodline, are not as good as an ordinary pawn of a peddler." I often wonder why I was born in the royal family. ”

Zhu Qiqian and Zhu Yanyan also said: "Yes, the displaced people didn't let us go back then, and when the Qing soldiers came, they still refused to let us go." We just want to live, whoever wants it in this world can go, what do we have to do? ”

Zhu Youdong looked at the Yangtze River and did not answer the words of the three people. Seeing that Zhu Youdong didn't speak, the three of them gradually stopped crying. Zhu Youdong said: "Maybe your idea is right, but I don't agree." Since there is no place for us in the world, we simply fight him to the death. I don't believe it, we are all Taizu bloodline, Taizu can go from having nothing cloth, and even become a monk, and still be able to ascend to the Ninety-Five. Create this Ming Dynasty for 300 years, let our descendants enjoy the glory and wealth. Why should we just beg for someone else to give us a way to live? ”

Zhu Qiqian said: "I have always been a vassal king, and I am not allowed to interfere in politics or lead troops." What can we do? Originally, Zhu Qiqian wanted to say, "The Son of Heaven is suspicious, and all officials are on guard." It's hard to be a vassal king. "It's just that now Zhu Youdong is in charge of the country, and he is the future Son of Heaven. Now that he is suspicious in front of him, doesn't it mean that Zhu Youdong is narrow-minded?

Although Zhu Qiling didn't say it, Zhu Youdong still understood what he meant. Zhu Youdong said: "You are wrong, just one ancestral system has made everyone unable to move forward?" Let this world let others go? Don't say that this is the world of the Ming Dynasty, let's just say that this is the world of the Han people, and we can't let the Tartars go. ”

Zhu Qiqian said: "That's why the heavens descended, a true dragon son like His Highness, to save all the people in the world." This is also the luck of my Ming Dynasty and the luck of all the people in the world. Zhu Shenglang and Zhu Yanyan heard Zhu Qiling's sycophancy, and immediately said: "Yes, it is also a blessing for us to have His Royal Highness save the people of the world." ”

Zhu Youdong said: "You didn't understand what I meant, I didn't ask you to tell me something nice." I mean, in today's situation, all the Taizu bloodlines should stand up and work together to save the Ming Dynasty and save the people. Zhu Youdong originally thought that as soon as he said it, the three of them should immediately be grateful to Dade for complimenting him, and then take the initiative to come out and take on some things.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Zhu Youdong's voice fell, the three of them immediately knelt directly in front of Zhu Youdong. He said in unison: "Your Highness is too worried, we just want to spend the rest of our lives in peace, and we have no other thoughts." Zhu Youdong was stunned for a moment, hurriedly pulled a few people up, and said, "What are you doing here?" Get up and talk well. ”

Zhu Qiqian said: "If Your Highness doesn't worry about us, you can directly imprison us, that is, we will never dare to destroy the current situation of resisting the Qing Dynasty." I also ask His Royal Highness to put the world first and the foundation of his ancestors as the most important thing and capture Nanjing as soon as possible. Zhu Shenglang and Zhu Yanyan also said: "Please Your Highness capture Nanjing as soon as possible, restore the old capital, so that we can worship our ancestors." In the future, we will guard the mausoleum of Taizu in Nanjing and pray for His Royal Highness. ”

Zhu Youdong tried his best to pull a few people up, but the three of them just refused to get up. Suddenly, Zhu Youdong was also anxious, and said, "What are you doing here?" Why did you suddenly talk about this, what is not at ease, hurry up. Of course, I know that I want to capture Nanjing as soon as possible, am I not doing it? Hurry up, don't get up again, I'm in a hurry. ”

Zhu Qiqian said: "Your Highness, rest assured, we will never compete with Your Highness, Your Highness is the true Son of Heaven." The ministers have no intention of making any difference. Zhu Youdong saw that Zhu Qiling was repeatedly talking about the true dragon emperor, and now he still claimed to be a minister, so he suddenly came to his senses. They are misunderstanding themselves, they are testing them, beware of whether they want to peep into the throne.

Zhu Youdong suddenly cried and laughed, and said, "Okay, I know your loyalty, get up quickly." The three of them quickly got up. Zhu Youdong smiled: "You guys, you just think too much." I just wanted to find something for you to do, and when I saw that my Daming Sect was in a difficult situation now, I felt it. I was afraid that you would misunderstand, and I wanted to reassure you a little more, so I asked you to share more, but you still misunderstood. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, he found that the three of them were about to kneel again, and hurriedly said: "You are not allowed to kneel, who wants to kneel again, I am really anxious." Zhu Youdong's appearance did not look like a fake, Zhu Qiqian said cautiously: "Your Highness really isn't wary of me?" ”

Zhu Youdong said: "Of course not, to put it mildly, today's Restoration Army, just the three of you, who can mobilize a soldier?" Although Zhu Youdong's words were ugly, Zhu Qiling and the three of them laughed. Zhu Qiqian said: "This is true, the Restoration Army was created by His Royal Highness, and no one can move it." The Restoration Army is loyal to His Royal Highness, and the three of us are also very pleased to see that the Ming Dynasty has such a strong army. ”

Zhu Youdong said: "Okay, I want to say something nice." Since there is no problem with the army, do you still want to find a few civil servants to disturb the Ming Dynasty? I think the descendants of Taizu will not have such a stupid person. Zhu Qiling and the other three saw that Zhu Youdong was indeed not wary of himself, so he hurriedly smiled: "Of course I don't dare, who dares to have such great courage." ”

Zhu Youdong took the hands of the three of them and said, "So, that's right, I'm going to let you and Deng Kai work together to form a containment team behind the army to ensure that the army marches." Let me also do something for you, so that I can entrust you with important tasks in the future. Zhu Qiqian said: "We can help watch the affairs of the containment team." As for the future, I just want to have a good time. State affairs have to be more troubled by His Highness. ”