Han Zhaonian opened the city gate as agreed, and led his troops to put down their weapons and surrender out of the city.

The Ming army took over the city of Xiangyang as soon as possible.

Controlling Xiangyang is equivalent to controlling the Hanshui Basin.

Now the Ming army can be said to have no worries.

When Zhu Youlang entered the city, he found that the streets were empty, and it was very deserted.

He couldn't help frowning and asked, "What's going on?" What about the people? ”

"Your Majesty, the people should think that the big war is imminent, and they are all hiding."

Li Dingguo has a lot of experience in storming the city, and he knows very well that this is the most dangerous time for the people in the city.

The defenders will capture the people to help defend the city, and if you don't want to capture them, you have to hide quickly.

As for the besieging party, some people with lax military discipline will generally loot wantonly after breaking the city, and it is these people who suffer.

"Spread my will, strictly restrain military discipline, and do not disturb the people. Violators will be punished in accordance with military law. ”

The military discipline of the Ming army is actually relatively good, but Zhu Youlang is still afraid that some soldiers will not be able to control themselves.

At present, the Ming army's eastward crusade, in addition to attacking the city, it is also important to obtain the support of the people.

The local people must not be given a bad impression of the brutality and greed of the Ming army.

"Obey the order!"

"Your Majesty, there is something I don't know what to say."

Han Zhaonian, who took the initiative to dedicate the city, came over with a smiling face, and his attitude was extremely respectful.

"Say it."

Given that Han Zhaonian's attitude was not bad, Zhu Youlang planned to give him a chance.

"Your Majesty's Eastern Crusade, is the purpose of the money and grain in the treasury or long-term operation?"

Han Zhaonian's question was quite vicious.

The Ming army has been trapped in the southwest for a long time, giving the world the impression of a separatist regime.

In this case, the enterprising spirit of the dynasty will be doubted.

I'm afraid that in Han Zhaonian's heart, Zhu Youlang is also here to fight the autumn wind this time. After earning money and food and withdrawing to eastern Sichuan, these cities will naturally return to the hands of the Qing army.

"This world is originally Ming, and I just take back what belongs to me."

Zhu Youlang said domineeringly.

Don't you want to test me, and I'll tell you plainly.

I'm not a rogue wandering thief, I'm the Son of Heaven, and I'm going to get back what I've lost!

"If this is the case, the criminal minister advises His Majesty to fight steadily and steadily, and not to rush to attack Wuchang first."

Han Zhaonian explained: "As far as the criminal minister knows, the Wuchang garrison has at least 30,000 troops, and they are all elite. If Your Majesty leads an expedition, he will definitely bring the elite. If you can defeat Wuchang, it's fine, if you can't beat it, this backyard will catch fire again, and even the way back will be broken. ”

In fact, what Han Zhaonian said is still very reasonable.

The Qing army had been running Huguang for many years, and the local people had become accustomed to accepting the rule of the Qing court.

The Ming army is stationed here, but once they leave, these conquered cities are likely to be hung with Qing flags again.

If the Ming army left a large number of garrisons here, and the city and pond were dispersed, the army to fight Wuchang would probably not be enough.

This is an unavoidable question.

"Wuchang I will definitely fight, and Xiangyang and Yiling I will not give up. I want them all! ”

Zhu Youlang's self-confidence lies in the composition of the troops of this Eastern Crusade.

He had already thought about letting the Kuidong armies defend the conquered Huguang cities respectively, while he and Li Dingguo led their troops to attack Wuchang.

With that extra batch of guns, it is not difficult to take Wuchang.

Of course, he can't say this to Han Zhaonian, and he can't even say it to Li Dingguo now.

"Your Majesty is wise and martial, and it is the criminal who is reckless."

Han Zhaonian said in his heart, this Yongli Emperor really has a lot of appetite. If you're so greedy, something will happen sooner or later.

It seems that he still has to plan ahead. It is not a way to follow the Ming army to death.

"Your Majesty, the ships in the Hanshui area are all outside the city, and the criminal minister will order someone to hand over to the generals."

Zhu Youlang bowed slightly.

At least from the current point of view, this Han Zhaonian's performance is still very good.

However, he will order the Jinyi guard to keep an eye on him, and if he has any abnormal movements, Zhu Youlang will know immediately.

...

...

Nanjing, garrison house.

Zhang Huangyan looked at the various documents in the Nanjing treasury, but he was in a good mood.

As the center of the entire south of the Yangtze River, Nanjing's money and grain reserves are extremely rich.

After taking Nanjing, all this money and grain became the Ming army's.

It's worth it.

Zhang Huangyan roughly calculated that this grain was enough for the Ming army to eat for a whole year, and they no longer had to worry about the food problem!

After the Ming army took Nanjing, some nearby prefectures and counties fell to the wind, and Guazhou and Zhenjiang all waved the Ming flag.

The entire southeast region is Ningbo, Zhejiang, and Shi Lang is the most threatened.

However, at present, Zheng Chenggong's focus is not on Ningbo, but on taking the upstream Anqing Mansion as soon as possible.

Anqing and Zhenjiang are the left and right gateways of Nanjing, and it is not very stable to take only one of them, and only two of them can be safe.

"Brother Cangshui, come and see. Now Anqing's defender Mangordoni has 30,000 heavy troops in his hands, and he can cut off the Yangtze River channel at any time. Upstream, if it goes downstream, it can threaten Nanjing at any time. ”

Zheng Chenggong has been sketching on the map, and when he saw Zhang Huangyan on the side, he greeted him.

Zhang Huangyan put down his Chinese book and got up and walked to Zheng Chenggong's side.

"But Damu already has a plan?"

"What else can I plan, it's nothing more than fighting. If you don't accept it, I will beat you until you obey, this is my way. ”

After taking Nanjing, Zheng Chenggong was indeed a lot more confident, and the spirit of the whole person has also been significantly improved.

"Mandoni is a scheming and cunning man. He did not come to our aid immediately when we marched into Nanjing, and he did not surrender after we took Nanjing. I think he's watching the situation. ”

Zhang Huangyan analyzed: "Attacking Anqing Mansion at this time may force him to take the initiative to fight." ”

"Those who are not of my race will have different hearts. If it is a Han guard, maybe we can persuade him to surrender. It is impossible for these real captives to surrender. ”

Zheng Chenggong said with certainty: "Brother Cangshui, you believe me. If you can't take Anqing as soon as possible, there will be endless troubles. ”

"I still think that Shi Lang, who is entrenched in Ningbo, Zhejiang, should be eliminated first. The threat to us is too great for its sailors. ”

After taking Nanjing, Zhang Huangyan and Zheng Chenggong had different opinions.

Normally, Mr. Zhang would have made concessions.

First, Zheng Chenggong has more troops in his hands, and second, Zhang Huangyan is a civilian official after all, and he doesn't want to affect Zheng Chenggong too much in the decision to attack the city.

But in this matter, Zhang Huangyan's attitude is very resolute, and he does not seem to intend to back down.

"Brother Cangshui, why don't you understand. Shi Lang is just a clown. Besides, Ningbo is so far away from us, even if we want to attack, we are not in a hurry. But Anqing is right above us. On the side of the couch there is no room for others to sleep soundly. How could you not understand this truth, Brother Cangshui. ”

...

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