In this era, there may be a million people living within the 180-mile-long outline of Nanjing, which looks like a lot, but compared with the population of Nanjing in later generations, it is not worth mentioning. The million people mainly live in the western half of Nanjing City, which is about the west of the Imperial City and Xuanwu Lake to the two banks of the Qinhuai River in the west of the outer outline, which is the essence of Nanjing City, with dense population, prosperous market and prosperous industries.

The imperial city and the east of Xuanwu Lake are a different scene.

Not far east of the imperial city is Chaoyang Gate, and the space between the north and south walls of Chaoyang Gate and the east wall of the imperial city is limited, and the traffic is not convenient. There is nothing left except for a few abandoned warehouses and barracks.

And out of the east wall of the inner city of Nanjing, that is, the Zhongshan Purple Mountain, the Xiaoling Guard, and the Great Shrine where the Xiaoling Tomb is located, are not places where you can do business.

Moreover, in this era, Nanjing's foreign trade was mainly by waterway, from the Qinhuai River to the Yangtze River, and then through the Yangtze River, a golden waterway, there were more places to go, and the cost of transportation was also low. On the land, the official road leading from Chaoyang Gate to Xianhe Gate and Qilin Gate is relatively deserted. On both sides of this road, in addition to the towering Zhongshan, there is the land belonging to Xiaolingwei, as well as the dilapidated altar and some villas of dignitaries. It's basically very empty, and it can be used as a battlefield.

This relatively empty, most of the place is farmland territory, and because of the upper reaches of the Qinhuai River running north-south, it is divided into east and west, thus forming a natural battlefield dividing line.

The ironclad cavalry that entered the city from the Qilin Gate did not go directly to the Chaoyang Gate as Xu Hongji and the others expected, but spread out in the Qilin Gate and the east of the Qinhuai River with battalions and banners as units.

The first group went down to the city and occupied the Qilin Gate, the Xianhe Gate is located to the north of the Qilin Gate and the Cangbo Gate is to the south of the Qilin Gate. The remaining troops began to seize bridges over the Qinhuai River or patrol the east bank of the Qinhuai River. Soon, the east of the Qinhuai River and the outer wall of the Xiaoling Tomb encircled the entire Zhongshan and the territory south of Cangbo Gate was occupied.

There are also several manors on this site, either the villas of the nobles and lords in the city, or the houses of the two command families of Xiaoling Weimei and Xiao.

These two command families are quite prominent, among which the ancestor of the Xiao family, Xiao Xun, is the second generation of Xun in the Zhu Yuanzhang era, his father is Zhu Yuanzhang's general, and his sister is Zhu Yuanzhang's concubine. And Mei Yongzhen, the ancestor of the Mei family, is even more powerful, and is the descendant of Mei Yin, who married Princess Ningguo, the daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang.

The two command families are so well-established, so what is there to be polite to naturally treat Xiaolingwei as private property. There are five stations under this Xiaolingwei, full of 5,600 military households. However, in the Jiajing period, more than 1,700 people could only be used at most. In the last years of Chongzhen, even 1,000 guards could not be pulled.

However, the houses of the two of them are well repaired, they are all large courtyards with five entrances and five exits, high-walled mansions, and they are also facing the Qinhuai River, as well as their own wharves, and I don't know whether they are used for trading or for mooring painting boats

When Zhu Cihong arrived, the heads of the two families were not there, and it was estimated that they were all in Xiaolingwei

came out to greet two side disciples with the fame of Xiucai, one is called Mei Youwen, does it mean that there is no literary talent, and the other is amazing, I actually called Xiao Yuanshan, I don't know if it will be martial arts, but it looks quite spiritual, with a face and sideburns, and sharp facial features.

The two Xiucai were very surprised that Zhu Cihong was stationed with a large army, and they were a little panicked when they were brought to Prince Zhu by the guards of the East Palace.

Obviously, he knows a lot of things, but Zhu Cihong doesn't bother to talk to them, Ren Yizhou and Zhang Tao, who have their own brocade guards, will go to ask.

And Zhu Cihong just happily took the guards of the East Palace, escorted Zhang Shenyan, Zhao Zhilong, and Han Zan, accompanied by Wu Xiang, Cao Youyi, Huang Binqing, Wang Zhiren, Zhu Chunchen, Li Guozhen and other generals, into the hall of the Mei family's mansion.

"Sit, sit down Mr. Miaoshan, Xin Chengbo, Han Zanzhou, and everyone else sits, you're welcome."

Zhu Cihong sat down with a smile, and then beckoned everyone who came in with him to sit down, and looked at the hall where he was located. The area here is a bit unsatisfactory compared to a hereditary command family like the Mei family. Moreover, the decoration is luxurious, the furnishings and utensils are extremely extravagant, and even the candles used for lighting are mixed with unknown spices, and after they are lit, the whole room is fragrant.

This rich and noble atmosphere is really close to Emperor Chongzhen's bitter court

Zhu Cihong took his gaze back, fell on Zhao Zhilong, Zhang Shenyan, and Han Zanzhou, and looked back and forth.

All three of them turned pale.

They never thought that Zhu Cihong had the intention of starting a war at all, so they didn't even let Emperor Chongzhen see him, and directly used Jinyi Wei to arrest people

The three of them simply fell into the net.

Now Zhang Shenyan and Han Zanzhou are both open-minded and don't care about anything

Zhao Zhilong is confident, smiling, Zhu Cihong looked a little confused, how can this guy be so kind of in history, he knelt on the tartar very happily, could it be that the history books are breaking Zhao Zhilong is a loyal martyr who is not afraid of cold water

"Zhao Zhilong, what's the matter with you" Zhu Cihong pointed at Zhao Zhilong and shouted angrily, "This time, you should be the mastermind, why did you run to die by yourself"

What do you mean Zhao Zhilong was stunned for a moment: How am I the mastermind, I am an undercover agent

"Thousand, Chitose Lord," Zhao Zhilong stammered, "The minister's intentions have long been explained in the secret recital to you, and the minister has also exposed the rebels in Nanjing."

What are you a traitor Prince Zhu was stunned.

When Zhang Shenyan and Han Zanzhou heard this, they all glared at Zhao Zhilong angrily.

"Your secret recital" Zhu Cihong was confused, "When is it, why doesn't the palace know?"

I don't know if Zhao Zhilong is really afraid of him now, so he trembled and said: "Chen Tuo Zuo Maodi brought it to Chitose Ye"

"Oh." Zhu Cihong nodded, "But Zuo Maodi didn't hand over your concerto, nor did he say that there was such a thing." ”

What Zuo Maodi, you untrustworthy villain Zhao Zhilong heard his heartbreak.

"Chitose Lord, Chitose Lord" Zhao Zhilong knelt down for Zhu Cihong with a puff, "You have to believe that the minister, the minister is really undercover, and the minister is loyal to the Chitose Lord"

Zhu Cihong smiled, took a piece of oil cake with salted meat and pickled vegetables and a wine gourd from Huang Xiaobao, who came in at some point, and began to eat and drink.

At the same time, the generals under Zhu Cihong's command who were present also took the same burritos and wine gourds from the guards of the East Palace and began to eat and drink.

Zhang Shenyan and Han Zanzhou were stunned when they saw this scene.

This group of people is really the prince, Chengguo Gong, Xiangcheng Bo, they just eat and drink like this, they are really not particular at all, it seems that their hands have not been washed, and they are so rough to eat, how can they look like rogues and tartars

Zhu Cihong seemed to see the surprise of the two, and said with a smile: "It's not easy for us to go this way, it's not such a vulgar appearance, we have already lost our lives, and these heroes who have overcome difficulties are different from the original."

Zhao Zhilong, you quickly explain, this palace is about to go to the battlefield, time is tight."

"Up, go to the battlefield" Zhao Zhilong was stunned, "It's almost dark"

Zhu Cihong smiled, "It's dark and it's good to fight at night."

"Night Battle" Zhao Zhilong gasped, "The army of the Chitose Lord has been on the road for a day"

"It's okay, I'm not tired at all" Zhu Cihong smiled, "Don't talk nonsense, let's explain"

Zhao Zhilong asked in a trembling voice: "What to explain?"

"Explain your deployment, you are the chief of Nanjing, you won't not participate in the deployment of troops, you explain honestly, this palace may save you from death"