"What's the situation?" Li Yan asked with concern.

Li Zhong said: "Judging from the latest intelligence, Li Zicheng has merged with the gentry in Jiangnan. The original local officials, as long as they did not resist, were all retained. Moreover, he also visited the gentry families and influential scholars in Jiangnan and invited them to come out as officials. ”

"Now there are still people who can't see the situation clearly and surrender to Li Zicheng?" Li Yan asked disdainfully.

Li Zhong explained: "Those big families are very sophisticated. No one came out to be an official, but they didn't resist and cooperated in a low-key manner. With these gentry maintaining the place, Li Chuang will not have to worry about the security and taxes in various places, and he can use his greatest strength to expand his territory and prevent us from going south. Although self-sufficiency in grain in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is no longer possible, there is Zhang Xianzhong's Huguang, and Li Chuang can buy it from Zhang Xianzhong. ”

"The same is true in Huguang," Li Zhong continued, "The gentry have almost no resistance, except for those who resisted and were exterminated in the early stage, the rest have adopted a low-key and cooperative attitude, so Huguang is also peaceful." If this continues, our goal of letting the local gentry and Li Chuang and others consume will not be realized, and the rule of Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng will become more and more stable. ”

Li Yan nodded silently, thinking about things, and did not speak.

Li Zhong continued to report: "Also, Fang Guoan and others in eastern Zhejiang also surrendered under Li Chuang's blow, and Li Chuang appointed the former official of Fang Guoan, and did not do any reorganization of the troops. In Wenzhou, the Southern Ming court had retreated to Fujian, but it is said that Zheng Zhilong's consent had not yet been obtained, and there were no ships to pick it up, so it could only be temporarily stationed in Funing, along the coast. Zheng Zhilong was using most of his troops to fight against Zuo Mengeng, who had entered the Shaowu area, and Liu Zeqing and others also deployed to the east to guard against Zuo Menggeng. ”

"This Zuo Mengeng can continue to disturb the southeast, and it can be regarded as not letting him go in vain." Li Yan smiled faintly and said, "Since there have been changes in Jiangnan, let's prepare a plan to send troops." There are also various materials to prepare, and it is also necessary to make a plan for mobilization. There is little rain in the south of the Yangtze River in winter, which is beneficial to our firearms, so we should pay attention to the time. Also, it is necessary to look at the north and northwest, whether there is really no danger, or whether the border areas can be safe. ”

Li Zhong had already made a draft and said: "The northwest problem is not big, and the Warabu and Shuote that occupy Qinghai have been invading and stabilizing Wusizang in recent years, and they have no intention of becoming enemies with us for the time being. Over the years, their tribes have been trading with Niu Chenghu and others, and they have always been peaceful. As for the northern border wall, it is still necessary to wait for the cavalry to return and then re-evaluate. The direction of Shanhaiguan should be safe, Wu Sangui and others have always kept in touch with us, reiterating many times that there is no hostility, and promising to report on the movements of the Qing army in a timely manner. ”

"Don't take it lightly." Li Yan instructed: "Send Niu Chenghu back to the three sides, and let him assist Feng Cheng in the garrison of the three sides, especially to stabilize the war as much as possible." The troops in the northwest are weak, and if the Qing state makes a move, Warat will follow and coax again, and it will be impossible to go south. ”

Li Yan paused for a moment, and then said: "Also, build two cavalry bases in Xi'an and Lanzhou, and let Niu Chenghu bring two thousand newly recruited cavalry over, buy horses on the spot, and conduct training." Saddles, equipment, etc., are transported with baggage. The cavalry bases in Beijing and Datong should also be expanded, and the logistical support should be adjusted in a timely manner. ”

"Okay, I'll let the following coordinate the information and discuss the plan immediately."

Quanzhou, Zheng Zhilong's residence.

At this time, Zheng Zhilong was listening to his subordinates' report on this summer's trade, and Zheng Zhilong nodded as he listened, with a smile on his face. Although Nanjing was lost, the Southern Ming court fled in panic like a lost dog, but his business was not affected much. The fleets operating in the South Seas still pay protection fees as usual, and the coastal areas are relatively stable and can produce the goods he needs.

At the same time, he also maintained the optimism that his wealth would continue to grow, and no matter who unified the world, his maritime empire would be unshakable. However, he knew that he had to have a production base, and Taiwan was wild and embarrassing, so Fujian was his foundation. Therefore, he was very vigilant against Zuo Mengeng, who had infiltrated Shaowu, and after knowing the news, he immediately mobilized troops to encircle it, just to make Fujian as stable as Mount Tai.

Zheng Sen was dressed in civilian clothes, but with a sword hanging from his waist, he walked into the main hall. After he entered, he didn't care that his subordinates were still reporting to Zheng Zhilong, and began to salute Zheng Zhilong.

Zheng Zhilong frowned, did not let his son get up, but waved his hand and sent all his subordinates out first. After waiting for a while, he said dissatisfiedly: "There are no rules at all!" ”

"The child knows his mistakes." Zheng Sen knelt on the ground, straightened his waist, raised his head and said, "However, the child has something important to ask his father for advice, so he forgot the rules and asked his father to punish him." ”

In the past few months, he has made two trips at sea, but he has only sent a few groups of people to Taiwan to reclaim land, but the road has been peaceful, and as for the opponent, he has not even seen a small sampan. Their Zheng family's fleet is strong, and no one among the maritime merchants dares not to buy the Zheng family's flag to go to sea, as for the big and small pirates, they are all their minions, which one dares to make a mistake?

Zheng Zhilong looked at this beloved eldest son for a while before he spoke: "Say, what's the matter?" ”

Zheng Sen continued to kneel and asked, "Father, the child heard that His Majesty the Emperor has arrived in Funing, but you sent troops to block it and prevent the Holy Driver from going south, the child doesn't know why?" ”

"That's sending troops to intercept the Zuo family's children!" Zheng Zhilong said sternly.

Zheng Sen continued to ask, "Then why don't you send a ship to meet you?" If there are not enough ships, the child has just returned to port with five large ships, and the child is willing to go to greet the saint on behalf of his father. ”

Zheng Zhilong saw that his son didn't understand the essentials at all, and scolded loudly: "Mouthy! In Fujian, except for my Zheng family, no one can touch it! The kid of the Zuo family can't do it, and neither can the emperor who hastily proclaimed himself! The governors of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangzhou have not yet expressed their position, who thinks he is the emperor?! He still has tens of thousands of soldiers, and my army is on the periphery to suppress the left thieves, so they can take the opportunity to seize my foundation?! Nanzhi, Zhejiang, which of them held it?! I will never allow them to spoil me again! ”

"Father, the rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of the husband, and now the country is ruined" Zheng Sen persuaded loudly, but was stopped by Zheng Zhilong by slapping the table.

Zheng Zhilong said disdainfully: "What is the rise and fall of the world, it is not once or twice to change the dynasty." You remember, whoever is the emperor is the same, but the foundation must be held in your own hands. Although my Zheng family started from the sea, we are not fishermen, and we can stay on the boat for the rest of our lives. We are merchants, and we must have a land that can produce enough trading goods to produce a land of abundance and stability! ”

"But Father"

Zheng Zhilong interrupted Zheng Sen's words again, and ordered sternly: "No, but!" If you have the heart, go to serve in front of the Shaowu army. Find a way to drive the left thief away as soon as possible, and the matter of King Lu may be resolved earlier. ”

"The child understands," Zheng Sen clenched his fists and said firmly: "The child will leave tomorrow, and he will definitely drive the left thief away as soon as possible." ”

Seeing the perseverance in his son's eyes, Zheng Zhilong was afraid that something would happen, and added: "Remember, you are a general, not a soldier." It will not help you to act recklessly on your own. ”

"Don't worry, the child will save it."

...