The Nanjing court was busy with infighting, the situation in Jiangbei took a sharp turn for the worse, the Datong army withdrew the iron fist, and the Qing army came more fiercely, the West Road Duoduo Department hit Sizhou on the 13th, the defenders fled without a fight, the Qing army crossed the Huai River overnight, the blade pointed directly at Yangzhou, the North Road Quasi-Tower Department crossed the Yellow River and approached Xuzhou, Gao Jie's wife Xing Shi immediately decided, with Xingping Bo Shi Gao Yuanzhao and Xuzhou General Li Chengdong surrendered the city, the Qing army both conquered Xuzhou, non-stop killing to Huai'an, Dongpingbo Liu Zeqing continued to be a fugitive general, leaving a few cronies to take care of the aftermath, He fled to the sea by boat with Wang Yongji, the governor of Shandong, and Tian Yang, the governor of Caoyun—the first line of defense in Jiangbei, which Shi Kefa had carefully arranged around Huai'an, Xuzhou, and Sizhou, was destroyed without resistance.

Shi Kefa is mediocre, does not have any experience in commanding the army, and does not have Ma Shiying's skills, his brain is hot and he ran to supervise Jiangbei, and was played around by the four towns, Gao Jie is the most valued by him, and he is the most able to deceive him, committing such a serious crime of capturing Yangzhou and attacking friendly troops as just a few beautiful words, and the other three towns are also unscrupulously looting people's property and oppressing the good, and the people suffer from it, and the hatred of the four towns is especially better than that of foreign coles.

Today's plan is only to cut off the head of the four towns hanging in the country, in order to set an example, maybe it - Shi Kefa is unable to control the situation, and he sighed in private, but he didn't dare to do it, after all, stability is overwhelming, and he has to continue to be with the mud, and the people hate him for being cowardly and incompetent, and privately call him "the old matchmaker".

After Gao Jie's death, Huang Degong had the intention to annex his subordinates and territory, and the people of Gao were panicked, this was definitely an opportunity, and the staff Yan Ermei suggested that Shi Kefa borrow the power of Huang Degong and take advantage of the chaos to seize Gao Jie's soldiers for his own use, Shi Kefa still insisted on maintaining stability, ran to Xuzhou and went to the mud again, drank the honest Huang Degong, and supported Gao Jie's widow Gao Yuanzhao to lead the old department, but this time it backfired, Gao Jie's generals were mostly thieves, and they usually had small hills, Gao Jie had plans to stand on his own as soon as he died, and he didn't appreciate them by pinching them together. On the contrary, he resented Shi Kefa and looked down on them - Gao Jie's wife Xing had scheming, heard that Shi Kefa had no children, and wanted Gao Yuan to recognize Shi Kefa as his father-in-law, Shi Kefa shirked in every possible way, and launched the eunuch Gao Qiqian to Gao Yuanzhao as his godfather, which is obviously insulting.

Xuzhou Fu army is not smooth, Shi Kefa retreated from Xuzhou to Suqian Baiyang River, Yan Ermei also offered a plan, get rid of the passive initiative, or cross the Yellow River to recover Shandong, or the west to regain Henan, the last time to leave Xuzhou for Hebei to look at the - this plan is good, Gao Jie died at the hands of the Qing people in the end, his subordinates still have the heart to avenge him, and the Henan Qing army is fighting with the Datong army, and the Shandong Qing army is weak, at least to win the initiative, Shi Kefa does not have the courage, thinking that it is the best policy to surrender Yangzhou, But he didn't dare to reclaim the defense line without authorization, so he wasted two months of inaction in the Baiyang River and missed the best fighter.

In April, the Datong army marched east along the river to Nanjing, Shi Kefa sent an edict to return to help, arrived at the straw shoe gorge near Nanjing and learned that Huang Degong had won, and urgently asked the imperial court to transfer Liu Liangzuo and Huang Degong back to Jiangbei, but he was closed, and the court ordered him to return to Jiangbei as soon as possible to take care of military affairs.

The war in the future was a mess, Pisu Tuntian Dao Ying Tingji led part of the Ming army to garrison Gaoyou, and actually received Shi Kefa's three orders in one day, in the morning ordered "Pisu Dao to supervise the army's money and grain to Pukou will suppress Wuchang thieves", at noon ordered "the army does not have to go to Si, quickly return to Yangzhou to listen to the tune", and in the afternoon ordered "Xuyi is urgent, Pisu Dao can supervise the army to Tianchang to respond", Ying Tingji was tired to death from running back and forth, and complained to the generals that "the cabinet is chaotic, how can there be a person who has three thousand miles in one day", and the exhausted Ming army soon collapsed.

Shi Kefa pieced together 10,000 Ming troops to rush to Tianchang on April 11, and at the same time transferred all the troops to aid Xuyi, but on the way they had to report that the Xuyi defenders surrendered to the enemy, and in panic they urgently ordered to retreat to Yangzhou, and the Ming army turned around and ran back.

The Ming army fled to Yangzhou in the rain and mud for a day and a night, the city was already a chaotic situation, the common people helped the old and the young to flee out of the city, Shi Kefa immediately closed the city gate, and strictly ordered the people in the city to defend Yangzhou with the official army, but the people did not buy the account of the old matchmaker, when Gao Jie committed Yangzhou, burned, killed, raped and did all kinds of evil, Yangzhou people relied on their own efforts to defend the city, looked down on this incompetent Jiangbei governor, and could not get out of the city and dispersed in a hurry.

The people's hearts have long been lost, the defenders are weak, only Liu Zhaoji, He Gang's loyal battalion and some miscellaneous troops, Shi Kefa spread the towns to rescue Yangzhou, but none of the reinforcements came, this blames him for fleeing too fast, the Ming army lost control and fended for itself, on the 19th Guangchangbo Liu Liangzuo, Gao Jie Department Admiral Li Benshen led the army to surrender, on the 21st the general soldiers Zhang Tianlu and Zhang Tianfu led the troops to surrender, on the 28th Liu Zeqing surrendered, Huai'an fell, and other chaotic Ming troops surrendered to the enemy - Shi Kefa counted on the reinforcements became the Qing army, On the 17th, they set up a large camp twenty miles away from Yangzhou, and the next day they came to the city.

Yangzhou is in danger, the people in the city are panicking, after nightfall, a dozen people in a private house are sitting together and talking secretly, some of these people are dressed luxuriously, fat head and big ears, some people are wearing green clothes and small hats, some people are bare chests and arms are full of meat, it seems that they are not law-abiding and good people.

"The old matchmaker refused to persuade the Qing army to surrender, our people wanted to stuff some money to ask him to quit Yangzhou, but he went to prison, this is bad, the Qing army threatened to slaughter the city if it did not surrender, the old matchmaker wanted to die and dragged the people of Yangzhou up, we were doomed!" A man who looked like a wealthy merchant said with tears in his eyes.

"What are you afraid of, it's a big deal, let's hand over the weapons of the officers and soldiers first, and then contact the villagers and the Qing army to do a fight." Someone casually slapped a short hammer on the table.

"Han Lao Liu, what are you yelling at, just our people still want to fight with the Qing army? Don't forget, my Datong army has a military order, in case of war, the people must be saved first, and those who dare to bring the people to death are guilty of rebellion," the scholar-like man shook his head, turned his face to a tall and thin man and said, "Big treasurer, Yangzhou is in trouble, where to go, we only look at you." ”

Hu Chunshui, the head of the Jianghuai Titang Institute, turned pale, slowly stood up and replied, "I'll talk to Duoduo, I hope he can let us go." ”

"Dongyu is tyrannical, and he may not be able to do so." The scholar shook his head.

"Let's take one step at a time," Hu Chunshui sighed, and then his face changed sharply and said, "Li Wenxiu, you inform our people to prepare knives, guns and equipment, and make more small flags to distribute to the villagers, Han Lao Liu, you also have to pull more brothers in the army who are not afraid of death, the Qing army will not do anything when they enter the city, and we will not do it, if they dare to commit violence, they will fight to the death." ”

"Subordinates obey!" Liu Wenxiu replied with a fist.

"The big treasurer, Li Qifeng, the chief soldier of Gansu, and Gao Qifeng, the supervisor of the army, led the troops into the city today, and the brothers in their camp quietly pulled us together to kidnap the old matchmaker and surrender to the Qing army, this may be an opportunity." Han Lao Liu suddenly remembered a big event.

"Let's see, if we have the chance, we can take advantage of it." Hu Chunshui nodded.

Li Qifeng and Gao Qifeng led their headquarters into Yangzhou on the 21st, and finally looked forward to a support army, Shi Kefa was overjoyed, but a basin of cold water poured down, these two guys actually persuaded him to surrender together, so angry that he scolded and drove the two out of the Shuai Mansion. Li Qifeng and Gao Qifeng were unwilling, and the next day they dragged Hu Shangyou and Han Shangliang of the Sichuan Army to hijack Shi Kefa, but the Shuaifu was too well guarded to start, and the rebellious army shouted and scolded outside the gate.

"Shameless people, the court is not waiting for you, and when the country is in trouble, it is time to fight to the death, how can you bring down the barbarians who are not as good as pigs and dogs, and are you not afraid of leaving a stench for thousands of years? Quickly retreat, don't think that the three-foot method can't behead you! Shi Kefa couldn't bear it anymore and rushed to the door and shouted at the rebels.

Li Fengfeng shouted without shame: "Fart, the brothers have left their hometown for many years, shed blood and worked hard for the court but can't even get military salaries, those who are promoted and rich are all you dog officials, we are so poor that we can't live, no matter if he is a barbarian or a Han, whoever pays will be lowered, you are the supervisor, you must take us to find a way to live." ”

"This place of my death, if you want to be rich, please go your own way." Shi Kefa replied awe-inspiringly.

The two sides were arguing, a large group of officers and soldiers of the loyal battalion hurriedly ran over, and quickly launched a guard in front of the gate of the marshal's mansion, and the general soldier Liu Zhaoji stood behind Shi Kefa without saying a word, and the momentum of the chaotic army suddenly decreased.

"Tell the brothers to open fire, the rebel army and the Zhongguan battalion are fighting, and we are just fishing in troubled waters." Hu Chunshui was mixed in the chaotic army, quietly whispered a short gun, and Han Laoliu beside him nodded and got into the crowd.

After a crackling sound, the two brothers of the loyal battalion were shot and fell to the ground, Liu Zhaoji pulled Shi Kefa behind him, and shouted to his subordinates: "The Gan army and the Sichuan army have rebelled, brothers!" ”

Shi Kefa's face turned pale, and he grabbed Liu Zhaoji: "Don't do it, let them go, be careful of the civil strife in the city." ”

Li Qifeng and others were also startled, making trouble was common for them, but it would not end well if they did it, Gao Qifeng immediately shouted, "Brothers, the Ming Dynasty is exhausted, working for the court is a dead end, let's go out of the city to find a way to live", seven or eight thousand Ming troops responded in unison, and rushed to the city gate in chaos.

"I went out of the city with the rebel army, and you listened to Li Wenxiu's orders for things in the city." Hu Chunshui whispered to Han Lao Liu, and mixed in with a few bodyguards.

The Qing army camp, and the Ming army surrendered in formation, but Duoduo did not have the slightest interest, and sent Han Dai to appease, he took out a glass and drank grape wine, Datong goods are tasteful, he drank excitedly humming a little song - the Qing soldiers went south this time it was too easy, the Ming army surrendered in groups with almost no resistance, the team suddenly swelled to hundreds of thousands, the originally planned money and food were not enough at all, thank God, the Ming country still has hard bones, the Jiangbei governor refused to surrender, and now it is logical to go to Yangzhou, It's a rich place, it's not a problem to get a hundred taels of silver, and I'm really rich this time.

Thurai crept in and whispered a few words, handing over a thorn of his name, and with reluctance Dordor put down his glass and walked out of the tent with his waist stretched.

"In Xia Hu Chunshui, the party affairs of the Jianghuai branch of the Liberal Party are in charge," Hu Chunshui was waiting outside the tent, handing Duoduo a waist card, and then raised his arms and shouted, "The rich people of the whole world are united"

"This Wang Duoduo, the party affairs of the Manchurian branch of the Liberal Party," Duoduo handed back the waist card, and also raised his arms and shouted, "Eliminate poverty, the world is harmonious"

Sure enough, it was a comrade from the party, and the two guys hugged each other, and Toure was stunned for a moment, shook his head and walked away.

Duoduo initially infiltrated the Liberal Party just for fun, and after a long time he found the trick, the Liberal Party is a gang of profiteers with great powers, and Liaodong can get what he lacks, Duoduo followed this line to get the Liaodong agency of glass, silk, and cosmetics, and after entering the customs, he poured up the most sought-after grain and cloth business in Zhili and Shandong, and a large amount of money flowed into his pocket, compared with other flags, his inlaid white flag (Lao Zheng Yellow Flag) ate the best, wore the best, and had the best weapons, and the minions were all grateful to their masters.

Duoduo has never seen Hu Chunshui, but the two sides have always had business dealings, it is said that this person can eat both black and white in Nanzhili, and has a close relationship with the Cao gang of the canal, this kind of land snake can not be offended, and is very enthusiastic to welcome Hu Chunshui into the big tent.

Hu Chunshui can speak some Manchu and Mongolian, Duoduo can also stammer, and the two of them sit down and drink a cup of you, I drink a cup again, Hu Chunshui touted Duoduo for being young and promising, using soldiers like a god, and governing the army strictly, and Qiu did not commit any crimes, he himself admired Prince Yu very much, and was willing to help. Duoduo also praised Hu Chunshui not only for his good business, but also for his shrewdness, ability, and remarkable talents.

After flattering each other, Duoduo tilted his face and asked, "Lao Hu, you definitely didn't come to drink this trip, let's talk about something directly." ”

"Yangzhou is a good place, there will definitely be money in the future, give me some manpower, I will help you take Yangzhou, don't worry about other things, just wait to get rich." Hu Chunshui said.

"Good idea, but I also have difficulties, the Qing soldiers went south with strict military discipline and no offenses in the autumn, and the people were very happy, but hundreds of thousands of Ming troops came to me to eat, and the army was almost unable to open the pot, we are a family, I am welcome, you raise me a million taels of silver for military expenses, this matter is considered a deal." Dodor chuckled.

"Where can I find a million taels these days, at most 100,000 taels, well, 200,000 taels, no more."

"That's not good, I cut off the four towns for the people in the Qing Dynasty, one million taels is not too much, don't blame me for being ruthless if you don't give money, this is also for their good, Yangzhou will die, and people in other places will not be confused and sent to death for the Ming court."

Hu Chunshui was furious, got up and shouted angrily: "Duoduo, do you know whose territory is here, if you dare to kill people indiscriminately, I can tell you to pick up your tail and get out." ”

"Bold, how can you be so presumptuous in front of this king, take it for me." Duoduo took the case, and Thurai immediately rushed in with someone and pushed Hu Chunshui to the ground.

"Duoduo, kill me if you have a kind, to tell you the truth, there are Datong citizens in the city, and you are unlucky when you get into trouble." Hu Chunshui struggled and shouted.

"Old Hu, we are friends, how could we kill you, besides, you still have to help this king, get up, just stay here for a few days, this king can guarantee not to disturb the citizens of Datong, and you can go into the city to have a look when the time comes," Duoduo chuckled again, waved his hand into the two Han soldiers and said, "From now on, Mr. Hu is your master, and he must wait for a good life." ”

On the 24th, Duoduo waited for many days for the arrival of the Wuzhen Chao Harbin army, Han Dai and Tulai immediately commanded the Qing soldiers to begin the siege of the city, and after a while, the sound of guns and cannons rumbled, and the bricks and stones of the city wall flew wildly, and the Han soldiers of the green battalion rushed to the bottom of the city and set up a ladder to climb up. Shi Kefa was in a trance at this time, unable to see things, a group of literati staff had to command indiscriminately, the morale of the Ming army in the city was low, and the stronger the enemy fought, the more panicked, and gradually could not hold on, people continued to flee and surrender, the green battalion Han soldiers took the opportunity to climb the city, and Yangzhou City was lost in less than a day.

The Qing army rushed into Yangzhou City, the number of the Eight Banners was small, they were unfamiliar with the place and did not dare to run around, they killed and robbed along the streets, and the soldiers who had been in arrears for a long time had already gone poor and crazy, and they went into the streets and alleys in groups to do evil, and the rebel army was crying and corpses everywhere they went. There are thousands of families in Yangzhou City who have planted the three-color black eagle flag at the door, and the soldiers of the Eight Banners know that they are powerful and dare not come nonsense, but the soldiers do not care, and they still kill and plunder when they break in.

The tyranny of the Qing army frightened the people, and "when a death came, no matter how many or few people in the south, they all bowed their heads and were stabbed, and none of them dared to escape." Li Wenxiu, Han Laoliu and others were bloody, unwilling to be restrained, and gathered their accomplices to join the Ming army who were not afraid of death, and the families of the gentry and big families resisted desperately, but their strength was too weak and they died in the melee one after another.

Yangzhou was too rich, gold and silver stimulated evil desires, the Qing army became a beast, killing for several days, and expanded from the city to the outside of the city, "Yangzhou smoke 480,000, to the empty."

Turai and Han Dai were frightened, and hurriedly found Duoduo to ask for the sealing of the knife: "Grandpa Tai has a rule - the slaughter of the city is only three days, in case the army is scattered, no one is willing to fight, and the weather is getting hotter and hotter, so it will be bad if so many corpses are not cleaned up and there is a big epidemic." ”

Duoduo is also anxious, killing and robbing is in the plan, but it is by no means to destroy Yangzhou, this piece of fat meat should be kept and eaten slowly, but now it is a little unbearable, and even the Eight Banners soldiers sent to maintain order are also involved in killing and plundering.

"Duoduo, you are doomed, your rotten soldiers not only killed my people, but also trampled the banner of Datong under your feet, you do not believe your words, cruel and tyrannical, I will go to Datong to sue you." Hu Chunshui broke into the big tent with red eyes at this time, he went to the city, found that his Yangzhou branch of Titang was destroyed, and gritted his teeth to find Duoduo to settle accounts.

"President Datong is my brother, and the leader of the Liberal Party is my sister-in-law, I'll see what result you can tell, get out!" Duoduo drove Hu Chunshui away, and ordered Turai and Han Dai, "Seal the knife immediately, the whole army will open to Yizhen, and those who dare to disobey will be beheaded on the spot." ”

On the fifth day of the fifth month of May, the Qing army entered the north bank of the Yangtze River, and on the ninth day of the first month, Meile Zhangjing Li led the troops of Zhang Tianlu and Yang Chengzu to cross the river from Guazhou, and defeated Zheng Hongkui's Jiangshui division at Jinshan to occupy Zhenjiang, and the Yangtze River defense line of the Ming Kingdom was as easy to break as soon as the Jianghuai defense line.