Jiangxi, Nanchang Province

Jin Shenghuan, who is the chief military officer of Jiangxi Military Affairs of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, has been in a bad mood recently. Just after www.biquge.info the New Year, Governor Zhang Yutian and Dong Xuecheng came to him again. It seems that if he Jin Shenghuan does not hand over the gold and silver that he plundered from the prefectures and counties of Jiangxi, then they will have to play the court truthfully and ask Dolgon to comment on this theory.

At that time, Jin Shenghuan insisted again that he didn't, but Zhang and Dong still refused to give up, and the threat in their words increased a lot. And Jin Shenghuan is naturally not a good-tempered person, how can he stand this anger? slapped the table on the spot and shouted to see off the guests. If it weren't for the concerns about the Manchu court, he would even go up and slap the two of them a few times, and then directly let them get out. Naturally, there is not much room for buffer in such a matter involving the major interests of both sides, and the two sides once again broke up unhappily.

It is said that "the prime minister can support the boat in his belly", Zhang Yutian and Dong Xuecheng are not prime ministers, and of course they can't support the boat in their stomachs. Not to mention a boat, even a small wooden raft can't hold up. Since that time, all kinds of overt and covert retaliation have rained down.

According to the usual practice, part of the grain and grass needed by Jin Shenghuan's army was raised by the governor's yamen. But this time, when the people sent by Jin Shenghuan came to the door, they didn't even see Zhang Yutian's face. After asking to see him several times, he only waited for Zhang Yutian's cool words: There is so much gold and silver under the Jinjunmen account! What kind of high-quality grain and grass can't be raised?

Jin Shenghuan was even more angry, if he had changed to the Ming Dynasty, he would have led his troops to smash the governor's yamen to a pulp. But now I can only scold in private: how much does Zhang Baoyi deceive people!

Zhang Yutian, the governor of Jiangxi, was a native of Liaodong. In the sixth year of Chongde of the Qing Dynasty (1642), he was raised and belonged to the older category of Manchu and Han officials. has always loved to call himself a "Liao person" and a "former minister before entering the customs", and he doesn't look down on reckless generals like Jin Shenghuan. There is a lingering disdain for the experience of the three family slaves who first voted for Liukou, then Zuo Liangyu, and then to the Qing court. And Jin Shenghuan also looked down on Zhang Yutian at all, thinking that he was just born in Baoyi, if it weren't for the old slave who was braided by Hong Taixing to take the imperial examination, he didn't know which master's field he had died of exhaustion, and how could he be the governor of his mother. Therefore, it is secretly called "coating".

But now it is this "Zhang Baoyi" who is aggressive and aggressive with the support of the captive court, which makes Jin Shenghuan have to have a sense of "the tiger falling in Pingyang and being bullied by dogs".

Speaking of which, Jin Shenghuan's contribution to the Manchu court was not small, and after he surrendered to the Qing Dynasty with Zuo Mengeng in Jiujiang, he volunteered to ask Duoduo to open up territory for the Qing Dynasty. Afterwards. Together with Wang Deren, he conquered most of Jiangxi except Ganzhou and Nan'an for the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and captured and killed Zhu Ciyan, the king of Yongning of the Ming Dynasty, and Kuang Zhao, the governor of Jiangxi of the Ming Dynasty.

At that time, Jin Shenghuan thought that he would be able to win the favor of the captives and get special rewards without working hard to drive such a vast territory with a single soldier of the Manchurian masters, but he didn't expect that the captives didn't mean that at all, and only appointed him as the "chief military officer of Jiangxi and other places". Later, Jin Shenghuan wrote to the Imperial Court to request another edict to grant him the power to "control civil and military affairs" and "act cheaply", but the Imperial Court also decisively rejected him, and only changed his position to "Commander of the Jiangxi Military Affairs", and stipulated, "It is appropriate to suppress those who are of great importance." The town should consult with Fu and Fu according to the same heart, and listen to the decision of the Inner Court of Hong Governor. ”

Not to mention that they did not get the expected rewards for their hard work, they were restrained and suppressed everywhere, and now even two powerless civil officials can command them in front of them at any time. Faced with such a result. Jin Shenghuan was not only annoyed and disappointed, but also deeply questioned his original move. In addition, the remarks made by several staff members and deputy general Wang Deren a few days ago also came to mind again.

When you are upset. A pro-soldier came to report, saying that Wang Deren asked to see him. Jin Shenghuan calmed down a little. Nodding in agreement.

Wang Deren was nicknamed "Wang Zamao" and was born in the peasant army. Originally, he was a subordinate of the general of the Dashun Army. And Wang Tizhong turned out to be a subordinate of Bai Wang, the general of the Dashun military system who guarded De'an. In the first year of Hongguang, Li Zicheng died in Jiugong Mountain, and there was a civil strife in the Dashun army, Wang Tizhong took the opportunity to kill Bai Wang, led his troops to surrender to Azig, and then was awarded the post of deputy commander-in-chief, and captured Jiangxi together with Jin Shenghuan. Later, Jin Shenghuan was greedy for the strength in the king's body, so he colluded with Wang Deren to assassinate Bai Wang and annexed his men. Wang Deren also changed his court, became Jin Shenghuan's subordinate and succeeded to the post of deputy commander-in-chief of Jiangxi.

"Junmen, have you heard, Zhang Yutian's old bastard has gone to Ruizhou." Wang Deren shouted as soon as he entered the door.

"I know, he said that he was going to patrol and observe the people's feelings." Jin Shenghuan snorted coldly, "I love the people so much, I really deserve to be the master of the blue sky, the good parents of the people." ”

"He's looking for a bird! I still don't know what this old bastard thinks in his heart? He just looked at our silver and blushed, but he couldn't get it, so he had to find those rich people to torture and extort him. Grandma's, this old bastard, and Dong Xuecheng's bastard have already lost their money, and they can do anything! When it came to Zhang Yutian and Dong Xuecheng, Wang Deren also hated it.

There was once a meeting, Zhang Yutian deliberately arranged the seats of Jin Shenghuan and Wang Deren in a remote corner. Wang Deren was angry, but Zhang Yutian laughed and sarcastically said: "Wang Jiang always wants to rebel?" If someone hadn't stopped him, Wang Deren would have even done it on the spot. Later, Zhang Yutian asked Jin Shenghuan for gold and silver, and he didn't forget the share that Wang Deren should pay, and sent a messenger to find him, and one mouth was 300,000 taels. Wang Deren was not easy to mess with, so he pressed the errand officer to the ground and beat him with thirty military sticks on the spot, and scolded: "Go back and tell Zhang Yutian that this is the 300,000 taels!"

As for Dong Xuecheng, Wang Deren hates him even more. At the beginning, after Wang Deren took over Wang Tizhong's position, he lived in the former Ming Yichun Palace, and often let the troupe play the story of Guo Ziyi and Han Shizhong in the backyard. Later, Dong Xuecheng somehow learned about it, and of course Dong Xuecheng would not let go of this opportunity, found Wang Deren to ask for a heavy bribe, and threatened to go to the court. Wang Deren in order to eliminate the disaster. I had to endure it a little. Dong Xuecheng was far from satisfied, and asked for Wang Deren's favorite maid by name. Wang Deren was so troubled that he had a handle in his hands, so he had to do so. But Wang Deren's nightmare was far from over, and it was another while. Dong Xuecheng learned more about Wang Deren's privacy from the maid, such as complaining to the court, secretly insulting local officials, etc., and used this as a lever to ask Wang Deren for more money. At this time, Wang Deren couldn't bear it anymore, found Jin Shenghuan, and strongly recommended that he turn against his mother. It's just that at that time, Jin Shenghuan did not agree on the grounds that his wife and children were still detained in Beijing.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple." After listening to Wang Deren's words, Jin Shenghuan said, "It is unlikely that Zhang Yutian will go to Ruizhou specifically in order to blackmail rich people. In addition to making money, the main ultimate purpose of his trip is probably to go to Wan'an to find Liu Wuyuan and discuss how to deal with us. ”

Wan'an is Wan'an County, Ji'an Prefecture, adjacent to Ganzhou Prefecture. Liu Wuyuan, the governor of Southern Jiangxi appointed by the Imperial Court, Yang Yuming, the general of Southern Jiangxi, and Xu Qiren, the deputy general of Ji'an, were all stationed here, and confronted Hao Yongzhong, the general of Ming and Southern Jiangxi stationed in Ganzhou, and Zhang Xianbi, the deputy general of Southern Ming and Jiangxi stationed in Nan'an.

"That's right, with that old bastard's temperament, it's not surprising to do such a bastard thing." Wang Deren scolded Zhang Yutian. Subconsciously looked behind him, and his voice was lowered by two points, "In that case, how did the military gate think about that matter?" Before. The envoys over there have already come to our army several times, and it is impossible for Zhang Yutian and Dong Xuecheng, two bastards, not to catch any clues. If we continue to delay, I am afraid that it will not be good for us. ”

Jin Shenghuan listened. glanced at Wang Deren, walked to the window with his hands and looked at the bare branches in the courtyard. He frowned and was silent for a long time.

"The military gate was worried about the safety of his wife and children before, which is also human nature. Understandable. But now that the wife and son have arrived in Nanchang safely, what are the military men waiting for? There was a hint of eagerness in Wang Deren's words, "Could it be that as long as we don't do anything and continue to wait, Zhang Yutian and Dong Xuecheng will turn a blind eye?" Once they show the court that little bit of limelight they have seen, it will be too late! We can't afford to gamble, and we can't bet! At that time, even if we don't rebel, I'm afraid we won't be able to escape the blame. If you lose your official position, you will follow in the footsteps of Wu Shengzhao! Please also make up your mind early! ”

Jin Shenghuan's wife and children were originally detained as hostages in Beijing, and later I don't know what the Qing court considered to release a group of wives and children who were demoted to generals. Jin Shenghuan's wife and children were among them, and they had arrived safely in Nanchang a few days ago.

Wu Shengzhao in Wang Deren's mouth was the former governor of Susong Changzhen in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and his initial experience was somewhat similar to Jin Shengheng's, both of which were at odds with local civil officials and often had conflicts of interest. In April last year, Wu Shengzhao was unwilling to be squeezed out by the Manchu Qing Jiangning governor Tu Guobao for a long time, and decided to raise troops against the Qing Dynasty under the persuasion of Dai Zhijun, the former leader of the anti-Qing righteous division, and Wu Zhu, and others. However, Wu Shengzhao was hesitant and lacked decisiveness, and the Zhoushan Ming army Zhang Mingzhen and Huang Binqing, who had originally planned to come to meet them, encountered storms and waves at sea, and finally lost the army. Wu Shengzhao and a large number of anti-Qing fighters who participated in the uprising were taken to Nanjing to be executed.

At this time, listening to Wang Deren talk about Wu Shengzhao, Jin Shenghuan's eyelids jumped involuntarily, and after closing the window, he sighed for a long time and said: "I haven't considered what you said, but I don't know if you have thought about some things." Although we are not doing well now, we are still in a high position after all, and we are in charge of a heavy army to defend one side. All of this is not easy to come by! Once you decide to raise troops, you will completely break with the Qing court, and you and I will no longer be able to be this safe and stable commander and deputy general, but will bet your life on it and gamble on your future. If it happens, it's okay to say. If you fail, the results are self-evident. You,"

Speaking of this, Jin Shenghuan turned around abruptly and stared at Wang Deren: "Are you ready to be in a different place once the army is defeated?" ”

Wang Deren paused for a moment, then laughed. laughed, and his tone was even more resolute: "My Wang Zamao fell into the grass in his early years, and after so many years of bloody rain, he has made a lot of money to survive until now, even if he loses this head now, he can't talk about losing money." Just a dead word, how can it still be in my eyes? And the military men are not greedy for life and afraid of death. If that is the case, why should we endure the bird's anger day after day, year after year, in order to covet such a little stability? Desperately working for the Tartar court who doesn't know what to do? ”

Tartar court! Wang Deren said it rightly. Although Jin Shengheng is not a timid person, he can't help but be shocked when he hears these four words. After calming down a little, he continued to stare at Wang Deren. Wait for his next.

And Wang Deren saw that Jin Shengheng did not react excessively after hearing the words "Tartar Imperial Court", and he was also greatly relieved. continued: "Besides, the military gate doesn't have to worry so much at all. Although the Manchurians claim to be invincible. But its true strength, hmph, you and I also know it. I think that at the beginning, when we had not yet surrendered, we would indeed be a little frightened when we heard the words Manchurian soldiers, and we didn't even have the courage to face the battle. But later, when I really voted here, we are no strangers to their strength. At most, all the strong men in the Manchurian population are only tens of thousands, and they can't withstand too many tosses at all. Even if you add the provincial green camps. Their available troops are also stretched. For example, in the battle of Ganzhou the year before last, the Tartar court sent Ke Yongsheng and Li Yingzong's two towns to support, but as soon as the war ended, Ke Yongsheng was transferred back to Jiangnan, and Li Yingzong was transferred back to Fujian. The total number of soldiers and horses in these two divisions is no more than 10,000 people, but the Tartars value it so much, and it is conceivable whether they have enough troops at hand or not. In addition, although the Tartar court ostensibly occupied most of the world. But it's like sitting on a fire. The beacon fire in Huguang, Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang has never been cut off, and even Shandong, Beizhili, Shanxi and other places are also gradually rising against the division, and the Tartar court can be said to be overwhelmed. Among the former Ming generals who were stationed in various places, there were many people who were treated unfairly. Junmen is not the first, nor will he be the last. Wu Shengzhao was defeated and died, and it still shook Jiangnan. Once we wait for the army, it will be easy to take Jiangxi. At that point, the responders will be in attendance. Such a great time. Is the military gate still going to be missed in vain? ”

After saying everything, Wang Deren stopped talking and quietly stepped aside.

Jin Shengheng was still silent, but there was a noticeable change in his eyes.

…………

Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian, Yingdu Town, Nan'an County

The town is quiet at night, with the houses on both sides of the street lit up and the barking of dogs and the chirping of unknown insects in the grass by the roadside adding to the rustic atmosphere.

As the two late townsfolk walked through the streets of the town, passing by a handsome and heavily guarded house, the younger one of them seemed to glance casually at the gate, and after some distance had traveled, he could not help but turn back and spat in the direction of the gate, and cursed softly in the local dialect. The old man next to him hurriedly whispered to stop, and the two quickly disappeared into the depths of the street.

The reason why the owner of this mansion is so hated is not because of the villagers' hatred of the rich, but because it is Hong Chengchou, who is a "important minister of the two dynasties" and a filial piety keeper for his father, who lives in this mansion now.

As soon as Hong Chengchou's name is mentioned, people within a radius of dozens of miles will not feel unfamiliar, and many people can secretly say a number of jokes related to the former Ming Dynasty Jiliao Governor and the current Manchu Inner Court scholar.

At the beginning of the Songjin War, Hong Chengchou was still extremely loyal, preferring to die rather than succumb to a hunger strike, and the veteran traitor Fan Wencheng and others were scolded for their bloody efforts when they went to persuade him to surrender. But when Huang Taiji came out in person, Mr. Hong's bottom line collapsed in an instant, and he was moved to tears by Huang Taiji's gesture of shouting for warmth and wearing clothes, and he called "Lord Ming" even again.

After the Qing Dynasty, Hong Chengchou was the same as before, and tried his best to make suggestions for "my Great Qing Dynasty", which was better than Fan Wencheng, Ning Wan and others. According to some speculations in later generations, Hong surrendered to the Qing Dynasty because he was greedy for life and afraid of death, and it was for his own face and interests to make suggestions and do his best for the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Its psychology is nothing more than this: Don't you all laugh at me for being a traitor? Then I will help the master to dominate the world, let you all comb your braids and become traitors, and then how strong can you be than me?

But no matter what kind of psychology it is, Hong Chengchou's move to reduce the Qing Dynasty has been shamed by thousands of people, and has attracted countless ridicule and ridicule. Back then, in order to thank Emperor Chongzhen's Longen, he once proposed a couplet of "Jun's grace is as deep as the sea, and the courtiers are as heavy as a mountain". After he descended to the Qing Dynasty, someone added two words to the original couplet, which became "Jun's grace is as deep as the sea, and the minister's festival is as heavy as a mountain?" The loyal couplet turned into a satire on the traitors.

In May last year, after Hong Chengchou, who was sitting in Nanjing, personally commanded and suppressed Wu Shengzhao's rebellion, many captured anti-Qing righteous soldiers also ridiculed and despised him. The famous young hero Xia Wanchun deliberately pretended not to know Hong Chengchou, and scolded him for pretending to be a hero, and was ordered to be executed by someone Hong in anger. Subsequently, Hong Chengchou hoped to regain some face, and personally interrogated Yin Zhizhi, the former scholar of the Ming Dynasty who participated in the uprising: "How many big officials are you in the Ming Dynasty, doing things that plot rebellion and rebellion?" Unexpectedly, he was slapped in the face again. Yin Zhilu sneered at each other: "How big an official are you in the Ming Dynasty?" Plotting rebellion? was also ordered to be beheaded by Hong Chengchou, who was annoyed and angry.

In terms of reputation alone, Hong Chengchou has long been stinky even in his hometown, so it is not worth mentioning. Since he returned to his hometown last year due to the death of his father, almost no one has come to his hometown in his early years, and even his mother Fu and younger brother Hong Chengjian have moved out of the Hong family's old house and no longer see him. The pavement in front of the gate has been watered with no amount of spittle.

At this moment, the light in the depths of the Hong family's old house was like a bean, and Hong Chengchou was sitting in the study with his clothes on, frowning.

It wasn't because of the attitude of his relatives, friends, and neighbors toward him, he was used to these things. It is because of the holy decree of the Qing Emperor today, appointing him as the governor of Huguang and other five provinces, "stationed in Wuchang, and passing through Huguang, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou and other places as a scholar of the Inner Hanlin Academy of National History, a scholar of the military department and the right deputy of the Imperial History of the Imperial Palace, and the governor's military affairs and food and salary." He also instructed Fuzhen to listen to moderation and moderation, attack and defend cheaply, and leave when the troops are full, that is, to perform. ”

In addition, due to the defeat of Jingzhou last year, the Huguang officialdom of the Manchu Qing Dynasty was also significantly adjusted. Luo Xiujin, the former governor of Huguang, was dismissed from office and recalled to Beijing because of the defeat of Jingzhou, and the post of governor of Huguang was replaced by Hu Quancai, the former governor of Ningxia, who was "effective in suppressing the local government". Other local officials, such as He Mingluan, the governor of Huguang, and Xian Jin, the governor of remote areas, were also held accountable one by one, but they were changed from being dismissed from official summons to being retained for crimes. The generals of the town guards, Zhang Guozhu, the general soldier of Wuchang, Wei Shouzhi, the general soldier of Hanyang, Yu Shizhong, the general soldier of the remote area, and the governors and the general soldiers of the Fubiao battalion were also suggested to the Qing court by Hong Chengchou to remove or transfer them on the grounds of "suppressing thieves", and the vacated positions were replaced by a new general.

Being entrusted with an important task at this juncture, Hong Chengchou not only felt the "Holy Longen", but also deeply felt the heavy responsibility of this trip. (To be continued.) )