As for the officials of the royal palace and the feudal domain, they occupied private houses, slandered the good as thieves, extorted huge sums of money, and imposed additional taxes. It is estimated that the annual income of the Ping Domain is more than one million taels of silver.

"When the candle tears fall, the people's tears fall, and the singing is high and the grievances are high." At that time, there was a poet Waffle who wrote "Tiger Walking", referring to the Pingnan Palace. Even the best resort in Yangcheng, Zhenhai Tower (five-storey building), is also "Pingnan Wangquan downstairs mountain for the deer house...... Yousi didn't dare to ask questions.

Such pleasure, such comfort, if Shang Kexi's troops still maintain a strong combat power, it is a bit excessive. What's more, most of the current feudal soldiers, pacesetters, and Fu soldiers are soldiers who are supplemented on the spot, and their experience and quality are even more difficult to compare with those of the "war-fighting generation" of the past.

It's just that in the face of the threat of Zheng Chenggong in the southeast, the Guangdong Navy Division is also very powerful, with Wu Liuqi, Xu Long, and Su Li, three fleets transformed from Haikou. However, when the South China Sea Fleet, with the help of foreign aid, defeated the Guangdong Naval Division, Shang Kexi broke an arm.

In the twilight, Zhu Yongxing had already boarded the wooden city in the west of the city. Looking into the distance, the inner city is sparsely lit and desolate. Only occasionally the shells of the Tianwei cannon fell into the inner city, and the flames of the explosion flashed like brilliant fireworks.

Ma Bao and other generals are still commanding the siege of the inner city and clearing out the remnants of the enemy, and Zhu Yongxing only has some personal guards around him, and Changshi Yicheng.

"Your Highness, the battle is still fighting at this time, the siege of the inner city is not yet tight, and it is necessary to prevent the enemy from desperately counterattacking." Yi Cheng persuaded tactfully.

"Beware of overstepping!" Zhu Yongxing shook his head lightly and said, "The enemy is already at a panic at this time, where can he still have the courage to fight back." said so, but Zhu Yongxing listened to Yi Cheng's persuasion, stepped down from the city, and waited to go to the city, protected by the personal guards. Walk into the city.

didn't go far, the chief soldier Yan Weilong greeted him, the salute was finished, and asked Zhu Yongxing to go to the house where he had just found a good one to rest. He also told Zhu Yongxing very happily that the people of Guangzhou were really good, and the battle had just ended. There have been many people who have made fires to cook and boil water, and sent them out to satisfy the hunger and thirst of the Ming army.

"The people of Guangzhou, well, have the most righteous people." Zhu Yongxing nodded again and again with emotion.

When Shang and Geng attacked Guangzhou, the people of Guangzhou showed the heroism of the whole people's resistance, "The people in the city also defended the city, the men went to the city, and the women gave pay (food)." The Qing soldiers surrounded the outside of the city, and they were defeated in a row and could not be defeated."

In this battle of defense of civil-military cooperation. The Qing army suffered heavy losses, the Qing general Shang Kefu and others were killed, and the "Shang Genealogy" records that the corpses of the Qing Kou were piled up almost as high as the city wall under the siege site. Even Shang Kexi and Geng Jimao, the two dog heads, were almost finished, "The Ming army smashed the case of Geng Jimao with cannons, and the two of them ate together, fortunately they did not die." ”

It was precisely because of the stubborn resistance of the army and the people that the people of Guangzhou suffered the same tragic fate as the people of Yangzhou. After the two big traitors, Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong, broke the city, they retaliated angrily. Massacres, rapes, robberies in a frenzy. A foreign missionary wrote: "The massacre lasted from November 24 to December 5. They killed men, women, and children brutally, and they said nothing else. Just say: Kill! Kill these rebellious brutes. ”

After the massacre, a monk named "Purple-clothed Monk" gathered manpower to carry the corpses, gathered them in the open space outside the east gate, burned them with fire, and piled up the bones "Chengfu" (Xiaoshangang). "Pedestrians are two or three miles away, looking like snow." There is also a description of blood and tears of "the sun, the abandoned children crawl next to the corpse, still sucking their (mother's) milk, and everyone who passes by is crying". According to relatively reliable estimates. During the massacre "tens of thousands of inhabitants were killed."

However, Shang and Geng Eryi committed more than one crime in Guangzhou, and after conquering Nanxiong, they were also "slaughtered by the residents of the city". In history, Shang Kexi and Geng Jimao, the two traitors who recorded a "name in history" in the Qing Dynasty's merit book with the blood of Han compatriots, did not get the retribution they deserved, and it can be said that God has no eyes.

But in this time and space, Zhu Yongxing wants not only to win the national war, but also to demonstrate justice and justice.

"After the total annihilation of the Qing army, check the household registration, reward the residents of Guangzhou for life, give pension for death, exempt from taxes for three years to reward righteous deeds, and build a monument to build a garden as a commemoration for eternity." Zhu Yongxing's mood became heavy, and he felt that this compensation was too meager.

"Your Royal Highness is benevolent, and the people of Guangzhou will be grateful to Dade." Yi Cheng complimented, hesitated, and swallowed the words into his stomach.

Yi Cheng was opposed to Zhu Yongxing's proposal to severely punish the Qing army. Being broad-minded and recruiting rebels will undoubtedly speed up the course of the war. The Qing court can do this, Zhu Yongxing seems to be a little persistent, and his bearing is not enough.

But Zhu Yongxing just can't abandon all the principles, and there may be some flexibility, but he can't accept the surrender and rebellion without a bottom line anyway. It may make this national war more difficult, but it sets a standard that does not make looting and killing civilians common things in war commonplace. Prisoners of war are prisoners of war, and war criminals are war criminals, and it is precisely the reason why Zhu Yongxing insists on doing so.

……………

The cannonballs streaked across the night sky like meteors trailing the tail of flames, sparks erupted from the fuses of the unique cannonballs fired by the Tianwei cannon. Landed, tumbled and bounced, then exploded, and the meteor turned into fireworks again.

Miao Wenxiu sighed, plucking her ears that were still buzzing, and couldn't raise her appetite for the food in front of her.

The Ming army carried out a deterrent bombardment, one cannon at a time, and one cannon at a time, so that the explosions constantly knocked on the nerves of the Qing army, and they could not rest well.

Tomorrow will be the end of the worst days! Miao Wenxiu, who had witnessed the means and momentum of the Ming army's attack, had accurately predicted the date of his death. Well, and their own families. Thinking of his parents, wife, children, and concubines, a sad emotion hit his heart.

Retreating into the inner city, he didn't even have time to return home, so he was arranged by Shang Kexi at the north gate of the inner city. There were less than 1,000 soldiers under his command, and the remnants of the total soldiers who were killed were only more than 2,000. Of course, there are only these horses in his hands, so naturally he can no longer act as the main general, and can only serve as the deputy of the general soldier Ban Zhifu, who has not suffered much loss in strength, to assist in the defense of the north.

"Boom!" There was a loud noise, which shook Miao Wenxiu's body, and he subconsciously squatted down suddenly, hiding behind the battlement. After a long time, Miao Wenxiu cautiously moved his position. With thoughts churning in his heart, he threw down his meal and began to inspect the city defenses, but he seemed absent-minded.

It wasn't until the inspection was almost finished that Miao Wenxiu found that the deputy general Wu Qizhen had not seen anyone for a long time, and it seemed that he had not seen it since he entered the inner city. Is it - no. It's impossible, Li Youcai is just an isolated phenomenon, so absolutely, it is estimated that he has been prepared for a long time, and he has secretly transferred his family to the outer city. Hehe, it's really treacherous. Miao Wenxiu wanted to sneer, but there was an ugly wry smile on her face. Mixed emotions also floated in my heart, resentment, and jealousy. Envy......

A group of people galloped from the city, stopped under the city, under the torch of the lamp, it was Shang Zhixiao who wore armor. Miao Wenxiu saw the general soldier Ban Zhifu greet him, and the monk Zhixiao was talking. Far away, you can't hear what is being said. Then, Shang Zhixiao took people away, and Ban Zhifu looked a little strange. Shaking his head and sighing again and again, he called a few pro-soldiers to give orders.

…………

"The inner city could be breached tonight." This news came as a bit of a surprise to Zhu Yongxing. The Ming army was already victorious, and night melee was not a good choice. But after listening to the specific report, he was relieved. Since there is another rebel like Li Youcai, who can cooperate with the inside and outside, it is natural to seize this opportunity.

"To be able to make arrangements in such a short period of time, this guy has quite a brain." Zhu Yongxing touched his chin and thought about it. He cautiously reminded: "Once there is a signal, be careful when attacking the city, and beware of fraud." ”

"Your Highness has thought thoughtfully, and finally went to arrange this properly." Ma Bao complimented and said goodbye.

As a battlefield veteran. Such a reminder is a bit redundant, but Zhu Yongxing's identity is there, and Ma Bao doesn't mind pretending to be stupid and setting off Zhu Yongxing wisely and wisely.

"If the people's hearts are scattered, the Qing army will definitely be defeated." Yi Cheng said with emotion, and handed the drafted draft to Zhu Yongxing for review.

Zhu Yongxing read it briefly and nodded in appreciation. It is said that the literati's pen is like a knife, and there is no blood in killing. After reading this manuscript, it turned out to be so.

"Shang Wei has not yet been awarded, and it is unknown how it will end, so we can make slight changes when the matter is decided." After Zhu Yongxing finished speaking, he didn't forget to praise him, "A good article in a long history, every word is like an arrow, which can make the rebel thief restless and difficult to sleep." ”

"His Royal Highness praises falsely, and he is ashamed to be ashamed." Yi Cheng was humble, but he was really happy in his heart.

"When Lone first went out of Burma and entered Yunnan, there were only a few thousand soldiers, and he was not a long-term war. However, when the building was about to collapse and the heart was panicking, the Zheng family helped each other, helped the orphan to collect the remnants, and helped the orphan to breathe in all directions, which was really indispensable. Zhu Yongxing sighed as if he was reminiscing, and Yi Cheng hurriedly listened attentively.

"The wind knows the grass, and the board knows the loyal ministers. Those who do not abandon loneliness in the realm of all difficulties, the loneliness is kept in mind, and I hope to start and finish well, and the two will not lose each other. Zhu Yongxing's words changed, and his tone became a little low, "Even if there is a mistake, you can still take care of the old one." But if you deliberately deceive, speculate on Lone's mind indiscriminately, and carry out the dark room conspiracy, can the Lone King tolerate it? ”

Yi Cheng's heart froze, seeing that Zhu Yongxing's gaze had moved over, he suddenly felt a damp in his back, and hurriedly bowed down and said: "Your Highness is wise and wise, and kind-hearted, how can anyone dare to deceive in the dark and act recklessly?" ”

"I hope not!" Zhu Yongxing turned his aggressive gaze to the window and said meaningfully: "No one will understand all of Lone's thoughts. Daming Zhongxing, but it will no longer be the original Daming. ”

Yi Cheng was half shocked and half understood, opened his mouth, and was silent.

…………

"My lord, the prince has an order, please move your family to the palace, there is heavy protection of the army, but there is no worries." A personal soldier of Ban Zhifu found Miao Wenxiu and reported it truthfully.

Miao Wenxiu was stunned for a moment, then understood, his face changed, and finally waved his hand helplessly, and said: "I know that I have said, I will send someone back to the house to take the family to the palace." ”

What heavy military protection, what no worries, is just to take the families of the generals as hostages and let them die for their lives. Phew, Miao Wenxiu looked at the back of the soldier who reported the news and walked away, and spat angrily. It seems that Li Youcai's rebellion has given Shang Kexi a wake-up call and sounded the alarm. Now that the city has fallen, it is a matter of time before Shang Kexi will not surrender no matter what, and those family members can only be buried with him as hostages.

Alas, is there any other way? Miao Wenxiu thought about it, sighed for a while, waved a few pro-soldiers, and was about to send them to move their families. Now it's just a notice, and Shang Kexi is still pretending to be benevolent and righteous, and he has not blatantly sent troops to force him, but if it is delayed, he will not do it. He had to be rough.

"Your Excellency." Wu Qizhen, the deputy general who had not been seen for a long time, suddenly appeared with a few personal soldiers, but his face was covered with sweat, and he didn't know what he was doing, and he was tired like this.

"Where have you been?" Miao Wenxiu glared at this close friend, her face displeased.

"My lord, take a step to speak." Wu Qizhen gasped twice. Stretch out your hand and gesture.

Miao Wenxiu followed Wu Qizhen to the quiet place under the city in confusion, and before he could speak, Wu Qizhen had already said in a deep voice: "I have already led someone to move the family to a secret place, and there are adults." ”

What the? Miao Wenxiu was taken aback, her mouth opened into an O-shape, and she looked at Wu Qizhen incredulously.

Wu Qizhen smiled bitterly and said: "It is a matter of time before the inner city is destroyed, we are not afraid of death, but how can our family be innocent?" I only have one son. Only one year old. The prince is really ruthless, he doesn't think about others, but he only needs the big guy to be buried with him. ”

"You, you want to rebel?" Miao Wenxiu's hand held the handle of the knife, and someone next to him immediately pressed him, but it was Wu Qizhen's personal soldier.

"I wanted to wait, but now I have to do the opposite." A cold light flashed in Wu Qizhen's eyes, and he forced Miao Wenxiu to look at him. "The order of the prince to move his family has been issued, and the relatives of you and I have not been to the palace for a long time. What do you think he would think and do? ”

Miao Wenxiu pondered, and his hand slowly loosened and hung down from the hilt. He felt as if he had fallen into Wu Qizhen's calculations, as if he had to do the opposite. It's just that as soon as this feeling came out, he felt a little relieved, and he was finally able to make decisions that were difficult for him to make. Or for the sake of his family, he suddenly had a chance to live, and he couldn't say.

"My lord, if you wait, you will be lifeless, you, me, and the parents, wives and children of each family." Wu Qizhen persuaded bitterly: "If it's the opposite." We may die, but our families will be safe! ”

"For what?" Miao Wenxiu asked a little puzzled.

"There is a certificate, which proves that we have made meritorious contributions." Wu Qizhen suddenly smiled slyly and said, "I left someone in the outer city, and I should have informed the Ming army." It doesn't matter if you can succeed or not, as long as you make a move, let the Ming army know that I'm anyway, what are I afraid of if I die. ”

"I see." Miao Wenxiu suddenly found that he underestimated the wisdom of this lieutenant general, and he arranged it well, and he could do this when the outer city was about to fall, and his head was fast enough.

Wu Qizhen didn't speak, stared at Miao Wenxiu, and several henchmen around Miao Wenxiu also showed murderous aura.

"Okay, let's do it anyway." Miao Wenxiu gritted her teeth and burst out a few words, and suddenly heard the voice of Wu Qizhen and others growing angry.

"But there aren't many of us, we have to hurry up, and when Shang Kexi finds out that our family members are gone, it will be too late." Wu Qizhen said with a little worry.

It's best to be alive, to put it quite decisively, Wu Qizhen still wants to successfully surrender and save his life.

Miao Wenxiu thought for a while, let go of his tangled mind and became enlightened, "Let's make some mess first, and when the guards at the city gate are panicking, let's rush up and open the city gate." See, they're thinking about blocking the city gates! By the way, what is the signal for you to discuss with the Ming army? ”

"Ignition is the signal." Wu Qizhen said very simply, in the end, the time was in a hurry, and his explanation to the henchmen left in the outer city could not be too complicated and detailed.

"Well, I remember Nanxiong, how he captured it." Miao Wenxiu asked, and after receiving Wu Qizhen's affirmative answer, he continued: "Just act according to this plan, dozens of spies can succeed, and we can at least, at least a few hundred people, right?" ”

In that year, Shang and Geng Erzhi led the army to cross Meiling and enter Guangdong Province. Before arriving in Nanxiong, dozens of spies were sent to lurk in the city in advance, and on the night of the 30th Chinese New Year's Eve, they set fire to the drum tower, taking advantage of the Ming army's panic to fight the fire, opened the civilized gate, and the main force of the Qing army rushed into the city, and the city was destroyed.

"Understood." Wu Qizhen smiled coldly and motioned to a few pro-soldiers to follow Miao Wenxiu, "My subordinates have some martial arts, and they can protect the adults well." Well, let's go our separate ways. ”

Miao Wenxiu smiled helplessly, "From now on, don't call adults anymore." Not to mention the usual friendship, just today you can think of my family, can I still harm you? ”

"It's great that Brother Miao can think like this." Wu Qizhen said this, but he did not recruit the cronies who monitored and controlled Miao Wenxiu, but quickly discussed with Miao Wenxiu how to act.

…………

Although Wu Qizhen had an idea, he left two henchmen in the outer city to seek contact with the Ming army, but the explanation was unknown, and he did not know how he would be resettled after he withdrew to the inner city. If the Ming army wants to seize this opportunity, it can only deploy more troops and horses, and where there is a situation, it will attack the inner city from there.

Looking at the swarthy city walls and the gate downstairs of the city, Habu was both nervous and expectant. In the Ming army, the regulations on rewards and punishments were constantly improved, and the previous purely first-level meritorious service was too one-sided, although it was not abandoned, but the new method of judging meritorious service based on the completion of tasks gradually prevailed, and the rewards were not less than simply cutting off the first rank.

As part of the commando team, Habzhilu said that if he succeeded, he could be promoted to another rank. In Xinhui, the troops who won the first merit in the city are an example. Not only were the officers and soldiers promoted to one level and the rewards doubled, but they were also summoned by Prince Min and given the name "Breaking the New Battalion".

I hope that I can also get this honor and get closer to my dream. Habu rubbed his aching eyes, and when he looked up again, a wave of surprise came to his heart along with the fire of the city.

………… (To be continued......)