There was no floating clouds in the sky, and the thick blue sky was stained by the sun, covered with a layer of light purple and clear clouds. Thousands of miles of the Yangtze River, reflecting a few green snails, flow eastward like a dream. From a distance, the masts are clustered together, and the masts are densely swaying and drooping.

Jiangling, also known as Jingzhou, is located in the central south of Hubei Province, in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, in the west of the Jianghan Plain, south of the Yangtze River, north of the Han River, west of Bashu, south of Hunan and Guangdong, known as the "thoroughfare of seven provinces" in ancient times.

"Jiangling used to be the capital of Chu State, and its name was 'Ying'." Liu Tichun, the king of Xunyang, stood on the deck of the flagship of the Yangtze River Naval Division, pointed with a happy face, and introduced, "It controls Bashu in the west, Xianghan in the north, takes the rivers and lakes in the north, and refers to Wuyue, which is the key point of the Central Plains to communicate with Lingnan, and is an important town in the southeast. ”

The Thirteen Families of Kuidong sent troops to cooperate with the Yangtze River Naval Division to advance westward and attack Yidu (also known as Yiling in ancient times). Seeing that its army was strong, the Chu army did not dare to go out of the city to meet the battle, and only retreated in the city to defend it. Liu Tichun, the king of Xunyang, personally led an army, sailed eastward, and joined the Yangtze River Naval Division in Jiangling.

In the first battle of Jiangling, the Yangtze River Naval Division broke through the river defense blockade of this important place, and the westward movement was successful.

"Does the prince want to attack this place?" Chen Shangchuan, the commander of the Yangtze River Naval Division, was also in a good mood, smiled and said: "It's better to let the Qing army live for a while longer, and then show your strength when our army's rectification is completed." ”

"It's better to attack this place than to attack Yidu, or enter the Han River to attack Xunyang and Xiangyang." Liu Tichun shook his head and said: "Yidu is the gateway to the Three Gorges, and you can enter and exit freely; Xunyang and Xiangyang can be places to raise food and salaries, and they are also very close to our army, which is a threat. ”

"His Royal Highness has made a decision, and after reuniting with the Thirteen Lords, he can Kaifeng and act according to the plan." Chen Shangchuan arched his hand to the south with an admiring expression. said: "Your Highness is wise and martial, and you have great expectations for us. It is more important to explain in advance that the army should be reorganized first, and then the battle should not be greedily for a moment's success, let alone the lives of soldiers and soldiers. ”

"Your Highness is kind." Liu Tichun also hurriedly bowed his hand to show respect. said: "I'm waiting for a corner of the country, anxious to open up the situation, anxious, anxious, and hope that Admiral Chen won't care." ”

In the face of the cronies and generals sent by His Royal Highness Min, although Liu Tichun was the king of the county, he did not take it big, and he was very humble.

"The prince is serious." Chen Shangchuan bowed to Liu Tichun and said politely: "Your Highness doesn't think that Zhuxun is in a corner. Rather, it is concluded that he will persist in fighting in the heart of the enemy, and his loyalty will be demonstrated. ”

"Your Highness is really, really—" Liu Tichun didn't know how to express it for a while, and he threw his hand to the south.

"Lord Wang, let's set off now!" Chen Shangchuan asked for instructions, and after getting permission, he passed down the flag order, and the mighty fleet sailed eastward under the panicked gaze of the Qing soldiers in Jingzhou, and there was no end in sight. It took more than an hour to disappear from the field of vision of the Qing soldiers.

The Yangtze River Naval Division has more than 200 ships and more than 100 combat vessels. The others are transport ships. guns, ammunition, grain, grass, supplies, and 300,000 taels of silver for the army's salary.

"Your Highness—" Liu Tichun read the list, was excited, and bowed to the south again.

This is not only a simple supply, but also shows the attitude of His Highness Min. Once upon a time, the troops with the former Dashun Army as the main body had such treatment. I have received such generosity.

"Your Highness is wise and wise, and no one can match it." Chen Shangchuan presented Zhu Yongxing's secret letter with both hands and said: "The reform of the military system is for the sake of the heart of all ministries and shows the meaning of treating everyone equally. At present, a total of seven army corps of the army is formed. The prince commanded the Shuo army, the king of Jin commanded the Zhen Shuo army, the king of Wei commanded the Shuo army, the king of Zhao commanded the Jingshuo army, the Xuguo Gong commanded the Shuo army, the Jin Shizi temporarily commanded the Shuo army, and the Yiguo prince temporarily commanded the Shuo army. The armies are not arranged by numbers, so as not to be suspected of being close to each other, His Royal Highness is painstaking, how can others know? ”

Each army has a numbered establishment, which means that aside from the original history, all of them are the royal divisions of the imperial court. Instead of arranging them by numbers, it is indeed a method adopted by Zhu Yongxing to avoid suspicion. And the words "suppress, destroy, beg, appease, levy, destroy, and destroy" all mean to completely eliminate the Qing Dynasty. From these names, it can also show the determination to swear to fight the Qing Dynasty to the end and "the Han and the thief will not stand together".

Of course, the number was built, but most of the armies were not fully equipped, and at present, only the extermination army of King Ma Bao of Wei reached the standard.

"There are more than 12,000 people in each division, and the three divisions are one army, plus artillery, baggage, or a little cavalry, and 40,000 is considered full." Liu Tichun read the text of the military reform, thought about it, and said: "Our army is completely able to make up this number, but it is not yet known whether each family is willing to lose the salary and gather troops. ”

The secret letter has been presented, and in order to repay His Royal Highness Min's trust, Liu Tichun did not shy away from saying that Kui Dong's armed forces were in their own affairs. Although a joint force of 15,000 or 6,000 people has already been formed, it is really difficult to judge what kind of attitude each family will have when it wants to expand.

"Each private army can stay for the time being, but there is a difference in military salaries." Chen Shangchuan said bluntly, "Of the 300,000 silver, 200,000 is for the Shuo army, and only 100,000 is for rewarding the honors." The Yangtze River Naval Division also belonged to the Shuo Army, which was dispatched by the prince and Li Shangshu. If each family does not agree, with the current joint forces and the Yangtze River Naval Division, they can also fight in all directions and gradually grow. Don't forget, these 5,000 muskets are equipped with the Shuo army, the Yangtze River Navy Division has hundreds of large and small artillery, and there are 3,000 elites, how can the Chu army be an opponent? The capture of this siege and seizure of land, His Royal Highness also means that most of it belongs to the Shuo army, as a capital for development and growth. ”

Liu Tichun understood that although he would not be forced, His Royal Highness Min would not supply a private army that was suspected of secession and did not obey orders for a long time. Moreover, the number of seizures in the future war has also been determined, and the Shuo army has the help of sailors, so it can only develop more and more, control zhì's territory is getting bigger and bigger, and get more and more supplies.

"Even if it is a joint force, each family also has sons and nephews and cronies as generals, leading each army separately." Liu Tichun was still worried, and said: "How to solve this? ”

"Take the opportunity of changing clothes and training to break up and regroup." Chen Shangchuan said without hesitation: "There are still one hundred and ten instructors in the subordinate fleet, and they will be inserted." If there is a dissatisfaction and draws troops, he will go, and the officers and soldiers of the prince's department should be able to replenish it, right? ”

"There's no problem with that." Liu Tichun agreed very happily, and said: "I'm just afraid that someone will talk about a certain family." ”

"The prince is loyal to the country, how can he be afraid of rumors?" Chen Shangchuan smiled faintly and said: "It is necessary to build a military academy, and all officers in the future will be based on this, which is not only to learn and improve." It's about taking control of the army again. ”

Liu Tichun nodded, hesitated for a long time, and finally asked, "Why does His Royal Highness Min trust him so much?" These secrets should be discussed privately with Li Shangshu, right? ”

"His Royal Highness has a saying: Those who swore not to surrender to the Qing Dynasty and sacrificed their lives to fight to the end include Liu Tichun, Hao Shaoqi, Yuan Zongdi, and Li Laiheng; If you talk about the loyal, you should push Liu Tichun and Li Laiheng; If you talk about bravery, strategy, and love the people, only Liu Tichun is the only one. Chen Shangchuan relayed Zhu Yongxing's words. Naturally, there is a bit of intimacy and wooing, but it is also quite correct and to the point.

"His Royal Highness Xie is trustworthy, and the last general will dare not to repay him with death." Liu Tichun was really moved at this time, knelt down to the south, and kowtowed several times.

……………

The arrival of the Yangtze River Sailor was shocking and exciting for the Thirteen. First of all, from the perspective of ship equipment, although the thirteen also have sailors, the ships are very small, and the 100-ton ships are behemoths. Not to mention the powerful new guns on board.

The second is the materials and military salaries loaded on the ship, which can be described as a relief in the snow for the Kuidong area, which is full of mountains and mountains, sparsely populated, and underdeveloped production, and many urgent needs have been alleviated at once, and the morale of the army has also been boosted.

Finally, when Chen Shangchuan first arrived in Xingshan County, he visited Li Zicheng's widow Gao, accompanied by Li Weizuo and Li Laiheng, and read out the holy decree. A reward was given. In the Holy Decree, it is directly referred to as a loyal lady, which means that it is based on respect. Turn a page in the history of the Dashun Army.

The bounty was rich, unlike the conditions under which Li Weizuo had sneaked. Several large mirrors that shine clearly make everyone stunned; Silk and satin, gold and silver jewelry, as well as a greeting letter from His Royal Highness Min's concubine Mengzhu, and a cloak sewn by herself, made Mrs. Gao grateful. Straight to face please Gaga.

Gao's temperament is weak, and he is not a person who can inherit her husband's will and reorganize the endgame at a critical moment, otherwise the various departments of the Dashun Army will not work independently, and can only cooperate, but cannot unite. But she is Li Zicheng's widow in the end. The generals of the former Dashun Army must be respected, and her words also have a certain influence. Starting with Gao's can be more sincere.

Don't look at Mengzhu as just a concubine, but the fact that she is favored has been known to everyone. Moreover, His Royal Highness Min has not yet had a main room, and there is nothing wrong with caring for his inner dependents, but he seems easy-going and close.

After dealing with women, the next thing is a big thing between a group of men. Liu Tichun, Li Laiheng, Hao Shaoqi, Yuan Zongdi, Dang Shousu, Ma Tengyun, He Zhen, Ta Tianbao, and Wang Guangxing each received a reward of 10,000 silver, and 10,000 yuan was handed over to Li Weizuo for government operations. And the 200,000 silver will be used for the formation, equipment, and salary of the army, and this edict immediately caused a shock among the people.

By the time Chen Shangchuan announced the various measures for the reform of the military system drawn up by the imperial court, everyone was not shocked but shocked.

At first glance, it seems that the imperial court was only responsible for the supply and salary of the Shuo army, and the other surplus troops were ignored. In reality, however, this was not the case, and the formation of the Shuo Army only distinguished the difference between the main combat force and the local garrison force. Soldiers who cannot enter the army will still maintain a certain salary, but the salary will be provided by the local government.

Local supply? Wouldn't that be out of your own pocket! Or, from another point of view, the local administration was handed over to the rank of secretary of the military department, the military governor of Sichuan, and Li Weizuo, the governor of Sichuan, and the local officials appointed by him collected taxes and grain, which were then distributed to the local garrison.

Of course, in the past, the imperial court did not subsidize it, and the salaries and rations of each army were all maintained by their own families. But when the edict is given, the nature is different, not handing over power means separating, and handing over power is unwilling in my heart.

"Your Highness has a saying: Although the establishment of each army is determined, if the excess troops are indeed elite and can indeed fight, they can be formed under the name of an independent division and receive the same treatment as sergeants and soldiers in the army." Chen Shangchuan and Li Weizuo exchanged glances, got up and said with a smile: "Your Highness wants to drive out the Tartars with a million heroes and recover Shenzhou, you don't have to worry about the headquarters being abolished and useless. ”

Li Weizuo, Chen Shangchuan and Liu Tichun have already discussed in private, and Liu Tichun and Li Weizuo have secretly done the work of Li Laiheng, Hao Shaoqi, and Yuan Zongdi, and have received the support of the three, and they are already quite confident in achieving their goals.

"It's a good thing to form an army to fight against Shuo, but I don't know what our army's next move will mean, which always makes people have doubts in their hearts!" Hao Shaoqi seemed to have doubts, but he was guiding the topic, "If the Shuo army can't eliminate the surrounding threats, won't the formation of troops create an emptiness in defense and be unable to resist the Qing army?" ”

Li Weizuo coughed lightly, got up and walked to the map. Pointing and saying: "At present, the threat facing our army is in the east, west, and north, according to the deployment of the General Staff, we should first use the naval division to advance westward, or break the Qing army naval division in Chongqing, destroy the enemy ships, or deter the defenders of Chongqing, and then have the eastward advance of His Royal Highness the King of Western Sichuan and Jin to contain it." The west can be worry-free. ”

Everyone's minds were diverted, and their eyes moved with Li Weizuo.

"After the threat from the west is lifted, we still use the help of the sailors to attack Yiling in the east, and control and contain the Three Gorges according to the gateway of the Three Gorges." Li Weizuo drew his finger on the map and nodded heavily on Yiling, "Based on this, attacking Huguang, the Chu army is not strong. Forgiveness is no match for our army. Take the materials and population of Huguang and operate the eastern part of Sichuan, which can consolidate the foundation. ”

Speaking of this, Li Weizuo set his eyes on Hao Shaoqi and said with a smile: "The war between the east and the west is so decided, and the north is the last. The land and water army will go up the Han River and attack Gucheng and Xiangyang to control the Han River and eliminate the threat from the north. ”

"Excuse me, sir. Is it conquering, or is it plundering? Li Laiheng said: "Don't talk about Chongqing. Yiling, Gucheng, and Xiangyang are all relatively solid cities, and if you only wander around outside the city, I am afraid that you will not gain much, let alone control these points. ”

Li Weizuo returned to his seat and handed over the right to speak to Chen Shangchuan. Although Chen Shangchuan is the title of admiral, he still represents Zhu Yongxing. It has the meaning of the minister.

"The city is strong, but there is a way to break it." Chen Shangchuan said confidently: "This time, the sailor came with a lot of military talents. They will train the troops and master the new tactics of warfare, and the fortified city in the future will not be a problem. ”

"The army led by His Highness has repeatedly conquered the fortified city. Do you use this tactic? Yuan Zongdi asked.

"Exactly." Chen Shangchuan nodded, and listed the names one by one like a few treasures, "Yongchang, Dali, Longweiguan, as well as Nanning, Xinhui, Guangzhou, Meizhou, etc., which were broken by the Eastern Expedition, should be no less solid than Gucheng, Xiangyang, and Yiling, right?" ”

After the play was over, Li Laiheng and others seemed to be persuaded and expressed their support for the formation of the Shuo Army. In this way, even if others are unwilling, the sum of these few people is more than enough to form an army to fight against Shuo.

After a burst of chaotic speech, Dang Shousu, He Zhen and others also expressed their positions. Not surprisingly, they all expressed their support for the Shuo army, but it was not immediately apparent what kind of actual actions they had achieved. After all, this is the will of the imperial court, and it is unwise for His Royal Highness Min to openly oppose it.

"The garrison of the Shuo army is tentatively set as Fang County, please send troops to Fang County in three days to assemble, and then start training, and strive to carry out an offensive within ten months, make meritorious contributions, and report to the imperial court and His Royal Highness." Li Weizuo got up to make a final decision and declared the meeting closed.

The Shuo army was trained in Fang County, taking into account the relationship between regions. With the Yangtze River Navy Division patrolling and defending, the threat from the east and west can be regarded as temporarily eliminated. The Fang County where Hao Shaoqi's headquarters is stationed is the northern line of the Kuizhou area, and the sailors cannot directly provide protection. And the army that was formed and trained here was able to withstand the enemy from the north.

In order to have a good start, Li Weizuo and Liu Tichun found Li Laiheng, Hao Shaoqi, and Yuan Zongdi before the meeting, and did work in private to get their support for the reform of the military system. Of course, there are some conditions that must be promised, such as whether the three of them can be given the post of division commander, whether they are in the army or an independent division formed separately, depending on the situation. The fact that the three of them were in charge of the army and concentrated on managing the army and fighting the war meant giving up the government affairs of the territory they occupied and handing them over to Li Weizuo to manage.

After discussion, Li Laiheng and others felt that the imperial court had made up its mind, and it was imperative to separate the military and the government, and if they resisted, they would be excluded from the system. Of course, the king of grass can still be the king, and the court has no intention of coercion. However, the imperial court will not support the private army, and weapons, equipment, and military salaries will be fully supplied, and it is predictable that the Shuo army will be so strong that it will overwhelm the private armies. At that time, if you change your course, you will not take the initiative, but be forced to be helpless, which is naturally very different in the eyes of the imperial court and His Royal Highness Min.

What's more, Liu Tichun already intends to fully support the reform of the military system, and the thirteen families are no longer monolithic. What is afraid of comparison, Li Yuan and Hao and the three of them feel that the late table is not as good as the early table, and the intention of the imperial court to support loyal military forces is already obvious, if it is not pasted, the benefits will be all won by Liu Tichun's family. According to the traditional way of thinking, His Royal Highness Min is very likely to promote one or more kings with different surnames in the Dashun army, so as to maintain the balance in the Ming army system with the Great Western Army and the Dashun Army as the main body.

Li Yuan and others thought twice and made their own decision, concentrating on governing the army and fighting wars, and using military merits to win a wife and a son. There are many reasons for this, including Zhu Yongxing's sincerity expressed several times, his attitude of not blaming history, and of course, the growing strength of the Ming army in the southwest.

And the imperial court's return to Li Yuanhao and the others was immediate, the list of materials was for everyone to see, and the private goods in the ship were for available and obedient people. 1,000 gold coins, 1,000 flintlock pistols, a new military uniform, a court uniform, a loyal sword, and a gold-inlaid short gun......

"Thank you, Your Highness." The three of them were thankful, and they couldn't help but look at each other.

Generous, generous, but also powerful, by no means comparable to the eternal calendar. Such a master is wise and resolute, and it is not easy to wait! Well, you can't say that, as long as you're faithful, don't worry too much. With such a master, the future is bright and open. (To be continued......)