In the warm sun, the boat floated on the smooth and slightly wavy sea, and slowly approached the pier.

But in a different place, he is still a prisoner. Zhu Yihai, the king of Lu, walked out of the cabin with the support of his son Zhu Huan, and there was no joy in his mood. In his mind, he was under house arrest by Xungui Zheng Chenggong before, but now he is just replaced by the imperial court to stay in the Minshizi. Although it is the same royal clan, the practice will not change much.

The sun was a little dazzling, Zhu Yihai blocked it with his hand, and a soldier stepped forward to hold up an umbrella, and he saw the crowd on the shore clearly, and was slightly surprised.

As soon as the springboard was hit, Zhang Huangyan rushed to the boat with several leaders of the armed forces in eastern Zhejiang and knelt down in front of King Lu.

"The sins of the ministers, the sins of the ministers, make the king exile from the trivial tail, and the salary is in danger......" Zhang Huangyan was in a mood and choked up tears.

"Yes, it's Zhang Qing, no, Zhang Shangshu." Lu Yihai's eyes widened and he carefully identified.

Since the Qing army captured Zhoushan, Lu Yihai moved to Kinmen and Xiamen under the guard of Zhang Mingzhen and others. In order to avoid Zheng Chenggong's suspicion, Zhang Huangyan and the others did not dare to visit lightly, and they had not seen each other for several years.

"Yes, exactly, Xiaguan." Zhang Huangyan realized that he had made a mistake in his words under his excitement, so he hurriedly changed his words, and looked at the old master with blurred tears in his eyes.

"Quick, help Zhang Shangshu quickly, and all the officials get up." Zhu Yihai, the king of Lu, pushed his son, looked around and saw the loyal old subordinate, and his eyes were also moist, "I didn't expect that the lonely king could still see the old people, really, really-"

"Your Majesty, you don't have to be sad." Zhang Huangyan got up and glanced at the shore, and said euphemistically: "Please also ask the king to move off the boat, His Royal Highness Min has sent civil and military officials to greet him, and he is waiting on the shore." ”

Oh, Zhu Yihai knew that this fashion was not the time to say private words, so he hurriedly packed up his thoughts. Accompanied by Zhang Huangyan and others, he landed ashore.

Ma Shaoyu, who came from Mengzi to represent Zhu Yongxing, and the civil and military officials of Xialong came up to meet them one by one. Although they all knew in their hearts that Zhu Yihai, the king of Lu, would be just an idle clan that had been raised, since His Royal Highness Min had made a gesture, they naturally did not dare to lack courtesy.

"The sea was bumpy. The prince must be tired, so he should rest and recover first. Ma Shaoyu was enthusiastic, respectful and polite, "How about the next official to hold a banquet for the prince on behalf of His Royal Highness tomorrow?" ”

"It's okay to hold a banquet to catch the wind, so extravagant, how can the lonely king bear it?" Zhu Yihai was willing to put down the shelf, not wanting to be too public.

"This is the sincerity of His Highness, how dare the lower officials disobey." Ma Shaoyu said with a smile: "If the prince feels that his health is not safe, he will be replaced by the prince." There is no need. ”

Zhu Yihai was helpless, so he had to nod and agree. The group got into the car and drove towards the west of Luxialong Town, stopping in front of a newly built mansion. The officials said goodbye to Zhu Yihai again, and only Zhang Huangyan and others followed inside.

"The scenery here is beautiful, the climate is also acceptable, and the king can recuperate here." Zhang Huangyan sat down in the hall, and Zhu Yihai had a lot to ask. He first announced, "The lower official has invited a famous doctor." Regulate the noble body for the king. ”

Zhu Yihai nodded gratefully, looked around, Zhang Huangyan immediately knew what he meant, and hurriedly said: "This place is full of old people from eastern Zhejiang, so the prince doesn't have to worry." ”

A trace of surprise flashed on his face, and Zhu Yihai sighed. said: "The son of Min Shizi is more broad-minded than King Yanping, no wonder he can gather all the ministries to support the crisis in the southwest." ”

Zhang Huangyan also felt the same way, Zhu Yongxing did not interfere with Zhu Yihai's daily life at all, and after pulling out a sum of money, he handed it over to Zhang Huangyan and others for arrangement.

"This is the land of Annam, right?" Lu Shizi Zhu Huan opened his mouth and asked, "I don't know if my father is placed here." Is it the meaning of Min Shizi, or is it Zhang Shangshu's choice? ”

Zhang Huangyan replied: "It was chosen by the lower officials." His Royal Highness Min said that the prince is not only a royal clansman, but also a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, and the land occupied by the Ming Dynasty can be obtained. The choice of residence is also decided by the prince. It's just that the war in Yunnan Province has not ended, but this time the dragon is safer. ”

"Is this borrowed from Annan, or robbed?" Lu Shizi Zhu Huan was still puzzled and continued to ask.

"It's a loan, but it's actually - hehe." Zhang Huang stopped talking, smiled hesitantly, and pointed to the map hanging on the wall, "Such a large piece of land is borrowed from Annan." ”

Zhu Huan walked to the wall, stopped to watch, and couldn't help but widen his eyes.

"Liu Bei borrowed Jingzhou, hehe, Min Shizi is a good means!" Zhu Yihai also laughed, hearing what Zhang Huangyan relayed, it seemed that there was no intention of monitoring house arrest, and his heart was slightly relaxed, "Where is Min Shizi stationed in Hua now, as a guard of the imperial court, I should go to see him first." ”

"His Royal Highness Min is stationed in southern Yunnan and Mengzi, and the prince doesn't have to rush to go." Zhang Huangyan persuaded: "According to the observation of the lower officials, our army in Yunnan Province may take action recently, and the war is about to start, and the prince must not take the danger lightly." ”

"Mengzi? Looks like it's pretty close to the front line! Zhu Huan found the location on the map and interjected.

Zhu Yihai knew that Zhang Huangyan hung the map, because he didn't want to let himself be depressed and discouraged by doing nothing, but this was just a psychological comfort, after repeated setbacks, and being under house arrest for several years, he had already figured it out, and he knew that he did not have the capital and talent to compete for the world.

"Min Shizi can treat us well, and he can go to the front line in person, so big belly and courage, but he is not the emperor who patrols Burma-" Zhu Yihai shook his head slightly, he was already at odds with Yongli, and his contempt at this time was even more undisguised.

"Lord Wang, please be cautious." Zhang Huangyan smiled helplessly and diverted the topic, "The lower officials have arranged dozens of guards for the prince, all of whom are loyal and righteous people in eastern Zhejiang, and the leaders Ye Yun and Wang Fa are even more loyal. In addition, Xia Guan also bought a few servants and maids, which was enough for the prince to call. ”

"There is Lao Zhang Shangshu." Zhu Yihai was grateful, but also a little disappointed, Min Shizi let go like this, firstly, he was suspected of relieving his doubts, and secondly, he no longer regarded himself as a threat

After a pause, Zhu Yihai said cautiously: "Don't be too public, I have also heard some things about Min Shizi on the ship, don't build a mansion, don't accumulate kabuki, don't be greedy for money, although it is the situation, but I should also be frugal and don't be discussed by others." ”

"The prince understands the righteousness, and the officials will arrange it properly." Zhang Huangyan saw that King Lu was tired, so he got up and said goodbye, and the prince Zhu Huan sent Zhang Huangyan out on his behalf.

The martial arts hall captures the military generals, and the academy produces civil officials, although the imperial examination is not opened. But most of these civil and military students will regard Min Shizi as a monarch. In the future, I wonder if there will be a group of rebellious ministers and thieves who want to enter from Long Xingjin and help the son of Min to usurp the throne.

Zhu Yihai leaned in the chair and gently stroked his forehead. In peacetime, we will talk about our ancestors, and in times of war, we will talk about merit. Yongli is cowardly and cowardly, not the king of chaos. Min Shizi should rise from time to time. If you can prosper the Ming Dynasty, the position of the emperor is well deserved. Anyway, his body, talent, and strength are no longer suitable for Xingwang Tuba, so he can be an idle prince and be satisfied.

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Ambition or patience is worn out because of self-knowledge in the midst of frustration or a feeling of weakness in unexpected situations. Zhu Yihai, the king of Lu, belongs to the former, and Wu Sangui belongs to the latter.

When the news of the defeat in the southeast came, Wu Sangui still felt a little relieved. Regardless of victory or defeat, it's time for the imperial court to turn its attention to the southwest, right? As long as the money and food are endless. Reinforcements from other provinces will be transferred to help the war, and when the rainy season is over, it may not be impossible to accumulate the strength of counteroffensive operations.

However, instead of encouraging good news, the Qing army in Yunnan Province fell into an unfavorable situation.

"Shuixi is a barbarian rebel, Guizhou only has four towns, and there are no more than three towns that can be mobilized; Hao Chengyi of Yazhou (now Ya'an) in western Sichuan surrendered and rebelled, and Li Guoying, the governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi, had personally led his troops and horses to Jiading (now Leshan) to attack the camera. In this way, Sichuan can draw and attack the army of Shuixi. Only more than 4,000 people of Wu Zhimao, the general soldier of Sichuan, remained. Fang Guangchen introduced the situation and paused. He said worriedly: "Such a force may not be enough to pacify Shuixi and protect the peace of Guizhou Province." ”

Wu Sangui frowned and sighed, he now felt more and more headaches, more and more helpless, like a donkey being led by the nose. Tactics such as breaking roads, deep trenches, fortresses, mines, and harassment have tied the hands and feet of the Qing army in Yunnan Province. Now there is a rebellion in the rear. And all the means he could use were defused in advance, and the enemy seemed to get into his head.

The Qing army in Guangxi was pinned, the Qing army in Sichuan was mobilized, and Huguang also shouted about the rampant thieves in Kuidong. The Qing army in Yunnan Province could only fight alone.

"Some officials wrote to the imperial court, wanting to regroup and fight the Zheng clan again in the southeast to ensure the land of Jiangnan wealth." Wu Sangui said in a low voice: "And Yunnan should defend the palace first, and the banner soldiers of Yunnan Province, please temporarily garrison half of them, and withdraw half to Hunan, and the camera will respond, so that hundreds of thousands of troops can be saved." It is really resentful that Yunnan has such a stupid remark and does not understand the situation in the southwest. ”

Wu Yingxiong is in Beijing, and he is very well-informed, and what he transferred is the report of Ji Zhenyi, the superintendent of Zhejiang Province. Among them, there are also words such as "guarding the imperial full-time Pingxi First Domain (referring to Sangui), if the troops are insufficient, the Guangxi general Sun Yanling's troops can be transferred to Guizhou".

The withdrawal of the Manchurian Eight Banners to Hunan was intended to reduce the burden of food and salary in Yunnan and to reduce the financial pressure on the imperial court, but it was clear that they did not fully understand the situation in Yunnan Province and Guangxi. Moreover, among them, the soldiers of the Eight Banners of Yunnan Province also secretly moved in the court, wanting to throw the mess to Wu Sangui, so that they could withdraw from the southern barbarian land that was overgrown with miasma and unaccustomed to water and soil.

After a long period of large-scale war, the domestic economy was severely damaged, and the Qing court's finances were in a very difficult situation. It can be said that the income is beyond the means, and in the seventeenth year of Shunzhi, the treasury has a salary shortage of more than four million taels.

The Qing court was in such a difficult situation, and it was even more difficult for Yunnan and Guizhou provinces to raise food and wages on the spot after a long period of war. According to the Zhejiang Provincial Supervision Imperial History Ji Zhenyi said: "Yunnan Province is surrounded by dangers, and the middle is wrong. The four borders are closed, although they are neighbors with Guizhou, Shu and Guizhou, but the water is not open to boats, the mountains are not open to traffic, and the neighboring provinces have never told the neighbors to seal and borrow money from the merchants. During this period, the grain and salary were more and more exchanged, passing through several provinces, supplying hundreds of millions of ships with grain, and the cost was not only Yunnan, but also several provinces. ”

And the whole province of Guizhou is also in difficulty. The so-called "land without three feet flat" is mostly mountainous, and there is very little arable land. Luo Huijin, the governor of Guizhou, reported: "Guizhou Province has newly created a land, mourning the beginning of the collection, the fields are deserted, and there is no reason to do the grain. ”

In fact, the grain and rice needed by the Qing army in Yunnan Province were basically transported from other provinces, thousands of miles back and forth, the road was long distance, and it cost a lot. Not only can it often fail to meet the actual needs of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, but it also often cannot be transported in time.

"Lord Wang, isn't the imperial court going to send scholars Ma Leji and Shi Tu to Yunnan? The intermediation and the secret bargaining will surely enable the imperial court to veto such suggestions and opinions. Fang Guangchen said: "Besides, the Shuixi rebellion, the prince has already made it clear that the imperial court will soon have relevant wills, and the prince does not need to worry too much." ”

"I'm afraid it's too late! Shuixi's rebellion is very strange, and I suspect that it is related to the pseudo-left-behind. If you plan to move, you will have to follow! Wu Sangui sighed, there was no way, if he was the only one in Yunnan, he could barely use the military emergency as an excuse to quickly increase the conscription, but with the Eight Banners soldiers, it would not be so wishy-washy. The order of conquest came from the Son of Heaven, and if someone supervised it, he had to ask the imperial court for approval before he could use troops on a large scale.

"It is not appropriate to use troops on a large scale for the time being, and it is okay to draw a small amount." Fang Guangchen blinked his eyes and said slyly: "The Shuixi clan has gone retrograde, and the prince, as the governor of Yungui, can order the first army to enter the army (Guizhou Dafang) to curb the road to the rush, and not to make it spread too much." ”

Wu Sangui thought for a moment, nodded and said, "The plan to offer the court is feasible, who should be sent to Guizhou Province?" ”

"Send a general who is both civil and military and good at planning." Fang Guangchen euphemistically didn't mention his name, but Wu Sangui had already guessed it, and couldn't help but glance at Fang Guangchen in surprise.

Fang Guangchen didn't see it, picked up the teacup and drank the tea, avoiding Wu Sangui's gaze. The war situation in Yunnan Province became less and less optimistic, the Ming army adopted the tactics of delaying and attrition, and the Qing army became increasingly embarrassed and in a dilemma. In this regard, Fang Guangchen, Liu Xuanchu and others have carefully studied it, trapped in Yunnan Province, the enemy is getting stronger and stronger, and it is not a place to hold on for a long time. In this case, the importance of Guizhou has been revealed, and it can be used as a back road for early management.

Wu Sangui knew in his heart that his henchmen were gradually losing confidence in the war situation in Yunnan Province, and he was euphemistically suggesting that he slowly move his military strength to Guizhou, so as not to exhaust it all in Yunnan Province.

"I ordered the minister to lead 5,000 soldiers and horses first, what do you think of the court?"

"The prince is wise." Fang Guangchen put down the teacup, arched his hand, and said: "Guizhou Tusi is the largest in the west of Dushui, going back to the past, and rebelling impermanently. This is a disease of the throat in Yunnan, a ruthless household in Shu, and a poison in the heart of the abdomen in Guizhou. Therefore, during the Ming Qi period, the barbarian Chang'an Bangyan had a difficult beginning, and he had transferred soldiers and horses from six or seven provinces, spent millions of dollars, and carried out a large-scale crackdown, which lasted for 20 years. If the prince follows the spirit of Zhang Tianqiu, goes straight to the cave of the old fox, Qu Kui Si, and the party is all gone, it is a great achievement. The accumulation of a hundred years of Shui'an clan is rich enough to rival the country, and it can be used to destroy the army, and it is also a benefit to raise soldiers. ”

Wu Sangui smiled, and the other party Guangchen exaggerated the enemy situation and the actual benefits of suppressing the water An Xikun.

................ (To be continued......