Zhao Liangdong, recruited into the army in the second year of Shunzhi, was under the command of Meng Qiaofang, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, and acted as the garrison of Tongguan, and then followed the expedition to Qinzhou (now Tianshui, Gansu) and Gongchang (now Longxi, Gansu), defeated the Ming generals He Zhen and Wu Dading, and was promoted to the capital of Ningxia Water Conservancy Tuntian. In the fifth year of Shunzhi, he suppressed the uprisings of Milayin and Ding Guodong, and was promoted to Gaotai guerrilla because of his meritorious service. In the thirteenth year of Shunzhi, Zhao Liangdong followed the Jingluo Hong Chengchou to conquer Yunnan and Guizhou, and awarded the deputy general of the Biao Zhongjun Army, and then stayed in Guizhou, under the control of Li Benchen, the governor of Guizhou.

After Wu Sangui withdrew from Yunnan Province and ran Guizhou, Zhao Liangdong was excluded, and the secret envoy went to Beijing to accuse Wu Sangui of colluding with the Ming army, and had different intentions, but the letter was obtained by Wu Sangui, so he was detained. In addition, Zhu Yongxing has always paid attention to the so-called three generals of the Hexi Han family, Daniel Zhang and Wang Jinbao are dead, and Zhao Liangdong is the only one left, so he repeatedly asks Wu Sangui for it to prove Wu Xiangming's heart.

Now that the shape has changed, Wu has lost the buffer of Sun Yanling in Guangxi, and Guizhou Province is under attack from both sides. And Wu Yingxiong has not yet been rescued, Wu Sangui finally got the killer in order to gain time for relaxation, and expressed his obedience to Zhu Yongxing with Zhao Liangdong's head.

The three Han generals of Hexi, is it glory or shame? In history, he made contributions to pacifying the three feudatories, but the suppression of the anti-Qing uprising and the slaughter of the people in the war zone, the Sichuan people suffered another catastrophe, and it is not a pity that they should be punished for their crimes.

"Why didn't His Highness Min send the people he wanted alive?" Guo Zhuangtu asked his father-in-law in the study puzzled.

"This person hates loneliness very deeply, if it is valued by His Royal Highness, it will be unfavorable to loneliness in the future." Wu Sangui shook his head and said abruptly: "And buy some time, when Ying Xiong returns, you can ask the Qing court for money, or Hunan." still does not lose the land and is crowned king. ”

If you can't defeat the Ming army, even if you temporarily ask for territory from the Qing court, will the Ming court allow you to split the land and seal the king? Guo Zhuangtu sighed secretly in his heart, feeling that Wu Sangui was dragging on more and more unfavorable. Because it is necessary to watch Guizhou, the Ming army has heavy troops in Yunnan Province and Gui Province and cannot use them, so why not make His Royal Highness Min resentful?

"Min Fan has a benevolent heart. Attention has always been paid to reducing the number of dead and wounded soldiers. Wu Sangui seemed to be answering Guo Zhuangtu's doubts, and as if he was talking to himself, "If Guizhou is a province anyway, you can protect your family and assets; If it is cast, it can determine the victory south of the river, but it still does not lose the official title of prince. ”

It's not very coherent, but Guo Zhuangtu understands it. The Min clan is benevolent, and in order to reduce casualties, it is estimated that he will not rush to move troops against Guizhou, and now he is just pressing people with momentum. Now it is true that the Ming army has the strategic initiative. But if you say that you will be able to win, it is not necessarily. Wait and see first, and then become a key force at a critical time, and the treatment you get is very different.

"The Qing court is increasingly suspicious, even if it makes desperate contributions to it, even if it is temporarily spared, it will be difficult to die well in the end." Wu Sangui said slowly: "After all, the south of the Great River is not suitable for the Manchurian Eight Banners to gallop and fight with the Ming army. Even if you win, I am afraid that it will also be a great loss of vitality. Min Domain has overseas lands. He also sent the king of Jin to run Sichuan, and it was difficult to die, and his sailors were strong, and they would be like the Zheng family, so that the coastal area was rarely peaceful. What's more, the feelings of the Han people have been agitated and want to stabilize the place. How easy is it to say? ”

"The prince can take advantage of the time to move, or divide the southwest, or join forces with the Min clan to control the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and his status is different." Guo Zhuangtu roughly guessed Wu Sangui's thoughts. said with a smile: "There are a few Manchurians, and if they want to rule firmly in the south, they have to split the soil, and the prince is still a prince." ”

"The shape is ever-changing, this is just lonely wishful thinking, and it is extremely difficult to achieve." Wu Sangui smiled bitterly and said, "Let's wait and see!" It's a pity that Guizhou Province is located inland, and it is difficult to have a way out by sea. If not, trade with Xiyi, you can get muskets, artillery and other sharp weapons, and under the great increase in strength, the room for maneuver is wide. That Min Domain, Yunnan Province was in a hurry to attack Annam, and went to sea from Annam, but the far-reaching vision was unreachable! ”

"Or maybe it's not far-sighted." Guo Zhuangtu said jokingly: "How dangerous it was at the beginning, Min Fan may have reserved a back road, and if the battle is unfavorable, he will go to sea!" ”

Wu Sangui smiled and said, "Well, I'm afraid I really think so." With the ability of the Min Domain, as long as there are thousands of elite soldiers to conquer overseas lands and subdue the barbarians, it is not difficult to claim the king in a different place. ”

"After becoming the king in a different place, the Min Fan is not a master of dissipation." Guo Zhuangtu said with a smile: "I'm afraid a counterattack is indispensable." ”

"But it won't be as loud as it gets." Wu Sangui sighed and said: "It's easy to retreat and difficult to advance, if you really go overseas, people's hearts will be lost, and it will be difficult to retract." Like now, even if the Ming army is defeated in a few battles, even if it loses two provinces, it can still breathe and recuperate, and fight again with strength. If you want to completely exterminate it, you can't ......"

Guo Zhuangtu thought about it for a while, and already knew what Wu Sangui was referring to, and said tentatively: "Unless the Zheng family turns against each other and severely damages or annihilates its sailors." ”

"Exactly." Wu Sangui stroked his forehead and said in a deep voice: "It's just that Zheng family child, how can he be the opponent of the Min Domain?" But this variable does exist zài. ”

Guo Zhuangtu thought about it quickly, and suddenly felt that the shape of the Ming army may not be as good as it seems, there are hidden dangers, and the possibility of civil strife is not small, and his father-in-law's caution is also somewhat reasonable.

………………

Guangzhou City, Minwang Mansion.

"Send someone to send the holy decree to Xiamen!" Zhu Yongxing walked into the confidential room and gave the first instruction.

As expected, Zheng Jing defeated the resistance of the Taiwanese generals relatively lightly, and since Zhu Yongxing had secretly sent people to Taiwan beforehand, some of the generals had already made preparations. When the main general Huang Zhao died in battle, Zheng attacked and wanted to surrender, and the defeat was timed, Xiao Gongchen led more than 1,000 remnants of the defeated general and his family to flee for their lives in a boat and went to Guangzhou to defect to the Ming army.

The issuance of the holy decree at this time can be regarded as satisfying the requirements of Zheng Jing, and it also explains in the holy decree that the imperial court has already made arrangements for Zheng Xi and others in Taiwan, that is, to make them withdraw their self-appointed nursing official positions and come to Guangzhou to ask for guilt. In this way, there is also a reason to take in Xiao Gongchen and others to block Zheng Jing's mouth, so as not to prevent him from pursuing the rebel generals from Zhu Yongxing.

"The officials of the two prefectures of Zhang and Quanzhou were ordered to allow the Zheng family to go ashore to buy, but the amount of grain should be limited, and it was only said that the war was urgent, and military supplies should be supplied."

Learning the blockade strategy of the Qing court may be able to put the Zheng family's supplies in a difficult situation, but it is not a wise move. Taiwan has just been reclaimed for business, and there must be a big shortage of grain, and the limited purchase and sale will prevent the Zheng family from becoming troubled and difficult, and it will be difficult for the Zheng family to accumulate enough grain and grass, so they will become dependent on this.

With Zheng Jing's short-sightedness, will he meet each other? Using force to seize territory, Zhu Yongxing is indeed worried. Guangzhou has indeed strengthened its defenses, and Ma Bao, the king of Wei, transferred the elite of a regiment from Fujian Province, and there are other patchwork men, as well as Xiao Gongchen, who has just come to defect, and these people should be safe. But other coastal areas. But it's empty.

Probably not. Zhu Yongxing had repeatedly discussed with the thinkers that Zheng Jing had already taken on the reputation of a "rebel", and if he used force against the imperial court, he would completely abandon the image of the Ming minister, and the possibility of him making such a brutal move was very small when the internal situation was not stable.

The banner of the Ming Dynasty, Zheng Jing, still has to be flowned, at least until he thinks that he has unified the internal affairs of the Zheng family and established authority. And if he still follows the traditional method of purge in history, when he completely controls the power of the Zheng family. He will no longer be able to compete with the Ming army.

According to Zhu Yongxing's calculations, Zheng Jing would do that nine times out of ten. A person with a weak heart will be nervous about the dangers around him, as if many people are secretly talking about his immorality, slandering him for being angry with his father, and questioning the legitimacy of his inheritance. To cover up, to establish authority, well. In ancient times, it was called killing people. Zheng Jing will inevitably exterminate those who might threaten his position, those who are disrespectful to his authority.

This is not only the inheritance of the title of King Yanping, but also the power to decide everything in a word. As well as the army and subordinates who are absolutely loyal to themselves. Purging seems to be the only choice for Zheng Jing, who grew up in feudal education. Decisive killing, this is Zheng Chenggong's strength, but also his weakness, while having supreme authority in the army, he has also forced his generals to surrender and become enemies many times.

Zheng Jing definitely can't understand it so deeply. He will be proud to have the wind of his father. In addition, he could not fully appoint the command of others, and could not tolerate the slightest disrespect of his subordinates, and it became inevitable to embark on the road of betrayal and separation from his relatives. What's more, Zhu Yongxing also secretly ordered the intelligence department to do tricks in Taiwan, Zheng Tai. Bound to be the first victim.

"Sulfur produced in Taiwan can be traded with or bartered." Zhu Yongxing continued to make arrangements, not only to control Zheng Jing, but also not to force too tightly, especially to maintain Taiwan's ties with the mainland, which is of great importance in the future.

"In addition—" Zhu Yongxing groaned, and said slowly and uncertainly: "It seems that we can discuss with the Zheng family on matters related to the Fujian Provincial Customs, and use the condition of diluting the commercial tax revenue to make the Zheng family not intercept merchant ships and charge fees arbitrarily." ”

"Your Highness, I'm afraid this is inappropriate!"

There are talents from all walks of life in the confidential room, and they are not too old, and the atmosphere that Zhu Yongxing has worked hard to create also makes them dare to speak out, and Chen Zhonghe immediately expressed his doubts.

"Commercial taxes are state revenues and must be handled by the imperial court. If you want to be separated from the Zheng family, you must have someone from the Zheng family to supervise and verify, won't it make the Zheng family have the illusion that they are on an equal footing with the imperial court? According to the humble opinion of his subordinates, the imperial court can issue military salaries to the Zheng family. If the Zheng family receives it, it is subordinate to the imperial court, and there is no excuse to stop the boat and charge. If there is disobedience to the order, His Highness will also be famous for dealing with it. ”

"Pay the military?" Zhu Yongxing was a little bitter in his heart, shook his head and said, "The cost is too big, and the financial resources can't support it, right?" ”

"The subordinates mean that Zheng Jun's actual amount must be checked first, and then he can be paid according to the number." Chen Zhonghe explained with a smile: "Zheng Jing is afraid that he will not agree, right?" Even if he agrees, according to the current requirements of our army, how many qualified soldiers can there be in the Zheng army? If you calculate it, it is estimated that tens of thousands of silver a month can be stopped. If the financial resources are not enough, you can also use the land ticket to offset it! ”

Zhu Yongxing came to his senses all of a sudden, smiled and tapped Chen Zhonghe with his finger, and said, "Okay, this plan is too good." Land ticket, well, how did Lone forget? ”

Isn't the distribution of military salaries offset by part of the land tickets, isn't this tempting the soldiers of the Zheng army to go ashore and join them? Zheng Jing will definitely not agree, then it is easy to say, the court gave you no, but it is not to discriminate against you Zheng Jun.

"Your Highness, you can also ask the Zheng family to send troops to help in the war, and you can allow him some land prefectures and counties." Cha Rulong added on the side.

Zhu Yongxing nodded lightly and said thoughtfully: "In this case, the Zheng family soldiers will come to serve, so there is no need to cross the sea by boat, which is more convenient." Well, Fujian is the best, followed by Guangdong, and we still need to consider it. ”

The Zheng family and the generals of the company, as well as the family members and people who followed, the total number was not less than hundreds of thousands, and if they wanted to be placed on land, it was not possible to do it in a few states and counties. Unless all the indigenous populations of the states and counties are relocated, this is not possible.

Then there is only one way left, decentralized and relatively centralized. This is for Zheng Jing. I'm afraid it's unacceptable. Land was what he once dreamed of, but now it was different from the previous seizure from the Qing army, and there was no boundary with the imperial court, and it was difficult for him to ensure that people's hearts would not be inclined to the imperial court.

Speaking of which, this is actually a way to slowly influence and fundamentally weaken the Zheng family. There is no popular base. Even if the Zheng family has warships and soldiers, it is bound to become a rogue army.

Historically, it was precisely because of the lack of depth, the lack of rear bases, and the lack of self-sufficient grain and grass materials that limited the play of the Zheng family's army, and although the coastal relocation was cruel and short-sighted, it did cause great difficulties to the Zheng family. Zheng Jing withdrew from Jinxia and concentrated on running Taiwan, and the reason for this was the chaos of the military spirit and the tide of surrenderers caused by himself. The lack of supplies from the mainland is also a reason that cannot be ignored.

"Your Highness, Zheng Jing is in the southeast, what is worrying!" Zha Rulong expressed his worries, at that time he was a faction that supported the Zheng family's civil strife to be completely resolved, and now that Zheng Jing has pacified Taiwan, he feels very sorry.

"The great enemy is the Manchu Qing, remember this." Zhu Yongxing is not a believer in "the outside must first be at home". I don't say it thoroughly, I believe Zha Rulong will figure it out.

If it was merged with Zheng Jiahuo at that time. It is indeed very possible to destroy the unstable Jinxia Group, but the sailor will also lose a lot, how can it have such great power now? It can be said that the grasp of the strategic initiative and the invincibility of the sailors are the key.

But there was a glimmer of hope, and Zhu Yongxing did not want to use force to solve internal problems. Even if Zheng Jing is divided. As long as he still professes himself to be a Ming minister and does not use force against the Ming army, then there will be a chance for a peaceful settlement. Zhu Yongxing can wait, he can wait for him to destroy the Qing Dynasty, and wait for him to defeat Tsarist Russia in the north. Wait for him to subdue the Mongolian tribes, and wait until the Huaxia Haiqing River Yan...... Even if he waits until he is seventy or eighty, it will not be too late to recover Taiwan by then.

…………

Changes in the mode of warfare, especially in the early stages, tend to catch the enemy by surprise. Key factors such as troop strength and time will be misjudged because they still follow the previous way of thinking, and they will continue to be passive. It takes time to adapt, and you need to get to know your opponent again so you can make the right adjustments.

On September 25 of the sixteenth year of Yongli (the first year of Kangxi), Zhong Xiang was captured by the double-layer blasting of the Ming army, and the defenders were killed in the second blasting.

On September 27, the Ming army ambushed the Qing army's Jingzhou reinforcements seventy miles south of Zhongxiang City, 10,000 against 5,000, and won another victory without suspense. The Qing army in Jingzhou could not be said to be without hard work, and according to the traditional offensive and defensive time, they were also able to rush to help the battle when Zhongxiangcheng did not fall. But the error of judgment made them unlucky, and they became a model of "first-come, first-served".

When Zhang Changgeng first sent a Wuchang green battalion from the Han River, heard the news of the defeat in Shayang County downstream, he immediately stopped advancing, turned around and fled, and ran until he was in Chuyang (now Xiantao City) to take a breather.

"Attack Jingzhou and go straight down the Yangtze River." "Attack Jingmen, and force the tomb." "Occupy Nanzhang and Baokang in the west, and connect with the old base areas of Fang County and Xingshan."

After successive victories, there were also disagreements within the Shuo army, some were more radical, some were better at seeking stability, and Liu Tichun and Hao Shaoqi were also difficult to choose. However, the staff group did not make a decision at this time, not because it did not have a plan, but because the contact was not available, and they were waiting for news from the Kuidong base area.

"If the sailor and the army left behind can be dispatched, it will be two flanking attacks, and the certainty of conquering Yiling is very great." Wang Yougong made a gesture on the map and explained to Liu Tichun and Hao Shaoqi, "If our army acts alone, we will abandon water and land, and there will not be many materials, grain and grass to carry around, and once we are trapped under the fortified city, the consequences will be worrying." ”

"If you want to be safe, you can divide the army, take Nanzhang and Baokang counties in the west, and the Qing troops will be transferred by Zhong Xiang, these two counties should be extremely empty, and it is possible to take them without a fight." Liu Tichun pointed to the map and said: "If it is connected with the old base area, there will be a threat of a fleet on the waterway, and Zigui and Yiling can also be pressed south on land." ”

"If the troops are divided, I'm afraid I will have to give up Zhong Xiang's arrangement." Hao Shaoqi said with some reluctance: "Although it is a series of victories, and the materials and personnel have gained a lot, the battle line has also been lengthened. The words of the four episodes of Qing army reinforcements ......"

"You don't have to worry about the gains and losses of one city or one place." Wang Yougong showed a look of approval and said: "First shrink a little, with Yicheng, Nanzhang, and Baokang as the battle lines, the whole army will be united, communication will be smoother, and the deployment of troops will be faster, which is the most secure." ”

"So it was decided?" Liu Tichun nodded, and asked again.

"It's all up to the king's orders." Wang Yougong smiled and arched his hand towards Liu Tichun.

The plan has been decided, so they will carry materials and move people to the upper reaches of the Han River, and send the general soldiers and horses to Jinyu and Luo Mao to lead 10,000 horses to the west to recover Nanzhang and Baokang counties; Hao Shaoqi led a group of men and horses to occupy Jingmen County, blocking the possible reinforcement of the Qing army in Yiling, and making it more advantageous to attack Yiling in the future; Liu Tichun led the main force to build fortifications downstream of Zhongxiang to block the Qing army along the Han River.

The Shuo army was relatively well arranged, but due to the communication conditions at that time, they did not know that another major battle had begun, and it was a battle at the east gate of the Kuidong base area.

…………… (To be continued......)