If you don't die, you won't die. Regarding the difficulty of money and food for the Yunnan-Guizhou Qing army, Zhu Yongxing has his own opinion, what "barren areas with mountains and soil, slash-and-burn land" is just to cover people's eyes. The reason for this is that all this was caused by the Qing army's burning, killing, looting, tyranny, and poisoning, and it was completely self-inflicted.

The Great Western Army operated Yungui and could arm 100,000 armor soldiers to send troops to the Northern Expedition; Under the governance of the Great Western Army, Yunnan Province was able to harvest bumper crops year after year, and the records of "great ripeness", "great abundance", and "abundant people" are endless. When the Qing army entered Yunnan, it was "everywhere under fire, and there was no one for hundreds of miles." It really made Jia Sheng unable to cry bitterly, and Zheng Tu couldn't paint it all."

It is precisely on the basis of this understanding that Zhu Yongxing has become more and more confident in the changes in the situation in Yunnan Province. With the harvest of most of the first crop in southern Yunnan and the promotion of high-yield crops such as sweet potatoes and potatoes, the pressure on grain was gradually eased, so that he had more money to expand his armaments.

"In a few months' time, the grain harvest in Mekong Province will also be complete, and subsidies for migrants will be reduced by a large part. By next year at the latest, Mekong should be self-sufficient, and perhaps prosperous. Zhu Yongxing looked at the report sent by the Ministry of Finance and felt very satisfied.

Haiphong's commerce and trade have been on the right track, the exchange has attracted more and more businessmen with its speed and convenience, and the income from commercial tax has been rising; The enlarged coin factory introduced more copper coins, which had begun to circulate in large quantities in the occupied areas of Yunnan Province and into the territory of the Zheng clan in Annam, bringing more minting revenues; The export of tea, lacquerware, realgar and other materials in Yunnan Province is also growing.

"The Governor of Mekong Province, Zong Shou Yi, asked for money to expand the city and build a commercial hall in Saigon." Liu Zuochen, who had already been transferred to the Minister of Finance, saw that Zhu Yongxing was in a good mood, so he asked for instructions.

Zhu Yongxing groaned for a moment and shook his head helplessly. said, "Wait a little longer! Well, I will write to him, the current situation, we can only focus on armaments first, after all, that is the fundamental and guarantee. Perhaps—it's not like there's no other way, let him try. ”

Liu Zuochen didn't know what the other method Zhu Yongxing was talking about. But he didn't ask any questions, and he ended his report.

"Your Highness, I heard that the Xiyi craftsmen have blown out the first batch of glass, that foreign monk Paul-" Ma Shaoyu, the Minister of Mission, shook his head with a wry smile, he didn't have a good impression of Christianity, but because of Zhu Yongxing's face, he wanted to stop talking.

"I have promised Paul that if the doctrine can be properly modified and craftsmen can be recruited. He was allowed to preach in Mekong Province. Zhu Yongxing smiled faintly and said, "Since he did it, how can I not believe what I say." Besides, he can provide more help in the future, so let's make this cooperation a good start! ”

"Yes, when the lower official returns, he will issue him the relevant documents, and inform the governor of Mekong Province in a written manner." Ma Shaoyu said a little helplessly.

Zhu Yongxing didn't want to explain too much at the small court, it was just an exchange of interests. If you want to make something, you have to make some concessions and compromises. As long as the principle is not undermined.

"After this batch of mirrors is sold, the money will be used to buy guns!" Zhu Yongxing pondered for a moment, showed a sly smile, and said: "Tell the French that if they don't hurry up, wait until the craftsmen of the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and other countries help us make flintlock pistols." Then the agreement will be null and void. ”

The manufacture of flintlock pistols is not the patent of the French, and Zhu Yongxing reserved terms when signing the agreement, limiting the time and quality, and introducing a competition mechanism to prevent the French from delaying and defrauding. Anyway, you can't make a qualified gun. I won't tell you the secret of the mirror.

"Is it all for guns?" Liu Zuochen asked uncertainly: "His Royal Highness has already approved the report of the Governor of Song. ”

"I have my own way, and I won't shorten the withdrawal of funds in western Yunnan." Zhu Yongxing had already found the culprit, those toasts had been accumulated over time, and the coalition army that had been established was full of desire to plunder the land, so he just sold some of the guns he bought to them at a higher price, and the money earned was enough to pay for western Yunnan.

Zhu Yongxing also had evil thoughts about these wealthy toasts, and he couldn't wait to learn from the Qing army and let these toasts hand over the gold and silver with "leather helmets". But in the end, he still suppressed his greed and felt that it was safer to use a small knife to slowly cut meat.

In this way, the Tusi's coalition forces have been trained and have new weapons, and their combat power can be improved a lot, so they let them go to fight Nanzhang. As long as the officers were sent by the Ming army and mastered the rhythm of the invasion, they would be able to divert the attention of these Tusi to the outside and avoid causing trouble in Yunnan Province.

After another half an hour, the small court meeting was about to end, and Zhu Yongxing said: "I will leave for Maitreya in three days, and I will start preparing in the next few days, so I will ask you to sit in Mengzi and deal with complicated affairs." ”

"Your Highness's golden body, how can you easily get into danger."

"The son of a daughter, he can't sit down......"

Zhu Yongxing smiled slightly, got up and stretched out his hand to press it, and only after the persuasion voice was quiet, did he say: "It is very safe for me to go to Maitreya, you don't have to worry." Well, the situation in Yunnan Province is about to change, if the plan is done properly, the soldiers will use their lives, and it is also expected that the whole of Yunnan will be recovered this year. ”

All the officials let out a shocked voice, and they all looked at Zhu Yongxing, who was standing tall, and their eyes were full of admiration. Looking at everyone's eager eyes, Zhu Yongxing felt that he should say a few more words to encourage everyone's spirits.

"Shuixi Ankun is righteous, the Qing army in Yunnan Province must be mobilized, and when our army is recuperating for a long time, it is just the right time to take the opportunity to counterattack, echo with Shuixi, and flank the enemy." Zhu Yongxing's voice was loud and full of confidence, "This is all the work of all of you to taste courage and gather lessons. On the day of the triumphant gathering, you should get drunk with all the kings. ”

"Your Highness is heroic and invincible." Liu Zuochen was the first to shout.

"Your Highness is heroic and invincible."

Since Zhu Yongxing entered Yunnan, he has won all his plans and battles, and has won the trust and worship of everyone. In troubled times, people also hope that a hero or idol who can turn the tide will come out at the right time, and Zhu Yongxing has undoubtedly filled this position with practical actions.

…………

Zhu Yongxing went to Maitreya with a large banner of the king, and the headquarters of the southern Yunnan theater also moved forward to Yuxi, as if to form a pincer offensive in the southeast and southwest of Kunming. But the real counteroffensive was aimed at Chu Xiong.

As soon as Chu Xiong was born, the passage from Jianchang to Shu was opened. Not only would it put more pressure on the Qing army in Yunnan Province, but further action would cut off the connection between Kunming and Sichuan.

The opportunity was advanced because of the change in Shuixi, or Zhu Yongxing had the intention of driving the wolf and devouring the tiger, forcing the Qing army to return to the division and fight with Shuixi. If Zhu Yongxing is Wu Sangui, the first consideration is to stabilize Guizhou. Instead of continuing to fight with the Ming army in Yunnan Province. Yunnan and Guizhou, this is Wu Sangui's territory, rather than not protecting any of them, it is better to throw away the mess of Yunnan Province, stabilize Guizhou, operate well, and continue to compete with the Ming army on a basis.

But Wu Sangui will definitely not happily cede Yunnan Province, which is of course under the pressure of the Qing court, and of course the supervision of the Eight Banners in Yunnan. For the Manchurian Eight Banners. Zhu Yongxing had long thought of dealing a heavy blow, but unfortunately he never had the opportunity, and his self-confidence was also insufficient.

The rainy season undoubtedly added a favorable factor to the counteroffensive campaign against the Manchurian Eight Banners; Then there is Li Dingguo, the king of the Jin Dynasty in western Yunnan, the two major theaters have joined forces to attack, and the troops have an absolute advantage, and Zhu Yongxing feels that the chances of victory have increased greatly. Although the power of the Ming army's muskets was greatly reduced, the Eight Banners, who were long in cavalry shooting, were not much better. Let alone. Rainy days had little impact on the Ming army's grenades and improved sky-bombing guns, but it was another favorable aspect of victory.

Nearly half a year of training in battle. Shouldn't it have grown up with a lot of recruits? Zhu Yongxing looked at the latest reports of the various theaters and was quite satisfied with the current level of popular mobilization, especially by taking advantage of the preferential policy for joining the army to liberate a large number of ethnic minorities under the rule of the former Tusi, thus ensuring the supply of troops. In particular, in the Guangxi Theater, the two weapons of salt and land have shown greater power than the army. A large number of recruits from Gu, Yao, and Miao joined the army, but due to financial limitations, the size of the army could only be maintained within 25,000.

"After the counterattack, it's time to look east, right?" Zhu Yongxing exhaled lightly, only to feel that his mind was complicated. It is necessary not only to advance Guangxi, but also to attack Sichuan, and to attack and destroy the Nanruan Water Division, and dominate the Beibu Gulf......

"Look east, what do you see?" With a coquettish voice, Mengzhu walked in, saw Zhu Yongxing stretching out his hand to her, couldn't help but smile, moved over and sat in Zhu Yongxing's arms.

Wrapping around his wife's slender waist and smelling the fragrance of the pink neck and ears, Zhu Yongxing held a pair of soft necks in his hands and gently pinched them. After a pause, he said with some reproach: "Opening the garden to grow vegetables, it's just for outsiders to see, just make a show, it's really serious!" ”

"Are you calloused?" Mengzhu hurriedly pulled out her hand and looked at it carefully.

"The cocoon hasn't risen yet, but it's almost there." Zhu Yongxing smiled and hugged his soft body into his arms, and said, "I estimate that you will have to stay outside for a month or two, and you should pay more attention and take care of yourself in the house." ”

Well, Mengzhu agreed softly, turned sideways slightly, and put her face on Zhu Yongxing's shoulder, looking reluctant. became the princess, so she couldn't accompany Zhu Yongxing as a female official or maid, and took her family to the battlefield, which had a bad impact. Moreover, when bidding farewell to Zhu Yongxing tomorrow, it is natural to have a dignified and virtuous appearance, and not to be as small as now.

"Take the dragon with you!" Mengzhu drew a circle on Zhu Yongxing's chest with her fingers, and said softly: "It is also convenient to wash some small things with the two maids." ”

"I can do the little things myself." Zhu Yongxing brushed away Mengzhu's hair, pinched her round earlobes, and chuckled: "Such an adult, can't you take care of yourself?" Besides, I still have a personal guard! ”

"Your Highness has a noble status, but you can't do the things of those subordinates." Mengzhu said stubbornly: "Those guards are clumsy, and their clothes will be torn once they are washed. Well, I've settled this matter, one female officer, two maids, how is it not too much? ”

Hehe, Zhu Yongxing laughed twice, noncommittal, just continued to enjoy the warm moment before the separation with his beloved wife.

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“…… The traitor is afraid of the full army, but not the Han army, the Han army is like a cloud, how can it be like a brigade full of flags..."

With a snap, Wu Sangui slammed the letter on the table, and hurried back and forth in the room, muttering words in his mouth, as if cursing. Subsequently, he loudly asked Fang Guangchen and Liu Xuanchu to be invited.

There was not much time, Fang Guangchen and Liu Xuanchu came together, and when they saw Wu Sangui's angry face, they didn't know why. Until they read the letter, the faces of the two couldn't help but be gloomy.

"Before the army of the prime minister has been mobilized, Doni, the king of Xinjun, has sent such a letter to fight for the position of Qian." Wu Sangui's mood had stabilized a little, and he sat in the chair and said in a deep voice: "Xianting, Xuan Chu, tell me, what should I do?" ”

Liu Xuanchu and Fang Guangchen glanced at each other, and they both smiled bitterly. Fang Guangchen was helpless, but Liu Xuanchu's eyes still showed a hint of disdain.

"Lord, since it is a request from the king of Xinjun, it is not easy to refuse." Liu Xuanchu paused, and then continued: "I'm afraid that the king of Xinjun has already asked the court for a decree, if the court does not allow it, there is still a chance to redeem it." ”

"I'm afraid the court won't allow it." Fang Guangchen then said: "The king of Yizheng and Baylor are both Manchurians, and the ministers of the court and the central government are also controlled by Manchus, so how can it not be allowed. ”

Wu Sangui also thought about it repeatedly, and felt that most of it was the same result, but he was angry in his heart and pinned his hopes on the two strategists. At this time, Fang was desperate, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

After the war entered the confrontation, the Eight Banners of Manchuria asked Wu Sangui to transfer troops to Chuxiong, replace most of the Manchurian troops, and stationed them in Kunming. And the troops that Wu Sangui can draw are also in Kunming, after all, there are Chuxiong in the west and Qujing in the east, and the pressure on Kunming is not particularly great. However, the Manchurian Eight Banners used this trick, but all of Wu Sangui's soldiers and horses were nailed to Yunnan Province, and it was a little difficult to draw out mobile troops.

"Cruel intentions!" Liu Xuanchu suddenly sighed: "I have to fight to the death with the Ming army in Yunnan Province, but the full army withdrew to Guizhou and stood up." ”

Fang Guangchen also felt that King Doni of Xinjun was so thoughtful, but he seemed to feel that Liu Xuanchu was a little abnormal, so he couldn't help but turn his head to look at him, but he didn't speak for the time being.

Wu Sangui didn't have much turmoil in his heart, and of course he had seen it clearly with the strategic policy of Han to control Han. Now that he saw it clearly, he naturally had the consciousness to take the lead and make sacrifices for the Eight Banners of Manchuria. He led the army south from Hanzhong, and he commanded his troops to fight and kill, and he has always done so.

It's just that at the beginning, it was the hope of victory, and it was a struggle for its own future. Now, time has passed, the situation is different, and if he wants to fight the army he relies on and fight the Ming army to the end, he has to think hard and weigh the pros and cons.

…………… (To be continued......)