At the beginning of the late Hai Dynasty, Kangxi held a cup of tea in both hands, sat cross-legged in the upper study, staring at the dark night sky outside the room in a daze. The endless autumn rain is still drifting unhurriedly, and since the beginning of autumn, the city of Beijing seems to have missed the heavenly river. The war reports from Hunan kept coming, and the newspapers and documents around him were already piled up, and they were mixed with the river flood pieces reported from all over the country. Li Dequan, a newly recruited eunuch from Baoding, tried to sort out the documents on the case for him several times, but he stopped him. For only he could find anything from the jumble of texts with ease. After Geng Jingzhong's surrender, the situation in Guangdong and Guangxi also improved, and even Wu Shicong secretly contacted Fu Honglie to prepare for the way back; Shang Zhixin sent someone to contact Sun Yanling and prepared to defect. Although these turbulent people cannot be trusted, they can find out that Wu Sangui is in a poor situation and is not in good command. It's still Hunan that Wu Sangui is not giving an inch in Yuezhou, and he is still transferring troops from Yungui Yuanyuan - things are almost the same as Zhou Peigong expected in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Guild Hall, he really has to fight to the death in Hunan! Kangxi knows very well that if this battle is won, not only will the two Guang Hui come back, but the Pingliang *** will also surrender without a fight; But if he loses, even Geng Jingzhong will change his hexagram again.

Thinking of this, Kangxi felt that his body was a little numb, so he got up and moved his hands and feet, took off his coat and paced a few steps, then went to the front of the case, pondered for a while, and wrote:

Midnight leaks long, and each thought of the warrior a few times.

The sea atmosphere and waves are Jing in the year, and the sun looks at the military book to play a triumphant chapter.

Thinking about it, I added another sentence in front of it:

——Three drums at night, sitting and waiting for the Minister of Parliament to do something

stopped writing, and shouted outside: "Li Dequan! ”

"The minions are here!" Li Dequan, who was in his twenties, replied, and knelt in front of Kangxi almost at the same time. This person was originally selected by Mingzhu from Baoding, tall, long-faced, articulate, neat, what to boil eagles, cockfights, lackeys, sticky all play, there is a strange place, he only sleeps for one or two hours a day, when to call, he is always in front of him. Kangxi was extremely careful with the eunuchs since he was changed by the palace, and only gave him eight tops.

When Kangxi saw him come in, he asked, "Suo Etu, they haven't come yet?" ”

"Back to the master's words!" Li Dequan stood up with a thousand neat gestures and said with a smile, "I'm afraid it's coming, Tu Hai and Zhou Peigong are already waiting outside." ”

"Call them in!"

Outside, Tuhai and Zhou Peigong had already heard it, glanced at each other, and each threw their horseshoe sleeves and bowed in, but they heard Kangxi smile and said: "Since you came first, why don't you come in, is it cold outside?" ”

"It's not cold!" Tu Hai hurriedly replied solemnly, "The master is diligent in government at night, why should the minions be afraid of the cold!" Zhou Peigong knelt behind him, swept the ink-drenched poem out of the corner of his eye, and pondered without words.

"I've been thinking about it for the past few days," Kangxi sat back on the couch, his expression became solemn, "Yuezhou can't lose this battle, and we have to increase our troops, so I will summon you tonight to discuss how to fight this battle." ”

Tu Hai pondered for a while and said: "Long live, there are no troops to be transferred in the northern provinces, and the Beijing division is now even including the Shanpu battalion, but there are only more than 5,000 soldiers and horses, and they can't be adjusted anymore." Nowadays, the governors of various places are recruited from the people temporarily. ”

"Of course, you can't make up your mind in places like Jingshi and Zhili." Kangxi was also thinking, "The Mongolian Horqin Department has sent out 4,000 cavalry, the Nibuhr Department is willing to send 3,000, and the 1,000 war horses have been sent to Hunan, and these 7,000 military horses have been put into Hunan, what do you think?" - I still want to know, should I connect with the ** Fifth World and disturb Wu Sangui's rear? ”

"If the seven thousand cavalry is a fresh force, it will be effective," Tu Hai calculated the strength of both sides in his heart, "but now they are still in Mongolia, and the strength of thousands of miles of march will also be lost." If Wu Sangui transfers troops from Yungui, even if he is untrained, he can still only be equal. This man, the slave thought he couldn't count on. Yesterday, Long Live also said that after the ** play, please ask the imperial court to rule the river against Wu. With such a heart, it is hard to hope that he will go to war. The minister thought that it was the best policy to transfer the troops of Jiangxi and Zhejiang to aid Hunan in the east. ”

Kangxi listened to most of the hard things to count on, suddenly looked back at Zhou Peigong, and asked a little angrily: "You claim to be a good and defeated general, and you have the power to return to heaven, why don't you say a word?" At this time, Mingzhu, Xiong Cixu, and Suo Etu had already come in, and when they saw Kangxi's face was not good, they were so frightened that they were all busy kneeling aside.

"I don't want to speak." Zhou Peigong hurriedly kowtowed and said, "This is the safety of the society, Rong Chen will think about it for a while." ”

Kangxi sneered: "Okay, you are thinking about it!" I have already made up my mind, I want to conquer Yueyang in person! As soon as these words came out, several people were taken aback at the same time. Suo Etu took a few steps on his knees and kowtowed and said, "I think it's impossible!" The capital is an important place, long live must not be far away. Wu Sangui wants to divide the river and rule, obviously without great ambition. The Lord is light, in case of a slight defeat, but instead activates his heart to go north into the Central Plains, isn't it—" "Shut up! Kangxi shouted, "Zhenning is the emperor who died in battle, not the lord of partiality!" ”

Mingzhu listened, and hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Pro-conquest is a last resort. Now Geng Jingzhong has taken over, Shang Zhixin and Wu Sangui also have different ambitions, and the thieves are declining, and they don't need the lord to recruit in person. Xiong Cixu said: "Wu Sangui is already at the end of the strong crossbow, the two sides have been fighting for a long time, long live the personal conquest, and it will greatly increase my morale." According to the minister's opinion, the Lord's personal expedition is the way to success in one fell swoop! For a while, several ministers played one after another, expressing their opinions. In the middle of the controversy, He Guizhu came in like a chicken, held a fire paint document, and said, "Gubeikou just handed it in." Because there is a special order to send it at any time, I came overnight......"

"Well, Niebuol must have sent troops to help!" Kangxi said with a smile while unpacking the seal, "I will take these three thousand iron horses to Jiangnan first, Wu Sangui-" Speaking of this, he stopped abruptly, rubbed his eyes as if he didn't believe it, and the hand holding the letter shook slightly. He retreated to the couch in distraction and sat down with his legs limp.

When I went to the study, it was quiet, and I only heard the sound of the rain outside. After a long time, Mingzhu finally couldn't help but ask: "Hooray, this ......"

"Prince Chahar has rebelled and has taken Nibuhr into prison...... Prohibit. Kangxi said with difficulty, "Taking advantage of the emptiness of my Beijing division, I brought 10,000 cavalry, and I want to come to a sneak attack!" I don't know whether he was frightened or angry, his voice trembled violently, gritted his teeth and smiled viciously: "Okay...... They are all rebellious...... Rebel! ”

Several ministers were stunned for a while, and their heads buzzed. Tu Hai's heart couldn't help but beat wildly: Beijing is actually an empty city, how to deal with this big change that is close at hand?

"Long live, the minister has already thought about it, Rong Chen will play!" Zhou Peigong suddenly kowtowed and said.

"Speak...... Come on! ”

"Although the change of Prince Chahar is near, it is a disease of scabies." Zhou Peigong's calmness surprised everyone a little, "At present, the war situation in Hunan is stalemate, and the minister thinks that there is no need to work in person." ”

"Fart!" Kangxi was furious, "Are you just letting me listen to your empty words?" ”

Zhou Peigong kowtowed to the ground, and said loudly: "Rong Chen is finished." Our army and Wu Yi were red-eyed in Yuezhou, and the ministers thought that they had ignored Pingliang's ***! ”

"Huh?" Kangxi was like a cat that saw a mouse, leaned out sharply, and said, "Speak!" Zhou Peigong said eloquently: "The reason why Wu Sangui is still able to maneuver is not because of Geng and Shang, but because there are *** troops on the West Road!" If I wake up at this time and lead a brigade of strong troops from Sichuan to Shaanxi and Gansu, and join the troops to the east, the situation in Hunan will be precarious - but if I take the first step and eliminate the crisis in Gansu and Shaanxi, I can go all out to deal with the enemy forces of Heng and Yue, and Wu Sangui will definitely collapse when he hears the wind! ”

This is very reasonable, Kangxi couldn't help nodding, but the forces of Shaanxi and Gansu can only barely deal with ***, and the Chahar rebels are going to attack the Beijing division again, where will the troops come from to deal with these? After thinking about it, Kangxi lowered his head and took a breath, and said, "You are right, I ...... Fang was a little anxious, but what to do now? ”

"The minister, please long live the imperial decree," Zhou Peigong kowtowed, "will recruit all the kings of Beijing, Beile, Beizi and the banner master's slaves, and immediately get 30,000 elite soldiers, led by Tuhai, assisted by Weichen." Within half a month, if you can't sweep away the change in Chahar, please ask the emperor to punish the crime of bullying the king! ”

Tu Hai listened, his face glowed, he had been in the garrison because of his duty and could not go out to fight and was sad, listening to Zhou Peigong's trick, his heart was overjoyed, and he was busy kowtowing: "The minister is also willing to make a military order!" Zhou Peigong next to him snorted: "It's just ......"

Kangxi jumped up early, circled around Zhou Peigong, and was about to speak, when he saw Zhou Peigong's face hesitating, he hurriedly asked, "Just what?" ”

Zhou Peigong paused: "This generation was originally the elite of the Eight Banners, and the younger generation of banner slaves were all brave and abnormal. I'm afraid that I'm used to acting as a blessing according to the situation......" Kangxi suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed: "Why worry about them not convincing? I am in charge of this—the sword of the Son of Heaven is waiting! ”

Outside, Li Dequan understood it in the morning, walked in a few steps, took out a sword from it, and the bright yellow tassel gold was shining under the lamp, and he held it with both hands. Kangxi blocked it with his hand, turned his face and asked Zhou Peigong: "You are still a fourth-grade title?" Zhou Peigong hurriedly said: "The minister who received this sword is an order on behalf of the heavens, and there is no grade!" ”

"Ambitious!" Mingzhu, who was kneeling next to him, praised loudly, "The minister thinks that Zhou Peigong should be promoted to the third grade!" ”

"Zheng Erpin!" Kangxi said loudly, "This is the person recommended by Mr. Wu, and the way to treat the countryman should be the countryman - that is, to enter Fengtuhai as the general of Fuyuan, and Zhou Peigong as the general of Fuyuan, add the rank of waiter, and quickly dispose of it according to the proposal!" ”

Zhou Peigong looked at Tuhai when he heard this, and Tuhai hurriedly said: "Three days later, the ministers and others will parade in Nanhaizi. ”

"I will go there then!" Kangxi said, "You just have to be bold and do it, I will also give you two red-clothed cannons, you don't have to return to the army after the defeat of Chahar, and you can join forces with the 4,000 cavalry of Horqin to attack Pingliang and pull out the nail for me!" ”

"Minister-Commander!"

"Go ahead! Tonight, a decree will be sent to all the palaces, and the flag slaves will be requisitioned according to the roster, and those who dare to resist the decree will be played immediately! ”

Obviously there was no way to do it, but in the blink of an eye, the ice and snow melted. Looking at Zhou Peigong's back, Kangxi couldn't help but shake his head and admire: "It's really a genius, it's not in vain for Mr. Wu's recommendation......" Suo Etu said busily: "It's indeed a genius, why don't you order him to be the main general?" Kangxi said with a smile: "There must also be an old and dignified general like Tuhai to suppress the formation, this soldier is easy to lead, this group of flag slaves is not a fuel-efficient lamp!" Mingzhu smiled and said: "There is such a good general, all thanks to the master's good scheduling, and the slave also thinks that Chahar will not be able to settle down!" Kangxi smiled happily and said, "I called you here tonight, I was originally going to discuss the pro-conquest, but I came up with such a result-hey, what is the old master Xiong in a daze?" ”

"The minister is wondering where the salary will come from," Xiong Ci said, "How can you fight a war if you have soldiers and no pay?" ”

Kangxi frowned, and after a long time, Fang breathed a sigh of relief, "Anyway, there are no major problems at the moment." Let's take out 50,000 yuan from Ouchi first......"

The fourth day was the day of the military parade, and it was still drizzling in the sky. The day before, I heard a report from Tuhai that more than 31,700 soldiers had been recruited, and the school had already been tried once. After today's review, he will march to Gubeikou. Kangxi got up early in the morning, first went to Cining Palace to invite the Empress Dowager, and then went to the Taimiao to burn incense.

Nanhaizi was originally the Shanglin Garden of the former Ming Dynasty, also called Feifangbo. In the early years of Shunzhi, the two palaces of the east and west were repaired by the sea, and there was a nine-curved board bridge that meandered to the island in the sea, which was called "Yingtai". Between a radius of 100 miles, lush forests and bamboos, hills and ravines and ponds are recessed. Since the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, countless tigers, leopards, jackals, bears, roe deer, hugs, deer, and moose have been stocked with countless tigers, leopards, jackals, bears, deer, and moose.

It was nearly October, the red and green in the garden were thin, the residual lotus withered, and the rain sprinkled the autumn pool, the waves were sad and rippling, and it was very solemn. Kangxi and his entourage arrived in front of the Yiluan Palace, and they heard the thunderous sound of cannons in front of them. A large banner wet by the rain, with the words "Picture of the Great General of Fuyuan" written on it, rose in the cold wind. The dragon flag in front of the wooden village covers the sky, the police are strict, and the black crows and crows inside are all holding Ge soldiers, standing in a square team without moving, because they are all newly equipped from the inner library, and they look very bright and neat. On the side of the stage and outside the gate, there are dozens of captains of the Nine Gates Admiral's Mansion guarding them, pressing their waist knives like fierce gods, and they don't squint. Kangxi couldn't help but feel hot when he saw it, nodded and smiled at Xiong Ci and said: "Tuhai, this minion, is matched with Zhou Peigong's helper, and he has really become a general!" Xiong Cilu smiled, and before he could answer, he suddenly heard someone in front of him break off:

"Who is riding a horse here? Get down! ”

Several people were startled, and when they looked together, it was a flag officer standing at the door holding a large order flag. As soon as Wu Dan saw this situation, he slapped the horse and was about to step forward to answer, but was grabbed by Mu Zixu and said in a low voice: "Brother can't make a mistake, look at Brother Wei's disposal." Wei Dongting had already turned over and got off the horse, threw the bridle, stepped forward, and whispered a few words to the flag officer.

The flag officer nodded with a straight face, stepped forward and knelt on one knee, gave a military salute to Kangxi with his crossed hands and flat chest, and said: "Tujunmen and Zhou Junmen have orders, if you come to inspect in person, you can wait in Yuanmen for the time being." At this time, he is marching to kill people. Goren, who was following Kangxi, the new guard was young and vigorous, and he rushed forward and shouted: "You are blind, long live this!" The flag officer raised his face and said coldly: "The lower official knows that it is long live, if it is someone else, he will commit a capital crime by riding a horse in front of the camp!" ”

Goren sneered "hey", raised his whip and was about to whip it, and then Kangxi suddenly darkened his face and shouted:

"Presumptuous! Get off the horse! Stand down and pluck your feathers! ”

With that, Kangxi jumped off the horse first, and the accompanying guards all obeyed. Wu Dan stretched out his tongue and grimaced at Mu Zixu. Mingzhu has also read a few books in the past few years, so he smiled and said: "These two really want to learn the story of Zhou Yafu's Xiliu Camp, let's be honest, really let him kill our horse, how can we go back?" Suo Etu said with great interest: "As long as the flag is victorious, Long live the Lord will be happy even if he does not ride a horse!" Xiong Cilu smiled and said to Kangxi: "Please stand here, the master is higher, and you can see the situation inside." ”

Zhou Peigong was indeed carrying out a military order to kill. These flag slaves are no longer as good as when they first entered the customs, and now they are in Beijing with their families, and they heard that they only received more than one or two salaries for the expedition, and they were all listless. In addition, some wives and children are screaming, and some friends are arriving, and when the school was prepared yesterday, there were more than 700 people who came to the team lazily until the middle of the morning. Because he had announced in advance that today's colonel had arrived, more than 100 people were still late. Zhou Peigong ordered all battalions to tie up all those who were late and send them to the Chinese army for disposal.

Liu Ming, the counselor of the Chinese army, saw that the prisoners had arrived, so he stepped forward and said to the commander Tu Haiyu: "Please send the general!" Tu Hai nodded, although he was the main general, he knew that Kangxi wanted to try Zhou Peigong's talent, so he refused to preside, and only ordered loudly: "Zhou Junmen will be dealt with according to military law!" ”

Zhou Peigong's eight-character eyebrows frowned slightly, and he strode to the entrance of Jiangtai, the yellow coat on his body was already wet by the autumn rain, and the peacock feathers in his newly given eyes were also dripping down. His eyes swept coldly, and the huge school field immediately fell silent, and he didn't hear a cough, and the 30,000 sergeants remained motionless as if they were cast in iron. After a long time, Zhou Pei said loudly: "Now re-declare the military order of General Fuyuan - those who disobey the order will be beheaded!" The one who cowers in battle is slashed! Those who don't arrive on time will be killed! Rescue the ineffective slash! Kill the good people! The one who rapes the people and the women is beheaded! ”

A few words "chop" exited, and more than 100 people kneeling down were already like ashes. But I heard Zhou Peigong say again: "General Tu's general orders have been affirmed yesterday, and there are still one hundred and seven people who should not be able to deal with it today, and they should be dealt with in two bodies. When the Chinese army heard the order, they went to drag people with a thunderous "chirp". The three frightened sergeants were dragged to the side of the platform for inspection, and then pulled towards the gate. One of them struggled, screaming and refusing to give in, screaming: "Zhou Junmen is open...... I'm old and young, you can't Zhou Junmen...... I beg you...... You can't declare a personal vendetta! ”

"Communiqué personal vendetta?" Zhou Peigong was surprised, but when he looked down, he didn't know him. The man struggled and cried out, "As long as you don't kill me...... I'll tell you Azo's whereabouts, kill me, you won't see her for the rest of your life......" Zhou Peigong suddenly remembered, it turned out that this person was Liu Yigui, the head of Prince Li's mansion who Kangxi met in Zhengyangmen in the ninth year! In this way, the disappearance of Ah Zuo in Rotten Face Hutong was also done by this person. Thinking about it, he blurted out and asked, "You evil slave, where did you get Azo?" Speak! At this time, even Tu Hai, who was sitting in the handsome seat, was stunned.

"You spare my life, I'll tell!" Liu Yigui shouted.

Zhou Peigong couldn't tell what it was like in his heart, if Azo fell into the hands of this person, now that he has practiced military law, Prince Li's Mansion will definitely take revenge on Azo! Thinking of the past days of giving hairpins and meals to cherish the sustenance, although there is no half-word selfishness, the love of children has been deeply remembered. He gritted his teeth and thought about it, and sneered: "I am already a general of the imperial court, how can I allow you to threaten with personal feelings?" Drag it out - slash! ”

Immediately, the horns in the camp sounded in unison, whimpering and echoing in the autumn wind. Outside, Kangxi was listening without a clue, and saw the six captains dragging out three frightened soldiers, kneeling under a big willow tree by the sea, and then heard three cannon shots like Shi Potian, and cut off three heads with a knife in his hand, and the executioner raised his head and flew in. In less than a bag of cigarettes, three bloody human heads were already hanging high.

"General Ben is a scholar, not a person who is easy to kill." There was a dead silence in the barracks, and Zhou Peigong said quietly, "Since the emperor sent me my heart and entrusted me with a special order, I can't help but be reluctant to give strict orders - the rest will be dragged down to fight, and those who have ** call signs will be beaten with twenty military sticks!" ”

When the order came out, I heard a slight discussion inside, and then there was silence, and only a crackling sound was heard, and no one dared to snort. Xiong Cilu and Suo Etu listened to it creepy, although Mingzhu could hold on, with a smile on his face, his heart was already beating suddenly. When he looked at Kangxi, there was no expression on his face, only Wu Dan grinned and wanted to laugh, but he forced himself to endure it.

"Soldiers!" As soon as the corporal punishment ended, a voice like Tu Haihong Zhong came out, "In this battle, the enemy is a clown who jumps off the beam, and it is not enough to fight with the heavenly soldiers." But the Lord is committed to the military of the south, and you are all the pillars and slaves of the imperial court, and you are closely related to the country. Serving the country, sharing worries for the emperor, and also for your own lives - this is the first layer! Kangxi smiled when he heard this: "There is a second layer, listen to what this slave says." "The second layer," Tu Hai said again, "General Ben knows that most of you are from banner slaves, your families are poor, and your salary of more than one or two is really very little—fight hard to fight the battle of Chahar, and I will ensure that you will be rich for half your life!" ”

Before he could finish his sentence, he was drowned out by the chatter of the sergeants below. When Kangxi listened carefully, he couldn't tell what people were saying, and his heart couldn't help but sink: "Why do you talk about this?" It's clear that you don't have any money, where did you get any 'half-world wealth'? Reasoning, Zhou Peigong spoke again, and his voice was louder than Tuhai:

"Nibuol is an orthodox descendant of the ancestor of the Yuan dynasty, and there are mountains of gold and silver in his family! I have skimmed the historical books, and I only have gold in stock, which is not more than 10 million taels! The private wealth of the family is several times more than this! On the day the city is broken, half of it will be handed over to the emperor, and half will be divided equally among you, and the general and I will take nothing! ”

Kangxi listened and couldn't help laughing. At this time, the barracks were full of excited noises, some were amazed, some were envious, and some were excited, shouting: "Kick the dog's nest and take out the gold!" The tense atmosphere at the time of the killing suddenly became lively.

Xiong Cilu smiled beside him and said: "This is the old trick of the Marquis of Huaiyin to drive the three Qin soldiers to the east. The villain Yu Eli can only do this at the moment. Mingzhu also said: "Long live the Lord I don't know if you pay attention?" Of his six 'beheading' words, only there is no 'beheading of those who rob people's wealth'. ”

Kangxi didn't squeak when he heard it. Of course he paid attention, but this cadre originally came to make a fortune, and he didn't pay the army, so what did the two generals use to motivate the army? After a long time, Kangxi Fang sighed: "This is an expedient measure. After success, the imperial court will subsidize the grain with money, and exempt it from taxes for a few more years, so let's slowly redeem it......" As he was speaking, he heard the drums in the army, and Tu Hai and Zhou Peigong had already greeted the gate in a dignified and clean manner.