Chapter 305: The army moves according to the water and is disrespectful

In the twelfth lunar month of the 13th year of Chongzhen, not only did there be no peace festivals in Henan Province, but Shandong was also uneasy. When the news of Li Zicheng gathering in Henan reached Shandong, Li Meng immediately issued an order and the Jiaozhou Camp began to enter a state of war readiness.

During the peacetime season, there are some soldiers who have a holiday to visit relatives every year. When they return home to reunite with their relatives, but in combat readiness, everyone has to stay in the military camp waiting for orders.

The Weapon Manufacturing Bureau also started construction overnight after working overtime to produce various weapons needed by Jiaozhou Camp. Zhou Yang and Ning Gangui's subordinates also went to various military farms in Shandong to count the storage amount in the warehouses in the farm. They also accompanied the officers from the General Office of the Old Camp, and went to various places to count the young and strong men who met the recruitment requirements.

Lingshan Trading Company in Jining Prefecture also made requirements with several other cooperative businesses. In addition to purchasing various military supplies, the other party also asked to raise ships as much as possible for use in Jiaozhou Camp.

During the Spring Festival of the 14th year of Chongzhen, Li Meng stayed at home for only two days to accompany his family, and spent the rest of his time in the military camp. Ma Gang and Zhao Neng each led 5,000 troops to garrison near Jiningzhou, Yanzhou Prefecture, and Li Meng's direct troops also began to move towards Yanzhou Prefecture.

The rest of the troops also went to the borders everywhere and prepared for defense.

Huang Ping and his intelligence personnel had no chance to go home for the New Year. As the matter between the two Huai Rivers was settled, they went directly to Henan to go to Nanzhili.

Sun Chuanting's words really make sense. If something happens in Henan, whether it is Henan's troops or court ministers, the first person to consider sending troops to rescue is his Shandong army.

Li Meng comforted Sun Chuanting and said that Li Zicheng had rush to form more than 100,000 troops, and his foundation was unstable and would not cause any major harm to Henan.

Now it seems that nothing is right. After Li Zicheng gathered more than 100,000 people in Henan, he immediately burst into great combat power. The living refugees and hungry people who were still alive came to join him, and they were already the backbone of Henan who had been wandering for many days.

The officers and soldiers no longer have the ability to compete with such bandits, which is terrible. Li Zicheng was still wandering in the Yufu Mountains in Sichuan two months ago, desperately trying to jump off the cliff and commit suicide. But he just caught a gap in Zuo Liangyu's defense, and hundreds of light cavalry passed through Huguang overnight and fled into Henan.

Then, there was no process at all. The defeated general of hundreds of people suddenly turned into an army of hundreds of thousands. The difference between the past and the future is not enough to describe it as from heaven and earth.

Moreover, the rebel army at this time was a little different from the ones a few years ago. In the past, the rebel camp troops led by Li Zicheng were even more powerful and powerful than now. However, at that time, they were just a brigade composed of poor and bandits. They fought for battle with the official army and were escaping for food all day long.

But now Li Zicheng's troops have their own purpose. The crusade army has already claimed to be "equaling the world and making the world have no distinction between rich and poor". Of course, what is even more popular is the saying "Welcome the crusade king, and hope the crusade king, but the crusade king will not pay food when he comes." For the common people who are struggling to survive everywhere, this is simply a blessing from the sky. No matter whether this slogan is true or false, everyone wants to go there to join us.

Correspondingly, the trespassing army was not worried about damage to combat power during the battle, because the people coming from all over the country could quickly fill this gap.

Why did a bandit army suddenly have propaganda slogans? This is definitely not something these farmers could think of. This is the difference after Niu Jinxing joined. There is little explanation. A juren was immediately named a military advisor just after joining this army.

In the first month of the 14th year of Chongzhen, Li Zicheng led a large army to besiege Luoyang, and the world was shocked...

Luoyang City is the largest city in Henan and an ancient capital with a long history. But more importantly, Luoyang City lives in the world's most important vassal king, King Fu.

King Fu was Emperor Wanli's favorite son. He originally wanted to make him the crown prince, but because the difference between elder and younger was not successful, Wanli was preparing to grant land to King Fu. However, because the land area was too large and the constant disputes and warriors in the court were constantly arguing with the ministers in the court, he finally determined a much smaller number.

But even with this so-called smaller number, the land in Henan Province is no longer enough to be enfeoffed, and it is necessary to go to other provinces to get the land to collect it. Even Yanzhou, Shandong has some land belonging to the Wangzhuang of King Fu.

Such a large land does not mean that King Fu was important in the Chongzhen Dynasty. Emperor Chongzhen had just ascended the throne. At that time, the nine thousand years old were still extremely powerful. Emperor Chongzhen ate food in the palace and ate the food sent by the queen, for fear of being inexplicably poisonous.

At such a critical moment, King Fu sent a team of soldiers to protect Emperor Chongzhen's safety. This team of soldiers actually had little effect, but this meaning was extraordinary.

Since Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, he naturally remembered this behavior of King Fu. Moreover, Emperor Chongzhen was actually the person who was the most tolerant of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty to the nobles of relatives. With the trust of the emperor, King Fu's status increased even more and far surpassed other princes.

King Fu has a different identity and acts unscrupulously. The fields around Luoyang and Wangzhuang were exploited by King Fu, which were three feet tall, and the common people in western Henan were miserable.

The court center did not know about these things, but only knew that King Fu was in danger and was besieged by hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, and had to send troops to rescue him.

It was no different from what everyone judged. King Fu's request for help only asked the court to send troops to rescue him quickly, while Li Xianfeng, the governor of Henan, directly pointed out in the memorial, asking Shandong troops to come quickly to rescue him. The ministers in the court were also the first to think of Shandong troops.

Before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the court issued an order to order Shandong Governor Yan Jizu and Shandong General Li Meng to lead troops to Luoyang, Henan to rescue and eliminate the rebels.

By the way, in November of the 13th year of Chongzhen, most of the eunuchs in the military supervision were withdrawn from the capital by Emperor Chongzhen, and the power to lead troops was completely concentrated on the civil servants. The eunuchs in the military supervision left Jinan and returned to the capital. It is said that the eunuchs who were actually missing were not a good thing to return to the capital, but Liu Yuanbin felt relieved and even refused to give him a farewell banquet and hurriedly set off.

The eunuchs who were sent to the capital and the Jinyiwei who were guarding the imperial edicts had already arrived in Jinan City. These people ignored the generals who led the troops, but instead urged the civil servants who led the troops every day - Shandong Governor Yan Jizu.

Yan Jizu had no say in the Shandong soldiers or horses to send troops, but the eunuch who was sent out was originally sent out in the first month of the year, and he felt a little resentful. Moreover, the urgent documents from Henan were sent to the capital one by one, and the fast horses from the capital were also urging the eunuchs and the others to the capital.

The imperial envoy who sent the imperial edict ignored Li Meng, but every day he threatened the governor Yan Jizu. At the beginning, the Shandong governor Yan Jizu could still get some bribes of silver and property, but after a few days, the gold and silver and property were no longer available. The eunuch who sent the imperial edict even returned the money.

Shandong Governor Yan Jizu was originally very optimistic at first. Last time he asked for help in Kaifeng City, Li Meng quickly sent troops to rescue him without any refusal. This time the matter was even more critical, and Li Meng's reaction should be faster.

Who would have thought of discussing with Li Meng several times? Li Meng said that the army was not fully prepared and could not send troops. This made the Shandong governor relax a little. This was not a refusal to send troops, but there was room for negotiation. The situation in Henan, even the newspaper in the palace was extremely terrible. In order to protect their strength, who would be willing to send troops to rescue?

But after a few times, Yan Jizu felt something was wrong and was not prepared completely, but he didn't even give a certain date. What's the difference between this and not sending troops?

When the first month of the year was about to come out, even the eunuchs and the Jinyiwei who were sent the order were really anxious, and what the governor Yan Jizu said was getting heavier and heavier.

After all, Yan Jizu was also a member of the Ministry of Personnel. The old friends in the capital sent someone to send an urgent letter saying that if they did not send troops, if the emperor issued a second order, it would be a disaster.

When things got to this point, Shandong Governor Yan Jizu was really forced to have no choice. He was unwilling to continue working as Shandong Governor, but at least he had to retire after his term of office and retire, and was questioned by the emperor and was imprisoned. Then, he died in prison in an unknown way like Sun Chuanting, who was recently Sun Chuanting, was not his wish.

In Li Meng's general yamen, the cavalry in public clothes stood solemnly under the main hall. After Li Meng confirmed the orders, the cavalry immediately took the order and galloped towards the destination.

"Mr. Ning, go and Zhangguan Zheng of Bamin Commercial Bank and others, from March to May, let their Zheng family transfer military ships and warships to Dengzhou Port. Whether it is the Zheng family's ship or our own ship, they must guard it there."

Yuan Wenhong, who was sitting on the side, used his pen to record Li Meng's orders. Ning Qiangui's economic affairs also included transactions in maritime trade. It was his responsibility to deal with the Zheng family. Li Meng pondered for a while and added:

"Drag Xinyang Water Camp north to Dengzhou, it's OK, take it over and use the seal!"

Yuan Wenhong took the written order and blew a few breaths on it, and hurriedly handed it over. Li Meng put it on the seal of the general, and someone wrapped it on the cover there, and handed it to the cavalry outside. Soon, the cavalry had already left the city with a horse.

The military generals and civil servants in the room were a little strange. They thought that using troops to Henan was the current strategy, and strengthening defense everywhere was also a matter of duty, but why spend so much effort on Dengzhou? There was a vast ocean there.

In fact, until the end of the Qing Dynasty, no one landed on the sea from Dengzhou, but Li Meng had to be careful that he could recruit ships and go to Henan along the canal and the Yellow River. Will the Qing Tartars take a boat across the Liaodong Peninsula and land in Dengzhou?

At that time, Shandong's troops were empty, but he was really thinking too much about this. Since the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the attack on the Ming Dynasty was always on the road, and he did not go through sea routes.

"Mr. Zhou, all the armed salt dicks in various places must be mobilized. If the soldiers leave, they will inevitably make trouble with a confused mind, so that the armed salt dicks will be optimistic about all these."

Zhou Yang quickly stood up and bowed to agree. Li Meng really wanted to have a few more heads. When the army moved, Shandong had to prepare for every aspect. He was specialized in military affairs, so he was really impatient. At this time, the importance of the chief assistant became more and more obvious.

The documents on the brigade head of the village head of the village guarding team and the armed salt squads of various prefectures and counties have just been written. Before Li Meng could use the seal, he heard the loud notification from the personal soldiers outside:

"Governor Yan pays homage to the Marshal..."

When the governor met the general, he could not use "wedding" in any case. This is a reversal, but this is a common example in Shandong. He changed it at some point. Perhaps it was Zhou Yang's order, but Li Meng did not take him seriously. The governor seemed to have no objection, so he did so.

Hearing this news, Li Meng frowned and thought to himself that I was busy and didn't touch the ground. Why don't you join in the fun? But I still have to give you the necessary face. I nodded and Wang Hai, who was standing next to me, immediately shouted back:

"See!!"

As soon as Yan Jizu entered the main hall of the General Army yamen, except for Li Meng, the civil and military people in the room stood up and bowed. Everyone was shocked when they saw the appearance of the governor of Shandong. Yan Jizu was also the best among the scholars in Jiangnan. Over the years, because of their leisure and income, they paid more attention to their cultivation. On weekdays, they were truly famous and romantic and high-ranking officials.

Since they started to use troops to Henan, the civil and military people in Jiaozhou camp were all nervous and busy. In their eyes, the Shandong Governor was a idle position and no one would pay attention to him. As a result, after a month, the Governor Yan was so haggard that he looked like he had a sunken eye and his beard was scattered.

Even when walking was a little unstable, he stumbled into the house and saw everyone saluting him. Yan Jizu always paid great attention to this official etiquette on weekdays, but at this moment he hurriedly said:

"Why are you so kind of gifted? You're so kind."

After saying that, he ignored everyone who was stunned, and spoke directly to Li Meng, who was sitting behind the desk:

"Mr. Li, can you go to the inner hall to talk? I have important matters to discuss with you?"

These words were really rude and even more inexplicable. Everyone in the room looked at each other, and Li Meng was also stunned. However, the person standing in the lobby said in an open manner that his status was still above him and he always had to give him some face. Although he felt that he wasting time in his heart, he raised his hand and said to Yan Jizu:

"Please discuss with Master Futai."

There are no books in the inner study of the General Soldiers' Office, just a few maps that look extremely crude in modern times, and some weapons are hung on the wall.

Li Meng and Yan Jizu came to this room. Wang Hai, as the leader of his personal soldiers and two personal soldiers, also followed him. As soon as Yan Jizu entered the room, he whispered:

"Mr. Li, can you and me be the only ones? I have something to discuss with you!"

Wang Hai bowed and was about to turn around and leave, but Li Meng frowned impatiently and said coldly:

"This is all my confidant. Lord Yan has something to say, and it will definitely not leak it out!"

Several personal soldiers bowed slightly, and looked at Li Meng with gratitude. This was because the general trusted him. Yan Jizu looked at the personal soldiers and hesitated for a while, but found that Li Meng's expression was a little impatient.

There is really no rules. The general faces the governor as if he is facing his own master and aides, but Yan Jizu still cared about this and gritted his teeth and knelt down at Li Meng.

This sudden action shocked Li Meng and the few personal soldiers around him, thinking to himself what a big deal that made Shandong Governor Yan Jizu give such a gift.

"Sir Yan, why are you killing Li?"

Li Meng was thinking about helping him. Although Yan Jizu was a civil servant, he was still a civil servant in his fifties. However, he was not slow and used his hands and feet to take a few steps back. Li Meng did not support him. Yan Jizu begged in a crying voice:

"General Li, General Li Dashui, please save the officials and students!!"

"Mr. Yan, you are a dignified governor of a province. This is upside down, and Li can't bear it!"

This inexplicable action made Li Meng unable to touch his mind at all, and his tone slowed down a little. Seeing this, Yan Jizu hurriedly said:

"Mr. Li, the imperial envoy of the court is urging him. If Shandong does not send troops to Jinan, Luoyang will probably fall. At that time, you have nothing to do, and the lower official's head cannot be saved. Since the lower official came to the governor of Shandong, he has always been respectful to the general and has no offense to the collision. Please pity the lower official's family and send troops to Henan!"

Yan Jizu was excited and said louder and louder, and tears filled his eyes. When Li Meng heard the word "sending troops", his face suddenly became darker.

How could these literati ministers regard the dispatch of troops so simply? Shandong Province mobilized about 20,000 troops to prepare for rescue in Henan, and marched across several provinces. With so many troops, the daily consumption of food and drink was a huge amount of supplies, but Henan was barren and could not raise funds on the spot.

But such a huge amount of materials can only be transported by water. If it is transported by land, the amount of materials required by civil servants and livestock is a terrifying number. Civil servants and livestock also need to eat, drink and consume, so how huge is this consumption? Henan cannot replenish supplies on site, and can only be transported from the rear. I am afraid that Shandong's finances will be completely bankrupt before they reach Henan.

Water transportation must rely on the canal and the Yellow River, but it is now early February, and the Yellow River has just been in vitro, and ships cannot pass through at all, and ships cannot be raised enough. How can we send troops in this situation? Could it be that we grow wings and fly over?

Li Meng winked, Wang Hai and a soldier rushed to help Yan Jizu up, and Li Meng said in a deep voice:

"My Shandong soldiers go to Henan, and they must go through water. The water route is frozen and can only be opened in early March. Lord Yan, you have also led the troops that day. Could it be that you don't know the reason?"

Yan Jizu finally calmed down a little. Hearing Li Meng’s replies, he replied with a wry smile:

"It's not that Yan didn't know the key points, but that the imperial court urged him. Today, the imperial eunuch who sent the order came to the door, saying that the Shandong soldiers were so delayed and did not obey the emperor's will. Could it be that he had a strange intention? He also said that if he did not send troops again, the Jinyiwei who sent the order would take my servant and lock him back to the capital."

The eunuch who came to pass the imperial edict was escorted by the Jinyiwei. After the Shandong Governor and General Officer received the imperial eunuch, the eunuch did not leave. He had to wait until Shandong actually sent troops to leave. He also had the responsibility of supervision and surveillance. In the final analysis, the emperor's most trustworthy eunuchs were the eunuchs around him.

Hearing Yan Jizu's words, Li Meng felt helpless for him, but the major events of the military ranks naturally could not be delayed. He paused and said:

"Mr. Yan, Li also knows your situation. It is really powerless to send troops now..."

Yan Jizu was already in a hurry to get confused and hurriedly interrupted Li Meng and said:

"General Li, it's better to send a small team of troops to Henan first, so that my official will have a response."
To be continued...