"...The puppet king Yongxing is based in Kunming, with tens of thousands of elite troops. He seems to be heading north to Guizhou Province and the rebels in the west of the water to attack... However, I am deeply grateful to you, and I have granted you the title of Levi. What is my duty? I plan to do it on the second day of next year.

In the next month, a large-scale invasion of Yunnan was carried out, and a direct attack on Kunming was carried out to wipe out the foreign evildoers... General soldiers, green flag soldiers, surrender soldiers, and chieftain Ruo Yao Ba Nan Ji Tong and Zhao Jicai had more than 10,000 people. This move required a total of two hundred silver.

With more than two to three hundred thousand taels, it can be done. Although it costs so much, it is expedient to achieve it once and for all..."

Wu Sangui read the memorial drafted by Fang Guangchen, nodded with satisfaction, and said with a smile: "Very good, let's see what the court does. Without food and pay, even if I have the intention to go to war, I don't have the strength to go to war."

When the Ming army began its eastern expedition, the Qing court urged Wu Sangui to send troops for reinforcements. However, Wu Sangui was a cunning and cunning man, and he was not willing to attract the sharp Ming army to his side.

"The barbarians are the most numerous in Yunnan and Guizhou. Looking back to the past, rebellion and impermanence have become a poisonous poison that entangles people's hearts and minds. They should be eradicated first..."

"Qian Province is an area with barren mountains and soil, a land of slash-and-burn farming. The water is inaccessible to boats and the mountains are inaccessible to vehicles. There are many mountains and few fields, and the people are covered with fresh food. The officials have no surplus, and there are not many taxes. They provide troops every year, and everyone relies on them to provide assistance...

…”

"If I hadn't painstakingly raised two hundred thousand taels of silver, the Guizhou soldiers would have been exhausted and how could they fight again..."

There were many reasons. The Shuixi Rebellion had not been extinguished, there was a shortage of food and pay, and the morale of the army was unstable. Wu Sangui even ordered his subordinates to cause an incident of soldiers defecting due to lack of pay. He then reported to the imperial court and requested to be punished for lax military management.

On the other hand, they used this to exert pressure and ask for food and salary.

Perfunctory, complaining, delaying...the final reason is food and salary. The emperor is not short of hungry soldiers, but the food and salary are not enough, so I just stand still.

If he is honest, Wu Sangui has the idea of ​​regaining his own territory - Yunnan Province. But now he is just thinking about it. He will not take action until he is most sure. Although Ming Jundong

Although Zhu Yongxing was still in Kunming, how could he not be protected by elite troops? The way of war has changed a lot. If he faced a defense system with parapets, trenches, and guns and artillery similar to that of Yuanjiang City, Wu Sangui still had no confidence in winning.

.

If the Ming army suffered a major setback in its Eastern Expedition, Wu Sangui would want to take advantage of the situation. Or if it were more serious, if the Qing army in Guangdong and Guangxi could counterattack Yunnan Province, then Wu Sangui would want to add fuel to the fire.

"For such a large amount, the imperial court will definitely not pay it in full." Fang Guangchen said with a sly smile: "But if you ask for a high price, you can pay it back on the spot. You still have to pay some amount. In February or March next year, hehe, I don't know.

What is the situation?"

Wu Sangui agreed with this, hesitated for a moment, and said slowly: "Now that Xinhui has been defeated, the Ming army is determined to march directly to Guangzhou. I wonder how long Shang Kexi can hold on? When will reinforcements arrive?"

Fang Guangchen sneered and said: "When it comes to reinforcements, doesn't the Ming army have any? Under this situation, can the Southeast Zheng family just sit back and ignore it?"

Wu Sangui understood the meaning of Fang Guangchen's words. As long as the Zheng family in the southeast existed, it would be a threat, and the Qing army in Fujian would be restrained. Even if the Zheng family was not active in sending troops to help, but when they saw an opportunity, how could they not fight for their own interests?

Originally, in terms of the strength of the navy, the Qing army could not defeat the Zheng family. Taking advantage of Zheng Chenggong's defeat in Nanjing, he tried to "kill you while you are sick", but unexpectedly, he was defeated and suffered heavy losses. The Guangdong Navy

The Fujian Navy and the Fujian Navy can barely play a defensive role together. Now only the Fujian Navy is left to support it alone. Even defense is a problem. How could the Zheng family not see this opportunity?

"The Zheng family has a strong naval force, but it is at the bottom of the land warfare. I am afraid that they may not dare to invade the inland on a large scale." After a series of analyses, Wu Sangui felt that the Zheng family would take action, but only in the coastal area. It is unlikely that they would invade further in depth.

"This is almost enough." Fang Guangchen suddenly showed a meaningful smile and said: "If the Zheng family wants to gain land territory, it can only be to the east of Guangzhou. Even in the coastal areas, it cannot directly block the Fujian reinforcements. It can also be done from the side.

Afterwards, it formed a threat. If the Fujian reinforcements do not ensure the safety of the flanks and rear, can they advance with confidence?"

"That's true." Wu Sangui looked at the map and agreed.

"As for Sun Yanling and Ma Xiong from Guangxi, they each have their own agenda, and no one is willing to rush forward first." Fang Guangchen curled his lips with some contempt, "Maybe they are still staring at the prince and want to take advantage of the opportunity!"

Wu Sangui grinned. From this point of view, there were few obstacles to the southwestern Ming army's siege of Guangzhou. Based on their experience and speed in attacking the city, Shang Kexi estimated that the odds were against them.

"Your Majesty, Beijing needs to step up arrangements to avoid being rushed by the time." Fang Guangchen reminded cautiously.

Yes, in the current situation, we really need to make more plans. Even if we can't act yet, we should prepare countermeasures. We are now in the form of a separatist empire, or in other words, a wall sandwiched between the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Qiang. He didn't believe that the Qing government couldn't see his thoughts and that he was no longer a loyal lackey, but a relationship similar to an ally.

Wu Sangui nodded with a wry smile. Wu Yingxiong was his only son and must be prepared to rescue him. Even if the Qing court was dissatisfied and no longer trusted him, it would not touch him. After all, he was still under the banner of the Qing Dynasty.

He still has Guizhou in hand, after all, he still blocks the Ming army's direct path to the north.

Later, Wu Sangui reluctantly discovered that surrendering to the Ming Dynasty seemed to be his wise choice. Because the Qing Dynasty's victory would definitely settle accounts with him in the future, no matter how hard he worked to seize the opportunity in the future.

……………

Guilin.

"Hehe, it's a good thing that this is such a fool. Xinhui was breached in three days, and now I'm afraid he's trapped in his old home waiting to die!" Sun Yanling shook his head repeatedly, not sure if it was with emotion or sympathy.

Meng Chundi, an old staff member, nodded slightly. The situation in Guangdong took a turn for the worse. Xinhui, a strong city that had blocked Jin King Li Dingguo for several months, was easily captured. Guangzhou, which was just around the corner, had lost its outer barrier. Shocked by the Ming army's combat power, he also

I feel fortunate that I did not act rashly and did not attract the Ming army's sharp edge.

"General, almost all the 20,000 kilograms of sea salt have been sold. The goods Kunming wants-" Meng Chundi thought it was time to remind Sun Yanling that the situation has changed drastically and it is no longer the time to wait and see and delay.

Twenty thousand kilograms of sea salt was given by Zhu Yongxing to Sun Yanling on credit, and there was also a list of goods. After the coastal border was moved, the salt in the interior began to be in short supply, and Sichuan salt could not be shipped out because of the Ming army's entry into Sichuan. Therefore, Sun Yanling took a lot of action.

Quickly, he got the free money, but he didn't buy the goods immediately. He wanted to wait and see the changes in the battle situation, but he just wanted to take the money and not do anything.

"Well, sir, do you think this business can be carried out in the long term?" Sun Yanling hesitated for a moment and then asked.

"My subordinates think it's okay." Meng Chundi had already thought it through, so he answered simply, "The general wants to recruit troops and expand his strength. It is unrealistic to count on the court. When this business relationship is established, the general does not need to take the lead. It is the general who makes the money.

Yes, if it is exposed, it has nothing to do with the general, so why not do it? According to the guess of my subordinates, Wu Sangui from Guizhou is also doing this business."

"Where's Ma Xiong?" Sun Yanling was obviously more concerned about his old enemy.

"He doesn't have the brains. The Ming court won't like him either." Meng Chundi sneered with some disdain, "I heard that the Wuzhou defender invited him to settle in. I wonder if he would bump into him and become the next one of the Ming army.

The goal of cleaning up.”

"If Guangzhou is lost and the Ming army plunders, Wuzhou will be in danger. Ma Xiong, this idiot, is best dealt with by the Ming army, which will save the strength of this general." Sun Yanling smiled happily, suddenly paused, and asked worriedly

Said: "Will the Ming army take advantage of the victory and attack Guilin?"

"Probably not." Meng Chundi shook his head and said confidently: "The Ming army did not enter Guizhou, but directly marched eastward. On the one hand, it was in secret with Wu Sangui. On the other hand, it wanted to leave a wall behind.

The wall was built to put Wu Sangui in the middle to block enemies from more directions. The same should be done for Guilin. As long as we do not pose a threat and do not act rashly, the Ming army will not turn the attack. My subordinates thought, the Ming army

The next target should be Fujian. Join forces with the Zheng family to attack and eliminate the last threatening vassal king."

"If we eliminate them one by one like this, sooner or later it will be our turn?" Sun Yanling was not stupid, she could think of this problem.

Meng Chundi smiled bitterly and said helplessly: "If you rush out early, you will be eliminated early. If you hold back, things may change. How powerful is Wu Sangui? Aren't you waiting and watching?"

"That's what happened." Sun Yanling nodded in agreement, "He's waiting for us, and he's waiting for us. We only have so many troops, so we can't lose them in vain."

……………

Guangzhou.

Accompanied by the generals, Shang Kexi watched the movements of the Ming army outside the city and discussed the possible direction of the Ming army's attack.

The siege became tighter, and trenches gradually took shape. Thousands of people worked feverishly to dig, transport, and lasso nooses toward Guangzhou and the Qing troops in Guangzhou.

It seems that the enemy wants to besieged for a long time, which is exactly what I want! The more I look at Shang Kexi, the happier he becomes. When he is in a good mood, the expression on his face starts to act, and he talks and laughs more freely. Under his influence, the generals are also active.

stand up.

"My lord, the enemy wants to besiege us for a long time. What a wishful thinking!"

"Your Majesty, the enemy wants to imitate your strategy of taking Guangzhou, but they are really trying to imitate others and bring humiliation to themselves!"

"Your Majesty..."

Waves of noise like roaring mountains and tsunamis came from a distance, getting closer and closer, interrupting everyone's conversation and laughter. With doubts on their faces, Shang Kexi and his subordinates all turned to look, not knowing what was going on.

"A thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old."

"Your Highness is a thousand years old, a thousand years old."

The noisy voice gradually became clearer, and Shang Kexi's face gradually became serious. He narrowed his eyes, stretched out his hand, and a pair of "precious" telescopes was handed into his hands by a private soldier.

The flagpole that was more than ten feet long was raised high, and the imperial flag with the word "Min" on a red background and yellow characters appeared prominently outside the city of Guangzhou. Accompanied by Ma Bao and others, Zhu Yongxing followed the flag.

"Your Highness is a thousand years old, a thousand years old."

"Your Highness is a thousand years old, a thousand years old."

Wherever they passed, the soldiers saluted uprightly, and the common people bowed their heads and worshiped. People who were immersed in the idea of ​​​​imperial supremacy and family world, saw the noble clan staying behind, and the descendants of the Zhu family appearing on the battlefield, they were either excited or inspired.

Either confused, or shocked, or...

Of course, Zhu Yongxing's appearance was not unprepared, because this was already his third day in Guangzhou. The news that the left-behind Zhu family and Prince Min came to the battlefield had been deliberately spread, and the reward he brought was 200,000 silver.

Distribute it.

It was not only the soldiers who received the reward in advance, but also the volunteers who came to help in the war. The land tickets stamped with the seal of King Min also began to be registered and distributed, with each volunteer receiving ten acres and each soldier thirty acres. This was not tax-free land.

Or in some other form, it is land given as reward for merit. With the land ticket, the government will distribute the land according to the ticket and the amount. From then on, the land will belong to the individual's name.

This is a very generous reward, covering a wide range from soldiers to people, which can be said to be unprecedented. If the people or soldiers who hold the land ticket choose to settle in Sichuan in the future, the land they receive can be doubled.

Showing favor, awarding, summoning... After this series of preparations, and after sieging Guangzhou even more tightly, Zhu Yongxing showed off the royal flag and made a grand appearance.

Ma Bao and others had already made arrangements, and during Zhu Yongxing's march, people kept taking the lead in saluting and shouting, guiding the confused and overwhelmed people.

"God favors the Ming Dynasty, and the Tartars will be destroyed."

"Mighty, mighty!"

"God bless our army and it will be invincible."

"Wan Sheng, Wan Sheng!"

This is the uniform shout of the army. It is a simple slogan, but it is familiar and even more inspiring.

Zhu Yongxing remembered that it was the first time he appeared in battle, and the slogans shouted by the soldiers. It was just after he left Burma and entered Yunnan, during the Battle of Tengchong.
To be continued...