Hou Fangyu just turned 24 this year and wore a white long gown and looked very handsome. He was known as a child prodigy since childhood. He is well-informed and knowledgeable. But this time he rarely spoke during the meal.

He was jealous and went crazy with jealousy. Zhou Xian was much younger than him, but he was currently a rank-level official like Governor Denglai. He, who always felt that he was not inferior to anyone, has achieved nothing so far. He could only rely on Fang Yizhi's relationship to ask for an official position with a face.

The most important thing is that Zhou Xian’s attitude towards him is strange, neither alienated nor close to him. According to Hou Fangyu’s historical experience, in this case, he is generally not very valued. He frowned and pondered, hoping to find a breakthrough to attract Zhou Xian’s attention.

Huang Fei accompanied him during the meal and talked about the previous Dongjiang Army with Wan Ji. From the past and then to the current situation, he felt a sigh.

At this time, Hou Fangyu seemed to see a light and suddenly asked: "General Huang, you are the nephew of Huang Long, the old general of Dongjiang. The student once heard that the old general Huang had a life of Shang Kexi. The reason why the old general Huang could firmly sit in the Dongjiang General was also the full support of Shang Kexi. I wonder if this matter is true?"

Hou Fangyu's question was very abrupt and a little impolite. After all, Shang Kexi was one of the Three Shun Kings of the Qing Dynasty, and the significance of this linking a general of the court to the enemy to ask questions is hard to explain.

Zhou Xian looked at Huang Fei and felt relieved when he saw his face remained unchanged. At the same time, he was also very curious, but he didn't expect that monk Huang Fei had this relationship.

Huang Fei nodded and said slowly: "After more than a year of the Wuqiao mutiny, the official army recovered Dengzhou, and Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming and others fled to Liaodong by boat. Shang Kexi was ordered to lead a fleet to surround the rebels, and the entire army was scattered due to a hurricane. After landing in Dengzhou, Zu Dabi was suspected of being a rebel. Fortunately, my uncle rescued him and returned to Lushun safely. Because before, Shen Shikui had plotted to mutiny and seize power, Shang Kexi supported my uncle, and offended Shen Shikui. After his uncle sacrificed his life for the country, Shen Shikui took over as the general of Dongjiang and wanted to kill Shang Kexi. In desperation, the latter led his troops to surrender to Huang Taiji. More than 20,000 soldiers formed an army alone, and was named Tianzhu Army by Huang Taiji."

This was the first time Zhou Xian heard about such a thing and asked: "In other words, Shang Kexi chose to surrender to Huang Taiji under the pressure of Shen Shikui?"

Huang Fei nodded gently and said, "It can be said that Shang Kexi is shameful to surrender to the Manhu. But nearly 100 relatives, including his father Shang Xueli and his brother Shang Kejin, were killed by the Tartars. Without a last resort, I think such a person would not be willing to surrender to the Manhu. I had thought about whether he could recruit him and let him return to the Ming Dynasty. But Shang Kexi is already one of the Three Shun Kings of the Manhu, and my Ming Dynasty has been defeated repeatedly. In this case, it is difficult to recruit him successfully."

Wan Jiluo pondered and said, "It is indeed not realistic to want to comfort Shang Kexi at this time. But you can try to contact him secretly and wait until you look for opportunities in the future."

Hou Fangyu shook his head and smiled, "The students thought that no matter what Shang Kexi's previous family background or why he was forced to surrender to Manhu. Since he had made a choice, he was the enemy of my Ming Dynasty. Since that's the case, in secret contact, all the decisions are in his hands. How could he return to my Ming Dynasty without profits? On the contrary, if our army contacted him with great fanfare, it would be a big gap between him and the enemy's chief Huang Taiji, and the latter would deepen his doubts about him. I think there is a greater possibility of success in this way."

Huang Fei frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said nothing.

Wan Ji looked at Zhou Xian with a happy face and said, "This is feasible. You can let General Huang write to Shang Kexi, and secretly let Huang Taiji know about this. Even if you cannot succeed in the gap, you can still add some rift between them. And for our army, it is a convenient thing."

Zhou Xian looked at Hou Fangyu, who was looking at him with anticipation. He smiled slightly and said, "Then act as the one proposed by Chaozong! General Huang, Zhizi Camp and Xinzi Camp are old subordinates of the Dongjiang Army. There must be many old acquaintances in Shang Kexi's Tianzhu Army, so they can encourage them to write letters together. Now Shang Kexi's subordinates are clearing out Xie Qian and handing all these letters to him and let him watch and act."

Huang Fei nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do it as soon as possible. By the way, Junmen, what's going on there now?"

Zhou Xian smiled and said, "Xie Qian was born as a giant thief in Qingzhou. In the past, tens of thousands of official troops could not do anything to him. Besides, now it is just a part of the Tianzhu Army. He is now doing well there. According to his report, the number of soldiers he has reorganized has exceeded 3,000. I am preparing to promote him to the garrison and plan to provide him with another batch of supplies."

Huang Fei chuckled and said, "This is what it should be. But it is best to give this batch of supplies to him after defeating Haoge. After all, there is a shortage of supplies here now."

Zhou Xian nodded and said, "I understand this."

Hou Fangyu looked up at Zhou Xian and said, "Military Sect, what are your plans for how to defeat Haoge?"

Wan Ji tapped the table three times with his finger and smiled and said, "Chingzong, this matter is a secret of the court, so let's discuss it later!"

Zhou Xian waved his hand and said, "Sir, those who can enter this hall are considered their own people, and there is nothing to say. Besides, so far, I have no good idea. If you say it out, you can also help me with some details."

Hou Fangyu also realized that he was asking a little rashly, and bowed to Zhou Xian slightly, feeling secretly grateful in his heart.

Zhou Xian continued: "In fact, there are no specific plans. At present, Haoge still has nearly 20,000 people, and the most capable flag soldiers have basically not moved. Our army in the city, plus the recruits are only 12,000 new soldiers. If we leave the city now to fight the Qing Dynasty, we will definitely lose. Fortunately, the city in Jinzhou is solid, and the Qing army is not good at attacking the city. My plan is to defend first and then attack, and to use defense to consume Haoge's morale and military strength, and when will the opportunity be used to counterattack."

Wan Ji nodded slightly, not surprised, and adopted the safest method.

Hou Fangyu pondered for a moment and said to Zhou Xian: "Military, have you ever thought about borrowing water to destroy the Tartars?"

Zhou Xian's face was puzzled, "Borrow water, what water should I borrow, and where should I borrow it?"
Chapter completed!