In the following time, everyone in General Pinglu's mansion has been busy preparing for the entry. Because the imperial court strictly ordered that only 20,000 troops can enter the pass, and they have to go by water, so in addition to selecting elites, they also need to prepare for transportation.

Ships for soldiers, especially considering that rogue bandits are good at traveling and fighting, so it is necessary to deploy cavalry.

Ships, people, money, food... in short, everything is proceeding in an orderly manner. However, despite this, it is not realistic to enter the customs in the short term. After all, not to mention other things, the transportation of six to seven thousand war horses alone requires

It takes quite a while. Moreover, it is necessary to prepare ships to sail on the rivers, which all takes time.

In a word, time!

The mobilization of troops takes time, and the preparation of supplies also takes time.

In the morning of November 16th, the 16th year of Chongzhen, there was still snow in the sky. In Dalian Port, dozens of warships were parked in the entire bay, and thousands of officers and soldiers wearing breastplates were lining up to board the ships.

When the officers and soldiers boarded the ship, all the officials in the government gathered here. Today is the day for the general to go on an expedition, although the main force of the army has not yet set off.

"From now on, Liaodong will be relying on you all!"

After saying this, Zhu Guoqiang pointed to Zhu Heyu, who was only three years old and stood beside him, and sighed:

"My son is still young. He came to Liaoning from Jinan a few months ago. He got cold and unwell on the way. I leave him to you to take care of me for a few days."

While talking, Zhu Guoqiang couldn't help but feel warm in his heart when he looked at his son who looked like a young adult. Although he now has six sons, Zhu Heyu is his eldest son. He has been in Jinan in the past few years, so he has only met him.

A few months ago, Jingyun asked her third brother Li Chengkun to bring him to Dalian.

The reason is self-evident.

When the head of the family goes out on an expedition, his eldest son will guard the place.

But Li Jingyun could only stay in Jinan. After all, Shandong was also his root. She wanted to look after his home there.

Chen Changgeng, who knew this well, immediately bowed his head and said in a choked voice.

"I will live up to the trust of the prince! I will definitely take good care of the young prince."

Hey, hey, what are you doing?

Just in case, don't make me look like a orphan on my deathbed!

This is unlucky!

Even so, Zhu Guoqiang's eyes were a little red.

Is it possible that as people get older, they become less timid?

Touching the horns on his son's head lovingly, Zhu Guoqiang took a deep breath and said to his son.

"Heyu, dad is going to war."

"My child knows that, dad, don't worry, my child will listen to Mr. Chen's words."

Looking at his nephew who said these words like a little adult, Li Chengkun said to the prince.

"Don't worry, Prince, I will definitely protect Heyu."

Nodding to Li Chengkun, Zhu Guoqiang didn't say anything. Although this third brother was not astonishingly clever, he was definitely a decisive character. When Jinan Jingyun killed people to seize power, it was his plan, and he benefited from this.

Shandong will become its own rear area.

It is a good thing to have him by He Yu's side. Maybe those ministers are loyal. But it is definitely not a good thing to have a weak leader and a strong minister.

Some things are always needed just in case.

At least Li Chengkun is a relative, maybe a relative, but his presence is at least a check and balance, and balance is the most important thing.

It is true that those people are loyal. But checks and balances do not mean that they do not believe in them. With checks and balances and supervision, they will be more loyal and loyal.

After entrusting his son to Chen Changgeng, a relaxed Zhu Guoqiang punched everyone.

"I'll leave it to you all to handle matters in Liaodong!"

"I'm waiting for good news from the General!"

Then Zhu Guoqiang stepped onto the ship with dozens of guards, laughing.

Chen Changgeng held Zhu Heyu's hand and looked at the high-spirited Crown Prince from a distance, feeling that the Crown Prince seemed even more unfamiliar!

"The world belongs to the people of the world, not to the Zhu family. Today, I lead troops into the pass for the sake of the life and death of the people. This is for the public! Since we are for the public, even if it is a dragon's pond and a tiger's den, there is nothing to fear.

!”

…

That is to lead the troops into the customs, which is actually a sea route. It takes about half a month to go from Dalian to the Yangtze River estuary with smooth wind and water. When the fleet came to the Yangtze River estuary again, it was already the twelfth lunar month.

When the ship sailed into the Yangtze River, Zhu Guoqiang, who was standing at the stern of the ship, looked a little dazed.

He knew what was waiting for him ahead.

They are not the bandits who corrupted Huguang.

But the throne of Ming Dynasty, and of course, the Shilin in Jiangnan. Which side will they stand on?

"Your Majesty."

Li Huimei, who was wearing a military uniform, walked up to him, reached out and held his hand, and then the two of them quietly looked at the stars and moon reflected on the river.

"Emi."

"Um?"

"Just wait for me here. Sea ships are not suitable for sailing in the river."

The warships built in Dalian in the past two years are all 18th-century British and French three-masted cruisers. These 40- or 50-gun cruisers with strong hulls and numerous guns may be the kings of the sea in this era.

But without oars, they are not suitable for inland navigation.

As in the past, there are hundreds of various types of water ships and salt ships moored in Peacock Island. These ships were purchased from various places along the river. These flat-bottomed boats with oars and oars are more suitable for sailing on the Yangtze River.

In fact, even though the Peacock Banner has moved to Liaodong, Peacock Island has not been abandoned. It has always been operated as a stronghold for the south. Of course, it is also an extremely important fishing base - even now, Peacock Island is still anchored.

There are hundreds of fishing boats, and all kinds of marine fish caught by the fishing boats are sold to various places along the Yangtze River.

Nowadays, the Pinglu Army no longer eats only sea fish as in the past, but the sea fish caught by sail trawling is still the cheapest meat, even slightly more expensive than food. This is why sea fish is now very popular on both sides of the Yangtze River.

The reason, anyway, is that it's meat!

As a fishing base, there is not only a wharf but also a ship repair yard, so the boats are first sent to Peacock Island for renovation. As soon as the fleet arrived at Peacock Island, officials from the government came to greet them and reported

Report:

"General General, I have prepared 169 water ships, and there are also 200 salt ships in Yangzhou for transporting war horses."

Different from the first time he came to Jiangnan, this time although Zhu Guoqiang only led 20,000 people, he had a full 4,000 cavalry. Plus a town of infantry horses, there were no less than 6,000 military horses. Those horses were all advanced

Transported to Yangzhou, waiting to join the main force.

"Has the ship been repaired?"

Looking towards the cannon in the distance, looking at the fenders on the side of the cannon, he nodded and said.

"This time the attack on the Xian bandits is mainly based on waterways. Attacking and defending by waterways are inseparable from ships."

After a few more instructions, Zhu Guoqiang went to the ship to check the thickness and materials of the side shields. After all, this layer of shields is equivalent to another layer of armor for the soldiers. He even jumped into the cabin to check the cabin.

For a long time to come, the soldiers would have to live and eat on the ship. He couldn't help but be cautious. Even though he had a lot of experience in water marches, he was still cautious.

He even personally designed the blueprints for the reconstruction of the watercraft.

Finally, Zhu Guoqiang came to the bow of the ship, looked at the 12-pound mountain howitzer installed on the bow, looked at its rotating gun base, and said silently to himself.
Chapter completed!