At the end of December in the first year of Hongguang, when King Yu inexplicably began to clean up the mess in Shaanxi, the entire southeast was already in chaos.
Shi Kefa, who had lasted only ten days and had no experience in leading troops, buried himself in the city, which earned him countless posthumous reputations.
Yangzhou City, a city that prospered due to canals and salt merchants, ushered in its bloody moment.
The greedy Manchu soldiers rushed into the city, robbed, raped and committed all kinds of evil, and almost ransacked the entire city of Yangzhou.
The huge wealth allows almost everyone to return home with full pockets.
The Manchu nobles headed by Azig were even more smiling and overjoyed.
He even specially sent thirty beauties to Beijing to present them to Emperor Shunzhi and the regent, showing that he did not forget his roots.
After a hearty meal in Yangzhou, the military was very happy, and everyone couldn't wait to go west, wanting to see the splendor of Nanjing.
However, when it comes to the city of Nanjing, Azige is not as casual as Yangzhou. This giant city that dominates the south has an influence beyond imagination.
Nanjing must not be destroyed.
This is something Dorgon repeatedly emphasized and has far-reaching political significance.
Azig was extremely afraid of his younger brother and did not dare to disobey him.
However, the next trip will not be as smooth as before.
Huang Degong set out from Taiping Mansion, and more than 100,000 troops obeyed Emperor Hongguang's orders. After collecting enough silver, they quickly came to the outside of Nanjing to guard the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
Nanjing at this time was very different from Beijing two years ago.
At least, the huge Nanjing still has his last army to protect it.
Now, the cabinet headed by Ma Shiying no longer held back, but instead kept asking questions, which surprised Huang Degong.
Emperor Hongguang, for the sake of his family's life, had no choice but to grit his teeth, inspect the army in person, and use one hundred thousand taels of silver from his inner treasury to reward the soldiers.
"Long live, long live——"
The continuous rewards have made the army more confident and boosted their morale.
Ever since the recruitment system was introduced during the Jiajing period, the army has always had breasts and mothers, and the desire for silver has been deeply rooted in the bones.
Even the emperor has to pay his salary.
"The Qing family is very confident about establishing slaves."
Ma Shiying and others accompanied the emperor. Hongguang dragged his heavy body and asked Huang Degong intimately.
"His Majesty!"
Huang Degong was so excited that he glanced at the waiting ministers. He calmed down instantly and said seriously:
"There are 30,000 forbidden troops in Nanjing City, but the last general only has 100,000 in his hands. It looks extremely large, but the real elite only has 20,000 to 30,000."
Hearing this, everyone, including the emperor, was disappointed.
However, they still stared at this remaining loyal general, hoping to get some good news from him.
Huang Degong sighed in his heart. Faced with the imperial court's optimistic and extremely pessimistic thoughts, he really couldn't understand:
"Nanjing City now has sufficient food and salary reserves. As long as most of the people in the city are persuaded to retreat, it will be enough to support the army for several months."
"If you just defend the city, you will never have confidence."
Gritting his teeth, Huang Degong made a promise.
The emperor's face was no longer so ugly, he just nodded and said no more words.
Ma Shiying took a few steps closer, glanced at the crowd, and said: "The current plan is to order the loyal people in the world to be diligent, and the second is to prepare for war while negotiating peace with Jiannu, hoping to get good news."
At this time, the Donglin Party no longer clamored for opposition.
Although they hated Emperor Hongguang, there were only a few who really made up their minds to surrender.
As for those nobles, although their bodies were shaky and hollowed out by the wine and sex, their pale faces still showed deep thoughts.
They retired from the country and had long since lost the blood of their ancestors. They were just thinking about how to continue their family's centuries-old wealth.
Of course, the most positive person at this time is none other than Ma Shiying.
As the chief minister of the cabinet, he will never be able to escape.
"Jingnan Marquis, your majesty and the imperial court are determined to confer you the title of Duke of Jingguo. It will be hereditary and will not be replaced."
The emperor's figure gradually left, and for some reason, in Huang Degong's eyes, the former bulky figure now became much lighter.
On the side, Ruan Dacheng specially stayed and looked at the thoughtful Huang Degong, and he couldn't help but whisper.
Huang Degong was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed his hands in bows: "How dare you, the general, ask for credit?"
"Under the emperor's order, if only the noble army comes to attack, the court will naturally reward you."
Ruan Dacheng pressed his hands together and whispered: "To speak from the bottom of my heart, the lives of the entire city of Nanjing, including His Majesty and myself, are entrusted to the Duke."
Huang Degong nodded solemnly: "I will live up to the trust of His Majesty and the imperial court. Unless I step over my body, I will never enter Nanjing."
Ruan Dacheng was somewhat satisfied, nodded, and then left slowly.
And Huang Degong supported the female wall. The towering Nanjing City can be said to be a strong city, but how many people can hold it since ancient times?
In the second year of Hongguang, that is, the third year of Shunzhi, after the people of Nanjing had lived in misery for a full year, on the eighth day of the first lunar month, 200,000 Qing troops arrived at the gates of Nanjing.
The city was in panic, but thanks to Huang Degong's brutal suppression, nothing happened.
Immediately, the Manchu Qing sent envoys and proposed conditions, never agreeing to peace:
Emperor Hongguang surrendered without losing a throne.
All officials in the Nanjing imperial court were appointed according to their talents.
The presence of these two conditions equals the absence of them.
There are few firm commitments.
This made Wenwu, who was full of hope, completely disappointed.
Huang Degong could only grit his teeth and continue to defend the city. He didn't care about the political twists and turns.
The Qing army's camp stretched for dozens of miles, with endless carriages and horses, and a constant flow of people. It can be said to be extremely huge.
Azige was so high-spirited that the battle of Zhenjiang was almost effortless. Nanjing's barrier was completely lost, and he was determined to win the battle.
By this time, no one thought Nanjing could be defended, it was just a matter of time.
Naturally, Azig did not want to delay it until spring. The rainy winter has already caused epidemics in the army and caused heavy losses to the cavalry.
"The south is really not something that Manchu warriors can come to."
Azig sighed, looking at the majestic city wall, which was far taller than Beijing, he couldn't help but sigh:
"Such a majestic city wall, it is a pity that it will no longer be perfect."
"Maybe, Nanjing will surrender in a few days." Shang Kexi said softly.
"Nanjing City should be no match for the red artillery!"
Azig turned his head and asked.
Geng Zhongming, Kong Youde and others on the side were busy patting their chests and making promises.
Wu Sangui also had other thoughts about this.
Along the way, he swept across the south of the Yangtze River, and the artillery made great achievements, and more and more troops were recruited to surrender. The importance of him and Guan Ning's army was greatly reduced.
For him, this can be said to be a rapid decline in political status, and it is difficult to know whether he will be good or bad.
"However, the territory of Huguang, King Yu, will be mine sooner or later!"