The city of Nanjing was besieged again, and the price of food in the city skyrocketed by several percent.
However, compared to before, now it is the Ming Dynasty that surrounds and defeats the Qing army.
For a time, people's hearts were in turmoil.
However, after all, Hong Chengchou had rich experience and calmed down food prices in an instant.
However, the apparent stability has led to an increasingly undercurrent surging underneath.
The huge city of Nanjing has a population of nearly one million. In the 17th century when productivity was relatively backward, it could be said to be one of the world's largest cities.
A large number of people means complexity and difficulty in management.
"Dong——"
"Get out of the way, get out of the way -"
The army walked arrogantly on the streets, casting unscrupulous glances at suspicious people, paying no attention to the people's bad feelings.
At this time, in a hidden courtyard somewhere, a group of people were discussing important matters.
"The civilian husband is looked down upon. Every ten of Hong's thieves are given a point to supervise each other. Any rash actions will be reported..."
"The guards at the grain depot are very good, but after bribing the guards, they learned that the grain storage was less than 30%, and Nanjing only had enough food for seven days..."
"The gunpowder depot is tightly defended and there is nothing we can do..."
"There are also soldiers and horses stationed at each government office. Mr. Hong has taken precautions long ago."
About ten people gathered together, some dressed as scholars and some as government officials. They kept talking, and the more they talked, the more uncomfortable they became.
In the middle, sat a middle-aged man in his thirties, with an expressionless face and ears raised, listening to everyone's speeches.
For a long time, after the voice subsided, he spoke out:
"I already understand."
"In other words, the Hong thieves are experienced and we have not found any opportunities."
"That's right!" Everyone nodded.
"It's a pity that Guan Ning's cavalry is outside the city. Otherwise, we could put some crotons in and they would definitely be scattered."
Han Gu nodded, closed his eyes, glanced at the disappointed people, and shook his head with a wry smile.
Compared with the army, their search section's greatest achievement, apart from spying on military intelligence, was to assist the army in occupying cities, especially huge cities like Nanjing.
However, he still did not say the order to assassinate Hong Chengchou and risk his death.
This is impossible. If you say it, it will easily shake your morale.
"We can't help much this time, but there is one thing. When we break the city, we try our best to cause civil unrest and guide the army to occupy key areas..."
"Yes!" Everyone bowed their heads and dispersed.
Entering the street, you instantly blend into the crowd.
…
In the city, there is a luxurious house, occupying an area as large as a prince, with stone lions facing each other. It is tall and mighty, and the red lacquer door pillars are frighteningly thick.
On the huge plaque, "Hu's House" was written.
The landlord's family is a famous salt merchant in Jianghuai, named Hu Ju. He was originally in Yangzhou, but he was closer to his hometown of Huizhou, so he moved to Nanjing in recent years.
Visit the uncle and spread your reputation.
His back garden, with its small bridges, flowing water, rockery and green willows, can be said to have a Jiangnan flavor, and many people have commented and praised it.
At this time, Hu Ju was sitting in the pavilion, brewing tea in his hands and pouring tea for the man in front of him.
"Good tea!" The man praised and said, "Qimen black tea is really extraordinary."
"Only good tea deserves hospitality." Hu Ju smiled faintly and said, "Tunxi tea and Huangshan Maofeng are both first-class products. It's a pity. It's a bit difficult for me to drink it now."
"There's something in your words!"
The man smiled, picked up the tea cup and tasted it carefully, thinking about it from time to time.
"What can I say?"
Hu Ju personally served him, taking the trouble to clamp charcoal and ladle water with a friendly attitude.
"Jixi has now surrendered to the King of Yu, and that is your and my hometown..."
Hu Chong's pupils shrank, then recovered, and said calmly: "I'm just the magistrate of Jiangning County, what can I do?"
"There are as many magistrates in the world as there are stars."
Hu Ju's eyes were still gentle, he made tea and said calmly:
"The King of Yu attacked the intruders from the north and the thieves from the west. He held the five provinces of Huguang, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Henan, and Guizhou. His navy was the best in the world. Zhili captured the south. It was already the end of the Jin and Song Dynasties."
"The Ming Dynasty has been raising scholars for three hundred years, which is so generous."
"Wu Sangui's Guan Ning army and Hong Chengchou strategizing are so difficult!"
Hu Chong stroked his long beard, shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"Is it difficult? If it wasn't difficult, would I still come to you?"
Hu Ju's eyes were bright and pointed directly at people's hearts: "The imperial court in Beijing has been occupied by those old ministers. How can a young talent like you have a chance?"
"Only when King Yu wins is he most valuable!"
Hu Chong fell into deep thought.
…
"The city of Yangzhou was destroyed, and our Hui merchants suffered heavy losses. Although the Qing government allowed us to operate Huai Salt again, it won't be possible within a few years."
A merchant, exuding an elegant atmosphere, wearing a blue and white silk robe, said calmly.
"You can't say that!"
Another person retorted: "The King of Yu relies on Shaanxi merchants. How much money have we lost when Sichuan salt enters Chu?"
In the hall, the Hui merchants were discussing one after another, hesitating on whether to support King Yu.
Whether it is raising food prices, salt prices, or selling information, we are very cautious.
For a long time, everyone who was arguing endlessly looked at Liu Zhi who was sitting high.
He had a big belly and was wearing a sapphire blue robe. He looked at the salt merchants with a smile and then said:
"The Search Department of King Yu sent me a post, but I rejected it."
The salt merchants were shocked and couldn't believe it.
"We Huizhou merchants are merchants, Confucian merchants, and we are the salt merchants who control the Huaiyan salt. No matter whether it is the Manchus, thieves, or the King of Yu, even if they suppress us, they will not take us down."
"Tens of millions of people are waiting for us to eat salt!"
Liu Zhirou had dimples on his face and looked approachable, but his words were loud and clear.
"President, Shaanxi merchants have taken refuge in King Yu——"
"Shaanxi merchant? A dog who has run away from home can only make a desperate move and seek refuge with the King of Yu, or else he will seek refuge with Li Zicheng, a living bandit and rogue?"
"Besides, after all the birds are gone, good bows are hidden, and it is too difficult for the merchants of the country..."
As he spoke, he clasped his hands and looked out the window at the scorching sun with firm eyes: "We salt merchants will not help anyone this time, we will only do business."
…
King Yu's people have not yet arrived, but the public opinion offensive has begun impatiently.
"Internal Reference" was published and sent to Nanjing in large quantities, spreading the news that King Yu's 300,000 troops had arrived in Nanjing.
For a time, a lot of panic was aroused, and Hong Chengchou used all kinds of tricks to make him vulnerable to the facts.
And as a result, food shortages were created.
The Search Division was dispatched to hook up with various figures to build momentum for King Yu.
Zhima officials who were eager to be promoted, court officials who retired to seclusion, speculative businessmen, careerists who were unwilling to be lonely, etc. all took refuge in King Yu openly or covertly.
Obviously, the city of Nanjing has not yet been conquered, and His Highness Jianguo is already ready to take over the city.
"This is Nanjing City?"
Looking up, the Nanjing outer wall, which is more than three feet tall, comes straight into view, like a giant snake coiled into a ball, and it can't be seen at a glance.
Anyone who meets him for the first time is shocked.
This is the giant city built during the period of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, the Giant City of the East.