A cavalry of more than a hundred people galloped in. The knights were all riding big horses, wearing mercury-colored cotton armor. Even the war horses were wearing vests, and they looked fierce.
Since the eighth year of Wanli Dynasty, in order to eliminate the flooding in Sheyang Lake, the Sheyang River was dredged eastward, diverted water through Miaowan, and Clam Port entered the sea. With the transportation of Sheyang River, the Yanyan River connecting the Grand Canal and the coast, Clam Port quickly opened
It becomes a lively and wealthy town.
There are piles of clams and merchants gather.
After experiencing the depression caused by the war, it is now booming due to the rapid redevelopment of shipping.
Clam Harbor is an immigrant town. Every time there is a major disaster, many victims come here. The busy industry and commerce here also attracts people from all over the world. Over time, it has become an immigrant town from all over the world.
"Which troop is this?"
During the Jiajing period, Clam Town had a glorious record of annihilating four thousand Japanese pirates.
The Ming army now stationed troops in this port. A small fortress was built at the port, and a navy fleet was stationed there.
This mighty cavalry came, but the Ming army stationed there did not panic, because now the entire Fengyang and Huai'an Prefectures had been occupied by the Ming army.
Whether they come from Xuzhou, Pizhou, and Suqian in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, or from Shouzhou, Fengyang, and Sizhou in the upper reaches of the Huaihe River, they are all areas controlled by the Ming army.
To be able to come all the way to this beach must have gone through numerous inspections.
The arrival of this horse team did not affect the people and merchants in Clam Harbor Town and the port. Everyone is now at ease. With the sun and moon flags flying and the emperor's imperial camp stationed there, there is no panic at all.
Recently, the Tatars are all trapped in Xuzhou City, where do they dare to come?
The people support the Ming Dynasty very much, especially the Ming Dynasty today.
During their brief occupation here, the Tatars brought only endless turmoil, inhumane killing and looting, and even ordered to move to the sea.
A group of patrolmen came out and met him.
The first general in the cavalry team is Xu Zhongyi, the commander-in-chief of Guide, Henan, riding his beloved Mo Qilin. This time he brought a hundred soldiers with him from Guide. He was going to Fengtian City in Tokyo via Clam Harbor to pay homage to the emperor.
At the same time, there was Fatty Wang.
He was very excited and drove faster all the way, hoping to see His Majesty the Emperor as soon as possible.
Ever since he received the emperor's summons, he had been so excited that he couldn't sleep at night. Along the way, he was thinking about how to report what he had done during this time after seeing the emperor.
Since the Yellow River Battle, the situation in Henan is now very chaotic.
On the one hand, there was a major disaster, in which countless people were affected by the disaster and starved, and the following epidemic was also very serious. Li Jiyu was attacking Luoyang, Xu Dingguo was besieging Kaifeng, and Li Huajing was at the 800-mile Dongping River, roaring across the west of Shandong.
He, Xu Zhongyi, was stationed in Guide, sandwiched between Xu Ying's two Qing armies. Fortunately, he had the support of the Ming army in the south, which was not bad. During this time, he had been busy recruiting troops, building equipment, gathering refugees, and re-establishing
After resuming farming and so on, Guide Mansion found a rare peace.
However, Guide Prefecture also had many problems. First of all, there was famine, serious epidemics, severe food shortages, too many refugees, and bandits everywhere. Although there was no Qing army to attack, he still suppressed bandits everywhere and kept the people in peace.
Xu Zhongyi was born as a tenant farmer. He knew very well what the people needed. What they needed was stability and survival. If they could live a stable farming life, they would not mind paying taxes to the court or paying rent to the landlords, as long as they paid back
As long as they can have something to eat and support their wives and children, they can still bear it.
Xu Zhongyi and his old lady are now in Gui De, working hard to reestablish order. They began to implement the Shao Tian Dynasty's New Deal, clearing out ownerless fields, farming and guarding the fields, restarting taxation, etc.
However, these are all facing resistance from various local villages. Henan has been in chaos for too long. These powerful people who stick together to defend the villages are basically completely autonomous and do not pay taxes or serve in the military.
You have to rely on yourself for everything, including guarding by your own soldiers, resisting foreign enemies by yourself, even collecting taxes by yourself, etc.
All these are dividing this land. If we want to restore peace, this will definitely not work.
To clear the fields and measure the land, to allocate people into acres, and to ask the officials and gentry to pay grain, they must first face these local fortresses and powerful people. Faced with the uncooperative local fortresses, whether to fight or not to fight, this is what Xu Zhongyi and Old Master
There are some hesitations.
They informed the emperor about the situation here, and the emperor specially summoned them.
The Clam Town patrolman came forward and asked for his identity.
"Xu Zhongyi, the commander-in-chief of Guide Town, Henan Province, has been ordered to go to Tokyo to face the Holy Spirit!" Xu Zhongyi said on his horse, and asked his soldiers to come up with the emperor's decree and so on.
"It turns out that the senior brother of the Red Spear Club is here. Please come quickly."
The name of the Red Spear Club is getting louder and louder now. Not only in Yongcheng, but also in the entire Guide Prefecture, there are Red Spear Clubs. Even in Huainan, Zhili and other places in Shandong, Red Spear Clubs have begun to spring up like mushrooms after a rain.
come out.
The reputation of the senior brother of the Red Spear Club is better than that of the General Soldier of Guide.
After all, many leaders of the local villages also hold the title of deputy general of the general army. For example, Li Jiyu held the title of general of the general army during the Chongzhen period.
Led by patrolmen into Clam Harbor, Xu Zhongyi also looked at the place curiously.
He had been here before, when he came to sell smuggled salt, grain, cloth, etc. At that time, it was not as lively and peaceful as it is now. It feels that the current Clam Port is even like his hometown Huangtian Port in Jiangyin, and even a bit more lively.
The officer stationed at Clam Port told him that although Clam Port is not as important as Haizhou Port in the north, it is also a very important transportation port and terminal, especially it has direct access to Huai'an.
The great breakup of the Yellow River has resulted in a reduction in the amount of water flowing southward, and the Yellow River has become a dry embankment. The Sishui River and the Huaihe River are transferred to Changzhou Port through Hongze Lake and are connected to the canal and Yan River through the Shehong River and the sea.
, naturally it became an important terminal.
Especially after the imperial court moved its capital to Dengzhou and changed it to Fengtianfu in Tokyo, money, food and supplies from the south are now being transported continuously from the north, and there are often ships relying on supplies at Clam Port.
Superintendent Zhang Guowei's regiment was stationed in Huai'an Prefecture, and the garrison at Clam Port was actually the Central Northern Expeditionary Army.
"Our Imperial Camp is being reorganized. The Four Towns on the Right Side govern Jiangsu. Our place will soon be reorganized into the Four Towns on the Right Side. It seems to be one town for the Navy and three towns for the Army."
Xu Zhongyi chatted with the garrison officer for a while, and after waiting for the boat to be arranged at the dock, he said goodbye and took the boat north.
They did not take the Langya Passage directly overland and the coast to Denglai, but took a boat at Clam Harbor, which was faster.
Because there were more than a hundred of them, all the ports directly transferred a navy ship to him to transport them, and a group of people went to Dengzhou with them. Most of them were local officials who were going to Beijing to report on their duties, or who were going to be candidates for the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Former official, Jinshi candidate, etc.
Everyone was very polite to this general, and a few Jinshi even asked carefully about the current situation in Henan. We had a good conversation along the way.
He could feel that in these troubled times, these generals, especially his status as a royal soldier, allowed him to gain the respect of these Jinshi gentlemen. This was something that would have been impossible before.
Even if he is a genuine general soldier, it is probably difficult for him to gain the respect of the Jinshi, not to mention that he is a wild general soldier.
I heard that the imperial court was reorganizing all the troops this time. In addition to the imperial camp in Beijing, the provincial camp was abolished, but seven outer towns were retained, all of which were Jiang Yu, Jin Shenghuan, and Geng Zhongming. Xu Dingguo in Henan
, Li Jiyu, Li Huajing from Shandong and others are not within the Qiwai Town.
Xu Dingguo also didn't know how the imperial court planned to arrange these soldiers and horses in Shandong and Henan.
The journey was smooth. The ship stopped at Qingdao once, and a few people got off and another group came up, and then it sailed all the way to Penglai Port.
There are more ships coming in and out of Penglai Port. Although there are several port terminals here, there are still long queues to come in and out. The navy's sail warships are parked on the sea like hills, and the rows of cannons on them make him envious.
Endless.
The water villages, water cities, coastal defense forts, and bastions along the coast are also full of artillery and are heavily guarded.
With such a Tokyo city that reaches directly to the heart of the Tatars, it is estimated that even if the Tatars can break through the perimeter and attack, they will only be defeated, or even the entire army will be annihilated.
"My Ming Dynasty has been revived!"
Looking at those sun and moon flags, Xu Dingguo, who was waiting in line on the ship to enter the port, could not help but clenched his fists and shouted,
"The sun, moon, mountains and rivers will always be there,
The Ming Dynasty will last forever,
Long live our emperor!"
His soldiers also raised their arms and shouted.
Chen Twelve, who was following the team, was even more excited than Xu Dingguo. Along the way, the ruins of Henan, the desolation of Huainan, then the excitement of Clam Port, the heat of Qingdao, plus the vitality of Penglai, made this Henan
A fire rose in the young man's chest.
When I was in Yongcheng, I thought the Red Spear Club was powerful enough, but now I can see it all. Giant ships, cannons, and groups of armored cavalry. This is the real heavenly army.
"The Emperor has summoned you!"
Not long after Xu Zhongyi landed ashore, there were armored soldiers leading the servants over there.
The dock was very close to the water city that served as the palace. The chamberlain led him all the way, while Chen Twelve and other soldiers were temporarily stationed at the Shahekou military camp.
At the west gate of the palace city, the chamberlain brought him a third-grade purple robe and jade belt, a gold quilt belt and a gold fish charm.
"Please shower and change clothes first!"
After bathing and dressing up, Xu Zhongyi looked at the bronze mirror and felt that he could not recognize the person inside. Zhao San, the former tenant, was scolded by Mr. Zhao that you are worthy of my surname Zhao. Now he has a purple robe and jade belt, which is very powerful.
After tidying up his clothes, he even smelled his body, fearing that the smell might irritate His Majesty.
Everything is fine.
Follow the chamberlain and pass through numerous guards to the palace east of Xiaohai.
This palace was originally the palace of the Japanese capital, the former government office and the back residence.
Now he is the emperor's bedchamber.
Xu Zhongyi had met the emperor before in Jiangyin, but only from a distance. This summons was the first time the emperor summoned him, and it was also the first time he met the emperor at such a close distance.
The emperor was sitting on the Panlong throne waiting for him. Xu Zhongyi bowed his head and knelt down at the entrance of the palace, holding a wat tablet in his hand, waiting for questions.
"Your Majesty has a decree to introduce Zhao Zhongyi to the palace."
He quickly got up again, bowed into the hall, and saluted again, not even daring to raise his head to offend Tian Yan.
It was quiet inside the palace.
Zhu Yihai was also looking at this young man. He was very tall, not very tall and strong, but not thin either. He was wearing a purple robe and a jade belt, and he looked dignified.
For more than a year, the imperial court sent many troops deep behind enemy lines to establish various clubs and armed forces. They not only spied on intelligence, raped and killed enemies, but also rebelled and instigated rebellion, and made many meritorious deeds.
But among these personnel, especially Mr. Zhao and Zhao Zhongyi achieved the greatest achievements, and they managed to become the commander-in-chief of the Henan Guide Army. This was not awarded by Zhu Yihai, but earned by himself.
"Ai Qing was ordered to go deep behind enemy lines to establish the Red Spear Club, collect intelligence, instigate enemy generals, and rally troops. Now he has established a base in Guide. His loyalty and diligence are commendable, and I am very pleased."
"I also heard that you used to be a poor tenant farmer outside Jiangyin City, but you were able to hold high the flag of loyalty. It is very remarkable. The wind knows the strong grass, and the rough grass sees the loyal ministers. Now you have proved that you are still the same person who held high the flag of loyalty. You should never forget your original intention and always be loyal."
"I heard that Mr. Zhao said that you were not worthy of his surname Zhao, and Xu Dingguo even adopted you as his adopted son and gave you the surname Xu. I feel that your loyalty is enough for me to give you the national surname, and I will also adopt you as my adopted son. From now on you will be called Zhu Zhongyi, are you willing?"
Xu Zhongyi was so moved by these few words that his chest was agitated and tears could not be restrained. Even if he was shattered to pieces, it would be difficult to repay the emperor's kindness.
"I am just a pariah in troubled times," he replied, "but I dare not forget my loyalty. I was originally just a small school in the imperial camp. I stayed in Henan and raised a team by mistake. I dare not get carried away. This is not the case for me. The merit of one person is not worth mentioning."
Zhu Yihai smiled and said, "When the country is in trouble, we miss our good generals. In troubled times, we show our loyalty. You are much better than the relatives who have been favored by the country in many generations. Although you have never read a book, you have made countless scholars ashamed."
I heard that what you did in Guide was very good. It not only showed loyalty and courage, but also reflected wisdom, courage and strategy. I have always used talents in an eclectic way, not focusing on their origins, but on their loyalty and ability. You have already You have fully proven your loyalty and ability, so I will reward you heavily.
I appoint you as the chief military officer of the Guide Regiment. You will be responsible for commanding the local soldiers in the Guide area. You will be righteous and brave, recruit local villages, eliminate bandits, and restore order."
The situation in Henan is quite special. Xu Dingguo and Li Jiyu also claim to be anyway, but the court actually doesn't have much trust in capricious traitors and bandits like them.
But given the current situation, it would be a good thing to be able to resist the Qing Dynasty anyway.
Therefore, the final decision here is to accept them, but because Henan, Shandong and other places are now close to the imperial camp control area, they are treated differently from Jiang Gu, Miladin and others.
In particular, Xu Dingguo actually only occupied a small part of Henan, so he was not directly granted the outer town.
Instead, Xu Dingguo was granted the title of Admiral of Henan and the Commander-in-Chief of the Kaifeng Regiment. Li Jiyu was granted the title of Deputy Admiral of Henan and Commander-in-Chief of the Luoyang Regiment. Zhao Zhongyi was particularly appreciated by the emperor and was given a national surname and adopted as his adopted son. He was also granted the title of Deputy Admiral of Henan and Commander-in-Chief of the Luoyang Regiment. German regiment training general soldiers.
Originally, there were two major anti-Qing forces in Henan, Xu Dingguo and Li Jiyu, but the emperor pulled Zhao Zhongyi out and established a separate town to form three troops, each with the name of Tuanlian. In this way, what they commanded was the Tuanlian of Xiangyong, not the Tuanlian. The imperial court managed the officers and soldiers.
Similarly, for other large and small local strongholds, the imperial court mainly recruited and appeased, supplemented by encirclement and suppression. It wanted to disperse the strongholds and return to their homeland and re-establish order. For the stubborn Qing troops in Nanyang, Yingzhou, Runing and other places in Henan, it was natural to Focus on attacking.
First, unite the forces of anti-Japanese forces, win over and attack the powerful local strongholds, and jointly attack the Qing army in Henan. After destroying the Qing army, they will then continue to recruit and reorganize the local strongholds, and then gradually enter the imperial camp, and finally reorganize and train the troops to complete complete control of Henan.
There is a plan for every step.
Zhao Zhongyi's power is not strong, but it is a crucial step.
Zhao Zhongyi thanked the emperor for his kindness.
"Give the emperor's righteous son Zhu Zhongyi a four-clawed python robe, Shangfang sword, and a reward of eight hundred taels of dragon silver."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yihai stepped down from the Panlong Throne, picked up Zhu Zhongyi, and walked in the hall holding his hand, "First of all, I will ask you to be the commander-in-chief of the regiment training. I will first give you 2,000 men and horses, 3,000 sets of cotton armor, and 1,000 fire guns."
Rods, hundreds of large and small artillery pieces, as well as gunpowder and lead bullets, etc., you can bring them back to Germany so that you can train your troops for war!"