Now that the situation has been explained clearly to the prince, Zhu Shuren is not responsible for the original mess in central Sichuan, so Zhu Shuren is naturally very motivated to immediately start his troops and march westward.
The day after receiving the order, on the first day of December, Zhu Shuren took the lead in setting off the front vanguard of the Huguang Army, which had been prepared in Wuchang Prefecture.
Zhu Shuren himself will lead the Chinese army to set off on the second day of December.
Because the exhausted troops from long battles needed to change defenses, the troops Zhu Shuren brought to Sichuan this time were mainly Jin Shenghuan and Jiang Shoude who were resting in Hunan after the Battle of Hengzhou, plus Liu Guoneng who deployed on the second line during the Battle of Chenxian, and others
We had already moved westward from the beginning and arrived at Zhang Huangyan's headquarters in Qutang Gorge ahead of schedule.
The small Yuan battalion brought by Yuan Shizhong, who abandoned the secret and defected to the Ming Dynasty, will also follow Liu Guoneng, plus the thousands of troops recruited when he annihilated Li Jiyu's troops in Guide. There will be about half of the troops in this battle, which is about 35,000 people.
All of them had experience of joining the Peasant Army.
Of the 70,000 troops sent by Zhu Shuren, more than 50,000 were old people, including 15,000 from Zhang Huangyan's troops, about 20,000 from Jiang Shoude and Jin Shenghuan, and between 15,000 and 20,000 from Liu Guoneng's troops, plus Liu Guoneng's own troops.
Similar to Xiao Yuan's camp, the peasant army was reorganized.
As for the two major generals, Huang Degong and Zuo Zixiong (Huang Degong also added the title of "Rebel General"), they will not move. Huang Degong will temporarily replace Liu Guoneng and be responsible for the defense in Henan, while Zuo Zixiong will be responsible for the local defense of Huguang.
Originally, if an individual peasant army surrendered to a general and asked him to give up the territory he had managed for several years and change defenses to fight elsewhere, it would still be easy to cause trouble.
But Liu Guoneng already had great admiration for Zhu Shuren and was die-hard loyal to him. In addition, this time there was a reason for the incident. Huang Degong's troops had previously been the main force and needed to rest. Liu Guoneng still had potential. Of course, he was allowed to move around, and Liu Guoneng understood.
As for the number of people who have participated in the Peasant Army, it has reached half of the total strength. This is also very dangerous in the eyes of outsiders. But Zhu Shuren can divide the control at different levels, and use Liu Guo to control other former Peasant Army. If he treats people with sincerity, he will be absolutely safe.
Like Mount Tai——
Liu Guoneng's only son was sent to the Nanjing Imperial College three years ago. He was personally introduced by Zhu Shuren and became a disciple of Mr. Wu Meicun.
In the past few years, Liu Guoneng took in several more concubines, and some of them gave birth to children, but the oldest ones were no more than two years old. Liu Guoneng was also very conscious, and all his concubines who had children were sent to Nanjing to be educated.
, saying that Nanjing is safe and has good living conditions, and it can also help children do well in primary school and become scholars in the future.
As for the lack of women after his concubines left, Liu Guoneng was not worried at all. Not all his concubines were pregnant anyway. Besides, in such troubled times, women could take them at any time.
Sometimes Liu Guoneng and Zhu Shuren would talk, and they would feel that Mr. Futai was too honest and self-suffering. Although his family was rich, he did not need to make money to become an official, and he could still be an official with high integrity and provide money for his work.
But he became a governor at the age of twenty-three and was granted the title of earl. Before he married, he only had three or four concubines and only gave birth to one daughter. That was too few.
For a vulgar man like him, Lao Liu, just because he has no son, he would be able to earn ten or eight more. As an uncle, Mr. Futai could get a dozen or even dozens more, and everyone would be convinced.
of.
These are all digressions. Anyway, Liu Guoneng is quite inferior to his own origin and vulgarity. He has always wanted to let his son squeeze into the circle of intellectuals in the future. It is best not to lick the blood again.
They are fighting against each other.
Just by the fact that he sent all his children to Nanjing and his die-hard loyalty to Zhu Shuren, he was absolutely safe.
Therefore, Zhu Shuren asked Jiang Shoude and Jin Shenghuan to set off today, and tomorrow he would set off with the Chinese army composed of Liu Guoneng and Yuan Shizhong.
In this way, you can also build another wave of loyalty, showing that you are trustworthy in employing people and do not use suspicious people.
Especially those like Yuan Shizhong who have just joined the army, they will definitely have some thoughts in their hearts: "Those like me who have been thieves before, I wonder if I will be discriminated against by my direct descendants after joining Mr. Guo, and whether I will be seen wearing small shoes."
"Stumbling blocks" worries.
If Zhu Shuren were to be completely undefended against Yuan Shizhong, with only Yuan Shizhong's troops at his side, he would not be so courageous. But letting Liu Guoneng act as an intermediary to cross the bridge and add insurance would not only make him absolutely reliable, but also show his courage and frankness.
Best of both worlds.
Before the troops set off, Zhu Shuren inevitably asked Wang Eunuch to go with him to inspect the preparations and say a few words about the troops. Of course, he would also give Wang Eunuch some labor fees as a token of his gratitude.
The prince didn't understand military affairs at all, and he didn't know how much work there was to worry about when the army set off.
Now that he had seen with his own eyes how busy the troops were and how they were preparing for everything, he had to admit that Mr. Guo Xing really took the court's affairs to heart and did not dare to slack off at all. Being able to send troops so quickly was already extremely impressive.
It was so fast that no other Ming general or governor in the world could do it.
In particular, even the reorganized troops from the Peasant Army were able to form an army on their own, and Mr. Guo Xing only took them with him. This boldness and loyalty were beyond compare.
In comparison, in history, during the same period of this year, Huang Taiji once again entered the pass from Jimen to plunder, but Wu Sangui delayed his return to Beijing for half a year after receiving Chongzhen's decree. This gap is absolutely unbelievable.
The difference (of course because of the butterfly effect, Huang Taiji has not come yet)
…
While the troops were getting ready to set off, in the evening of the same day, some personal matters also came to the door, requiring Zhu Shuren to deal with them.
The visitor is Fang Ziling, the second young lady of Governor Fang's family.
Zhu Shuren was not surprised either. What should come must come.
Fang Ziling met Zhu Shuren yesterday at the reception banquet after receiving the order, but her father and brother were both there at the time, so it was hard to say much.
This time, she mustered up the courage to go to the house alone, and even chose to go out after her brother came back from the office. This was to prevent her from bumping into her brother, because she was afraid that Fang Yizhi would be with Zhu Shuren when he was working during the day.
at.
As soon as the two met, Fang Ziling originally wanted to get straight to the point and ask what the other person was thinking. But as soon as she took a quick look, she noticed a figure that she had seen yesterday and could not get rid of.
[A book-chasing app recommended to me by an old book friend I have known for ten years, Yeguo Reading! It is so easy to use. I rely on this app to read and listen to books while driving and before going to bed. You can download it here.]
Bian Yujing had changed his clothes and was waiting beside Zhu Shuren. His appearance was completely different from the time half a year ago when Zi Ling and Bian Yujing discussed current affairs and composed a songbook to discover dirty information about the intruders.
Fang Ziling couldn't help but ask first: "Congratulations to Mr. Guo Xing. Is this another beautiful confidante who will accompany you? From now on, you will be able to talk with candlelight at night?"
Zhu Shuren did not shy away and admitted openly: "Yu Jing has helped me several times. When I redeemed Miss Li's life, she was also eager to help Zhang Luo.
I have always said that I want to repay her, and if she practices for the rest of her life as she wishes, I will also provide her with fine clothing and food, so that she will not have any shortages. But since she has figured it out and is willing to accompany me for the rest of her life, I will naturally not let her down.
You also know about Yu Jing's talents and insights. The three former confidantees around me were entangled with each other because of friendship, and they naturally came together. But when it comes to their understanding of my political philosophy and historical perspective, they
None of the three are as good as Yu Jing. If you understand me so well, of course you have to give her happiness."
Fang Ziling didn't know how to answer the question, so she just bit her lip for a while and let out a long breath:
"How could I not know about Sister Yujing's knowledge? In this case, I would like to congratulate Mr. Guoxing. This expedition can first get the auspicious sign of 'pacifying the clouds and birds in the eight windows of autumn, and overwhelming the forty states of Xichuan'. I will definitely win the battle."
, finally destroy Zhang Ni."
Fang Ziling also read a lot of poetry and books and picked it up at random. These two ancient poems were written by Xue Tao of the Tang Dynasty to Li Deyu, the Minister of Military Affairs of the Tang Dynasty, Yin of Chengdu, and Li Deyu, the military governor of Jiannan and Xichuan.
He is the Li Deyu in the "Niu-Li Party Struggle" in junior high school history textbooks.
At that time, it was Niu Sengru's turn to be the prime minister, so Li Deyu was pushed out and sent to another place. He built Chibianlou in Chengdu. Later, he sent troops to attack Tubo in western Sichuan and expanded several states. Xue Tao's poem was written in Li Deyu's Chibianlou.
When it is completed, go and support it.
Fang Ziling made a few casual remarks and pointed out that Bian Yujing's background was the same as that of Xue Tao, and he fell into the dust. Although Bian Yujing was rescued as a young man without any help, he was born in a humble background after all.
However, Xue Tao was also the first female member of the Tang Dynasty and was known for her extraordinary knowledge. She was able to discuss the pros and cons of current affairs with the prime minister at that time. This was also a high recognition of Bian Yujing's vision and insight.
And Zhu Shuren also wanted to go to Sichuan to use troops. Fang Ziling used this analogy to draw on the good omens of his predecessors to get some luck. After all, Li Deyu also won a great victory against Tubo back then.
After Zhu Shuren and Bian Yujing heard this, their expressions softened, and it was obvious that they really took advantage of it.
With the war approaching, who doesn't want to seek some historical luck and some psychological comfort? Even if it's just a good mood, that's good.
Bian Yujing was a little ashamed and did not deserve it: "Thank you very much for your kind words, sister. How can I compare to senior masters like Xue Tao, little sister? I just want to be able to follow the master, listen to his teachings in the morning and dusk, and record his aphorisms. In this life,
Wish it was enough.
Sister, in fact, you know that the young master is by no means a greedy person who clings to wealth and status. With his wealth and status, and only a few of us around him, he is already very affectionate and righteous, and he is definitely not... definitely not... to you."
Bian Yujing wanted to help negotiate, but at the moment he didn't know how to word it. Fortunately, Fang Ziling also took the initiative: "Okay, I don't need to say anything anymore. My surname is Mr. Guo. I just want to know what you think about the little princess of Prince Lu's mansion."
.”
When it comes to this matter, Zhu Shuren will not shy away: "The little princess is innocent and has a good nature. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, and for the sake of avoiding suspicion between the monarch and his ministers, since I want to marry the little princess to appease people's hearts, I will naturally treat her well in the future."
.
However, Miss Fang can be regarded as a rare confidant in my life. If Miss Fang is willing to wait and can accept the title and status below the princess, then I will definitely give you a title in the future.
The worst case scenario is that after Xichuan is pacified, I will exchange my merits for the prince to allow me to openly take concubines, or use other methods. In short, it will only take a year and a half. As long as you are willing to wait, up to two years, I will definitely give you a concubine.
status."
"Two years..." Fang Ziling was obviously very shy. The other party took the initiative to point out this relationship, leaving her with nowhere to hide. But when she heard the number two years, she felt a little confused, as if she recalled something unbearable.
past,
"Two years, is it really fate? I remember when you wrote "The Continuation of the Theory of Outlaws", I saw you bluntly saying that thieves and Romans and horses would inevitably fight each other and harm each other.
At that time, I advised you not to be too full of words, lest it would not be fulfilled in the future and become frivolous and embarrassing. As a result, you made a two-year bet with me, and in the end, you only waited for half a year before everything came true.
At that time, if I didn't bet, you would have said whatever you said. As my father was still your boss at that time, and my brother was also on good terms with you, if the search was successful, I'm afraid everything would have been settled by now...
Haha, haha, everything is indeed fate, and I brought it upon myself. Well, having said that, there are no outsiders here. What else is there for me to be afraid of being embarrassed about? I will just wait for you.
Two years.”
As Fang Ziling spoke, her expression became more and more depressed. She obviously thought that if the first two-year bet did not exist from the beginning, she might be raising her husband and raising her children now. Even if it was slower, she might be pregnant.
Up.
She was so competitive that it was her fate to end up like this. She even thought that several of her aunts were very prosperous when they married, but in the end, her uncle was killed by bandits and returned home as a widow.
Is it true that the women of the Fang family are too good and too strong to be cowardly? Should I really take a step back so that both parties can feel more relaxed?
Of course, this kind of thought is just out of fear and superstition of fate. It flashes in my mind. After calming down, I still feel a little unwilling.
Fang Ziling sighed for a while, then turned to Bian Yujing, stroked Bian Yujing's shoulders twice, pinched her collarbone, and sighed:
"Sister, for a moment just now, I was envious of you. Although my background is a bit humble, I don't have to worry about my status. I can just be content with the situation. If I want to pursue my own happiness, I can pursue it boldly. My sister has a father who is a governor.
As the prefect's elder brother, you can't embarrass them too much."
When Bian Yujing was told this, she decided to confess completely and tell all her secrets:
"Sister Zi Ling... don't be angry if you say something. Six months ago, you asked my little sister for advice on composing a songbook and commenting on history. At first, my little sister only thought that you were the future young mistress, so she treated you like that.
Respectfully, I will follow you everywhere.
However, after being together for a long time, I found that my sister’s knowledge and vision are indeed better than mine. We also see a lot of the same things. I really admire you. Although you are no longer the future mistress, we can still be together in the future.
Read history and comment on the gains and losses of the past and present, and hope it will be the same as before, okay?"
Fang Ziling: "Okay, regardless of whether this heartless man keeps his promise in two years, I will come to my sister to study together when I have time. But next time we meet, my sister will have to compose a song that is as good as Xue Tao's "Strongly Conquering the Fourth Sichuan Province of Xichuan"
Shizhou's heroic work strengthens the morale of thieves."