Wartime has the fast pace of wartime. In order to cope with the imminent arrival of Qing reinforcements, the Nanjing court's post-war reward and punishment assessment work was hastily completed in just ten days.
Even including those days of execution, it was not postponed to the Lantern Festival to avoid the bad luck of being stained with blood during the festival.
The vanguard of the Qing reinforcements in Jiangbei had indeed approached Yangzhou City on the eleventh day of the first lunar month.
However, the first ones to arrive were all cavalry, and they could not attack the city. So they did not advance rashly, but just harassed the countryside, trying to kill and plunder.
Since the Ming army had been well prepared, and the area around Yangzhou had been fought several times, the Ming army had lost once last year, and then counterattacked, and now it was baptized by the fire of war for the third time.
Where can I see living people wandering around in the entire countryside of Yangzhou Prefecture?
The living people were either moved to the south of the Yangtze River or concentrated in the cities, where they helped defend the city as strong men and received militarized management.
The vanguard cavalry sent by Azig circled around the boundaries of Yangzhou Prefecture and found that the fertile soil of Huaiyang, which was originally known to be extremely rich, was now completely "bones exposed in the wild, and there was no rooster crowing for thousands of miles."
Except for the militarization of several counties along the river and estuaries, not even a hair can be found in the countryside - and all of this is obviously caused by the dog Tatars! The Qing army itself has to bear the blame! Lan
The cavalry did nothing and couldn't find anything to grab. They waited for another two or three days before the follow-up infantry arrived one after another, and the artillery still needed more time.
During the waiting time, the Qing infantry had to first try to cut down trees to build siege equipment and make other preliminary preparations. It was impossible to have any substantial offensive before the Lantern Festival.
…
At the same time, in Nanjing, Zhu Shuren took advantage of the public welfare and delayed for several days to spend time with his family.
After the Lantern Festival, he prepared to cross the river by boat and go to the north of the Yangtze River for a while, urging all the ministries to force the Qing army to retreat, and to make some pointers on defense, so that he could have a beginning and an end.
The little princess Zhu Yuchan, who had just reunited with her husband on New Year's Eve, was naturally very reluctant to leave her. Last year, Zhu Shuren spent too much time fighting outside and running around, so he only spent three or four months with her in total.
So much so that on New Year's Day, her father suspected that there was something wrong with her health, why was there still no movement in her stomach.
This time, Zhu Yuchan naturally spent his money, tenderly and thoughtfully trying to persuade her husband not to personally supervise the battle.
"Duduo has been killed. Dorgon and Azig knew they couldn't be saved, so they would retreat in a few days, right? Why are you going to Yangzhou?
The son of a rich man cannot sit down in the palace. You are now a prince, so you don’t have to do anything yourself. A few days ago, my father even sent an imperial doctor and a palace maid, and they said they would stay in our house permanently from now on.
Now that the Ming Dynasty wants to be stable, you might as well... work harder at home, which is more important than winning a few small victories on the battlefield."
Zhu Yuchan's words were rather crude but not crude. Although he had selfish motives, he still hit the mark.
Historically, one of the most important reasons for the demise of the Southern Ming Dynasty was that there were many political failures! Everyone had ambitions, which led to the rise of mountains.
If, like Zhao Gou in the Southern Song Dynasty, all his brothers and cousins are killed or captured, ambitious generals cannot support other puppets, and everyone is united under one banner, Nanming will never end so easily.
Why does the pig-raising prince want so many people alive? Wouldn't it be better to die cleanly? Just keep one!
Now that the city of Nanjing and the Yangtze River defense line have been completely defended, the next step is to reverse the situation. The biggest benefit is not to win another battle on the battlefield, but for Zhu Shuren to quickly get a son out, completely dispelling the world's worries about the emperor and his ministers trusting each other.
Otherwise, there will always be a thorn in the hearts of all loyal ministers of the Ming Dynasty: If the people of the Lu family are really not good at breeding, and it is not easy to give birth, and we have to find someone to succeed from other vassal kings in the future, then should we advance it in advance?
Burning the cold stove and hugging the thigh?
Or at that point, if a vassal king really jumps out, will King E use force to subdue him? How many people will support each other at that time? How tragic will the civil war be?
Once a civil war breaks out, no matter how well you farm and organize the army, it will be completely consumed by the disadvantages of internal fighting.
Therefore, in the next year, Zhu Shuren should really use his lower body to work harder, and his mind can be free for a while. Nothing is as important as the problems below. This is the foundation of the country.
Fortunately, Zhu Shuren certainly knew this truth. When his wife said it, he just said gently: "The imperial doctor checked the pulse across the curtain and didn't say there was anything wrong, right? Since it's okay, just follow the steps."
This trip is only to Guazhou Ferry. If we don't enter Yangzhou City, we won't enter the Qing army's encirclement. Not even for a day. We also have our own navy and Zheng Xiandi's navy to escort us, so everything is foolproof. My Ming Dynasty navy, after all,
Still invincible.
This can be regarded as a good beginning and a good end. He will be back in no more than a few months at most. When March starts, I promise not to go far away for a day. I will sit in Nanzhili. Even if I have to move around, it will not be a military incident, and I will take my wife with me.
Can you wait until there is movement in your stomach?"
Zhu Yuchan pursed her lips: "Why don't you go out until March?"
Zhu Shuren explained earnestly: "The imperial doctors don't know everything, and they don't advise people to drink less. Gu is a well-read man, and he also read a lot of science from the books of a contemporary red-haired Yi named Descartes.
reason,
It is said that before men and women prepare to have children, they should abstain from alcohol for as little as three months and as much as six months. They should also avoid a thing called Danbagu that is popular among the Red Mao Yi people, which is similar to our snus. It should also be greasy.
To reduce it, you need to eat a reasonable mix of meat and vegetables, exercise moderately every day, and don't be overworked or too lazy... In short, it is good for your children.
You too, in the past few months, start eating spinach first, we can't expect to bet on luck, we need to be smart and healthy from the beginning."
The quotation in Zhu Shuren's words was of course just nonsense, and Descartes took the blame.
The reason why I thought of Descartes was simply because he happened to be from this era.
When the Zheng family did business with the Dutch Hongyi before, they had also heard that this Hongyi scientist was quite famous among the Dutch senior officials. Zheng Chenggong had even heard of it before he met Zhu Shuren.
If you cite such an example, it will be very credible, and others will not be able to verify it.
Zhu Yuchan really liked this trick. After all, the ancients had little research on this aspect. Even an imperial doctor, considering the arrogance and extravagance of the emperor's relatives, who would dare to persuade the emperor to drink less.
Besides, the emperor never thought about when to have a son, he just took advantage of the mood, fell in love at any time, and fell in love with him. If he was as prepared as modern people, the emperor would have to stop drinking for the rest of his life.
This also made it impossible to accurately and scientifically control the quality of the eldest son in ancient times.
When Zhu Yuchan heard that drinking alcohol would have bad effects, he said worriedly: "How long should I quit first?"
Zhu Shuren: "Don't worry, those who are hurt by drinking and sex may have to quit for more than half a year. But Gu has never been an alcoholic, but during the Chinese New Year, he frequently celebrated and socialized, so he drank a little too much for a few days. I will quit drinking today.
Alcohol will take effect in a month or two at most."
After hearing this, Zhu Yuchan could accept the time. After thinking about it for a while, she reluctantly added:
"There are some things that, as a concubine, I originally didn't understand, nor did I want to understand. But in such a time of national crisis, everything is the most important thing for the world, even the love between children, so my father advised me to look away.
In fact, I know that my husband has always had a close friendship with...Sister Zi Ling. My father also said in private a few days ago that we will be stationed in the capital this year. In the upper reaches, we need strong and loyal ministers to be in charge. The governor of Sichuan
, and it is inevitable that his close brother from Wuchang will be reused.
If I can give birth to a son for my husband, who will be healthy and strong, and complete the adoption, my father will grant my husband the status of a prince and a concubine. But before that, I must not mess with the legitimate concubine."
Of course, Zhu Yuchan did not want to tell these words. What woman would be willing to share her husband with others.
But this is a political necessity. It can only be said that the Tian family is ruthless. In order to win over people's hearts and stabilize the situation, even a weak monarch like Zhu Changzi has to sell a little bit of his daughter's personal happiness in order to consolidate the country, and others will work harder for him.
Nowadays, Zhu Shuren has prestige and military power, and everything is at its peak. Compared with him needing the emperor's endorsement, the emperor actually needs his loyalty more.
Moreover, in Zhu Changzi's view, being able to bring the daughters and sisters of important ministers from Sichuan and Huguang to Southern Zhili and let Zhu Shuren control them can be regarded as a layer of insurance. Compared with this level of income, it is really not a big deal for a son-in-law to play with a few more women.
It's over.
When Zhu Shuren heard this, he was moved in his heart. Of course, he still remembered Fang Ziling, but he always felt that the timing was not good. He had been repeatedly suppressed by the Qing army and intruders and followed the crowd. He had no time to free up his hands to deploy at his own pace, so he kept delaying.
.
Now it seems that I have to work harder on my wife's belly. This is a matter of killing three birds with one stone. It not only serves the country's foundation, but also makes me feel happy. It also serves both public and private interests.
…
After comforting the back house, Zhu Shuren finally embarked on a journey across the river to Yangzhou to be the governor.
This battle will not be too fierce. It can be regarded as having a beginning and an end, plating the final layer of gold for this round of Jianghuai offensive and defensive battle.
Zhu Shuren set out on the 16th day of the first lunar month and arrived at Guazhou Dushuizhai on the 17th. In the north of the Yangtze River, there were Huang Degong, Cao Bianjiao and Li Fuming, respectively guarding Liuhe County, Yizheng County, Yangzhou City and Haimen.
Other unimportant counties have become no man's land anyway, so we can give up for the time being, and then consider resuming production after this wave of Qing troops are forced to retreat——
It is only the middle of the first lunar month now. Generally, spring plowing starts in the second month of the Jiangnan lunar calendar, and the farming season can be delayed for about half a month at most. As long as the enemy retreats before late February and the people can come back, farming can be resumed.
Of course, this year, the Nanming court only dared to arrange for the resumption of production on land that was easy to manage around the transportation thoroughfares, and supply military rations nearby. As for other relatively remote areas that were not dangerous to defend and were not convenient for military garrison management, they could only abandon them for a year.
Yes, it should be left fallow.
If the defense line along the Huaihe River can be completely restored this year, we can consider resuming production throughout Huainan next year.
Because the Ming army always controlled the water transportation nodes of the Yangtze River and Hangou Canal, as soon as Zhu Shuren arrived, Huang Degong's generals in Yangzhou City, plus Cao Bianjiao's generals from Taixing, all took boats to Guazhoudu to report on the current situation.
The Qing army on the opposite side had no way to deal with the Ming army entering and exiting the city by water. They could only watch the Ming navy come and go freely, which was quite frustrating. Lan
Huang Degong himself had to stay in Hefei and had no skills to spare, so the defense of Yangzhou City was handed over to a deputy assigned to him by the imperial court named Huang Fei.
Huang Fei's original surname was Tu, but he changed his surname to Huang after his mother-in-law, but he was not related to Huang Degong - Huang Fei's uncle was Huang Long, the commander-in-chief of Dongjiang Town who died in the sixth year of Chongzhen, and who succeeded Mao Wenlong after his death.
Bit.
Huang Long died in a fierce battle with Kong Youde and Shang Kexi in Lushun in the year after the Wuqiao Rebellion with the traitor navy who had newly surrendered to the enemy. After Huang Long's death, because he had no son, his nephew changed his surname back to his maiden name, which was regarded as an adoption to his uncle to avoid his uncle's death.
Never.
Huang Fei had not had much interaction with Zhu Shuren's forces before. In the last years of Chongzhen, he had been stationed near Denglai. The imperial court assigned him the task of "assist and suppress the Northeast Navy General Force". He was nominally stationed in the Shandong Peninsula, and he was responsible for harassing the slaves in Liaodong by sea.
behind enemy lines,
But in fact, due to lack of strength, Huang Fei did not make much achievements in those years. Because of Zhu Shuren's butterfly effect, Zhu Shuren was mainly responsible for transporting food and salary support to Wu Sangui before Chongzhen's death, and the two battles of Tashan and Xingshan breakout and rescue were mainly done by Zhu Shuren.
, it is also the power of Zhu Shuren that is operating.
After Chongzhen's death, Huang Fei also took part of the "Liao Navy" to the south, with a total of 40,000 soldiers and civilians. This includes women and children, so it is estimated that there are only 10,000 soldiers among them. Shi Kefa was then
Someone was needed to help guard Jiang's defense, so he was transferred to Huang Degong's command.
After all, Huang Degong had already been awarded the title of general at that time, and was promoted by Zhu Shuren's butterfly effect to a relatively high position and authority, and could command other generals. Since then, Huang Fei has not performed well, and has always been in compliance with military orders. Until now, Huang Degong needs to divide his troops.
Only then did I get an opportunity to take charge of my own business.
As for Cao Bianjiao, because he had to divide his troops to guard several places along the river, and relied on the Yangtze River waterway to support each other, of course he could only keep one general in Taixing, so Cao Bianjiao chose an old subordinate named Liu Zhaoji.
In fact, Liu Zhaoji's qualifications are not shallow. As early as four years ago, when Cao Bianjiao and Hong Chengchou participated in the bloody battle of Songshan, Liu Zhaoji already had the rank of general soldier. However, he was not in a good position in the battle of Songshan. Hong Chengchou rewarded and punished him before he was surrounded.
Quan, demoted Liu Zhaoji.
Historically, because Cao Bianjiao died in Liaodong, Liu Zhaoji was dispatched by the imperial court after he went south, and finally defended Yangzhou with Shi Kefa and died in battle. Therefore, regardless of his combat effectiveness, his fighting will and loyalty are still guaranteed.
Now, because of Zhu Shuren's butterfly effect, Cao Bianjiao was rescued alive from Liaodong. When Cao Bianjiao came to Nanjing to serve as the king, his deputy, Bu Qu, who he had worked with in Liaodong, would naturally be reassigned to him.
Zhu Shuren, Huang Fei, and Liu Zhaoji did not have close friendship with the generals at first, and it was impossible for him to send every general under his command. These people were originally from the Ming Army in Nanzhili, not the Ming Army in Huguang, and Zhu Shuren was from Dongdong.
It was only after the Qinqin Queen changed their reporting relationship.
Huang Fei and Liu Zhaoji also didn't know much about the newly crowned king. They were a little nervous and cautious about taking orders from him for the first time. Zhu Shuren was the first to ask questions in a pleasant manner, trying to dispel their concerns:
"Huang Junmen and Liu Junmen are both long-standing generals. They are diligent and hardworking, and the court will remember them. I am still young, so you don't have to be cautious."
Let’s talk about whether the Jiannu reinforcements have made any rash moves in recent days? Have you fully disseminated the news about Duduo’s death? How did the Jiannu react?”
Seeing that the prince was approachable, Huang Fei reported truthfully: "Currently, the Qing reinforcements were divided into two routes: land and water. They arrived at Yangzhou City in five or six days and one or two days respectively, but they were unable to start a strong attack.
The land route starts from the north of the city, sieges the city in the west, and is temporarily missing from the south. The cavalry sent by Azig at the beginning are all in command of Dahai. Recently, as the Qing army in Shandong moves south, the ministries are not under each other's control, and it may become easier to lead. I heard that
It is also possible that Fengyang Nikan will be the commander-in-chief and be in charge of various land reinforcements.
The Qing army went down from Gaoyou Lake through the Hangou Canal and blocked the east side of the city. However, they could not get close to the Yangtze River estuary and could not prevent our warships from leaving the East Water Gate. The commander of the army was still Huai'an Kong Youde. This guy is like a dog-skin plaster.
He had come a long time ago. At first he felt that his troops were outnumbered and lost to our army, so he recaptured Gaoyou Lake. This time with more land reinforcements, he emboldened and went south again.
As for the news of Duduo's death, the last general and others also followed the general's order and spread the news by shouting to the enemies besieging the city. The enemy seemed to be slightly shaken for a while, but still refused to believe it. They seemed to think that this was a trick of our army to destabilize them.
Military spirit.
It may also be that Dorgon’s military orders were too harsh and they didn’t dare to give up - the general thought, could he consider displaying Duoduo’s body to deter the enemy and undermine their morale?”
Zhu Shuren was quite surprised by this result. He had always felt that it would be easy to understand Dodo's death.
After all, they have been dead for half a month. After the Qing army collapsed in the Battle of Jiangyin, they fled for several days. Then someone must have tried to wait for the storm to pass and cross the river in pieces. Counting the days, the first group to sneak across the river,
They should have arrived in Jiangbei on the third and fourth day of the new year. Now ten days have passed, can they still bring back the news of Duduo's death?
Or is it that some people want to remain anonymous or not report it because they are afraid of military punishment?
Thinking of this, Zhu Shuren couldn't help but murmur to himself: "Is it possible... that those defeated generals who had the chance to escape had to cover up their crimes and conceal their deeds?
Taking advantage of the fact that there was no evidence of his death, he described himself as "Before Duduo's death, on Duduo's order, he broke out to Jiangbei to send a message for help." Is this why the Qing army's reinforcements are still refusing to retreat as if they were given blood?
After all, if they were not around when Dodo died and were still ordered to risk their lives to deliver the message, they would not be guilty of trapping the commander. The Tatar military law is very strict, and anyone who traps the commander will be directly beheaded.
However, if there are too many people escaping, this kind of statement will definitely betray the gang. It is only possible if there are a few people who escape with them, and if there are more and more people escaping from other roads, they will bring different stories.
, the secret will be exposed in the end... This is to avoid guilt and survive, just take it one step at a time."
After listening to Zhu Shuren's analysis, Huang Fei and Liu Zhaoji also believed it and only thought of this possibility.
Zhu Shuren stroked his beard and nodded slightly: "In that case, there is no need to stick to humiliating Duduo's corpse. Although it has not been well preserved these days and is a little rotten, but fortunately the cold weather in the winter slows down rot, so it can still be done.
Sending prisoners as envoys and returning them to the slaves will just shake the morale of the slaves so that they can act on their own initiative."
——
PS: I'm very sorry for being so late...the past two days have been completely disrupted...