Yanziji, north of Nanjing, is the base camp of the 11th Army of the National Defense Force.
Yanziji is located in the north of Nanjing City, on Zhidu Mountain by the Yangtze River. This place hangs on three sides and stands on the Wujiang River. It looks like a swallow trying to spread its wings and fly across the river, so it is named Yanziji.
Zhidu Mountain is not high, the highest point is only over 40 meters, but the terrain is dangerous. Yanziji dominates the mountain and controls the river. In this era, it was an excellent ferry crossing the river and an important military base guarding the ancient capital of Nanjing.
Because of its unique geographical location and importance, Yanziji is known as the number one rock in the Yangtze River and ranks first among the three rocks in the Yangtze River.
There is a hilly mountain range about ten miles long on the south bank of the Yangtze River southwest of Yanziji, starting from Shangyuanmen in the west and ending at Yanziji in the east. This is Mufu Mountain.
The name of Mufu Mountain is said to be related to the establishment of the shogunate here by Wang Dao, the prime minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. During the Yongjia Rebellion in the Western Jin Dynasty, a large number of clan nobles migrated south. Langya King Sima Rui took Wang Dao across the river from Yanziji to Jianye (Nanjing). After the fall of the Western Jin Dynasty, Sima Rui ascended the throne in Nanjing and proclaimed himself emperor, becoming the founding emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. However, according to archaeological discoveries, this mountain was called "Mofu Mountain" as early as the Soochow Dynasty, and "Mo" connected with "curtain".
During the period of confrontation between the north and the south in ancient times, if the northern forces wanted to conquer the Southern Dynasty with Nanjing as the center, there were two main fronts: the east and west. The west was through Jingxiang and the east was through Jianghuai. No matter how they went, they would inevitably face the natural dangers of the Yangtze River. If they could not cross the river, everything would be They are all illusions. Only by crossing the Yangtze River can everything be possible.
In addition to Yanziji, there are two most important ferries not far from Nanjing: Caishiji in Ma'anshan and Guazhoudu in Zhenjiang. However, Yanziji is the closest Yangtze River ferry to the ancient capital of Nanjing, and forms a defensive river with Mufu Mountain.
A strategic barrier for northern invasion enemies. If the enemy crosses the river from Caishiji or Guazhou, Nanjing will still have buffer time. However, if Yanziji cannot be defended, the enemy will attack the city after crossing the river, and Nanjing will basically be out of business.
At the end of the Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasty, the Northern Qi crossed the Yangtze River to attack south. Chen Baxian stood firm at Mufu Mountain and Yanziji, defeating the Northern Qi army and bankrupting the Northern Qi's plan to move south.
It is precisely because of the strategic importance of Yanziji that the 11th Army of the National Defense Forces set up camp here directly after being unable to enter Nanjing City, and detached a total of troops to station in Mufu Mountain to form an attack on Liu Liangzuo and Gao Jie's troops in Nanjing City. The momentum has reached the top of Mount Tai.
On this day, a large number of river boats came from the north bank of the Yangtze River. There were more than 300 boats, crossing the Yangtze River mightily.
This fleet transported more than 17,000 soldiers from the right battalion of the 12th Army of the National Defense Force led by Liu Yan.
After Jiang Dejing, Han Qin, and Qin Chenghu received the news, they waited at the pier north of Yanziji early. When the large ships docked, groups of soldiers lined up from the pier, with smiles on their faces. Flowers bloomed.
"Mr. Liu Ge came to Nanjing City in person. Let's see how those bastards in the city respond!"
At this time, the three of them were gloating about their misfortune, even Jiang Dejing, who was calm in the old city, was doing the same. It was obvious that the three of them were being prevaricated by the officials in Nanjing.
Not long after, the big ship Liu Yan was riding on docked. Accompanied by Bao Qiang, deputy commander-in-chief of the 12th Army of the National Defense Force, and Cheng Zhiyu, the right battalion staff general, Liu Yan stepped off the ship and saw Jiang Dejing, Han Qin, and Qin Chenghu. He smiled. Then he said: "You three are welcome and safe!"
The three people saluted hurriedly, and Jiang Dejing was even more embarrassed and said: "I belong to
The low-class people failed to implement the New Deal and military reform policies and wasted their time outside Nanjing. They failed to live up to the great trust of Mr. Ge, and they should be punished by Mr. Ge! "
Liu Yan said with a smile: "Let's not talk about it for now. Nanjing City is a land of gods, but there are gods everywhere. Whether it is the New Deal or military reform, it is not that easy to accomplish."
"Now that the three of them have defeated everyone in Nanjing, they can't sleep at night. I will take care of the rest by myself!"
Jiang Dejing, Han Qin, and Qin Chenghu were shocked, and they all clasped their fists and said yes.
Immediately, Liu Yan entered the camp surrounded by everyone, and the soldiers of the right battalion of the 12th Army of the National Defense Force also entered the camp. The space in Yanziji is quite sufficient, and the camp is relatively spacious, so the meeting of the two armies will not be too crowded.
After everyone exchanged greetings in the Chinese army's tent, Jiang Dejing reported the situation of his dealings with the officials of the Six Ministries of Nanjing during this period.
"Um."
Liu Yan frowned slightly. Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu, Zhang Guowei, Jiang Yueguang, Gao Jie, Huang Degong, and Liu Liangzuo were all famous historical figures.
It’s just that among these people, there are those who are famous in history, there are those who defected to the Manchus, there are those whose talents are not worthy of their virtues, and there are those who died with hatred. It can be said that the experiences of these people put together are even more exciting, and even some scenes, I don’t even dare to write this, but it actually happened in history!
Then Liu Yan said: "The army is temporarily stationed in Yanziji. We will first send people into the city and inform all the officials of the Six Ministries of Nanjing that early tomorrow morning, I will go to the city to discuss matters. I will order all the officials above the director of the Six Ministries of Nanjing to be present. In addition, Zhang Guowei and Liu
Liang Zuo, Gao Jie, and Huang Degong must also be present! "
"yes!"
Qin Chenghu said: "Mr. Ge, Huang Degong has already led his troops to Yangzhou. He probably won't be able to make it early tomorrow morning."
"That's his business!"
Liu Yan said coldly: "I want to stay out of the situation without offending. This idea itself has offended me! I know that Huang Degong has outstanding military exploits and is a usable general. However, he is so swaying. I have to handle it." Give him a call. Send a fast horse to Yangzhou and tell Huang Degong that if you can't make it tomorrow morning, just hang up and go home!"
"yes!"
Jiang Dejing and Han Qin looked at each other. Even Huang Degong, who had never been in trouble with the inspection team, was so embarrassed. One can imagine what kind of situation the officials in the Sixth Department of Nanjing will be in tomorrow.
It has to be said that at this time Jiang Dejing, Han Qin, and Qin Chenghu had some vague expectations in their hearts.
Liu Yan then said to Bao Qiang and Cheng Zhiyu: "Tomorrow morning, the officers and men of the Eleventh Army will continue to be stationed in the camp. You two will lead a total of elite troops to follow me into the city."
"yes!"
It was already past noon when Liu Yan's order was sent to Nanjing.
In fact, when Liu Yan's fleet docked at Yanziji one after another, everyone in the city already knew about it.
However, everyone suddenly heard that Liu Yan, the chief minister of the cabinet, had led troops to arrive outside Nanjing. They all panicked and gathered together to discuss countermeasures. For an hour or two, there was no result. They even argued about whether to go out of the city to meet him.
At this time, in the residence of Shi Kefa, the Minister of the Ministry of War, Gao Hongtu, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Ma Shiying, the right censor of the Supervisory Academy, Jiang Yueguang, the official of the Hanlin Academy, and Ruan Dacheng, the deputy censor of the capital.
, Qian Qianyi, the Minister of Rites, Zhang Guowei, the former Minister of the Ministry of War in Beijing who was idle at home, Wang Duo, the university scholar, Lu Daqi, the right minister of the Ministry of War, and the chief military officers Gao Jie and Liu Liangzuo gathered together.
Everyone had been arguing for an hour or two, and now they were all a little tired. They all gathered together with gloomy faces and spoke much less.
Then Shi Kefa said loudly: "Mr. Liu Ge came to Nanjing in person, why can't we go out of the city to greet him? Mr. Ge represents the imperial court. Don't we, the Six Ministries of Nanjing, count as yamen of the Ming Dynasty?"
Everyone was speechless.
Ma Shiying said: "My lords, this is not what you mean. Xianzhi (Shi Kefa's nickname) also knows that Liu Ge always brings troops. What does this mean? I'm afraid that if we leave the city with our front foot, Liu Ge will take our back. !”
Jiang Yueguang said: "If you leave the city, you may fall into a trap. If you don't leave the city, you will be caught. When the time comes, we will be even more disadvantaged when bargaining with the imperial court on the New Deal and military reform policies. It will be wrong to advance or retreat! Please tell us. , how did the situation reach this point?"
Everyone sighed.
At this time, Liu Liangzuo said respectfully: "My lords, in the opinion of the lower officials, the soldiers and horses in our city are actually far less powerful than the National Defense Forces, so we'd better go out of the city to meet Mr. Liu Ge."
"Why?"
Ruan Dacheng looked at Liu Liangzuo dissatisfied and said: "Your Excellencies are currently discussing, it would be better for Mr. Liu to wait for the conclusion!"
Liu Liangzuo's expression froze and he stopped talking.
Zhang Guowei glanced at Ruan Dacheng and was a little dissatisfied. Now he still needs his soldiers and horses to protect him. His attitude towards him is really too much.
So Zhang Guowei said: "I understand Liu
The commander-in-chief means that with the tens of thousands of elite combat forces of the National Defense Force currently assembled in Yanziji, if the inspection team wants to enter the city, they will not waste time with us until now. Commander-in-chief Liu, Commander-in-Chief Gao, even if Mr. Huang is added, The army of soldiers is no match for the National Defense Force. "
"Now that the inspection team has been very restrained, Mr. Liu Ge has come to Nanjing in person again. There is really no reason why we can't go out of the city to welcome him."
Now that Zhang Guowei had spoken, everyone could not say anything else. They all looked at me and I looked at you and hesitated.
At this moment, a servant from Shi Kefa's house rushed over in panic and said, "Master, there is an envoy from the National Defense Force outside the house, saying that he has sent an order from Mr. Ge."
Everyone was shocked, Shi Kefa hurriedly let people in, and saw a flag commander of the 11th Army of the National Defense Force walking in with his head held high. After seeing a group of senior officials from the Sixth Department of Nanjing and two general military officers, he saluted with neither humility nor arrogance. It is completely different from the Ming army in the hands of Liu Liangzuo and Gao Jie.
"Mr. Liu Ge ordered: Tomorrow morning, all of you will be waiting for Mr. Ge's chariot at Shence Gate in the north of the city, and gather all the officials from the six departments above to discuss matters in the city. In addition, the chief military officers Liu Liangzuo, Gao Jie, Huang Degong, and Zhang Guowei must also be present! "
After announcing the order, the flag commander of the National Defense Forces clasped his fists again, turned and left, leaving only the stunned people.
"W-what does this mean?"
Ruan Dacheng looked at everyone in confusion, and then Zhang Guowei frowned and said: "This is saying, let us surrender early tomorrow morning and welcome Mr. Liu Ge into the city!"
At this time, everyone's faces were very ugly, especially Liu Liangzuo and Gao Jie, who were looking at them uneasily.
A group of adults were sitting there. If these adults are still unwilling to compromise, then tomorrow morning, they will lead their troops to fight with tens of thousands of national defense troops. Liu Liangzuo and Gao Jie can figure out the outcome with their butts!
Immediately, Shi Kefa said loudly: "Send someone to the Yanziji Camp and report our instructions directly to Mr. Liu Ge. Before getting Mr. Liu Ge's reply, we must not let the National Defense Forces enter the city!"
At this time, everyone's opinions were unprecedentedly unanimous, and they all agreed with Shi Kefa's proposition. After all, whether it is Zhang Guowei, Jiang Yueguang, Gao Hongtu, or Lu Daqi, the New Deal harms everyone's vested interests. Even if many of them are historical anti-Qing heroes, when faced with the damage to their interests, they still choose Never give in.
Zhang Guowei sighed and said, "I hope it can be settled satisfactorily at this time."
Liu Liangzuo and Gao Jie wailed in their hearts: "Conclusion? You fucking still want to achieve consummation? Just wait until next year for someone to round your grave!"
Immediately, Liu Liangzuo and Gao Jie began to make plans for themselves. After making eye contact, they both made up their minds.
