In this era, there might be a million people living within the 180-mile-long outer perimeter of Nanjing, which may seem like a lot, but compared with the urban population of Nanjing in later generations, it is nothing to mention. These million people mainly live in the western half of Nanjing City, from the west of the Imperial City and Xuanwu Lake to the Qinhuai River in the western part of the outer outline. This area is the essence of Nanjing City, with dense population and bustling markets. , all industries prosper.
But east of the Imperial City and Xuanwu Lake, it's a different scene.
Not far to the east of the Imperial City is Chaoyang Gate. The space between the north and south walls of Chaoyang Gate and the east wall of the Imperial City is limited, and transportation is inconvenient. Apart from some abandoned warehouses and barracks, there wasn't much.
Beyond the east wall of the inner city of Nanjing, there is the Zhongshan Purple Mountain where the Xiaoling Mausoleum is located, the Xiaoling Guards and the Great Sacrificial Altar, which are not places where business can be done.
Moreover, Nanjing's external trade in this era mainly took place by water, from the Qinhuai River to the Yangtze River, and then through the Yangtze River, the golden waterway. There were more places to go and the transportation cost was low. On land, the official road leading from Chaoyang Gate to Xianhe Gate and Qilin Gate is relatively deserted. On both sides of this road, apart from the towering Zhongshan Mountain, is the land belonging to the Xiaoling Guards, as well as the dilapidated large sacrificial altar and the villas of some dignitaries. Basically it is very open, so it can be used as a battlefield.
This area is relatively open, and most of it is farmland. Because of the north-south upper reaches of the Qinhuai River, it is divided into east and west parts, thus forming a natural battlefield dividing line.
The armored cavalry entering the city from Qilin Gate did not go directly to Chaoyang Gate as Xu Hongji and others expected. Instead, they spread out in units of battalions and flags within Qilin Gate and east of the Qinhuai River.
One party dismounted and climbed into the city, occupying Qilin Gate, Xianhe Gate to the north of Qilin Gate, and Cangbo Gate to the south of Qilin Gate. The remaining troops began to seize the bridges on the Qinhuai River or patrol the east bank of the Qinhuai River. Soon they occupied all the territory east of the Qinhuai River, south of Zhongshan surrounded by the outer wall of Xiaoling, and north of Cangbo Gate.
There are several manors on this land, either the villas of nobles and ministers in the city, or the houses of the two commanding families of Xiaoling, Wei Mei and Xiao.
These two commanding families are quite prominent. Among them, the ancestor of the Xiao family, Xiao Xun, was the second generation of Xun in Zhu Yuanzhang's era. His father was Zhu Yuanzhang's general, and his sister was Zhu Yuanzhang's concubine. The ancestor of the Mei family, Mei Yongzhen, was even more powerful. He was a descendant of Mei Yin who married Princess Ningguo, the daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang.
The two commanding families are so well-connected, so why should they be so polite? They naturally treat the Xiaoling Guard as their private property. There are five stations under the Xiaoling Guard, which are full of 5,600 military households. But during the Jiajing period, only more than 1,700 people could be used at most. By the end of Chongzhen's reign, even 1,000 guards could not be mobilized.
However, their houses are both in good repair. They have large courtyards with five entrances and five exits. They are large houses with high walls, facing the Qinhuai River, and their own docks. I don’t know if they are used for business or for berthing boats.
When Zhu Cixiang arrived, the heads of both families were not there. They were probably all in the Xiaoling Guard, where King Qin was.
The ones who came out to greet him were two descendants from the collateral line who had the reputation of being a scholar. One was named Mei Youwen, which meant he had no literary talents. The other was a great one. His name was Xiao Yuanshan. He didn't know if he knew martial arts, but he looked quite energetic. Keep it. His face has sideburns and beard, and his facial features are sharp and angular.
The two scholars were very surprised when Zhu Cixiang led the army to station, and they were a little panicked when they were brought to Prince Zhu by the guards of the East Palace.
Obviously he knew a lot of things, but Zhu Cixiang didn't bother to talk to them. Ren Yizhou and Zhang Tao, two thousand-year-old men from the Jinyi Guards, would go and ask questions.
But Zhu Cixiang just happily led the East Palace guards, escorted Zhang Shenyan, Zhao Zhilong, and Han Zanzhou, accompanied by generals such as Wu Xiang, Cao Youyi, Huang Binqing, Wang Zhiren, Zhu Chunchen, and Li Guozhen, and entered the hall of the Mei family mansion.
"Sit down, please sit down, Mr. Miao Shan, Uncle Xincheng, Han Zanzhou, and everyone else, please don't be polite."
Zhu Cixiang sat up with a smile, then asked everyone who came in with him to sit down separately, and took a look at the hall where he was. Compared to a hereditary commanding family like the Mei family, the area here is a bit outrageous. Moreover, the decoration is luxurious, and the furnishings and utensils are extremely luxurious. Even the candles used for lighting are of the highest quality mixed with unknown spices. After lighting them, the whole room is filled with fragrance.
This aura of wealth and nobility really made Emperor Chongzhen’s court miserable.
Zhu Cixiang withdrew his gaze, fell on Zhao Zhilong, Zhang Shenyan, and Han Zanzhou, and looked back and forth.
All three people's faces were ashen.
They never thought that Zhu Cixiang had any intention of starting a war, so he didn't even let them see Emperor Chongzhen, and directly used the Jin Yiwei to arrest people.
The three of them simply threw themselves into a trap.
Now both Zhang Shenyan and Han Zanzhou look like they are risking their lives and don't care about anything anymore.
Zhao Zhilong, on the other hand, was confident and smiling. Zhu Cixiang looked a little confused. How could this guy be so confident? Historically, he knelt with Tatars very happily. Could it be that the history books were telling you that Zhao Zhilong was a loyal martyr who was not afraid of cold water?
"Zhao Zhilong, what's wrong with you?" Zhu Cixiang pointed at Zhao Zhilong and shouted angrily, "You should be the mastermind of this incident. Why did you come here to die on your own?"
What do you mean? Zhao Zhilong was stunned: Why am I the mastermind? I am an undercover?
"Qian, Qian Suiye," Zhao Zhilong stammered, "I have already stated my intention in the secret report to you. I also exposed the rebels in Nanjing."
Why are you a traitor? Prince Zhu was stunned.
After hearing this, Zhang Shenyan and Han Zanzhou glared at Zhao Zhilong.
"Your secret message" Zhu Cixiang was confused, "Why don't I know when it happened?"
I don't know if Zhao Zhilong is really scared now. He trembled and said, "I asked Zuo Maodi to bring it to Master Qiantose."
"Oh." Zhu Cihong nodded, "But Zuo Maodi didn't hand over your memorial, nor did he say that such a thing happened."
You Zuo Maodi, you dishonest villain, Zhao Zhilong can hear his heart breaking.
"Master Qiansui, Master Qiansui," Zhao Zhilong said and knelt down to Zhu Cixiang, "You have to believe that I am really an undercover agent, and I am loyal to Master Qiansui."
Zhu Cihong smiled, took a piece of fried rice cake rolled with bacon and pickled vegetables and a wine gourd from Huang Xiaobao who came in at some unknown time, and started eating and drinking.
At the same time, the generals under Zhu Cihong who were present also took the same rolls and wine gourds from the East Palace guards and began to eat and drink.
Zhang Shenyan and Han Zanzhou were stunned when they saw this scene.
This group of people is really the prince, Duke Cheng, and Uncle Xiangcheng. They just eat and drink like this. They are really not particular at all. It seems they haven’t washed their hands. They still taste so rough. Why do they look like bandits and Tatars?
Zhu Cixi seemed to notice the surprise of the two of them, and he laughed and said: "It is not easy for us to be so vulgar along the way. We have lost our lives long ago. These heroes who have overcome difficulties are no longer the same as before.
Zhao Zhilong, please tell me quickly. I will go to the battlefield soon, and time is tight."
"Go, go to the battlefield." Zhao Zhilong was stunned, "It's almost dark."
Zhu Cixiang smiled, "It's dark so we can fight at night."
"Night battle" Zhao Zhilong took a breath, "Qiantose Lord's army has been traveling for a whole day."
"It's okay, I'm not tired at all." Zhu Cixi smiled, "Don't talk nonsense, just explain."
Zhao Zhilong asked with a trembling voice: "What do you want to tell me?"
"Explain your deployment. You are the commander-in-chief of Nanjing. You will not fail to participate in the formation of troops. If you explain it honestly, I may save you from death."
