Dasheng Pass is said to be a "pass", but in fact it is not a city pass built at a pass or mountain pass to block roads, but a river defense fortress. It was built against a river with a width of less than three miles near Nanjing. Less than three miles north of Dashengguan, it was also a relatively open estuary of the Qinhuai River.
This Dasheng Pass can guard the Yangtze River and protect the mouth of the Qinhuai River. It is naturally dangerous to be placed near Jiangning. During the historical hegemony period at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Chen Youliang's Eastern Expedition army was defeated by Zhu Yuanzhang in this area, hence the name "Great Victory".
After entering the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, who liked to build infrastructure and build city walls, naturally had to carry out large-scale construction in Dashengguan. He not only built Dashengguan City, but also built a wharf and water village at the entrance of the nearby Qinhuai River, firmly It was a pity that Dasheng Pass never played any role in the subsequent war to defend Nanjing.
However, the ancient city of Dashengguan and the nearby wharf at the mouth of the Qinhuai River have still existed to this day, and have become the west gate of the newly re-opened Nanjing "Xiao Ming Court".
On the second day after the third prince Zhu made his official appearance in Jinling City in the name of Ding Wang and Supervising the Country, Wang Huaxing, who had "hurriedly dreamed" during the Xiaoling Guard Incident so that Zhu Yuanzhang could come to entrust his dream, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of Dashengguan. Let him immediately take the five hundred soldiers from the Jiangning garrison who had just been recruited to Dasheng Pass to take up their posts.
After Wang Huaxing arrived at Dasheng Pass, he recruited a naval police force belonging to the Green Camp of the Qing Army with only 200 people (real number). He also recruited some scattered fishermen and private traders to form an army of 800. The number was not large. , but Wang Huaxing is a martial arts scholar with both civil and military skills. He has a quick mind and is familiar with "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Sun Tzu's Art of War". He is a good strategist.
After he stabilized the team at Dasheng Pass, he also ordered a batch of cloth and satin woven from Jiangning from Nanjing City, made many large flags, and planted a flag streamer on Dasheng Pass and the water village at the mouth of the Qinhuai River. Zhaozhan!
In addition, he asked Li Zhongshan (Wang Zhongxiao), the temporary Minister of War of the "Xiao Ming Court" in Nanjing, for some old-fashioned cannons that were originally placed at the top of Jiangning City, and some gunpowder. If anything happened, he would fire them at Dasheng Pass. , the fight was so lively, as if many troops were conducting live-fire training.
After a bluff, the Qing troops in Jiangpu County on the other side of the Yangtze River were so frightened that they all retreated to the county seat and stayed behind closed doors, handing over all control of this section of the river to Wang Huaxing.
However, the "Xiao Ming Court" in Nanjing could not spare any time to capture Jiangpu and Liuhe counties on the north bank of the Yangtze River. There was no way, the troops were still insufficient!
Now that the Yingtian regiment has not yet formed an army, the "Xiao Ming court" has only the Yingtian town army and the Caojiang navy under the direct control of the "temporary army" Li Zhongshan (Wang Zhongxiao). Thousands of people, the latter only have two thousand.
The imperial court was quite large, and only had a total of five thousand "unusable" soldiers - too few, and they would be used up accidentally. Of course, it was impossible to open up new territories in a big way!
In fact, the flag soldiers and their families entrenched in the Imperial City of Nanjing (Mancheng) have not been eliminated yet!
Li Dabing (Wang Zhongxiao) did not dare to attack by force at all, but carefully surrounded them - the troops used to surround them were not enough. Fortunately, there was a city wall that could be used, otherwise it would really be impossible to encircle them.
In addition, the surrounded flag soldiers and their family members were also very cowardly. Facing the enemy who had planted many flags to show off their bluff, they did not dare to launch a desperate breakout, but just defended like a tortoise.
Around the Imperial City of Nanjing (Mancheng), there have been almost no records of fighting since the past month.
But even so, Zhu Cijiong, the king of the Ming Dynasty who left Nanjing today to Dashengguan to meet the "King Geng's Rebel Army", was still a little uneasy.
Yes, he was just uneasy. In order to welcome Geng Jingzhong’s rebel army, Li Zhongshan (Wang Zhongxiao) had to implement an empty city strategy!
Specifically, the defenders of Nanjing City, including most of the two thousand navy sent by Zheng Jing, were mobilized and put on red brocade robes made by the absorbed Jiangning Weaving Yamen Organization to disguise themselves. They became the Jinyi personal army directly under the jurisdiction of the third prince Zhu, and then they went to Dasheng Pass to fool Geng Jingzhong, Shang Zhixin, Liu Jinzhong and the others.
Although Li Benbing (Wang Zhongxiao) even used the empty city strategy, he only mobilized a mere 3,600 "Jinyi soldiers" - he couldn't really evacuate all the people in Nanjing city, right? There are always some guards posted at the city gates entering and exiting Nanjing. There are also guards posted at various government offices in the city. The warehouses where property, military supplies, and grain are stored must also be watched over!
Also, the garrison at Dasheng Pass, which was used to welcome Geng Jingzhong's army, could not move. Because according to the plan, a considerable part of the troops brought by Geng Jingzhong will be temporarily stationed around Dasheng Pass. Geng Jingzhong can only bring a maximum of 3,000 people into Nanjing!
In short, if today's "Welcoming King Geng" performance is done well, the Ming Dynasty's small court in Nanjing will be able to avoid being controlled by Geng Jingzhong, a prince who is neither good nor loyal.
Outside the East Gate of Dashengguan, in a temporary pavilion (actually just a shed) built with moso bamboo and straw, Zhu Cijiong, who has been the king of the Ming Dynasty for a month, is wearing a dragon robe and a charity hat. Wing Crown, sitting grandly on a dragon chair, with two beauties dressed as palace maids behind him, and beside him stood Qianhu, the Jin Yiwei, who was Liu Shuochuan, the only "true Jin Yiwei" before!
Liu Shuochuan now has twelve subordinates, plus the notorious Jinyi Guards whom he calls the "Jinyi Thirteen Taibao", there are now only thirteen people in total!
These thirteen people were all dressed in exquisite flying fish clothes, with embroidered spring knives slung around their waists, and stood outside the shed with their chests and bellies raised.
Outside the Changting Pavilion, there are the temporary ministers of the Ming Dynasty's temporary court, including Chen Yonghua, the Minister of Personnel, Lu Sanhao, the Minister of Household Affairs, Huang Baijia, the Minister of Rites (son of Huang Zongxi, who arrived with Wang Zhongxiao), Jingchuan, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry (Jianning County) Order), Minister of Punishment Zheng Desheng and so on.
In addition, there is a group of gentry drawn from the counties under the Yingtian Mansion. Most of them participated in the establishment of the Yingtian Tuanlian. They have now been awarded officials. They all wear official uniforms and look very loyal.
Although the current Ming Dynasty has only five counties and a standing army of only 5,000 people, there are still many loyal ministers!
And in the near future, there will be many princes!
Wang Zhongxiao, who temporarily guest-starred as Minister of War, was leading a few of his subordinates to inspect the 3,600 "Jinyi Army" arrayed beside the official road outside Dasheng Pass. Half of the 3,600 people were equipped with various equipment. There are muskets, including matchlocks and flintlock guns. The rest are equipped with spears and swords. The sword soldiers among them are all rattan soldiers with the characteristics of Zheng Jiajun, and they are very good at fighting in gangs! Although his fighting ability on the shore is average, he still looks quite impressive.
"Li Zhongtang, King Geng's men have arrived!"
He Tianran, who was following Wang Zhongxiao, suddenly started shouting. His voice was a little tight. It was obvious that he was not sure whether Geng Jingzhong would start a fight as soon as they met?
If we really want to invade by fire, there are three to four thousand people here in Dasheng Pass (including the defenders of Dasheng Pass). They can't resist the tens of thousands of elites under Geng Jingzhong's command.
Wang Zhongxiao turned around and saw a large red flag appearing on the horizon in the distance. It was bordered by flame patterns on a red background and had some unknown words embroidered on it. More than a dozen appeared at the same time, fluttering in the wind, and then a few rows of spear points glowing coldly under the sun. I don’t know how many there were, but they kept appearing in Wang Zhongxiao’s sight.
After a while, Wang Zhongxiao saw the "red head" "hidden" under the tip of the spear. All King Geng's subordinates had their heads wrapped in red scarves, which was a bit like the style of the Red Scarf Army in the late Yuan Dynasty.
Later, he discovered that behind a large group of red scarf spearmen were more than a dozen square wooden prison vehicles. He didn't know who was inside.
"Naturally," Wang Zhongxiao suddenly took out a token and handed it to He Tianran and said, "Personally master the sharpshooters and let them ambush on the wall of Dashengguan. If Geng Jingzhong dares to hijack his car or attack his own officer, give me a ruthless blow." Hit hard!"
"yes!"
He Tianran agreed, then turned around and headed towards Dasheng Pass.
About a hundred sharpshooters trained by Wang Zhongxiao personally were lurking at Dasheng Pass, occupying the commanding heights and ready to fire at any time!
The location of Zhu Cijiong was also carefully selected by Wang Zhongxiao. It was not outside the south gate (facing southwest) of Dasheng Pass, but outside the east gate (facing southeast). Therefore, Geng Jingzhong and others had to enter from Dasheng Pass. Only by passing under the city wall can you reach Zhu Cijiong's location. This exposed him and his confidants to sniper fire.
Of course, this is just a last resort!
If Geng Jingzhong knew better, Wang Zhongxiao would still be happy to watch him carry the thunder in Nanjing. To be honest, it is hard to say whether Zhu Cijiong is the Ming Xian Emperor or another Xiao Ming King!
Not long after He Tianran climbed onto the wall of Dashengguan, the pikemen who opened the way under Geng Jingzhong had arrived. A "whimpering" bugle was heard. The pikemen suddenly stopped and then turned to the left. Turning right, he took a few steps forward, reaching both sides of the official road, and then turned back. A passage was just opened!
When the thousands of spearmen stopped and stood up, Wang Zhongxiao saw more than ten wooden prison cars being dragged up in the passage. Geng Jingzhong was wearing a red python robe and a hood on his head. The figure, surrounded by dozens of guards and generals, swaggered towards here. However, larger groups of cavalry and infantry did not follow them.
At this end, including Prince Zhu San, Wang Zhongxiao, and Chen Yonghua, they all breathed a sigh of relief!
It seems that Geng Jingzhong has no intention of becoming Grand Master Geng right away! As long as Geng Jingzhong doesn't fall out immediately, in three months at most, the Ming Dynasty's small court in Nanjing will have an army of 20,000.
This is how you can protect yourself!
At a place where Wang Zhongxiao was still dozens of steps away from Geng Jingzhong, someone suddenly shouted loudly: "Shikai. Wang Shikai, is that you? Why are you here in Jiangning?"
This is the voice of Mingzhu!
Wang Zhongxiao looked up and followed the sound for a moment, and saw a person sitting in one of the prison cars shouting at him. If he looked carefully, he seemed to be Mingzhu.
The reason why it looks like this is because Mingzhu looks even more pitiful than when she was in the prison of Guangzhou Mansion. She has lost a lot of weight and her entire face is dark. I don’t know whether it’s because she was sunburned or because she hasn’t washed her face for many days. ? Her hair was even more messy, like a bird's nest.
"Teacher, are you a teacher? Why are you a prisoner again?" Wang Zhongxiao quickly picked up his robe and walked forward quickly, walked to the prison car, looked at the people sitting inside, and asked with concern.
"I, haven't I met a rebel again?" Mingzhu said this, and looked at Wang Zhongxiao with red eyes and asked, "Wang Shikai, what's the matter with you? Why are you here in Jiangning?"
"I came here to pay tribute to the new Ming Dynasty in Nanjing on behalf of my father." Wang Zhongxiao was embarrassed to say that he had a share in Jiangning's change, so he panicked.
"You, you came too soon, didn't you?" Mingzhu thought something was wrong, and asked in a questioning tone, "It's only been a month since the Jiangning incident!"
"I came directly from Wuchang," Wang Zhongxiao said without changing his face. "When the Jiangning Incident happened, the student was doing business in Wuchang. When he heard the news, he came over immediately. He even bought a temporary minister of the Ministry of War to serve as a temporary minister. Hehe, teacher, Do you think I look like this?"
"You" Mingzhu didn't know what to say to Wang Zhongxiao.
Does this person want to be shameless?
One is loyal to the Qing Dynasty, the other is loyal to Wu Sangui, the third is loyal to Zhu Cijiong, and he is not clear with Li Zicheng!
What's even more outrageous is that Wang Zhongxiao is not loyal to these monarchs one by one, but is a loyal minister to three or even four families at the same time, and he still feels confident!
At this moment, a loud voice like thunder suddenly rang out: "My surname is Wang, do you still recognize me, Grandpa Shang?"
Grandpa Shang?
"Shang Zhixin?" Wang Zhongxiao turned around and saw an angry Shang Zhixin accompanying Geng Jingzhong, looking like he was about to kill someone with a knife, but Geng Jingzhong grabbed his arm.
Geng Jingzhong was still trying to persuade him: "I tell you, please don't ruin national affairs because of personal grudges!"
"Yes, yes, yes, King Geng, you have to stop me! If you can't do it alone, ask someone to help!" Wang Zhongxiao was also a little anxious, and was still there to give Geng Jingzhong advice.
He was not afraid of being hacked to death by Shang Zhixin, but he was worried that the sniper ambushing on the tower of Dashengguan would open fire. With this opening fire, the Dashengguan Reunion would turn into an incident in Tianjing in an instant!
Geng Jingzhong thought it right and quickly called the guards around him to control Shang Zhixin - he had no intention of falling out with Wang Fuchen now.
Seeing his men driving Shang Zhixin away, Geng Jingzhong and several of his men also got off their horses and walked towards Wang Zhongxiao with a smile. Wang Zhongxiao also raised his fists and saluted Geng Jingzhong: "I respectfully welcome King Geng!"
He cannot call Geng Jingzhong King Jingnan now, because King Jingnan is a prince granted by the Qing Dynasty.
Geng Jingzhong smiled and returned the gesture: "Shikai, where is the third prince?"
Wang Zhongxiao pointed to the shed not far away and said with a smile: "Prince Geng, the third prince is right in the pavilion. I wonder where the master offended Prince Geng?"
Geng Jingzhong looked at the pearl in the prison car and said with a smile: "Although he is your teacher, he is also a minister of the Tatars. He is our sworn enemy of the Ming Dynasty! I put him in the prison car and brought him to Nanjing just for the sake of Offer prisoners to the palace!"
Offer prisoners? Is that dedicated to Prince Zhu San?
Wang Zhongxiao cupped his hands towards Mingzhu and said: "Teacher, you have been aggrieved for a while. I will turn around and ask the third prince for a favor. I can spare you this time."
After saying that, he made a sign of respecting the guests and asked Geng Jingzhong to follow him to meet the third prince Zhu.
Geng Jingzhong waved behind him, and dozens of guards from Prince Geng's Mansion immediately followed. How could this be an audience with the king? The whole thing is just a negotiation between social leaders!
"Prince Geng," Wang Zhongxiao asked Geng Jingzhong in a low voice as he led Geng Jingzhong away, "I wonder what official title you want to confer?"
When Geng Jingzhong heard this, he smiled proudly: "You can't be younger than Wu Sangui, right? He is the King of the West. What do you think of me becoming the King of the East?"
"East King? Okay." Wang Zhongxiao nodded, thinking: Is this the East King entering Tianjing?
Geng Jingzhong then said: "Let your father be crowned King of the South too!"
"King of the South." Wang Zhongxiao nodded and said with a smile, "That's good, my father is also a prince, so I will return to the King of the North and King Yi!"
"King Yi?" Geng Jingzhong was stunned, "What kind of statement is this?"
"The Winged Celestial Dynasty!" Wang Zhongxiao quickly explained, "Now there are people from the West King, East King, and South King. Who knows where the North and Wing Kings are?"
"Zheng Jing of Da Yuan Island can be crowned a one-word king," Geng Jingzhong said, "He is already a king! Can there be another Wang Shangzhixin?"
"No!" Wang Zhongxiao quickly shook his head, "How many people does he have now? Why should he be crowned king? I think it's better to grant the title to Liu Jinzhong!"
Shang Zhixin obviously didn't deal with the Wang family, so Wang Zhongxiao would certainly not agree to his title of king. Liu Jinzhong had a good relationship with Wang Fuchen and Wang Zhongxiao, and he was also relatively loyal to Prince Zhu.
Geng Jingzhong thought for a while and said in a low voice: "That's okay. His contribution to the Northern Expedition to Jinling is not small, and he has to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the third prince, right?"
Wang Fuchen, Wang Zhongxiao and his son were definitely not willing to take on the role of protecting the third prince Zhu. If they took on this title, they would not be able to navigate between the Ming, Qing and Wu with ease.
Moreover, Wang Fuchen, Wang Zhongxiao and his son have no time to go to Nanjing to assist the government. They still have to accumulate grain and build high walls in Guangdong!
(End of chapter)
