November 11, the 46th year of Chongzhen reign in the Ming Dynasty, Nanjing, Longjiang Estuary.
It was time for the master and apprentice to say goodbye again by the river, but the Pearl River had been replaced by the Yangtze River, and the hot summer had turned into a cold winter.
At a river ship wharf next to Longjiang Customs, a large tanker with a load of 1,500 tons was already loaded with cargo and would be ready to set sail immediately.
The flags hung on this canal are both bright and clear.
The so-called Ming flag is not a flag embroidered with the word "Da Ming", but a white background with black lines and a pennant with the word "Cao". This flag was purchased after paying money to the Longjiangkou Customs House directly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Household Affairs in Nanjing. owned.
The "Qing flag" is of course not a flag with the word "Qing" embroidered on it, but a square flag with the word "Cao" on a blue background and black lines. This flag was issued by the governor's office of water transportation in the Qing Dynasty. Of course it is free. of!
The governor of the Qing Dynasty Water Transport did not dare to interrupt the water transport. Water transport was the source of food and clothing for the "millions of water transport workers", and it was also the source of the money for the Qing Water Transport officials.
If this were to stop, I don’t know how many people would have no food to eat and no money. It would be really inappropriate to delay everyone’s efforts to make money just because of the Ming and Qing dynasties competing for the world!
So it has been several months since Jiangning Prefecture became Yingtian Prefecture until now. Jiangbei, Jiangxi, Jiangdong, Jiangnan and other camps have been established. Boats are still coming and going on the Yangtze River, and the dock at Longjiangkou is still busy. .
The silks and cloths with the seal of "Jiangning Weaving" on the wrapping paper are mass-produced and shipped to all over the country and all over the world via commercial ships. These are the products of the "Four Major Weavings", famous brands, and... Among the four major weaving companies, it is the only one sold on the market!
This thousand-material canal docked at the Longjiang Customs Wharf contained a lot of "Jiangning Weaving" silk and satin.
On the pier, stood Nalan Mingzhu, who had been a prisoner twice and was rescued twice by his good student Wang Zhongxiao.
He now looks a bit old, wearing only a white cotton robe and a hood that is the favorite of the survivors of the Ming Dynasty in the south of the Yangtze River. He is leaning on a cane in both hands and is turning towards the imperial city of Nanjing, which is Jiangning. People all over the city looked at it with tears in their eyes!
The Imperial City of Nanjing, or Jiangning Mancheng, is on fire right now. The fire is not small, and the smoke is billowing. You can tell at a glance that something is wrong!
The Battle of Jiangning City has been going on for almost half a month. The battle has been very lively!
On one side, men, women, old and young all went into battle and defended the city with all their might. On the other side, the Geng family army, who were eager to show off and wanted to gain a reputation, also used all their strength to attack day and night, taking turns to attack. If they failed to achieve their goals, they vowed to Don't give up.
However, the Geng family's army's ability to attack fortresses is really not that good. Facing a large fortress with only more than a thousand defenders (including all men and women who can take up arms) (the city wall is more than 20 miles long, and the typical city has a small number of soldiers), it actually After fighting for more than ten days and costing thousands of casualties, they finally used a red cannon that was moved from the Yuejiang Gate Tower and could fire twelve kilograms of shells to knock down the Hongwu Gate, the main entrance to the imperial city, and the Forbidden City. The main entrance is the Meridian Gate.
And when the Hongwu Gate and the Meridian Gate were breached, the Eight Banners soldiers and their families huddled in the Imperial City of Nanjing (Jianning Mancheng) inevitably ushered in their doom!
The current fire is most likely caused by the desperate Eight Banners soldiers and Eight Banners family members who set fire to the remaining ancient palaces in the imperial city for self-immolation!
The wind in the river is rustling and the water in the river is cool.
Mingzhu's mood at the moment was more bleak than the river wind and colder than the river water. Seeing him trembling and crying, the hearts of the dozens of attendants who followed him in cotton robes and hoods were worried, fearing that this Mingzhu would... Zhongtang couldn't think of jumping off the Longjiangkou pier.
At that time, everyone will have to go out to catch it in such a cold weather. What should we do if it is frozen?
In addition, Mingzhu's errand was really unlucky. He could meet rebels wherever he went. From Guangdong to Nanjing, he lost troops and territory all the way! He is really in bad luck, what else can he do if he follows him back? You won't be used as cannon fodder for the four major battalions sent around Jiangning later, right?
Mingzhu's current sad appearance also made Wang Zhongxiao, who came to see her off at the pier, a little worried. He didn't want to go fishing for the teacher in the cold weather! But you can't watch your teacher drown in front of your eyes. People these days respect teachers and believe that one day is a teacher, and a lifetime is a father!
Thinking of this, he had no choice but to move closer to Mingzhu and whispered, "Teacher, the water is cold!"
Is the water cold?
Mingzhu was stunned for a moment, and then realized what his good student was thinking about? He snorted, looking away from the billowing smoke in the direction of the imperial city, and then glared at Wang Zhongxiao: "Shikai, do you really think this small Nanming court with only one palace can become big?"
Wang Zhongxiao shook his head, "Teacher, how can a student be so stupid? The Ming Dynasty in Nanjing City is clearly a Han Song Xiao Ming King Zhu San. The third prince is a chess piece being used to attract the emperor's attention and distract the general public. To clear the troops. Teacher, who do you think the four-quarters of the current world will eventually unite with?"
To whom will the four points of the world belong?
Of course Mingzhu should say "return to the Qing Dynasty" without hesitation, but now he was speechless.
Seeing Mingzhu and being speechless, Wang Zhongxiao said eloquently: "Teacher, you have to remind the emperor to be careful that the Four Kingdoms return to Wu in the end!"
"The Four Kingdoms returned to Wu?" Mingzhu trembled. If this day comes, he will really "not be afraid of the cold water"!
Wang Zhongxiao nodded and whispered: "Teacher, please tell the emperor again that there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends in the world, only eternal interests!"
"Who taught you this?" Mingzhu looked at her good student and frowned tightly.
"It's my father!" Wang Zhongxiao said, "What my father said is that there are no eternal enemies and no eternal masters."
"That's true of what Lu Bu said!" Mingzhu gritted her teeth, "But if he treats Qin Muchu like this, isn't he afraid that no matter who wins, the world won't tolerate him?"
"Hehe," Wang Zhongxiao shook his head, "The Three Kingdoms of the Later Han Dynasty were in chaos for ninety-six years before they were finally unified. Does the teacher think that the Qing Dynasty is still capable of defeating Xiwu, Donggen, and Zhongli in just a few years?"
Mingzhu has nothing to say.
Wang Zhongxiao said again: "Teacher, student, let me tell you the truth. What students are most worried about now is that too much of the emperor's power has been dispersed by Dong Geng and Zhong Li, and in the end it will be taken advantage of by Xi Wu!
The current situation in Xiwu is almost the most ideal situation in the "Longzhong Dui" planned by Zhuge Kongming for Liu Huangshu! Now that Wu Sangui has led the Yizhou army out of Qinchuan, he only needs a general to lead the Jingzhou army to Wan and Luo! "
Mingzhu frowned and whispered: "But the Qing Dynasty cannot lose the wealth of Jiangnan!"
Wang Zhongxiao said: "That's why the emperor should send envoys to Jiangnan in the name of participating in the restoration of the Ming Dynasty to make a careful calculation with the people of the Ming Dynasty."
"What's the total?" Mingzhu was stunned.
"Of course, how come the Ming and Qing Dynasties guaranteed each other in total!" Wang Zhongxiao made a rather surprising proposal.
"What? Mutual guarantee between Ming and Qing Dynasties? What guarantee?" Mingzhu was shocked.
"Of course it is to ensure that this troubled world can continue!" Wang Zhongxiao said lightly, "Teacher, I don't think the emperor expects to defeat Wu and Li in just a few years, right?"
Mingzhu thought to herself: Kangxi must have wanted to! How could you not want to? It's a pity that he can't do it!
When Wang Zhongxiao saw Mingzhu lost in thought, he knew that his words had moved Mingzhu. It seemed that the pattern of Donggeng (Zhu), Xiwu, Nanwang, Beikang, and Zhongchuang king was still expected to be formed and maintained.
Now the situation of Xiwu and Beikang is relatively stable, and the kings of Zhongchuang and Nan are okay. Only Donggen (Zhu) is in a bad situation. It still needs time to develop. We can't let the Jiangnan, Jiangbei, Jiangxi, and Jiangdong camps Surround us together.
If we really want to swarm forward, the Nanjing forces will most likely be defeated by the Qing army!
Once Nanjing collapsed, it was difficult for Wang Zhongxiao to grasp the righteousness of the Ming Dynasty, so he could only join forces with Li Zicheng to engage in the "Eighteen Princes" campaign. It's not impossible to break into the camp, but Li Zicheng is not a fuel-efficient lamp!
In comparison, Prince Zhu is still easy to control.
At this time, someone suddenly shouted: "The wind is blowing!"
Wang Zhongxiao stopped persuading and bowed his hands to the teacher, "Teacher, the northwest wind has indeed picked up. Please board the ship quickly! If everything goes smoothly, we can reach Yangzhou tonight!"
As he spoke, he took out two more stacks of silver notes and handed them to Mingzhu: "Teacher, these are all notes from Ruiyintang. Half of them are for your Sichuan capital, and the other half are for you to give to my Master Duo."
"Leave it to Duolong?" Mingzhu asked, "He is in Yangzhou?"
"He's in Yangzhou!" Wang Zhongxiao nodded, "He has been dismissed and investigated, and now is the time when we need money!"
Mingzhu was not polite, reached out and took the two stacks of silver notes, and said: "My teacher is also a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river, and I can't protect myself. Otherwise, I can say a few words for Duolong."
Wang Zhongxiao said: "Teacher, please don't say that the emperor still needs you! As long as the emperor feels that Wu Sangui's threat is far greater than that of Prince Zhu San, he will still need you!"
Mingzhu nodded, thinking: Just for this, I have to let the emperor know about Wu Sangui's danger!
Jingzhou, Shashikou.
In the northwest wind, drizzle mixed with light snow fell one after another. In the midst of sleet and snow, the dejected Jingzhou flag army was helping the old and young to board the ship silently. The Han people in Jingzhou City also braved the rain, snow and biting cold wind, holding rice wine and noodles near Shashikou Pier, waiting to welcome King Chuang!
The warship carrying five thousand rebel troops is now anchored near the south bank of the Yangtze River. Once the Eight Banners soldiers and their families have left, they will board Shashikou and then go to take over Jingzhou City.
The people of Jingzhou are waiting to welcome them!
We just finished sending off the Qing Dynasty, and we turned around to welcome King Chuang. Look, how good is the connection?
On the wharf at Shashikou, two high-ranking officials in full robes and coats were walking leisurely. Everywhere they passed, Eight Banners officers and soldiers saluted. Of these two high-ranking officials, one was wearing the robe of a Qing prince, and it was Prince An Yue Le. The other one was wearing the green robe of Li Chuang's regime, with a hood on his head to protect him from the wind and snow. It was Huang Zhisheng.
"Huang Zhitai, you are a member of Li Chuang. Is it appropriate to take my ship to Nanjing to attend the Restoration of Ming Dynasty Conference?" Yue Le suddenly asked Huang Zhisheng a question about "whose ship to board?"
It turned out that Huang Zhisheng proposed to Yue Le that he would take his boat to Nanjing to attend the Restoration of the Ming Dynasty - take the boat of the Qing Dynasty prince to Nanjing to attend an anti-Qing and Restoration of Ming Dynasty meeting!
Is this appropriate?
"Why is it inappropriate?"
"Is this unclear? After I arrive in Liangjiang, I will take charge of Liangjiang's military affairs to encircle and suppress the third prince Zhu! If you take my ship to Nanjing, will the people in Nanjing suspect that you have access to the Qing Dynasty?"
Huang Zhisheng smiled faintly: "Your Majesty's 20,000 to 30,000 troops and tens of thousands of family members took boats and passed the Yangtze River section controlled by King Chuang. Doesn't this already mean that our two families have a secret deal? Your Majesty doesn't think that Nanjing knows nothing. Bar?"
"That's right!" Yue Le thought for a moment and then asked, "Huang Zhitai, in your opinion, what is Li Chuang planning? Does he want to join forces with me, the Qing Dynasty?"
"Joining forces is impossible!" Huang Zhisheng shook his head, "King Chuang's great power was taken away by you, and he will never join forces with you under any circumstances. However, he and Wu Sangui will definitely have a fight! If not Wu Sangui became a beauty in anger, and now it is the 28th or 29th year of Yongchang!
And Wu Sangui would never be able to bear Chuang Wang occupying the four counties of Jingzhou, Yuezhou, Hanyang and Wuchang! "
Yue Le nodded, already understanding Li Zicheng's position!
Li Zicheng wants Wu Sangui to fight!
Of course, Wu Sangui will probably fight Li Zicheng!
The conflict between the two of them is irreconcilable! Their conflict is not just a matter of past festivals, but also a world-wide dispute.
Whether Li Zicheng swallows Wu Sangui, or Wu Sangui swallows Li Zicheng, only the two of them will decide the winner, the Qing Dynasty will face a strong enemy!
This is a bit like the dispute between Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang at the end of the Yuan Dynasty.
In contrast, although the relationship between Wu and Li and the Qing Dynasty is also a mortal enemy, this hatred can actually be pushed back.
As for the Qing Dynasty, as long as Wu Sangui and Li Zicheng did not decide the outcome, the situation in Shaanxi and Henan could still be maintained. If the Qing Dynasty could use this opportunity to settle the chaos in Jiangnan, then everything would be under control.
If not, then the Qing Dynasty would have no choice but to accept the situation of four or three points in the world!
"This, this is too ridiculous, isn't it? The Third Prince Zhu is going to hold a rally against the Qing Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, and he actually asked me to send people to participate! I am the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. How can the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty send people to attend the anti-Qing Dynasty and Fu Ming Dynasty conference? "
In the south study room of Xi'an Xingzai, an emperor of the Qing Dynasty was dumbfounded by the stack of memorials that Mingzhu had flown to him by flying eight hundred miles.
It turns out that Mingzhu really mentioned in the memorial about sending people to attend the Nanjing Restoration Conference. And at the end of the memorial, he also put forward the suggestion of "mutual protection between Ming and Qing Dynasties, and joint resistance to the three Guangxi"!
This is too ridiculous. Can the Ming and Qing Dynasties protect each other? Are you fooling a fool?
But was Wu Sangui really a close friend of the Qing Dynasty?
During this period, whenever Kangxi closed his eyes, he would dream of the plot of "Longzhong Dui". Zhuge Liang actually dared to shake his feather fan and give advice to the rebel Wu Sangui!
This is simply too scary!
"Your Majesty, I think we might as well protect each other between the Ming and Qing Dynasties!"
Immediately there were comments of support.
Kangxi took a look and found out that it was Mi Sihan, the Minister of Household Affairs.
Mi Sihan, who is in charge of money, has been getting more and more stingy recently, and he always looks like he wants money without giving it away.
"Your Majesty, the Qing Dynasty cannot live without the land of wealth in the southeast!" Mi Sihan knew that Kangxi wanted to swallow up the whole world in one go, so he quickly expressed his opinion, "The wars have been continuous in the past two years, the national supplies are insufficient, and the national treasury has been depleted. A lot. And Jiangnan's financial income has always accounted for about 40% of the financial income.
Not to mention that Jiangnan was owned by the Third Prince Zhu. Even if it was destroyed by war, the court would not be able to bear it. Therefore, protecting Jiangnan means protecting the imperial court. If the third prince Zhu can not develop into Jiangnan, Huaidong, and Zhejiang, I suggest that you consider temporarily resolving the conflict with the third prince Zhu so as to resist Wu Sangui with all your strength! "
"Your Majesty, I think we should concentrate our efforts to kill the third prince of Jinling first!"
The person who raised the objection was Suo'etu. He said: "Your Majesty, I thought that Li and Wu would have to fight. And the battle would not be decided soon. So the imperial court took full advantage of this opportunity to deal with Zhu San first." The prince, a weak enemy, has the land of Jiangnan's wealth firmly in his hands! As long as they have enough money, Wu Sangui and Li Zicheng can always destroy him!"
Kangxi nodded slowly, as if Suo'etu had understood his thoughts.
"But Nanjing is not easy to fight!" Kangxi said after careful consideration, "Geng Jingzhong alone has more than 10,000 troops and even the army of Duolong, the governor of Liangjiang, was defeated miserably in their hands!"
"Your Majesty," Chen Tingjing interjected, "I have a way to catch him by surprise and surround him unprepared. At least I can try to contain the Third Prince Zhu and pin him to Nanjing City!"
(End of chapter)
