Dangyang County has now become an out-and-out military city!
The 50,000-strong army led by Wu Sangui was now divided into two groups, with 20,000 troops on each side, led by his general Ma Bao, heading south along the Jushui River towards Jiangling, the capital of Jingzhou. According to the previous agreement, Ma Bao will join forces with Wang Fuchen at the foot of Jiangling City, and then together they will clear out the outskirts of Jiangling, seize key areas outside the city such as Shashikou and Qianjindi, and deploy defenses along Taibai Lake and Jianyang River to completely complete the attack on Jiangling. of encirclement.
The 30,000-strong army led by Wu Sangui would first be stationed in Dangyang, waiting for Jiangling to be captured by Wang Fuchen and Ma Bao or for Li Zicheng's reinforcements to arrive from Wuchang downstream, before moving south to join the Jingzhou campaign.
If Li Zicheng's main force does not come to Jiangling but to support Yuezhou, then Wu Sangui will lead the 30,000 troops to advance eastward with great fanfare, cross the Jushui and Jianyang rivers, and then capture Qianjiang County, which is affiliated with Anlu Prefecture, and then He went east to capture Mianyang Prefecture, a state under the jurisdiction of Hanyang Prefecture, thus threatening Hanyang Prefecture and forcing Li Zicheng to return to his army or cross the river from Yuezhou to the north to seek a decisive battle.
Of course, Wu Sangui, who dispatched 130,000 troops in this battle, would not just lead 30,000 troops to fight the main decisive battle with Li Zicheng. If Li Zicheng's main force was attracted to the area from Mianyang Prefecture to Qianjiang where the water network is crisscrossed. Then Wu Sangui would only rely on the water network and town defenses to deal with Li Zicheng and attract Li Zicheng's main force to ensure that the two critical battles in Jiangling and Baling (Yuezhou City) could proceed smoothly - Wu Sangui's "military micro-management" "Technology" is already on par with Li Zicheng's, and with the continuous practice in the past twenty years, micro-manipulation skills have long been as pure as fire, and a group of second and third generation war experts have also been cultivated.
And because Li Zicheng had been a monk for more than 20 years, the backbone of his men either died in battle, died of illness, rebelled and surrendered to the enemy, or simply went into hiding like him, and there was no way to train new people. Therefore, the entire group has become a novice in fighting. Even if Li Zicheng has an army of 108,000 men, it is impossible to defeat Wu Sangui's 30,000 men in mobile warfare in complex terrain.
In fact, Li Zicheng's rise was partly due to picking up mistakes and partly to intimidating others with his former reputation. The only battle that could really be considered a tough battle was the Battle of the Shashikou Floating Bridge, but it was only a surprise battle at the level of a thousand people, and it was also a water battle, not a fight on land.
And if Li Zicheng doesn't move, he will definitely be holding back the bad news! Wu Sangui stayed in Dangyang, waiting for Li Zicheng, the old fox, to show his fox tail!
In addition, Wu Sangui's troops stationed in Yangyang were not all to guard against Li Zicheng and Wang Fuchen also had to guard against him!
Li Zicheng had a strained crotch during the war, but Wang Fuchen's army has been really fierce in recent years! Beating Shang Kexi, Shang Zhixin, Sun Yanling, Ma Xiong, Li Lan, and Chen Shikai is like chopping melons and vegetables.
Oh, there was also Macau, which was held by the Portuguese, and they were captured without any effort at all!
Moreover, Wang Fuchen became extremely rich after taking over Guangdong!
What's even more outrageous is that among Guangdong's specialties are flintlock guns, red-coated cannons, as well as various high-quality armors, swords, and gunpowder. The output is so large that it can not only supply Wang Fuchen's own army, but can also be sold in large quantities to other provinces. Wu Guogui, Wu Yingxiong, Zheng Jing, Li Zicheng, Geng Jingzhong, Fan Chengmo, Jieshu, Yue Le, and Li Zhifang all bought from him (actually they bought from Wu Xiaotuo, Yu Deshui and profiteers in Foshan Town)!
Such a big warlord with strong troops and guns and plenty of money has now brought 30,000 people to Jingzhou, saying that he is here to attack Wu Sangui. In fact, it is really unclear what he wants to do. Why should Wu Sangui be on guard?
And when Wu Sangui saw his granddaughter Wu Xiaoxian, goddaughter Kong Sizhen and godgrandson Wang Jiqing come to Dangyang together, the hanging old heart finally let go.
In Dangyang County, Jingmen Prefecture, Hubei Province, a family banquet has been held in the backyard of the residence of Wu Sangui, the Western King of the Ming Dynasty. The Western King Wu Sangui is personally greeting Wang Jiqing, Kong Sizhen, and Wu Xiaogen who have come from afar.
The reason why Wu Sangui wanted to entertain Wang Jiqing, Kong Sizhen, and Wu Xiaoji in his backyard was because they were all Wu Sangui's "relatives." Wu Xiaoji was his biological granddaughter, Kong Sizhen was his goddaughter, and Wang Jiqing was of course his godson. .
Wu Sangui, an old man, could not be happy to meet three of his relatives when he was away from home.
When the elderly are happy, of course they will give some benefits to the younger generations!
"Sizhen," after three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Wu Sangui took advantage of a little drunkenness and said to his goddaughter with a smile, "You are my daughter and Ying Xiong's sister. I will succeed in my future. I will make you a princess, and then Wang Fuchen will be the prince-in-law!"
Kong Sizhen chuckled after hearing this. She stood up and gave Wu Sangui a blessing ceremony, and then said with a smile: "Father, my daughter, I must wish you a yellow robe as soon as possible!" Then she glanced at her "Father" "Silly son" Wang Jiqing, this silly son was looking at Wu Xiaoxian who was sitting opposite him. He couldn't take his eyes away. What was he thinking?
Thinking of this, Kong Sizhen quickly coughed: "Jiqing, why don't you thank grandpa yet!"
Thank you?
What kind of favor are you grateful for?
Wang Jiqing was confused and had no intention of looking at the little beauty. He quickly turned to look at his biological mother and said to himself: What kind of favor does it mean for Wu Sangui to make you a princess? You are a princess! And what does this have to do with me?
While he was confused, Wu Xiaoxian had already spoken: "Grandpa, when the time comes, you must make Sister Xiaotu a princess, so that your granddaughter can continue to serve Brother Shikai with Sister Xiaotu."
Hearing this, Wang Jiqing was very disappointed. How could this little bastard be willing to be Wang Datou's concubine even though she was a princess? She doesn't consider marrying me as his eldest wife, etc. If Wu Sangui wants to make my mother a princess, does he want her to be the eldest wife of Mr. Wang Fuchen, and then make me his legitimate son? You really need to thank him for this.
Thinking of this, Wang Jiqing stood up and bowed to Wu Sangui: "Grandson, thank you for your support."
Wu Sangui looked at this kid and nodded with satisfaction - this kid is good, but he doesn't look very smart! They just burrow in when given a condom, unlike Wang Jizhen and Wang Zhongxiao, the two little foxes who are very cunning!
Kong Sizhen was also confused and didn't want to think about Wang Jiqing's identity?
That's a bad boy!
Why should he compete with Wang Jizhen and Wang Zhongxiao to become the future head of the Wang family when they were not as good as those bastards who were inferior to Wang Fuchen in terms of background? One is the legitimate son and the other is the legitimate daughter.
Wang Jiqing's current position as the Governor of the Guihai Navy was actually inherited from his mother Kong Sizhen. Kong Sizhen was the only descendant of Kong Youde, and her inheritance status as a vassal vassal was established by the Qing court early.
Although she is a bit wanton, her methods of controlling her subordinates are pretty good. Anyway, everyone who follows her will gain something! Therefore, regardless of whether Wang Jiqing was an evil son or not, there was no problem in inheriting Kong Sizhen's position as lord.
But if he wants to take advantage of his mother's opportunity to seize the Wang family's eldest son, there will be great drama!
Wu Sangui nodded with a smile, waved to Wang Jiqing and Wu Xiaoji, and motioned them to sit down. Seeing the two grandchildren sitting down, Wu Sangui wanted to say a few more words of encouragement, but suddenly there was a sound outside the door. He heard the voice of Wu Sangui's son-in-law Hu Guozhu: "Your Majesty, the beacon fire is rising in the direction of Tianzhu Mountain!"
Wu Sangui was stunned for a moment, then laughed and asked Wang Jiqing: "Jiqing, can you guess why the beacon tower in the direction of Tianzhu Mountain is so bright?"
"Could it be that something changed in Xiangyang?" Wang Jiqing, although not very smart, had also read "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". "Could it be that Li Zicheng crossed the river in white and made a surprise attack on Xiangyang?"
Wu Sangui laughed, while Kong Sizhen frowned slightly and whispered: "How can it be so fast?"
Wu Xiaoxian smiled and analyzed: "It must have been that Li Zicheng's army was sailing up the Han River and was discovered by the people arranged by Grandpa, so they lit the beacon tower. Grandpa's arrangements were indeed thorough and impeccable!"
Wu Sangui nodded lightly. This little girl is more talented in fighting than Wang Jiqing. Don't be too stupid. Wang Jiqing is too stupid to support!
Thinking of this, he said to Kong Sizhen and Wang Jiqing: "Sizhen, Ji Qing, how about moving with me to the bank of Han River to meet Li Zicheng?"
Kong Sizhen seemed a little puzzled: "Didn't the foster father take this opportunity to go straight to Hanyang?"
Wu Sangui waved his hand and said with a smile: "I have an army of 130,000 this time, with sufficient food and grass, and sophisticated equipment. The three armies are dedicated. As long as we fight steadily, we will definitely win. There is no need to use danger or surprise. Besides, Zi Cheng also knows how to use troops. How can he not be prepared for my sneak attack on Hanyang? If I am not mistaken, he should have withdrawn the troops attacking Jiujiang long ago and deployed heavy troops in Jiangling, Baling, and Hanyang City. Both ministers and nobles are easy to fight. Got it!"
At this time, Wu Sangui saw that Wu Xiaoxian's face suddenly became nervous, and asked with a smile: "Xiaoxian, don't worry, my grandfather's military skills are much better than Li Zicheng's. No matter how he demolishes the east wall to repair the west wall, Huguang will always have the surname Wu." !”
"Grandpa, my granddaughter is not worried that you can't defeat Li Zicheng, but she is worried that something will happen in Xi'an and Nanjing. Kang Wangjieshu will definitely lead the armies of Jiujiang and Anqing to march eastward. And if the battle of Jingzhou lasts for a long time, the Qing court in the north will also know about it. , Nanyang will be there by then."
Wu Sangui burst out laughing and interrupted Wu Xiaoxian, "Let's go and see what Li Zicheng's army looks like?"
It was a bit beyond Wu Sangui's expectation. Li Zicheng's army was very impressive!
He is a real sailor!
After Wu Sangui left 5,000 men to guard Dangyang, Jingmen Prefecture, and Huya Pass, he led 25,000 men to continue eastward. They encountered Li Zicheng's navy in the Neifang Mountain area southeast of Jingmen Prefecture and on the edge of the Han River.
And Li Zicheng knew he was coming - although Li Zicheng only had one eye, he was not blind, and of course he could see the beacon lighted by the Wu Jiajun.
Seeing the beacon fire, Li Zicheng certainly knew that his plan to take a "shunfeng boat" (a boat traveling with the wind) to the north to attack Xiangyang was not successful. This thing was difficult to accomplish in the first place. Both parties were foxes. It seemed that Wu Sangui was still a fox. Be more precise, where is it so easy to be attacked by a sneak attack?
However, Li Zicheng did not panic. He also formulated multiple plans.
Since Wu Sangui knew that he was coming, he went to the water and land villages at Jiukou on the north bank of the Han River to wait for Wu Sangui to come.
Ukou is also very important here. It faces Neifang Mountain across the water. There is also a Sancha River mouth nearby. There is a tributary of the Han River, the Zhupi River, which leads directly to Jingmen Prefecture City and Huya Pass.
Therefore, as long as Li Zicheng occupied Jiukou, Wu Sangui would have to come and confront him. Otherwise, whether Li Zicheng goes north to take Xiangyang or attacks Jingmen nearby, he will do something bad.
Wu Sangui had to find a way to cross the Han River if he wanted to open the mouth of the mortar... But his navy was not as good as Li Zicheng's navy.
Running a naval force is complicated. It involves more than just building a ship and training some sailors. There must be a suitable place to build a naval base!
Now Yuezhou, Hanyang, and Wuchang in the middle section of the Yangtze River are all stuck by Li Zicheng. The middle reaches of the Yangtze River, Han River, Xiang River, Dongting Lake and other waters controlled by Wu Sangui were divided.
If he wants to use troops in these waters, he must form separate naval divisions. How is that possible? Wu Sangui doesn't have that many naval talents at all!
Li Zicheng's navy can move everywhere along the Yangtze and Hanshui Rivers.
In addition, Li Zicheng, who controlled the main Yangtze River, could easily recruit sailors and acquire ships. The conditions for becoming a naval engineer are much better than Wu Sangui's.
This is a bit unexpected!
The rogues who were supposed to be riding around on horseback have now become water thieves fighting on the river...
Wu Sangui, who originally didn't take water warfare too seriously, suddenly found that he seemed to have taken Cao Mengde's script. The Han River didn't look very wide, but there were more than a hundred oars on the opposite side of the "battle ship" (actually a ship). The grain ship was equipped with a wooden shield, a long oar, and a turtle-dove-foot musket bought from Guangdong), and he, "Wu Mengde," was at his wits' end.
Standing at the height of the temporary fort built at the foot of Neifang Mountain, Wu Sangui held up his telescope and looked at the navy barracks of the Chuang Army on the opposite side. He looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar banner with the word "chuang", and saw the warships and camps on the opposite side. Wu Sangui, who was on duty in the white-hatted and Tsing Yi army, was a little incompetent for a while. I originally thought that Li Zicheng's people would definitely be incompetent after not fighting for so many years.
It turned out that the one who couldn't do it was Wu Sangui himself!
This is a bit embarrassing!
Just when he was embarrassed, there suddenly appeared on the opposite side a large ship with two thousand materials. Driven by dozens of long oars, it broke through the Han River gate and drove towards Wu Sangui.
The soldiers guarding Wu Sangui suddenly became nervous. Just as they were about to protect Wu Sangui and escape, several or a dozen loud voices with Shaanxi accents shouted from the ship opposite: "Wu Sangui is on the other side." ? Well, it’s Li Zicheng! Wu Sangui, why did you leave the Hulu to attack and instead came to besiege Jingzhou and Yuezhou? Are you rebelling again? "
Is Li Zicheng on that boat?
Wu Sangui quickly raised his telescope and looked at the big wooden boat. Unfortunately, it was blocked by a wooden shield and could not see clearly.
At this time, the Shaanxi accent call came to mind again on the boat: "Wu Sangui, I have already submitted your complaint to the king of the prison. Today, the order of the king of the prison has arrived. Now I am punishing you with the imperial edict! You! If the Western King of the Ming Dynasty still knew a little bit about loyalty, he would have quickly collected his troops, returned home, and sent troops to the Central Plains instead. Don't be a sinner for the ages!"
Now Wu Sangui was a bit confused by Li Zicheng. "I'm asking you to beg for help"? Why does this scene look so familiar? Also, you, the world’s greatest rebel, dare to claim that you are “subjecting the imperial edict”?
"Your Majesty," Wang Shirong, Wu Sangui's military advisor, was by his side now and quickly reminded him, "You also have an imperial edict to seek Li Zicheng!"
"Have I?" Wu Sangui was stunned, "I haven't asked Prince Zhu for such a decree, have I?"
Wu Sangui didn't care much about Prince Zhu at all, and of course he wouldn't ask for any orders.
"Your Majesty," Wang Shirong said, "you have the late emperor's last edict!"
"The late emperor?" Wu Sangui thought for a while, "Ah, it's Chongzhen!"
Wu Sangui must have received the order from Chongzhen to attack Li Zicheng, but he failed to comply and marched slowly. When Li Zicheng broke through Beijing, he was still halfway there.
Thinking of this, Wu Sangui quickly said to the people around him: "Quickly, let's shout together: The traitor Li Zicheng has listened, I am following the late emperor's imperial edict to fight against you!"
"yes!"
A group of Wu Sangui's soldiers responded, and then they all opened their throats and shouted: "The traitor Li Zicheng has listened. I am following the late emperor's imperial edict to attack you!"
The late emperor’s edicts have come out!
Li Laishun, who was sitting on the big boat holding a copy of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and studying, was almost amused by the words on the other side. It turned out that Li Zicheng did not come out at this moment, but he, the loyal king of the Ming Dynasty, represented him.
Li Laishun put away the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and ordered his attendants: "Put away the banner with the word Chuang and raise the flag of loyalty to the king! Then tell Wu Sangui, the old thief, that I am the loyal king conferred by Prince Zhu San of the Ming Dynasty. Li Laishun. My loyal kings are all loyal to the Ming Dynasty. He, a traitor and traitor to the country, is the traitor that everyone can punish!"
(End of chapter)
