The city of Hengyang, which had been bustling all night, calmed down.
No one is invincible, and the imperial army also needs a rest. Even the imagined rounds of attacks from the east or north of the city have not come.
Before the artillery fire started, Pu Zitong really fell asleep, and his soldiers did not call him.
Yan Chunsheng was thinking: Wasn't last night a good time?
He clearly fired several shots and conveyed the signal with his voice.
There is so much chaos at night. As long as the king's master from the east comes, Si Cong's men and other Jinyiwei Huguang soldiers who are now pretending to be bandits and sneaking into Hengyang City will suddenly break out and plunge the east side of the city into chaos.
Cai Jia went to the palace to protect Prince Rui's mother and son, then led his men to capture Pu Zitong alive, and opened the east gate of the city. Can Hengyang City still be destroyed?
Things didn't develop as he imagined, so Yan Chunsheng had no choice but to wait.
Ma Yong had already met Gu Shilong in the camp east of the Xiang River.
Yao Rong, the new governor of Huguang who had just arrived in Huguang, was also here. He had stayed in the northwest town and said with certainty: "Puzitong is not as good as Tang Peiyu. Seeing Zhan Huabi come all the way from Changde to join him, you know that this is a rebellion. Pu Zitong is a more resolute person. Judging from his preparations in Hengyang, his officers and soldiers are not comparable to Changsha Guards. Even if Pu Zitong dies, the Hengyang defenders may not necessarily collapse. This will make the city unable to respond. He succeeded, but even killed Prince Rui, mother and son."
Gu Shilong frowned: "What Dutai means is that in order to continue to tire out the enemy's troops, they must first disintegrate their morale?"
"There must be chaos in the city first, and only then can the Jinyi Guards be able to achieve success in one fell swoop."
"Commander Luo sent a message, and Yan Chunsheng sent the message in code. He is already the commander-in-chief of the right army of the rebel army and the defender of the east of the city."
Yao Rong shook his head: "There are not less than five thousand enemy troops in Hengyang City who are very rebellious, and there are even more brave ones. How many people can Yan Chunsheng trust? If Pu Zitong has another back-up plan, once Yan Chunsheng shows up. It would be difficult to get rid of him. First there was Tang Peiyu and then there was Dan Zhaonian. We can’t bet on Pu Zitong being stupid!”
He immediately saluted Gu Shilong: "Gu Hou, I don't want to point fingers, but even if we want to drive the rebels in the city to the junction of Jiangxi and Fujian in the future, we can't release so many rebels at once. We have to wait until the south is captured first. The cities and strong walls were cleared to reduce the losses caused by the rebels fleeing and plundering along the way; secondly, are all the officers and soldiers of the army now in vain, with no battle merits to be gained, and all the credit for this battle belongs to the Jin Yiwei and the selected frontmen of the Beijing camp? "
Gu Shilong really understood now.
It can only be said that people like Yao Rong think about different things, not just the battle itself.
He thought about the Huguang guards he had brought.
In the battle in Changsha, the main contribution was made by Shenji Camp's selection of forwards and Jinyiwei.
During the attack on Hengshan, it was also the Jinyiwei who instigated Tang Peiyu's rebellion, making his backstab the key to defeating Hengshan. Although the imperial army had merit, it was really not enough.
After defeating Hengyang, if the Fifth Army Camp and the Guangxi soldiers captured Guiyang Prefecture again, Luo An rebelled but Zhaonian captured Shuikou Mountain and encircled the south side. Yan Chunsheng rescued Prince Rui and his son and opened the city gate. When describing their achievements, the court How much credit can be given to so many troops that have been mobilized?
The problems after the war were the most troublesome for the court, and whether civil servants or military ministers, wouldn't they be more wary of such a powerful Jin Yiwei?
The final direction will not change, but the imperial army must have enough military exploits.
Yao Rong finally said something that Gu Shilong also agreed with in his heart: "Gu Hou, since you know that His Majesty intends to train troops, you need to understand that without going through blood and fire, whether it is Huguang soldiers or Guangxi soldiers, they will be soldiers in the future. We cannot be called a soldier capable of fighting. In the future, we will suppress and train at the junction of Jiangxi and Fujian, but it will not be your turn to have made great achievements this time."
Gu Shilong nodded: "What Du Tai said makes sense, I understand."
After saying that, he looked at Ma Yong: "Brother Ma has come all the way and hopes that the Guangdong Navy will make new achievements. Next, I will divide the troops into six thousand, capture the Yin of Haoshui in the north of the city, and approach Hengyang City!"
Ma Yong's eyes flashed: "The last general takes command!"
…
The Battle of Hengyang entered a new stage after nightfall. As expected, Puzitong ushered in the main attack from the west and north of the city.
And it was a really bloody battle.
Yan Chunsheng could only sit still for the first time, because it was agreed in advance that he would send a signal in which direction and wait for the army to approach from that direction before taking action.
He had already sent a signal in the east of the city before.
But now, the imperial army mainly attacks from the north and west of the city.
The time has entered November. On this day, Cai Jia came over and said to him: "Gu Hou has captured the north bank of the city and is confronting the defenders of the north city. Now we must first remove the nail of Shitouzui. Anyone with a loud voice will come to the formation." He insulted Pu Zitong before, saying that the remnant of the Pu family had tried to assassinate the Wu family on the canal outside Linqing City, but failed. His Majesty had ordered the annihilation of all the Pu clan in various places. Pu Zitong's claim of seeking rebellion from heaven was false, and harboring resentment and plotting to usurp the throne was false. real."
He lowered his voice and said: "Brother Yan, will Pu Zitong become so angry that he will directly eliminate Prince Rui, mother and son?"
Isn't it because they went to such great lengths to protect Prince Rui and his son?
At the beginning of Pu Zitong's incident, Cai Jia and other six Jinyi guards who were lurking in Hengyang City were unable to protect them and take them away, nor did they receive such an order.
In His Majesty's grand game of chess, perhaps Prince Rui was originally the bait. How could he catch those who dared to rebel despite the obvious protection of his heavy troops?
Cai Jia and the others didn't know how arrogant Pu Zitong had become, and they didn't have the guts to speculate on the emperor's ruthless intentions.
But he knew that their current mission was to rescue Prince Rui and his son.
In that case, the reason for Pu Zitong and others' so-called "retreating rebellion from heaven" will no longer exist. If he still refuses to surrender, it means that he wants to usurp the throne, or he is willing to become a bandit.
Now that Pu Zitong is in trouble, all members of the Pu family outside his nine clans have jumped out to assassinate him. Is this because the Pu family is loyal to Zhu Ming's orthodoxy, or is it because they have held a grudge against Taizu for killing the Quanzhou Pu family for more than a hundred years?
If Pu Zitong simply killed Prince Rui and his son, then Yan Chunsheng and Cai Jia's mission would have failed.
Yan Chunsheng shook his head: "No! Pu Zitong's prestige is not enough. Prince Rui is the key to the rebels being able to persist and wait for changes. We will just wait."
The second brother He Quan'an had already analyzed a lot with him before.
This is not a chaotic time when people are distracted. The current rebellion is nothing more than seeing the gentry unwilling to accept His Majesty's implementation of new laws and encountering a severe drought.
But if you want to succeed in the rebellion, Zhu Ming's legacy is still there, and the people of the world have not lost their support.
Even if Pu Zitong dies, as long as there are still people who refuse to surrender, he has to protect Prince Rui.
Yan Chunsheng decided to wait. Hengyang had become an isolated city. With his inner strength, it was not difficult to break the city. Therefore, the will of the imperial army was much firmer than Pu Zitong imagined.
He wanted to hold on and wait until there were changes in other parts of the Ming Dynasty. Commander Luo also said that Pu Zitong was overthinking.
Why does Your Majesty want to tour the south?
In the west of the city, Zhu Qi deeply agreed with Yao Rong's views.
He needs credit.
He was not willing to let him carry out bombardment with such low efficiency in the west of the city.
In the Ming Dynasty, the main merits were the heads, the enemy generals, trapping the enemy, and breaking the city.
Although there are not many soldiers brought at the moment, the Guangxi soldiers want credit, and the Jiuxi guards also want credit.
In the north of the city, Gu Shilong witnessed the red eyes of the other generals because of the rebellion of the three Huguang guards. Some of them were worried about the troubles caused by the court's next liquidation of Huguang Guards, while others wanted to seize this opportunity to make contributions.
No matter which one it is, you need to take credit, avoid disaster, or climb up.
In the south of the city, Luo An had already figured it out.
He said to Dan Zhaonian: "If you rebel and surrender, your final destination in the future will be with me, Jin Yiwei."
After saying that, he looked at He Quan'an: "You have done enough. Next, just wait for them to make a contribution and we will catch up with these sheep."
Although Luo An dared to rush to the front line in this counter-rebellion, he also saw the dragon hidden in the original royal guards and the lying tiger.
After returning to Beijing this time, he was ready to quit and resign.
Luo An knew his own weight. Jin Yiwei had made such a great contribution, and he would not block the way of so many dragons and tigers, which would not be conducive to the emperor's continued control of this powerful force.
Everyone wants to climb up, Wang Zuo thinks, He Quanan wants, Yan Chunsheng wants the same.
Countering the rebellion, what a great achievement. Everyone can get a little, and your Majesty will have more loyal ministers.
Now, Zhu Houcong is already approaching Huai'an.
This is the territory of Southern Zhili. Just like in Shandong, most officials of the fourth rank and above in Southern Zhili have been ordered to come to Huai'an to prepare for the arrival.
But Nanjing garrison Guo Xun and coordinated garrison Song Liangchen did not come.
Zhang Jin, the eunuch guarding Nanjing, is not here either. He is in Jiading, at the home of Gong Hong, who holds the title of Minister of the Ministry of Industry.
Gong Hong accepted the order, knelt on the ground and looked up at Zhang Jin.
Now, the palm seal of the former Chief of Ceremonies represents the emperor.
After the decree is announced, it is time to ask questions on behalf of the emperor.
"I ask you, how much have you been greedy for in the Hedao Yamen for more than three years? I want to investigate the world's floods and water conservancy, why did you hurriedly resign?"
Gong Hong is already seventy-four, and his beard and hair are all white.
In the three years since he became an official, his complexion has become more and more rosy.
At this time, his face was still rosy, and he was not flustered or pale because of the harsh words used in the emperor's questions and the murderous intent contained in these two questions.
"I'm ashamed. I can only build these two rivers like this." Gong Hong replied slowly, "I have successively served as the magistrate of Yanzhou, the right participant in politics in Zhejiang, the left governor in Huguang, and the prime minister of the river. What is my official reputation and whether I am honest or not can be verified. . I am asking you to become an official because I am already in my late seventies and am too old to serve."
Zhang Jin had dealt with Gong Hong. After all, during the Zhengde period, he, Zhang Jin, had already been working in the Supervisor of Ceremonies, and Gong Hong was a senior official.
Now the emperor specially sent him to ask questions, and Gong Hong answered with a clear conscience.
"The magistrate of Huizhou is your favorite pupil in Huguang. Song Liangchen went to Huizhou, and that person was taxed on silk silk. Did you, Gong Hong, write that letter because I killed your grandson Gong Shimei who was knocking on the door?"
Gong Hong still had a calm expression on his face: "The child is rebellious and ignorant of the world. His majesty's thunderous wrath is entirely his own fault. The prefect of Chu asked me for advice, but I just expressed my opinion briefly based on what I have gained from serving as an official in my life."
Zhang Jin nodded: "We will report the truth to Gong Shangshu's answer."
Gong Hong stood up silently and accepted the order.
Zhang Jin said: "Now let's ask Gong Shangshu to set off for Huai'an. Your Majesty will summon you after he returns to Huai'an from Fengyang and Sizhou."
Gong Hong looked at the doctor from the Nanjing Criminal Department he had brought, and after handing over the decree to his son, he said to Zhang Jin: "Eunuch Zhang, please."
His son looked worried, but Gong Hong followed Zhang Jin out calmly.
Zhang Jin kept looking at him, then walked back and said: "Gong Shangshu, the commander of the Shandong capital has confessed in front of His Majesty that he has paid three thousand taels of silver to the Hedao Yamen every year."
Gong Hong stood in front of the carriage brought by Zhang Jin and smiled slightly: "I know Eunuch Zhang's loyalty. I am guilty or not. Someone will find out if I am guilty or not, and your Majesty will understand."
After saying that, he bowed his hands and walked into the carriage with the help of the old servant.
The carriage passed through the streets and alleys of Jiading City and headed west. The people only knew that the owner of Qiuxiapu and the high official of Jiading City had been invited away again, and they speculated that he was going to serve as an official again?
But the more important figures all knew that it was the former Chief of Ceremonies who came, and also people from the Nanjing Criminal Department came with him.
From the Chenghua period to the 16th year of Zhengde, he did not serve as a minister or enter the Taige before becoming an official. However, Gong Hong held many official positions and may have more disciples and old friends.
He is not a clear streamer who was born in the Hanlin Academy and has been promoted in Beijing.
He is just like the river governor he once served, a turbid current that could not be more turbid.
Time and life experience have left on Gong Hong's face, not only the insight into the world in his eyes, but also the calmness and calmness in his expression.
At this time, Zhu Houcong had just arrived in Huai'an Fucheng.
Huai'an Prefecture is located at the intersection of the Yellow River, Huaihe River and Canal, and has stronger throat properties than Linqing.
To its northwest are the Yellow River and the canal, which are almost parallel and converge at Qingjiangpu in the northwest of the city. To the east is the Huaihe River, which joins the Yellow River and flows to the sea. On the southwest side is Hongze Lake, which is adjacent to the ancestral mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty Zhu family in Sizhou.
Due to its unique terrain, Huai'an City was built with a huge investment of manpower, material and financial resources. The Old City, New City and Jiacheng together constitute Huai'an City, which is strong and tall, easy to defend and difficult to attack. In Huai'an Prefecture, there are Huai'an and Dahe guards, as well as a large number of cavalry troops.
The Governor's Water Transport Department is here, and the Cao Army is also centered here.
In addition, there is also Huai'an warehouse, which is only inferior to Linqing warehouse and Xuzhou warehouse. It ships 1.5 million shi of grain from Jiangxi, Huguang, Zhejiang and other places every year.
Qingjiangdu Shipyard was the largest in the Ming Dynasty, with a factory area stretching for more than 20 miles and managing nearly 10,000 craftsmen, servants, and merchants.
Naturally, there is also Huaian Chaoguan.
But the population of Huai'an is far less than that of Linqing City.
Because there is no room for living in the city, and outside the city... there are often floods.
Zhu Houcong did not enter the city.
The escorting army was stationed at Hanhuai Weir, south of Qingjiangpu and across the river.
Next to it is the vast Hongze Lake.
Across the lake, to the west of Hongze Lake, is the Daming Ancestral Tomb located in the north of Sizhou City.
Zhu Houcong stood on the Huaiweir, and Li Hao explained beside him: "It is said that this Huaiweir was built by Chen Deng, the prefect of Guangling County in the late Han Dynasty. The weir is more than thirty miles long. In the past, Sima Yi was here to destroy Wu. The fields were cultivated to store grain, and the Huaiweir was constantly reinforced."
He knew what else the emperor was concerned about, so he said solemnly: "The Yellow River has diverted the Huaihe River into the sea for many years, and the sediment has continued to accumulate. The Hongze Lake has been overhanging, and defending the Huaiweir is the top priority. If this weir is lost, Huaiyang will be destroyed." If it doesn’t exist, the canal will be cut off!”
Zhu Houcong nodded: "No one dares to make fun of this place, I know. Go back, Jiang Mian and the others are here too."
Yes, although there are many floods, no one dares to joke about it.
Because not far away is the Tomb of the Ming Dynasty.
Who is responsible for the flooding of the Ming Dynasty ancestral mausoleum?
(End of chapter)
