Ming politicians

Liu Jingting's entry into Tianjin was not very smooth. He is from the south and is not very familiar with the north. In addition, the status of Tianjin is not that important. The intelligence network organized by Qu Qingze and Su Jun has only average development in Tianjin, but there are also advantages. That is, when Su Tiancheng served as the governor of Jiliao, he was directly in charge of Tianjin, so there were still many connections among the officials in Tianjin. In addition, after the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, the situation was like a broken bamboo, and the Ming Dynasty was already in danger. Unable to maintain, some officials still thought of their own way out, and moved closer to the Jin court intentionally or unintentionally.

Tianjin has become the place where the Jiangning camp and the Ming army fought decisively. It is heavily guarded. Not everyone can enter the city, especially those young men with strong bodies. , Once there is any trouble, the sergeant will act immediately and directly kill the suspicious personnel.

Liu Jingting's body is average, plus there are pockmarks on his face, so he will not attract the attention of the city guards. After knowing many things, in order to enter Tianjin City smoothly, Liu Jingting made careful preparations and dressed as a A small merchant, because of the entanglement of the war, had no choice but to take refuge in Tianjin City, but with such an identity, he would inevitably be blackmailed by the sergeant, so he still had to prepare some broken money.

The territory of Tianjin city is very large, after entering the city from the south gate, Liu Jingting was not in a hurry, he already had a plan in his heart on how to meet Chen Xinjia and Wang Daozhi.

The city of Tianjin is also in a bleak atmosphere. Probably the news that the Jiangning camp is approaching has spread. Residents who can live in the city of Tianjin are still different from farmers. At least their sense of smell is much more sensitive. You know, the imperial army can't compete at all.It will be a matter of time before Tianjin City is taken down, but the residents in the city suffer, and any battle is the most disadvantaged, the sword is ruthless, and the sergeant is red-eyed.

Liu Jingting could feel such a bleak air.Before coming to Tianjin, Qu Qingze had told him about the general situation in the city. Almost all the rich people left Tianjin, some went directly to the capital, some went to Shandong, and most of the people who stayed in Tianjin were some Residents and small merchants who have no connections, these people cannot leave Tianjin, they do not have enough money to spend outside.After Chen Xinjia led the army into Tianjin, the situation became even worse, and the price of goods began to rise. The life of the people in the city became more difficult, and the sergeant's control of the city was very strict. If you were not careful, you might be regarded as a spy. The reason was beheaded.

Liu Jingting lowered his head.After walking for a while, I decided to find an inn to stay.Zheng Keyou, who is already the magistrate of Suzhou Prefecture, was originally from Tianjin and had some connections in Tianjin. After Liu Jingting entered Tianjin, he would naturally go to the pre-determined City God Temple to meet up, but all of this should not be rushed.The atmosphere in the city also made Liu Jingting a lot more careful. This place can't be compared with Nanjing.

Liu Jingting, who was hungry, entered a small restaurant.

Ordinarily the restaurant should be bustling with people, but after entering.Liu Jingting felt very strange, he could hardly hear any voices, if he didn't pay attention, he would think that there was no one eating in the restaurant, this kind of atmosphere was really speechless.

After finding a corner to sit down, the clerk came over, probably because Liu Jingting's attire was only average, the clerk didn't show any enthusiasm, he was a little absent-minded, and he didn't invite Liu Jingting to the private room on the second floor for dinner, Liu Jingting didn't Concerned about these, quickly ordered a few dishes.

After Liu Jingting finished ordering food and wine, the waiter spoke again.

"Guest officer, there are rules here, don't talk when you eat and sleep, and I hope the guest officer will not make any noise."

Liu Jingting was very surprised, looking at the guy, he almost lost his temper, he went to the restaurant to eat and drink, there are so many rules, he has never met before, but he has a heavy responsibility, he can't easily reveal his identity, or Because of disputes over small things, big things were delayed.

A few people who looked like scholars came in and sat down on the first floor. The guy seemed to be very familiar with these people, and he walked over quickly, with the same attitude, but the guy whispered something in front of the scholars , so that the faces of several scholars are not very good.Liu Jingting guessed that these scholars must have heard this sentence.

The atmosphere in the restaurant made Liu Jingting feel oppressed. It seems that after Chen Xinjia and Wang Daozhi entered Tianjin, the control over here was very strict, so that everyone dared not speak too much. Ordinarily, the buddies would never say such things easily. Speaking of words, does the shopkeeper not want to do business? There must be no way to do this. After all, the disaster comes from the mouth. If there is any taboo, the restaurant may not be able to bear the responsibility.

Liu Jingting didn't have the mood to drink anymore. In such an atmosphere, even if it was fine wine, it wouldn't taste good after drinking it. It's better to find an inn to settle down after eating early.

A group of sergeants suddenly entered the restaurant.

After these sergeants entered the restaurant, the atmosphere was completely different. The sergeants didn't have any scruples, and they spoke loudly, which seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet atmosphere. With a smile on his face, the shopkeeper inside the counter also greeted him, also with a smile on his face.

The staff asked the sergeants to go to the private room upstairs, but unfortunately these sergeants were unwilling, thinking that the private room was not very interesting. One of the sergeants said that he was not a gentleman or a scholar, so what kind of private room did he sit in? Just inside the lobby.

When the sergeant entered the restaurant, Liu Jingting's attention began to divert, and his eating speed also slowed down.

It is unimaginable for the Jiangning camp that the sergeant entered the restaurant so casually to eat and drink. The military regulations of the Jiangning camp are very strict, especially in terms of details, which were determined by Su Tiancheng himself. As for eating in restaurants, soldiers can eat in restaurants when they are resting, but they are not allowed to eat in restaurants in military uniforms. If they enter restaurants and brothels in military uniforms, they will be severely punished.

On the eve of the decisive battle, the guards in Tianjin were so tight that the sergeants stationed here could go in and out of the restaurant at will. This also showed from the side that the management system of the Ming army was extremely flawed, but it also showed that the generals of the Ming army , for this battle, I am afraid that the view is somewhat pessimistic.

The diners in the lobby are very taboo towards these soldiers. There were some people who talked softly when eating and drinking, but after the sergeants came in, almost no one spoke, especially those few scholars who looked like scholars. After finishing, he got up and left, with disdain and disgust showing in his eyebrows.

These sergeants obviously had no scruples about eating and drinking. They drank heavily and talked loudly, but the situation of Tianjin's defense was not involved in the words. These sergeants were obviously not high-ranking, and it was impossible for them to know many confidential matters.

Liu Jingting listened very carefully. These sergeants mentioned which restaurant in Tianjin had good food, which brothel had beautiful women, etc., all of which were unsightly.

Before the sergeant had finished eating, Liu Jingting left the restaurant.

What he saw in the restaurant changed Liu Jingting's opinion a lot. He originally thought that with more than 20 Ming troops guarding here, even if the Jiangning Battalion attacked, they would have to pay a lot of casualties, but now The understanding is different. Don't underestimate the detail of the sergeant eating in the restaurant, which shows a lot of things.

The first is that the management system of the Ming army is not strict, and there are no strict requirements for the sergeants at all, and the sergeants have also shown a loose and passive attitude. This kind of attitude is extremely unfavorable for the upcoming war. To put it bluntly That is to say, the Ming army lacked fighting spirit and the confidence to hold on to the city. I am afraid that if the battle situation is slightly unfavorable, it may collapse.

The second aspect is the most important, that is, the common people in Tianjin, including some scholars, have a very bad impression of the sergeant, and it can even be said that they are disgusted. When the sergeant entered the restaurant, many diners would not speak. Yes, a few scholars and people left with disgust, which fully shows the support of the people, but don't underestimate the attitude of the people. In many cases, the soldiers resisted in the front, and the people behind did not support them. Will lose confidence, at least it is difficult to last.

Reminiscent of the bleak atmosphere in Tianjin, Liu Jingting is basically sure. If it is not necessary to meet Chen Xinjia and Wang Daozhi, Liu Jingting is even going to leave Tianjin at this time, and go back to report the situation here to the emperor. It doesn't take much energy to attack Tianjian, and you can easily take Tianjin City.

After finding a nearby inn, Liu Jingting quickly stayed.

It’s already the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month. In the past, the streets and the vicinity of the Town God’s Temple were very lively at this time. People look forward to the Spring Festival, when they can relax, but this year’s situation is completely different. The whole city of Tianjin cannot feel the With the breath of the Spring Festival, the streets are empty, and even the always bustling Town God's Temple seems very deserted.

While wandering on the street, Liu Jingting found a lot of sergeants, these sergeants were scattered at various intersections, or in market towns, they were always checking the passing people, and the people walking on the street were also passing by in a hurry, without any How many people hang out and stay, and the business of the shops is bleak. They should be able to make money before the Spring Festival, but they actually encountered such a cold snap.

From the analysis of the situation seen, the city of Tianjin has already fallen into the atmosphere of all trees and trees. (To be continued..)