Southern Ming: A boy soldier at the beginning, supporting the world

Chapter 14 Big Changes Are Coming
It was Shenshi, the sun was setting, and the earth was painted a light orange-red. It was really a beautiful landscape, as picturesque as a poem.

The drill was over, and the soldiers were packing up their weapons. More than 2,000 men looked quite impressive.

Jiao Lian was discussing matters with Generals Bai Gui and Zhao Xing in the tent. When they heard that Cen Danchu had returned after completing his mission, the three of them were very pleased and immediately ordered someone to summon him.

"General, I have fulfilled my mission. Guan Weifan has agreed to move camp in two days." Cen Dan bowed as he first entered the tent.

Jiao Lian was very happy and said, "Very good, you did a good job. If we want to force Guan Weifan to leave, we have to teach him a lesson. But we can't go too far, or the two armies will fight. After thinking it over, it's still best for you to go."

Bai Gui and Zhao Xing were both brave generals in the army, natives of northern Shaanxi, and had followed Jiao Lian for many years. At this moment, they both praised Cen Danchu and said, "Young people are formidable, and the commander-in-chief has found another talented general!"

So Jiao Lian gave wine, and the four of them sat around a table, drinking and discussing matters.

Cen Danchu raised his cup and took a sip, then slowly said, "Guan Weifan's military discipline is bad, and he was humiliated at Baishitan. Once he breaks camp, he will surely plunder everywhere. It would be better to send troops to monitor and investigate lawlessness to win the hearts of the people."

Zhao Xing was straightforward and praised this, saying, "Danchu is right. We rely on the commander-in-chief. Our army will be stationed in Guilin for a long time and should win the support of the people. The commander-in-chief has the power to enforce military discipline and control the troops."

Jiao Lian put down his wine glass, sighed, and said, "Guan Weifan is Chen Bangbo's man. Chen Bangbo has made friends with key officials, and many people in the court speak for him. He has no way of managing the army, and the army is disorganized. Once our army fights with real swords and guns, I am afraid that Guan's army will be in danger of collapse."

Everyone felt it was a difficult situation after hearing this. Should they really let Guan Weifan rob the people and cause the people outside the city to suffer?

Bai Gui was the most valiant in battle and led the troops from the front, which was very similar to Jiao Lian. He said:
"Baishitan controls Gantang Ferry, a place that must be fought for by military strategists. Dawei is a place where merchants and travelers gather, and grain ships gather. Both places are commercial ports on the Li River, and they are of great importance to the military. Troops must be sent to protect them no matter what."

"Well," Jiao Lian said thoughtfully, "Bai Gui and Zhao Xing, you two will lead some troops to guard Baishitan and Daxu to prevent Guan Weifan from looting."

Bai Gui and Zhao Xing were delighted and smiled at each other. The Marshal was quick to follow good advice and had always been a good brother in everyone's mind.

Cen Danchu was also encouraged and said, "General, I am of low rank and my words are not taken seriously. I don't know whether I should say some things or not."

Jiao Lian said with a smile: "You, kid, have become Liushou's apprentice and have the title of guerrilla, your status is different from before. You have a lot of ideas, we are all family, you can say whatever you want."

Cen Danchu raised his glass and toasted Jiao Lian with a glass of wine, saying, "Chen Bangbo is a straw bag, while Liu Chengyin is a tiger and wolf. Guan Weifan is easy to deal with, and he will surrender with a little trick. Liu Chengyin is not a good person, and he is also a plague god, so he can't be easily dealt with."

Jiao Lian's eyes flashed with sadness, and he said, "Alas! The state affairs are so difficult, but the generals have their own selfish motives. One Guan Weifan is gone, and another Liu Chengyin is here. In any case, it is better to deal with one than two at the same time.

"The governor was also troubled by this matter. Liu Chengyin was arrogant and domineering in Quanzhou, holding the court hostage, and repeatedly beat and insulted ministers in the court.

"The emperor and the cabinet ministers were controlled by him and had no way to deal with him. The ministers resigned one after another. Yesterday, another imperial edict came to Guilin, asking him to stay in the imperial court to assist in the administration. The governor had no choice but to write to the emperor, asking him to return to Guilin.

"Liu Chengyin naturally refused and urged the emperor to visit Wugang. Wugang is a remote place with poor people and narrow land. It is closer to the Qing army and is Liu Chengyin's territory. Once the emperor stays in Wugang, the consequences will be disastrous."

After hearing this, everyone could not help but feel sad. It was a misfortune for the country that the great emperor of the Ming Dynasty was held hostage by a mere warrior like Liu Tiegun.

Outside the tent, the west wind gradually rose, causing the grass and trees to sway, as if sighing for the difficult current situation.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was a man of great talent and strategy. He used civil officials to control the military and designed a set of sophisticated systems. During the Ming Dynasty, there were few military generals who were arrogant and disloyal. Even during the reign of Chongzhen, when the country was in chaos, a document from the imperial city that arrived at the border was enough to imprison a general or execute a meritorious official.

Since the Southern Ming Dynasty, the three emperors Hongguang, Longwu and Yongli were able to secure their thrones with the support of military generals. Military generals were arrogant and disloyal, which became the norm in the Southern Ming Dynasty. The cowardice and incompetence of Emperor Yongli, who had no prestige, undoubtedly exacerbated this trend.

Zhao Xing was a straightforward person. He said, "Danchu, you have eliminated harm for the people in Baishitan today, which is very satisfying. That's what you should do! If Liu Tiegun dares to violate the law and meets me, Zhao Xing, I will cut his throat with a knife!"

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere became a little more relaxed. Jiao Lian patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Zhao Xing, you are now a deputy general, but you are still outspoken, like a reckless man! This time, you should not be stationed in Baishitan, but in Daxu instead."

Zhao Xing nodded and smiled bitterly at Bai Gui.

Cen Danchu took a deep breath and said, "Liu Chengyin has evil intentions and wants to force the emperor to Wugang. The chief minister Yan Qihuan is weak and powerless, and the eunuch Ma Jixiang is cunning and treacherous, but they are unable to control Chengyin.

"Now, the commander-in-chief He Gong (He Tengjiao) and the governor of Huguang Du Gong (Du Yinxi) have lost cities and land in Huguang, and their prestige has greatly decreased. They stayed behind to defend Guilin and defeated the Qing army. Their prestige has greatly increased, and Liu Chengyin is afraid of them.

"Liu Chengyin sent troops to Guilin to demonstrate to the garrison. The garrison relies on the commander-in-chief. I am afraid that the two armies will become enemies again soon. Everything is prepared. The commander-in-chief should order Ma Zhen to move the camp south immediately and rush to Guilin overnight."

Ma Zhen is Ma Qijiao, whose qualifications and reputation are higher than Bai Gui and Zhao Xing. He currently leads his troops to garrison in Huangsha Town, Quanzhou, and is also in charge of Laoying.

After these words were spoken, everyone became alert and looked at Cen Danchu with a new respect.

Jiao Lian hesitated for a moment and said, "Danchu is very thoughtful. I will send someone to deliver a letter to Ma Zhen today, and then visit the governor tomorrow to explain to him in person."

In the Ming Dynasty, it was a capital crime for the army to leave the garrison without permission. Now that the situation had deteriorated, Jiao Lian had no choice but to take advantage of the situation.

Cen Danchu was encouraged and continued, "Guangxi relies on Huguang as a barrier, and Huguang relies on General He and General Du as a great wall. General He relies on Generals Ma Jinzhong and Wang Yuncheng, most of whom are generals under Zuo Liangyu. General Du relies on Generals Li Chixin and Gao Bizheng, most of whom are generals under Li Zicheng.

"In my opinion, Ma Jinzhong, Wang Yuncheng, Li Chixin, Gao Bizheng and others are all unreliable, not to mention Hao Yaoqi, Wang Jincai, Zhang Xianbi and others.

"Last year, the Tartars appointed the rebel king Kong Youde as the General of Dingnan, and joined forces with the troops of the Three Feudatories. They came with great momentum and successively conquered Changsha, Xiangtan, Hengshan and other important towns. If they capture Hengyang again, they can move towards Wugang and Yongzhou, and look at Quanzhou and Guilin.

"General, I'm afraid that the situation will get worse soon. We should prepare early!"

When everyone heard the name, they all looked heavy.

In every dynasty, the generals held high positions and great power. In the early Qing Dynasty, the generals were usually appointed from princes and beile. Kong Youde, the Gongshun Prince of the Qing Dynasty, was appointed the Dingnan General, and he controlled the Huaishun Princes Geng Zhongming and Zhishun Prince Shang Kexi. For the first time, he took charge of a task on his own and fought very hard, making great progress in Huguang.

On the other hand, the Southern Ming Dynasty was faced with internal and external troubles. He Tengjiao and Du Yinxi were originally in Huguang to resist the enemy, but they were not united in appearance but had their own thoughts.

He Tengjiao held a high position and had recommended Du Yinxi, but he was short-sighted, discriminated against the peasant army, lacked talent and strategy, and was not up to the task.

Du Yinxi was brave enough to take on tasks and take responsibility. He went deep into the tiger's den and reorganized the remnants of the Dashun Army into the Loyalty Camp. He was more talented than He Tengjiao, but he was straightforward and disrespectful to his recommender.

He and Du did not coordinate closely, and Ma Jinzhong, Li Chixin and other troops were suspicious of each other. The Ming army had a large number of troops in Huguang, but they were demoralized and had their own agendas. They could not get together and were passively beaten everywhere, losing cities and territory continuously.

Once Huguang is lost, Kong Youde's Qing army can attack Guangxi from the north, with Quanzhou and Guilin bearing the brunt. Sanshun Wang has a strong army and horses, much stronger than Li Chengdong in Guangdong, and this time he is not joking.

Cen Danchu was not exaggerating when he said the situation would deteriorate.

Jiao Lian's face was heavy, but he was as resolute as usual. He said, "When an enemy comes, we will fight him with our troops; when a flood comes, we will block it with earth. A great change is imminent. Danchu, tell me, how should we respond?"

“First, we need to expand our military.”

(End of this chapter)