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

Chapter 53 Sister
It was a rare opportunity for Cen Danchu to return to Guilin, so Qu Shisi was particularly open-minded and asked his youngest daughter Qu Xuanhui to come out and talk to Danchu for a while.

The location was still at Tingfeng Pavilion. The autumn breeze was refreshing, and the fragrance of osmanthus flowers came. While Cen Danchu and Qu Shisi were chatting, Qu Xuanhui arrived gracefully.

Shi Si smiled and said, "Hui'er, Zhuoru just arrived today, and will be heading west tomorrow to escort Emperor Yongli back to the palace. The situation is unstable, so we don't have to stick to the customs. You two can chat for a while."

"Dad!" Qu Xuanhui said coquettishly, watching her father leave. A maid in her twenties accompanied him and walked to the stream, pretending to watch the fish.

The opportunity was rare, and Danchu took the opportunity to take a closer look at Qu Xuanhui. She had delicate features, a little makeup, delicate facial features, and eyes as clear as autumn water. She was dignified and charming, and a little shy in her calmness.

Qu Xuanhui blushed, but after all, she was two years older, so she asked generously, "How many soldiers did you bring with you this time?"

Danchu smiled knowingly, not expecting her to ask this question, and replied, "Less than 500 men and horses, all cavalry."

"The cavalry is good and can move quickly. General, do you have any idea where you are going to look for the emperor?"

Danchu already had the answer, but wanted to take the opportunity to test his fiancée, so he said, "I really don't have one, what suggestions do you have, sister?"

Qu Xuanhui's face flushed, and she said, "Perhaps, the general can go to Guni Pass first. Guni Pass is connected in all directions. It borders Jingzhou in Huguang in the north, Liping in Guizhou in the west, Guilin in the east, and Liuzhou in the south. When the general arrives at Guni Pass, even if he doesn't see the emperor, it will be convenient for him to get information."

Guni Pass, also known as Guyi Pass, is located at the junction of Huguang, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces. It is indeed a transportation hub.

Danchu was greatly surprised and said, "Sister, your suggestion is very enlightening. May I ask, sister, have you ever paid attention to geography?"

Qu Xuanhui smiled slightly, his chest trembling slightly, revealing his fair skin on his neck, and said generously: "I usually read some miscellaneous books when I have nothing to do."

It seems that she is quite talented and may be able to serve as a helper in the future.

Danchu took out a piece of white jade from his bosom and said, "When I was in Yong'an, I got this precious jade. It is said to have come from the palace. This precious jade is suitable for a beautiful woman, so I will give it to my sister."

Qu Xuanhui did not decline, but took the jade and said, "Thank you, General."

Thinking of the distance of Guni Pass and her fiancé's long journey, she couldn't help but feel sad and said, "Where the imperial carriage is, there must be many people and horses. Guni Pass is a place where the Yao and Dong people live together, and the grain production is not abundant. The general should bring more food on this trip."

Cen Danchu felt warm in his heart and responded, saying, "During the previous expedition to Pingle, our army received quite a bit of food and money. This time we are going to Guni Pass, food and money will not be a problem."

The maid came over and said, "Miss, the lady wants to see you."

Probably the time was up, Danchu stood up and said goodbye, "Sister, see you next month."

The two were supposed to get married next month, but Danchu was on his way to find Emperor Yongli and might not be able to return within a month.

There was nothing that could be done about it. Qu Xuanhui stood up and said, "General, please be careful and do everything within your ability."

"Yes," Danchu nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, I will return safely."

The next day, Zuo Xie moved his camp and headed northwest along Guilin. A guide had been found and the route had been determined: first go to Yining County, then turn north to Xunjiang River, and go downstream along the south bank of Xunjiang River to reach Guni Pass. This route was relatively safe, as there was only one city along the way, Yongning County, which was under the control of the Ming Dynasty. There were many mountains and ridges in northern Guangxi, and as long as the Qing army did not break through Yanguan and Zhenxiaguan, northern Guangxi would be safe.

The marching sequence was in the order of vanguard, first team, center army, musketeer team, and second team, stretching for nearly two miles.

"Xie Tai, when you entered the garrison yesterday, did you see Miss Qu?"

The person who spoke was Feng Lin, the battalion commander of the central army, who was also Cen Danchu's elder brother. At the beginning, Cen Danchu was promoted to the captain of the third team, and Feng Lin was the deputy captain of the third team. He helped Danchu integrate into the third team quickly.

"I saw it," Danchu said with a faint smile, "I originally planned to get married next month, but who knew that the elder asked me to lead the army to welcome the emperor. If I mess up the task, I may not be able to go back next month."

"Xie Tai, what are you afraid of!" He Guozuo said, "When we see the emperor, no matter what happens, we will kill all the treacherous officials around him first, and then invite the emperor back to Guilin. Who can stop us?"

He Guozuo was a Yao from Yangshuo and a cousin of He Guoju, the captain of the cavalry team of the Du Biao Central Army.

The Ming army counterattacked Pingle and Yangshuo. He Guoju returned to his hometown to connect with his clansmen, and He Guozuo enthusiastically joined the army. He Guoju asked him to join Cen Danchu's army, and he is currently serving as a pawn in the left-wing central army.

"When the officer is speaking, soldiers are not allowed to eavesdrop or interrupt. You new recruits have no respect for the rules!" Although Feng Lin liked He Guozuo very much, he still frowned and scolded Guozuo aside.

Yu Houji smiled and said, "If we kill a few treacherous officials, we can invite the emperor to Guilin, which is killing two birds with one stone."

The autumn wind is blowing, and there is already a chill in the air.

Danchu smiled bitterly and said, "The elder sent me to welcome the emperor, probably hoping that I could take this opportunity to make meritorious deeds and win the emperor's favor. But the court is too complicated, and the civil officials' factional struggles are endless. I am determined to welcome the emperor this time, but I am afraid that I will offend the treacherous officials."

Feng Lin was not well educated, but he said with emotion: "It is my duty to eliminate traitors for the country. I was born in a military family and have been in the army for 20 years. I have never seen the emperor. This time I have the honor to meet His Majesty, and I will not refuse even if I have to go through fire and water."

Hearing this, Danchu was deeply touched. The Ming Dynasty lasted for nearly three hundred years, and the people still had a lot of feelings for the Ming Dynasty. In particular, the Qing Dynasty strictly implemented the shaving order, which aroused fierce resistance from the Han people.

There were many people among the military and civilians who sympathized with Emperor Yongli and hated the Qing army. Not to mention the distant past, this time Emperor Yongli was trapped in Fengtian, and the court officials asked Liu Chengyin's mother for help. Without saying a word, Liu's mother ordered the city gates to be opened and the Yongli court officials to be released.

Outside Fengtian City, Liu Chengyin sent troops to pursue, but his subordinates secretly let him go. The Qing army pursued and almost captured Emperor Yongli several times, and each time the Ming army fought desperately.

It can be seen that although the Yongli Emperor was weak and incompetent, he was still the orthodox of the Ming Dynasty and had a high status in the hearts of the military and civilians. Treating the Yongli Emperor correctly would be of great benefit to rallying the people's hearts and minds.

Danchu said, "The elder cabinet has instructed me to ask the emperor to return to Guilin to preside over the great cause of national rejuvenation. The emperor's words and deeds are watched by the whole world and have a great impact on the morale of the army. He must not stay in a fixed place and go on tours."

Yu Houji nodded and said, "The emperor is the most timid, he is most afraid of military riots, and he trusts the eunuch Ma Jixiang the most. We might as well work on Ma Jixiang. As long as we can control Ma Jixiang and spread the news of military riots, so that the emperor will be at a loss, the matter will be solved."

"Good." Danchu was very satisfied with the proposal and said, "Then we must find the emperor first and prevent other warriors from getting there first."

Fortunately, Zuo Xie's men are all cavalry, and Dan Chu has Qu Shisi's handwritten letter in his hand, so he is confident of completing the mission.

(End of this chapter)