Zhu Yuanzhang in the cellar

Chapter 300 Let Heroes Not Shed Blood and Tears
Zhangzhou, Fujian.

After Zheng Chenggong landed in Xiamen, he joined forces with Zhang Huangyan, who had come from Zhejiang.

It's not really that significant, since Zhang Huangyan only has two or three thousand men.

However, Zhang Huangyan was able to give Zheng Chenggong advice.

Although the two of them had a disagreement before over whether to attack Taiwan or continue attacking Fujian.

But at this point, it would be natural to put aside past grievances and work together to deal with the Manchu Tartars.

After the meeting in Xiamen, Zheng Chenggong gave the order to launch a northern expedition.

There were about four or five thousand Qing troops in Zhangzhou, and they managed to hold out for more than half a month against the siege of Zheng Chenggong's forty or fifty thousand troops.

Zhangzhou City fell only after Feng Sheng and Lan Yu's troops arrived and blasted open the city gates with mortars.

It wasn't that Zheng Chenggong was incompetent.

In ancient society, even with powerful weapons like cannons, it was difficult to breach city walls.

The Battle of Songjin lasted for two full years between the Ming and Qing armies, who were entangled in the city.

Zheng Chenggong besieged Nanjing. Facing a Qing army of less than 10,000 men inside and outside the city, he had more than 80,000 troops besieging the city for nearly a month without success.

While Lang Tingzuo's feigned surrender and subsequent negotiations delayed the attack for over ten days, the fact that the city could not be breached despite such a significant numerical disparity demonstrates the difficulty of siege warfare.

On the contrary, the Hongwu soldiers led by Zhu Yuanzhang used modern weapons, which was a devastating blow to the city.

Because it is not a solid cannonball launched with ancient gunpowder, but a modern high-explosive shell, the power and kill radius are geometrically increased compared to solid cannonballs.

And what's most terrifying isn't its power, but its ability to fire in rapid succession.

my country's domestically produced light mortars have excellent performance, with a maximum speed of 30 rounds per minute and an average speed of 15 rounds per minute. They can blast open breaches not only in cities with rammed earth and brick walls, but also in cities built of steel.

This is why, under the threat of modern firearms, ancient city walls become far more ineffective; no matter how high or thick the walls are, they are almost meaningless in the face of heavy firepower.

Therefore, modern warfare has naturally abandoned cities and instead begun to develop weapons that can strike farther and have greater power.

At this moment, outside Zhangzhou city.

Zheng Chenggong stood there in the distance, stunned, his face filled with disbelief.

In December, the sea breeze of Fujian howls, blowing slowly from the bay of Haimen Island along the Jiulong River into Zhangzhou.

Black smoke billowed from the south gate of Zhangzhou. The city wall, along with the gate tower and the gate opening, had all been destroyed. Bricks, stones, and tiles were scattered all over the ground, and the surrounding area was full of potholes. Almost nothing was intact.

The sturdy city walls collapsed just like that?

"Prince Yanping? Prince Yanping?"

Zhang Huangyan, who was standing next to Zheng Chenggong, nudged him.

Zheng Chenggong suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly said, "This is the power of the Heavenly Army of the Great Ancestor!"

"It's natural."

Zhang Huangyan said with a smile, "If it weren't for that, how could Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong have so easily defeated the Tartars and wiped out hundreds of thousands of Tartar troops?"

"Father, let's go and pay our respects to the two dukes."

Zheng Jing said.

They had not yet contacted Feng Shenglanyu.

Because their army was fighting from south to north, while Feng Sheng and Lan Yu's troops were coming from the west.

At that time, the two sides had already communicated through scouts. Zheng Chenggong and Zhang Huangyan instructed the scouts to inform them that they would set off immediately to meet with them.

But when the scouts returned, they said that the two dukes said there was no rush and that they should take Zhangzhou City first.

As a result, Zhangzhou City was easily captured in less than half an hour, leaving Zheng Chenggong and others watching from afar dumbfounded, and tens of thousands of troops under his command in the wilderness also looking astonished.

So this is how Emperor Taizu's army fought?

That would indeed be invincible.

Upon Zheng Jing's reminder, Zheng Chenggong immediately spurred his horse and galloped away into the distance.

Soon he arrived with Zhang Huangyan and Zheng Jing.

At this moment, Feng Sheng and Lan Yu were already waiting for him by the roadside.

The two were riding on horseback.

Although we came by tricycle, tricycles are only suitable for various terrains and convenient for carrying a lot of supplies.

But the height is what it is.

If others are riding horses, you'll be shorter when you're sitting in a tricycle.

Therefore, the two of them were also on horseback, looking down from a high vantage point.

This is a small hill in the southwest of Zhangzhou City. Zheng Chenggong's army was in the southeast of Zhangzhou, about three kilometers away from here.

In December, Fujian did not experience the yellowing or withering of vegetation that is common in the north; instead, the surrounding area was lush and verdant with abundant vegetation.

The sea breeze rustled the leaves, and under a towering tree, two people dressed in strange clothes came into view in the distance.

Feng Sheng and Lan Yu were both wearing combat uniforms.

It's not for bulletproofing or camouflage, but rather because the camouflage paint in these modern military uniforms contains insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites in the south.

After all, it is common knowledge that the so-called miasma in the south is actually caused by a large number of mosquitoes, resulting in various infectious diseases.

Wearing these clothes means you don't have to worry about mosquitoes.

Furthermore, compared to ancient costumes, times have changed and society has progressed. Combat uniforms are not only lightweight but also warm, making them far superior for field combat.

Zheng Chenggong and his men were completely baffled. All the Hongwu soldiers around them were wearing these strange clothes. Although they had long hair, they also had hairnets wrapped around their heads like the Ming people.

But it looks somewhat incongruous and awkward.

The three were quickly brought in front of Feng Sheng and his group.

Zheng Chenggong dismounted and walked over to them, bowing and saying, "Zhu Chenggong greets the Duke of Song and the Duke of Liang."

Lan Yu quickly waved his hand and said, "I am not yet a Duke, but only the Marquis of Yongchang."

"Yes Yes Yes."

Zheng Chenggong then changed his address, saying, "Greetings, Marquis of Yongchang."

"You're Zheng Yanping?"

Feng Sheng asked.

"This junior has been bestowed the imperial surname by His Majesty Longwu."

"very good."

Feng Sheng said with satisfaction, "His Majesty is very pleased to have such a loyal minister as you. He has praised you before. His Majesty's three-pronged attack on the barbarians was specifically to send us to meet you."

Zheng Chenggong said, "It is my great honor to receive praise from His Majesty the Great Ancestor."

"Ah."

Feng Sheng smiled and said, "Let's go, let's go into the city first."

"Yes."

Zheng Chenggong agreed. The Ming army then entered and occupied Zhangzhou City.

Although the city gate was destroyed, the city inside remained intact.

Zheng Jun stormed into the city and wiped out the remaining Qing troops.

The group then entered the Zhangzhou government office.

Everyone took their seats in the government office, and Feng Sheng said he wanted to report to the founding emperor.

Just as Zheng Chenggong and Zhang Huangyan were wondering how to report, something unexpected happened.

Feng Sheng's guard took out a small black box, fiddled with it a few times, and soon a sound came from the other end.

"Nanjing Telecommunications Office".

"This is the telecommunications department of the Duke of Song. I request to report to His Majesty."

"Hold on."

After the voice on the other end finished speaking, Feng Sheng went over and picked up the headset.

After a moment, a deep voice said, "Is that Zong Yi?"

"His Majesty."

Feng Sheng immediately stood up straight, bowed his head and replied, "Your subject has arrived in Zhangzhou and joined Zheng Chenggong and Zhang Huangyan."

"Ah."

Zhu's voice came from the other end: "Have Zheng Chenggong and Zhang Huangyan speak to me in turn."

"Yes."

Feng Sheng took off his headset, beckoned Zheng Chenggong over, and said, "His Majesty wants to speak with you."

Zheng Chenggong was a little stunned. He was nudged by Zhang Huangyan before he carefully walked over, took the headset with both hands, and put it on as Feng Sheng instructed. He then carefully said, "Your subject, Zhu Chenggong."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Old Zhu's hearty laughter came from the other end: "You're quite good. In this time of national crisis, although you don't have the ability to turn the tide, at least you have this integrity, which is commendable."

Zheng Chenggong was both amused and exasperated.

I don't know if this is a compliment or a criticism.

But there was nothing he could do; his fighting in the Battle of Nanjing was indeed quite ugly.

At that time, his actual troops numbered around 80,000, though he claimed to have 170,000, while the Qing army, including reinforcements, had a total strength of just over 10,000.

As a result of his own command errors, in addition to being used by the enemy in a delaying tactic, he also divided his forces to attack. Instead of concentrating his forces when the enemy's navy was large and his infantry was weak, he attacked from all sides, missed a golden opportunity, and suffered defeat.

Therefore, when Zhu said this to him, he could only humbly and shamefully reply, "It is your subject's incompetence."

"It doesn't matter."

Old Zhu thought for a moment and said, "Although you cannot save the crumbling empire, you are at least loyal and have not been as fickle as your father, who ended up with the infamy of a traitor. This is your achievement. Since I am here, I will let go of the title of Prince of Yanping and instead bestow upon you the title of Duke of Jinghai. When the Ming Dynasty is re-established in the future, we will need your wholehearted assistance. Furthermore, the Ming Dynasty should develop maritime trade to replenish the national treasury. Your family has deep-rooted influence at sea and can serve as a bulwark for the southeast."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zheng Chenggong was overjoyed.

He showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever at being promoted from Prince of the County to Duke of the State.

After all, how could the title of Prince of the Southern Ming Dynasty be as valuable as the title of Duke of the State bestowed by Zhu Yuanzhang?
Even after Zhu Yuanzhang passes away, and other princes or dukes emerge in the Ming Dynasty, as a duke personally bestowed by the founding emperor, he will still be able to act with impunity.

"Okay, let Zhang Huangyan answer it."

"Yes."

Zheng Chenggong respectfully handed the headset to Zhang Huangyan.

Zhang Huangyan also carefully took the headset and said, "Your Majesty, this is Zhang Huangyan."

"You're fine."

Old Zhu was in a good mood and said, "These past few days, Nanjing has been restoring order and establishing the hierarchy of officials. Your achievements are outstanding, and I hereby appoint you as the Grand Secretary. After Fujian is pacified, come to Nanjing to assume your post."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Huangyan said in a deep voice: "I do not care about the size of my official position, nor do I care whether I serve as the Grand Secretary. I only hope to drive out the barbarians and restore the land of my Han people. I do not want to see our country devastated and the barbarians bullying and slaughtering my Han people again. This is my life's wish."

“Well said. You will follow Feng Sheng and Lan Yu. I will soon send troops south to surround the Tartars in Fujian from three sides. I will grant your wish.”

"Your Majesty, I thank you again."

"All right."

Old Zhu said, "I still need to reorganize the military affairs. Tell the Duke of Jinghai that from now on he is Zhu Chenggong. I will personally bestow the title of Zhu Chenggong upon him once again. You two will follow Feng Sheng and Lan Yu and wait for my order to surround the Fujian Tartars."

"Yes."

Zhang Huangyan responded, and the call was immediately disconnected, leaving only a busy tone.

Feng Sheng took the headset and put it back on the radio.

Lan Yu, standing beside him, looked at Zheng Chenggong with some envy and said, "The imperial surname was personally bestowed by the founding emperor, so you are now rightfully the emperor. If nothing unexpected happens, your family will probably be like the Mu family, sharing the fate of the nation."

Of course he was envious.

Lan Yu was extremely arrogant and domineering, and many people didn't take him seriously. However, during the Hongwu era, his achievements and military exploits were far from comparable to those of the founding dukes and marquises. Coupled with the suppression by Emperor Zhu, he couldn't run rampant in the capital.

Therefore, he greatly envied Zhu Yunfeng and Ji He, who could truly roam freely in the Ming Dynasty. No matter if you were a prince or a duke, if you offended them, you would get a good beating. Even he himself had his door kicked down and servants beaten by Zhu Yunfeng and his men.

Now, Zheng Chenggong has been granted the imperial surname again by Zhu Yuanzhang, and has also been personally bestowed the title of Duke. Although this was nothing special under Hongwu, in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and later when the Ming Dynasty was newly established, his status was something that Lan Yu truly envied.

Zheng Chenggong was rather modest, smiling sheepishly as he said, "I have only benefited from my vow to support the Ming Dynasty to the death and have survived until now, but in the end, I am powerless to turn the tide. In comparison, when the Tartars were massacring the country, countless loyal and patriotic men sacrificed themselves for their country. Moreover, compared to the Duke of Song and the Marquis of Yongchang, I am far inferior."

"Ugh."

Hearing his words, Zhang Huangyan sighed, "Yes, I don't know how many patriots were slaughtered by the Tartars. Shi Kefa, He Tengjiao, Qu Shisi. Even when Ma Shiying manipulated power, they remained loyal and unyielding. So many people died. Compared with them, we who are still alive are really nothing."

Seeing this, Feng Sheng comforted them, saying, "You need not worry. His Majesty will not let loyal ministers shed blood and tears. Before I came, I heard that His Majesty had already planned to issue an edict to collect the remains of loyal ministers and search for their descendants. At that time, the list of those who died for their country will be compiled, and a shrine for loyal ministers will be built to offer incense. Their descendants will also be able to enter officialdom through their family connections. His Majesty will also personally avenge their grievances and will not let them rest in peace in the afterlife."

This was also an imperial edict that Zhu Yuanzhang had issued while he was in Yunnan.

Compared to the Chongzhen era he had previously served, coming to the Southern Ming was far more disastrous.

During the Chongzhen reign, the Manchus had not yet entered the pass, and the main internal adversaries were bandits such as Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong.

Those righteous men who resisted the Qing dynasty and loyal ministers who died for their country are still alive, so their fates are not so tragic.

In contrast, this period during the Southern Ming Dynasty, especially the critical juncture of the eighteenth year of the Shunzhi reign and the fifteenth year of the Yongli reign, is a different time.

After repeated massacres and sieges by the Qing army, not only did the people of Jiangnan suffer large-scale slaughter, but more than 99% of the anti-Qing patriots and loyal ministers who died for their country had also perished.

Many people were even executed by slow slicing by the Tartars. For example, Chen Bangyan, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of War and a leader of the anti-Qing resistance in Guangdong, was executed by slow slicing by the Tartars when his army was defeated. Before his execution, he shouted, "I will not fail the Ming Dynasty in this life," and finally bravely went to his country to save it.

It can be said that the execution of Shang Kexi by slow slicing not only comforted the hundreds of thousands of Guangzhou people who were massacred by the Manchus, but also served as a tribute to this heroic anti-Qing patriot.

Although Old Zhu values ​​the living, he will not forget the spirits of the fallen heroes. He had long ago decided to build ancestral halls and erect bronze statues for them, and even change the place name and the gates to protect their descendants, so that their spirits in heaven can also find peace.

"His Majesty the Great Ancestor has not forgotten them; I have no regrets even if I die."

Zhang Huangyan bowed towards the north, tears streaming down his face.

(End of this chapter)