Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 298 The Trembling of Nanjing

At the end of December in the first year of Hongguang, when King Yu Xinsi inexplicably started to clean up the bad situation in Shaanxi, the entire southeast had already fallen into chaos.

After less than ten days, Shi Kefa, who had no experience in leading troops, buried himself in the city, which won him countless posthumous reputations.

Yangzhou City, a city prospered by canals and salt merchants, ushered in his bloody moment.

The greedy soldiers of the Manchu and Qing Dynasties couldn't wait to enter the city, looting and raping, committing all kinds of crimes, and almost ransacked the entire city of Yangzhou.

Huge wealth, almost let everyone return home with a full bag.

The Manchu Qing nobles headed by Azig were even more beaming and overjoyed.

He even specially sent [-] beauties to Beijing to dedicate them to Emperor Shunzhi and the Regent, which showed that he did not forget his roots.

After a full meal in Yangzhou, the army was overjoyed, and everyone couldn't wait to go west, wanting to see the splendor of Nanjing City.

However, for Nanjing City, Azig is not as casual as Yangzhou. The influence of this giant city in the south is beyond imagination.

Nanking must not be destroyed.

This is what Dorgon has repeatedly emphasized, and it has far-reaching political significance.

For his younger brother, Azig was extremely jealous and dared not be disobedient.

However, the next trip will not be as smooth as before.

Huang Degong set off from Taiping Mansion, and more than [-] troops followed the orders of Emperor Hongguang. After getting enough silver, they quickly came to the outside of Nanjing to guard the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

Nanjing at this time is very different from Beijing two years ago.

At least, the huge Nanjing, and his last army to guard it.

Now, the cabinet headed by Ma Shiying no longer dragged its feet, but kept asking for warmth, which made Huang Degong feel astonished.

However, Emperor Hongguang, for the sake of his own life, had to grit his teeth, personally inspect the army, and rewarded the soldiers with 100,000 taels of silver in the inner treasury.

"Long live, long live—"

The continuous rewards have calmed down the army's morale and boosted their morale.

From the beginning of the recruitment system in the Jiajing period, the army has already had milk and mothers, and the desire for silver has penetrated deep into the bone marrow.

Even the emperor has to pay money.

"The Qing family is sure about Jiannu."

Ma Shiying and others accompanied the emperor, and Hong Guang dragged his heavy body and asked Huang Degong kindly.

"His Majesty!"

Huang Degong was so passionate, he glanced at the expecting ministers, he calmed down instantly, and said seriously:
"There are [-] forbidden troops in Nanjing City, and only [-] in the hands of the last general. It looks extremely huge, but the real elite is only [-] to [-]."

Hearing this, everyone, including the emperor, was greatly disappointed.

However, they are still staring at the only remaining loyal general, hoping to get some good news from him.

Huang Degong sighed in his heart, facing the imperial court's optimistic and extremely pessimistic mind, he really couldn't understand:

"Nanjing City now has sufficient food and salaries. As long as most of the people in the city are persuaded to retreat, it is enough to support the army for several months."

"If you just defend the city, you will have confidence in the end."

Gritting his teeth, Huang Degong made a promise.

The emperor's face was no longer so ugly, he just nodded and said nothing.

Ma Shiying walked a few steps closer, glanced at the crowd, and said: "The current strategy is to order the loyal people in the world to serve the king, and the second is to prepare for the war and at the same time have peace talks with Jiannu, hoping to get good news."

At this time, the Donglin Party no longer clamored to oppose it.

Although they hated Emperor Hongguang, those who really made up their minds to surrender were after all a minority.

As for those nobles, although their bodies hollowed out by the wine were crumbling, their pale faces still showed deep thought.

They, who lived with the country, have long since lost the blood of their ancestors, and only think about how to continue their family's wealth for hundreds of years.

Of course, the most active person at this time is none other than Ma Shiying.

As the chief minister of the cabinet, he can't escape no matter what.

"Marquis of Jingnan, Your Majesty and the imperial court have decided to confer on you the Duke of Jingguo, which will not be hereditary."

The figure of the emperor gradually left. For some reason, in Huang Degong's eyes, the bulky figure in the past was much lighter now.

On the side, Ruan Dacheng specially stayed behind, looking at the thoughtful Huang Degong, he couldn't help saying in a low voice.

Huang Degong was overjoyed, and hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed down: "How dare the last general ask for credit?"

"Under the emperor's order, only the noble army rushes to attack, and the imperial court will naturally reward you."

Ruan Dacheng pressed his hands together, and said in a low voice: "Speaking from the bottom of my heart, the lives of the whole city of Nanjing, including His Majesty and me, are entrusted to the Duke."

Huang Degong nodded emphatically: "I will live up to the trust of Your Majesty and the imperial court. Unless Jiannu steps over my dead body, he will never enter Nanjing City."

Ruan Dacheng was a little satisfied, nodded, and left slowly.

And Huang Degong supported the female wall. The towering Nanjing City can be described as a strong city, but since ancient times, how many people can guard it?

In the second year of Hongguang, that is, the third year of Shunzhi, after the miserable life of the people in Nanjing, on the eighth day of the first lunar month, 200,000 troops from the Qing Dynasty came to the city of Nanjing.

There was panic in the city, but thanks to Huang Degong's brutal suppression, there was no joke.

Immediately, the Manchu Qing sent envoys to put forward conditions and never agreed to seek peace:

Emperor Hongguang surrendered without losing a throne.

The officials of the Nanjing court use their talents according to their abilities.

With these two conditions, having is equal to not having.

Few sure promises.

This completely disappointed Wen Wu, who was full of hope.

Huang Degong could only grit his teeth and continue to defend the city. He didn't care about the political twists and turns.

The camp of the Qing army stretched for tens of miles, with endless streams of vehicles and horses, it could be described as extremely huge.

Azig was in high spirits, the battle of Zhenjiang was almost effortless, and the Nanjing barrier was lost, and he was already in his pocket.

By this time, no one thought that Nanjing could be held, it was just a matter of time.

Naturally, Azig didn't want to wait until spring. The continuous rainy winter had already caused a serious epidemic in the army, and the cavalry suffered heavy losses.

"The south is really not where Manchu warriors can come."

Azig sighed, looking at the majestic and majestic city wall, far taller than Beijing, couldn't help sighing:

"It's a pity that such a majestic city wall will no longer be perfect."

"Maybe, Nanjing will surrender in a few days." Shang Kexi said softly.

"Nanjing City, shouldn't be the opponent of the Red Cannon!"

Azig turned his head and asked.

On the side, Geng Zhongming, Kong Youde and others hurriedly patted their chests in reassurance.

Regarding this, Wu Sangui was also not in the mood.

Sweeping across the south of the Yangtze River along the way, the artillery made great contributions, and more and more troops were recruited to surrender. The importance of him and the Guan Ning army was greatly reduced.

For him, this can be said to be a rapid decline in political status, and it is hard to know whether it is good or bad.

"However, the land of Huguang, King Yu, will be mine sooner or later!"

(End of this chapter)