Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 321 Everything is ready and only owes Dongfeng
The city of Nanjing was besieged again, and the price of food in the city skyrocketed by several percent.

However, compared to before, now it is Daming who is besieging the Qing army.

For a while, people were in turmoil.

However, Hong Chengchou has rich experience after all, and he calmed down the price of food in an instant.

However, the stability on the surface made the undercurrent surge more and more.

The huge city of Nanjing has a population of nearly one million. In the [-]th century when productivity was relatively backward, it could be said to be a first-class city in the world.

A large number of people means that it is complicated and difficult to manage.

"Boom-"

"Get out of the way, out of the way—"

The army swaggered on the streets, glancing around unscrupulously, patrolling suspicious people, and didn't care about the people's disgust.

At this time, in a hidden courtyard somewhere, a group of people were discussing important matters.

"Civil husbands are regarded as deadly. Old thief Hong is one point for every ten people. They supervise each other and will be reported if they act recklessly..."

"The grain depot is guarded very well, but after bribing the guards, I learned that less than [-]% of the grain is stored, and Nanjing only has enough grain for seven days..."

"The gunpowder depot is tightly guarded, there is no way..."

"There are also soldiers and horses stationed in each yamen. Old thief Hong has already taken precautions."

A dozen or so people gathered together, some dressed up as scholars, some dressed up as yamen servants, they kept talking, and the more they talked, the more uncomfortable they became.

In the middle, sat a middle-aged man in his thirties. He was expressionless, with his ears pricked up, listening to everyone's speech.

After a long time, after the sound subsided, he said:
"I already understand."

"That is to say, Hong Bandit is very experienced, and we haven't found an opportunity."

"That's right!" Everyone nodded.

"Unfortunately, Guan Ning's cavalry is outside the city, otherwise we can put some crotons, and they will surely scatter."

Han Gu nodded, closed his eyes, glanced at the disappointed crowd, smiled wryly and shook his head.

Compared with the army, their meritorious service in the research department, apart from spying on the military situation, their greatest merit is to help the army occupy cities, especially giant cities like Nanjing.

However, he still didn't say the order to assassinate Hong Chengchou to death.

This is impossible. If you say it, it will easily shake your morale.

"We can't help much this time, but there is one thing. When breaking the city, we should try our best to cause civil strife and lead the army to occupy important places..."

"Obey!" Everyone bowed their heads and scattered away.

Entering the street, they instantly scattered into the crowd.

……

In the city, there is a luxurious mansion, occupying an area equal to that of Bohou, with stone lions facing each other, tall and mighty, and the vermilion lacquered gateposts are terrifyingly thick.

On the huge plaque, a "Hu's house" is written.

The landlord's family is a well-known big salt merchant in Jianghuai, named Hu Ju, who was originally in Yangzhou, but it was closer to his hometown of Huizhou, so he moved to Nanjing in recent years.

Contact the public uncle, and the reputation is publicized.

His back garden, small bridges and flowing water, artificial hills and green willows, can be said to have a Jiangnan flavor, and many people have commented and admired it.

At this time, Hu Ju was sitting in the kiosk, brewing tea in his hand, and pouring tea for the man in front of him.

"Good tea!" The man exclaimed, "Qimen black tea is really extraordinary."

"Good tea deserves hospitality." Hu Ju smiled lightly and said, "Tunxi tea and Huangshan Maofeng are all first-class quality teas. It's a pity. It's a bit difficult for me to want to drink now."

"You have something to say!"

The man smiled, picked up the teacup and tasted it carefully, reminiscing from time to time.

"What can I say?"

Hu Ju personally served, took the trouble to pick up charcoal and scoop water, with an intimate attitude.

"Jixi has surrendered King Yu now, that's your hometown..."

Hu Chong's pupils shrank slightly, but recovered immediately, and said calmly, "I'm just the county magistrate of Jiangning, what can I do?"

"The magistrates in the world are like stars, how many are there?"

Hu Ju's eyes were still gentle, he made tea, and said flatly:

"The king of Henan begs for intruders in the north, and offers up thieves in the west. He sits in the five provinces of Huguang, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Henan, and Guizhou. The navy is the most powerful in the world, and the southern Zhili is captured. It is already the situation of the Jin and Song Dynasties."

"Three hundred years of supporting scholars in the Ming Dynasty, how generous it is."

"Wu Sangui's Guan Ning Army, Hong Chengchou strategized, it's difficult!"

Hu Chong stroked his long beard, shook his head and smiled wryly.

"Difficult? If it's not difficult, will I still come to you?"

Hu Ju's eyes were bright, and he pointed directly at people's hearts: "The Beijing imperial court has been occupied by those old ministers. How can a young talent like you have a chance?"

"If King Yu wins, he will be the most valuable!"

Hu Chong fell into deep thought.

……

"Yangzhou City was destroyed, and Huizhou merchants suffered heavy losses. Although the Qing court allowed us to re-operate in Huaiyan, it will not work in a few years."

A merchant, with a refined aura all over his body, dressed in a bluish-white silk robe, said lightly.

"You can't say that!"

Another person retorted: "The king of Yu relies on Shaanxi merchants, and Sichuan salt enters Chu. How much money have we lost?"

In the hall, all the Huizhou merchants were discussing, hesitating whether to support King Yu.

Whether it is raising food prices, salt prices, or selling news, they are very cautious.

After a long time, the people who were struggling endlessly looked at Liu Zhi who was sitting tall.

With a big belly and a royal blue robe, he looked at the salt merchants with a smile, and said:
"King Yu's search department sent me a post, but I rejected it."

All the salt merchants were shocked and couldn't believe it.

"We Huizhou merchants are merchants, Confucian merchants, and even salt merchants who control Huaiyan. Whether it is the Manchus, robbers, or Yuwang, even if they suppress us, they will not take us down."

"Tens of millions of people are waiting for us to eat salt!"

Dimples appeared on Liu Zhirou's face, he looked approachable, but what he said was resounding.

"President, the Shaanxi merchants have taken refuge in King Yu—"

"Shaanxi merchants? A dog who has left home can only go all-in on King Yu, or Li Zicheng, a living bandit and bandit?"

"Besides, it's too difficult for the merchants of the Kingdom Dynasty when the birds are gone and the bows are hidden..."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands tightly, looked at the scorching sun outside the window, and said with a firm gaze, "We salt merchants will not help anyone this time, only doing business."

……

The king of Yu hadn't arrived yet, but the public opinion offensive started impatiently.

"Internal Reference" was published, and a large number were sent to the city of Nanjing, disseminating the news that the 300,000 troops of King Yu had landed in Nanjing.

For a moment, a lot of panic was aroused, and Hong Chengchou used all kinds of moves, but he was vulnerable to the facts.

As a result, food shortages were created.

The search department was mobilized to hook up with various people wantonly to create momentum for King Yu.

Sesame officials eager to be promoted, court officials who retreated to seclusion, speculative businessmen, ambitious careerists who were unwilling to be lonely, etc., all openly and secretly took refuge in King Yu.

Obviously, the city of Nanjing has not yet fallen, and His Royal Highness Jian Guo is ready to take over the city of Nanjing.

"This is Nanjing City?"

Looking up, the three-foot-long outer wall of Nanjing comes straight into view, like a giant coiled snake, which can't be seen at a glance.

Anyone who sees it for the first time is shocked.

This is the giant city built during the period of Taizu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the Oriental Giant City.

　I'm late today, sorry
　　
　
(End of this chapter)