The most powerful patriarch in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 170 The whole territory of Fujian, won

Chapter 168

When Lu Changle led his men to arrive, Zheng Zhilong had already committed suicide.

There was no time to celebrate, so Lu Changle handed over to Second Uncle and Yang Zhengbao to clean it up.
Gather up your own troops, weapons and equipment, especially ammunition,
The rural protection team and the Navy have gathered 1 people,
Three thousand were drawn from the militia that came to support, and four thousand were drawn from the coolie camp.

Another 5000 men were selected from Zheng's surrender,
Just pick those surrendered soldiers whose hometown is in Fujian, a total of 2000 people,

Gather the newly built navy, plus the newly captured warships,
Assemble 120 large and small warships, set sail against the wind,

Go straight to Quanzhou and Changhua.

Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Zhibao died,

Zheng Du was killed, and Zheng Sen's whereabouts are temporarily unknown.
Now in Quanzhou only Zheng En and Zheng Zhihu's widowed son Zheng Yi guards the house.
Zheng's leaders were gone, and the main navy was also taken down by Lu Changle.
Take advantage of his illness, take his life,
Put Zheng's family in a nest,

The expected resistance and fighting did not occur,

When the army of the rural protection team came under pressure,

Standing on the pier is not Zheng's army,
But the drumming, welcoming crowd,

They are all local officials, gentry and common people,
After the escaped ship came back and informed Zheng En and Zheng Yi,
After the two brothers discussed it, they knew that they couldn't keep it, so they packed up the soft things in a hurry.
With his personal guards and people close to the Zheng family, he fled back to Jilong Mountain again.

Father, uncle and so many elites can't stop them, let alone themselves,

If you don't run, you can only wait to die.

After discussing with the officials and gentry, they opened the city gate and greeted them at the pier together.

During the days when Zheng Zhilong retreated to Jilong Mountain,

Except for Zheng's clan relatives, who wouldn't make Zheng Du and Zheng Zhibao feel frightened,
I have long thought that this group of plague gods are gone, but they are just incapable,

Hearing that the fleet of the rural protection team was coming, they rushed to meet them one by one.

"General Lu, what should we do now, should we chase them to Jilong Mountain and kill them?" Liu Ruolan asked.

The great revenge was avenged, and I also saw the potential in Lu Changle,
Liu Ruolan also regards herself as a member of the rural protection team,
In troubled times, it is very important to find a backer.

In particular, Lu Changle abandoned the prejudice against women,

Against all odds, Liu Ruolan was appointed as the number two in the navy,

This gave Liu Ruolan the idea of ​​dying for his confidant.

Lu Changle turned to Gan Hui and asked, "Uncle Hui, what do you think?"

"If you don't come into the forest, don't chase after poor bandits." Gan Hui shook his head and said, "Zheng Zhilong's brothers are all gone. The Zheng family's worthless sons are too young, and the people under Zheng Zhilong's hands are not vegetarians."

"The master is weak and the servant is strong, sooner or later there will be a battle"

"Catching up at this time is forcing them to twist into a rope. In addition, Zheng Zhilong and others have been operating in Jilong Mountain for many years, with a population of hundreds of thousands. They are all loyal to the Zheng family. If they go rashly, even if they can If you win it, you have to pay a huge price.”

"It's better to let them fight among themselves first, and then we will wait for the opportunity"

"Just use this time to consolidate the site first, lest others have the opportunity to take advantage of it."

While speaking, he glanced at Li Dingguo,
Li Dingguo on the side wiped his nose with his hands, but did not speak.

Lu Jinyuan also agreed with Gan Hui's opinion: "You can't eat too much, let's integrate Fujian first."

Lu Changle just hesitated, and finally nodded in agreement.

The main force of the Zheng family has been wiped out, and it will not be able to recover in a few years.

As time goes on, the power gap between the two sides will only increase.

As a result, the fleet was divided into two, and Lu Changle and Lu Jinyuan led a team to take over Quanzhou Prefecture.
Gan Hui, Liu Ruolan, Lu Changhe and a team took over Zhangzhou Prefecture.

Gan Hui, who was born in Haicheng County, Zhangzhou Prefecture,
Back then, he offended the patriarch and was forced to leave his hometown.
Now as the chief coach of the rural protection team, he will bring the brigade back,

Definitely a homecoming,
Lu Changle did not follow,
It is to let Gan Hui settle the past grievances, repay kindness with kindness, and revenge with revenge.
A man, isn't it just about pursuing pleasure and enmity?

It's a tribute to his outstanding performance.

Gan Hui didn't understand Lu Changle's arrangement. After thanking him again and again, he led the team straight to Zhangzhou Mansion.

The fleet approached Quanzhou Wharf, Lu Jinyuan took the soldiers off the ship first,
After controlling Quanzhou City, Lu Changle took Yang Xuan and others off the ship.

After getting off the boat, the officials and country gentry present knelt down to salute Lu Changle one after another,
The life and death of all people is in the thought of this Fujian upstart,
In this troubled world, should we bow our heads or bow our heads.

Lu Changle didn't put on airs, and asked them all to stand up with a pleasant face.
There are too many people, let him recommend a few representatives to talk to him.

In the end, everyone elected Lin Fanqing, the current patriarch of the Lin clan in Quanzhou, Zhang Libo, the chairman of the Quanzhou Chamber of Commerce, and the big treasurer of Zhang's commercial firm, Huang Ruhui, the Tongzhi of Quanzhou, and Lu Zhongde, the patriarch of the Lu clan in Anxi, as representatives.

After being elected, the four waited for Lu Changle to be interviewed in the government office.

After entering the city, Lu Changle did not meet them immediately, but was busy checking the situation in Quanzhou,

Receive city gates, yamen and official warehouses,

Search for Zheng's remnants, confiscate Zheng's legacy,
It is necessary to send people to take over checkpoints, guards, etc., and they are very busy.

After a long delay in receiving the meeting, the four representatives began to feel a little anxious.

Lin Fanqing said cautiously: "Everyone, General Lu will not have any objections to us."

"It's hard to say." Huang Ruhui shook his head and said, "If you kill one thousand enemies, you will lose eight hundred. If General Lu wins, he will probably lose a lot of manpower. If you don't vent your anger, it will definitely not work. Quanzhou is the headquarters of the Zheng family, everyone. , Think about the fate of Suzhou and Songjiang."

Zhu Chongba, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was very angry with Suzhou and Songzhou for supporting his rival Zhang Shicheng.
The taxes levied by the two places are also the heaviest in Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Libo cupped his hands to Lu Zhongde at the side and said, "Patriarch Lu, you have a very close relationship with the Lu family in Fuzhou, and you will need Patriarch Lu to speak nicely for me in front of the general later."

"Well, there are some young people in the family who were forcibly conscripted by Zheng. I don't know what General Lu thinks." Lu Zhongde said with a wry smile.

After Zheng Zhilong became the general soldier of Fujian, he conscripted in Fujian many times.
Serving as a soldier and eating is also a way out these days. Who would have thought that the Lu family in Fuzhou would suddenly rise.

Huang Ruhui said: "President Zhang, have you discussed with the chamber of commerce? The township protection team has come from afar. In terms of rewards, you can't be negligent."

"Don't worry Huang Tongzhi, all the colleagues in the chamber of commerce will show the greatest sincerity to let the rural protection team feel our enthusiasm." Zhang Libo said hastily.

It is said to be a reward, but it is actually a tribute to the rural protection team.

Once you coax people well, everything is easy to talk about.

While discussing carefully, everyone waited anxiously for Lu Changle's interview.

After their necks grew, they finally received the news that Lu Changle had received them.

After meeting again, the four of them were arranged to sit in the lower seats.

In order to show their respect to Lu Changle, the four of them sat down with their signatures slanted,

Half of the ass dangling.

"The general took over here just now, and I have a lot of business to do, so I kept you waiting for a long time." Lu Changle explained with a smile on his face.

Since learning that Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Hongkui returned to Fujian,
Lu Changle has never had a good night's sleep. These days, he has fought against the Zheng family's army three times,
Almost exhausted.

After taking over Quanzhou, investigate Zheng's remnants and confiscate Zheng's property,

To Lu Changle's surprise, Zheng Yi and Zheng En were obviously frightened,

Just pack up a few things and run away, most of the belongings are still there,
It is estimated that it is also related to the large number of people and the small number of boats.
Taking grain as an example, the official warehouse plus Zheng's private warehouse, visually estimated that there is no less than 20 shi of grain.

Many of them were transported from Jilong Mountain recently.
It is said that Zheng Zhilong wanted to take advantage of Daming's lack of food and make a fortune,
Things like arsenals, horses, and furniture were not taken away,
In the end, it was cheaper for Lu Changle.

Before Zheng En left, he didn't do anything,
Ordered cronies to burn food and grass, kill horses, destroy mansions,
Would rather destroy than cheap Lu Changle,
After Huang Ruhui, a fellow magistrate from Quanzhou, found out, he and Lin Fanqing brought people to stop him.

Drive people away, put out the fire, and survive.

As they started on the road like this, Lu Changle smiled at each other.

Everyone didn't even dare to say anything, Zhang Libo took the initiative to say: "General, the people of Quanzhou have suffered from the Zheng family for a long time, and finally waited for the arrival of the righteous teacher. The fathers and villagers are very happy and enthusiastically reward the army. This is a little thought from the fathers and villagers of Quanzhou City. Don't be disgusted."

While talking, he took out a gift list and presented it.

A personal guard took the gift list and passed it on to Lu Changle.

Lu Changle just glanced at it and put it on the table casually.

When the four people below saw it, their eyelids couldn't help but twitch,

There are so many things on the gift list, gold and silver jewelry, wine, sheep, cloth, etc., everything that one expects to find,
Just look at it and let it go,

What does that mean?not enough?

Under the signal of the three of them, Lu Zhongde bit the bullet and said: "In sum, the Lu family in Anxi and the Lu family in Fuzhou haven't produced five families yet, so they are still a family. It is rare for the general to come, so we must visit Anxi."

Let's play the family card first.

"That's for sure. Before coming, the elders in the clan have already told me that it's good that the old patriarch doesn't think I'm bothering you."

In troubled times, clan blood relations are very strong, and Lu Changle also made his fortune through the clan.

To stabilize Quanzhou Prefecture, one must have the support of the local rich and gentry.

"I don't mind it, I don't mind it, the young people in the clan have long wanted to witness the general's demeanor," Lu Zhongde said with a smile on his face.

Just recognize this pro.

Seeing the atmosphere slow down, Huang Ruhui said: "General Lu's story of protecting his hometown and loving the people has long been spread to Quanzhou Prefecture. The folks in Quanzhou Prefecture have long been looking forward to the general's arrival. Now that his wish has come true, I don't know what the general will do next." Intend."

"If it's useful to us, I'm willing to do my best for the general." Huang Ruhui added.

The matter of Fujian has long been beyond the reach of the imperial court.
Just like Zhou Jiadong, the prefect of Quanzhou, was poured tea by Zheng Zhibao for a trivial incident after he took office.
Feeling ashamed, he took sick leave and went back to his hometown to recuperate. He hasn't come back for more than a year.

Mrs. Zheng had no objection, and the court turned a blind eye.

Lu Changle has just taken over here, and many things are unclear. It is the time when people are most needed.
The whole of Fujian is under the control of the rural protection team. If there is a chance, it must be fought for.

Lu Changle chuckled: "With Huang Tongzhi's help, I can't ask for it, so I thank you in advance."

Lin Fanqing and Zhang Libo also spoke, and Lu Changle also gave a positive answer.

The originally tense atmosphere suddenly eased a lot.

After a bit of reassurance, Lu Changle said unhurriedly: "Zheng Zhilong has no law, and for his own selfishness, Fujian has been plunged into dire straits, and countless people have died tragically. This general will obey the will of heaven and the people, and bring them to justice."

"The culprit has been put to death, but those accomplices who helped the evil must not be let go"

"The models in Fuzhou, Funing, Yanping, and Jianning have worked well. This model will be implemented throughout Fujian, and Quanzhou will naturally be no exception."

"I want to hear the opinions of the four, how to deal with those who have a close relationship with the Zheng family and help the evildoers, or how to hold them accountable."

Brother Zheng Zhilong died, and the rest of them also fled to Jilong Mountain,
Both Quanzhou Prefecture and Zhangzhou Prefecture are the strongholds of the Zheng family, so they must be beaten,
We must also give justice to those people who have been harmed by the Zheng family.

Huang Ruhui, Lin Fanqing, Lu Zhongde and Zhang Libo looked at each other,

After talking for a long time, Xirou finally arrived.

Lu Zhongde gritted his teeth and took the initiative to admit his mistake: "General, a few disciples of the Lu family in Anxi entered the Zheng family's barracks. Speaking of which, they can be regarded as helping the evildoers, but they didn't expect this to be the result. I beg the general to be lenient."

With Lu Changle's shrewdness, he will find out about these things sooner or later.

If you take the initiative to admit your mistakes, you may even earn a good impression.

"Zheng Zhibao said he wanted to suppress the bandits and ordered the merchants to help them pay. His arms can't stretch his thighs, so he can only do what he wants. We businessmen, who most recognize the words "harmony and wealth", are forced to do so. Please be aware of the details." Zhang Libo explained anxiously.

Lin Fanqing said with a wry smile: "General, the situation of the Lin family in Quanzhou is similar to that of the Lu family in Anxi. They were all forced. Please be merciful, General."

Huang Ruhui thought it over and said: "Zheng Zhibao is cruel and easy to kill, he is the famous Four Kings of Hades, Zheng Du is arrogant and moody, if someone goes against their uncle and nephew's wishes, they will be beaten and thrown into prison at least, or be executed at worst. Many people have no choice but to obey their orders, and I ask the general to take pity on me and give me a lenient sentence."

The Zheng family has surrendered to the imperial court for 15 years and has also operated in Fujian for 15 years.
If we really want to investigate, there are too many people involved.

Even the four people sitting here, if they are really investigated, they can also be regarded as Zheng's remnants of crimes.

If you have the opportunity to speak, you must try to excuse yourself.

Lu Changle said calmly: "The opinions of the four are very pertinent, but right is right and wrong is wrong, and it can't be smoothed out with a single sentence. If you really do this, you will agree. I'm afraid that those who are suffering My parents and my fellow villagers didn’t agree either.”

Fujian has eight prefectures and one prefecture, and Quanzhou is the richest.
It may be the reason why rabbits do not eat or eat less grass beside their nests. Zheng's exploitation of Quanzhou Prefecture is the lightest.
Yanping Mansion, Tingzhou Mansion, and Shaowu Mansion were severely damaged in the turmoil.

Especially the Yanping Mansion, which almost made the Huntian Demon King into a no-man's land,

Reconstruction requires a lot of money, relying solely on the capture of the rural protection team and the money Lu Changle earned from doing business,
It can be said that it is a drop in the bucket,

When killing sheep, you have to pick a fat one,

No matter what is said this time, the Quanzhou government must contribute more.

When Zhang Libo heard Lu Changle say the words "suffering and suffering", he obviously paused for a moment, comprehended in his heart,

After thinking about it, I quickly came up with an idea: "General Zheng is right, but if he made a mistake, it's fine if he can't say a word, and he has to show his sincerity. The younger one has a suggestion. If he made a mistake, he should be fined for donating money and materials." , to help the suffering people"

"The more mistakes you make, the more money and materials you need to donate, and it should be used as atonement"

"What does the general think of this plan?"

Fujian has changed its surname to Lu, and after the chaos, it will need to be rebuilt.

Dajian needs a lot of money, Zhang Libo understood Lu Changle's hint,

I also remembered that when the rural protection team took over Quanzhou City, they immediately took over Zheng's inheritance and warehouses,

Needless to say, it must be in a hurry to spend money.

Lu Changle's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but glance at Zhang Libo admiringly,
It is said that businessmen are all-rounders, but this Zhang Libo guessed his thoughts so quickly.

(End of this chapter)