Be the emperor from the postman

In March, the grass grows and the warbler flies.

He Jinzhao stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the scenery on the river bank.

He sees this kind of scenery almost every year.

At least the people live and work in peace and contentment, not like he was in Shaanxi, where there are wasteland, dead people and walking corpses that are about to starve to death.

The people have already started working in the fields, and farming is naturally a major event.

They are used to the ships coming and going on the Fen River.

Marshal He, no.

Now called King Qin.

He has been dispatching troops and generals, and the Fenshui River has been able to pass through the ice, so he has been transporting things.

It looked like there was going to be another war.

On the contrary, the families whose family members joined the training of the Hammer Bandit camp were quite excited, hoping that their son could make military exploits and thus change the conditions of the family.

After all, most of them have actually seen the treatment of hammer bandits and soldiers.

It would be a lie to say that I am not envious.

After many people settled down, they naturally wanted to further improve their status.

However, King Qin has not recruited many new soldiers in Shanxi.

Instead, a large number of recruits are being trained in Shaanxi and other places.

"King Qin." Ji Gui smiled while pinching his beard, "There are so many people living and working in peace and contentment, this battle will definitely be a success."

The social contradictions in Ming Dynasty have become extremely acute. The Hammer bandits overthrew the tyrannical rule of the landlord class and the long-term exploitation and oppression. It is true that they took "relieving the people from hanging upside down" as their mission, and won large-scale support in Northwest, Southwest and other places.

Fu went into exile, traded with merchants, recruited people to cultivate fields, and collected their grains to pay the army, so that the poor people could produce with peace of mind.

In addition, the hammer bandits have strict discipline, and it is strictly forbidden to rob folk property, kill people at will and molest women.

All these things are many times stronger than Ming Dynasty's rule. With a person like He Jinzhao around, how could he not support his rule.

Supporting him is also to protect his own interests!

In other words, the current He Jinzhao has already represented the interests of the general public!
The imperial court became weaker and weaker, and many people were looking forward to the arrival of the rebel army.

Just like in January this year, Zuo Liangyu led the army to a county town in the snow, and the Xixia had already been instigated by the hammer bandits.

Of course, he didn't come here to suppress the rebellion, and he didn't know that the city was destroyed by the hammer bandits, but for "eating".

The local people lurk in the female wall, pour water to freeze the city, and stick to it for the "thief". Even if Zuo Liangyu sincerely calls for them to give them some food and firewood in the cold weather, they leave.

If it doesn't work, give me some money!
In the end, they were all rejected, Zuo Liangyu was helpless, he couldn't enter the city in this snowy day, and there was no way to attack the city.

After all, he didn't prepare any siege equipment, so he had no choice but to retreat and find another target.

Marshal Zuo's troops are not as good as the uprising army. Even the rogues mostly pay attention to military discipline and don't hurt the people at will, but the officers and soldiers are getting worse.

Although Zuo Liangyu occupied Xiangyang, he didn't have much food in hand!
He Jinchao has been working hard for three years, and has set up a game, so that the Ming and Qing Dynasties will fight each other for a long time.

Now going south to Huguang, one is to find an opportunity to annihilate the vital forces of the government and army, expand the results of the battle, and create conditions for the overthrow of Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty was mainly used to suppress the military force of the rebel army, leaving only Hou Xun and Zuo Liangyu who occupied Xiangyang. Hou Xun was dismissed because of the defeat and fled to Yangzhou to escape, and then was ordered by Chongzhen to go to prison.

Now Hou Xun is being replaced by Wu Sheng as the supervisor, with Zuo Menggeng, Niu Chenghu, Zheng Jiadong, Gao Jie and other teams under him.

How Wu Raw needed to deal with Li Zicheng who was entrenched in Henan, the two sides had several wars on the border of Henan.

Both Li Zicheng and the officers and soldiers needed to be repaired. They could not replenish soldiers, horses, equipment, and food in a short time, and they would not leave Henan.

Years of famines in Henan made it impossible to meet the needs of Li Zicheng, Luo Rucai, and the huge troops of the fifth battalion of Ge and Zuo in terms of food and other material resources.

Huguang is a place rich in grain. At that time, there was a proverb that "cooking in Huguang makes the world full".

He Jinzhao wanted to seize Huguang as a stepping stone, not in a corner of Pian'an. In addition to attacking the rule of Ming Dynasty, he also wanted to contain the strength of Li Zicheng and others.

Forcing them to enter Hebei, Shandong and other land boundaries to continue to fight and entangle with the Ming army.

What's more, in terms of geographical environment, Huguang is a place extending in all directions.

Taking Huguang first is of great significance to the development of the great cause in the future.

The hammer bandits were still on their way, but the news that He Jinchao became king was sent directly to the capital through Shanxi governor Xu Dingchen.

After all, he knew about it.

There were people outside Yanmen Pass who spread the news, and He Jinzhao also occupied several counties in Datong Prefecture.

Xu Dingchen still has a hand in the exchange of news.

Jiang Xiang, the deputy general of Datong, was summoned by Xu Dingchen again to discuss important matters.

"Jiang Zongbing, the hammer bandits are powerful, He Jinchao is also known as the king, Governor Hong led an army of 10,000+ to confront the Qing army outside the pass."

Xu Dingchen's face showed sorrow: "With the strength of you and me, I'm afraid we won't be able to withstand the attack of the hammer bandits."

Jiang Xiang's heart moved, but he was not so easy to be fooled.

Most of these civil servants like words that are easy to deceive others.

Xu Dingchen persisted in Shanxi for such a long time without passing the hammer, which was enough to show his loyalty to Daming.

"Governor Xu, I'm not very clear about this matter." Jiang Xiang said with a sad face:
"Na He now occupies several counties in Datong, and I have always wanted to get it back, but I am not strong enough, so I have been waiting for reinforcements from the imperial court.

But if the imperial court doesn't send troops to us to suppress the hammer bandits, there's nothing I can do about it. "

It is the common "wish" of the two to be powerless.

Xu Dingchen also nodded in agreement. He has been writing to the court, and neither the Ministry of War nor the emperor paid much attention to Shanxi.

Even if they failed a few times, and the joint encirclement and suppression of Shanxi became a separate battle later, but let a rebel gain a firm foothold in a certain place for a long time, it is really not because he wants to support the bandits, but because the imperial court ignores them. situation.

He Jinchao now claims to be the King of Qin, and he definitely wants to overthrow Daming.

Xu Dingchen looked at Jiang Xiang: "Jiang Zongbing, I heard that your father and brother surrendered to the hammer bandits?"

"Don't dare to hide it, it's true." Jiang Xiang said immediately:

"He Jinchao took over the three sides and occupied the territory of my hometown, and my father and brother were dragged down by the brothers below.

He even wrote to me later, asking me to surrender together, but I refused. "

Hearing Jiang Xiang's righteous words, Xu Dingchen frowned slightly. He didn't believe that Jiang Xiang would be so loyal to Daming.

These border generals have drank the blood of soldiers, causing disasters.

But Xu Dingchen sighed and said: "Jiang Zongbing is really serving the country and the people, but according to the imperial palace report, all the good generals who are so loyal to the imperial court are almost dead, and the rest are all people like Zuo Liangyu." That kind of rebellious person, Daming has gone downhill."

"Yes." Jiang Xiang agreed.

"Do you have a way to contact the hammer bandits?"

"What does Governor Xu mean?" Jiang Xiang asked in surprise.

"I will find a way out for you and me." Xu Dingchen stood up and smiled, "You don't want to be buried with Daming, do you?"

Jiang Xiang is also an old man, so naturally he wouldn't tell the truth, but just frowned and pretended to be thinking.

Now that I was in Xu Dingchen's territory, I gave him an excuse to get out of the relationship rashly.

"The hammer bandits are powerful, He Jinchao has become king, is he still far away from becoming emperor?"

Listening to Xu Dingchen's persuasive words, Jiang Xiang shook his head: "I believe in Governor Hong's ability. It is an unwise choice to make an early decision now."

Xu Dingchen nodded. Jiang Xiang's father and brother had defected to the Hammer Bandits. Although they could not be high-ranking officials, there were always people who gained a firm foothold with the Hammer Bandits.

He wanted to stand on Daming's side and bet on both sides, so as to give the family another chance to choose.

Xu Dingchen was too lazy to fish, and immediately asked: "Jiang Zongbing, after He Jinchao becomes king, he will definitely attack aggressively. How should we defend?"

"Isn't the imperial court negotiating peace with the hammer bandits?" Jiang Xiang said indifferently:
"Governor Xu, I'm afraid it's too early to plan ahead."

"Is it early?" Xu Dingchen smiled and shook his head: "After the dust settles, it may be too late."

Jiang Xiang stood up and took two steps: "If the hammer bandits come to attack, I can only rely on Dai Wang's money to defend the city, just like I did against the Qing army.

Even though I deliberately kept my low profile to lure the hammer bandits and the Qing army to fight each other back then, He Jinzhao didn't trust me, or he didn't put you and me in his eyes at all.

As long as he wants to eat, you and I are just a piece of meat in his mouth. "

Xu Dingchen agrees with Jiang Xiang's words very much. After all, according to his current strength, it is difficult to resist the attack of the hammer bandits.

Similarly, the imperial court also knew about this, so they negotiated peace with He Jinchao and gave him money.

Even the people in the two counties he occupied mostly fled outwards.

The main reason is that there have been years of famines. Even if he organizes disaster relief for the people, he must first supply the army in his hands, not to mention that the two counties have less arable land.

"If governor Xu wants to change his family in the future, don't forget to give brother a hand!"

After Jiang Xiang finished speaking, he left.

Xu Dingchen sat in the hall for a long time, couldn't help shaking his sleeves and cursed: "I really deserve to die!"

He thinks that Jiang Xiang is the same kind of person as he is, and he has always persisted for Daming, even in the face of the hammer bandits, he is as weak as an ant.

But the mayfly still has the heart to shake the tree, so how can I not do it?
Compared with Xu Dingchen's rekindled fighting spirit, Jiang Xiang only felt that he had walked through the gate of hell.

Those civil servants really don't pay attention to their work!
Don't look at him, the governor of Shanxi can't kill Datong's deputy commander, but Yuan Chonghuan can't kill Mao Wenlong?

Isn't it the same as being slaughtered?

Jiang Xiang was determined not to disagree with Xu Dingchen's fishing words, but instead showed concern about the current situation.

In short, let's run for a while before talking.

Jiang Xiang ran ten miles with his servants, and then reined in, letting the horse rest for a while.

"Master, what can happen if we return in such a hurry?"

As the captain of Jiang Xiang's servant, he knew that he had colluded with He Jinzhao a long time ago.

Now the entire Monan Mongolia has been subdued by He Jinchao, and the Qing army Tartars in Liaodong are fighting a decisive battle with the Ming army in the land of Jinzhou.

As for King Qin He Jinzhao's desire to make peace with the army, it is even more unlikely that he will encounter any resistance. I believe most of them will know how to do it.

The defense of Datong is currently no threat at all.

If the Hammer bandit soldiers came out of Datong and went straight to the capital to change the world, they could still follow along to join in the fun.

So he doesn't understand.

Jiang Xiang did not say much: "The result of the conversation with Xu Dingchen just now was very bad, I just wanted to ride the horse for a while, and go back and ask someone to monitor Xu Dingchen carefully.

But if the King of Qin needs it, we will press the whole army. "

"Yes."

The situation in Liaodong has also become tense, and the situation in Henan has become more and more corrupt.

When Chongzhen was in a state of desperation, he was even more furious when he received a report from Xu Dingchen that the hammer bandit He Jinchao had become the King of Qin!
Although He Jinchao rebels in the northwest and other places, Chongzhen still looks down on him as a postman.

Only the descendants of the clan of the Ming Dynasty can be called kings.

"He Jinchao is also worthy of King Qin!"

Chongzhen acted as the master of desktop cleaning, his face became more and more ferocious.

Yang Sichang silently picked up Xu Dingchen's memorial and glanced at it, then heaved a long sigh:

"Your Majesty, He Jinzhao has been working hard for so long, and now he is suddenly crowned king. He probably wants to take action."

Hearing this, Chongzhen immediately calmed down, even a little worried.

Wu Guojun, Marquis of Jingliao, was on his way to transport the second batch of money and food to Liaodong, if He Jinchao suddenly launched an attack on the east.

It is still a big question whether the capital can be held by the Beijing camp alone.

The main reason is that Chongzhen did not believe that the defeated generals such as Xu Dingchen and Jiang Xiang could stop He Jinchao's attack.

"How can this be good?"

Chongzhen suddenly went from a state of anger to panic.

Because Hong Chengchou led a large number of main forces, Wu Guojun led the elite all in Liaodong.

This is Chongzhen's big gamble, if he wins the gamble, then Daming still has a chance to revive himself.

But now at a critical time, He Jinzhao's sudden attack directly destroyed Chongzhen's original assumptions.

Chongzhen's anger did not hide from these cabinet ministers.

In addition to fighting each other and making money, the cabinet ministers also have to deal with state affairs.

Otherwise, the platform will be gone, and it will be difficult for them to have the status they have today.

Hearing the news that He Jinchao became king, Zhou Yanru and the others were all heartbroken.

If this person wants to march eastward, the imperial court will not be able to resist it.

How can this be good?

"Your Majesty, why don't you move south to Nanjing to avoid the might of the hammer bandits for the time being, and wait until Hong Chengchou succeeds in the battle in Liaodong, and then return to the capital to reorganize the overall situation."

"Yes, Your Majesty, the area around the capital has been repeatedly plundered by the Qing army, and the people have fled one after another. Coupled with years of severe drought, there are not many people around the capital.

The land near Nanjing is fertile, and it is also where the Taizu established his capital. There are outstanding people, and the most important thing is that there are soldiers and horses available. "

The hammer bandits hadn't come over yet, and the cabinet ministers kept talking about moving south.

These words made Chongzhen really unhappy, even angry.

I have entrusted you with a heavy responsibility, but when something goes wrong, is this how you give me advice?

Let me run away?

"Move to the south, move to the south, besides moving to the south, is there no other way?" Chongzhen roared angrily.

"Return to Your Majesty." Chen Xinjia clasped his hands and said, "Quickly end the Ningjin war, and call Hong Chengchou to lead the army back, so that the capital will be safe!"