Southern Ming Rebel Army

One day later, in the early morning, Yang En hurried back to Lizhuang, while Meng Jun and his men were looking at Suzhou's city defense intelligence at this time. Several people gathered together to discuss how to attack the city. Yang En entered the tent exhausted and said to Meng Jun excitedly, "Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission. General, I have persuaded my uncle Yang Gan to rebel. The Zhang family of Suzhou is also willing to be your internal support. I ask you to send troops as soon as possible to capture Suzhou City in one fell swoop." When everyone heard this, their eyes lit up in an instant. Meng Jun said excitedly, "Mu De is really talented. He has worked hard and made great contributions. If we win this battle, Mu De will be the first merit of the entire army."

Meng Bizhi said with some doubt after hearing this, "Yang Gan is guarding the South City Gate, an important position. He must be Xue Dao's confidant. How could he be willing to rise up and rebel?"

"Yang Can is my uncle, he would never harm me," Yang En retorted.

Before Yang En finished speaking, Lin Shiqi spoke up, "As long as the city gates are opened and the army rushes into the city, the Qing army will be in chaos, and Suzhou City can be captured directly. Even if there is a trick, what's the harm?"

Han Xiong was also excited when he heard this and said, "My lord, this is a godsend opportunity. We can quickly gather and seize the opportunity to take Suzhou. With Suzhou's prosperity, it will surely inspire the people of Jiangnan." Meng Jun slammed the table and said, "In this case, let's send troops. Success or failure depends on this one move. Mu De, the night is long and dreams are many. You have to work hard and go back to Suzhou immediately. Contact your uncle and Zhang. The night after tomorrow, we will raise three fires in the south city as a signal. As long as the city gates are opened, the army will rush in and Suzhou can be taken in one fell swoop. Gao Yi, you take five guards to guard Mu De, and there must not be any mistakes."

"Yes, sir," Gao Yi bowed and replied in a strong voice.

Yang En nodded, bowed to everyone, and turned to leave with Gao Yi. After everyone saw Yang En and the others off, Han Xiong said to Meng Jun, "This place is not far from the South Gate of Suzhou, only about 60 miles away. We can arrive in two days. The only problem is how to hide our whereabouts."

Meng Jun thought for a moment and said, "Shiqi, you lead the scouts ahead and arrest anyone along the way. The rear camp will immediately prepare dry food for the army for five days. The army will carry the dry food and travel quickly without making fire to cook. We must arrive at the southern city of Suzhou the day after tomorrow."

Everyone followed the order and went. The rear camp began to urgently make dry food and pancakes. In the afternoon, everything was ready. Nearly two thousand soldiers began to gather and line up. Lin Shiqi led a hundred cavalrymen to go first. Meng Jun stood on the hillside and looked at the Henggang Army marching in formation. Although there were only two thousand people, as far as his eyes could see, there were long spears like a forest and high morale. Although they had not experienced a major battle, the pile of heads of the Eight Banners soldiers at the entrance of the village gave these new recruits great courage.

Meng Jun said to Han Xiong, "Brother Han, if we can capture Suzhou this time, Jiangnan will definitely be impressed. With Suzhou's wealth, it will be easy to train soldiers, recruit troops, forge weapons and firearms."

Han Xiong smiled and said, "That's right. If the King of Lu in Zhejiang can send troops to Suzhou to recover the southern capital and restore Jiangnan, then with the strength of Jiangnan, we can raise troops for several years. With the devastation in the north, we can march north to the Central Plains after several years. The recovery of the imperial capital and the revival of the Ming Dynasty are just around the corner."

Meng Jun laughed loudly and said, "Brother Han is too optimistic. The Qing army now has a million soldiers. Jiangnan has been taken by the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty is also in disharmony. The struggle for the throne is still in chaos. How can we conquer the Central Plains in a few years? It will be a great blessing if we can recover the Southern Capital within a few years."

Han Xiong said seriously at this time, "Everything is possible. Who would have thought that the current situation was three or four years ago, that the Eastern Tartars could sweep the world with only 100,000 cavalry? If someone said at that time that the Ming Dynasty would become what it is now, who would believe it? What's more, the Qing court is now using mixed tactics one after another, and the shaving order has won the hearts of the people in Jiangnan. If Suzhou is conquered, it will be like a flag, and the people in Jiangnan will continue to resist. It is still unknown whether the situation will change one day."

Meng Jun looked at the army marching along the way, and suddenly laughed with pride in his heart, "Brother Han's wish is also my wish. All things can only be done step by step. Now we can only talk about the future if we take Suzhou. Brother Han, let's go and see Suzhou City." After that, Meng Jun pulled his horse and galloped forward. With the breeze blowing on his face, Han Xiong looked at Meng Jun's back and smiled and said, "Even if there are dragons and tigers ahead, I dare to go in."

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On the afternoon of the second day, Yang En, Gao Yi and several personal guards from Suzhou City came to Yang Can's house in disguise. At this time, Yang Can was not at home, but was patrolling at the South City Gate. When Yang saw Yang En, Gao Yi and others, she was smart and knew that something big was going to happen. She hurriedly ordered the servants to go to the South City Gate to look for Yang Can, and just said that there were relatives visiting her home and asked him to return early.

An hour later, Yang Gan returned home, looking somewhat uneasy. He guessed that it must be the nephew of that uncle who was a traitor, otherwise his wife would not have sent anyone to look for him. Although he had already made plans in his mind, he couldn't help feeling hesitant when it came to this point.

"Uncle, the army will arrive outside the south city tonight. As soon as you see three torches lit outside the city, open the city gate and everything will be settled," Yang En said solemnly to Yang Can.

"I already know," Yang Can said absentmindedly.

Yang En frowned and said, "Uncle, this is a serious matter, we must pay great attention to it. If we don't make a decision, we will suffer the consequences. There is no intention of going back on this matter. How about this, uncle, you take Captain Gao and the other two to patrol together at night."

Yang Gan looked at Yang En and then at his expectant wife, "Okay, I know, success or failure depends on this one move." Then he turned to Gao Yi and said, "Follow me tonight."

Gao Yi suddenly raised a question, "If the three of us all carry knives, will it arouse suspicion?"

Yang Gan waved his hands and said, "No, no one is blind. They will come to ask." Then he hesitated and said, "Why don't you don't bring a knife?"

Gao Yi immediately retorted, "No, I always carry a knife with me. I must bring a knife with me. If someone blocks me from opening the door, I will kill him with one blow."

Yang En said helplessly, "Why don't you take the short blade and hide it in your arms? This way you won't attract attention." Gao Yi and the other two thought about it and could only agree to this expedient measure.

After Yang En had dealt with everything at Yang Gang's place, he immediately rushed to the gatehouse where Zhang was guarding the house with the remaining two bodyguards. Yang En still had some impression of him and knew that this person was valued by the master. The master had also specifically instructed him that he could bring this person in directly when he saw him.

In the study, Yang En said to Zhang, "Sir, everything is ready. You can prepare now. The army will enter the city at night. Your people must immediately lead the way to the prefectural government office, the granary, the silver warehouse, and most importantly, the arsenal."

Zhang Zhuo was surprised and asked, "So fast? So urgent?" After seeing Yang En nod in agreement, Zhang Zhuo continued, "I understand. I will immediately arm the servants and send people to guard the city gate at night. As soon as the army enters the city, I will immediately send people to lead the way. By the way, which city gate will the army enter from?"

Yang En hesitated for a moment and said, "The army will enter from the south gate. You can send people to guard the south gate at night. Remember to send trustworthy people. If anything goes wrong, everyone will be killed." Zhang Zhe naturally nodded in response.

After coming out of Zhang's house, Yang En looked at the sky. It was still slightly bright. Everything was ready. He had already done his best. Although Yang En was very tired, he did not feel sleepy at all at this moment.

Man proposes, God disposes, everything depends on tonight............