Southern Ming Rebel Army

Zhenjiang City.

Each town of Meng's army was ready for battle. They suffered losses in the attack on Zhenjiang City, but the situation was urgent and there was no time to delay in replenishing their troops. In the Battle of Zhenjiang, after the city was captured, in addition to those who were killed in battle, dispersed, or escaped, Meng's army captured a large number of Qing troops, more than 16,000 in total. All of these prisoners were incorporated into Meng Jun's service army.

The surviving soldiers of the original serving army were served as squad leaders, sergeants or general flag officers, and served as the backbone to integrate the surrendered troops. The rough integration inevitably caused chaos, but with the main army at their side, none of the surrendered soldiers were so blind as to dare to resist.

Tens of thousands of troops marched slowly forward, with flags fluttering, murderous aura rising to the sky, drums beating like thunder, and trumpets blaring. The army advanced forward like an iron stream. They held spears, sharp shields, swords, and strong bows. Their morale was high and they were filled with murderous intent.

The cavalry galloped on the flanks like the wind, the sound of horse hooves echoed throughout the army formation, raising clouds of dust. The artillery carts moved forward slowly like a moving fortress, the wheels making a dull sound, the whole scene was magnificent and exciting.

Meng Jun was riding on his warhorse, looking at the army formation that was like a black cloud, and he couldn't help but think of the scholar's words several years ago. After several years, the scholar's voice and appearance were still deeply engraved in Meng Jun's heart.

The scholar once said: "Everyone says that scholars' rebellion will fail in ten years, but everyone in the world is thinking about surviving. The Eastern Tartars can trample tens of millions of Han people under their feet with more than 100,000 cavalry. I always miss the glory of the Tang and Han dynasties, and the heroic spirit of punishing the enemy even if they are far away. But what about now? How did the world become like this? I have read all the books of sages, but the books don't tell me why."

Meng Jun whispered, "Scholar, do you see this? As long as we are alive, there is hope. Now we have more than 100,000 soldiers and are about to surround Nandu. If you are still alive, please help me conquer Nandu!"

The army was not moving very fast. During the boring march, Yang En sent an urgent letter from the rear. Meng Jun opened it and saw that Yang En said in the letter: "The governor's mighty power and the victory over Zhenjiang in one battle have spread all over Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Mr. Gu's newspaper article has made great contributions. Many gentry heard that the governor has not yet married and were worried that the governor would not be able to afford food and clothing. They all sent their beloved daughters to Changshu Prefecture, saying that if the governor likes her, she can be his wife or concubine. If he really thinks that she is plain and unbearable to look at, she can be the old lady's maid and serve her by her side."

Meng Jun finished reading this page, frowned, and turned to the next page: "I have settled 62 daughters of gentry from various places in Changshu Prefecture for the governor." Seeing this, Meng Jun cursed: "This is nonsense!"

But the following words left Meng Jun speechless, and he even felt that there were not enough people to serve the old lady.

"Sixty-two gentry families each contributed fifty thousand taels of silver. The Governor's Office has raised a huge sum of three million one hundred thousand taels of silver, which is enough to support the army's southern expedition. There is also a surplus that can be used for various military supplies, firearms, cannons, warships and other types of military equipment."

Meng Jun shook his head and sighed, "There are many people who add icing on the cake, but few who provide timely help." But it is a good thing after all. Once the cannon is fired, it will really be a fortune.

Meng Jun shook off the thought and asked Xia Wanchun beside him: "Send the order to the rear to urgently transfer gunpowder. Is there any report?"

Xia Wanchun shook his head and said, "No report yet, but there should be news by noon tomorrow."

The army rolled forward and the news soon reached Jiangning City. Hong Chengchou immediately declared martial law in Jiangning City, closed the city gates and immediately entered a state of combat readiness.

Hong Chengchou no longer paid attention to Dorgon's order. He only found more than twenty people out of more than one hundred people, and most of them were unwilling to go to Beijing. Hong Chengchou's reputation had long been ruined, and he was no longer shy about anything at this time. He forced the Qing army to use the scholars' families as threats and forced them to go north. However, Hou Fangyu, one of the four great talents in Jiangnan, was happy to do it.

Mao Xiang had a grim look on his face. He didn't expect Hong Chengchou to really recommend him to Beijing. The Qing soldiers came too hastily and he had no time to explain to Lu Ping. Mao Xiang and Dong Xiaowan were forcibly taken onto a carriage by the Qing soldiers. Dong Xiaowan was smart enough and left the word "Beijing" on the bookcase under the excuse of packing her clothes. It was unknown whether Lu Ping could find it.

The spy Liu Guquan sent to lurk not far from Mao Xiang's house watched all this in amazement. Looking at Dong Xiaowan and Mao Xiang carrying large and small bags, as well as the Qing troops beside them, the spy from the Eavesdropping Department hurriedly and quietly slipped out from the back door and quickly walked towards the tea shop.

At this time, Lu Ping was busy doing business. The news of martial law had not yet reached him. Today's business was still very good. Lu Ping kept running back and forth, speaking eloquently, and strongly recommending high-profit good tea.

Just when Lu Ping was so busy that he didn't even have time to drink the water, the spy from the Eavesdropping Department ran in breathlessly. The guests around him looked at him puzzledly. Lu Ping hurriedly scolded, "Where have you been all day?" Then he smiled and explained to the guests, "This is a relative of ours, he came here to be an apprentice."

Lu Ping knew that something urgent might happen, so he stopped selling anything and slipped into the backyard under the pretext of going to the toilet. The spy took a breath and said, "Something happened to the Mao family. The Qing soldiers took Mao Xiang and Dong Xiaowan on a carriage. I don't know where they went."

Lu Ping was startled and asked anxiously, "Is he being escorted? Is he tied up?"

"No, Madam Mao has a lot of things in big and small bags," the spy said hurriedly.

"Okay, I understand." Lu Ping felt a little relieved. Carrying a large pile of luggage, he should not be exposed, but he was not sure. He had to rush to Yuhuchun Teahouse and discuss with Liu Guquan. If Mao Xiang was exposed, he would have to find a way to rescue him.

Afterwards, Lu Ping forced himself to calm down and went to deal with the customers. After all the customers left, under the puzzled eyes of the shopkeeper Fang next door, Lu Ping locked the door of the shop. Lu Ping said that he had eaten too many delicacies in the past two days and his stomach could not take it anymore. He wanted to see a doctor and get some medicine. Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper Fang snorted angrily, turned around and went back to the shop, no longer paying attention to Lu Ping.

In the afternoon, there was no customer in the Yuhuchun Teahouse. The news of the martial law in Jiangning quickly spread to every corner of the city. The people of Jiangning were in a panic and naturally had no intention of bragging in the teahouse. Everyone was either rushing to buy food or looking for ways to leave the city for refuge.

Inside the secret room.

After listening to Lu Ping's report, Liu Guquan looked solemn. He had received news that Wu Weiye had been taken away by the Qing army. Since Mao Xiang had also been taken away by the Qing army, it was possible that the information in the teahouse had been leaked. He must start the evacuation immediately and disperse the personnel to various places. Now in Jiangning City, he, Liu Guquan, had other sources of information, and he needed to find out the reason immediately.

Thinking of this, he immediately said to Lu Ping: "Don't go back to the teahouse. First retreat to the house behind the Dongning Winery on Taiping Street at the west gate and wait for news from the company. Here is the key, you can leave now."

After saying that, he drove Lu Ping away, as he had a lot of urgent matters to attend to. Lu Ping walked out of the teahouse with a conflicted look on his face. He still had forty taels of silver in the store, and so many precious teas. If a thief broke into the store, he would really cry to death. But Lu Ping didn't dare to go back, so he could only walk all the way, slapping his thigh in pain all the way.