Southern Ming Rebel Army

In Suzhou city, the streets are bustling with people. Some time has passed since Li Chengdong besieged Suzhou. Shops in Suzhou city are gradually opening for business and the people are as calm as before. It seems that the shadow of war has gone far away. Suzhou has been a prosperous city of industry and commerce since ancient times. Merchants from other neighboring cities also come to Suzhou to purchase goods. The city is bustling with activity. In the former prefectural hall, Meng Bian is reporting to the governor of Suzhou.

"Bai Yongfu is from Ningyuan County, Fengtian. He is a subordinate of Liu Zeqing, the former Earl of Dongping. When Liu Zeqing fled to the sea, it was Bai Yongfu who opened the city of Huai'an and surrendered to the Qing. Then he was promoted by the Qing court to the general of Huai'an. The total force should be around 50,000. His subordinates include Lieutenant Generals Xiao Mingzuo, Liang Heming, and Wu Shunchang. Most of the army is still Liu Zeqing's original troops. It is said that many of them are civilians who were forced to join. This news is still uncertain, but many people say that Liu Zeqing's troops cannot fight. He was a famous general who avoided war during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty." Meng Jun listened to Meng Bian's report. This was the information Meng Bian had found out in the past two days.

Meng Jun rubbed his face to wake himself up, then looked at Meng Bian and said, "Anything else? How many infantrymen and cavalrymen are under Bai Yongfu? How many artillery pieces and armored soldiers are there? And where is the army now? Is there any news on these?"

"Without the governor, I had to run around among the gentry in Suzhou City to get this little information. I only found out through asking everywhere. The Intelligence Department has just been established, and I have only selected a few people. I guess they haven't reached Nanjing yet, and the news won't be transmitted back so quickly," said Meng Bian with a sad face. He had to run around to find this little information. He asked the gentry in Suzhou City everywhere, and even found a man who had been a deserter in Liu Zeqing's army during the Chongzhen period. He was able to barely get some information out of him. He had never heard of Bai Yongfu before.

"Okay, you go and take care of the affairs of the Intelligence Bureau first. Send people to Nanjing and Hangzhou as soon as possible, and you can take it easy in other places in Jiangnan." Meng Jun did not blame Meng Bian. After all, the company had just been established, and it was not so easy to get intelligence.

"Their advances and retreats are well-organized and orderly. This army has the appearance of a strong one." Lin Shiqi nodded with satisfaction as he watched the soldiers of Ningwu Town training outside the camp. They have been training almost every day these days, with a continuous supply of meat. The soldiers have become increasingly strong. From the current point of view, Lin Shiqi feels that these Suzhou soldiers have far surpassed the original Ming Dynasty's garrison troops and should be able to fight against even the elite bandits.

Since the last military exercise, both towns have begun to intensify the training of their soldiers. The soldiers' lines have become more orderly and their morale is high.

Because Meng Jun built a new town and transferred some grassroots officers, Yu Youtian was promoted to sergeant. The promotion not only brought a little more salary, but also allowed Yu Youtian to taste the power.

"Xiao Chang, what are you doing? You have to lower your head and raise your shield higher. And your second brother Li, have you seen the people next to you? The formation is not even complete." Yu Youtian had a sword on his waist, one hand holding the sword, and the other hand holding a spear, and he was scolding his subordinates in a majestic manner.

"Ding ding ding... Ding ding ding" the bugle sounded, and Yu Youtian looked towards the sun. Well, it's almost time, and it's time to return to the camp for lunch. Yu Youtian would not feel that this kind of life was long even if ten years passed. Food and accommodation were provided every day, and there was also salary. It was just a little tiring, but it was easier than farming as it was not tiring to do anything.

After returning to the camp, Yu Youtian and his five men were eating together. Lin Shiqi walked in from the camp gate. Behind him were dozens of personal guards and clerks. The personal guards were all wearing armor, and their movements made a rustling sound.

Li Erdi looked at Lin Shiqi from a distance and said with envy, "How impressive! When can I lead a few people like this?"

Everyone laughed when they heard it. Several people in Wu were laughing at Li Erdi's wild idea. Li Erdi had dark skin, and was thin and short. Chang Yuanding even laughed and said, "You, Li Erdi, are so short and you still want to be a general. Is there any armor as small as yours? Hahahaha"

Li Erdi was embarrassed by everyone and his face turned red. Yu Youtian stopped everyone's jokes and said, "That's not certain. Maybe a general will emerge from our army."

After saying this, even Li Erdi himself didn't believe it, but after everyone laughed, Li Erdi didn't feel embarrassed anymore.

At this time, a messenger with a recognition flag on his body came on horseback from the city. He stopped his horse as soon as he entered the gate of the camp. After reporting his identity, the messenger rushed to Lin Shiqi's tent.

"Sir, the Grand Commander will gather all the generals this afternoon in the prefectural hall in the city."

Lin Shiqi nodded and said, "I understand. I'll go right away."

In the military meeting hall, Meng Jun looked at everyone. Everyone was a little listless, mainly because the weather was too hot. Meng Jun himself was also very stuffy. He fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan almost non-stop, and the wind from it was hot. Meng Jun turned sideways and said to Gao Yi who was standing next to him, "Gao Yi, take a few people to a nearby restaurant to buy some mung bean soup."

Gao Yi responded in a low voice and turned away. After Gao Yi left, Meng Jun patted the table and said, "Everyone cheer up. This time, the traitor Hong Chengchou has transferred Huai'an General Bai Yongfu to fight us. There are about 50,000 to 60,000 troops. The specific strength is still under investigation. Let's discuss how we should fight. Should we defend the city or fight a field battle?"

After hearing the serious matter, everyone perked up. Lin Shiqi looked at everyone. He was now the second most important person in the army. Everyone was waiting for him to speak. Lin Shiqi thought for a while and said

"Grand Commander, I think the most important thing now is to find out how many troops Bai Yongfu has, whether he has the Eight Banners soldiers, and whether he carries artillery. Bai Yongfu is a subordinate of Liu Zeqing, and Liu Zeqing is the weakest among the four towns in Jiangbei. If it is Bai Yongfu's own troops, we three towns together will be able to defeat the enemy," Lin Shiqi said loudly to everyone.

Meng Jun nodded after listening, and then said, "Well, I understand what Shiqi means. What does Commander Han think?"

Hearing Meng Jun calling him, Han Xiong touched his chin and said, "It would be best if we can win the battle, but Sun Tzu's Art of War says: War is a matter of great importance to a country, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction, and it must be carefully considered. If we throw the whole army into this battle, if we lose, I'm afraid Suzhou City will be difficult to defend. In my opinion, it is better to hold on to Suzhou City and wait for reinforcements."

Lin Shiqi's face turned a little ugly when he heard Han Xiong's opposition to the field battle, but he didn't say anything. He just couldn't help but refute Han Xiong after hearing his words of asking for help again.

"Reinforcements, where are the reinforcements coming from? The Prince of Lu from Zhejiang? If they were coming, they should have come last time when Li Chengdong came. Didn't we send people to ask for help? Do we have a single soldier? Rather than counting on them, it would be more reliable to set up an altar and pray to God for a flood to drown the Qing army."

"How can Suzhou, a city of only Suzhou, resist the Eastern Tartars? It still depends on the court to gather a large army to be effective," Han Xiong replied bluntly.

Lin Shiqi was not to be outdone and said, "The imperial court, which one should we listen to? Zhejiang or Fujian? The factions are fighting against each other. There are so many rebel armies in Jiangnan, and has the imperial court sent a few people to integrate the rebel armies? It's better to rely on ourselves than on the imperial court."

"What treasonous words..." Han Xiong stood up angrily and pointed at Lin Shiqi, and Lin Shiqi glared back at him. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was solemn.

"Bang... What are you arguing about? This is in the meeting hall, not the vegetable market, and you are definitely not shrews." Meng Jun slammed the table and roared, and the two of them sat down.

At this time, Gao Yi walked in from the door. Seeing that the atmosphere in the hall was a little strange, his originally smiling face gradually withdrew. He walked a few steps to Meng Jun and said softly, "The Grand Commander has bought back the mung bean soup. It's a big pot."