Southern Ming Rebel Army

That night, more than 100 Eight Banners were ambushed and killed by Meng Jun and more than 200 volunteers. No one escaped. After the battle, everyone's morale was high and they were very convinced of Meng Jun. However, the tragic situation in the village also made everyone very angry. Meng Jun asked everyone to cut off the heads of the Eight Banners. Although Meng Jun knew that there were Green Camp soldiers about ten miles away, everyone was exhausted after a bloody battle. Meng Jun could only let everyone rest in the village first. At the same time, Meng Bizhi, who did not join the battle, led people to clean up the battlefield. The armor left by the Eight Banners could be used after a slight change of color and repair. At the same time, the more than 100 horses outside the village were also a big treasure, and someone had to look after them. Although he won, Meng Jun still had a lot of things to deal with. Fifty-eight people died on the spot and more than sixty people were injured. People had to be arranged for treatment. The Mengzi Camp team was in its infancy and everything was very simple.

"Bi'an, take a dozen people with you to secretly go back and bring the old lady out. Take some gold and silver jewelry with you, but don't take any other bottles and jars. Remember, you must be careful. Go, and tie the braid back on." Meng Jun did not forget the old lady in his hometown of Changshu, so he asked Meng Bi'an to take a few people to rescue the old lady before the news was sent back to Changshu.

"Don't worry, Master. I will definitely bring the old lady out safely," Meng Bian said seriously. Meng Jun relaxed a little at this time and sat down to think about what to do next. Meng Jun leaned against a tree, thinking and resting at the same time, and soon Meng Jun fell into a deep sleep.

The news that Meng Jun led his men to rebel quickly spread around Suzhou. At the same time, the news that the elite Eight Banners were surrounded and annihilated by Meng Jun spread to Suzhou Prefecture. Suzhou Prefect Zhong Kuan was shocked by the news and was speechless. Originally, because of the shaving order, the gentry in Suzhou City refused to cooperate, and the people in the city also opposed it. Zhong Kuan relied on the Eight Banners soldiers to suppress the opposition in the city. How could he be beaten by a group of rioters at this time? This is a blind man beating the master to death with random punches. Zhong Kuan paced back and forth in the prefectural yamen at this time. The green camp in the city was unreliable, and the news could not be suppressed. Zhong Kuan knew that Suzhou City was like a crater now. As long as there was a little spark, he could blow himself into powder. Now it is the hot summer in the south. Most of the Eight Banners are in the north to escape the heat. There is only a small force left by the Eight Banners in the south. There is only this small unit of the Blue Banner near Suzhou, and most of the others are stationed in Jiangning.

"Sir, the only solution now is to report to Jiangning and ask for the elite troops of the Eight Banners to be transferred to Suzhou Prefecture," said the advisor on the side.

"Send out invitations. I want to invite all the gentry in the city to a banquet at Wangxiang Garden." After a pause, he added, "Immediately send fast horses to Jiangning to ask for help. Send more waves."

Meng Jun was already extremely worried at this time. There were too many injured soldiers, and the baggage camp had too few medicines. Most of the supplies were weapons and food. Looking at the soldiers' wailing, Meng Jun was anxious and could only send Meng Bizhi to invite some local doctors from nearby.

At this time, Lin Shiqi came hurriedly and said, "Sir, a large group of people are coming." Meng Jun was shocked and asked hurriedly, "Did you see clearly? Are they Qing soldiers?" Lin Shiqi replied, "No, from a distance, they are dressed like villagers, and the weapons they hold are varied, but the formation is quite neat." Meng Jun thought for a while and said, "Bring a few people who can ride horses and let's go over and take a look."

..................

Han Xiong, a native of Nanzhuang, Suzhou, was a scholar and had a certain reputation in the village. Before the shaving order was issued, Han Xiong was studying at home and preparing for the provincial examination. When he heard the shaving order, which was about the evil policy of either keeping the hair or the head, Han Xiong immediately gave up his pen and took up arms, gathering the villagers to resist the brutal rule of the Qing army. When he heard that an uprising army had been raised in Suzhou and defeated the Eight Banners, Han Xiong was overjoyed and brought all the soldiers who followed him to join the battle.

"Are you the heroes who defeated the Eight Banners?" Han Xiong asked as he saw Meng Junlin and his men riding horses wearing armor and with black scarves wrapped around their heads and no braids behind their heads. He stepped forward with a gun and asked.

"Yes, we killed a group of evil Eight Banner soldiers. It seems that you are also brave warriors who are fighting for justice," Meng Jun said while riding on his horse.

"My name is Han Xiong. I heard that a warrior from Lizhuang defeated the Qing army. I am willing to join him in the uprising and drive out the Tartars."

Meng Jun jumped down immediately after hearing this in excitement. He was so anxious that he even stumbled. Meng Jun rushed over and grabbed Han Xiong's hand, holding it tightly, and said loudly, "We are of the same heart and will die together. We will discuss the great plan together. All those who rise up for justice are heroes, and they are all my brothers in life and death."

Although Han Xiong was a little overwhelmed by such enthusiasm, seeing Meng Jun so excited, he also said excitedly, "Expelling the Tartars is also our wish."

Meng Jun and Han Xiong brought 1,200 local soldiers to Lizhuang. Han Xiong saw the tragic situation in the village and said angrily, "The Tartars killed us Han people like killing chickens. We must avenge them." The local soldiers were also angry. Some of them had relatives here, and now they were killed. However, when he saw the heads of the Eight Banners piled up in a pile, Han Xiong cheered happily.

"Your Excellency, you have won a great victory in this battle, which has greatly enhanced our prestige. I wonder what you are going to do next," Han Xiong said to Meng Jun with a fist salute.

"Brother Han, I have a few humble opinions. Of course, if what I said is wrong, or not in line with what you want to say, I hope you will forgive me."

"Sir, please tell me, I, Han Xiongjue, am not a petty person. As long as it is beneficial to the anti-Qing plan, Han Xiong will dare to go through mountains of swords and seas of fire," Han Xiong said with a heroic look on his face.

Meng Jun waved his hands and said, "That's not the case. Although we have won a small victory, we are not fighting in an upright battle. The soldiers are untrained, do not know the drums and gongs, and do not know the orders. To charge into the battle array with such soldiers is like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth." Meng Jun paused, seeing that Han Xiong was still listening to Meng Jun and seemed to be refutating, Meng Jun continued, "So now that Brother Han is willing to join forces, I intend to integrate the army. I wonder what Brother Han thinks?"

Han Xiong looked at Meng Jun and said, "I understand. It would be inappropriate to gather the troops together without clear orders. Lord Meng, please continue."

Meng Jun continued, "I intend to use veteran soldiers who have experienced battles as the backbone, and local soldiers as the flesh and blood, so that the old can lead the new, so that we can form combat effectiveness as soon as possible."

"Master Meng, I, Han Xiong, have no objection, but I don't know what you are going to do next."

"I intend to integrate the three armies and wait for an opportunity to attack Suzhou City," Meng Jun said to Han Xiong word by word.

"There are 1,500 Green Camp soldiers in Suzhou, and the city is defending. There are tens of thousands of civilians who can be mobilized from the city. How can we capture Suzhou with only 2,000 people?" Han Xiong said in surprise.

"After the order to shave their heads was issued, people in Jiangnan were in a panic. A glimpse of the whole picture shows that there are rebels in every city and village. Now is the time when war is raging everywhere. If the Qing government pacifies this situation, then we will have no hope." Meng Jun smiled and said to Han Xiong, "Besides, I have no intention of attacking Suzhou City by force. I am just waiting for an opportunity to act."