Southern Ming Rebel Army

Gu Yanwu was a little surprised, then smiled and said, "The governor is a hero, Yanwu is just a scholar, weak as a chicken, how can he deserve the governor's praise?"

Meng Jun took Gu Yanwu's hand and said, "Sir, you have extraordinary literary talent, which is exactly what our army needs. Your coming to me is like a cloud in my heart."

Gu Yanwu said with some embarrassment, "Yanwu really doesn't deserve the praise of the governor. I don't, I don't. The governor defended Suzhou, defeated the Tartars several times, and his reputation spread all over the world..."

The two of them praised each other for a few rounds, and Meng Jun suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "Look at my brain, Mr. Gu, please come in. Gao Yi, why are you still standing there? Go and serve tea, good tea, go quickly."

Then Meng Jun took Gu Yanwu's hand and walked into the study. The two sat down. Meng Jun looked at Gu Yanwu and said, "Mr. Gu, you see, the siege of Suzhou has been lifted, but Bolo defeated Fang Guoan's troops. The defense of Qiantang River is empty. I am very worried about the safety of His Royal Highness the Regent."

Gu Yanwu frowned upon hearing this and said slowly, "Commander-in-chief, now that things have come to this, we can only do our best to hold on. The commander-in-chief has tens of thousands of elite soldiers. We can advance to besiege Nanjing and retreat to attack Hangzhou. With the commander-in-chief's talents, we can help those in need and be worthy of being a military commander."

This compliment made Meng Jun blush. He knew his own worth. With his talent, it was already extremely difficult for him to command tens of thousands of troops, let alone be on par with Yue Fei, who was a god-like man who could defeat cavalry with infantry. How could he compare to him?

The two chatted for a while, and Gu Yanwu suddenly asked, "Governor, do you know whether Liu Liangzuo has died?"

Meng Jun was a little confused, wondering why Gu Yanwu asked this question, and then said, "Liu Liangzuo never led his troops to attack the city, but the captured prisoners all said that Liu Liangzuo died under the city of Suzhou, which is true."

Hearing this, Gu Yanwu smiled with satisfaction and said, "That's great. Commander, do you know that it was my bodyguard, Chen Changgong, who shot Liu Liangzuo?"

Meng Jun was shocked and said, "There is such a sharp shooter who can kill the enemy general in the midst of thousands of troops. This man is really a warrior. I wish I could meet him right away."

"Haha, don't worry, Governor. I will bring him to meet you when I go back," Gu Yanwu said with a complacent smile.

After Gu Yanwu finished speaking, he took a sip of tea and said solemnly, "Governor, Yanwu knows that he is not a good commander, but he is willing to serve the governor, and only hopes to do his part to drive out the Tartars and restore the country."

"Mr. Gu, since you are here, how can I bear to let you go? Please don't worry about anything."

……

It was already dark, but the hall in Suzhou Prefecture was brightly lit. There were many people in the hall, and a long table was full of people. Meng Jun was sitting at the head of the table. Meng Jun's words came over, "Everyone, now that the siege of Suzhou City has been lifted, where should we go next?"

After Meng Jun finished speaking, Yang En spoke first, "Governor, and all the generals, you should know that the military pay in the city can only last for two months, and the towns and villages around have been severely damaged by the Tartars. If we don't find a solution, the morale of the army will be difficult to maintain."

Yes, Meng Jun has no way to farm now. In the current situation, he can only fight to support the war. He is trapped in Suzhou like a dead bone in a tomb. Up to now, neither the Longwu court nor the King of Lu can give Suzhou any effective help. He can only rely on himself.

Yang En sat down after he finished speaking. There was a moment of silence. After a moment, Han Xiong said, "Governor, if the army goes south to Hangzhou, the Bolo Eight Banners soldiers will arrive. In a field battle, the outcome is unpredictable." He paused and said, "But if we go north to Nanjing, the city of Nanjing is high and the moat is thick. Besieging Nanjing will shock the Qing court. Attacking the city is extremely dangerous. If we delay for a long time, once the Qing court reinforcements arrive, the consequences will be disastrous if the troops are stationed under the strong city."

Upon hearing this, the generals began to discuss the matter. Some said to attack Nanjing, some said to attack Hangzhou, and some said to hold on to Suzhou City, accumulate strength, and wait for changes. The discussion became louder and louder until Meng Jun knocked on the table and the generals stopped.

Meng Jun had made up his mind at this moment, and said firmly, "Nanjing, with the current strength of our army, and with Bolo at our back, it is difficult to attack Nanjing, and it is even more impossible not to move. There is only one way, to attack Hangzhou, build a strong camp, fight a stupid battle, build chariots to resist the Qing cavalry, pull all the artillery to the city of Hangzhou, and bombard it hard. I don't believe we can't smash it."

Meng Jun almost shouted out the last sentence, "I don't believe I can't smash it!" This sentence was full of firmness and determination, and this tone made everyone feel a strong momentum.

Then Meng Jun ordered in an unquestionable tone, "The chariots, armaments, armor, cotton clothes, baggage, food, horses, and all the supplies in the city must be ready before the New Year. On the eighth day of the first lunar month, we will send troops to Hangzhou. If we fail, we will die. Everyone, the rise and fall of the world will be decided by us."

After the order was given, everyone was silent for a moment, and then they all responded loudly.

The next day, Suzhou City was bustling with activity. Craftsmen, granaries, stables, and everywhere else were busy. The city was like a huge machine with all parts working closely together to drive its operation. Whether they were craftsmen, farmers, or businessmen, although it was a cold winter, it could not bury the enthusiasm of people's hearts.

At this time, Meng Bian had already disguised himself and went to Nanjing. Of course, Nanjing had been renamed Jiangning at this time, but this was obviously the Qing court's good wish. At this moment, Jiangnan was still in the midst of endless wars.

There were more than ten guards beside Meng Bian, one of whom was dressed as a rich young man. Meng Bian had followed Meng Jun for many years, and after his dress, he was no less handsome than those rich young men.

At this moment, at the gate of Nanjing City, Meng Bian looked at the huge city gate and the endless city wall in shock. He felt doubtful in his heart. Why was the magnificent city so easily occupied by the Qing army? If his young master led the troops here, how many people would be needed to surround Nanjing City and how many people would be needed to capture it.

After sighing for a moment, after entering the city, Meng Bian saw Liu Guquan, who was still bored under the tea stall at the city gate. Liu Guquan was slumped in a chair, refilling the tea on the table cup after cup. Even the waiter at the tea stall couldn't help but roll his eyes at him.

Meng Bian called out, and Liu Guquan was startled. He turned around and saw Meng Bian, whom he hadn't seen for a long time. He ran up to him and said, "Master... Young Master, you're here."

Meng Bian nodded and said, "Okay, take me to see where I live first." Meng Bian came to Nanjing for important business, to set up an intelligence network, so naturally he didn't stay for a moment.

Liu Guquan nodded and said, "Yes, Master. Please follow me. This way."

Half an hour later, when Meng Bian was sweating profusely, Liu Guquan arrived and said proudly, "Master, I have arranged everything. Look..."

Meng Bian looked up and saw the three characters of Yixiang Pavilion in front of him. There were also several beautiful girls in the attic who called out in a delicate voice, "Young Master, come in and have a drink."

Meng Bian nodded with satisfaction and said, "Good, good, Gu Quan, you did a good job." Meng Bian praised.

Brothels have always been a good place to explore secrets. Meng Bian was about to step in, but Liu Guquan stopped him and said, "Master, it's not here. It's still inside, in the alley next to it."

Then Meng Bian came closer and was stunned. He was a little dumbfounded, and then he cursed in a low voice, "Liu Guquan, what kind of shit did you do? That's it..."

I saw a small courtyard. It was not a brothel at all. At most, it was a half-closed door. Two ugly middle-aged women stood at the door, negotiating the price with passers-by...