Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

Zuo Liangyu was about forty years old, with a long face, a mustache on his cheeks, and was dressed in brocade. He looked more like a gentleman businessman than a general.

At this time, Zuo Liangyu also had a warm smile on his face. He bowed to Qin Liangyu and said:

"What are you talking about, old lady? I received your letter yesterday, which really frightened me.

Speaking of which, I should have visited the old lady, but I was too busy with official duties. I am so ashamed.

"I have already prepared a banquet in my house to welcome the old lady."

Although Qin Liangyu was old and did not hold any official position, Zuo Liangyu did not dare to neglect her at all.

There were many capable soldiers and generals in the Ming Dynasty court, but when it came to Qin Liangyu, no one did not admire her.

Whether it was training soldiers, marching and fighting, or personal bravery, Qin Liangyu was considered first-rate.

Although the White Spear Soldiers suffered heavy losses after the Battle of Hunhe, they still participated in several wars to suppress bandits.

He dared not neglect such an old hero, otherwise he would be criticized by others. Even though he knew that Qin Liangyu might have something to ask of him, he still had to show due courtesy.

Zuo Liangyu made a gesture of invitation, and the group walked towards the city talking and laughing.

When they got to the banquet, the two of them exchanged some pleasantries and then started talking about the current situation.

"Alas, yesterday the noble young master came to ask for help. I should have sent troops, but without the imperial edict, it is difficult to do so.

Old Madam, you should know that those of us who lead troops outside are most afraid of those court officials trying to trip up Your Majesty.

If I mobilize the army without the imperial edict, and if I am targeted by those imperial censors, how can I bear the consequences? I hope the old lady can understand. "

Zuo Liangyu said with an apologetic smile.

Having said that, Zuo Liangyu didn't care about the court censors.

There was only one reason why he was unwilling to help defend Shiqu, and that was that he did not want to divide his troops.

He allowed and even ordered his subordinates to rob civilians, so the imperial court would certainly not let him go. Zuo Liangyu knew this better than anyone else.

It is for this reason that he not only never leaves his army, but also never divides it.

As long as he does not split his troops and does not easily leave his army, the court will have no way to do anything to him.

The imperial court is now already struggling to deal with the bandits and the Jiannu, so how could it have more manpower to cause trouble for Zuo Liangyu?

Not only that, the court had to find ways to stabilize him.

In order to increase his bargaining chips, in addition to looting the people and stockpiling food and fodder, he has also been expanding his own military forces.

In short, as long as one's power is strong enough and the situation in the Ming Dynasty is not eased.

He, Zuo Liangyu, is safe.

It’s just that Zuo Liangyu has been feeling a little uncomfortable lately.

Ever since the thief Zhang Li Zicheng rose to power, his former superior Yang Sichang committed suicide out of fear of punishment.

Cao Bianjiao and several other troops were either transferred to the capital to assist in the defense or to resist the Jiannu.

At least in the area around Huguang, his Zuo Liangyu's troops were the largest military force of the imperial court.

Huguang also controls the important areas of Sichuan and Shu. Logically speaking, in order to facilitate the deployment of troops to meet the enemy, the court should set up a governor in Huguang.

As for the candidate for governor, at the moment, there is no one more suitable than Zuo Liangyu.

Looking at the entire Huguang and even Sichuan, Zuo Liangyu had the largest army.

Although Qin Liangyu of Shiqu was famous, her White Spear Soldiers had been almost completely wiped out after many battles, and there was no more money and food to replenish the manpower.

Even if the two thousand soldiers were good at fighting, they could not defeat the more than fifty thousand soldiers under his command.

But that's the problem. He had been waiting for this imperial edict for a whole month, but the imperial edict never came.

He sent people to inquire about the news in the capital and learned that the situation in the capital had changed greatly.

Your Majesty actually appointed Zhang Shikang as the Grand Marshal of the Army, and Zhang Shikang knew about it.

When this fellow was just appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp, Zuo Liangyu lamented that the Ming Dynasty was probably really going to perish, and actually put the safety of the capital into the hands of a playboy.

But now the emperor has handed over the military power of the whole country to this kid. Zuo Liangyu was surprised and thought that the reason why he did not receive the imperial edict might be because of this kid.

But he had no choice.

"Of course I understand your difficulty, but Shiqu is indeed in danger. If there is any other way, how can I make it difficult for you?

The court is in trouble, but so are we. Even if it is difficult, it shouldn't be difficult to issue an imperial decree to make the Duke the governor of the troops in Huguang, Sichuan and Shu, right?"

Qin Liangyu complained about the court in front of Zuo Liangyu, which actually encouraged Zuo Liangyu.

Especially the last sentence, which made him the governor of the troops in Huguang, Sichuan and Shu.

This was something he had been dreaming about. Before this, Zuo Liangyu had analyzed that the person in front of him was the most capable of competing with him for this position in the entire Sichuan and Huguang.

After hearing what Qin Liangyu said, Zuo Liangyu immediately asked:

“The old lady is highly respected, so it is possible for the court to appoint her as governor.

After all, I am not well-received, so the court is showing special favor by not punishing me."

When talking about himself, Zuo Liangyu seemed rather humble.

But Qin Liangyu knew clearly that Zuo Liangyu was definitely not being humble, he just wanted to find out her true thoughts.

Zuo Liangyu refused to support Shiqu. On the surface, he said that there was no imperial order, but in fact he did not want to divide his troops.

But at the root of it all, there is another reason.

If the court gave the position of governor to Qin Liangyu, then all his efforts would be in vain.

Since Shiqu was regarded as a thorn in the eyes of Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, it would be better for Zuo Liangyu to wait until Shiqu was captured by the bandits. This would reduce his competitor.

In this way, not only would he not have to take the risk of dividing his troops, the defeat of Shiqu would have nothing to do with him, and he would also have one less competitor, which was really killing two birds with one stone.

But from what Qin Liangyu said at this time, it seemed that the other party had no interest in this position, which surprised Zuo Liangyu a little.

"My uncle, you are joking. I am already sixty-five years old this year. My health has not been as good as before. I won't live long.

At my age, all I care about is protecting my ancestral land of Shiqu. I no longer have any thoughts about competing for fame and fortune.

Well, when you reach my age, you will understand it naturally."

Qin Liangyu sighed.

Zuo Liangyu felt much relieved after hearing these words, but he was cautious by nature and did not completely believe it.

Qin Liangyu still had a smile on her face and continued:

"I heard that the uncle has a son?"

Zuo Liangyu didn't know why Qin Liangyu suddenly asked this, so he replied:

"My son Zuo Menggeng is exactly eighteen years old this year."

Qin Liangyu pretended to be surprised when she heard this.

"Oh? Are you married?"

Zuo Liangyu understood in his heart, but he still smiled and said:

"No, what does the old lady mean? Could it be that she wants to be a matchmaker for my son?"

"To be honest, Master, Lin'er is about your age and happens to have a daughter named Lingqi.

My granddaughter just turned seventeen this year, which means she is of marriageable age. She has been pestering me to find a brave and ideal husband.

My uncle is famous for his many battles. A good father will have a good son. I thought why not try to match them up and perhaps they could be a match.

What do you think, Lord?"

……