I was living at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and I dealt a brutal blow to the Eight Banners!

Under Xu Fuzou's guidance, Zhang Jingchuan entered Donghai Fort.

Zhang Jingchuan also learned from Xu Fuzou about Ao Bai's mission to persuade him to surrender at Donghai Fort on Huang Taiji's orders, and also learned some information about Xu Fuzou.

During the Tianqi era, Xu Fuzou was employed by Yan Mingtai, the governor of Liaodong, and was responsible for recruiting Liaodong people to be soldiers outside Shanhaiguan, thus beginning his military career.

He was awarded the title of Assistant Commander for his meritorious service in the Battle of Ningyuan, and was later promoted to the rank of Assistant Commander of the Vanguard Battalion.

In the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, the Later Jin invaded, and Xu Fuzou became a subordinate of Yuan Chonghuan. He not only passed the military examination but was also promoted to deputy commander-in-chief.

Given Xu Fuzou's seniority in the army, he could have been promoted step by step, but he was implicated in Yuan Chonghuan's imprisonment. If it weren't for the help of Sun Chengzong and Yang Sichang, Xu Fuzou would probably have died unjustly long ago.

Now, however, Xu Fuzou is running Donghai Fortress from scratch.

After gaining a general understanding of Xu Fuzou, Zhang Jingchuan began to consider recruiting him.

After all, Xu Fuzou had been in Liaodong for nearly thirty years and was quite familiar with the situation around Donghaibao. If he could get Xu Fuzou's help, his management of Donghaibao would be much more efficient.

However, Zhang Jingchuan also sensed Xu Fuzou's disappointment with the Ming court from his words. Perhaps it was because his old leader Yuan Chonghuan was persecuted by the Ming court, or perhaps it was because the factions and infighting within the Ming army had completely disillusioned this former Ming general.

If he wants Xu Fuzou to become his right-hand man, he has no choice but to use his persuasive skills.

Of the three effects of the art of persuasion, there are the ability to influence enemies and unite allies. If it can influence even enemies, how much more so a veteran general of the Ming army?

Two ducks were stewing in an iron pot, and Xu Fuzou's adopted daughter was sticking flatbread along the edge of the pot. Such a lavish setup was considered quite extravagant in Liaodong today.

Xu Fuzou remained silent, his eyes glazed over, it was unclear whether he was lost in thought or preoccupied with something.

With the help of persuasive talk, Zhang Jingchuan gradually gained a clearer understanding of PUA tactics.

The first step in PUA is to over-criticize, and then negate you!

“When I saw the vast expanse of fertile fields outside the fortress, I had a question,” Zhang Jingchuan said calmly, looking at Xu Fuzou. “I would appreciate your guidance, Elder Xu.”

"Please speak, my lord," Xu Fuzou said respectfully.

"The old man was able to manage Donghai Fort so well under the noses of the Qing army, he must have some skills. I just wonder if those skills were obtained by betraying the country for personal gain?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Fuzou's expression changed instantly, and he said angrily, "I have been in the army for twenty years, and I have spent most of my time fighting against the enemy. I have an irreconcilable hatred for the enemy. What do you mean by saying this, sir?"

Don't say

Despite his advanced age, this old man, when he gets angry, really does have that air of an old horse still eager to run.

Although Zhang Jingchuan roughly guessed that it was because Huang Taiji wanted to recruit him that he turned a blind eye to his operations in Donghai Fort, he could only make a big deal out of it in order to manipulate him.

Zhang Jingchuan narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of coldness in them, and questioned, "Do you dare say that when Ao Bai was trying to persuade you to surrender, you never considered agreeing?"

Xu Fuzou frowned and said in a deep voice, "Even if I agree to surrender to the Qing, it will be for the sake of these few dozen households in Donghai Fort!"

Zhang Jingchuan's eyes sharpened, and he said coldly, "So, you've considered surrendering to the Qing!"

Xu Fuzou's face began to turn pale, his eyes lowered, and he remained silent.

Seeing this, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhang Jingchuan's lips. The first step of excessive criticism and denial had been completed, not only suppressing Xu Fuzou's momentum but also making him feel a little guilty.

Next comes the second step of PUA: a slap followed by a sweet treat!

“Alas, no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes,” Zhang Jingchuan said with feigned sigh. “However, all of this is for the sake of the people, so I can understand.”

Xu Fuzou couldn't help but look up at Zhang Jingchuan, his eyes filled with a hint of surprise, but also with gratitude for his understanding.

The third step in PUA is to create anxiety!

"Now, our court not only has to face the Qing army outside the Great Wall, but also the rebel army in the Northwest. In addition, the national treasury is empty and disasters are constantly occurring in various places. If the Governor-General..."

Zhang Jingchuan feigned a sob and didn't continue speaking.

Seeing this, Xu Fuzou asked with concern, "How is the situation on Songshan?"

“Sigh,” Zhang Jingchuan sighed after taking a deep breath, “The eight generals each have their own agendas and are only thinking about preserving their strength, while the soldiers below have not been paid for a long time.”

Even the food in the army is getting worse every day; forget about meat, even getting enough to eat is a problem.

Xu Fuzou frowned, leaned forward, and said worriedly, "Has the situation become that serious?"

Zhang Jingchuan nodded and said, "Therefore, we can only rely on ourselves here at Donghai Fortress."

Then, Zhang Jingchuan sighed again with a sense of melancholy:

"Although the Qing army in Donghai Fort has been annihilated, Ao Bai was wounded and escaped. He may return with his troops at any time, and then Donghai Fort will surely be in danger."

It is our duty as soldiers to die on the battlefield, wrapped in our horses' hides, but it is the people in the fort who suffer!

Zhang Jingchuan said with a sigh.

During the day, Xu Fuzou kept a close eye on the battle outside the fortress from the fortress wall. When he saw Ao Bai escape from his grasp, he had already figured it out.

This is why he was always absent-minded.

"My lord, is it possible to relocate the people in the fort to Songshan City?" Xu Fuzou asked.

Zhang Jingchuan shook his head and said, "Songshan City is where the main force of our Ming army is located. There must be Qing scouts and sentries surrounding it. Once they discover the people who have migrated south, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Xu Fuzou frowned, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Zhang Jingchuan saw this and couldn't help but say, "I know you want me to send a squad of armored soldiers to protect the people as they migrate south, but I came to Donghai Fort on military orders. It concerns the 130,000 troops in Songshan, and I can't send out a single soldier."

"Are you stationed at Donghai Fort for the sake of the eastern port?" Xu Fuzou asked.

Zhang Jingchuan didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

He thought to himself that Xu Fuzou was indeed worthy of being the deputy commander under Yuan Chonghuan, as he could glean the truth from just a few words from him.

"Alas," Xu Fuzou sighed sadly, "it's just that the people in the fort are suffering!"

Seeing that the time was ripe, Zhang Jingchuan planned to take the final step: to make grand promises and offer unrealistic expectations!

"If Elder Xu can lend me a hand, I do have a way to defend Donghai Fort. As for the people inside the fort, they will naturally be safe and sound."

Xu Fuzou raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhang Jingchuan, saying in surprise, "You only have four hundred men under your command. Although you brought a lot of firearms, how easy is it to defend Donghai Fort under the siege of the Qing army!"

Zhang Jingchuan smiled slightly and then stated his judgment.

First of all,

The Qing army in Jinzhou was tied down by the Ming army in Songshan. They had to besiege Zu Dashou in Jinzhou while also guarding against the main force of the Ming army in Songshan. Therefore, even if the Qing army in Jinzhou knew that Donghai Fort had been occupied by the Ming army, as long as the number of troops was not large and did not pose a threat to the Qing army's supply lines, it was unlikely that they would send troops to attack.

Secondly,

Donghai Fort has its own port, so as long as the sea route to the interior is opened, the supply of food, provisions, weapons and ammunition will not be interrupted.

After all, it concerns the 130,000 troops at Songshan. No matter how difficult the situation is, the imperial court will not completely cut off the food and supplies for these 130,000 troops. The imperial court understands what is more important.

Of course, in order to make the pie in the sky even more appealing, Zhang Jingchuan couldn't help but embellish it.

Xu Fuzou fell silent. He looked at Zhang Jingchuan and, for some reason, felt a sense of trust in the young man before him.

Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Jingchuan's persuasive skills had already subtly influenced him.

……