Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 183 Siege of the Mansion
In the south mansion, all the members of the Zhaoqing delegation were sitting in the hall. Zhang Tongchang briefly introduced the situation in Zheng's mansion today to Deng Mingwu and Wu Jisi. When Deng Mingwu and Wu Jisi heard this, their expressions immediately became solemn.

Today, Zhang Tongchang and his companions broke into Zheng's mansion, but Deng Mingwu and Wu Jisi stayed behind. If they found that Zhang Tongchang and his companions did not return, Deng Mingwu and his companions would immediately report the news to Zhaoqing.
Zhang Tongchang briefly explained the news and then said

"What do you think we should do now to deal with this sudden appearance of Lu Jianguo?"

"This is a tricky matter. Due to the Tang-Lu incident in the past, the Lu Regent is also very famous in Fujian Province. Now that the previous emperor is gone, I'm afraid that most people in Fujian Province will regard the Lu Regent as the orthodox one."

Liu Xiangke said in a deep voice, and Lin Cha below also said

"What's more worrying is Zheng Cai. I have been hiding with Zhou Hezhi these days. Zhou Hezhi leads the navy, so I know a lot about the navy of the Zheng family."

"According to the information I have found, Zheng Cai is now in charge of most of the Zheng family's navy, with four to five hundred large and small warships under his command."

"Moreover, Zheng Cai is a general under the Zheng family. He has friendships with all the generals in the army. Now that he has joined forces with the Lu Jianguo faction, he has both name and reality in an instant."

"We are alone in Fujian now. It will be much more difficult to persuade the generals in the army at this time."

Everyone's heart sank when they heard this. Their sudden appearance certainly disrupted Zheng Cai's plan, but they were also caught off guard by Zheng Cai.

Their biggest reliance in entering Fujian this time was the orthodoxy of the imperial court they represented. If it weren't for Lu, the generals who were unwilling to surrender to the Qing would have no choice but to gather under their command.
But now with the appearance of Lu Jianguo, their reliance was instantly cut off by half.
Gui is the legitimate governor, but Lu can also be the legitimate governor

In terms of reputation, they were no match for Lu Jianguo. In reality, their delegation of just a few dozen people could not compare with Zheng Cai, who had hundreds of warships. When everyone thought of this, they felt heavy in their hearts.

Zhang Tongchang looked at the silent people in the hall and knew that this couldn't go on any longer, so he started to encourage them.
"Although Lu Jianguo has a greater reputation, so what? Lu Jianguo was defeated in Zhejiang Province and can only flee to Fujian Province. However, His Highness Gui Jianguo controls Guangxi and Guangdong, and has the support of several southwestern provinces."

"It is clear at a glance which side is stronger and which is weaker. As long as the Zheng army understands the current situation, they will definitely join our side!"

When everyone heard this, their faces brightened and they all nodded slightly. Although they were alone in Fujian, they had the entire court behind them.
Behind Fujian Province is Guangdong Province. As long as Zheng’s people still want to get support from Guangdong Province, they can only surrender to them!
Zhang Tongchang was relieved to see that everyone's morale had been restored, so he spoke directly.

"Even so, we can't let our guard down. According to Zheng Cai, Lu Jianguo is now heading to Fujian Province. If he arrives in Anping, I'm afraid Lu Jianguo's faction will immediately become more powerful."

"We are just envoys now. If our name is not right, our words will not flow. We must establish the Fujian Governor's Office as soon as possible. Only then can we compete with the Lu Regent for the hearts and minds of the people!"

"Liu Yushi, go check the current situation of the old officials in Anping and nearby Longwu to see who can be appointed as governor."

"Commander Wu, Deputy Commander Deng, and Lin Cha, the three of you continue to contact the generals in the army and find out the attitudes of the Zheng generals."

"I will continue to go to Zheng's mansion tomorrow to contact Zheng Hongkui. If Zheng Hongkui is willing to return to the court, I am afraid that most of the Zheng army will be able to be brought here in an instant." Liu Xiangke shook his head when he heard this and said

"Although General Lin said before that Duke Dingguo is quite loyal, but after seeing him today, I feel that he may also have some hidden thoughts."

"Zheng Hongkui was also an important official in the previous dynasty. People like him are always decisive. Since he has stopped Zheng Chenggong from becoming the governor today, it will be difficult for Minister Zhang to convince him now."

Today in the hall, Zheng Hongkui instigated them to fight with Zheng Cai, and it was obvious that they wanted to check and balance each other. Zhang Tongchang and the others also realized that Zheng Hongkui would not easily surrender to either of them.

Zhang Tongchang also nodded and said

"Zheng Hongkui is indeed a man with unpredictable thoughts, but I heard that Zheng Chenggong was actually a student."

"After meeting him today, I feel that he still has a loyal heart and is still loyal to the court. We may be able to make efforts on him.
"Zheng Chenggong is the eldest son of the Zheng family. If he is willing to accept the position of governor of the imperial court, he should be able to influence the generals in the Zheng army."

Liu Xiangke and the others were also thoughtful when they heard this. Zheng Chenggong was younger and full of vigor, so he was indeed easier to win over.
At this time, Zhang Tongchang said no more. He glanced at the people below and said in a deep voice:
"Zheng Zhilong went to Fuzhou, and we don't know when he will come back. Now, Lu Jianguo will arrive in Fujian Province soon. We must hurry up. If there is no objection, we will act immediately."

Everyone in the hall nodded when they heard this, and stood up to respond.
Everyone finished their discussion and were about to stand up when a Jinyiwei soldier suddenly rushed into the hall with a serious look on his face. He said

"My Lords, two groups of soldiers suddenly arrived outside the courtyard. One group claimed to be from the Duke's Mansion, and the other group claimed to be from Yongsheng Earl Zheng Cai. Both sides said they wanted to protect the safety of the delegation, and now they have surrounded our courtyard."

"What did you say?"

Zhang Tongchang was shocked and stood up from his chair.
When everyone in the hall heard this, their faces immediately darkened. What kind of protection mission? This is clearly a plan to put them under house arrest.
They had just discussed how to win over the generals in Zheng's army as soon as possible, but now they were surrounded in the mansion. If they were trapped in the mansion, how could they contact the generals in the army?
This is exactly what Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Cai are aiming for.

Zhang Tongchang's face was solemn. After a moment's thought, he immediately spoke:

"We can't let them surround us like this!"

"Deng Mingwu, gather everyone in the mansion and follow me to the mansion gate. Let's take people to the front yard to attract the attention of those surrounding the mansion."

"Lin Cha, have your Fujian soldiers put on military uniforms and sneak out of the palace during the chaos. Once out, immediately have them go find Shi Fu, Zhou Hezhi and other foreign generals. They are the only ones in the city who have the ability to intervene in this matter."

There were only more than 30 people in their group. It was impossible for them to escape the encirclement of Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Cai in Anping City. Now the only person they could rely on was the silent generals of the Zheng family.
Zhang Tongchang believed that as long as these foreign generals were not really determined to follow Zheng Zhilong and surrender to the Qing Dynasty, they would definitely intervene in this matter.
When everyone in the field heard what Zhang Tongchang said, their eyes lit up and they instantly understood Zhang Tongchang's intention. So everyone in the mansion gathered together and walked towards the front gate.
Zhang Tongchang led everyone in the palace to the door. Under the deliberate instigation of the envoys, the envoys soon started to push and shove with the two Zheng troops in front of the door.

At this time, the soldiers under Lin Cha took advantage of the chaos and mixed into the crowd with their Fujian accents. They quickly left the gate of the mansion where the fight was going on and rushed towards the west city.
(End of this chapter)