Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 204 Public and Private
In the lobby, Bolo was in a dilemma. If he returned to Fujian Province at this time, he would most likely be implicated in the defeat of Guangdong Province. But if he did not return at this time, once Fujian Province was lost, he would also be punished by the court in the future.

Baiyintu saw that Bolo was wavering, but suddenly spoke in a cold voice

"If Fujian Province is really lost because of this, then so be it. We have completed all the tasks that need to be completed during this southern expedition. Even if Fujian Province is lost again, it is Tong Yangjia. Zhang Cunren and his men are not doing a good job. What does it have to do with us?"

"Besides, since the Zheng family might rebel and Fujian Province might be in chaos, we can't go back now."

"We have already reported to the court that we have wiped out all the armies and pacified Fujian. But now we are suddenly told that there are riots everywhere in Fujian. How are we going to explain this to the court? If someone in the court uses this to attack us, we will not be able to clear our name even if we jump into the Yellow River."

Tulai was a first-class duke and a general, but Baiyintu was also a third-class duke and a general. This matter concerned Baiyintu's future and safety, but Baiyintu refused to give in.
Tulai looked at Baiyintu who looked indifferent, and his face became serious. He said in a cold voice:
"If it's lost, it's lost?"

"General Baiyintu said it so lightly. The court ordered us to conquer Fujian Province. This is how you do your job for the court. If Fujian Province is lost, how can we face His Majesty in front of the court?"

Baiyintu's face turned cold when he heard what Tulai said.

"What is General Tulai going to do? Will he go back to Fujian Province to be a scapegoat? If we return now, it will inevitably be linked to the defeat of Guangdong Province. We naturally know that this matter has nothing to do with us, but will Prince Zheng listen?"

"If Prince Zheng and others make a big fuss about this matter in the court, then all of us will be punished. Or maybe Commander Tulai can find a way to make Prince Zheng do the same as Commander Tulai and put state affairs first in everything."

"Commander Tulai, please don't forget that if we are convicted, our wives and children at home will also be implicated. We have fought hard for our country and recovered Fujian and Zhejiang. It's fine for us, but why should our families also suffer this injustice with us? Commander Tulai, are you planning to let your wives and children go to Ningguta with you?"

Tulai also fell silent after hearing what Baiyintu said.

Tulai already felt that he didn't have much time left. He had fought for the court all his life, and now he just wanted to do his part for the court. He didn't care how the court would deal with him, but he couldn't think about his family.

Baiyintu saw that Tulai had fallen silent, and then he spoke again

"Tong Yangjia and Li Chengdong were defeated in Guangdong Province, which made the situation in Fujian Province so dangerous. What does this have to do with us? Why should we take the blame for these two people?"

"If Fujian Province is lost, we can fight back, but we cannot return to Fujian Province without knowing the reason at this moment."

"Beile, in my opinion, we should march to Nanjing as soon as possible. The sooner we arrive in Nanjing and handle this matter, the sooner we can return to Fujian Province. This is the most favorable choice for us and the court."

Hearing this, E Se Hei nodded slightly and agreed.

Bolo saw that Baiyintu nodded, and he made a decision in his heart and said

"General Baiyintu is right. We are conquering Fujian and Guangdong on behalf of the imperial court. If we are defeated because of our dereliction of duty, no matter how the imperial court punishes us, I will not hesitate."

"But the defeat of Guangdong Province has nothing to do with us. Now that the situation in Guangdong Province has caused unrest in Fujian Province, it is not our fault."

"We have been working for the court for many years, fought dozens of battles, and even destroyed the two pseudo-Ming dynasties. We dare not expect the court to reward us with titles and salaries, but we should not suffer this injustice either."

Baiyintu and the other two felt relieved after hearing what Bolo said, but Bolo continued to talk.

"Although we have to rush back to Nanjing first, we cannot ignore the affairs of Fujian Province."

"Eshehei, you must immediately send a letter to Zhang Cunren, instructing him to take Zheng Zhilong's handwritten letter and immediately persuade the garrisons of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou to surrender. Send troops to the two cities to cut off the retreat route of Zheng's main force in Anping City."

"After occupying Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, immediately send troops to Anping to quickly force the surrender of Shi Fu, Zheng Cai and other Zheng family generals."

"Tell Zhang Cunren that as long as Shi Fu and others are willing to surrender, they can continue to hold their original positions, or they can continue to lead their original troops. At the same time, they can be divided into prefectures and counties and allowed to guard and raise funds on their own."

Bolo picked up the military newspaper on the table, glanced at it, and continued speaking.

"Send a message to Li Shilian, appoint him as the general of Guangdong Province, tell him that the imperial court's reinforcements will arrive soon, and tell him not to leave the city to fight before the imperial court's reinforcements arrive, and make sure to lead his troops to defend Chaozhou." Chaozhou is the gateway to Guangdong. As long as the imperial court occupies Chaozhou, it can push the battlefield to Guangdong Province and harass the Ming court at any time.
If the Qing court could occupy Chaozhou, it would be able to take the initiative on the battlefield in the later battle with the Ming court in Fujian and Guangdong.
Although Tong Yangjia and Li Chengdong were badly defeated, they at least managed to recruit Li Shilian to surrender. Now that Li Shilian has retreated to Chaozhou, this man can be used to guard the entrance to Guangdong for the court.
After Bo Luo finished the arrangement, he glanced at the people below and said

"As for us, we will set off for Nanjing immediately."

"After we have completed the handover with Hong Chengchou in Nanjing, we will immediately lead our men back to Fujian Province to defeat the Ming army in Guangdong Province."

"Do you have any objections to this arrangement?"

Baiyin and Tu heard this and nodded in unison. Tulai saw that everyone was looking at him and was about to speak, but suddenly he started coughing violently.
Tulai looked at the bright red blood on the towel and was silent for a moment, but suddenly shook his head and said

"Beile is also a man who knows military affairs. The battlefield changes rapidly. Sometimes a delay of a moment may lead to a great defeat. Although Beile's plan is good, when Beile returns to Nanjing and then returns to Fujian Province, who knows what the situation in Fujian Province will be like by then."

"You guys go back, I won't leave"

"We will split our forces into two groups in Hangzhou. Beile will lead his troops back to Nanjing, and I will lead my troops back to Fujian Province to suppress the rebellion in Fujian Province."

The three of them were dismayed when they heard that Tulai was unwilling to go with them.

If they wanted to pretend that they didn't know about the defeat in Guangdong Province, they would need the unanimous consent of the four. Now that Tu Lai refused to go back with them, if he turned against them later, they would all be sentenced to death for delaying military operations.
Deceiving the court and delaying the war is a serious crime. How could they leave such a handle in the hands of Tulai?
At this point they had only one choice, either the four of them returned to Nanjing together, pretending to be ignorant and clearing up the matter of Guangdong Province, or the four of them returned to Fujian Province together, so that even if someone wanted to investigate in the future, the four of them would bear the responsibility together.
Tulai looked at the three people with gloomy expressions and knew what they were thinking. However, Tulai had a calm expression on his face and said

"Don't worry, everyone. All I want at this moment is to stabilize Fujian Province for the court as soon as possible. I have no other thoughts."

"You are waiting for a Beile, a Gushan Ezhen Dutong, and an inner court scholar. How could I be so unwise?"

After Tulai finished speaking, the three people remained silent. Tulai ignored their expressions and suddenly sighed and said

"Besides, I may not have the chance to return to the capital. I have no other thoughts now. I only wish to use my last bit of strength for the Qing Dynasty. This way, when I die in the underworld, I will have a face to see my Emperor Taizong."

After Tulai finished speaking, he started coughing violently again. Boro and the others looked at Tulai, who was becoming increasingly pale, and their faces froze, not knowing how to respond.
They also knew about Tulai's situation. Tulai's condition had been bad since he conquered Zhejiang Province. He was just trying hard to continue leading his troops to fight.
They returned to Fujian first, partly because they wanted Tulai to return to Beijing to recuperate as soon as possible.
Everyone heard what Tulai said and understood that this old general was probably really ready to serve the court with his last bit of effort.

Boro looked at the calm Tulai below, and his face was also moved. After a moment of silence, he spoke

"Mr. Xiongyong is a loyal minister of the Qing Dynasty. He will surely be blessed by the Qing Dynasty and will be saved from danger. Don't say such discouraging words again in the future."

Boro consoled him, thought for a moment, and then spoke directly

"So, I, General Baiyintu, and Scholar Eshehei will lead 2,000 cavalrymen and rush back to Nanjing overnight. Duke Xiongyong will lead the remaining 4,000 soldiers to stay in Hangzhou to gather troops and raise food and money."

"At the same time, Lord Xiongyong can also rest for a while so that he can return to Fujian with us later. After we return to Nanjing, we will announce to Nanjing that Lord Xiongyong is unwell, so we rushed back to Nanjing to report on our work first, and these 4,000 soldiers will stay in Hangzhou in the name of protecting Lord Xiongyong."

"Hangzhou and Nanjing are only four or five hundred miles away. Our cavalry should be able to reach Nanjing in two days with light equipment. After we arrive in Nanjing, Li Shilian's messenger will also enter Nanjing immediately."

"After we have handed over the affairs of Guangdong Province to Hong Chengchou, we will immediately set off back to Hangzhou and set off for Fujian with Xiong Yonggong. What do you think, Xiong Yonggong?"

Tulai was silent for a moment, then shook his head slightly. The situation in Minyue was extremely complicated at the moment, and he did not want to stay in Hangzhou any longer and delay the opportunity.
Tulai was about to speak, but Bolo seemed to know what Tulai was thinking and spoke directly.

"This is the best way. Lord Xiongyong can only stay in Hangzhou at this time. He must not lead his troops back to Fujian Province first. If Lord Xiongyong returns to Fujian first, this matter will not be covered up by the court."

"We will lead the cavalry to march quickly and return to Hangzhou in five or six days at most. Zhang Cunren is a veteran general and has 20,000 veteran soldiers who have experienced the war in the south of the Yangtze River. It will only be a few days late and will not cause the situation in Fujian Province to collapse."

Tulai saw the resolute look on Bolo's face and knew that this was Bolo's final decision. Since Bolo and others were determined to clear themselves of the matter, they would never let him ruin it.
Tulai thought for a moment and realized that this was indeed the best method at the moment, so he nodded in agreement.

After the discussion, Boro and his companions decided that in the afternoon, they put down their baggage and marched lightly with 2,000 cavalrymen towards Nanjing.
(End of this chapter)