Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 246 Domineering
In Wugang City, in the back hall of the government office, Liu Chengyin, wearing a cross-collared long gown and a bright red brocade robe, sat on the main seat in the back hall.

On the left below is a middle-aged man who looks about the same as Liu Chengyin. This man is Liu Chengyin's younger brother Liu Chengyong.

Below Liu Chengyong was a scholar with a short beard. This man was Long Zaimuo, a clerk in Liu Chengyin's army.

The first person on the right is Chen Youlong, the lieutenant general of Liu Chengyin's army, and below him are Wang Chaozong, Jiang Hu, Sun Hua and other generals in the army.

At this time, except for Chen Youlong on the right who was wearing a narrow-sleeved military uniform, the rest of the people in the hall were all wearing wide-sleeved robes and embroidered clothes, with an air of wealth and leisure.
Liu Chengyin was from Yingtian. When he was young, he was famous for his physical strength. Because he was good at using an iron pestle, he was named Liu Tiegun.

Liu Chengyin joined the army with his bravery and soon distinguished himself in the army. By the end of the Chongzhen period, he had transformed from a brave and aggressive young man into a de facto lieutenant general in Hunan Province.
With Liu Chengyin's background, it would be almost impossible for him to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in times of peace. It can only be said that this chaotic world is really a place for military men to gain fame.
But Liu Chengyin's real success had to wait until He Tengjiao entered Hunan.
After He Tengjiao escaped from Zuo Liangyu's army and entered Hunan Province, he summoned the armies of Huguang and attempted to restore order.
As mentioned before, before He Tengjiao established his own Dubiao Camp, the soldiers under He Tengjiao were Zuo Liangyu, Dashun Army, and three former generals of the Ming court.
Although He Tengjiao had close ties with Zuo Liangyu's army, Zuo Menggeng had just surrendered to the Qing Dynasty at that time. Although Ma Jinzhong and others had not surrendered, they obviously had a way out on the Qing court. These people were obviously not to be trusted.

As for the Shun thieves, it was even more so. The Ming court had been suppressing the Shun army as rebels for more than ten years. It was impossible for them to change their identities by simply changing the flag.
Although He Tengjiao was forced to surrender Hao Yaoqi and his men, he still regarded them as bandits and was on guard against them at all times.

Based on the situation at the time, He Tengjiao thought that it would be better to use the Left Army of the Outer Town than to use the bandits, and it would be better to use the old generals of the South than to use the Left Army of the Outer Town.

So He Tengjiao took this as a strategy and began to promote Liu Chengyin and other old Huguang generals.
He Tengjiao not only repeatedly asked the court for titles on behalf of Liu Chengyin and others, but also divided the prefectures and counties in Hunan Province into different garrisons to guard in order to prevent the remaining Shun army from robbing food and looting. At this time, Liu Chengyin and other generals also officially began to expand their influence.

However, He Tengjiao did not expect that the old southern general he had high hopes for would no longer care about him as the governor after becoming powerful. Instead, the Zuobu and Shunjun, who he had been on guard against many times before, became more submissive.

At this point, He Tengjiao finally realized that this era is no longer the era in the past when a civil official could make a warrior bow his head in fear with just a word.

His previous actions of respecting the wise and humble and winning people's hearts were probably not worth mentioning in the eyes of the Huguang generals.

After He Tengjiao realized this, he immediately used the financial resources of Huguang to set up a supervisory camp that only obeyed the orders of the governor's office.
But it was too late. Due to the mistakes in the previous strategy, the rich prefectures and counties in Hunan Province were almost all occupied by Liu Chengyin and his army. After receiving the salary, the military forces in the various towns expanded their forces frantically. It was already difficult to control the situation.

The old army of Huguang is not only strong in men and horses, but also holds high positions because of He Tengjiao's previous solicitation.

Take Liu Chengyin as an example. At the end of Chongzhen's reign, Liu Chengyin was only a third- or fourth-rank lieutenant general, but by the time of Longwu, he had become a first-rank right governor.

As Liu Chengyin got promoted and became rich, his subordinates in the army also rose to prominence
Liu Chengyong, Chen Youlong and others are now either generals or lieutenant generals. They have the final say in Baoqing Prefecture, just like local emperors. Naturally, they have the capital to live a life of wealth and leisure.

Liu Chengyin and others were sitting in the hall, while Long Zaimo, the military clerk, was reading the decree of the governor's office in a low voice.

"Wugang is located at the junction of Lake Guangxi and Guangxi. Recently, I heard that Wugang is not at peace and has repeatedly disturbed Guangxi Province. Today, I am following the order of His Royal Highness the Regent of Guangxi..."

Long Zai Mo only said a few words when he was interrupted by Liu Chengyin above him. Liu Chengyin looked puzzled and said

"Gui Regent? Where did this regent come from? Isn't the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Longwu?"

Although Emperor Longwu had passed away in August last year, the southern provinces were in turmoil. Liu Chengyin and others stayed in Huguang and were determined to be local emperors, but they had no idea that the Ming Dynasty had changed its ruler.
When Zhu Lang ascended the throne, although Lü Daqi and others sent letters to Huguang, they only gave the letter to He Tengjiao, asking him to submit a petition to support him.
After Zhu Lang ascended the throne as regent, he should have conferred titles on officials in various provinces to calm people's hearts. In his previous life, Liu Chengyin took advantage of this opportunity to officially enter the fifth rank.

But Zhu Lang knew the quality of the people in Huguang. In Zhu Lang's plan, these people were all targets to be eliminated and recruited in the future. How could he confer high titles on them? Therefore, when Zhu Lang ascended the throne, he intentionally or unintentionally skipped the promotion of the officials in Huguang.
At that time, the officials of Guangdong Province were busy supporting Zhu Lang in order to win the credit of following the emperor, and they did not have time to care about many things. After Zhu Lang ascended the throne, there was a series of wars, and the rewards for Huguang were delayed again and again.

Now, only a few people in the Governor's Office, such as He Tengjiao, knew that Emperor Longwu had died. However, even He Tengjiao, the nominal number one in Huguang, did not know that the Prince of Gui had officially become the regent until the Guangdong Provincial Court came to announce the decree in December.

Long Zai Mo also spoke at this time

"Replying to the Governor, I have already asked the envoy from the Governor's Office. According to the envoy, Fujian Province fell in August last year, and Emperor Longwu was killed by the Tartars in Tingzhou, Fujian Province."

"Now, the ministers of the court have supported the King of Gui as the emperor in Guangdong Province. This is His Royal Highness Gui the Regent."

Liu Chengyong, who was below, was also surprised when he heard this and said

"Is Emperor Longwu dead? Didn't he become emperor just the year before last? It's been less than a year and another emperor has been replaced. Isn't it too fast for the Ming Dynasty to change emperors?"

Chen Youlong and others in the hall were also slightly surprised. The year before last, it was Emperor Honghuangguang, the year before that, it was Emperor Longwu, and this year, it was replaced by Gui Regent. Isn't the Ming Dynasty court too much of a joke?
But then again, the new emperor has ascended the throne, why didn't he give them promotions?

The two previous emperors promoted them immediately after they ascended the throne. This Emperor Gui is really too ignorant.

Liu Chengyin pondered the title of Gui Jianguo, his eyes thoughtful, and then waved his hand, signaling Long Zaimo to continue reading the official document of the Governor's Office.

But Liu Chengyin's calmness did not last long. After Long Zaimo finished reading the governor's order, Liu Chengyin's face was furious and he shouted coldly:
"What nonsense! What bandits are causing trouble? I have been stationed in Wugang for a long time, how come I didn't know there were bandits causing trouble?"

"What does this old man He Tengjiao want to do? Does he really think that I won't dare to touch him just because he is the Governor of Huguang?"

Since Liu Chengyin sent troops to Liping last year, arrested He Tengjiao's son, and forced He Tengjiao to bow to him, the two sides have actually torn their faces apart.
Wugang was Liu Chengyin's old nest, and now He Tengjiao had actually issued an incomprehensible decree, asking him to give up Wugang. For a moment, he didn't know whether he was still asleep or He Tengjiao was still asleep.
A cold light flashed in Liu Chengyin's eyes. Last time, he only arrested his son. It seems that this time he has to arrest his whole family directly so that He Tengjiao can figure out who has the final say in Baoqing.
"General, it's not the governor's office, it's the imperial court's order," Long Zaimo said softly.

Liu Chengyong frowned when he heard this and took the Governor's Order from Long Zaimo.
Liu Chengyong looked at the imperial edict that came with the letter and was stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Public Administration, and he also spoke.

"Brother, this is indeed the will of the Central Committee, not He Tengjiao's order."

Liu Chengyin took the imperial edict from Liu Chengyong's hand, glanced at it, and threw the central edict with the seal on it on the table, saying in a cold voice:
"What imperial decree? Does He Tengjiao really think that I don't know their twists and turns? This decree must have been obtained by He Tengjiao from the small imperial court in Guangdong Province."

Liu Chengyin sneered. The Ming Dynasty had changed three or four emperors in the past two years. These so-called courts had long lost their prestige.

These newly established small courts, not to mention ruling over various places, may even require various places to recognize the central government's status.

Regent? Have there been few regents in recent years?

Not to mention the year before last, didn't the Prince of Jingjiang also claim to be the regent?

Now, as long as we have soldiers and capture a member of the Zhu family, who can't create a regent?
He Tengjiao is now nominally the Governor-General of Huguang. The newly established Guangdong Provincial Government is probably busy trying to win over He Tengjiao.
Under such circumstances, He Tengjiao could still ask for whatever he wanted from the Guangdong Provincial Court. What good would it mean to ask for an imperial edict from the court?

Liu Chengyong and others below were also thinking about it. Liu Chengyong thought for a moment and then said

"Brother said that this edict was sent by He Tengjiao on purpose."

"That must be the case. Seeing that the governor's order was useless, that old man wanted to use the name of the court to put pressure on me." "He wanted to seize my Wugang City with a piece of waste paper and live out his dream of a great future!"

"I have 30,000 soldiers under my command. I want to see who is fearless enough to take my Wugang City."

Liu Chengyin's face was filled with murderous intent. Chen Youlong, the general of the central army below, frowned slightly when he saw Liu Chengyin's rage.
Chen Youlong thought for a moment and then said

"What exactly does Governor He mean? He is not really planning to force us to give up Wugang City based on an imperial edict, is he?"

Liu Chengyin glanced at Chen Youlong, snorted coldly, and said

"You don't understand those civil officials. They have read the Four Books and Five Classics and have become stupid. They keep talking about the emperor and his father. They think that the court can just issue an order and others must obey it. Do they think it is still more than a decade ago?"

"The court, I recognize him, he is the court, I don't recognize him, I don't care if you are the emperor or the regent"

Liu Chengyong below remained silent. He took the governor's document from the table, read it again, and then spoke in a deep voice:

"He Tengjiao is not an ordinary civil official. He Tengjiao rode alone into Hunan. With his status as a mere civil official, he is now able to connect with various parties and secure the position of Governor-General of Huguang. This shows that he is very skilled. Don't be careless, brother."

"This man has been operating in Huguang for several years and is well aware of the situation in Huguang. It is impossible for him not to know that with just this transfer order, he will never let us hand over Wugang."

"But this person still insisted on sending this imperial edict. I think He Tengjiao must have a backup plan this time."

Liu Chengyin frowned slightly when he heard this. He had worked under He Tengjiao for a period of time and knew that he was not a stubborn and corrupt scholar who could not adapt. Hearing what Liu Chengyong said, he became slightly alert.
Liu Chengyong thought for a moment, and then seemed to remember something, a flash of realization flashed in his eyes, and then a solemn look flashed across Liu Chengyong's face, and he spoke

"I think I know what He Tengjiao is up to. He is really vicious. He Tengjiao is very likely trying to kill someone with someone else's knife!"

Liu Chengyong saw that everyone was not buying the official piece, so he spoke directly

"He Tengjiao has received the imperial decree. If we do not hand over Wugang, we will be violating the imperial decree."

"We are still Ming Dynasty officials after all. If we don't hand over Wugang, He Tengjiao can contact other towns in Huguang to attack us in the name of disobeying the imperial order."

"We have occupied Baoqing Prefecture alone, which has already caused dissatisfaction among the towns in Huguang. If He Tengjiao uses Baoqing as a lure, it is possible that he can persuade other towns to attack."

"Since He Tengjiao came to Hunan, he has been the best at making such maneuvers. We have to be on guard."

Liu Chengyin and the others looked serious when they heard this, and Chen Youlong below also spoke

"Second Master is right. When Governor He divided the towns, he chose to place Cao Zhijian and Zhang Xianbi in Hengyang and Xiangxiang. It is obvious that he has ill intentions towards us. General, you must not be careless."

Among the towns in Huguang, Cao Zhijian and Zhang Xianbi both had grievances with Liu Chengyin, but He Tengjiao chose to place these two people around Baoqing Prefecture. His intention is self-evident.
Chen Youlong and others also looked grim when they thought of this.
Liu Chengyin's army is already a powerful force among all the towns in Hunan Province. If they only talk about one family, they are not afraid of anyone in Hunan Province. They can defend the city against the attack of the two families. But if He Tengjiao brings his own Du Biao Battalion and the two forces of Cao and Zhang, they will most likely be defeated.

Liu Chengyong also said in a deep voice at this time

"He Tengjiao is such a cunning old villain. The governor's envoy has been urging us to respond. I'm afraid he's just waiting for us to disobey his orders."

"Brother, what should we do now? Why don't we..."

A fierce light flashed in Liu Chengyong's eyes. Liu Chengyin glanced at Liu Chengyong, but suddenly sneered.

"What should I do? Of course I will obey the imperial edict."

"I am the first-rank right governor of the imperial court. If the imperial court issues an order, I will obey it."

"The whole world belongs to the king. The imperial court wants to take Wugang to suppress the bandits. How can I refuse to give it to you?"

Liu Chengyong, Long Zaimo and others below all looked at Liu Chengyin above with astonishment, but before they could speak, Liu Chengyin said
"The court wants Wugang, and I have no objection. However, my 30,000 soldiers have been guarding Wugang for several years, but the court has not paid them a penny. Although I am loyal and dedicated to serving the country, what is the fault of the soldiers?"

"Long Wenshu, please write back to the Governor's Office. I wanted to lead the army to withdraw from Wugang, but the soldiers in the camp were clamoring for pay, and I was helpless."

"Tell He Tengjiao that I don't want much. As long as the governor pays the Baoqing camp soldiers' wages owed last year, I will lead my men out of Wugang City immediately."

When Liu Chengyong and others heard this, their eyes lit up immediately. Liu Chengyin had 30,000 soldiers under his command, and the annual military pay was 300,000 or 400,000 taels. Not to mention that the governor's office could not possibly come up with so much silver, even if it could, He Tengjiao would never be willing to give it to them.
Liu Chengyin was arguing with the governor at this time. You want me to leave Wugang, fine, but if you want us to leave the city, you have to pay us the moving fee.
As long as they don't openly disobey the imperial edict, He Tengjiao won't be able to catch them, and he won't be able to encourage the rest of the Huguang army to join forces to attack.

If He Tengjiao can't find a suitable reason, the armies in Hunan Province will never join forces with He Tengjiao.
If He Tengjiao could join forces with others to attack Liu Chengyin today, he might deal with others tomorrow. However, if he relied on the Dubiao Battalion under He Tengjiao alone, Liu Chengyin would not be afraid of them at all.

Liu Chengyin ignored the expressions of the people below and continued to speak in a cold voice.

"Wang Chaozong, you lead 500 elite soldiers and 2,000 infantrymen to garrison in Dong'an. If you find the so-called people from Guangxi Province, expel them immediately and do not allow anyone to enter the city. You do not need to kill anyone to avoid being caught."

"Jiang Hu, you lead 1,000 elite soldiers and 3,000 infantrymen to Baoqing to guard against Zhang Xianbi and Cao Zhijian. If you find any unusual movements of the two armies, report it immediately."

"Chen Youlong, prepare the central army. If there is an alarm in either place, send troops to rescue immediately."

"I want to see how He Tengjiao plans to make me withdraw from Wugang."

Chen Youlong's generals below heard Liu Chengyin's murderous words and immediately responded.

Dong'an is only a hundred miles away from Quanzhou, Guangxi Province, and is the closest county to Guangxi Province. Occupying Dong'an means blocking the passage to Wugang. The same is true for garrisoning Baoqing, which is also to prevent the Cao and Zhang armies from attacking from the east.
Liu Chengyin saw that the generals had received the order, but his expression was still cold. He took the document on the table in his hand, glanced at it again, and then suddenly sneered.

"Regent, court, hey!"

Liu Chengyin crumpled the document in his hand into a ball and threw it directly to the ground, then he waved his sleeves and turned away.
In the hall, only the astonished people were left, staring at the imperial documents on the ground, and remained silent for a long time.
(End of this chapter)