Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 343 Rebellion

Guangzhou Imperial Palace, Baohe Hall, Zhu Lang looked at the secret letter in his hand and snorted coldly

The plan of the Huizhou gentry could not actually cause any substantial harm to the Ming court. Even if the Qing army unexpectedly seized Dingnan, Heping and other Huizhou border counties, they were unable to hold on to them.
The main route from Jiangxi to Guangdong has been blocked by the Ming army. Now all the imperial guards have returned to the capital. There are no less than 50,000 Ming troops in Guangzhou alone.
As long as the news from Dingnan City came, it would only take five or six days for the imperial guards from Guangzhou City to rush to Huizhou and wipe out the Qing army squad that had intruded into Guangdong Province.
Although it was difficult for the Qing army to break through the Guangdong defense line, even if they could not capture Huibei, this would be of great benefit to the Qing army in Jiangxi.

Since the battle in Fujian Province, the Qing army has suffered almost continuous defeats in the past two years. If the Qing army in Gan Province can really break into Huizhou Prefecture this time, the Qing army in Gan Province will not only be able to plunder several counties, but Zhang Yutian will also be able to report a great victory to Dorgon and others.

Although the actions of the Huizhou gentry were unlikely to shake the overall situation, they were extremely bad.

If the Qing army conquered several counties in Huibei, Zhu Lang's prestige, which he had built up through his successive victories over the past two years, would inevitably be damaged, and the ministers in the court would certainly use this as an excuse to block the implementation of the new system.

What was even better for Yao Jing and the others was that they didn't have to take any risks. The Qing army would pass by and even if there were any traces, they would definitely be cleaned up.

Zhu Lang looked at the secret letter in his hand, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed the murderous intent in his heart and frowned in deep thought.

The reason why Yao Jing and others' plan was successful was that it was unexpected. No one would have thought that after the imperial army returned to the capital, someone would dare to secretly collude with the Qing army to invade.

Now that the secret letter has been intercepted, this matter is no longer a threat. The simplest solution is for Zhu Lang to send a detachment of imperial guards to Dingnan City to take over the city defense, and this so-called surprise attack will be completely ineffective.
But Zhu Lang was not prepared to do so at this time. The court was now deadlocked over the implementation of the new system in the two governments.
These people in Huizhou are seeking their own death and have handed the handle to himself, but Zhu Lang can use this to promote the new system of the two governments!
Zhu Lang put down the letter in his hand, looked at Li Chengzhi on the side, and said

"Send a message to Deng Yao in Nanxiong, asking him to transfer 2,000 men from Nanxiong to Longnan City in the name of changing defense."

"Send another scout to monitor the Dingnan direction, and tell Deng Yao to be more covert so as not to alert the enemy."

Longnan is located between Xinfeng and Dingnan City. As long as Longnan is not lost, even if Dingnan City is captured by the Qing army, it will not be able to receive reinforcements from the main force of the Qing army in the direction of Xinfeng.
As long as the Qing troops on both sides cannot communicate, the lone army that advances recklessly will not be able to achieve anything.

Zhu Lang glanced at the secret letter on the table, handed it to Li Chengzhi, and said

"Find out the background of this Yao Jing and find out how this person is related to Zhang Yutian from Gan Province."

"Yes, I will do it right away."

Li Chengzhi bowed and saluted, then hurried away with the secret letter.
After Zhu Lang finished his instructions, he looked at Li Yongmao who was sitting silently below and said

"How did Li Qing get this secret letter?"

"I was once the governor of Jiangxi Province. After the Qing invaders occupied Jiangxi Province, they oppressed and bullied the people of Jiangxi Province at will. The people of Jiangxi Province could not bear the suffering. Since I ended the administration last year, I have been secretly communicating with the people of Jiangxi Province."

Zhu Lang was surprised when he heard Li Yongmao introduce the situation of Gan Province. He did not expect that Li Yongmao would start to manage Gan Province in advance after leaving the court.

After listening to the situation in Gan Province, Zhu Lang thought for a moment and then asked:

"According to what Li Qing said, there is a disagreement between the governor and governor-general in Gan Province. Has Li Qing ever asked anyone to test Jin Shenghuan?"

"We have sent people to test him, but Jin Shenghuan refused to express his views. He also did not expose the gentry who tried to persuade them to surrender, and he was quite protective of the old officials in Gan Province."

"In my opinion, this person is probably still a double-faced person, leaving a way out."

Zhu Lang nodded slightly when he heard this. Judging from this person's deeds in his previous life, he did not seem like a loyal minister of the Qing court.
Zhu Lang thought for a moment and then said

"In that case, Li Qing might as well continue to keep in touch with Jin Shenghuan. He did a good job this time."

"You can tell him in private under your name if he needs anything, whether it's money or food, the court can help him out."

Since Jin Shenghuan secretly maintained contact with the Ming court, it proved that his position was not firm.

Zhu Lang was not prepared to surrender Jin Shenghuan directly, and the court was not ready to send troops into Gan Province at this time.
If he were to negotiate with Jin Shenghuan out of thin air, Jin Shenghuan would certainly ask for too much. Zhu Lang did not intend to offer Jin Shenghuan too high a price.
Moreover, Zhu Lang wanted to promote the new system at this time, and he did not want to start another war with the Qing court in the short term. If Jin Shenghuan suddenly surrendered to the Ming at this time, the Qing court would be unable to avoid fighting.
Jin Shenghuan is unwilling to make a statement now, but he is just waiting for the right price. As long as the imperial court can continue to suppress the Qing court in the south, once the situation changes, this person will probably turn to this side.
There is another advantage to placing Jin Shenghuan in Gan Province. Zhu Lang is promoting the new system in Guangdong Province at this time, and there will definitely be people who want to use the enemy to resist in the future.
At this time, the closest Qing army to Guangdong Province was only in Gan Province. Keeping Jin Shenghuan would allow Zhu Lang to catch all the traitors in Guangdong Province.

When Zhu Lang thought of this, he gave up the idea of ​​immediately recruiting Jin Shenghuan. Zhu Lang looked at Li Yongmao below and said

"What does Li Qing think of the seven-bucket grain system?"

Li Yongmao's expression became serious after hearing this, but he did not reply immediately. He was silent for a moment before he replied:

"Your Highness sympathizes with the suffering of the people and wants to use the seven-bu grain system to unify the taxation and labor service so that the people will be less harassed by the clerks. This system will benefit all the people."

"But there is one thing that we must also check. Scholars all over the world have studied hard for ten years before they can achieve fame. If the court treats scholars and civilians as one and does not give scholars any preferential treatment at this time, it may make scholars feel disheartened."

"Even if Your Highness wants to implement the seven-bull grain system, you should also give preferential treatment to the gentry and officials throughout the country. This will also convince the scholars throughout the country."

Although Li Yongmao was speaking cryptically at this time, he was actually still trying to dissuade the gentry. However, this was normal. Li Yongmao was also a member of the gentry. How could he possibly agree to the seven-bull grain system that harmed the interests of the gentry?
Zhu Lang naturally knew that after the implementation of the new system, he should give preferential treatment to the gentry, but Zhu Lang was not prepared to give these preferential treatments at the beginning.
At this time, it was just a trial in the two governments. If they gave in at the beginning, they would have to make even bigger concessions when it was officially implemented. This was something Zhu Lang did not want to see.
But in the past few days, the court officials have been making suggestions, and the opposition officials and gentry in various parts of Guangdong Province have also submitted memorials through various channels. After a while, I am afraid that even the governors from other provinces will submit memorials to make suggestions.
Zhu Lang was actually considering whether to take out the preferential treatment he had prepared in advance to appease the officials in the court.
But this is not necessary now. The people in Huizhou are so bold that they dare to collude with the Qing army in private. This is equivalent to handing the handle of the knife to their own hands.

With this evidence in hand, Zhu Lang could easily bring up a major case and implicate all the gentry in the two prefectures, not to mention stripping them of their privileges and exemptions.
This is actually the difference between breaking down walls and opening windows. When the two governments tried it, they did not give in and strongly suppressed the ministers.

In this way, if we make some concessions when the policy is officially implemented, the court will feel that they have received some compensation and will be more likely to accept it.

When Zhu Lang thought of this, a smile flashed across his face. He looked at Li Yongmao below and said

"Since Mr. Li does not agree with the new system, you should know that after I get this information, I can deal with the two governments in a logical way. So, Mr. Li, do you regret it now?"

"Why should I regret it? The implementation of the new system is just a matter of pros and cons, while the Huizhou gentry's collusion with the Qing court is a matter of right and wrong. How can the two be confused?"

"As a minister of the court, how can I disregard the righteousness of the court for my own personal opinion?"

Zhu Lang looked at Li Yongmao who looked serious below and laughed softly.

"Mr. Li is indeed a famous minister in the world, and his loyalty and integrity are indeed admirable."

Li Yongmao was suddenly excited when he heard what His Royal Highness the Regent said. He knew that there was no obstacle to his return to the court.

After the implementation of the new system of the court, Li Yongmao's interests would certainly be damaged, but if this little benefit could allow him to return to the court and join the cabinet, then Li Yongmao would never hesitate. Paying more grain and returning to the court to assist in the administration, everyone knows which choice to make.

On the third day after Li Yongmao entered the palace, all the ministers in the court were summoned again. This time it was not a grand court meeting, but a meeting of the Military Affairs Council.

When Qu Shisi and others entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, they discovered that in addition to His Royal Highness the Regent, there was also a familiar figure who had not been seen for a long time. Li Yongmao, wearing a bright red official robe with a crane pattern, was already sitting in the hall.
Although Li Yongmao had left the court and had no real position in the court, he was still a first-rank prince's guardian and could wear official robes.
At this time, His Royal Highness the Regent was already in the hall. Qu Shisi, Lu Daqi and others did not ask any more questions. They just nodded slightly to Li Yongmao and sat down in the hall. When Jiao Lian, Li Dingguo and other military officials also entered the hall, the meeting of the Military Affairs Office officially began.

Zhu Lang glanced at the civil and military officials below and spoke directly

"Li Chengzhi, give the information to you all."

Li Chengzhi nodded, took the secret letter off the table and handed it to Qu Shisi on his left.

Qu Shisi glanced at the contents of the paper, and his expression changed immediately. He suddenly raised his head and looked upwards. Zhu Lang waved his hand and said

"Let's talk after watching it"

The letter was passed around the room. After the ministers read the contents of the letter, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became solemn.

The imperial court had just returned from victory, and those bastards in Huizhou actually wanted to invite the Qing invaders to invade Guangdong Province. This was no longer obstructing the new system, but damaging the imperial court and the interests of everyone in the field. These people in the field were truly in the same boat with the imperial court. The stronger the Ming Dynasty was, the more powerful they were. If the imperial court was in turmoil, they would not be much better off.
He Wuzuo looked at Jiao Lian and other military officials who were full of murderous intent, and his heart sank. He Wuzuo spoke first before Jiao Lian and others could speak.

"May I ask, Your Highness, where did you get this secret letter?"

"This intelligence was obtained by Li Qing"

He Wuzhuo heard this and immediately looked at Li Yongmao beside him. Li Yongmao also nodded in agreement.

"This letter was received by my spy in Gan Province. This secret letter was delivered to Gan Province at that time. There is no way it could be wrong."

He Wuzuo obviously immediately realized the impact this secret letter would have.

He Wuzuo was about to question, but at this time, His Royal Highness the Regent spoke again.

"This Yao Jing is just an ordinary scholar from Huizhou, but he has a brother named Yao Gong."

"This Yao Gong was a military supervisor under Hong Chengchou during the Chongzhen reign. After Songshan, he surrendered to the Tartars together with Hong Chengchou."

"In the past two days, the Jinyifu has learned about this man's situation from the officials who fled from the south. He is now the deputy envoy of the Shandong Provincial Censorate appointed by the Qing invaders."

He Wuzuo opened his mouth slightly, and finally fell silent. Yao Jing's secret letter was intercepted in Gan Province, and Yao Gong was found to be serving under the Qing army at this time. This matter was almost certain.
Zhu Lang glanced at the ministers below, his face suddenly turned cold, and he continued
"The Deputy Censor, a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, colluded with both the inside and the outside to lead the troops into the invasion. How many people in the court are like Yao Jing who uses the enemy to gain respect?"

"It seems that I am too lenient. I think the court needs to kill some of them."

When He Wuzuo heard this, he suddenly felt a little panic in his heart. If it was just Yao Jing who committed treason, it would be fine, but now Yao Gong actually served the Qing army.
There are a few people in the court who don't have a few old friends or relatives in the Qing court. If His Highness wants to use this as an excuse to start a big case, the consequences will be disastrous.
Qu Shisi, Lu Daqi and others in the field obviously thought of this, and their faces changed slightly, but before they could say anything, His Highness the Regent above had already spoken.

"The Huizhou rebels colluded with the Qing invaders and seized the city to surrender it to the thieves. It was definitely not something Yao Jing could do alone."

"Wu Zhigao, Li Tingzhu and other Chaohui officials previously blocked the new system of the imperial court. This shows that a group of rebels have been lurking in the imperial court, trying to overthrow our Ming Dynasty. These traitors all deserve to die."

Qu Shisi and the others looked at His Highness the Regent with a cold expression, and secretly cried out in their hearts that it was not good. If His Highness really chopped down with this knife, and the court was arguing, I am afraid that everyone present would be implicated.
Qu Shisi stood up immediately and said in a deep voice
"Your Highness, this matter is just a few rebellious officials in Huizhou who are crazy and have nothing to do with the court."

"Since Your Highness came to power, all the officials in the court have followed Your Highness through hardships. How could there be a rebel lurking? You must not start a large-scale prison in the court at this time."

Zhu Lang looked at Qu Shisi who was looking serious below him, but he did not respond. Instead, he talked about another matter.

"It is certain that the gentry of Chaozhou and Huizhou Prefectures colluded with the rebels. First, they opened the city and surrendered to the enemy. Now they are secretly communicating with the Qing enemy and plotting rebellion. This is truly a heinous crime."

"I want to take away the privileges of the gentry in the two governments. Do you have any objections?"

Qu Shisi's face was originally solemn, and he was also stunned when he heard what His Highness the Regent said, but then he immediately realized that His Highness's intention at this time might still be to
Qu Shisi knew that His Royal Highness the Regent had no intention of starting a large-scale prison in the court, and he felt relieved. Qu Shisi glanced at He Wuzuo and others below, and suddenly retreated back to the train.

The ministers in the room also reacted at this time, but He Wuzuo and others had gloomy expressions on their faces and still refused to speak.

There was silence for a while, but Zhu Lang suddenly spoke again.

"This time, the matter of joining the rebellion is limited to the two prefectures. The gentry outside the two prefectures will not be questioned at all."

"Within two years, the new system will only be implemented within the two governments, and everything outside the two governments will remain the same."

"The court will observe the effectiveness of the new system for two years. After two years, the court will discuss and decide whether to implement the new system. Do you have any opinions?"

He Wuzuo wanted to object when he heard this, but looking at the calm Regent above him, he hesitated for a long time and finally fell silent.

He knew that this was the condition that His Royal Highness the Regent had given to the court. If the court agreed to implement the new system, then this conspiracy would be limited to Chaozhou and Huizhou.

If they don't agree, then there will be a rebel party in the court, and His Royal Highness the Regent will also start a big prison. Once the big prison starts, only His Royal Highness will know who the rebel party is.
Qu Shisi looked at the silent He Wuzuo and others, sighed in his heart, and suddenly stepped out of the line.
"The gentry of the two prefectures have repeatedly joined the rebellion and should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others. I second the motion."

After Qu Shisi stepped out, Lu Daqi hesitated for a moment and also stepped out to agree.
He Wuzuo saw that the second assistant successively seconded the proposal, and his expression changed. However, he could no longer object at this time. After Chen Zizhuang accepted the order, He Wuzuo had no choice but to come out and accept the order.
Zhu Lang saw that everyone in the cabinet finally bowed their heads, and a hint of satisfaction flashed across his face.

Zhu Lang also knew that except for Qu Shisi, the rest of the cabinet were probably afraid of being implicated in treason, so they had to compromise temporarily.

In order to prevent further trouble after the court was dismissed, Zhu Lang was ready to make a decision right away. He looked at the military officials on the right and said:

"The gentry of Huizhou have rebelled. The two governments are now unsure of their whereabouts. We need a large army to suppress them now."

"Marquis Dongning, Marquis Xingguo, are you willing to lead the army to garrison the two prefectures?"

Li Dingguo and Li Guo looked at each other with a slightly hesitant look. If they were asked to kill the Tartars, Li Dingguo and Li Guo would certainly not hesitate, but it was different when they went out to the two prefectures.

Everyone could see clearly the situation at this time. The gentry of Huizhou were plotting rebellion. They would certainly kill a lot of people when they went to the two prefectures, and they would almost certainly kill all the gentry.

Both of their imperial guards were originally bandits, and the officials in the court were already prejudiced against them. If they were to slaughter the gentry in the two prefectures at this time, their situation in the court would probably become even worse in the future.

But now they had no choice. This was not a decisive battle. It was almost not difficult to suppress the two governments. His Highness the Regent had already spoken. If they refused at this time, the consequences would be even more serious.

Li Dingguo and the other man gritted their teeth and were about to speak in response, but at this moment Jiao Lian above them suddenly spoke

"The division of land was ultimately initiated by our Longxiong Army. Otherwise, let the Longxiong Army do it this time."

"The armies of the Marquis of Dongning and the Marquis of Xingguo have just entered the court. If they go, I'm afraid someone with ulterior motives will use their origins from the two camps to stir up people's hearts."

Zhu Lang was a little dissatisfied when he saw Li Dingguo and the other two hesitated, but when he heard what Jiao Lian said, he immediately understood.

Zhu Lang thought for a moment and then spoke directly.

"Duke Xuan's words make sense. It would be inappropriate to let the two battalions go alone at this time. Although the granting of land started with the Longxiang Army, this granting of land is a matter for all the Imperial Guards."

"This time, the Loyalty Camp and the Righteous Camp will be sent to guard the two prefectures, but the remaining three imperial guards will also send people to go with them."

"Longxiang and Tengxiang will each send a thousand soldiers to the two prefectures and send a message to Li Mingzhong in Fujian Province, asking Wuxiang Army to send a thousand soldiers to Chaozhou as well."

"I obey my orders"

When Li Dingguo and the others heard this, they stood up and responded without hesitation.

The ministers below looked at His Highness the Regent, who had a calm expression, but their expressions changed slightly.

The five imperial guards of the court all went to Chaohui. Once the five imperial guards were stained with the blood of the gentry of the two prefectures in Chaohui, all the imperial guards of the court would have to stand on the side of the new system.
Although He Wuzhuo and others all understood His Majesty the Regent's intention, they could not object at this time. The military power has always been in the hands of His Majesty the Regent.
Now that they have decided to attack the two governments, how to dispatch soldiers is no longer something they can interfere with.
Zhu Lang ignored the reactions of the crowd below, thought for a moment, and then continued speaking.

"Don't disclose this matter to the court first. Wait until the imperial guards have captured all the traitors and then announce it. Do you understand?"

Qu Shisi and the others were startled and responded in unison.
After the court meeting was over, the troops of the Loyalty and Righteousness camps also began to mobilize. When the two camps began to set out, a thousand elite imperial guards had quietly boarded the Shanghai ship and rushed towards Huizhou.
(End of this chapter)