Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 401: Uprising
In the south city of Ningbo, an old man in a long robe squeezed out of the doorway and walked out of the city gate.

The old man was about fifty years old, wearing a dark Taoist robe, with a square face, gray hair and beard, and dressed like a scholar.

However, this old man who looked like a Confucian scholar had a pigtail hanging down his head, which looked a bit strange.
The old man's name is Hua Xia, from Yin County, Ningbo. He is indeed a Confucian scholar. He not only has the title of student, but also was the most rare student among the students.

But his fame came from the Ming Dynasty, and is of little use in Ningbo today.

Ningbo is near the sea. It is the dead of winter. The cold wind whistles past the city gate and is bone-chilling. But after squeezing out of the city gate, Huaxia is already out of breath.

Hua Xia was resting by the city wall, but outside the city gate there was already chaos.

The first day of the lunar year has just passed, and the fifteenth day of the lunar year has not yet arrived. According to the weather in previous years, at this time, all the people should still be staying at home, enjoying the rare leisure time of the year.
But at this time, the outside of Ningbo's South Gate was already crowded with people and carriages. Countless people were crowding in front of the city gate carrying packages and valuables, with panicked expressions on their faces.

The sounds of young and strong people pushing and clamoring, the crying of children and women, the neighing of cows, donkeys, horses and mules, all gathered together, making the area in front of the city gate even more noisy and chaotic.
On the road to the city gate, a cart fell to the ground, the rice in the cloth bag was scattered all over the ground, and the cotton and silk on the cart also fell to the ground, stained with gray dust.
A middle-aged man who looked like a manager walked up to the car with an angry look on his face. He smashed the tenant next to the car with a wooden stick in his hand.

The tenants saw the manager coming and looked terrified, but they did not dare to hide. They just shrank and stood there, waiting for the sticks to hit them.
But the manager didn't want to pursue the matter any further. He just hit him with a stick and started to curse.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and pack your things."

"If the master hadn't been so kind as to allow you to follow him into the city, you would all have been beheaded by those bandits when they came!"

When the tenant farmer beside the cart heard the words "Da Lan thief", a trace of fear flashed across his face. He squatted on the ground and picked up the rice on the ground.
The tenants on the carts ahead also came to help amid the manager's scolding.
The overturned cart was lifted up by several tenants, and the convoy soon merged into the traffic on the post road again and rushed towards the city.
A few days after the New Year, rumors suddenly spread inside and outside Ningbo City, saying that the bandits in Siming Mountain had run out of food in winter and came out to rob.

It was said that these Siming bandits had already conquered several counties, and some even claimed that they had already conquered Shaoxing and Hangzhou, and were now sending troops to attack Ningbo.
The people in Ningbo were skeptical at first, but as the army left the city yesterday, everyone began to panic.

The Ningbo government issued an urgent notice, stating that the soldiers were leaving the city just for normal rotation and that the villagers should stay put.
The people of Ningbo were still watching at first, but when a dozen people who had fled from Shangyu suddenly appeared in the city, the news could no longer be concealed.

In order to appease the people, the Ningbo government had to issue another decree, claiming that the Siming rebels had only managed to capture Shangyu by chance and that they had already gone to Shaoxing, so the people did not need to panic. However, the people in Ningbo did not believe it at all.
As more and more sensational rumors began to spread in the city, all the villagers near Ningbo began to rush into the city.
Zhejiang Province has been plagued by wars over the years, and the people of Ningbo have a lot of experience in how to deal with them.

They may not have heard the saying, "Avoid the city when there is a small turmoil, and avoid the countryside when there is a big turmoil." But they understand the meaning of this saying. Those who do not understand it would be difficult for them to survive until now.

This sentence may seem simple, but it is the experience that ordinary people have just summed up after paying a very painful price.
In a small rebellion, the rebel army is not strong. Such a rebellion army basically has no ability to break through the city. It can only plunder the countryside to replenish its food. Therefore, the small rebellion must hide in the city.
If there is a great turmoil, one must flee to the countryside and never stay in the city.
During the chaos, the enemy army was very powerful and would definitely attack the city to plunder. Once they escaped into the city, the enemy would be surrounded by the enemy outside, and the people inside would not be able to escape.

In the eyes of Ningbo people, the Siming Mountain bandits coming out of the mountains to rob was obviously a minor disturbance, so they naturally had to flee into the city as soon as possible.
The old man at the city gate looked at the chaotic city gate, but suddenly a fierce look flashed in his eyes, and he stood up and left.
The old man walked forward against the flow of people, and at the end of the road, there were still countless people's carriages pouring towards the city gate.
Jiangshanji, south of Ningbo
Ningbo is a major port. When it was at its peak, it was even as famous as Haicheng Yuegang in Fujian Province. In the past, when China and Japan still had exchanges, the tribute ships from Japan landed in Ningbo and then went to Beijing.
As a major port in Zhejiang Province, Ningbo is also a prosperous commercial port. Merchants from all over the country come here for profit. Although the city of Ningbo is not small, it is still unable to accommodate the merchants coming and going from all sides.
As the city could not accommodate the population, it naturally overflowed to the outside of the city. There are now many market towns outside Ningbo, and Jiangshan Market is one of them.

Hua Xia walked into the market town, which was in chaos. A group of people were rushing towards the city with their bags on their backs, the elderly and children in tow.
The streets of the market town were in a mess, but Hua Xia didn't care about the panicked people in the town.
The old man passed through the chaotic crowd and soon arrived at a house on the edge of the town.
Hua Xia knocked on the door of the house, but there was no response from inside. After a while, the door suddenly opened, Hua Xia walked in, and the dark door was immediately closed tightly.
At this time, several young men in black cotton clothes were standing on both sides of the door. They were all tall and strong, and they were obviously not ordinary villagers.

Hua Xia looked at the black-clad guards with swords and sabers at the door, but his face was not surprised but happy.
But before Hua Xia could ask more questions, Wang Jiaqin hurried out of the inner courtyard and said

"Mr. Gao has arrived at the mansion this morning and has been waiting for news from Brother Ji Fu. A big event is imminent. Ji Fu, please follow me into the hall."

Hua Xia was delighted when he heard what Wang Jiaqin said. He didn't care about the soldiers at the door and followed Wang Jiaqin to the back hall.
In the back hall, the two parties sat down. Hua Xia sat in the first seat on the left, followed by Wang Jiaqin, Lu Yuding, Zhang Mengxi and several other Ningbo gentry.

Hua Xia and Wang Jiaqin both had gray hair and beards, and were obviously quite old, while Lu Yuding and the others were younger, only about thirty years old.
However, all of these people, young and old, had their hair shaved off, leaving only a pigtail at the back of their heads.
There were only two people sitting on the right side. The leader was a man in his thirties wearing a green Taoist robe. His name was Gao Yutai. He was the newly appointed Ningbo Governor of the Ming Dynasty.

Behind Gao Yutai sat a tall young man. Although he was in the hall, he still had a goose-feather knife on his waist. This man was Shi Xian, the younger brother of Shi Lang.

Both Gao Yutai and Shi Xian were wearing crowns at this time, but the Chinese people looked at their attire without any surprise.
As soon as Hua Xia sat down in the hall, Gao Yutai immediately looked across and said

"Lord Ji Fu, is the journey going smoothly? How many soldiers are there in the city now?"

"Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission. This time, I have found out the strength of the Qing invaders in the city."

"I have a disciple in the city, and his relative is the current commander of the Green Camp in the city. According to my disciple, this time it was Tian Xiong who personally led the army to the battle. Most of the soldiers in the city were transferred away, and there were only more than a thousand soldiers left to defend the city."

Gao Yutai's expression did not show any sign of relaxation. After Hua Xia finished speaking, he immediately spoke

"Is the news accurate? Has Lord Ji Fu revealed his identity?"

"Don't worry, Governor. I dare not disclose important court affairs lightly. My disciple does not know my identity. I only came to inquire about the situation of the thieves in Shangyu."

"Now the people in the city are in a panic, and everyone is investigating the situation in Shangyu and the city. My disciple just thought that I wanted to hide in the city and didn't suspect anything."

Gao Yutai heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. He looked at Shi Xian who was standing beside him. Shi Xian thought for a moment and said:

"According to the intelligence obtained by the court, the number of soldiers and horses of Ningbo Green Camp led by Tian Xiong is no more than 5,000."

"When the Qing army left the city yesterday, I also secretly observed that the number of soldiers leaving Ningbo should be about 3,000 to 4,000, and the number of soldiers defending the city should be correct." Ningbo is surrounded by Qing troops on all sides. The core of the Ming court's military deployment this time is just one word: fast.
Normally, a siege of ten days or half a month would be normal, but this time the Ming army had no time to attack the city for a long time, let alone half a month. The Ming army did not even have five days.

When the Ming army arrived, they had to break the city, and once they broke the city, they had to leave immediately. It was for this reason that the Ming court had to feint an attack in Shangyu to transfer the soldiers in the city away.
Gao Yutai nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then spoke again

"What's the situation in the city now?"

Hua Xia thought of the people pouring into the city gate, and a smile appeared on his face. He said

"The news that the Siming Mountain righteous army will attack Ningbo has spread throughout the city. Now the people in the city are rushing to the city to avoid the chaos. Our great cause can be accomplished."

The Simingshan righteous army had just broken through Shangyu on the second day of the Chinese New Year. The government had deliberately blocked the news. Why did the news of Shangyu's fall spread throughout Ningbo in just a few days? It was naturally because someone was pushing it behind the scenes.
Chinese gentry like Wang Jiaqin have extensive local connections, so it is easy for them to spread a message secretly.
Hua Xia briefly explained the situation in the city and along the way, and his face brightened up and he said

"There are many gentry outside Ningbo City. Now the people inside and outside the city are in turmoil. The Qing government will definitely not dare to offend the public anger at this time and will close the city and defend itself."

"Sir, now is the best time to enter the city. When the imperial army arrives, we are ready to assist the imperial court in transporting troops into the city."

"Ningbo has been trapped in the enemy territory for several years. This time we will definitely make our hometown return to Ming land!"

Gao Yutai and Hua Xia and others spread the news in advance to cause panic in the city. Their purpose was to disrupt the situation in the city and take the opportunity to transport troops into the city.
Although Ningbo is located in the rear, it is still on the front line and is heavily guarded on weekdays.

If it was just to transport some soldiers into the city, it wouldn't be that difficult. Ningbo is a major port with many people coming and going on weekdays. As long as you disguise yourself as a merchant or a commoner, you will always have a chance to sneak into the city. The real difficulty is transporting military supplies such as armor and swords into the city.

Armor can strengthen a person's courage. The difference between a soldier with armor and a soldier without armor is simply beyond reason.

A person wearing armor can be brave even if he was just a commoner. But if he is not wearing armor, even if he is a brave soldier in the army, he will not be able to show his courage.

Wang Jiaqin and others in Huaxia spread rumors to cause panic, forcing the gentry and nobles outside the city to flee into the city.
These gentry have large families and businesses. Even if they take refuge in the city, they cannot go in alone. Even if they cannot move all their property into the city, they must bring their gold and silver. This is their opportunity to fish in troubled waters.
Gao Yutai looked at the excited Wang Jiaqin, Lu Yuding and other gentry opposite him, but his eyes flickered slightly, and he said

"Ningbo is located in the rear, and it is inconvenient for the court to transfer soldiers. It will take some time to transport armor and soldiers. This matter cannot be rushed. Please be patient."

"Even though you are in the enemy territory, you still rush to work for the court regardless of your own safety. This is really admirable."

"Although the court has made every possible preparation for this uprising, war is dangerous and success or failure will come in a matter of seconds. If anything goes wrong, the Qing invaders will retaliate and you will be in danger immediately."

"I have already petitioned the court. There is still time. You can send your families here. The court will send people to escort your families back to the court. This way, your families can be out of danger."

As Gao Yutai finished speaking, the excitement on the faces of the Ningbo gentry opposite him suddenly froze.

The faces of the two old men from China, Wang Jiaqin, changed slightly, but Lu Yuding and several other young gentlemen were still unaware of the situation.
Seeing that Hua Xia and the other two were silent, Lu Yuding could not help but speak out loudly.

"We have many old friends and relatives in the city. If all our family members were to disappear, they might be discovered by the Qing invaders in the city."

"A man should die if he wants to. The court is about to make a big move. How can we ruin the overall situation for the sake of our family's selfishness?"

"Your Excellency, do not worry about us. Since we have decided to start a rebellion, we have already made up our minds to pursue justice."

After Lu Yuding finished speaking, several other young and strong gentlemen also spoke up to express their opinions. However, Gao Yutai looked at Lu Yuding, who was excited, but there was no joy in his eyes. Instead, he immediately became alert and secretly examined this person.
Gao Yutai's face showed no strange expression, his expression was natural, and he spoke again

"Brother Lu is selfless and selfless, which is truly admirable. However, although the wise men have a righteous heart, it is not the right way for the court to turn a blind eye to it."

"All the wise men sacrificed their lives for the country, but if the court cannot protect their families, wouldn't this make the loyal and righteous people in the world feel disheartened?"

"The court has already made all the arrangements for this matter. The court will certainly protect the safety of your families."

Lu Yuding looked at Gao Yutai with a serious expression, and his heart was moved. The court was so kind, how could a minister not sacrifice his life to repay it?
Lu Yuding didn't want to add any more variables to his family's affairs, and was about to refuse, but Hua Xia, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke.

"We have not done anything, but we have received the imperial court's grace. We can only repay them with our lives to help the court achieve great things."

"I will bring my family here later. I will trouble you, Mr. Gao, to take care of this matter."

After Hua Xia spoke, Wang Jiaqin also spoke in agreement. Among the Ningbo people, Hua Xia and Wang Jiaqin were the most famous in the village and the oldest. They were the backbone of several gentry.
Seeing that the two spoke at the same time, Lu Yuding and others no longer insisted and stood up to thank them.

Gao Yutai was relieved to see that they had given in. After they agreed to send their families away, the atmosphere in the room suddenly relaxed.

Gao Yutai discussed the issue of transporting troops into the city with a group of Ningbo gentry, and then they left to prepare. After they left, Hua Xia suddenly returned and went back to the palace.
(End of this chapter)