Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 402 Gentleman
Jiang Shanji, Lu Yuding and other Ningbo gentry left the house and dispersed. However, after Lu Yuding and others left, Hua Xia returned to the house again.
In the lobby, Hua Xia sat in the first seat on the left, and Gao Yutai sat on the right. Apart from these two, no one else was in the lobby.

In the afternoon, the sky was overcast. The weather was unpredictable in the middle of winter. Cold rain would fall at dusk. Although it was daytime, the hall was dark.

The two people in the hall sat in silence. The old man on the left saw Gao Yutai not saying anything, but suddenly raised his head, a fierce look flashed in his eyes, and said

"Mr. Governor, is there a spy among Lu Yuding's men?"

Gao Yutai looked at Hua Xia who was staring at him, and knew that the old man had guessed his intention, so he stopped hiding it and said directly
"Don't worry, Lord Jifu. You are all loyal and virtuous people who have taken risks for justice. What we are doing now is just to prevent trouble before it happens."

The reason why Gao Yutai asked the Ningbo people to send their families here was to take the families of these loyal gentry away and settle them.
But on the other hand, it is also to control the families of these people so that they dare not act rashly.

Although the court had been preparing for this for several months, this action was still too hasty.
Gao Yutai had only been in contact with these Ningbo gentry for a short time. Wang Jiaqin and others from China were all contacted through Zhoushan. Gao Yutai had no idea whether these people could be used.

Before Gao Yutai took action, he suddenly took away several families, which was also a test.

If there is nothing wrong with Lu Yuding and other people from China, that would be the best. If there is something wrong with them, we can take this opportunity to alert them and expose their true colors.

Although the troops sent out to attack Ning this time were not the main imperial guards of the court, the tens of thousands of troops sent out from Siming and Zhoushan were also a significant force.

Although the court allowed the officials of Zhejiang Province to act freely, how could Zhang Jiayu or Gao Yutai dare to entrust the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers to the loyalty of a few Ningbo gentry?
When Gao Yutai and his men were about to leave, they suddenly asked the men to hand over their families. Although this was a way to prevent trouble, it might also discourage the Ningbo gentry.

Hua Xia's face relaxed slightly when he heard what Gao Yutai said. Gao Yutai saw that the old man opposite him was silent, so he took the initiative to speak.

"The court has dispatched tens of thousands of troops this time, which is unusual. I am using my mean mind to take advantage of a gentleman. I hope Lord Jifu..."

Before Gao Yutai finished speaking, Hua Xia on the other side suddenly exhaled, waved his hand to interrupt Gao Yutai's words, and said softly

"You don't need to explain, the court is justified in what it does. Secrecy leads to success, and leaks lead to failure, especially in such a major military event."

Hua Xia said this, and suddenly his voice became low as he remembered something.
"The imperial court has been supporting scholars for three hundred years. Who are the scholars supported by the imperial court? They are the gentry like us."

"But there have been no gentry in the Ming Dynasty for a long time!"

"The gentry we see today only know how to live a life of luxury and clean clothes, and buy a lot of land for the benefit of their descendants. Otherwise, they keep concubines and seek temporary pleasure. If they create an irreconcilable feud with the Ming Dynasty, how can there be gentry in the world?"

"It's a pity that we, the scholars, have to be loyal to Minglun Hall in this enemy country, and we can't forget it."

"Nowadays, the so-called gentry in the countryside, once they are appeased, they throw all their loyalty, righteousness, integrity and shame to the winds. Once they put on the gauze hat, they behave like wolves and dogs, without any sense of humanity."

"Don't say that the court doesn't trust us country gentlemen. Even I can't tell who is loyal and who is treacherous now."

"Over the years, I have been traveling around the country and the sea. How many benevolent people and righteous men have been ruined by these gentry. How can I forget the heart-wrenching pain?"

"The court is meticulous in its actions, and the governor is a capable and talented official. The court is so meticulous in its planning that I am more confident that this great event can be accomplished."

"I am nearly sixty years old. I only wish to see my hometown return to the land of the Ming Dynasty. Apart from this, I have no other wish."

Gao Yutai looked at the sorrow on the old man's face, and a trace of shame flashed through his heart. Gao Yutai was about to explain a few words, but before he could open his mouth, Hua Xia's expression became firm and calm.

The old man looked at Gao Yutai opposite him and said in a deep voice
"May I ask the governor, as long as my family members are sent here, can the court start sending soldiers into the city?"

Gao Yutai saw the clear look in the old man's eyes, but he felt more and more embarrassed. The old man had obviously seen through all his intentions.

Huaxia's prediction was correct. The soldiers and armor that were to be sent into the city had already arrived outside Ningbo.

As long as the Chinese people hand over their families, we can start transporting troops into the city immediately.

Gao Yutai looked hesitant, not knowing how to explain. However, Hua Xia saw the expression on Gao Yutai's face and a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

Hua Xia didn't wait for Gao Yutai to speak, and said directly

"I dare not inquire about the arrangements of the court. I have already learned from my disciple that the day after tomorrow my disciple's relative will be on duty at the city gate. Now is the best time to enter the city." "The people in the city are in turmoil now. Who knows when the city will close and stop the chaos. This matter cannot be delayed."

"I will urge everyone to send their families to the town tomorrow when I return. Please prepare for the transportation of troops as soon as possible, Mr.

Hua Xia finished speaking, and without waiting for Gao Yutai to speak, he stood up, saluted, and walked out the door.
Gao Yutai also stood up and escorted Hua Xia out of the hall.
At the lobby door, Gao Yutai looked at Hua Xia's departing back, his eyes showing a complicated expression.
This old man was obviously very shrewd, but he probably could not have predicted that the court actually had no intention of taking back Ningbo this time.

China's hope of returning Ningbo to Ming territory was just an unattainable fantasy from the beginning. It was impossible to achieve.
This is also what Gao Yutai is most puzzled about. Although Gao Yutai is also a participant in this plan, he also does not know the real purpose of the court's plan.
Although the imperial court had always claimed to Gao Yutai and other participants that it would use the regent Lu to recapture Ningbo, Gao Yutai knew that Fujian and Zhejiang provinces had not gathered troops at all, and that there was no large-scale mobilization of food and money in the two provinces.
As long as the Zhejiang and Fujian armies send troops to cooperate with them, even if they really break through Ningbo this time, they will definitely not be able to defend this city.
This action is not without cost. Ningbo has been occupied for a long time. If we cannot take advantage of this opportunity to conquer Ningbo, it will be even more difficult to find reliable people to act as internal support next time.
Gao Yutai pondered for a long time in secret, but he couldn't understand why the court would go to such great lengths to do something that was doomed to fail.

Gao Yutai also privately advised the governor of Southern Zhili, Zhang Jiayu, to use the Zhejiang and Fujian armies to coordinate with the Zhoushan army.
But as soon as he said this, Zhang Jiayu sternly stopped him. Since then, Gao Yutai did not dare to mention this matter again.
It was the imperial court's decision to capture Ningbo, and it was also the imperial court's decision to give up Ningbo. Gao Yutai had no control over these.

Hua Xia and others thought that he was an imperial minister, but in fact Gao Yutai was just a part of the plan. Now, apart from the imperial court, the only people who can really see the whole picture are probably Zhang Jiayu and a few others.
Under the overall situation of the court, Hua Xia and others can be deceived, and Gao Yutai, the so-called Ningbo prefect, can also be sacrificed when necessary.
The officials who sneaked into Zhejiang Province this time, whether Gao Yutai, Shi Xian or Shi Lang, all took with them official seals of the Lu Regent Court.
In other words, if the court needs it, the Guangdong court can immediately sever its ties with them.
Gao Yutai was standing in the hall, thinking, when Shi Xian came from outside the courtyard. Gao Yutai came back to his senses when he heard Shi Xian's footsteps.

When Shi Xian approached, Gao Yutai's face had regained its composure. Gao Yutai looked at the young man in front of him and said

“Have the personnel been dispatched?”

"We have already sent people to keep an eye on them. These people are just ordinary country gentry. The people we sent are all veterans in the army, so there will be no mistakes."

"As long as any of these people send their families into the city, we will know immediately."

Shi Xian looked casual. Gao Yutai thought for a moment and then spoke again.

"Pay special attention to Wang Jiaqin of China. They are very smart. As soon as I spoke in the hall just now, they immediately understood my intention."

"Especially Hua Xia. He has already seen that our soldiers have sneaked to the vicinity of Ningbo. If there is any change, he is the most likely person."

"Also, be careful of Lu Yuding. Although he was very passionate just now, he might just be putting on a show. We must be on guard."

Upon hearing this, Shi Xian put away the casual expression on his face and nodded slightly.
Gao Yutai saw that Shi Xian had become alert, so he stopped talking and spoke again.

"Although we are monitoring these people, it is only to prevent trouble before it happens. King Hua and others have been in the enemy territory for many years and still want to serve the country. These people should generally be trustworthy."

"According to Huaxia, the time to enter the city is the day after tomorrow. In addition to surveillance, we should also be prepared. Once these people send their families here, we will immediately arrange for soldiers to enter the city."

Gao Yutai arranged the entry into the city and asked again

"Is there any news from Shangyu?"

"The message came on the third day of the Chinese New Year, and no messenger has come since then."

"But since my brother has already captured Shangyu and the soldiers in Ningbo City have been transferred out, the plan is halfway accomplished and there should be no problem."

Gao Yutai heard what Shi Xian said, but sighed softly.

"We still have to hurry. The Siming Mountain Volunteer Army is still a patchwork group. I'm afraid it will be difficult to stop the 4,000 soldiers under Tian Xiong's command."

"The sooner we start, the fewer casualties in Siming Mountain will be reduced."

Gao Yutai and his companions made follow-up arrangements and quickly evacuated the house under the protection of the soldiers. After asking Hua Xia and others to send their families, the house was abandoned.
Soldiers will be left in the house for communication, but Gao Yutai and Shi Xian will never appear in this house again.

Gao Yutai and others really acted like villains and took advantage of others.
On the morning of the second day, Huaxia and other gentry all sent their families to Jiangshanji.
After Gao Yutai sent away Hua Xia and his family, everyone finally began to prepare to transport soldiers into the city.

The Ming army put on the tenant's linen clothes and pretended to be the tenants of Hua Xia and others. The weapons and armor were put into rice bags and loaded into carts, disguised as Hua Xia and others' property, ready to be transported into the city.

On the morning of the third day, Gao Yutai, Shi Xian and other soldiers mixed in with the carriages of Ningbo gentry and followed Huaxia, Wang Jiaqin and others to the city gate.
Panic had spread throughout the city. As the rumors spread, more and more people from outside Ningbo fled into the city.
Hua Xia and his companions' carriages were mixed in with the gentry entering the city, and were not noticeable at all.
The Ningbo city gate was guarded by the Green Camp soldiers in the city at this time, and the guards in front of the gate were checking the gentry and common people entering the city.
These soldiers said they were checking, but it was more like they were taking the opportunity to make money. All the luggage and property brought by the people entering the city were checked in the name of checking.
When it was Hua Xia's turn to enter the city, several carriages did not come forward.
Hua Xia and a middle-aged man who looked like a Confucian scholar walked to the city gate. The Confucian scholar chatted with a man who looked like a general at the gate. Soon, the carriages of several families were allowed to pass and entered the city smoothly.
The soldiers who were checking the luggage of the people on the side turned a blind eye to Hua Xia and others' carriage. No one came forward to question them and they just let them go.
Gao Yutai and his team successfully entered the city in the morning. By the afternoon, Zhang Jiayu and his team on Zhoushan Island had received the news.

At dawn on the eleventh day of the first lunar month, when the people of Zhejiang Province were still enjoying the leisure of the New Year and the people outside Ningbo were anxiously waiting to enter the city, the Zhoushan Navy, which had been waiting for many days, finally set sail and quietly sailed towards Ningbo under the dim night.
(End of this chapter)