Prince Chongzhen

Chapter 272: It's like when it rains it pours

January 1

Hangzhou
Due to the preparations for the war in Jiangxi, Yue Qijie and others did not return to Yingtian to attend the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor.

There is no way around this.

Although Your Majesty won a great victory in Ganzhou earlier, the Tartars in Jiangxi are divided into two routes, east and west. The battle of Ganzhou only temporarily eliminated the combat effectiveness of the western route by beheading their commander, but it had no major impact on the eastern route.

Under such circumstances, it becomes extremely necessary to exert pressure on the Tatars in eastern Jiangxi from the direction of Zhejiang.

Therefore, even though the logistical supplies had not yet been raised, Chang Guanlin still led a group of troops to station in Quzhou first.

Don't underestimate this action.

At this time, the situation south of the Yangtze River was already clear. Both the Ming and Qing sides were well aware that the next major battle would take place in Jiangxi. However, the balance of power between the two sides was no longer the same as in June and July last year. The Qing army could only try to defend this sharp blade that had penetrated into the hinterland of Jiangxi.

But it is easier said than done.

The Qing army that invaded Jiangxi not only cut off the Ming Dynasty's east-west communication, but also was in a situation where they were attacked from all sides.
If the western force could capture Ganzhou according to the original plan and then cut off the connection between Jiangxi and Huguang, they would be able to hold out for a while with just one province.

But as luck would have it, Wang Tizhong of the Western Route was greedy for merit and acted rashly, which allowed Hu Yiqing to take the credit for capturing the enemy general's head among thousands of troops. After the Western Route fell into a situation of reintegration, the Qing army in Jiangxi was left with little room.

Under such circumstances, if Chang Guanlin advanced to Quzhou, he would be able to tie down the Qing army in the east of Jiangxi to the line of Fuzhou and Shangrao, thus preventing them from taking risks and attacking Ganzhou again.

I have to say that this move was very stable, so stable that it might result in the loss of the opportunity to conquer Jiangxi in one battle. But after all, the person who is now presiding over the war in Hangzhou is Yue Qijie.

He is a cautious person by nature, and he doesn't know much about the situation in Wanyuanji, so it is reasonable for him to decide to build a strong camp and fight a stupid battle.

"Master, it's already so late, why are you still nowhere to be seen?"

Zhu Guobi looked into the distance along the Qiantang River for a long time, but among the boats coming and going, none of them looked like the one he was waiting for. After an incense stick of time had passed, he finally complained to Yue Qijie beside him.

"Just call me Zhuo Fan, Duke. I don't deserve the title of Governor."

"You call me Duke of our country, and I call you Governor. This is like we owe each other nothing. You should stop being so modest."

Complaints aside, Zhu Guobi and Yue Qijie got along pretty well. After hearing his humble words, he retorted, finally expressing his attitude towards the difference in status between the two.

On the surface, Zhu Guobi is a super-rank duke, while Yue Qijie is only a small second-rank official. Although the two's identities are not worlds apart, they are enough to create a certain gap.

But Zhu Guobi was not one of those nobles who just lived a life of idleness and waiting for death in Yingtian. He knew very well that in this festival, all titles and rank were empty, and only having enough power in one's hands was real.

Take the two of them for example. It seems that His Majesty has settled the Duke of Baoguo in Hangzhou to govern Zhejiang and Jiangxi. However, he has no soldiers and no territory, so he can only be regarded as a high-level spy. Yue Qijie not only shoulders the burden of the war in Jiangxi, but also has to cooperate with half of Zhejiang.

If we look at it from this perspective, he not only has to call Yue Qijie "Governor", but also perform a grand ceremony to suit the difference in power and responsibilities between the two.

Under such circumstances, even if the usually steady Yue Qijie would be humble, how could he, a man who raised his marquisate to duke through scheming, accept the offer with peace of mind?

"Taiwan Governor, you have a lot of military affairs to attend to here. Why don't you go back first and wait for me to bring him back. We can have a feast together in the evening."

It was not known whether Zhu Guobi was sincere or just looking for another topic, but before Yue Qijie could speak again, he interrupted.

But what he said was indeed reasonable. Ever since Zhu Cilang asked Yue Qijie to prepare for a big battle, he has been busy day by day.

You have to know that in a war like the one previously expected where the goal was only to recapture one or two cities, the soldiers participating in the battle would probably be limited to Chang Guanlin's army.

Even if the enemy is well prepared, an attack of this scale can be resisted by only a few prefectures.

But before his return, His Majesty once said that his goal was to retake the entire Jiangxi in one go.

Under such circumstances, not only will the number of soldiers participating in the battle be much greater, but the supply routes will also be much longer.

In this way, the provincial government responsible for military supplies would have to involve the entire Zhejiang Province, and Yue Qijie would naturally be busy like a top.

just
"Alas~~~~, it's better to be safe. Annanbo has finally figured it out. We must not let him think that we look down on us because of these trivial matters."

"Humph! How can he let it go? If it weren't for Your Majesty winning over the hearts of the people in Huguang, and the Tartars putting the emperor in a trap again, I think Zheng Zhilong would still be dreaming about his Spring and Autumn Period in Fuzhou!"

To be honest, Zhu Guobi looked down on the pirate leader.

This was not because he despised his background, but because he felt that Zheng Zhilong, who held a good hand, had forced him into such a passive position.

In such a situation, how could Zhu Guobi, who had always suffered from having no cards to play, look up to Zheng Zhilong?
He understood clearly that before the Tartars crossed the river, the petty Zheng family was only concerned with preserving their own strength, but had never thought of showing their true strength in front of the Ming and Qing parties and preparing for raising the price in the future.

Later, when Your Majesty led the army to Hangzhou, they were indecisive and looked around. They neither seized the opportunity to become Your Majesty's right-hand man, nor did they make up their minds to help the Qing army capture Hangzhou, so as to establish themselves in the Qing court.

After that, when Your Majesty defeated Duoduo and the situation in Jiangnan gradually stabilized, the Zheng family retreated to Fujian, as if they thought everyone would forget about them. It was not until Huguang and southern Jiangxi all submitted congratulatory messages that they realized they were no longer able to struggle, and so they shamelessly went to Yingtian to pay a visit to Your Majesty.

It's such a waste of the navy that travels all over the world.

"Duke, please do not underestimate the Earl of Annan. Who would have thought that the garrison soldiers, who were always exhausted and disorganized, could become a powerful army that is invincible in every battle under your majesty's leadership?"

Yue Qijie's words would naturally not make Zhu Guobi dispel his contempt for Zheng Zhilong, but no matter what he thought about it, he had to admit one thing: no one could have thought of it!
Needless to say, Zhu Guobi never thought from the beginning that the "fake prince" would actually go to such a point.

Even ministers like Xu Yu and Yue Qijie, who had followed Zhu Cilang wholeheartedly from the beginning, were prepared to die for their country in that night attack.

If we think about it this way, there seems to be some reasonable explanation for Zheng Zhilong's indecision and wavering.

"The governor should not make excuses for him. Zheng Zhilong cherishes his life when doing great things and forgets his life when he sees little profit. He is not a hero."

Since Zhu Guobi had said this, Yue Qijie would not continue to speak for him. He just smiled and prepared to say something else. However, who would have thought that before he could decide what to talk about next, several ships flying the Zheng family's flag appeared on the wide Qiantang River.

"It's quite clever of them not to send their warships over here." Another complaint, Zhu Guobi just waited quietly without saying anything else.

Although he looked down upon Zheng Zhilong, based on his character, he would not belittle him in front of Yue Qijie.

But it was still a bit reluctant for him as a duke to welcome the pirate leader. Even though he came for the sake of Yue Qijie, the emperor's right-hand man, he showed some dissatisfaction in his heart, and it was inevitable that he would make this favor a little more solid.

After about three or two cups of tea, the ships finally docked at the busy pier.

Needless to say, there was a burst of gongs and drums afterwards. After the figure with a scholarly temperament appeared in the sight of the two, the play that everyone was already familiar with came on stage.

"Oh! How could I have the honor to trouble the Duke and the Governor to come and welcome you in person? It is such a sin, such a sin!"

"The Earl of Annan has guarded the southeast for our Ming Dynasty, and has made great contributions. Today, we have the opportunity to meet, so how can I, Zhu, not come in person?"

"I, Zheng Zhilong, have been deeply blessed by the late emperor. Even if I die, I cannot guarantee a single chance of success. Today, I am so ashamed to receive the Duke's praise. How dare I accept it?"

"The Earl of Annan is loyal to his emperor and his country. He is truly a role model for our generation!"

Zhu Guobi spoke sincerely and Zheng Zhilong spoke passionately. The two of them spoke back and forth as if they were going to burn yellow paper and chop off chicken heads on the dock. However, Yue Qijie, who was in charge of the reception, could not get a word in.

After a while, the process was finally completed. By the time the few people entered Yue Qijie's temporary yamen in Hangzhou, more than an hour had passed.

Yue Qijie was not surprised at Zhu Guobi's two ways of speaking in public and behind people's backs. After all, although he was not good at this, he had seen it so many times that he naturally had his own way of distinguishing.

Besides, how could he be so ignorant about Zhu Guobi's character since he had been with him for such a long time?

However, Yue Qijie did not reveal his thoughts these days, and he got along well with Zhu Guobi.

In the final analysis, Zhu Guobi has some prestige among the nobles of Yingtian. If he can be kept on, it will be of great benefit to Your Majesty's cause. How could Yue Qijie let such an important minister become dissatisfied because of some personal opinions?

Accompanying him all the way, Yue Qijie, who had no title, felt that he was half a body behind, but with the shrewdness of Zhu and Zheng, they would not neglect this real landlord.

"Your Majesty must be extremely happy that the Earl of Annan is coming to the capital this time."

After the host and the guests were seated, Yue Qijie made this opening remark, but who would have thought that after he said this, Zheng Zhilong, who had maintained such a warm smile all the way, suddenly looked gloomy.

"You may not know, but the Red Hair seems to have been acting strangely in the past few months. I had no intention of meeting Your Majesty during this festival."

As soon as he finished speaking, not only Yue Qijie, but even Zhu Guobi's smile froze for a moment.

What do you mean?
Could it be that he is not going to surrender this time, but instead wants to threaten Your Majesty with the red hair?
Thinking of this, Zhu Guobi immediately adjusted the smile on his face, and then turned his gaze to Yue Qijie with interest.

"Oh? But I wonder what the red-haired man has done?"

"Alas! There is no movement in Taiwan, but the red-haired fleet in the Java area seems to be frequently mobilized, so we have to be on guard."

As he spoke, Zheng Zhilong looked melancholy, as if he was quite worried about Red Hair's unusual movements, but his expression gave Yue Qijie a different impression.

The Red-Haired Fleet was not mobilized early or late, but was mobilized frequently only when the Zheng family was in an extremely passive situation. What other reason could there be except that Zheng Zhilong lied about military intelligence and wanted to use it as bargaining chip with Your Majesty?

Under such circumstances, Yue Qijie's thoughts underwent some subtle changes compared to before.

"That makes sense. The Javanese Reds are making frequent moves. Although they may not necessarily mean they are going to use military force against the Ming Dynasty, we must be on guard. I just don't know where Earl Annan got the information from."

He understood clearly that Zheng Zhilong's purpose of coming this time must be quite different from what he had previously thought. However, if he really waited until Zheng Zhilong entered Yingtian and then revealed all his intentions, it would not only catch His Majesty off guard, but would also make the situation difficult to reverse.

Therefore, he might as well figure out Zheng Zhilong's thoughts first, so that His Majesty can make preparations first.

But man proposes, God disposes. He had guessed that Zheng Zhilong was using foreign powers to bully others, but when he heard what Zheng Zhilong said next, he had to think about it again.

"Weren't there four ships lost in the fleet that Your Majesty sent to Southeast Asia to buy grain? One of them escaped and returned ten days ago, and they brought this news."

Damn!
As soon as the words fell, both Yue Qijie, who was trying hard to find out Zheng Zhilong's true purpose, and Zhu Guobi, who had no idea what his plan was, felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.

If this news was brought back by the lost ship, then its credibility would be far different from what Zheng Zhilong said.

Thinking of this, Yue Qijie was about to ask a few more questions, but Zheng Zhilong seemed to have expected it. He waited until the thoughtful look on his face disappeared before telling him the general story.

According to the crew members who escaped back, they encountered the red-haired warships halfway.

The merchant ships were naturally unable to defeat the warships, and could not escape either. In this situation, they had no choice but to surrender, and finally they could only follow them to a small island on the sea.

Originally, these red-haired men planned to run their ships aground on the reefs near the island, but a steward on the ship used his eloquence to convince the commander of the red-haired fleet to exchange all their food and money for a way out.

In this way, they were able to save their lives from these pirates who were acting in official names.

As for where the news came from, it was learned from the mouth of the red-haired crew member during this period.

"Does Annanbo have any countermeasures?"

Zheng Zhilong had said so much, so Zhu and Yue confirmed the authenticity of the news. However, they knew nothing about matters at sea, and after thinking for a long time, they could only ask Zheng Zhilong for advice.

But who would have thought that before the old pirate could say anything, there was an officer sneaking around the door. After Yue Qijie scolded him, the officer said timidly: "Governor, I am not spying on you on purpose, but..."

"Just what? Just say it!"

"Minister of Justice Ruan Butang was robbed north of Anji, and none of his 130 men survived."

(End of this chapter)