Southern Ming: A boy soldier at the beginning, supporting the world

Chapter 217: The Loyalty Camp Advances Westward

In July, changes occurred within the Ming army in Guangxi, causing a chain reaction like a domino effect, which was unexpected.

At first, Guangxi Governor Lu Kezao inspected Hexian and Fuchuan, and had long heard that warlord Cao Zhijian had abused the people, so he "strictly prohibited Cao Zhijian's troops from looting." Cao Zhijian was arrogant and domineering. He first attached himself to He Tengjiao, but then fell out with him. When Du Yinxi led his army across the border, Cao Zhijian actually killed his soldiers.

Lu Kezao had touched the tiger's butt. Cao Zhijian was furious when he heard the news and asked Lu Kezao to inspect Zhenxia Pass, intending to humiliate him. Lu Kezao refused to go, so Cao Zhijian ordered his troops to rob him and kill Zhao Yu, Lu Kezao's general.

Cao Zhijian still did not give up, and sent troops to pursue Lu Kezao, intercepting him on the Li River, "seizing his horses and all his supplies."

The matter was brought to the court, and the Yongli Emperor could only sigh, unable to punish Cao Zhijian. Lu Kezao was greatly disappointed, and because he appointed himself the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, he was impeached by Qu Shisi for "violating the rules and losing his life". It happened to be the death of his mother, and the disgraced Lu Kezao wrote a letter to request to observe the mourning period, but in his heart he hoped to be retained by the court. The Yongli Emperor did not retain him, and the court officials recommended Yu Xindu to take over as the Governor of Guangxi.

Lu Kezao was reluctant to leave his post and continued to stay in Pingle. The new governor Yu Xindu was unable to take office, the political situation in Guangxi became more chaotic, and a power vacuum appeared in Wuzhou...

"Marshal, a letter from Lord Qu has been received from Zhaoqing, impeaching the former governor Lu Kezao." Early in the morning, Feng Jiali, director of the Intelligence Bureau, hurried over to report.

Danchu took the secret letter and glanced through it hastily. He saw that Qu Shisi's tone was stingy. He impeached Lu Kezao for "staying in Pingle for a long time, being reluctant to leave. Moreover, after hearing about his mother's death, he was always mourning... He only collected money and grain, and did not care about military affairs... This made the new governor wait and see and not move forward..."

"Oh!" Danchu frowned and sighed.

Qu Shisi was already a military commander and had been in the government for a long time, so why was he so heartless? Lu Kezao was also his disciple. Although he had many shortcomings, he was generally brave and capable, and was a capable official. As Lu Kezao's recommender, Qu Shisi should have tried every means to promote and protect him, instead of impeaching him repeatedly.

Guangxi is in such a mess, and it is not easy for Lu Kezao to manage it, and it is even more precious that he dares to stroke Cao Zhijian's beard. If Yu Xindu is replaced as the governor, can he be better than Lu Kezao? Even if he is better than Lu Kezao, he is not a direct descendant of Qu Shisi. What's the use if he doesn't obey the orders of the commander-in-chief in the future?

This is generally how intellectuals mislead the country.

Danchu sighed and asked, "What do you think of this person?"

As a military governor, Danchu had to maintain good relations with the governor, even though Yu Xindu had no soldiers under his command and was just a commander without troops.

Feng Jiali had an extraordinary memory and said casually, "Yu Xindu, courtesy name Junbu, was from Ruichang County, Jiujiang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province. He was a Jinshi in the fourth year of Chongzhen and served as an observer in the Ministry of Personnel. During the Chongzhen period, Yu Xindu served as the Director of the Zhejiang Division of the Ministry of Justice, the Director of the Department of the Imperial Guard of the Ministry of War, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Rites, the Assistant Supervisor of Guangxi Education, and the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He was recommended by the court as the Governor of Guangxi."

According to the Ming Dynasty system, when the court encountered important political affairs or when a civil or military official was absent, the emperor would order a meeting of ministers to discuss and weigh the pros and cons of political affairs, and then report to the emperor for his approval. The discussion of the pros and cons of political affairs was called court discussion; the proposal of personnel promotion and appointment was called court recommendation.

The imperial court can certainly select virtuous and capable people and prevent corrupt officials from usurping the throne. However, the fierce party struggles in the late Ming Dynasty also affected the imperial court's recommendation of ministers. The various factions argued fiercely, and in order to reach a consensus, they had to recommend those with good reputations and moderate personalities. Such people often have virtues but no talents, and are not helpful in correcting the current ills.

Unfortunately, Yu Xindu is such a person who has virtue but no talent.

"What is this person's personality like?"

"He is honest and calm, and has a good reputation."

Danchu frowned and asked, "Where are you now?"

"We are in Wuzhou." Feng Jiali replied, "The Loyalty Camp can no longer stay in Fengchuan, Kaijian, and Huaiji, so we will move west to spy on Wuzhou." It's launched! Danchu remained calm and asked, "Is there any news from Cao Yu?"

General Cao Yu was an old soldier in northern Shaanxi. He was ordered to go to the Loyalty Camp to lobby Li Chixin to seize Liuzhou.

"No response yet."

"What about Chen Bangfu?"

"They are preparing for war and keeping a high alert. The news has been confirmed that Chen Bangfu has already taken Li Zicheng's widow Gao as his adoptive mother and called Gao Bizheng his uncle. He also offered his daughter to Gao Bizheng as his second wife. For this purpose, he wrote to the court and asked for the imperial edict of Lady of Yun State."

Gao Bizheng was the Duke of Yun and had a wife. Chen Bangfu was the Duke of Qing and in order to befriend Gao Bizheng, he married his daughter to Gao Bizheng as a concubine, falsely calling her his second wife.

"Humph," Danchu sneered, "Chen Bangfu is so shameless that he has reached such a point!"

It is very obvious that the Loyal Camp did not dare to enter Guangdong and could only enter Guangxi.

In the north of Guangxi, Jiao Lian held Pingle, Zhao Yinxuan held Guilin, and Cao Zhijian was confined to Zhenxia Pass, all of whom had strong troops and horses. In the south, there were two meritorious generals, Chen Bangfu and Cen Danchu. In the east was Wuzhou, the center of Guangdong and Guangxi, and also a place of four wars. In the west, there were many Tusi, Yao and Dong peoples, most of whom were controlled by Chen Bangfu and Cen Danchu.

For the Loyal Camp, there are two most feasible places to enter Guangxi: to fight for Nanning to the south, or to fight for Liuzhou to the east.

This means that the Zhongzheng Camp will either have to go to war with Chen Bangfu or with Cen Danchu.

Chen Bangfu had been operating in Guangxi for many years and was the initiator of the Zhongzheng Camp's entry into Guangxi. He also flattered Gao Bizheng. In contrast, Cen Danchu was a rising star. Most of the Red Army's generals were old soldiers from northern Shaanxi and had a deep hatred for the peasant army.

Feng Jiali said calmly: "Our army is strong and powerful. We are not afraid of the Loyalty Camp or Chen Bangfu. We are only afraid of the two joining forces to attack us."

"Well," Danchu murmured, "If the enemy comes, we will fight back; if the water comes, we will block it with earth. If the Loyalty Battalion wants to use force, the Red Army will fight to the end."

On July 22, the Loyalty Camp marched westward to Wuzhou. The Southern Ming was hostile to the peasant army, and the Wuzhou defenders rose up to resist. Li Chixin and Gao Bizheng were furious and sent a large army to capture Wuzhou.

As Danchu expected, Wuzhou was a big city, but also a hot potato. The officials of the Southern Ming court were furious, and the local military governors also submitted impeachment petitions. Lu Kezao was particularly enthusiastic, actively contacting the military governors and preparing to counterattack the Zhongzheng Camp.

The Loyalty Camp had too many people and poor discipline, which aroused resistance from the powerful people in Wuzhou. By mid-August, the Loyalty Camp could no longer stay in Wuzhou and had to move west again. As for whether to go to Nanning or Liuzhou, Li Chixin and Gao Bizheng could not decide.

Liu Xiyao and Liu Fangliang could not wait any longer, so they led their troops to leave Wuzhou and advance towards Wutunso. These two had always opposed cooperation with the Ming Dynasty, had great experience, and had a bad relationship with Li Chixin and Gao Bizheng.

Wutunso was the Red Army's territory, located west of Wuzhou. Whether the Loyalty Battalion was going to Nanning or Liuzhou, it had to pass through Wutunso.

Upon hearing the news, Danchu led his personal troops from Zhaoping to Wutunso in a hurry.

(End of this chapter)