Fu Shanhe

Chapter 294 The Thought of Withdrawal

In the camp of the army sent to support the king, everyone's face turned ugly when they saw the official documents sent by the court.

"Nonsense!"

Marquis Wuyang couldn't help but curse.

In order to stabilize people's hearts, local authorities strictly blocked the news of the fall of Nanjing.

The effect was very good. At least most people in Jinan city did not believe that Nanjing was lost.

They never expected that the task that the northern barbarian spies were unable to complete was completed by the imperial court.

There is no point in continuing to cover it up.

The six ministers of Nanjing, the Duke of Chu and others died for their country, and everyone knew that the city of Nanjing was lost.

If the trouble is caused by someone else, they can be held accountable.

Unfortunately, this news was exposed by the imperial edict issued by Emperor Yongning to the whole country.

Even the powerful Marquis Wuyang only dared to complain once.

The other officials naturally turned a deaf ear and pretended nothing had happened.

"My Lord, calm down.

Things have already happened, and the top priority is to deal with the aftermath as quickly as possible to avoid causing unrest in the situation.

We can't take care of other places, the priority is to stabilize the city of Jinan.

I propose that comprehensive military control be implemented over the city of Jinan.

Integrate the city's human, financial and material resources to cope with the various changes that will follow."

As soon as Li Mu finished speaking, the Shandong officials attending the meeting all changed their expressions.

In order to calm down the prices in the city, they have made a lot of efforts in recent days.

We had just finished our work when a full-scale martial law was imposed. All our previous efforts would have been in vain.

"inappropriate!"

"Jinan's situation is special and it is not suitable for military control.

The local government can completely solve the problem of appeasing the people, without the intervention of the army."

Min Kaifeng immediately objected.

As the situation has developed to this point, senior officials in Shandong are all in a state of serving their sentences and making meritorious contributions.

There is no problem in fully cooperating with the enemy troops in defending the city, but completely handing over administrative power is absolutely impossible.

If all the work was done by the troops loyal to the king, then they would have no chance of getting the credit for defending Jinan.

In the past, it didn't matter whether this little credit was given or not, but now they have to fight for it.

The more merits you have, the more likely it is that those in the court will speak for you.

“Master Min, if you can do it well, we won’t bother to interfere.

The problem is that you're not doing a good job.

The rumors spreading throughout the city and the skyrocketing prices all proved that there were spies from the northern barbarians infiltrating the city.

Unfortunately, the local government has been investigating for such a long time but still found nothing.

The fact that such a situation could occur could only mean that someone in the government office was colluding with the northern barbarians.

If the culprit is not caught in time, I am afraid that more people will be bribed by the spies.

After all, the current situation is very unfavorable to the court.

With the White Lotus occupying the southeast and the Northern Barbarians wreaking havoc in the north, it is normal for some people to want to seek better opportunities.

In the previous battle to encircle and suppress the White Lotus Sect, officials at the governor level defected to the enemy.

After the fall of Nanjing, a large number of officials surrendered to the enemy.

We must be on guard against the lessons of the past.

Maybe someone present here is connected to the Northern Tartar spies."

Li Mu's words made all the local officials very angry.

As God knows, the most they got was a piece of the pie from the skyrocketing prices. It is impossible for them to collude with the Northern Tartars to betray Dayu.

The news of the fall of Nanjing was only verified today.

In such a short time, even if you have the idea in your mind, it is impossible to jump off the boat so quickly.

Everyone is a beneficiary of the Dayu system, and no one wants to change the dynasty unless it is absolutely necessary.

What's more, the strength shown by the Northern Tartars is still a long way from conquering the world.

Until they see certainty, they will not risk their lives and property and bet on the Northern Tartars.

Not only were the Northern Barbarians unwelcome, but the White Lotus rebels who massacred the gentry were equally unwelcome.

Among the heroes currently participating in the fight for supremacy in troubled times, there is no goal that satisfies the literati, and there will be no large-scale defection in the short term.

"Nonsense!"

"Admiral Li, you must be responsible for what you said!"

The Censor Cheng Zhixian standing by scolded sternly.

He had seen people snatching meat, but he had never seen anyone so brutal.

The big hat is put on directly, which is clearly an attempt to take someone's life.

Since when has a mere warrior dared to be so arrogant? It is simply going against the will of Heaven.

After someone took the lead, a group of local officials collectively launched a counterattack.

Everyone knows that Li Mu proposed martial law not only for power, but also for interests.

During the previous process of clearing the countryside, the local government collected a lot of food and supplies.

Now, after being shuffled around by officials, it has fallen into the hands of merchants in the city, who are selling it at high prices to make huge profits.

After such a long period of harvesting, everyone made a lot of money.

During this process, the army that came to support the king collectively became spectators, and it was normal for them to be jealous.

……

"Shut up!"

"I summoned you here to discuss matters, not to listen to your quarrels.

The situation in Shandong is deteriorating. Your Majesty has appointed me to be fully responsible for Shandong affairs. As the governor, I will be responsible for the security of Shandong.

Whether you like it or not, from now on, the city of Jinan will be under military control.

Admiral Li, send more people to keep an eye on it.

Anyone who commits any illegal act will be arrested.

Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!

The Governor has only one request, that the city of Jinan must not be in chaos.

No matter who it is, as long as they dare to collude with the Northern Tartars and disrupt Jinan City, they are my enemy! "

Marquis Wuyang gave the order murderously.

He had already discussed the current scene with Li Mu.

It’s not that he wanted to get involved in Shandong’s affairs, it’s just that he was the emperor’s nephew and the affairs were forced upon him.

The northern barbarians were wreaking havoc and the situation in Shandong was completely devastated.

It is pure dreaming to expect these local officials to clean up the mess.

Emperor Yongning initially wanted to send an imperial envoy, but the officials below did not cooperate.

No matter who is chosen as the general, there will be a lot of excuses to shirk responsibility.

Everyone regarded Shandong as a dangerous place, and no one was willing to take up the post here at this time.

As the ministers kept passing the buck, this hot potato finally fell into the hands of Marquis Wuyang.

Once you take on the task, you must not work in vain.

Under Li Mu's instigation, Marquis Wuyang also set his sights on the unscrupulous merchants in the city.

Although doing so may offend people, the current situation is special.

Without cleansing, the city of Jinan cannot be stabilized.

If a riot breaks out in the city and the rebels join forces, he, the imperial envoy, will be in trouble.

For the sake of one's own safety, one must do it even if it offends others.

"Don't worry, my Lord. I will do my best to catch all the Northern Tartar spies!"

Li Mu expressed his opinion immediately.

At another time, he would never take such an offensive job.

But it is different now. The world is in chaos, which has become an indisputable fact.

The connections that once gave the gentry great advantages over their peers are now completely unworthy of mention in times of chaos.

The long-term practice of using culture to control military power is about to face a sharp backlash.

Whether it is the out-of-control Liaodong Town or the quietly growing Guangdong-Guangxi faction, they are all products of this process. Officials who have not changed their mindset will inevitably be eliminated in the next power reshuffle.

The powerful people in Jinan city are the perfect example of someone who fails to see the situation clearly.

If they don't cause trouble, everyone is within the rules system and no one can do anything to them.

But they are ignorant and insist on taking advantage of the national disaster to make money.

Since the other party has handed him the handle, Li Mu naturally won't be polite.

According to the laws of Dayu, those profiteers who hoarded goods for profit were severely punished, and a small fortune was made at the same time to offset the military expenses of this war to support the king.

If everyone is willing to cooperate, then once the attack reaches the merchant level, the matter will be over.

If you continue to fail to see the situation clearly, then we will have to investigate thoroughly and catch the spies who are colluding with the Northern Tartars.

With Liaodong Town out of control, the role of the Guangdong and Guangxi faction in the imperial court became increasingly important.

The imperial court would not refuse the emperor's army at this time.

As long as there is evidence, even a cabinet minister can be brought down.

This action was taken only after the situation was clarified.

"Imperial Commissioner, I still hold an objection.

The military taking over local areas is definitely not a blessing for the country.

If you are not careful, it will be the beginning of chaos in the world.

By then, you..."

Cheng Zhixian was halfway through his words when the teacup in Marquis Wuyang's hand flew over.

"The Northern Tartar spy jumped out on his own."

"Where is the Jin Yiwei?"

It was obvious that he was considering the overall situation, but in the mouth of the other party, he became a person who brought disaster to the country and the people.

If he doesn't give face to others at all, then there is no need for him to give face to others.

"Nan Wuzheng, the commander of the Shandong Thousand Households of the Imperial Guard, respectfully follows the orders of the Imperial Commissioner and arrests the rebels!"

After saying that, Nan Wu Zheng hit Cheng Zhixian on the back of the head with his arm, knocking him unconscious on the spot.

Cheng Zhixian was not even given a chance to explain during the whole process.

Such a sloppy handling of the case angered the local officials present.

No one dared to provoke Marquis Wuyang, and they directly turned their murderous eyes towards Nan Wuzheng.

The Jinyiwei had just been restored, yet they dared to be so bold and arrogant. It was clear that they did not take them seriously.

Knowing that he had caused hatred, Nan Wu Zheng felt very helpless.

Now in Jinan city, Marquis Wuyang is the boss.

If he doesn't follow the order, he will never be able to leave the camp today.

In comparison, it is more profitable to offend civil officials. Anyway, the identity of the Jinyiwei determines that the two sides cannot become friends.

After the short meeting, the situation in Jinan city changed immediately.

With the intervention of the army, the streets and alleys were filled with a solemn atmosphere.

The first ones to suffer misfortune were the grain merchants. They had no idea what was happening and were arrested and thrown into prison.

The stockpiled supplies and plundered wealth were all seized.

Everything happened too fast, and there was no news of it beforehand, which surprised many people.

It’s not that I didn’t try to fight back, but unfortunately, I didn’t even have the chance to use the tactics that had always worked in the past.

The entire city was placed under martial law, with entry and exit restricted.

There was no room for conspiracy or inciting scholars to cause trouble at this moment.

The troops coming to support the king are all guest troops, and they don't care about any juren or jinshi masters.

If anyone dares to violate military orders, we will arrest him first. If anyone dares to make trouble, we will beat him half to death.

The operation lasted for three days before control in the city was gradually relaxed, allowing each household to send one person to go shopping.

It is impossible to visit relatives and friends on a large scale.

There was no chance for collusion, and the gentry officials, who did not know what was happening, could only suppress their anger temporarily.

……

"Great Chanyu, the city is under full martial law. Our plan has failed."

Erde reported in a deep voice.

I thought the news of the fall of Nanjing would shake the enemy's morale.

They never expected the defenders to react so quickly and take action before they had a chance to launch an attack.

If you take any further action at this point, you will be giving away your life.

"Ok!"

“That’s to be expected.

I have read the resume of Marquis Wuyang. He is a formidable rival.

When he was in Yangzhou, he was besieged by hundreds of thousands of rebels, but he was able to turn defeat into victory with just a few thousand soldiers.

There are tens of thousands of elite soldiers in the city, and most of us are cavalry, so we can't scare him.

Judging from the current situation, it is impossible to encircle and annihilate the army led by him in Shandong.

But just because we can't do something doesn't mean others can't do it either.

Arrange people to contact the Shanxi merchants and ask them to mobilize their network of relationships in the court and find a way to remove this stumbling block.

Even if we cannot get rid of Marquis Wuyang, we cannot let him continue to lead the troops. At the very least, we must assign him a few military supervisors to cause trouble!"

Huugjile said seriously.

Since he started his rebellion against Yu, he has encountered many opponents.

Fortunately, these powerful enemies all fell in the internal strife of Dayu.

Marquis Wuyang has a special identity, but he still believes in the fighting ability of the civil servants of Dayu.

As long as they are willing to spend money, there is nothing the censors dare not impeach.

Even if we can't kill him, at least being able to ruin his reputation is a good gain.

“Great Chanyu, it will take more than a day to plot against Marquis Wuyang through the Great Yu court.

Most of the time has passed since the army marched south, and now people are thinking of returning home.

Everything that can be snatched has been taken, and the remaining ones are hard nuts to crack.

Jinan City cannot be captured in a short period of time, it is time to consider withdrawing our troops!"

Sarina began to persuade.

Destroying the Great Yu Dynasty is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

They tried all kinds of siege tactics, but still failed to shake the city of Jinan.

If we continue to fight, all the surrendered vassal troops will have to stay here.

A battle that is destined to yield no reward is a losing business.

The Tatars have limited financial resources and cannot afford such squandering, so they must consider cutting losses in a timely manner.

"What you said makes sense. We really can't keep wasting time in Jinan.

However, Dayu was beaten so badly by us, they will definitely not give up.

Just because they don’t dare to move now doesn’t mean they won’t dare to move later.

Once the army enters the retreat state, countless Yu Dynasty troops may pounce on us.

To be on the safe side, the area must be cleared before the army withdraws.

Only if we scare off the Yu Dynasty troops who are coming to defend the king, will our retreat be secure!"

Huugjile thought for a while and said.

In fact, when he received the news that the White Lotus had captured Nanjing, he wanted to lead his army to retreat.

On the one hand, they have robbed enough, and on the other hand, they don’t want to make wedding dresses for others.

The White Lotus rebels who were able to capture Nanjing were no longer simple rebels, but a powerful force capable of fighting for the world.

They had a common enemy, in the past the Tatars and their allies.

With the rapid decline of Dayu, the situation gradually changed and the two sides became potential rivals.

Huugjile hoped that the White Lotus rebels could weaken Dayu's national strength, but he did not want to see them replace it.

The main reason for not retreating was because of face.

The army marched south in a mighty force but failed to capture the city of Jinan, which made him, the overlord of the grassland, lose face.

……

(End of this chapter)