Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 373: Rebellion in Zhangzhou City

"That's incredible! When I passed Qiongzhou Prefecture, I saw at least two hundred ships docked at one port, including dozens of Fujian ships that were several times larger than our merchant ships.

I think if they come to attack Zhangzhou, you won’t be able to defend it at all!” The leading henchman looked smug, his mouth wide open, as if he was afraid that others wouldn’t hear the exaggerated words he was about to say:

"And there are probably tens of thousands of troops on the island right now. Looking up, it's a sea of ​​black soldiers, their shouting deafening the heavens, even the ships docked are shaking!"

As soon as the words fell, the servants exchanged glances, their hearts trembling at the news they had just heard. The current complex situation in the south had left the servants feeling uneasy. After all, tensions had recently risen between the Zheng family and the various imperial courts, and Zhangzhou, as a key southern city, had always been a focal point of contention.

Wei Xian stood aside, listening to the men's alternating compliments and exaggerations, his brows gradually furrowing. He was well aware of the situation of the Qiongzhou navy—just ten thousand soldiers and a few hundred ships, how strong could it be? How could that foreman have boasted about thousands of ships and tens of thousands of troops?
Seeing that these people were talking more and more outrageous, he couldn't help but sneer in his heart: If these people really believed these words, Zhangzhou's defense line would probably have collapsed long ago.

Moreover, as far as he knew, the strength of the Ming army in the south was far less than they said. There were not even many powerful garrisons near Zhangzhou. If a real fight broke out, it would definitely not be as easy as they thought.

As for the leader, the reason he exaggerated so much was not for any real intelligence, but more to enhance his prestige in front of these servants, making these people think that he was a powerful person, or at least could bring him greater benefits in this operation.

After all, Wei Xian knew that although these pirates were very skilled, the opportunities before them mostly depended on how they could gain a foothold in the complex game between Zhangzhou and Zheng Fan.

After a while, the goods in the warehouse were unloaded. The leader, who had finished discussing the matter with the general, came out with a smile on his face. He waved his hand, signaling Wei Xian and the other porters to go into the warehouse together and start unloading the goods.

Wei Xian knew in his heart that this was just a superficial matter. He came to Zhangzhou this time to personally understand Zhangzhou's defense and the movements of the Zheng family, and to find out whether he was prepared for war.

The current layout of the Jinyiwei in the south is still insufficient. Most of their energy was previously concentrated in the north. The Fujian branch was established only recently, and many things have not been arranged in time, especially in the Zhangzhou area controlled by the Zheng family. They have not penetrated deeply and do not even have a fixed stronghold.

Right now, he could only rely on his previously accumulated connections and money to make a difference in this chaotic area. After unloading the cargo, the leader began to work again. Without stopping, he immediately sent a few followers to supervise the work, while he himself led Wei Xian and others into the city.

Wei Xian watched him stride with his head held high, the badge he had just received from the general hanging around his waist. He looked incredibly confident, as if he could command the entire country. Along the way, he glanced around and noticed many civilians busy carrying supplies for the city defense, and occasionally a few groups of soldiers hurriedly marching.

Although Zhangzhou City remained bustling with activity, a tense atmosphere hung in the air, as if an unexpected conflict could erupt at any moment. The current situation in Zhangzhou City was far from simple, especially with the Zheng family and the imperial court wrestling with each other. No one could predict what kind of storm would unfold next.

As they walked, the leader brought them to a grocery store. The store looked unremarkable, with a shabby facade. It was filled with all kinds of miscellaneous goods, which looked disorganized and even a little chaotic.

This was a pirate base in Zhangzhou, specifically used to receive and exchange intelligence. These pirates had a somewhat ambiguous cooperative relationship with the Zheng family. Their purpose wasn't entirely to rob or expand their power, but rather to act as middlemen, providing intelligence and assisting in private transactions.

The leader exchanged a few words with the shop owner, then led Wei Xian into the shop and sat down in a secluded corner. The shop owner looked at them, frowning slightly, but then nodded. Soon after, a young man brought tea and quietly retreated.

Wei Xian didn't rush to speak, but instead observed his surroundings. Intelligence bases like this were usually the most vulnerable to information leaks. The surroundings seemed quiet, but in fact, they were full of hidden secrets. The leader took a leisurely sip of tea and said,
"Don't say I didn't tell you this time when you come to Zhangzhou. The situation is much more complicated than you think. The relationship between the Zheng family and the imperial court is tense. People like us, who don't belong to either side, have no choice but to get involved. You must understand that Zhangzhou's defenses are not as fragile as the outside world has rumored. After all, the Zheng family has already laid many hidden cards. If you want to know more information, you still have to rely on your own exploration."

Wei Xian nodded, having already made a decision in his mind. The situation in Zhangzhou was complex and changeable. He had to deal with it carefully to avoid exposing his identity, and he had to quickly grasp useful information to be fully prepared for subsequent actions.

"Brother, you can stay here for the time being. If you need anything, just tell the shopkeeper. We will treat you well. You are our leader's guest, so don't be polite with us."

As the foreman walked in and saw Wei Xian, his attitude changed subtly, becoming more respectful. He didn't know Wei Xian's true identity, but only knew that he was the chief's distinguished guest, so he naturally didn't dare to neglect him, and his tone was somewhat respectful.

Wei Xian nodded slightly and said calmly: "Go do your thing and leave us alone. There are only four of us, so try not to be discovered."

His words were neither hurried nor slow, with a calmness and authority that could not be refused. The foreman bowed quickly:
"Don't worry, big brother. It's okay. For those of us in this business, even if one person is missing or more, it won't arouse suspicion. We're all used to it."

After the foreman left, Wei Xian and his men began to settle down. He was not in a hurry to act, as he knew that the current situation in Zhangzhou was already undercurrents, and any quick-successful action might expose their whereabouts.

He asked his men to take turns on guard duty, while others took the opportunity to rest. At this time, the situation in Zhangzhou had already entered a period of impending storm.

Many people in the city have begun to prepare for the anti-Zheng army, ready to use external forces to break free from Zheng Hongkui's control and gain more power and support for themselves.

Zhangzhou Prefecture, a key gateway between Guangdong and Fujian, enjoys a unique geographical location. Flanked by high mountains and basins to the west and north, and the vast sea to the southeast, these natural barriers make it a strategic location. Its well-developed water system, fertile land, and dense population have also made it a prosperous commercial center.

Zhangzhou Prefecture is not only one of the important economic centers on the southeast coast, but also a must-pass place for merchants. The numerous good ports and islands along the coast are transit stations and supply points for merchants.

However, this very fertile land also became a breeding ground for bandits and pirates. Local security was once virtually nonexistent, with bandits and pirates running rampant.

Local governance in Zhangzhou was quite difficult, and the local clan power was deeply rooted among the people. High walls and hidden strongholds in various places became a means for people to protect themselves. The government tried to rectify the situation many times, but it had not been able to effectively curb the rampant bandits.

The situation in Zhangzhou was complicated, and the imperial court seemed unable to govern it. The turmoil in Fujian also exacerbated the complexity of the situation.

Although many in the city had begun planning their rebellion against the Zheng army, they were constrained by Zheng Hongkui's control and dared not raise their flags openly before Zhu Cilang launched his offensive. As night fell, Wei Xian stood on the rooftop, gazing at the lights of Zhangzhou City. His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, surveyed the streets and buildings below.

Zhangzhou's buildings were densely packed, its streets wide and bustling, and the occasional residence of a wealthy merchant or official stood out. In the city's center, soldiers patrolled the streets, maintaining a high level of security. The vendors had already been questioned, extorted, and hurriedly departed.

As the night deepened, the number of patrolling soldiers grew, and armed figures constantly moved through the streets and alleys. The restaurants and inns had long since closed their doors, and the hustle and bustle of the streets gradually dissipated, replaced by a subdued and tense atmosphere.

The civilian laborers, rarely seen during the day, now flocked to the city walls, digging trenches and building fortifications in the mountains. Although the Huang family held several strongholds in the south, the north was still firmly controlled by the Zheng family's army.

Zhang Sheng, the general of the Zheng army and a close confidant of Zheng Hongkui, was stationed in the area north of Zhangzhou, threatening the city defense of Zhangzhou from the north.

The Zheng family in the east has always been loyal to Zheng Sen, trying to use this force to threaten Zhangzhou and ensure that Zhangzhou would not be occupied by Zheng Hongkui's forces.

Therefore, although Zheng Zhilong's subordinate, his son Zheng Sen, intended to rebel against his uncle Zheng Hongkui, he did not dare to act rashly under the military pressure of Zhu Cilang. Any careless move could cause the situation to get out of control.

The story here is not simple at all. You have to know that in the original history, the Zheng family's internal struggles were also very fierce.

Standing on the roof, Wei Xian's thoughts raced. The complex situation in Zhangzhou was not just a simple struggle between local forces, but a microcosm of the entire southeastern situation.

Tonight, he has already noticed the unusual movements in Zhangzhou City. Things have reached a critical point, and he must prepare for the next action.

Wei Xian is now in a secret residence in Zhangzhou City, concentrating on observing the situation around him. His mind keeps recalling all the information he had received before, and the anxiety in his heart never relaxes for a moment.

He knew that his current situation was extremely dangerous, on the one hand because of the strategic position of the city, and on the other hand because of the responsibilities he shouldered.

As the head of the Imperial Guard, all intelligence from the southeastern coast had to be reviewed by him before being reported to Nanjing and presented directly to Zhou Shixian. Any slight mistake could affect the overall situation, especially in Zhangzhou, a crucial strategic node.

Zhangzhou has always been the key to pacifying the war in Fujian. If the imperial navy and the various Fujian tribes that cooperated internally and externally failed to successfully capture this city, it would inevitably directly affect the direction of the war in the south.

In other words, if Zhangzhou cannot be controlled, Zhu Cilang's plan to recover Fujian will most likely be hindered.

Once the situation in the entire South falls into chaos, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Wei Xian's eyes unconsciously fell on the map on the table. Since entering Zhangzhou, the situation has been tense and complicated.

Zheng Hongkui's rebellious intentions have been clearly revealed in many signs. Outside Zhangzhou City, security is tight, and there seem to be many undercurrents inside.

However, although the situation seemed controllable, he still felt stressed out.

After several setbacks, he finally decided to come in person. This trip didn't need him to be there himself, but he felt uneasy, worried that if he relied on others, he might miss important clues. He would rather take control of the situation himself than let it spiral out of control due to a slight oversight.

As night fell, the surroundings gradually quieted down. Wei Xian still did not relax his vigilance. He arranged for his men to take turns on night watch, keeping a close eye on the movements of Feng Shuangli and his troops.

Although he did not notice any major abnormalities, he still did not dare to relax completely and continued to closely observe the developments in the city.

As time went by and the night deepened, Wei Xian had just lain down when he suddenly heard a vague sound, like hurried footsteps in the distance. His heart suddenly tightened, and he immediately jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed.

Sure enough, not long after, his men hurried in and reported in a low voice: "Boss, something seems to be wrong outside. The owner and the shop assistants didn't react much, but we saw the fire outside the yard getting stronger and stronger. Something might have happened."

Wei Xian quickly left the room, his heart growing heavier. He looked out the window and saw tiny flickers of fire in the distant northwest sky. The surrounding streets also began to become noisy, and he could faintly hear the sounds of shouting and killing in the distance.

His heart trembled, and he quickly ordered his men to bring a ladder and climb to the roof with a few people to investigate. Standing on the roof, Wei Xian looked out at the chaotic scene in the city. Under the moonlight, he saw people holding torches on the streets, groups of soldiers began to run around, and bursts of shouts and cries of killing rose and fell.

From the area illuminated by the fire, it could be seen that a fierce conflict had indeed taken place in Zhangzhou City. Houses on both sides of the street were burned down, the fire reflected the weapons wielded by the soldiers, and the air was filled with a sense of tension and danger.

"What's going on?" Wei Xian wondered. Although he was far away and couldn't hear any specific noise, he realized that this sudden commotion was no accident. While security outside Zhangzhou was lax, the security inside was extremely tight; even the slightest movement would go unnoticed.

Now, the chaos in the city is obviously not a sudden event. At least some people have realized the situation they are facing and started to respond.

(End of this chapter)