Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 231 Pre-war Deployment for Taking Over Guangdong and Guangxi

"Your Highness?" Seeing the sudden change in the expression of the person beside her, and even issuing an order to send troops into battle, the Crown Princess Xia looked worried. She looked at her husband with some tension, holding his hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

Perhaps due to her pregnancy, Princess Xia has been very sensitive lately, both physically and mentally. She's even reached the point where she needs to smell her husband's scent to fall asleep. Therefore, with her husband's anticipated departure for war, she is filled with worry, her beautiful face etched with sorrow and grief.

"Don't worry, my lord, I will handle everything." Looking at his wife, who was emotionally sensitive during her pregnancy, Zhu Zhanhe gently embraced Xia Shi, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, and comforted her softly.

"Mmm!" Overwhelmed by the warmth of her embrace, Princess Xia also clung tightly to her husband's broad shoulders, momentarily lost in reverie.
Soon, Zhu Zhanhe gathered his father-in-law Xia Yuanji, the commander of the three armies Hu Tian, ​​the commander of the five armies Jiang Xiaohu, the officer in charge of the five armies Mu Bin, the commander of the Shenji Battalion Qian Zhongcai, the officer in charge of the Shenji Battalion Mu Ang, the naval commander Zhu Xilong, the naval commander Wang Jinghong, the naval deputy commander Xia Xuan, the commander of the Prince's Palace guards Liu Erniu, his second brother Zhu Zhanqi, his third brother Zhu Zhanyi, and other key figures of the Han Prince's Palace in the Chengyun Hall of the Prince's Palace.

"Everyone should know why I've gathered you all here today."

It's very simple. I will directly occupy the Guangdong and Guangxi regions after the Emperor's mourning period ends.

"Tell me your thoughts!" At the outset, Zhu Zhanhe made no preamble or hesitation, directly informing everyone of his purpose in gathering them: he wanted to occupy the Guangdong and Guangxi regions. This was not a discussion, but an order! He needed everyone to share their methods.

Therefore, seeing Zhu Zhanhe's resolute expression, Xia Yuanji, with a complex expression, repeatedly tried to speak, but swallowed the words that were about to come out. Wang Jinghong, the naval commander sent by the court, was even more stunned. He knew that the court's actions were not entirely ethical, but he hadn't expected the Crown Prince of Han to be so resolute, choosing to directly seize the lands of Guangdong and Guangxi in response to the court's mockery!
"The three camps will follow Your Highness's lead without hesitation!" Hu Tian, ​​the commander-in-chief of the three armies, glanced at his two deputy generals. After the three of them exchanged glances, he swore allegiance without hesitation.

"As it should be!"

"Your Highness, please make the arrangements directly!" The others echoed without hesitation. Wang Jinghong, who had just arrived, simply watched calmly. He knew that he had no say here.

“Alright, since that’s the case, let’s use the Guangdong and Guangxi regions to test the combined arms capabilities of the army and navy.” Seeing that no one objected, Zhu Zhanhe nodded to himself and directly stated his idea: he wanted to use the Guangdong and Guangxi regions to test the combined arms capabilities of the army and navy.

"There are still more than twenty days left in the mourning period. General Hu Tian, ​​you should mobilize the three major battalions to fully cooperate with the navy in personnel selection and deployment of naval ships and artillery. My bottom line is that the Shenji Battalion can contribute half of its firepower to arm the navy."

As for the bottom line for the Five Armies and the Three Thousand Battalions, it is 30%." Zhu Zhanhe did not hesitate and directly issued an order, requiring the army to fully cooperate with the navy, improve its organizational structure, and quickly form combat capability. It was even possible to mobilize personnel and equipment from the army.

"This subordinate obeys!" Hu Tian accepted the order without hesitation, his face showing obvious reluctance.

"General Wang." After dealing with the problem of insufficient combat power in the navy due to personnel shortages, Zhu Zhanhe turned to look at Wang Jinghong, the naval commander sent by the imperial court.

"Your subordinate is here!" Wang Jinghong responded to Zhu Zhanhe's words and stood up. He was not young, but a veteran general in his fifties, approaching sixty. He was cautious and very respectful to Zhu Zhanhe. Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's order, he immediately stood up and bowed in response.

"General Wang, the Army will fully cooperate with you to screen or recruit all naval personnel. Except for a few high-ranking commanders, you can choose any other personnel, equipment, horses, and supplies you wish to provide. My only requirement is that the Navy quickly achieve combat readiness."
"Twenty days. You only have twenty days. I need to make the navy capable of waging war." Zhu Zhanhe made no secret of his impending invasion of Guangdong and Guangxi, nor was he afraid that Wang Jinghong would inform the court. What he wanted was the overall combat power of the navy!

"This humble general will do his best!" Wang Jinghong knew that time was extremely tight, and the newly selected personnel even had problems with coordination. But this would be the first test the Crown Prince of Han had given him, so he had no choice but to agree. "General Wang, regarding the selection of personnel for the navy, I'm not afraid of you needing a lot of people, as long as you can manage to train one person to lead another."

You should also know that the imperial court will assemble another entire fleet to join me.

"Therefore, by then, the current navy will be split into two, and there will be a huge personnel shortage." Zhu Zhanhe bluntly told Wang Jinghong that the fleet the court owed him must be repaid!

"Your subordinate obeys!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Wang Jinghong's spirits lifted. He looked at the Crown Prince of Han incredulously, his face filled with doubt. You've already raised an army and taken over Guangdong and Guangxi, which is tantamount to a direct rebellion, isn't it? Would the court really give you a fleet? Are you kidding me?
Faced with Wang Jinghong's doubts, Zhu Zhanhe did not continue to explain. Instead, he turned his gaze to his father-in-law, Xia Yuanji, who had a complicated expression on his face.

"Father-in-law, please write a letter in my name to the Guangdong and Guangxi Provincial Administration Commission, informing them that I will directly send troops to take over the Guangdong and Guangxi regions after the mourning period ends, and that they should be prepared." Zhu Zhanhe ignored his father-in-law's complicated thoughts and instead issued the order directly.

"Yes, sir!" Although he was very uncomfortable, Xia Yuanji still agreed. He knew that this battle was unavoidable, after all, the court's actions were really unacceptable. Sending a bunch of old, weak, sick and disabled people was one thing, intercepting the fleet's guards was another, but dismantling all the cannons and weapons from the fleet was just disgusting.

Notifying the Guangdong and Guangxi provincial administration in advance was also a manifestation of the Crown Prince's benevolence, giving them time to consider and time to seek help. However, Xia Yuanji knew that there was simply not enough time in Guangdong and Guangxi. Even if he sent the letter to Guangdong and Guangxi today, it would still be too late for the provincial administration officials to begin preparing for the enemy and seeking help.

Because the Prince of Han is rebelling! The anti-Japanese garrison troops in Guangdong and Guangxi have long been transferred away! It will take time for them to send a message to the court requesting assistance! It will take time for the court to discuss countermeasures! It will take time for the court to inquire about the reasons for the Prince of Han's uprising! It will take time for the court to send reinforcements!
Even if the imperial court received the information and immediately arranged for the dismantled cannons and supplies to be sent back to Yunnan, it would still take time to communicate, and there simply wasn't enough time for such a round trip!

Now, with the emperor's death, the new emperor's ascension, and the rebellions of the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao, the court has no energy left to govern the remote areas of Guangdong and Guangxi. It will most likely send people to negotiate peace.

However, the court has already sent a Grand Secretary to negotiate peace once. Who will they send again? Furthermore, will the Crown Prince of Han agree to negotiate peace again?
The imperial court's unauthorized actions had already disrupted the Crown Prince's plans to expand the territory. Furthermore, the court's actions directly boosted the morale of the soldiers in the three major camps of Yunnan. Xia Yuanji knew that things were now in a difficult situation!

While Xia Yuanji's mind was in turmoil, Zhu Zhanhe continued with his arrangements and plans.

"Second brother, and the two elder brothers from the Mu family, you will still be going on this expedition with the three major camps. You must obey General Hu's orders." Zhu Zhanhe turned his head and looked at his second brother Zhu Zhanqi, who was sitting below him, as well as the two brothers Mu Bin and Mu Lin sent by the Mu family. He made it clear to the three of them that they were going to learn, not to act like big shots. They should obey orders obediently and not cause any trouble.

"Your subordinate obeys!" Without hesitation, the three men stood up abruptly, bowed, and readily agreed. Zhu Zhanqi was filled with excitement, while the two Mu brothers were required by their father to follow the orders of the Crown Prince of Han.
"Sit down." Zhu Zhanhe looked at the excited group and gestured for them to sit down and talk.

"To tell you the truth, I always keep my word. I said I would give the soldiers land and let them live well, and I will definitely do it," Zhu Zhanhe said to the crowd with a helpless expression.

Little did they know that Zhu Zhanhe's words immediately jolted everyone present in the Chengyun Hall.

(End of this chapter)