There is no such thing as the Kangxi and Qianlong eras

Chapter 450 The White Lotus Sect Enters Shaanxi

Luoyang.

A large white lotus flag was hanging on the city gate tower; this was the flag representing the White Lotus Sect.

More than half a month ago, Luoyang City was isolated and helpless, and the White Lotus Sect was determined to take it over.

Tens of thousands of soldiers charged recklessly into the city, and with such a desperate, swarming attack, they finally managed to capture Luoyang.

Knowing he could not escape, the Manchu prefect Chengze hanged himself the moment the city fell. His body was discovered by the White Lotus sect and was still taken to the city tower and hung up for public display.

"Master, Master, something terrible has happened!" Li Jie rushed into the government office hall with a report in hand.

At this moment, Liu Zhixie was still meeting with his staff to discuss the White Lotus Sect's subsequent strategic plans, and they were talking about a critical moment.

"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry? What kind of behavior is this?" Liu Zhixie said with displeasure.

Seeing Liu Zhixie's displeasure, Li Jie recovered and quickly cupped his hands, saying, "Master, it's not that I'm panicking, but something terrible has happened in Kaifeng."

"What, what major event could have happened in Kaifeng? Surely the Han army hasn't already taken Kaifeng?" Liu Zhixie asked casually.

Li Jie was taken aback and said, "No, but the Han army has already taken all the counties in the southern part of Kaifeng Prefecture, and may even be besieging the city of Kaifeng now."

"The Han army has besieged Kaifeng?" Liu Zhixie was quite surprised to hear this. He had not expected the Han army to move so quickly.

It seems the Han army was attacking Guide Prefecture not long ago, right? How come they've already surrounded Kaifeng so quickly?

Before Li Jie could reply, Liu Zhixie's chief strategist Zhang Yanshan said, "Master, this is a golden opportunity!"

"What brilliant ideas does the strategist have? Tell me quickly!" Liu Zhixie's eyes lit up, and he asked hurriedly.

Zhang Yanshan said, “Master, now that the Han army has surrounded Kaifeng, they will not retreat until they capture Kaifeng. This is your opportunity. While the Han and Qing armies are fighting around Kaifeng, you can concentrate your forces to open up the passage to Qin to the west. As long as you can enter Shaanxi and Qin territory, then my White Lotus Sect... no, I mean your great cause can be accomplished.”

"Even if we take a step back and assume that the struggle for supremacy has failed, the leader of the sect is still entitled to the title of King of Qin!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhixie was indeed quite tempted. As for becoming emperor, it's something every man has dreamed of.

Those who receive orders from heaven will live long and prosperous lives.

These are eight words that no normal man can refuse!

But despite his thoughts, Liu Zhixie knew his own limitations and the true nature of the White Lotus Sect in Henan.

With the White Lotus Sect's strength, the idea of ​​seizing the world and defeating the Han and Manchu dynasties is not too far-fetched, but rather a pipe dream.

The dream of becoming emperor is not something to be pursued for now, but vying for the throne and becoming a prince is something worth considering.

After all, if the Han army hadn't come, Liu Zhixie truly intended to declare himself king in the territory he currently occupied.

Liu Zhixie thought strategist Zhang Yanshan's words made sense, but Li Jie was somewhat reluctant: "But Mr. Zhang, the Han army recently seized Xuzhou from my White Lotus Sect. Now that the Han army is fighting the Qing army, should my White Lotus Sect do nothing? Even if we don't participate in the battle, we should at least take back Xuzhou!"

These words made Zhang Yanshan's lips twitch, and Liu Zhixie seemed to be somewhat tempted as well.

Zhang Yanshan hurriedly said, "Master, Commander-in-Chief Li, you must not think like that! To put it bluntly, the reason why our army was able to capture Luoyang without any obstacles and even further west to conquer the Qin passes is because..."

"It is precisely because the Han army is holding the line in front of us that if the Manchus want to deal with us, they must deal with the Han army first. But if we take advantage of the Han army's battle with the Manchus to launch a surprise attack and recapture Xuzhou, then what we have recaptured is just a city that is insignificant in the eyes of the Han army, but the result may be the breakdown of the superficial peaceful relationship between the Han army and us."

"Let me tell you a more recent story, Master and Commander-in-Chief Li. Back when the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty was in power, Wu Sangui, the Prince of Pingxi, together with Geng Jingzhong, the Prince of Jingnan, and Shang Zhixin, the Prince of Pingnan, launched the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories, almost taking over the entire south." "The reason for their ultimate failure was that when Geng Jingzhong, the Prince of Jingnan, launched his Northern Expedition and attacked Nanjing, he was ambushed in the rear by the Ming Zheng army, which led to the failure of the Northern Expedition!"

Li Jie, who was not highly educated, asked, "What is the Ming-Zheng regime?"

Zhang Yanshan explained: "The Ming Zheng regime was a remnant of the former Ming imperial family. With the support of the Zheng family army, the former Ming Prince Ningjing fled to Taiwan to eke out a living, continuing to rule under the Ming banner. Later, taking advantage of the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, he landed in Fujian..."

When it comes to the Ming dynasty's Zheng family, especially Zheng Jing, it's truly difficult to find a worthy match!
First, he had an affair with his wet nurse and even had a son with her, which angered Lord Guoxing to death.

The Revolt of the Three Feudatories was a rare opportunity, almost the best chance to overthrow the Qing Dynasty, and also the last chance.

Geng Jingzhong has already taken advantage of the favorable situation to attack Nanjing. Once Nanjing is captured, regardless of who becomes emperor, it is hard to say whether the Manchu Qing, having lost Jiangnan and half of Huguang, can withstand the attack.

After all, Kang Youwei's military skills were not exactly worrisome, but they were also completely unremarkable. His ability to defeat Wu Sangui was entirely due to his youth and longevity.

Wu Sangui was indeed disgusting as a traitor who served three masters, but as a vanguard who helped the Manchus destroy the Southern Ming, and coming from a military family in Liaodong, his military capabilities were undeniable.

However, while Geng Jingzhong was attacking Nanjing, Zheng Jing in Taiwan was a real genius, launching a fierce surprise attack on Geng Jingzhong's hometown in Fujian.

This left Geng Jingzhong besieged on all sides, ultimately leading to his downfall as the first vassal state to fall to the Qing army.

Of course, Geng Jingzhong's actual military strength was also limited. It is estimated that he had to go all in to capture Nanjing. If Zheng Jing hadn't come to attack Fujian, it is estimated that Geng Jingzhong would have had a hard time achieving anything significant.

But Zheng Jing's actions have shifted all the blame onto him.

What's even more ridiculous is that after Geng Fan was wiped out, with no one standing in his way, Zheng Jing slunk out of Fujian, giving back all the territory he had occupied.

It was a waste of money and resources; even the Qing army couldn't handle it.

After this explanation, Li Jie understood, and his face immediately darkened.

Because Zhang Yanshan was clearly targeting him, before Li Jie could react, Liu Zhixie quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Ahem, alright, alright, what the strategist said is indeed reasonable. Although the Han army is not honorable, they are still allies of my White Lotus Sect. Right now, the Han army is busy fighting the Qing demons. Even if we don't help them, we can't take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, only to end up benefiting the Qing demons for nothing!"

After a pause, he continued, "My mind is made up. Immediately order all generals and commanders-in-chief to disregard the battle in Kaifeng. Prepare your troops; we will march west to attack Shanzhou (Sanmenxia)!"

Shanzhou is located on the south bank of the Yellow River, right in the Zhongtiao Mountains area, on the southern border of Shanxi Province. It is also west of the Xiaoshan Mountains, and is the last and most dangerous pass and gorge before the Yellow River enters the Central Plains.

The terrain here is treacherous, the water is swift, and the cliffs on both sides are steep. There are also two stone islands in the middle of the Yellow River, which divide the rapids into three gates: "Human Gate", "God Gate" and "Ghost Gate".

This is also the origin of the name Sanmenxia (Three Gates Gorge) given to this place by later generations. However, due to the passage of time, various changes in the course of the Yellow River and the deposition of silt, Sanmenxia no longer exists, leaving only records and legends.

To advance into Shaanxi via Henan, the White Lotus Sect needed to secure Shanzhou, and then proceed along the Yellow River to attack Tongguan Pass.

After capturing Tongguan, Xi'an will be the next city.

This section of the road is not long, but it is more difficult to traverse than any other passage. Only the elite troops of the White Lotus Sect could barely manage it.

Therefore, the battle between the Han army and the Qing army in Kaifeng was indeed an opportunity for the White Lotus Sect, allowing them to no longer need to use too many troops to defend against the Han and Qing armies, and to calmly mobilize their main force to attack Shaanxi.

Meanwhile, the Han army in Henan was dividing into three routes to besiege Kaifeng Prefecture. The White Lotus Sect was also acting swiftly, gathering eight thousand of its soldiers in Luoyang and conscripting more than ten thousand believers and laborers, claiming to have an army of one hundred thousand.

They marched along the Xiaoshan Valley Road to attack Shanzhou.

(End of this chapter)