You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 304 Packing up all the traitors and sending them to Chief Minister Chiang.

Jiang Qingyun continued to draft the order.

Brother Zhou Shaowu, it is as if we are face to face upon seeing this letter:
With over a hundred generals and an army of one hundred thousand, Wu Sangui was virtually unmatched by the imperial court in the south. Therefore, in the initial stages, Wu Sangui would undoubtedly achieve successive victories, while the imperial court would suffer heavy losses and territories.

I have made the following mental preparations: all areas south of the Yangtze River, except for Jiangnan and Sichuan, could fall into enemy hands.

War is both a crisis and a great opportunity.

We must use this war to purge the local forces in the south as much as possible, including gentry, officials, powerful clansmen, and chieftains. We must be bold in our killings, and we must have sufficient reasons for them.

We have few friends behind us! We are surrounded by enemies! What we are about to do will inevitably be met with united opposition from landlords and gentry!
As the ancients said:
They learned both literary and martial skills and sold them to the emperor.

I believe that most scholars did not care who became emperor; they only cared about whether they could enter the new dynasty and become officials.

Do not overestimate the moral standards of scholars, nor underestimate their destructive potential.

In order to compete with Wu Sangui for the educated class, I have decided to hold special imperial examinations simultaneously in Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanchang, and Fuzhou, significantly increasing the pass rate for the provincial examinations in each province. All eligible candidates will be admitted, and after admission, they will all go to the capital to participate in the metropolitan examination.

In addition, I will transfer 2000 Green Standard Army soldiers from Zhili and 3000 Green Standard Army soldiers from Shaanxi and Gansu to your command.

In addition, you should immediately set about establishing the Taihu Navy to train troops through suppression and eliminate the lake bandits.

……

Xi'an.

The Governor's Office.

Meng Qiaofang coughed violently as she browsed through the Ministry of War's official documents.

"Father, shall I go find a doctor?"

"Cough cough cough, no need. How long I live at my age is all up to fate. Besides, no matter how skilled the doctors in Xi'an are, can they be more skilled than Director Wu of the Imperial Medical Academy? Never mind, take a look at this official document."

Meng Xiongchen's expression changed after reading it.

"Can you tell me about it?"

"The Grand Secretary has ordered us to send 3000 soldiers south to Baoning, Sichuan, to be under the command of Governor-General Li. He has also ordered us to send 3000 soldiers to Jiangsu to be under the command of Governor-General Zhou. During our garrison period, all our provisions and pay will be provided by the local authorities. It seems like a good thing, but it also seems like a bad thing."

"What's good about it? What's bad about it?"

"The advantage is that we can reduce the number of battalion commanders we have to cut and arrange for them to go out and eat. The disadvantage is that Shaanxi and Gansu have truly become the court's number one henchmen."

Meng Qiaofang laughed, coughing as she laughed.

"You've matured."

"Father?"

"If you can think of this, I can die without regret."

"Why does Father always talk about death?"

"What is there to fear in death? Everyone must die. I was born in a chaotic era, and I'm quite content to have reached my current position. After I die, I intend to pass the governorship to you. But—"

Meng Xiongchen understood immediately and tiptoed outside to take a look around.

"However, some people may not be willing to do so."

"uncle?"

"Ah."

The room fell silent for a moment.

“When I was alive, no one dared to oppose me. Qiao Mei had a high reputation in the army, and many people in his family also supported him. My spies discovered that he was secretly winning over Zhao Liangdong. Zhao Liangdong is ambitious and capable, and he also controls the most elite Central Battalion of our Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army.”

"Father?"

Meng Qiaofang waved her hand.

"So, now is an opportunity. The Grand Secretary is clearly using our Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army as henchmen, so let's take this opportunity to get rid of this trouble."

"Send your uncle away?"

"No, no, that would be too obvious. I want to transfer Zhao Liangdong out."

“But Zhao Liangdong is gone, but Uncle can still win over other people.”

"Therefore, you must quickly distinguish yourself, establish your prestige in the army, and earn the heartfelt respect of your family. With prestige, popularity, and the support of the court, you will be able to secure your position as Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu."

"Yes."

Meng Xiongchen left silently.

He and his father both understood that Shaanxi and Gansu were too fierce places, and only a strong person could control the position of governor-general. Even with the support of the imperial court, it would not work; a weak person would only lose his life if he took the position.

……

That night.

Meng Qiaofang hosted a banquet in her backyard.

"This humble general pays his respects to the Governor."

"Liangdong is here, please sit down." Zhao Liangdong looked at the sumptuous feast on the table, and alarm bells went off in his mind. He instinctively thought of the Feast at Hongmen, and his eyes kept glancing around.

"Eat up, don't be shy, make yourself at home."

"The general will not dare."

"Zhao Liangdong, you are a born general. To be honest, it's a waste of your talents to be under my wing."

"grown ups?"

Meng Qiaofang stopped him from speaking.

"I value talent, and now I have an opportunity for you to rise to prominence. Wu Sangui has rebelled, and Jiangnan is in danger. The Grand Secretary needs a valiant general to guard Jiangsu, and I would like to recommend you for the position. The Grand Secretary is known for his ability to recognize talent, and I estimate that you will at least become a general in Jiangsu. With a few more military achievements, you will be promoted to admiral in no time."

Zhao Liangdong wanted to pretend he was unwilling to leave his former master, but he couldn't suppress his overwhelming joy.

His face was divided by his nose; the upper half was taut, while the lower half was splayed out, making him look as comical as could be.

Meng Qiaofang smiled and said,

"Alright, Liangdong. You are still young and have a bright future ahead of you. A good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown. If you ever achieve great success in the future, remember to take care of my descendants."

"I will never forget the Governor's kindness."

Zhao Liangdong left his seat, knelt down and kowtowed three times solemnly.

"Stop kowtowing, come, have a drink, I'll personally see you off."

"I will obey my orders."

"Liangdong, Wu Sangui is your former master. Will you feel guilty fighting against him?"

"This humble general only recognizes the imperial court and has no regard for any former masters."

That sounds harsh.
But Meng Qiaofang, who was used to the hardships of life, didn't care at all. He understood the ways of the world and people's hearts all too well. How many of the officials in the court were truly gentlemen?
If Lü Bu were alive at this time, he would also feel the same way:

Looking around, I see nothing but slaves of four surnames, five surnames, and even nine surnames, which makes me, a slave of three surnames, seem noble.

The late Ming Dynasty was truly a moral low point, a place that had existed for three thousand years.

Zhao Liangdong, slightly drunk, couldn't help but ask, "Governor-General, what do you think of the Grand Secretary?"

"The Grand Secretary has the bearing of Emperor Taizong."

Zhao Liangdong was startled and nodded solemnly.

……

The next day.

The Governor-General's Office routinely conducts a troop mobilization.

Meng Qiaofang took the seat of honor with an air of authority.

"By imperial decree, the Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army is to be dispatched to quell the rebellion. Zhao Liangdong."

"The general is here!"

"I hereby order you to lead 3000 soldiers south to Suzhou to defend against Wu Sangui's rebel army. Are you willing?"

"I will obey my orders."

Meng Qiaofang then recited the names of six officers below the rank of centurion from each of the various battalions of the Imperial Guard. All those named complied and their faces lit up with joy.

the reason is simple.

Jiangnan is a fertile land, and the Governor-General of Liangjiang is the sworn brother of the Grand Secretary. Going to Jiangnan would mean better food, drink, salary, and future prospects than Shaanxi and Gansu.

Meng Qiaomei was stunned.

The eldest brother is indeed the eldest brother; he hit himself in the back the moment he made a move.

The officers who were just called out were all his own people. They were being poached, and he couldn't stop them. If he stood up to oppose it, he would be hindering their advancement.

To obstruct progress is a heinous crime.

Meng Qiaofang:
"The Ministry of War also needs to transfer 3000 soldiers to Baoning, Sichuan. Compared to Suzhou, the conditions in Baoning are somewhat inferior, but fortunately the journey is not far. Who is willing to go?"

The room was completely silent. Many people were thinking about sending gifts and using connections to follow Zhao Liangdong to Jiangnan.

"This humble official is willing to go."

Meng Xiongchen stepped forward.

There was a commotion among the crowd.

"Alright, there are no fathers and sons in the army. Since you have this intention, I will support you. Tell me, which battalion commanders do you want to transfer?"

"I only need 50 officers. As for the rest of the soldiers, I want to recruit those brothers who have been discharged and sent home, to find a way for our Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army brothers to make a living."

"it is good!"

The audience below sighed with admiration, marveling at the young master's loyalty and integrity.

(End of this chapter)