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

Chapter 366 The Eighteen Princes' Campaign Against Liaodong

Early spring of 1657.

As troops from various provinces arrived around Beijing, the atmosphere gradually became delicate.

Jiang Qingyun personally inspected the city's defenses.

A military force was marching outside the city; judging by the banners, it was Shang Kexi's Tianci Army.

"Pass down the order to strengthen the defenses of the nine gates and increase patrols within the city. Anyone who causes trouble shall be arrested, and if arrested, killed without exception."

"As ordered."

"All troops that have already arrived in Beijing must not linger; they must immediately head north and garrison outside Shanhaiguan."

“The commanders of the reinforcements from each province shall be brought to the capital to discuss the distribution of their salaries. They shall not bring more than 20 guards with them, otherwise it shall be considered treason.”

As we were talking~
Suddenly someone came to report.

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, the Prince of Jin has arrived."

"Let's go, I'll go greet you myself."

……

Outside Yongding Gate.

Li Dingguo, who had traveled a long way through wind, frost, rain, and snow to get here, was quite surprised to see the impressive procession leaving the city.

"That is?"

"Your Highness, that is Chief Minister Jiang."

Li Dingguo was taken aback, then quickly dismounted and strode forward.

Jiang Qingyun walked even faster than him, all smiles, and even offered her hand.

"Brother Li, I have long admired your name. It is a great pleasure to meet you today."

"The Grand Secretary flatters me."

"Let's go into town together."

"Grand Secretary, my brothers?"

Jiang Qingyun released Li Dingguo's hand and looked affectionately at the soldiers behind him.

"The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. Brothers, you have backbone and courage; you are true men. On behalf of all the people of the world, I thank you."

Having said that, he bowed deeply with his hands clasped in front of him.

The army formation instantly stirred. The soldiers were deeply moved. Some stood frozen in place, some knelt on one knee, and some wiped away tears.

Jiang Qingyun shouted very loudly.

Where are the people from the Ministry of War?

"The subordinate is here."

"The brothers' rations and pay will be generous and high. If anyone is shortchanged, they will be executed without mercy."

"As ordered."

……

Yuquan Mountain.

A banquet was held for Li Dingguo and his son.

Jiang Qingyun, beaming, was the first to raise his glass:

"The Prince of Jin has pursued enlightenment throughout his life and has never feared power. I greatly admire him. Please..."

"You flatter me. Please, Grand Secretary, call me Dingguo."

"Brother Dingguo, we became friends after our misunderstanding, so I'll drink to that first as a sign of respect!"

Li Dingguo looked slightly flustered and quickly drank a large gulp of wine.

The atmosphere is very harmonious.

"Does Madam know how I met Brother Dingguo?"

"battlefield?"

"Indeed. Back then, in Songzi, Hubei, my brother Dingguo and I fought a battle for our respective masters, which turned out to be completely inexplicable."

Li Dingguo looked embarrassed and didn't know how to respond, so he simply got up and drank another cup.

Jiang Qingyun: "There is no one else present at today's family banquet. If Brother Dingguo has any questions, please feel free to ask."

"Chief Minister, who is suitable to be the ruler?"

Upon hearing this, Li Sixing, who was standing to the side, was stunned.

Jiang Qingyun put down his wine glass.

"Brother Dingguo, where are you from?"

"A native of Yulin Prefecture, Shaanxi Province."

Why did you rebel in the first place?

"We had no food to eat, and we would starve to death if we didn't rebel. It just so happened that the Great Western King was passing through Yulin, so I joined the rebellion."

"From the Wanli Emperor to the Chongzhen Emperor, the people of Shaanxi suffered greatly."

Li Dingguo looked somber.

"Brother Dingguo, have you ever thought about why this is? Is it the fault of Heaven or the fault of the government?"

"All."

Who has more?

"The government."

"Corrupt officials cause widespread suffering. What I'm trying to say is that who becomes emperor isn't important; what's important is who can ensure a good life for hundreds of millions of people. Am I right?" "Yes!"

"So, the Ming Dynasty's demise was not unjust, don't you agree?"

Li Dingguo hesitated for a moment, then nodded silently.

"Later, the Qing Dynasty came. The Qing Dynasty was even more inhuman. In terms of barbarity and bloodshed, no one could surpass them. They massacred entire cities and forced people to shave their heads. Their crimes were too numerous to count. Therefore, everyone was forced to pick up the banner of the Ming Dynasty again and resist the Qing Dynasty."

Li Dingguo's expression clearly showed more pain.

……

Jiang Qingyun's expression suddenly turned serious: "Brother Dingguo, I want to change this terrible world. I want hundreds of millions of people to live a good life. Are you willing to support me?"

"If the Grand Secretary can truly fulfill his promise, I am willing to support his ascension to the throne."

Looking at Li Dingguo, who seemed to have made up his mind, Jiang Qingyun burst into laughter.

Li Dingguo was bewildered.
Jiang Qingyun took the initiative to get up and pour him a drink.

“You are wrong. A monarch whose word is law, a greedy civil official, and a vulgar and immoral military officer are the three greatest evils in the world. We need to change these things at their root, not just change the emperor.”

"Prime Minister, I don't understand."

"The most important thing to change is your mindset. Tomorrow I'll have someone take you to some places to see the sights, and perhaps you'll understand my good intentions. By the way, Zhu Youlang lives in the Forbidden City; you can visit him when you have time."

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

Li Dingguo looked grateful.

On the way down the mountain~
Li Dingguo suddenly exclaimed, "Having met him today, I realize that the Grand Secretary is not Dong Zhuo; he is a good man who cares about the common people."

Li Sixing: "Father is right."

On the mountain.

Jiang Qingyun is practicing archery.

Jiangnan stood to one side, responsible for handing over the arrows.

"Madam, what kind of person do you think Li Dingguo is?"

"I can't say."

"He's an honest man!"

Jiang Qingyun drew the bowstring taut, held his breath, and became one with the arrow. Whoosh! A thick branch, as thick as an arm, fell to the ground in the distance.

I'm itching to see Jiangnan.

"Madam, why don't you give it a try?"

"As ordered!"

……

Outside Shanhaiguan.

The armies from all directions gathered, their camps stretching for 20 miles, with a constant stream of supply wagons and horses from Tongzhou to the main camp.

The Guangdong army numbered 40000 and was led by Prince Pingnan, Shang Kexi.

The Yunnan-Guizhou Army numbered 5000 and was led by Li Dingguo.

The Shaanxi-Gansu Army numbered 15000 and was commanded by Meng Xiongchen, son of the Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu and holding the title of Vice Minister of War.

The Hunan Army consisted of 8000 men, led by Governor Wang Fuchen and Admiral Meng Qiaomei.

The Sichuan Army consisted of 5000 men, led by Governor-General Li Guoying and Admiral Wang Jinbao.

In addition, there were 20000 Green Standard Army soldiers from Henan, Shandong, Anhui, Guangxi and Hubei provinces.

In addition, there were Chiang Kai-shek and his son's directly subordinate troops—20000 Zhili Green Standard Army, 20000 New Army, and 15000 Eight Banner Army.

A high point in the camp.

Jiang Qingyun stood imposingly, looking down at the army from his high vantage point.

"Report! General Zheng Tai and General Liu Guoxuan have arrived."

"Please!"

Zheng Tai is Zheng Sen's uncle by the same clan. He is fierce, cunning, ambitious, and a typical pirate.

"This humble general pays his respects to the Grand Secretary."

"You two have worked hard. Please rise. Where is the fleet now?"

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, we are currently anchored at the Dagukou Wharf in Tianjin."

"Let's go back to the tent."

The Chinese military tent.

Jiang Qingyun drew his sword and pointed it at the map.

"Zheng Tai, Liu Guoxuan, your mission is to control Pi Island or Juehua Island, use the island as a base, and harass the enemy's rear from the sea. Loot and burn as much as you can. All spoils captured by your unit in this operation do not need to be handed over to the authorities, and the operational objectives do not need to be requested."

Zheng Tai was taken aback.

"Following in Mao Wenlong's footsteps?"

"Correct."

Jiang Qingyun personally poured the wine and then picked it up.

"Generals! In this campaign against Liaodong, the naval operations will be undertaken solely by your Zheng family's navy. No one will share the credit for the victory, and no one will take the blame for the defeat. Do not let the world laugh at you, and do not disappoint the Prince of Yanping. If you capture one of these two islands, it will be a victory; if you capture both, it will be a great victory."

"Drink this farewell drink, and go!"

Zheng Tai and Liu Guoxuan exchanged a glance and bowed in unison, saying, "Your subordinates obey your orders."

(End of this chapter)