With 100,000 elite soldiers at the start, what should you call me?

……

Nanning.

Jin Shenghuan's rebellion in Jiangxi halted Geng Zhongming's advance on Guilin.

Li Chengdong's rebellion, which led the entire province of Guangdong, shocked the nation.

After several days of investigation, it was found that Li Chengdong had indeed betrayed them.

"It really is true!"

Zhu Youlang was overjoyed, knowing that the Ming Dynasty had gained another pillar of support.

"Your Majesty, the ministers are already waiting for you in Chengtian Hall," the eunuch Wang Kun reminded Zhu Youlang with a happy expression.

Since the Ming Dynasty moved south, the situation has deteriorated day by day. Now that the situation is turning for the better, the two are naturally happy.

Before long, the two arrived at Chengtian Hall.

Inside the main hall stood hundreds of officials, and Zhu Youlang slowly sat on the throne.

The officials bowed and greeted the officials.

"Your Majesty, I can vouch for the truth of General Li's defection from darkness to light. We may go to Zhaoqing to welcome General Li," said Cao Ye, the former Qing Dynasty governor of Guangxi.

At this moment, Cheng Yuan, the Vice Minister of War, stepped forward and refused to agree. "Your Majesty, this matter is not urgent. Since General Li is sincerely willing to abandon the darkness and join the fight against the Jurchens, we cannot disappoint him."

"Your Majesty should first reward General Li handsomely."

Zhu Youlang nodded upon hearing this, agreeing with the statement; he had almost agreed outright just now.

All the news says that Li Chengdong sincerely wants to return to the Ming Dynasty, but who knows if it's true or not?

What if they're trying to lure the emperor out of the country?

"Very well, General Li should be richly rewarded. My esteemed ministers, what do you think should be done in this way?"

Guo Zhiqi, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and proposed: "Your Majesty, not only did Li Chengdong voluntarily surrender to the Ming, but so did his generals. We cannot show favoritism."

"It would be better to enfeoff Li Chengdong as the Marquis of Guangchang and Tong Yangjia as the Earl of Xiangping."

"Very well, this matter will be handled by the Ministry of Rites. Make sure that the official seal of our Great Ming is delivered to General Li."

Zhu Youlang said solemnly.

"Your Majesty also has Jin Shenghuan from Jiangxi and Li Tian from Jianning," an official below reminded them.

Zhu Youlang pondered carefully; "I will bestow upon Jin Shenghuan the title of Duke, and as for Li Tian, ​​let the Ministry of Rites decide."

"I obey your decree."

Before long, three imperial edicts of bestowal of honors were drafted, and the corresponding official seals were made.

Jin Shenghuan of Jiangxi was the first to rebel against the Qing Dynasty, so his imperial edict was prepared in advance and sent to Jiangxi immediately after it was issued.

Li Chengdong was located in neighboring Guangdong, which Zhu Youlang valued highly. Li Chengdong held considerable military power and would become a key force in the resistance against the Qing Dynasty.

As for Li Tianzhu Youlang, he merely gave the other party a title.

He was willing to grant any person a government position as long as they were willing to resist the Qing.

Ganzhou, Jiangxi.

At this time, Jin Shenghuan was in the prime of his life.

With a single call to arms, he commanded an army of 200,000 to sweep across Jiangxi.

However, at this time he was attacking Ganzhou and was locked in a stalemate with the Qing army's garrison commander, Gao Jinku.

Only then did the Yongli court bestow titles upon them.

"The Duke of Changguo?"

Upon seeing this title, Jin Shenghuan immediately frowned.

Who would know that this title of Duke is?

He spoke arrogantly to the eunuch who had come to bestow the honor.

"I raised an uprising in the land of Yu, but the world only knows of Yu and not of Chang."

"Father-in-law, do you understand what I mean?"

Jin Shenghuan's voice was deep and cold, and he spoke without any politeness.

The eunuch who came to bestow the reward was so frightened that he trembled.

"General Jin, I understand. When I return, I will tell His Majesty that the Ministry of Rites' conferment of the title was incorrect and that the title should be Duke of Yu."

Jin Shenghuan then smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble you to make the trip again, sir."

After saying that, he saw the guest off.

Several eunuchs slunk away from the tent, and Jin Shenghuan watched their departing figures with a cold expression.

"Was Hu Chen's attitude just now too much?" Jiang Yueguang felt slightly uncomfortable seeing this scene.

They felt that Kim Sung-hwan was showing contempt for imperial authority.

"There's nothing wrong with it. If Your Majesty could send even a single soldier to help me, I would gladly kowtow to Your Majesty," Jin Shenghuan said indifferently.

When the uprising first began, He Tengjiao, who was still in Hunan, heard about it and immediately began corresponding with him.

They claimed they would bestow upon him the title of Duke of Yu, granting him the authority to govern the four regions of Southern China, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Fujian. However, the actual bestowal was changed to the title of Duke of Chang, an unknown title that would displease no one.

Moreover, this kind of enfeoffment only had a reputation and did not provide any substantial help, which made Jin Shenghuan slightly dissatisfied with the court.

Jiang Yueguang was appointed as a Grand Secretary, which was the highest official position in the Ming Dynasty. Naturally, he had to speak up for the Ming Dynasty at this time. He was also a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the 47th year of the Wanli reign.

"No matter what, you went a bit too far just now. I will speak to His Majesty about this." Jiang Yueguang was also very angry at Jin Shenghuan's attitude.

He immediately felt a sense of disdain for this martial artist.

Jin Shenghuan frowned, glared at Jiang Yueguang, then snorted coldly and left.

Scholars who only know how to gossip behind someone's back are truly disgusting.

A few days later, Jin Shenghuan received his reward as he wished, becoming the Duke of Yu in the Ming Dynasty.

However, bad news came from behind him.

"Report! Governor, something has happened in the rear! General Tan Tai, the Qing general in charge of the southern expedition, is leading an army of 100,000 to attack Nanchang!"

A scout came running from behind to report an urgent message.

Upon hearing this news, Jin Shenghuan was so shocked that he stood up immediately, his eyes fixed on the scout.

"Impossible. To attack Nanchang, one must pass through Jiujiang. And Jiujiang's city walls are strong. Even if the Qing army launches a surprise attack, they cannot bypass Jiujiang and reach Nanchang directly."

The soldier, panting, gritted his teeth and said, "Governor, the Qing army has split into two groups. One group is heading to Nanchang, while the other has already captured Jiujiang."

"I am acting on the orders of Marquis of Nan'an, Song Kuiguang, to break through and seek reinforcements. Marquis of Nan'an also has something to tell you, General."

"Jin Chenggong was secretly colluding with the Qing army and has been beheaded."

Upon hearing this, Jin Shenghuan was shocked. Jin Chenggong was his elder brother, and he had actually betrayed him and been killed at such a critical moment!

For a moment, Jin Shenghuan was in a daze, only muttering, "Good, well done, just hold Nanchang."

After a while, Jin Shenghuan came to his senses and looked around at the generals present.

"Nanchang is the rear of our army and cannot be lost. I intend to abandon the attack on Ganzhou and return to defend Nanchang."

He glanced at the crowd, at which point Marquis Jianwu, Wang Deren, immediately stood up to object.

"Governor, we cannot retreat now!"

"In three more days, we will be able to breach the city. Once Ganzhou falls, the Qing army will know, and the siege of Nanchang will be lifted without a fight."

"If we retreat now, all our previous efforts will be in vain!"

"Moreover, with a powerful enemy ahead, if we retreat at that time, our army will likely collapse."

Jin Shenghuan narrowed his eyes as he looked at Wang Deren.

He seemed not to have heard a word the other person said.

All his family members were in Nanchang. The Qing soldiers were brutal, and if the city fell, his whole family would be slaughtered.

"My mind is made up to return to Nanchang in triumph, and no further persuasion is warranted."

Seeing Jin Shenghuan's stubbornness, Wang Deren could only clench his fists and sigh.

The next day, the rebel army did not attack the city of Ganzhou. On the third day, Gao Jinku, who was on the city wall, saw troops withdrawing.

"Huh, they actually withdrew at this time?"

Gao Jinku's eyes darted around, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. "It must be that the General Who Conquers the South has already successfully attacked the rebels' rear!"

"Pass on my order: pursue the enemy!"

The city gates opened, and thousands of elite Qing troops filed out to pursue Jin Shenghuan's forces.

Jin Shenghuan suffered a major defeat and was wounded, with thousands killed or wounded. In the end, he could only hide in Nanchang City and fight alone.