"The division commander and I have discussed that if the cowardly guy can be made to feel that the Taiping rebels are about to attack, in this case, he can only ask for help from us or Lulong Mansion in the north. Lulong Mansion is on the way It's far away, it's unrealistic, and the situation in Lulong Mansion is not stable, so it's impossible. The only option is us. As long as there is a formal request from the other party, I think we have reason to intervene. I'm just afraid that the Imperial Central Committee will not Accept our explanation." Yue Shan continued, but he smiled bitterly when he said the last sentence. Obviously this is the biggest difficulty of this plan. If a reasonable and convincing reason cannot be obtained, the empire will definitely doubt This is another replica of the Golden State incident.
Wu Feng nodded. It was difficult to get the understanding of the central government of the empire. With the lessons learned from the past, anyone would be able to guard against him. Even the Seventeenth Princess was willing to send him to his side. It was understandable that he was wary of himself. I understand, but things have become like this, so I don’t care about that much anymore.
"No need to say more, let's arrange it according to your plan. I hope it can be arranged as soon as possible. We can't wait any longer. The people of the Taiping Religion will not give us too much time. Once they catch their breath, they will immediately They will think of coming to deal with us. Since we can’t get the authorization from the empire after all, we have no choice but to do it ourselves.”
At this time, Wu Feng seemed particularly decisive and did not hesitate any more.
Hanzhong Fucheng, the capital of Guanxi County, is located in the center of the Hanzhong Basin. The Taiping River flowing from the northwest flows around the city and slowly moves eastward. This is an ancient city with a history of 1,500 years. The history can be traced back to several dynasties. Two dynasties once established their capital here. The fertile Hanzhong Basin raised the children of this area. Today, the ancient city Hanzhong City has changed its owner again.
Armed soldiers patrolling with guns and live ammunition can be seen everywhere on the towering city walls. Their clothing is different from the Imperial Army. They wear blue cloth coats covered with leather armor. Regardless of whether they have helmets or not, they all have a striking red scarf tied on their foreheads. On the tower, a large flag with a white background and gold rim is flying in the wind, with a three-legged bluebird embroidered in the center fluttering in the wind as if it is about to take off into the sky.
There are many fewer pedestrians on the streets in the city than in the past, and most of the houses are closed. However, there are still many businesses that dare to open their doors half-open. From time to time, people peek around quietly to see how Hanzhong City today is different from the past. What a difference.
The majestic Kansai Prefectural Government is located near Damiao Square in the center of Hanzhong City. The Great Temple refers to the Daleiyin Temple, the largest temple in the western part of the empire left over from the previous dynasty. It covers an area of 100 acres. The temple has magnificent buildings and unique scenery. Dozens of ancient pines that are said to be thousands of years old are tall and green, covering the sky. In Japan, there is also the Baohe Pagoda Forest, the largest pagoda forest in the mainland, which is used to store the relics and Buddha bones left behind by eminent monks after their ascension. Legend has it that eight hundred years ago, the famous eminent monk Pudu preached here and ascended to heaven. Since then, this place has become a holy place in the hearts of Shannan believers who believe in Buddhism in the empire. Every year, a large number of believers come from the empire. Even people from all over the mainland came to join in the fun.
The capital of Guanxi County is only 500 meters away from Daleiyin Temple. This courtyard is built in the traditional Tang architectural style. It has three courtyards, a wide depth and a deep courtyard.
The arrogant imperial soldiers on duty at the gate in the past have now been replaced by four red scarf soldiers with puffy chests and energetic bellies, looking straight ahead, adding a bit of momentum.
The second courtyard is filled with ancient trees and has a pleasant environment. It was originally a place where the county governor worked and met with important guests. Now it has been occupied by magpie nests and has become the headquarters of the Taiping Sect in the Kansai region.
The large meeting hall was crowded with heads of all the Taiping Religion departments in the entire Kansai region. It was usually difficult for these people to gather together. Even You Daofang, the great master of the Taiping Religion, found it difficult to have the opportunity to interact with so many people. The backbone of the teaching staff gathered together at the same time to discuss important matters.
However, with the unexpected success of the Taiping Sect's military operations in Kansai County, in just ten days, they have captured the remaining five out of the six prefectures in the county except Lujiang Prefecture, and even have the Imperial Army's Fourth Regiment. The Jincheng Mansion where the Second Division was stationed was also captured by internal and external support the day before yesterday, and the Second Division of the Fourth Army was also forced to retreat to the neighboring Wuhu County. Now only Lujiang Mansion, which is located in a corner, is still lingering. I believe that it will not be long before it will fall into the control of the Holy Cult.
As Yu Daofang, who was wearing a green robe, took the seat, the noisy voices in the hall suddenly quieted down, and the people who followed You Daofang filed out also sat on two seats not far from the seat next to him. on the side seat. At present, it can be said that except for a few important figures who did not arrive for some reason during the sermon, almost all the important figures of the Taiping Sect in the Kansai region have arrived.
The first person sitting to the left of the Grand Master is a young man under thirty years old. He is the Grand Master's second disciple, Lan Bailin, who is respectfully known as the Second Young Master. He is mainly responsible for academic affairs in the eastern and southern parts of the empire. Next to him was a man in brocade clothes, with a fat white face, a green beard, and the appearance of a wealthy man. He was Miao Mingkun, the economic and financial envoy of the Taiping Religion. Next to him was a middle-aged man wearing a black veil. His eyes were covered tightly by a thick black scarf. Everyone only knew that he was the emissary in charge of intelligence affairs within the church, but no one knew his name. Everyone knows that he wears black clothes all year round, and over time, the disciples in the sect have been respectfully called the Black Cult Envoy; the next thin man with a white beardless face and a cold and stern look is Tao Bang, the envoy responsible for the internal discipline and punishment of the Taiping Sect, and The middle-aged man next to him is Feng Qi, the former general leader of the Taiping Sect in the Kansai region. He has been appointed as the Taiping Sect's envoy in Hanzhong Mansion. He is equivalent to the imperial city guard and is responsible for the management of the entire Hanzhong Mansion. .
The first chair on the right was empty. Everyone knew that it belonged to Master Xu Wenzhe. He was unable to get away because he was organizing the uprisings in Beiyuan and Yanyun areas, so he did not arrive. His subordinate is an old man in green clothes, with a thin face, a goatee, and triangular eyes. His appearance is really unremarkable, but no one dares to look down upon him. He is Bo Jinchen, the military envoy of the Taiping Religion. , has been a close friend with the great master You Daofang for decades. The reason why the Kansai region can be so successful is most directly related to his planning and layout.
His subordinate is a square-faced man with an upright face, bright eyes, and extraordinary spirit. He is Feng Yunkai, the emissary responsible for organizing personnel within the Taiping Sect, and the right-hand man of the Grand Master You Daofang; next to him is Tang Guotai, the Taiping Religion’s envoy in charge of external relations and propaganda, is a shrewd man in his thirties.
There are still six or seven people under these people, but they are all wearing military uniforms. They are all military chiefs who currently control the five houses in Kansai County. There is also a special guest who looks white. He is a kind of person, but seeing that he is talking very fluently with several Taiping Religion officers around him, he is Ed, the special envoy of the Kaman Empire stationed in the Taiping Religion who is responsible for liaison and coordination.
"Everyone, please be quiet. This meeting is the most important meeting of the Holy Cult since it raised its flag publicly. I hope everyone can cherish this opportunity and lay a solid foundation for our next plan. Now I ask the Black Cult Envoy to help you Introduce the situation." The person presiding over the meeting was Feng Yunkai, the emissary in charge of publicity.
"So far, the Holy Army has controlled five of the six prefectures in Kansai except Lujiang. Especially the entire territory of Hanzhong Prefecture and Xikang Prefecture has gradually returned to normal. The people are relatively calm, and there are even many The people welcomed it; most of Jincheng Prefecture and Bashan Prefecture are controlled by our Holy Cult, leaving only a few remote areas that we have no energy to take care of; Longdong Prefecture, except Partridge Pass, is also under the control of our Holy Cult. The overall situation is Things are going great. The resistance forces have been basically eliminated within the control area of the Holy Religion. In accordance with the instructions of the Grandmaster, except for the execution of a few officials and nobles in various places who have been hostile to our Holy Religion for a long time and endangered the development of our Holy Religion, we try not to touch their interests in other classes for the time being. "
"Of course, there are also many nobles and businessmen who have fled before the Holy Religion took control, leaving behind a large amount of unowned property and land. According to the opinion of the Grand Master, the unowned property will be returned to the Holy Religion, and the unowned land will be registered and registered according to the situation. Distributed to the parishioners who support the development of our Holy Religion. In addition, according to the opinions of the Grand Master, various localities have also begun to require landowners in various places to reduce land rents in accordance with our regulations. In particular, the land rented by the parishioners must have a considerable amount. reduction, otherwise we have the right to confiscate their land. This has had a very good effect. Many people have asked to join our Holy Religion in various branches, and the momentum is very strong. This will help us expand the development of the Holy Religion. Very helpful.”
"Of course, there are still many people in a wait-and-see state. As long as we can persist in withstanding the attack of the Imperial Army and protect the Kansai territory, I believe that as time goes by, more and more people will join our Holy Religion. The more we do, the more our foundation will become stronger and stronger.”
After a pause, the masked man continued: "Now let me introduce the situation we are in, especially the surrounding situation. The third, fourth and fifth divisions of the Imperial Fourth Army have completed their assembly, starting from Tianshui Fucheng They set off in two groups and headed towards the areas controlled by our Holy Religion, but there is no information about their follow-up troops. Their troops are moving very slowly, probably waiting for the arrival of reinforcements to join together. Their general direction is pointing all the way to Jincheng Mansion in the south. It is estimated that It is composed of the Fourth and Fifth Divisions of the Fourth Army and the remaining Second Division that retreated to Wuhu territory; the other is mainly composed of the Third Division, and is supported by two regiments of the Tianshui Garrison Division. , now moving along the road towards Longdong Prefecture, the target is probably Longdong Prefecture City."
"In addition, according to intelligence reports, Li Wufeng, the military governor of the northwest, has not been seen for many days. It is suspected that he has left the capital Qingyang and his current whereabouts are unknown."
The masked man's words were very objective and without any emotion, but the introduction about the development of the situation at the beginning caused many people in the hall, especially the officers, to cheer with uncontrollable excitement. They all whispered to each other until the person responsible for discipline Tao Bang, the instructor, glanced around with cold eyes, and then his voice gradually disappeared, but they still exchanged happy looks with each other. It was not until the subsequent changes in the military situation were introduced that several officers calmed down and began to think about how to deal with the upcoming battle.