***
In Qin Mu's territory, the military and the government are completely separated. The 100,000-man army of Huguang is fully trained, the generals are not allowed to interfere in local government affairs, and the government officials are not allowed to interfere in military affairs. Liu Boquan is responsible for the supply of military supplies. The division of labor among all parties is clear and well-organized.
Considering that there was no major threat to Huguang at present, and the prefecture structure in the Jianghan Plain area had been initially established, Qin Mu divided Huguang into two parts, ordering Li Yuan to be in charge of government affairs north of Yuezhou, Zhuge Min to be in charge of government affairs south of Yuezhou, and Yang Shen to coordinate the two. Shao Hua was in charge of the inspection department, rectifying military discipline, and impeaching illegal officials.
Qin Mu decided to take this opportunity to return to Ganzhou.
Because whether it is Huguang or Jiangxi, the north is all lakes and plains, the terrain is flat and wide, and it is difficult to rely on the dangers of mountains and rivers to defend. Under the powerful offensive of the Qing army in the future, these places may not be able to be defended.
Therefore, the importance of southern Jiangxi was not weakened by the acquisition of Huguang. Qin Mu still regarded southern Jiangxi as his last base that could not be abandoned.
When Zhang Xianzhong went south, Qin Mu hurriedly led his army to fight, and had almost no time to take care of southern Jiangxi, his place of settlement. Although he sent his most capable Sima An back to manage it, Qin Mu was still worried. This was his last fortress, and he needed to go back and arrange it personally.
Yang Zhi was pregnant, so it was not appropriate for her to stay in Yuezhou. Qin Mu was not sure whether the world would continue to develop along the original trajectory after his rise in Huguang and Jiangxi. In the future, when a war broke out, Yuezhou would be the frontline battlefield. How could he leave a pregnant woman at the frontline? A fool almost exhausted Zhao Zilong to death. Such a thing could not be allowed to happen again.
In order to minimize the bumps on the journey for Yang Zhi, Qin Mu planned to take a boat from Yuezhou along the Xiangjiang River to Zhuzhou, then take a land route through Pingxiang and Yuanzhou, and after arriving at Linjiang Prefecture, change boats and go up the Ganjiang River back to Ganzhou.
In addition to the two hundred guards on the river, there were two thousand elite cavalrymen on the shore, as well as a large number of spies from bachelor families and more than ten inspectors. Qin Mu made such a big move, and his concern for his own safety was secondary. The main purpose was to rectify the administration along the way.
A "new dynasty" brings a new atmosphere, which often means more opportunities and faster promotions. Therefore, officials of a new dynasty are generally full of enthusiasm and very efficient in doing things.
But on the other hand, since the various systems of the new dynasty are often not perfect, it is easy to find loopholes. Qin Mu knows that it is not enough to rely on the self-discipline of officials. This time when he returns to southern Jiangxi, it is very necessary to give officials from all over the country a warning.
Furthermore, Sima An had followed Yang Tinglin for more than ten years, from the imperial court to the local areas. He was very familiar with various systems and laws. When Qin Mu returned this time, it was very important to consult with Sima An, Tian Yimu and others to formulate an efficient, complete and effective administrative system based on the current actual situation and combined with some later experiences.
To deal with the Qing Dynasty, Qin Mu has made the worst plan, which is to fight a protracted war. If the stalemate really lasts for a long time, a complete administrative system will be even more important than an elite army.
Because there is no perfect administrative system. It is difficult for various military and political affairs to operate efficiently, politics to be clear, people's livelihood to develop, and it is difficult to get the firm support of the people. Ultimately, the logistics supply cannot keep up. No matter how elite the army is, how can you let them fight the enemy with empty stomachs and empty hands
"I'm sorry for making you suffer. You're pregnant, and you've been forced to run around with me. I really feel bad." On the boat heading south, Qin Mu hugged Yang Zhi and sat on the couch. There were paintings, calligraphy, music, and chess in the cabin. All the incense was removed, leaving only the red charcoal fire.
Yang Zhi was only a little over a month old, and her waist was still slender like a willow. Perhaps because of her pregnancy, the skin on her face did not become dry because of the cold wind, but instead became more rosy and tender, as if water would drip out if it was gently pinched.
"What are you talking about, my husband? It is I who have dragged you down, and I should be the one feeling guilty." Dong Xiaowan was the only one in the cabin, so Yang Zhi didn't care too much and leaned softly into Qin Mu's arms, her bright eyes full of attachment.
Dong Xiaowan brought a white silk shawl with a pattern of clouds and water, and carefully put it on Yang Zhi, fearing that she would be cold. This time, Yun Qiaoer had to stay in Yuezhou to mourn for her mother, and Yang Zhi was pregnant, so she needed someone to take care of her along the way, so Dong Xiaowan naturally came along.
There was a lot of wind today, and the lake was rough. The boat was shaking a little. Yang Zhi felt a little uncomfortable and wanted to vomit from time to time. Qin Mu hugged her distressedly, but she comforted Qin Mu in return, saying, "Don't worry, my husband. I'm fine."
"Come, let your husband hold you and sleep for a while. You will be fine once you fall asleep."
Qin Mu hugged her and lay down. Yang Zhi was very obedient for the sake of the child. Dong Xiaowan immediately covered the two of them tightly with a quilt. Yang Zhi nestled in his arms, revealing only her pretty face. She hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but asked, "Husband, what are your plans for this return to Ganzhou?"
Yang Zhi has always been a woman of duty, never saying anything about military or political affairs. She suddenly asked this question because she was worried about her father again.
"Don't worry, my wife. I won't make things difficult for my father-in-law. My wife, as the saying goes, a husband and wife are united in purpose, their strength can break metal. This time when I return to Ganzhou, I really hope you can persuade my father-in-law. My father-in-law is an honest official, a rare talent. I want Lu Daqi to recommend my father-in-law to Nanjing, but the prerequisite is that my father-in-law is willing, otherwise I can only let him go back to his hometown to spend the rest of his life."
"My dear husband, I will do my best to persuade father, but I..."
"My dear, now that you are pregnant, your father-in-law will be more sympathetic. If that doesn't work, I will start by persuading my mother-in-law... Hehe, I suddenly feel that I am a little..."
Yang Zhi didn't have time to pull her hand away, so she simply put her lips close to his and blocked his mouth with the word "shameless".
"I don't care what my husband does. I only know that my husband can make the people live a good life, and that's enough."
"Hahaha, you're the good daughter-in-law of my Qin family." Qin Mu was very happy and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
Speaking of the Qin family, Yang Zhi suddenly asked, "Husband, our Qin family's ancestors were a branch of the Zhongzhou Qin family, right?"
"I did hear my mother mention it when I was a child, but that was many generations ago. Plus, the family tree has been lost, so I have no way of confirming whether it is one of the branches of the Zhongzhou Qin family. As a husband, I don't want to take advantage of others."
"Husband, this is not a matter of taking advantage of the situation. It's just that ancestor worship is a top priority. How can you, husband, even your own ancestors..." Yang Zhi said this, probably thinking that what she said was too harsh, so she stopped.
Qin Mu was a little embarrassed. He had some memories of the original Qin Mu in his mind, but not all. Back then in Jinling, he was kicked out of the house with nothing and took nothing with him. As for the Qin family's genealogy, he had never thought about it at the time and didn't know if it existed.
Yang Zhi's words were not actually an exaggeration. Clan concepts were very strong these days, and ancestor worship and compiling family tree were top priorities for a clan. If a person's name was deleted from the family tree or he was expelled from the clan, it would often be considered the most severe punishment.
There are not many people in the Ming Dynasty who don't even know where their ancestors came from, like Qin Mu. Qin Mu scratched his head and said awkwardly, "Well, I will send an order to Huang Lianshan to check in Nanjing to see if my ancestors are really a branch of the Qin family in Zhongzhou."
Yang Zhi almost choked. Her husband was mature beyond his years, and handled military and political affairs in an orderly, thorough and meticulous manner, yet it turned out that he really didn't know his ancestral origins.
When talking about the Qin family of Zhongzhou, we have to mention a remarkable woman who was brave and intelligent, good at riding and shooting, proficient in poetry and writing, and elegant in manners. In the 5,000-year history of China, she holds many unique titles.
She is the only female general in Chinese history who was officially canonized as a general by the emperor of the time.
She is the only woman in Chinese history who was awarded the title of nobility based on her actual military achievements.
She is the only heroine in Chinese history who was individually recorded in the official biographies of generals and ministers (not biographies of women).
She was awarded the titles of Grand Master of Imperial Households, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Junior Tutor, Sichuan Recruiting Envoy, Left Commander of the Central Military Commandery, General Zhendong, Sichuan Commander-in-Chief, and Marquis of Loyalty. It can be said that there is no water in this series of official titles, which were all won by her outstanding military exploits.
Her name is Qin Liangyu.
At this moment, this extraordinary woman who had fought in Liaodong and won glory in Yanyun, and was now seventy years old, was standing on the dangerous pass outside Kuizhou City. The biting north wind blew her white hair, and the severe cold of the early morning penetrated her icy armor, but her back was still straight and her eyes were still firm.
She was surrounded by three thousand disciples and soldiers, who had a name known throughout the world: White Spear Soldiers.
At this moment, the three thousand white-flag soldiers were all looking at the white-haired Qin Liangyu, while Qin Liangyu was looking at the rebels like waves outside the dangerous pass.
When Zhang Xianzhong arrived, more than 200,000 rebels were like surging waves, with camps spread out for hundreds of miles, seemingly endless.
A bloody battle is inevitable. (To be continued...)
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