When Liu Tang, the military treasury of the General’s Mansion, came by boat, he was not surprised to see the cyan water-printed "Taiping" flag hanging on the head of the city of Jiangling. There are still different degrees of autonomy among the small and large volunteers; there is no shortage of people like this kind of existence who likes to change a new banner or name after a while.
What's more, Wang Chongyin and Cao Shixiong are already self-reliant volunteer forces occupying a place. What he needs to think about is how to effectively persuade the opponent with his past relationships and origins to continue to act in a unified pace under the banner of the rebels, while restraining the offensive of the official army and responding to the actions of the rebels.
After all, with the difficult situation of the general only today, it is necessary to gather all the forces that can be used to overcome the difficulties; even if it is a rebel force like Jiangling, or the Sanjiang army that has been separated from each other in Guangfu. It is also an object that Yanxia needs to strive for.
In fact, compared to the many peripheral "rebels" who are indeterminate in the locality, but only serve as a banner and name, they are local armed forces from the old rebels of Henan, which is more reliable and worthy of expectation. After all, the friendship and origins that have been in the army for many years tossed and fought are not so easy to distinguish.
For this reason, not only did the King Huang give the corresponding Dongting amphibious guardian and commander of Jingnan the status and status with the order of the General’s Mansion; he also promised to benefit from the “rebel” sites adjacent to Ezhou and Hongzhou; as long as they were willing to send troops. Attacking these places will be able to contain Jiangxi's officers and troops, and to some extent reduce the pressure and pressure on the General Mansion.
At the very least, the bottom line is to try to restore Jingzhou's routine confession to the rebels' main formation; and the same principle also applies to the Cantonese, but the one that is even more inaccessible and more difficult.
In addition, he also had another task on the way, which was to cross the border to Xiazhou (now Yichang City, Hubei), Guizhou (now Zigui County, Hubei) and other places, summoning the remaining soldiers and horses of the West Road volunteers; and then borrowing again. Daojiangling controlled the land and water, and then reunited with the main formation in Jiangxi after receiving local supplies; therefore, Liutang, who was born in Henan and has always been close to Wang Chongyin, became the first choice for this negotiation.
In fact, when he sailed close to the city of Jingzhou, he was already amazed by the variety of boats on the river; among them were ordinary fishing boats or private boats that used to fish on the river, as well as those carrying cargo. Merchant ships and passenger ships full of people and full sails.
And when he went ashore, he was even more shocked by the lively city of Chengxia Port. According to his impression, wasn’t this Jingzhou still fighting a month ago; and in the open countryside outside the city, it’s even more so. The wooden sign that was erected to represent the enclosure and farmland was faintly scattered with many peasants and cows and horses who were working in Japan.
This couldn't help but marvel at him. There were not many generals in the Rebel army who knew how to mobilize the people and put them into action. Could it be that Wang Chongyin and Cao Shixiong were influenced by the Cantonese man. With all the doubts and thoughts in his stomach, Liu Tang followed the smoothed hard road, cleared the way with the rider holding the banner of the General's Mansion, and arrived at the government office in Jiangling City.
After a short wait for entering Tongbing, after passing through several seemingly tightly guarded courtyards, he saw the goal of the trip in the town hall director’s hall. However, Liu Tang's expression froze in the next moment. , And some dumbfounded.
"You...Yes. Xuhe... Stay behind?"
Because it was not the veteran rebel general Wang Chongyin who was waiting for him at the top, but the virtual monk who should actually be in power in Canton. As for Cao Shixiong, the No. 2 local figure, he also lived under him with the appearance of bowing his head and ears; and others. The generals and colleges listed in the hall and under the hall are also fresh faces.
At this moment, many thoughts have been turned in his mind, and he has been able to make up for various situations and the truth of the matter. Could it be that the Henan fellow Wang Chongyin has already been replaced by this one who gave the inside and outside together; in this case, the things he wanted to read and the previous calculations were completely lost.
"It's been a long time, Liu Kushi, but he didn't come here unscathed."
Zhou Huaian looked at it with a slight smile, as if he had seen a ghost like Liu Tang.
This person can be regarded as a person who has had several routines in Cantonese, but has not had a deep friendship or even a little boycott because of official duties. No wonder he will be nervous and gaffe in this way. If he is really a narrow-minded person, just borrow it. It's no surprise that the machine chopped him down.
"I understand what Huang Wang means, General Cao Lang, you can accept it temporarily on behalf of the king's army lord..."
After listening to him stammering and reciting the so-called death, Zhou Huaian waved his hand.
"It's hard work to travel from afar, so please ask Liu Kuzhi to take a rest first or two..."
After looking back and everyone dispersed,
"Is this proper... After all, we already..."
Cao Shixiong is a little hesitant
"Why not? This is the appointment of King Huang to the army master and you... and it's not for me, the Taiping army."
Zhou Huaian said lightly.
"But in any case, if there is a chance in the future, I can guarantee that these names can still come in handy..."
For example, with these titles such as Dongting guard envoy and commander of Jingnan, they are justifiably tidying up the messy rebel forces in Hongzhou and Ezhou; even the jurisdiction of the rebel forces on the West Road in Xiazhou and Guizhou are all right. You can take the opportunity to pull the tiger skin into a banner style and be included under the name of Gangneung.
Compared with the Jing, Fu, Lang, Yue, and E prefectures located on the Jianghan Plain, both Xiazhou and Guizhou are located in the upper reaches of the Three Gorges Road. They belong to the barren Xiazhou with many mountains and small land and limited household registration. So these rebels thought To sustain it for a long time and even make a difference, it has to accept assistance and penetration from Jiangling.
"I have you to accompany tonight, so please entertain Liu Ku's envoy..."
Thinking of this, he said to Cao Shixiong:
"Although you can't count on King Huang right now, it's someone who once belonged to the Rebel army anyway... Even if others are not benevolent, I can't be loyal, or I would call myself a rebel army."
"Of course... In the long run, the more powerful the Yellow King's war career, the more officers and troops he defeated and contained, the more beneficial it is to the situation in which we and the Taiping Army are in. So we can have a chance. Give me a hand, or try my best to help."
"In addition, I am also very interested in the current situation of Huang Wang, and I just want to ask him a bit... I will ask Shui Wanghan from the Negotiations Department to assist you. He is best at these activities of eating, drinking and having fun: accompany you again. Just walk around and look around for a few days, let him talk as much as possible."
"I understand, I'm going to make arrangements..."
Cao Shixiong's expression was complicated and convincing.
However, in the afternoon of the next day, there was new unexpected news.
"There is a fleet on the river rushing towards Jiangling?..."
Zhou Huaian said in surprise.
"What's the situation..."
Immediately after he came to the head of the city where the water gate was located, he saw many densely packed large and small boats from the river, which almost blocked most of the piers in the south of the city; and among the many people coming off the boat, there were many people carrying their bags and carrying household items. And the existence of supporting the old and the young.
Then, a rebel general wearing an ochre robe and turban was brought to Zhou Huaian.
"Guo Yan, the rear-compartment general of the Xiaorendian (rear) army, was ordered by Junshi Yang, commander-in-chief of Houlu, to escort the old and weak who broke through Jiangzhou to rush to his feet..."
The thin eyes and face of the coming life are quite sharp and fierce, but it is a very low-profile respectful voice.
"I also hope that your ministry will take in a little bit of shelter and resettlement for the sake of being a volunteer. I am very grateful..."
"It turned out to be Army Master Yang..."
Zhou Huai'an was a little embarrassed to think of a handsome figure with a goatee; Yang Shigu, a deputy army commander of the rebel army and a recorder who joined the army, is considered to be more congenial and appetite in the army. A few people who have a good relationship. Then he said seriously:
"How many people have you come, how many boats have brought so many things to use... What was the situation in Jiangzhou at that time, let me come one by one..."
"Return to the noble officials, there were tens of thousands of people in Xunyang who broke through the siege at the beginning, but after fleeing all the way, chasing by officers and soldiers, and looting and killing by the tutu along the way, the remaining number is less than three or four..."
Speaking of these Guo Yan inevitably his tone was a little sad.
"Among them, there were 1,460 soldiers and soldiers who were still intact, and there were more than 6,700 wounded and sick soldiers and soldiers on the same ship; there were also the old and weak women and children in the city, and the servants of the army and the servants who carried the ship, about 18,000. Many mouths..."
"In addition, there are more than three hundred and forty-seven river boats and river boats of various colors.. Among them are military supplies and materials transported from the city. One hundred and sixteen boats... Please don’t hesitate to accept that your ministry is..."
"In that case, let's settle down and talk about it..."
After a few flashes, Zhou Huaian smiled again, and looked at him with a little surprise and appreciation;
"Since they are all colleagues of the Volunteers, I shouldn't be trapped in hunger and cold here... But..."
He also said meaningfully.
"I have some corresponding rules and regulations, as well as corresponding arrangements. I hope you can know and follow them..."
"It is already very grateful to be helped, and a certain person should tell his brothers to be cautious..."
Guo Yan did not hesitate.
Although the Yang Junshi made a mistake and caused himself a "difficulty" and "burden"; but after all the personnel and materials related to the old rebels were delivered to his own hands, he still wanted to be able to return them in peace in the future. Go back. At least for the moment the Taiping Army is rebuilding its farmland and local areas around Jingzhou, but there is still a shortage of people.
And this rearman, Guo Yan, can bring such a large number of exiled men and horses, old and weak, women and children, to break out of Xunyang City, Jiangzhou, and keep the team roughly for hundreds of miles to reach Jiangling; This kind of organizational efficiency and leading means should not be a nameless person in a serious history.
It is completely worthy of a thorough understanding in the next step of getting along to decide whether to detain and win over. So Zhou Huaian's broad face is the way:
"Now it happens that there is an envoy from the military mansion in the city as a guest. I was hosting a banquet in the mansion in the evening and it happened to be the same as the king to talk..."
"That's very good... very good..."
It's just that when the military envoy came, this Guo Yan inevitably showed a certain embarrassment and complicate look on his face, and the expectation became a little dry and reluctant.
However, it is just like the tree wants to be quiet but the wind does not stop. Before the evening banquet, there was another urgent letter from Guangfu, which was sent to Jiangling via the pigeon passing the ridge and the clipper relay on the waterway.
"It's this kind of routine and trick again..."
It's just that Zhou Huai'an couldn't help but sneer when he saw it. However, another ambassador from the sea arrived in Canton by ship, and almost sent the imperial court's conditions for peace again with great fanfare.
On the basis of the original secret envoy Li Hanping’s promise, he was promoted to the post of the censorship officer. General Ningyuan, Youjinwu Zhonglang, Zhongsan doctor, Quan Annan economic officer, and Jiaozhou provincial governor were added. Title; Xu Yi also had two military ranks of the Qing Navy and the Zhenning Army.
It seems to be a bit of an occasion to keep up with the current situation and increase your stack; but compared to today's situation, it is obviously a bit late.
Moreover, the prerequisite for all these appointments is to take the initiative to send troops to attack and expel other rebels entrenched in Jiangxi, Hunan and other places, thinking that anyway, and returning to the court's retribution measures. (End of this chapter)