Dominate the Country

"Whether Chen Hui and Chen Ming are short-sighted or not is not our primary concern. What lies before our family now is the bloody knife of the Fu Han Army."

"If we don't follow the Fu Han Army, once Wuchang City is opened, no one in our Zhao family will survive. Even if a few people survive, all the family property and land will be confiscated, and our Zhao family will still die."

Zhao Wenqi held the crutch in his hand and pounded the square bricks under his feet fiercely, making a dongdong sound.

"Haven't you heard about the methods of the Fu Han Army in Jiangnan? How many families who took the initiative to donate large sums of money and organize militia ended up well?"

"Our family didn't organize militia either..." In this Wuchang offensive and defensive battle, the Qing army resisted quite fiercely. The militia in Hubei and Hunan played a significant role in it.

"Bullshit. Where are Zhao Cang and Zhao Liang? And their subordinates, aren't they from the Zhao family?" To be precise, Zhao Cang and Zhao Liang are servants of the Zhao family, but as Zhao Wenqi said, aren't they from the Zhao family?

"That's the Governor..." It was the Governor who used force to force the Zhao family to come forward.

Now the Fu Han Army's people in Wuchang City directly delivered the letter to Zhao Wenqi's study, and Zhao Wenqi and the Zhao family could not hide.

"Dad, isn't it a matter of dying sooner or later? We are helping the Fu Han Army now, and our family will be completely on the Chen family's boat. When the Chen family capsizes in the future, our family will still die? It's a waste of our good name."

"Second brother, what you said is not right. It's better to die one day later than one day earlier. Besides, with this short period of easing, we can always hide a few descendants!" They can also take part of the property out. Even if they can't be as rich and prominent as the current Zhao family, they can always have no worries about food and drink for the rest of their lives, and continue their descendants and inherit the incense of the Zhao family.

A fifty-year-old man on Zhao Wenqi's right said that he was the third master of the Zhao family and Zhao Wenqi's third brother. The second brother of the Zhao family has passed away.

"Yanshou, you tell me." Zhao Jingchun, the only son of the second eldest son of the Zhao family, is also the first scholar in the eight generations of the Zhao family.

"Uncle, this Chen traitor is indeed not the type who can conquer the world. He can give up such an important place as Jiangnan, and I don't think he can keep Nanjing for long. His army is hiding in Henan and Huguang, surrounded by enemies on all sides, which is a way to die."

"Even if we are surrounded by enemies on all sides, we can attack them on all sides. The soldiers of the Chen family are sharp, and no one can resist them." As the saying goes, there are all kinds of birds in a big forest, and there are many people with all kinds of ideas. Some people in the Zhao family are not optimistic about the Chen family, but some are optimistic about the Chen family.

"Humph, attacking from all sides? Ridiculous. Fifth brother, you don't know where the biggest weakness of this traitor Chen is. It's not that his weapons are not good, his soldiers are not brave, and Chen Ming is not strategic, but that he is short of basic civil affairs. The larger the territory, the more likely he is to die." Zhao Jingchun stood up and paced in thought, "The Fu Han Army has no great righteousness. Today, the world respects the Qing Dynasty in Beijing as the legitimate dynasty. Although their soldiers are called Fu Han, they are no different from traitors. The Qing Dynasty entered the pass for 120 years, and experienced the three reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong. The world is united. How can a word "Han" confuse the world?" [This is what I personally think. The Manchu Qing Dynasty's rule in China during the Qianlong period was absolutely stable. What about literary inquisition and the compilation of the Siku Quanshu? Those who were punished were all scholars. What did the common people have to do with it? What did the common people know at that time? I guess no one had ever heard of the Siku Quanshu. Even those scholars who were stabbed would only become more servile, and the more they were killed, the more they became servile.

"Chen Ni's army was sharp, and Chen Ming had military strategy. If they roamed the world, they would be like Huang Chao and Li Chuang, and there would be no heroes. There would still be a glimmer of hope. By then, the country would be in chaos, the court would be exhausted, its prestige would decline, and the people would be in trouble. Dragons and snakes would rise in the Central Plains, and no one could tell who was a dragon or a snake.

At the very least, their actions were also the forerunners of the king. Like Wagang in Li Tang, and Chimei and Lulin in Tongma Emperor. Although they could not become dragons, they could leave a mark in the history of later generations." Just as Lulin became a synonym for strong men in later generations, and Wagangzhai was passed down among storytellers, Zhao Jingchun was definitely the best of the Chen family. But at least there was a reputation that would be passed down to later generations. But now...

"If they return to Huguang, they will definitely take northern Hubei and connect with their old nest in southwestern Henan, and then they will immediately become the dominant force."

"Local management is not like letting the troops sweep the land. The weapons, armor and food are taken from themselves. If the Fu Han Army wants to give full play to the financial, grain and armor potential of Jingchu, it needs a large number of officials to collect these things from the people in the towns and villages for them."

"Uncle, third uncle, brothers, have you ever heard about how Chen Ni is governing?"

"I have seen rumors in the market that Chen Ni is concerned about the people, and some of his policies are indeed beneficial to people's livelihood. But his officials going to the countryside are very disadvantageous to the gentry, officials and clans. The two are in opposition, and how can the people's material and human resources be used?" The Fu Han Army has not already seized the world, nor has it completely gained the upper hand over the Qing Dynasty. How can they make the gentry and gentry surrender in their current situation?

As soon as they rose up, they turned their spearheads against the scholars and gentry, forcibly taking food from them. It would be strange if those scholars and gentry landlords could obey.

It is true that China is an official-oriented society, but you can't just suppress people with an official hat. Those rural petty officials are not in high positions and are weak. How easy is it for you to ask them to suppress local landlords, wealthy families, and clans?

In Zhao Jingchun's eyes, the local government affairs of the Fu Han Army must be a mess. The grain tax may not be collected at all.

"Moreover, when officials go to the countryside, the number of government officials will inevitably increase greatly, and the money and grain expenditure will also increase greatly. The Fu Han Army also has light taxes and treats soldiers well. Once they want to mobilize the people, they must lure them with money and grain. How much is the cost? How ridiculous is it?

Even if Chen Ming snatched gold and silver from Jiangnan, he still wouldn't be able to squander it like this. It can take as long as three to five years, or as short as one or two years, and it is bound to be exhausted. "Zhao Jingchun felt that Chen Ming returned to Huguang from the south of the Yangtze River. Fortunately, most of his army's lieutenants and generals were from Henan and Hubei, otherwise the army might have been in chaos long ago. How could it be like this now, with the city of Wuchang that had been fought for a few days in danger.

Zhao Wenqi, who was sitting at the top, nodded frequently. He agreed with Zhao Jingchun's words. Zhao Wenqi even heard some words that some people in Shilin, Hubei Province had already denounced Chen Ming and the Fuhan Army as heretics. Because its military administration did not respect Confucianism or Confucianism, but put miscellaneous learning and harsh laws first. If the Fuhan army conquered the world, it would "subjugate the world."

Some people also brought the "Rizhilu" written by Gu Yanwu at that time: full of benevolence and righteousness, but as for leading beasts to eat people, people will eat each other, which is called the destruction of the world. If the Fuhan army gained power and ranked above Confucianism with its miscellaneous knowledge and harsh laws, wouldn't it be worse than the early Qing Dynasty when they shaved their heads and changed their clothes?

"Listen to what my eldest brother said, our Zhao family can live for one or two more years instead of one or two days. With this time, how can we arrange a safe retreat for the next generation." Zhao Jingchun is the boss of the next generation of the Zhao family.

"What Lao Wu said makes sense. If we don't follow the Fuhan Army, our Zhao family will be dead in the next day. If we follow the Fuhan Army, we can at least arrange a way out." The third master of the Zhao family is a staunch supporter of the 'rebellion against the Qing'. The biggest supporter of the Zhao family's rebellion against the Qing Dynasty was Zhao Wenqi. No matter what he said, he couldn't let the Zhao family lose its incense and let the surviving descendants of the Zhao family become poor. So what if they were stigmatized? From this point alone, he was willing.

"Dad!" After the secret meeting, Zhao Jingren, the second eldest son of the next generation of the Zhao family, chased after his father.

Zhao Wenqi glanced at Zhao Jingren, why is his child so stupid? Even Yanshou [Zhao Jingchun] acquiesced, and the Juren master of the Zhao family acquiesced. How could a child of his own be more loyal to the court than the Juren master, and also be interested in the reputation of righteousness?

"Come here, send the second master back to the courtyard. He is not allowed to take a step out of the courtyard without my permission."

Counting the fallen leaves in front of the door and listening to the sound of rain outside the window, Zhao Wenqi returned to his residence and stood under the eaves with a cane, looking at the heavy rain outside. The continuous sound of rain was like the voice of his sad heart, crying, Crying non-stop.

Zhao Wenqi raised his head and looked east. He could see nothing in the dark night sky, but he knew that at the other end of Dachao Street, there was a family that was not weaker than the Zhao family. I wonder what choice they made at this juncture?

…

In Changchun Temple, Chen Ming was looking at the list of officials at or above the county science and bureau level submitted by Huangzhou Prefecture.

Many of these people were small officials in the former county government offices in Huangzhou. In ancient times, many officials were killed in rebellions, and many corrupt officials were liquidated due to great public outrage. The Fuhan Army did the same. But a county government office has a group of more than three to four hundred to a thousand people, including many white servants. You can't kill them all, right?

Many of these people's family members lived in the county. As long as they were not beheaded, after being listed on the list, these people became civil servants of the Fuhan Army. The Fuhan Army's explanation of "civil servants" is - public officials. In the eyes of many people, they are still government servants.

It's just that the imperial court of the Fuhan Army divided the six houses into more fine details. Each department and bureau has clear plans for various duties and responsibilities.

Of course, not all government servants are willing to work for the Fuhan Army. The proportion is still very high, even for those who are white servants. But people die for money and birds die for food. There are always some people who are willing to do this work with their heads up. Moreover, Chen Ming did not expect to be able to effectively rule the place from the beginning. Even in the old base area in southwest Henan, the mobilization capabilities of the General's Office were not higher than those of the Manchu and Qing Dynasty officials.

Chen Hui is a veteran who has been a housekeeper for many years. Although he cannot solve this problem instantly, he can also clearly understand it.

In the past year or so, the number of students in the cadre school in the base area has expanded from two to three hundred to more than a thousand now. Chen Hui refused to accept any request for money or materials. That was because he clearly understood the constraints of the General's Mansion. insufficient. This is still the home base of the Fuhan Army, especially in a newly occupied place like Huangzhou.

If Chen Ming hadn't recruited a lot of people who were proficient in writing in Jiangnan, and had been studying the "Political Plan" in the following days, even if he could conquer Hubei, he wouldn't have enough people to serve as county magistrates. Moreover, I heard secret reports that many of the literati who had defected to the Fuhan Army after the Battle of Northern Jiangsu shed tears silently and regretted it after Chen Ming abandoned Jiangnan and returned to Hubei.

"Grand Governor, although the airs of Huangzhou Mansion have been put up,... from the perspective of my subordinates, it is difficult for this decree to leave the city." After Liu Dezhao left the attendant's office, Wang Huizu, who succeeded Liu Dezhao as the director of the secretariat, did not How polite to say to Chen Ming. In this situation in Huangzhou Prefecture, even if the Fuhan military government in each county had township officials, these officials were of no use in the countryside.

Huangzhou is not Ruzhou, and the Fuhan army that attacked Huangzhou was far less brutal than Ruzhou, and even far less fierce than Nanyang. There are a large number of gentry landlords in various counties in Huangzhou, and even some gentry and country officials have the courage to stay in their hometowns. On the surface, they have only been extorted and forcibly donated by the Hubei government, but have not actively donated money to the Hubei government. A large amount of money and food, or coming forward to call for group training.

Chen Ming didn't care about this historical celebrity's blunt statement, Wang Huizu, this is a man of great talent. When Chen Ming caught him from Huzhou, he thought his name looked familiar at first sight, and then asked for his introduction [resume]. As expected, he was the great man who was said to be "the third master of Mo, who abandoned his post and died."

He has been a legal advisor since he was in his twenties, and has been doing so for fourteen years. Except for the first two years when he assisted his father-in-law, Wang Tanren, who was not among the guests and hosts, he has been in many places for the remaining twelve years, and has been involved in all matters of money, grain, and criminal law. Many of the officials he assisted have been promoted. His experience is not ordinary, and his ability is absolutely guaranteed.

Since he knew it was Wang Huizu, Chen Ming immediately asked the dark camp to go to Xiaoshan, Zhejiang to invite his two mothers. When Wang Huizu was eleven years old, his father died of illness, leaving behind a wife and a concubine. His wife was Wang, the second wife, and the concubine was Xu, Wang Huizu's biological mother. Although the Wang family was poor, the two mothers still encouraged Wang Huizu to study hard and pass the imperial examination in the future to bring honor to the family. Wang Huizu passed the examination for a scholar at the age of sixteen, but unfortunately he failed to pass the provincial examination many times.

Wang Huizu respected his two mothers very much. When he saw that his stepmother and biological mother were invited by the Fu Han Army, he had no choice but to serve in the attendant room. But he only offered small suggestions, and always kept silent about major matters. Just like when Chen Ming abandoned Jiangnan and returned to Huguang, Wang Huizu said nothing.

"I never thought that I could effectively govern the local area immediately. Just build a framework. As long as our army wins battle after battle, those people will eventually kneel down."

Chen Ming was not afraid that he could not effectively govern the local area. If he had not thought of this, he would not have pointed his spearhead at the gentry when the Chen family was just starting out. The expeditionary army now has money and food. I dare not say about the long-term, but there is still room for operation in one or two years. Moreover, the Fu Han Army will also start the imperial examination in the second half of the year, and some people will always be received.

When the army took Wuchang, the Fu Han Army divided its troops into two groups to roll up the Hunan Xiang soldiers and Ma Mingxun's Sichuan soldiers. The former of these two teams marched in the rain for many days, and the rescue site Wuchang was lost, so the morale must be low; the morale of the latter was not very high; it was not difficult to defeat these two Qing troops. Then the army can roll north, force Agui to withdraw from northern Hubei, and then reunite with the old base.

In the Battle of Wuchang, the Qing troops from the south and north of the Yangtze River seemed to come very quickly, but they all carried no artillery. The outcome of a direct confrontation with the Fu Han Army is obvious.

After connecting with the old nest, Lushan can arrange to become king, and then the imperial examination can be held.

The imperial examination of the Fu Han Army is certainly not comparable to the spring boudoir that the Qing court has already held, but in general, it can also gather a group of people, regardless of whether these people have talent or not.

This is a signboard.

After the imperial examination, the weapons and equipment of the expeditionary army should be replaced. At that time, whether it is the reaction of the Qing army or the Fu Han Army itself, it should be pulled out and shown in the cool autumn.

Wang Huizu has not learned any military, but Chen Ming explained his next plan to him. With Nanjing-Anqing-Jiujiang blocking the Yangtze River, there will be no more war in eastern Hubei; in the west, Sichuan must block the Yichang gap, and then Hanzhong. If Hanzhong is taken, the connection between northern Sichuan and Shaanxi and Hubei will be completely cut off. If the Sichuan troops leave Sichuan again, they can only attack Hunan and Guizhou.