First Minister of Ming Dynasty

No matter how brave a person is, he can't fly across the river!

Chaohu Navy is really a good choice.

It's just that this Chaohu Marine Division belongs to Tianwan's subordinates, and it's not easy to get it in their hands.

There are two leaders of the Chaohu navy, both of them are of the general generation, one is called Shuangdao Zhao Pusheng, and the other is Li Pusheng, nicknamed Li Patou.

Needless to say, both of them are disciples of Monk Peng.

Here I have to say a few more words, Monk Peng Yingyu is really the ancestor of the volunteers from all walks of life.

He spread the White Lotus Sect very early. Han Shantong advocated the coming of the Ming King, and he advocated the rebirth of Maitreya, saying that as long as Maitreya Buddha comes, he can bring a world of great light.

As for who is Maitreya Buddha, Monk Peng chose to look backward tactically!

His first incident can even be traced back to Zhizheng four years, but that incident was very unsuccessful, and Lao Peng's good apprentice Zhou Ziwang died.

Peng Yingyu escaped desperately. He still preaches everywhere, cultivates anti-yuan forces, and bestows a common word on all his apprentices, which roughly means the meaning of a certain society's "clouds and cranes, dragons soaring all over the world"...

These disciples formed the backbone of the Southern School against the Yuan, known as the Peng Party.

There are some good people here, such as Zou Pusheng, Ding Pulang and others, and some not so good, such as Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng from Chaohu.

Of course, there is something worse, that is Zhou Huiniang's third uncle Jiang Puxin.

But no matter what the current situation is, very few of the Peng Party surrendered to the Yuan court. They either sacrificed their lives for righteousness, such as Kuang Putian and others, or joined Zhu Yuanzhang, and made great military exploits for the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

Most people are good men who stand upright and strong.

What is more tragic is that Monk Peng was killed by the Yuan army more than a year ago. This old rebel leader, in addition to training a large number of talents for Fan Yuan, his own fate is very bleak.

Moreover, after Peng Yingyu's death, the Peng Party he cultivated so hard fell into a split, which is really a pity.

Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng who are sitting in Chaohu Lake, their biggest enemy is not Yuan Jun, but Zuo Junbi who is also Peng Dang!

Zuo Junbi was not given a general character, but he was indeed Peng Dang, and he was also a disciple of Monk Peng, but he started relatively late.

After the Red Army uprising, Zuo Junbi captured Luzhou and became a handsome man.

Zhao Pusheng and others set off from Chaohu Lake and captured Tongling, Chizhou, Anqing and other places at one time.

As a result, they were in the same situation as Liu Futong. They went smoothly in the early stage, but in the face of Yuan Ting's counterattack, the occupied land was quickly lost and they had to retreat to Chaohu Lake.

From time to time, Zhao Pusheng and others were greatly weakened. Compared with Zuo Junbi who occupied Luzhou in the north, they were at a disadvantage.

Moreover, their navy was limited by the waters after all, so they could not come and go freely, so they were at a disadvantage in the confrontation with Zuo Junbi.

"If they are powerful, they will not surrender to their superiors!"

Jia Lu repeatedly thought about how to subdue the Chaohu Marine Division, but his old man had at most the right to make suggestions, and only Zhu Yuanzhang could really make decisions. As for Zhang Ximeng, he could almost be half of the family, and no more.

But these two people are not in Chuzhou, do we want our old bones to meet them?

While Jia Lu was thinking, good news came. Zhang Ximeng and Zhang Shicheng had finally completed the negotiation and could return soon.

In the letter sent back, Zhang Ximeng wrote the general conditions. After Jia Lu read it, he couldn't help admiring. This kid has no soldiers or generals, but he has made Zhang Shicheng like this. He is really a talent!

First of all, Zhang Shicheng agreed to fight against Yuan together.

This is also the one that Lao Zhang cares about the most. If you fight against Yuan today, you can change your mind tomorrow. How can I be bound by mere words!

It's just that Zhang Shicheng can think of this, and Zhang Ximeng has no reason not to think of it.

Therefore, after agreeing to fight against the Yuan Dynasty, Zhang Ximeng asked Zhang Shicheng to admit that Zhu Yuanzhang was the main one... Isn't it to fight against the Yuan Dynasty?At the very least, we must distinguish between a Generalissimo and a Deputy Marshal!

This time it hit Zhang Shicheng's Achilles' heel.

Because as long as he admits this, he is a head shorter than Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhang Ximeng didn't force him to take the title of king, and didn't let him disband the Great Zhou Kingdom. Anyway, you can do whatever you like, in the land of Huaihe River and Huaihe River, our Zhu family army is the boss!

This alone has a huge impact, and Zhang Shicheng does not want to agree to it, but Zhu Yuanzhang's battle has cast him out of the shadows, so he can only agree.

The next step was to set up the Salt Affairs Department, and the two parties split the accounts seven to three, and Zhang Shicheng became a beggar on his knees.

Zhang Ximeng not only took face, but also lost face.

There are other matters such as commerce, trade, taxation, etc., which are only agreed on in general, and have not been elaborated... In fact, there is no way to elaborate. Zhu Yuanzhang’s management is on the right track, but Zhang Shicheng’s side is in a mess. No matter how much you talk about it, it doesn't make sense.

Therefore, it is just an agreement that the goods from Huaixi will not be taxed if they enter Zhang Shicheng's rule...

Of course, Zhang Ximeng didn't just take advantage, but also gave Zhang Shicheng a little sweetness, that is, from now on, Huaixi will provide Zhang Shicheng with some grain relief every year, but Zhang Shicheng needs to buy these grains at [-]% higher than the market price.

As soon as Zhang Shicheng heard about the food, he immediately regained his spirits, let alone [-]%, even double it!

The land of Huaidong, which had just been ravaged by tens of thousands of troops, was extremely short of food, and Gaoyou City was about to eat people.

Zhu Jiajun was able to give them some food, and finally his heart was not completely darkened.

This friend can still get along!

Zhang Shicheng was overjoyed, but in the end the two parties had to formally sign the covenant, drink blood and drink wine together, and pray to heaven and earth, this is the completion of the ceremony.

Zhang Ximeng was sorry to tell Shi Naian.

"I'm sorry, just yesterday, the military situation suddenly came, and my lord has already led the army away."

"What?" Shi Naian was taken aback, why did he leave?What about this covenant?

"Don't worry, Mr. Shi, we mean what we say, and the covenant remains. I have arranged for five thousand shi of grain, which is on the way from Yangzhou. If King Cheng needs to send troops to help, I will notify you."

After Zhang Ximeng finished speaking, he ordered contact and siege, pulled out camps and camps, and returned to Yangzhou in batches...they left so neatly.

At the head of Gaoyou City, Zhang Shicheng looked at the direction where Zhu Jiajun was hurriedly leaving, and suddenly figured out what was going on!

"Liar! Big liar! Obviously Zhu Chongba has already left! They are too shameless!"

At this moment, Zhang Shide, Zhang Shixin and others also suddenly realized that they were besieged by a group of captive soldiers for several days!

Lost the adults!

"Your Highness, I can't bear it anymore, let's kill it!" Everyone was filled with righteous indignation.

Zhang Shicheng gritted his teeth, clenched and relaxed his fists several times, and finally sighed helplessly, "We have no food!"

In a word, Zhang Shicheng was so sad that he almost cried, so he could only let Zhang Ximeng take advantage of it and leave calmly.

Chapter 144 The Water Master Comes to Vote

Zhang Shicheng sighed, he felt a little hurt from being beaten, and even felt disheartened.

It was Shi Naian, who thought over and over again, and suddenly exclaimed, "Your Highness, God bless you!"

Zhang Shicheng didn't even bother to talk anymore, God bless me, why did I lose one after another?

Don't lie to yourself!

Zhang Shide also snorted angrily: "Mr. Shi, Zhu Yuanzhang left the barracks a long time ago. They were just bluffing, why didn't you see it?" His tone was full of accusations, and Shi Naian was really speechless, but he I don't think this is the point.

"Your Highness, Tuotuo besieged Gaoyou, the Yuan court changed generals, and His Highness won. Now Zhu Yuanzhang besieged Gaoyou again, but was attacked by the Yuan army and had to retreat... In a short period of time, God blessed His Highness twice, isn't it destiny? Are you home?"

Zhang Shicheng was stunned, he touched his nose, didn't he?

It seems that this is the case.

Needless to say, Tuotuo, Zhu Yuanzhang did the same this time. Gaoyou was besieged, and the defenders had no fighting spirit. Seeing that he was going to be unable to hold on, the Yuan army helped him and attracted Zhu Yuanzhang back. , had to give up Gaoyou City... What kind of godly luck is this?

As soon as his concept changed and his mind opened up, Zhang Shicheng suddenly felt that the world was much wider.

It's really God's will in the dark!

"Mr. Shi, you, do you think we have destiny? God will help me?"

What else can Shi Naian say, maybe you also have a destiny, but unfortunately, God obviously prefers Zhu Yuanzhang, otherwise, how could he make you toss and narrowly escape death.

But since he is Zhang Shicheng's subordinate, how can he not say good things when he eats other people's food, not to mention that he was indeed played by a child, how can he not get his face back?

Therefore, Shi Naian unfolded his tongue-spreading ability and smiled all over his face, "His Royal Highness, it can be said that it was a coincidence once, but twice in a row, it is definitely not a coincidence. Tianxin is on His Highness. Now that the strong enemy is gone, His Highness should be Make every effort to rule and fight hard, and it will not be long before His Highness has a strong army, so naturally he can avenge his shame!"

Zhang Shicheng pondered for a long time, and finally a smile appeared on his face. He slapped his forehead vigorously, "That's right! Mr. Shi, thanks to your guidance, otherwise I would almost give up on myself!"

Zhang Shicheng cheered up. He was born as a private salt dealer, and he has gone through too much suffering. Although he is not as firm as Zhu Yuanzhang, he is also very tenacious, and he cannot be defeated once or twice.

We must regroup, we must cheer up, whether it is Yuan Ting or Zhu Yuanzhang, let's wait and see!

Zhang Shicheng immediately appointed Shi Naian as a councilor to plan military affairs for him.

Shi Naian also lived up to Zhang Shicheng's entrustment, and immediately proposed that the Yuan court's defeated army should be gathered as soon as possible, and the rebels should be recruited and surrendered.

This proposal was readily accepted by Zhang Shicheng. He dispatched several brothers to recover Taizhou, Baoying, Yancheng and other places... Generally speaking, a canal was formed to divide the two Huaihe Rivers from the east to the west. Huaixi belonged to Zhu Yuanzhang, Huaihe Dong belongs to Zhang Shicheng.

Faced with this result, Zhang Shicheng was still satisfied, but soon he discovered the problem. Most of the elite Yuan troops had defected to Zhu Yuanzhang, leaving him only some old, weak, sick and disabled, and many unruly soldiers from the Western Regions horse.

Now Zhang Shicheng was furious, why did the Zhu surname keep suppressing him?There is no reason?

Shi Naian was also puzzled, so he had to find a way to find out... It turns out that Zhu Yuanzhang and Yuan Junzheng'er had fought several times, and they were all clean and neat, and they won a complete victory. .

And he has clearly declared that if we want to follow Zhu Yuanzhang, even if we surrender, we should surrender and have a better future. What is following you, a piece of trash?

Faced with this result, Zhang Shicheng was also helpless and mad with anger.

But what can he say?

"Pass my order and tell everyone that you have worked hard for me and don't let up. The next time you meet someone with the surname Zhu, if you still lose, I will cut off everyone's head!"

Zhang Shicheng became ruthless, and must fight back!

It's too embarrassing to even look down on yourself when surrendering soldiers.

And Zhang Ximeng, who had taken advantage of it, did not dare to slack off. When he came back from Gaoyou, he immediately said to Feng Guoyong: "Commander Feng, Zhang Shicheng will definitely regain his vitality in the future, and he will fight hard. He will not trouble us for the time being. But Yangzhou 80 Thousands of people, all kinds of things are like a mess. In addition to managing the city well, you also have to guide the people out of the city and go to the army to settle down. The messy things are really stressful, and you have to carry this burden."

Feng Guoyong's face was solemn. To be honest, it was unimaginable before to manage a city as big as Yangzhou.

To supply food to the majority of the people, it is necessary to arrange the normal operation of workshops and businesses, organize sales, collect taxes, and maintain stability.

However, there are still many rich and powerful merchants in the city, and they have raised many thugs, without soldiers and horses suppressing them, they will immediately become chaotic.Even if there are ten thousand soldiers pressing down, this group of people will continue to move secretly.

At this point, almost twenty soldiers of Zhu's army were assassinated.

The whole situation is dire.

Zhang Ximeng is not only careful and has many means, but also has a high status with Zhu Yuanzhang. If he does it loosely, Lao Zhu will not blame him.

But Feng Guoyong, he was not even the first group to surrender, and his foundation was shallow, but he had to manage the largest and most complicated city under Zhu Yuanzhang's rule.

The difficulty is great, one can imagine.

"I, I will do my best!" Feng Guoyong gritted his teeth.

Zhang Ximeng nodded. He had no doubts about Lao Feng's ability. The only thing that worried him was that Feng Guoyong's body might not be able to hold on. Although he looked very energetic now, Feng Guoyong died young in history, which made people Very sad.

"You don't have to worry too much. With my lord by my side, the messy things will definitely not affect you. Let it go and do it, don't need to worry about it. For the governance of Yangzhou, you must be able to make heavy blows, open and close, and don't be intimidated. .As long as it is the right thing, you must move forward!"

Feng Guoyong was shocked and nodded vigorously.With Zhang Ximeng's guarantee, he became more courageous.

"My dear sir, I will keep it in my heart." Feng Guoyong said again: "This time the Yuan court dispatched 10 troops from the south of the Yangtze River. If they can be wiped out in Hezhou, it will be much easier to cross the river next time. "

Feng Guo thought about it with all his heart, and it was still Jiqing.Although Yangzhou is good, it is not as good as Jinling, which has great potential!

Zhang Ximeng naturally agrees with Feng Guoyong's idea, but if he wants to cross the river smoothly, it depends on the navy.

The boat is everything!

Zhang Ximeng and Feng Guoyong bid farewell, returned to Chuzhou as quickly as possible, and met Jia Lu.

"Currently the superior leader is dealing with the Yuan court in Hezhou. Lu has more victories than defeats, but there are no ships. The Yuan army can come and go freely with the help of the Yangtze River navy. Our situation is not good."

Jia Lu went straight to the point, "The best way now is to recruit the Chaohu Navy. As long as they can surrender, we will have capital."

Zhang Ximeng blinked his eyelids, "Mr. Heng (Jia Lu's name is Youheng), the Chaohu Marine Division seems to be Xu Shouhui's subordinate, right? If we want to surrender, can it be so easy?"

Jia Lu smiled, "The old man knew you would ask this question. I have carefully calculated these days. In fact, the Chaohu Navy is divided into three factions, not monolithic. With your ingenuity, you should be able to find a way to break the situation..."

As Jia Lu spoke, he told his experience... The Chaohu navy was apparently under the control of Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng, and confronted Zuo Junbi of Luzhou.

But in fact, Zhao Pusheng is also Peng Dang, and he has no time to build big ships and train sailors.The foundation of the Chaohu Navy is still the original Chaohu fishermen, or even simply put, the original water thieves.

Chaohu Lake is very vast, and it is said that it is eight hundred miles away.

Regardless of whether there are or not, anyway, such as Liangshan Lake, Dongting Lake, Poyang Lake, Taihu Lake...these vast waters, there will be countless water thieves.

In fact, it is a bit too much to say that they are water thieves. They are probably aliens!

The lake is rich in products, and there are islands in the center of the lake. You can grow and eat by yourself, and have enough food and clothing.If the government encircled and suppressed them, they would hide in the lake and no one would be able to find them.

When the officers and soldiers have retreated, they can attack decisively, taking a cold breath for a while, and making the officers and soldiers miserable.