Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 275: Zhou Zheng Alliance

Chen Yonghua was shocked when he heard this, and Zheng Chenggong could no longer keep a straight face. His hands, which were tapping on the table, clenched unconsciously.

The scene was dull for a while. After a while, Zheng Chenggong's voice came out, which seemed to be a little hoarse due to excitement: "The King of Zhou defeated the enemy's navy on the river and killed Geng Zhongming in battle. On the Yangtze River, the enemy no longer has a large-scale navy. Why does the King of Zhou insist on my sending troops?"

"Guoxing, Zheng's navy is powerful, and the infantry also has 60,000 people. My king once said that we must strive for even more if we can increase our army's strength by a little. What's more, my king sympathizes with Guoxing. In his prime years, how can he not work hard to achieve great achievements, go down in history, and be remembered forever!" Shen Congwen said seriously.

Hearing this, Zheng Chenggong ignored Chen Yonghua's look, stood up, and laughed: "Hahaha, King Zhou is also a hero. How can I be absent from such a shocking battle? Who knows how I will be shamed in the glorious history of the future? I have made up my mind to reorganize the three armies and fight with King Zhou to hunt down the Tartars!"

As for the matter of taking over Fujian, we will discuss it in detail after the war. Zheng Chenggong said bluntly: "If the King of Zhou goes back on his word and is not a hero, and is cursed for this, then my navy will harass along the river and there will be no peace in the world."

After the matter was settled, Shen Congwen sent his guards to Fuzhou to inform Han Xiong of the matter and to have him report it to the king by express horse. After Shen Congwen left the hall, Chen Yonghua frowned and said to Zheng Chenggong: "Guoxing, how about the food and grass supply for the army heading north?"

"Since I have sent a large army to help, the food and supplies should be solely handled by Meng Jun."

Chen Yonghua was silent for a while after hearing this. The biggest concern in his mind was not the food supply, but he didn't know whether he should tell others about it.

At this time, Chen Yonghua saw Zheng Chenggong walking away with his hands behind his back, looking excited and eager to try. Chen Yonghua sighed, walked to Zheng Chenggong's side, and whispered: "Guoxing, in this battle, if King Zhou wins again, I'm afraid..."

Hearing this, Zheng Chenggong turned around and looked at Chen Yonghua and asked, "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid that its power is too great to be contained, the wind and clouds are changing, the sun and the moon are changing color!"

After hearing this, Zheng Chenggong was also somewhat silent. He walked slowly to the window sill, looking at the somewhat humid weather for a long time, and then slowly said: "If it is as you said, Meng Jun's army is defeated and he retreats to Nanjing, and the Qing army marches south with a great victory, who can stop him? Sun Kewang is a dog who defends the land, and Li Dingguo is not on good terms with him. If the Qing army destroys Meng Jun and retakes Jiangnan, even if I take over Fujian and defend it in a dangerous place, how many years can I hold out?"

At this time, Chen Yonghua sighed and said, "When the old patriarch was here, he had 200,000 soldiers and thousands of warships, and controlled the court. What a pity."

After Chen Yonghua finished speaking, he suddenly remembered something and said to Zheng Chenggong: "Guo Xing, the old master is still in the hands of the Qing court. If we send troops to Huguang, what should we do if the Qing court uses this as a threat?"

Zheng Chenggong was speechless for a long time, and then he seemed to have made up his mind and said in a firm tone: "I have a large army outside, the enemy will not dare to kill my father!"

"What if the old patriarch personally persuades us to surrender?"

After a while, Zheng Chenggong's voice came faintly: "Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety cannot be achieved at the same time. People always say that fathers teach their sons to be loyal, but never heard of teaching their sons to surrender to the enemy. My determination remains unchanged. Let's prepare to send troops!"

…………

Zheng Chenggong agreed to send troops, but demanded Fujian as a reward. The news soon reached Fuzhou, and Han Xiong ordered his men to deliver the news to Nanjing as quickly as possible.

But this news made Han Xiong feel a little depressed. He had appeased the people in Fuzhou and was determined to live and die with the city. His subordinates also shed their blood at Fenshui Pass. Even though they were defeated, their morale did not fall until Li Chengdong withdrew his troops and sought peace.

Han Xiong was stationed in Fujian and felt deeply that people's livelihood was in decline. So after Li Chengdong withdrew his troops, he focused on restoring the local people's strength. He reduced taxes and organized the construction of water conservancy projects, rectified the administration of officials, enforced laws and regulations, and focused on cracking down on the corruption and violence of petty officials, which gradually stabilized local order.

In just half a year, people's livelihood in Fujian gradually stabilized. The people were grateful for his kindness and all praised General Han for his benevolence and righteousness. Many gentry vied to offer suggestions. Han Xiong knew that if the people were safe, the country would be safe, so his policies were people-oriented and won the hearts of the people.

But now the Fujian area, where he had invested so much effort, had to be abandoned for the sake of the overall situation. Han Xiong was unwilling and reluctant, but had to agree. After the messenger left, Han Xiong first summoned his generals and announced the king's decision. The generals were all indignant and unwilling, but under the military order, no one objected.

Han Xiong saw that the generals looked depressed, so he comforted them, "When a general uses his troops on the battlefield, he will be famous all over the world. There are countless generals under your command who have become famous because of fighting. You have followed me to garrison in Fujian, but you have worked hard but to no avail. Now that your king is fighting a decisive battle in the heart of Huguang, it is time for you to make great military achievements and be awarded titles for your wives and children!"

After pacifying the generals, Han Xiong thought of the many officials from various places who had been promoted by him. He then issued documents to inquire about the officials from various places. Those who were willing to leave with him could wait for Zheng to send someone, and then leave Fujian and go to Nanjing. If they did not want to leave the local people and were willing to stay, Han Xiong was willing to replace them and recommend them to Zheng to keep their original positions. However, Han Xiong still issued strict orders that even if they wanted to follow him to leave Fujian, they had to appease the people and not harm them. Violators would be severely punished.

Finally, Han Xiong summoned many scholars from Fujian to join him.

In the hall, people gathered together, and although no one spoke loudly, the sound of whispers could be heard.

Han Xiong walked into the hall and sat in the main seat.

Chen Yuyan, a scholar from Xinghua and Putian, could not hold back and stood up and asked Han Xiong anxiously, "Sir, is the news of the withdrawal true?"

Han Xiong nodded, sighed, and then said: "The situation is like this, we have no choice but to do this!"

"My lord, you have worked hard for the people of Fujian. We have seen it with our own eyes and kept it in our hearts. Now Fujian is thriving, and your Majesty has abandoned it, which greatly hurts the hearts of the people of Fujian!" Chen Yuyan said with tears in his eyes.

Chen Yuyan was from Xinghua and had a heavy accent. Han Xiong listened carefully and finally understood what he meant. Although he felt a little helpless, he still comforted him, "Your Majesty is sending troops to Huguang. This battle is a decisive battle with the enemy. The Zheng family's navy is strong. With its participation, the chances of victory will increase greatly. Besides, the Zheng family is not a Tartar and will never force the people to shave their heads. The people can just go about their business with peace of mind and do not need to worry."

A group of scholars were talking and arguing, and many of them became more and more excited. They meant that the king had treated Fujian like a worn-out shoe and had hurt the hearts of the people of Fujian. It was not until a loud shout was heard that the scene quieted down.

Lin Congxiao looked at everyone with a look of regret, shook his head, and then said loudly: "If the skin is gone, where will the hair be attached? Your Majesty, you are offering Fujian as a reward to invite the king to send troops. This is a great and strategic plan. If Huguang wins, the world can be settled. Fujian's small corner will not harm the overall situation. If you lose, the enemy army will come again. Do you have to shave your heads again?"