Chapter 52

In the Jiangnan of August, the scorching sun roasted the earth.

The continuous high temperature, superimposed on the influence of the plum rain season, made the Lianghuai region like a large steamer.

The harsh climate brought many troubles to the pacification army.

"Set up camp!"

Seeing the soldiers sweating profusely, Jing Guoliang ordered helplessly.

Marching twenty miles a day, at a snail's pace, would make people laugh their teeth off if it spread out.

But there was no way; there were too many soldiers suffering from heatstroke along the way.

Forcibly maintaining high-intensity marching, non-combat attrition would reach a terrifying number.

For this military operation, the court had considered everything, but ignored that the northern soldiers were not accustomed to the climate of Jianghuai.

"Brother Jing, the situation is a bit bad.

Zuo Guangen has sent people to urge us again; the rebel army is besieging Huai'an Prefecture, and this inner minister of ours can't sit still either!"

Marquis of Zhenyuan Li Yuan teased with a smile.

While saying the situation was bad, he couldn't see a trace of panic on his face.

In this world of comparing who is worse, you don't necessarily have to be very strong yourself, as long as your opponent is bad enough.

The rebel army seems to have great momentum, but in reality, they are fighting on their own.

The Jianghuai noble families only lit the fire of rebellion and did not control the people below strictly.

Those salt soldier leaders who attached themselves to them were no longer as obedient as before after mastering the great army.

"Brother Xian's mouth is still as damaging as ever.

When did this inner minister offend you? Why don't I remember?"

Duke of Cheng Jing Guoliang responded with a smile that was not a smile.

The noble group looking down on the Eunuch Party was never a secret.

In the past years, they had seen too many favored eunuchs, but few were able to end well.

"Inner minister" is not a good thing to be called; the end of the previous prime minister of the Great Dayu dynasty was the annihilation of his entire family.

In the eyes of the old-school nobles, the famous Zuo Guangen was already a dead man with half a foot in the coffin.

Despising is despising, but envy and jealousy are also indispensable.

Clearly, they were the original shareholders, but their political speaking power was not even as good as a group of eunuchs.

"Why does Brother Jing ask when you know the answer?

This inner minister did not offend me, but the conditions he promised us have never been fulfilled!

Clearly holding great power, but always shirking that the conditions are not mature.

Such obvious ghost talk, I don't believe Brother Jing has no thoughts!"

Seeing Li Yuan clarify the topic, Duke of Cheng Jing Guoliang's face suddenly turned gloomy.

It was impossible to have no resentment; the Eunuch Party played the nobles, which was a hard slap in his face.

In order for his son to develop smoothly after entering the Ministry of War, he had even conducted professional skills training in advance a few days ago.

Everything was ready, but the Ministry of War's position suddenly disappeared.

Choosing to lead the army south this time was also partly because he had lost face in front of his family and couldn't let go of his pride.

"So what if I have thoughts? The civil official group strongly opposes our intervention in the Six Ministries.

Except for the Eunuch Party, we cannot find collaborators on this issue.

Now the Eunuch Party is dragging it out and not handling it, and we cannot force them.

You don't want to use this pacification to pressure Zuo Guangen, do you?"

Jing Guoliang asked with some panic.

Political games must also take the big picture into account.

The noble group dragging their feet on the pacification issue might indeed trap the Eunuch Party, but they would also suffer heavy losses themselves.

For the sake of the Lianghuai salt industry, they had already paid quite a price.

Although the ones sacrificed were eyesores, they were still their own people.

"Brother Jing, what are you saying! How could we do such a thing!

The Ministry of War matter, the Eunuch Party dragging it out and not handling it, can actually be understood.

The civil official group strongly opposes it, and Zuo Guangen also has to consider the opinions of his subordinates.

My meaning is to use the opportunity of pacification to expand our political influence.

Lianghuai is a good place; after this turmoil, many positions will inevitably open up.

We don't covet civil official positions, but we must find a way to get the military general vacancies into our hands."

Li Yuan said calmly.

Affected by the hereditary system of military generals, the actual vacancies for military generals are quite limited, and most are on the front lines of the Nine Borders.

The nobles of today are not like those of the early founding years; having lived in luxury for so many years, it is too difficult for everyone to go to the Nine Borders to eat dirt.

Lianghuai is different; although the climate may be a bit unaccustomed, the place is wealthy.

"Brother Xian is right; we really cannot back down this time!"

Jing Guoliang said with a grave expression.

The noble group is here for the salt industry interests this time; if there are no people of their own watching, the people below will definitely not be honest.

The court's salt tax can be slowly eroded, and their own shares will naturally be coveted.

……

Yangzhou City.

"The rebel army is splitting its forces and heading south, aiming for Yangzhou?"

The Marquis of Wuyang asked with a slight panic.

Recently, he had gained quite a few benefits from the salt merchants and was preparing to make persistent efforts, never expecting to receive this bad news.

"Commander, the news came from the Embroidered Uniform Guard; it shouldn't be fake.

The court's great army is pressing on Huai'an, and the rebel army's plan to cut off the canal transport in Huai'an cannot be completed now.

If they don't want to be surrounded and annihilated, they must find a way to break the situation.

Yangzhou overlooks the river, overlooks the capital, treads on the edge of the great sea in the south, and presses on the flow of the long Huai in the north.

Since ancient times, it has been a place that military strategists must fight for.

Looking at the rebel army's intentions, they should want to head south to attack Yangzhou and capture Nanjing, so as to shake the southeast half of the country!"

Li Mu analyzed solemnly.

Whether the rebel army has such a grand strategic plan is temporarily unclear; anyway, he needs everyone to think the rebel army has one.

Being a middleman is not easy; relying purely on smashing money to clear relationships simply cannot reflect his importance.

"The rebel army is coming; what countermeasures do you all have?"

The Marquis of Wuyang asked the crowd anxiously.

He is just an in-law relative; looting money and fixing people might be his specialty.

Leading troops to fight, this is the first time.

The Wucheng Military Commission is nominally an army, but the work they actually do is mainly maintaining public order and sweeping away black and evil forces.

As for combat capability, he has no bottom in his heart.

"The rebel army is coming aggressively; we should immediately conscript young and strong men to defend the city and send people to seek help from the Capital Battalion."

Battalion Commander Zhao Yawei of the East City spoke first.

This proposal was standard, without any highlights, and couldn't pick any faults.

Compared to the Lianghuai rebel army, the Wucheng Military Commission is a proper outsider.

It's not easy to stand firm, and going out of the city to pacify the rebellion is obviously not advisable.

"Battalion Commander Zhao is right; the safety of the country is at stake, and we should act steadily!"

The Battalion Commander of the West City followed suit.

The great army heading south nominally has five thousand, but the ones with real combat capability are the retainers brought by the noble children.

They account for less than half of the total force, and two-thirds of them are under the two men's command.

Strength determines the right to speak, and their opinions also represent the mainstream in the army.

"Commander, the two battalion commanders' words are reasonable.

However, besides seeking help and holding firm, we also need to appease the hearts of the people.

The rebel army was able to sweep through Lianghuai so quickly, largely because they coerced the local gentry.

In the past days, these rebels established connections with many gentry through intermarriage, teacher-student relationships, and sponsoring scholars.

Now that they are rebelling, the gentry in various places are afraid of being liquidated and have fallen into panic.

To hold Yangzhou City, we cannot let the rebel army pull the gentry over.

This subordinate proposes that the Commander issue an announcement to appease the people in the capacity of an Imperial Envoy.

Promise that as long as they draw a clear line with the rebel army and assist the great army in holding Yangzhou City, their crimes will be pardoned!"

Li Mu proposed in the trend.

(End of chapter)