Chapter 364: Forced to Withdraw from Jiangnan

Jiang Jinshi nodded in approval: "That's right! Previously, we were slandered by the Cui Family, and now the reputation of our Ming Army is not very good. If we can make Yang Jiye's army surrender, it will inevitably turn around later."

Yan Wu echoed: "What the Lord says is very true. General Yang opening the city is a righteous act, and it also gives our army a name. We use this as a reason to first control the situation and then proclaim benevolent government."

Jiang Jinshi said to Wang Hou: "Wang Hou! First find out the details of the main generals under Yang Jiye, especially those who may firmly oppose surrender!"

"Yes!"

Wang Hou was prepared and immediately replied: "When I was investigating Yang Jiye before, I checked. There are three vice generals under General Yang, two of whom were directly appointed by the Ministry of War of the Imperial Court and have old ties with Si Gui's faction.

They were all inserted by Si Gui before, are foolishly loyal to the Imperial Court, and embezzle military pay. They are superficially respectful to Yang Jiye but actually unconvinced. These two are the biggest obstacles.

The other vice general and several main commanding officers were promoted from the original Shuoning defense system and have no old grudges with Yang Jiye but also no deep friendship, and they value their own interests and the lives of the soldiers under their command more."

"Good!" Jiang Jinshi tapped his fingers on the table, "The target is clear. Those two vice generals sent by the Imperial Court are stumbling blocks! Wang Hou, take orders!"

"This subordinate is here!"

"Immediately select the best assassins among your subordinates and secretly infiltrate Shuoning. You don't have to act immediately; first keep a close eye on those two and master their movements and habits.

When General Yang issues the signal to open the city and our army enters the city to control the situation, if these two have any unusual movements and try to gather people to resist or incite a mutiny... you know what to do."

"Yes! This subordinate understands!" Wang Hou already had an idea in his heart; no one was more suitable for this matter than him.

"As for that vice general from the Shuoning system and other main generals!" Jiang Jinshi continued to deploy, "Han Xiao! You are responsible for contacting them."

Han Xiao nodded heavily: "This subordinate accepts the order! I will definitely find a way to stabilize them!"

Jiang Jinshi's gaze swept over the crowd, "After entering the city, the first priority is to control the armory, granary, city gates, and military camp. Luo Feng, Zhang Honghong, Bai Ting, you three each lead elite troops, the tasks are clear, and the actions must be fast!

After controlling the key points, immediately post notices to pacify the people in each camp and read out our Beijiang's policy on treating surrendered soldiers.

Tell them that those willing to join the Ming Army will have food and pay, land will be distributed, and their families will be protected.

Those who are unwilling can take their travel expenses and go home to farm, and we will definitely not make things difficult for them! But those who take advantage of the chaos to plunder or incite trouble will be executed immediately without mercy!"

"Yes!" Luo Feng and the other two roared in agreement.

"Mr. Xiao, Old Feng! After entering the city, immediately start counting those who are willing to stay and those who are willing to leave, and distribute travel expenses and register them quickly to avoid delays and changes.

At the same time, the takeover of civil administration in Shuoning City and the stabilization of the market must also follow immediately, so that the people can see that our Ming Army is not only a mighty army but also an army of benevolence and order."

"My Lord, rest assured, the documents and matters have already been prepared!" Xiao Chunqiu and Feng Chunsheng said in unison.

Jiang Jinshi then looked at Han Xiao, "As for the matter of receiving General Yang's wife, you and Wang Hou discuss it, send some good hands with General Yang's personal letter and token, secretly go to his hometown, and ensure safety, and bring her out quietly!"

Han Xiao cupped his hands: "This subordinate will definitely personally select personnel, handle it properly, and will never fail the trust of the Lord and General Yang!"

"These deployments are all after receiving General Yang's wife, otherwise General Yang will not be able to let go in his heart, and I fear it will not be so easy to surrender!" Luo Feng spoke at the right time.

"No rush! The front line can be slowed down for a few days!"

Jiang Jinshi knew that this matter could not be rushed. Anyway, the front line had been in a stalemate for a period of time, and it wouldn't matter if it was in a stalemate for a few more days.

For the next period of time, the Ming Army did not send anyone to contact Yang Jiye.

After all, the two sides had not yet shown their cards, and too much contact would be disadvantageous to the follow-up.

Even to prevent others from noticing, the Ming Army sent more scouts and rangers, giving people the feeling that the friction was constantly escalating.

During the half-month period that both sides were waiting, news also came from Western Liang that the Western Liang army was actually bypassing Tongguan and advancing into Chuanshu.

When he learned of this news, Jiang Jinshi knew the purpose of the Western Liang King.

Jiangnan!!

He wanted to occupy the most wealthy place first, and only with this as a foundation could he support the consumption of the large army.

This also explained one thing: the Western Liang King had already made preparations for a protracted war.

From the initial rapid blitzkrieg to the current three-way stalemate, the Western Liang King didn't seem to be in a hurry to fight into Jingcheng either.

If only Da Qian were the enemy, the Western Liang King would naturally spare no cost to fight into Chang'an, and at worst, he could slowly restore his vitality after ascending the throne.

But now that there was an anomaly like Beijiang, no one wanted to have too much consumption, to avoid having a mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

This was the same reason as Jiang Jinshi persuading Yang Jiye to surrender; no one wanted to have too much consumption, to avoid being eliminated early.

Now that there were many scholar-gentry supporting the Western Liang King, this strategy was really good, and taking the southern region could basically be said to be effortless.

It not only strengthened his own power but also made up for the shortcomings of Western Liang's logistics.

After figuring this out, Jiang Jinshi immediately sent someone to send a letter to Fu Ruyan, saying that Jiangnan was no longer safe and asking her to go north immediately.

After all, she was supporting Beijiang, and after the Western Liang King occupied the southern region, I fear he would not be able to tolerate her.

And the Yan Family also received the news, and taking advantage of the fact that the Jiangnan region had not yet fallen, withdrawing early was the correct way.

After receiving the news, Fu Ruyan acted immediately. Although she hadn't heard any wind yet, she believed that Jiang Jinshi's judgment would not be wrong.

Jiang Qingyan was silently packing up valuable items, and Fu Ruyan was clicking the abacus, counting the final accounts.

"Miss, our inns and shops have all been sold, but the price... was suppressed by a full 30%."

The accountant held the account book, his expression somewhat embarrassed, "Those people know we are in a hurry to leave and are taking the opportunity to desperately suppress the price!"

Fu Ruyan took the account book and scanned it, "It's good to be able to cash out! In extraordinary times, it's most important to be able to take away silver and essential goods.

For the rest of the bulky furniture and ordinary items that cannot be taken away, sell them at a discount on the spot, or give them to the old people who stay behind.

Notify everyone that we will board the ship at midnight tonight and go north along the canal. All personnel will leave the city quietly in batches and gather at the wharf outside the city."

"Yes, Miss."

The accountant responded and then said in a low voice, "The Yan Family... seems to have even bigger movements.

They have many industries and are intricate. In the past few days, they have been secretly shipping goods, and I heard that it has attracted a lot of covetousness, and even...

The Cui Family seems to have secretly intervened, wanting to swallow several important trade routes of the Yan Family in Jiangnan."

Fu Ruyan sighed, "The Cui Family... their movements are fast. Tell the people below that we only deal with our own industries, don't get involved in the Yan Family's affairs, and don't ask too much. Finish quickly and leave this place of right and wrong as soon as possible."

Although the Yan Family chose to bet on Beijiang just like her, in this matter, neither side could help the other, so it was better to take care of themselves first! ===== CHAPTER 365 =====