books44 Chapter 207 Peace of mind
Chapter 207 Peace of mind
Qian Mansion.
Liu Guquan listened to the chaotic footsteps outside the door and couldn't help but smile. He was fed up with being a slave for such a long time. In order to conceal his true identity, Liu Rushi never revealed Liu Guquan's true identity to the people in the mansion.
At this time, the housekeeper of the Qian family saw Liu Guquan lying behind the door in a wretched manner, and he was furious. He didn't know where his lady found such a man from, and his gardening work was not as good as his own. He had no self-awareness and was always sneaky and cunning. Now he even had the mind to watch the fun.
He walked forward angrily, grabbed Liu Guquan with his big hands, and scolded: "Liu Quan, you are lazy again. This time I will definitely take revenge on Madam Yu and drive you out of the mansion."
Liu Quanyou shook off the housekeeper, squinted at him, and said disdainfully: "You ignorant fellow, you don't need to chase me away. I will leave the Qian Mansion tomorrow." After that, he swaggered towards the mansion with an arrogant look. The housekeeper was stunned, then shook his head and sighed: "He has lost his mind and is in a panic. If he doesn't stay in the master's mansion for protection, he won't know when he will be drafted."
Although Liu Guquan's attack on the city gate failed and the spies of the Intelligence Bureau suffered heavy losses, that was a military problem and had nothing to do with him, Liu Guquan. He was the hero who had planned for a long time and opened the Dinghuai Gate. As Liu Guquan walked, he was thinking about how to get in touch with Lord Meng.
As soon as he entered the yard, Liu Guquan saw Liu Rushi standing at the gate. Liu Guquan hurriedly greeted her and was very grateful to Liu Rushi. If it hadn't been for Liu Rushi's rescue, he might have been caught when Hong Chengchou searched the whole city.
However, Liu Rushi bowed to Liu Guquan and said, "Mr. Liu is a subordinate of King Zhou. Although my husband has made some contribution in planning to open the city gate this time, he used to be in a high position but surrendered to the Tartars. Today, the king's army has recovered the old capital. I hope Mr. Liu can say something good about my husband." After saying this, Liu Rushi covered her face and cried unconsciously.
Upon hearing this, Liu Guquan murmured, "Well, madam, you think too highly of me. Although I, Liu Guquan, am a subordinate of King Zhou, I am not an important figure. But don't worry, madam. I, Old Liu, am not an ungrateful person. I will definitely find a way." At the end, Liu Guquan patted his chest and said loudly.
"Thank you very much, sir." Liu Rushi smiled and thanked Liu Guquan. Although Qian Qianyi had made contributions in planning Meng Jun's entry into the city, this was only icing on the cake. If Qian Qianyi must be held accountable for the crime of advocating the opening of the city, she was afraid that her husband would not be able to escape imprisonment.
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As the last wisp of gunpowder smoke dissipated, Jiangning City welcomed the dawn of peace after the war. New flags had been planted on the city walls, and the residents of the city leaned out from behind their doors and windows, looking at the soldiers entering the city with a little panic in their eyes.
In order to restore order, appeasing the people became the top priority. Meng Jun issued an order: "It is strictly forbidden to disturb the people. Violators will be severely punished." At the same time, the Jiangning treasury was opened and the troops were rewarded generously.
He also issued a notice to reassure the people, saying: "The royal army has entered the city. The mighty army will not harm the people. I, Meng Jun, care about the people, so I specially issued this notice to inform all directions to reassure the people.
The war has ended, but the wounds have not yet healed. We should work together to revitalize the country. Therefore, there are several things I want to show you. First, we should set up a public security department, enforce strict laws, eliminate traitors, protect the country and the people, so that the scoundrels have nowhere to hide and the people can live and work in peace.
Second, we should allocate grain and fodder, open soup kitchens, provide relief to the famine and the poor, repair houses, dredge ditches, and improve roads so that the people can have a good life and the people can prosper.
Third, reduce taxes, ease penalties, and promote the recovery of all industries.
I hereby inform you that you elders should not be worried or lose faith. You should maintain your perseverance and work together to restore the country. Although the country is in trouble, I believe that there will be a time to turn around. May God bless China and bring peace and prosperity to the country and the people. "
Victory means huge gains. In this battle, Lekedehun's army was completely wiped out, and he captured Jiangning, Zhenzhou, Changzhou, Wuxi, and connected with Suzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang and other places. Geng Zhongming's navy was defeated, and the power to control the river was temporarily in the hands of Zhou's army.
Going up the Yangtze River from Jiangning is Ma'anshan, an important iron and steel center. If Ma'anshan is taken, the cost of manufacturing firearms will drop significantly.
After Meng Jun recaptured Jiangning, he changed the name of Jiangning and restored the old name Jinling instead of Nanjing, which implicitly expressed Meng Jun's thoughts.
The army gathered in Jinling, and Meng Jun sent messengers widely. Jinling Prefecture had jurisdiction over eight counties, namely Shangyuan, Jiangning, Jurong, Liyang, Lishui, Gaochun, Jiangpu and Liuhe. Except for Liuhe and Jiangpu counties located on the north bank of the Yangtze River, the magistrates of Gaochun and Jurong counties resigned, and all the counties on the south bank surrendered to Meng Jun.
The army reorganized for several days, and while the Qing army had not yet moved south, several of its troops were used to contain the south. Meng Jun appointed Lin Shiqi as the commander, with his own Ningwu garrison, Wang Fugui's Wuxing garrison, and ten battalions of the service army, a total of 50,000 troops, went up the Yangtze River, attacked Ma'anshan and Wuhu, and finally besieged Xuancheng to serve as a barrier to the west of Nanjing. He also ordered Bai Yongfu to garrison in Zhenjiang, and Zhao Yongping to return to Jiangyin, to guard several towns along the river.
Before leaving, Meng Jun said to Lin Shiqi: "In every battle, the soldiers who serve the country should be the vanguard. If they win, they will continue to fight. If they lose, they will also continue to fight. Those who survive will become elite soldiers."
As the news of the fall of Jiangning spread, Baiyintu, who was marching south along the canal, slowed down his pace and ordered reinforcements from various places to gather in one place. Baiyintu stationed his troops in Xuzhou and waited for the regent's military order.
When various urgent military intelligence messages were transmitted to Beijing, Dorgon looked at the military reports and touched his smooth forehead irritably. Lekedehun was defeated and killed, Babutai, Fulsheng, and Jueluo Langqiu were all killed by Meng Jun, Jiangning City was broken, and Hong Chengchou committed suicide by burning himself. These bad news were passed into the palace like a stream of water, making the emperor's father, the regent, furious.
Dorgon looked at Duoduo, who was shivering in his coat, and frowned and said, "I heard that you have added a hundred women from all over the country to your mansion. Wine and sex are like a knife to scrape bones. Look at what you look like now."
Duoduo said indifferently: "In life, I want to hold the power of the world when I am awake and sleep on the lap of a beauty when I am drunk. Power is not what I want, but I cannot live without beautiful women and good wine for a day."
Dorgon said angrily: "Jiangnan is in chaos again, Jiangning was lost again. If it weren't for your health, I wouldn't be so worried. Bai Yingtu is still lacking in qualifications."
Dorgon then scolded him again: "Women are adorning you, how could you be so obsessed with it!"
After Dorgon finished speaking, he stood up and looked at the listless Duoduo, saying hatefully: "Come here, pass on my order to execute all the newly arrived Han women in Prince Yu's mansion!"
Duoduo was shocked and said anxiously: "No, several of them are pregnant!"
Upon hearing this, Dorgon glanced at Duoduo and ordered: "Except those who are pregnant, all other Han women will be put to death." After saying this, he ignored Duoduo and turned back to the harem. He wanted to discuss the current situation in depth with the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Bulbutai.