I have a cornucopia

Chapter 284 You are guilty!
Jie Xuan failed to catch Du Yinxi in the end.

He actually wanted to capture Du Yinxi and hand him over to Li Zicheng.

After all, it was Du Yinxi who ordered the firing at Chongzhen's dragon boat...

What? At that time, the defenders of Suojianglou Fort were all Jiangxi militia, and they were all Jie Xuan’s subordinates?

He was just a student, he didn't even pass the imperial examination, he was nothing in front of the governor, and he was just a Zanhua in the militia, Du Yinxi was the commander of the anti-rebellion coalition army elected by the Council of Elders, he was nothing in front of the commander of the coalition army! You can't be so shameless, the big pot of regicide is not something a small character like him can bear, even Chengji is the prince's attendant, a seventh-rank official, now do you want a scholar to bear such a big pot? In short, it was Du Yinxi who ordered the militia to fire at His Majesty, and then he could be sent to Li Zicheng, and the rest was up to Li Zicheng to play with him and let Du Yinxi drag the Council of Elders into the water, that would depend on Li Zicheng's methods.

But he ultimately failed.

Du Yinxi escaped from Jiujiang City under the protection of his servants and Changzhou militia.

Then they boarded a boat and crossed the river to the north bank to join the Susong militia.

However, Jie Xuan did not continue to hold on. Almost at the same time as Du Yinxi escaped, Wan Yuanji, under his persuasion, also issued an order to retreat.

Nearly half of the elite Jiangxi militia were in Jiujiang, which would be the bargaining chip for the future. The letter Fu Guan gave him was asking him to retreat and give Jiujiang to Li Zicheng, but only Jiujiang. De'an and even the Mahuiling fortress had to be defended.

Prevent Li Zicheng from going south.

They abandoned all the baggage in the city, especially the powerful 10,000-jin cannons. Li Zicheng couldn't move them to Mahuiling anyway, as they couldn't move without water transportation. Then, including the outer fortresses such as the Locking River Tower, a total of 40,000 Jiangxi militiamen went east around Lushan and turned to Xingzi. Next, they would fill the position of the Zhejiang militiamen after their retreat to ensure that the northern Jiangxi defense line would not collapse. Because the people in the city fled too quickly, Li Zicheng, who had just failed to attack the city, didn't react at all. Even when his men reported it, he didn't dare to believe it. After all, it was too unbelievable.

Therefore, the militia's retreat was not pursued, and Li Zicheng had no interest in pursuing them.

His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was so happy that he went crazy. Just looking at the countless cannons, ammunition and food in the city made him extremely happy. He didn't even think about pursuing the enemy.

Besides, he understands.

The Jiangxi militia left these to him to tell him to go to Nanjing as soon as possible!

We have prepared a huge cannon for you.

None of the fortresses along the river can withstand the bombardment of this thing. He can directly load these cannons and mountains of ammunition onto the ship. It is estimated that he will be able to blast open the Penglangji Fortress in less than a day.

After Du Yinxi joined the Susong militia on the north bank, the bad news also made Chen Zilong and others anxious. They notified Shen Tingyang as quickly as possible, and the latter also took the fleet to pick them up and retreat without hesitation. Under the cover of countless warships and cannons of the navy, the Susong militia burned all the baggage, then boarded the ship in Xiaochi, and quickly withdrew from the battlefield in the confused eyes of the Xiaochi Fortress. After seeing Li Zicheng's "Chuang" flag on the top of Jiujiang City on the south bank, the Xiaochi Fortress realized that they had been abandoned and honestly chose to surrender. So far, the Jiujiang Fortress, which was known as and actually indestructible to Li Zicheng, fell in less than two days, and the biggest obstacle for him to march into Nanjing was opened.

On the same day, another meeting of the Elders' Council in Nanjing broke down again.

It's impossible to reach an agreement.

The Zhejiang veterans just wanted to withdraw and look after their homes.

The elders of Southern Zhili also refused to send troops to help Zhejiang. After all, there was a group of hungry wolves eyeing them in the north of the Yangtze River.

The Jiangxi elders would never resist Li Zicheng alone and serve as scapegoats for the lower reaches. They didn't want to fight Li Zicheng to the death in the first place. If they hadn't been tricked by Du Yinxi back then, they would have happily watched from the sidelines like the Huguang people.

If they are to resist, then the downstream must maintain troops at the front line.

Soon after, the news that the Zhejiang militia had retreated reached Nanjing. There was no need for further talks, and Fu Guan led the Jiangxi elders in angrily announcing their withdrawal from the Elders' Council.

Of course, just withdraw from the Senate.

The Council of Elders is just a civil organization, and withdrawal does not prevent them from continuing to be loyal to Her Majesty the Queen.

On the same day, the Jingnan Army captured Cixi and Fenghua. Although the Cixi gentry led by Shen Chenquan fought desperately and lost six knights, Shen Chenquan was released because he was on the list of the King of Qi. However, the wealth of most of the gentry in Cixi was still looted by the Jingnan Army, and most of the gentry in the Xiangxian Association were also shot.

As for the division of land deeds, the burning of body deeds, and the redemption of loan sharking notes, these are of course also indispensable.

This time it's even harder to control.

The people in eastern Zhejiang, who had already realized that the Jingnan Army was really doing this, were jubilant, and even the local militiamen defected. At the same time, Zheng Chenggong quickly armed 30,000 refugees in Zhoushan and sent them to the battlefield.

There are a lot of refugees there.

It's no problem to have 100,000 armed men.

Moreover, because of the oppression of the gentry in eastern Zhejiang, they were all filled with fighting spirit.

Then the gentry of Shangyu abandoned the city and fled.

Then the militia that came to reinforce Yuyao was ambushed and defeated by the Jingnan Army because some unruly people informed the Jingnan Army in time.

……

Of course, these are no longer important to the court in Nanjing.

After all, they had already known about the Jiujiang Incident and the bad news that Li Zicheng had captured Jiujiang.

Now the Nanzhili elders who had been able to remain calm became anxious, and some of them even left Nanjing immediately. The Elders' Council actually disbanded. After all, this was just a coordination organization, and now everyone was in charge of their own affairs. What was the point of continuing to maintain it? Would they all stay in Nanjing and wait for Li Zicheng to attack?
Fengyang.

Of course, it is still in front of Linhuai Pass.

Since the failure of the last battle, the Qing army has completely given up fighting and instead took advantage of Yang Feng's suspension of attack to strengthen their defenses. However, Yang Feng did not care about anything else because he had to suppress the Zhejiang New Army. In the past few days, those generals were still ready to move. After all, the news from the south was getting more and more terrible.

Although they did believe that Yang Feng would ensure the safety of their families, the problem was that it was a war.

Who knows what will happen?

Compare your heart to your heart!

Don't they know what they did during the war?

However, the soldiers' emotions became more and more stable. After all, they already knew about the so-called atrocities committed by the Jingnan Army in eastern Zhejiang.

This……

It doesn’t seem like a bad thing!

If that’s the case, why are they in such a hurry? They are not those wealthy families.

"Her Majesty summons you?"

Yang Feng looked at Zhang Guowei who came to see him in person.

The latter was originally besieging Hefei, but his subordinates were all militiamen. What was the point of siege now? The militiamen had all withdrawn. Similarly, the Northern Expedition Army that had originally rushed to besiege Hefei with him also withdrew. The latter was also composed of militiamen.

However, the Northern Expedition Army was soon stopped by people sent by Yang Feng. After all, they were under the command of Yang Feng. King Yang made it very clear that anyone who dared to cross the Yangtze River would be considered deserting the battlefield. He would personally enforce the law. Without his order, all had to stay in Jiangbei. Therefore, the Northern Expedition Army withdrew to Quanjiao and then, like the Zhejiang New Army here, anxiously awaited the bad news from their hometown.

In short, the Battle of Hefei, like the Battle of Jiujiang, was abandoned because of the landing of the Jingnan Army in eastern Zhejiang.

Even at this time, the Zhejiang militia was almost reaching Nanjing.

Of course, the journey was smooth.

Liu Shoufu not only strictly prohibited all localities from blocking the enemy, but also mobilized supplies in Nanjing, waiting for them to complete the replenishment after arriving in Nanjing, and then rush to Zhejiang. Originally, he wanted Zhang Guowei to take the militia back, but Zhang Guowei refused. After all, Zhang Guowei was exhausted and almost dead. Besides, the Jingnan Army did not expand to Jinhua. He had dealt with Yang Feng for many years and knew very well that a poor place like Jinhua would not attract Yang Feng's interest.

"Your Majesty, now that Jiujiang has been lost, the rebel army is about to descend. Nanjing is in danger. Her Majesty the Queen has summoned Your Majesty to discuss strategies to resist the enemy."

Zhang Guowei said.

"Your Majesty? It's Liu Zongzhou himself, right? I have a letter from the Empress here, telling me not to worry about the capital, but to destroy the Jianlu. Without the letter from the Empress, I cannot cross the Yangtze River."

Yang Feng calmly took out the handwritten letter from Her Majesty the Queen.

Although Her Majesty the Queen is still under the close surveillance of the Cabinet, people like Liu Zongzhou are just good at talking but have no real ability to take action. Their so-called surveillance is as leaky as a sieve. Although it may be troublesome if the Queen escapes, the secret letter is just a trivial matter.

"Your Majesty, it is indeed Liu Jishan, but it is also true that Li Zicheng may march into Nanjing at any time. Although there is still the Hukou Fortress, the defenders are in a panic, and Hukou is still mainly composed of Jiangxi militia, so I am afraid they will abandon the city and flee. As far as I know, the Jiangxi Elders Association is ready to negotiate with Li Zicheng to recognize Li Zicheng as the emperor in exchange for Li Zicheng not entering Poyang Lake, and even allowing him to attack Zhejiang from the south through Jiangxi. Even if Your Majesty does not want to care about the lives of the gentry in Jiangnan, the Empress cannot ignore it. If Li Zicheng reaches Nanjing, the Empress will have no choice but to abdicate."

Zhang Guowei said.

"If all the people in the world voted for Li Zicheng, then he can just abdicate. Has there ever been a country that did not perish? Moreover, Li Zicheng did not change the country's name.

What's more, the prince is also the son of the late emperor. Why should there be a bloodbath for the throne? In fact, I still say that anything can be discussed. The late emperor has passed away. He did not say that Li Zicheng killed the emperor. Instead, His Majesty died from a stray bullet from the militia. This is a fact.

But no matter what, he has passed away, so there is no need to dwell on this issue anymore.

I call those who are loyal to him and want to avenge him loyal subjects.

I don’t think it’s wrong to hate him because the world is in chaos. After all, this is the fact and we cannot ignore it.

As for Li Zicheng, he did not commit regicide. Your Majesty said it himself. He went south to escort Your Majesty to the southern capital. This is well known. Although he was a traitor in the past, he had been pardoned by Your Majesty and entrusted with the throne. This is also well known. As for his claiming to the throne, it was because his subordinates were excited by Your Majesty's death and forced him to succeed the throne in order to punish the regicide. Although it was a bit impulsive, it was also understandable. "

Yang Feng said.

"Is Your Majesty so willing to compromise?"

Qi Biaojia, who came with Zhang Guowei, said angrily.

"Yes, I am just trying to smooth things over. If I hadn't, I would have led my troops straight to Nanjing to avenge the late emperor. Do you want me to be a truly loyal minister?

Then I have to remind you that Li Zicheng bought his clamps from me."

Yang Feng said.

Qi Biaojia shut up instantly.

"It was you who killed His Majesty. This can be clearly stated. I have plenty of evidence. There is a secret letter from Her Majesty the Queen. It was she who asked Zheng Chenggong to rescue Her Majesty. I have also seen His Majesty's body. He was indeed killed by the collapse of the house, and the palace was destroyed by the cannons of the militia. That means the militia killed His Majesty. No matter what happened before, it is a fact that the militia killed His Majesty, and the militia obeyed your orders, so you are the mastermind. But I don't want to do anything about it, because it is better for the Ming Dynasty if His Majesty dies than if he lives, but this is just what I don't want to do. I can't control what others do. They want to avenge His Majesty because they are loyal to His Majesty, so let alone them, there is nothing wrong with them throwing all the elders and local sages in Jiangnan into the clamp.

Regicide means the entire nine generations of the clan will be killed.

Why should I stop a group of loyal ministers from fighting against a group of regicides?
You have to understand, you guys,"

Yang Feng pointed at Qi Biaojia's chest.

"guilty!"

He said.

The latter instinctively took a step back.

Of course, his face looked a little gloomy.

The hat of regicide was eventually put on the dignitaries of Nanjing, or the gentry of Jiangnan.

They were regicides, and all history books would record this crime for them.

In the future, the Jiangnan gentry, who once had the right to speak and said that whoever was a traitor must be a traitor, will no longer be qualified to stand on the moral high ground. No matter who they accuse in the future, the latter can pick up this big stick and hit them on the head.

You are regicides!

You carry original sin!

What qualifications do you have to criticize others?
"Your Majesty, what if we invite all parties to Nanjing for negotiations?"

Zhang Guowei said.

"Okay, if you want to talk, I am willing to act as a witness for you, but whether they are willing to talk to you is their business. I will not interfere in your fight. If you are willing to sit down and talk, then I can act as a witness, just like last time in Jiangxi, but if they are unwilling to talk, I will not help you force them to talk.

I was ordered to encircle and suppress the Jianlu, and this is my duty."

Yang Feng said.

Zhang Guowei already understood.

Yang Feng will continue to sit and watch, he will not go south...

Of course, it doesn’t matter whether he goes south or not, after all, he can let his vicious dogs go south.

To be precise, his vicious dogs have already gone south. Now the main force of the Jingnan Army in East Zhejiang are all farmers or followers of the Yang family. The latter's looting in Zhejiang is looting for Yang Feng...

His banks were all opened in Zhoushan. The gold, silver and jewelry looted by the Jingnan Army in Zhejiang were being shipped to Zhoushan, deposited in the Yang family's bank, and then transported to the north on the Yang family's speedboats.

The Zhejiang Elders Association was not exaggerating. This was an organized purge of the Jiangnan gentry, physically destroying the Jiangnan cultural heritage. It could not even be said that it was led by Yang Feng. After all, Li Zhifang and others were the minions of the Shandong Tongshan Association. This was a long-planned purge of the Jiangnan gentry by the Shandong gentry. Killing their people and robbing their treasured classics, the Fan family's Tianyi Pavilion collection was looted by Li Zhifang and others, and their wealth was robbed. It would be difficult for the Jiangnan gentry to recover in the imperial examinations in the future.

As for how long this process will last, it depends on whether the gentry in Jiangnan can force them to sit down for negotiations. Yang Feng will not intervene, which means that the gentry in Jiangnan will not have to face his irresistible power. This should be a good thing. It is not hopeless to simply use Nanzhili and Zhejiang to fight against the Jingnan Army and Li Zicheng, but the premise is that they can form a partnership!
It’s just the beginning and one family has already run away.

"Your Majesty, Jiangnan has a population of tens of millions and is the only place in the Ming Dynasty that has not been ravaged by war. Can Your Majesty bear to let the people of Jiangnan fall into the flames of war?"

Zhu Dadian said sadly.

"But I heard that the people in eastern Zhejiang are very happy?"

Yang Feng said.

Then he opened a piece of urgent news and showed it to these guys...

"Look, this is a letter from the people of Yin County to Her Majesty the Empress. They call the Jingnan Army the King's Army and the living Bodhisattvas who save the suffering. They are worried that Her Majesty the Empress will be deceived by treacherous officials and regard them as rebels. They specially wrote to the Empress and asked my chief steward in Zhoushan to pass it on. They said that the Jingnan Army was not against the Empress, but was loyal to the Empress. However, the late Emperor was murdered by the Elders Council and Liu Zongzhou and others, so the Jingnan Army went south to eliminate traitors and rebels, obey the will of heaven and quell the rebellion, and restore peace to the people of the Ming Dynasty.

I don't see any dissatisfaction of the people of Yin County about this war.

They have even joined the Jingnan Army.

The Yin County Camp has been formed and is composed entirely of local civilians. They have followed the Jingnan Army to attack Yuyao.

It is clear, folks, that you are worried about the wrong thing."

Yang Feng said.

This is indeed true.

Those common people are not stupid. What they have already obtained still needs to be defended by force. Otherwise, when the Jingnan Army leaves, won’t those masters take it back?

Give me back what you took from me, and spit out what you ate from me.

Burned the title deed?

I am returning with a homecoming group. Does it matter whether I have the land deed or not?
The land you are farming is my land. I just wrote the land deed in the government office. It’s written in black and white on the paper, and the ink is not dry yet. Do you recognize it?

If you don't admit it, I will kill your whole family.

Burn the indenture?
You are my slave, and it is enough for me to know you. Does it matter whether there is a contract of sale?
After all, it is impossible to succeed without military force, so several surrendered militiamen in Yin County who had fought in the battlefield simply formed the Yin County Camp of the Jingnan Army. Then a large number of young and strong people who had obtained land and former slaves joined, and a thousand people were gathered in just one day. They were equipped with a full set of weapons and training.

Then he began to follow the Jingnan Army.

"Trickster!"

Qi Biaojia said angrily.

“You shouted loudly about the will of the people, but now that it’s the real will of the people, you’ve become the troublemakers again?

This is really the word "official".

But I am different. Public opinion is public opinion. The gentry's is public opinion, and the peasants' is also public opinion. I like your statement about public opinion very much, so I must respect public opinion. Since the people of Yin County regard the Jingnan Army as the royal army, then I think that at least their performance in Yin County is that of the royal army.

As for killing some gentry, since we are suppressing rebellion, there must be some traitors who deserve to die."

Yang Feng said with a happy smile.

(End of this chapter)