novelAbuy Chapter 211 Jiang Zhaoning
Chapter 211 Jiang Zhaoning
Zhou Peigong had a personal motive in asking Liu Mu to say this. The twists and turns of Wu Sangui's surrender to the Qing dynasty were not widely publicized, which is why so many unofficial histories have emerged.
Because he, Zhou Peigong, was also very curious!
The historian who came with the army also took out his brush and touched it to his lips, ready to jot down drafts at any time.
Upon hearing this, Wu Sangui's face instantly turned red, then turned ashen, and his grip on the reins made a cracking sound.
"Galdan, you are courting death! I have spent my life on the battlefield, fighting bloody battles in the west; how dare you slander me?!"
"What happened back then was the inevitable trend of the world. How could a frog in a well like you understand? If you dare to spout nonsense again and mention the name Chen Yuanyuan, I will tear you to pieces and grind your bones to dust!"
When Wu Sangui first heard that Beijing had fallen, he wanted to surrender to Li Zicheng. However, after learning in advance that Li Zicheng had confiscated his property, he knew that a rift had already developed between them. If he surrendered to Li Zicheng, he would only be killed by him.
As for women, they cannot influence his judgment.
Now that Liu Mu is spreading rumors in front of both armies, if we can't defeat Liu Mu, we'll probably never be able to clear our names for the rest of our lives.
Seeing Wu Sangui angered, Liu Mu felt much better and looked at the historian beside him.
"Remember this well!"
"On the third day of the second month of 1878, the Hongwu Emperor fiercely denounced the false emperor Wu Sangui on the battlefield and won!"
"Withdraw the troops! Withdraw the troops! Two extra ounces of meat tonight!"
After Liu Mu finished speaking, he ignored Wu Sangui and rode off towards the main camp with his whip. The officers were all delighted to hear this. Although they hadn't managed to save the emperor, the improved meals were still a good thing.
The historian wrote extensively about it, completely forgetting that this was a battlefield. If Zhou Peigong hadn't urged him to mount his horse, he probably would have stayed behind and been killed by Wu Sangui!
Wu Sangui was also furious. He felt dizzy and had to grab Xia Guoxiang with all his might to avoid falling off his horse.
Xia Guoxiang understood immediately and gave the order!
"By order of His Majesty, the army shall immediately return to its camps. Today, all soldiers shall be rewarded with two ounces of meat and one bowl of wine!"
……
Back in the tent that had already been set up, Liu Mu changed his previous dissolute demeanor and looked at Zhou Peigong with a solemn expression.
"Lord Pei, based on my observations today, I've discovered that Wu Sangui's military leadership is quite impressive. He's well-equipped with firearms, and his fierce attack on Fangcheng will likely result in heavy losses!"
No matter how arrogant he was on the battlefield, Liu Mu was still very nervous when he returned to his tent. Wu Sangui at this time was much more powerful than in history.
According to the Spanish envoy, since Wu Sangui raised his army, the Dutch, the British, and even other small countries have all transported firearms to him.
Zhou Peigong seemed to be thinking about something. He didn't say anything upon hearing this, but continued to ponder, his expression serious.
Seeing this, Liu Mu was not in a hurry. He beckoned to Zhao Fengnian and ordered him to bring up dinner.
"Oh, I remember now!"
Zhou Peigong suddenly slapped his thigh and looked at Liu Mu!
"Your Majesty, how much money did you bring with you to the army?"
Faced with Zhou Peigong's question, Liu Mu was also at a loss, and first held up one finger.
"Your Majesty, 100,000 taels? That doesn't seem enough."
Zhou Peigong guessed for a moment, then immediately shook his head.
"It's one million taels. What do you want it for?"
Liu Mu was itching to know more, so he quickly pressed for more information!
Zhou Peigong chuckled and took out a booklet from his pocket, which contained some important matters concerning the Ministry of War.
"Today, while observing Wu Sangui's army, I noticed a general who looks very much like my Beijing Garrison Commander, Jiang Zhaoliang. It seems he is his elder brother, Jiang Muning!"
"I've heard this man is a compulsive gambler who squandered his family's fortune in his youth. After committing murder, he sought refuge with the Green Standard Army, and now he's a subordinate general under Wu Sangui!"
"This man surely knows many Wu generals. If we use him as bait, and win them over with official positions and gold and silver, then with inside and outside cooperation, I believe taking the city won't be difficult!"
The military registration system in the Han Dynasty was very strict, especially for centurions and above, who were required to fill out all the required information.
Jiang Zhaoning and Liu Mu also knew that he was a native of Kaifeng, Henan, and that his ancestors were hereditary commanders of a thousand households in the Ming Dynasty. When the Han Dynasty was first established, he carried his elderly mother north to seek refuge and was incorporated into the military as a refugee.
Because of his expertise in firearms and military formations, as well as his high level of education, he made great contributions in defending Pei County, fighting against Kangxi, and entering Nanjing. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant General and can be considered a direct descendant of the Han Dynasty.
And giving money was exactly what Liu Mu excelled at. Back then, Zhou Peigong was able to quickly sweep through Guanzhong in Shanxi, which was inseparable from Liu Mu's willingness to give money so readily.
Thinking of this, Liu Mu immediately gave the order.
"Send word to Lieutenant General Jiang Zhaoning!"
The Imperial Guards acknowledged the order, but returned shortly after leaving.
"Your Majesty, Jiang Zhaoning is right outside the tent!"
"They said they have something important to report!"
Liu Mu nodded, and soon a handsome young man, about 1.78 meters tall, wearing an earth-yellow general's uniform and nearly thirty years old, walked in and immediately raised his hand to salute.
"Jiang Zhaoning, the military commander of the Beijing Garrison, greets Your Majesty!"
Liu Mu looked him over and nodded with satisfaction. With his square face and wheat-colored skin, and wearing a silk military uniform, he was practically a human clothes hanger.
"I heard you have something to say. Speak!"
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Zhaoning gritted her teeth and spoke.
"Your Majesty, I have an older brother who was a brawler since childhood. He killed someone a few years ago and then joined the army. I never expected to see him today, but he is serving as a general under the false emperor!"
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Zhaoning gritted her teeth and spoke.
"Your Majesty, I have an older brother who was a brawler since childhood. He killed someone a few years ago and then joined the army. I never expected to see him today, but he is serving as a general under the false emperor!"
"I've come specifically to apologize!"
Jiang Zhaoning has finally become a military officer and has a mansion and servants in Beijing, allowing his mother to live a good life. He also doesn't want to be implicated by his brother.
Upon hearing this, Liu Mu waved his hand, accepting the reprimand first.
"Your brother is a beast, what business is it of yours?"
"Minister Zhou intends to persuade your elder brother to surrender, and then launch a coordinated attack from within and without to capture the city. What are your thoughts on this?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoning's face lit up with joy. After all, they were twin brothers, and he would certainly be willing to save Jiang Muning if he could. He took out a letter from his pocket.
"Your Majesty, this is a letter from my family, with my mother's handwriting on it. I believe my brother will contact me as soon as he sees the letter!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Mu nodded and immediately clapped his hands.
A moment later, a man in black silently walked in from behind the tent and knelt down on one knee.
Liu Mu handed over the letter.
"Go to Wu's camp, find a lieutenant general named Jiang Muning, give him this letter, and then do as Lord Zhou just instructed!"
The man in black didn't speak. After taking the letter, he left the way he came, each step landing on the same footprints he had left behind, without making a sound.
Zhou Peigong felt a chill run down his spine, but showed no sign of it. This kind of person must be the emperor's henchman; knowing too much about him would be pointless.
Liu Mu didn't say much.
This is merely a talent trained by Pan Feng using the methods of the Eastern and Western Depots of the Ming Dynasty, plus the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
"Come on, let's eat!"
"Jiang Zhaoning, you come too!"
……
After leaving the main tent, the men in black quickly ran towards Fangcheng. When they arrived at a ravine, more than a dozen men in black immediately gathered there.