Chapter 283: Unexpected Path (VIII)
The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum was not destroyed by the Qing Dynasty, and the hall can no longer be described as well preserved. Because the Qing Dynasty had been sending people to maintain it, and this is a solid mausoleum, not for living people to live in. Not only are the exteriors very nice , the main hall is clean and complete, with the solemn feeling unique to the mausoleum.
Huo Chong lit incense and worshipped, and his entourage followed suit. After standing up, Weber asked, "General, do you have any memorial text?"
After hearing this, Huo Chong racked his brains for a while before he finally understood what the question meant.
Sighing slightly, Huo Chong felt that he was still far behind this era. In the 21st century, Huo Chong had been to many places, including famous tombs abroad, and even secretly visited the Paris catacombs, where he saw with his own eyes countless layers of remains pressed together.
I have visited dozens of tombs of emperors and kings, both Chinese and foreign, but I have never thought of writing an oration.
Visiting a mausoleum is nothing more than a curiosity for modern tourists. The former nobles buried inside are no different from rare and precious animals. Why would a normal person prepare an ode to rare and precious animals when going to see them?
But this time was different. Zhu Yuanzhang in the mausoleum was not a rare treasure for Huo Chong to see. Instead, Huo Chong wanted to borrow Zhu Yuanzhang's reputation to gain the orthodox banner of expelling the Tartars. Since he came to ask Zhu Yuanzhang for legitimacy, it would be inappropriate without a sacrificial text.
Thinking of this, Huo Chong simply asked for paper and pen and started writing at his desk.
Zeng Jing, Kong Liangeng, and Weber were all intellectuals. They gathered around with other colleagues to watch. Huo Chong heard the three sighing slightly, and could only give up and answer: "I have never practiced calligraphy. Even if you sigh, I can only write to this extent."
The three of them didn't say anything, and just sighed a few more times.
Huo Chong stopped worrying about nothing and quickly finished writing the memorial. He read it again and handed it to Yu Qian who was traveling with him. Yu Qian picked up the memorial and began to read, "To the late Ming Taizu Hongwu Emperor. After the Qin and Han Dynasties, China was unfortunate. The Tang Dynasty lost Hebei, and the Han people learned the Hu language for seven hundred years. The Song Dynasty lost Henan, and there was even more regret about the sinking of the Chinese land. Your Majesty, with his extraordinary talent, took up a three-foot sword and rode a horse to conquer the world. He defeated the Hu in the north and repelled the Yue in the south, restoring the old order of the Qin and Han Dynasties; he restored the Hetao area, accepted Tubo and Liaodong into the territory, and let the four barbarians know that China has people..."
Zeng Jing already had tears in her eyes while listening carefully. Kong Liangeng listened attentively and evaluated carefully. Weber looked stern and thoughtful. After the sacrificial text was finished, the crowd did not bring any animals or jade, so they could only pay their respects again and burn the sacrificial text as a memorial.
Now that the most basic steps of the memorial service have been completed, everyone stepped back from the main hall and walked outside the mausoleum.
Kong Liangeng asked: "General, you write very well, why haven't you practiced calligraphy? Didn't you write when you were studying?"
Huo Chong didn't know how to explain it, so he used the same excuse as before, "Poor people can't afford paper."
This answer was very useful for dealing with people from Shandong, Zhili, and even the guys from the capital. Those people often said some perfunctory nonsense like coming from a poor family and studying hard. But Kong Liangeng didn't respond at all, but just looked deep, probably thinking of something.
Huo Chong was a little interested, staring at Kong Liangeng. Kong Liangeng probably sensed something and was forced to answer: "General, you are free and easy, and you don't care about other people's opinions. In this case, it's good enough if you can write to your satisfaction. I know someone whose handwriting is very ordinary, but he is amazing at teaching others to write. If the general doesn't mind, I would like to recommend this person."
Huo Chong was very impressed by Kong Liangeng's reaction. If a person can do what he wants to satisfy himself, that is really a realm. Kong Liangeng not only understands this truth, but also knows who to recommend. Such a person should be a talent.
Thinking of this, Huo Chong simply asked directly: "Brother Kong, the situation will definitely be different after taking Nanjing. I wonder what kind of official position Brother Kong wants to be."
Kong Liangeng thought for a moment and said with a wry smile, "To be honest, General. When I offered advice to you before, I never thought that you already had such a brave army. With one order, a thousand-mile march is as easy as a leisurely stroll in the garden. Please don't blame me, General. My name is not Kong Liangeng, my real name is Kong Bugeng."
"Kong Bu Geng." Huo Chong thought for a moment and said with a smile, "It seems so. Even if you see death, you won't change your principles. What else is special about it, right?"
Kong Liangeng was a little shocked and was speechless for a moment. Weber still had that cold tone, "Confucian scholars are entrusted with money and pleasure, and do not compromise their righteousness when they see profit; they are robbed by people and discouraged by soldiers, and do not change their principles when they see death; they do not consider their courage when they are grabbed by prey insects, and they do not consider their strength when they pull heavy tripods; they do not regret the past, and do not worry about the future; they do not repeat their past words, and do not spread rumors; they do not break their power, and do not practice their schemes. There are such unique people."
"Yes, yes, that's it. It's so unique." Huo Chong praised.
"The general said writing... Oh, let's not talk about this." Kong Bugeng felt that he had gone off topic, and quickly returned to the topic, "Someone in my family is an official in the capital. I know that the general will not let such people go. If they say they have something to ask for, but only ask the general for one thing, they may not be willing to abandon the dark and join the light. However, if the general wins the world, they are willing to return to their hometown to farm. Please spare their lives."
Hearing that Kong Bugeng actually wanted Huo Chong to let the Qing Dynasty runaways go, Huo Chong was extremely unhappy. Even if all the Qing Dynasty officials were killed, Huo Chong really wouldn't feel bad at all. Since he refused to agree, Huo Chong didn't respond and continued to ask: "Brother Kong, don't you want to become a general or a prime minister?"
"I learned the arts of literature and martial arts and sold them to the emperor. Whatever position I can hold is up to my ability. After seeing the generals and their troops, I think being a soldier among them is enough. If I insist on commanding such troops, I am afraid I will be courting death."
Hearing Kong Bugeng being so cautious, Huo Chong asked Weber, "Brother Weber, what do you want to do?"
Weber was frank. "I am similar to Brother Kong. The general has been able to dominate the world with this army. We have no other ability except to talk. If you have any request, I just want to see what I can do."
After the two finished speaking, Zeng Jing took the initiative to jump out and said, "If the general allows, I am willing to contribute to the equal distribution of land."
Huo Chong's favorable impression of Zeng Jing increased. Among all his subordinates, it seemed that there was no one who truly pursued land policy in life. If there was anyone who could be trusted, it would only be Qian Qing, his personal minister. Qian Qing actually had no interest in land policy. Her only interest was to realize Huo Chong's personal ideals.
As they were talking, they had already reached the city. Huo Chong still thought that there might be people in Jiangning who would rush out to attack without knowing the consequences, but after returning to the camp, he did not see the Qing army leaving the city.
On the ninth day, the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty in Jiangning City began to move out in large numbers, and the riverside became lively again.
Inside the city, the streets were filled with people weeping and sighing. Everyone knew that they would not be able to come back easily this time, so many families moved all their belongings out. It was not easy to move so many things, such as desks, chairs, and beds. The large furniture blocked the road and it was impossible to pass.
Fortunately, Huo Chong did not kill them. He not only cleared the road to the north of the city, but also did not block the Qinhuai River. At least those who were willing to travel light had a way to go.
In addition to these, many Taoist priests and wizards have appeared on the open space, all with disheveled hair and holding magical instruments as they perform rituals.
Some people cast spells with seven-star lamps, and some people pierce straw men with nails and arrows through their hearts. These are more official spells, and there are also various private routines, which are relatively rare. In short, these people used knife chopping, axe chopping, fire burning, water flooding, needle pricking, frying, rope hanging and other means on the objects representing Huo Chong's curse, whether they were straw men, paper men, wooden men or tablets.
The Han army outside the city certainly didn't know about this. Everyone was preparing carefully and keeping vigilant to deal with any incident that might break out at any time.
Kong Bugeng and Weber didn't have any new strategies, so they just leisurely watched the scenery and chatted by the river.
"Brother Wei, do you think the word 'general' is fake or real?"
"Brother Bu Geng, I don't think the general is pretending. Maybe he was having some difficulty at the time. But the general obviously chose to read, and he should have had a famous teacher. But he didn't regard studying as his top priority."
Kong Bugeng sighed after hearing this, "I never thought there would be such a thing and such a person in the world. I was thinking about this yesterday, actually I just wanted to be a Shangshu. Where is Brother Wei?"
"I want to be a governor." Weber was as straightforward as ever.
"Haha. It's Brother Wei indeed. He is definitely not an ordinary person."
"The general is not an ordinary person. There are at least dozens of governors in the world, and I am just an ordinary person. By the way, do you want to introduce Brother Gong Yu to the general?"
Hearing about Gong Yu, Kong Bugeng fell silent. After a long while, he sighed, "Brother Gong is so talented, I'm afraid something bad will happen."
Weber shook his head, "Not necessarily."
Kong Bugeng also shook his head, "General, you know that people will definitely ask for something. We just know that it is not the time to ask for it yet, so we can still share hardships. The general is a smart man. In addition to sharing hardships, I am afraid he can also share wealth. However, Gong Yu is a man with no desires and no demands. What he wants is to follow the right path. When the time comes, he will have nothing to ask for, but he wants to hold power. Isn't that a place where he will die without a burial place? Have you forgotten what happened before?"
Weber still shook his head. "I think the general is a man of great ambition. He was calm and composed during his trip south this time. We recommend Brother Gong, but I'm afraid Brother Gong Yu will think there is room for him to show his talents. If you are unwilling, I will recommend you."
The two talked for a while, but still couldn't reach an agreement. So they simply stopped talking.
The eighth day passed in a flash. The ninth day also passed very quickly. It was almost the tenth day that Huo Chong had said he would definitely start his journey into the city.
At daybreak, Huo Chong sent people to meet General Jiangning and asked them to abandon part of the city gates.
The people who came back told Huo Chong angrily that General Jiang Ning's men were very angry and really hateful.
Huo Chong thought about it and his expression turned better. "Do you want to fight now?"
"Do you want to fight, Governor?" Lei Hu asked with some surprise.
Huo Chong shook his head, "Of course not. I still say the same thing, there is no harm in letting them go now. But at the latest tomorrow, no matter whether the city gives up the city gate or not, we must fight our way in."
Seeing Huo Chong's insistence, the person who went to contact him had to answer: "The Qing army is willing to give up two small gates far away from the city."
Huo Chong defeated this group of people. Although he felt a little disappointed, he also had some insights.
When it comes to what middle managers do, it’s actually hard to tell whether they really want to make things worse.
For example, in a report like this, the middle level managers can either tell the whole truth or not tell any lies at all.
Or they talk about all kinds of trivial things and don't mention one or two key points at all.
There are more ways, such as putting unsuitable people in unsuitable positions, interrupting things with good intentions but bad results. Once the person in charge is slightly shaken, or the subordinates are opposed to it, things can be stopped immediately.
In short, there is always one suitable for you.
Take this time as an example. Many middle and upper-level people did not understand why Huo Chong was willing to let the Eight Banners go instead of using the advantages of manpower and weapons to wipe out these people.
If we have to say how loyal these people are, Huo Chong would not dare to say that they are that loyal. At least these people hope to seize the initiative in striving for the position of division commander. And the key to seizing the initiative is to establish merit first.
Tens of thousands of Qing soldiers were killed. How great a contribution is this? The middle and upper levels all knew it. Even if the upper level didn't want to be the division commander themselves, they still wanted to get the position of division commander for their close ones.
Therefore, the major goal of these people is the same as Huo Chong's, but they still have their own interests in the specific implementation.
Huo Chong, from an overall perspective, believed that sparing tens of thousands of Qing troops would be more beneficial than harmful in the long run if the Qing troops were willing to retreat. This was because tens of thousands of Qing troops could not change the situation, and any battle on the frontal battlefield could annihilate them.
However, tens of thousands of Qing troops escaped alive. What would the officials and common people who saw them along the way think? Naturally, they felt that the Qing troops were no match for the Han troops. Realizing that the Qing troops were no match for the Han troops, the common people were of course unwilling to fight for the Qing troops that were doomed to fail. This invisibly reduced the pressure and allowed Huo Chong to benefit in future wars.
Have these issues been discussed with the public? Of course, during this period, Huo Chong fully elaborated on these interests through meetings at all levels.
Even so, there were still people who wanted to play tricks. There were still people who wanted to manipulate intelligence and make Huo Chong order an attack on the city.
If Huo Chong had not insisted on his own opinion, and the upper echelons did not dare to support it to the end. Otherwise, if the last sentence "the Qing army surrenders the two small city gates" had not been said, Huo Chong might have ordered an attack. Once the battle started, there would be nothing to say, and both sides could only fight to the end.
After understanding this, Huo Chong was not angry, and he did not even intend to lose his temper. He just made a note of it in his mind and then issued a new order.
On the eleventh day, the Qing army had already left the city. Last night, the hastily evacuated bannermen were forced to leave behind many belongings that they could not take with them. When the Han army entered the city at dawn, they saw that the ground was clean, as if the things on the ground last night were just some kind of illusion, which dissipated into the air along with the morning mist.
The troops formed a battle formation and headed straight for Mancheng. As soon as they reached the city gate, they heard the sound of cannons from inside, and someone on the top of the city wall fired at the Han army outside the city.
Wang Weichang, the leader of the team, was in a good mood. He sent someone to report to Huo Chong that he had encountered the enemy and was attacking the city. He immediately issued an order.
In 1645, the Qing army conquered Nanjing and immediately occupied the Ming Dynasty imperial city in the east of the city, expelled the local residents, and converted it into the Eight Banners barracks. The Jiangning garrison maintained a size of more than 4,000 soldiers and 20,000 to 30,000 people, under the control of the Jiangning general, who was responsible for the important mission of suppressing the southeast area.
The circumference of the Manchu city wall is 11 kilometers, accounting for about 20% of the total area of Nanjing City. It is the largest garrison city in the Qing Dynasty.
Such a large city was also the reason why General Jiang Ning refused to give up. General Jiang Ning saw that no Green Camp had come to join the battle in the past ten days, so he had to give up. However, many bannermen still refused to give up.
Regimental Commander Wang Weichang knew that he would probably take all the credit, so he acted very quickly. Regimental combat units originally did not have direct artillery, so Huo Chong ordered that all artillery be under the control of the division. Only when the division sent a regiment-level unit to fight independently would part of the artillery be transferred to the regiment for use.
However, Wang Weichang was so excited that he asked all the battalions to transfer the mortar companies to use together. Seeing the mortar troops quickly complete the deployment, Wang Weichang thought of Hu Yue and couldn't help but sneer.
There were still more than 4,000 bannermen on the city wall, and they really didn't want to leave. They decided to stay in the city and fight Huo Chong fiercely. The leader was a bannerman named Da Yuanbi. He was originally a bannerman officer, at least a few days ago. Because he refused to leave, he was dismissed from office.
Seeing the cannons fired from the top of the city wall, the Han army below the city wall immediately dispersed and hid in places where the cannons could not reach. Da Yuanbi was delighted and shouted to the other bannermen on the top of the city wall: "Don't be afraid, old and young men. We have cannons and city walls. The thieves can't get in."
Other bannermen were equally confident. It was no wonder that they were too confident. The Manchu city was located in the eastern part of Nanjing City. It was square in shape. The east and south sides used the walls of Nanjing City in the Ming Dynasty, and the west and north sides used the walls of the Ming Imperial City. The southwest corner was close to Tongji Gate, and the northwest corner was near Zhuqiao. There were three gates between the Manchu city and the Han residential area: Xihua Gate and Xiaomen on the west side, and Bei'an Gate on the north side.
With such a city, everyone would have some confidence. Moreover, General Jiang Ning also provided some weapons when he left. Not only were the people in the city not unarmed, but from cannons to muskets, from bows and arrows to swords and guns, every man had a weapon, even young women had weapons.
If Da Yuanbi had the basic knowledge learned in New China, he would probably dare to shout out the term "people's war".
Just as they were holding their breath and waiting for the enemy to launch an attack, they heard a few muffled noises. Someone with sharp ears and eyes looked up, and Da Yuanbi also looked quickly, and found that something fell from the top to the bottom, landing on the top of the city.
Although he was well-informed, Da Yuanbi had never expected such a weapon to fall from the sky . When the weapon landed, Da Yuanbi hurried over to take a look. He saw a bannerman holding the weapon screaming with burns, throwing the weapon back to the ground, and jumping around on the top of the city wall holding his burned hand.
When I got closer, I saw that it was in the shape of a strange shuttle, the same shuttle used for weaving cloth, but it was much larger than the shuttle.
The shuttle is pointed at both ends, but it has an iron tail fin on one end, which makes it look like the tail of an arrow.
Just when I was wondering what was going on, I heard a few more muffled noises. That strange whistling sound sounded again.
