If only they had fought with all their might to stop the Little Emperor from fighting Zheng Zhilong and the Dutch, would the situation be different now?
Unfortunately, there is no way to undo the past in this world.
In fact, Zhu Ci did not blame them; back then, he had already decided that regardless of the outcome of the court discussion, Taiwan must be taken.
It was just that he could not go on an expedition, at that time he also lacked generals skilled in naval warfare, so he could only wait for Zhang Huangyan to slowly reorganize the Navy.
After all, if things really escalated, the subordinates could bring up old grievances again, such as why they had killed Zuo Liangyu's men back then.
Moreover, Zhu Ci himself never even expected that the Dutch could join forces with the Tartars.
He didn't even need to guess who was exerting influence here; of course, it certainly wouldn't be without the handiwork of Zheng Zhilong.
Zhu Ci looked around and said directly, "Issue an imperial decree: order Zhang Huangyan to prepare for the expedition to Taiwan immediately, order Qian Sule to lead troops to reinforce Xuzhou."
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: What's the use of you reflecting now? The kitten slowly sprawled across the battle report. jpg
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 183
Zhu Ci made the decision directly without giving his subordinates a chance to discuss it, yet this time no one opposed him, even though everyone was worried about whether the Great Ming Navy was truly a match for Zheng Zhilong.
The Little Emperor had already demonstrated his exceptional vision, they could no longer afford to hold him back.
Next, what the civil officials had to do was minimize the impact of the fall of Xuzhou.
It must be said that, fortunately, both Zhu Yihai and Zhu Yujian have already surrendered; they do not need to worry about anyone causing trouble behind their backs, otherwise, it would have been very difficult to suppress this news.
Actually, it wouldn't have mattered even if the news couldn't be suppressed; the common people might not even know the significance of Xuzhou.
Moreover, Xuzhou holds even greater significance for the North than it does for the South; the fall of Xuzhou itself is not what matters, what matters is what has become of Liu Zhaoji and Shi Kefa.
The two of them held one-third of the Great Ming's military strength in their hands. If they were defeated, a small loss might be manageable, but if the loss was great, even Zhu Ci would not dare to continue fighting head-on against the Qing Army, but would instead choose to temporarily recuperate and rest.
After everyone had dispersed, Zhu Ci asked Fu Youshu to stay behind.
No one thought much of it this time. As Grand Secretary and Minister of Revenue, Fu's cooperation was indeed required for these military adjustments.
After everyone had dispersed, a trace of melancholy appeared on Zhu Ci's calm face: "General He.. is gone just like that. One truly never knows when they will have their final meeting in this life."
Fu was not much of a comforter, so he could only say, "Dying on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide—this was General He's own choice."
Many officials only knew the general situation, while Zhu Ci and Fu knew the details.
He Gang could have abandoned the city and fled, but he did not.
When he could no longer hold the city, he could have left, but he still didn't.
In fact, the Great Ming did not need him to defend to the death; He Gang himself knew that once Xuzhou fell, Liu Zhaoji and Shi Kefa would be in great danger.
Moreover, even if he were to flee, the Tartars and the Dutch would not necessarily let him go; it would be better to stay and deplete some of the Dutch military strength.
The Netherlands is not particularly close to Great Ming; if they want to land, they must rely on Taiwan as a transit station. If a few more are killed, they might not be able to arrive in a short period of time.
It could be said that He Gang fought this battle with almost a death wish.
Zhu Ci couldn't help but mutter, "I actually hope he survives."
He Gang was being too stubborn. What was wrong with the Dutch? There was nothing to fear from the Dutch.
Zhu Ci's melancholy lasted only a moment before he finally said, "Let us discuss the matters regarding the posthumous honors with the Grand Secretariat."
A martyr's status is certainly unavoidable, on that basis, there will also be some posthumous honors.
However, none of those were as good as being posthumously honored as a martyr, because that could truly benefit the entire family.
Zhu Ci was melancholy for only a moment before he immediately said to Fu, "Has your fleet returned?"
Fu understood his meaning and said, "I haven't sent them out again since they returned a few days ago."
The Little Emperor had already clearly demonstrated his intention to fight Zheng Zhilong and had been making preparations; Zhang Huangyan also took this opportunity to thoroughly reorganize the Navy.
The Great Ming's navy system was in a complete mess; previously, neither Zhu Ci nor Fu had the energy to deal with matters in this regard.
As a result, the preparations lasted until winter. At that time, Fu had guessed that the Little Emperor would take action after spring arrived, but he had not expected the Dutch to brave the severe cold to help the Tartars.
Thinking about it this way, the Little Emperor's sacrificial rites had also given them a helping hand before.
After the sacrificial rites to Heaven, it didn't snow much anymore, the temperature rose significantly. The seawater, which had been somewhat frozen, gradually melted; otherwise, they wouldn't have had the chance to land.
Zhu Ci nodded after listening and said, "Let us also begin the military reforms we discussed before."
He and Fu had been discussing how to completely separate military and civil administration, so that civil officials in the army only needed to consider internal military affairs and didn't need to worry about too much else.
However, this reform also actually involved the overall reform of the imperial examination system.
Consequently, the selection of court officials and military civil servants would be completely separated, making it impossible for high-ranking officials in the court to plant their own people within the military.
It was a matter of pulling one hair to move the whole body; previously, neither Fu nor Zhu Ci had found a good entry point.
This time, it is indeed an opportunity.
It is a pity that this opportunity was bought with He Gang's life.
The date for Zhang Huangyan's expedition was set for after Zhu Ying's return.
After this, Zhu Ying's fleet would also temporarily suspend its voyages, but Zhu Ying brought back a piece of news for Zhu Ci: Zheng Chenggong wanted to meet Zhu Ying.
Zhu Ci's heart stirred upon hearing this. "Did you go to see him?"
Zhu Ying said cautiously, "I did not dare to go and see him."
Although Zhu Ying had not yet known the news of Xuzhou's fall while drifting at sea, he knew that the Emperor held Zheng Zhilong in low regard; without the Emperor's permission, he would not meet with any member of the Zheng family.
Never mind the Zheng family; he wouldn't even meet someone who was merely distantly related to them.
Zhu Ci pondered for a long while before saying, "Go meet him and see what he has to say. If he wants to surrender, tell him to hand over Alna's head as a token of his loyalty."
"Surrender?" Zhu Ying was somewhat surprised.
No matter how one looked at it, Zheng Zhilong didn't seem like he was going to surrender, why did the name Alna sound so familiar?
Zhu Ci, however, did not explain to him, simply waving his hand. "Do as I say."
Zhu Ying noticed that the Emperor was in a bad mood, so he tactfully asked nothing and respectfully bowed before withdrawing.
In fact, the news brought by Zhu Ying actually made Zhu Ci feel a little better.
He had long known that Zheng Chenggong and Zheng Zhilong had their differences, but after all, Zheng Chenggong was Zheng Zhilong's son.
Whether in the original book or in history, the most Zheng Chenggong could do was not to follow his father when Zheng Zhilong surrendered; he couldn't even manage a direct break from him.
A few days ago, he had felt somewhat regretful; if Zheng Zhilong had cooperated with the Dutch, it wouldn't have counted as directly surrendering to the Tartars, Zheng Chenggong might not have parted ways with his father.
Who would have thought that Zheng Chenggong would actually take the initiative to contact Zhu Ying? So, what role did Zheng Zhilong play in this battle?
After receiving instructions from Zhu Ci, Zhu Ying immediately replied to Zheng Chenggong.
Zhu Ying had originally intended to meet Zheng Chenggong in Xiamen, but the other party insisted on meeting in Jinmen. Although Zhu Yujian had surrendered, Jinmen had fallen into the hands of Zheng Zhilong; since it was also an island, the Great Ming had not yet been able to free up its forces to take it back.
Upon learning this, Zhu Ying let out a cold laugh and led his men straight toward Jinmen.
If they can talk, then let them talk; if not, it would be just as good to take Jinmen by force while we're at it.
Anyway, before he left, Grand Secretary Fu sent some things over through his messenger, saying they were for his self-defense.
After the others left, Zhu Ying glanced at the list and felt that Grand Secretary Fu might not have been worried about his safety, but rather wanted him to attack Jinmen directly. How could a merchant ship be used for self-defense with a hundred-tiger-run rocket cart!
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Calm down, this person really can't fight! The kitty is anxiously scratching at Fu. jpg
Next update tomorrow morning at six o'clock
Chapter 184
With Grand Secretary Fu's "support," Zhu Ying went to Jinmen with peace of mind and boldness.
He didn't even bother to conceal the weapons on the boat, which caused the Jinmen side to become extremely tense.
Zhu Ying saw them standing ready and instead felt relaxed. "Are you afraid? Then I am certainly not."
Because besides the Hundred Tigers Charging Rocket Cart, his subordinates were basically equipped with handguns and long-range guns.
Unfortunately, the most powerful one, the Rapid-fire Gun, could not be applied for.
That thing's power was even greater, but it was also more difficult to manufacture, so only a few squads were equipped with it until now.
Zheng Chenggong's subordinates, seeing that they were equipped with weaponry they had never even laid eyes on, grew increasingly nervous, even beginning to wonder just how far the Great Ming had advanced.
How is it that even a merchant ship fleet is equipped with such weapons?
Dutch weapons were already quite advanced, but the weapons of the Imperial Court appeared even more exquisite than those of the Netherlands; it was just unknown how powerful they were.
After stepping off the boat, Zhu Ying took a quick glance and then turned to walk away.
Zheng Hongkui, who had come to welcome him, hurriedly stepped forward. "What do you mean by this, Admiral of the Fleet?"
Zhu Ying turned slightly and looked coldly at Zheng Hongkui, saying, "Zheng Chenggong has contacted me repeatedly. Out of respect for his sincerity, I agreed to meet him, yet first he had me come to Jinmen Island, now that I have come to him, he refuses to even show his face. It is utterly insolent!"
Zheng Hongkui immediately stepped forward and said, "Admiral of the Fleet, please do not take it personally. I also wanted to come and welcome the General, but.. there is some inside story. Please, Admiral of the Fleet, allow us to speak in private."
Hmm? There's some inside story?
Zhu Ying thought for a moment, then turned around and said, "If you cannot give this general a satisfactory answer, I will certainly not let this matter slide easily."
As for whether these people had tricked him here to kill him.. there was no need to worry about that at all.
What was so special about Zhu Ying? He was merely in charge of His Majesty's fleet.
This is all because His Majesty has treated these loyal subjects well; otherwise, how could Zhu Ying have ever become an Admiral of the Fleet?
Killing him will not weaken the strength of the Great Ming; instead, it will only incense the Emperor. If we cannot strike Taiwan, can we not at least strike your Jinmen?
Zhu Ying followed Zheng Hongkui forward, as Zheng Hongkui said in a low voice, "General, to be honest, Da Mu is severely injured and bedridden, which is why I have come to welcome you."
Zhu Ying also lowered his voice: "Severely injured? Who.. who did this?"