After arriving in Fengjie, Deng Mingrang took a boat to Caotang Lake to dock, and went to Fucheng to meet Wen Anzhi before he landed on the shore. At that time, the Ming army also regarded Deng Ming as a rich and noble son, and they were not surprised at all, Li Xinghan and others also built a sedan chair for Deng Ming, and of course this construction was vetoed by Deng Ming without hesitation. After that, Deng Ming climbed the ladder of Fengjie many times, and each time it was easier than the other, and now Deng Ming is effortless, and his face is not red and his heart is not beating when he walks into the capital city of Kuizhou.

Feng Jie had already received the news of Deng Ming's return, and Wen Anzhi had already asked the servants to wait at the city gate, took Deng Ming directly to the yamen, and then walked to Wen Anzhi's study to meet.

Wen Anzhi was a little surprised that Deng Ming hurriedly returned, and after Deng Ming sat down, Wen Anzhi immediately asked, "Why do you want to go back to Fengjie instead of staying in Xiangyang?" ”

"I heard that Li Guoying intended to invade Fengjie, so I rushed back immediately." Deng Ming replied, he was a little curious why Wen Anzhi asked this.

"The old man is sitting in Fengjie, which is enough to stop Li Guoying, why do you need to come back." Wen Anzhi replied with some disapproval, Wen Anzhi had already received a report from the downstream a few days ago, knowing that Deng Ming was going to bring people back, but at that time, Wen Anzhi thought that Deng Ming would return alone. Just now, the sentry in the direction of White Emperor City had reported to Fengjie before, and the Ming army fleet sailed out of Kuimen without seeing the end at a glance, and now Deng Ming not only came back by himself, but also brought back a large number of troops, which made Wen Anzhi even more puzzled: "Although Wanxian and Yunyang have been lost, how can Fengjie be shaken by Li Thief?" Besides, I have already asked the Yasukuni Gong to send reinforcements. Let me ask you, how many soldiers and horses did you bring back this time? ”

At this time, Deng Mingcai realized that Wen Anzhi's strategic plan was probably different from his, and replied: "This time, the general brought back 30,000 men, as well as 20,000 of their dependents. Seeing Wen Anzhi's frown, Deng Ming hurriedly explained: "The last general plans to let these people go west by boat, recover Yunyang and Wanxian, and then attack Chóngqìng again. ”

"The knife kills the chicken, and the chóngqìng is still a chicken rib, and the food is tasteless. The people near Chóngqìng have already fled, even if they are captured, how many soldiers and horses should be left? If there is less, I am afraid that it will be difficult to defend, and if there is more, it is necessary to transfer grain and grass from Fengjie. Wen Anzhi shook his head and said: "Last year, our army attacked Chóngqìng to aid the King of Jin and attract Wu Sangui back to the division, now that the situation has been opened in Huguang, we should still concentrate on attacking Wuchang with all our might." ”

"Then why did the Overseer return to Fengjie?" Deng Ming asked a little strangely, after hearing that Fengjie was in danger, Wen Anzhi, who was already in Jingzhou, didn't say a word, and hurried back to Kuizhou, he thought that Wen Anzhi attached great importance to Sichuan.

"Because if Fengjie is lost, the Tartars can block the Three Gorges as long as they deploy a small number of troops here, and it is not easy to attack Kuimen from the downstream...... "Wen'an said that Deng Mingcai understood, it turned out that Wen'anzhi decided to let go of Fengjie out of long-term considerations, the first target was of course Huguang, then Jiangxi, and then swept Jiangnan, Fengjie just played the role of a bridgehead: "After the southeast is pacified, Wang Shi will naturally start the Northern Expedition, and then a partial division can recover Sichuan, if Fengjie is still in our hands at that time, Wang Shi can easily enter the Sichuan; If Fengjie is lost to Li Thief, it will be a lot of trouble. ”

It is precisely because of this consideration that Wen Anzhi did not mobilize a large army to return to help, as long as he could hold Fengjie, the entrance to the Three Gorges.

After listening to Wen Anzhi's words, Deng Ming began to talk about his strategy, he told Wen Anzhi that he not only planned to capture Chóngqìng, but also planned to transfer a large number of people to Chengdu, and this time the men brought back by Deng Ming did not plan to form an army, but planned to let them go to Chengdu to resume production.

When Deng Ming spoke, Wen Anzhi's brows became tighter and tighter, and Deng Ming estimated that the other party did not agree with his opinion, so he further explained: "Since ancient times, Wang Ye has been prosperous, and it must be deeply rooted. Whether it is Emperor Taizu of the Han Dynasty or Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, they attach great importance to the foundation, although the Taizu of the Han Dynasty has been defeated repeatedly, but relying on the continuous supply of soldiers, grain and grass in Guanzhong, he finally defeated Xiang Yu; Han Quang Vu is the same, relying on the foundation of Hanoi, he finally cut off the group of heroes......"

Hearing this, Wen Anzhi glanced at Deng Ming, and didn't say anything, but in his heart he was despising this guy who had no loyalty to the king: "This kid really takes Zhongxing's Guangwu as an example and covets the emperor's throne." ”

And Deng Ming continued: "Not to mention, the reason why Li Zicheng is spinning and destroying is because he doesn't pay too much attention to the fundamentals, if Li Zicheng is not in a hurry to attack Běijīng after conquering Xi'an, but spends three or five years running Heluo and Xiangyang, then what if it is a stone defeat?" You can't afford failure without a foundation. ”

Wen Anzhi really couldn't listen to it anymore, and snorted heavily: "Li Zicheng is a traitor, the sky is disgusted, and the sky is ruined!" ”

"What the Inspector said is that the last general said that if Li Zicheng is not in a hurry, but is willing to manage the territory patiently......"

"It's also a dead end!" Wen Anzhi couldn't bear to shout.

"Inspector Gao Jian." Deng Ming saw that the situation was not good, and quickly changed the topic: "On the other hand, Li Dingguo and Sun Kewang ......"

"It's King Jin and Sun Kewang." Wen Anzhi's correction path.

"Yes, on the other hand, the King of Jin and Sun Kewang, it is precisely because Sun Kewang is deeply rooted in Yungui that Xiying can arm 100,000 armor soldiers and support hundreds of thousands of troops, although there are Liu Wen before and after...... No, the king of Shu was defeated by Wu Sangui in Baoding, Sun Kewang lost his troops in Hunan, and the king of Jin also attacked Guangzhou but suffered heavy losses, but Xiying could withstand the defeat and soon recover his vitality, and Hong Chengchou could only hope for the internal strife of the three kings, which is a fundamental benefit. Deng Ming took a breath and gave another example: "The Tartars are very difficult to control, and it is also because Hong Tai is serious about managing Liaodong, reclaiming wasteland, training craftsmen, and leaving Dolgon a foundation that can provide a steady stream of soldiers and weapons. ”

Speaking of this, Deng Ming stopped, he estimated that Wen Anzhi had already understood what he meant.

"Jiannu is a clown who jumps off the beam, and it is difficult to exterminate because Hong Chengchou, Wu Sangui and other thieves ignore Jun'en, and Liaodong civil and military are unwilling to do things honestly, which is not Hong Tai's ability; As for the King of Jin and the King of Shu, although there is no chaos in the defeat of Guangzhou and Baoning, it is because the Mandate of Heaven is in my Ming Dynasty, and loyal and righteous people swear to serve the court to the death, and they will not be discouraged by the victory or defeat for a while" Wen Anzhi said slowly, and then his tone suddenly became stern: "Your remarks are too ridiculous, and they are ridiculous in the world, so don't mention them again in the future!" ”

"Inspector Gao Jian." Deng Ming lowered his head and honestly admitted his mistake: "The last general has lost his word." ”

"Well, it's good to know." Wen An's words changed: "So you plan to take western Sichuan first, treat Chengdu as a fundamental place and manage it well, and then go out of Sichuan, or the Eastern Expedition, or the Northern Expedition?" ”

"Exactly." Deng Ming nodded.

"Your thoughts remind the old man of an allusion, that is, the argument between Zhang Yi and Sima Cuo." Wen Anzhi glanced at Deng Ming, and saw that the latter's face was blank, knowing that Deng Ming definitely didn't know: "At the beginning, King Qin asked Yu Zhongchen, should he attack Han first, or attack Bashu first?" Zhang Yi advocated attacking Korea first, believing that the Central Plains was the heart of the world, densely populated and rich in products, and was a necessary plan to compete for hegemony, while Bashu was a barbaric land, which not only required huge national strength to capture, but also invested huge jīng power to govern; However, Sima Cuo disagreed, believing that attacking Korea would inevitably attract the attention of the Shandong states, and he made every effort to make it difficult for the Qin state, and he advocated taking Bashu first to enrich the national strength, and then he could fight for hegemony in the Central Plains without worry. The king of Qin adopted Sima Cuo's Jianyì and took Bashu first. Chengdu was built by Zhang Yi, and later there was Dujiangyan, and western Sichuan also became fertile for thousands of miles. ”

"Does the Overseer agree with the Admiral's assertions?" Deng Ming was overjoyed when he heard this.

"But you have to know that although in the end the Qin State unified the six countries, it took several generations to run the Bashu territory in the middle, and now although the western Sichuan is only lacking in population, if you want to restore production, you may not be able to make contributions without five years. Five years from now, the foundation may still be shaky, and we will need to continue to work hard. Wen Anzhi glanced at Deng Ming: "Can you hold your breath?" ”

Deng Ming replied loudly: "The last general is calm, whether it was in Huguang or Nanjing, although the last general has won many battles, but in fact, he has always felt like walking on thin ice, and every time before the war, he can't help but think that if he is unfortunately defeated, it will be useless, and there is almost no possibility of a comeback." ”

Shut down

"Well, too, you can't go into battle every time and try your best to win." Wen Anzhi bowed slightly, feeling that Deng Ming was indeed a little different, if other people were so young and won consecutive battles, most of them would take advantage of the victory to advance until a complete victory or a complete defeat, just like Li Zicheng mentioned by Deng Ming just now: "In this case, have you ever thought about how to select officials?" ”

"Selection of officials?" Deng Ming asked.

"Yes, if you want to press the foundation of the business, you will need a large number of officials to help you." Wen An said as he couldn't help but think that if Deng Ming really started to run the territory, then soon a group of officials would gain power and status from him, and there would be gentry to attach them, and these people would gradually exercise their ability to rule. In the future, as Deng Ming's territory expands, these officials will have more and more power, until they are all over the government and the opposition, and Deng Ming's competitiveness for the throne at that time may be far above that of Emperor Yongli: "It's just that the Son of Heaven is not in the country, so he can't open the imperial examination." ”

Wen Anzhi said in a long voice, observing whether Deng Ming would have the audacity to jump out and say that he would open this imperial examination, but Deng Ming did not react, and Wen Anzhi's heart was relieved - if that was the case, Deng Ming's appearance would be too ugly.

"So you can open a few academies, pick some smart children and young people to study, study the laws and canons of this dynasty, and you can have a small success in about three years, and then you can let them help you do things." Wen Anzhi pondered in his heart: Although it is not an imperial examination, these students will definitely regard Deng Ming as a monarch, and there will be a group of rebellious ministers and thieves who persuade Deng Ming to usurp the throne in the future.

Deng Ming was stunned when he heard this, he didn't have the slightest understanding of this kind of academy: "It sounds very good, but the last general doesn't know anything about the law and the canons, and his knowledge is very shallow, so it's better for the inspector to open this academy." ”

Wen Anzhi stared at Deng Ming for a while, confirming that the other party's mention was indeed sincere, and it was indeed raised because he didn't know anything, and there was no other ghost eye.

"The old man is too old to do this." Wen Anzhi categorically refused: "Now my old bones, I am tired enough from military affairs alone, you can ask Gao Ming, and let the old man live for a few more years." ”

"The last general is confused, and the superintendent is not strange." Deng Ming was a little ashamed when he heard this, and quickly got up to apologize.

"It's okay, it's okay." Wen Anzhi waved his hand, motioned for Deng Ming to sit down and speak, and said in his heart: "You plan to take deep roots, that old man probably won't see the day when the two capitals will recover, I have also taught you this trick, and you should do the rest yourself." I am a loyal minister, I have done my best for the Ming Dynasty, the emperor and your affairs are the family affairs of your Zhu family, I can't get involved in this, and I can't protect it for a long time. If I help you open this academy, the history books of later generations will definitely say that I am a Yao Guangxiao-like figure, disloyal to the emperor, and help you make plans to snatch the throne. ”

……

Before leaving Wen Anzhi, Deng Ming resigned from the post of governor of Jiangnan, and he felt that now that he had returned to Sichuan, it would be a bit indecent to use this position again. Of course, Wen Anzhi did not object, the governor of Jiangnan was originally self-appointed by Deng Ming, although Wen An's matter was later recognized, but his position was to control the military affairs of Sichuan, Chu, Qin, and Henan, and the appointment of a Jiangnan governor was still reluctant in the final analysis. After resigning as the governor of Jiangnan, Deng Ming took away the position of commander of Sichuan military affairs from Wen Anzhi, and this Wen Anzhi was also justified.

From the beginning of self-proclaimed to the end of his resignation, the gains and losses of the post of Jiangnan Admiral seem to be out of place, but this has no effect on Deng Ming's guards, anyway, Deng Ming is white, and they will be loyal; The impact on the soldiers who followed Deng Ming was also very small, anyway, the abbreviation of "Admiral" has not changed.

The fleet kept rushing to Fengjie, and soon Caotang Lake was almost unable to accommodate so many ships, and the boats behind it were still coming in an endless stream, so the Fengjie defenders had to step up the construction of water camps so that more ships could dock in the safe harbor.

Two days later, more than 10,000 soldiers of the Ming army had boarded Fengjie, the arrival of such a large number of people, so that Fengjie suddenly became extremely prosperous, nearby woodcutters worked overtime to chop firewood, but the goods were always in short supply, and they were snapped up as soon as they arrived at the gate of Kuizhou City.

The Fengjie garrison, which had greatly increased in strength, quickly expanded the patrol area and began to reconnoiter the enemy to the west, and a few days later Deng Ming and others learned that the Qing army in Yunyang was very weak, and it seemed that only a few surveillance troops were left. After learning that there was no threat from the Qing army nearby, Deng Ming canceled the women's camp and reunited the soldiers with their families, while at the same time began to discuss with the guards about entering Yunyang.

Deng Ming planned to let the soldiers rest well, reunite with their families and enjoy a period of peace, and then resume training after they had recovered from their fatigue - the large amount of grain brought back from Jiangnan and Zhang Changgeng's ransom money would allow Deng Ming to feed these tens of thousands of people for a period of time, and there was no need to attack Chóngqìng immediately.

"Let's set out in Layue and try to arrive at the capital before we open the chūn." Deng Ming felt that the threat of chóngqìng was not great, and when he attacked chóngqìng last year, the other side could not resist the offensive of several thousand Ming troops. Now Deng Ming has tens of thousands of troops, sufficient material reserves, and much better equipment than last year's Kuidong Army, and more blasting technology in hand, coupled with Yuan Zongdi's support, Deng Ming feels that it is just a matter of a few days.

Deng Ming finalized the plan in this way, until it was broken by an uninvited guest.

……

"I know you," after the guards brought the visitor in, thanks to the art training, Deng Ming immediately called out the other party's name: "Pu Fu." ”

"It's the villain." Pu Fu suddenly felt flattered, and hurriedly nodded: "The villain came to meet Mr. Deng on the order of Xiong Qian. ”

"What did Xiong Qian always call you for?" The guards around him all showed unkindness on their faces, but Deng Ming didn't have any abnormalities, and asked kindly.

"Xiong Qian always said: He wants to ...... anyway"

Before Pu Fu's words were finished, Deng Ming's guards broke out into a burst of laughter: "This little maid raised it." ”

"Xiong Qian always said: His biological mother is a concubine!" Pu Fu corrected with a stern face: "It's not a servant." ”

Hearing this justification, the guards laughed even more.

"Alright." Deng Ming stopped the laughter of the guards and asked Pu Fu, "Does Xiong Qian think I will still believe him?" ”

"Mr. Xiong Qian said: Yes!" Pu Fu replied categorically that since the Qing army retreated from Yunyang, Pu Fu has been staying on the front line to investigate, and after getting the conclusive news of Deng Ming's return, Pu Fu immediately disguised himself and rushed to Fengjie day and night: "After learning that Mr. Deng returned to Huguang, Xiong Qian always sent the villain here to wait for Mr. news, and asked the villain to see Mr. as soon as possible, Xiong Qian always said that only Mr. in this world can understand his difficulties. ”

"Well, I know he has no reinforcements outside, no food and grass inside, but if I spare him again, how can I explain it to the loyal people of the world? You must know that he is not alone in this world who has encountered such danger. Deng Ming said slowly.

Pu Fu hurriedly said: "But Mr. Xiong Qian said that Mr. personally told him that he had only three things, and Xiong Qian always said that this is the third time he has surrendered to the Tartars, and obviously he has not passed three." ”

"He remembers it." Deng Ming almost choked, and recalled it carefully, as if there was indeed such a thing: "It seems that Xiong Qian was really premeditated." ”

And Mr. Xiong Qian said: "......" seems to be without adding a "Mr. Xiong Qian said", as if Pu Fu would not speak: "Mr. Deng once made three chapters with Sichuan fathers and soldiers, Xiong Qian is also a Sichuan soldier, he did not kill, injure, or steal, Mr. Deng said that he could not say that it was not counted." ”

"You're really not a good lobbyist," Deng Ming shook his head and said: "It's like you're going to fight with someone, fortunately you met me, okay, I can not pursue Mr. Xiong Qian again, but how does he plan to repay me?" ”

"Mr. Xiong Qian asked me to report to Mr. Deng, Gao Mingzhan seems to have gone to Chengdu?"

"What?" Deng Ming was taken aback: "Why didn't you say it earlier?" ”

"Xiong Qian always said ......"

"Well, I don't like to listen to what he has to say, I just want to know if this news is true?"

Park told Deng Ming that Gao Mingzhan and Wang Mingde had left Wanxian not long ago, and had taken most of their troops with them, leaving only some people to help Xiong Lan hold on to Wanxian - they were more at ease with Xiong Lan, feeling that this guy had already surrendered to Deng Ming three times, and they should understand that it would only be a dead end if they defected again. The Xiong Lan department of Wanxian County was all Sichuan troops, and most of the soldiers led by Gao Mingzhan were Ganshan soldiers, so before leaving, these two people had inquired if they were familiar with the geography of western Sichuan.

Xiong Lan remained silent on the surface, and secretly probed the words and deeds of these two people clearly, and learned that they not only dared to be interested in the geography near Chengdu, but also asked about the situation in Jiange, Jiangyou and other places.

"Mr. Xiong Qian said that most of them want to take the road of Sword Pavilion and Jiangyou, avoid the eyes and ears of officers and soldiers, and sneak attack the capital." Pu Fu told Deng Ming everything about the information analyzed by Xiong Lan.