The total number of Denglai New Army soldiers under Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan has reached 15,000. The additional 10,000 people were recruited from the sergeants under Gao Jie and Zuo Liangyu. These sergeants have experienced many times.

The fighting ability is very good. As for the military discipline and regulations, it goes without saying. After Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan rectified the marching rules of the team and killed dozens of sergeants who acted recklessly, the appearance of the entire team has been greatly improved.

The total strength of the army actually controlled by Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan reached 70,000, of which 15,000 soldiers of the Denglai New Army were the absolute main force. Of course, there were more sergeants who hoped to join the Denglai New Army.

Go in.

While stationed outside the city of Guangzhou, Zhang Dongtao discussed in detail with Li Yan and communicated with Gao Jie. They planned to leave 20,000 sergeants to garrison Guangdong Province and the remaining 50,000 sergeants to go to Guangxi to conquer. However, due to the Denglai Navy's expedition against the Zheng family,

The family navy tried to completely control the coasts of Fujian and Guangdong. Zhang Dongtao decided to postpone the action and assist the Denglai Navy to completely control the coast of Guangdong.

At this time, the emperor's imperial edict arrived in Guangzhou.

Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan felt like they had found a treasure. They were thinking about what to do next, when the imperial edict came.

Governor's Yamen, wing room.

The powers of the governor of Guangdong are temporarily delegated to Li Yan, and all announcements issued by the governor's office are drafted by Li Yan.

After gently placing the imperial edict on the table, Li Yan looked at Zhang Dongtao and spoke with emotion.

"Brother, the emperor is far-sighted and has made comprehensive arrangements for the situation in the south. I think that in at least three months and at most half a year, the south will be unified. I can't even learn from the emperor's wisdom..."

Zhang Dongtao smiled.

"Brother Li, we really can't match the emperor's wisdom. Well, let's not talk about this. The emperor's will is very clear. Once Zheng Chenggong leads his troops to confront Zhang Xianzhong, we will lead his troops northward into Huguang and force Zhang Xianzhong to divide his troops. As long as Zhang Xianzhong

If the troops are divided, their strength will inevitably be dispersed. When the time comes when the army stationed in southern Zhili enters Huguang and Sichuan to fight, Zhang Xianzhong will be doomed."

Li Yan nodded vigorously.

"Brother, everything mentioned in the imperial edict is related to you and me. After the Denglai Navy attacked the Zheng Family Navy and took control of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, it must control the coasts of Fujian and Guangdong and completely control the sea.

trade, we have controlled the Guangzhou Port, so we must hold it firmly and wait for the arrival of the navy."

"It is closely related to us that the Zheng family will come forward to solve the problems of the Longwu court. So far, the Longwu court still thinks that Gao Jie is loyal to them, so they are still giving orders to Gao Jie, hoping to move the court to Guangzhou.

, once the navy completely defeats the Zheng family, Gao Jie must resolutely reject the Longwu court. If necessary, he can show his attitude of submitting to the court, making Longwu Emperor Zhu Yujian completely give up, and forcing Zheng Zhilong to take action against the Longwu court. "

"To attack Huguang and Sichuan, we must seize the opportunity. When Zheng Chenggong just confronted Zhang Xianzhong, we could not take action. We had to wait until their battle reached a fever pitch before sending troops. Zheng Chenggong did not know that Gao Jie had surrendered to the imperial court. Once he got

Knowing that Gao Jie has sent troops to Huguang, his confidence will be greatly increased and he will continue to fight to the death with Zhang Xianzhong."

"As for how we divide our troops, I leave it to you, brother, to decide."

Zhang Dongtao let out a long sigh, looked at Li Yan and spoke.

"Brother Li, we have been together for many years. This time we may have to be separated for a while. Think about all our actions in the past. We made many decisions together and won many victories."

"I'm considering that you should stay in Guangzhou and support the navy while I lead the troops to fight in Huguang."

"The Guangzhou Prefecture has left 20,000 soldiers to guard Guangdong Province. Under the current situation, this force is enough. The only person who can threaten Guangdong Province is the Zheng family. However, once the navy defeats the Zheng family,

They will no longer have the ability to divide their troops into Guangdong Province, and self-protection will become a problem..."

Before Zhang Dongtao finished speaking, Li Yan spoke anxiously.

"Brother, I will lead the troops to fight in Huguang, and you will lead the troops to garrison in Guangzhou..."

Zhang Dongtao smiled and waved his hand.

"Brother Li, don't argue with me about this matter. I'm not as good as you in managing people's livelihood. The entire Guangdong Province has become stable under your governance. I can't do it in this regard.

As for leading troops in battle, you are more capable than me, but there must always be someone who stays in Guangzhou, not only to firmly guard the shipping terminal, but also to maintain the stability of the entire Guangdong province. Although there is no direct statement in the emperor's imperial edict,

Mentioning the province of Guangdong, I have already felt that the emperor attaches great importance to the coastal areas of Guangdong and Fujian..."

Li Yan nodded involuntarily. Some of Zhang Dongtao's words were reasonable and he could not refute them.

After clasping his fists at Zhang Dongtao, Li Yan sighed and spoke.

"Brother, this expedition to Huguang is very dangerous. Brother, you must take care of yourself. There are a few words I have to say. Please remember them firmly."

"Zheng Chenggong led the troops to fight against Zhang Xianzhong. He may not be able to compete with Zhang Xianzhong, and it is even impossible to shake Zhang Xianzhong's foundation. I feel that it is impossible for the Zheng family to devote all its strength to fighting Zhang Xianzhong, and it is impossible for the Zheng family to support the Longwu court.

The world has long seen this because they have ulterior motives. The so-called expedition against Zhang Xianzhong this time was probably just a show. However, Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Chenggong may not have thought that Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo were actually willing to send troops. This forced Zheng Chenggong into a corner and had to

We are about to lead the army into Huguang to fight."

"The most difficult thing to grasp about Zheng Chenggong is that he has 100,000 sergeants, 50,000 of whom are under the command of Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo. It is impossible for these sergeants to completely obey Zheng Chenggong's command. If a war comes, Zheng Chenggong wants to save his life.

With our own strength, if we send these sergeants to charge at the front, then the team is likely to mutiny."

"I just said, brother must seize the opportunity, wait until the battle between Zheng Chenggong and Zhang Xianzhong reaches a fever pitch, and then quickly attack Huguang, but this speed is difficult to grasp. If the time to enter Huguang is too early, Zheng Chenggong will

It is possible to take advantage of the situation and retreat to preserve our strength. If we enter Huguang too late, Zheng Chenggong will give up fighting and desperately evacuate when he cannot hold on anymore, and Zhang Xianzhong will be able to free up his hands to fight with you, eldest brother."

"So, brother must send as many scouts as possible into Huguang to detect accurate information..."

Zhang Dongtao's face showed a look of relief and satisfaction.

"Brother Li, the brave will win when they meet on a narrow road. The confrontation between the two armies shows their momentum. Why was our Denglai New Army able to wipe out all the Dashun Army in a short period of time and kill Li Zicheng? You must know that the total strength of the Dashun Army already numbered one million.

The total strength of the people far exceeds that of our Denglai New Army, but it was completely defeated by our Denglai New Army."

"This time our Denglai New Army enters Huguang to fight in Sichuan. We must also show our indomitable momentum and defeat the Daxi Army just like we defeated Li Zicheng and completely wiped out the Dashun Army."

"Brother Li's concerns, I think the emperor must have thought of them, so we have to obey orders when we send troops to Huguang. However, I think we can't just wait. We need to send scouts to Huguang to investigate and learn as much as possible about the situation between Huguang and Sichuan.

situation, make timely judgments, and report our judgments to the emperor and the court in a timely manner."

"As for the danger of the expedition, it's nothing. When we were with Li Zicheng, we encountered countless dangers. We survived them all. The situation we face now is much better..."

Zhang Dongtao said this and walked to the front of the table.

There is a map on the desk. Zhejiang, Huguang, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan are all included in this map.

The officers of the Denglai New Army commanded operations and were accustomed to using maps. Some maps were drawn by scouts themselves through repeated investigations.

"Brother Li, look at this map. On this map, the only place that the imperial court really controls is Guangdong Province. The rest of the places are independent and in a state of division. The so-called Longwu Imperial Court cannot even control Fujian Province. Why?

Possibly control other places in the South."

"The emperor's imperial edict made me understand that the imperial court must quickly unify the south. I predict that in about half a year at most, the south will be unified, and the various places in the south will gradually become stable..."

Li Yan looked at the map and nodded.

"What the elder brother is saying is that I thought that based on the strength of Denglai's new army, it would take about three months to unify the entire south. As long as our Denglai navy defeats the Zheng family, the situation in the south will basically be stabilized.

Now, the navy is preparing to launch an attack on the Zheng family, and it won’t take long for the good news to come."

"The biggest opponent of the Denglai New Army at the moment is Zhang Xianzhong."

"I thought that the emperor had painstakingly deployed for several years in order to completely defeat and annihilate Li Zicheng. Under such circumstances, our Denglai New Army was able to completely annihilate the Dashun Army and annihilate the Dashun Army in the shortest time. Zhang Xianzhong

The Daxi Army under his command was unable to support itself alone, and its arrogance was reduced. Moreover, the Denglai New Army fought against the Daxi Army several times, killing Zhang Xianzhong's adopted son Ai Nengqi, and made Liu Wenxiu join our Denglai New Army. The Daxi Army itself

I am afraid of Denglai’s new army.”

"The Emperor's precise deployment once again has formed a situation of encirclement and annihilation against Zhang Xianzhong. It is only a matter of time before Zhang Xianzhong is completely annihilated..."

Zhang Dongtao nodded repeatedly with an expression of admiration on his face.

"Brother Li, your analysis is very good. You are much better than me. I understand what you mean. Although we are not the main force in this attack on Huguang, I believe that all the soldiers will try their best to completely defeat Zhang Xianzhong.
Chapter completed!