After receiving Lu Faxuan's secret letter, Wu Zongrui had already made a conclusion in his mind.

Zeng Yongzhong, Liao Wenru, Qiao Mingjun and others hurriedly came to the wing. After only a few minutes passed, Shi Kefa also came to the wing. Everyone looked serious, waiting for Wu Zongrui's arrival.

"I've kept you waiting for a long time. I was reading Lu Faxuan's secret letter just now. You should also read it."

Everyone walked to the front of the desk and read the secret letter written by Lu Faxuan.

Wu Zongrui was sitting on a chair, seemingly deep in thought, but actually observing everyone's expressions.

Controlling the entire Shandong Province is the most critical step for Wu Zongrui to dominate the world. If this step is taken successfully, many things in the future will be easier to deal with. If this step is not successful, Wu Zongrui will face too many troubles.

For Wu Zongrui and the Denglai New Army, controlling the entire Central Plains is not a big problem. After all, over the years, the Central Plains region has encountered too many twists and turns. The people's lives are difficult, and they have encountered the raging Tatars and rogue bandits of the Later Jin Dynasty.

They are always looking forward to peace. Even many scholars and scholar-bureaucrat families in the north do not have much hope for the Ming Dynasty. As long as Wu Zongrui defeats the rebels such as Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, and allows the people of the Central Plains to settle down, a little peace will be achieved.

By appeasing the scholar-bureaucrats' families, the people of the entire Central Plains can return to their hearts.

However, the situation in the south is different, and Wu Zongrui still needs to expend a lot of energy.

The focus of the Ming Dynasty was actually in the south, especially in southern Zhili and Jiangsu and Zhejiang. This was where the scholar-bureaucrat families were concentrated. They had received too many benefits from the Ming Dynasty. They were always attached to the Ming Dynasty and did not want the Ming Dynasty to collapse.

, and are even less willing to lose the benefits they have gained. In order to truly rule the south, the Qing Dynasty in history raised its butcher knife and killed many southerners. Perhaps in the eyes of future generations, the Qing Dynasty was cruel and could be traversed.

Wu Zongrui knew very well that the Qing Dynasty had no choice but to do this, just like the Qin Empire, which did not truly surrender to Chu, but was eventually overthrown by Xiang Yu of Chu.

Taking control of Shandong is the first step for Wu Zongrui. Next, he will rely on Shandong as a stronghold to gradually expand his sphere of influence in the direction of South Zhili and expand his own influence. At some point, he may have to take tough measures and suppress it with all his strength.

Those rebellious scholar-bureaucrat families stabilized their rule.

As an important stronghold, Shandong also has a deeper role, which is to control shipping.

The future dynasty controlled by Wu Zongrui will definitely develop its power overseas. This is a step that the Chinese nation must take. It is absolutely impossible to rest on its laurels. Of course, controlling shipping requires sufficient strength. In this regard, Wu Zongrui can be proud of the world.

No matter from which aspect you look at it, under the current circumstances, it is most appropriate for Wu Zongrui to use the entire Shandong as a base for the Denglai New Army and himself.

Therefore, this time, Wu Zongrui will definitely show his strong side. As long as he achieves his goal of controlling the entire province of Shandong, he will not care about the attitude of the emperor and the court.

Everyone quickly read Lu Faxuan's secret letter.

Liao Wenru and Qiao Mingjun looked relieved and obviously happy. Zeng Yongzhong habitually fell into deep thought, perhaps considering the pros and cons. Only Shi Kefa's face turned pale.

In Wu Zongrui's view, everyone's expressions were normal.

Needless to say, Liao Wenru and Qiao Mingjun would not hesitate to express their support no matter what decision Wu Zongrui made, even if he decided to kill Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty. Zeng Yongzhong was used to thinking about what was mentioned in Lu Faxuan's secret letter.

The method of controlling various places in Shandong requires serious thinking. After mature thinking and making a decision, the attitude will be truly revealed. Only Shi Kefa, who is a scholar, has a natural aversion to the word rebellion in his heart. As long as Wu Zongrui

Shi Kefa would have such thoughts in his heart if he did not reach the position of the Ninth Five-Year Plan for a day.

"Okay, you all have read Lu Faxuan's secret letter. Tell us what you think. Don't have any scruples. Just say whatever comes to mind. You must know that your first feeling is the most important."

As soon as Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Liao Wenru spoke next.

"Sir, I think Master Lu's method is completely feasible. However, Master Lu suggested sending 20,000 soldiers of the Denglai New Army first, and then 30,000 soldiers of the Denglai New Army. I think it is not necessary to mobilize them all at once.

Fifty thousand soldiers of the Denglai New Army completely control Jinan Prefecture, Qingzhou Prefecture, Yanzhou Prefecture and Dongchang Prefecture in Shandong..."

After Liao Wenru finished speaking, Qiao Mingjun nodded.

"My subordinates agree with Governor Liao's suggestion..."

Zeng Yongzhong did not speak immediately, and Wu Zongrui looked at Shi Kefa.

Shi Kefa's face was still a little pale, and he looked at Wu Zongrui and spoke.

"Sir, I believe that Sir Lu's consideration is still appropriate, and safety is the priority. Under the current circumstances, the Ji Liao Governor's Mansion should not quarrel with the imperial court. If it can safely control the entire Shandong, why bother?

Not for..."

After Shi Kefa finished speaking, Zeng Yongzhong also spoke.

"Sir, I think Master Shi's suggestion is feasible. It is better not to be too anxious about the current situation. Let's wait and see how the situation in the Central Plains changes. This time the emperor and the court dispatched armies from various towns from Shandong into the Central Plains. This is

What the subordinates did not expect was that the original plan for Denglai's new army to annex the towns in Shandong now seemed unlikely. The armies in the towns in Shandong were quite powerful. Once they entered the Central Plains, they might change the chaotic situation in the Central Plains.

, when that time comes..."

Wu Zongrui shook his head slightly. Liao Wenru, Qiao Mingjun, Shi Kefa and Zeng Yongzhong all expressed their attitudes. The general direction is consistent. If there is a difference, it is the difference between conservatives and radicals. Liao Wenru and Qiao Mingjun are radical.

Zeng Yongzhong and Shi Kefa are conservative.

It has to be said that Wu Zongrui was also conservative in the past. He followed the decision-making principle of keeping a low profile and achieving his goals peacefully. This attitude towards dealing with things influenced Zeng Yongzhong and others, as well as Shi Kefa, Lu Faxuan and others. However, he was familiar with history.

Knowing that the situation is about to undergo major changes, the attitude of keeping a low profile is often not advisable.

Fortunately, Wu Zongrui has absolute authority and everyone listens to him.

Walking to the front of the map, Wu Zongrui spoke word by word.

"Your suggestions are very good. First of all, taking control of the entire Shandong is a step we must take. We must not hesitate. If we lose this great opportunity, we will regret it."

"Secondly, what should we do? Please listen to my analysis."

"Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai controlled almost all of Henan and most of Shaanxi. The only places the court could control were Kaifeng and Luoyang in Henan, Xi'an in Shaanxi, as well as Yansui, Ningxia Wei, and Ningxia Zhongwei

And Ningxia Guards and other remote places, and then look at Shanxi, Huguang, Sichuan and other places, other rebel armies from all walks of life are causing chaos in these places, and these places are also not peaceful."

"The armies in the towns in these places are almost self-respecting. Their main task is not to protect the tranquility of the place or to exterminate the bandits, but to exploit the people to the maximum extent and obtain their own interests. Therefore, it is said

, these armies will be defeated sooner or later by the rebel armies from all walks of life."

"These days, I have been specifically analyzing the situation in the Central Plains, and I have a hunch that the various rebel armies in the Central Plains are gradually moving closer to Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai. What does this mean? It means that they have regarded Li Zicheng as the leader of the rebel army.

, as long as Li Zicheng captures Kaifeng Fucheng, I believe that other rebel armies will gradually rely on Li Zicheng and even obey Li Zicheng's orders."

"Let's look at Southern Zhili again. Zhang Xianzhong's army of more than 300,000 people has begun to besiege Xuzhou. The army led by Zhang Guowei, the Minister of War in Nanjing, has been wandering around Fengyang Prefecture and Huai'an Prefecture, and there is no sign of encircling and annihilating Zhang Xianzhong's troops.

Is it because Lord Zhang Guowei is not ready yet? It's definitely not the case. After much thought, there is only one possibility, that is, Lord Zhang Guowei will not take the initiative to launch an attack on Zhang Xianzhong's troops, unless Zhang Xianzhong takes Xuzhou and heads towards Nanjing.

When the time comes, Zhang Guowei will go all out and fight Zhang Xianzhong’s troops decisively.”

"Finally, let's take a look at Sun Chuanting, the governor of the five provinces. He only has more than 30,000 people under his command. With this small force, he dare not take the initiative to launch an attack. Seeing Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai's troops besieging Kaifeng Fucheng, Sun Chuanting did not dare to rescue him because of his strength.

Not enough. According to the information we have received, Sun Chuanting's army has entered Xi'an Prefecture and is recruiting soldiers and horses from various places under the jurisdiction of Xi'an Prefecture. This approach may seem ridiculous, but it is actually a helpless move."

"Based on the above situation, I came to the conclusion that Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai will be able to control the entire province of Henan within the year. If they command well, they can even capture Xi'an Fucheng and then control most of Shaanxi. After Zhang Xianzhong's troops captured Xuzhou,

They will not attack in the direction of Nanjing, but will most likely fight back to Huguang, besiege Wuchang Prefecture and Xiangyang Prefecture, and try to control the entire Huguang. As for Sun Chuanting, the governor of the five provinces, the final outcome is still failure."

"Okay, that's my analysis. Everyone, what do you think we should do in Shandong?"

Just as Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Zeng Yongzhong immediately spoke.

"Sir, I understand. I support the suggestions of Governor Liao and General Qiao. The Denglai New Army must control the entire Shandong as quickly as possible..."

Shi Kefa also nodded.

"I understand. I support the suggestions of Governor Liao and General Qiao..."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Sir, Mr. Shi, now and then, we have always been forbearing in the past. That is the need for our own development. However, the situation has changed too fast. If we continue to adopt a forbearing attitude, we will lose a lot of opportunities. So,
Chapter completed!