Shandong, Jinan Fucheng, governor's office, wing room.

Wu Zongrui looked at the document in his hand with a happy smile on his face.

"Sir, Wen Ru, Luo Diazhao and Luo Dianyong have done a good job. Zhang Xianzhong's vanguard, nearly 50,000 people, have been wiped out. Most of Zhang Xianzhong has already headed towards Huai'an Fucheng. Next, we still have to remind Wen Ru and them

, don’t launch an attack on Zhang Xianzhong’s troops on a whim, their next task is to stay in Xuzhou and Suzhou and other places, waiting for the outcome of the showdown between Zhang Xianzhong and Lord Ding Qirui.”

Zeng Yongzhong looked at Wu Zongrui and nodded.

"Your Majesty, my subordinates read General Luo Dianyong's documents yesterday and were really worried about what Zhang Xianzhong's troops did in Xuzhou. I couldn't help but want to teach Zhang Xianzhong a lesson. My subordinates couldn't help it.

I feel that it is necessary for your Excellency to remind Governor Liao, General Luo Dianchao and General Luo Dianyong to always think about the strategy determined by Your Excellency..."

Wu Zongrui waved to Zeng Yongzhong.

"Sir, don't say that. The expansion of the Denglai New Army to South Zhili is a strategy determined through brainstorming. Don't attribute all the credit to me. By the way, Wen Ru said it in the document,

Capture Zhang Xianzhong's adopted son Liu Wenxiu alive, but Liu Wenxiu is very stubborn and cannot be recruited at all. What do you think we should do with Liu Wenxiu?"

In fact, Wu Zongrui wanted to recruit Liu Wenxiu, including Li Dingguo and others. According to historical records, Liu Wenxiu and Li Dingguo were both rare warriors who fought bravely. After Zhang Xianzhong was killed in battle, they also led the rebel army to fight against the Qing soldiers and persisted until the last moment.

.

However, after traveling for more than ten years, Wu Zongrui is very clear that historical data and emotions cannot replace reality. No matter how brave Liu Wenxiu, Li Dingguo and others are, if they cannot be used for their own purposes, they will have no value at all. Sometimes, they will be of no use.

Therefore, he needs to consult Zeng Yongzhong and others for their opinions on these matters.

Zeng Yongzhong frowned and thought for a moment.

"Sir, I feel that we must be ruthless against rogue bandits. When Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong rebelled, the emperor and the court actually had many opportunities to completely wipe them out. However, it was because of hesitation and soft-heartedness that the bandits continued to appear.

It has grown stronger and more than ten years have passed, and it has threatened the imperial court. I remember that your Excellency said that we should continue to be disturbed by him. As for how to deal with Liu Wenxiu, I feel that Governor Liao can make the decision directly."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Okay, I'll ask you, sir, to write a letter to Wenru about this matter and tell him how to deal with it. I won't write to Wenru anymore, lest Wenru try to figure out my thoughts and not know how to deal with this matter."

Having said this, Wu Zongrui stood up and changed the topic.

"Sir, I just thought of two things."

"The first thing is that Huang Taiji of Hou Jin Dynasty has been silent for a long time. Doesn't he know that Denglai's new army dispatched a large number of sergeants to Shandong and entered South Zhili to conquer? I think it is unlikely.

The total number of Denglai New Army soldiers in Liaodong is less than 200,000. If Huang Taiji goes out in full force at this moment, it will still cause us a headache. Although I think it is unlikely that Huang Taiji will make such a decision, we still need to be careful.

response."

"The second thing is that Zhang Xianzhong's troops are heading towards the city of Huai'an. Lord Ding Qirui, the governor of water transportation, and Lord Zhang Guowei, the minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, will soon be able to detect Zhang Xianzhong's intentions. Lord Ding will definitely do his best to protect the city of Huai'an.

After all, the Governor's Palace of Water Transport is in Huai'an City. If Huai'an City is captured by Zhang Xianzhong, Master Ding will not be able to explain it."

"It won't take long for Mr. Ding and Mr. Zhang to understand my intentions. They must be scolding me. I don't care about this. But there is one thing. I consider that I can't let Zhang Xianzhong's troops really capture the city of Huai'an.

After all, I once served as the magistrate of Huai'an Prefecture, and I watched the prosperous and prosperous Huai'an Prefecture City being destroyed, and I felt uneasy. Xuzhou City was almost completely destroyed by Zhang Xianzhong, and Huai'an Prefecture City must not repeat the same mistake."

"I don't know what sir thinks of these two things I mentioned."

Zeng Yongzhong lowered his head and thought for a few minutes before raising his head and answering.

"Sir, I feel that Houjin's Huang Taiji doesn't need to be considered too much for the time being. Our Denglai New Army is standing ready in Liaodong. If the Eight Banners Army dares to invade in a large scale, Denglai's New Army will definitely attack them. Besides, Huang Taiji already knows

The bravery of Denglai's new army will not make any moves if they are not fully prepared and fully confident."

"What's more important is that we basically control Houjin's economy through the mutual market and banks. Once we close the mutual market and the banks also cut off money transactions with Houjin and the Mongolian tribes, they will fall into chaos. My subordinates feel that

, Huang Taiji should also know this."

"As for Lord Ding Qirui and Lord Zhang Guowei, my subordinates feel that the sooner they understand your Lord's intention, the better. Our Denglai New Army has already taken control of parts of Shandong and Liaodong. Next, we will definitely expand our power to the south and strive to be able to win as soon as possible."

Controlling a large area in the south, whether it is transporting soldiers or troops in various towns in the south, including the Nanjing Jingying Camp and the Zhongdu Remaining Division, their combat effectiveness is not worth mentioning. It is inevitable for our Denglai New Army to control Southern Zhili.

"

"Sir, when Zhang Xianzhong's troops attack Huai'an Fucheng, there will definitely be a fierce battle with Mr. Ding. Mr. Ding will soon know the news that our Denglai New Army defeated and annihilated Zhang Xianzhong's front-line troops in Shuangduiji, and Mr. Zhang will also know.

This way they will know how powerful my new army in Denglai is."

"My subordinates feel that Master Ding may despise Zhang Xianzhong's troops and feel that their fighting ability is not good enough. Therefore, when he is defending the city of Huai'an, he may order the sergeants to go out of the city to fight with Zhang Xianzhong's troops. This may very well lead to failure."

"Your Excellency said that Huai'an Fucheng cannot be allowed to fall. My subordinates feel that this request is too high. If Lord Ding leads the sergeants to resist the attack of Zhang Xianzhong's troops, our Denglai New Army will have no chance to directly enter Huai'an Fucheng. We will have to think of other ways.

For example, we ask that the sergeants who resisted Zhang Xianzhong's troops rest and recuperate, and that Denglai's new army be stationed in Huai'an Fucheng, etc. If Zhang Xianzhong's troops capture the city, then our Denglai New Army's entry into Huai'an Fucheng is justified, and no one can say anything."

"Therefore, my subordinates feel that from the perspective of being conducive to your strategic deployment, it is most beneficial for us if Zhang Xianzhong's troops capture the city of Huai'an."

Zeng Yongzhong's suggestion is most beneficial to the overall strategic deployment of the Denglai New Army.

Wu Zongrui nodded helplessly. He would not be indecisive on key and major issues. If the city of Huai'an was captured by Zhang Xianzhong's troops, the losses would be heavy. However, in order to achieve the strategic goal, some losses must be endured.

"Sir, what he said is that if Zhang Xianzhong's troops can capture the city of Huai'an and the overall strategic deployment of Denglai's new army stationed in southern Zhili, it will be more than half successful. I still feel a little soft-hearted."

Zeng Yongzhong looked at Wu Zongrui with a surprised look in his eyes.

"Sir, please don't say that. In fact, my subordinates were just thinking about how to protect Huai'an City. I also have feelings for Huai'an City. However, I feel that the Governor's Palace of Water Transport is in Huai'an City. If Zhang Xianzhong's troops cannot capture Huai'an,

Fucheng, then the people in the city are grateful to the governor of Water Transport Fucheng and the government office, and will not support my new army in Denglai..."

When he said this, Zeng Yongzhong's face turned slightly pale. As a scholar, he suddenly felt that he was too ruthless and would use any means to achieve his goals.

Wu Zongrui nodded frequently.

"Sir, what you are saying is that the south is different from the north. Think about the many places controlled by Denglai's new army. The land of Denglai has experienced the torment of war. It is almost a thousand miles away, and then Liaodong, needless to say,

Only Fuzhou County in Shandong is slightly safer. Look at Lu Faxuan and Liu Ning. In order to stabilize the situation in Shandong, they worked hard and finally achieved today's situation."

"The biggest difference between the south and the north is that there are many scholars, many scholar-bureaucrat families, and family influence spread throughout the country. If Denglai's new army wants to control these places, it needs to make more efforts and sometimes resort to bloody methods, which is understandable

Especially against some stubborn scholars, some self-righteous scholar-bureaucrats, and some lawless clans and families, we must take iron-blooded measures..."

Wu Zongrui's words made Zeng Yongzhong calm down instantly.

"Sir, I will write a letter to Governor Liao and tell him how to deal with Liu Wenxiu. My suggestion is to win over Liu Wenxiu as much as possible. If Liu Wenxiu is captured, he will immediately surrender to our Denglai New Army, which would be a bit uncomfortable.

That's right, but if Liu Wenxiu remains stubborn, he won't be able to stay for long..."

When Zeng Yongzhong turned around and was about to leave, there was a knock on the door.

Lu Faxuan and Liu Ning entered the side room.

Wu Zongrui looked at Lu Faxuan and Liu Ning and smiled.

"Say Cao Cao. Cao Cao will be here soon. I just told you sir about you."

Lu Faxuan bowed to Wu Zongrui and then spoke.

"Sir, spring plowing has been completed in various parts of Shandong. If there are no problems with the weather, there will be no problem with a bumper harvest this year."

Wu Zongrui smiled and nodded.

"Okay, I knew it wasn't a big problem. My husband and I rushed to Jinan just to see how the situation was in Shandong. We will go back to Dengzhou tomorrow. What, Liu Ning, do you have any ideas?

"

Liu Ning looked at Wu Zongrui and spoke with some embarrassment.

"Sir, my subordinates really want to go to Nanzhili to conquer and fight. However, Lord Lu has already persuaded my subordinates that it is equally important for the Denglai New Army to be stationed in Shandong. By firmly guarding Shandong, the Denglai New Army will be stronger and able to go there.

Southern Expedition..."

Wu Zongrui walked up to Liu Ning and patted Liu Ning's strong body hard.
Chapter completed!