Zeng Yongzhong knew why Wu Zongrui was specifically looking for him, and he also knew that Wu Zongrui was currently facing the biggest problem, which was actually involved in the conversation just now.

Zeng Yongzhong has his own ideas. In fact, he has reminded Wu Zongrui before, but the group of scholars is indeed different. Zeng Yongzhong knows very well how much energy Wu Zongrui has spent in order to truly win over Lu Faxuan, Shi Kefa and others, and the most important thing is

The thing is, when you have not yet truly ascended to power and have not fully grasped political power, those scholars who are truly ambitious and capable may not necessarily be attached to you.

If you employ people improperly, the consequences can be disastrous.

Wu Zongrui and Denglai's new army are already in the most critical period. The Ming Dynasty is on the verge of collapse. In the north, Queen Taiji of the Jin Dynasty is eyeing him. Li Zicheng in the Central Plains has the ambition to become king and emperor. Zhang Xianzhong in the south is also not to be outdone. The emperor and the court are facing this

Everything was helpless. To be honest, the emperor and the court basically lost control of the Central Plains, and lost control of Liaodong, Shandong and other places.

The situation in the south is also deteriorating rapidly. For example, Zuo Liangyu, the commander-in-chief of the Huguang Suppression Campaign, defends his own troops and refuses to obey the orders of the emperor and the court. The commander-in-chief of the southern region who hold heavy troops are also in a wait-and-see state.

What is even more dangerous is that most of the officials in the court are motivated by their own interests and do not consider the Ming Dynasty at all. When the Ming Dynasty is already on its last legs, they are still engaging in intrigues in the court, fighting against each other and fighting for a little profit.

They calculated against each other, and they used various reasons to prevent the court from infringing on their interests.

Under such circumstances, it is impossible for the Ming Dynasty to last long.

Wu Zongrui and Denglai's new army have already taken action. Controlling Shandong is the first step, and controlling the four towns and three states in the north of Jiangbei in South Zhili is the second step. Next, Denglai's new army will face cruel and tragic fighting, step by step.

to control the world.

Denglai's new army is strong enough to defeat any opponent, but the lack of civilian officials has become a fetter for Wu Zongrui's further development. This problem must be solved.

"Sir, it is a bit difficult to implement the governance of the four prefectures and three prefectures in Jiangbei and South Zhili. The situation in South Zhili is different from that in Shandong. When we took control of Dengzhou and Laizhou, we actually carried out some infiltration of officials from various parts of Shandong.

, they also know the governance model of Dengzhou and Laizhou, and after we took control of Shandong, we sent a large number of officials from Dengzhou and Laizhou to various parts of Shandong, and rectified the local government very well."

"The whole of Southern Zhili is a place where scholars gather. Donglin Party and Fushe, these kinds of academic societies all appeared in Southern Zhili. As the saying goes, a person who is useless is a scholar. Look at Donglin Party.

Mr. Lin will be able to understand what things the Lin Party members and those who restored society did in the government."

"Including the entire south, the development of commerce and trade is good, but the trade taxes cannot be collected at all. The merchants in the south collude with the scholar-bureaucrats to make a lot of money while evading the taxes they should pay. This situation must not last long

If it continues, it must be changed."

"Sir, you should remember that when the north encountered a famine that was rarely seen in the world and the people were struggling on the verge of death, the emperor and the court were unable to mobilize food aid from the south, let alone money from the south. As long as this matter was mentioned, those in the DPRK

Officials in the south would vigorously oppose, and their reasons were very good. The people in the north who could not survive chose to rebel. More than ten years later, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong had become a climate that even endangered the Ming Dynasty. These

Officials are still sitting on the Diaoyutai, still shouting that the court cannot compete with the people for profit."

"Such a trend is very popular in the south, so it is particularly important for us to rectify the four prefectures and three prefectures in Jiangbei and South Zhili. We must carve out a bloody path in the four prefectures and three prefectures in Jiangbei."

"I think the first thing to do is to set up municipal shipping departments in the four prefectures and three prefectures in Jiangbei, start collecting trade taxes, and at the same time severely crack down on collusion between government and businessmen that harms the interests of the people."

"If you want to push this matter away, the most important thing is officials. Only capable officials can push this matter away. Otherwise, even if the Municipal Shipping Department is established, it will have no effect."

"What troubles me the most is the officials in the four prefectures and three states in Jiangbei. The understanding of these officials has long been fixed in their minds, and they themselves are closely connected with the local merchants and have common interests. I want them to reverse the situation.

The bad local culture is tantamount to seeking the skin of a tiger."

"Sir, if the matter of local officials cannot be resolved, we will not be able to truly control the four prefectures and three states in Jiangbei."

...

Wu Zongrui said so much in one breath, and the expression on his face became slightly softer.

As soon as Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Zeng Yongzhong spoke.

"Sir, I have been thinking about this matter for a long time. In the past, I would have suggested that officials be transferred from Dengzhou and Laizhou to the four prefectures and three prefectures in Jiangbei. But that is not possible now. Dengzhou and Laizhou

A large number of officials have been dispatched to various parts of Shandong, and this stage is also the most critical for Shandong."

"My subordinates have also thought that continuing to appoint the original officials from the four prefectures and three prefectures in Jiangbei requires changing their understanding. However, after hearing what the Lord just said, my subordinates' thoughts have also changed."

"I would like to remind you that there are many scholars in Nanzhili, and various societies have been established. They seem to be very powerful, but in fact, you don't need to care about them. These scholars are just talking about it. If it is true,

If they encounter any danger, most scholars will shrink back, and they will not be able to succeed."

"The key lies in the scholar-bureaucrat families and gentry families in the south. Their power is still quite strong."

Speaking of this, Zeng Yongzhong looked at Wu Zongrui, who was listening very carefully, and gritted his teeth before speaking.

"Sir, I have been holding back some words for a long time. I have always wanted to say them out, but I don't know whether to say them or not..."

Wu Zongrui looked at Zeng Yongzhong and nodded thoughtfully.

"Sir, if you think of anything, just say it, don't worry."

Zeng Yongzhong stood up and bowed to Wu Zongrui.

"Sir, I feel that you are too kind and soft-hearted. As the saying goes, kindness cannot control the army. The change of any dynasty will inevitably lead to bloodshed. It is said that those who obey me will prosper and those who go against me will perish. No matter who they are, even if they have the ability to reach the sky, they will not be able to win.

If it can be used by adults, it should be eradicated without hesitation."

"After all, history is written by the victors..."

Although he had already thought about what Zeng Yongzhong would say, after hearing Zeng Yongzhong's words, Wu Zongrui still showed a look of shock on his face. He thought of the "Ten Days in Yangzhou", "Three Massacres in Jiading" and "Liu Xing" in history.

The Qing Dynasty carried out large-scale massacres in the south and conquered the south with a bloody attitude.

When Wu Zongrui first faced this history, he gritted his teeth and hated those executioners.

However, after traveling for more than ten years, when it was time to conquer the country, Wu Zongrui realized that some things may not be based on personal will. What should be done must be done, and those who should be killed must be killed.

Zeng Yongzhong could clearly see Wu Zongrui's expression. He clasped his fists and continued to speak.

"Sir, this is what I am saying from the bottom of my heart. Your Excellency and the Denglai New Army are at the most critical moment. For example, the Denglai New Army controls the four prefectures and three states in Jiangbei. If they blindly pursue a soft policy, some people will definitely be left behind.

The opportunity exists for young people, and the scholar-bureaucrat families and gentry families in the south, including merchants, will secretly cause trouble, making it difficult for adults to guard against it..."

Wu Zongrui stood up and walked to Zeng Yongzhong.

"Sir, there is no need to say anything. I understand your intentions. Maybe I am a little soft-hearted and always want to solve everything properly. I will seriously consider your suggestions."

"As for the local officials in the four prefectures and three prefectures in Jiangbei, Mr.'s reminder just now made me think of a way to directly transfer knowledgeable and capable people from the Denglai New Army to take charge of the local affairs. They may not be very good.

There may be some mistakes due to their experience, but they know what needs to be done and what goals need to be achieved. I think that as long as they are given enough time, they will be able to manage the place well."

"As for the scholars, scholar-bureaucrat families, gentry families, and merchants in the four prefectures and three states of Jiangbei, when it is time to deal with them, I will definitely follow your husband's advice, but now is not the time."

Zeng Yongzhong was a little strange and looked at Wu Zongrui and spoke.

"My subordinates don't understand what your Lord said, why it's not the right time yet."

Wu Zongrui shook his head slightly.

"The gentry and gentry families in the south, including those merchants, have close ties with the officials in the court. If we forcefully encircle and suppress their families in the south, we will probably offend the scholars all over the world..."

Zeng Yongzhong had a sneer on his face.

"Sir, you worry too much. Just say that Huang Taiji of the Later Jin Dynasty and the Eight Banners Army of the Later Jin Dynasty committed countless massacres in the Central Plains. Moreover, their national policy of Manchu supremacy made the Han people in such a lowly status that they could not even be slaves.

He can be killed at will, but there are still scholars from the Ming Dynasty who worship him and make suggestions for Huang Taiji."

"Everyone knows what your Excellency has done in Dengzhou, Laizhou, Liaodong and Shandong."

"My subordinate has just said that history is written by the victors. As long as the adults control the world, a few scholars are nothing. They cannot make big waves..."

Wu Zongrui looked at Zeng Yongzhong and his face turned slightly red.

"I understand what you mean, sir. To be honest, I am really a bit pedantic. I am worried about this and worry about that. Don't worry, sir, I will seriously consider your suggestion..."

Wu Zongrui admitted that what Zeng Yongzhong said was extremely correct and he spoke it from the bottom of his heart. However, Zeng Yongzhong did not know the direction of history, and Wu Zongrui, who was familiar with history, wanted to seize the best opportunity. The rebel army under Li Zicheng entered the capital and Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself.
Chapter completed!