As intelligence continued to flow to Nanjing, the smiles on the faces of Liu Ning, Qiao Mingjun, Niu and others gradually disappeared.

Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan, who had made all preparations and were about to go to Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, suddenly were not in a hurry to set off. Although they shouldered heavy responsibilities, once they accepted the task, they had full autonomy and could decide

When to set out and what method to use to complete the task, of course, if the emperor and the court urge them, they will never waste time.

When he arrived at the temporary camp again, Zhang Dongtao looked quite serious.

Wu Zongrui was looking at the paperwork carefully, while Liu Ning, Qiao Mingjun and Niu stood aside.

Wu Zongrui felt strange when he saw Zhang Dongtao coming in.

"Zhang Dongtao, haven't you and Li Yan set off yet?"

"To report to the Emperor, I have some ideas, so I haven't set off from Nanjing yet."

Wu Zongrui looked at Zhang Dongtao carefully and seemed to understand something. He did not continue to ask Zhang Dongtao, but looked at Qiao Mingjun and Niu.

"Qiao Mingjun told Zhang Dongtao about the situation in Zhejiang, Sichuan and Fujian. He will leave for Jiujiang soon to clarify the situation and have more choices."

Qiao Mingjun nodded, looked at Zhang Dongtao and spoke.

"General Zhang, the situation in Sichuan, Zhejiang and Fujian is somewhat stalemate. The overall situation is not very favorable to our Denglai New Army. We must break this stalemate."

"In Sichuan, Zhang Xianzhong showed no signs of attack. His adopted son Sun Kewang and Li Dingguo, one led the Great Western Army in the Huguang area, and the other led the Great Western Army in the Sichuan territory. However, in the past two days, both Sun Kewang and Li Dingguo have returned.

Chengdu, this is enough to show that Zhang Xianzhong has no plans to attack Zhejiang, Fujian and other places."

"In Zhejiang, Liu Zeqing is stationed in Hangzhou and Liu Liangzuo is stationed in Shaoxing. The two get along pretty well. Zhejiang Governor Ma Shiying has never shown up. According to the judgment of the Intelligence Department, Ma Shiying should be waiting to see the situation and has not made a decision yet.

Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo will not make any moves as long as they can stabilize the current situation."

"In Fujian, Huang Daozhou has already set off back to Fuzhou. The sergeants led by Zuo Liangyu have left Dexing in Jiangxi and are marching in the direction of Fujian. They should be preparing to enter Fujian directly and will not go to Zhejiang. Huang Daozhou

Zhou did not go to Jiujiang, which shows that Zuo Liangyu prevented Huang Daozhou from going to Jiujiang and did not allow Huang Daozhou to go to recruit Gao Jie."

"Zheng Zhilong has not moved his troops, and Tang Wang Zhu Yujian has made no other moves."

"The Intelligence Department analyzed that after Zuo Liangyu entered Fujian, he was likely to conflict with Zheng Zhilong. However, this speculation was denied by the emperor. Zheng Zhilong's base camp is in Quanzhou, Fujian. It is impossible for the army under Zuo Liangyu to go to Quanzhou.

, it will not touch the roots of Zheng Zhilong, and the army under Zuo Liangyu must rely on Zheng Zhilong to provide part of the food and grass so that it can survive. Under such circumstances, Zuo Liangyu cannot offend Zheng Zhilong."

"There is only one possibility that will cause conflict between Zheng Zhilong and Zuo Liangyu, and that is Zheng Zhilong's plan to annex Zuo Liangyu's army."

"The Intelligence Department has also analyzed this and believes that the possibility is not very high, or even non-existent. The sergeants under Zuo Liangyu have bad military discipline and have never had a very good reputation. If they are recruited into their ranks, they will only cause more trouble.

, What’s more important is that Zheng Zhilong was a pirate, and what he values ​​​​is the team at sea. For a long time, Zheng Zhilong has not focused on building an army on land.”

"So, Zuo Liangyu led the sergeants into Fujian, Liu Liangzuo led the sergeants into Zhejiang, and Zhang Xianzhong stabilized in Sichuan. This situation may last for a long time. Tang Wang Zhu Yujian was indeed ambitious and wanted to regain the Ming Dynasty, but

He has no actual power, that is, he cannot mobilize the army under Zheng Zhilong, nor the sergeants under Zuo Liangyu, and Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo, who are far away in Zhejiang, will not take the initiative to attack."

"Such a situation is not very favorable for our Denglai New Army. Only when chaos breaks out in the south can our Denglai New Army seize the opportunity. Otherwise, our Denglai New Army will attack in several directions and face the enemy at the same time.

If the three forces of Sichuan, Zhejiang and Fujian appear during the conquest, the outcome will be unpredictable."

...

After Qiao Mingjun finished speaking, Wu Zongrui looked at Zhang Dongtao again.

"Zhang Dongtao, you know the situation clearly. Please share your thoughts and suggestions."

Zhang Dongtao nodded.

"Your Majesty, I have been with Li Zicheng for many years. Your Majesty must know what I am thinking."

"I feel that Gao Jie must have made a great contribution when he surrendered to the imperial court. If he just led his sergeants to join him, it would not be considered real merit. The emperor said that Gao Jie's wife Xing was smart and wise, so I thought of letting Xing

If you persuade Gao Jie to perform meritorious service, you will definitely be able to persuade Gao Jie..."

A smile appeared on Wu Zongrui's face.

"Zhang Dongtao, you mean to ask Gao Jie to stir up the situation in the south, so that Denglai's new army can seize the best opportunity and attack decisively."

Zhang Dongtao quickly clasped his fists at Wu Zongrui.

"Your Majesty, I really didn't think that far ahead. What I thought of was to let Gao Jie perform meritorious service. For example, let Gao Jie go to Zhejiang and persuade Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo and others to submit to the imperial court..."

Wu Zongrui waved his hand.

"Zhang Dongtao, it's good that you can think of this. Fortunately, your reminder just now made me think of a way. Gao Jie's position is very critical. He can indeed stir up the situation in the south. I think, let Gao Jie enter Fujian

, In this way, the situation in Fujian will definitely be turbulent, and this will force the Tang King Zhu Yujian and the deputy general Zheng Zhilong to find a way to attack."

"There is a huge conflict between Gao Jie and Zuo Liangyu. Gao Jie prevented Zuo Liangyu from attacking Dexing County. Zuo Liangyu must be dissatisfied in his heart. It can be said that he hates Gao Jie to the bone. Huang Daozhou came to recruit Zuo Liangyu. Gao Jie,

Liu Liangzuo, Liu Zeqing and others did not go to Jiujiang to recruit Gao Jie, which shows that Zuo Liangyu prevented Huang Daozhou from recruiting Gao Jie."

"So, if Gao Jie is allowed to lead troops into Fujian, Zuo Liangyu will most likely take action against Gao Jie."

"Zhu Yujian and Zheng Zhilong are absolutely unwilling to see such a situation, so they must find a way to prevent internal strife and let Zuo Liangyu and Gao Jie attack. Once Zuo Liangyu and Gao Jie attack, the situation in the south will immediately be turbulent. Take ten thousand steps back.

He said that even if Zuo Liangyu and Gao Jie do not attack, the internal strife between them will make the situation in Fujian a mess. At that time, Huang Daozhou will probably ask Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo from Zhejiang to attack and help quell the internal strife."

"No matter what happens, our goal has been achieved."

As soon as Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Zhang Dongtao clasped his fists again.

"Your Majesty, I didn't expect that much."

Wu Zongrui looked at Zhang Dongtao and smiled.

"Zhang Dongtao, there is no need to say these flattering words. You have really made a contribution this time. Without your advice, I would still be thinking about how to solve the situation in the south."

"But I'm worried that Gao Jie may not be able to do this well. If Gao Jie doesn't pay attention, he really has a conflict with Zuo Liangyu, or is even killed by Zuo Liangyu, your and our plan will be a complete failure.

"

Zhang Dongtao clasped his fists again.

"Your Majesty, I and General Li Yan are willing to follow Gao Jie to Fujian..."

Liu Ning, Qiao Mingjun and Niu were stunned at the same time. If Zhang Dongtao and Li Yan followed Gao Jie into Fujian, then the five thousand soldiers of the Denglai New Army they led would also follow into Fujian. This would be a bit risky. The key is

Gao Jie was a rebellious person and usually only listened to Xing's words. If Gao Jie truly surrendered to Tang King Zhu Yujian, then Zhang Dongtao, Li Yan and the five thousand Denglai New Army soldiers under their command would be in great danger.

"Zhang Dongtao, can you guarantee that Gao Jie will obey your orders..."

Liu Ning couldn't help but speak.

Zhang Dongtao turned sideways and cupped his fists at Liu Ning.

"Master Governor, I guarantee that I will be able to control Gao Jie. If Gao Jie has other intentions, I will definitely take action in advance..."

Wu Zongrui nodded again.

"Zhang Dongtao, I agree with your suggestion. You have been lurking around Li Zicheng for many years and have done a good job. In addition, you and Gao Jie have had certain interactions, and you will definitely be able to let Gao Jie know the stakes. However, I still want to remind you that instead of

It is better to control Gao Jie forcefully than to persuade the Xing family, which will give you greater control."

"The sergeants under Gao Jie have bad military discipline. On the march from Jiujiang to Fujian, they must have looted along the way. If you can stop it, stop it. If you find it difficult, don't step forward. We still need to use Gao Jie at the moment.

"

"After you arrive in Jiujiang, decide for yourself what to do. I will not interfere. Some of my ideas are not yet mature. But you have to remember that Gao Jie's main role is to disrupt the situation in the south, not just in Fujian.

The situation is even more disruptive to the situation in Sichuan, Huguang and Zhejiang."

"Last point, you must protect yourself no matter what. Once you sense danger, you must lead your soldiers to evacuate quickly. Although the five thousand soldiers of the Denglai New Army cannot defeat the armies under Zuo Liangyu, Zheng Zhilong, Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo

, but it is crucial that self-protection is sufficient.”

...

After Zhang Dongtao left, Liu Ning spoke with some worry.

"Your Majesty, I think this is too dangerous."

"You can't catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den. Zhang Dongtao's advice is indeed very good. It helped us find a way to solve the situation in the south. We will take action next."

"Liu Ning, Qiao Mingjun, Niu, please pay close attention to the situation in Zhejiang. I will write a letter to Zhejiang Governor Ma Shiying at the appropriate time. This Ma Shiying has some intentions, but he has not expressed his attitude for a long time."
Chapter completed!