Don't they realize what time it is? They're still sticking to the same old tricks, unable to bear the emergence of any capable Han Chinese. Every time one appears, they eliminate them—what a bunch of scoundrels!
Upon hearing this, Zeng Guofan continued, "I urge my master to step forward and comfort the gentry in the city, and persuade Lord Tachar. Otherwise, things will be dangerous."
If this guy Tacha takes this opportunity to make a fortune, and then Zhu the rebel sends people to spread rumors, then Guangzhou will really be indefensible!
When the time comes, the gentry will be disaffected, the Green Standard Army will be useless, and can we really hold out with just these four thousand pacification troops, four thousand brigade troops, and eight thousand Eight Banner troops? Zeng Guofan was not optimistic about it.
Upon hearing this, Sai Shang'a nodded. With his Manchu Eight Banners background and status as the emperor's teacher, he could still persuade Tachar, this raging fellow.
It's unclear what Saishanga said or did, but the process was extremely difficult. During this time, Tachar shouted loudly several times and smashed many things. However, in the end, he finally agreed.
However, although they did not demand five million taels, they still delivered half a million taels of silver to his residence.
Seeing this, Huang Qiying couldn't help but say regretfully, "It's such a pity. Do we really not need to take any more action? Maybe if we sow discord a little more, this matter will be settled."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yang smiled and said, "No rush. A conspiracy is just a conspiracy. To take Guangzhou, we must rely on strength and the army. This is the only right way, this is the only truth."
"Moreover, it's time to retreat now. If we continue to provoke him, it will not only be useless, but it will also provoke a reaction from him. At the same time, it will make the gentry in the city dislike you, which would be a loss. After all, don't think that there aren't any smart people among the gentry in the city."
"Now, all we need to do is plant a seed, and it will naturally sprout when these people are defeated. There's no need to rush now," Lin Yang said confidently.
No matter how many schemes and tricks are employed, they will be useless if Emperor Zhu's strength is insufficient. Once Emperor Zhu defeats these banners, vassal banners, and Eight Banners cavalry in a direct confrontation on the battlefield, the gentry in the city will naturally surrender without resistance.
Therefore, in Lin Yang's view, the amount of intrigue and trickery used so far is already sufficient. Any more would be counterproductive.
...
Today is the day the government troops will come to besiege Sanyuanli. Meanwhile, Uncle Wei Shaoguang has been using wine, meat, and money to gather many villagers over the past few days. In total, there are about twenty to thirty thousand people. However, only seven or eight thousand are able-bodied men.
However, these seven or eight thousand people were all locals from Sanyuanli and nearby towns. They were all considered top-notch troublemakers, and therefore, they were not particularly afraid of the imperial court.
Furthermore, this place is Baiyun Mountain, which, although not very tall, can still house 20,000 to 30,000 people. In addition, there are dozens of small hills of varying sizes and heights nearby, making it a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Of course, it's also a death trap. If the government troops are patient enough to surround all the key routes around it, then the 20,000 to 30,000 people on the mountain will only have to wait to die.
The problem is, the imperial court also doesn't have time. The Guangzhou navy has already been completely dealt with by Emperor Zhu. Even Lai Enjue, the naval admiral, surrendered directly under the influence of surrender drugs.
What if Zhu Jishi attacks Guangzhou while the army is away? Therefore, this campaign must be swift and decisive, demonstrating the imperial court's power. Otherwise, what will the gentry of Guangzhou think?
The rumbling sound, though the Qing army was still seven or eight miles away, could be heard directly from tens of thousands of soldiers marching together.
Then, circulating his internal energy and focusing it on his eyes, Wei Shaoguang could see clearly. Dozens of battalions of the Guangzhou Green Standard Army were at the forefront, their morale at its lowest. They were walking very slowly.
Behind them were four thousand captains and four thousand garrison commanders. However, the morale of the garrison commanders was equally low. Of course, with their leader's fate uncertain, how could morale be high?
In the very center was the Eight Banners cavalry. Judging by their numbers, there were probably around seven thousand men. They were all dressed in bright red armor, looking very heroic. And they were all riding horses, looking quite spirited.
"Wow, that's a lot! In terms of numbers, it's several times ours," Wei Shaoguang said, somewhat shaken.
Clearly, his resolve had wavered considerably upon the arrival of the Qing troops. However, a glance at the foreign rifle in his hand immediately silenced him.
This type of rifle has an extremely long range; within 400 paces, it can hit almost anything. Moreover, it can penetrate armor. Even those wearing armor would be severely wounded if hit by a single shot.
What's even more frustrating is that the wound is very difficult to treat. Once hit by a bullet, various fragments will explode instantly and enter the wound.
Given the Qing army's current medical conditions, unless a large chunk of flesh around the wound was cut away, the wound would definitely become infected. At that point, death would be imminent.
But even if you really harden your heart and cut out all the muscle around the wound at once, you'd probably be in too much pain to fight, right?
This means one shot, one soldier. Whether dead or wounded, if hit, they're rendered useless within a month or two.
Therefore, despite having fewer troops than the Qing army, Master Wei was very confident at this time.
"They've moved! The Qing army has moved! This vanguard looks like the Green Standard Army, probably around three thousand strong. They've sent three thousand troops straight up without even a scout. Can they really fight like this?" Zheng Hong said instinctively, looking at the scene through his binoculars.
This was a time of peace, just beginning an era of rebellions by traitors everywhere. Therefore, it was perfectly normal that these military officers of the imperial court were incapable of fighting.
After seven or eight years of fighting, those who are still alive can generally be considered good generals. After all, qualified generals are always forged in battle.
As for Lin Yang, he wasn't worried at all. He simply found a less crowded, relatively high mountain peak and started enjoying the scenery.
This mountain peak, over 300 meters high, is an isolated peak with no path leading up. But who is Lin Yang? He simply zipped up the steep mountainside.
Then, with a gentle wave of his right hand, a flat surface appeared. Then came a small stool, a small stove, a feather fan, oh yes, a high-quality tea set, and a well-sealed jar of snow water.
As a result, the tea had just been brewed when the uninvited guest arrived. He even snatched the freshly brewed tea from Lin Yang's hand. This was truly inhumane; he dared to steal the tea that Grandpa Lin had painstakingly prepared.
Looking up, I realized it was an old man. I couldn't beat him, so I decided to give up.
flutter!
"It's so bitter! This tea set must have cost several hundred taels of silver, and these tea leaves are all carefully cultivated varieties. Even the so-called snow water is made from spiritual dew that has been preserved for decades. And yet, this is the taste I got." Cai Yan said, looking at the teapot in her hand, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Hehe, it's a matter of personal taste. Hmm, it's definitely not a problem with my tea-brewing skills. Here, you brew it." Looking at Cai Yan's beautiful appearance, Lin Yang said with a smile.
Then, he casually tossed a jade slip down, which landed squarely on Shi A's head, several hundred feet away. Of course, with Shi A's martial arts skills, he couldn't possibly hit him.
After receiving the jade slip, Shi A was very curious. Why did he need to go through the jade slip when he could just say whatever he wanted to say?
"Oh, tell me to be careful on the battlefield. If possible, try to severely injure Tachar on the battlefield. But we must keep him conscious. Whether he's blind or crippled, it doesn't matter. In short, we need to put him into a berserk state." After thinking for a moment, Shia understood Lin Yang's meaning.
Once Tacha suffered a loss, he would always find someone to vent his anger on. Who should he vent it on? Who would be most suitable? The gentry, the local gentry of Guangzhou. In that case, he could squeeze a lot of money out of them, and moreover, he could sow discord between the Manchus and the Han.
In the end, at a crucial moment, this person could be killed to appease public anger. At the same time, his death would make the court hate the local gentry of Guangzhou, cutting off their escape route.
Shi A thought about these points for a moment and understood them. The problem is, why couldn't they just say it directly? I really don't understand!
If Lin Yang knew what Shi A was thinking at this moment, he would definitely shout at him—"You'll never find a girlfriend like this. Your thinking is dangerous; you're destined to be alone for life."