Chapter 341: Fall in One Day
With the war approaching, Xiong Kuang, students of the Nanjing New Army, also had a rare day off.
Xiong Kuang came out of the Imperial Academy and looked at the decaying and turbulent streets of Nanjing. He pulled his military cap and walked towards Xiong Wu's printing shop.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Xiong Kuang left the gate of the Imperial Academy, he was stopped by Li Yangong, the eldest son of Linhuai Marquis, and Gao Wuguan, the son of Gao Gong.
"Brother Xiong, are you going to a restaurant for a drink?"
Xiong Kuang stopped. He relied on Li Yangong to find out the information about the location of the decisive battle in Mingting. After thinking about it, he decided to keep the appointment and said, "Then let's have a drink first and then go back. "
The three of them arrived at a restaurant next to the Imperial College. At this time, the restaurant was about to close, and only one shopkeeper was still holding on.
Seeing the three people dressed as military school officers, they were greeted diligently to the best floor.
The shopkeeper said while leading the three people: "In the past years, our restaurant was very popular, especially when the Gongyuan List was released, there were scholars who spent a lot of money to buy the top floor!" After talking about the glory of the past, the shopkeeper sighed again and
said : "I will be closing tomorrow. Please invite the three young masters upstairs. That is the best position. You can see the Gongyuan Square." The
three of them were a little silent. After going upstairs, the shopkeeper consciously handed over the wine and food. Back off.
Li Yangong picked up the wine glass and said, "My father won't let me leave the city."
This result was as expected by Xiong Kuang. Li Yangong was the prince of the Marquis of Linhuai, and now Li Tingzhu was the commander-in-chief of Nanjing. He would definitely not let his son die on the battlefield.
"Brother Gao, what about you?"
Gao Wuguan raised his glass and said, "My father listens to me."
This was beyond Xiong Kuang's expectation. Gao Gong was indeed no ordinary person.
The dignitaries in the city of Nanjing crowded into the city when they were forming the new army. But after hearing that the new army was going to fight out of the city, these dignitaries tried to find ways to keep their children in the city.
Everyone knows that there is a possibility of surrender if you stay in the city. If you go out to fight without a sword, you will most likely die outside the city.
In this case, Gao Gong did not stop his son from playing, which is commendable.
Gao Wuguan raised his glass and said, "Brother Li, Brother Xiong, do you think I want to join the army and fight?"
Li Yangong said immediately: "Of course! I can't wait to go out of the city to kill the enemy now! Your father doesn't care about you, so why are you hesitating? ? We have been studying for so long, aren't we just waiting for this day?"
Xiong Kuang said nothing.
Gao Wuguan said: "Brother Xiong, tell me, what are we fighting for?"
Gao Wuguan's original idea of joining the army was very simple. It was for the education of loyalty to the emperor that he had received through long-term study, and the simple idea of "repaying the emperor's kindness."
But after going to school, Gao Wuguan's thoughts completely changed after he came into contact with officers like Xiong Kuang, who were civilians.
There is no need for others to judge how the imperial court is doing in Nanjing. As long as a discerning person stays in Nanjing for a while, he will know it clearly.
This was one of the two capitals of the Ming Dynasty, and it was considered a highland with preferential policies.
In the New Army Academy, the most popular newspaper is "Jingshi Bao". Now under the leadership of editor-in-chief Gui Youguang, "Jingshi Bao" is published at the rate of one issue a day. In addition to promoting the new news in the southeastern New Army territory, each issue Beyond its appearance, it is an article exposing the corruption and depravity of the Ming Dynasty.
Especially the editor-in-chief Gui Youguang, his writing style is plain and his words are not gorgeous, but his words can often touch people's inner resonance.
This powerful ability to empathize with writing makes the tragic stories in newspapers appear in front of readers like scenes of drama.
Every once in a while, there are one or two commentaries by Wang Shizhen, Shen Shixing, He Xinyin and others. Wang Shizhen was the emperor of Wenzong at that time, Shen Shixing was the top scholar in history, and He Xinyin was a direct descendant of the Taizhou School. He was especially good at speaking. The articles of these three people can be said to be the best in writing. The sharp whip penetrated deeply and explained the problems of the Ming Dynasty clearly.
In addition, they also further proposed the theory of "people's civil rights" under the academic system of Mencius.
(Correction in the previous article, Shen Shixing was appointed the prefect of Songjiang, and He Xinyin was appointed the prefect of Suzhou)
The most radical among them was undoubtedly He Xinyin, who was appointed by Su Ze as the prefect of Suzhou. I don’t know where this guy came from. He actually openly advocated in the newspaper that "the king is in law" "" and put forward the concept that "the emperor's crimes are as guilty as those of the common people", which can be said to be appalling.
However, upon closer inspection, their statements seem to be more reasonable than the Confucian morality of the Three Cardinal Guidelines and Five Constant Virtues, and more practical than the empty and abstract theory of mind.
For example, He Xinyin, the prefect of Suzhou, after taking office, in addition to handling the lawsuits within the prefecture, he spent the rest of his time in the prefect's Yamen reviewing various legal items and compiling new laws in the prefecture.
From the laws of the Qin and Han Dynasties, to the "Northern Qi Code", "Tang Code Review", to the "Song Xingtong", to the "Da Gao" and "Da Ming Code" at the beginning of this dynasty, even Su Ze, the governor, personally helped him He has translated a series of Western legal treatises such as Roman Law and Canon Law.
After the Suzhou magistrate took office, he first promulgated the "Official Responsibilities" in the prefecture and county yamen, which is the disciplinary regulations for officials.
At first, there were some subordinate officials in the prefect's yamen who thought He Xinyin was weak and could be bullied, and did not take the "Official Responsibilities" to heart at all.
Unexpectedly, one month after it was promulgated, He Xinyin suddenly launched an attack and fired all the officials in the county government who did not abide by the "Official Responsibilities". Those who violated the criminal law were directly imprisoned. Only then did people see this "Code Code" Magistrate's thunderous methods.
He Xinyin promulgated the "Detailed Rules of Commercial Law" and "Detailed Rules of Civil Law" in Suzhou Prefecture.
The "Commercial Law Detailed Rules" are detailed regulations on commercial conduct, including the rights to determine and negotiate contracts, the responsibilities of all parties in commercial activities, and penalties for illegal commercial conduct.
The "Civil Code Detailed Rules" completes the civil relations, including marriage, family and other aspects. In particular, He Xinyin canceled the privilege of scholars to respond to lawsuits and the requirement that women must have someone as a guarantee when filing a lawsuit. The status of women as legal subjects has been determined.
As soon as He Xinyin's law came out, the business order of the entire Suzhou Prefecture changed. Economic disputes that were originally chaotic due to rapid development now have a place to adjudicate.
He Xinyin also asked the yamen at all levels to make decisions in accordance with the law, and to write the legal provisions and basis for the judgment cited in the judgment and post it on the outer wall of the yamen. He also asked the government yamen not to mediate at will, and to take the trouble to mediate most cases. go through the trial process.
In He Xinyin's words, "The people's lawsuits are not caused by unruly people, but because they believe in the authority of the government. The more people want to litigate, the more the government will accept it. Only when the case is judged clearly and fairly can we be alert to those treacherous criminals in the future." People, don’t think there are loopholes in the law.”
When all the backlogged cases in Suzhou Prefecture were dealt with, Suzhou Prefecture’s business order was once again reshaped, and the entire Suzhou Prefecture exploded with astonishing market vitality.
Nowadays, Nanjing is full of Suzhou products, and Suzhou merchants have even begun to build large ships and prepare to sail out to sea.
Closer to home, under the bombardment of "Jingshi Bao", how can the young students of the New Army, who are at their most idealistic, passionate and eager to change the world, withstand such an ideological impact?
So what is before Gao Wuguan now is why should he work for such a Ming Dynasty court?
This is not only a question for Gao Wuguan, but also a question for all the students in the Military Affairs Section of the New Army of the Imperial College, and even more so for the entire New Army's more than a thousand soldiers.
Xiong Kuang said nothing. Gao Wu looked at Li Yangong, who also lowered his head.
Li Yangong took another sip of wine and said, "Brother Gao, I can't answer you." "
My father received your grace and was able to regain his title. This is the long-cherished wish of our family for several generations. For this, I have to repay your kindness."
Gao Wuguan looked at Xiong Kuang, and Xiong Kuang shook his head and said, "Brother Gao, what's the use of asking me someone who hasn't finished elementary school? Why don't you ask your father?" Gao Wuguan was stunned
. Kuang said: "Perhaps the high priest will give you the answer."
Gao Wuguan immediately stood up, bowed his hands to the two of them and said: "You two, if we can still get together after the war, we can have a drink together! Gao will leave first Gone!"
Seeing Gao Wuguan hurriedly return home, Li Yangong's heart became even more distressed. Li Yangong took another sip of wine and then said: "Your kindness, your kindness, where does your kindness come from? Doesn't it come from the people's sacrifices and anointing? My father talks about the kindness of the king every day, but never the people!" Xiong Kuang suddenly looked at it
. Xiang Li Yangong didn't expect that the Prince of Linhuai, who was always lagging behind in military training and whose achievements were not outstanding, could actually say such a thing.
Xiong Kuang picked up the wine glass and said to Li Yangong: "Brother Li, your father has no choice, you still have a choice."
After saying this, Xiong Kuang drank the wine in one gulp, put down the wine glass and turned to leave.
After Xiong Kuang walked around the street a few times and made sure that no one was following him, he came to the residence next to the printing shop, and then entered the printing shop through the tunnel.
Near the printing press, Xiong Kuang found Xiong Wu.
Xiong Wu took him to the room, and Xiong Kuang took out a picture from his pocket.
"Stationmaster, this is the defense plan of Nanjing City."
Xiong Wu took over the drawing. This is the layout of the troops outside the city for the new army's defense changes, as well as the troop and firepower configuration of important defense nodes on the city wall.
After reading it, Xiong Wu nodded and said, "I will send people out of the city immediately. You will evacuate today."
Xiong Kuang suddenly said, "Stationmaster, I won't leave."
Xiong Wu looked at his most proud disciple and said, "I'll be there soon." A war is about to begin. You have made two great contributions this time. The Commander-in-Chief will definitely reuse you. What else will you do if you don’t leave?" Xiong Kuang
said: "Station Commander, the troops in the Nanjing New Army are committed to me. Officers with progressive tendencies will not Master, I want to instigate them to revolt."
Xiong Wu immediately said: "No, it's too risky! Once a war breaks out and the artillery fire is blind, and if you fail to persuade them to revolt, it will be too dangerous!" But Xiong Kuang insisted
: "Stationmaster, I want to give it a try! These are good military officers. It would be a pity to let them sacrifice for the Ming Dynasty in vain!"
Xiong Wu looked at Xiong Kuang's firm eyes, and finally he could only sigh and said: "Forget it. Forget it, you were the same when I was working with the Governor, so go ahead."
Xiong Kuang immediately excitedly said to Xiong Wu, "Follow the order!"
When Xiong Kuang walked to the door, Xiong Wu said to him: "You kid, be smart and don't die. I don't want to collect your body."
"Your order! I promise you won't die!"
Gao Wuguan returned to his house and went directly to his father's study.
Gao Gong was busy in the study and did not put down the letter in his hand when his son came in.
"Father."
Gao Gong raised his head to look at his son, then lowered his head to handle the letter: "When will it happen? Tell me."
Gao Wu looked at Gao Gong and asked, "Father, why are we fighting?"
Gao Gong held a hand in his hand. After writing the letter, he raised his head and looked at his son's young face.
"Since you don't know how to fight, then don't fight."
Gao Wuguan said, "My son can choose, but his classmates can't choose, and the people in Nanjing don't have a choice either."
Gao Gong then put down the letter and looked at his son carefully. .
Gao Gong was silent. As the main force in the Imperial College offering wine and managing the new army, he certainly had the right to keep his son in Nanjing.
But he couldn't keep all the students in Nanjing. Wouldn't the New Army's training be in vain?
Facing his son's question, Gao Gong couldn't give an answer.
Gao Wuguan knew that he would not get the answer he wanted from his father, but instead strengthened his belief.
He saluted Gao Gong with a military salute and said, "Father, I want to go out to fight in the city!"
Gao Gong did not expect that his son, who usually had no independent opinions and was hesitant in doing things, would actually show the same determination as himself.
He nodded and said, "Go and say goodbye to your mother."
"Yes, father."
March 15, South Zhili.
The Second Brigade of the Southeast New Army, which departed from Anqing, and the Third Brigade, which departed from Fengyang Prefecture, met at Taiping Prefecture (now Ma'anshan) in South Zhili.
Lin Deyang handed over the command to Lin Liangjun, and quickly said to the beardless old man beside him: "Mr. Hu, I have to trouble you to break the city wall this time!"
Eunuch Hu smiled and nodded, and then said: "I'm going to set up a laboratory. Let's talk slowly, two brigade commanders."
After Eunuch Hu left, Lin Deyang said to Lin Liangjun: "With a few hundred households, the governor will give us seven days, can we capture Nanjing City?"
Lin Liangjun asked Said: "Seven days! Brother Aze looks down on me so much! Send a letter to the Governor, and he will capture it in three days!"
Lin Deyang said quickly: "You are a few hundred households away, the Governor is in Shanghai, there is no joke in the army. Lin
Liangjun immediately said: "That's still safe in seven days."
On March 16, the two brigades were reorganized and officially headed for Nanjing.
After the Ming army's scouts in charge of reconnaissance discovered the new southeastern army, Nanjing City immediately entered a state of armament.
Early morning on March 17th.
Xiong Kuang followed the new army out of the city to guard the fort, while Gao Wuguan joined the team patrolling the city wall outside the city.
At nine o'clock in the morning, the fleet of the Second Brigade could already be seen on the walls of Nanjing.
The Grand Governor of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion, Linhuai Marquis Li Tingzhu, personally climbed onto the city wall and made a long and disgusting speech, which he summarized as "I will live and die with Nanjing."
For the Southeast New Army, Lin Liangjun's mobilization speech was very simple, with only four words in total - "Liberate Nanjing"!
At twelve o'clock at noon, the infantry of the third brigade appeared outside the fort. The fort outside the city did not fire a single shot, and the entire New Army declared an uprising.
At the same time, the walls of the inner and outer cities of Nanjing made loud noises at the same time. The walls collapsed like mountains and the ground cracked, and Li Tingzhu almost fell to the ground.
The drums of charge resounded across the battlefield, and Nanjing fell in one day.
(End of chapter)