Li Chengdong's horse team passed through the entire street with the smoke and dust. The night market was full of merchants and people, and many soldiers were interspersed in it to maintain order, and the air was filled with prosperity. No wonder Qu Shishi was able to be the chief assistant. He could at least maintain stability and prosperity under his rule. Compared with those literati who talked about justice and did not do practical things, there was a difference between the mud and the mud, Li Chengdong thought so.

"Duke Huiguo meets with the Prime Minister." A flag official ran and reported. Soon after, he walked out and guided Li Chengdong into the back hall. When Qu Shixi met Li Chengdong not in the festival hall where he usually discussed major events, he was in the study where he lived. There was only a light green old servant in the room. After the two of them entered the room and served tea, they also went out.

Li Chengdong knew that Qu Shixi had something to discuss, but seeing that he treated him kindly, he couldn't help but feel a little close. When Qu Shixi saw the old servant go out, he said, "Tingzhen, sit, sit, this is not in the court, and there is no one else on his side, so there is no need to be polite."

Li Chengdong finally sat down, and Qu Shisi's next sentence scared him up. Qu Shisi asked: "Tingzhen, I have something to do. You have been in Guangdong for more than a year and have good military management. Why did you never start a war with the Eastern Federation in Hong Kong, but instead fight in western Guangdong?"

"Sir, this..." Li Chengdong stood there, and it was really hard to answer.

Seeing that he was nervous, Qu Shixi hurriedly said, "Don't be so restrained. I just asked, and there is no intention of blaming me. I will not blame you for the past."

Li Chengdong said: "In this way, I am so bold and blunt. The Chief Superintendent probably has never seen the fortifications in Hong Kong. Going east along the Shenzhen River, the watchtowers are hidden, the forts are stacked, the trenches are intertwined, and the barriers of the city are not something that ordinary soldiers can break. The Hong Kong defense line is unique in the dangerous land of Guangdong. Although there are fortifications in western Guangdong, the front line is very wide, so there is always an opportunity to take advantage of."

Qu Shili has been in charge of the army for many years, and naturally understands this truth. If Li Chengdong's troops use the force to attack western Guangdong to attack Hong Kong, they will definitely be bleeding. Seeing Qu Shili's expression as usual, Li Chengdong said: "With the troops in Guangdong at the beginning, western Guangdong and Hong Kong had to capture one place. Hong Kong is convenient, but difficult to attack but easy to defend. Build a city on the opposite side, leaving a few troops to block the elite soldiers of the East and the elite soldiers, and dare not act rashly. After all, rivers and ditches are equal to both sides."

"This is very reasonable. Even if Yue Wumu is alive, he will probably choose the same choice as you." Qu Shixi said with a smile. Li Chengdong breathed a long sigh after hearing this and slowed down a little.

"Tingzhen, then what do you think is the strategy of the imperial court to encircle the Qing emperors in Huguang?" Qu Shixi asked.

Li Chengdong thought about it and looked embarrassed. He was considered a good general in the world. How could he not know that this plan was not feasible? But at this time, what should he say? Qu Shisi represents the emperor. Now the Ming Dynasty, Shun Army, Yunnan Army, Gui Army, Dongfan Army, and western Guangdong, all kinds of forces intertwined and checked and balanced each other. The most beneficial one is the emperor, who has the dignity of the common ruler of the world. No one side can control the government. Li Chengdong naturally did not dare to act rashly, so he held a strong army and was extremely respectful to Qu Shisi and Ma Jixiang.

Seeing that Li Chengdong didn't dare to say it, Qu Shixi smiled and said, "I'm afraid Tingzhen thinks this plan is overestimating his abilities, right?"

"I dare not have such an idea, it's really... I feel that there seems to be something wrong. Master, the Qing army has Manchu in Huguang and the Han army's Eight Banners..." Li Chengdong carefully explained, carefully and carefully explained the meaning. The meaning is very simple, and this strategy has no feasibility.

"Now Tingzhen thought, why did I and Hong Tianzhuo work this strategy?" Qu Shili asked with a smile.

"The two adults must have deep meaning. Tingzhen is a reckless man. How do you know?" Li Chengdong bowed and said.

Qu Shisi's voice became much more serious and said, "I know that Huguang cannot be defeated and cannot be defended."

When Li Chengdong heard this, he almost glared out his eyes. If he couldn't do it, why did he make such a plan? Wouldn't this let the imperial army die?

"Tingzhen, what do you think of the prospects of Guangdong? Can it be used as the base for our anti-Qing Dynasty?" Qu Shixi asked.

When Li Chengdong heard this, he felt that Qu Shixi wanted to run Guangdong. He quickly expressed his thoughts: "Guangzhou has encountered wars one after another, and the land is exhausted and the people are poor, and he is already overwhelmed. Now he still has to support the Huguang battlefield. He is really overwhelmed. If he wants to open another front and plunder Jiangxi, he will kill chickens and get eggs. If he fails, Guangdong may lose territory."

Qu Shixi knew that this was Li Chengdong's strategy of tactfully opposing the attack on Huguang. He asked: "How much military, money and food do you think it is necessary to defend Guangdong?"

Li Chengdong said: "There are many dangerous and dangerous places in Lingnan. If you want to be prepared, 30,000 troops are enough. However, the soldiers and horses mentioned in the humble official are soldiers that can confront the Qing army."

Qu Shisi nodded to show that he understood that there were many soldiers and horses under Li Chengdong, scattered in total, more than 50,000, but most of them were the weakest people. Only 10,000 people could really defeat them, and they were still scattered among the hands of several military leaders. The four or five thousand veterans he relied on the most were the four or five thousand veterans who followed him when he was from Huaibei.

"Huguang is taking risks and Guangdong is not prepared enough. Could it be that the Chief Auxiliary uses attack instead of defense?" Li Chengdong asked in surprise.

This method sounds good. It moved the war north to Huguang and Jiangxi, and developed slowly with Guangdong and Guangxi as its base. But the current situation is that Guangdong and Guangxi have long been destroyed, and it will take one or two years for the people to recover. How can they support the front-line battlefield while expanding their troops?

"No, Tingzhen, the current situation is difficult to resist with the strength of our dynasty. The Qing barbarians are powerful and we will not give up until they are destroyed. The savings in the southwest will not last long. External forces must be introduced, not only to introduce them, but also to help us with our dynasty, and we will not surrender or leave without any resignation." Qu Shili said earnestly.

Li Chengdong was not a mediocre person. He immediately understood the profound meaning of Qu Shisi. When he thought about the strategy of ceding land and seeking troops today, he even understood that if the Yongli court had the most firm resistance and strongest combat power, they would not be the Ming army with a strong root or the soldiers like Li Chengdong, but the Zhongba camp, which is the remnants of the Dashun army. In Guangxi, Hao Yaoqi, Huguang, etc., they were all the main forces.

The reason why these remnants of the Shun army were so firm in resisting the Qing Dynasty was not to be summed up in one sentence. To put it bluntly, they destroyed the Ming Dynasty with their own hands, and did not care about the high-ranking officials and titles of the Ming Dynasty. One reason was that they had deep hatred and hatred with the Qing Dynasty, and the other was that of the Ming Dynasty. These Shun army managed their own army and raised their own military expenses. Wherever they captured, they were the source of funds and their own independent kingdom.

The Shun Army resisted the Qing Dynasty not for loyalty and righteousness, but for itself. This sounds a bit unpleasant, but in fact, the warlords for their own sake were the most determined person in the anti-Qing Dynasty.

"What you mean is to cedify some land to the East Fan and have territory on the mainland. When the Qing army attacks, it will work with the Ming Dynasty to fight the enemy. You can't come and go freely, right?" Li Chengdong asked cautiously.

"That's true. In this country of Dongfan, merchants are in power, and merchants are shameful to be righteous when they see profit. However, they have some useful things. If they have a lot of interests in the mainland, then Li Mingxun will have to invest in the southwest. Although the East Fan is strong, it will be difficult to support the Qing throne. At that time, the two sides will have to cooperate. At that time, everything will not be allowed to bargain with Dongfan." Qu Shishi said with a smile, with a more or less proud face on his face.

Li Chengdong lowered his head and thought deeply. The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was feasible. Now the United States has only a corner of Hong Kong on the mainland, and can still use the method of fortifications to defend, which is considered limited investment. But if there is a state capital on land, it will not be possible to guard against several trenches and fortresses. No matter how rich the United States is, it will not be possible to build a Great Wall in the short term.

"But if half of the province is cedeed, how should I deal with myself?" Li Chengdong also felt that this was a good way, but he had to fight for it if it was related to his life and death.

Qu Shixi said: "I came to you because I hope you can help the court..."

As soon as Qu Shisi started speaking, Li Chengdong's face changed. Qu Shisi hurriedly said, "Tingzhen, don't panic, let's listen to me for the time being."

"If the five governments in Guangdong are cedeed to the east, your troops will have no source of funds and will inevitably collapse. I naturally understand this truth, but Li Mingxun also said that if there are more troops and more land, there will be less land. Previously, Hong Tianzhuo discussed with him that he would send 20,000 troops, but if only 10,000 troops or even less, there would be no need to ced the five governments, and the two governments or even one government would be cedeed to ced. What do you think?" Qu Shixi asked.

Li Chengdong nodded slightly. Although it was quite absurd to cut and sell the country's territory like a big cake, it was a fundamental reason for business, and investment was proportional to returns! Li Chengdong knew better about Huifan's status. Now Huifan is already the land of the Ming Dynasty anyway, and the generals under his command had their own ideas. For example, Shi Lang and Shifu, the uncle and nephew, had two hearts.

The situation in Guangdong is even more complicated. There is a strong vassal inside, a powerful vassal in western Guangdong, and a United States of Hong Kong. However, this vassal has a record of surrendering to the enemy. Hui Fan, a stepmother, also occupies the huge benefits of the Pearl River Delta and maritime trade. Others always have to covet it. If Hui Fan wants to survive and develop, he must share the benefits with others. More or less, he will suffer losses. So Li Chengdong also knows that it is impossible not to throw a penny.

"Everyone understands the truth and responsibilities, but if the Chief Auxiliary doesn't borrow too many soldiers, how can he support the main battlefield of Huguang?" Li Chengdong asked.

"The matters in Huguang are no longer possible. Now we should focus on managing both Guangxi." Qu Shixi said.

Li Chengdong focused on the key points. If Qu Shixi had no intention of regaining Huguang at all, there would be no need to borrow 20,000 soldiers from Dongban. Li Chengdong asked, "What does that Master Supplement really mean?"

Qu Shizi spread a map, placed it on the table, pointed his fingers on Ganzhou, and said, "Tingzhen, the Qing army is now in great power, and the soldiers in Jiangxi are in siege anyway. The court's real intention is to conquer Ganzhou, connect Ganzhou and Guangdong into one, station troops in Ganzhou and Meiguan, offensive and defend, so as to ensure stability in the rear!"

Li Chengdong nodded, tapped his hand in Chaozhou, and said, "If you cede land to the East, Chaozhou will be the best."

Qu Shizi smiled and nodded, and this was a killing of two birds with one stone. He compressed the battlefield to Jiangxi in the north, and never surpassed Lingnan, while in the east, he handed over the defensive pressure to Dongban.

"Tingzhen is worthy of being a famous general in the world. Tingzhen, you are skilled in military martial arts. I want to know, if you only conquer Ganzhou, how many soldiers do you think you need to borrow from the East Band?" Qu Shixi asked.

Li Chengdong frowned and thought. The guards of Ganzhou were no one else, but Gao Jinku, who was also Gao Jie's lineage. The green camp soldiers under his command could also fight, with about 10,000 people guarding Ganzhou City. In fact, Jin Shenghuan from Jiangxi also knew that they could not support themselves and wanted to go south to Guangdong to join the Ming army. Unfortunately, no matter how they persuaded him, Gao Jinku would not surrender. Jin Shenghuan's troops were unable to attack Ganzhou and had to siege the city.

Li Chengdong was not afraid of Gao Jinku's soldiers at all. No one was much taller than each other. It was said that more than 10,000 soldiers could fight, but Li Chengdong was worried about Gao Jinku's determination to defend his life. If he defended his life, he would have to attack the city. The most difficult battle in the siege was, even if he won, he would kill a thousand enemies and lose himself to 800.

"If I only conquer Ganzhou, I don't think I need to borrow much troops. The key is artillery. The Eastern Artillery is sharp and better than the Western Artillery. I have heard of it for a long time. If I get help from heavy artillery, Huifan cannons can break the city. In addition to artillery, there are food and wages. The Chief Auxiliary, who goes north to Jiangxi, has a lot of money. With the current situation in Guangdong, I am afraid I can't help it!" Li Chengdong said seriously. Suddenly, he changed his mind and said, "The Chief Auxiliary, you can actually cede land and army, why not cede land and wages?"

Qu Shixi nodded slightly, thinking that this was a good way, but it was always too prodigal.

"Oh, Tingzhen, since that's the case, are you supporting my strategy?" Qu Shixi asked.

Li Chengdong immediately clasped his fists: "I am guilty of the country and I am unwilling to abandon my emperor. How can I dare to have two hearts again? I will obey the emperor and the emperor. I just hope that the emperor and the elders can give their brothers a place to live. We must serve the death!"

Li Chengdong said this ingeniously, first of all, he declared that he could only listen to the emperor and had Yongli's orders, and also stated that he needed a place to live. In any case, Qu Shixi could not sell important places in Guangdong.

Qu Shixi nodded: "The Duke Huiguo is loyal and brave, and it is worthy of the emperor's trust in you so much."

Li Chengdong said: "Nizhi is just worried now whether such a strategy can bring Dongfan into the throne."

Qu Shishi smiled: "Tingzhen, you don't understand Li Mingxun. He is a broad-minded person and a very smart person. He can't see through these tricks now, and he can see through them early and night. Instead of deceiving him, it's better to be honest. Li Mingxun is firm and trustworthy in the matter of the imperial captives."

"Now I am not worried about the Eastern Federation, I am afraid that the court will not allow it. Tingzhen, you and I must be prepared. This move will be infamous for thousands of years. I hope you and I will not appear in the "Biography of the Treacherous Ministers". "Qu Shisi said regretfully. If he hadn't been desperate, he would definitely not agree to the cede of land.
Chapter completed!