Deng Ming just said the truth. Although it was not long, relying on his monopoly on the jade business and his connections in the officialdom of Sichuan and Shaanxi, he is currently the leading tycoon in the jewelry industry, and he is also opening up new markets in the Yangtze River Basin. Even when the birthday of the Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty, Deng Ming was one of the providers of congratulations. He really looked down on the few taels of silver from these rich men in Weixian.

"As long as my invincible reputation is not damaged, I don't care who was defeated by Weixian or other county towns, or even the Laizhou Prefecture. Anyway, I don't plan to draw taxes from here for the time being, nor do I plan to invest military expenses, so it doesn't matter who occupy the city, as long as it's not the banner of the Qing court." Deng Ming showed his bottom line to Xia Jie and others, and the gentry in these places were shocked and fell into silence.

Deng Ming publicly stated that he would never struggle to control the rebel army thanklessly, help the gentry clean up the bandits and purify the army. However, out of goodwill, he was willing to point out a way for these gentry, that is, the gentry were responsible for the military pay and food of the army, so as to gain control and voice over the army.

It is actually not difficult to let the gentry support the rebel army, and Deng Ming also agreed to identify according to the requirements of the gentry and screen out those who the gentry looked down upon or those who were unwilling to obey the rules of the investor from the army. To be precise, the gentry had to do this himself. Deng Ming would not come forward to play a slander, he would only maintain goodwill and neutrality. But that is enough. The gentry's power is not on the same level as the heroes of the martial arts world. Without Deng Ming's side, the heroes of the Green Forest could not be the opponent of the big landlord group, let alone Deng Ming would be inclined to the side of the gentry.

The problem is that the gentry dare not raise the army openly. Usually, interfering in local troops to help smuggle or make some convenience is what the gentry has been doing. However, publicly paying for raising the army is obviously beyond the bottom line that the government can tolerate. Once Deng Ming helps raise soldiers, it is equivalent to completely standing on the side of the Ming army and being accomplices who will be pursued by the Qing court.

"In fact, it's not that scary. Even Beijing is generous to scholars. After the Prince of Yanping attacked the Yangtze River last time, more than ten counties in the four prefectures and ten counties did not see anyone afterwards. But this is not my problem, it's your problem." Deng Ming saw that everyone was hesitant, and did not force it: "I have done my best and righteousness, and I have given you the opportunity to protect Weixian, but you are looking forward to it and refuse to save your elders."

"Duke, you can't say that." Someone couldn't help but protest.

At this time, the gentry leader Xia Juren of Weixian stood up again, stopped a few people busy complaining, and asked cruelly: "I wonder how many troops the National Guild sent to Shandong?"

The meaning of Xia Juren's sentence is very clear. As long as Deng Ming is determined to compete with the Qing court for Shandong and fully support the battle of the Shandong uprising army, then organizing a group training and supporting the Ming army is of great risk, but it is also a gambling with extremely high returns. If the Ming army defeated the Qing army and occupied Shandong, those who helped Deng Ming form a group training today would be meritorious officials.

Xia Jie's words made many people put away their protests. The gentry present realized that this was indeed a good opportunity to serve the Duke Baoguo and place bets on both sides of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Duke Baoguo was already in awe of young age. Who dared to say that he would not make a comeback with the Ming army and become the master of China?

"I won't send too many troops to Shandong for the time being." Deng Ming's words dispelled their hopes. It's not impossible to lie and deceive these gentry, but it will be exposed one day, which will have a bad impact on Deng Ming's credit at that time; and the previous effect is also questionable. Deng Ming plans to promote a system in Jiaodong and organize more gentry. At that time, many people will definitely ask when the reinforcements of the Ming army will arrive every day. If there is no Ming army coming, someone will guess that Deng Ming is writing a blank check.

"Now my strategic focus is in Jiangnan. The only purpose of opening up the Shandong battlefield is to attract the Qing court's troops on the canal, so that I can be more confident in determining the victory of the canal battle." For Xia Jie and others, Deng Ming did not need to hide his true purpose. They had no way to let the Shandong Governor's Office know their intentions immediately; even if they went to inform the news, Zu Zepu might not believe it; even if Jinan believed it deeply, he might not dare to report it to Beijing to show his incompetence: "So I will not send reinforcements. If the main force of the Qing army comes, I will retreat from the sea."

Several faces that had just shown their enthusiasm suddenly became dim. Deng Ming promised to meet the requirements of his collaborators. If they asked to leave with the Ming army, Deng Ming would arrange cabins for them. However, the gentry is not a hero in the Green Forest. They have industries, families, and large amounts of real estate in the local area. If they abandon all this, it would be no different from being dead.

"After the Qing army comes, I will not object to your acceptance of revenge." Deng Ming ignored those disappointed faces and said his final arrangement calmly: "I will repeat again, because I do not provide money and food to the rebels, I will not interfere with their city washing or not. If they robbed your manor, to be honest, I will only haha ​​and say, 'This is not good, you should not make it difficult for the prominent people', and I will not do more than this! Similarly, because I do not give you money and food and do not provide you with protection, I do not ask you to resist the army in Beijing, and do not mind whether you accept the recruitment from Beijing."

This is not the first time the audience has fallen into collective silence today, but this is definitely the longest time. Xia Jie and others finally confirmed that they could not keep up with the idea of ​​Baoguo Duke no matter what.

"Of course, you have the final say in the army you pay to support. I have always advocated fair trade. I help you obtain the right to provide food and pay to the army and appoint officers. You supported me when I was still in Shandong and used the banner of the Ming army. When I was unable to protect your safety, I will not force you to continue to use the banner of the Ming army, and I may not send reinforcements for you to fight the Qing court to the end. It may be sent, but it may also be because other battlefields are tight. If you, those who pay to support the soldiers, reach a resolution together and ask me to leave Shandong to facilitate your surrender to the Qing court, I will also meet your requirements. Simply put, as long as you make a request openly, we will always be friends. As long as you say to me before surrender, I will also cooperate; if I do not plan to retreat, or come again next time, I will also understand your difficulties in fighting with me as the Qing army."

However, Deng Ming also pointed out that if the Qing court asked them to disband the army after the gentry surrendered to Beijing, it would not be possible for Deng Ming to interfere. Deng Ming did not ask the gentry to make a decision immediately, but gave them some time to discuss.

After Duke Baoguo left the scene, many people started a heated discussion. Duke Baoguo said it very clearly just now that he would not guarantee the safety of Weixian, nor would he even prevent the rebels from going to the countryside to attack the gentry's manor. If someone accused Duke Baoguo for this, he would also claim that the gentry gave up the opportunity to defend the elders and his own property.

For a small number of bandits, the gentry gathers tenants to protect themselves; however, if the rebels can even break through the county town, the possibility of the manor being spared is not high. To fight against enemies of this scale, the gentry needs to unite to form a large-scale gang training to compete. However, forming such a gang training will inevitably lead to the banner of supporting Beijing. Deng Ming cannot sit idly by, and he may be attacked by Deng Ming before it has been formed. Most of the gentry will not be united, and most people may adopt a race mode, scrambling to deliver food to the rebels, hoping that they will steal their neighbors. It is precisely because they are used to crawling under the imperial power that the powerful gentry never showed an influence commensurate with the strength they possess.

Deng Ming's proposal can at least survive the crisis, spend money to raise these rebels who might have robbed the gentry, and remove those unfamiliar guys. Since they have been ruled out of the team that cooperates with the Ming army, if those thieves want to form a new team, they have to support Beijing. It is their turn to enjoy Deng Ming's preemptive attack.

When the crisis in front of him was resolved, the Qing army came and the Ming army retreated. The gentry could use the Jiaodong territory and the team training team in their hands to bargain with the Qing court for leniency, and there was no need to worry about Deng Ming's anger. Deng Ming had always had good credit. Even if he had other plans this time, he wanted to break his promise in the future. The gentry could control his own destiny with the team training. At least he could force Deng Ming to send reinforcements, which was better than being able to let the mermaid meat.

At noon, Deng Ming interrupted the meeting of the gentry and invited them to dinner.

After the meal, Deng Ming invited the gentry to visit the rebel army commanded by Gao Yunxuan, Xing Zhisheng and Wu Yueer. These troops were mainly composed of Yu Qi's association party, and had no bad deeds that harmed the people. They were also influenced by their sects. They had fantasies about Zhao An, so they attached great importance to their relationship with the elders.

Gao Yunxuan's team was guided by the instructor of the Ming army and received some material support. They performed the blasting of the city wall and blew up the front and back several floors of walls similar to the fort to the sky. The blasting target was a bit similar to the defensive facilities of the manor. Seeing that it was so vulnerable, Xia Juren and his friends all turned pale.

"In just a few more days, we will be able to train all the Shandong rebels to this level." Deng Ming observed the reactions of the gentry with interest. At that time, the robbers may still not be able to capture the county town, but they may very likely want to practice their hands with the gentry's forts.

"In the past, the government often broke its promises." Finally, someone expressed his last concerns. At the meeting just now, someone shouted that these little gentry in Weixian lacked channels to communicate with the Shandong Governor: "Zuze, well, Governor Zu, no, it's Zuzepu. Someone under his command may be greedy for merit and do not tell Zuzepu that we want to be recruited so that we can loot our village."

"Governor Zu, please call Governor Zu. I have always been very ignorant of titles." Deng Ming began to relieve the last concerns of these gentry: "I have eliminated Governor Zu's most elite troops, and I also provide a variety of paid services. As long as you pay, I can provide more instructors, and I can also sell you armor and weapons, including military crossbows and muskets. As long as you are willing to work hard and fight invincible hands across Jiaodong, Governor Zu will definitely recruit you, and you will also recommend you as officials, reorganize your army as officers and soldiers, that is, Beijing will pay money to support your army, and you will also agree that your children will continue to be officers in it."

"If you don't have time and can't beat Jiaodong invincible, I can also help you convey your intention of being recruited. Don't worry, the letter I wrote by Zu Governor Zu will definitely read. With me here, you won't let Governor Zu be deceived by his subordinates." Deng Ming felt that it was not enough to reach this point. As long as you can organize the gentry and don't play races in front of the Shandong Governor's Office, the gentry will definitely have the strength to suppress the other party, just like the relationship between the Southeast Governor and Deng Ming: "Even if you are the Qing army, I can still provide paid services. You can train a elite soldier so that Zu Zepu and the subsequent Shandong Governors will not have the courage to force you to rebel - why Yu Qi was forced to rebel? Why did the Qing court refuse to recruit him? It is because his knife is not strong enough, you don't want to learn from him, right?"
Chapter completed!