Nanjing, Liangjiang Governor's Office.

"This is a letter sent to me by the Governor of Shandong Zu," Jiang Guozhu handed a letter to Zhou Peigong, the governor of five provinces who had just arrived in Nanjing: "He asked for help from me, and he asked you to go to Shandong to support him with illness."

Zhou Peigong read the letter carefully, raised his head and said to Jiang Guozhu: "The official understands it, so he packed his luggage and went to Yangzhou. When he met Admiral Deng, he led the reinforcements from Liangjiang into Shandong."

Zhou Peigong led his troops into Shandong just a cover. Until now, Zu Zepu still claimed that Deng Ming left an elite army in Jiaodong, so Zhou Peigong, who had outstanding achievements, needed to participate in the extermination. Even if Zhou Peigong brought not many direct troops, he could at least use his rich combat experience to guide the Shandong Green Camp.

"Obviously, where is Jiaodong going to recruit an ambulance?" In addition to the open and upright reasons, Zu Zepu also had a secret letter, clearly stating that he intended to recruit Deng Ming's incitement to help the Qing Dynasty and destroy the Ming army, thus cutting off Deng Ming's hand to Shandong in one fell swoop: "Are you sure about this?"

"Since you have a tacit understanding with Admiral Deng, there should be nothing serious about this matter. It depends on Admiral Deng's offer?" Zhou Peigong said without hesitation.

People in the world would think that Zhou Peigong had great martial arts skills, defeated Deng Ming's troops left in Shandong, and persuaded the frightened local armed forces to surrender. This would definitely become a unified statement of the Qing court's external propaganda. And within the Qing court, they would know that this was actually a compromise. In order to fight Deng Ming's biggest threat, the Shandong Governor had to compromise with the seven; only the most core participants, Jiang Guozhu, Zhou Peigong and Zu Zepu, knew that this was Deng Ming's wish, and they were completing Deng Ming's instructions.

"What did the Chongming thief say? Deng Ming is dressed up as an officer and soldier in a war, and then sneak attack the officer and soldier while the officer and soldiers are eating and sleeping." Jiang Guozhu laughed: "Now Admiral Deng's military strategy has been further improved, becoming a self-proclaimed officer and soldier, and then destroy the officer and soldier, and then forcing us to admit that he is the real officer and soldier. Humph, how could it be that simple?"

After making this cold snorkeling, Jiang Guozhu said coldly: "But, I guess Admiral Deng will instruct you to fail to persuade you to surrender."

"Why?" Zhou Peigong was shocked: "Isn't the recruitment of the amnesty meant by Admiral Deng?"

"This is what Admiral Deng wants Zu Zepu to think." Jiang Guozhu shook his head: "The continued war in Shandong is the most beneficial thing for Admiral Deng. If Admiral Deng did everything he wanted to recruit and even reached an agreement with Zu Zepu in front of the foolish gentry of Jiaodong, once the negotiations broke down, the fools in Jiaodong would definitely think that Zu Zepu had gone back on his word and would definitely kill them. Humph, then they would not fight Zu Zepu to the end?"

Zhou Peigong felt a chill on his back. He thought carefully and found that Jiang Guozhu was very reasonable. Shandong chaos was the best situation for Deng Ming. However, when he thought deeper, sweat began to seep out of his forehead. Since Jiang Guozhu pointed it out in person, it means that Jiang Guozhu also had another plan, otherwise this conversation would be unnecessary.

"I don't know what the adults mean?" Zhou Peigong honestly asked for instructions.

Jiang Guozhu was one of the people Zhou Peigong conspired to replace. Because he had Deng Ming's support, Zhou Peigong had vaguely played with the Southeast Governor in the past two years, so he privately looked down on Jiang Guozhu. But when he was shocked, he immediately realized that the other party's cunning was still far above his young official, a fledgling young official.

Jiang Guozhu did not answer immediately, but stared at Zhou Peigong and fell into deep thought. He kept watching Zhou Peigong and felt irritated. Then he slowly said: "Brother Zhou, you have helped me a lot, and I will not forget your loyalty."

"Sir, I'm so serious." Zhou Peigong quickly expressed his loyalty until the person on the other side nodded slightly, and I don't know if he really believed him.

"If Admiral Deng raided Wuchang, which side would you stand?" Jiang Guozhu made up his mind and asked seriously.

Zhou Peigong was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly realized after a moment. A greater fear came, which made him feel his heart contracted. At this time, he also made a decision: "The only leader of the senior official is to follow."

Jiang Guozhu's face relaxed a little and sighed: "I have a legitimate daughter, who is ten years old, so I promise it to the son?"

"Secretary..." Zhou Peigong did not refuse: "Thank you for your cultivation."

"Old relatives." Jiang Guozhu changed his name and held Zhou Peigong's hand and said, "This trip to Shandong, the old relatives should act according to the opportunity."

...

Yangzhou.

Zhou Peigong and Deng Ming sat in a tent and discussed the strategies of their trip to Shandong in private.

"Jiang Guozhu said that Shangshu Gong was very scheming and would definitely suggest that the admiral ruin the Jiaodong peace talks," Zhou Peigong was quite surprised after hearing Deng Ming's true opinion: "What? Shangshu Gong didn't have this idea?"

"Shangshu Gong does have this meaning, but Jiang Guozhu should think that this is my plan, right?" Deng Ming asked back.

Gong Yong believed that Jiaodong must fight hard. In addition to restraining the Qing court, everyone in the world should also understand that even if they accept the amnesty, it would be a dead end. On the other hand, if the Jiaodong rebel army was really forgiven by the Qing court, the gentry would have fantasies about the Qing court in the future.

"Yes, Jiang Guozhu also thinks that the Admiral must let me go to Shandong to carry out destruction." Zhou Peigong replied honestly.

"And what Jiang Guozhu means?"

"Let me be sure to promote the recruitment." When Jiang Guozhu mentioned Deng Ming's surprise attack on Wuchang, Zhou Peigong realized that Jiang Guozhu was considering publicly planting a flag to support Deng Ming.

If Deng Ming thought about attacking Zhang Changgeng, it would mean that Deng Ming had already planned to show up with the Qing court and separatist the north and south to engage in a strategic decisive battle with the Qing court. If this happens, then Jiang Guozhu will be determined to rebel and put treasure on Deng Ming to win the future of his vassal kings.

If Deng Ming had no intention of attacking Zhang Changgeng, then Jiang Guozhu would naturally not jump out to take on the main attack of the Qing court. He would continue to endure it, accumulate strength, and wait for a better opportunity to go to Deng Ming anyway.

Therefore, Jiang Guozhu hopes that Prince Zhou Pei will actively suggest that Deng Ming and him join forces to attack Zhang Changgeng and suppress Zhang Chao to test whether Deng Ming has the intention to launch a decisive battle.

But Zhou Peigong had no intention of this. He did not intend to test Deng Ming at all. Instead, he insisted that Jiang Guozhu ordered him to promote Jiaodong's amnesty.

"So that's it. Jiang Guozhu actually wanted to imprison me." Deng Ming sneered. After thinking for a while, he also figured out Jiang Guozhu's intention. As long as it facilitated peace talks between Jiaodong, the main focus of the Qing court would be on Deng Ming, so that the pressure on Jiangnan would be lighter.

"Zhang Changgeng also wrote a letter to the officials, asking them to try to solve the chaos in Shandong." Zhou Peigong betrayed Zhang Changgeng again without hesitation. Now Zhang Changgeng felt that Deng Ming's threat to him was no longer inferior to the Qing court, and even learned the fact of the battle in Huaiyang through the suppression of Deng Zongli Yamen. Therefore, Zhang Changgen hoped that the Qing court could solve the Shandong issue as quickly as possible. Zhang Changgeng did not have the ambitions of Jiang Guozhu and did not have the intention to seize Huguang, so he hoped that the Qing court could make a move from Shandong and fight with Deng Ming to lose both sides.

Deng Ming nodded again: "It turns out that they have their own ulterior motives. Thank you, Brother Zhou, for telling me."

"The admiral won't cause trouble for Governor Zhang because of this, right?" Zhou Peigong asked carefully. As the question came out, his heart also became hungry.

"Of course not. Of course, I have to abide by the agreement with Wuchang. Brother Zhou, don't worry." Deng Ming thought Zhou Peigong was worried about the safety of his benefactor, so he promised: "All the agreements between me and Governor Zhang are still valid."

"Thank you, Admiral." Zhou Peigong stood up and bowed deeply to Deng Ming.

"This trip to Shandong was due to Zhou Gongshu." Deng Ming asked Zhou Peigong to promote the recruitment of Jiaodong.

"Please it on me." Zhou Peigong and Jiang Guozhu had the same idea, and also hoped that when Deng Ming was sweeping the Yangtze River, he would stand on Deng Ming's side. However, it was not a good time for chaos in Shandong, because Jiang Guozhu had the bargaining chips of Liangjiang troops, and Zhou Peigong's suppression of Deng's corps had just begun to be established. Zhou Peigong hoped to delay for a while, at least not let Jiang Guozhu take the lead before he was ready, so no matter what, Zhou Peigong would make Jiaodong settle down - even if he betrayed Jiang Guozhu for this. If Deng Ming asked him to disrupt the peace talks, he would also destroy them secretly.

Now Deng Ming asks him to recruit people, which is of course the best for Zhou Peigong, and Deng Ming will not attack Zhang Changgeng, so he also gave an explanation to Jiang Guozhu.

"It seems that Deng Ming believes that the time for the decisive battle is not yet ripe." Zhou Peigong made a judgment in his heart, and then he talked about the literary inquisition that Jiang Guozhu was planning.

This matter has nothing to do with Zhou Peigong, but he knew that the rise of the prison would bring Jiang Guozhu an astonishing income. Jiang Guozhu planned to use about half of the income to please Deng Ming, and also planned to use the remaining money to cultivate a army loyal to him. Zhou Peigong's suppression of Deng's corps will also benefit from it.

"I will not support Jiang Guozhu in doing this." Deng Ming said lightly.

"What?" Zhou Peigong almost thought he had heard it wrong. In his opinion, this matter outweighed the disadvantages of Deng Mingli. Not only did he actually make a lot of money, but he also collected a lot of scholars. These people not only could expand the talent reserves in western Sichuan, but they would also provide help when Deng Ming counterattacked Jiangnan, not to mention their interpersonal network. The only possible disadvantage is that the gentry would think that Deng Ming also participated in the division of their property, but compared with the Qing court, this resentment was nothing.

"Because this is wrong." Deng Ming replied casually.

"Yes, they are all scholars." Zhou Peigong felt as if he understood that although he should not consider strategies based on right or wrong in fighting for the world, when he first heard that many scholars would be in trouble, he also felt sad when he died of a rabbit and fox.

"No, I don't mean that," Deng Ming corrected: "Whether it is the penniless Shandong peasants or the wealthy Jiangnan gentry, who seize everything from them, causing their family to be destroyed and their wives and children to be separated."

Zhou Peigong was stunned and asked for a while later: "Does the admiral plan to stop this? Do Shangshu Gong and the others also think that this is wrong?"

"The minister Gong, Hushuai and others will not consider whether it is right or not. They sympathize with the farmers, but they will not sympathize with the gentry."

"How does the admiral plan to stop this?" Zhou Peigong felt that if Deng Ming wanted to threaten Jiang Guozhu and Zhao Guozuo with force, he would probably achieve his goal, but it would not be beneficial to Deng Ming. Now Zhou Peigong's future is closely related to Deng Ming, and he couldn't help but want to advise Deng Ming. Although Deng Ming used right and wrong to guide his behavior incredible, Zhou Peigong still wanted to help him reduce his losses as much as possible.
Chapter completed!