After capturing Jiangling, Zhu Youlang's focus was placed on Baling County, Yuezhou Prefecture.

As the southwest gate of Wuchang, as long as the Ming army takes Baling, they can drive straight into Wuchang without facing any obstacles.

The Ming army was still focused on the northern part of Huguang, and did not make too many advances to Changsha and other places in the south.

After all, the Ming army's troops are still limited. If there are too many divisions, there will be a situation where they cannot be defended everywhere.

What's the point of winning over even if there are many cities?

After a free conversation with Li Dingguo, the King of Jin had already understood the emperor's idea and expressed his willingness to do everything possible to support the emperor's actions.

Unlike Jiangling, Baling is not only along the river but also along the lake.

Because it is close to Dongting Lake, Baling has the most powerful navy of the Qing army in Huguang.

The Ming army's attack on Baling means that it must fight with the Qing army on the water and defeat the Qing army's navy. Zhu Youlang has already made plans for a bloody battle, after all, he will not be so lucky every time, and when he encounters the Qing army's guards voluntarily surrender.

Fortunately, before this Eastern Expedition, Zhu Youlang made full preparations and brought all the belongings of the Ming Navy.

In Yiling, Xiangyang, and Jiangling Ming army seized many Qing army warships.

Although the scale of the Ming army's navy today is not as large as that of Zheng Chenggong's invincible fleet, it cannot be underestimated.

Soldiers are very fast, and Zhu Youlang does not want any delays.

The Ming army went downstream and arrived outside Baling City in a few days, and could launch an attack on Baling City at any time.

However, Zhu Youlang did not rashly order, but sent sentries to investigate.

Since the hot air balloons were available, the Ming army's reconnaissance methods have been greatly improved.

Liu Xingming's ability to control hot air balloons is becoming more and more proficient, and he is the captain of the Sentinel Team for this investigation.

Without his father's protection, he seemed to have truly found his position and could shine and heat during this expedition.

If the emperor trusts him so much, he naturally cannot let him down. He must spy on first-hand intelligence!

...

...

In Baling City, the Yuezhou Prefect's Office is very lively.

Zhou Peigong, the confidant of Hu Guang Governor Hu Quancai, who had just arrived in Wuchang, brought an army of 10,000 people, and together with the garrison of Baling itself, there were already as many as 25,000.

In this way, Baling City can be said to be as solid as a god.

Wei Xiannian, the governor of Yuezhou, specially set up a welcoming banquet to welcome Zhou Peigong.

Although Zhou Peigong was not an official appointed by the court, he was the confidant of the governor.

Anyone in the officialdom of Huguang knows that Zhou Peigong is Governor Hu's right-hand man, and even the memorials given to the emperor by Governor General were drafted by Zhou Peigong.

A seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's sect.

The Governor’s confidant must not have a fourth rank?

No matter how you say it is, it is no worse than Wei Xiannian, the governor of Yuezhou.

What's more, the meaning of Zhou Peigong's visit this time is to help Wei Xiannian.

Even if Wei Xiannian doesn’t understand the truth, he still needs to think of this love.

"I am here toast to Mr. Zhou. Thank you for coming from afar to help Yuezhou!"

"Oh, I would like to thank you for this, and I would like to thank the Governor. Zhou is just representing the Governor."

Zhou Peigong smiled and didn't laugh, which made Wei Xiannian very embarrassed.

"Haha, Mr. Zhou said it well, let us respect the Governor!"

After saying that, the civil and military officials raised their glasses.

"Governor-General!"

After drinking a tour, Prince Zhou Pei took the initiative to speak out: "I believe you all know about Huguang. The Ming thieves came in a fierce manner and even broke into several cities. The court was furious, and the Governor also attached great importance to it. This was why Zhou was sent to Yuezhou Prefecture to supervise the battle. You must be very energetic and must not relax. The lessons of the past are vivid in our minds, and we will definitely not afford to lose."

The civil and military officials praised and flattered, saying that they would do their best to fight the Ming thieves. Please rest assured Mr. Zhou.

Seeing that the effect had been achieved, Zhou Peigong suddenly changed his subject and said, "Of course, the places that should be tight are important, and the places that should be loose must be sent down. If a person keeps tense, he will not be suffocated. Zhou is not an unreasonable person, as long as he relaxes within a reasonable range, it is understandable."

"Mr. Zhou is indeed reasonable."

Wei Xiannian flattered and said, "The Ming thief had never met Mr. Zhou before, otherwise he would have been beaten to throw away his armor."

"Oh, don't say anything about Boa Yao. Wei Fu Zun should think about how to resist the enemy. I heard that Ming thieves used a magic method in their previous siege battles, which not only could blow up the city walls but also injured the defenders. Of course, this is nonsense. How could there be magic method in the world? It's just a rumor among soldiers. I think it's probably a kind of artillery, a cannon that is more powerful than a red cannon."

When the heavy people heard this, they all gasped.

How terrifying is a cannon that is more powerful than a red cannon.

"Is there really such artillery?"

"Otherwise, does the Master of Wei think that why does the Ming thief use to break open the city wall? Is it really based on the magic trick?"

"Of course not..."

Wei Xiannian smiled awkwardly.

For some reason, he always felt that Zhou Peigong had an aggressive smell when speaking, which made people feel very uncomfortable.

He was stumbling with the Governor, but he was indeed a big temper.

No matter what I say, I should not offend him.

"If it weren't for a magic trick, what else could it be except a cannon?"

"Mr. Zhou said very well."

"Since the cannons with such great power, they must be very bulky. The Ming thief cannot carry too many even through water transportation. As long as these cannons are solved, the Ming thief will be a headless fly and don't know what to do."

Zhou Peigong did a full investigation this time. Hong Chengchou sent people to Yunnan several times and Sichuan encircled and suppressed the capital in a defeat because the Ming army had more sharp artillery.

It is no exaggeration to win a thousand troops with one shot. What's the use of not being able to attack even if there are many people?

After a shot, it will be decayed for several miles. That kind of deterrence and oppression is not a joke.

Therefore, Zhou Peigong's focus this time was on the artillery of the Ming army, and all his energy was also on the control of the artillery of the Ming army.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of dishes.

Wei Xiannian cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Zhou came from afar, and it was hard to get along all the way. It's better to take a break first. I have ordered someone to prepare a whole yard and ask Mr. Zhou to give him a look."

Seeing that the prefect Wei had already put his posture so low, Zhou Peigong was very proud.

However, he represented the Governor General, and it was also worthy of the magistrate Wei's actions.

"I would like to thank Wei Fu Zun for this."

"Where are, this is what I should do."

Wei Xiannian smiled all over his face and stood up in person and said, "Come here, take Mr. Zhou to rest."

Zhou Peigong nodded to Wei Xiannian, and then followed the people sent by Wei Xiannian out of the government office.

He rushed all the way from Wuchang, but there was no stop on the road, so he was indeed a little tired. He still had to sleep first, and then climbed to the city to inspect Baling's defense in person.

...
Chapter completed!