After capturing Lingnan City without bloodshed, Yuan Weiwen and Zhao Shuisheng began to instruct their troops to reorganize Lingnan City and then divide their forces to attack various parts of Lingnan Province.
After the garrison in Lingnan Province fled, Yuan Weiwen's troops did not encounter any major dangers.
In just half a month, Yuan Weiwen's troops had basically occupied the entire Lingnan Province.
Meanwhile, in Guiling Province, Gu Shisan's troops also screened and vetted 20,000 prisoners, including more than 200 direct subordinates of the King of Dian, who were executed directly.
More than two thousand ironclad men were all exiled to work in the mines.
More than 3,000 officers of various ranks were all eliminated and sent to work on farms in various places.
The remaining 14,000 to 15,000 people were reorganized and assigned to the First, Second, and Third Regiments and the militia.
After the expansion of his forces, Gu Shisan's strength also increased significantly.
Immediately afterwards, Gu Shisan led his army toward Guiling City.
After receiving reinforcements, Gu Shisan now commanded an army of nearly 20,000.
This terrifying strength greatly surprised He Rong, the governor of Guiling Province.
Especially after learning of the fall of Lingnan Province, He Rong, the governor of Guiling Province, knew that resistance was futile and fled Guiling City.
At the same time, Gu Shisan's troops successfully entered Guiling City and divided their forces to occupy various parts of Guiling Province.
From the time Gu Shisan and Zhao Shuisheng arrived in Guiling Province until now, in less than three months, Guiling Province and Lingnan Province have been successively recovered.
Such a result is astonishing!
Meanwhile, Yuan Weiwen, Gu Shisan, and Zhao Shuisheng were not idle either. They distributed land and formed militia teams in various parts of Guiling Province and Lingnan Province, and purged lawless gentry and powerful families in various places.
He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!
As various policies were steadily implemented, Prince Xin's prestige grew steadily throughout the country.
The Guiling local garrison also gained support, and as more and more militia teams were formed, more and more qualified militiamen joined the Guiling local garrison.
After communicating with the capital, Yuan Weiwen, Gu Shisan, Zhao Shuisheng, and others also expanded the local garrison in Guiling.
The local garrison of Guiling was reorganized into the Guiling Army and the Lingnan Army, based on Guiling Province and Lingnan Province.
Local garrison forces were established, each with a strength of three to five divisions.
The Guiling Army, in particular, was very strong.
After occupying Guiling City, their numbers reached 20,000.
After this period of expansion, the total strength reached as high as 50,000.
Gu Shisan also established the Guiling Army's First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Divisions according to the division-level organization.
Meanwhile, the Lingnan Army was also organized into three divisions.
However, the troops of Guiling Army and Lingnan Army were quite different from the main combat troops in Beijing.
The Guiling Army and the Lingnan Army were local garrison troops.
Apart from elite soldiers equipped with muskets and cannons, most of the other troops continued to be equipped with cold weapons such as broadswords, spears, and bows and arrows.
After all, there are still too few new types of equipment.
Although not all units have been re-equipped, the training methods of all units have been adopted from those of the main combat units, including drill training, physical training, and combat tactics training.
This training is also in preparation for changing uniforms later.
However, the capital did not allow Yuan Weiwen, Gu Shisan, Zhao Shuisheng and others to expand their gains, but instead instructed them to first thoroughly stabilize Guiling Province and Lingnan Province.
Only by firmly establishing these two provinces as a solid base can they become our greatest asset!
As for the troops of the King of Dian and Li Ming, they are not worth mentioning!
After Li Xin's troops occupied Guiling and Lingnan provinces and established a large army, the news also reached the troops of the King of Dian and Li Ming.
Dianchi Province, the Palace of the King of Dian.
When the King of Dian learned of this news, he sat down in his chair with a troubled expression and sighed helplessly.
"Your Highness,"
The advisor beside him shook his head slightly and said, "Your Highness, the most urgent task is to immediately summon troops from Sichuan and other places to return and defend the borders of Dianchi Lake and Guiling, in case Prince Xin's army advances westward!"
"The troops of Shu?"
The King of Dian sneered and said, "Right now, we only have less than 50,000 men in Shu. Even if we bring them all back, so what?"
Including the troops stationed in Dianchi and central Guizhou, the total number of soldiers was only around 70,000 to 80,000.
Meanwhile, the army of Prince Xin in Guiling Province had expanded to 50,000 men, and there were also countless militia forces.
"With so many troops, can we hold them off?"
"Moreover,"
The King of Dian continued, “After the troops from Sichuan are recalled, what will happen to Sichuan? During this period, there have been reports from various parts of Sichuan that many militia forces have infiltrated various parts of Sichuan from the border area between the north and Heluo Province, and are plotting to establish forces against us in various villages.”
If our troops in Shu were to withdraw, Shu would probably be in trouble...
"this……"
The aide sighed, remembering something.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Your Highness, there are also reports from Guizhou and Dianchi areas that militia forces from Guiling Province and other places are crossing the border and infiltrating various regions. I'm afraid this area is also..."
"Um?"
When the King of Dian heard this news, his eyes narrowed slightly, then dimmed again.
The King of Dian had long anticipated this outcome.
After all, Guiling Province had been completely controlled by Prince Xin's army, and the practice of sending militia forces to establish militia units was also the usual style of Prince Xin's army.
It is only natural that such situations are now occurring in Dianchi Lake and central Guizhou.
However, if this situation is allowed to spread, the areas around Dianchi Lake, central Guizhou, and central Sichuan will likely be hollowed out by the militia forces established by the Prince Xin's army.
well!
However, faced with this situation, the King of Dian couldn't come up with a good solution for a while.
At this moment, the King of Dian regretted his alliance with Li Ming.
If we had allied with Li Xin now, perhaps none of this would have happened!
The King of Dian sighed and said, "Recall some troops from Sichuan to guard against local militias. Also, continue recruiting and expanding the army; hopefully, this will stabilize the situation around Dianchi Lake!"
"in addition,"
The King of Dian thought for a moment, looked at his advisor, and said in a low voice, "You personally send someone to contact Li Xin in the capital. See if we can negotiate peace with Li Xin now."
"this……"
The staff member stared wide-eyed, unable to believe his ears.
After a moment, the aide nodded slightly and said nothing more.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The aide nodded in response.
In fact, the King of Dian did not have much hope for the peace talks.
After all, it's clear to everyone that the advantage lies with Li Xin in the capital.
With such a significant advantage, how could Li Xin easily accept the peace request from the King of Dian and his allies?
That's just wishful thinking!
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