Ni Yuanlu analyzed for a while and said, "Huguang doesn't have many soldiers to begin with, and most of the elite troops followed Li Dingguo to Liaodong, so there is nothing to worry about. The only thing to consider is Sichuan!"
When Sichuan was mentioned, everyone frowned.
The first thing they thought of was the Sichuan Army, especially the White Spear Soldiers.
Although Qin Liangyu is gone, the brave and battle-hardened White Spear Soldiers are still here.
If they choose to help Beijing instead of Nanjing, things will be troublesome.
Zhu Guobi, Marquis of Funing, said worriedly: "Sichuan is indeed a problem. If we don't get Sichuan's support, our army won't be able to march north to defend the king."
Ma Shiying asked: "Are you afraid that the Sichuan Army will go downstream and attack Nanjing when our main force goes north to defend the emperor?"
Zhu Guobi replied: "That's right! This problem is indeed very difficult. In addition to this problem, there are other problems. We must consider it carefully before serving the king, otherwise we will fail!"
Everyone subconsciously looked at Ni Yuanlu, wanting to know his countermeasures.
Ni Yuanlu unexpectedly shut up.
It's not that he doesn't know, but that he can't say it.
He can talk about strategic matters as he pleases, it's just a general concept and general direction anyway.
But he couldn't say how to do it specifically.
Otherwise, you will not only fall into the dilemma of being the one in the dark, but also be easily dragged into the water by others.
Let’s take the simplest example.
When he needs money, he can say to others: Go find a way to get some money.
The other party can borrow money or rob money.
But Ni Yuanlu couldn't say to that person: Go borrow some money or rob some money.
If the other party used the first method, it would be fine. But if they used the second method, Ni Yuanlu would be implicated after the incident.
This is also the reason why Ni Yuanlu kept his mouth shut.
After much discussion, everyone could only go back temporarily.
After leaving the imperial city.
The Donglin Party in Nanjing gathered together and began to plot.
Qian Qianyi first carefully inquired about what happened in the court. After learning about Ni Yuanlu's performance, Qian Qianyi's expression suddenly became solemn.
Ma Shiying asked quickly: "What's this, Mr. Qian?"
Qian Qianyi replied: "Something is wrong."
"What's wrong?"
"Ni Yuanlu's performance is not right."
"This..." Ma Shiying was puzzled: "Ni Yuanlu has always been like this, what's wrong?"
Qian Qianyi shook his head: "He was not like this before. In the past, Ni Yuanlu was the type who saw through things but did not speak out. Now, Ni Yuanlu not only sees through things but also speaks out, and helps us analyze the current situation. It seems that someone is forcing him to do this..."
Ma Shiying thought for a while and analyzed: "He is the Crown Prince's man. Who else can force him except the Crown Prince?"
"Mr. Qian is overthinking," said Ren Jun, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War. "Ni Yuanlu is both the prince's teacher and his adviser. Before the Dragon Robe Case, he could stay out of it. But after the Dragon Robe Case, he was implicated. If he doesn't rebel, his fate will probably be worse than ours..."
"That's right," Qian Qianyi nodded gently, but there was still some suspicion on his face: "I hope I'm overthinking it!"
Ma Shiying began to ask: "Mr. Qian, is Ni Yuanlu's proposal to abolish the compulsory currency reform to win the hearts of the people feasible?"
Qian Qianyi pondered for a while and nodded, "This method is indeed feasible. With the support of local gentry, the chances of success will be greatly increased!"
"In that case, shall we draft the manifesto according to Ni Yuanlu's method?"
"Okay." Qian Qianyi took a sip of tea.
After Ma Shiying firmly remembered this incident, he asked again: "Mr. Qian, there is another very difficult matter."
"What's up?"
“Sichuan!”
Qian Qianyi first showed a puzzled expression, then asked: "Are you afraid that when the army of the emperor is heading north, the Sichuan army will go down the river and attack Nanjing?"
"Yes, we must win the support of Sichuan before the army sets out to capture the king! But..."
"But what?"
"But Sichuan Governor Li Ruoxing is not one of ours, and he has almost no weaknesses. He is neither greedy for money nor lustful, so he is difficult to bribe."
Qian Qianyi pondered for a while and said, "The Governor of Sichuan does hold power, but...his words on Sichuan affairs may not necessarily count."
"Looking at the entire Sichuan, he holds the highest position. Who else can be above him?"
"Haha," Qian Qianyi smiled slightly, "Your Highness the King of Shu."
This time it was Ma Shiying's turn to be stunned.
He also pondered for a while, and said as if to remind or answer: "His Royal Highness the King of Shu does have some prestige in Sichuan, but he has no real power and can't control Li Ruoxing at all."
"This is not a matter of prestige, it's a matter of grudges."
Ma Shiying was even more confused: "Grudge? What kind of grudge? What does it have to do with Sichuan Governor Li Ruoxing?"
Qian Qianyi smiled and asked, "Do you know the grudge between your majesty and His Royal Highness the King of Shu?"
"Yes, Your Majesty once borrowed 5 million taels of silver from the King of Shu. At first, Your Majesty said he had no money to pay it back, and then he said he would pay it back, but in reality he found all kinds of excuses to avoid paying it back. In the end, he couldn't make excuses anymore, so he negotiated with the King of Shu to pay back part of it every year. It is said that he has only paid back 1 million taels of silver so far, and there is still a debt of 4 million taels that has not been paid back."
"That's right," Qian Qianyi lowered his voice, "The King of Shu already has a grudge against Your Majesty. Now that he hears that the Crown Prince wants to rebel in the name of serving the king, he will definitely support the Crown Prince."
Ma Shiying thought Qian Qianyi hadn't heard what he had just said, so he repeated, "Mr. Qian...The King of Shu has no real power!"
Qian Qianyi said somewhat displeasedly: "I know, but don't forget that His Majesty hasn't attended court for a long time, and hasn't personally reviewed memorials for a long time. If you were the Governor of Sichuan, combined with the current situation and the news from the court, what would be your first reaction after hearing that the Crown Prince was coming to the king's defense?"
"Hiss!" Ma Shiying took a breath and thought for a long time before answering cautiously: "I will try to find out about your majesty's situation first, and then make a decision."
"And then?" Qian Qianyi continued to ask: "Sichuan is thousands of miles away from the capital. How can you find out the truth about His Majesty?"
Ma Shiying was stunned: "It seems that we can only ask the King of Shu. After all, he is a prince of the royal family and has had frequent correspondence with Your Majesty."
"That's right!" Qian Qianyi laughed loudly. "With the support of the King of Shu, Li Ruoxing will stand on our side. By then, no matter whether it is the Sichuan Army or the White Spear Soldiers, who would dare to leave Sichuan without Li Ruoxing's order? Even if they leave Sichuan, they will follow us to Beijing to defend the King!"
"I admire Mr. Qian's analysis!" Ma Shiying bowed deeply to Qian Qianyi.
Qian Qianyi waved his hand and said, "Don't just flatter me. Think about how to win this battle."
"Alas," Ma Shiying sighed, "To be honest, Mr. Qian, I have no confidence in winning the battle yet."
"Why?"
"I always feel that our forces are too few and too weak to win."
"Then find helpers, the more the better!"
"But we have found all the help we can."
"Not enough," Qian Qianyi stood up, walked back and forth twice and said, "Since we have decided to drag the King of Shu into the water, let's drag the other princes into the water as well."
"Also, we can ask helpers to find helpers to increase our chances of winning!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
