Chapter 294: Arrive in Laizhou to seek the moon
The entire Jiaodong Peninsula is like an arm extending into the sea. Laizhou Prefecture faces the sea on both sides, and Dengzhou Prefecture is surrounded by the sea on three sides.
After arriving at Lingshan Island, the navy led by Zheng Jing came to the territory of Laizhou Prefecture.
It was a blessing that there were no accidents along the way.
However, after arriving on the coast of Laizhou, Zheng Jing encountered a sea storm. In order to be on the safe side, Zheng Jing chose to go to Mawan (i.e. Jiaozhou Bay) to shelter the wind.
Gan Hui naturally agreed. If such a big storm is rashly rushing, it is likely that there will be big problems, and even a shipwreck is not impossible.
Anyway, Laizhou is now in the hands of the Qixin, so it is impossible for them to avoid the storm here.
Zheng Jing ordered people to hang the Ming Dynasty flag on the mast to show their identity. As expected, a rebel army came to verify their identity when they approached Fushan.
Zheng Jing ordered people to declare that they were reinforcements sent by King Zhong of the Ming Dynasty to help them, and they were warmly received as soon as possible.
After the navy stopped in Mawan, Zheng Jing realized that the current leader of Laizhou Prefecture was Yu Qi's sworn brother Wang Ermazi.
Wang Ermazi was also well-known in the green forests of the world before, and after Yu Qi raised the flag of uprising to fight against the Qing Dynasty, he became even more famous.
They first took over Ye County, then radiated outward with Ye County as the core, and finally controlled the entire territory of Laizhou.
Ye County and Lingshanwei are one north and one south, and are also the two most important sea outlets in Laizhou.
Among them, Mawan is a shelter and is more important.
So Wang Ermazi stayed in Lingshan Guard and Fushan in front of him.
Zheng Jing and others immediately received warm reception after getting off the ship.
Although Wang Ermazi has never read any books, he has heard of Zheng Chenggong's name.
At the banquet, he took the initiative to raise his glass and toast: "I heard that the Ming Dynasty, the country's surname has never had a chance to meet him. Now that I have seen His Royal Highness, I have fulfilled a regret."
Zheng Jing quickly raised his glass and said, "Xiao Wang is very grateful for the reception by General Meng Wang."
Wang Ermazi waved his hand and said, "It is obvious that the prince is here to reinforce us, even if we are grateful, we should say it."
The two of them greeted each other, and Zheng Jing took the initiative to ask: "I dare to ask General Wang, what is the situation in Shandong now?"
Before coming, he only heard Zheng Chenggong and Zhang Huangyan mention it, and knew that Dengzhou Laizhou was in the hands of the rebels, and the rest of the prefectures respected the Qing court as the official.
Now he wants to hear some details.
Wang Ermazi picked up the wine glass and took a sip, then continued: "To be honest, after taking Laizhou, I discussed with Brother Yu and sent troops to attack Qingzhou Prefecture, but it was strongly resisted by the Tartars. In order to avoid the loss of troops and generals too seriously, we retreated."
"How many rebels are there now?"
"There are more than 20,000 troops stationed in Laizhou Prefecture, and there should be 30,000 troops stationed in Dengzhou Prefecture."
Wang Ermazi said directly.
"In other words, there are currently 50,000 rebels."
Zheng Jing recited silently, "Now I have brought six thousand people, Your Majesty should send people to reinforce, and we should have sixty thousand people together."
This number of people is not small for the two prefectures. However, Dengzhou and Laizhou are a bit special.
Other prefectures and counties can only defend some important places and some important cities.
However, along the Denglai coast, the long coastline determined that the Qing army could attack by water and land.
This means that the military's defense area has invisibly increased a lot.
If only 60,000 people were scattered to various prefectures and counties, they would be a little short of money.
"General Wang, how do your army now garrison the coast?"
"this..."
Wang Ermazi scratched his head and said, "According to the model of the Avant-garde Institute, there are about two thousand people in one garde and about five hundred people in each garde."
Zheng Jing shook his head when he heard this.
It turns out that I am afraid of whatever I am going to come.
This garrisoning model determines that the main forces of Laizhou Prefecture are concentrated in big cities such as the Fucheng, while some key port garrisons have very few troops.
This is very dangerous.
Just imagine if the navy from Shi Lang just arrived, could it be possible to defend Mawan with just two or three thousand people?
If Mawan is lost, the Tatars will not only control a port, but also land in the important towns in Laizhou quickly.
It is still easy to do this with Shi Lang's strength.
Although Zheng Jing also hated Shi Lang very much, he was able to objectively evaluate a person.
In terms of his ability to command troops, Gan Hui was all under Shi Lang.
"Maybe some more people can be sent..."
Zheng Jing told Wang Ermazi about his concerns, but after hearing this, Wang Ermazi sighed: "I don't know what the prince said. But the current situation is that we don't have so many ships, and even if we mobilize troops, we can't block the coastline."
Zheng Jing was greatly surprised.
"Why is this? Hasn't Denlai always been the place where the most ships are built?"
When Dongjiang Town was still under the jurisdiction of Denglai, the grain and grass supplies needed by Dongjiang Town were transported by ship from Dengzhou.
At that time, Denglai's shipbuilding strength was ranked among the top in the Ming Dynasty.
Has it changed a lot after only many years?
"Your Highness, the prince, it's time and time. During the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court attached great importance to shipbuilding. But when the Tartars entered, no one was concerned about shipbuilding, and the dock became deserted. Dengzhou might be better, but there was really no decent boat craftsman in Laizhou. I am also a clever wife who can't cook without rice."
Zheng Jing was so amused and laughed.
The Tartars are really closed to the country, and they can't even build ships when they are locked.
If Shi Lang had not presided over the reconstruction of the Longjiang Shipyard when he was in Nanjing, he would have probably not even been able to get a decent navy.
"Let me do this, I will leave ten ships led by General Gan Hui, and I will lead the rest of the ships to Dengzhou."
Zheng Jing felt that such an excellent natural bay port as Mawan must not be captured by the Tartars.
Shi Lang may not have this idea yet, but once the Tartar commanded him to lead his troops north, Shi Lang would be fully capable of posing a threat to the coast of Denlai.
"I heard that when General Qi Jiguang was ordered to clear out the Japanese pirates, many barracks were built along the coast, which should be repaired and used. My opinion is to recruit as many new recruits as possible. It is still difficult to defend Denglai by just 50,000 or 60,000 people."
Although Zheng Jing’s statement was a bit obscure, Wang Ermazi still heard the implication.
That is, the help the court can provide them is limited to this.
After all, the main battlefield of the imperial court is still in Jiangnan, so it is impossible to send too many troops to reinforce. More than 10,000 people are already the limit.
"I know, I was just worried about food and grass before."
"Don't worry about this. You can rely on the mountains to eat water. Are you still afraid of starving to death in the coastal areas? If it really doesn't work, just eat grilled fish and roasted fish."
"Haha, that's true."
Wang Ermazi smiled cheerfully and said, "He became more and more fond of Zheng Jing. Unexpectedly, the prince of the long-lasting prince had no idea what to do, and he was so approachable."
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Chapter completed!