Chapter 36 of Part One

  For days, Li Min had been dragging me around to hang out with her everywhere. The streets and alleys of Changsha were basically all seen by her, and all the famous snacks were also eaten. Seeing Li Min's happy expression revealed on her face, my heart was also delighted. Everything looked so natural and peaceful. Watching her sometimes excited, sometimes scolding me, my own heart followed hers. Maybe this is what it feels like to be in love. After thinking for a moment, I shook my head and said, "Don't think about that anymore. It seems we still need to go to the front line to take a look. The fact that Fujian has not been conquered yet is really unacceptable."

  The airship in the sky slowly came to a stop, looked at Li Min beside me who saw me off, and ruthlessly turned his head back onto the airship. He said to the pilot, "Take off!" As he watched Li Min waving her hand non-stop on the ground, he silently recited in his heart, "Minmin, wait for me, the day we unify China will be our wedding day."

  The pilot in front of me said: "Boss, the Yanping Prefecture of Fujian is just ahead. Zheng Chenggong was conferred as the Prince of Yanping and he administered this very Yanping Prefecture."

  Listening to what he said, I softly responded with a "hmm" and asked: "Who is currently garrisoned in Yanping Prefecture?"

  The pilot listened to my inquiry and said, "It's the Fourth Division's Lu Youde commander-in-chief. Also, our airship squadron is stationed in Yanping, while the Third Division's Zhang Liansheng is stationed in Quanzhou. The other cities have been occupied. Moreover, the First Division is also preparing to encircle from Zhejiang and take down Fuzhou together with three divisions."

  I watched as the airship slowly descended along its trajectory: "Looks like Lu Youde and Lantian are waiting for me down there."

  I opened the cabin door and went down, Zhang Lian Sheng had already arrived on this side. Lu Youde and Lan Tian also walked over together, three people simultaneously gave a military salute: "Commander, we are at a disadvantage in battle, please dispose of us."

  I looked at the three of them in surprise and said, "What's the big deal? Who hasn't suffered a defeat before? Besides, the whole of Fujian has only this one place left to take down, it's not your fault. Let's go inside and discuss it."

  I walked into the conference room of the Fourth Division, sat down and looked at the three of them still standing there: "All sit down, what are you standing for? The PLA doesn't advocate punishment by standing." Looking at them sitting down, I continued to say: "You first report. What's going on with Fuzhou? Why can't it be taken down for a long time?"

  Lu Youde first stood up and said: "After our army came from Jiangxi, we found that the people of Fujian were very dependent on Zheng Chenggong. At first, we didn't have any mass support here. Later, after Zheng Chenggong's troops retreated to Taiwan, because we and Shang Kexi were fighting together against Zheng Chenggong, it gave the ordinary people a great misunderstanding that we were in cahoots with the Qing army. After our hard work, attacking several cities of Shang Kexi, it alleviated some of the views of the ordinary people towards us. However, now that Shang Kexi has retreated to Fuzhou, I don't know how Zheng Chenggong's organization, the Tiandihui, is still stirring up the people in Fuzhou to help Shang Kexi defend against us. If there are too many casualties, it may trigger civil unrest in other places, so we have not dared to take action."

  Zhang Lian Sheng also stood up and said: "The situation encountered by our three divisions is roughly the same as that of the fourth division. Now, with the invasion of the Japanese pirates in the outer suburbs of Quanzhou, no large-scale attack has been launched."

  The blue sky stood up and said, "Every time a joint attack is launched, the warships in the Taiwan Strait will go to Fuzhou to provide firepower support. Now our airship troops have no effect other than reconnaissance. I think there are hundreds of large and small ships waiting for withdrawal at the port outside Fuzhou City."

  I pondered for a moment and said, "Blue Sky, you see that you still have to use propaganda tactics. During the day, you fly over their heads and give them some harassment. At night, throw down leaflets and harass them together. And then drop some more leaflets during the day. This continuous harassment will strike at the enemy, didn't you and Lu Youde use this tactic very comfortably before?" I continued to say: "The leaflets will destroy Zheng Chenggong's image among the people, saying that the Tiandihui and the Qing army are working together to stop us from eliminating the Qing soldiers, etc. You guys organize the language yourselves." You discuss specifically how to attack, I'll try my best to dispatch the Mingfeng troops to Fuzhou to spread rumors and destroy the Tiandihui's news.

  Standing in the courtyard prepared for me by Lu Youde, Song Mingfeng walked in and said: "Chief, what's the task?"

  I glanced at Song Mingfeng and said, "Now we need to come up with a plan to take down Fuzhou. Comrades from Mingfeng's troops should lend a hand. Also, send people to infiltrate Taiwan. And find some skilled martial artists to infiltrate Japan for me. Note that in the Japanese coastal areas, use pirate-style combat methods. As for the Japanese people, I made a killing gesture with my hand: "Not one will be left, all will be killed." Saying this, I let out a sigh, seemingly talking to myself: "Over 300 innocent civilians were killed by the Wokou outside Ningbo City..."

  Song Mingfeng's body shook slightly as he listened, and he said, "Yes, I'll arrange it immediately." I looked at Song Mingfeng and said, "Mingfeng, it's been a long time since you've gone back to see your grandfather. This time, when Wan Shou ascends the throne, you should go back and visit your grandfather and father too. Once China is unified, I'll transfer you out to the front lines. You're working hard, aren't you?"

  Song Mingfeng's eyes lit up when he heard that he was going to be transferred to the front line. He then regained his composure and said, "Yes, thank you for your concern, Commander. I appreciate your thoughtful arrangement." With that, he turned around and walked out.

  The urban warfare in Fujian has finally unfolded under the strong offensive. After the propaganda tactics were implemented, and with the help of Mingfeng troops who secretly instigated the people, the ordinary citizens of Fuzhou now view the Qing soldiers with great discomfort. The Tiandihui is also being looked down upon. The appearance of airships itself was a wonder, and members of the Mingfeng troops took advantage of this to create some sort of cult-like worship that benefits our attack. Without the support of the people, Fuzhou city can be said to be like a turtle in a jar, easily captured.

  The Fourth and Third Armies began their assault on Fuzhou from both sides on April 25, 1657, after a month-long siege of the city. The naval fleet also carried out a full blockade and encirclement of the ships on the sea with large quantities of explosive shells and incendiary bombs.

  The cannons roared in unison, and the tall Fuzhou city wall was blown into ruins amidst the thunder. The breached city walls were entered by our soldiers as if they were entering an uninhabited land. The Qing troops had no resistance left after more than a month of siege, which made them clearly see that Fuzhou would eventually be taken down and they themselves would become prisoners.

  The resistance of the Qing soldiers ended soon, but from time to time, the sound of warriors fighting still came. I frowned and said: "Take all these whatever-will-be's to Changsha for me. If you want to make trouble, go to Changsha to make trouble."

  The ships outside Fuzhou carried a portion of the troops and escaped in the direction of Taiwan. If it weren't for the Ming army wanting to infiltrate Taiwan, I wouldn't have let these people go.

  I stood in the city of Fuzhou, facing Zhang Liansheng and Lan Tian, Lu Youde and others, saying: "Immediately register and issue household registration certificates to the people according to the method of Changsha. Open the granary and distribute grain. Be careful not to let the Tiandihui people make trouble here. Other industrial facilities should also be built quickly. Civilian goods can be transferred from other places. Only 4 days left before the emperor's ascension to the throne, we must not be careless.

  Until now, the capture of Fuzhou has enabled our Liberation Army to occupy more than half of China. The land that was once Ming's can be said to have been recovered by 3/4. Sitting on a flying boat heading to Jiangsu and looking at the scenery below, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride rising from my heart. I even fell asleep soundly.

  After more than a year, I finally saw Lv Jun and Ye Jun again. Looking at Lv Jun's dark and sturdy body now, I let out a sigh of admiration: "Lv Xiaozi, not bad! The stuff for installing doors has finally come out."

  Lü Jun looked at me and said, "You're getting whiter and whiter! Haha, it seems like we still need to fight a guerrilla war. Just like the old days when Anhui was in our hands, it wasn't easy for us to take back."

  Ye Jun chuckled and said, "You little brat, stop bragging. If the commander-in-chief hadn't assigned you to transport military supplies by airship, I think you and I would still be fighting guerrilla warfare in those mountains."

  Deng Yujun finished speaking and we all burst out laughing. I looked at them and said, "Go to your conference room to discuss it." Walking into Lv Jun's conference room, I had already opened my mouth and said, "This is mainly to ask you when you can go north?"

  Lv Jun and Ye Jun consulted with each other and said: "We can set out for the north in ten days, now the navy has already sailed along the coast."

  I looked at them and said, "Lü Jun, this is what you said, in 10 days we can launch the military campaign. If you need any weapons, go to the logistics department and ask Huang De for them. And in four days, it will be Grandfather's enthronement ceremony. You two must come back then, and at that time, our brothers who came together must gather together."

  Lü Jun looked at me and said: "No problem, just don't know if those guys can still drink or not. Haha."

  I thought for a moment and then said, "Lu Jun, there's one more thing. After we drive the Qing army out of the Great Wall, I think other troops can take care of the rest of the work, and your army will stay here." Lu Jun heard this and immediately spoke up, "Our army hasn't even had a good fight yet, how can we stop now?"

  "I took over his words and said, 'Listen to me. My intention is that your army was originally a guerrilla force, I think we can train your army into the first special forces unit in our country. As for the name, I still think it's better to call it the Eighth Army.'"

  At this time, Lü Jun's expression improved a bit and he said: "Alright, no problem. When the time comes for us to go to Japan, I'm warning you now, don't blame me if I turn against you."

  I looked at Lü Jun, smiled and punched him: "When did you get lost in Japan? Don't even mention you, I want to go too."

  Lü Jun thought for a moment and said: "Do you think China can solve this problem soon?"

  I took a look at the map and said, "Now only Shanxi and Shandong are left unconquered in Hebei. I think our army has 7 branches now. Except for Peng You's troops who went to Ningxia Mongolia, all the others have pressed on. After the old man ascends to the throne, I think it won't take a month before Shunzhi will definitely flee outside the pass." I continued, "I won't accompany you, Lu Jun, after you've handled things, remember to come over by airship immediately. I'll head back first, there are still things to attend to." As I boarded the airship, I waved at Lu Jun and Ye Jun big brother, saying "Wait for your arrival in Changsha."