Chapter 514 513 The Three Armies Are Gathered

"With General Yu in charge, Dongweng should have nothing to worry about."

The master was obviously a person who admired Yu Dayou, and he said this sincerely at this time.

Tan Lun waved his hand, smiled and said nothing.

From his heart, of course it was best for Qi Jiguang to be transferred to Fujian to fight, because he was more familiar with Qi Jiguang.

When he was the prefect of Zhejiang, Yu Dayou was already the general of Zhejiang, and Qi Jiguang was a guerrilla, leading his soldiers to travel around Zhejiang to put out fires.

In fact, a big reason why Tan Lun trained soldiers was because Qi Jiguang proposed it when he was talking to him.

Each prefecture and county trained a group of elite soldiers to defend their hometowns. When encountering small groups of Japanese pirates, they would take the initiative to attack. When encountering large groups of Japanese pirates, they would defend the city to the death and wait for the court to rescue.

As for the method of training soldiers, Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang also had small talks, so the methods of the two from selecting soldiers to training were similar.

However, Qi Jiguang's proposal was not promoted in other prefectures and counties in Zhejiang.

Because the soldiers trained in this way can only be local militia, and the local government will pay for them. At most, they can get some rewards from Governor Hu Zongxian if they have military merits.

The rewards given by the court are actually a drop in the bucket for supporting so many local militia.

Who joins the army for money?

If the salary is too little, no one will be willing to come. If the salary is too much, it is just the money taken out of the pockets of local officials.

If these silvers are not given to local militia, they can finally fall into the hands of county magistrates and prefectural officials through various names.

Three years as a prefecture in the Qing Dynasty, 100,000 silver coins.

This is not said in vain.

In the officialdom of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, local officials actually collected taxes according to tax tasks, but those were handed over to the government offices above.

The income and expenditure of their own government offices were collected in the form of miscellaneous taxes.

As for the degree of collection, it depends on your strength.

If there is a strong armed suppression, you are not afraid of civil unrest, and you can collect taxes from people until they are bankrupt.

In the Ming Dynasty alone, the taxes and labor service collected by the central government were really low, the lowest among all dynasties in history.

However, since Zhu Yuanzhang, the court's constraints on officials have gradually declined, and corruption has become rampant from top to bottom.

Local officials naturally continue to increase miscellaneous taxes to maintain the operation of the government offices, and the rest are their own.

If you are happy, in the year of the big exam, you can pay more to the higher authorities to see if you can get promoted.

If you don't want to get promoted, then you can rely on miscellaneous taxes to earn enough money for retirement.

Of course, because it is related to their lives, most local officials still know how to collect this tax, and they dare not collect it too harshly.

If they force the people to live and make people rebel, they will do their best.

Therefore, for local officials, collecting taxes is also a technical job.

Not only do you have to make money, but you also want the people to survive, which is a test of the ability of officials.

Of course, these things are generally calculated by the master, so the officials don't have to worry about it.

Although the Japanese pirates were making a lot of trouble, only a few officials like Tan Lun were willing to invest money in this.

The people from the governor's office were sent out, and within two days they received the news that the Zhejiang soldiers had entered Fuzhou Prefecture, but they were still in the villages and towns on the border of Fuzhou, so the news had not yet reached the provincial capital.

But this was not important. Tan Lun directly sent someone to send a letter to Hu Shouren, asking them to meet him in Fuzhou as soon as possible, and then go south to Xinghua together.

"Dong Weng, should we bring Lord Yi Daotan with us this time?"

After contacting Hu Shouren, the master found Tan Lun to discuss while waiting.

These days, the people still don't know that the newly appointed Xinghua Prefecture Governor Yi Daotan has been in Fuzhou for more than a month, but he is reluctant to go south to Xinghua Prefecture.

The governor Weng Shiqiting and Tongpan Li Bangguang, who had escaped from Xinghua Prefecture, were ordered by Emperor Jiajing to be taken back to the capital for questioning.

Logically speaking, Xinghua City had been recovered for more than a month, and Yi Daotan, the new prefect, should have taken office long ago and arrived in Xinghua City to open the government office and handle subsequent matters.

However, everyone in the Fuzhou officialdom knew that this Lord Yi had gone to Xinghua City early, but as soon as he entered Xinghua under the escort of his family, he quickly withdrew from the city.

He was not attacked by Japanese pirates, but was fumigated by the miserable situation and stench of Xinghua City.

Seeing the situation under his jurisdiction, Yi Daotan was also a wonderful person, and he actually ran back to Fuzhou.

Yi Daotan, born in the seventh year of Zhengde, was named Jinming and nicknamed Donggao. He was from Baling County, Yuezhou Prefecture, Huguang.

He was orphaned at a young age and poor, with a deep nature and a love of reading. In the 32nd year of Jiajing, he was ranked 220th in the Chenjin list of the Guichou year and was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue.

He became a prefect after ten years in office, which shows that his ability was not bad at that time.

However, even though they ran away after entering Xinghua City for such a short time and dared not to enter the city again, we can imagine the miserable situation in Xinghua City at that time.

Although he could not hold court in Xinghua Prefecture, Yi Daotan did not stay in Fuzhou. Instead, he temporarily lived in Fuzhou and issued various official documents to Xinghua Prefecture to recruit and settle down.

Therefore, although the officials in Fuzhou had opinions, they were only temporarily borrowing Fuzhou’s territory and did not ignore the affairs of Xinghua Prefecture, so naturally they could not say much.

"I heard that there is a scholar Lin Zhaoen burying corpses in Xinghua City?"

Tan Lun asked in a low voice.

"That’s the case, but."

The master hesitated slightly.

"What are your concerns? Just say it."

Tan Lun glanced at the master and asked.

"This Lin Zhaoen failed the provincial examination, so he gave up the title and devoted himself to the study of mind, body, nature and life.

Over time, I realized that Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism were "three religions, but the Tao is one", so I founded the "Three Religions in One" school, and now I am Mr. Chen of the Three Religions and the self-proclaimed leader of the Trinity. "

The master told Tan Lun the news about Lin Zhaoen.

In the Ming Dynasty, local officials were very nervous about religion.

Of course, this is all because of the White Lotus Sect.

The White Lotus Sect is a secret religious association that has spread among the people since the Tang and Song Dynasties. It originated from the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism. According to legend, Shi Huiyuan, the founder of the Pure Land Sect in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, formed the White Lotus Society with Liu Yimin and others at Donglin Temple in Lushan Mountain to recite Buddha's name together. It was regarded as a role model for later generations of believers.

The White Lotus Sect was officially banned when it was first founded, and Mao Ziyuan was exiled to Jiangzhou. However, it spread because of its simple teachings and simple practice.

As of the late Southern Song Dynasty, although it was still regarded as an "evil party" by some local officials and Buddhist monks who regarded themselves as orthodox, the practice had been spread everywhere, even as far as the north under Mongolian rule.

After the Yuan Dynasty unified China, the White Lotus Sect was recognized and rewarded by the court and entered its heyday.

After a long period of circulation, the organization and doctrine of the White Lotus Sect in the Yuan Dynasty have undergone changes, the precepts have been relaxed, and there are many sects.

Some sects worshiped Maitreya Buddha and preached the religious prophecy of "Maitreya's rebirth", which belongs to the Pure Land of Maitreya. Some believers gathered at night, gathered people and caused trouble, and sometimes armed themselves to resist the rule of the Yuan Dynasty.

In the first year of the Yuan Dynasty, the imperial court feared that the White Lotus Sect was too powerful and ordered a ban. Therefore, when social conflicts intensified at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, some White Lotus Sect organizations became the first force to oppose the Yuan Dynasty.

The leaders of the Red Turban Uprising, including Han Shantong, Liu Futong, Xu Shouhui, and Zou Pusheng, were all White Lotus believers. They inspired the masses with their prophecies about the birth of King Ming and the resurrection of Maitreya, which had a great influence.

Part of Zhu Yuanzhang's power to fight for the world came from the White Lotus believers who took refuge, so there are also legends that he was also one of the White Lotus believers, but between the throne and the church, he chose the throne.

However, because of this, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely afraid of the huge power of the White Lotus Sect, so in the early Ming Dynasty, the imperial court strictly prohibited the spread of the White Lotus Sect.

During the Hongwu and Yongle years, there were many armed riots by the White Lotus believers in Sichuan, Hubei, Gansu and other places. Some even claimed the title of emperor, but they were all suppressed.

After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the White Lotus Sect also gradually changed, constantly using new names to confuse the public and avoid government investigation.

During this period, the White Lotus Sect had many names, including Jinchan, Wuwei, Longhua, Wukong, Huanyuan, Yuandun, Hongyang, Maitreya, Jingkong, Dacheng, Sanyang, Hunyuan, Wenxiang, Luo Dao and dozens more. There are several species, some have several names.

They all have different affiliations, have quite different doctrines, and have different organizations, rituals, and activities, but they more or less bear the imprint of the White Lotus Sect.

The rulers believed that they were actually still the White Lotus Sect, and the people also generally called them the White Lotus Sect.

It was also because the White Lotus Sect had begun to appear under pseudonyms at this time and wandered around the towns and cities, so the government was very sensitive to the emergence of new sects, especially those involving Buddhism.

Tan Lun frowned slightly after hearing the information given by his master.

When it comes to religion, this should not be ignored. "Let people check it out and see what this Trinity does? What doctrines it spreads."

This period of time is very sensitive. Lin Zhaoen has just done good deeds in Xinghua City, and rumors of his merits are spreading in all corners of the country. If the Trinity Church alone were to question him, it would probably trigger a civil uprising.

Although almost all coastal prefectures and counties in the Ming Dynasty now have the suppression of Japanese pirates as their top priority, the suppression of the White Lotus Sect cannot be relaxed.

"Now, is there any news from Xinghua Fucheng?"

After Tan Lun gave his instructions and asked people to investigate Lin Zhaoen, he asked about the master again.

"I heard that the corpses of tens of thousands of people in the city have been cleared and buried. It should be cleared up."

The master immediately replied.

"Then let Yi Daotan go to Xinghua Fucheng to open an office immediately. He will also be responsible for sorting out the treasury.

Thousands of Zhejiang troops arrived, and a large amount of money and food supplies were provided. He had to find a solution for these. "

A large army gathered in Xinghua Prefecture to suppress the Japanese, but Xinghua Prefecture was still responsible for eating, drinking, and defecating, or in other words, it was the people of Xinghua Prefecture who were responsible.

Even though they had just suffered a military disaster and suffered an unspeakable disaster, the relief provided by the imperial court was relief, and they would have money, food, and exemption from taxes and duties in the future. At this time, the imperial court sent a large army to suppress the Japanese, and the money and food still had to come from somewhere.

This is the rule of this era.

Tan Lun was not worried at all that Yidaotan could not raise the required food and grass. In fact, although Xinghua Fucheng was lost, there were still large gentry households in the surrounding villages and towns of Xinghua.

As the prefect of Yi Daotan, it is not an impossible task to borrow some grain from these wealthy gentry families.

If Tan Lun had left the task of raising military rations to the Chief Envoy or Dusi of Fujian, even though they would handle it, it would be hard to say where the money and rations ended up. This would offend people.

He, Tan Lun, had just arrived, so naturally he would not take on such a thankless task for himself.

"Yes, I'll do it in a moment."

The master agreed and left quickly.

After waiting for several days in Fuzhou, the Zhejiang soldiers led by Hu Shouren finally arrived.

At this time, the people actually had another name for this Zhejiang army, which was "Qi's Army".

In fact, during this period, as long as the leader of the army was Qi Jiguang, the people in Fujian and Zhejiang would call it "Qi Jiajun", probably because the Qi Jiajun had strict military discipline and was very different from the officers and soldiers of the garrison.

The Ming army led by Qi Jiguang was not from the garrison troops, but the soldiers recruited by himself. They received much higher military pay than the garrison troops, and the rewards after the victory were far higher than those of the garrison troops.

With such income, the soldiers were naturally willing to fight for victory with their lives.

There is nothing better than this: people die for money and birds die for food.

On the 17th, Qi's army arrived at Jiangkou, passed Huangshi on the 18th, and arrived at Dongting on the 19th. After meeting with Fujian Governor Tan Lun, the army's marching speed suddenly began to accelerate and quickly approached Xinghua Prefecture.

On the 20th, the Zhejiang soldiers led by Tan Lun and Hu Shouren arrived in Putian, and then Tan Lun summoned Liu Xian, Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang to meet and discuss military affairs.

Liu Xian was very disappointed at this time, and repeatedly wrote to Governor Zhang Nie to request reinforcements.

On the battlefield, the stronger the military force, the greater the merit after the war.

However, Zhang Nie's letters were full of complaints.

In January, the Japanese pirates in Guangdong invaded Chaohui Prefecture, Huanggang, Da'ao and other places.

At the end of the month, the Japanese pirates in Xinghua attacked Ningde from Zhenghe County and other counties to cooperate with the actions of the Japanese pirates in Xinghua. They defeated it, went to Luoyuan to the sea, and landed in Bolianjiang. At this point, the county of Ningde had been captured on all sides.

For these news, whether it was Zhang Nie or Tan Lun, they could only try to cover it up, and they dared not report to the capital before the Japanese pirates in Xinghua were wiped out.

Stimulated by the news of the capture of Xinghua Prefecture, Japanese pirates from all over the country have been wreaking havoc in recent times, and Zhang Nie dared not dispatch troops to Liu Xian.

From Zhang Nie's point of view, whether it was Yu Dayou, Liu Xian, or Qi Jiguang who eliminated the Japanese pirates in Xinghua, they were all his troops anyway, and his credit would not be lost.

Although Qi Jiguang was a Zhejiang general, the court transferred him to Fujian, so he was a general in Fujian, and he was considered a deputy general in charge of the division.

In front of Tan Lun's tent, Liu Xian introduced the current situation of the Japanese pirates in Xinghua and the current situation of the Ming army to Tan Lun.

After the fall of Xinghua Prefecture, at first, Liu Xian's army's food and grass were provided by the surrounding prefectures and counties. When Weng Shiqi was in the camp, he also borrowed some food and grass from the surrounding wealthy families.

After that, it was naturally Yi Daotan who took over this job.

Although he was unwilling to enter Xinghua Prefecture, Yi Daotan's official duties were not delayed, which made Liu, Yu, and Qi less distracted to collect food and grass.

Although he did not enter the city, he did not delay the handling of official duties, which may be the reason why no official impeached him.

In fact, for any official, it is not a good omen to do the job of cleaning up when taking office, so he is unwilling to do it.

Putting himself in his shoes, in this era, when superstition is still relatively strong, other officials can actually understand Yi Daotan's approach.

"The Japanese pirates have set up camp at Wudang Mountain and have also set up camp at Xucuo."

Tan Lun knew that there were about 6,000 Japanese pirates, but they were divided into three places, and he couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

This battle is certain.