The Prosperous Era of Longwan

"General, the commander's order."

Outside the city of Ava in Myanmar, Qi Jimei was training the newly organized Burmese army.

Li Chengliang had divided his trusted troops from Sichuan, Guangxi and Guizhou into six divisions and assigned generals to lead them.

He also divided the captured and surrendered Burmese army into six divisions and asked them to train themselves and prepare to be deployed in the conquest of central, western and eastern Myanmar.

Don't think that the hundreds of thousands of troops brought into Myanmar are too many. Myanmar is actually not small in area and has a large population. Otherwise, how could the Burmese king Mang Yinglong gather 300,000 troops and dominate Southeast Asia? It was all because of the domestic strength that gave him the confidence.

Now, Qi Jimei's subordinates have been allocated more than 10,000 troops under the Guizhou headquarters, and more than 30,000 Burmese prisoners of war, and his mission is to move westward and seize Pagan City and northeastern Myanmar.

In the whole of Myanmar, except for the southern part, which is relatively easy to conquer because of the terrain and is dominated by the Burmese, the other directions belong to the territory of the Burmese chieftains, and the tribes are mostly unruly and it is difficult to make them completely surrender.

Therefore, the Ming army either does not fight, or if it fights, it must win in one battle and completely crush those forces that want to resist.

This is what Li Chengliang planned, giving them time to recruit soldiers and horses, and then the Ming army will go out and wipe out all the opposition in one go.

In fact, this method is similar to Qi Jiguang's strategy in Liaodong.

If you don't know the inclinations of these people, then give them time to let them make their positions clear.

Although the Ming army entering Myanmar now seems to have conflicts with each other because Li Chengliang and Mu Changzuo are competing for resources, in fact, from the intelligence held by the Ming army, there are also many conflicts among the remaining forces in Myanmar.

Who can replace the Burmese king to call on everyone to resist?

Is it necessary to resist or can you surrender.

In fact, the positions of the remaining forces in Myanmar are not completely consistent.

Some tribes who wanted to choose to surrender to the Ming Dynasty were facing tremendous pressure at this time.

Because the remaining Burmese nobles were still fantasizing that after the Ming Dynasty ended its military operations against Myanmar, the Ming army would withdraw from Myanmar, and they could continue to dominate the Burmese king.

For this reason, except for a few people who firmly demanded resistance, some people actually preferred the Ming Dynasty.

However, in order to have greater influence and voice after the war, they did not directly express their attitude of appeasement, but showed their anti-Ming intentions.

Unite with those firm anti-Ming factions to suppress the surrender faction that has been clearly stated.

In fact, this is just a means to eliminate dissidents.

After completely eliminating the surrender faction within their strength, they will also take action against the firm anti-Ming faction to weaken their strength.

Of course, they will fight internally in the end to determine the final ownership of the Burmese king.

After receiving such information, Li Chengliang was not in a hurry to send troops. As long as he firmly controlled southern Myanmar and the Ming army could obtain supplies from Myanmar nearby, he was happy to watch the Burmese people's internal strife on the side. Internal consumption is good for the Ming Dynasty.

As for whether the delay would cause dissatisfaction in the court.

Li Chengliang believed that he did this only to achieve a complete victory, and Wei Ge Lao would help him speak in the cabinet and in the court.

To be honest, the Ming Dynasty had already won a decisive victory, and the current preparations were also for the long-term control of Myanmar required by Wei Ge Lao, for long-term stability.

At this time, Qi Jimei frowned after unfolding Li Chengliang's military order.

There was no other reason. This military order actually contained two orders. One was to order a Ming army stationed in a nearby place called Yangmiding to rotate to another place, and the second order was to let him send an army to station in the Yangmiding area.

Qi Jimei didn't need to think too much when he saw this, and he knew that there was either a gold mine or some other mine there, but there must be interests here, so Li Chengliang would issue such an order.

As the highest military commander of the Ming Dynasty stationed in Myanmar, he naturally had the right to issue such an order and mobilize all Ming troops.

However, as a commander, he felt uncomfortable being commanded by Li Chengliang and Mu Changzuo in the name of military orders for their own personal interests.

"Alas."

After thinking for a moment, Qi Jimei sighed and said to the soldiers around him: "Move Wang Cheng's troops, lead 2,000 soldiers, and 3,000 Burmese troops to Yangmiding to take over the defense."

"Yes, General."

The soldiers clasped their fists and rode away immediately.

Not long after, Wang Cheng ran to Qi Jimei quickly, saluted, and asked: "Sir, is this Yangmiding over there?"

Now the conflict between Li Chengliang and Mu Changzuo has actually spread among the generals of the Ming army. There has even been a situation where the Ming army took over the defense and fought with the Yunnan Ming army that had already stationed.

In other words, although Li Chengliang has more power than Mu Changzuo, after suffering a few losses, Mu Changzuo still steeled Li Chengliang once.

After that incident, the commanders of both armies were not punished, but the casualties were recorded in the battlefield death list, and they could receive compensation in the future.

It was also after that incident that the officers and soldiers of the Ming army, whether in Yunnan or elsewhere, felt a little dissatisfied with the fight between the two commanders.

Qi Jimei handed the military order issued by Li Chengliang to Wang Cheng, and said helplessly: "This is a military order, do you dare not obey it?"

"This"

Wang Cheng hesitated, and seeing the military order in his hand, he knew that he had to execute it.

Otherwise, don't think about continuing to hang out under Li Chengliang in the future, and it would not be surprising even to die in Myanmar.

On the battlefield, it is not easy to make people achieve great achievements, but it is not easy to kill someone.

A single death order can send you and your men to hell together.

No one wants to receive such a death order. According to the rules of the Ming army, generals do not even have the right to resist.

Once you receive a military order, you must execute it unconditionally.

"But what if the generals there also accept the commander's military orders?"

Although Wang Cheng got Li Chengliang's warrant, he was still hesitant.

This was the case last time. The defending Ming army refused to let the military orders pass through at all, and shot and wounded the officers and soldiers who were passing the orders. Only then did the defending Ming army become furious and directly opened fire with artillery.

The two sides immediately started an artillery battle, and the battlefield was extremely lively.

Of course, since there was no hand-to-hand combat, only artillery battles, the casualties were not large, and only a few unlucky ones lost their lives.

But after all, it set a bad precedent. If they went there this time, they might have to drag the cannon with them again.

"Yangmiding is not far from here. Bring your headquarters artillery and show off when the time comes."

Qi Jimei only thought for a moment and then said, "Tell the gunners under your command that the first few guns will not be loaded with shells. As long as there are no shells falling from the opposite side, we will not fire any shells from here."

"Yes, sir."

Wang Cheng nodded, knowing that this time he had to lead his troops to seize the territory.

Just when Wang Cheng turned around and was about to go back and lead his troops, he heard Qi Jimei's order again.

"Also, let the messengers who pass the orders wear three layers of armor and cover them with vine armor. You should be able to get a complete set."

Qi Jimei stopped Wang Cheng and gave instructions.

"Yes, there must be."

Wang Cheng said hurriedly.

"Okay, that's it. If you can avoid it without losing any soldiers, just let both sides show off.

If there is a fight, send someone to report to Ava city immediately. "

Qi Jimei whispered.

The meaning was very clear. It would be best to waste ignition powder by just showing off.

To solve this trouble, Li Chengliang and Mu Changzuo in the city must sit at the same table for negotiations. It is best to divide the ownership of these mineral deposits in Myanmar on the negotiation table to avoid additional casualties to the Ming army below.

"The general will obey the order."

With such a reminder, Wang Cheng still didn't understand, so he immediately clasped his fists and left.

Soon, the Ming army, which consisted of thousands of people, left the military camp and headed north.

At this time, Mu Changzuo also heard the news in his house. They did not dare to live in the royal palace in Ava City, but there were many luxurious houses in the city, so he and Li Chengliang both chose a house to live in.

Anyway, it is impossible for these houses to be returned in the future, they are all their mansions.

"My lord, Qi Jimei has sent thousands of people out. Judging from the direction, they should be heading towards the Yangmiding Gold Mine. You have to come up with an idea early."

Although he and Li Chengliang both tacitly suppressed the matter last time, Mu Changzuo also knew that this matter was not over and similar situations would happen in the future.

Logically speaking, people had to bow their heads under the eaves, and he had to take the initiative to negotiate with Li Chengliang on this matter.

At the very least, both sides should draw up their spheres of influence to avoid continuing this disorderly struggle for resources.

Although Li Chengliang is the highest official here, he is a dignified first-class Duke of the Ming Dynasty and has great influence in the court. Even if he thinks about it, Li Chengliang would not dare to do anything.

Otherwise, if a piece of memorial is presented to him, he will be beaten like a chicken and an egg.

However, as the Duke of the Ming Dynasty, he still felt ashamed.

Before, I thought he was familiar with Myanmar, so I wanted to eat alone.

But the people of the Li family also noticed it, so naturally they couldn't eat, so they had to get out as much as possible.

Mu Changzuo sat quietly and thought about the matter, weighed the gains and losses, and determined his own limits.

"Just wait, something happened over at Yang Miding. I will meet with Li Chengliang then to discuss the matter."

Mu Changzuo still felt that he could not bear it even though he took the initiative to negotiate with Li Chengliang.

It has happened once, and if it happens again, I will use this opportunity to have a good talk with Li Chengliang and divide the interests.

Wang Cheng's side attacked Yangmiding. This was a small town, but because of the nearby gold mines, the town actually built a small wall to defend against thieves.

Apparently, the gold mine's warehouse was in the city, so walls were built for defense.

As for the gold mines, they are just stones. Even if someone steals them, how many can be stolen?

Therefore, most people in Yangmiding Gold Mine actually live in the town.

From a distance, Wang Chengcheng saw the big flag with the word "Ming" flying on the city wall.

On the way here, I caught a Burmese citizen and found out after questioning that there is a large gold mine here.

Approaching the city wall, Wang Chengcheng sent a messenger over.

This messenger was really fully armed. Even on a hot day, he was still wearing the best armor of the Ming army, and he was also covered with rattan armor.

These were all captured by the Ming army.

Very few people can put together a set of rattan armor, but Wang Cheng had spoken, so he still put together a set among his own soldiers and gave it to the order soldiers to wear.

Sure enough, after the messengers passed by, the city was already prepared, and arrows were fired directly to block the route of the messengers.

That means that the city does not accept any military orders, and it is suspected that they are the Burmese army pretending to be the Ming army, and they want them to surrender.

The messenger could only ride back on horseback and report the shouting on the city wall.

In fact, such a large army was discovered by the people of the Qianguo Mansion in the city from a long distance, and they had been prepared.

"Beat the drum."

Wang Cheng did not say much. At this time, the other side would not listen to anything he said. They only listened to the orders of Qianguo Mu Changzuo.

"Set up the cannons and fire a few shots. Remember, don't use those things, just scare them."

Wang Cheng said to the soldiers around him. It was not convenient for him to say these things, so he let his men do it directly.

Soon, the cannons were pulled to the front line, and after the opposite city discovered the movement under the city, the muzzles of the cannons also stretched out from the battlements of the city wall.

"Damn, fire."

Wang Cheng directly ordered the cannons to fire, but did not push the infantry up.

There was no plan to attack the city, just a show.

"Boom boom boom"

Several cannons sounded, but there was no scene of cannonballs hitting the city wall and flying sand and stones.

The gunner quickly replaced the cartridges, and then there was another round of "bombardment".

"Boom boom boom boom boom."

At this time, the sound of artillery fire inside and outside the town of Yangmiding continued for a long time, and the city and the city began to fire, but only the sound was heard but no trace of the shells was seen.

After Wang Cheng's troops began to bombard, the opposite city saw that no shells fell, and they had guessed it, so they did not immediately fire back, but waited until the second round of artillery fire, and no shells fell into the city.

After that, both sides began to fire tacitly, and at the same time, each sent a messenger to send a message in one direction.

The Ming army actually had a tradition of fighting in the nest. When Yu Dayou led the Jiangxi soldiers to encircle and suppress the Feilong Kingdom, the Guangdong soldiers took away "Zhang Lian" and won a great merit.

The two Ming armies started to set off firecrackers in Yangmiding, waiting for news from Ava City.

At this time, Mu Changzuo finally received the "frontline battle report" and hurried to see Li Chengliang with the battle report.

It was unrealistic to expect Li Chengliang to take the initiative to find him at this time, and he could only condescend to meet Li Chengliang.

"General, I have sent people to garrison in Yangmiding. I heard that they were attacked by a disguised Ming army. Please send reinforcements as soon as possible."

"Oh, Lord Mu, you said that the troops in Yangmiding were sent by you? I thought it was the Burmese army disguised as the Ming army stationed there, so I sent Guizhou soldiers to encircle and suppress them."

When Mu Changzuo met Li Chengliang, they both pretended to be stupid. Anyway, they could never admit that they knew the inside story.

"I have ordered the garrison officers in the city to stop the fighting."

Mu Changzuo could only take the initiative to say.

"Okay, come here, send someone to Yangmiding quickly to ask the soldiers to stop fighting. We are all on the same side."

After Li Chengliang gave the order, he did not forget to complain to Mu Changzuo: "Lord Mu, why didn't you tell me when you sent troops to Yangmiding? Look, this matter has caused a lot of trouble."

"I am here to discuss the garrison with the commander-in-chief. We should communicate with each other in the future to avoid misunderstandings."

Mu Changzuo had no choice but to answer.

"Yes, you and I should communicate about the garrison first, so that the people below don't know and cause misunderstandings."

Li Chengliang said immediately when he saw that things were going well. (End of this chapter)