?
Because Hong Xiuquan believed that the word "emperor" should not be overstepped, there were only "kings" in the Taiping Rebellion, but no emperor. The North, South, East, and West Kings, as well as King Yi, were all nobles. Even Hong Xiuquan was only a "Heavenly King." The Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan was Long Live, while the King Of The East Yang Xiuqing was Long Live 9,000. From this point alone, one could understand Yang Xiuqing's position in the Taiping army.
The King Of The East, Feng Yunshan, brought Vézé into the residence of Yang Xiuqing, the King of The East. Other than the guards, there were also female officials and maids in the King Of The East's residence. Seeing the Southern Prince, Feng Yunshan, enter, the female officials stepped forward to greet him. The Southern Prince, Feng Yunshan, asked Vézé to wait outside while he went straight into the living room where Yang Xiuqing was. Vézé simply stood in the middle of the courtyard. He lowered his gaze, completely ignoring the women around him. This was not Vézé being pretentious. After the Taiping Rebellion in 1851, the Heavenly State promulgated a series of institutional measures. To Vézé, most of these measures were understandable. For example, the sacred treasury system, the military merit system, and the separation of male and female battalions. This was a very important measure during wartime.
It was just that the true nature of the peasants' uprising could be seen clearly in these systems. For example, when Hong Xiuquan ordered the troops to be separated into male and female battalions, he announced in the organizational structure of Yong 'an, "The harem is called Niangniang, and the imperial concubines are called Wangniang." The concubines of the Heavenly King were collectively called 'Niangniang', while the concubines of the East, West, South, North and Wing Kings were collectively called 'Wangniang'. At this time, Hong Xiuquan and the five kings all had wives and concubines. They were living together with their wives and concubines.
In the small farming system, whether or not one had special privileges represented one's status. If those in power did not have special privileges, they would only be laughed at by those below them. Vézé could understand this, but it didn't mean that he could accept it. In any case, Vézé grew up in a city with a large shipping company in the north. The local beauties were tall and slender, with delicate eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose bridge, and fair skin. This was Vézé's type. Vézé really couldn't bear to look at the ladies of the Princes' families.
What Vézé didn't know was that he had attracted the attention of the King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, the King Of The South, Feng Yunshan, and the others. Originally, after Feng Yunshan and Yang Xiuqing finished talking about Vézé's food robbery, they were about to go out and call Vézé in. However, when she looked out of the window, she saw Vézé simply standing there with a relaxed posture, completely ignoring the women that appeared in the courtyard from time to time. This caused Feng Yunshan to be quite surprised.
A nineteen-year-old young man, even if he was shy, would only deliberately avoid women. Vézé's nonchalant attitude was strangely mature. Feng Yunshan had been in charge of missionary work for a long time and had seen thousands of people, but he had rarely seen such a calm and composed young man.
Noticing Feng Yunshan's strange behavior, Yang Xiuqing also looked out. After a while, Yang Xiuqing chuckled and said to the guard, "Call Vézé in from outside."
Vézé followed the guard into the living room and saw three princes in yellow robes. One of them was naturally Feng Yunshan, and the bright-eyed young man in the middle was the King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing. Sitting on the other side of Yang Xiuqing was the Wing King, Shi Dakai. Yang Xiuqing was twenty-eight years old this year, and Shi Dakai was even younger, only twenty-one. Compared to the mature and powerful Yang Xiuqing, Shi Dakai was undoubtedly a bit more immature. His entire person was like an unsheathed sword, showing off its sharpness.
When Vézé finished saluting, Yang Xiuqing asked about the road north.
"Reporting to the King Of The East, the Manchu Qing have sealed off all the roads. Your subordinate avoided the road and walked through the mountains," Vézé said bluntly. He then recounted the course of the attack.
After listening to Vézé's explanation of how they had gone around to the back of the Qing Army, Yang Xiuqing and Shi Dakai were a bit disappointed. The northern and southern camps were the fulcrum of the Qing Army's siege of Yong 'an. If they could send a large force to follow Vézé's route to the back of the Qing Army and wait for the Qing Army's northern camp to launch a fierce attack on the Qing Army's camp from behind, it was very likely that the northern camp would be breached. Once the northern camp was breached, the Qing Army's encirclement would collapse completely. But Vézé had made it clear that he had avoided the sentry posts outside the Qing Army's camp and chosen an uninhabited area. Even if they sent a large force to follow Vézé's route, they would still have to destroy the Qing Army's outer sentry posts if they wanted to mount a sneak attack on the Qing Army's camp.
Despite Vézé's explanation, Shi Dakai still couldn't help but ask, "Is there no way to send a large force to ambush Qing Yao from behind?"
Vézé answered seriously, "Your subordinate has already tried most of the easy routes. The northern side is indeed impassable for the army. This time, your subordinate has robbed the Qing Army's supply team. I believe that the Qing Army will strengthen their defenses. If we continue, I'm afraid that we will run into the Qing Army on those routes. "
It seemed that Shi Dakai had not been convinced by Vézé. But now that Vézé had put it this way, Shi Dakai temporarily fell silent.
Yang Xiuqing was in no hurry to interrupt. He unconsciously pursed his lips and pondered for a moment. Then, he asked about the terrain of the Great Jade Mountain. Fortunately, after several trips through the mountain, Vézé was able to answer Yang Xiuqing's questions in a more organized manner. From Yang Xiuqing's questions, Vézé could tell that Yang Xiuqing was unusually sensitive to the terrain. Although he didn't know whether the King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, or Vézé's subordinate, Zhang Yingchen, was better at discerning directions, Vézé was certain that Yang Xiuqing was ten streets ahead of Zhang Yingchen when it came to using the terrain to arrange troops and commanding troops.
The exchange only took about ten minutes, but Vézé had already exhausted all of his abilities. As he had never commanded a large force in battle before, several of Yang Xiuqing's questions left Vézé in a difficult position. After dealing with Yang Xiuqing's questions with much difficulty, Vézé felt that it was more tiring than fighting a small battle.
After Yang Xiuqing was done with his questions, he didn't make any comments. Instead, he asked Vézé, "Does Wei Sima have anything else to say?"
It was obvious that he wanted Vézé to leave. Vézé hurriedly said, "I was ordered to attack by the King Of The East. I will now report to the King Of The East."
"I understand. You've worked hard, Wei Sima," Yang Xiuqing replied with a straight face.
Wei Ze continued, "This subordinate understands the brothers' hard work, so I would like to ask East Prince to promote those who are not corporals to corporals among the brothers who attacked this time."
"Oh?" Yang Xiuqing was rather surprised by Vézé's request. He could not help but frown slightly. The Southern Prince, Feng Yunshan, was also puzzled by Vézé's strange request. On the other hand, the Wing King, Shi Dakai's expression was the same as ever as he stared at Vézé.
Yang Xiuqing said: "Major Wei, in terms of military merits, I'm afraid these brothers may not all be promoted to corporal."
Vézé answered seriously, "Reporting to the King Of The East. This subordinate requests to continue leading the troops to harass the Qing Army's supply routes. This time, we asked the King Of The East to promote our brothers. On one hand, it will reassure our brothers. On the other hand, we can be promoted to corporal. When we go out, we will be able to receive more rations. "
The Taiping Rebellion had implemented a public sharing system. The sacred storehouse is the public storehouse? National treasury? The Taiping Rebellion was a gift from God? And in the beginning it was decreed that only God could be sanctified? Therefore, the public treasury was called the sacred treasury. The daily necessities of generals and soldiers? They were supplied by the public treasury. The types and standards of supply? Rations? Oil? Salt, regardless of age? Everyone was supplied the same amount? Meat was supplied? Below the heavenly king level, there were differences in the amount each day. When Vézé and the others went out, according to their ranks, corporals would receive more rations than ordinary soldiers.
Yang Xiuqing didn't answer immediately. He stared at Vézé for a while before asking, "Major Wei only promoted your brothers to corporal, but didn't say who could be major. I don't know if Major Wei thinks that the contribution of your corporal is outstanding? "
Hearing these harsh words, the thirty-seven year old Feng Yunshan didn't say anything. The twenty-one year old Wing King, Shi Dakai, couldn't help but chuckle. Yang Xiuqing's meaning was straightforward. He was implicitly accusing Vézé of wanting to promote him. When Vézé saw the King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, he immediately rushed to promote. Shi Dakai clearly found it funny.
Vézé was unmoved. He replied seriously, "Reporting to the King Of The East, whether corporals should be promoted to major is up to you, King Of The East. As a major, I naturally can't say anything about it. My subordinates are all old brothers from Guangxi. Without them, I won't be able to fight well, so I don't want them to leave. There are only a few days left before New Year's Eve. I feel that the leaders of Qing Yao will send a lot of rations to reward their subordinates. If I rush to ambush them now, I'm afraid I'll have a chance. During this march, the rations I received from the Holy Treasury have been used up. If I can be promoted to corporal, I can receive more. Besides, my subordinates fought hard against the enemy. I feel that based on their contributions and the hard work they put in during the march, I can be promoted to corporal. "
Hearing Vézé defend himself, Shi Dakai didn't laugh this time. He just looked at Vézé, then at Yang Xiuqing.
Vézé was actually a little nervous, but he spoke from the bottom of his heart. This was the best time to ambush them. It would be a pity if they let this opportunity slip by.
Yang Xiuqing didn't reply immediately. He seemed to be deep in thought. Just as Vézé thought that Yang Xiuqing would refuse, he heard Yang Xiuqing say, "Major Wei, since I've announced the military contribution system, as a major, you naturally have to report your meritorious brothers to me. However, you can't promote all your brothers to corporal. Since you've already taken that path, I'll promote you to corporal. I'll replenish your men tomorrow. For the next few days, focus on scouting the north. It would be best if you can find a path for the army to pass through. If you can't, at least attack the Qing Army's supply lines so that they won't be able to eat or sleep well. If you can get back what you want this time, I will promote all the brothers you brought this time to the rank of corporal. "
Before meeting Yang Xiuqing, Vézé had hoped to take on the task of attacking the Qing Army's supply lines. No matter what, Vézé had hoped to gain as much freedom as possible. Now that he'd received Yang Xiuqing's order, even though he hadn't immediately promoted his brothers, he had promoted Vézé. As a corporal, Vézé could assign his subordinates positions. Of course, this was Yang Xiuqing's final order. Vézé didn't say anything else. He bowed and said, "As the King Of The East commands!"
Just as Wei Ze was about to step back, he heard Feng Yunshan ask, "Brother Wei, since you've made such a great contribution, I remember that you were promoted to the rank of Sima because of your contribution of capturing eight forts. Since you're a hero of the Taiping army, what do you think about defeating Qing Yao? "
Vézé's heart skipped a beat. Feng Yunshan hadn't expressed his opinion on Vézé's military suggestions, but that didn't mean that Feng Yunshan hadn't taken Vézé's words into consideration. It was obvious that he wanted Vézé to repeat what he'd said to Yang Xiuqing.
The Taiping Rebellion now had about ten thousand soldiers who could fight. According to the military system of the Taiping Rebellion, a five-man unit was led by a five-man corporal; a five-man unit was led by a two-man corporal; a four-man unit was led by a soldier corporal; a soldier corporal had a hundred and four subordinates. Vézé had just been appointed a corporal less than ten minutes ago, and he wasn't in charge of one percent of the armed forces. Vézé knew very well that he was asking for trouble by having such a high-ranking officer participate in the Taiping Rebellion's grand strategy.
But he couldn't play dumb at this point. Therefore, Vézé made up his mind and said, "I was worried when I saw the Qing Army approaching Yongan. I couldn't help but say something to King Nan just now. It was just an emotional outburst, not a deep thought. If there's anything wrong, I hope King Of The East, King Nan, and King Yi can advise me. "
Obviously, this attitude was approved by King Of The East, Yang Xiuqing, and King Yi Shi Dakai. Even King Nan Feng Yunshan didn't think there was anything wrong with Vézé's attitude. Yang Xiuqing said, "If there's any strategy, just say it."
Seeing that the other kings weren't displeased, Vézé repeated what he'd said to Feng Yunshan.
After listening to Vézé, Yang Xiuqing and Shi Dakai's expressions didn't change. Yang Xiuqing nodded. "Corporal Wei, go and rest first. Tomorrow, after receiving your subordinates, attack as soon as possible. If we can rob Qing Yao's supply team, it will be of great help in defending the city. You must handle this matter well! "
"As the King Of The East commands!" Vézé answered.
"If you can rob Qing Yao's things, you must first transport the gunpowder and lead. Wayne Brothers, you must remember this! "Yang Xiuqing couldn't help but exhort.
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