Zhao Ming patrols the Xicheng Canal, then detours to Changshu, and had a private meeting with Qian Qianyi for two days before redirecting back to Suzhou.

On April 3, Zhao Ming returned to the Suzhou Governor's Office.

As soon as he entered the door, Ma Shiao stopped him, "Master, two things!"

Zhao Ming raised his eyebrows and patted his head, "Listen first!"

Ma Shiao said calmly: "Reporting to the commander, it's all bad things!"

Zhao Ming was stunned. Why didn’t Ma Shiao play according to the routine? In this case, it is usually a good thing, a bad thing, and two things are bad things. Recently, it has been bad luck.

Zhao Ming walked straight into the public room, sat on the chair, and pussed on his eyes with some fatigue, "Then say whatever you want!"

"The first thing the scout found that a large amount of money, grain and weapons have been transported from Huguang, Jiangxi to Jiangnan. Mandahai is now fully fed with troops and food. It may take not long before it will concentrate its efforts to launch a counterattack." Ma Shiao said in a deep voice.

After hearing this, Zhao Ming opened his eyes, ordered half a cup of strong tea to refresh himself, and asked seriously: "Have the scout ever discovered the main attack direction of Mandahai?"

Ma Shiao said: "According to the detailed report of the Tiandihui, the soldiers and horses in Zhenjiang have abnormal movements, and they are mostly going to attack us."

Zhao Ming cursed in his heart, Mandahai's grandson actually wanted to beat him, but then he thought that Donghai Town occupied Su Songchang, and ordered Jiangning and Zhenjiang's Qing army to earn one more eye when sleeping. If Mandahai doesn't beat him, who else should he hit?

Stay in Donghai Town in the east of the lake. Once the main force of the Qing army attacks Zhejiang, Donghai Town will definitely encircle the Qing army's retreat, even block the Yangtze River, cut off cross-strait ties, and then take advantage of the momentum to capture Jiangning. In this way, Jiangnan will definitely be done.

When he thought about Mandahai's position, Zhao Ming found that he really hated that if he was Mandahai, he would have to come and beat him to death.

"Come on here! Wujin City Defense has been improved almost all the time, and the Xicheng Canal has been widened for more than half. The Qing army is coming to attack me. Your Highness may be able to seize Huzhou, and Li Chengdong can also leave Ningguo Mansion and attack Wuhu. Then the Qing army in Jiangnan will be trapped in Jiangning and Zhenjiang Mansions. In addition, the opportunity for Huguang and Jiangxi will come." Zhao Ming said lightly and disregarded.

However, he was calm on the surface, but he knew in his heart that once the Qing army attacked, it would not be so easy for him to overcome the difficulties.

Ma Shiao looked at Zhao Ming and asked tentatively: "The general thought that if we were attacked, the court would send troops to respond and restrain the Qing army?"

"Why not?" Zhao Ming asked back.

Ma Shiao sneered: "The Grand Marshal doesn't know yet. The imperial court basically did not hire the talents recommended by the Grand Marshal this time. Instead, he wanted to send another official to Susong to serve as the prefect and county magistrate. This is obviously a warning to us, and he is worried that we will restore Jinling first, so how could the imperial court send troops to reinforce?"

Zhao Ming frowned and asked, "This is the second bad news."

Ma Shiao nodded and said, "Yes, the court did not have the opinion of accepting the commander-in-chief, and did not allow Yang Wenqi, Tu Xianchen, and Dong Deqin to serve as the prefect of Su Songchang. In addition, although the court rewarded the commander-in-chief, it was only a false position."

Zhao Ming frowned, but still shook his head, "Although this is the case, I expected that the court would still send troops to help."

Zhao Ming went to Changshu to live in Qian Qianyi's mansion for two days. Qian Qianyi was keen on politics, and his disciples were all over the world. He knew more about the situation of the Longwu court in Changsha than Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming learned from him that Fu Shangrui's background was that this person was a branch of He Tengjiao Chu Party.

This time when Fu Shangrui came to Jiangnan to supervise the army, He Tengjiao must have participated. Emperor Longwu agreed to this matter, and most of them should be tested, rather than really wanting to seize it. With Longwu's wisdom, he should know that it is impossible to recruit one or two supervisors to regain power from the governor who holds heavy troops.

Zhao Ming looked at Ma Shiao who was waiting for his explanation and said in a deep voice: "The emperor took the risk of allowing the court to send Fu Shangrui to Nanzhili, because he had made many military achievements in his heart, and was very alert, afraid that we would continue to grow and threaten the court and the emperor in the future. If the Qing army attacked us, we would restrain the main force of the Qing army in Jiangnan, which would be an opportunity for the court. If He Tengjiao and others made a decision, they might choose to close the fire across the river and watch the wall, and want us to lose both sides and the Qing army, and even stupid enough to use the Qing army's hands to eliminate us. But now the court is the emperor's final word. I predict that the emperor will seize the opportunity, conduct a counterattack, and establish achievements, and want to surpass our Zhejiang army in terms of credit."

After hearing Zhao Ming's words, Ma Shiao fell into deep thought. Zhao Ming believed that Longwu could see the overall situation clearly. Ma Shiao said in a deep voice: "He Tengjiao is the chief assistant after all, and he is trusted by the emperor. The general should make more preparations."

Zhao Ming smiled bitterly: "The Qing army is coming to attack, and I can only control the soldiers of Donghai Town. As for other friendly troops, what they want, they are actually powerless. What I can do now is to do my own thing. No matter whether the court sends troops to help, I will do my best to guard the land east of the lake."

After hearing this, Ma Shiao could only nod. Now Donghai Town really cannot control the court's decision, so he can only do his own thing.

At this time, Zhao Ming continued, "How many days does Fu Shangrui come to Suzhou, can he be safe?"

"I haven't left the inn, I have asked how many times, when will the Grandmaster be able to return so that I can announce the order to the Grandmaster." Ma Shiao said.

Zhao Ming nodded and said, "Then let him know, I will return to Suzhou."

On the afternoon of that day, Fu Shangrui, wearing a scarlet official robe, came directly to Zhao Ming's mansion to announce the imperial edict.

Zhao Ming is now the Duke of the Kingdom, the governor of the Right Army of the Five Army Governor's Office, and a first-rank official. He will be awarded the title of King of Qin. However, looking at the storm of Sun Kewang asking for the title of King of Qin, you will know that the emperor and the court do not want to grant the title of King of Wuchen.

Now the imperial court Xu Luo is the one who restored Jinling as the king, so it is impossible to grant Zhao Ming as the king this time, just give some additional officials, that is, honorary titles, etc.

After Zhao Ming bathed incense, he came to the main hall to accept the edict. Li Zhizhi was the wife of the destiny and changed into a dress and accepted the edict with Zhao Ming.

At this time in the lobby, Fu Shangrui had already led several subordinates to stand in the main seat, holding an edict in his hand, waiting for reading.

Zhao Ming and his wife came out and met with a few people, so they solemnly saluted in the lobby. Fu Shangrui launched the emperor's edict and said loudly: "The emperor is in charge of heaven and the Duke of the Ming Dynasty and the right governor of the Five Army Governors' Office, Zhao Ming, is brave and good at fighting, loyal and commendable. He commands the people of the East China Sea, collects Su Song's fertile land, and builds great achievements in the court. Today, he is appointed as the young guard of the crown prince, and his wife Li is the first-rank lady. He also personally supervises military affairs in Nanzhi, Shandong and Zhejiang. I hope that the Lord will be respectful and repay the emperor's kindness, and I respect this."

After reading the edict, Fu Shangrui slowly closed it, held it in front of Zhao Ming with both hands, and said with a smile: "Zhao Shaobao, please accept the edict."

Zhao Ming thought for a while, but quickly made a decision and bowed: "I am trusted by Your Majesty and entrusted with important tasks, but I have been promoted many times before, and have been named Duke of the Kingdom and the position of the military minister as a superb military official, which is enough to demonstrate my achievements. What kind of virtue is that I can do? How can I give you a reward? I beg Your Majesty to take back his fate!"
Chapter completed!