In mid-September, after the scouts and the secret spies of the Tiandihui, after Mandahai retreated from Changzhou, Geng Zhongming quickly led 50,000 Qing troops to go up the river, probably to reinforce Wuchang.

As a result, the 200,000 Qing troops in Jiangnan lost more than 50,000 people and transferred more than 50,000 people, leaving only 100,000 troops to guard several big cities such as Jiangning, Zhenjiang, Wuhu, and Anqing.

For a moment, the Qing army was in short supply and the guards were still struggling. Let alone continue to attack the Ming army in Zhejiang, the Qing army in Jiangnan completely entered a defensive posture.

Unconsciously, no one expected that seven years later, the situation had quietly reversed, and the offensive and defensive attitude was quietly changing.

The 100,000 Qing troops in Jiangnan were about to contain more than 200,000 Ming troops in Zhejiang. The Manda Sea was under great pressure, and the offensive and defensive situation in Jiangnan had reversed.

However, although the strength comparison has changed, Donghai Town also suffered heavy losses and was unable to take advantage of the situation to attack. Zhu Yihai recovered central Zhejiang and northern Zhejiang less than a year later. In addition, after flooding Hangzhou, central Zhejiang still needed to recover and was unable to launch an attack and recover Jinling.

Therefore, after Mandahai retreated, Zhao Ming and Zhu Yihai chose to withdraw their troops almost at the same time, preparing to recuperate, enrich their money and grain, and recruit troops in preparation for another battle. The Ming and Qing armies in Jiangnan entered a stalemate stage with tacit understanding.

Shortly after returning to Zhenjiang, Mandahai returned to Jiangning, and wrote a letter to apologize and stated his views on the situation in the Ming and Qing dynasties. At the same time, he ordered Kong Youde to build fortifications on the front line of Zhenjiang, strengthen defense, and resist Zhao Zamao's westward advance.

After Mandahai's memorial was sent to Beijing, Dorgon was furious.

He went through a lot of hardships and sent an envoy to the Longwu court to negotiate peace, delaying for more than a month. Before the news that Mandahai had defeated the Ming army, recovered Su Songchang, and killed Zhao Zamao in the front, he waited for the memorial of the Qing army in Jiangnan who lost 50,000 yuan and returned in vain, which disappointed Dorgon.

What disappointed him even more was that Mandahai not only did not repent, but instead persuaded Dorgon in his memorial to ask Dorgon to do a false act and discuss peace with the Ming Dynasty for the sake of the Qing Dynasty.

This made Dorgon extremely angry and immediately issued an order to take off his hat as General Mandahai's Conquest of the South and recall it to Beijing to stay idle, and to order Prince Ajige to replace Mandahai and serve as General Mandahai, to take charge of Jiangning, recruit soldiers and horses, with the intention of fighting again.

Dorgon still refused to give up his ambition to unify the world, and his stubborn opinion also aroused the dissatisfaction of many Manchu nobles. In the Qing Dynasty, which was united on the surface, a dark tide surged.

When the Battle of Changzhou affected the Qing court, Zhao Ming determined that Mandahai would withdraw his troops. After Geng Zhongming advanced westward, he sent his subordinates to inform the Longwu court to guard against the reinforcements of the Qing army, so he left Li Zhongming to replace Wang Deshun, who had been crippled, and Wang Yi stayed in Wujin to repair the city and guard against the Qing army in Zhenjiang. He led his army back to Suzhou.

The battle of Changzhou, which lasted for half a year, ended with more than 100,000 main forces of the Qing army, but they could not do anything to Donghai Town.

This made the people of Hudong finally dispel their doubts and established confidence in Marshal Zhao and the soldiers of Donghai Town.

Previously, although the Qing army was blocked west of the Xicheng defense line, the gentry and people of Susong were still uneasy, as if a sword was hung on his head, and they were always worried that Donghai Town would not be able to block the Qing army and were attacked by the Qing army, causing them to suffer.

The gentry and merchants in Hudong were worried, so they naturally did not dare to expand production, workshops were not dared to invest, and merchants did not dare to purchase goods, which was a big blow to Hudong's economy. Some even sold their homes and fled to Zhejiang, which seriously affected Zhao Ming's plan to revitalize Jiangdong, and all prefectures and counties in Hudong were depressed.

At this time, although the crisis was lifted, Zhao Ming had to do more things, requiring pensions, recruiting soldiers, restoring military strength, appease merchants and restoring the economy, and also examining the gains and losses of the Battle of Changzhou and understanding the strength comparison between the Ming and Qing dynasties.

On September 20, Zhao Ming returned to Suzhou City and was warmly welcomed by the gentry and people in Suzhou. Qian Qianyi also joined forces with a large number of gentry and merchants to invest 100,000 taels to purchase supplies, food, wine and reward the army.

After Zhao Ming returned to the Governor's Office, he held a banquet that night to celebrate the achievements of the meritorious generals. In Suzhou City, lights were decorated with bright colors and joy.

The Battle of Changzhou ended and the Qing army retreated. All officials and people were happy!

In the backyard of the Right Governor's Office, after the banquet, Zhao Ming left his confidant and aides and chatted in the living room to discuss the current situation.

In the living room, Zhao Ming was wearing a regular dress and sat in the main seat, Chen Mingyu, Ma Shiao, Wang Jiaqin, Xu Fuyuan, Chen Yujie and others, sitting on both sides.

Tea and pastries were placed on the tables beside everyone, so that everyone could sober up. The discussion was just a casual conversation and discussion, not serious.

Zhao Ming took a sip of strong tea to refresh his mind and smiled: "This battle in Changzhou shows the strength of my Donghai Town. Judging from the reactions of the gentry and people in Suzhou, they should have completely returned to their hearts!"

Everyone smiled. After this battle, Donghai Town was in Hudong and could be said to have completely gained a foothold.

"Master, the victory of the Battle of Changzhou is indeed worth celebrating, but we cannot underestimate the Qing Dynasty. We still need to be wary!" Ma Shiao suddenly said, "Besides, my Donghai Town is facing at least two internal and external crises!"

Zhao Ming heard the restrained smile and waved his hand to calm everyone in the hall, then said, "Why did Mr. Ma say this?"

Ma Shiao said: "Although our army repelled the attack on Hudong this time by Mandahai, the general should not forget that the Qing Dynasty took advantage of the general's troops to trap in Jiangnan and sent troops to sweep away the coasts of Liaodong and Shandong. Our Donghai Town had been operating for several years and spent countless money and grain to support the Shandong Wei and Liaodong Wei, which were wiped out by Manqing. Lushun, Changshan Island and other places were all taken away by the Qing army. The two guards were almost completely destroyed, and the years of operation can be said to be destroyed."

Zhao Ming couldn't help frowning, while Ma Shiao continued: "Now that the Manchu Qing cleared Shandong and Liaodong, after less restraint, he became able to turn his experience and northern troops to Jiangnan. Furthermore, judging from the news brought back by Commander Xie and Tiandihui, the Qing army has already achieved results in training naval troops and new troops in the north. They are the main force to wipe out the two guards. It can be seen that their combat power is not bad and may become our confidant in the future!"

This time, Zhao Ming did win the battle in Changzhou, but if Shandong and Liaodong were added, it would be hard to say.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the two guards died or surrendered, and a large number of military capital and Lushun and Weihai fell into the hands of the Qing army, allowing the Qing army to establish a line of defense that blocked Zhao Ming's entry into the Bohai Sea, and liberated a large number of Qing troops outside the pass, north Zhili and Shandong, allowing the Qing army to mobilize troops from the three places and go south to fight.

In addition, with the help of the Dutch, the manchus trained naval masters and land masters were indeed a threat.

Zhao Ming nodded calmly, "Mr. Ma's words are reasonable! I cannot take it lightly yet!"

Ma Shiao continued, "Master, this is just an external trouble. The imperial court's reward has not been received yet, and the title of Master has not been implemented. Fu Shangrui, taking advantage of the Master's front line, contacting local officials in Hudong in the name of the governor, and winning over him, is an internal worry. At present, my Donghai Town is still facing many difficulties!"
Chapter completed!