In mid-September, the situation in the northwest completely collapsed. Even all parts of Hubei were invaded by the bandit army. With the fall of Xiangyang City, Li Zicheng ordered the officials and vassal kings in the city to be executed together. Emperor Chongzhen could no longer sit still and immediately summoned Hong Chengchou and others. Chen Xinjia discussed matters.
At this time, all the ministers in the cabinet and the civil and military officials of the court were already in trouble. They all said anything at the court meeting, including all kinds of quotations from scriptures, all kinds of moral accusations, and so on, but no one came up with a specific strategy for the conquest. People can actually solve problems.
Emperor Chongzhen walked away angrily, met with Hong Chengchou and Chen Xinjia in the imperial study, and then ordered Wang Chengen to bring Li Daiwen, the Minister of Household Affairs.
"The intruders are powerful, how should the court respond?"
Emperor Chongzhen leaned on the dragon chair very tiredly, his brows furrowed into a Sichuan shape. Hong Chengchou, Chen Xinjia, and Li Daiwen were silent. It was Emperor Chongzhen who was so unwilling to mobilize the Shandong New Army that he asked Li Zicheng to do it again. It was so big that half of the country in the northwest collapsed in an instant.
Who can deal with this tragedy now?
Seeing that everyone was silent, Emperor Chongzhen looked at Hong Chengchou and said, "Do you have anything to say?"
Hong Chengchou paused and said: "Your Majesty, for the current plan, the only way is to mobilize troops from various towns in Liaodong to go south. The court will do its best to raise money, food and military equipment, and then send out troops. The army will first recover Shanxi, and together with the remnants of Datong Town and Shanxi Town, join forces. After the troops are stationed in one place, they will then go south to regain Henan."
Emperor Chongzhen asked: "What if the Qing army takes the opportunity to go south?"
"You can leave the soldiers and horses of Shanhaiguan Town to defend Guancheng, and order the soldiers and horses of the garrison stations in Liaodong to defend the city and resist at every level."
Hong Chengchou's meaning is obvious. Now
The only way is to exchange the land of Liaodong for the lost land of the mainland. The hinterland of Ming Dynasty and Liaodong can only give up one!
Of course, there was another way to take care of both, and that was to recruit Liu Yan's new army to join the war, but Emperor Chongzhen never let go.
Emperor Chongzhen looked solemnly, looked at Li Daiwen, and asked, "How much food can the Ministry of Household Affairs raise?"
Li Daiwen said: "Your Majesty, the national treasury is currently empty and cannot support the mobilization of large-scale troops and horses. If we follow the elder's strategy, how many troops and horses need to be mobilized?"
At this time, everyone looked at Chen Xinjia, and saw Chen Xinjia saying: "According to Mr. Ge's strategy, we can recruit 30,000 soldiers and horses from Miyun Town, 12,000 soldiers and horses from Qiantun Guards, and 3 soldiers and horses from Ningyuan Town." There are 16,000 troops, including 13,000 troops from Zuo Guangxian, the commander-in-chief of the reinforcement and suppression forces, and 20,000 troops from Liaodong Town. A total of more than 110,000 troops have been mobilized."
"The remaining troops and horses in Jinzhou, Songshan, Ningyuan, Shanhaiguan and other places cannot be mobilized and must be stationed in various places. This is the minimum limit for the garrison in Liaodong."
Li Daiwen pondered for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, if more than 110,000 people are to be recruited for the expedition, even if the Ministry of Revenue sells iron, it will only be able to raise the money and food needed for the army for two months."
"Two months?"
"Two months!"
At this time, even if Emperor Chongzhen did not understand military affairs, he knew that it would be impossible to end the war in two months. Even if Xu Da was reincarnated, he would not be able to wipe out a million enemy troops in two months!
"Half a year!"
Emperor Chongzhen said angrily: "The Ministry of Revenue must raise the money and food needed for the army for half a year, and it will be completed within a month!"
"Your Majesty! If you want to raise so much money and food, then Your Majesty will just push the minister out of the Meridian Gate and behead him.
, I have nothing to do! "
Emperor Chongzhen was so angry that stars appeared in his eyes.
Two days later, Emperor Chongzhen issued an edict, appointing Hong Chengchou as governor of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, Hubei, and Beizhili provinces to take charge of the military and administrative affairs of the provinces, commanding 36,000 soldiers and horses in Miyun Town, Qiantunwei, and Ningyuan Town. A total of more than 110,000 elite troops from Guangxian Department and Liaodong Town entered to suppress Li Zicheng's Department. The soldiers and horses of all the ministries arrived in the capital within one month to rendezvous.
At the same time, soldiers and horses from Datong Town and Shanxi Town were ordered to defend Datong Mansion and drag the bandit soldiers and horses into Shanxi.
This time, Emperor Chongzhen directly sent the Jin Yiwei from Fusi in Beizhen to each town to deliver the edict. Moreover, after each team of Jin Yiwei delivered the edict, they would not immediately return to the capital to resume their orders, but would return to the capital with the army.
If there was anyone who was procrastinating or refused to obey orders, Emperor Chongzhen gave these Jin Yiwei the power to make arbitrary decisions at the opportunity. To put it bluntly, whoever did not send troops would be killed by the Jin Yiwei!
In the blink of an eye, it was early October, when Wu Sangui, who had traveled the furthest distance, led an army of 36,000 to the Desheng Gate in Beijing. He announced that all armies had arrived in advance. The camp of more than 110,000 soldiers stretched for more than ten miles. Hong Chengchou stood in Desheng Gate. The view from the tower of Shengmen is spectacular.
But at this time, Hong Chengchou's heart was very heavy. Just yesterday, the Ministry of Revenue sent the money and food needed for the army to the Supervisory Standard Camp. However, the amount was far less than the amount negotiated, and was only enough to feed an army of more than 100,000 people for half a month.
Hong Chengchou sent someone to question Li Dai and learned that the money and grain were already in the inventory of the Ministry of Household Affairs, including the salaries of all the officials in the capital this month. The remaining balance will have to wait until the autumn tax from each province is delivered to the capital, and then civilians will be mobilized to send it to the frontline army.
There was no other way. Faced with Emperor Chongzhen's urging almost three times a day, and faced with the eight hundred miles of urgent need from Datong Prince Pu and Li Fuming almost every three days, Hong Chengchou had no time to wait for the follow-up money and food to arrive, so he could only prepare to leave first.
So that day Hong Chengchou went out of the city to Dubiao Camp. In the Chinese army's tent, Miyun Town Chief Soldier Tang Tong, former Tun Guard Chief Wang Tingchen, Ningyuan Town Chief Soldier Wu Sangui, Suppression Chief Soldier Zuo Guangxian, Liu Zhaoji, the chief military officer of Liaodong Town, arrived one after another, and everyone's expressions were very ugly.
Everyone was very unfavorable about this battle. The 110,000 troops in each town were hastily assembled. Not only were they short of money and food, but they also faced millions of enemy troops. No one wanted to participate in such a battle.
Hong Chengchou looked at everyone and said: "I and you are all old acquaintances. When we sent troops to help Jinzhou, we have been fighting side by side. It can be said that we are friends of life and death! Today, I and you are gathered together again to prepare for the annihilation. Li Chuang is rebellious, this is a battle to protect the country and the people, I hope you can work together with me to exterminate this beast!"
After speaking, everyone was silent, and no one answered at all.
Hong Chengchou looked a little displeased and looked at Wu Sangui and said: "An Ningbo's army is the farthest away, but time is tight. Our comrades from Datong Town and Shanxi Town are still waiting for us to rush to our rescue. The governor will not leave time to rest. The army will arrive tomorrow." Then we set off, hoping that Uncle An Ning will forgive me."
Wu Sangui hesitated for a moment, and then said: "The governor's words are serious. It doesn't matter if you don't have time to rest. We are all people who lick blood with their swords and are not so squeamish. It's just that the general is wondering why the money and food distributed to each town is only ten days." amount? And each town will
The money for the soldiers' departure has not been recovered until now, so that the soldiers of each battalion are chasing after the general to ask, and the general does not know how to reply to the soldiers, and I hope the governor can teach me! "
Starting with Wu Sangui, the general officers of other towns also started asking questions, with Tang Tong and Zuo Guangxian being the most enthusiastic.
Hong Chengchou's face turned completely dark, and he suddenly said sternly: "Now that Li Chuang has been crowned the King of Dashun, the world is shocked, all the people are paying attention, and the emperor is even more humiliated. As ministers of the Ming Dynasty, we should lead the army to fight the bandits in bloody battles, and Peace to the world! Your Majesty knows that the imperial court is short of money and food. As long as we serve the country wholeheartedly, Your Majesty will naturally try our best to mobilize money and food for the army, and the soldiers in each town will never be short of money and food."
When everyone heard this, they were all noncommittal, and no one believed what Hong Chengchou said.
Wang Tingchen said: "My lord, more than 100,000 troops have been mobilized to join the war, and the money and food needed are huge. It's okay to be short of some now. I'll just wait and suppress the generals. But after the army fights with the bandits, if there is no money and food in the rear The supply is still not available, or even completely cut off, what should I do?”
Tang Tong also took the opportunity to say: "Yes, by then there is no need for the bandits to send troops to cut off my food routes. My army will be cut off from its own money and food!"
Everyone started talking, and it was clear that no one cared about the majesty and face of the governor, Hong Chengchou, on matters involving life and death.
Seeing this, Hong Chengchou suppressed the anger in his heart and said: "The Holy Father has ordered the Ministry of Household Affairs to raise money and food for this matter. The money and food will be replenished within this month. You should go back to camp to reorganize your troops. Don't delay the auspicious time for the army to go out tomorrow." .”
Then Hong Chengchou changed his tone and told everyone in a cold voice
The man said: "This governor is leading his troops to fight in this battle. If anyone does not obey the order, don't blame me for being merciless. The Holy Lord has given me the Shang Fang Sword, with the power to kill first and then report, and to make arbitrary decisions when the opportunity arises!"
When everyone heard this, their hearts trembled, and they all clasped their fists to accept the order.
The next day, Hong Chengchou led his troops from Deshengmen and marched southwest to Shanxi.
The army marched through Liangxiang, Laishui, and Baoding, then turned westward and entered Zhending Mansion. After marching for eight days, the army arrived at Jingxing Pass.
Jingxing Pass is called Jingxing Pass because the land is high and flat on all sides and the middle part is as low as a well. Both "Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals" and "Huainanzi" call "Jingxing" one of the nine fortresses in the world, which shows the importance of this place.
Jingxing Pass, also known as Tumen Pass, was built at this entrance during the Han Dynasty. It, Huguan and Tianjing Pass in the south are collectively known as the "Three Shangdang Passes".
Jingxing Pass consists of three parts: Xigu Pass, Niangzi Pass and Dong Tumen Pass. Guancheng was restored in the second year of Zhengtong in the Ming Dynasty, which was the key to entering Hebei from the northwest, so there is a saying that "depending on one's hometown is particularly important".
At this time, 110,000 troops from each town were stationed inside and outside Jingxing Pass. Hong Chengchou led the general officers of each town into Guancheng to rest. Today, there are only more than 300 defenders in Guancheng, which is far from the "two thousand elites" stipulated by the Ministry of War.
In the official hall, Hong Chengchou was about to deploy his strategy, preparing to lead his troops to regain Taiyuan City first, and then attack from the north and south with Datong Town and Shanxi Town to first defeat the rogue soldiers and horses entrenched in Shanxi.
But before Hong Chengchou could speak, Tang Tong took the lead and said, "Supervisor, when will the money and food from the court arrive? My camp has run out of food!"
Zuo Guangxian also said: "When we set off, the governor said that the imperial court would gradually bring in the lack of money and food, but eight or nine days have passed.
, why haven’t the money and food been delivered yet? "
Hong Chengchou frowned slightly and said: "The situation is the same in every town. Even the governor's supervision camp is short of food. The court is in a difficult situation. You should be considerate and wait a few more days."
At this time, Wu Sangui said: "Master Governor, it's not that we don't sympathize with the imperial court, but along the way, every town has been frugal and frugal, and the soldiers in each department are angry and demoralized. Even in this town, there are already hundreds of deserters. Yes, I believe this is the case in every town.”
The other people started talking one after another, and sure enough, deserters began to appear in every town.
Hong Chengchou also knew this, because even soldiers from the Dubiao camp began to flee.
Seeing that everyone was resolute, Hong Chengchou had obviously calmed down secretly, and it was not easy for him to get into a stalemate with everyone, so he said, "What do you think we should do?"
Several general military officers looked at Wu Sangui, and Wu Sangui said: "Don't blame me, Governor, we are doing this to preserve our troops, and only in this way can we win this battle. So we think that the army should be stationed at Jingxing Pass , wait for the money and food from the court to arrive, and then continue to march!"
Hong Chengchou frowned and said: "I understand your concerns, but it is not enough to stay at Jingxing Pass. The army must continue to move forward. Of course, I will not cut off food to fight. Therefore, I believe that the army should continue How about moving forward and taking Taiyuan Fucheng first, then relying on the strong city to obtain the supplies in the city, and then waiting for the money and food supplies from the court?"
Several people hesitated, and then Wu Sangui asked: "Every town has basically run out of food, how can we get to Taiyuan?"
Hong Chengchou
Gritting his teeth, he said: "Collect all the food and grass around Jingxing Pass and take them all away! If there is not enough, all the troops will kill horses to satisfy their hunger!"
