Beijing City, inside the Imperial Study Room.
"No news yet?"
Emperor Chongzhen asked unhappily. Wang Chengen on the side said with a bitter face: "Your Majesty, there is no news from the Ministry of War."
"What happened to Hong Chengchou? The more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in his hands are the last elite of the imperial court. There must be no mistakes!"
Wang Chengen said: "Your Majesty, the situation in Xinzhou is complicated. I heard what Chen Xinjia, Secretary of the Ministry of War, said the day before yesterday. Li Zicheng has mobilized all the rogue troops. Hundreds of thousands of people have surrounded Xinzhou. Even if there is news, it will be delivered in a short time. Not coming out.”
"Hundreds of thousands of thieves?"
Emperor Chongzhen was even more worried. In addition, he learned from the Ministry of War that Hong Chengchou's tribe had been out of food for a long time. This would be a big defeat no matter how you look at it.
"well!"
Emperor Chongzhen sighed and said, "Is there any news from Liu Yan in the east?"
Wang Chengen shook his head and said: "There is no news yet."
"Liu Yan."
Emperor Chongzhen stood up and walked outside the imperial study. He saw stars hanging in the night sky. The cold winter wind kept blowing, which was biting and cold. Just like Emperor Chongzhen's mood at this moment, it was cold and heartbreaking.
"Will Ming Dynasty fail in my hands?"
Emperor Chongzhen asked himself that since he came to the throne, he had worked hard to govern and had to manage the government for seven or eight hours every day, even all night long. However, the world was becoming more and more chaotic and the state affairs were becoming increasingly corrupt. Could it be that the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty was already ruined?
"Your Majesty!"
Wang Chengen put a cloak on Emperor Chongzhen, and then said: "The wind is too cold here, the emperor should go in."
Emperor Chongzhen shook his head and said: "I want to see the stars again. When the emperor was still here,
When I was still the King of Xin, I would often follow my brother to watch the stars. It was such a good time, carefree, and my brother would handle everything. "
When Wang Chengen heard this, he felt sad in his heart and shed tears involuntarily.
"His Majesty!"
Suddenly, Chen Xinjia strode up from a distance, followed by two Ouchi guards carrying lanterns.
Chen Xinjia shouted loudly while running: "Your Majesty! Great victory in Pinggu, great victory!"
Emperor Chongzhen swayed immediately. After being supported by Wang Chengen, his eyes widened and he asked, "Speak!"
Chen Xinjia ran up to him and was about to salute, but Emperor Chongzhen stopped him: "Speak quickly!"
"yes!"
Chen Xinjia took out the good news sent by Liu Yan and said: "Liu Yan led his troops to Pinggu County in the east of Beijing. The officers and soldiers of the new army are in Pinggu, respectively in Huangsongyu, Mafang, and three places east of the county, with more than 300,000 Qing soldiers. The army fought fiercely, with three battles and three victories. More than 12,000 people were beheaded. The Han army's Gushan'e Zhenwu Shoujin and Tumote Right Banner's Gushan'e Zhen'emu Buchuhu'er, who had a white flag in the formation, were killed. Now the Qing army has retreated. In Jizhou County, after Liu Yan's troops took a short rest, they prepared to advance eastward."
"Ancestors and ancestors bless you!"
Emperor Chongzhen roared and then laughed wildly. This was the only good news he had known in these days.
Wang Chengen also said excitedly and loudly: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, with Liu Duchen here, the Qing army will not have anything to worry about!"
Chen Xinjia also said excitedly: "Your Majesty, there is no news from Mr. Hongge at the moment. Should Liu Duchen detach some of his elite troops and go west to Xinzhou for rescue? With the strength of the Shandong New Army, it will definitely not be a problem!"
Emperor Chongzhen was also quite tempted and looked at Wang Cheng
Well, I couldn't make up my mind for a moment, so I said, "Why don't you send someone to ask Liu Yan?"
"Your Majesty has thought carefully."
At this time, Chen Xinjia had finally received a good news after a long drought. He was overwhelmed with joy and returned home happily to wait for the news.
Wang Chengen was also ordered to ask Liu Yan if he could divide his troops to support Hong Chengchou's tribe.
When Wang Chengen arrived at the new army's guard camp, Liu Yan had already sent additional battalions to stay at night, all heading east to explore the traces of the Qing army's banners.
"Haha, I've met the prince!"
"oops!"
Wang Cheng'en smiled broadly and said: "The governors have worked hard to lead the army, and they have achieved great victories recently. The Za family really admires them!"
Liu Yan smiled and ordered someone to serve tea, then asked Wang Chengen to sit down and said, "My father-in-law, are you here to reward the army?"
Wang Chengen smiled awkwardly and said: "Your Majesty has ordered the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs to raise money and food. Soon someone will send money and food for the army, as well as rewards for the soldiers. Please wait a few more days."
"Ha ha!"
Liu Yan laughed and stopped mentioning the matter.
Then Wang Chengen said: "Supervisor, Hongge's old headquarters is currently besieged in Xinzhou by an army of bandits, and has been cut off from the imperial court for a long time. Your Majesty is very worried about this, and there are many discussions in the imperial court. Recently, haha, recently... "
Seeing Wang Chengen hesitate to speak, Liu Yan put away his smile and said, "Did the father-in-law want to say that someone in the court suggested that the governor should divide his troops to rescue Mr. Hong Ge?"
"Haha, the governor is wise, that's true."
Liu Yan said seriously: "My father-in-law should know the principle that divided troops are weak. In the past, the officers and soldiers were defeated by the Qing army and
The thieves were leading the way, and how many elite soldiers and generals were dragged down by the two thieves taking turns to restrain them? This is the critical moment for the showdown between our army and the Qing army. At this time, the governor's troops must be divided. This is a plan that will harm the country. Those who proposed this plan should be killed! "
Wang Chengen changed his color in shock when he heard this.
On the same day, Wang Chengen declined Liu Yan's invitation to stay for dinner, hurriedly got into the carriage, and returned to Beijing under the escort of the brigade of Jinyi guards and Beijing camp soldiers and horses.
Wang Chengen then reported Liu Yan's reply to Emperor Chongzhen truthfully: "Your Majesty, this is what Liu Duchen said."
Emperor Chongzhen looked very ugly and said, "Chen Xinjia is really stupid!"
Wang Chengen said: "Your Majesty, Chen Shangshu probably has no bad intentions. It's just that he doesn't know how to deal with the current situation."
"snort!"
Emperor Chongzhen said coldly: "Chen Xinjia is the Minister of the Ministry of War. If he doesn't know how to calm down the war, then he shouldn't occupy the position of the Ministry of War for nothing!"
Wang Chengen hurriedly advised: "Your Majesty, the war in Xinzhou and Jingdong is at a critical moment. It is really not the right time to replace the Minister of War."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded slowly and said, "I know. Also, are you ready with the money and food for Liu Yan?"
"The old servant asked Chen Shangshu and Li Shangshu. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs only raised 20% of the amount reported by Liu Duchen. This is already the limit."
Emperor Chongzhen sighed and said: "Send it first, and Liu Yan should be able to understand the difficulties of the court and me."
Three days later, Liu Yan led the battalions of the New Army to continue marching eastward. The front and rear battalions of the New Army, and the second and third battalions of the garrison also advanced from the north and south.
To join together, the 120,000-strong army approached Jizhou City in mighty force and set up camp forty miles west of Jizhou City.
Just when the new army battalions had just settled down, the money and food sent by the court also arrived. Xun Jingyun took his men to inspect and put them into the treasury, and then came to the Chinese army's tent with a frown on his face.
"Master Governor, the imperial court has gone too far. It only sends such a small amount of money and food, which is not enough to consume the army!"
"how many?"
"It's only 20% of the amount we reported to the court. This is just for begging!"
Liu Yan shook his head and said: "Forget it, anyway, the army's money and food are still sufficient now, and money and food will continue to be shipped from Shandong. The money and food in the court is better than nothing."
Xun Jingyun said: "Humph, it is not that the court has no money or food, but it is not in the treasury, but in the hands of princes, ministers, and merchant families!"
Liu Yan smiled and waved his hand and said, "Okay, this situation will change. It just takes time and we need to work hard to change it."
When Xun Jingyun heard this, he clasped his fists and saluted, and said: "The governor is so benevolent and righteous, and my subordinates admire him!"
Then Xun Jingyun asked: "Master Governor, when will we regain Jizhou City?"
Liu Yan thought for a while and said: "The situation is not good right now. Hong Chengchou's side may not be able to hold on much, so we can't delay it. We must fight the Qing army quickly. In this way, the soldiers of each battalion rest for a day and attack Jizhou early the day after tomorrow. .”
Xun Jingyun said: "The soldiers from each camp will continue to explore in the direction of Jizhou."
"Well, it's been arranged."
After Xun Jingyun left, Liu Yan looked at the map alone in the Chinese army tent, clicked his finger on the location of Xinzhou, Shanxi, and then
Then he pointed in the direction of Jizhou and said secretly: "Although Hong Chengchou's troops are sufficient, they should have run out of food now. Their troops are definitely no match for Li Zicheng's million-strong army. Once Li Zicheng defeats Hong Chengchou, hundreds of thousands of thieves will be killed." We will definitely take advantage of the situation and fight to Beizhili!"
Thinking of this, Liu Yan was also a little anxious, and said to himself: "If we fail to repel the Qing army by then, and the Qing army and the bandits rush into Beizhili at the same time, it will be a big joke!"
Therefore, Liu Yan immediately called Miao Shao and said, "Inform all the battalions and the army will set off early the day after tomorrow."
"yes."
Miao Shao said: "My lord, 300,000 Qing troops are guarding Jizhou City. This battle is not going to be easy."
Liu Yan nodded and said: "The Qing army probably won't defend. After all, they are all cavalry. They will probably still fight in formations."
"yes."
Then Liu Yan suddenly remembered something and said to Miao Shao, "Isn't it right?"
"What did the Governor say was wrong?"
Liu Yan then looked at the map, thought for a moment, and said, "Fan Wencheng came here earlier to negotiate a peace. If the slave chief really wanted to negotiate a peace, why didn't he send someone to contact the court directly?"
Miao Shao was also stunned and said: "Yes, if Fan Wencheng arrives in the capital, His Majesty will definitely agree to negotiate peace. Why did they go directly to the governor?"
Liu Yan frowned and thought for a while, then slammed his palm on the table and said loudly: "No! The Qing army must be trying to stabilize the governor. Huang Taiji has a conspiracy."
"Do the Qing troops want to withdraw and delay, or do they want to attack elsewhere?"
"I don't know, but it's definitely not withdrawing the troops and returning north!"
Miao Shao said: "My lord, why don't you lead your troops to attack Jizhou City and test it out?"
What is the reality of the Qing army? "
Liu Yan nodded and said, "The guard camp is infantry, so let the cavalry camp go. Get Xu Ming quickly."
"yes."
