"Shen Qing, do you have any suggestions for the candidate to attack Pidao's coach?"
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and looked at Shen Zhanran.
When Shen Zhanran heard this, he was stunned and said: "Most of the generals in the court are from the north, and a water battle is barely enough. What's more, this battle is on the sea. I really can't think of anyone who is suitable."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "Last time we saw Jin Xuan, the doctor of the Ministry of War, at Changyi Gate, who has a good way of arranging troops. Do you think he is suitable?"
Shen Zhanran thought for a while and said: "Master Jin does have general talents, but the methods of naval warfare and land warfare are different, and I can't tell for sure."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he knew that Shen Zhanran did not approve of Jin Xuan. In fact, he himself had no confidence. He only asked this question because he did not have a suitable candidate for a while.
Originally it would have been best to let Shi Kefa lead the army, but after reading Xia Wanchun's letter, he was worried that Shi Kefa was afraid of fighting and the southern troops would not be able to really put pressure on the Jurchens.
If that were the case, not only would Li Guozhen's life be in danger, but once the Jurchens invaded the south, not to mention defeating the rebels, they might not even be able to defend the capital.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said in a deep voice: "Forget it, let's go see Zheng Sen and others in person. If they are worthy, leave this battle to them!"
"Also, go find Jin Xuan and ask him what he thinks. If he is interested, ask him to come to Dongnuang Pavilion to find us."
Shen Zhanran nodded and was about to turn around and leave, but was stopped by Zhu Yuanzhang.
But after Zhu Yuanzhang left him behind, he didn't speak, but just kept looking at him.
Shen Zhanran was shocked when he saw this, and then whispered: "Your Majesty, are you going to Yu County in person?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was not surprised when he heard what he said. He nodded slightly and said, "You also know the current situation. If we don't go there in person, I'm afraid Gong Yonggu may not be able to support it."
"But if we leave, the capital will not be stable, and I really feel uneasy."
After saying that, he paused again, looked at Shen Zhanran and said: "Shen Qing, we intend to let you stay in the capital and assist the prince in running the country. Do you have confidence?"
Although Shen Zhanran had guessed that Zhu Yuanzhang intended to go to Yu County before, when he heard this, he immediately knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible."
"Not to mention the undercurrents surging in the capital, the administration of officials, land and other matters that need to be dealt with by you. Just the new defeat of our army makes the situation of the war already murky."
"In addition, Zuo and Yuan's hundreds of thousands of troops are about to arrive in Shanxi. The war situation will be more complicated by then. Now the life and death of An Guogong, the most decorated military leader, is uncertain. You are the last hope of the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty."
"If you cannot completely defeat the rebels, I am worried that the morale of the army will be unstable. This matter will be more serious than losing Yu County and losing hundreds of thousands of troops. Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Shen Zhanran was hinting to him that if he went to defeat, not only would the soldiers lose confidence, but Wu Sangui and others would also be more likely to intimidate the capital and make him the second Han Xian Emperor. At that time, there would really be no way to save the day.
But if he doesn't go, once the Yu County defense line collapses, the rebels will besiege the capital again, and the situation will not be much better.
So he smiled and said: "Shen Qing, we have thought of everything you said, so we are going to leave Beijing quietly and go to Yu County to give guidance to Gong Yonggu."
"It would be best if we can break through the Shanxi defense line before Yuan Zongdi and others arrive. If not, we will return to Beijing after arranging the withdrawal."
"It only takes two or three days at most. As long as you delay these days for us, we will be back, and we won't miss anything."
Hearing this, Shen Zhanran hesitated in his heart, but he thought that this method should be the best way at the moment, and immediately knelt down and said: "Since His Majesty's holy will has been decided, I must abide by it."
"It's just that I have limited abilities. I can barely support it for two or three days. If this time limit is exceeded, I may not be able to handle it. Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed when he heard this. He immediately stepped forward to help him up and said, "Okay, Shen Qing, we can rest assured with your words."
"But you don't have to worry too much. Yu County is not far from the capital. If you have any difficulty, just send someone to deliver a message to Gong Yonggu's camp."
"In addition, we will leave Zhang Dabiao and the other eighteen riders to you..."
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. If you arrange it this way, I will never dare to accept your order!"
Shen Zhanran heard that Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to keep the Eighteen Cavalry and immediately refused.
Under Shen Zhanran's strong opposition, Zhu Yuanzhang finally decided to take away Zhang Dabiao and other ten cavalrymen, leaving Zhao Erhu and other eight cavalrymen to protect Shen Zhanran.
Zhu Yuanzhang then carefully explained to Shen Zhanran various matters that might be encountered in Beijing, as well as the corresponding response methods.
By the time the two of them had discussed everything, it was almost three o'clock in the morning.
Therefore, the palace gate was closed at this moment, so he asked Wang Chengen to take Shen Zhanran out of the palace to find Jin Xuan.
Later, Zhang Dabiao and Wu Mengming were summoned and given instructions on travel and contact matters.
At this time, he remembered that he had not informed the crown prince and Empress Zhou about his departure from the capital. Because he still had a knot in his mind and was unwilling to go to Kunning Palace at this time, he originally wanted to have Zhu Cixi summoned directly and let Zhu Cixiang tell Empress Zhou. .
But he suddenly remembered the last time Wang Zhixin besieged the imperial city. Worried about the safety of the imperial city, he took Wu Mengming to Duanben Palace, preparing to inform Zhu Cixiang of his departure from the capital, and then inspect the defense of the imperial city.
Because Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to observe the defense of Duanben Palace, he stopped the palace officials from communicating everywhere he went. Unexpectedly, he accidentally overheard Zhu Cihong and Zhou Jing's conversation outside the study about two county magistrates in one county.
Through the conversation between the two, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that it was not that Zhu Cihong had not seen the conspiracy. He did not reveal it because he did not think of a solution and was worried that if the matter was made clear, he would go on a killing spree and lose people's hearts.
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was happy for Zhu Cixiang's intelligence and benevolence, but at the same time worried about his kindness.
Then he thought that Zhu Cixiang had always been raised in a deep palace and had never seen the sinister nature of people's hearts. It was normal to have such thoughts.
So after he left the study, he asked Wu Mengming to notify Zhu Cihong to pick him up.
After a while, Zhu Cihong and Zhou Jing hurried over.
He pretended not to know and walked into the study, first pointed out some shortcomings in Zhu Cihong's memorial, and then told him about his departure from Beijing.
Zhu Cihong was shocked when he heard this and tried his best to dissuade him.
However, after he listened to Zhu Yuanzhang's explanation of the current situation, he was silent for a while, and then knelt down to plead guilty, claiming that he was incompetent and could not share Zhu Yuanzhang's worries and let Zhu Yuanzhang work hard.
At the end of the story, Zhu Cixi almost burst into tears.
Zhu Yuanzhang was greatly moved when he saw this. He helped him up and comforted him, and asked him to inform Empress Zhou, then he took Wu Mengming to inspect the imperial city.
When Zhu Yuanzhang returned to Dongnuang Pavilion after inspecting the imperial city, he unexpectedly saw an angry-looking Empress Zhou and a woman in military uniform with an elegant face.
It turned out that after Zhu Yuanzhang left Duanben Palace, Zhu Cihong felt uneasy. When he learned that Zhou Hou had not gone to bed, he went to inform her of the matter.
After Zhou Hou learned about this, she was shocked and angry. However, she was virtuous by nature. After being angry, she hurried to Dongnuan Pavilion to see off Zhu Yuanzhang.
When she arrived at Dongnuang Pavilion, Zhu Yuanzhang was still inspecting the imperial city and had not returned. While waiting, she remembered that Chongzhen had been weak recently and was worried that the guards could not take care of him, and she felt sad in her heart.
Just when she was feeling sad, she suddenly thought of Tian Shuying, the late sister of Concubine Tian.
It turns out that Tian Shuying is not only beautiful, but her riding and shooting skills are even better than those of Concubine Tian.
Empress Zhou thought that although she was not a concubine, Chongzhen had given her flowers, and he had intended to marry her, but it was only delayed due to the war.
If Tian Shuying was allowed to accompany him, he would not only protect Chongzhen's safety, but also take care of his daily life, so he hurriedly notified Tian Shuying to come in uniform.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Empress Zhou was angry, so he excused himself by inspecting the imperial city.
Most of Zhou Hou's anger had dissipated while she was waiting. Seeing his frosty face now, she felt even more distressed. Where could she still be angry, she actually threw herself into his arms and cried bitterly.
This situation reminded Zhu Yuanzhang of the scene when Empress Ma saw him off. He felt a little confused for a moment and comforted Empress Zhou softly.
Zhou Hou was also a reasonable person. After crying bitterly, he told him to take care of his health and asked him to take Tian Shuying with him.
Zhu Yuanzhang was unwilling at first, but Zhou Hou insisted not to comply, and said that Taizu had also sent Guo Ninglian to the expedition.
In desperation, Zhu Yuanzhang had to agree, and Zhou Cai smiled again.
At this time, Shen Zhanran happened to come with Jin Xuan.
Seeing this, Empress Zhou gave a few more instructions before reluctantly leaving Dongnuan Pavilion.
After Zhu Yuanzhang learned that Jin Xuan was willing to go to Liaodong, he gave Wang Chengen some instructions, and then left the capital with Zhang Dabiao and others under the cover of Wang Chengen.
