Gong Yonggu saw the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, smiled with satisfaction, and then said to He Zhen: "General He, I have important matters to discuss with the earls. You can take the generals out of the tent and entertain them!"
He Zhen heard the words, bowed in agreement, and then invited everyone out very politely.
Wu Guogui wanted to take the opportunity to stay, but when he saw Wu Sangui nodded slightly, he followed him out.
Gong Yonggu waited until everyone had gone out before he said: "His Majesty's secret decree is that we must break through the rebel defense line in these two days. Do you have any good strategies?"
After he said that, he glanced at everyone again.
Seeing that no one spoke, he looked at Wu Sangui and said, "Uncle Ping Xi, you are the oldest and the most capable among them all, so you should speak first!"
Wu Sangui repeatedly declined and said: "Ping Xi Hou Mi praised me, the general is just a reckless man, and he has to be appreciated by your majesty to be the commander-in-chief. How dare I say anything in front of you? I'd better ask you to make arrangements!"
Gong Yonggu sneered, and then said with a smile on his face: "Okay, you don't have to be humble. This matter is His Majesty's explicit decree. He asked you to plan... participate in the plan, so just tell me!"
Although Gong Yonggu changed his words in time, Gao Jie and others had already understood the meaning of his words.
Although they all knew that Chongzhen valued Wu Sangui's Guandong cavalry, they did not expect to value Wu Sangui himself so much, because this move clearly placed Wu Sangui above Gong Yonggu.
Then they thought that Gong Yonggu was originally an idle prince-in-law, but he was able to rise up through the siege of the capital and became the commander-in-chief of an army of hundreds of thousands.
Now because of Wu Sangui, not only was he reprimanded, but he also had to obey the arrangements of a subordinate. One can imagine his resentment towards Wu Sangui.
Thinking of this, Gao Jie and others put aside Wu Sangui and communicated secretly with their eyes.
After hearing Gong Yonggu's words, Wu Sangui was confused, but he thought that Chongzhen was so anxious that the Jurchens had already sent troops.
After feeling secretly happy in his heart, he tentatively said: "Ping Xihou, since you let the general plan, I wonder if you can tell your majesty why you are so eager to fight. You know, we are now..."
"Uncle Ping Xi, if you are asked to plan, just plan. If you shouldn't pry, don't pry less!"
Gong Yonggu seemed to have exhausted all his patience just now. Before Wu Sangui could finish speaking, he interrupted him loudly.
When Wu Sangui saw this, a trace of murderous intent flashed across his face, and then he respectfully apologized and said: "What Ping Xihou taught me is that the general will understand."
After that, he thought for a while and said slowly: "Now the enemy and we are equally powerful. If we want to..."
Just when Wu Sangui opened his mouth, another soldier came in to report that the magistrate of Yu County was surrounded by the people in the county office because of the soldiers disturbing the people, and he sent someone to ask for help.
Gong Yonggu originally had a displeased look on his face, but when he heard the report, he immediately smiled and said: "Uncle Ping Xi, since you are already the supervisor of the army, let you handle this matter. Your Majesty is very concerned about this, and you must handle it well." return."
"As for strategic matters, I will discuss it with the earls first. If you have any suggestions, you can add them when you come back!"
Wu Sangui didn't know that Gong Yonggu wanted to take the opportunity to drive him away so that he could monopolize power.
However, due to his identity and what happened just now, he always felt a little uneasy. He wanted to confirm with Wu Guogui and others, so he did not refuse.
But just as he walked out of the tent, he heard Gong Yonggu's voice again: "Ping Xihou, in order to calm the people, your Majesty once set up grievance drums every five miles in the suburbs of Beijing."
"In view of the situation in Yu County, I think it might be better to set up a grievance drum every two miles. What do you think... let you handle this matter!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Sangui suppressed the anger in his heart. After bowing in agreement, he slowly walked out of the tent. Gong Yonggu's voice was still faintly heard in his ears: "I feel that this battle should be defeated first and then won, so We can set up an ambush in Yu County..."
When Wu Sangui heard Gong Yonggu's words, he sneered in his heart.
He waited for Wu Guogui and others to arrive before riding away at a gallop.
However, after they left Gong Yonggu's military camp, their speed immediately slowed down.
Wu Sangui looked thoughtfully at the scenery on the roadside while listening to Wu Guogui's report.
After Wu Guogui finished speaking, he frowned and said, "Guogui, are you sure that Gong Yonggu was reprimanded by Chongzhen?"
Wu Guogui nodded and said: "This matter must be true, because at that time He Zhen and others were discussing military affairs with Gong Yonggu, and the Jin Yiwei directly kicked them out and asked people to stay outside the tent."
"Soon after that, Gong Yonggu asked He Zhen to convene the generals for discussion, and his attitude also changed drastically."
Wu Sangui shook his head when he heard this and said: "This alone is not enough to explain that Gong Yonggu was reprimanded. You must know that he is a general appointed by Chongzhen. With Chongzhen's protective character, he will definitely not reprimand him and leave the power to me. !”
Wu Guogui smiled and said: "Commander, have you forgotten that before the imperial edict was read, Gong Yonggu was already furious."
"If he hadn't been reprimanded and already knew that you would be made a general like him, how could he be so angry and even beat Hu Siliu, who is obviously deeply favored by the emperor."
"And after the general heard that the imperial guards read out the imperial edict, he hurriedly left the military camp and headed south, thinking he was going to find Huang Degong."
Wu Sangui was silent for a while and said: "What you said makes some sense, but I am still a little worried, just afraid..."
As he spoke, he paused again and said, "Can you find out why Chongzhen was so eager to attack the rebels? Is it because the Jurchens came?"
Wu Guogui shook his head and said: "The general is not aware of this matter, but now the only one who can make Chongzhen anxious is the Jurchen. I think it won't be long before Chongzhen will let you return to Liaodong."
Wu Sangui thought for a while, then looked at Wu Zhidao: "Last time you said that Chongzhen once asked the Zheng family from Fujian to come to Beijing to serve the king. Do you know where they are now?"
Wu Zhidao said: "Zheng Zhilong of Fujian had no intention of serving the king. Only Zheng Hongkui was very active. I heard that he is mobilizing troops and horses and has not set off yet. However, it seems that Zheng Zhilong's son Zheng Sen has brought four to five thousand people to Beijing with Shi Kefa this time. .”
"Are you sure there are only four or five thousand people?"
Wu Sangui asked solemnly after hearing this.
Wu Zhidao: "There are indeed only these people, and it seems that most of them are Zheng Sen's private soldiers and have not fought in many battles."
Upon hearing this, Wu Sangui's originally solemn expression relaxed a little, and said to himself: "Zheng Sen is just a young boy who has never fought in any big battles, and he only has a few thousand people, so it shouldn't be anything to worry about. "
"As for Zheng Hongkui, since he is still reorganizing the army, it will be six or seven days later when he arrives, and it will have no impact on us."
Wu Guogui on the side also echoed: "Commander, don't worry, it must be the Jurchen who is here. Seeing that Gong Yonggu has been fighting in vain for a long time, Chongzhen was extremely disappointed with him, so he angrily rebuked him and pinned his hope on you. "
Wu Sangui nodded and said: "It seems that this should be the case. Unfortunately, after this incident, Gao Jie and others will definitely reject me. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to join forces again in the future."
Wu Guogui heard this and said with disdain: "Commander, I think you have wronged yourself too much. Gao Jie and those guys, even I feel embarrassed to be with them, let alone..."
"Guogui, do you remember what I told you?"
Wu Sangui didn't wait for him to finish speaking and immediately stopped him.
Wu Guogui remembered Wu Sangui's previous warning, closed his mouth with a look of reluctance, and rode forward.
When Wu Sangui saw this, he shook his head helplessly and galloped away.
