In April in Liaodong, although summer is not yet here in terms of climate, it is also the season of spring flowers blooming. On both sides of the road, vegetation is sprouting, green hair is everywhere, and there is life.
The soldiers of the Eight Banners of Manchuria marched in formation according to the order of each flag. The Eight Banners soldiers in Manchuria are distinguished by flag colors, but it is not the real eight colors, but the four colors of yellow, white, red and blue. There are also four flags with yellow, white, red and blue. They are in the four-color military uniforms and flags. Decorated with red and white trim. Looking from a distance, we can see a long dragon composed of four colors rolling across the land of Liaodong, with no edges visible from the beginning to the end.
This time the Qing troops mobilized on an unprecedented scale. The Eight Banners Manchuria and the Eight Banners Mongolia were divided into two, and more than 80,000 elite troops were gathered. The infantry and cavalry of the Eight Banners Han Army including King Kong Youde, King Huaishun, Geng Zhongming, King Zhishun, Shang Kexi, Duke Xushun and Shen Zhixiang came out in full force. The total number of troops dispatched exceeded 100,000, and all the food, fodder and baggage were available.
For this ethnic minority dynasty that has grown wildly in the Northeast for decades, it depends on whether it can enter the Central Plains and become a strong competitor for the throne of the world!
As the commander-in-chief of the 100,000-strong Qing army, the Regent Dorgon seldom rode a horse during the march because of his poor health. Most of the time he traveled in a yellow sedan chair carried by four people. There was a handle on the front of the sedan chair. Yellow umbrella. In addition, he also asked someone to prepare a large yellow sedan for himself, which was carried by sixteen people. It was divided into bundles and carried by camels. There is also a large felt tent called the Tent Hall, which is also carried by camels. These yellow utensils were all taken out from the royal warehouse and were used by Huang Taiji.
He has not yet settled in Beijing, but he openly uses tools that only the emperor can use, which will inevitably make people think.
The army led by Dorgon left Shengjing and Shenyang on April 13th. Although Zu Zepu arrived in Shengjing on April 11th, he met with Dorgon and agreed to borrow troops to fight against the thieves. thing. But Dorgon still made two preparations.
According to the plan, the army would first march due west and then turn southwest, or go to the Liaoxi Corridor and enter Shanhaiguan to join forces with Wu Sangui to attack Beijing; or break through the Great Wall from Jizhou or Miyun, attack steadily, and approach the city of Beijing step by step.
The former is of course the most ideal. If Shanhaiguan is removed, the Qing army can enter and leave the Central Plains along the shortcut of the Western Liaoning Corridor. And without any worries, we can go all out to seize the Central Plains territory.
The latter is not ideal. The 50,000 Ming troops at Shanhaiguan will choke their throats, and their retreat will be threatened. There is no problem in capturing Beijing, but it is not easy to pursue Li Zicheng with all his strength and quickly expand the territory. Unless Wu Sangui is eliminated after Li Zicheng is eliminated.
But after defeating Li Zicheng and Wu Sangui, how many Eight Banners soldiers were left in the Qing Dynasty?
In addition, in case Li Zicheng failed Hong Chengchou's expectation, he retreated to Beijing after failing in the field battle. Dorgon is going to be blinded. On one end is the fortified city of Beijing, and on the other end are the mountains and seas. If the 100,000 Qing troops wanted to attack and capture these two fortresses, they would probably be exhausted and not even a few of them would be left.
In other words, Li Zicheng had no chance of winning - as long as Wu Sangui did not lead Qing troops into the pass, Li Zicheng would not attack Shanhaiguan but fight the Qing troops under the walls of Beijing. Then the outcome will be between 50 and 50.
Even if the army is defeated, it will not be too embarrassing.
Therefore, within a few days after dispatching troops, Dorgon had been restless. He was afraid that Wu Sangui would regret it, and even more afraid that Li Zicheng would stand still in Beijing.
Later historians like to regard Li Zicheng's delay in Beijing and his failure to attack Wu Sangui in time as a major mistake. However, at this time, Dorgon was worried because he had not received news about Li Zicheng's eastern expedition.
Because in his opinion, it was impossible for Li Zicheng to capture Shanhaiguan in a short period of time without suffering heavy casualties.
If Li Zicheng had this ability, Dorgon would not dare to enter the pass and die!
Even if the Eight Banners soldiers attack a majestic pass like Shanhaiguan and a garrison of 40,000 to 50,000 people, it will take a long time and cause heavy casualties.
The fifth day after the Qing army left Shengjing, that is, the morning of April 17th. The Zhengbai Banner Brigade where the regent and Prince Shuorui, Dorgon, are located have arrived at the bank of the Liao River. After crossing the Liaohe River, he would decide whether to go to the Western Liaoning Corridor instead to the northern foot of Yanshan Mountain.
It can be said that the moment of relationship that determines the fate of the Qing Dynasty has arrived!
Just when the Zhengbai Banner troops were resting, having a meal, and preparing to cross the river. As the vanguard of the army, Geng Zhongming, the commander-in-chief of the Eight Banners Han Army who had already crossed the river, suddenly returned to the east bank in a small boat and arrived in front of Dorgon.
"Prince Regent, good news!" Geng Zhongming, who is almost fifty years old this year, still looks strong, strong and full of energy. His face is shiny and rosy, full of joy.
"What's the news?" Dorgon asked, his face sallow after not sleeping well for several days.
"Chuangni is on an expedition! The target is Shanhaiguan!"
Dorgon let out a long sigh, clasped his hands together and said, "Buddha bless you!"
"What's more!" Geng Zhongming said happily, "Tianjin Wei was captured by the rebellious generals Li Guo and Li Yan! On the way to escape by boat, Chongzhen and the prince were approached by the rebellious female general Hong Niangzi, and the ship caught fire and sank. .....The Ming Dynasty is dead!"
"God bless the Qing Dynasty! Haha..." Dorgon's sallow face also rarely turned red, and he smiled so big that he couldn't close his mouth. "Quickly, announce Fan Wencheng and Hong Chengchou."
Fan Wencheng and Hong Chengchou were soon announced. After learning the news brought by Geng Zhongming, the expressions of the two people were quite interesting. Fan Wencheng was smiling and beaming. Hong Chengchou had a crying look on his face, as if he were mourning his heir.
Dorgon smiled and comforted Hong Chengchou and said: "Hengjiu, don't be sad... The Ming Dynasty has been exhausted. Let's think about how to avenge Chongzhen and his son!"
Fan Wencheng had never been an official in the Ming Dynasty, so he did not need to be sad about the death of his old master. He immediately said with a smile: "Your Majesty, since the father of the Ming Dynasty has died, Li Zicheng has personally led an army to attack Wu Sangui. Then what reason does Wu Sangui have not to Submit to the Qing Dynasty? I suggest that we march through western Liaoning and arrive at Shanhaiguan to establish a stronghold."
Hong Chengchou wiped his tears and said: "Your Majesty, I agree with Master Fan. Li Zicheng made a big mistake in attacking Wu Sangui. Wu Sangui had no choice but to surrender to the Qing Dynasty. So there is no need to go around the northern foot of Yanshan Mountain and go straight to Shanhaiguan. go!"
Dorgon smiled and said: "Since you two have the same intention, let's march to Shanhaiguan!
In addition, he sent an envoy to tell Wu Sangui that the Qing Dynasty would join forces with him to avenge the late Emperor and the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty! "
...
When Dorgon was determined to avenge Emperor Chongzhen and Zhu Cixiang, Shanhaiguan was also in panic because Li Zicheng's personal army was approaching.
Li Zicheng's army was actually not large. Because he did not bring too many troops to Beijing, otherwise Chongzhen and Zhu Cixiang and his son would not be able to escape. When he entered Beijing that day, including Liu Fangliang's troops in Baoding, he brought only 60,000 veteran soldiers. In addition, there were Chen Yongfu, Bai Guangen, Tang Tong and other Ming Dynasty troops who surrendered, but the full force was only 100,000.
However, Li Zicheng was quite capable of deceiving, but he was able to blow up a hundred thousand people into a million people, which really frightened many Ming troops.
This time, although Li Zicheng only brought 60,000 men to the expedition, he still had to blow hard. Sixty thousand people were blown up into two hundred thousand, and the people at Shanhaiguan believed it - Shanhaiguan was so strong, and there were many defenders, and they were elite Guan Ning. Li Zicheng wouldn't dare to do it if he didn't have 200,000 people, unless he was a fool when he became emperor!
Therefore, the news that the "two hundred thousand troops" came to attack Shanhaiguan immediately frightened the Ming army entrenched in Yongping Mansion.
The call for Qing soldiers to help in the battle, which Feng Yuanyang had suppressed, rang out again.
