Traveling through the Ming Dynasty, as soon as you open your eyes, you will die

Chapter 15 Conquering the British Duke

Sitting next to the bed and retreating everyone, Lu Mou asked Zhang Zhiji seriously again: "If we follow our method, how many of the 80,000 forbidden troops do you think can fight?"

Zhang Zhiji replied carefully: "Fifty thousand, fifty thousand is absolutely no problem."

When Lu Mou heard this, his eyes lit up at that time, but he was afraid that he would be overblown and make things worse, so he asked seriously: "Can there be so many?"

From the history books, it is said that in the end, the Ming Dynasty's army was considered elite if it could fight 10 to 12 times. Originally, Lu Mou thought that out of the 80,000 forbidden troops, it would be good to have 10,000 to 20,000 capable of fighting if he provided enough money and food.

Could it be that the historical records are wrong, or it is simply Chongzhen.

Seeing the distrustful look in the prince's eyes, Zhang Zhiji explained: "The defense stations in various places have long existed in name only, and there are only one or two border troops who can fight. Now in the Ming Dynasty, Guan Ning, who has been tightening his belt to provide support, still has fighting ability. Not long ago, Wu Sangui defeated the Qing Dynasty's five thousand with three thousand. But our imperial army is not bad either."

"why?"

"Although the internal funds have not given money and food to the Imperial Army for three years (the Imperial Army and the Royal Guards are royal soldiers, so the military pay, money and food for these two armies are not under the control of the state, but are distributed from the internal funds of the royal family), in order to keep this only one of the royal family, I To support them, I used all my family’s savings to support them. Although I couldn’t give them military pay, I could ensure that they had food and drink. In this case, I couldn’t support useless people, so I gave back the household registration of those who were old, weak, incompetent and timid, and let them go. To make a living. So, those who are left now are all the elites of the past. It was like this until not long ago, when I really couldn't hold on any longer. But as long as the prince gives them enough food and wine to recover, they can fight again."

This explanation completely reassured Lu Mou.

"I'll tell you about the arrangements this time."

"I would like to hear the prince's teachings."

"This time, my father originally transferred Wu Sangui's 100,000 Guan Ning to come back for reinforcements, which resulted in the emptiness of Shanhaiguan. I'm afraid that the Manchu Qing took advantage of the situation and invaded the Central Plains again, leaving Beijing internally and externally besieged by enemies from both sides, and the situation would be completely corrupted. In addition, the situation would be completely corrupted. Shang Wu Sangui has been flirting with the Manchus in the past period, and I'm afraid something unspeakable will happen if all his troops enter the capital."

"Your Majesty sees everything clearly."

"So, I asked my father to only transfer Wu Sangui and lead 50,000 troops to the capital to serve the king, while letting my brother, the prince, supervise Liaodong, and Zhao Youhu to return to Shanhaiguan with 50,000 troops. This will stabilize the morale of the army and people in western Liaoning, and also ensure that Shanhaiguan is not lost."

Zhang Zhiji sighed: "Your Majesty is far-sighted and indeed has a grand strategy and a big heart."

"However, after all, Wu Sangui still can't make people completely reassured, so I asked my father to imprison Luo Yangxing, who had colluded with Li Chuang, and was actually fully prepared to betray us. I asked his uncle, the old commander, to send Luo Binggong to replace him. He will suppress the Jin Yiwei, and then I will take direct control of the Jin Yiwei, preparing to capture this group that is unstable but has some combat effectiveness."

"Your Majesty is really wise. It should have been like this a long time ago."

"Then the rest is yours. When the time comes, our three armies will merge to fight, but you will bear the heaviest burden."

Zhang Zhiji expressed his position: "No matter how heavy it is, I can only be broken into pieces to fulfill my loyalty to the king."

"I say it seriously because your imperial army not only has to fight against the enemy." Then he stared at Zhang Zhiji's eyes and said every word, almost through gritted teeth: "Moreover, they also have to monitor Wu Sangui."

Zhang Zhiji was not surprised, but nodded matter-of-factly: "I understand."

It seems that he spent his own money to support the Forbidden Army and maintain their combat effectiveness. He may have had this plan for a long time.

The British male lineage was really die-hard loyal to the Ming Dynasty royal family. If Zhang Zhiji, who was sick, had not died in the battle at Baigouhe, the fate of the Ming Dynasty might have been different.

After making these arrangements, Zhang Zhiji looked better and called the old housekeeper: "Uncle Zhong."

"Young Master." "Gather all the five hundred servants at home. The prince and I will give you a lecture."

There are still five hundred servants in the Zhang Mansion, but these servants are all veterans of hundreds of battles. They are the British master's life-saving trump card. Now that they are gathered together, Uncle Zhong knows that something big has happened.

In the blink of an eye, five hundred people of different ages appeared, but all of them looked excited and resolute.

Seeing Zhang Zhiji and Prince Ding Zhu Cijiong standing on the steps, they ignored Prince Ding and knelt down together: "See you, young master."

Zhang Zhiji raised his hands to them and said, "Uncles and brothers, please rise."

With a crash, the five hundred servants stood up, their movements uniform and sonorous.

Five hundred servants actually gave people the aura of fifty-five thousand, and a murderous aura rushed towards them, making Lu Mou feel afraid.

"All uncles and brothers were my father's most trusted people back then. Now, I ask you to come out and do something."

When the five hundred people heard this, they had the opportunity to repay their old master's great kindness, and shouted excitedly: "Ask the young master, I will go through fire and water, no matter what."

Zhang Zhiji pointed his hand at King Zhu Cijiong and said: "This is King Ding Zhu Cijiong, who controls the life and death of our Ming Dynasty. Now, I will transfer you to His Highness King Ding. I hope you will treat King Ding as you treat your old master."

The five hundred people turned to Zhu Cixiang without hesitation and knelt down on one knee together again: "See you, Master, and you will obey all orders."

This is Lu Mou's group of dead soldiers who truly belong to him in this world.

Lu Mou immediately ordered: "I will give you enough travel expenses. At dawn tomorrow, you will set out to disperse in all directions, carefully investigate the movements of the bandits, and report back in time."

Five hundred people agreed without hesitation.

Just this simple task arrangement made Zhang Zhiji look at this young prince with admiration again. He saw that King Ding knew the most appropriate use of this team, and it was not to use it to save lives.

Prince Ding is much stronger than his headstrong father and the weak prince.

After leaving the British government residence and walking on the street, Lu Mou couldn't help but frown again.

Although Jinyiwei appeared in the streets again, arresting those who spread messages, arresting bandits and spies, and trying hard to stabilize people's hearts, it did not have any practical effect.

Pedestrians on the street were walking in a hurry and showing fear on their faces. From time to time, I saw people, families with large and small bags, either taking cars or walking, fleeing out of the city in groups.

Various businesses were also closed, with their doors tightly closed. The boss even ordered his workers to load the goods into trucks: "Hurry up, hurry up, the bandits are coming. The capital is no longer safe. Load your trucks quickly and take refuge in the countryside."

People in the entire city of Beijing are in panic, and they all believe that Beijing will not be saved, and it is a doomsday scene.

Having money and soldiers is not enough, we must also stabilize the people's hearts and show our determination to protect the capital to the death to the people, soldiers and people.

But in the past few years, Chongzhen has really chilled the hearts of the people all over the world. His credibility and character have completely collapsed. How can he calm down the hearts of the people?
  (End of this chapter)