Hundreds of households in Liaodong, covering the light with one hand

"Wang Daban," Emperor Chongzhen sat on the throne, looking at the increasingly gloomy sky outside the palace.

"My servant is here." Wang Chengen bowed his body and carefully served his master: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"Tell me, did the emperor spend those countless days and nights in such suffering?" For some reason, Zhu Youjian thought of his emperor.

Sitting on the throne, Zhu Youjian's mind was extremely confused.

Wang Qi put too much pressure on Nanjing.

It was so big that as an emperor, Zhu Youjian could hardly breathe.

"If I agree to Wang Qi's request, will my life be more comfortable?" Zhu Youjian did not expect that being an emperor would be so hard and tiring. He would work almost day and night, and he would have to pay tribute everywhere. On the table, Zhu Youjian could not see his head at a glance, and the ministers below were all old foxes. He was a young man who had not reached the crown. He was neither good at poetry nor law. As for political affairs, he was not good at it. A year ago, I knew nothing about it! How can you defeat them?

When I say one sentence, those ministers will have ten sentences waiting behind me. Sometimes, the ink in my chest cannot understand at all, and I can only respond with silence and nods to the allusions of those civil servants.

This emperor is too frustrated to be a king.

Everything was so beautiful before he ascended the throne. When Zhu Youjian saw his brother as emperor, he had been wondering why he didn't kill Wei Zhongxian, a treacherous minister, and befriend the virtuous minister, revive the Ming Dynasty, and stabilize Kyushu? He thought he could do better.

Now, Zhu Youjian somewhat understood.

The emperor is not that free, nor is he rich in the literal sense.

not to mention.

Zhu Youqi clenched the palms in his sleeves tightly: There is also Wang Qi watching outside! ! !

Wang Chengen did not answer Zhu Youjian's question, and he could not answer it.

He is just a eunuch. Loyalty to the emperor is his best skill. There is nothing else he can do for him.

Moreover, he has no virtue or ability to criticize the late emperor.

"Your Majesty, forgive me. I don't know what the late emperor did, but I know that both your majesty and the late emperor want the Ming Dynasty to be prosperous forever, and the hundreds of millions of people in the Ming Dynasty to live and work in peace and contentment!"

"call"

After letting out a deep breath, Zhu Youjian smiled helplessly.

Everyone knows this.

Moreover, everyone wants to carry this banner on their shoulders for great righteousness.

But who can do it?

After a long while, Zhu Youjian finally made up his mind: "Go and call the cabinet ministers who are staying in the palace. I have an order!"

"The slaves obey the orders!"

At this time, the night was already deep, and in Wenyuan Pavilion, the four cabinet ministers each returned to the small room outside the palace - it was the resting place prepared by the inner palace for the ministers staying in the palace.

In Zuo Guangdou's room, the candlelight was still on, and the silhouette in front of the window seemed to be reading.

The lights in the room where Yang Lian was located flickered on and off, and it was obvious that the people inside were pacing away.

As for the house Gou Ying was in, although it was bright, there was no one inside.

Turning his eyes again, there were two people in Yuan Keli's room who seemed to be discussing something very intensely.

"Xuan Gouying, Zuo Guangdou, Yuan Keli, and Yang Lian are going to the Qianqing Palace for an audience!"

As the little eunuch's voice sounded outside the house, not long after, the four cabinet ministers, all dressed in royal robes, walked out of the house.

It's obvious that no one will sleep tonight.

In the imperial city, it was quiet at night, and except for the patrol team of the Royal Forest Army, there was no one else around.

Gou Ying walked at the front, followed by Zuo Guangdou, Yuan Keli, and Yang Lian at the end.

The four of them entered the hall one by one.

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

The Qianqing Palace is spacious and solemn.

The dragon candle was lit, and the lingering scent of sandalwood was quite refreshing.

"Leaking came to you. I have something to say and want to chat with you again." Zhu Youjian calmed down his emotions, considered for a long time, and looked at everyone: "I think that in the current situation, retreating is the best option. Good idea."

"His Majesty!"

Zuo Guangdou, Yuan Keli stood up suddenly when he heard the words, looking like he was about to have an attack.

"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious, just listen to what I have to say." He stretched out his hand to stop the two of them, and then Zhu Youjian continued: "You should also know that this time Fengyang Mansion's 100,000 troops will be responsible for the imperial court. I have taken so many risks and collected almost all the taxes from the people of several surrounding provinces. Three years later, all the gentry and wealthy families, as well as the royal palaces, have also contributed money and efforts. I really can't help but consider this."

"Do you understand?" Zhu Youjian opened his eyes, almost speaking sincerely.

"Your Majesty, the matter has come to this, even if you understand it, you should treat it as if you don't understand it!" Zuo Guangdou shook his head: "If we withdraw our troops at this time, the world will be ruined. Five cities will be cut today, ten cities will be cut tomorrow, and then all will be cut off overnight. Go to bed peacefully. Look around the surroundings, and the Qin soldiers have arrived. The ancients said: "Serve Qin with the land, just like holding firewood to put out the fire. If the firewood is not exhausted, the fire will never be extinguished." "

"Your Majesty, you should understand this, right?"

Zuo Guangdou almost pointed at his nose and scolded Chongzhen for ruining his ancestors.

Even though Zhu Youjian had just ascended the throne and had not developed the domineering attitude of an emperor, he was now unbearable and his face suddenly turned cold.

"Your Majesty, although Mr. Zuo's words are extreme, the truth is this," Yuan Keli took a step forward and stopped Zuo Guangdou from continuing to stimulate Chongzhen.

"Your Majesty!" Gou Ying stood up at the right time: "I think what Mr. Zuo said is too alarmist. It is right to protect the country and strength based on emotion and reason. How can you say 'use the land to serve Qin'? I suggest , immediately issued an order to summon Wu Xiang and lead his army back to Nanjing City. Then we can discuss the matter of Wang Qi slowly, why rush it?"

"What are we talking about?" Zuo Guangdou flicked his sleeves: "What's there to talk about with the rebellious thieves and thieves of the country? Zuo looks at you, Mr. Gou, as a sign of appeasement!"

"I, Gou Ying, don't know how to blame me," Gou Ying said with a cold face, ignoring Zuo Guangdou's nonsense, but faced Zhu Youjian and bowed again: "Please ask your Majesty to judge!"

"Yang Lian, what do you think?" After tapping his fingers on the table for a long time, Zhu Youjian turned to look at him. He wanted to finally listen to the advice of the Imperial Censor who had never spoken.

Although he was an official, in Zhu Youjian's heart, Yang Lian was still a very assertive minister.

Cough

After coughing slightly, Yang Lian said leisurely: "Your Majesty, I believe that this battle is also a crucial stop for Wang Qi!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone nodded.

This is true.

"So, when we were anxious, Wang Qi was also anxious!" After a while, Yang Lian came up with his own opinion: "I think that Wang Qi definitely did not bring enough food for ten days when he went south this time!"

Ok?

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes, he knew what Yang Lian was going to say.

"Wang Qi is more summoned than us now. He wants to fight quickly, so as long as we let Wu Xiang hold on for three days, the enemy army will collapse!"

Yang Lian flicked his sleeves and looked upright.

Yang Lian's words made everyone in the hall quiet down.

Three days?

Zhu Youjian felt that Yang Lian's words made sense!

Gou Ying, who was standing in the hall, looked at Zhu Youjian and knew that things had changed again.

This man is like this, capricious, almost unpredictable, easily influenced by others, and feels that everyone is harming him. The worst thing about world affairs at the end of the world is that there is a willful emperor.

But Gou Ying will not give up easily!

"If the war breaks down within three days, what clever plan does Master Yang have?" Gou Ying cupped her hands and looked at Yang Lian. "If the war is defeated," Yang Lian took a deep breath: "Yang is willing to go to Chuzhou Mansion in person to meet Wang Qi for a while!!!"

"Master Yang, don't you want to scold Wang Qi back to Beijing?" Gou Ying almost laughed.

Are you going to Chuzhou Prefecture?

If Wang Qi doesn’t kill you, I will take your surname!

"Your Majesty," Gou Ying struck while the iron was hot and bowed to Emperor Chongzhen: "I think that if Mr. Yang is so confident, I will allow Wu Xiang's army to hold on at Dacang Ridge for three more days!"

Ta-ta-ta.

Zhu Youjian tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and everyone did not answer, obviously waiting for this man's final decision.

"Three days?" Zhu Youjian raised his eyes slightly, Yang Lian's extremely aloof face reflected in his eyes.

"Then three days!" Yang Lian nodded with a determined expression.

"Then it's settled." Zhu Youjian finally relaxed, leaned back softly on the chair, and pointed at Yuan Keli beside him: "Yuan Aiqing drafted the decree, immediately Xiaoyu Wu Xiang, insist on it for three days , wait for Wang Qi to collapse!"

"Your Majesty," Yuan Keli hesitated for a moment, and then said after organizing his words: "If it takes three days, just let Wu Xiang decide whether to fight or defend. There is no need to have such a clear purpose, right?"

"Just draft the decree according to my wishes!" Zhu Youjian felt that his emperor's authority was offended, and his brows slightly lowered: "Tell Wu Xiang, just insist on it for three days!!!"

"I accept the decree!"

After a while, the ministers retreated, and Zhu Youjian also went to rest.

Because it was dark and the imperial city was locked, nearly ten thousand Zuo Guangdou and others had to stay overnight and go to court tomorrow morning before leaving the palace.

"Wen Ru, why do you put yourself in danger?" Although Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian had differences in political opinions, as a colleague, Zuo Guangdou still did not want this iron-blooded censor and upright minister to die in vain at the hands of Wang Qi.

Everyone knows that if Yang Lian goes to Chuzhou Prefecture, Wang Qi will kill him when the time comes.

"When Han Xu and Liu Yijing died, I, Yang Lian, had already put life and death aside. Moreover, if this battle is really defeated, someone will have to go and investigate under Nanjing City, so I, Yang Lian, volunteered. .”

Yang Lian didn't have the slightest fear, as if death was just a light word to him, without any touch.

"I hope Wu Xiang can really bring down Wang Qi."

Zuo Guangdou's heart was also heavy.

He didn't want to see any of his colleagues die here again.

----

A hundred miles north of Chuzhou Prefecture is Dacang Ridge.

After Wu Xiang inspected the camp, he returned to the tent.

Later tomorrow, the army will launch a general attack, which makes Wu Xiang a little nervous - he may not be able to sleep tonight.

As soon as he returned to the camp, his subordinates came to report.

"What's going on over there at Zuo Liangyu?" Wu Xiang glanced at his men and asked in a deep voice.

"When Zuo Liangyu returned to the camp, he began to prepare the army and horses. He summoned all his generals to the tent. I don't know what he said. They dispersed after half an hour." The personal guard was sent by Wu Xiang to monitor Zuo Liang. Jade's movements, but judging from his tone, it was a bit difficult to get to the core.

"How did the soldiers in the camp react?" Wu Xiang frowned and thought for a while before continuing to ask.

"There is nothing unusual about starting a stove to cook," the guard thought for a while and returned respectfully.

After standing up, Wu Xiang walked around the tent for a moment, then turned around and said, "Go and ask the eldest uncle to come over and see me!"

"Sir, Deputy Commander Wu has already led people down the mountain."

As soon as the guard spoke, Wu Xiang remembered that he had allowed Wu Sangui to take more than 5,000 people around the mountain to rescue Quanzhong.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of footsteps outside the tent.

"Sir! It's not good," the guard commander suddenly ran into the tent.

"Why are you panicking?" Wu Xiang's heart skipped a beat, and he was a little nervous: Could it be that he had really been expected?

"Sir, this is the back mountain. Liaodong soldiers suddenly attacked in the back mountain. They have already started fighting Zuo Liangyu!"

Upon hearing the news, Wu Xiang was stunned for a moment, and his mind was a little confused.

No matter what, Wu Xiang couldn’t imagine it.

How dare 15,000 people take the initiative to attack their 100,000-strong army?

"Where is Lady Zuo Liang?" Wu Xiang reacted and immediately stood up to ask.

"We are already fighting with the enemy!" The guard knelt on the ground: "Sir, are we going to provide support?"

support?

Of course Wu Xiang’s first reaction was to refuse!

Who knows if this is a ploy by the Liaodong Army to lure the enemy?

If the soldiers and horses here make the slightest movement, a frontal attack will come. When the time comes, they will be attacked from both sides and will be in a deadlock.

But after thinking for a moment, Wu Xiang hesitated: Zuo Liangyu has always been capricious. If he didn't rescue him, he would simply abandon his position and run away again. What could he do?

Wu Xiang's own indecisiveness actually greatly affected his development in the military. In terms of mentality, he was far inferior to his son Wu Sangui.

Just like the current situation, Wu Xiang fell into a dilemma.

However, it is obvious that Qin Erbao's Liaodong Army did not embarrass Wu Xiang for too long.

Because the killing cries outside the tent had already resounded in my ears.

"Sure enough!" Wu Xiang was thankful for his plan! Fortunately, no troops were deployed to support Zuo Liangyu, and Qin Erbao indeed began to attack on the frontal battlefield.

"Gather the general drum!" Wu Xiang turned around and took down the long sword from the weapon rack: "Gather everyone and kill all the enemy troops!"

One hundred thousand versus ten thousand,

There is no reason to cower.

What's more, the other party is taking the initiative to attack!

Wu Xiang felt that Qin Erbao underestimated himself.

With a crash, Wu Xiang opened the tent, stood outside the tent, and looked up.

For just a moment, Wu Xiang stood blankly on the spot, looking up at the sky, his eyes already shrouded in flames.

Wu Xiang didn't realize for a moment what scene he had encountered.

The arrow feathers that filled the sky directly blocked the sky.

The flaming arrow feathers fell in the camp, causing the resting army to immediately fall into panic and shock.

It was dark at night and there was no time to summon the generals under his command.

More serious,

Wu Xiang had already seen the Liaodong cavalry in black armor, raising their swords to kill him. (End of chapter)