In case the plan to burn the grain ship is frustrated, it can only rely on the frontal battlefield. Li Zicheng's heart was very uneasy, and he asked the military advisor: "Shanhaiguan City is not big, can it be besieged?"

Song Xiance replied bluntly: "You can't besiege Shanhaiguan, you can only rely on field battles to decide the winner." The so-called Shanhaiguan refers to the east gate of Shanhaiwei. A few miles to the north of this city is the eastern end of Yanshan Mountain. The Great Wall goes down from Yanshan, connects Shanhaiguan, goes south, three or four miles is the old dragon's head, close to the Bohai Sea, there is a small city between Shanhaiguan and the foot of Yanshan, called the North Wing City, there is also a small city between Shanhaiguan and the old dragon's head, called the South Wing City, almost connected with the small city of the old dragon's head. ”

"The minister carefully examined the map and knew that our army could not cross the Great Wall to surround the Wu army from the left and right of the city of Shanhaiguan. In terms of geography, I could not besiege the Acropolis of Mountains and Seas. What's more, from the perspective of the outnumbered, in the art of war, it is said that the law of war is used to surround it with ten. Although this cannot be explained to death, it is necessary for our army to outnumber the enemy several times before we can surround the enemy. Now our army is only more than 10,000 people more than the Wu army, and when we talk about how to encircle, we can only win a decisive victory in the field. ”

Li Zicheng felt heavy and asked, "How many days does it take to win the field battle?"

"Field battles can only be fought for one day or two, and if you don't win, you will retreat, and you can't fall in love with war. Before a strong enemy, the whole division returns is victory. ”

Li Zicheng's face was cold, and his heart suddenly became heavy. Li Yan praised in his heart: "After all, he is a loyal and upright minister, and at this critical juncture, he dares to tell the truth!"

Liu Zongmin said: "On this expedition, the emperor will come to the position in person, and the soldiers of our army will be brave when they see the yellow umbrella. Why don't you retreat if you don't see victory?"

Song Xiance replied bluntly: "Garrisoning troops under the fortified city is a taboo for soldiers. When the two armies intersect, they will go all out, and the casualties will be heavy. Our army is on an expedition with no one to help, and it is neither victorious nor quick to retreat, and it is very dangerous; the expedition of 700 miles from Beijing carries very little food. The locals are not familiar with each other, the people are fleeing, and they cannot afford to fight on an empty stomach because of food, so how can they make the three armies fight on an empty stomach?"

"The situation in Liaodong is unknown, and we do not know when the Qing troops will send troops from Shenyang, when they will attack south, and where they will cross the Great Wall. If the Qing troops enter the fortress from the Central Association and the Western Association, cut off the return route of our army, and attack us front and back with the Guanning soldiers, our army will not be able to deal with it. Therefore, it is foolish to think that if the battle cannot be won completely, you must not stay under the Acropolis of Mountains and Seas, and you must retreat quickly as the best policy. ”

Liu Zongmin suddenly changed color: "Offer advice, why do you like to talk about discouragement? Hmph, we haven't sent troops yet, so you want to retreat from Shanhaiguan as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Master Hou, the way of using troops is impermanent, because as soon as the general sees that the situation is unfavorable and it is not suitable to fight again, he should withdraw the whole division to protect the lives of the three armies and fight again in the future. If you know and then don't know how to retreat, you are ...... The way to lose. ”

Song Xiance originally wanted to say the original words of the "Book of Changes", but when he saw the emperor's grim face, he changed his words and avoided the word dragon.

Li Guo asked with a smile: "Strategist, what you said is related to the overall situation, not for fun!"

Song Xiance has a good relationship with Li Guo on weekdays, and is also very respected by Li Guo, so he reluctantly smiled and said: "In the Art of War, the "Attack Chapter" not only talks about attacking, but also talks about how little you can escape, and if you don't, you can avoid it. The sage wrote the Book of Changes. Escape is the meaning of escape, this hexagram is to pay attention to how to avoid evil, from escape to prosperity, so the "Book of Changes" said: Escape when the righteousness is great. ”

When Song Xiance said this, he saw that the emperor's face softened, so he didn't say anything more. For a moment, Li Zicheng didn't speak, and the generals in front of the emperor didn't speak, as if they were all thinking about what Song Xiance said.

Li Yan understood very well the good intentions of the advice, and deeply admired, he stood up and bowed to the emperor and said: "After Your Majesty led the army to the east, Beijing was empty of troops. If the Qing troops invade from the Western Association and threaten Beijing, what can be done? Please ask Your Majesty to issue a secret edict as soon as possible, ordering Liu Fangliang to still sit in Baoding and control the three prefectures of central and southern Hebei, but it is necessary to transfer 20,000 elite soldiers, led by a general, to come to Beijing for reinforcements as soon as possible. With this reinforcement division, Beijing can be as safe as a rock. ”

Li Zicheng nodded and said, "This discussion is very good. What else do you have any suggestions?"

Li Yan said: "Henan is located in the Central Plains, the hub of the east, west, north and south, very important, because of the scarcity of garrisons, the state and county officials sent are unable to suppress the pressure, nor can they manage the people, the situation is really worrying. Please ask Your Majesty to quickly send Yuan Zongdi 50,000 troops from Huguang, led by him personally, to Henan to consolidate the Central Plains. ”

"Who guards Huguang?"

Song Xiance replied: "At present, although Zuo Liangyu has 300,000 horses, known as 500,000, and has troops in Wuchang, but after the defeat of Zhu Xianzhen the year before last, he is getting more and more angry, and he himself is also sick, so it seems that he will not do much. Bai Wang was stationed in De'an, which was enough to prevent Zuo Liangyu from taking a step to the west. ”

"That's good, I'll fly Yuan Zongdi tomorrow and lead 50,000 horses to leave Huguang and garrison Luoyang. Guarding Henan. ”

Li Zicheng looked at everyone and said, "You guys go out of the palace, and prepare to go to the east separately." Prime Minister Niu Cheng and Yu Shangyou should be summoned into the palace immediately, and the ministers should be discussed overnight about how to stay in Beijing. ”

After the ministers of the Imperial Council headed by Liu Zongmin kowtowed in front of Li Zicheng, Yuguan withdrew. Outside the Donghua Gate, not far from the Dong'an Gate, Liu Zongmin led the generals to the General General's Mansion and continued to discuss the military overnight.

When they were about to break up, Liu Zongmin paused in the middle of the street and said to the two military advisors: "Old Song, Li Yan, I and the generals will discuss the matter of the expedition, and you two are indispensable. When you go back to the military master's mansion and stop for a while, come to my place for supper together. ”

Song Xiance replied: "Don't dare to slack off, I'll be there soon." ”

Back at the Military Division's Mansion, Song Xiance and Li Yan knew that there was no major military situation when they entered the palace, so they retreated left and right, sat down and rested for a while. Song Xiance sighed lightly, looked sad, and said to Li Yan: "Li Yan, since the thirteenth year of Chongzhen, my brother has dedicated his message to His Majesty, and fortunately His Majesty has placed it under his account and treated me like a confidant. ”

"Brother Ren's feelings, why doesn't the younger brother feel the same way? Helplessly, the emperor has won the world from the horse, believes in martial arts, and wholeheartedly crusades eastward. He really relied on Shaanxi generals such as Ruhou. ”

Song Xiance quickly made his eyes look and shook his chin again. Listening to the emptiness of the courtyard, he said, "In any case, we can only do our best. The rise and fall of the country's fortunes are subject to the mandate of heaven. ”

After a pause, he sighed again, and then said: "We all think that Chongzhen is dead, and the situation in the world is not what it used to be, at this time, we should temporarily abandon Wu Sangui, quickly adjust the troops of Baoding, and stick to, so as to wait for the Manchurian captives to invade and strike a head-on blow." Brother Ren borrowed Kanglong's repentant hexagram and repeatedly admonished him, but failed to save the sacred heart. If the Eastern Expedition fails and the Manchurians take advantage of the opportunity, the foundation of our dynasty will not be solid, and the future will be unpredictable. ”

Li Yan nodded and said, "My brother also has the same worry. Fortunately, the brother then made a statement with a hexagram, which seemed to be valued by the saint and the chief general, and it could be regarded as a plan to make amends. ”

"Not really. The army is in a fierce battle, the soldiers and horses are chaotic, and it is often very difficult to withdraw from the battlefield and return with the whole division. It's better for our army not to go to Shanhaiguan, but we can't stop it!"

Suddenly, the Chinese army came in and reported: "Someone from the General General's Mansion is here, please ask the two military divisions to go to the meeting quickly." ”

Song Xiance and Li Yan immediately got up, walked out of the gate with a heavy heart, and rode away.

Today is the ninth day of the fourth month, Bingyin. The ancients attached great importance to the Ganzhi Ji, and the good fortune and misfortune in personnel were closely related to the Ganzhi. In the seventeenth year of the Ming Dynasty, that is, the first year of Yongchang in Dashun, the April Bingyin on the imperial calendar was also printed with things conducive to marriage, hunting, and traveling. And today is the auspicious day for Luo Hu and Fei Zhen'e.

After Li Zicheng returned to the palace of Renzhi Hall last night, he listened to Concubine Dou's recital, and he decided to summon Fei Zhen'e after breakfast today for Luo Hu's happy march after marriage, and personally instructed a few words. As an emperor, it is rare to be so caring for a palace maid to marry. Dou Meiyi knows the emperor's hard work, and he actually cares not about Fei Zhen'e, but about Luo Hu. He hoped that Luo Hu would have such a happy marriage and serve the country wholeheartedly, so he agreed to summon Fei Zhen'e in the midst of state affairs.

In comparison, after all, Luo Hu and Fei Zhen'e's joy of flowers and candles is not as important as the matter of guarding Beijing, so after breakfast, Li Zicheng first summoned Niu Jinxing, Li Yan and Wu Ruyi, as well as Yu Shangyou, the secretary of the military government.

Li Zicheng first asked Niu Jinxing: "Prime Minister, after I led my army to the east, Youzhou is still an important place, and the central government yamen of the imperial court are here, not only for the safety of the north, but also for the hearts of the people in the world. ”

"During my Eastern Crusade, all the major military and political affairs I did were all on your shoulders, and you must not be negligent at all. In political affairs, we must lead the six government officials, scholars, and other officials of all sizes to do things for the imperial court wholeheartedly, and to inspire the court, and not to have the habits of the Ming Dynasty; in defending the city, we must make peace with the Li Yan brothers and others to ensure tranquility, and wait for me to lead the army to return triumphantly. ”

When Li Zicheng spoke, Niu Jinxing kept leaving his chair, standing in front of the emperor, and listened with his hands down. After Li Zicheng finished speaking, Jin Xing arched his hand and said: "Thanks to Your Majesty's trust, you can prepare for the head of the cabinet ministers and dedicate the work of dogs and horses." Just as the business was not successful, the country was changing, and the emperor was going to drive the Eastern Expedition again, and ordered the ministers to lead hundreds of officials to stay. The minister did not dare not do his best, so that His Majesty would have no worries. ”

"Fortunately, the Li Yan brothers and the generals led more than 10,000 people to defend the city, which is enough to suppress the small and maintain the place. As for the ministers of the central government, the ministers have earnestly instructed that on this day of rumors, everyone must be careful in their duties and not go out if they have nothing to do. ”

Li Zicheng nodded and made Niu Jinxing sit down, and said to Li Yan: "Li Yan, I only left more than 10,000 people and horses for you to guard Youzhou, although there are Ruyi and them as your helpers, and they can work together to ensure that there will be no accidents in Youzhou, but after all, there are few soldiers and generals, so I can't rest assured." If there is an accident in this line of work in the important land, our Eastern Expeditionary Army will have no place to return, and it will become an empty phrase to come to Beijing to hold the enthronement ceremony. Li Yan, the matter of the town guard is a great responsibility, I put it on your shoulders, what do you think?"

Li Yan bowed down and replied: "The ministers are busy, thanks to Your Majesty's treatment of confidants, shouldering this heavy responsibility, there is no fear." I hope that Your Majesty's Eastern Expedition will be successful, triumphant as soon as possible, and that everything will be foolproof. At present, although there are small and small mingles outside Beijing, rumors start from time to time, the suburbs are unclear, there are incitement to uncover posts at any time, and people's hearts are fluctuating, but as long as His Majesty can win the eastward expedition and triumph quickly, it is not difficult for Gong Wei to walk. What I am worried about is that Your Majesty will seek to return from the east, and the Qing troops will take the opportunity to invade the Great Wall and approach the Great Wall; if this is the case, the minister can only do his best to defend the city and wait for Your Majesty, and the number of victories and defeats is unpredictable. ”

Li Zicheng was silent for a moment, and then said slowly: "I know that you and Xiance are worried about the Qing soldiers attacking the south, but in my opinion, even if the Qing soldiers attack the south, they will not be so fast. If the Qing army crosses the Great Wall and marches under the city, how will you defend the city?"

"There are two kinds of law-abiding to defend the city, one is to rely on the fortified city, set up outside the city, and conduct field battles, and the city is supported by artillery, which is the best policy. Even though there was no artillery support, the battlefield was on the outskirts, and the defenders had no worries, and they could get reinforcements and help from the city at any time, and their morale was doubled, and it was easy to win, at least so that the strong enemy could not go straight to the city wall. Therefore, the way to defend the city is the best policy.

Li Zicheng nodded: "It makes sense, it makes sense." ”

Li Yan continued: "In the fourteenth year of orthodoxy, the Tumubao Change, the Ming Dynasty army that followed Yingzong out of the fortress collapsed, and Yingzong was captured by Yexian. The Mongol army of Yexian held Yingzong hostage and approached the outside of Beijing, and the situation in Beijing was very dangerous. Yu Qian, the secretary of the military department, and a number of ministers resolutely opposed the southward move, and did not seek peace with Ye first, some of them defended the city, and some garrisoned outside the city to meet the enemy. Outside the Desheng Gate and the Xizhi Gate, the enemy was defeated and forced to retreat first. ”

"In the second year of Chongzhen, the Qing soldiers invaded, first broke Zunhua, and then came west, approaching Beijing. At that time, the three major battalions of the Ming army and reinforcements from all over the city were also partially defending the city, and some were fighting outside the city, so that the Manchurian soldiers could not attack the city and had to move elsewhere. Therefore, if you want to hold Beijing, you must have the strength to fight in the suburbs, and you can't rely on the city wall alone. ”

"Beijing is a big city, the enemy can attack everywhere, and if one fails, the whole city will collapse. There are nine gates in the inner city and seven gates in the outer city of Beijing. The minister only had 10,000 troops, patrolled in the city, and guarded the city walls, and the troops were already very insufficient, and he had no strength to fight the enemy outside the city. The minister is ready to smear his liver and brain on the ground at any time to repay His Majesty. If there is no danger, the ministers can not divide their troops out of the city to fight, but can only rely on artillery, kill and wound the enemy, and defend the city, but I hope that His Majesty will return quickly. ”

Li Zicheng saw Li Yan's heavy expression, and he also understood that leaving 10,000 horses was too little, so he had to say: "I went to Shanhaiguan to crusade against Wu Sangui, and I will definitely be able to come back in more than ten days, and it is estimated that even if Manchuria invades, it will not be so fast." I entrust you with the important task of staying behind, not only because you are both civil and military, and you are rich and strategic, but also because you and the prime minister are friends and can help each other from the bottom of your heart. I have already sent an order to Liu Fangliang, who is in Baoding, to quickly dispatch 20,000 or 30,000 elite soldiers, and gallop to help in the starry night, there must be no mistake. ”

This is the end of this call. Although Yu Shangyou is the secretary of the Ministry of War, because the central regulations are still in the initial stage, the Ministry of War is equivalent to a fictitious one, so Li Zicheng did not ask Yu Shangyou anything to say, and Yu Shangyou had nothing to say. Wu Ruyi and Li You were both robes of King Chuang's uprising, and they were cronies, Li You's duty was to help Li Yan defend the city, and Wu Ruyi was especially responsible for guarding the Forbidden City, and he also continued to clean up the gold, silver and jewelry in the palace and transport them to Xi'an, so Li Zicheng didn't ask them anything. After everyone kowtowed and withdrew, Wang Ruifen came in immediately.