In the early morning of the next day, the army left Lumen and advanced rapidly in the direction of Changzhou.

In the evening of the same day, Wu Zheng led his troops to Wuxi.

Wuxi has been recovered and recovered by Wu Shengzhao.

In fact, there was no battle in Wuxi City.

Because there is no Qing army in the city for a long time.

Wu Zheng originally wanted to repair in Wuxi City for one night, but this night was another turning point.

The Shaoxing government ordered Wu Zheng to lead his troops back to help, and the Qing army was attacking Fenghua.

Fenghua is between Ningbo and Shangyu, Fenghua is lost, and Shangyu is in danger.

The relatives are all in Wuzhuang, how can Wu Zheng not be moved?

This is a dilemma, now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, taking advantage of Hong Chengchou's new defeat, chasing all the way to Ying Tianfu, maybe he can really fight down.

In addition, the sailors of the prince of Xingguo have reached Sanchapu, and if they withdraw their troops, then the sailors will also have to retreat, so it is possible to put Wu Shengzhao's troops in danger and become a lone army.

But if you don't come back to help, once the Qing army occupies Fenghua, Shangyu will bear the brunt.

Obviously, Fenghua couldn't stop the Duoduo army at all.

"The cavalry of the whole army stays, Qian Qiaogong, Qian Sudian, you follow me to pursue. The rest of the people, Chi Erhan and Li Ruhai, you led 10,000 people back to Shaoxing Mansion, Xia Wanchun, you led your own troops back to Suzhou Mansion. Wu Zheng quickly made a decision, and by making such a decision, he had actually given up Ying Tianfu, because relying only on Wu Shengzhao's troops and a cavalry, Ying Tianfu would not play any role at all.

Li Ruhai said: "My lord, now there are less than 5,000 cavalry in the whole army, and it is too dangerous to pursue Hong Chengchou with this force. Or......? ”

Wu Zheng shook his head and said: "I'm afraid it's too late, if Fenghua is lost, it will take two days at most to go to Shangyu, and it will take at least two or three days to return from Wuxi. ”

Li Ruhai said: "My lord has thought about it, even if he can hold Shaoxing Mansion, I am afraid that he will be surrounded by the Qing army, but if Changzhou is occupied, Ying Tianfu is in front of him, one gain and one loss, the pros and cons are obvious, I hope you will think twice." ”

These words caused Qian Qiaogong and Qian Sudian to be angry at the same time.

Qian Sudian said: "Shaoxing Mansion is in danger, how can we, as ministers, hear that the prison country is in trouble and not save it?" You are putting Amber in unrighteousness! ”

Li Ruhai argued: "I didn't say that I wouldn't save Shaoxing Mansion, but compared with saving Shaoxing Mansion, it is more important to capture Ying Tianfu, even if the prison country is here now, I will make this decision." Compared with the recovery of Yingtianfu, Shaoxing Mansion is ...... What's it? ”

All eyes were on Wu Zheng.

Wu Zheng knew very well what Li Ruhai meant, indeed, it was of great significance to restore Ying Tianfu.

Both in terms of political and strategic significance.

Conquering Ying Tianfu can make a great improvement in his status in the hearts of Ming ministers and Ming people.

Militarily, the occupation of Yingtianfu could rely on the Yangtze River to compete with the north and south of the Qing court.

In terms of interests, it is true that the pursuit should continue to be led by the army.

But Wu Zheng understands better that if he does not return to Shaoxing, he will make Shaoxing Mansion fall and put his relatives in danger.

It is entirely conceivable how Duoduo would search for his family after the capture of Shangyu.

Thinking of this, Wu Zheng said sharply: "The official's mind has been decided, he is as strong as the sea, and he will act according to the official's orders." ”

Li Ruhai responded: "Subordinates obey orders!" ”

Chi Erhan said, "Young Master, let me stay?" Xiao Anzi is here, I can't leave the young master too. ”

Wu Zheng said in a deep voice: "Wuzhuang needs you more, when you pass by Songjiang Mansion, send someone to send an order to Song An, so that he will immediately lead the Songjiang garrison to Wuxi to meet us." ”

Seeing Wu Zheng's resolute tone, Chi Erhan responded: "Yes!" Take care, young master. ”

……。

That night, the army quickly turned back to Suzhou.

In the early morning of the next day, Wu Zheng led more than 4,000 cavalry to continue the pursuit of Changzhou.

said that it was a pursuit, but in fact, it was nothing more than trying to pick up Wu Shengzhao's department.

But only half an hour after departure, the cavalry vanguard encountered the retreating Wu Shengzhao Division.

Wu Zheng asked and learned that after Hong Chengchou woke up, he immediately sent someone to send a message to Ying Tianfu, and Ying Tianfu immediately sent a reinforcement to join forces with Hong Chengchou's troops in Changzhou.

As a result, a counterattack was launched against the pursuing Wu Shengzhao troops.

In other words, there is no hope of occupying Changzhou.

This is not the key, the point is that after Wu Shengzhao's troops were defeated, the Qing army was still following and pursuing.

At this time, there were only more than 3,000 people left in Wu Shengzhao's department.

This was a big defeat, compared with the strength of six or seven thousand people at the time of departure, in the battle of Changzhou, Wu Shengzhao's troops lost fifty percent.

At this time, even if Wu Zheng added more than 4,000 cavalry, the number would be 8,000.

But according to Wu Shengzhao, there were more than 10,000 chasing soldiers behind him.

Wu Zheng believed that Wu Shengzhao was not lying, and when the remnants of Hong Chengchou fled Suzhou, there were still nearly 5,000 people.

If the reinforcements sent by Ying Tianfu are more than 10,000, then it is completely credible that there are more than 10,000 chasing troops.

The question at this time is whether to fight or retreat!

In the face of the battle, it is very likely that the two sides are stalemate, and it is obvious that the morale of Wu Shengzhao's remnants is lost, and it is very likely that they will collapse at the first touch.

In other words, this battle requires more than 4,000 cavalry to take on the heavy responsibility of the main battle.

But the cavalry under Wu Zheng is an infantry on horseback, and it has not yet completed the training.

But if you retreat and let the Tartars pursue, let's not talk about whether Wu Shengzhao's troops can escape, let's say that Wuxi and Suzhou, which have just been recovered, will fall again.

This will lead to the complete failure of the Northern Expedition.

The tens of thousands of soldiers killed in the battle of Suzhou City will not be able to see it.

"Order, the whole army will attack!" Wu Zheng ordered loudly.

Wu Shengzhao was so shocked that cold sweat soaked out, and he hurriedly persuaded: "Lin Anbo, this is not a joke, there are tens of thousands of chasing soldiers, including at least 5,000 cavalry. At this time, it is to find death. ”

Wu Zheng looked into his eyes coldly, "Shaoxing Mansion is urgent, the Qing army is already attacking Fenghua, if it weren't for your department, this official would have led the army back to Shaoxing Mansion a long time ago." ”

Wu Shengzhao only found out here that Wu Zheng had brought only less than 5,000 cavalry, and the rest of the army was gone.

He became even more frightened, "Lin Amber, my army is no longer able to fight, if you want to fight me, I will definitely retreat." ”

Qian Qiaogong and Qian Sudian beside Wu Zheng shouted contemptuously: "Incompetent waste! ”

Wu Shengzhao's face turned red, and he said, "I saved your life in Suzhou City." ”

"Phew." Qian Qiaogong snorted lightly and said, "Now I'll save you once, and I'm done." ”

Wu Shengzhao took advantage of the situation and said: "Okay, we don't owe each other, now I want to lead the troops to retreat, and you don't stop me." What do you think? ”

Wu Zheng didn't even look at him, he whipped his horse and rushed out first.

More than 4,000 cavalry rushed forward like a torrent, passing over the remnants of Wu Shengzhao.

Wu Shengzhao's face was pale or blue, and he shouted loudly for a long time: "Withdraw!" ”