According to Lu Xiangsheng's performance, he was exempted from the death penalty of Hou Sui, the secretary of the household department, and Zheng Sanjun, the secretary of the criminal department, and Chongzhen went to see his courtiers again, and these familiar faces suddenly became unfamiliar.

No, to be precise, they were still smiling as flatteringly as before, but Chongzhen had clearly seen their hearts, either resentment or hypocrisy or hideous......

Chongzhen couldn't help but feel disgusted in his heart, and tried to think of something beautiful. The truth is, I can't find a thing that can make me happy, and I can't find it for days.

On this day, just as he was discouraged by this, Wang Chengen hurriedly came in and said: "Your Majesty, Tongnu is committing another big attack." ”

Chongzhen was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Have you crossed the border?" ”

Wang Chengen said: "Not yet, Lu Xiangsheng is waiting for it." ”

Chongzhen said in a panic: "Immediately transfer troops to King Qin, and let those relatives of the emperor donate some more food and salary, and tell them that I am their dependence, and if my country is gone, they will not be happy, this is a matter of both glory and loss." ”

Wang Chengen said: "Lord Lu's note did not mention the matter of reinforcements and food, is it decided after Lord Lu proposes it?" ”

Chongzhen said in disbelief: "He really didn't mention it? ”

Wang Chengen said: "No, it's been almost a month." Lord Lu has always been strategic, and if necessary, he will definitely mention it. ”

Chongzhen said emotionally: "Yes, Xiangsheng is worthy of my reliance and the pillar of the country." Alas, if the imperial court can have a few more pillars like Xiangsheng, what else do I have to worry about? ”

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered Yang Sichang again, and said, "Where is Yang Sichang now?" ”

Wang Chengen said: "Yang Sichang failed to resign, took the holy decree, and went straight to Beijing, it is estimated that it is almost there." ”

Chongzhen said: "Okay, when he arrives, inform me immediately, and I will summon him immediately." ”

Yang Sichang traveled day and night to Dejingshi, and before he could settle down, Chongzhen's holy decree to him arrived, and although Yang Sichang was tired, he still hurriedly entered the palace.

Chongzhen was already waiting for him.

Yang Sichang looked at him as he walked: dressed in civilian clothes, with a tired face, he hesitated a little when he saw him coming, a smile appeared on his face, and he slowly stood up, not paying attention to a sewn underwear sleeve, which was exposed inappropriately.

Yang Sichang's eyes were filled with tears, he walked a few steps quickly, fell to the ground with a pop, and said, "Minister Yang Sichang knocked to see the emperor." ”

Chongzhen hurriedly helped him up with both hands and said, "I saw Aiqing in casual clothes today, I just want to have a good chat with Aiqing, Aiqing doesn't have to be formal, go and sit." ”

Yang Sichang went to sit down as ordered, but seeing that he was still standing, he hurriedly took out his carefully written "The First Priority of Respecting Chen Annei" from his arms and handed it over respectfully.

Chongzhen stretched out his hand to take it, and went to sit while watching, but closed it very casually, and said, "Let's talk about it." ”

Yang Sichang said: "From the perspective of Yichen, we currently have two internal and external enemies. In view of these two enemies, the minister has conducted a careful study, and the minister believes that it is necessary to take comprehensive measures in order to be effective.

How? First, if you go outside, you must first settle inside; second, enough food and then foot soldiers; Third, only by protecting the people can we the people. ”

"More than two? Hmph, those courtiers who are unclear should also be counted, and God, there are constant disasters and famines. Thinking secretly, Chongzhen let out an "oh" and said with interest: "Let's hear it." ”

Yang Sichang said: "The minister thinks that the general trend of the world is like the human body, the Jingshi is the brain, the Xuan, Jizhu towns are the shoulders and arms, and the Central Plains south of the Yellow River and north of the Great River are the heart.

Now the situation is that the beacon fire appears outside the shoulder and arm, and it is very urgent; The plague is in the heart, and it is very deep.

Of course, the external troubles cannot be alleviated, and the internal worries cannot be ignored, because it is poisonous in the abdomen and heart, if we allow 'the abdomen and heart to flow poison, the internal organs will ulcerate and carbuncles, and the essence and blood will dry up in the day', what is the use of having shoulders and arms?

Therefore, the minister advocated peace talks with the Qing Dynasty first, stabilized the situation near Jingshi, and concentrated on exterminating the Liukou in one go. ”

Chongzhen not only thought about peace talks with the Qing Dynasty, but also tried it with the courtiers, and the courtiers naturally opposed it in unison.

Therefore, listening to Yang Sichang's mention, although he was satisfied, he still couldn't express his position, and said: "If I follow what you play, how can I exterminate the rogue?" ”

Yang Sichang said: "In view of the characteristics of the high mobility of the Liukou, the implementation of the 'four positives, six corners and ten nets' containment strategy.

Shaanxi, Henan, Huguang, and Fengyang, where the rogue were active, were regarded as the 'four positives', and the governors of these four places mainly suppressed the peasant army, supplemented by prevention.

Yansui, Shanxi, Shandong, Yingtian, Jiangxi, and Sichuan around the 'Four Positives' were regarded as the 'six corners', and the governors of these six places were mainly responsible for the defense of the peasant army, supplemented by suppression.

If the Liukou is in Shaanxi, then the governors of Shaanxi, Sichuan, Huguang, Henan, Yansui, and Shanxi will be surrounded by a net on six sides.

By analogy, when a peasant army appeared in any area of the 'Four Positives', six governors would besiege it, and the governors of the five provinces and the prime ministers of the five provinces would be responsible for killing them. ”

Chongzhen said with satisfaction: "Aiqing's strategy is good, you might as well be more specific." ”

When Yang Sichang heard this, he became more confident in his heart, and hurriedly walked to the map, saying: "Liukou is mainly active in summer and autumn, and it is inconvenient to flow in winter and spring due to the cold weather, so I think that this winter and next spring, that is, December this year, the first month and February of next year, are suitable as the period of encirclement and suppression.

What about the main battlefield? The two provinces of Henan and Shaanxi were respectively surrounded and broken, and the troops entrenched in Shaanxi (Li Zicheng) and Guo Tianxing (Hui Dengxiang) must not be allowed to enter Henan, nor can they be allowed to join the departments of Henan, Huguang and other places.

For this reason, the governor of Shaanxi was strictly ordered to block it in Shangnan and Luonan, Yunyang to block it in Yunyang and Xiangyang, Huguang to block it in De'an and Huangzhou, Anqing to block it in Yingshan and Lu'an, Fengyang to block it in Yingzhou and Haozhou, Yingtian to block it in Qianshan and Taihu, Jiangxi to block it in Huangmei and Guangji, Shandong to block it in Xuzhou and Suzhou, Shanxi to cut it across to Shaanzhou and Lingbao, and Baoding to fly across Yanjin.

The prime ministers of the five provinces led the border soldiers, the eunuch Liu Yuanbin led the forbidden army, and the governor of Henan led Zuo Liangyu and Chen Yongfu to work together to suppress the Central Plains, putting on an endless posture. If Chuang Jiang, Guotianxing and other troops crossed the Tong Guandong, the governor Hong Chengchou led Zuo Guangxian, Cao Bianjiao, Zu Dabi and other troops to track the eastward out, in order to annihilate in the Central Plains. ”

After speaking, seeing Chongzhen nodding and looking at himself, Yang Sichang said again: "In order to ensure the realization of the above-mentioned strategic goals, there must be three conditions to ensure it.

First, we should hurry up the start of peace talks with the Qing Dynasty to relieve the worries of suppressing bandits.

Second, the army was increased by 120,000, including 74,000 infantry and 36,000 horsemen, and 2.8 million taels of silver was increased.

Third, replace Wang Jiazhen, the prime minister of the five provinces, this Wang Jiazhen can't even manage his own family, how can he manage thousands of troops and horses? ”

Chongzhen seemed to have seen the victory, and said, "Okay, if I meet Aiqing's conditions, how long does Aiqing estimate that he will be able to achieve great success?" ”

Yang Sichang said confidently: "If this is the case, the next three months will be hard work, and it will be ten years of inconclusive." ”

Chongzhen was full of joy, but he coldly realized the difficulty, and said lightly: "I will increase the number of troops by 120,000 according to Aiqing's words, increase the salary and training salary, and the rest will be handled by Aiqing at his discretion." ”

Yang Sichang was waiting for the essentials, and Wang Chengen hurriedly came in and said: "Emperor Qi, due to the prestige of Lord Lu, the Qing army has retreated. ”

When Chongzhen heard this, he glanced at Yang Sichang and said, "This should be a good sign, I hope Aiqing will make contributions as soon as possible." ”