Hearing Hong Chengchou say the word Li Xiao word by word, Zu Zerun couldn't help but shudder.

It turned out that Zu Zerun had dealt with Li Xiao's Tang Army. When the fourth Qing army entered the customs, he followed Dolgon, all the way from Beizhili to Shandong, along the way, and the Ming army fought hand in hand, which can be described as invincible, and the Ming army everywhere was defeated at the touch. Only in Shandong, the Qing army suffered the worst defeat since entering the customs.

Tens of thousands of Qing troops, when Jinan City was about to be within reach, were defeated by the Tang army that came overnight. The sudden and fierce attack of the Tang army caught the Qing army by surprise and completely collapsed, and although they resisted, they were ultimately defeated. The Qing generals Yue Zuo and Nikan were killed by the Tang army, causing heavy losses in the Qing army's strength and morale being hit to almost zero.

It is also fortunate to say that Zu Zerun's department at that time was at the south gate of Jinan, and saw that the momentum was not right, so he hurriedly retreated and fled, fortunately saving more than 1,000 soldiers and horses under his hands, and Zu Zerun himself barely saved his life. After fleeing from Jinan, Zu Zerun, like the rest of the Qing army, was terrified, and fled all the way west to retreat, barely escaping the pursuit of the Tang army, and finally saved a remnant of his life.

Since then, Zu Zerun has a deep fear of the Tang Army, and he admires and fears the prestige and combat power of the Tang Army in his heart. He even secretly prayed in his heart that in this life and this life, he would never fight with this wolf-like Tang Army again. After all, as a general who has no reputation, what serves the territory and what loyalty to the country is not as important as preserving his own life and power.

Since how to keep the existing fame and wealth is the most important thing for oneself, then in order to achieve this, we must never be brave and brave enough to do things that are impossible for oneself, otherwise, not only will not only not get half of the credit, but lose one's life, then everything will be regretted.

Like this Qing army's large-scale attack on Vladivostok Fort, Zu Zerun's troops were lucky not to be drawn, which made him very happy in his heart. Because the last time he entered the customs, he had deeply tasted the hardships of the Tang army, and he knew that even if the Qing army that went out this time seemed to be extremely powerful, it was really easy to fight against the Tang army, which was very elite in combat power and equipment. No, wasn't the Tartar Emperor mortally wounded and crippled, and almost hung up in the distant and wild Vladivostok?

For a while, Zu Zerun's heart sighed infinitely.

Isn't it, do you really have a bad relationship with this Li Xiao? If you really want to fight the Tang Army again, perhaps, your more than 100 catties, you really have to explain it on the battlefield.

At this point, Zu Zerun's originally expectant gaze suddenly dimmed a lot. He raised his head, looked straight into Hong Chengchou's eyes, and said in a low voice: "Master Hong, do you mean that if the Qing Dynasty is in civil turmoil, then Dolgon and Haoge will fight for the throne and fight for the civil war, then Li Xiao will take the Tang Army to attack and harass my Qing Dynasty?" ‘

"This is inevitable, the enemy country is in trouble, if you don't take the opportunity to send troops to attack, do you have to wait for Dolgon or Hauge to defeat the competitors and sit firmly in the Qing Dynasty before making a move? If you were Li Xiao, would you easily let go of such a rare opportunity? Zugushan is a person with a clear and quick mind, how could he not think of this? Hong Chengchou said calmly, with a smile on his face.

Hong Chengchou's words carried a hint of sarcasm, which made Zu Zerun feel that his heart seemed to have been pricked by a steel needle, and his face suddenly felt inexplicably hot, and an inexplicable anger rose from his heart.

"Master Hong, you said this, I thought about it, but I really agreed with it. That Li Xiao is a tiger and wolf, and the Tang army under his command is a rare elite army in the world, and he will indeed not easily let go of this rare opportunity to attack our Qing Dynasty. It's just that this kind of thing has nothing to do with us, the low-level Han army generals, that is, the sky is falling, and there are tall people on top, even if Li Xiao attacks the Qing Dynasty, it is also a matter for Dolgon and Haoge to consider, let's just do what we are told, and what do we care about doing so much? How does Li Xiao want to act, but what does it have to do with a small Han army like me? Zu Zerun replied with a sneer.

Hong Chengchou seemed to have guessed that he would say this, he replied with a faint smile: "Zu Gushan, why do you want to talk like this, why can't you take a long-term view and open up a little longer?" Do you think that you and your men have no other way out than to serve as cannon fodder for Dorgon and Haug in their struggle for power and throne? “

When Hong Chengchou said this, he deliberately paused, as if he was waiting for Zu Zerun to react himself.

Zu Zerun is a person with a very quick mental reaction, and he quickly understood what Hong Chengchou meant by saying this to himself.

"Master Hong, did you mean to let me and others defect from the Qing court and go to Li Xiao......" Zu Zerun's face changed suddenly, and his voice trembled a little when he replied.

"Exactly!" Zu Dashou, who had not spoken on the side, interjected in a sonorous voice: "Zerun, the reason why my father called you to come here is to tell you that after careful consideration, my father finally made the important decision to defect from the Qing Dynasty and vote for Li Xiao!" “

Hearing Zu Dashou's words, the faces of the children and nephews next to him changed greatly. Nazu Zerun's face suddenly turned pale, and he said in a trembling voice: "Father, if you do this, if you are found out by the Qing court, it will be a great crime to kill your head......

"So what, it's better than sitting back and waiting for death in the future, or becoming cannon fodder for them in their struggle for power!" Zu Dashou had a sad look on his face, and he said loudly: "Zerun, now in this room, only our family is here, are you still going to take your father's head and ask the Tartar for success?" For my father, I want to remind you that now that the infighting in the Qing court is surging, and it is about to heat up, you just want to use your father's head to ask for credit, and you may not know who to report to, right? ‘

Listening to Zu Dashou's sarcastic words, Zu Zerun's face was very hot, and fine sweat was oozing from his forehead, and he hurriedly said: "Father, you are really going to kill the child with your words." Even if a child has ten thousand guts, it is impossible to exchange his biological father for power and wealth......"

Zu Dashou waved his hand, interrupted his self-confession, and continued to say to everyone: "Ladies and nephews, you have all seen the current situation clearly. In the Qing court, a bloody battle for power and profit was already close at hand and could not be avoided. In such a chaotic situation, if you vote for the wrong master, bet on the wrong treasure, you will naturally be unable to escape death, and even if you are lucky and vote for the right master, who can guarantee that you will survive smoothly until the end of this cruel civil war? Besides, at the time of the Qing civil war, there was also the Pingliao King Li Xiao's attendant to invade the border, and the Qing State continued to encroach, if you were transferred to fight against Li Xiao's Tang army, I was afraid that it would be nine deaths, right? For the sake of what the Father said today, you need to think carefully! “

When Zu Dashou said this, the whole room was silent.

Among these people, Zu Zerun stood with an embarrassed face, while Zu Zepu and Zu Zehong were shocked, with a completely unexpected expression, only Zu Zeyuan and Zu Zeqing, because yesterday the two had discussed the situation that might occur today, so the two of them still had calm expressions and did not show too surprised looks.

Of course, what Zu Dashou proposed now is not to return to the Ming Dynasty, but to vote for Li Xiao, this explosive decision still surprised the two of them, but fortunately, on the surface, the two of them are trying to restrain themselves, and they do not show their true thoughts.

Seeing that these sons and nephews were silent and refused to express their positions, Hong Chengchou interjected on the side and said: "Everyone, do you think that going to vote for Li Xiao, the king of Pingliao, is a little too abrupt, and you have many concerns?" It is indeed understandable for you to think like this, but I want to say to you that you can completely dispel your worries, rest assured that you can lead your subordinates to vote for Li Xiao. “

Hong Chengchou paused and replied: "Do you know how powerful Li Xiao is now? The land he occupied included the whole province of Shandong, the entire Nanyang region, and Ezo, Sakhalin, Waiman and other places, and its territory was so vast and grand that it was incomparable with the Qing Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty. Under his rule, the population of the people is as high as tens of millions, the economy is prosperous, all industries are thriving, and there is a thriving scene everywhere. Looking at its military strength again, Li Xiao's subordinates have more than 100,000 Tang troops who are extremely elite and well-equipped, and can fight habitually, all of them are tigers, leopards, bears, and strong soldiers. Therefore, the current Li Xiao, although nominally the king of Pingliao in the Ming Dynasty and a vassal of Chongzhen, but in fact, he has long been an independent kingdom, and the Ming court has no ability to restrain him at all, and under his rule, it is completely an independent empire-like existence. And how can the brilliant prospects of this powerful and invisible empire be comparable to those of the Ming and Qing dynasties? “

Hong Chengchou's exuberant words made the sons and nephews of Zu Dashou show a deep and thoughtful look on their faces. Obviously, Hong Chengchou's words had a strong impact on them.

Seeing that everyone seemed to be moved, Hong Chengchou struck while the iron was hot, and continued: "Everyone, if it is not Hong's boast, this Li Xiao can become the king of Pingliao in the Ming Dynasty from an ordinary rural hunter within ten years, which shows that he is outstanding in talent and extraordinary in his instrument, so it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the dragon and phoenix among the people and the golden scales in the pool." And now he is like an invisible monarch, his future is great, and the glory of the future is unlimited! Now, if we can seize the opportunity and take advantage of its full development and growth, we will invest in it, Li Xiao is a big-minded person, and he will accept it happily, and we will definitely be able to be used greatly and show what we are capable of, isn't it a beautiful thing? ”

Hong Chengchou sighed lightly, and said: "Everyone, Hong Mou said something from his heart, there is a way, those who know the times are Junjie, instead of burying the Qing Dynasty here, it is better to quickly recognize the situation and seek a good future for himself at this moment when the Qing Dynasty turmoil is imminent!" In Hong's view, the current turmoil is the best time to leave the Qing Dynasty and take refuge in Li Xiao. Now that the Qing Dynasty is in turmoil, the elites from all walks of life are in contention, and there is no one to supervise our actions, so this time is really the best opportunity to escape from the Qing Dynasty. If you wait until Dorgon or Hauge returns to Shengjing, and then want to leave, I am afraid that it will be difficult. “

After Hong Chengchou finished speaking, Zu Dashou also coughed lightly, and said in a summary manner: "Okay, what should be said now, I and Mr. Hong have finished talking to you, so let's make a statement, and if you are willing to go with me to vote for Li Xiao, your father is very welcome." If you really don't want to, I don't force it, after all, everyone has their own ambitions, and I hope that one day in the future, you don't regret it. It's just that I still want to say to you, Buddhism has clouds, one thought of heaven, one thought of hell, where to go, I hope you have a good grasp of it. ”

After Zu Dashou said this, the room was silent for a while.

After that, Zu Zeyuan took the lead in standing up and said to Zu Dashou: "Uncle and Master Hong are very thoughtful, and the little nephew feels very reasonable after listening to it. “

As soon as he finished speaking, his adopted son Zu Zeqing also said loudly: "I have the same opinion as my cousin, my father is willing to vote for Li Xiao, and the child will definitely obey his fate, so our three thousand Jinzhou troops will be led by the two of us, and follow my father to vote for Li Xiao." “

Hearing Zu Zeyuan and Zu Zeqing's statement, Zu Dashou's face was happy, and he said loudly: "Okay, you two are worthy of being with me for many years, and at such a critical moment, you can still clearly grasp the current situation, and this soldier is very pleased." “

At this time, Zu Zepu also stood up, he looked like he had made a big decision, and said to Zu Dashou: "Father, the child has also decided, I am willing to lead a thousand soldiers and horses from my headquarters to join you in Li Xiao." “

As soon as he finished speaking, Zu Zehong also stood up and said loudly: "Father, the child is also willing to lead 600 soldiers and horses from his headquarters to join Li Xiao. “

Seeing Zu Zepu and Zu Zehong, the two who had voted for the Qing Dynasty in the early years, also expressed their willingness to join Li Xiao with themselves, Zu Dashou's face was full of joy, and Hong Chengchou on the side also bowed his head frequently, and the joy on his face was overflowing.

At this time, only Zu Zerun lowered his head, his eyebrows were tightly locked, and his face was flushed, but he remained silent.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, all the people in the room turned their eyes to him.

"Zerun, what are you going to do?" Zu Dashou smiled and whispered to Zu Zerun.

Hearing his father's question, Zu Zerun raised his head, his face showed great determination, and his eyes became very cold at this moment.

"Father, the child still wants to stay in the Qing Dynasty and serve, and doesn't want to go to Li Xiao. Ask the father to forgive the child for his own actions. Zu Zerun's words, although very low, were clear and without any emotion.