Wu Sangui's rhetorical question made everyone stunned again.

In fact, each of his subordinates, after working with Wu Sangui for a long time, will understand that although Wu Sangui is famous and famous, he is actually quite indecisive and hesitant.

It is simply unrealistic to expect such a person to be able to make a decisive decision and to quickly make a sharp and reasonable plan or arrangement in a chaotic situation.

Moreover, because Wu Sangui has this kind of scheming and indecisive character, he gradually developed the habit of liking others very much.

Therefore, when his menacing rhetorical question came out, for a while, there was silence in the living room, and no one dared to answer.

Of course, the more real reason is that now Wu Sangui's troops and horses, stationed in the city of Ningyuan, have become a lone army hanging outside the Shanhai Pass, there are Manchus in the north, and there are Liukou in the south, caught between these two forces in the north and south, trapped at home and abroad, and they are already unable to move, and it is really difficult to make reasonable decisions and moves.

Until now, Wu Sangui has not shown any shape, as stated in real history. That is, for Chen Yuanyuan, he desperately fought to the death with the Liukou, and even did not lead the Qing army into the customs because of this. On the contrary, now he is still only nervously and carefully weighing the situation, trying to find the most beneficial way out for himself.

In fact, if you really want to say how much Wu Sangui loves Chen Yuanyuan and how much he likes it, it is not at all true, and it can even be said that this is just wishful thinking on the part of the family.

In real history, after Li Zicheng captured Beijing, he sent Tang Tong, the general soldier of Miyun, to persuade Wu Sangui to surrender with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.

And Tang Tong's persuasion is nothing more than that the new lord (Li Zicheng) is very polite to the old general soldier (Wu Xiang), hoping that General Wu will recognize the situation and make a great cause together, and become the founding father of the Great Shun Dynasty. Wu Sangui believed that it was true, and was immediately moved, so he led his troops into the customs and prepared to surrender Li Zicheng.

The whole army marched all the way to Shaheyi, at this time, the secret agent he sent to the capital came to report that Li Zicheng was miserable to the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, and Wu Xiang was not spared. Wu Sangui was angry, but he could only insist that when he went, the Dashun army would definitely put his father and property back.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, the spy reported that in addition to his father Wu Xiang had been detained by Li Zicheng, even his wife Chen Yuanyuan had been arrested by them.

When Wu Sangui heard this, he was immediately furious, he pulled out his sword and roared angrily: "The traitor is so rude! My Wu Sangui dignified husband, how can I surrender this dog, be scolded by all generations, loyalty and filial piety cannot be both. "With that, immediately command the army and retreat to Shanhaiguan.

This is the origin of the so-called "rushing to the crown and being angry".

If you think about it carefully, there are many exaggerations, and there is no lack of exaggeration and exaggeration, which is very far from the real history.

And even from the literal point of view of this passage, Wu Sangui's "anger at the crown" is not only for a confidant, but also focuses on the usual ethics of "revenge for the monarch's father", which is the most fundamental reason why he took such actions.

There is one of the most obvious evidences, that is, after a piece of stone defeated Li Zicheng, when Tang Tong came to persuade him to surrender, the only condition put forward by Wu Sangui was that Chongzhen's crown prince would be handed over to him, without saying that Chen Yuanyuan would be handed over.

It can be seen that the real status of Chen Yuanyuan, who is talked about by the family, in Wu Sangui's mind, is actually just a head higher than ordinary concubines, far from the point where Wu Sangui loses his mind.

In the end, Wu Sangui led the Qing troops into the customs, went all the way south, defeated Li Zicheng and regained Chen Yuanyuan, Chen Yuanyuan, like his other concubines, has been following Wu Sangui to fight. After Wu Sangui pacified Yunnan, Yuanyuan entered Wu Sangui's Pingxi Palace, and had an extremely short period of "pet crown harem" time. ("Ten Beautiful Words").

After Wu Sangui dominated Yunnan, he had different ambitions, poor and extravagant, and sang and danced. Construct the garden Anfu Garden, "buy Wu Ling's fifteenth year, a total of 40 people as a team", "the garden is prosperous, and the extravagance exceeds the ban". Chen Yuanyuan was decrepit due to old age, coupled with discord with Wu Sangui's wife, and Wu Sangui had several favorite concubines, so he gradually fell out of favor, so he resigned from the palace and entered the Tao, "cloth clothes and vegetable food, worship the Buddha for the rest of his life" ("Tianxiang Pavilion Essays"). Since then, a generation of red makeup has been luxurious and lonely.

Therefore, to sum up, in the author's opinion, it is impossible for a person like Wu Sangui, who is completely oriented to his own interests, to be as hard-hearted as iron in the long-term conquest and struggle, to get carried away for a female streamer and make impulsive and unreasonable actions.

In the final analysis, the reason why Wu Sangui finally chose to rebel and surrender to the Qing Dynasty was because he saw clearly from what the Liukou did to his father and concubine that the Liukou's accumulated habits were difficult to change and that it was difficult to achieve great things, so he finally decided to change his court and serve the Tartars loyally, so as to seek a bigger and better career for himself.

It's just that Wu Sangui's careful calculations and historical notoriety finally made an innocent woman take the blame.

At this time, there was silence in the hall for a while, and then Fang Guangchen said in a deep voice: "Ping Xibo, according to the report from his subordinates, up to now, Tang Tong, the chief soldier of Miyun, Ma Ke, the chief soldier of Jimen, etc., have all taken refuge in the Liukou, and it is estimated that in a few days, the Liukou will definitely send someone to recruit us." ”

"Phew! If he dares to send someone to surrender, Ben Bo will kill all his envoys! ”

Wu Sangui's face was twisted with anger, and he still roared angrily: "Ben Bo and the thief are already incompatible, how can you tarnish your reputation and accept his solicitation." If Ben Bo had done such a servile and humble thing, would he not be laughed at by the people of the world! “

As soon as he finished saying this, there was silence in the room again.

At this time, Hu Guozhu seemed to suddenly remember something, and he said hurriedly: "By the way, Ping Xibo, who has not surrendered to the Liukou yet, and the Shanhaiguan chief soldier Zu Dale." How similar his situation is to us! But I don't know, what is Zu Dale's plan now? ”

Fang Guangchen glanced at him and said lightly: "Shanhaiguan Chief Soldier Zu Dale is the father-in-law of Tang King Li Xiao, he has this towering tree to hold, and he will definitely not go to Liukou." Thinking about it, it is very likely that he has secretly made an appointment with Li Xiao, and when the conditions are ripe, he will evacuate Shanhaiguan and go directly to Li Xiao. ”

"Vote for Li Xiao? You must know how Li Xiao's main soldiers and horses, which are in Shandong and Xuanfu North Road, can easily meet his retreat. And Zu Dale has fewer soldiers and horses than us, how can he cross the blockade line between Liukou and the Manchu Qing and go to Li Xiao? Hu Guozhu frowned, quite disagreeing with Fang Guangchen's statement.

"Well, I don't know if I don't know about this, maybe, for the sake of his son-in-law, Zu Dale will desperately resist the attack of the rogues with a complex fortress like Shanhaiguan if he can't withdraw for the time being. In the end, after holding on to the Liukou for a while, he was able to support Li Xiao to lead his troops over, so as to retreat smoothly, which is also very likely. Fang Guangchen stroked his beard and said speculatively.

The speaker was unintentional, the listener was intentional, and after listening to Fang Guangchen's words, Wu Sangui's eyes lit up.

The ancestor Dale, the chief soldier of Shanhaiguan, can rely on the world's first Xiongguan Shanhaiguan to defend it, so why can't he defend Shanhaiguan with him to tide over the difficulties together?

Wouldn't it be better if he could send someone over to communicate with Zu Dale as soon as possible and tell him that he was willing to lead his troops to retreat south, abandon Ningyuan, and garrison Shanhaiguan with him, and wait for Li Xiao's rescue together?

Since now, there are more than 4,000 soldiers and horses in his hands, of which 3,000 are the strong Guanning iron cavalry, and Zu Dale has more than 2,000 soldiers and horses in his hands, the two combined, there are nearly 7,000 troops, with Shanhaiguan, the world's first majestic fortress, the strong wall and clear field to defend itself, it is indeed enough to hold on until Li Xiao leads the army to arrive.

And as long as you vote for Li Xiao, you can work hard again in the Ming court, fight for fame, and then serve the court, and in the future, don't you see the changes in the situation and make a new decision, isn't it the best way out?

When Wu Sangui thought of this, his face was greatly soothed, and his mood was much more relaxed. He then briefly explained his thoughts to the crowd.

As expected, Wu Sangui's suggestion was immediately unanimously approved by the three subordinates.

At this moment, there is indeed no more correct idea than Wu Sangui, and it is indeed the most correct decision to guard the Shanhaiguan with Zu Dale and keep warm together.

Seeing that everyone had no objections, Wu Sangui immediately sent a messenger with his own handwritten letter, and hurriedly went south to Shanhaiguan.

To everyone's surprise, they thought that such an arrangement would go well, but only two days later, a shocking and terrible news came from the north.

"Report! Pinsyber! Oh no! From the direction of Quang Ninh, there were nearly 100,000 Qing troops, with overwhelming momentum, quickly attacking our Ningyuan! '

Hearing the news, Wu Sangui and his subordinates were as white as paper.

No way?!

The Liukou didn't come, why did the Qing army come first, this, what the hell is going on?

Okay, nearly 100,000 Qing troops are overwhelming, and they are simply going to swallow this small Ningyuan City in one bite!

And what is even more terrifying is that the Qing army came suddenly, and its momentum was so great, it can be said that it completely and completely caught Wu Sangui off guard.

Of course, Wu Sangui knew that with his own 4,000 soldiers and horses, with no food and grass inside and no reinforcements outside, it was impossible to resist the attack of 100,000 Qing troops!

These dog tartars are really vicious, and they gave themselves a fatal blow when they were in the most difficult time!

Fang Guangchen pounced and knelt down in front of Wu Sangui's steps.

"General! The matter is urgent, and a decision needs to be made immediately! Fang Guangchen's face was slightly sweaty, and he said hurriedly: "The Tartars suddenly attacked, and our army was completely defenseless. In today's plan, we need to give up Ningyuan immediately, along with those heavy grain and grass, we also need to abandon them all, and then quickly take all the soldiers and horses and Jiakou, immediately retreat south to Shanhaiguan, and join forces with Zu Dale to defend it for a long time! “

Abandon the city and flee?

Is there really only one way to go?

Wu Sangui, who had a gloomy face, had not yet replied, and Xia Guoxiang interjected coldly on the side: ", Master Fang, what you think is still too optimistic." Ping Xibo, according to the following, our army is now completely unprepared, even if the whole army abandons the city and goes south as soon as possible, I am afraid that it will be too late. According to the following opinion, not only the baggage and ordnance must be abandoned, but also the infantry defending the city must be completely abandoned! It is appropriate to let Ping Xibo only take all the Guanning iron horsemen and a small number of family members to withdraw, and this is a strategy to lose the car and protect the strong man to break his wrist. ”

Xia Guoxiang paused for a moment, and said hurriedly: "Abandoning the infantry and retreating in a hurry will greatly damage the face and the strength of our army, but this is really a measure of last resort!" After all, the Qing army is coming very fast, if there is a slight hesitation and delay, if the Qing army first sends cavalry to cut off our army's southward passage, our army will be surrounded in Ningyuan City, like a turtle in an urn, and then must not move or take half a step. And when it comes to such a situation, there is really no way to go to heaven and no way to enter the ground! '

After Xia Guoxiang's words were finished, there was a dead silence in the hall, and Wu Sangui's face was even more ugly.

! How could the dignified Ming Ping Xibo, the dignified Ning Yuan General Soldier, get mixed up to the point where he is almost powerless to resist if he is killed!

If you really want to listen to the persuasion of Xia Guoxiang, discard all the baggage, ordnance, grain and grass, and even the more than 1,000 infantry to give up completely, this decision must be made by yourself, it is too painful and too difficult.

Wu Sangui was indecisive, he paced back and forth in the hall to supervise the work, but after thinking for about half an hour, another shocking news came.

"Report! Ping Xibo, the Tartars sent five thousand cavalry, divided into the left and right wings of Ningyuan, lurking all the way, just suddenly appeared in the south of Ningyuan City, and had completely cut off the southern passage! “

Hearing this terrible news, Wu Sangui stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

The dog-in-the-Tartar is really scheming!

They must know that they will find a way to retreat south as soon as possible, so they took a step forward and sent the elite Eight Banners cavalry to block the road to the south first, so that the four thousand soldiers and horses under their command can really only be trapped in the lonely city of Ningyuan, and it will be difficult to escape.

What to do?

Is it true that he is leading these 4,000 soldiers and horses to die with the city?

Wu Sangui's face was like ashes, and the pain in his heart was like a knife.

However, after a long time in battle, he quickly adjusted his mentality and immediately issued an order to let the whole army quickly deploy defenses in Ningyuan City, preparing to fight to the death with the incoming enemy.

And at this moment, another subordinate rushed to report with an arrow book in his hand.

"Report! Ping Xibo, a Qing army envoy outside the city shot an arrow book, saying that in order to resolve the dispute between the two armies, he was willing to send an envoy into the city to explain the benefits and disadvantages to the general in detail, and hoped that Ping Xibo could allow them to enter the city to talk. “

Hearing the report of his subordinates, Wu Sangui felt indescribable in his heart.

He quickly opened the arrow book, and at a cursory glance, the expression on his face was even more complicated and inexplicable.