King Fu was attacked by Li Zicheng and lost Nanjing, and now he is trapped in Huguang and cannot get out. Chongzhen soon learned of this, and after he consulted with the courtiers, it was fruitless.

Chongzhen's original intention was to send troops to rescue King Fu and help him regain control of Nanjing, and the imperial court could also take the opportunity to control Nanjing. However, none of the ministers of the DPRK and China supported it, and all of them opposed Chongzhen.

Saying that the gains of sending troops in the past outweigh the losses, and it is also necessary to borrow from Mao Wenlong, and it is a risk to go back and forth. What's more, the border pass is not really peaceful now, and once Huang Taiji leads his troops to attack again, the imperial court will face the dilemma of being attacked on both sides.

In this regard, Chongzhen had no choice but to declare his retirement from the dynasty sullenly and return to his study, Chongzhen was always sullen.

Wu Chengen hesitated for a moment, and stepped forward to persuade: "Your Majesty, don't go to your heart, in fact, it is not realistic to send troops to rescue King Fu." ”

Chongzhen raised his head and squinted at Wu Chengen, and snorted coldly: "Even you see it that way?" ”

Wu Chengen said cautiously: "Your Majesty, this matter is really troublesome, it's really not worth it!" ”

Chongzhen said with a gloomy face: "Why is it not worth it, helping King Fu to recover Nanjing, you can hit Li Zicheng in the first place." Second, we can take the opportunity to install our people in Nanjing, which will be of great help to control Nanjing in the future. You don't deserve to say these or that. ”

Wu Chengen smiled bitterly: "But don't forget, the emperor, if we want to carry out the plan smoothly, we must first get Mao Wenlong to agree to our army to pass through his territory." ”

"And ......"

Wu Chengen hesitated for a moment, secretly glanced at Chongzhen's reaction, and saw that he showed no signs of anger, so he continued: "Besides, the border pass is still facing the threat of Huang Taiji at any time, and we can't take it lightly at all. ”

Chongzhen stopped, what Wu Chengen said was true, the current border pass may indeed be attacked by Huang Taiji at any time. He can't transfer troops to Nanjing at all now, Chongzhen suddenly felt a little depressed, such a good opportunity, just watching it slip away from his eyes, he was really unwilling.

After a long time, I heard Chongzhen say lightly: "Since this is the case, let's stop." ”

Wu Chengen breathed a sigh of relief, as long as Chongzhen did not come in chaos and transferred the soldiers from the border pass, the safety of the border pass could be ensured. Otherwise, if Huang Taiji takes advantage of it, it is really not worth it.

Chongzhen obviously really gave up the idea of helping King Fu, and he changed the topic: "This is the end of King Fu's affairs, let's wait and see what happens for the time being." Now you tell me about the situation in Shandong, has Mao Wenlong ever replied? ”

Wu Chengen was just about to answer, when a knock suddenly came out of the imperial study: "Your Majesty, there is a secret letter from Xi'an." ”

Chongzhen was suddenly overjoyed and shouted, "Hurry up!" ”

A little eunuch gently opened the door, flashed in and handed the letter into Wu Chengen's hand, and then bowed and quickly retreated.

Wu Chengen personally checked the envelope and made sure that it was okay before handing it over to Chongzhen. The latter immediately opened it and looked at it. After a while, Chongzhen suddenly slapped the table fiercely and shouted: "Damn Mao Wenlong, you dare to provoke me like this." ”

Seeing Chongzhen so angry, Wu Chengen's heart trembled, and he already had a premonition that this letter must be Mao Wenlong's reply.

Sure enough, I only heard Chongzhen say angrily: "Mao Wenlong actually asked me to send troops to attack, and he refused to return half of Shandong." ”

Wu Chengen smiled bitterly in his heart, he was not optimistic about this matter from the beginning. The imperial court doesn't give anything like this, it's like taking back half of Shandong from Mao Wenlong's hands, how can there be such a cheap thing in the world.

Chongzhen suddenly stared at Wu Chengen fiercely, and his eyes made Wu Chengen tremble in his heart: "The emperor ...... Emperor...... You...... You're ......."

Chongzhen Yin said: "Have you forgotten? Who said that Mao Wenlong didn't have the intention of rebellion, he was just a fart. If Mao Wenlong was loyal to the Ming Dynasty and loyal to the imperial court, how could he refuse to return half of Shandong to me. ”

Wu Chengen suddenly came back to his senses, he remembered that not long ago, because he persuaded Chongzhen to borrow grain from Mao Wenlong, and asked him to send troops to resist the Huang Taiji army. I can't imagine that Chongzhen remembers to be so attentive.

You must know that at that time, the whole of Shanxi was used in exchange, and the imperial court took the initiative to cede Shanxi to Mao Wenlong without any resistance. That's what got these benefits from him. Wu Chengen only said such a sentence to persuade Chongzhen.

Now that Chongzhen is using this sentence as an article, Wu Chengen's heart is as uncomfortable as eating a fly.

"What? Don't you explain? Chongzhen's cold voice sounded in the study.

"Your Majesty, this time is not another time! Last time, we took the initiative to give up Shanxi as a condition to come to Mao Wenlong's help. And this time, not only did he not give him any benefits, but he directly wanted to ask for land from him, which no one would agree. Wu Chengen's face was full of bitterness.

Chongzhen frowned and stared at Wu Chengen for a long time without speaking, and after some contemplation, he suddenly said: "You mean that if you want to give Mao Wenlong some benefits, he will agree to return half of Shandong to the imperial court?" ”

Wu Chengen hesitated for a moment, nodded and said: "That's true, if the emperor can give Mao Wenlong the benefits of his heart, he will definitely not refuse." ”

Chongzhen is not a fool, he naturally understands this truth, and now he has understood that Mao Wenlong is not loyal to the imperial court. If you want to get back to Shandong from him, you do need to pay a price.

"Cheng'en! What benefits do you say you want to give to Mao Wenlong, so that he is willing to return Shandong to the imperial court? Chongzhen asked slowly.

"Your Majesty, can you tell me why you are in a hurry to go back to Shandong?" Wu Chengen looked puzzled.

"Shandong is the only way to the south now, and now it is in the hands of Mao Wenlong, and we have completely lost control of the south. So, now we have to come back anyway. Chongzhen's face was heavy.

Wu Chengen thought carefully for a moment and found that what Chongzhen said was extremely true, Henan and Shaanxi had been completely occupied by Mao Wenlong. Only half of Shandong is left in the hands of Mao Wenlong.

Now, if the imperial court wants to have any contact with the south, it must go around Shandong. Thinking about this, Wu Chengen understood why Chongzhen was so anxious.

"Your Majesty, since this is the case, then we might as well have a showdown with that Mao Wenlong and tell him directly. Then ask him how he is willing to return Shandong to the imperial court! Wu Chengen smiled and came up with an idea.

Chongzhen touched his chin and fell into deep thought, and after a long time, he said: "Chengen, I will leave this matter to you to take full responsibility, you are ready now, and you will leave to negotiate with Mao Wenlong tomorrow." ”