"Zhang Hai, how are Beijing's defense preparations, the Tartars are about to arrive." Jiang Beiming once again returned to the officer training corps from Wang Chengen.

"Everything that should be prepared has been prepared, and as you know, Beijing's overall defense is not under our control." Chongzhen did not hand over power to Yulin Bay, but appointed Chen Xinjia as the presidential leader of Beijing's defense.

"How are the people around Beijing resettled?" Jiang Beiming also knew that this was a very helpless thing, and Chongzhen would not believe in Yulin Bay 100% after all.

"It's all back." Zhang Hai replied simply, "We can't help some of those who really don't want to go." ”

Jiang Beiming didn't continue to ask, and walked to the Beijing city defense map and looked at it carefully.

Zhang Hai didn't bother Jiang Beiming, and also walked behind him and looked up at the map on the wall together. This defense plan was formulated by Jiang Beiming for a long time, and through the relationship between Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun, Chongzhen reluctantly agreed to this plan.

Jiang Beiming looked at it for a while, and then clicked a little on the map with his hand: "This position is still not very reliable." ”

Zhang Hai leaned over and glanced at the place Jiang Beiming pointed to was the Yongding Gate in the south: "Beiming, do you think Tao Min will attack Yongding Gate." I don't think it's very likely, Yongdingmen is in the south, if he hits here, it will be equivalent to besieging the city on all sides, and the Manchus will not have so many people. ”

"But don't forget, we don't have cavalry this time, so we can only retreat into the city and defend it." Jiang Beiming turned his head and said, "This is tantamount to handing over the initiative of the war to the enemy." We put all the heavy artillery on the north and east and west sides, if Tao Min also bombarded Yongding Gate with cannons, it would be difficult for us to defend it. ”

"But aren't all the gates on the south side blocked?" Zhang Hai knew that Jiang Beiming had thought about this problem for a long time, so he suggested that Wang Chengen block the three city gates in the south with huge stones, "Doesn't it mean that the army has also set up two lines of defense outside Beijing?" ”

"Those two lines of defense can't stop the Tartars at all, just to slow down their movements, I always feel that I still don't feel at ease." Jiang Beiming asked again, "How many righteous men have been recruited to defend the city in the city?" ”

"It's still that much, less than 20,000." Zhang Hai replied, "Chongzhen refuses to pay for it, and we can't help it." ”

Jiang Beiming lowered his head and thought for a while, there was really nothing to adjust anymore: "Where are Pan Xuezhong and Xiao Junzhe now?" ”

Pan Xuezhong led the special combat team to garrison the edge of the Forbidden City, which was also promised by Chongzhen. Xiao Junzhe. Zhang Hai suddenly laughed, "I have already promoted him to captain and company commander." ”

"What captain company commander?" Jiang Beiming was confused by Zhang Hai.

"I can't help it." Zhang Hai explained, "He has to join the special combat team, so I appointed him as the captain and company commander of our guard company, and he will follow you, it should be absolutely safe." I told him that protecting your safety is much more important than protecting Chongzhen, and that's why he agreed. ”

"You're really good at making excuses." Jiang Beiming laughed twice and said, "Junzhe is also 21 this year, about the same age as when you first arrived in Yulin Bay, it's time to experience it, I hope this Beijing defense battle can make him mature." ”

Zhang Hai pursed his lips: "I hope." ”

In late September, Xu Lang arrived in Luoyang.

"Tianyang, is Shi Kefa here?" Xu Lang's first question was Shi Kefa, "I want to see him right away." ”

"It's been days." Xia Yang said, "He sent someone to ask you, and I said that you haven't come back from Yan'an Mansion yet." ”

"Come with me to see him tonight."

That night, Xu Lang and Xia Yang met Shi Kefa, and Shi Kefa hosted a banquet to entertain the two.

At the banquet, Shi Kefa took a cup and said: "General Xu, it's been a few months since I said goodbye, and this official misses you very much." ”

"Thank you, sir, for remembering the officer." Xu Lang didn't have too much politeness, "The lower official has an urgent military situation to report to the adult." ”

Shi Kefa looked at Xu Lang with a wine glass: "I heard that this official heard that you have assisted Lord Lu to recover Yan'an and subdue the Mongols, and General Xu has made great contributions." Liukou is already at the end of his crossbow, I don't know what urgent military situation General Xu has? ”

Xu Lang stunned Shi Kefa's words, no wonder later generations said that Shi Kefa's ability was low, mediocre and incompetent, it seems that he was really right. 200,000 rogues occupy Xi'an, Beijing is in danger, and he actually unhurriedly said that the rogues are the end of the crossbow. Xu Lang regretted a little that he recommended him to Wang Chengen, even if he changed Ma Shiying, he should be better than him.

But the matter has come to this point, and Xu Lang has no other way: "My lord, our General Jiang Beiming of Yulin Bay in Beijing has sent news that the 200,000 Tartar army will arrive at the city of Beijing in a few days. There are less than 100,000 soldiers and horses in Beijing, and once Beijing is in trouble, the emperor will definitely summon us back to King Qin. In this way, the rogues will escape and ascend to heaven, and I, the Ming Dynasty, will fight on two fronts, and adults must not worry. ”

Xu Lang expanded Huang Taiji and Tao Min's men and horses, which really aroused Shi Kefa's vigilance: "What General Xu said is also very reasonable. So according to the general, how should we behave? ”

"Your Excellency, please take a look." Xu Lang took out a map from his arms and let people spread it on the ground, "Now the Liukou turtle is shrinking in the area of Xi'an, there are more than 20,000 troops of my Yulin Army and Lord Lu in the north, 7,000 cavalry, and more than 100 artillery pieces, more than 600 miles away from Xi'an, you can reach Xi'an within ten days; To the south is the 30,000 white pole soldiers of Qin Liangyu's general army, which is 150 miles away from Xi'an and can be reached in three days; Luoyang has a total of nearly 300,000 adults and reinforcements from all walks of life, and it is more than 700 miles away from Xi'an, and we can reach Xi'an within 15 days without artillery. ”

Xu Lang pointed to the west of Xi'an again: "My lord, we can surround Xi'an on three sides and let go of the west." The artillery of our Yulin Army can take the lead and blast open the gate of Xi'an. Although there are 200,000 people and horses, there are not many elites, and the thieves are not monolithic with Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai, and there are many contradictions. Xia Guan believes that under our full attack, the Liukou will definitely not defend Xi'an, and will definitely flee westward. To the west are Fengxiang and Qinzhou, and there is no place for Liukou. As long as we recover Xi'an, our Yulin army will continue to pursue the Liukou, and the Lord and Lord Yang can immediately return to the aid of the Beijing Division. Being able to escort King Qin is also the first achievement, but the battle in Xi'an must be resolved quickly, and it must not be dragged with mud and water. ”

Shi Kefa thought for a long time: "Although this plan is good, it still needs to be discussed with Lord Yang and Lord Hong, and now the coach of Luoyang is still Lord Yang." ”

"Xia Guan is clear." Xu Lang put away the map, "It's just that the official position is humble and light, and I ask the adults to tell Lord Yang about this plan." ”

Shi Kefa did not agree immediately, but picked up the wine bowl: "Two generals, it is rare that you are dedicated to the court, and this official toasts you." ”

Xu Lang glanced at Xia Yang, and picked up the wine bowl helplessly: "Thank you for your love." ”

As soon as the three of them put down the wine bowl, a member of Shi Kefa's family came in and said, "Master, Lord Yang Sichang sent someone to invite the master, saying that there is news from Beijing, and he is very anxious, please go immediately." ”

Xu Lang's heart sank suddenly, what would be the news from Beijing, could it be that Tao Min did it so quickly? But if this is not the case, what kind of urgent matter will it be, Yang Sichang has to find Shi Kefa in such a hurry.

Shi Kefa didn't ask much: "Two generals, go with this official to see Lord Yang." ”

In Yang Sichang's hall, a group of people stood in the black press, and no one spoke, and the atmosphere was very depressing. Xu Lang faintly felt bad in his heart, he might really guess it.

Yang Sichang saw that Shi Kefa was coming, and raised his hand to ask: "Master Shi, please take a seat." ”

Shi Kefa sat down next to Yang Sichang, Xu Lang and Xia Yang stood in the crowd, and Yang Sichang still didn't speak. After a while, Hong Chengchou, Sun Chuanting, Yang Wenyue and others arrived.

Yang Sichang saw that everyone had arrived, so he spoke: "Ladies and gentlemen, generals, this official has just received the emperor's holy decree, and 200,000 Manchurian Tatars have bypassed Jinzhou and approached Beijing, and now the Beijing division is in a hurry. ”

Xu Lang's body shook, and he almost didn't stop. He and Jiang Beiming racked their brains in the hope of hitting the time difference, but in the end they fell short.

A lot of thoughts suddenly poured out of Xu Lang's mind, how is Beijing now, how is Jiang Beiming, and can Beijing hold on for two months. But according to the current situation, even if it takes two months, even if Xi'an is defeated, it will not be able to return to Beijing. How is Pan Xuezhong's special combat team now, is there a way to let Chongzhen go to Nanjing, is the worst situation already happening? Or will history repeat itself again, Hong Chengchou will lead his troops to help Beijing, so as to let Li Zicheng go again.

Hong Chengchou's words pulled Xu Lang's thoughts back: "Lord Yang, what is the holy will, do you want us to return to King Jingqin?" ”

"Lord Hong, the will didn't say let us go back." Yang Sichang beckoned, and a person next to him held the holy decree in front of Hong Chengchou, Yang Sichang continued, "The decree only says that the affairs of Xi'an are decided by you and me. ”

After reading the holy decree, Hong Chengchou said to himself: "What does this mean? Are we going back or not going back? ”

Yang Sichang turned his head to Shi Kefa and Sun Chuanting: "Ladies and gentlemen, you also see, can we go back?" ”

Several people quickly read the holy decree, and Sun Chuanting was the first to say: "Lord Yang, judging from the decree, the situation in Jingshi is not good, and the lower officials think that it is better to return to King Qinwang in Beijing." ”

Yang Wenyue also nodded: "This is what Xia Guan means." ”

Shi Kefa didn't speak, and Yang Sichang asked Hong Chengchou, "Lord Hong, what do you mean?" ”

Hong Chengchou was silent for a while: "Returning to Beijing, King Qin can naturally ensure the safety of the Jingshi, but the original will of the Holy Lord is for us to exterminate the Liukou and recover Xi'an." Now that all the armies have arrived, the Holy Lord has not explicitly said that we will be transferred back, and if we hastily withdraw our troops, I am afraid that it will be against the holy will. ”

"But Lord Hong." Sun Chuanting said, "Jingshi is at the foot of the Son of Heaven, the foundation of my Ming Dynasty. ”

A few people sat on it and began to discuss the pros and cons, Xu Lang stood below and finally couldn't help it, took two steps forward, walked out of the crowd and said loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, the lower officials think that it is impossible to withdraw troops now. We need to do everything we can to defeat the Liukou, and then return to the capital after recovering Xi'an. ”

Everyone turned their heads to Xu Lang, and when Yang Sichang saw that it was Xu Lang who was wearing the uniform of the Yulin Army who was speaking, he immediately became angry. Originally, Yang Sichang had a good feeling about the Yulin Army, but since Zhou Lei disobeyed the order and went to Yan'an, Han Wantao did not stay in Luoyang at all, and Yang Sichang now looks at the Yulin Army more and more angry.