As soon as Li Yan finished this water control meeting, Sun Sifu came to report, saying that the Fan family in Zhangjiakou had sent someone to report that the Qing army had mobilized troops and was ready to deal with the cavalry troops that had entered the grassland.

Li Yan said disdainfully: "It's been eight days, and they only sent the news at this time, are they planning to curry favor with both ends?" ”

"I don't know." Sun Sifu replied: "However, the person who came said that they noticed it twenty days ago, and the news was confirmed fourteen days ago, but the Qing State was strictly controlled, and they had no way to quickly deliver the news. They knew it was a little late, but they sent it anyway. Also, the person who came emphasized this time that the Qing State was only dealing with our cavalry outside the Great Wall, and had no intention of attacking the Great Wall, and the attitude of the Eight Banner Banners towards us was still not unified. ”

Li Yan nodded casually.

Sun Sifu continued: "Also, the Fan family said that Dolgon, who had two white flags, asked him to bring us a message and wanted to negotiate peace with us. However, the Fan family did not dare to take this errand without our permission. ”

"Peace talks?" Li Yan sneered and said, "Come back to this trick." Chongzhen wanted to negotiate peace, but it never worked. However, I doubt that even if the peace talks between the Ming and Qing dynasties were successful, and the Qing court saw that the Ming court mobilized troops from Shanhaiguan to quell the rebellion in the Central Plains, would it abide by the peace talks and guard the border, or would it take the opportunity to invade the south? ”

Sun Sifu didn't hesitate, and immediately said: "It should be that the southern invasion is more likely, after all, the Qing army is stronger, even if they break the contract, they will not suffer any losses." ”

Li Yan did not continue the topic and asked, "Is there any other news?" ”

"Huang Degong is dead, Zhu Yousong has been captured by Li Zicheng, and Suzhou Huzhou and other places have been occupied by Li Zicheng." Sun Sifu reported: "Gao Jie occupied the surroundings of Xuancheng, so he didn't move, and recently he was still in contact with Zhou He in Nanjing. Zuo Mengeng occupied the area around Poyang Lake, trapped Zhang Xianzhong's sailors in Poyang Lake, and formed a confrontation with Zhang Xianzhong, and it seemed that he had no intention of attacking Changsha. ”

Li Yan frowned and thought for a moment, and asked, "What about the original remnant troops?" ”

Sun Sifu shook his head and said helplessly: "This, we don't have any exact news, some fled to the south, and some went together with Gao Jie." In short, Jiangnan is in chaos. ”

Li Yan said with a smile: "It's good to mess up, it's messy now, and there will be a lot less trouble in the future." You go and find Li Zhong and Feng Taichu. ”

"Yes."

After a while, Li Zhong came over first.

Li Yan simply told Li Zhong the news from the Fan family and asked, "What do you think of the second brother?" ”

Li Zhong thought for a while, and said uncertainly: "In this way, the Qing court already knows that the border merchants are unreliable?" ”

"I should have seen it." Li Yan nodded in agreement: "Before, they were invincible, and the businessmen gave them spies, but now that the situation has changed, the businessmen give us their news, they should be able to think of it." Moreover, what I want to talk about peace this time is two white flags, which is a bit strange. ”

Li Zhong frowned and thought for a while before he said, "The previous news, wasn't the two white flags excluded by the other flags?" Could it be that they have been suppressed ruthlessly, and they want to break the net? ”

"Unlikely." Li Yan denied: "In order to stabilize the overall situation, Dolgon can even give up the throne, and he will not engage in division at this time." At that time, his strength was the strongest, and the Ming Court could not threaten them at all, and at that time, the Qing Kingdom was still the Qing Kingdom. But now, as long as they start infighting, then they will turn back into the Jurchen tribe, and he shouldn't be so unwise. ”

"He can't just test the Fan family, right?" Li Zhong himself asked in disbelief.

"Dolgon won't ******** again, will he?" Li Yan also guessed. However, he shook his head and smiled, and said, "Forget it, don't guess, let's wait for the exact news to be analyzed." I have already asked the Fan family to refuse, no matter what the result of the negotiation, I will not abide by it, so why bother. Moreover, the border merchants can't transport grain, the reason is that they have been seized by us, how can they have such a good relationship with us and can pass on such news as peace talks? ”

Li Zhong nodded: "Well, that's right. After that, he reminded: "Fourth brother, you should let the merchants in the border market come back with more mares." ”

"Huh? What's the use? Li Yan asked puzzled. They were already setting up horse farms, using escaped Mongols or Han Chinese who had been captured in their early years. However, most of the land in the interior is used for farming, and the horse farm is not large, and there are not many mares.

Li Zhong explained: "It is for the people. If you don't need them to raise war horses, they can't raise them well. The mule born to a mare is large, strong, enduring, and not picky, making it a good substitute for a baggage pull. ”

Li Yan laughed when he heard this, and said, "Second brother, you even know this." ”

"No way, with you behind me, I have to learn everything." Li Zhong also said with a smile.

At this time, Feng Taichu came, and Li Yan asked him to come in.

After Feng Taichu's salute, Li Yan asked directly: "How many cavalry can be mobilized in Henan and Shandong?" Counting the cavalry whose training is basically completed in various places. "These two places were recovered at the earliest, and the rogue bandits in various places have basically been cleared, so it will not have much impact if the cavalry is withdrawn.

Feng Taichu thought for a while before replying, "Probably, there may be more than fourteen thousand riders." ”

Li Yan nodded and ordered solemnly: "Okay!" I will now order the cavalry of Henan and Shandong provinces to assemble in Peking. Led by Bai Shixiong and you, they left Zhangjiakou and marched eastward to see if they could meet the troops of the Qing army. Last time, there were 2,000 cavalry, and they were ambushed by the Qing army, and this time there are 16,000, so they shouldn't be ambushed again, right? ”

Feng Taichu immediately clenched his fists and said confidently: "Don't worry, with these nearly 20,000 cavalry, I dare to guarantee that even if the Qing army can concentrate 50,000 cavalry, my subordinates can defeat it!" ”

"After entering the steppe, we should pay attention to the differentiated treatment of Mongolian tribes. Those who are friendly with us can write notes for requisitioning grain, grass and horses, and let them exchange them at the same price at the exchange market. If they are hostile to us, teach them some lessons. But be careful, don't kill them all, leave them with some strength to protect themselves. Li Yan commanded solemnly.

Feng Taichu immediately understood that this was a way to consume the strength of the hostile tribe without allowing other tribes to take advantage of the opportunity to become bigger. Immediately nodded: "The humble position is recorded." ”

"Also," Li Yan continued, "pay attention to the weather, and bring the troops back before the snow falls in August and September." We also need to bring back more horses, and our cavalry needs more horses. ”

Feng Taichu replied with a smile: "Don't worry, the handsome man has written down all the lowly duties, and he will definitely not disappoint the marshal." ”

"Be careful, if you encounter the absolute superiority of the Qing army, don't act brutally, and act with a camera. Save yourself and destroy the enemy. Li Yan finally instructed: "The baggage and guide for you will be sent to Zhangjiakou first." Keep an eye on your ammunition consumption and make sure you can cope with enemy interception on the way back. ”

"The subordinates remember, please rest assured."

...