Liaodong, Ningyuan.

Zhang Ruoqi has been here for more than half a month, and he has come to discuss countermeasures with Hong Chengchou, but he is also responsible for exploring the true situation of the Liaodong armies.

Some time ago, Yang Guozhu defeated the Qing army in Songshan and broke through the three camps of the Qing army. Coupled with the great victory achieved by Wu Sangui and others earlier, he judged that the army in Liaodong was completely able to launch an active attack on the Qing army, quickly defeat the Qing army, and lift the siege of Jinzhou.

He had already sent a letter to the capital, so he was in a good mood now.

He bowed his hand to Hong Chengchou and said: "Ninth Elder, according to the observation of the lower officials in the past few days, I found that there are many cavalry in the army, but there are not many chariot battalions. The Nine Old Inspectors Ji Liao have been training for two years, and they have been training for another year, so why don't they train more car battalions? ”

Hong Chengchou said politely: "Brother Tianshi doesn't know, the car camp is cumbersome, and it is inconvenient to dispatch the march. The battle for power in the field is not the opponent of the Qing soldiers, and it is almost useless to fight in the city defense. Therefore, the contemptible people trained the car battalion less, and saved money to supervise the training of the cavalry, so as to facilitate the field war with the Qing army. ”

"The Ninth Elder's words are wrong." Zhang Ruoqi said disagreefully: "Back then, Qi Shaobao practiced the car camp in Jizhen, and he didn't hear the police in northern Xinjiang for 20 years, how can he say that the car camp is useless?" ”

Hong Chengchou still said politely: "The road conditions here, presumably Brother Tianshi has also seen it. There are many dangers in the mountains along the way, and it is not easy to move. The surrounding Mongol tribes had already surrendered to the Qing court, and each mountain pass could become a route for the Qing army to attack in a roundabout way. Once it meets the Qing soldiers, if the Che battalion cannot immediately form a formation, the entire army will lose the opportunity to form a formation. ”

Zhang Ruoqi shook his head with a smile, he didn't listen to Hong Chengchou's explanation at all. However, he didn't refute it anymore, after all, Hong Chengchou is also a senior, so he always has to save some face.

He changed the subject and asked, "So when do you think we will be able to relieve the siege of Jinzhou?" ”

Hong Chengchou said with a smile: "My thoughts have been made very clear, as long as it continues to be consumed, it must be the Qing court that fails." The Qing soldiers are not bad, and there is a head-on confrontation, and we have hope of victory, but the chances of victory are not great. And as long as the confrontation continues, we will definitely win! ”

"Doesn't the Ninth Elder know about the situation in the Guannai?" Zhang Ruoqi pondered and said: "The Central Plains is full of drought and locusts, while the south of the Yangtze River is flooded. Thieves are raging everywhere, and there have been cases of cannibalism in many places. There are more than 100,000 troops and 50,000 mules and horses outside the pass, and the amount of grain and grass required is sky-high. As it stands, we'll be exhausted by next year. ”

Hong Chengchou shook his head and said, "I have a Ming territory of thousands of miles, and there will be no disasters in any year." The Central Plains and Jiangnan were affected, as well as Huguang and Sichuan. As for the thieves, as long as the dispatch is effective, there is interception in front and pursuers in the back. Trap the thieves in one place, so that the thieves have no room to toss and turn, and within a year or two, the thieves will be at peace. ”

Zhang Ruoqi said helplessly: "Even the Yang Pavilion Department is powerless to return to the sky, the others, except for the Nine Elders, who can have such ability?" ”

Hong Chengchou smiled but said nothing. In his opinion, although the thieves are powerful, it is relatively easy to solve them. The Qing soldiers are different, they are strong in men and horses, and their combat power is extremely strong. There is also the help of the Mongols, if there is a negligence, the official army will be in danger of being annihilated.

The most different thing is that the Jurchens have established a system, opened a dynasty, and fought against the imperial court. Just like Li Yuanhao of the Northern Song Dynasty, he will become a confidant of the imperial court in the future. Moreover, in recent years, the Qing soldiers have continuously entered the Central Plains and plundered countless people. Among them were not only farmers, but also craftsmen from all walks of life, who could make all kinds of goods.

Not to mention anything else, the bows and arrows, knives and guns, and armor of the Qing soldiers are all high-quality, and the quality is much better than that of the Ming army. And the artillery is also getting more and more powerful, from the previous completely relying on capture, to now can produce five to eight thousand pounds of cannons, which really surprised him.

The capital, Wenhua Palace.

Chen Xinjia reported: "Your Majesty, Zhang Ruoqi, the staff of the Ministry of War, sent a letter to report that the Liaodong soldiers are strong, with sufficient food and grass, enough to fight a decisive battle with the enemy, and can win the battle and relieve the siege of Jinzhou. ”

Chongzhen didn't express his position immediately, but asked, "Can Hong Chengchou have a report?" ”

Chen Xinjia replied: "Inspector Hong's report is not new, and he still insists on confronting the enemy. ”

Chongzhen hesitated, he felt that Hong Chengchou's strategy was also good, with little risk and big benefit. As long as it persists, not only will the Qing court collapse, but even North Korea will be poor. In this way, two problems could be solved in one fell swoop, the Qing court went to the emperor, and Korea also returned to becoming a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. In that case, all the problems will be solved, and the Ming Dynasty will return to the top, and it will still be the supreme of the world.

Chen Xinjia immediately shattered Chongzhen's illusions, and he bowed down to report: "Your Majesty, I'm Ming, and I won't be able to delay next year!" More than 100,000 soldiers and more than 50,000 mules and horses in Liaodong cost a lot of money, and the household department was no longer able to support it. The locusts, drought, and floods in the south of the Yangtze River are really unaffordable. The ministers asked for a quick battle, first relieve the siege of Jinzhou, and then transfer some border soldiers back to the Central Plains to exterminate the thieves. As long as the bandits are eliminated, the people are united, and the grain is collected and taxes are paid, then they can go all out to deal with the border troubles in eastern Liaodong. ”

Chongzhen only remembered at this time that there were indeed a lot of disasters in the past few days. Moreover, he also began to reduce the taxes owed in various places, so that the people would not become thieves. Now Liaodong is indeed a lot of consumption, if it can be decided in one battle, it will naturally be the best thing.

He asked, "Is the Liaodong soldier really combatable?" ”

"It's really battleable!" Chen Xinjia immediately replied: "The previous victories in Liaodong are proof of this. Moreover, there are 130,000 soldiers in Liaodong, nearly 50,000 Ma troops, and nearly 20,000 soldiers in Jinzhou City. The Qing troops were around Jinzhou, with a maximum of 50,000 troops. I divided my troops into several routes, went out of Tower Hill and crossed the Dasheng Fort, and attacked the northwest of the enemy; Out of Xingshan, copy Jinchang, attack the north of the enemy; Out of Songshan, cross the Xiaoling River, and attack the east of the enemy; He also marched out of Songshan and attacked the south of the enemy. Surrounded on all sides, attacked from inside and outside, the enemy will be in chaos. ”

Chongzhen kept nodding his head, if such a strategy could be realized, the possibility of winning was still very high. However, it was soon uncertain that the battle of Salhu was a combined attack, and the 100,000 troops of the imperial court were broken by the Houjin at that time, and suffered heavy losses. That is, from that time on, Liaodong was no longer peaceful, and the entire northern Xinjiang was no longer peaceful.

He thought for a while and ordered, "Discuss with Hong Chengchou again." ”

Chen Xinjia bowed and said, "Your Majesty, no matter what, Liaodong can't be delayed for a long time. Otherwise, the food and salary will be insufficient, and the Liaodong soldiers will be in chaos without a fight, and Jinzhou will definitely not be guaranteed. If Ning Yuan loses again, then Shanhaiguan will become the only line of defense of the Beijing Division. The minister recommended Ma Shaoyu, the former Suide Zhi County, to praise the painting of military aircraft. ”

Chongzhen also listened with a solemn face, but he still didn't make a decision immediately in the end. This time it was a major matter related to the safety of the imperial court, and he had to be cautious.

"Ma Shaoyu can get out. But whether to fight or not to fight should be discussed again. Chongzhen said calmly.

"Obey." Chen Xinjia had no choice but to agree.

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