After entering October, a large number of recruits in Shandong and Zhili areas were trained, and they began to be transferred to western Henan, Hebei, and Datong in batches to expand the troops. At the same time, some veterans and officers were also transferred from the troops in the interior to enrich the strength of the front-line troops. By the end of November, more than 20,000 recruits had been added to the ministry.

Now weapons are not a big problem, and Beijing has also begun to produce such things as gunpowder, projectiles, crossbow arrows. And there is no shortage of raw materials, whether it is Hongguang or Zhang Xianzhong in the south, there is no control over private trade, he has real money and silver, so he can naturally buy things. Moreover, the craftsmen in Beijing are also the best in the country, as long as they are treated better, so that they do not suffer from exploitation, they can make suitable things.

Now what he has to wait for is news from the Qing Kingdom. As long as the Qing State has no plans to go south, then he will at least take Shanxi this winter. If it were possible, he even wanted to drive Li Zicheng away from Xi'an.

On the fifth day of the lunar month, Li Zhong went to Li Yan's mansion to find Li Yan and told him that there was news.

"Fan Yongdou sent back news before, saying that Qing Guo has no plans to go south." Li Zhong reported in the inner study: "Now, there is also news from the Qu family outside the mouth that the Mongols have no movement to recruit troops. ”

Li Yan said with a smile: "Okay, since they haven't moved, it's time for us to take the initiative." ”

"What if the Qing Kingdom suddenly goes south?" Li Mou reminded: "We must leave enough troops in Zhili and Datong, otherwise they will kill from behind, and we will also be very dangerous." ”

Li Yan nodded: "It's to pay attention to Qingguo, but there's no need to pay too much attention to it." Judging from the information sent back, the Eight Banners of the Qing State have distrusted each other. These Manchus can't have one mind, and the remaining Mongols and Han Chinese will not pose much of a threat. Moreover, we are constantly strengthening the forces along the Great Wall, even if the Qing Kingdom goes south, it is not so easy to break through the Great Wall Pass. ”

"I'm worried about those paths." Li Zhong said worriedly: "The Great Wall is so long, there are always places that we can't take care of. If they let their cavalry come in and gallop freely on our territory, the people's hearts that have just settled down will be fearful that they will become impetuous. ”

Li Yan said with a smile: "Don't worry, I have already asked people to visit along the line." If a vulnerability is discovered, a vigilance officer should be arranged first. Didn't we just get more than 2,000 war horses, step up training, and when the Qing Kingdom reacts and wants to go south, these cavalry should also be able to use. As for the firecrackers, they should be able to make them, but if they want to fight, it is impossible without three months of training. ”

"And when are you going to do it?" Li Zhong saw that Li Yan had already thought about it, so he had to ask about specific combat matters. Now that Li Yan has decided to fight, he can only try to make the war go more smoothly.

"It's New Year's time." Li Yan said lightly. Obviously, this operation was not his whim.

Li Zhong immediately asked: "Is it too urgent?" The recruits have just passed, and they haven't had much training yet. Moreover, we have been increasing troops here, and we have been transporting artillery baggage, and Li Zicheng can't hide it. They have been prepared for a long time, but our preparations are not sufficient, and it is still the time of the Chinese New Year, and our soldiers are not ready to go out on the occasion of the New Year, right? This can go terribly wrong. ”

"That's why it's time for the New Year's reads;." Li Yan said firmly: "Even you think that the Chinese New Year is not the time to go to war, Li Zicheng and they will definitely think so." So at this time, you can catch them off guard. The generals were not mentally prepared, so I accompanied them on the expedition. Since you are in the army, you must be ready to fight at any time, and the Chinese New Year is no exception. After three months of training in the boot camp, they are already qualified soldiers and have no problems fighting in battle. ”

Li Zhong said: "You have only been back for two months, so let me go." ”

"This doesn't need to be discussed, you stay and sit in the rear, supervise the transportation of supplies and ammunition, and guard against the attack of the Qing Kingdom. These are also very important things, and I can rest assured that I can leave them to the second brother to do. Li Yan said solemnly.

Li Zhong had no choice but to agree: "Okay, I will do all this well." He suddenly thought that there were Niu Chenghu and others in the northwest, so he proposed: "Do you want to send a letter to Niu Chenghu and others?" Let's work together, so that Li Zicheng can take care of one and lose the other, and end the war faster. ”

"No need." Li Yan vetoed: "The road is far away, and it is easy to be intercepted in the middle. And these people are not necessarily reliable, in case they change their minds, it will make our attack less sudden. When Li Zicheng fails, they are not qualified to negotiate terms with us. Only when these people have no military power can the world be peaceful. ”

Li Zhong smiled and nodded. He thought of Chen Yongfu, although he is still the chief officer of the army and also leads the troops, but he wants to use the troops as bargaining chips, but he can't do it anymore.

At this time, Sun Sifu came in and said a few words in Li Yan's ear. He followed Zhao Datong to inspect the troops, and disposed of a hundred generals and a general, and the overall performance of the troops was still good.

When Li Zhong saw this situation, he was about to leave, but he was stopped by Li Yan: "Second brother, let's go and have a look." ”

They didn't say anything, left the mansion, and went straight to Mr. He's medical hall not far away.

After arriving at the medical hall, I was led by Mr. He to a huge cellar. Mr. He pointed to the unconscious man lying on the bed: "That's it, I've been alive for three days, I think I should call the generalissimo to come and have a look." ”

"What's going on?" Li Zhong didn't know anything, he just felt that it was weird.

Li Yan nodded and motioned for Mr. He to explain.

"That's right," Mr. He said with a complicated expression, "I opened his chest, sewed the hole in his lungs, and sewed up his chest again." The threads have been removed, but this one is not dead, it has survived. ”

"Open chest?" Li Zhong said in surprise: "Hua Tuo's reincarnation? ”

Mr. He shook his head and sighed, "What Hua Tuo? It was the Generalissimo who asked me to do an experiment in secret, using acupuncture to relieve pain and stop bleeding, and try to repair the injured internal organs. More than 100 people were sent over, and only this one survived, which is really a sin. ”

Li Yan comforted: "Didn't I tell you, these people are all bandits, rape and plunder, and do all kinds of evil, and they have long been the ones who deserve to die." It is a blessing for them to be the subject of testing with you, sir, and it will alleviate their sinful karma. If you have mastered this craft, how many lives will you be able to save in the future? ”

"If it weren't for this meaning, even if the generalissimo had said it at the beginning, I wouldn't have agreed." Mr. He still said with a low mood.

Li Zhong immediately thought that in the future, even if the internal organs were damaged, there would be a means to heal them, and then the number of their casualties would be further reduced, which would definitely be a great boost to the combat effectiveness and morale of the troops. He bowed to Mr. He: "Mr. He, you have given the soldiers one more life, Mr. Li has thanked Mr. Xie on behalf of the soldiers." ”

"Don't dare to be, don't dare to be, this is all the Generalissimo's idea, I'm just doing it." Mr. He hurriedly excused himself.

Li Yan smiled and said, "You have immeasurable merits." However, it is still necessary to observe and take care of it, such a major injury, it is not easy to recover, and you should also be asked to explore the experience. ”

"The Generalissimo is right, we will continue to take good care of him." Mr. He finally stopped refusing and agreed. It seems that his mood has improved a lot, and he has probably finally untied the knot in his heart.

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