Without further ado, we had to act quickly, otherwise it would be too late, and Li Zicheng's troops might be driven across the Yellow River. Li Yan immediately wrote a letter to Li Zicheng to explain the cooperation between the two sides. However, after repeated consideration, his request was no longer to divide Datong equally, but to divide Shanxi. The appetite is too small, but Li Zicheng can't believe it. The letter was sent directly to Xi'an through Tongguan.

The letters to Niu Chenghu, Zuo Xun and others went to Shanxi. Fortunately, Li Zicheng did not have a tight control over the ruling area, and appointed a large number of surrendered former Ming officials and troops, so as long as he gave some money, he could get anywhere unimpeded.

If you want to talk about greed, those officials are really a top two. Even the officials appointed by Li Zicheng are relatively incorruptible, but after knowing that Li Zicheng returned to Shaanxi, he also began to work up and down. Some officials are greedy for the looted silver, not to mention others.

Li Mou soon returned to Juyong Pass and took with him a thousand cavalry. After that, Li Yan would also transfer 500 cavalry to him from Chen Yongfu, and the cavalry under his command would reach 3,000. His task was to keep a close eye on the development of the situation, and if necessary, he could send troops to deal with the Qing army without waiting for the cooperation with Li Zicheng to be reached.

Two days later, Qian Er arrived in Beijing with a fast force. Li Yan personally went outside the city to greet him, and by the way, he inspected the troops. I saw a large group of horse soldiers lining up in a long line, coming along the official road. When you get closer, you can still see the cannon being dragged in the middle gate, the ammunition truck following behind, and the convoy of baggage trucks.

"Humble to meet the commander." Qian Er dismounted and saluted Li Yan.

"Meet the Commander!" The soldiers also dismounted in an uproar and saluted Li Yan with fists.

Li Yan asked the soldiers to excuse themselves and rode along the team to look at him, and the soldiers looked at him confidently and resolutely. He kept nodding his head all the way, feeling that the spirit of this army had come out.

"All the soldiers have worked hard!" Li Yan waved to the team on his horse.

"I am willing to die for the handsome!" The soldiers responded loudly.

With Li Yan's greetings, the sound of the soldiers' responses sounded again and again, and the voices spread far away.

And those officials and ordinary people who consciously followed to see the excitement finally had some bottom in their hearts. Some time ago, Beijing's Li Yan's family continued to be transferred out, and only five or six thousand remained, and the rest were still the original monks and soldiers in Beijing. Those people defend the city, but they are not at ease. Now that the Qing army has been driven out of the Great Wall and new troops have been transferred, they feel more at ease.

Li Yan finally came back from the end of the team and said to Qian Er: "Yes, the army has been trained, and it is no longer a showman." ”

Qian Er smiled and hugged his fists and said: "Thousands of miles away, exterminated countless bandits, they are naturally full of confidence." However, those bandits are not strong in combat, and they still need to fight against strong enemies in order to make them become real elites. ”

"Yes, always stay awake, you can be considered to have practiced." Li Yan said happily. Then he ordered: "Let the troops camp outside the city, although the plague in the city has been much better, but be careful." ”

Qian Er hugged his fists: "The humble duty understands, and the sergeants also know the care of the marshal." ”

"Go ahead, arrange to come into the city to meet me." Li Yan commanded.

"Obedience."

In the afternoon, Qian Er went into the city to see Li Yan.

After Qian Er's salute was finished, Li Yan asked Qian Er to sit down and said directly: "Although you have just come back, you can't have more time to rest, and you will set off for Juyong Pass the day after tomorrow, is there a problem?" ”

Qian Er hugged his fists and said, "The troops are fine." In normal times, mules and horses are used to walk, and the soldiers are not tired. ”

Li Yan nodded: "Rest when you get to Juyong Pass." This time we have to deal with the Qing army, mainly cavalry, you must be prepared and do not underestimate the enemy. ”

"Humble duty understands."

"Also," Li Yan said, "you pick out five hundred meritorious soldiers, and we will form a second rapid force, and these soldiers will serve as the backbone of the new army." You must make good selections, not only to ensure that meritorious officers and men are promoted, but also to ensure that the combat effectiveness of the troops does not decline. ”

Qian Er hesitated for a moment, and said cautiously: "Dashuai, five hundred is too much, can you see three hundred?" Although he fought dozens of times in Shandong, there were not many soldiers who really made meritorious contributions. ”

Li Yan thought for a moment, finally nodded, and agreed to Qian Er's request. In this battle against the Qing army, it is indeed not appropriate to transfer too many backbones of the troops.

After that, he asked, "What is the situation in Shandong?" ”

"Shandong's big and small bandits who dare to confront the government have basically been eliminated, and the remaining Huang Desheng should be able to be wiped out in a short period of time." Qian Er reported: "This time, we have killed more than 6,200 bandits and captured more than 430 bandits, all of whom have been executed. There are also bandits and their families, more than 110,000 people, who have been handed over to Huang Desheng to set up a prisoner camp and rest the road city according to the requirements of the commander. ”

Li Yan was quite satisfied when he listened. Although Huang Desheng also reported the situation to him on time, it is still necessary to listen to information from multiple parties.

"However," Qian Er said, "there was some trouble when it came to dividing the land among the people. Some of the people were reluctant to leave their fields, and some of them were arrested as bandits. And some of the gentry asked the former Ming government to issue a red deed before we took control, which led to disputes over the property rights of the land. ”

Li Yan nodded, more satisfied with Qian Er. Huang Desheng also reported some situations, but there should be something to hide, he has already asked Li Dong to investigate. Qian Er can say all this, which shows that there is no problem with loyalty.

"Huang Desheng has also reported this problem and has already started to solve it." Li Yan said: "Their execution is too rigid, which has caused some problems. Those who do not want to leave the fields can be arrested, but they cannot be treated as bandits. There is also the red deed of the government, which is only valid before the twelfth year of Chongzhen, and there is no need to recognize it after that. ”

Qian Er said approvingly: "The handsome man is wise." Those who rebel can set up a separate battalion and let them do some labor. Depending on the severity of the work, the length of work varies. Just teach them a lesson and let them be obedient. ”

"Well, the idea is good, I have already given Huang Desheng an order." Li Yan said with a smile: "You are very concerned about civil affairs, and if you don't fight in the future, you can also become a civil affairs official." ”

Qian Er smiled and shook his head: "Where can I be a civil affairs official, but I am also from a poor family, I know the feelings of the people about my own land, and I just say a fair word to the people." ”

Li Yan instructed: "You report the meritorious soldiers, and whoever stays will be picked well." Then let the troops get ready, replenish the ammunition and baggage, and set off the day after tomorrow. ”

"Obedience."

...