Li Yan came to Taiyuan on the third day of the first lunar month, although he had slowed down, the first Oh Qin Qian Er arrived on the fourth day of the first month, and he encountered a little trouble at Shiling Pass north of Taiyuan.

Although Li Zicheng's troops have been retreating, Shiling Pass has an advantage in terrain after all, the troops cannot be deployed, and the artillery can only be deployed with three guns. Moreover, Liu Zongmin gave the defenders there an order to defend to the death, and the guards of Shiling Pass did not dare to flee without a fight, so they also resisted for a while.

However, their resistance only caused more than 100 casualties to Qian Er, after all, their number was not large, relying on the terrain and passes. However, in the face of the continuous bombardment of four-and-a-half-inch artillery, the pass did not appear so strong.

Since there were only three cannons that could be used to bombard the city wall, and the Dashun army guarding the pass also went out of the pass twice, wanting to destroy the powerful artillery, there was more delay in the middle. Those Dashun defenders did not flee until the city was bombarded, and fought bravely in the streets. However, in the face of all-round attacks such as firebolts, crossbow arrows, and bombs, they only delayed for half a day.

Originally, Liu Zongmin wanted to let the troops out of the city and surround Li Yan's 10,000 troops. Although he knew that the field battle was not Li Yan's opponent, after consulting with everyone, they came up with a way to dig a trench in the distance and trap Li Yan's troops. But before they could start implementing it, they received a pigeon letter from Li Zicheng from Xi'an.

Although the official will is still on the way, the situation is clear, Li Zicheng does not plan to send troops to reinforce Shanxi. This is an obvious decision to give up Shanxi, and the generals don't want to go out and risk anymore after they know it. Although Li Yan only had more than 10,000 horses, the two or three thousand cavalry in the middle were not a joke. As long as they go out, some of them will definitely be attacked by cavalry, and since their emperor Dashun doesn't plan to ask for Shanxi, they are naturally unwilling to make meaningless sacrifices.

Liu Zongmin also hesitated. But after weighing it for a long time, he still planned to have a good fight with Li Yan in Taiyuan. But he had to convince these generals, after all, everyone understood what Li Zicheng meant, and even if he was forced to fight, it would have no effect.

"Brothers," Liu Zongmin said with a rare title, and said mildly: "Everyone is an old brother, and they have rebelled all the way to today, not only destroying the Zhu Ming Dynasty, but also becoming the important ministers and generals of the new dynasty." But since we withdrew from Beijing, we haven't won a single battle. Nowadays, there are many people in various places who are rebelling against us. Why is it because they think we can't do it, it's because we have been losing our teachers and losing ground for more than half a year?"

The generals listened quietly, and there was no touch. If you can't beat it, of course you have to run away and fight everyone out, that's what a fool does.

Liu Zongmin continued: "You all think about it one by one, how many relatives in your family are in my Dashun as officials and generals, how many good fields and mansions you have, how many beautiful wives and concubines you have, but if Dashun collapses, can you still have these things, you are still bandits, still thieves, and you still have to be chased around." It took us more than ten years to have a place to live in the northwest, if Li Yan gains power, are you sure that you can overthrow him again?"

The crowd began to react at this point. What Liu Zongmin said is all real things, there are no big truths with holes, and they are all in their interests. They also know that Li Yan started by suppressing bandits, and he is ruthless in dealing with bandits and thieves, even if they continue to fall into the grass, it is difficult to toss such a good situation.

Liu Zongmin saw that everyone was moving, so he said lightly: "This is all a matter related to everyone's real interests, whether this battle is fought or not, we will discuss it together." Anyway, you all know Zicheng's will there, and he won't send reinforcements to us. ”

Although what Liu Zongmin said is quite reasonable, it is not that he does not understand people. They have a lot of property and relatives who are stained, but those are all in Shaanxi, but there is no interest in Shanxi. Shanxi was only occupied by them last year, and before they could get some family business, they returned from Beijing. Moreover, at that time, there were a lot of rebellions in various parts of Shanxi, and they were not interested in taking root here.

Liu Rukui, who fled back from Shouyang, said cautiously: "Ruhou, since Your Majesty said that you will not send reinforcements, it is natural to give up Shanxi for the time being." Even if we fight to the death in Taiyuan, we won't be able to hold on for much time. If you want me to say, let's also withdraw to Shaanxi to go to insurance, that is our fundamental place. ”

Liu Zongmin squinted at Liu Rukui and asked coldly: "According to what you say, you escaped all the way from Shouyang, and after you return to Shaanxi, you will be able to defend it."

Liu Rukui heard Liu Zongmin's anger and quickly explained: "No, no, the last general doesn't mean that." The last general said that Li Yan's artillery was really powerful, and even if Taiyuan City was strong, it wouldn't last long before it would collapse. Passive defense is not a way, and going out to dig a trench will be attacked by Li Yan's cavalry, so you still have to think of other ways. His Majesty has entrusted the matter of war defense to the Marquis of Ru, and the general will naturally obey the arrangements of the Marquis of Ru. ”

Everyone else also understood that Liu Zongmin was determined to fight in Taiyuan, and they could only sacrifice their lives to accompany each other. It is an exception for Mr. Liu, who has a violent personality, to tell them what he just said, if they are no longer interesting, then there will be no good fruit to eat.

So all the generals stood up and clenched their fists: "Please give the order of the Marquis of you, and the last general will obey the order." ”

Liu Zongmin was finally satisfied. He smiled and said, "Okay, then everyone will work together and have a good fight with Li Yan."

"Please give an order," the generals pleated in unison.

Liu Zongmin immediately ordered: "Liu Rukui, you take 10,000 horses, as well as shovels and other tools, set off from the south gate, go around to Li Yan's back overnight, and dig trenches in the east and south. Ma Chongxi, you draw out 5,000 soldiers and horses and dig a trench on the north side of Li Yan. Remember, connect with the ditch to the east. Also, you send some people to reinforce Shiling Pass, although it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, but you can't take it lightly. ”

Both of them hugged their fists and said, "The last general will obey the order." ”

But before their meeting was over, the news came that Shiling Pass had been breached.

"This, how can this be good" Ma Chongxi asked in embarrassment: "Can this siege still be useful?"

Liu Zongmin scolded angrily: "What are you panicking, do you remember when we opened the seal four times, how Li Yan guarded Kaifeng back then, what should we do now, the various departments built a low wall in the moat overnight, and let the craftsmen of the craftsman camp rush to make gunpowder projectiles, and use up all the raw materials in the city, I want to see how he Li Yan can break his own defense methods."

When everyone heard this, they all remembered the mountain of corpses and blood they had outside Kaifeng City back then. So they instantly gained confidence again, clenched their fists and said loudly: "Obey the order" is not over.

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