More than ten days later, Li Yan got the news that Liu Zongmin had arrived in Taiyuan, and he was still addicted to the gentle countryside, and it was said that he had been staying in the mansion with a stunning beauty, and he didn't go out easily. し

At the same time, he also received a reply from Northwest Zuo Xian, Niu Chenghu and others. The meaning is almost the same, Li Zicheng's troops there are well guarded, and if there is no good opportunity, they will not dare to act rashly. Another meaning is that if Li Zicheng's people are really driven away, they will open a government in the same place and lead the military government alone.

Li Yan sneered in his heart and thought, these guys are really slippery, they don't even dare to leave a letter, just let people pass on the message. However, it can also be shown that the strength of Li Zicheng's troops in the northwest is large enough that they dare not be careless.

The next day, Li Mu returned to Beijing from Datong.

"Fourth brother," Li Mu said, "The Great Wall passes and important states and counties have been taken, but there are still some places where there are no soldiers to send, so we can only use Jiang Xiang and others." Also, most of those officials are also retained in their original positions, and whether they can be used or not will have to be screened after a while when we have enough manpower. Therefore, it is necessary to transfer some more troops to the past. ”

Li Yan nodded and said, "Well, I know." The first line of the Great Wall is well guarded, and other places can be put first. I also took the opportunity to take a look at what kind of people miss the old dynasty, or are ambitious, wait for two or three months, and then clean it up. ”

Li Mu smiled and continued to report: "That's right, fourth brother. We heard from merchants outside the mouth that the Qing State wanted to make an alliance with the Mongolian tribes, and the days were quite urgent, and many Mongolian tribes were preparing tribute. Is the Qing Kingdom going to unite with Mongolia and prepare to enter the customs again? ”

Li Yan thought for a moment and said helplessly: "No matter what they want to do, we just need to guard the various passes." A large group of people, they can't take those trails either. This Qing country is really troublesome, how many troops are there to contain us. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, a personal soldier came in to report that Li Zhong had entered the capital and was rushing here.

"Why is the second brother here? Fourth brother, you called it? Li Mu asked in some surprise.

Li Yan frowned and shook his head: "I didn't ask him to come, I hope he didn't bring bad news." ”

After a while, Li Zhong came in. After he came in, he didn't bother to greet the two brothers, so he sat down in the chair first. He said, "Pour some water and get some food." ”

Li Mu asked anxiously, "Second brother, is something wrong?" ”

Li Zhong adjusted his posture to make himself sit more comfortably on the chair. Waving his hand, he said, "It's okay, everything is fine." I didn't dare to come here with great fanfare, so I didn't inform you. I couldn't come out for a long time, so I hurried all the way and didn't rest. ”

"Then why are you doing this?" Li Mu asked puzzled.

Li Zhong jokingly said: "You are all making achievements outside, can't I come out to see it yet?" Then he explained, "It's a joke." In fact, the troops left behind in Henan were a little unable to sit still, watching the continuous expansion of the troops on the expedition, and almost everyone could be promoted, they were a little anxious, and asked me to fight every day. ”

Li Yan finally spoke, and said coldly: "It's good to have a letter, why bother you to go there yourself?" If there is any critical situation and there is no one to preside over it, it will be easy for chaos to occur. ”

Li Zhong felt Li Yan's anger, sat up straight, and said with a smile: "Now I'm not worried about anything happening at all, whether it's Li Zicheng or Hongguang, as long as they dare to provoke, I'm sure to break the bloodstream." Now the soldiers and generals are waiting for this meritorious service, although they can't fight out, but they hope that the enemy can send it to the door by themselves. There is no shortage of weapons, ammunition, grain, grass and equipment in each department, and even four or five kinds of various contingency plans have been prepared, and they are fully prepared. ”

"That's not good to leave your post without permission." Li Yan was finally relieved, softened his tone, and said.

Li Zhong sighed and said, "I can't help it, I have to make an appearance, lest the generals think we are biased." And I came here to ask, since the north is almost over, is it time to develop in other directions? Nanjing's Hongguang is a shrimp soldier and crab general, easy to deal with. Zuo Liangyu knew that Li Zicheng had retreated to Shaanxi, and he was also mobilizing troops and horses to prepare to recover Xiangyang. ”

Li Mu listened to Li Zhong's words, and also nodded: "Well, it's a good opportunity to expand a lot of territory to the south." ”

"Don't act rashly." Li Yan said in a deep voice.

"Fourth brother, do you want to deal with Qing Guo first?" Li Mu asked in surprise. Immediately persuaded: "The Qing Kingdom is still connected to the Mongolian ministries, such a long Great Wall defense line, if it is not good, even if we fight it, it will be in vain." Perhaps, there will be heavy losses for the army of the Ming Dynasty. ”

Li Yan said: "Of course it's not Qingguo. I've thought about all of what you're saying. The south side is not to worry, and the north side is temporarily powerless, so you can put it all first. I just received news from Niu Chenghu and others, they are only waiting for our side to make a move, so that they can rebel against Shun in the northwest. We can't attack everywhere, we have to solve them one by one, so that it will be more secure. ”

"What do you mean," Li Zhong asked, "to deal with Li Zicheng first?" Take Shanxi first, and then go west to Shaanxi? ”

Li Mu said puzzledly: "However, Li Zicheng has also increased his troops in Shanxi. and Li Guo, who has also been taking more than 10,000 people to occupy the pass. ”

Li Zhong smiled: "Well, the fourth brother's idea is good. The more troops Li Zicheng has, the better, and our troops are going south to fight a decisive battle with them. As long as they are caught by us, they have the Yellow River to the west, and our heavy troops to the east and south. ”

Li Yan nodded, and then said: "Now that Sichuan has become a mess, and people everywhere are attacking the government, it is a good time to take advantage of it." Even if Li Zicheng enters Sichuan, we can follow in, and even enter the southwest region. With Li Zicheng opening the way in front, we can reap the benefits of the fisherman. Since ancient times, Sichuan has been a place of trouble, if you can take Sichuan and the southwest in advance, then the whole world will be leveled, and the process will be much faster. ”

"It makes sense, it's still the fourth brother who thinks far." Li Mu kept nodding and agreeing.

Li Zhong pondered for a while and asked, "But in this way, wouldn't it give Hongguang Dynasty more time to prepare?" They claim to be the best in the world, attracting the attention of people all over the world. ”

Li Yan sneered: "What kind of people in the world? They are just money-hungry bureaucrats. Aren't they fighting right now? Southerners are fighting with northerners, Nanjing officials are fighting with Beijing officials, and Donglin Party is fighting with eunuchs. That's why I said don't alarm them, let them keep fighting. When we do it to them, we can do it. ”

Li Zhong finally nodded: "Well, that's right, I don't have an opinion." You talk first, I'll take a break, and I'll leave tomorrow to rush back. ”

Li Yan didn't keep it, but asked people to prepare hot water and a room for Li Zhong. It was wrong for Li Zhong to leave his post without permission, and he should have suffered some crimes. If something goes wrong, he will punish him severely, and naturally he will not let him delay any longer.

When Li Zhong left, he instructed Li Mu again: "You should also go back to Datong earlier, look at Jiang Xiang, and guard against Qing Guo and Li Zicheng." ”

"Okay, I'll go back tomorrow too."

...