The trajectory of Li Zicheng's activities changed, and he did not go south to Xiangyang, but went directly to Guanzhong, and now the situation in Shandong has also changed, so that the second brother can't help but be vigilant.

At this time, the second brother couldn't judge what the situation in Shandong was and how it would evolve, but Linqingzhou was a small Jiangnan in the north, and he was not defeated by the Qing army, so it was a good thing to happen.

The second brother pondered a little, and then asked, "How is Jiannu fighting in Linqing, can Linqing hold it?" ”

Gao Yicheng shook his head, "I can't tell you this, it is said that Linqing has sent people everywhere to ask for help, but now all cities are closed to protect themselves, where do anyone dare to go to the rescue, even if they go, I am afraid that they will be defeated by the Tartar cavalry before they reach Linqing City." ”

The second brother Gao's heart sank, and the current Ming Dynasty was already quite powerless in the face of the Qing army.

Jiannu is like a hungry wolf rushing into the sheepfold, the sheep in the sheepfold have no way to take him, there are occasional sheep in the sheepfold to resist the hungry wolf with their horns, and the other sheep do not dare to come forward to help, watching the wolf eat the sheep, they just avoid it from a distance, let it eat enough and leave by itself.

The second brother also felt powerless in his heart, and he didn't know how to drive away this group of hungry wolves.

At this time, Gao Yicheng continued: "However, I heard that the Tartars are not focusing on Linqing now, but are dividing their troops to fight Denglai, Linqing is estimated to be fine now, but what will happen later, then I don't know." ”

At the beginning, the second brother Gao grabbed the Tartar in Fengqiu, and learned that the Qing army was exploring the shipbuilding in Shandong, and the Tartar who went to Denglai must have done this.

Gao Yicheng did not go deep into Shandong, and he didn't know much about the situation there, so it was good to be able to find out so much news.

The second brother nodded, "Shandong's affairs, don't mention it for the time being, Yicheng, you are back, just rest for a few days, wait for the New Year before leaving, monitor Shandong for me, and pay attention to the situation on Li Zicheng's side." ”

Gao Yicheng hugged his fists and took the order first, but then said: "Second brother, I don't have much experience in finding out the news, most of it is hearsay, if you want to find out the news, then the second brother still has to send me more people, otherwise the news of the investigation is of little value." ”

The second brother of Gao bowed slightly, Gao Yicheng did not make a careful appearance, to find out the information, it was completely to catch the ducks on the shelves, and the second brother Gao also knew that he was not competent, but the second brother did not have talents in this area, so for the time being, he had to let him do it while groping.

"After the New Year, I will allocate some more people and silver for you, you arrange the dots first, and when I recruit people, I will send them to you." Hearsay news is also news, it is better than a black eye, Gao Yihuan stood up and patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "You have worked hard all the way, go back and rest." By the way, my aunt and they happened to arrive today, so you can go and have a look. ”

When Gao Yicheng heard that his mother was also here, he immediately hugged his fists and said goodbye with joy, and left with a smoke.

In the blink of an eye, the New Year of Chongzhen's sixteenth year came quietly, and the city of Runing was full of joy. Gao Yihuan still used the means in Luyi, by paying the soldiers, stimulating the commerce of Runing, and quickly recovering the local economy, but because the merchants of Runing were not prepared in advance, the materials in the city were insufficient, and a large amount of silver was put into the market, which immediately caused the prices of Runing to rise, but it was a pit for the people.

This was not expected by the second brother Gao, and hurriedly took out the materials seized in the domain, especially the grain, and urgently ordered Yu Yinglong to transfer some cotton cloth and other materials from Luyi, and asked Gao Xinghao to contact the horseman, so that he could open a trade route south to Runing, so as to provide a sufficient source of goods for Runing.

The second brother will stabilize the price of food and salt that are related to people's livelihood, and people's hearts will be stable, and as for the increase in the price of other materials, it will not necessarily be a bad thing, but it will attract materials from other places to enter Runing.

Although there is such a small episode, but in the long run, it is still more beneficial to Runing, the rising price will make the businessmen feel profitable, naturally there will be a steady stream of materials to Runing, after the materials are abundant, the price will inevitably gradually fall, and there are some people who take advantage of the rise in prices to take out their chickens and ducks, weave homespun cloth and sell it, and make a little money.

This year of Runing, although there are a lot of good talks, but it is definitely not worse than before, there is the policy of abolishing the three salaries and dividing the fields, the people are full of hope for the future life, and there is hope for vitality, spring has not come, the ice and snow have not melted, the land of Runing is full of vitality.

Linqing City, Shandong Province, is another scene, the icy cold wind is howling and blowing the earth, and more than 30,000 elite soldiers under the command of Abatai are all stationed outside the city.

In the Chinese New Year's Eve, it was supposed to be a family reunion, sitting together for a good meal, summing up last year's harvest, and imagining the next year's moment, but it was broken by a group of birds and beasts outside the city.

On the snow-covered wilderness, a large group of Mongolian foreign vassals, as well as the soldiers of the Han army banner, are assembling outside the camp, the Tartar soldiers wearing armor and holding knives spit out clouds of white mist from their mouths, and dozens of healthy soldiers are in a team, hugging the siege ladder and approaching the city.

The trumpet outside the city sounded loudly, and the defenders at the head of the city poked their heads out, and a small officer spat on the ground and scolded: "Dog's Tartars, bald beasts, and the New Year will attack the city." ”

"Li Ponu, what are you underestimating, hurry up and check the equipment, ready to kill the Tartar." A small flag officer saw the Tartar soldiers outside the city and kicked Li Ponu.

The Tartars broke through the Great Wall and killed Li Ponu's Uncle Liu, who fled all the way to Linqing, not thinking that the Tartars would also be killed. At this time, the city was recruiting troops, so he joined the official army, participated in the defense of the city, and avenged his uncle.

Outside the city walls, as the trumpets and drums sounded, thousands of Tartars heard the sound and began to form a formation under the city. More than 40 shield carts were placed in front, and a large number of Mongol soldiers armed with longbows and quivers at their waists stood behind the shield carts, and they would advance to the city under the escort of the shield carts, and then suppress the city head with bows and arrows.

Behind them, there were a large number of Han banner troops with swords and shields and long ladders, who were the main force in the siege of the city. The Qing army under the city set up a formation in a moment, and there was a slaughter outside the city.

The officers and soldiers at the head of the city and the people took up their weapons, and the soldiers poured to the wall, each taking their place, while the people were holding wooden poles, stirring the boiling dung juice, and soaking a sleepy arrow in it.

At this time, on the steps of the city, there was a sudden commotion, Wang Yan led a large number of women to rush up the city wall in a hurry, each of them carried a frame, which was full of white-flour steamed buns, and quickly distributed them to the soldiers.

"Soldiers, when you are full, you will fight with the Tartars."

Wang Yan watched the injured soldiers take the steamed buns, and then stuffed them all into his mouth, thinking that in the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, the soldiers and pawns could not eat a good meal, and after eating this steamed bun, they had to fight with the tartars, many people did not live for sixteen years in Chongzhen, and their eyes couldn't help but blur ~

"Tartar come up!" Suddenly, a thousand-household official hissed and shouted, and then turned his head and urged: "Prince Wang, take them down to the city quickly~"

"The Tartars are attacking! Defense! ~" The shouts on the city wall rang out one after another in an instant.

(End of chapter)