Facing herself in the mirror, Hai Lanzhu's face was crimson, and her heart was beating like a drum, which made her very nervous. I don't know how long it took, but she felt that her neck was about to cramp while maintaining the same position, so she couldn't help but whisper: "Isn't it okay?" ”

Zhu Youzhen looked at the messy braids in front of him, and couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth, and untied them easily, "No matter how I look at it, I think it's more refreshing for you to wear a ponytail." ”

Hai Lanzhu subconsciously reached out and pressed the braid that was about to be loosened, turned her head to Chongzhen and said dissatisfiedly: "What are you doing, you have been tying it for almost half an hour, you are almost done, and you are going to untie it again, isn't this a toss?" ”

Zhu Youzhen watched Hai Lanzhu defend his achievements to the death, and he was a little at a loss, he now hated why he was cheap.

Just as he was thinking about how to persuade Hai Lanzhu to give up his braided hair, the maid Qiqige's report unraveled his predicament, and when he heard that Wu Huai was waiting for him in the lobby, Zhu Youzhen hurriedly escaped from this place that made him a little embarrassed.

Meng Genqige looked at Hai Lanzhu's braids, and couldn't help but step forward and said with a smile: "Gege, let me re-weave it for you, Your Majesty's craftsmanship is really..."

Hai Lanzhu, who was looking at her hair in the mirror with her head sideways, said with a smile: "No, I think it's okay, give me the head rope, and I'll tie it myself." ”

Zhu Youzhen, who walked into the lobby from the side door, saw Wu Huai standing in front of the hall and watching the courtyard scenery at a glance.

Hearing the movement behind him, Wu Huai quickly turned around and saluted Chongzhen. Zhu Youzhen stepped forward to help him, and said to him: "Didn't you say that you won't arrive until the day after tomorrow?" Why did you come in advance. ”

Wu Huai replied respectfully: "The minister heard that Houjin made some trouble in Yizhou, and he was worried that they were playing tricks to attack the west, so he came over first to listen to His Majesty's orders." ”

Zhu Youzhen beckoned him to sit down and speak, and then explained the battle plan for the expedition and the fact that he was going to Zhangjiakou and his party to meet with Lin Dan Khan.

After hearing this, Wu Huai said worriedly: "Your Majesty, is it inappropriate to let Du Du lead the Eastern Route Army?" Longshan is close to Yiju, and if Du Du's dispatch of troops is known there, they will send people to persuade Du Du to return to Houjin, and the Eastern Route Army will probably be in danger. ”

Zhu Youzhen said disapprerovingly: "Du Du doesn't seem to be a stupid person, so easy to be persuaded." A repeated villain, who is looked down upon everywhere. Besides, the entire Eastern Route Army is nothing more than a force formed by people from outside the Cypriots, and sooner or later they will have to follow us into battle. Instead of rebelling against our army at a critical moment, it is better to try their loyalty to my Ming first. ”

Wu Huai was speechless, and only after half a sound did he change the topic and said: "Then since Your Majesty wants to ally with Lin Dan Khan, is it better to let the ministers escort you, this middle route army might as well let Wednesday Wei command, anyway, the entire battle plan was formulated by him, and there should be no mistakes." ”

Zhu Youzhen still shook his head and said, "How can it be done?" After all, the First Cavalry Division was brought out by you, and I am afraid that Wednesday has too little seniority, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to convince the public. Although the target of this sweep of the grassland is only those tribes that are fighting their own battles, what we have to watch out for is whether Houjin will intervene.

As you just said, there is movement in the Houjin army in Yiju. This Yizhou and Longshan are separated by a side wall, if Hou Jin really sends troops to defend those tribes, you will have to accept the retreat of the Eastern Route Army, such a big responsibility, I am afraid that I will not be able to bear it. This battle is dominated by cavalry, and it is difficult to call on other troops, if you don't come forward to command, who else can better command these cavalry..."

While Chongzhen and Wu Huai were talking, the three thousand men and horses led by Du Du took three days to finally arrive at Kuanhe City. This earthen city, built by Feng Sheng, the Duke of the Song Dynasty, was originally an important stronghold of the Ming army after leaving the Xifeng Pass, but it was also abandoned during the Yongle period.

Since last year, the Ming Dynasty began to implement the policy of reclamation outside the Guan, and the Kuanhe City, which is located on the main traffic route, was the first to be restored. This earthen city is located in the eastern section of the Yanshan Mountain Range, with lofty mountains as a barrier, and a wide river passing by the side, which can be transported by water in the same pass. It is said that in order to change the excessive change in the runoff of the Luanhe River, which is not conducive to water transportation, the General Staff has considered building a dam in the Panjiakou area to store water.

However, the current Kuanhe City is still used by land and water, transporting a large amount of supplies for the villages of Chengde and Guanwai, and this place has quickly become a small fortress.

Du Du arrived with a large group of men and horses, which caused the generals stationed in Kuanhe City to have a false alarm. Although they wore the costumes of the Ming army, their accents and appearance could not hide the characteristics of the Jurchens. If it weren't for the accompanying Ming army staff officers and documents that could prove their identities, the two sides would have clashed because of misunderstandings.

After confirming Du Du's identity, the generals stationed in the city immediately set up a banquet to compensate Du Du and the others. Although Kuanhe Castle is located outside the customs, the local products are abundant, and this is the first point for transporting materials outside the customs, so the banquet for everyone is still good. A dish of boiled wild boar meat with chestnuts in Kuancheng is sweet and salty, so that Du Du can't help but eat a few more bites.

However, after the banquet was over, Du Du gathered several Jurchen generals, and he said to everyone: "Everyone has seen the march of the past few days. These Karaqin self-defense troops pretended to be loyal in front of His Majesty, but they delayed very much when they left Chengde, and I don't think they were very willing to attack their own people, what do you think? ”

Du Du's deputy, Yasun, didn't see it that way, and he tried to distinguish between these self-defense forces: "Dong Ningbo's words seem to be too much, I think these self-defense forces have worked hard enough, but they have not received much training, so naturally they can't keep up with our Jurchen disciples and the warriors of the Horqin tribe. What's more, the mountain road is difficult and dangerous, more than 40 miles a day, which is already a good marching speed. ”

Du Du immediately interrupted him and said: "From here to Longshan, more than 400 miles, at the current speed, at least more than 10 days to reach the vicinity of Longshan." Even if Subu Di is sluggish, he should be on guard at that time.

Although our army has 3,000 people, the Uiju behind Subodi is the territory of the Houjin Kingdom. We have just heard at the banquet that several forts on the border between Yiju and Daming have been attacked with red flags.

Although I don't know what the purpose of the attack was with the red flag, there must have been soldiers of the Eight Banners stationed in Yiju at this time. If Su Budi lured these Eight Banner soldiers over, would those rabble of self-defense forces not flee? Isn't this operation of our army going to end in failure? ”

Loyal and blue-flagped Chata said with some uncertainty: "We can also ask for help from the Middle Route Army, didn't Your Majesty say it before leaving?" If there is any situation, you can report more to the rear. ”

Du Du glanced at him and said: "Since we defected to Your Majesty, we have been rewarded by Your Majesty many times before we have made any achievements, and we have also formed the Eight Banners of Loyalty and Righteousness to lead us. Now that I have finally gone to the battlefield, I have to ask Your Majesty for help, who else in the army will look up to us in the future?

Besides, we are no more noble than those lords and nobles, who have been supported by the emperor for a long time, have many in-laws with the emperor, and have extensive property in their families, even if they do not go to the battlefield, they can be prosperous and rich for a lifetime.

But we are different, although we have been generously treated by His Majesty and have been given a knighthood, the ministers and nobles of the DPRK and the Central Committee are still treated as outsiders. We have no foundation in Daming, and if we lose the favor of Your Majesty, even if we don't live on the streets, we will be idle and despised.

Everyone should also know that we publicly defected to Daming that day, which was to slap Huang Taiji in the face. This person has always claimed that he is protected by God, and Houjin is also blessed by God.

So you'd better fight less, and if you can't survive in Daming, you will flee back to Houjin. If Huang Taiji holds a grudge in his heart, you will be sent to death when you go back. After that, the Jin Khan position was originally my father's, but it was Dai Shan and Huang Taiji who took it away by their intrigues.

Look at me, Huang Taiji and I are close relatives, after he ascended the throne, is it the same as guarding against thieves? You don't even love Xinjueluo, do you still think that Huang Taiji will forgive you? ”

was reprimanded by Du Du for such a slashing face, and these Jurchen surrender generals immediately defended themselves. On the one hand, they said that they would never betray the idea of Jin after the Ming Dynasty returned; On the other hand, he vowed to follow Du Du to fight hard to repay the emperor's kindness.

After coldly watching everyone express their attitudes one by one, Du Du continued: "Okay, since everyone thinks the same as me, and wants to compete for the jackpot in this battle and make His Majesty happy, let's talk about the next battle strategy." ”

Du Du's strategy was to divide the army, leaving behind half of the self-defense army, and the army composed of the Eight Banners of Zhongyi and the Horqin warriors to travel lightly, striving to reach Longshan within six days, and then sweep away those tribes that had not been gathered.

600 Eight Banners of Loyalty, 800 Horqin warriors, this heavily armed cavalry force, is enough to sweep any tribe in the Karaqin Tribe.

However, Du Du's deputy Ada Hai said with some concern: "Those Horqin warriors have the protection of Hai Lanzhu, and the Cha Gan who leads them is loyal to Hai Lanzhu, we change the battle plan now, will he agree?" ”

Du Du looked at everyone firmly and said, "I promise, he will definitely agree." ”

In the suspicious eyes of everyone, Du Du personally went to find Cha Gan, and half an hour later, Cha Gan followed Du Du to discuss the division of troops with everyone.

Everyone was curious about how Du Du persuaded Chagan, but none of their temptations were responded to.

In fact, Du Du's reason for persuading him is very simple, since Hai Lanzhu is now the concubine of His Majesty the Emperor, there are not many ways that the Horqin Department can help Hai Lanzhu stabilize her position in the palace, and what better way is there than for them to make military achievements?