Afraid of the bear's temper of Hong Da's footnote, taking advantage of the fact that Sect Leader Hong had not changed his hexagram, and when the street fighting was obviously promising, Li Xiucheng could only put aside the matter of street fighting, put down everything in his hand, and in accordance with the requirements of Sect Leader Hong's holy decree, he formulated a tactical plan to abandon the city and break through the siege the next night, and reported it to Sect Master Hong that night, and asked Sect Master Hong for approval.

Aside from the details, Li Xiucheng's breakthrough plan has two main points, first: choose to break through from the east city, and break through from Chaoyang Gate and Hongwu Gate at the same time, during which he cooperated to mislead Wu Jun's judgment by attacking the east from the west, and induced Wu Jun to misjudge that the Taiping Army's breakthrough direction was in the west, so as to reduce the resistance to the breakout, and keep Hong Xiuquan's breakthrough road absolutely secret, and never disclose it until the last moment!

——In order to keep it secret, Li Xiucheng suggested that the breakthrough road chosen by Hong Xiuquan should be written on a separate piece of paper and presented to Hong Xiuquan in a fire-sealed envelope, and even Mo Shijun, who presented the breakthrough plan for Li Xiucheng, did not know that Li Xiucheng suggested that Hong Xiuquan break through from that city gate!

The main content of the second point: the breakout order decided by Li Xiucheng is that the two Jiangsu and Zhejiang Taiping armies will open the way, Meng Shiyong and Qin Rigang will lead the Nanjing Taiping Army to protect Hong Xiuquan in the center, and Li Xiuben himself will personally lead the main force of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Taiping Army to Hong Xiuquan's palace. After the breakthrough was successful, the Taiping army first went to Jurong County, which was still in the hands of the army, and then crossed the Maoshan Mountains from Baitu Town to Danyang, leaving an army to defend Baitu Town to buy time for the transfer of the Taiping Army.

In addition, Li Xiucheng also carefully considered that the Wu Army's naval division might be interspersed with the front from the waterway, and decided to send more messengers to Zhenjiang while breaking through, and contact Ye Yunlai's deputy Wu Dingcai, who stayed there, so that Wu Dingcai could quickly block the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, so that the Wu Army's naval division could not enter the canal to Danyang to intercept the Taiping Army!

Li Xiucheng chose to break through from the east, the reason is that in addition to the problem of road distance, another important reason is that the Wu army's Feng Sanbao corps, which is responsible for guarding the east of Nanjing, is the weakest, and the Taiping army is the most sure of breaking through from the east. However, on the issue of the order of the breakout, Hong Xiuquan immediately objected, returned the breakout plan to Mo Shixuan, and ordered: "Go back to see King Zhong immediately and tell him that everything else is fine, but the lord of the queen will have to choose another candidate, he has to go with me, he is loyal to the country, I really can't bear to let him stay in the rear team and take risks." ”

According to the request of Sect Master Hong, Mo Shixuan could only come back to see Li Xiucheng overnight, but Li Xiucheng immediately complained when he heard it, knowing that Yang Xiuqing's previous words still played a divisive role, which made Hong Xiuquan's defense of himself greatly increased. But unfortunately, Li Xiucheng can make concessions in other matters, but he doesn't dare to take risks in this matter, so he can only plead with Mo Shixuan: "Mo Qiuguan, please return to the Heavenly King, it's not that your subordinates don't understand his kindness, it's that the current situation determines that your subordinates can't go with the Heavenly King, I can only choose to personally lead the army to the queen of the palace." ”

"Mo Qiuguan, King Chung Chitose can't go with King Long Live Heaven, mainly because except for King Chung Chitose, no one can control the several armies behind His Royal Highness." Li Shuxiang also helped explain: "Not to mention the other armies, just the five armies that will definitely go to the end Ji Qingyuan, Li Rongfa, Fang Haizong, Yuan Dehou and Chen Decai, the five of them are roughly the same in terms of official positions and titles, and no one has enough prestige and qualifications to control the remaining four armies, and when the time comes, as long as there is a slight confusion in the command, these armies will definitely suffer heavy casualties, not to mention, the demon soldiers may also quickly disperse our Royal Highness army and catch up with the Chinese army where the King of Heaven is located." ”

"Chung Wang Chitose, you are embarrassed to die and become an official." Mo Shixuan said with a sad face: "You don't know the temper of the Heavenly King, what he decided, except for you and a few people such as Mengshoushu and Yan Wang Chitose, who dares to say nothing?" If you must object, you can only ask you to go and tell the king in person. ”

Li Xiucheng sighed, and had no choice but to quickly take out his pocket watch to watch the time, fortunately, it was only just after three o'clock in the morning, and Li Xiucheng still had some time. So Li Xiucheng didn't hesitate, and immediately said to Li Shuxiang: "Shuxiang, the matter here is handed over to you for the time being, I will go to see Long Live the King of Heaven now, and I have to fight for it no matter what." Whether it works out or not, I'll be back before dawn. ”

Li Shuxiang agreed, and hurriedly sent Li Xiucheng away, and then because of the preciousness of time, Li Xiucheng did not make other arrangements, and went straight to the Tianwang Mansion with Mo Shixuan out of the Zhongwang Mansion, but when he got off the horse in front of the Tianwang Mansion, Li Xiucheng suddenly remembered one thing, and couldn't help blurting out: "Oh no, I forgot to explain that incident to Shuxiang." ”

"King Zhong, what did you forget to explain to Li Shangshu? Do you want to send someone back immediately to explain to Li Shangshu? Mo Shixuan next to him hurriedly asked.

Li Xiucheng wanted to nod a little, but stopped halfway through the nod, shook his head and said, "Forget it, it's not too important, anyway, I'm going back soon, and I don't need to send anyone anymore." ”

Mo Shijun didn't doubt him, but quickly personally picked Li Xiucheng off the horse, and followed Li Xiucheng to dismount in front of the Tianwang Mansion, but what Mo Shijun didn't find was that Li Xiucheng's brows had been slightly wrinkled, and he secretly said in his heart: "I hope Song Yongqi won't be confused, and run to Li Shuxiang to inquire about the news, I forgot to secretly warn Li Shuxiang to be careful to guard against Yongqi, if Shuxiang accidentally leaks the news, Yongqi is also confused enough to send someone to find the demon soldiers to inform, then we will be in big trouble." ”

…………

Li Xiucheng's worry was too late, because he had just left Zhongwang's Mansion on the front foot, and his precious brother-in-law Song Yongqi ran to Li Shuxiang on the back foot to inquire about the news, or did he directly inquire about whether the news circulating in the city that Hong Xiuquan had decided to abandon the city and break through was true? As a result, Li Shuxiang didn't keep it a secret for the sake of Song Yongqi being Li Xiucheng's closest relative, and quickly nodded and admitted that the news was true, and instructed: "Go and prepare, we will leave tomorrow night, and bring all your important things, but remember, the car is simple, and the fewer things you bring, the better." ”

Song Yongqi was overjoyed, and hurriedly thanked Li Shuxiang again and again, and then asked with the courage to ask: "Li Shangshu, can you ask again, the demon soldiers have surrounded Tianjing City like an iron bucket, and we are going to break through through that city gate?" ”

Fortunately, Li Shuxiang didn't dare to be confused on this point, and said: "Wang Zong forgives the crime, Zhong Wang Chitose has explained, and the matter of breaking through through the city gate must be kept secret, and the officials dare not disclose it." In short, don't worry, I won't pull you down, just go with us when the time comes, if nothing happens, I should still walk with you. ”

"Li Shangshu is too polite, can you give me a word in advance and let me prepare early, I am already grateful, and you dare to force you to tell me such an important thing?" Song Yongqi hurriedly haha, and said cautiously: "Li Shangshu, since King Zhong wants you to keep it secret, then the matter of me coming to you to inquire about the news should not exist, I don't tell outsiders, and you had better not tell King Zhong Chitose, so as not to affect you." ”

Li Shuxiang nodded in agreement, and thanked Song Yongqi for keeping his mouth shut. Then, of course, Li Shuxiang never dreamed that Song Yongqi walked out of the lobby with the front foot, and found Guo Laosi, an absolute confidant sent by him to contact Wu Jianying with failure, and whispered to him in a low voice, and then casually found an excuse to personally quietly send Guo Laosi out of Li Xiucheng's Zhongwang Mansion, and watched Guo Laosi disappear into the dark distance to the north......

…………

Looking back at Li Xiucheng's side, after it took a lot of effort to get the female official to wake up Hong Xiuquan, who had just fallen asleep, Li Xiucheng first kowtowed and begged Hong Xiuquan to take back the will to beat the poor female official to death, and then had a word-for-word dispute with Hong Xiuquan in the Golden Dragon Palace, and begged Hong Xiuquan to take back his order and allow him to lead the army in person.

It's a pity that the dispute didn't play any role, and for the sake of his own safety, Sect Leader Hong, who had been completely brainwashed by Yang Xiuqing, insisted on not listening no matter how hard Li Xiucheng explained, and insisted on forcing Li Xiucheng to lead an army to walk with him, refusing to make the slightest concession. In the end, he was persuaded by Li Xiucheng in a hurry, and with a wave of his hand, Sect Master Hong personally arranged for Li Xiucheng to be the chief general of the palace, and said: "Aiqing, since you are worried that Ji Qingyuan and Fang Haizong will not be able to control anyone, then let's do it, I will now crown Ji Qingyuan as the whole king, the deputy commander of the rear route army, and let him control the palace's troops and command the battle for you." Ji Qingyuan, a courtier, I like it very much, and his brother Ji Wenyuan is loyal to me, and he is still unwavering in the lonely Shandong, and it is time to reward their brother again. ”

Li Xiucheng still wanted to insist, but outside the hall, there was already a bang for five watches and three quarters, and it was about to dawn, Li Xiucheng had no choice but to kowtow and thank you, and said: "Long live the King of Heaven, then simply adjust it again, let Ji Qingyuan always lead his headquarters and Li Rongfa, Fang Haizong, Yuan Dehou, Chen Decai Five Routes Soldiers and Horses, and His Majesty will lead other Jiangsu and Zhejiang soldiers and horses to walk with you, what do you think?" ”

"Okay, that's it." Sect Master Hong finally nodded, yawned and said: "Brother Zhongwang, the sky is about to dawn, you go back and prepare to abandon the city and retreat, I have to hurry up and rest again, tomorrow night, I guess I don't want to have a chance to sleep." ”

Li Xiucheng sang the promise dejectedly, and left even more dejectedly, and kept quietly lamenting on the road, saying: "It seems that we can only be ready to sacrifice the five armies in Beicheng, I hope that Ji Qingyuan can calm the scene and use these five soldiers and horses to buy enough time for us." ”

After returning to his Zhongwang Mansion with bloodshot eyes, Li Xiucheng first sent reliable cronies to Beicheng in a hurry, told Ji Qingyuan about Hong Xiuquan's arrangement and reward, and asked Ji Qingyuan to prepare for the rear of the army, and carefully told Ji Qingyuan to keep it strictly confidential. Then Li Xiucheng didn't forget to ask Li Shuxiang if anyone came to inquire about the news, but unfortunately, Li Shuxiang, who didn't want to take responsibility, concealed his leakage of military information to Song Yongqi, and just reported the names of several other people who came to inquire about the news overnight, and insisted that he was tight-lipped and did not leak the slightest rumor. Li Xiucheng was greatly relieved when he heard this, and finally couldn't resist the attack of the sleeping demon, and fell asleep on the bookcase.

Even so, Li Xiucheng, who was loyal to his duties, did not forget to give an order before going to bed, saying: "The matter of preparing to retreat tonight must be kept secret from the troops on the front line, and the slightest rumor must not be leaked, lest our soldiers be captured and leak secrets." The rush to repair the city wall must not be stopped, and the demon soldiers must not be allowed to see the slightest flaw. ”

…………

Li Shuxiang's concealment of the report of course gave the Taiping army traitor Song Yongqi a chance to make meritorious contributions, when the sky was light, when the Wu army Liu Kanbu was ordered to launch a full-scale attack on the Taiping army's Liuxiang position, and when the Wu army Cao Yanzhong's department hurriedly rushed through Hongmiao Street to reinforce Liuxiang, Guo Laosi, a nobody of the Taiping Army who left a mark in the history books, finally returned to the Liuxiang battlefield where Song Yongqi was in charge of money and grain in the name of presenting official documents for Song Yongqi, and then found an opportunity to quietly hide in the private house, under the cover of the complex house courtyard, Sneakily touched the side of the Wu army's position.

The trend of history was almost changed because of a Wu army soldier, seeing Guo Laosi wearing a Taiping military uniform suddenly stood up from behind the courtyard wall, the Wu army sentry who had been scared by the cold gun didn't think about it, and immediately shot Guo Laosi, and it happened to hit Guo Laosi in the abdomen, almost killing Guo Laosi on the spot.

Fortunately, Guo Laosi, who was named in the history books, was as lucky as in history, he did not shout surrender immediately after being killed on the spot, and put down his weapon and took the initiative to climb in front of the Wu army sentry to express his sincerity in surrender, and after being captured by the Wu army to show his identity, although he may not fully believe Guo Laosi's words, the Wu soldiers still sent Guo Laosi out of the city on a stretcher at the first time, and directly carried him to Wu Chaoyue's temporary command department to hand it over.

Then, of course, the important information brought by Guo Laosi was sent to Wu Chaoyue as soon as possible, but just like Wu Jianying and others collectively asking for surrender, Wu Chaoyue's first reaction to this important information was that he couldn't believe it, and said in surprise: "Long hair is going to break through tonight?" How can it be? Long Mao fought so beautifully in the street battle yesterday, as long as Li Xiucheng didn't make a fool, he would definitely insist on fighting like this, forcing me to send the besieging army into the city to participate in the battle, and then take the opportunity to break through? ”

"Is it a trick?" Dai Wenjie also expressed serious doubts about this matter, and said: "We have never confirmed the truth of Song Yongqi's intentions, and it cannot be ruled out that he is a pawn ambushed by Li Xiucheng in advance, and he stayed at the critical moment to deceive us." ”

Wu Chaoyue's ten fingers crossed and rubbed, and only after a while did he order the soldiers to bring Guo Laosi to him to prepare for personal interrogation, but unfortunately, Guo Laosi was really injured, and after being carried to Wu Chaoyue's face, his voice was faint and only said his identity and intention, and then immediately fell into a coma due to excessive blood loss, and failed to report other important situations to Wu Chaoyue. Wu Chaoyue was helpless, so he could only wave his hand and order: "Carry it down to rescue, you must rescue the person, arrange someone to guard it, as soon as he wakes up, try to ask him about Song Yongqi's situation, and everything he says must be reported to me word for word." ”

The soldiers agreed, and quickly carried Guo Laosi back to the rear for rescue, and Dai Wenjie immediately arranged a meticulous scribe to guard Guo Laosi, and waited for him to wake up and report the situation. Then Dai Wenjie said to Wu Chaoyue: "Don't worry, King Zhennan, if Changmao really plans to abandon the city and break through tonight, unless Li Xiucheng even hides the troops on the front line, there will definitely be some clues, as long as we carefully understand the situation of the street fighting and arrest more prisoners for interrogation, it is not difficult to know whether the news reported by Song Yongqi is true or false." ”

Wu Chaoyue nodded, frowned again and said: "I'm afraid that Li Xiucheng will also keep it a secret from the front-line army, if I were him, such an important military decision, I would hide it from the front-line army no matter what." ”

"What then?" Dai Wenjie hurriedly asked.

"It's just a matter of taking one step at a time." Wu Chaoyue's tone was a little helpless, and he said: "However, the news that Changmao may break through tonight, can inform the city gates in advance, and tell our army to prepare for night battles, so as not to be in a hurry." As for our mobile army, ....... ”

Speaking of which, Wu Chaoyue couldn't make up his mind at all, and he didn't know if he should follow the original plan, go all out to capture Jilong Mountain and Taicheng, two key chokepoints in the city, and use his main forces in street fighting? Or do you want to preserve your strength and save the main combat power of the mobile army for the evening in pursuit of an enemy who is likely to abandon the city and break through this evening?