Chongzhen's face looked a little better, he nodded, and was about to say something, Hu Kejian suddenly walked in quickly from the outside, and knelt on the ground as soon as he entered the door, trembling and unable to speak. When www.biquge.info Chongzhen saw his appearance, he became more and more annoyed, and shouted, "Is there anything else?" Say it! ”

"Beacon, Blade, Beacon!" Hu Kejian stammered and said, the faces of everyone in the hall suddenly changed when they heard the words, Beijing City is at the southern foot of Yanshan Mountain, when the weather is good, you can see the outline of the Yanshan Mountain Range when you stand on the coal mountain, if you light the beacon tower to see it clearly, if you can see the beacon tower in that place, the enemy army is probably two or three days away from Beijing City, and it can almost be said that it has been forced under the nose with the means of communication at that time.

"Where did the beacon fire come from?" Chongzhen hurriedly asked, the beacon tower system in the Ming Dynasty is already very complete, and a lot of information can be transmitted through the number and color of different beacon smokes, such as the location of the broken edge and the number of troops.

"It's Songting Pass!"

The palace was in an uproar, and the Songting Pass in Hu Kejian's mouth was Xifengkou, which was located in the southwest of Kuancheng County, Hebei today. Close the door and get stuck when the traffic is in the way. During the Liao period, from Yanjing (now southwest of Beijing) to Zhongjing (now west of Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), each route was here. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Yan Wang Di sought to merge Daning (now Ningchengxi) from Yongping (now Lulong, Hebei), so that it was difficult to pass the danger and Longsai, so he attacked Daning from Liujiakou and took Songting. It is an important channel connecting the inside and outside of the Great Wall. If the army passes here, it will come east and pass through Zunhua, Pinggu, and Xianghe, and it will be the capital division, and the fast horse will arrive in only two days. Why is there no warning for such a major event?

"Which soldier's horse? How many people are there? ”

"They are all captives, they should be Liu Cheng's soldiers and horses, if it is according to what Fengyan said, I am afraid of no less than 100,000 people!"

"One hundred thousand?" Chongzhen's right hand trembled, and he almost swept the inkstone on the imperial case to the ground, and subconsciously asked, "How can there be so many?" Could it be that the border army is exaggerating? ”

Hu Kejian kowtowed, not daring to speak, at this time he was already terrified in his heart, he had a very close relationship with Liu Cheng, this eunuch of the imperial horse supervisor palm seal was bought with Liu Cheng's silver, and then he got a lot of benefits one after another, and even privately called him a brother. These are actually nothing in normal times, but if they are poked out at this time, the civil official is okay, and his eunuch is definitely a dead end.

Hou Sui said with a smile: "The saint is very worried, Liu Cheng was only 30,000 or 40,000 soldiers when he pacified the eastern captives, and when Dolgon and Duoduo surrendered, they said that the mood in the captives was very dissatisfied with them, but they were forced to be powerful, and it was necessary to leave troops to defend them, and the most they came today were only 30,000 people, and the border army turned defeat into victory, and it was common to exaggerate the captives!" ”

"What Mr. Hou said is very true!" Seeing that Hou Sui also agreed with him, Chongzhen's face looked a little better: "However, Liu Shun's generals are all elite soldiers, and they can't be underestimated with 30,000 people." What can Mr. Hou do? ”

Hou Sui had obviously thought about it just now, and said in a deep voice: "Saint, the saint Yun is 'righteous and obedient', the first thing the court should do is to take away Liu Thief's title and official position first, so that the people of the world can understand the difference between obedience and disobedience, and then use Shun to fight for rebellion, naturally invincible!" ”

"What Mr. Hou said is very true!" Chongzhen already hated Liu Cheng, and when he heard Hou Sui say this, he nodded and said: "Wang Daban, you write down Mr. Hou's words, and I will draft the purpose later!" ”

"Yes, Emperor!" Wang Chengen answered, walked to the side and picked up the brush, ready to record.

"What about the second one?"

"Naturally, it is to strengthen the defense of the Beijing Division, Liu Cheng only has 30,000 soldiers and horses to dare to be so rampant, he must have no fear. The walls of the capital division are high and thick, and there are red-clothed cannons, which can never be rushed, and he must have a detailed work in the capital to inform him of the news, and the minister thought that he should let the Beizhen Fusi strengthen the arrest. At the same time, prepare for the defense of the city! ”

"Well, good, good! Wu Mengming, did you hear clearly? ”

"Yes, the lower officials must step up their arrest!" Jin Yiwei commanded Wu Mengming to hurriedly kowtow twice.

"And the third?"

"Tune Guanning and Xuanda Erzhen to send troops to King Qin, and attack Liu Thief!" Hou Sui said in a deep voice: "The soldiers of the Beijing division have never practiced, if they fight with Liu Thief in the wilderness, they may only be disadvantaged, and it is better to fortify the city." Lord Lu and the Guanning Army in Xuanda Town have 100,000 elite soldiers, and they are attacked by them, why don't they break it? ”

"Good, good, good!" Chongzhen's face was already full of smiles: "With Mr. Hou here, I don't have to worry about it!" ”

"The minister still has a plan, but he can ensure that Liu Thief will not take care of each other, and he will not return to Liaodong alive!"

"Oh, Mr. Hou, please speak!"

Hou Sui twisted the beard under his chin and said with a smile: "Holy Lord, Dolgon and Duoduo were originally the sons of the old slave and the younger brother of the chief Taiji. Because of Liu Cheng's defeat, he went to the imperial court rampantly. These two men were nobles among the captives, and they were quite prestigious among the captives. Why don't you take the Liu thief's nest to the south and the rear is empty, let these two people go to Liaodong, and you can also make waves in the rear, so that they can't care about each other? ”

"That's a good plan!" Chongzhen slapped his palms and smiled, the more he looked at Hou Sui, he was also happy, and the more he felt that this person was much more pleasing to the eye than Wen Tiren, who replaced Yang Sichang, and secretly wondered if he should drop these two people?

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the most important thing is not these, but that the prince should be sent south, just in case!"

A voice broke the joyful atmosphere in the hall, Chongzhen looked down, but it was Shoufu Wen Tiren, who had been silent, who spoke, and his brows immediately furrowed: "Mr. Wen, what do you mean by this?" ”

"Your Majesty!" Wen Tiren said in a surprisingly flat tone: "Since Liu Cheng started his army, he has not tasted defeat in dozens of battles. Hudun Rabbit Han is a famous king among the captives, especially rebellious, but Liu Cheng took his head in the first battle and accepted his subordinates for his own use; Dongyu for the great troubles of the country for several twenty years, the dynasty lost hundreds of thousands, more than 100 people who were defeated by the famous ministers and generals in their hands, but Liu Cheng captured Haoge in the first battle, captured Yuetuo in the second battle, and broke the chief Taiji in the third war, and the next year he drove the army and smashed the Yellow Dragon. Looking at this person's use of soldiers, although Han Bai was resurrected, it was nothing more than that. He has been the chief soldier of Xuanda, and he knows the strength and weakness of the void and reality in my face to the nine sides, how could he just take 30,000 people to break the border and attack? In the face of such a strong enemy, it is better to be a little more prepared! ”

Wen Tiren's words came out, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became solemn. His meaning is very clear - to be prepared for the worst, send the crown prince to Nanjing in advance, even if Liu Cheng can take the city of Beijing, he can also support the crown prince to ascend the throne.

"Lord Wen, the situation is not so serious, is it?" Hou Sui said with a smile.

"Wait, sir!" Wen Tiren still had that expressionless look: "We know too little now, but no matter how careful a person like Liu Cheng is, it can't be too much, you see that he sent troops to occupy Tongzhou by sea first in order to control the granary there to ensure the supply of the army, if there are only 30,000 people, why divide the army?" This person is clearly already completely sure that he is doing this! ”

Hou Sui was speechless for a moment, he had no experience in military affairs, and he didn't know how to answer for a while. At this time, Chongzhen raised his hand: "Lord Wen, who do you think should be sent to escort the prince south?" ”

"Let's wait for your lord! He has been respected by the Jiangnan gentry, and he will be able to win this important task! Wen Tiren replied.

Chongzhen was stunned when he heard this, and immediately understood, like this, escorting the prince to the south is the first assistant minister of the new government in Nanjing, Wen Tiren pushed Hou Sui, making it clear that he wanted to stay in the dangerous Jingshi, and kicked out Hou Sui, who opposed his proposal, so that no one could attack him for selfishness. Thinking of this, he was also a little moved in his heart, nodded and said, "Okay, that's it, Wang Daban, you arrange it and set off as soon as possible!" ”

"Yes, Emperor!" Wang Chengen responded and wrote them down one by one.

Hu Kejian walked out of the hall like a puppet, only to feel that his body was sore everywhere, and his back was even colder, and he was already soaked in cold sweat. Suddenly, he was slapped on the shoulder, Hu Kejian screamed, jumped up, and looked back, but it was Wu Mengming, who was suddenly frightened.

"Grandpa Hu, what's wrong with you, I just called your name in the back, why didn't you pay attention to it, just keep your head down and walk forward?" Wu Mengming asked.

"You called me?"

"No, I've screamed several times!" Wu Mengming nodded: "I originally wanted to discuss something with your father-in-law, but you walked vigorously, as if you were in a hurry." ”

Hu Kejian saw that Wu Mengming didn't look like he was coming to arrest him, so he breathed a sigh of relief and said with a wry smile: "Lord Wu, forgive me, I was thinking about how to deploy internal exercises, and I thought too deeply, I didn't even hear you call me, forgive me!" ”

"Gonggong Hu is really loyal to the country, and he is a model for my generation!" Wu Mengming hurriedly patted his ass, stepped forward and came closer and said: "Gonggong Wu, the saint has just issued an order, asking us to arrest Liu Cheng's cronies in Beijing, you are the saint's personal person, and you understand the saint's mind best, can you get a charter for the villain, don't make an errand!" ”

Hearing Wu Mengming mention the word Liu Cheng, Hu Kejian's nerves immediately tensed: "This is your envoy from Beizhen Fusi, I'm afraid I'm not good at interfering, right?" ”

"Grandpa Hu!" Wu Mengming looked around at no one, asked his entourage to retreat away and said with a smile: "I'm a straight person, and you won't go around the bend with your father-in-law." It's not the first time that our Ming Dynasty has been martyred, when we became an ancestor, it ruined the lives of many people, this kind of thing is not a joke, if you are not careful, you will raid the family and exterminate the family! ”

Hu Kejian heard that Wu Mengming had something to say, and became more and more cautious: "Lord Wu, I don't understand what you say!" If nothing else, I'll go first! ”

"Don't!" Wu Mengming hurriedly grabbed Hu Kejian and said with a wry smile: "Yes, I'll put it bluntly!" Seeing that this world is not peaceful, we as courtiers have to come up with a way to protect our family. I also know that you have a good relationship with that Liu Cheng, so I don't know about this matter, you can make a list of Liu Cheng's shop friends in Jingshi, and I, Wu Mengming, will also ensure his safety. If Liu Cheng really comes in, please ask your father-in-law to say a good word for me in front of him! ”

Hearing this, Hu Kejian already understood what Wu Mengming meant, his heart was relieved, and he smiled: "It's okay, you and I tacitly know this kind of thing!" After saying that, he said a few names, Wu Mengming nodded and wrote them down, the two looked at each other and smiled, and then left.

Tonghua.

Liu Cheng's feet stepped on the stone steps, and the boots with iron nails creaked on the stone steps, and the walls and steps were covered with coagulated blood, which looked a little disgusting, but the body had been carried away.

"How many people died?" Liu Cheng asked without replying.

"Thirty-five dead, more than seventy!" Gesang replied cautiously, as the vanguard of the army, he was very cautious: "The guards are not guarded, we can easily deceive the city gate, the fiercest battle is in the General's Palace, the guard will resist desperately with his own soldiers, and the dead and wounded are basically at that time!" ”

"Well, the granary and powder magazine are all well preserved, right?"

"It's all protected!" Gesang said in a low voice: "But the food is okay, there is not much gunpowder in the warehouse, only more than fifty stones!" ”

"Well, what about the scouts sent to Tongzhou? Have you made contact with that side? ”

"It's been sent, and there should be an echo soon!"

Liu Cheng had already climbed the city tower at this time, and he raised his eyes to look east, only to see the cavalry and infantry of the brigade coming west along the official road, stretching for dozens of miles, and there was no end in sight. At this time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his chest: such a powerful army is driven by itself, what else in this world can resist him?

"Lord Jinong!" Gesang looked at Liu Cheng and plucked up the courage to say, "There will be a request at the end!" ”

"Request?" Liu Cheng turned his head and said with a smile: "Say it!" ”

"Please let the last general attack Beijing for the striker! Three days, no, within two days, I will definitely plant your banner in front of the palace of the Ming Kingdom! ”

Gesang's request immediately aroused a wave of opposition, and Hazar was the first to jump out: "Lord Gesang, you can't take all the benefits, right?" Tonghua has already been taken down by you, but we still haven't done anything? Could it be that when we went back, my mother-in-law asked me what I had done on this trip, and I replied that I had followed the camel to Beijing without even shooting an arrow? ”

Hazar's words provoked a chorus of approval, and everyone expressed their dissatisfaction with Gesang's despicable behavior in wanting to monopolize the great work, and asked Liu Cheng to be the vanguard of the attack on Beijing.

Faced with the call of his subordinates to fight, Liu Cheng did not answer, but looked at Yue Tuo on the side, this Jurchen nobleman had been silent all this time, in stark contrast to the Han and Mongolian generals who were actively seeking war.

"What do you think?" Liu Cheng said with a smile.

Yue Tuo smiled: "Your Royal Highness the Regent, you Han people have a saying; 'How can the general of the defeated army be brave? 'I am your defeated general, and you can live to this day with your magnanimity, how can I dare to talk about military affairs in front of you?' ”

"You can't say that! It wasn't all your responsibility to lose the city in the first place! Liu Cheng said with a smile: "Your starling brother also has some responsibility, I invite you to come with me this time, I want to borrow your ability, don't shirk!" ”