Without letting the imperial court wait too long, the third, fourth, and fifth armies of the Haw Par Army, totaling 90,000 elites, began to assemble at the border between the Haw Par Army and the area controlled by the imperial court under the orders of Wei Zheng.

Of course, the First Army, which was the killer weapon of Wei Zheng, was not idle.

After replenishing part of the garrison troops, the First Army, which suffered considerable losses in the First Battle of Houjin, regained full strength in only half a month.

Subsequently, the First Army, with a total strength of 30,000 men again, began to move to the Liaodong Peninsula under the cover of night, preparing to launch an attack directly on the coast south of the Yangtze River by sea.

Of course, all of this was done in secret, and the imperial court in Nanjing, far away, did not know about this situation.

They only knew that the Haw Par Army had gathered the forces of three armies and was preparing to launch an attack on Henan, Anhui and other provinces from the front.

Compared with the desperate atmosphere half a month ago, with a steady stream of silver being sent to the treasury of the Nanjing City Household Department. The whole court was full of confidence in this battle that was about to break out.

As soon as the news of the main force of the Haw Par Army reached the city of Nanjing, Emperor Chongzhen, who was in a good mood, gathered all the important ministers of the city together to confirm the preparations of the imperial court.

To everyone's surprise, Hube Shangshu, who had always only cried poor in the court, was the first to come out with a smile on his face.

Facing Emperor Chongzhen's gaze at him, Hubu Shangshu said with a smile on his face as if he had eaten a peach: "Your Majesty, the old minister is here to report the good news......

"With the efforts of Lord Zhou, in just half a month, the silver that was escorted to the Hubu Silver Treasury. That's more than eight million taels...... According to the urgent report of Zhou Daren. and two million taels of silver. He was on his way back to Nanjing. In three days at most, the silver reserves in the treasury will exceed 10 million taels. ”

More importantly, the landlords and gentry everywhere were very supportive of the bundle of interests proposed by Lord Zhou. After receiving the holy decree from the imperial court, he not only enthusiastically lent the silver to the imperial court, but also took out a large amount of silver to buy muskets and other equipment, and formed a regiment to train ......"

According to this development momentum, the amount of silver raised by Zhou Daren this time. It is likely to exceed 20 million taels ......"

"Good...... Zhou Aiqing is worthy of being my minister and a loyal minister of the Ming court...... Although Lord Zhou is not in the court today, I still have to say. In this decisive battle between the imperial court and the tiger and leopard army, as long as the imperial court wins, Zhou Aiqing will be the biggest hero of the whole battle...... "Emperor Chongzhen, who was already in a good mood, was in a better mood after hearing the news." Facing the ministers in the court, he praised without hesitation.

After finishing, he was directly under the gaze of the minister's red eyes and jealousy. After quickly fixing his gaze on Tobe Shangshu, he said with the same smile: "Wang Aiqing." You also contributed to the fact that the court and the household department can have today...... From now on, you have to keep the silver in the treasury of the Ministry of Households, and no one can touch a tael of silver without the consent of me and the Cabinet......"

As an old minister who has been following Chongzhen, Hubu Shangshu is very aware of the importance of these silvers.

Therefore, in the face of Emperor Chongzhen's gaze at him, Tobe Shangshu immediately put away the smile on his face.

Facing Emperor Chongzhen, he assured with a serious face: "The minister obeys the order......

For a battle, money and food are the guarantee, and it is very important. However, the armies that really participated in the battle should not be ignored either.

Because, the strength of the army directly means whether the enemy can be defeated on the battlefield.

Therefore, as soon as Chongzhen received an affirmative answer from the Hubu Shangshu, he quickly shifted his attention to the Bingbu Shangshu.

Feeling Chongzhen's gaze, the military department Shangshu took the initiative to stand up and say before Chongzhen could speak.

"Your Majesty, the 120,000 new troops have been stationed on the Yangtze River defense line in accordance with the order, waiting for the attack of the Tiger and Par Army......"

"Not only that, but the troops of Henan, Anhui and other provinces have all retreated to the south of the Yangtze River according to the order. Concentrate all forces, rely on the natural danger of the Yangtze River, and let go of the Yangtze River defense line ......"

"Fan's current location, the Yangtze River defense line has concentrated 120,000 new imperial troops, 50,000 old troops, and 1,200 artillery pieces of various kinds...... In addition, in order to prevent the Haw Par military warships from crossing the river, we have also deployed more than 5,000 catapults and a large number of fire oil canisters along the Yangtze River......"

"Other ministers don't dare to guarantee it, but the Yangtze River defense line will definitely become the grave of the Haw Par Army...... As long as he dares to attack, Lao Chen will have the courage to let them have no return......"

"Good...... Aiqing is really a young sword...... With Aiqing's words, I will be relieved......" The answer of the military department Shangshu is undoubtedly a good reassuring pill for Chongzhen.

However, it didn't take long for a trace of helplessness to appear on Chongzhen's face.

In front of dozens of ministers, he said with a painful face: "It's just a pity that Henan and Anhui provinces are gone...... The imperial court did not put up any resistance, so it gave up in vain and gave it to the Haw Par Army......"

Chongzhen's words, undoubtedly, resonated with many ministers who were loyal to the Ming Dynasty from beginning to end.

Just when the atmosphere in the main hall was slowly becoming more and more depressing, the military department Shangshu immediately stood up and denied it.

"No, Your Majesty, the imperial court did not fail to resist in these provinces......"

"On the surface, the Haw Par Army could easily occupy these identities. However, these are all appearances. When the Haw Par Army completely occupies these provinces, they will find that there is not only resistance in these provinces, but also resistance everywhere......"

"With the support of the imperial court, the number of regimental training in these provinces has exceeded 20,000. With a steady stream of weapons entering these provinces, the number of regimental drills will increase further......"

"The old minister has already given them a document in the name of the Ministry of War...... Ordered them to strike everywhere after the Haw Par Army had completely occupied these provinces; Let these provinces fall into a situation where there are beacons everywhere......"

"Although these regimental exercises are not likely to deal a devastating blow to the Haw Par Army...... However, it is still possible to harass them and cut off their logistics lines...... Therefore, what the old minister wants to say is that the imperial court has never given up these provinces......"

Chongzhen's eyes lit up, as if he had found a bunch of gold ingots, and he asked excitedly: "Aiqing, what you said is true, the group practice really has such a big effect......

After receiving the affirmation of the military department, Chongzhen could no longer see the slightest sorrow on his face.

Not only that, but a hint of confidence from the heart immediately appeared on his face.

Then, with an arrogant face, he shouted: "Wei Zheng, the tiger and leopard army...... I have been defeated by you more than once...... This time, I will wash away all the humiliation I have received with a bitter victory......" (to be continued......