At the end of August, Liu Yan led his troops into Shanhaiguan, and the army passed through the majestic Guancheng and marched in the direction of the Beijing Division.

Liu Yan rode his horse with the army, and suddenly saw a team of men and horses coming in front of him, it was Wu Guojin, the director of the Intelligence Department, and several subordinates such as Wang Yang, the director of the detective Cao.

Since Liu Yan led his troops to participate in the Battle of Loess Ridge, he ordered Wu Guojin to take people back to Guannei, and specially went to Jingshi and the surrounding areas to explore the movements of the imperial court.

Liu Yan always understood that the key to victory or defeat in the Liaodong War was not on the battlefield, but in the capital, above the imperial court!

In fact, the battle of Songjin in history, if there was no Chongzhen Emperor and a group of ministers of all kinds of "riotous operations", there was no people constantly urging Hong Chengchou to fight a decisive battle, but continued to increase troops in Liaodong, a steady supply of money, food, and military equipment, the battle of Songjin is still unknown, after all, the Ming army led by Hong Chengchou in history actually still has some combat effectiveness, and in the early and middle stages of the war, the Ming army and the Qing army fought vigorously.

A moment later, Wu Guojin and Wang Yang rode their horses to the Chinese army, and several people rolled off their horses, clasped their fists and said: "Lord Qiqi, there has been a personnel change in the DPRK, and Zhang Sizhi, the first assistant of the cabinet, has been dismissed by the emperor!" ”

Liu Yan frowned slightly, Zhang Sizhi didn't have much fame in history, and it had a lot to do with his limited ability.

"Did you change Zhou Yanru to the first assistant of the cabinet?"

Wu Guojin and Wang Yang were stunned for a moment, the two looked at Liu Yan incredulously, and Wu Guojin even asked: "This news just came out of the palace, and not everyone in the capital knows about it, where did the adults know?" ”

Liu Yan smiled and said, "I dreamed it when I was sleeping. ”

Wu Guojin and Wang Yang naturally didn't believe it, but when they looked at Liu Yan, they felt that Liu Yan was unfathomable: "My lord must have other intelligence channels, it seems that you have to work harder!" ”

Liu Yan immediately ordered Wu Guojin and Wang Yang to follow the Chinese army, and then fell into deep thought.

Liu Yan doesn't like Zhou Yanru very much, and even thinks that this person is not as good as Yang Sichang. At least Yang Sichang still has some military talent, although Yang Sichang excludes dissidents and constantly fights Lu Xiangsheng, but he can lead the army to fight, and he is indeed capable. And what about Zhou Yanru?

Zhou Yanru is a native of Yixing County, Changzhou Prefecture, and is said to be smart since childhood, and has served as the editor of the Hanlin Academy, the right Zhongyun, the left concubine, the young Zhan Shi, the Zheng Zhan, and the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites.

However, although Zhou Yanru was very talented, he was better at catering to Emperor Chongzhen's wishes, and finally entered the cabinet in the second year of Chongzhen with the official position of a scholar of the Ministry of Rites and a scholar of Dongge University.

Later, Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren fought with each other, and were once expelled from the cabinet, and finally served as the first assistant of the cabinet again at this time.

Liu Yan still remembers that when Zhou Yanru was the first assistant of the cabinet, he relied on Wu Changshi, Dong Tingxian and other cronies, made friends with internal servants, and accepted bribes, which made the greed for ink even worse in the court!

Even with Zhou Yanru's various actions, after the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs in history, Zhou Yanru was directly incorporated into the "traitorous minister", which shows how he is a person.

"Zhou Yanru has entered the cabinet, and it is estimated that the first thing is to reduce the cost of money and food for the Liaodong army, it seems that the war in Liaodong is even more difficult!"

Liu Yan was even more worried in his heart, but now that the matter has come to this, he has no power to change it, the only thing he can do is to rush to the Henan battlefield as soon as possible, rescue Lu Xiangsheng, and then stabilize the situation in the Central Plains and not let the situation worse.

The officers and men of the new army battalions in Qinglai Town marched forcibly all the way from Shanhaiguan to Beijing, which took only eight days, which can be described as a noble and fast soldier.

When the advance of the army arrived outside the Desheng Gate in the north, the military department received the news, and Chen Xinjia couldn't even believe it. Because according to the estimation of the Ministry of War, it will take seven or eight days for Liu Yan's headquarters to arrive.

"So fast!"

Chen Xinjia exclaimed: "The military report I received before, Liu Yan's department arrived at Shanhaiguan, according to the distance, Liu Yan traveled at least sixty miles a day from Shanhaiguan to the capital, every day, it is really a strong army style!" ”

So Chen Xinjia ordered someone to inform the palace on the one hand, and went out of the city to greet the soldiers of the army.

Outside the Desheng Gate, Chen Xinjia looked at the soldiers of the new family, although it was already September at this time, the weather was still very hot, although the soldiers of the new army battalions were all sweating profusely, and the armor and military uniforms on their bodies were full of sweat and stains, but the spirit of the soldiers was very high-spirited, standing by outside the city, like countless statues, motionless under the scorching sun, which shocked Chen Xinjia.

"It's unbelievable that my Daming still has such a strong army!"

Liu Yan led a group of generals to see Chen Xinjia, Chen Xinjia looked at Liu Yan and others, and said with a smile: "Liu Zongbing beheaded more than 9,000 slaves and thieves, it is really the first great achievement of this dynasty, Your Majesty has drawn up an edict to reward Liu Zongbing and the new army soldiers, this time into Beijing, Liu Zongbing and all the soldiers can rest outside the city for three days, Your Majesty will also choose the opportunity to summon, three days later, Liu Zongbing will lead his troops to Henan to help." ”

Liu Yan clenched his fists and said, "The last general will take the order." It's just that the officers and men of our new army have been tired all the way, and there is a shortage of food and straw and military equipment in the army, so I asked my soldiers to help. ”

Chen Xinjia said: "The soldiers of the new army fought bloodily, and the officers naturally can't let the soldiers lack food and clothing. General Liu can rest assured that within two days, his own officer will mobilize money and food, and at least prepare for the officers and men of the new army for one month. As for the armament, there is indeed no inventory in the arsenal of the Beijing Division, and the arsenal has been emptied before the army, and at this time, General Liu has to figure out his own way. ”

Liu Yan said: "Since this is the case, then there is no need to trouble the soldiers, but the money and food must be sufficient and timely, and the matter of money and food is related to the victory or defeat, so please bother the soldiers." ”

"Hehe, this is natural, Mr. Liu can rest assured."

That night, Liu Yan led his troops to set up camp outside the Desheng Gate, and the next morning, a large number of chariots and horses arrived with the officials of the military department, and some money and grain were transported for the officers and men of the new army.

Liu Yan ordered Xun Jingyun to take people to receive it, and at the same time ordered Bao Xuezhen to take the medical officers of each battalion into the city to buy as many medicines as possible.

Anyway, there is still a lot of silver carried in the army now, and everywhere in Henan, silver is the most useless thing, because there is no place to buy things with silver, so it is better to spend money to buy it in Beijing.

"Your Excellency!"

Xun Jingyun and Bao Xuezhen had just come out of the Chinese army's big tent, and Miao Shao walked in quickly and said, "My lord, someone has come to the palace, saying that the emperor wants to summon your lord." ”

"Hehe, Mr. Liu, I haven't seen you for a long time, do you remember Xiaoshunzi?"

I saw a eunuch walking in with a smile, and the dust in his hand was still gently shaken, it was Xiao Shunzi, the celebrant who went to Qinglai Town to announce the decree to Liu Yan before going to Liaodong.

Liu Yan got up and hugged his fists and said, "Hehe, it's my father-in-law, this town naturally remembers." Father-in-law, please be seated. ”

Xiao Shunzi is very respectful to Liu Yan, originally Liu Yan was the chief military officer with real power, and he was notoriously difficult to mess with, and now he has more than 9,000 slave and thief heads in his hands, which is a great merit for a soaring sky, and he is a eunuch who is a celebrant supervisor, so he naturally does not dare to pose in front of Liu Yan.

"Hehe, in front of Mr. Liu, the miscellaneous family didn't dare to sit. Besides, His Majesty summoned him and asked General Liu to prepare, let's leave now, okay? ”

Liu Yan promised to let Xiao Shunzi wait for a while, and he went to the back of the camp tent, changed into a red official uniform of the chief military officer, and then asked Miao Shao to prepare fifty taels of silver for Xiao Shunzi, but Xiao Shunzi couldn't close his mouth and praised Liu Yan for his generosity.

Then Liu Yan instructed Miao Shao and others to wait in the camp, and he brought a team of guards, followed Xiao Shunzi and a group of brocade guards into the city, and went directly to the palace to the platform.

At this time, Emperor Chongzhen was already waiting here, and the huge bright yellow umbrella cover was erected on the platform, blocking the scorching sun and making the platform very cool.

Liu Yan was also surprised when he saw this, since ancient times, there was no such thing as the emperor and others, which shows how anxious Emperor Chongzhen was to see Liu Yan.

"Minister, Liu Yan, the chief military officer of Qinglai Town, knock to see Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live!"

"Liu Yan! Flatten. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Give a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After some etiquette, Liu Yan finally sat down and looked at Emperor Chongzhen, only to see that Emperor Chongzhen had lost a lot of weight than the last time he saw him, and his eyes could even see a little bloodshot, which showed how anxious the young emperor was from the war in Liaodong and the war in Henan.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't have any official faces, and directly asked about the situation on the battlefield in Liaodong and Liu Yan's opinion on the victory.

Liu Yan looked at Wang Chengen next to him, and saw that Wang Chengen's face was sinking like water, without any expression, so he said bluntly: "Your Majesty, now the situation in Jinzhou tends to be stalemate, our army and the Qing army are in a state of confrontation, and on the whole, our army still occupies a certain advantage, with the geographical advantages of Loess Ridge, Jinzhou City, and Songshan Fort. ”

"But with the transfer of the main force of the new army in Qinglai Town to the south, I have reduced my strength and combat power too much, so in the next battle, the minister thought that our army should turn from offensive to defensive, with the help of Loess Ridge, Jinzhou City, Songshan Fort and other fortifications and cities, constantly consume the strength of the Qing army, and finally force the Qing army to take the initiative to retreat, so that our army can find the flaws of the Qing army, and maybe find an opportunity to severely damage the army of slaves and thieves!"

In fact, what Liu Yan said was a little more euphemistic, which meant one sentence: Without the main force of the new army, the Ming army would not be the opponent of the Qing army, and could only defend and consume the enemy's troops.

Emperor Chongzhen naturally understood, but he sighed.

"Liu Yan, the strategy you said, I know that it is a safe policy, and it is also the words of Lao Cheng to seek the country. It's just that I also have difficulties, the battlefield in Liaodong has been indecisive for a long time, and the imperial court can't hold it up, and it can't afford to fight! ”

Liu Yan hurriedly said: "Your Majesty must not be impatient! The battle of Liaodong is related to the fortune of the country, once our army is defeated, Liaodong will live up to the territory of the Han family, and the slave thieves will reach Shanhaiguan, and all things will be cautious! ”

Liu Yan's words did not get Emperor Chongzhen's reply, but he heard a sigh, and then Emperor Chongzhen stood up, stared at Liu Yan, sighed again, and drove away.

At this time, Liu Yan looked at Emperor Chongzhen's back in surprise, and didn't understand what Emperor Chongzhen summoned him for today.

"Mr. Liu."

At this time, Wang Chengen said with a smile: "Did you understand what Your Majesty said just now?" ”

Liu Yan frowned, pondered, and said: "I understand, the court has no money, Your Majesty is preparing to order the Hong Duchen to fight a decisive battle with the slave thief." ”

Wang Chengen said: "General Liu is a smart person, if the battle of Jinzhou is really lost, and the hundreds of thousands of troops in Liaodong are defeated, then the world of the Ming Dynasty will count on General Liu Bing, and I also hope that General Liu will serve the country and share worries for His Majesty." ”

Liu Yan only felt angry in his heart, even if he was facing Wang Chengen at this time, it was difficult to speak calmly: "Is the court really out of money?" The ministers of the DPRK and the central government, the powerful and powerful in various places, which one is not rich in money, why can't Your Majesty make up your mind? Not to mention elsewhere, just near Jingshi, you can copy out 10 million taels of silver! ”

Wang Chengen didn't expect Liu Yan to be so excited, so he stepped forward directly, blocked Liu Yan's mouth, and reprimanded in a low voice: "Liu Zongbing is cautious!" Although the old slave is a eunuch, he knows who is the mainstay! Listen to the old slave's advice, there is no room for maneuver in the affairs of Liaodong, a decisive battle as soon as possible, maybe there is still a glimmer of life, if it drags on, the supply of the army will be cut off, then it is really a catastrophe! ”

"Don't be so reckless in the future, Daming will still count on Liu Zongbing to lead troops to guard in the future!"

Liu Yan laughed, didn't say a word, and turned to leave.

Of course, in the evening, Xiao Shunzi once again led the Jinyi Guard to the New Army Guard Camp and read out the edict of Emperor Chongzhen in the big tent of the Chinese army.

Liu Yan beheaded more than 9,000 levels in the battle of Loess Ridge, and his contribution was very great, so after the discussion of the Ministry of War, Liu Yan was named Dingyubo, and the seal of the Dinglu General was hung, and at the same time, Emperor Chongzhen also rewarded Liu Yan with 3,000 taels of silver, and the soldiers of the army also had their own rewards.

It's just that there is no specific reward for the soldiers of each department, Xiao Shunzi said: "Hehe, Your Majesty has an edict, this time to rush to Henan is urgent, and the merits of the soldiers of the army have been recorded in the merit book, and when Liu Zongbing returns triumphantly, they will be rewarded together." ”

Liu Yan had no waves in his heart at this time, but he felt that it was not worth it for those soldiers who died in battle, such a court, such a world, must change!

Of course, before this, Li Zicheng's "historical-stirring stick" must be eradicated, and the Manchu Tartars must also be cracked down, otherwise Liu Yan will not have the time and energy to accomplish such a feat.

After making up his mind, Liu Yan thanked Xiao Shunzi for his hard work, and sent 50 taels of silver as usual for the "hard work", and sent Xiao Shunzi away, and said to Miao Shao, Xun Jingyun, Bao Xuezhen, and the commanders of each town: "Order: Early tomorrow morning, the army will march and go to Kaifeng Mansion to participate in the war. ”

Some people died, but not completely......