At the end of October, east of the city of Beijing.

Liu Yan led 120,000 soldiers from Shandong to the area of Pinggu County on the outskirts of Beijing, and deployed defenses along the Xun River in the east of Pinggu City to block the Qing army's westward advance.

Pinggu County is one hundred and forty miles away from Beijing City, the county seat is located at the southern foot of Yanshan Mountain, because the county is surrounded by mountains in the east, south and north of the county, and the middle is the plain valley, so it is named Pinggu, which is the gateway barrier in the east of Beijing City.

In the twelfth year of Gaozu of the Western Han Dynasty, Pinggu County was established, which belonged to Yuyang County. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty died in the second year of the Later Yuan Dynasty, and the edict enshrined the great Sima and the great general Huo Guang as the Marquis of Bolu, and the ruins of Bolu City were in Pinggu County.

During the Hongwu period of this dynasty, the imperial court built Zhenluoying, Beishuiyu, Nanshuiyu, Xiong'er Village, and the Great Wall of Yuroshan. During the Yongle period, the imperial court continued to build the Great Wall of Emei Mountain, Huangsongyu, Heishuiwan, Zhangzuo, and General Shiguan. During this period, Pinggu first belonged to Jizhou, Beiping Prefecture, and then changed to Jizhou, Shuntian Prefecture.

In the first year of Chongzhen, the Houjin soldiers surrounded Jizhou, went down to the three rivers, crossed the Pinggu, and Linshunyi County. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the Qing soldiers entered the pass from the Miyun Wall Ziling, and then connected the ancient north mouth and the general Shiguan to conquer Pinggu City.

Every time the Qing soldiers entered the customs and plundered, almost all of them had to attack Pinggu County, and almost everyone in the city had a common enmity with the Qing soldiers.

This time, Liu Yan set up the Chinese army in the county government in the city, and Zhou Mingxue, the county magistrate, led a group of county officials to be busy, lest the hospitality be inadequate, which angered the governor.

Liu Yan had a good impression of this thin magistrate, at least in the face of the Qing army pressed by the army, he did not leave the people in the city behind, and fled with his family. When Liu Yan led his troops to Pinggu County, Zhou Mingxue, the magistrate of the county, was standing in the city with a cadre of officials and soldiers

His head trembled and he looked at the army outside the city.

"Lord Zhou, let's go back and rest first, the governor is going to prepare for the military meeting."

In the hall of the county government, Liu Yan smiled and beckoned Zhou Xueming to go back, Zhou Xueming respectfully bowed his hand and said: "Hehe, the governor is busy with military affairs first, and the subordinate is waiting in front of the county office. ”

"yes, okay."

At this time, the commanders and generals of each battalion had already arrived, and several generals and guerrilla generals of the New Army, including Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Chen Xun, Wang Yue, Wang Bo, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo, and Qian Yue, as well as Zheng Yi, the commander of the second battalion of the garrison, Han Qin, the commander of the third battalion, and Shang Zili, the commander of the fifth battalion, also arrived.

In addition, Xun Jingyun, deputy director of the Shogunate's military department, Bao Xuezhen, director of the medical department, and Wu Guojin, director of the intelligence department, who were in charge of military discipline and logistics in the army, also sat in the hall.

"Everyone is together, let's get down to business."

Everyone looked over, Liu Yan ordered someone to unfold a map urgently drawn by the Intelligence Department, and everyone came over one after another, only to see that it was the topographical map of various places in Beizhili.

"Everyone, please see, according to the news transmitted back by the various departments at night, at present, more than 300,000 soldiers and horses of the Qing army have set off from Jizhou City and are heading towards Pinggu County."

Liu Yan's finger immediately put his finger on the map, and said: "This river is the Xun River, which is generally in a north-south direction, and there are ferries and bridges in Pinggu County, which is the most convenient, and the Qing army will definitely take the Pinggu line, not Sanhe County in the south." Therefore, all battalions of our army should take Pinggu County as the center and deploy defenses as soon as possible. ”

"Yes."

Immediately, Liu Yan deployed the battalions, stationed the personal guard battalion and the middle battalion in Pinggu County, and the front battalion was in the mountains around Huangsongyu north of the county seat

The rear camp is stationed in the area of Mafang south of the county seat.

In order to strengthen the strength of the north and south of the county, Liu Yan assigned the second battalion of the garrison army to the front battalion, and the third battalion of the garrison army to the rear battalion.

The remaining Fifth Battalion of the Garrison Army, as well as the Left Battalion, Right Battalion, Cavalry Battalion, and Artillery Battalion of the New Army, were all stationed in the vicinity of Pinggu County and were used as mobile forces.

"This time the Qing army is attacking with the strength of the whole country, this battle must be very cruel, you must be mentally prepared."

Liu Yan's face was solemn, and he understood that this battle would be the most severe test since the formation of the new army, and it was even more cruel than the original battle of Julu.

Therefore, Liu Yan formulated this strategy of defensive counterattack, first relying on the Xun River to establish a defensive line, consuming the strength of the Qing army as much as possible, and then finding an opportunity to counterattack.

"The troops deployed in the north and south directions of Pinggu County will go to survey the terrain today, deploy a defensive line in favorable terrain as soon as possible, and rely on the mountains and the Xun River to block the Qing army's attack."

"Each battalion must maintain contact with the Chinese army every day to prevent a small group of soldiers and horses from breaking into the defense line by the Qing army."

"Yes!"

After the military discussion, Liu Yan left Xun Jingyun behind and said: "We must be fully prepared for this battle, all the money and food of the army are hoarded in Pinggu County, and we must also send people to ask the court for money and food." ”

Xun Jingyun frowned slightly, and said, "Governor, can the imperial court still come up with money and grain?" ”

Liu Yan said: "Whether we can take it out or not, we have to reach out and ask for it, otherwise the adults in the court will think that I, Liu Yan and the soldiers of the army, are asking for food!" ”

While he was talking, Miao Shao went and returned, and said with a smile: "Governor."

Minister, the envoy of the court came, it was an old acquaintance, Ma Shaoyu, the squire of the military department. ”

Liu Yan smiled and said, "Then please come." ”

"Yes."

After a while, Ma Shaoyu came to the lobby with a happy face, and arched his hand and said: "The lower officials come to see the governor, the governor is not harmed!" ”

Liu Yan returned the salute with a smile, said "sit", and then said, "How is the situation in the capital?" ”

Ma Shaoyu said: "It's not a secret, it's been peaceful in the capital these days, but it's been chaotic before, and if you say something disrespectful, it's almost like the death of the country!" ”

Liu Yan nodded, and asked again, "Are there other Qinwang soldiers and horses coming?" ”

"Nope!"

Ma Shaoyu said angrily: "The military department has issued an order, but only the governor has led the army to come. It's a pity that the dynasty has always treated those soldiers and generals well, but when they are in danger, they all support their own troops! ”

Liu Yan was noncommittal, and said secretly in his heart: "Favor? It's just what you think is a favor! ”

"So what happened when Lord Ma came this time?"

Ma Shaoyu smiled and said, "Oh, let's get down to business first." ”

"The lower officer was ordered to come to the army, and the soldiers knew that the governor cared about the world, and the soldiers of the battalions of the new army worked hard and made great achievements, so they specially raised a batch of money and food urgently, and asked the lower officer to bring people to escort them over."

Liu Yan heard that there were some differences, but he didn't expect Chen Xinjia to be so active, and he could still raise money and food to send it?

So Liu Yan went to check, Xun Jingyun and Miao Shao followed, Ma Shaoyu accompanied him with a smile on his face, and soon came to the door of the treasury in Pinggu County, only to see seven carriages parked on the street in a long snake formation, and Zhou Mingxue, the county magistrate, was taking a few officials to help count and register.

Miao Shao immediately burst out laughing

Come, and said: "Lord Ma, with so much money and food, I'm afraid my army will not be able to use it up!" ”

Xun Jingyun also frowned, and said coldly: "The soldiers of my army rushed to attack King Qin, is this how this soldier treats the soldiers?" This is to send a meal! ”

Although Ma Shaoyu was a squire of the military department, he didn't have much confidence in the face of Xun Jingyun and Miao Shao, and hurriedly explained: "Don't be angry, it's not that Lord Chen did this on purpose, but the court really has no money and food." This batch of 30,000 taels of silver and 200 stone of grain is still the salary of the Beijing camp intercepted by the soldiers. ”

At this time, Liu Yan didn't say a word, believing in his heart that Chen Xinjia would not deliberately embarrass himself at this time, as long as his ability allows, it is estimated that what Liu Yan wants, Chen Xinjia will find a way to provide something.

It's just that now Chen Xinjia is also a clever woman, and the financial resources of the imperial court have been exhausted, even if the gods come, there is no way.

"Take the money and food first."

After speaking, Liu Yan turned around and returned to the county office, Ma Shaoyu was worried that Liu Yan would be annoyed, so he hurriedly followed, and was relieved by the kind words he smiled along the way.

Miao Shao snorted coldly when he saw this, and said, "With such a little money and food, I'm embarrassed to take it out!" ”

Xun Jingyun sighed: "At this time, the imperial court can only come up with such a small amount of money and food, it can be seen that the state affairs have reached the verge of collapse, and now it is really an eventful autumn!" ”

At the same time, forty miles east of Pinggu County, in the camp of the two Yellow Banners in Manchuria, Huang Taiji was staring at the map worriedly, while Hauge and Azig were arguing about something, and Fan Wencheng, a scholar of the Inner Secretary Academy, was sorting out the information sent back by the scouts of the various banners.

A moment later, Huang Taiji

looked at Fan Wencheng and asked, "Master Fan, how is the situation?" ”

Fan Wencheng was a good student, and in the 43rd year of Wanli, he was admitted to Shenyang County and was only 18 years old.

In the forty-sixth year of Wanli, the Eight Banners Army captured Fushun, Fan Wencheng and his brother Fan Wenyu took the initiative to ask to see Nurhachi, and willingly turned their backs on their ancestors to be dogs for the Manchu Tartars. Later, Fan Wencheng participated in the decision-making of the Qing army's strategy of crusading against the Ming Dynasty, plotting against Ming officials, attacking Korea, pacifying Mongolia, and building the national system.

It can be said that Fan Wencheng ascended to the throne by slaughtering his compatriots, and the red crown on his head was dyed with the blood of countless Ming people!

At this time, Fan Wencheng said respectfully: "Your Majesty, according to the reports of the scouts of various banners, it has been determined that the Shandong soldiers and horses led by Liu Yan have arrived in Pinggu County and are deploying along the Xun River. It seems that Liu Yan is preparing to repeat his old tricks and use a strong defensive line to block our Qing warriors in the Xun River area. ”

Huang Taiji's brows tightened, and Haoge and Azig on the side also stopped arguing, and the two asked almost in unison: "How many soldiers and horses did Liu Yan bring?" ”

Fan Wencheng said: "The number of scouts from each banner is different, but on the whole, the soldiers and horses led by Liu Yan this time are at least more than 100,000!" ”

Huang Taiji, Haoge, and Azig all gasped, more than 100,000!

In the past, Liu Yan only had tens of thousands of soldiers and horses in his hands, and he had already caused heavy casualties among the Qing warriors, but now there are more than 100,000 soldiers and horses.

"What do you recommend?"

Fan Wencheng said: "Your Majesty, my warriors of the Qing Dynasty are good at mobile warfare, and the Pinggu area is mountainous and surrounded by the Xun River

, which is not conducive to my Qing Dynasty iron riding gallop. If our army takes a detour, Liu Yan's army of more than 100,000 troops can flank the rear of our army. Therefore, the minister thinks that in the current battle situation, it is best to attack head-on, as long as Liu Yanbu is defeated, the northern Zhili of the Ming Dynasty will be the horse farm of my Qing Dynasty! ”

Huang Taiji nodded and agreed with Fan Wencheng's statement, but how to fight this battle?

At this time, Azig said loudly: "Your Majesty, it is better to gather the armies of all banners, and hundreds of thousands of warriors of the Qing Dynasty will rush to cross from many places in the Xun River at the same time, and watch him Liu Yanru defend!" ”

Haoge retorted: "The Xun River is wide, and those places that can be rushed are those places, it is estimated that Liu Yan has deployed soldiers and horses to defend it strictly, how to cross the river?" ”

Huang Taiji stared at Yutu with a pair of dead sheep eyes and pondered, and said after a while: "Although the area of Huangsongyu in the north of Pinggu is a mountainous terrain, it can bypass the Xun River, and our army should attack from the north with an elite army. At the same time, in the area of Mafang to the south of Pinggu, the Xun River flows gently, and it should be possible to find a suitable place for the army to rush to cross, and use another army of soldiers and horses to cross the river from the south of Mafang. ”

"I personally led the main army to Pinggu County and confronted Liu Yan across the river. In the face of Liu Yan's troops in this battle, our army must not be impatient or reckless, but must take its time, look for Liu Yan's flaws, and then kill with one blow! ”

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

"Order the warriors of all banners to move closer to the Chinese army, and my hundreds of thousands of warriors will march together, arrive at the east bank of the Xun River first, and then slowly march into the army."

"Huh!"

Brought to Hauge, Azig and Fan Wencheng out of the Chinese army's big tent, Hauge and Azig ignored Fan Wencheng who saluted respectfully, as if they were looking at a dog wagging his tail and begging for mercy, Fan Wencheng

Seeing this, he left alone.