Signed to Zhu Cihong, Prince of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 116 Chapter 116, Zhu Cihong led the Southern Expedition, Wu Sangui took the risk

Half an hour later, the Royal Study Room.

Chongzhen looked at the many important ministers of the Ming Dynasty in front of him, and said slowly: "Zhuqing should also know why I asked you to come here. It is time to have a countermeasure for how to fight the next battle to wipe out Li Zicheng's bandit army."

It took only two days for Zhu Cilang's triumphant return, but Chongzhen had already put another troop on the agenda.

This is also something that can’t be helped. Shanhaiguan repelled the Manchus, but it did not alleviate the supply problem on the capital’s side. The large amount of grain and grass seized by Baoding Mansion is now being consumed every day, and it will soon reach a dangerous value.

According to common sense, this kind of matter should be explained by Wu Sangui, Minister of the Ministry of War, but the first one to speak today was the British Duke.

The British Duke stood up and walked to the side rack, where a map was already hung. The British Duke pointed at it with his hand while explaining in his mouth.

"Your Majesty, please look, my lords. Now Beizhili has been basically controlled by us. According to the latest news, Li Zicheng's main elites in Datong, Taiyuan and other places in Shanxi have also gone south to Kaifeng to join him. After the old man and Many generals have discussed and agreed that if troops are to be sent out now, they will mainly be in three directions: Shanxi, Shandong and Henan."

Chongzhen said: "Which direction does the British think is better?"

The British are fair: "In the direction of Shanxi, it is the closest to the capital. Considering that the main force of the bandit army in Shanxi has gone south, it should be relatively easy to recover Shanxi. However, Shanxi's land is poor and the population is relatively scarce, and the food produced is not much and it cannot provide enough soldiers. Therefore, I believe that attacking Shanxi can only be a bad idea."

Chongzhen said: "What about the best policy and the middle policy?"

The British are fair: "Li Zicheng is now in Kaifeng, Henan, and wants to regain his strength, but the current military strength of Ming Dynasty is obviously better than that of Li Zicheng. If he goes south to directly attack Kaifeng, if he succeeds, he will not only hope to completely defeat Li Zicheng, but also will be defeated by Li Zicheng. Occupied Shandong was separated from other areas.

However, attacking Kaifeng is not without risk. Daming still lacks supplies. If Li Zicheng sticks to Kaifeng and chooses to fight a protracted war with our army, our army may eventually run out of food and grass.

Moreover, Henan was the place where Li Zicheng's persecution was the most severe and where the wars have been the most violent over the years.The residents here can be said to be empty, and the farmland is completely uncultivated. Not only is there no food production, but even the imperial court needs to allocate food for disaster relief. "

Chongzhen nodded and said, "So your best strategy is to attack Shandong."

The British Duke nodded and said: "Your Majesty's words are very true. From my point of view, there are many benefits to attacking Shandong. First of all, Li Zicheng has now transferred all the main forces that can still fight in his various places back to Kaifeng, Henan. The bandit army in Shandong is also very weak. Unbearable, it can easily be conquered by the main force of our army.

Secondly, if Shandong can be regained, then the traffic between the capital and the south of Daming can be opened up, and a steady stream of grain can be transported from the south of the Yangtze River to the capital through water transportation, which will immediately alleviate the plight of the capital's shortage of grain and grass.

In the end, after regaining Shandong, Daming will be able to encircle Li Zicheng's Henan from the east, south, and north. When the time comes to march on three sides, Li Zicheng will definitely be defeated in one fell swoop! "

After listening to the words of Duke Ying, Chongzhen couldn't help nodding.

In all senses, the British public's three strategies seem to be relatively safe.

So Chongzhen said: "If you have anything to say, you can express your opinions."

There was a brief silence in the imperial study room, and it was obvious that everyone had no objections.

So Chongzhen said: "Then, let's attack Shandong first."

Taking Shandong, opening up the channel with Jiangnan, and further isolating Li Zicheng are curious in various senses, and Chongzhen naturally chose this strategy.

Then, Chongzhen hesitated again.

Of course a war has to be fought, but who should be chosen as the leader?

The British Duke volunteered: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army to share the worries for Your Majesty!"

Li Guozhen was not to be outdone: "Your Majesty, I am also willing to go to Shandong!"

Wu Sangui hesitated for a moment, and then also spoke: "Your Majesty, I also want to share your worries for Your Majesty."

Zhu Cihong even said immediately: "Father, the sons and ministers also want to go out with the army!"

No one said anything when the other two people were talking, but when Zhu Cixiang spoke, the situation immediately changed.

Fan Jingwen couldn't help saying: "His Royal Highness, the capital is safe now, why should His Highness risk his life?"

Several other ministers also persuaded: "Your Highness, there is no need." "Please also ask Your Highness to assist His Majesty to sit in the capital together."

Zhu Cihong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he thought to himself, do you think that this palace is willing to go to the battlefield every day to see the dead?But if Bengong doesn't go, Daming really won't be sure to win.

I have to go!
Zhu Cihong said sternly: "Everyone, what you said is wrong. Now my Ming Dynasty is in a critical situation. As His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Ming Dynasty, he should take the lead in boosting morale. How can he hide in the safe rear? Besides, there are so many internal and external troubles in Daming now. , that can only be eradicated by war, if I, as the crown prince, know nothing about war, how can I help Daming get rid of Li Zicheng, Jianu, or other disasters in the future?"

Zhu Cihong's rhetoric for Daming's good really stunned the others.

Chongzhen also felt warm in his heart, and his eyes became kinder when he looked at Zhu Cixiang.

This is my son, dedicated to the country!
Chongzhen coughed and said, "Then Hong'er, you are still the supervisor of the army this time."

Chongzhen thinks this is very good, the child is willing to contribute to the country, why not let him go?

As soon as Chongzhen opened his mouth, other people naturally couldn't say anything more.

Zhu Cihong hurriedly said: "Thank you, Father. By the way, I'm used to cooperating with the Duke of England and Uncle Xiangcheng. How about this time, Father let them continue to go to Shandong with my son."

Zhu Cihong's purpose is very simple, that is to prevent this guy Wu Sangui from taking power, otherwise he doesn't know what will happen.

Wu Sangui: "..."

Although he knew that Zhu Cihong was targeting him, Wu Sangui couldn't talk right now.

Chongzhen hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Wu Sangui.

Originally, Chongzhen thought that Wu Sangui was still a talent for fighting, so he appointed him as the general soldier of Liaodong.

But after the Shanhaiguan battle was fought a few days ago, Chongzhen read the battle report afterwards and found that Wu Sangui seemed to be the same thing, and was almost beaten to the ground by Jiannu.

On the contrary, it was the British Duke who regained Baoding, and Li Guozhen who succeeded Wu Sangui and violently beat up the slaves. These two were the real talents.

Chongzhen had already made up his mind when he thought of this, and said: "Since this is the case, let the Duke of England and the Boss of Xiangcheng lead the army! As for Wu Shangshu, you are in charge of the rear and supply the army with food and military supplies."

Ying Gong and Li Guozhen were naturally overjoyed when they heard the words, while Wu Sangui's face was extremely ugly, but he could only accept his orders.

The meeting ended here, and everyone went back to their homes. After Wu Sangui returned home, he inevitably lost his temper again.

"This damned prince is ruining my affairs again!" Wu Sangui cursed extremely angrily.

Wu Sangui also couldn't figure out why Zhu Cihong kept targeting him.

Isn't it ten days and a half months late to support Beijing City?

Isn't it just a little bit of connection with the Manchu Qing Dynasty?

Just such a small mistake, Wu Sangui is going to be knocked down, just not given a chance?

Wu Sangui sat on the ground panting heavily, Chen Yuanyuan came in quietly and lay on Wu Sangui's body: "Husband..."

Wu Sangui shook his head, pushed Chen Yuanyuan away: "I'm not in the mood now, you go back first."

Chen Yuanyuan looked at Wu Sangui in surprise, with an obvious frustrated expression on her pretty face.

This was the first time that Wu Sangui didn't use Chen Yuanyuan to calm down after a setback.

Chen Yuanyuan left unhappily, Wu Sangui sat alone for a while, and asked people to find a bunch of confidantes.

Sitting in the study of the Wu Mansion, Wu Sangui's expression had already calmed down, and he said to his confidants in front of him: "Just now, your Majesty's decision has been made on the side of the court, and we will send troops to Shandong soon. But due to the Crown Prince's objection, this This time, the official can still only sit in the capital."

When the confidantes heard it, they immediately exploded.

"His Royal Highness is really too much."

"Why are you always targeting us?"

"This is unreasonable, sir. We must discuss this matter with His Majesty."

These people are all Wu Sangui's confidantes, since Wu Sangui has no chance to go to war, then they naturally have even less.

Others go out to earn military merits and get promoted to ranks, they can only watch helplessly in the city of Beijing, who will not be angry?

Wu Sangui's eyes flickered, and when his confidants were almost full of anger, he finally spoke again: "Originally, I respected His Highness the Crown Prince very much. But you have also seen that His Highness the Crown Prince suppressed you again and again. This official and you. If this continues, neither this official nor you will have a bright future!"

Wu Sangui's words immediately won the support of his confidants.

"My lord is too right, I have to find a way."

"This prince must be taught a lesson!"

"Sir, just tell me what to do, and we will all listen to you!"

Wu Sangui wanted this kind of attitude. After hearing the words, he smiled slightly and said, "Your families are all in the capital, and you must have more or less contacts. This time, I want to plan a big operation, and I need your family Your contacts are growing, do you have any questions?"

Many confidantes said in a mess: "No problem!" "Your Excellency, just do it!"

In this way, Wu Sangui gave instructions to his confidants, and after listening to them, all their confidants' eyes lit up.

"Don't worry, my lord, we can definitely do it!"

"This time, let His Royal Highness know that he is just a prince, and he is not qualified to do whatever he wants within Daming!"

Everyone also worked together and vowed to teach Zhu Cihong a lesson!
(End of this chapter)