Signed to Zhu Cihong, Prince of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 158 Chapter 158, Fan Jingwen proposed to join forces, and Emperor Chongzhen turned from sunny to cloudy
Capital.

Chongzhen sat in the side hall, watched the cabinet ministers in front of him, and said with some concern: "Is there still no news from Hong'er?"

Chief Assistant Fan Jingwen said: "Returning to Your Majesty, there is no more news from Yongnian City for the time being."

Chongzhen hesitated to speak, but everyone present knew what he meant.

He was just worried whether Zhu Cihong would be defeated by Li Zicheng.

Li Banghua said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, His Royal Highness has defeated Li Zicheng so many times, how could he lose to Li Zicheng?"

This sentence obviously played a good consoling effect, Chongzhen let out a sigh of relief, and said, "It's also the same reason. By the way, how is the situation in Shanxi? Is there any new reward from the British government?"

Apart from the direction of Yongnian City where Zhu Cihong is located, the Manchu Qing army in Shanxi is also a serious problem for Chongzhen.

A large number of Manchu and Qing troops are lingering in Shanxi, and there is no telling when they will appear in a certain passage on the west side of the Hebei Plain. Just thinking about it makes people feel a lot of pressure.

Fan Jingwen said: "The latest news from the British public is that the Jiannu are dividing their forces to occupy other cities near Taiyuan, and are also trying to march further south, but it should not pose a big crisis for a while."

The British public's judgment is actually based on a very simple reason, that is, the supply line of the Manchu and Qing troops is too long, which will make the Manchu and Qing unable to support such a war.

From Liaodong around the Great Wall to Shanxi, the distance of thousands of miles is no joke.

Datong and Taiyuan are still accessible, but it is very, very difficult to continue to the south, which can be said to be beyond the capabilities of the current Manqing.

Chongzhen snorted and said: "Datong and Taiyuan have fallen, and Dorgon has already occupied half of Shanxi. What else can he be dissatisfied with? Ladies and gentlemen, tell me, if I let the British Duke go to recover Datong and Taiyuan, is it an appropriate decision?"

Chongzhen really couldn't hold back anymore.

After hearing Chongzhen's words, the other ministers present panicked and tried to dissuade them.

"Your Majesty, think twice!"

"Your Majesty, the situation on His Royal Highness's side is still uncertain. If the British Duke is allowed to send troops rashly, in case His Royal Highness's side is repeated, there will be no soldiers to defend here in the capital."

"Your Majesty, please be patient for now."

The meaning of the ministers is very clear. The most important task of the British Duke's army is actually to guard the capital, not to regain the land.

It's not that it's not important to regain the land, but that the capital must be defended before anything else.

After some persuasion, Chongzhen was also a little helpless and frustrated, and said: "So I just watched those slaves torture the people of Datong and Taiyuan?"

Facing Chongzhen's question, the ministers present were also completely silent.

What can I do if I don't watch helplessly?

If you want to blame, you can only blame the current Daming, it is indeed still too weak.

Chongzhen was in a waning mood and wanted to break up the meeting, but at this moment, Wang Chengen walked in excitedly: "Your Majesty, Yongnian has won a great victory, His Royal Highness has defeated Li Zicheng, and it is hopeful that Ming will regain the Central Plains!"

When Chongzhen heard the words, he immediately cheered up: "Quick, show me quickly!"

After a while, seeing the battle report written by Zhu Cihong in his hand, Chongzhen also burst out laughing.

"Zhu Qing, Lang'er wiped out Li Zicheng's more than [-] soldiers and horses again!"

After hearing this, all the ministers became very excited.

"It's really good!"

"From now on, Li Zicheng should be powerless to fight Daming again."

"Your Majesty, it is hoped that the banditry will be eliminated!"

Chongzhen was so excited that he even burst into tears.

Li Zicheng's uprising began in the second year of Chongzhen. It is no exaggeration to say that it basically followed Chongzhen's ascension to the present time.

After countless times of suppression, Li Zicheng not only was not wiped out, but became stronger and stronger, and even tried to counterattack Chongzhen at one point.

Now it is extremely peaceful, defeating Li Zicheng one after another, completely weakening Li Zicheng's power.

15 years!

In the past 15 years, does anyone know how Chongzhen lived?
at last……

Chongzhen let out a long breath, and said with a smile: "I know it, I know it!"

The other ministers present also opened their mouths and praised in various ways.

"His Royal Highness uses soldiers like gods, it is really my great blessing!"

"With His Royal Highness the Crown Prince here, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong will all be crowned sooner or later."

Suddenly, Fan Jingwen's heart moved slightly, and he said to Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, since Li Zicheng has been defeated now, after His Royal Highness and the British Guildmaster, maybe we can try to recover Taiyuan and Datong!"

Fan Jingwen's words can really be said to awaken the dreamer.

Chongzhen was stunned for a moment, then slapped his thigh, and said with a smile: "Yes, why did I forget?"

The other ministers looked at each other, and they all saw the new hope on their faces.

It's hard to say whether the British can beat Dorgon.

Whether His Highness the Crown Prince can defeat Dorgon, in fact... is hard to say.

However, if the Duke of England and His Royal Highness join forces, the hope of winning should still be very high.

Therefore, everyone agreed with this.

"What Master Fan said is very true. His Royal Highness and the Duke of England sent troops to Shanxi together. They should be able to repel Jiannu."

"At least it's impossible for Jiannu to continue to show off his might in my Chinese land."

"It can take advantage of the trend to recover Shanxi."

Everyone said something to each other, and the atmosphere became more and more enthusiastic as they talked.

At this moment, Wang Chengen appeared again.

But this time, Wang Chengen's expression didn't look so happy.

Wang Chengen took out a scroll and said to Chongzhen, "Your Majesty, this is the urgent memorial from Ning Nanbo Zuo Liangyu!"

Chongzhen was stunned for a moment: "Zuo Liangyu? Show it to me."

For Zuo Liangyu, Chongzhen did not have a good impression in his heart.

At the very beginning, Zuo Liangyu was considered a relatively capable general, but as his official position got higher and higher, he became more and more arrogant, even embracing his own self-esteem.

Before the city of Beijing was surrounded, Zuo Liangyu had so many troops in Hubei, he just didn't send a single soldier to go north.

Now that a memorial comes suddenly, what do you want to do?

With doubts, Chongzhen read Zuo Liangyu's memorial.

As he read and read, Chongzhen's face became more and more ugly, and finally he couldn't bear it anymore, and slapped the table on the spot.

"This Zuo Liangyu is really brave!"

Chongzhen's good mood brought by Zhu Cihong's victory just now was swept away in an instant.

Seeing such a big reaction from Chongzhen, all the ministers present were also a little puzzled.

Fan Jingwen couldn't help but said: "Can Your Majesty tell the ministers what exactly Ning Nanbo said in the memorial?"

Chongzhen said very displeasedly: "Wang Chengen, please pass it on to all the adults."

Soon, the memorial was circulated by all the people present.

After everyone finished watching, they also looked at each other, the expressions on their faces were quite wonderful.

Zuo Liangyu's attitude in this memorial was extremely tough, not only asking the prince to take responsibility for Zuo Menggeng's death, but also asking Emperor Chongzhen to order Zuo Menggeng to be vindicated and rewarded.

Otherwise, according to the original text of the memorial, it is: "I may discourage the minister and the 20 soldiers under his command!"

Listen, listen, this is simply a blatant threat. No wonder Chongzhen became so angry after reading it.

After all, Fan Jingwen was the chief assistant, so he hurriedly said at this time: "Your Majesty, don't be angry. Ning Nanbo is also too angry after losing his heir. Please forgive me."

Chongzhen said angrily: "Forgive me? He is a soldier who respects himself, who doesn't know in Ming Dynasty? His son actually wants to do this under the nose of Lang'er. It would be better if Lang'er kills Zuo Menggeng. What else could be wrong?”

Fan Jingwen nodded again and again, and said: "Your Majesty's words are very true. But what I want to remind Your Majesty is that Zuo Liangyu is now the only military force of Ming Dynasty in the Yangtze River."

Chongzhen suddenly stopped.

Yes, Zuo Liangyu is now the largest and even the only military leader in the south of Daming.

what does this mean?
It means that if Zuo Liangyu is willing, he can use the army in his hand to directly destroy the ruling order of Ming Dynasty in the south of the Yangtze River at any time.

It's really not a good idea for Daming to break up with Zuo Liangyu at this time.

Chongzhen was very upset in his heart, and said: "Could it be that, as the majestic Emperor of Ming Dynasty, I still have to give in to Zuo Liangyu?"

Li Banghua said: "Your Majesty, for the present plan, you can make an order to appease Zuo Liangyu first. It won't be too late to deal with Zuo Liangyu after His Royal Highness and the Duke of England drive Jiannu away."

Several other ministers also recovered and spoke.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty has many enemies now, so it's better not to rush Zuo Liangyu yet."

"A mere Zuo Liangyu can't make any waves, so let him go."

After some persuasion, Chongzhen was also speechless.

After a long time, Chongzhen let out a long sigh: "I am an emperor, I really don't feel comfortable at all! Forget it, just do as you say!"

On the same day, a letter of decree was urgently sent from Beijing to Jiujiang, where Zuo Liangyu was located in the south.

The content of the decree is very simple, it is to reward Zuo Liangyu, and at the same time admit that Zuo Menggeng died fighting for the country outside Jinan City.

As for the matter of Zhu Cihong's taking responsibility, it is naturally impossible in terms of will.

Some people were worried that this would make Zuo Liangyu dissatisfied, and Chongzhen couldn't bear it anymore: "Why, do I want to abolish my crown prince because of Zuo Liangyu's words?"

In short, even with the news of Zhu Cihong's victory, this day is still full of humiliation for Chongzhen!
"Hurry up, pass the decree quickly, let Lang'er hurry up and head north!"

For Chongzhen, Zhu Cihong was already his last hope to save face.

(End of this chapter)