Signed to Zhu Cihong, Prince of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 242 Chapter 242, Emperor Chongzhen hesitated again, Zhu Cihong joined forces with Baigan
The news of Dorgon's expedition was naturally transmitted back to the capital as quickly as possible.

"What, Jiannu sent troops again?" After hearing the news, Chongzhen's expression changed.

Chongzhen immediately called a cabinet meeting.

"Your Majesty, can Uncle Xiangcheng hold it?" Fan Jingwen asked worriedly.

When Chongzhen heard this question, his heart was full of troubles.

You ask me if Li Guozhen can keep it?I still want to ask you!

Chongzhen suppressed the speechlessness in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "I also want to discuss this issue with Zhu Qing. Let's talk about it, should the British Lord send some troops back to help?"

As soon as everyone heard it, they knew that Chongzhen's old problem of hesitation had committed again.

The reason why Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong have been able to make wind and rain in the territory of Ming Dynasty for so many years is that apart from the serious disasters in Ming Dynasty itself, there was a steady stream of refugees joining the bandit army as a source of soldiers, and the fact that the Manchu Qing always came to hold back Daming at the right time. In addition, Chongzhen's own hesitation and vacillation are also a major reason.

On several occasions, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong were almost cornered by the Ming Dynasty and would be dead in a month or two.

But at this time, Chongzhen couldn't make up his mind to kill him directly, and would always deploy troops from the Central Plains to deal with the attack of the Manchus in the north.

After the deployment of troops, cracks appeared in Daming's tight encirclement. Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong took the opportunity to escape, and soon recruited a group of refugees, and continued to fight against Daming vigorously.

This is not the first time this has happened, nor even the second and third time!

Li Banghua hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Uncle Xiangcheng is also a brave and skilled general. There are also elite garrison troops in Shanhaiguan. Why should your majesty be so nervous? If Shanhaiguan really can't resist, let the Central Plains deploy troops It’s also possible.”

Several other ministers also tried to persuade, and their opinions were equal to Li Banghua's.

One or two of these ministers were frightened by the wave of Li Zicheng's siege of Beijing last year. For them, the most important thing now is to kill Li Zicheng, so that Beijing will not be surrounded again in the future!

Chongzhen heard the ministers said so, and his position wavered again.

After thinking for a while, Chongzhen said: "Then let's inform the British public and Xun'er about this first and see their attitude."

Obviously, Chongzhen is still not at ease!
The courier from Beijing quickly went south, rushing to the south at full speed.

When Chongzhen was received, the British Duke Zhang Shize had just arrived in Kaifeng with his army.

The British prince did not dare to neglect, and immediately asked his confidants to discuss.

"What do you think of His Majesty's decree?"

The confidantes quickly divided into two factions. One faction believed that some troops should indeed be deployed to support Shanhaiguan and the capital, while the other faction insisted that Li Zicheng should be killed.

The two factions quarreled endlessly, making the British government one head and two big.

Suddenly, someone said: "Actually, the Duke doesn't need to worry about this, just ask His Highness the Crown Prince's opinion, isn't it all right?"

The British Duke was stunned for a moment, and then slapped his thigh: "Yes, why did I forget this? Obviously His Royal Highness is the main general!"

Chongzhen's previous will was clearly stated, let Zhu Cihong be the main general, and the British Duke be the deputy general.

Isn't it reasonable (to be able to throw the blame) for the deputy general to obey the opinion and arrangement of the chief general?

The British Duke said happily: "Quick, immediately send someone to tell His Highness the Crown Prince about this matter, and see what His Highness's opinion is!"

Thus, another wave of messengers continued to fly southward to deliver letters to Zhu Cihong.

Zhu Cihong was standing on the chariot, surrounded by three thousand prince's personal guards.

Zhu Cihong gazed into the distance, as if waiting for something.

Soon, the person he was waiting for arrived.

This is an army, although the number is not large, but each one is full of energy.

On the two banners at the front are two large characters, "Horse" and "Qin".

The horse represents the consolation envoy of Sichuan Shizhu in the Ming Dynasty, and the hereditary Shizhu chieftain Ma Shi.

Qin, of course, represents the female general Qin Liangyu who now acts as Ma's grandmother and acts as chieftain of Shizhu.

The army in front of them is naturally the famous Da Ming pole army!

What Zhu Cihong wanted to complain a little was that the soldiers of the white-armed army seemed to be on the thin side, many of them had ragged clothes, and their weapons looked quite outdated.

Loyalty is loyalty, but this poverty is also really poor.

Soon, Qin Liangyu and Ma Wannian appeared in front of Zhu Cihong.

"Chen Qin\Ma Wannian met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Cihong laughed, got off the carriage, and supported Qin Liangyu with both hands.

This is an old woman over seventy years old, so Zhu Cihong naturally doesn't need to be afraid of other people's gossip.

"General Qin has such a long life, and he still leads the army to serve the country. This palace really admires, admires!"

Qin Liangyu was obviously flattered, and said: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your praise, old minister."

Zhu Cihong smiled kindly and said: "Come on, Commander Qin, and get on the car with me, and enter the camp together!"

Watched by countless pairs of eyes, Zhu Cihong helped Qin Liangyu into the carriage and drove into the camp together.

Looking at this scene, Ma Wannian couldn't help being shocked.

Although the Baigan Army has always been loyal to Daming, they have never received such courtesy.

That is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!

When they came to the tent of the big camp, the two sides took their seats.

Qin Liangyu got straight to the point: "This time, the old minister brought five thousand white-armed troops. I wonder if His Highness has any military supplies here?"

Zhu Cihong was a little surprised: "Five thousand, so much?"

Ma Wannian at the side was a little embarrassed, and explained in a low voice: "There is a shortage of food in the mountains, so we can only..."

Qin Liangyu coughed: "Wannian, shut up!"

Zhu Cilang understood immediately, and said with a smile: "If envoy Ma Xuanwei didn't mention this matter, I would have almost forgotten about it. Later, I will give you a warrant, and you can go to the quartermaster with the warrant, and they will give you what you deserve. Food, armor and weapons are all replenished."

After Zhu Cihong's words fell, Qin Liangyu and Ma Wannian were startled at the same time, and said in unison: "Your Highness, are you serious?"

Zhu Cihong was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help laughing: "Why, are you still worried that this palace will default on your military supplies?"

Last year, Zhu Cihong plundered a wave of "big dogs" in the south of the Yangtze River. In addition, he just scooped up all of Zhang Xianzhong's foundations. The food, weapons and equipment were piled up like a mountain, and he was not kidding at all.

Ma Wannian couldn't help but muttered: "In the past so many years, I have never heard of a court chief who can allocate all supplies..."

Qin Liangyu couldn't help but glared at Ma Wannian: "Shut up, this is in front of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Only then did Ma Wannian come to his senses, and repeatedly pleaded guilty.

Zhu Cihong couldn't help laughing when he saw this, he definitely wouldn't blame Ma Wannian for this kind of thing, but he was a little emotional.

For an army as loyal as the White Pole Army to reimburse Da Ming, how could Da Ming not even allocate the full amount of supplies in the past so many years?

(End of this chapter)