Signed to Zhu Cihong, Prince of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 338 Chapter 338, Zhu Cihong leads the army to the north, Dorgon can't wait
Many times, there is no hatred between two countries.

The reason for the enmity between the two sides is actually very simple, that is, the two countries are adjacent and both want to become stronger.

In the agricultural era, due to insufficient productivity, if you want to become more powerful, you can only occupy more means of production, and the most important means of production in this era are undoubtedly people and land.

In human terms, as long as you want to become strong, you must expand.

The Ming Dynasty wanted to expand, and the Manchu Qing also wanted to expand, and the two sides were neighbors, which brought huge contradictions.

And this contradiction is different from the previous Mongolia.

The conflict between the Ming Dynasty and Mongolia is a conflict between farming and nomadic peoples, and it is difficult to transform between the two parties.

The Yuan Dynasty established by the Mongols ruled the Central Plains for decades, and what they did was to paint large tracts of fertile land in the Central Plains as pastures, which is undoubtedly ridiculous.

And although Daming also had the great victory of Sapphire breaking through Mongolia in Yuyuerhai (Beer Lake on the border between China and Mongolia), it also couldn't gain a long-term foothold on the grassland.

Lack of the ability to transform into the opponent's way of life, this doomed the struggle between Ming and Mongolia to be long-term.

The Manchus belonged to the fishing and hunting people who came out of the Changbai Mountains. They were very adaptable to the way of settlement and could easily switch from fishing and hunting to farming.

Not to mention the Ming Dynasty, Liaodong occupied by the Manchus was originally the land of the Ming Dynasty, and there were originally a large number of Ming Dynasty farmers living on it.

This is destined to make it impossible for the Manchu and Ming Dynasties to coexist peacefully. The two countries are like two tigers living in the same forest, biting each other until the last moment.

One mountain cannot tolerate two tigers.

It is undeniable that in the past many years, although the Manchu Qing was far inferior to Ming in terms of size, they achieved brilliant victories against Ming in terms of military affairs.

The Battle of Saarhu, the Battle of Kaitie, the Battle of Guangning, the Battle of Songjin... there were many battles, but almost every time they ended in a Qing victory.

All this was deeply engraved in the memory of the emperor and ministers of the Ming Dynasty headed by Chongzhen, and it cast a sufficient shadow on them towards the Qing Dynasty.

But even so, Chongzhen still firmly promoted this battle against the Qing Dynasty.

No one else, just because the leader this time is Zhu Cixiang.

The Qing Dynasty had a brilliant record against Ming Dynasty, but that was before Zhu Cihong appeared.

Since Zhu Cihong officially took over the military power, the Manchu Qing fought against the Ming Dynasty several times, but never won.

On the contrary, it was Daming who fought more and more bravely, not only successfully pacified Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, but also defeated Dorgon's troops outside the pass.

With such a record in hand, why didn't Chongzhen have high hopes for Zhu Cixiang?
Winter is over and a new year of spring is here.

Throughout the city of Beijing, countless people of the Ming Dynasty watched Zhu Cixiang's army marching northward, and their hearts were also burning.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has sent out troops again, this time it should be to fight against the Jiannu!"

"It's long past time for the slaves to be taught a lesson."

"Can you win?"

"What are you talking about? Do you really think His Highness the Crown Prince is the same useless general as before? Let me tell you, this time, Jiannu is dead!"

"That's right, the old man sent all three of his sons to join the army this time, and he's just waiting for them to come back with Jian Nu's head and honor his ancestors!"

"Oh, it's time for you to catch up. My two sons joined the army ten years ago, and they all died in the Songjin War."

"It's okay, don't you have three grandchildren? When they grow up, they will help dad to avenge him!"

"Revenge? Hey, I'm afraid that Jianu would have been wiped out by His Royal Highness by then, haha!"

In the anticipation of everyone, Zhu Cihong rode a horse and led [-] cavalry to leave Beijing in a mighty manner.

On behalf of the imperial court, Ying Gong and Li Guozhen sent Zhu Cihong all the way out of the city.

The Duke of England looked at Zhu Cihong, and said seriously: "Your Highness is going, what instructions do you have for me?"

The Duke of England did not want Zhu Cihong to leave a last word, but hoped to get some advice from Zhu Cihong.

Zhu Cihong touched his chin, and many thoughts came to his mind.

These thoughts were basically based on Zhu Cihong's discussions with his staff and staff in the past winter, regarding possible actions by Dorgon.

But... what should I tell the British public?

Zhu Cixiang pondered for a long time, his eyes passed over the British Duke and Li Guozhen, and finally made up his mind and spoke slowly.

"My lord, the battle situation has always been ever-changing. How can I completely predict it? But what I want to say is that Dorgon's hatred for me is unparalleled, beyond the imagination of many people."

"So, if you have the chance, please be decisive! Only decisive action can bring victory to Daming and truly help Ben Gong!"

Hearing the words, the British Duke was immediately solemn, and bowed his hands to Zhu Cihong and said: "Your Highness's words, I must take them to heart."

Zhu Cixi laughed, waved goodbye to the two of them, and then rode away.

The British Duke stared at Zhu Cixiang's figure, lost his mind for a moment, and sighed: "Your Highness is indeed a decisive and murderous person, how can he do this."

Li Guozhen on the side was quite puzzled from the very beginning, and he was even more puzzled when he heard it: "What kind of riddle is the British Duke playing? Can you tell the general."

The British Duke laughed and shook his head at Li Guozhen: "Buddha said, don't say it, don't say it!"

After speaking, the British prince turned around and got into the car to leave.

Li Guozhen was immediately dissatisfied when he saw this: "Why does this British gentleman look like he is relying on his elders? Huh, don't tell me. Later, I will go to a military advisor to ask, I don't believe that I can't solve this riddle of yours!"

The next day, Ying Gong and Li Guozhen also led the [-] Ming troops to set off for the Shanhaiguan frontline garrison.

On the one hand, this is to coordinate Zhu Cixiang's attack on Mongolia and protect Zhu Cixiang's return channel.

On the other hand, this is also to cooperate with Zhu Cihong's attack, and attack decisively when the situation changes!
As for whether to use a two-pronged approach or one attack and one defense, neither Zhu Cihong nor Ying Yinggong has an answer in mind at the moment.

In the game of this battle, the Ming army is just one of the chess players. How the game will proceed depends on how the other chess player, Man Qing, responds.

In fact, the Manchu Qing's response was far more direct than the Ming Dynasty wanted.

After Dorgon heard the news that the Ming army sent troops, he slapped his thigh and let out a sneer.

"I haven't sent troops yet, how dare this wise man dare to send troops? Very good, immediately call a meeting of kings and ministers to discuss politics, and I want these wise men to know what is wrong!"

Dorgon obviously couldn't wait.

(End of this chapter)