Outside the gray battlefield, the Xia Kingdom's troops gradually advanced.

The rebel army did not stop after entering the pass, and headed towards the Xuanfu territory, and no longer wanted to deal with the Northern Xia army.

In fact, the Xia army began to act as early as when the rebel army attacked Ningwu Pass, but never entered the main battlefield.

The remaining Ming army in Ningwu Pass was killed and wanted to fight against the rebel army, but they could not stop them.

Most generals believe that death in battle is the best destination.

Liu's death was just a microcosm of the late Ming Dynasty.

There were few troops to resist later, but there were countless loyal and righteous people who committed suicide on the spot and died for their country. They wanted to perish together with the current social system.

"Your Highness, the rebel army has left!"

The invaders ahead went around and came back to report that there was no one in Ningwu Pass, and the bodies remained all over the place.

Lu Zhou picked up the telescope and looked at it. He was sure that Li Zicheng must be extremely depressed at this time. It was rare for the rebel army to capture the city once, but the number of people decreased.

"Did the people around you win over?"

Lu Zhou continued to ask.

When the rebel army attacked Ningwu Pass, the Xia army took the opportunity to gather the people around.

It is hard to imagine that the population in the Ming Dynasty could still have a considerable population in every village after many years of famine.

As for why the Xia army was able to gather these people together?

That was because the gentry gathered in Ningwu Pass and followed the last loyal generals of the Ming Dynasty.

The officials and gentry of Xuanda are one!

Even if Li Zicheng began to show kindness to the aristocratic race, the class barrier was difficult to overcome.

The great clans of Xuanda Mansion have made their fortunes, either relocating to the customs, or taking out all the money to donate.

This was originally the confidence of the Ningwu Pass defenders.

For the people in Shanxi, the master above their heads is gone, and more people will be free, either joining the trespassing army, or fleeing first and then joining the trespassing army.

The Xia Kingdom's troops replaced Li Zicheng's role. In the battle between the two sides, no soldiers were sent out, and the army gathered the population around them.

After winning the battle, Li Zicheng wanted to absorb troops on the spot, but found that all the villages were empty.

"Your Highness, then the next situation should be done.

Do the people settle down or redistribute the land?"

Xu San dragged his tired body back and reported that the task of gathering the people was no easier than fighting.

"All migrations, reallocate the fields!"

Lu Zhou directly ordered.

The Xia Kingdom is now not short of land. The weather has warmed up and many abandoned lands need to be restored.

It is impossible to settle down on the spot, as this will only make it cheaper and come back to promote the rebel bandits.

"Ode to the Lord!"

Xu San nodded and walked towards the Datong Mansion with his men.

After the bandits and the forced conscription of the Ming Dynasty, the Shanxi region seemed particularly deserted.

The roadside was covered with bones. I don’t know if it was the Ming army who died in battle or the starving people. After the snow melted, many of the remaining limbs were exposed.

It seems that the soldiers and horses of Dashun Country are not as friendly as they imagined to treat the serious people. Some people who really want to farm are still forced.

Fortunately, the Xia army quickly opened up a new area in one winter, and any scattered people could have a place to go as soon as possible.

First gather the population and then distribute the world.

Lu Zhou made a plan to advance to Taiyuan Prefecture and returned to Datong City. The war ahead was under the control of the generals.

And at this time.

The Xia State defenders far away in Liaodong also took action.

Ula led the army in the south of the Mo and had been confronting Wu Sangui for more than half a year.

During this period, Wu Sangui and Xia Guo wrote letters continuously, especially under the contact of Zu Dashou and others, the Ming defenders in Shanhaiguan were mostly shaken.

On this day, Wu Sangui left the pass and went to the post castle in the distance to conduct a court judgment with the envoy of Xia Kingdom.

"Mr. Wu, the capital was in an emergency, and the emperor summoned generals from Ji Liao, Changping, Shandong and other places to the capital.

But why don’t we marching?"

The deputy general followed and asked.

Since the Battle of Songjin two years ago, Wu Sangui's subordinates have been unable to understand General Wu's routine.

Let’s talk about surrendering to the Qing Dynasty. At the beginning, Zu Dashou and others surrendered in Songjin, but Wu Sangui fought to the death.

When the Xia Kingdom was later occupied Liaodong, General Wu still kept a distance from Xia Kingdom and went to Beijing many times to express his sincerity.

Three months ago, I also received a golden belt and a sword of Shangfang given to Emperor Ming...

"Why do we need to march? The threat from Xia State is also quite large. We must always guard Shanhaiguan!"

Wu Sangui said confidently.

"We are ashamed. It seems that Lord Wu is loyal to the country of Ming Dynasty!"

The generals beside him sighed.

In the past few years, there are not many such loyal generals.

I heard that Wang Yongji, the governor of Ji Liao, had no longer listened to the imperial order and was suspected of cooperating with Li Chuang...

"Mr. Wu is a great man! We are willing to die for the Ming Dynasty!"

Several people looked excited.

But some people bow their heads and think about their future prospects.

"Wrong!"

Wu Sangui knocked down the expressions of the generals one by one, and suddenly shook his head.

Looking at Shanhaiguan, the generals around him were all confidants who had followed him for many years.

So he opened his words and said, "We are waiting to guard Shanhaiguan for ourselves!

Otherwise, you think that in today's situation, we will still receive the salary?"

As soon as Wu Sangui finished speaking, the generals showed a sudden expression.

There were countless people who starved to death in the northern part of Ming Dynasty, and the officers and soldiers could not have enough food, but Shanhaiguan only paid 30,000 military salaries.

After General Wu entered the capital last month, he received the court's salary.

These military funds were saved by the emperor's tightening his belt, but there were no other generals. Emperor Chongzhen is now very cautious about the generals, but he only trusts Wu Sangui.

"I, Wu Sangui, are not for the Ming Dynasty!

Remember it for me!

The Ming Dynasty could not be defended anymore, so we had to find a way out for ourselves.

As long as Shanhaiguan is there, it is a big enough bargaining chip.

It can be exchanged for many things and countless money..."

Wu Sangui lowered his voice and said.

The generals understood the meaning, as if the Liaodong soldiers controlled Shanhaiguan and had enough chips, so they needed to watch the "market".

At this time, the excited people frowned again, and some people showed joy on their faces...

"The other generals are not worth it, but we are so popular that we should not sell them at a low price."

Wu Sangui reminded me.

"So, this time we are here to negotiate the surrender, not to borrow troops from Xia State?"

Someone quickly reacted.

“That’s exactly that!”

Wu Sangui nodded without hesitation.

Looking ahead, a group of soldiers had already reached the Yibao, and Shanhaiguan was not just a city wall.

Usually, there are continuous fortresses several miles away from the pass.

When the enemy comes, you can issue an alarm in advance.

In the absence of war, this post castle is still safe, which is equivalent to a buffer zone.

Wu Sangui personally led his generals to show sincerity and hoped to get a good price from Xia Kingdom.

"arrive!"

"Do it!"

Wu Sangui just got off the horse and suddenly turned around.

A group of guards came out from the side, tied up the general who had just expressed his willingness to die for the Ming Dynasty, and dragged it aside and cut off his head.
Chapter completed!