The farmland has been harvested, and the weather in early winter is already more chilly than in previous years, but the village is filled with joy.
The village is not big, with more than a hundred households. The villagers and relatives are all familiar faces.
After the sound of firecrackers, the suona, gongs and drums and other musical instruments played again. It was festive music and the excitement of welcoming the bride.
"Hehe, hehe!" Wu Xingzhu let out a silly laugh, looking at the groom on horseback with envy flashing in his eyes.
The companion next to him touched Wu Xingzhu with his arm and teased: "What are you laughing at? It's not like you are getting married?"
Wu Xingzhu stopped laughing, wiped his mouth subconsciously, and said: "Don't tell me, this guy looks like a dog even in wedding clothes!"
The companion nodded and said: "When you get married, you have to look good no matter what. Even if there is a famine, you still have to show your face."
After a pause, he looked at Wu Xingzhu and asked, "What about you, how much money have you saved? Do you have enough to marry a wife?"
Wu Xingzhu shook his head and said: "This year's harvest is very average. I plan to go to Ximen to pull coal and make more money this winter."
A familiar and longing figure appeared in his eyes, standing opposite, also with a smile on his face, chatting and laughing with the female companion next to him and watching the fun.
Wu Xingzhu couldn't move his eyes away immediately. That was Guihua, a girl from the He family, whom he had played with when they were children.
As we grew up, we saw him less frequently, but when Wu Xingzhu saw him accidentally, he felt like he was carrying a rabbit, and he jumped happily.
Osmanthus looked so pretty when she smiled. Wu Xingzhu seemed to see the dimples on Osmanthus's face. He couldn't help but grinned and showed a silly smile.
"Is that Xiaoqin next to the sweet-scented osmanthus?" The companion was paying attention to another girl, staring at it with bright eyes, and said: "She came back last year, she hasn't seen each other for a few months, and the longer she gets, the prettier she becomes."
"Well, it seems to be called Xiaoqin." Wu Xingzhu just glanced at it, then looked away, and replied perfunctorily.
"In a few days, let's go pull coal together." His companion suddenly became energetic, which surprised Wu Xingzhu.
Shrugging his shoulders, Wu Xingzhu didn't think too much. His heart was filled with the shadow of sweet-scented osmanthus, and his eyes went crazy looking at it.
Osmanthus seemed to be aware of it, her big eyes suddenly opened, she looked towards Wu Xingzhu and frowned slightly.
Another burst of firecrackers sounded, and Wu Xingzhu's gaze suddenly became clear, and he looked away in embarrassment.
In the bright red sedan chair and the bright red wedding clothes, the groom was in high spirits on the horse, grinning, and kept arching his hands to the acquaintances on the roadside.
The onlookers burst into laughter and seemed to be infected by the festive atmosphere. This is the joy of ordinary people. It is so simple to have enough to eat.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance of the village. It was not loud at first, but soon became noisy.
"What, what are they shouting?" The companion scratched his head and looked around.
Wu Xingzhu blinked and could already see panicked people running and screaming in the distance.
"It seems like it's called 'Jian Nu'?" The companion looked at Wu Xingzhu, as if he wanted to get confirmation. Looking at his expression, it was obvious that he hadn't reacted yet.
Wu Xingzhu opened his eyes wide. He heard clearly. Yes, they were shouting "Jiannu" and "Tatar".
Chaos and panic spread quickly, and more and more people heard panicked screams.
"Jian Nu is here to kill us!"
"The Tatars are coming, run!"
When people heard and reacted, they immediately felt like they were struck by lightning. They were dumbfounded and then felt uncontrollable fear and panic.
Jiannu and Tatar are not unfamiliar names, but they have a distant feeling.
Over the years, these murderous and looting barbarians seemed to have been far away from people's lives. Only from the court and other news channels did people know that the barbarians were still very ferocious, but they were thousands of miles away.
In people's minds, I'm afraid they will never see barbarians in this life. No matter how ferocious the barbarians are, can they still attack the capital?
The villagers were confused and stupid, followed by chaotic thinking and chaotic actions. Out of instinct, they didn't know where to escape, and home might be the only option.
"Run!" His companion yanked Wu Xingzhu and followed the frightened crowd towards his home.
Wu Xingzhu also woke up from a dream, took steps towards his home where he thought he was safe.
The thunderous sound of horse hooves has already sounded outside the village, which only intensified people's panic. Adults shouted, children cried, some fell, some were injured, some screamed, and some howled.
………………
On the first day of November, the capital was under martial law.
On the fifth day of November, Yuan Chonghuan could no longer sit comfortably in the strong city of Ningyuan. He first led deputy general Zhang Hongmo and general Zhang Cunren to guerrilla in Yongshou. Zhang Waijia, Cao Wenzhao and others entered the pass for reinforcements.
The next day, Yuan Chonghuan mobilized generals Zheng Yilin, Wang Chengyin, guerrilla Liu Yingguo and the commander-in-chief Zu Dashou to assist them. At this time, eight days had passed since Jianlu entered the pass through Xifengkou.
After entering the customs, Yuan Chonghuan guarded Shanhaiguan with General Zhu Mei, Deputy General Xu Fuzuo, General Yang Chun guarded Yongping, guerrilla Manku guarded Jianchang, General Zou Zongwu guarded Fengrun, and guerrilla Cai Yu guarded Yutian.
Subsequently, Yuan Chonghuan ignored Yongping and Funing, which were under threat, and Qian'an, which was ravaged by the Japanese invaders, and rushed through Changli and Luanzhou to enter Jizhou.
At that time, the Ministry of War had mobilized reinforcements to Jizhou for reinforcements, including Liu Ce, the governor of Jiliao, You Shiwei, the commander-in-chief of Changping, Hou Shilu, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu, and Cao Minglei, the commander-in-chief of Baoding.
The Ministry of War issued an order: "Join your troops to respond, and work together to block the enemy. If you don't have orders, one step to the west of Ji will be a great achievement..."
At about the same time as the Ministry of War wrote the document, Emperor Chongzhen's imperial edict had been issued, granting Yuan Chonghuan the power to dispatch all Qinwang's military towns.
When Yuan Chonghuan entered Jizhou, he immediately sent a newspaper to Chongzhen, asking the emperor to rest assured.
"...Enter Jicheng, rest your troops and horses, carefully investigate the situation, be prepared to sound the whistle, and do your best to intercept, and you will not let them cross the west of Jicheng... The spirit of the clan, and my emperor is like a great blessing from heaven, and I am a humble minister.
The power of a dog or horse can be used now."
Then, Yuan Chonghuan once again testified in the second Tongbao, "All key places have been defended with troops, and there is no need to worry about Jizhou's code..."
However, Governor Yuan's actual operation was confusing, and it also added another charge to him.
Liu Ce, the governor of Jiliao, returned to Miyun; You Shiwei, the general of Changping, returned to guard the imperial mausoleum; Hou Shilu, the general of Xuanfu, guarded Sanhe; only Cao Minglei, the general of Baoding, and his more than 500 troops remained in Jizhou.
With his back to the fortified city, he did not concentrate his main force to launch a decisive battle with Jianlu, but instead dispersed the reinforcements and divided his troops in various places. Is it possible that Governor Yuan was so confident that the troops he led were enough to resist Jianlu?
"Master Yuan, Miyun is not a pass for the Jianlu troops. I should be entrusted by the Ministry of War to intercept them in Jizhou." Liu Ce, the governor of Jiliao, expressed different opinions on Yuan's dispatch.
There was no way, all the way down from Xifengkou, Zunhua, and Jizhou were under the jurisdiction of the governor of Jiliao. Liu Ce had the greatest responsibility when Jianlu entered the customs from here.
After the entrance to the captives was built, the imperial court ordered Liu Ce to lead his troops to intercept it. "If the horse fails to enter, it will be regarded as a merit. If it penetrates into the interior, it will be regarded as a missed opportunity."
Therefore, Liu Ce quickly led his troops to aid Jizhou. In his view, this was an opportunity to make meritorious deeds and reduce the punishment.
"Miyun is known as the 'Key to the Capital', so what does it mean to be unimportant?" Yuan Chonghuan immediately raised his face and scolded: "Long live the authority to mobilize troops from all walks of life. Is it possible that Governor Liu will resist the decree and disobey it?"
Liu Ce frowned, cupped his hands, and said: "It's not that I want to resist the decree, but I am making suggestions, and there is a document from the Ministry of War. I don't dare to take the risk of losing the opportunity."
Yuan Chonghuan dared to kill military generals, but he could not do the same to Liu Ce, who was also a civil servant. He also understood Liu Ce's thoughts.
After pondering for a moment, Yuan Chonghuan slowed down his tone slightly and said, "Governor Liu doesn't need to worry too much. The arrangement made by this department is reasonable and will be reported to the court. Governor Liu will not be held responsible."
Liu Ce stroked his beard and thought for a while, then finally nodded and said: "In that case, I will obey Master Yuan's order."
Since Yuan Chonghuan was willing to take responsibility, Liu Ce naturally didn't worry much about the orders of the Ministry of War. In fact, Yuan Chonghuan was still able to speak in front of the emperor.
But Liu Ce would never have imagined that this was Yuan Chonghuan's last days. Chongzhen entrusted him with an important task, but there was really no one to replace him. Perhaps it was because he followed Yuan Chonghuan's order that he was beheaded by Chongzhen for missing an opportunity.
If Jianlu could not cross Jizhou, Liu Ce still had hope of survival. But how could he have known that Jizhou, where Yuan Commander-in-Chief Yuan was heavily garrisoned, had been incredibly sneaked past by Jianlu.
Concentrating superior forces, occupying various key points in Jizhou, launching a decisive battle with Jianlu, and ensuring the safety of the capital, this is probably the simplest combat deployment.
What's more, Yuan Chonghuan also swore to Chongzhen that he would not let Jian's captives go further than Jixi.
However, Yuan Chonghuan used confusing and suspicious operations to destroy the illusions of Chongzhen and the court, causing the war to quickly reach the outskirts of the capital.
Is he deliberately instigating the enemy? Or is it that with his little military ability and IQ, he simply cannot command a large-scale battle and can only have a city guard dog at most?
In Guo Dajing's view, Yuan Chonghuan should belong to the latter group. The clues can be seen from the fact that he was fooled around by Huang Taiji and led by the nose.
On November 13, Huang Taiji led his army to Jizhou and set up camp five miles outside the city.
Yuan Chonghuan has already withdrawn his entire army inside the city, preparing to rely on the fortified city and the artillery on the city to stage another victory similar to the Ningyuan victory.
Guo Dajing was indeed right. Yuan Chonghuan and Guan Ningjun could not play any more games outside the city and could not even fight a battle.
Unfortunately, Jianlu did not do as Governor Yuan wished. They only sent two hundred cavalry to confront Guan Ning's army during the day, but they crossed the mountains and bypassed Jizhou at night.
It was obviously impossible to watch the Jianlu soldiers bypass Jizhou. However, Yuan Chonghuan's biggest mistake was to shrink his troops too much and only dare to go out of the city and line up to meet the enemy within the range of the artillery.
If the defense depth is not enough, there is no reconnaissance, there is no intelligence collection capability within ten miles, and the enemy's movements cannot be grasped, how can we fight this battle?
Jianlu had already passed Jizhou, and Governor Yuan's lie that he would not take a single step west of Jizhou was shattered within a few days.
At this time, Yuan Chonghuan didn't know that his head was already on Xiang, and he didn't want to fight to the death to atone for his sins, but he
Another confusing operation.
He rejected Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhou Wenyu's proposal to detach a force to intercept Jianlu on the grounds that his troops were too small. He bypassed Jianlu who were marching in Sanhe, Shunyi, and Tongzhou, and detoured back to Hexiwu.
On November 16, Yuan Chonghuan led his army to Hexiwu, while Jianlu had arrived near Tongzhou. Yuan Chonghuan once again had a choice.
Zhou Wenyu was helpless. He looked at Zu Dashou and expressed his different opinions, "Sir, the general thinks that our army should use Hexiwu as a base to approach the enemy, but it is not appropriate to enter the capital lightly."
Yuan Chonghuan didn't say anything. He just glanced at him and motioned for Zhou Wenyu to continue speaking.
Zhou Wenyu reconsidered his words again and said: "Since the captives entered the pass, our army would either move forward to intercept or follow behind and pursue, but they would not fight a single battle. If someone in the DPRK refuses to fight, they will let the enemy drive them at a long distance.
How to defend a crime in name?"
Yuan Chonghuan's eyes flashed and he looked at Zu Dashou, who advocated heading straight to the capital.
Zu Dashou frowned and said in a deep voice: "We are outnumbered and fighting in the wild. Can our army compete with Jianlu?"
This is to the point. Although Guan Ning's army has many cavalry, they can only run fast. If they want to fight Jianlu in the field, Zu Dashou and others don't have the courage.
Yuan Chonghuan also knew this very well. His achievements were all achieved by adding city walls and cannons. Without this condition, he would have no confidence at all.
Nodding his head slightly, Yuan Chonghuan agreed with Zu Dashou's opinion and said: "The capital has not heard of the police for a hundred years. Once it is shaken, the relationship cannot be said. Our soldiers must arrive at the city first, shield the sacred capital with our backs, and meet the captives in front of us.
This is the complete strategy."
That's right, you definitely wouldn't dare to fight in a field battle, and you wouldn't be able to win. With your back against the city wall, you might still be able to fight.
Yuan Chonghuan's words were beautiful, and he seemed to be worried about the soldiers and civilians in the capital, but the reality was that the military was already timid.
Zhou Wenyu was a little worried about this and said hesitantly: "If the soldiers from outside the town go to the city without following the clear instructions, will they incur criticism?"
Yuan Chonghuan said with emotion: "If your father is in a hurry, why should he show mercy to you? If you can help me, you will have no regrets even if you die!"
In terms of speaking generously and speaking without shame, Guo Dajing was convinced by Governor Yuan and those civil servants. How could he speak so grandly and righteously about being timid and avoiding war?
After the plan was decided, Yuan Chonghuan immediately led his army to set off. He once again took advantage of Guan Ning's army to turn into Rufeng, bypassed Tongzhou, and arrived outside Zuo'anmen in the capital on the evening of the 17th.
Neither rushing to intercept nor actively fighting, what is the difference between retreating to protect the capital and allowing the enemy to march forward?
Yuan Chonghuan led his troops to the capital before Jianlu. From the perspective of the soldiers and civilians in the capital, there seemed to be only one possibility: Yuan Chonghuan collaborated with the enemy and deliberately led Jianlu's troops to the city.
At this time, the capital was already under martial law. Chongzhen was shocked and ordered officials from the capital, relatives of the emperor, and generals to take their own servants to patrol and guard the city walls.
At the same time, Chongzhen also appointed many officials to assist in the military affairs of the capital, train troops, raise pay, and manage the defense.
People in the capital were already in panic. There had been no war for more than a hundred years, and the weak defenses of the city were suddenly exposed.
Dong Laishun Tavern has been closed, and He Guizhong was sitting in the room, sorting out all the information he had collected. After a long while, he raised his head, squinted his eyes, and a few flashes of light flashed through his eyes.