There is a saying that goes, 'It's hard to persuade a damn devil with good words!'
Although this sentence is cruel, in many cases, it is the true truth.
Sure enough, before noon, the scouts ahead sent back the news.
Yang Guozhu's Xuanfu army pursued the Qing army to Niujiaqiao, sixty miles south of Tongzhou. They were ambushed by the Qing army and suffered heavy losses. Yang Guozhu fled back to the Ming army's garrison in Tongzhou with only less than 3,000 guards' cavalry battalions.
There were originally more than 10,000 people in his army, but because of this rash advance, Yang Guozhu's family fortune was completely wiped out in the past few years.
When Liu Ruyi heard the news, she felt quite uncomfortable.
Using one's own shortcomings to attack the enemy's strengths is an extremely irrational behavior.
War is not a child's play, let alone a game. Every move and every decision made by the generals is related to the lives and fortunes of the soldiers under his command!
Yang Guozhu is loyal to the emperor. This seems to be correct.
After receiving the order from the court, he immediately mobilized his army to pursue the Qing army that had entered the heart of the Ming army.
But the question is, is the court's decision really the right one?
All the ministers of civil and military affairs in the dynasty seemed to be very knowledgeable and talented, but how many of them could really know the military affairs?
For example, Yang Sichang, the current chief assistant, was born in a wealthy family. He was famous for his talents since he was young, and his official career was smooth. But at this time, he single-handedly supported the cause of suppressing bandits in the entire south of the Ming Dynasty. But he tried his best and worked hard. , but still have no ability to change the situation in Huguang and Sichuan.
It's not that he doesn't try his best, it's that he really doesn't have the ability to dominate the world!
Although Liu Ruyi finally fulfilled Yang Sichang's wish, the old man, after all his hard work, was already terminally ill and would die soon.
When he was in Huguang, Liu Ruyi originally wanted to visit Sichuan in person to visit the last "good minister" of the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, with all kinds of complicated things and the entrance of the Qing army, Liu Ruyi was really powerless and could only stay in his heart. I hope that Yang Sichang can overcome this obstacle.
Not long after, there was a commotion outside the tent, and soldiers came in to report: "General, Yang Guozhu's strong army from Xuanfu Town is here!"
Liu Ruyi frowned slightly, but relaxed in an instant, "Please!"
"yes!"
After a while, Yang Guozhu came to Liu Ruyi's tent under the guidance of his own soldiers.
After not seeing each other for a day, Yang Guozhu seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. His hair, which was originally black and white, was now gray, and the layers of wrinkles on his face were like the wasteland in the northwest desert. He looked at Liu Ruyi, Before I said anything, tears fell out first.
"My condolences, Marshal Yang! What happened this time... ugh!" Liu Ruyi didn't know how to comfort this last 'loyal general' of the Ming Dynasty, so she just sat silently with him.
Yang Guozhu sobbed for a while, but still couldn't calm down.
I'm afraid he may have shed more tears today than in his entire life.
After a long time, Yang Guozhu sighed deeply, "Hey~~! Brother Liu, I regret not listening to what you said back then! I, did I really do something wrong? How pitiful! I have pity on my more than ten thousand disciples of Xuanfu Town Ah! How should I explain to their family members and relatives!"
In fact, the main reason why Yang Guozhu was able to quickly train this group of new troops in Xuanfu Town after more than a year of hard work was because he had Liu Ruyi's influence.
In the Battle of Songjin, Liu Ruyi and the Caishi Army became famous all over the world!
The friendship between Yang Guozhu and Liu Ruyi was well known to the world. With Liu Ruyi's name, the sons of Xuanfu Town also had an inexplicable confidence in Yang Guozhu. When the Xuanfu army expanded, they all eagerly joined him.
!
But none of them expected that before the war even started, they would inexplicably become political cannon fodder, and even their corpses would be difficult to preserve.
‘Die before leaving the army!’ This is probably the greatest sorrow for a man.
Liu Ruyi rubbed her temples tiredly, looked into Yang Guozhu's eyes and said, "Yang Shuai, things haven't gotten that bad yet. You have to cheer up! This war has just begun, and we still have many opportunities!
In this battle, I, the Ming Dynasty, will win!"
Liu Ruyi said firmly without any hesitation, which made Yang Guozhu a little stunned. He said with a slight trembling: "Liu, no, General, you, do you have a good plan to defeat the enemy of the Manchu Qing Dynasty?"
Liu Ruyi couldn't bear to deceive Yang Guozhu, and slowly shook her head, "Not yet! However, it depends on people, we still need to wait patiently, there will always be opportunities!"
Yang Guozhu couldn't help but be a little disappointed, but he also knew that the Qing Dynasty was powerful, and Liu Ruyi's safe approach was the only way to win.
~~~~~
Yang Guozhu left, but Wang Pu came to Liu Ruyi's tent in a hurry.
He is Liu Ruyi's die-hard younger brother, so he is naturally much closer to Yang Guozhu. He does not have too many scruples when speaking, "Brother Liu, I just saw Yang Shuai leaving here. He? Did he come to see you?"
Liu Ruyi nodded, "It's a pity that there are more than ten thousand people in Xuanfu Town!"
"Hey!" Wang Pu also sighed, "Old Yang is too serious! Brother Liu, you have told him clearly, but he still...hey! This is all life!"
Liu Ruyi couldn't deny it and changed the subject: "Is there any latest news from the imperial court?"
"Brother Liu, if you don't tell me, I really forgot! This time, I came here just for this news!" Wang Pu became more energetic when he heard this, and lowered his voice: "I heard rumors in Beijing that the South Camp was attacked by the Qing army last night.
The emperor was furious and killed several eunuchs and maids of the governor with a cane. This morning, the news of Yang Shuai's defeat caused an uproar in the court. At this time, the emperor and the senior ministers were still discussing matters. I believe that with
It won't be long before the news comes!"
Liu Ruyi nodded.
At this point, there are almost no secrets in Beijing. Emperor Chongzhen is probably having a hard time now!
However, Liu Ruyi had no time to pay attention to Emperor Chongzhen's thoughts at this time. After today, Liu Ruyi also guessed some of Huang Taiji's thoughts, which was to give himself severe eye drops.
Near Tongzhou, troops from nine sides were defending. Even if Huang Taiji attacked with all his strength, he would not be able to escape too much advantage. The only thing he could choose was the weak links on the periphery of the capital.
To be honest, Liu Ruyi was happy to see Huang Taiji's behavior from the bottom of his heart!
After all, Emperor Chongzhen will understand who is the pillar of the Ming Dynasty only after Huang Taiji ‘beats’ the Emperor Chongzhen painfully!
In contrast, Liu Ruyi will also get greater rights!
But the blatant and rampant behavior of the Manchus, intentionally or unintentionally, was a huge blow to the morale of the Ming army!
Just imagine, except for the city of the capital, except for Tongzhou where the nine-sided army is garrisoned, and all the places in the capital can no longer make people feel any sense of security, then the material supply line of the Ming army will be seriously affected.
This is something Liu Ruyi is absolutely not happy to see!
At this point, Huang Taiji still has to understand that he can't stretch his hands too long...
~~~~~~
Forbidden City.
The court meeting has ended, but no results have been reached.
Emperor Chongzhen brought several close old ministers into the imperial study and became furious.
"Let's talk about it! What should we do now? Huang Taiji has put the knife on my neck. What do you think we should do about this matter? Ah! On weekdays, don't all of you call yourself a romantic genius?
What? What? Until now, when our Ming Dynasty is in crisis, you are all mute?" Emperor Chongzhen's face was ashen, his thin fists were clenched, and he did not leave any face to these senior ministers.
Several dignitaries looked at each other, but all shook their heads.
To this extent, they simply cannot find a solution to the problem!
Is it necessary for the capital camp to attack and fight against the Manchus? How is this possible? Is the safety of the capital still in danger?
Not to mention, with the fighting strength of the Beijing camp, can they defeat the brave Eight Banners cavalry?
Looking at the courtiers around him who were like "doormats", Emperor Chongzhen became even more angry and cursed: "Tell me! What should I do? What is the use of raising you? Ah! Today, my Ming Dynasty has another ten thousand
Yu Jingrui Erlang was killed in battle! Tell me, what should we do about this matter? Are we going to wait for Huang Taiji to attack the capital and let our Ming Dynasty perish?"
Seeing the seriousness of what Emperor Chongzhen said, he was really angry. On the side, Zhou Kui blinked his small eyes a few times and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the person who untied the bell must tie the bell! At this time,
When we reach this situation, the Duke of Qi must take action!"
Although Liu Ruyi had a long list of titles and official positions at this time, people in the army generally called him "General", while people in the court called him "Qi Guogong"!
Hearing Zhou Kui's words, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't help but become even more angry, with a faint green light on his face, "Liu Ruyi? If he was willing to fight, would there be another defeat like Yang Guozhu's today? What is he? He is me
Are you raising him? Zhou Kui, tell me, how can we get him to fight?"
How could Zhou Kui not know about the conflict between the emperor and Qi Guogong?
He did not dare to look into Emperor Chongzhen's eyes, and bowed his head respectfully: "Your Majesty, it is not difficult to get Duke Qi to send troops! After all, he is still a minister of the Ming Dynasty! Your imperial edict has arrived, so he will not resist it, right?"
Not to mention, although Zhou Kui has no ability, he was a fortune teller in his early years and was very good at figuring out people's thoughts. At this time, he simplified the most complex contradictions in Emperor Chongzhen's heart. After all, Liu Ruyi was
Ministers of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor's imperial edict has arrived, and the next choice depends on him!
Emperor Chongzhen also understood what Zhou Kui meant.
'If Liu Ruyi doesn't want to go to war, then he won't come all the way to the capital to help him this time. Could it be that he is too harsh on him?'
But in just a moment, Emperor Chongzhen gave up this idea in his mind, forced himself to calm down, and said, "Draw up the decree!"
"yes!"
~~~~~
At this time, in Liu Ruyi's tent, Liu Ruyi was also trying his best to think of ways to fight against the Manchus.
Huang Taiji's little tricks at this time were small, but very effective.
If he comes like this a few more times, Ming Dynasty may be in civil strife before fighting.
However, at this time, the main force of the Qing army was firmly guarding the front line of Pinggu and Xianghe. Even if Liu Ruyi wanted to take action, there was no good chance.
The war has just begun, and it is far from the time when the final strength is exposed. For the sake of the final overall situation, Liu Ruyi naturally forces herself not to be impulsive!
But things cannot continue like this. The Ming army cannot always be passively beaten...
At this time, the soldiers outside the door respectfully said: "General, an imperial decree has arrived!"
Liu Ruyi was startled, straightened her clothes, and went out of the tent to receive the order.
The eunuch who announced the decree was Cao Huachun. Liu Ruyi had met him several times, but had no friendship with him.
Cao Huachun did not dare to show off in front of Liu Ruyi, so he just said a few polite words and then directly read out the imperial edict.
The meaning of the imperial edict is also very simple. Emperor Chongzhen hoped that Liu Ruyi would find an opportunity to take the initiative to restore the morale of the Ming army's defeat and boost the prestige of the Ming Dynasty.
"Qi Guogong, the emperor has high expectations for you!" After reading out the imperial edict, Cao Huachun smiled and arched his hand towards Liu Ruyi.
Liu Ruyi smiled and said, "Eunuch Cao, what does the emperor mean, has he ever set a time limit?"
Cao Huachun was startled, thought for a moment, and then said: "Well, the emperor didn't say it clearly! Presumably, the sooner the better! However, Duke Qi, you are the commander-in-chief, so naturally all this must be arranged according to your wishes.
!”
Liu Ruyi smiled and nodded.
Isn't Emperor Chongzhen so unreasonable? This time, it just happened to give him face.
"Please Eunuch Cao, please report back to the Emperor. I, Liu Ruyi, will definitely do my best and never return to the Emperor's trust!"
Cao Huachun couldn't help but be overjoyed, "The Duke of Qi understands righteousness and is worthy of being our number one hero of the Ming Dynasty! The old slave will immediately return to the palace and report Duke Qi's intentions to the Ming Emperor!"