There is a lot of controversy in history about Yang Sichang. This person is indeed capable, he is really capable, and he is really arrogant. It can be said that he was extremely powerful during the Chongzhen period.
And the most important thing is that before the Battle of Julu, Lu Xiangsheng's troops were divided many times. In the end, Lu Xiangsheng, who was the majestic governor of the world's troops, actually had less than 20,000 troops under his command, and most of them were his own Tianxiong army.
Originally, he also commanded the troops in Shanxi, Datong, and Xuanfu towns. However, in the middle of the road, the troops were divided under various names. They were stationed wherever they were and where there were enemies.
As a result, when Julu and the Manchus went to war, Lu Xiangsheng, the governor-general and governor-general of Xuan Dynasty and Minister of War, only had more than 10,000 people under his command.
Guan Ning's cavalry was hiding behind and eating farts.
Gao Qiqian's refusal to rescue eventually led directly to Lu Xiangsheng's death in the battle, and the entire Tianxiong elite army under his command was wiped out.
Yang Sichang has since become a black spot in his life, and some people even think that he is the culprit who killed Lu Xiangsheng.
However, in Zhu Youxiao's view, the real culprit was Chongzhen Emperor Zhu Youjian. He was always wavering between war and war, and it was raining when he heard the wind.
You could have secretly sent Chen Xinjia to negotiate peace, but in the end you had to summon Lu Xiangsheng from the deadly war faction and give him the title of governor to fight the Manchus to the death.
Yang Sichang was Emperor Chongzhen's confidant and minister of humerus at that time. How do you think he chose?
He knew about Chen Xinjia's peace negotiation. As a result, after the emperor met with Lu Xiangsheng, he wanted Lu Xiangsheng to defeat the Manchus. There were two options, one was to wait for the peace negotiation in accordance with the emperor's wishes, and the other was to fully support Lu Xiangsheng and defy the emperor's wishes.
.
Yang Sichang just chose the choice of most people, and the reason why he was suspected of cheating Lu Xiangsheng was just because he divided Lu Xiangsheng's troops.
Since Yang Sichang chose the former, he definitely wanted to stop Lu Xiangsheng. Before Lu Xiangsheng left the capital, Yang Sichang reminded Lu Xiangsheng several times not to attack rashly.
Lu Xiangsheng refused to listen at all and insisted on fighting the Manchus to the death. Yang Sichang had no choice but to use other methods to stop him. In the end, he adopted the strategy of dividing his troops.
If you don't have soldiers, you can't take the initiative to attack, right? You can't risk your life, right? As a result, he underestimated Lu Xiangsheng's loyalty and courage, and his heart to kill the enemy and serve the country.
Although Yang Sichang did trick Lu Xiangsheng, he probably did it unintentionally. The real culprit was the two-faced Emperor Chongzhen.
If you want to negotiate peace, just negotiate peace openly. If you want to fight, just support Lu Xiangsheng in fighting. The result is that you want to negotiate peace and defeat the enemy. How can there be such a good thing in the world that has the best of both worlds?
Under such circumstances, you, the supreme ruler, don't even have a clear attitude, what do you expect from your ministers? Even Wei Qing and Huo Qubing would have vomited blood on the spot.
The most important thing is that the minister expressed his attitude and opinions and gave you a choice. What is the situation if you neither support nor oppose it? How fun is it?
Zhu Youxiao looked at the "young man" in front of him and said with a smile:
"I think the leader of this journey is none other than you. I believe those military books of yours are not in vain, right?"
"I don't need you to achieve great achievements this time. I just need to work steadily according to the established strategy. If you can't even follow the footsteps, then you, the Minister of War, should be replaced."
Yang Sichang was also very excited. A few months ago, he was just a minor leader that no one cared about. He didn't expect that he would receive so much attention from His Majesty now. It was like smoke coming from his ancestral grave.
Yang Sichang knelt down and saluted:
"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will definitely live up to your majesty's great kindness!"
Zhu Youxiao helped him up and reminded:
"Your task in this battle is to try to attract the main force of the Tartars. Although there are only 25,000 troops, I believe that compared to Xuanda's so-called 50,000 troops, there is a world of difference."
"If you really encounter the main force of the Tartars, don't panic. You can discuss it with the generals. You don't have cavalry to protect your troops, so you can only form a military formation to defend against the enemy."
"If there is no encounter, lead your troops to advance slowly. Do not advance rashly. Wait for my military order or Wang Aiqing's military report and act according to the opportunity."
"I must remember this!"
Zhu Youxiao held his hands on the back of his chair and said:
"You must keep in mind that no matter what the outcome of the process between your two armies, I will not return to the division for rescue. You can only rely on each other to ensure the connection between the two armies."
"If Lin Dan Khan attacks one of your groups, he will quickly report to the other side. It is necessary to clearly describe the situation between the enemy and ourselves, how many troops the Tartars have, and whether the headquarters can defeat the enemy or how many days it can hold on."
"As the saying goes, know yourself and the enemy. Only when you know the details of the enemy can you take the next step. Making the most correct judgment based on the intelligence is the best policy!"
Wang Zaijin and others also began to admire His Majesty at this moment. They did not expect that a young man who was not as good as a weak crown could make such thorough military arrangements.
Zhu Youxiao drank some water to moisten his throat and continued:
"If Lin Danhan bypasses your two routes and goes straight to Miyun, then you will abandon your original plan and implement a two-pronged encirclement."
"Remember, no matter where Lin Dan Khan breaks through, his ultimate goal is here!"
After Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, he pointed at his feet, feeling heartbroken.
"When you complete the encirclement, the two armies will be merged and handed over to Wang Aiqing's command. Quickly attack him from the flank. If he breaks through, intercept with all your strength and kill them all!"
"I obey the order!"
When marching and fighting, there can always only be one voice in the army. Once there is disagreement or disagreement, no matter who it is or what the army is, it will definitely be defeated.
Zhu Youxiao also ordered Zhou Xingwu to start recruiting young men to repair the city's defenses tomorrow, and to stockpile fire oil, gold juice, wood, stone and other materials in the city to be prepared.
He also asked the generals Qin Bangping and Chen Guang to lead the soldiers and horses of the Shenji Battalion and the Taishan Battalion as well as the food, grass and baggage tomorrow night to set off to Xifengkou first, hiding day and night, and concealing their presence.
"Everyone, keep in mind that this battle can be won, but it must not be lost. If someone loses his life and humiliates the country, my military law will not be merciful!"
"Sun Yunhe, in the past few days, you have sent more people to publicize, build up momentum, and tell everyone arrogantly that I am commanding two armies in this city."
"But don't be too deliberate. It's up to you to control the proportion."
"I obey the decree!"
"It's already getting very late. Let's go back and have a rest early to prepare for the army's departure."
"Your Majesty, please leave!"
After a night of military meetings, Zhu Youxiao finally finalized the deployment of the Northern Expedition, the two main generals were determined, and the distribution of troops was completed.
Attack in three directions, sound in the east and attack in the west, using your body to lure the enemy and catch them unawares.
Zhu Youxiao smiled meaningfully and said to himself:
"Lindan Batur, I wonder if you can take my trick? Will you be fooled?"