Chapter 1433 This Qing Dynasty is really coming to an end.
Time flies by like water, and before you know it, five days have passed.
In this way, the war to defend the capital between the Han and Qing Dynasties lasted from late August in the 19th year of Chongping to early September in the 19th year of Chongping.
During this period, the Han army used many siege strategies, dug tunnels, and buried explosives, but still made little progress.
However, a new problem arose in the city of Shengjing, that is, the shortage of grain and fodder. The millions of soldiers and civilians in the city gave priority to supplying rice grain to the Eight Banners guarding the city, which led to the skyrocketing price of rice in the city.
The Jurchens were originally short of food, and in the early years they smuggled grain through Shanxi merchants to the Xuanfu government. However, in the past few years, after the Shanxi merchants were destroyed, the imperial court tightened the grain trade at the pass. The Jurchens were already short of food, and they had only thought of the autumn wind in Korea before.
Later, several wars made the Jurchen grain storage, which was originally small, even worse.
Previously, Shengjing had hoarded a lot of grain and grain in Jinzhou City, but after the First World War, it was completely destroyed in the warehouse in Jinzhou.
Today's Shengjing City is also in a crisis of food shortage.
At this moment, Sun Shaozu had already received the order secretly delivered by Jia Heng through the spies of Jinyi Mansion, that is, to burn down the granary in the city together with the spies in the city.
The granaries in Shengjing City are distributed among three warehouses in the east of the city, and are heavily guarded.
On this day, Qin An, the household official in charge of the warehouse, had just finished lunch when a bunch of keys on his waist swayed and made a "clatter" sound.
As a large number of Han troops in the capital besieged Shengjing City, the price of rice in the city changed day by day. Many civil and military officials in Shengjing City were short of rice and grains, and they were basically living in poverty. Some small officials like Qin An
, it’s even more impossible to open the pot.
But he is a small official in charge of the warehouse. Even if he loses the rice grain of the female family members of Prince Rui's house, he cannot lose a bite.
Just as Qin An was walking towards the warehouse, his mind suddenly condensed, he raised his eyes and stood frozen in fear.
Thick smoke was billowing in the distance, and he who was already very drunk suddenly woke up and said loudly: "He's gone!"
The granary in the distance was filled with thick smoke and raging fire, and the aroma of rice and the smell of burnt rice filled the air.
In the surrounding courtyard, many elite soldiers of the Jurchen Eight Banners began to rush back and forth quickly, pushing a water dragon with an apricot yellow carriage to rescue the granary. But at this moment, how could it be possible to save it?
After a while, the fire was so fierce that it was difficult to save. In an instant, it crackled and became difficult to control.
A large number of soldiers were in a hurry. Some went to rescue the granaries, while others prepared water dragons and poured buckets of water towards the flames.
Suddenly, there was chaos in the city of Shengjing, with people roaring and horses neighing.
…
…
Palace garden, Xiande Hall, inner study room——
Dorgon was checking the casualty report sent by the Ministry of War, and suddenly his heart moved slightly. Under his thick eyebrows, his eyes were filled with surprise and uncertainty.
At this moment, a dense and chaotic sound of footsteps could be heard on the corridor outside the study room.
Not long after, Luck Dehun was seen striding into the hall, his face as pale as paper, and he said loudly: "Prince Regent, something serious has happened."
Dorgon asked in surprise: "What's the big deal?"
Under Luck's thick eyebrows, his aggressive eyes looked at Dorgon in panic. There was a tremor in his voice as he said in a deep voice: "The granary in the city is on fire."
Dorgon stood up suddenly, with a look of worry on his face, and said in shock: "What?"
Luckard looked solemn and said: "Two of the three granaries were burned down. Now the soldiers and horses in the city are mobilizing troops to attack the Han court."
Dorgon said nothing and walked out of the study room with his head held high.
At this moment, Luck Dehun also followed Dorgon out of the study, but his face was as gloomy as iron.
Dorgon stood under the eaves of the corridor and looked towards the granary, which was glowing with flames. He felt that his hands hidden in his sleeves were trembling.
It’s over…
The Qing Dynasty is over...
Dorgon felt his head buzzing, his breathing stagnated, and he was stunned.
Once the grain is burned, it will not last until the winter moon.
Luck Dehun's face was also gloomy, as if covered with a layer of frost. Immediately, without saying a word, his whole body was enveloped in despair.
It was the autumn season, and a bone-chilling cool breeze blew through the treetops of the sycamore trees, making a rustling sound that made Luck Dehun and Dorgon shiver.
It's autumn, and the weather has become colder.
At this moment, even Concubine Zhuang, who was in the harem, was standing on the attic with Fulin, looking at the firelight in the east of the city, feeling chilled all over her body, and her whole body was filled with a bone-chilling chill.
Under the bright sunlight, Concubine Zhuang's pretty and bright jade face was already pale, and under her thin eyebrows, there was a hint of fear in her beautiful crystal eyes.
With Concubine Zhuang's knowledge, she was able to understand the significance of the fire in the granary in the city to the Jurchens at this time.
Concubine Zhuang saw Dorgon on the side, and quickly approached, called out, and whispered: "Fourteenth brother, what's going on? Why is this grain depot... on fire?"
Only then did Dorgon gradually come to his senses, looked at Concubine Zhuang, and said: "The city collects grain from wealthy households to fill military supplies."
"Come here, summon the ministers of civil and military affairs to discuss matters together." Dorgon looked gloomy and ordered the eunuch on the side.
In fact, the burning of the granary was such a big event that all the Jurchen Eight Banners nobles in the city already knew the news, and they all came to the palace gate, clamoring to see the regent.
The Han officials and generals in the city were also filled with fear.
Because just recently, there was a rumor circulating in Shengjing City that the regent had begun to send people to be wary of the Han people in the city, fearing that they would surrender or open the city gate to the Han army.
This was also confirmed in a series of subsequent events. For example, among the generals guarding the city gate, some of the original generals of the Han army were replaced by Jurchens or Mongols.
At this moment, Xiande Hall——
As time passed, the princes and ministers of the Manchu and Qing Dynasties, as well as some Han ministers, all stood in the hall, looking solemnly at the regent Dorgon who was sitting behind the bill.
Obviously, the news that two of the three warehouses in the city were burned down has been fully learned.
Dorgon's face was solemn, and he suppressed the sadness in his heart. He paused slightly and said: "Everyone, I must have heard the news. It is now one month before the winter moon. The grain and fodder warehouses in the city have been burned down by spies, and some rice is left.
How can we survive until that day with food?"
Most of the princes and ministers below had worried expressions on their faces.
Dorgon nodded and said in a deep voice: "The current national situation is difficult, and we must overcome the difficulties together. Now that I know that you still have a lot of grain in your home, I will take it out, put it together, and hand it over to the Ministry of Households for unified deployment.
The rich households in the city should also give half of their grain and fodder, and then return double the amount after the Han army is defeated."
Things are going in the direction predicted by Jia Heng. In order to survive the food crisis, Dorgon began to plunder the food of the Eight Banners nobles and wealthy households in the city.
The Manchu and Han civil and military officials below all looked silent and did not respond. A feeling of despair had already arisen in their hearts.
This Qing Dynasty is really coming to an end.
It can be said that the mountains and rivers are exhausted, the road is at the end, and the Qing Dynasty is about to perish.
Seeing that no one was responding below, Dorgon said: "Since none of the ministers have objections, let's act accordingly."
Dorgon said, looking at Husai and saying: "You will lead people to collect rice in the city later, and there are several rice merchants outside the city to collect grain."
Hearing this, Hu Sai raised his hands and responded.
Dorgon's face was as gloomy as iron, his tone was full of hatred, and he said in a deep voice: "You must find out the spy in the city, I will cut him into pieces!"
At this moment, Sun Shaozu, who was among the officials of the Han Dynasty and was wearing military attaché robes, twitched the corner of his mouth, but his expression remained as usual immediately.
At this moment, as the news spread that the three granaries in Shengjing City were burned down, the entire Shengjing City was enveloped in an atmosphere of unspeakable despair.
The price of rice in the city skyrocketed again, and finally this time, it reached its peak.
However, Dorgon urgently dispatched troops and began to raise military supplies in the city.
…
…
Outside Shengjing——
Jia Heng held a monocular telescope and stared at the fire and billowing smoke rising into the sky. He turned to look at Chen Xiao aside and said, "Xiaoxiao, this billowing smoke is rising in the city.
It should be the granary in the city."
Chen Xiao nodded and said softly: "It should be."
Jia Heng said loudly: "I don't know how much has been burned, but no matter what, the people in Shengjing City are in panic. Once the people's hearts are gone, the city will be difficult to defend."
Chen Xiao nodded, his face thoughtful.
Jia Heng said: "Go back to the Chinese army camp first to discuss the siege."
In fact, the problem of rice shortage will not be exposed immediately, but it will undoubtedly be the most damaging to morale.
For example, when Cao Cao led his troops to attack Wuchao and burned the grain and grass that Yuan Shao had hoarded in Wuchao, Yuan Shao's army collapsed instantly. This is the reason why the army's morale was shaken and their morale collapsed.
The Chinese army’s big account——
Jia Heng sat behind a lacquered wooden table and had already ordered his soldiers to notify the generals in the Beijing Camp and the Jiangnan Navy. After a while, the room became dark.
Beijing Wang Shuirong, Kang Hong, and Wei Che all had joy on their faces.
Not long after, the king of Wei and the king of Chu also opened the military tent, with the same joy on their faces, and said loudly: "Ziyu, there are clouds of smoke billowing in the city. I heard that the granary in the city is on fire."
Previously, Jia Heng arranged a strategy for Chen Xiao in front of the Wei and Chu vassals, and now it has finally come to fruition.
Jia Heng nodded and said in a deep voice: "Now, all the food and fodder in the city have been burned, and people in the city are in panic. In the past few days, after completing the encirclement, all the armies will step up their attack on the city and take the city in one go.
"
When the generals below heard this, they all started to raise their hands in response.
After the generals dispersed, Jia Heng looked at the King of Wei and the King of Chu and said, "Your Highnesses, how are the preparations for food and weapons?"
Chen Ran, King of Wei, said: "Ziyu, there is no shortage of grain and fodder. Previously, we switched to waterways, and the efficiency of grain and fodder transportation has been greatly improved. It is much better than before."
Jia Heng turned to look at King Chu and said, "Your Highness, King Chu, how are the military preparations recently?"
Chen Qin, the king of Chu, said with a smile on his face: "Don't worry Ziyu, the ordnance has been fully prepared, and the supply of bullets for the Hongyi Fire Gun is sufficient, and the army will never be short of bullets."
Jia Heng's eyes flashed aggressively and he said loudly: "Today, all the troops in the capital camp are recharging their strength. Tomorrow, we will strike while the iron is hot and prepare to attack the city together."
Upon hearing this, all the generals and commanders present in the capital camp responded with their hands in response, and then strode out of the military tent with their heads held high.
Chen Xiao on the side looked at the young man in python suit and said: "Shengjing City will be destroyed in the near future."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Don't be careless. By the way, where are Mandahai and Shuosei's cavalry now?"
Chen Xiao said: "Shuo Sai has not continued to harass the grain road from Liaoyang to Shengjing. As for Mandahai, we can see that the army transports grain by water and by sea. Recently, it has stopped a lot."
Jia Heng thought for a while and warned: "These two soldiers and horses must not be careless. Let Cao Bianjiao and Jia Fang lead the soldiers and horses to pursue them."
Chen Xiao stared at the young man in the python suit and whispered: "Cao Bianjiao sent a message from the flying pigeon and wanted to transfer him to Shengjing to assist the army in attacking the city."
Now every Han military general knows that Shengjing is a place for meritorious service. It can be said that if you have meritorious service, you can be made a marquis.
Especially Cao Bianjiao, who had the desire to become a marquis in his heart. When he was escorting the grain road, he did not make any achievements in the face of Mandahai.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said decisively: "Send someone to tell him that if he can find the troops in Mandahai, he will be able to become a marquis."
Chen Xiao responded.
Immediately, Chen Xiaoliu raised his eyebrows slightly and said: "The prince Mu Sheng of Dongping County has led the Korean coalition to Hetuala City."
Jia Heng knitted his eyebrows, looked deeply, and said loudly: "Send a message to Prince Mu Feige to march troops towards Horqin and the northern wasteland with the city of Hetuala as the center."
At this time, the Rakshasa Kingdom had actually risen in the north. As time passed, just like during the Kangxi period, the Rakshasa Kingdom sent cavalry to invade the borders of the Han Dynasty.
Chen Xiao nodded, nodded, and said, "I will send a flying pigeon to deliver the letter to the general later."
Then, at this moment, a guard in Jinyi came quickly, entered the military tent, raised his hands and said: "Captain, Xiehou is back."
Jia Heng glanced at Chen Xiao and said, "Let's go and greet him together."
Compared with Cao Bianjiao's futile return, Xie Zaiyi not only annihilated thousands of soldiers led by Shuosai who were harassing the grain road, but also escorted the grain road to Zhouquan. At the same time, he sent soldiers and horses to search for traces of Shuosai's remnants to avoid Liaoyang to Shengjing.
The grain and fodder transportation line is in trouble again.
At this moment, Xie Zaiyi led more than ten thousand cavalry and came from a distance. It can be seen that the cavalry is huge and the flags cover the sky and the sun.
It is the tenth month of the golden autumn, when iron hooves have stepped on it, weeds are growing thickly, and yellow sand can be seen rolling.
Previously, Xie Zaiyi had left Jia Ling to lead five thousand cavalry to escort the grain road.
In fact, with the opening of another shipping route, the share of grain transshipped from Liaoyang has been greatly reduced.
Xie Zaiyi ordered the cavalry general and led a large number of cavalry troops into the camp from one side.
At this moment, Jia Heng, accompanied by the retinue of the captain of the Jinyi Mansion and the strongman, came closer, met Xie Zaiyi's gaze, and said with a smile: "Brother Xie, long time no see."
Jia Heng did not match his official position with his title. When the city of Shengjing was destroyed, there would be a political "tough battle" to be fought after returning to Beijing.
Xie Zaiyi was sitting upright on the saddle at this moment. Immediately, he turned over and dismounted, threw the reins in his hands to the guard beside him, cupped his fists and said: "Jie Shuai."
Jia Heng said: "Brother Xie came just in time. We are preparing to attack Shengjing City in the past few days. We need an invincible general like Brother Xie to attack the Shengjing City in front of us."
Xie Zaiyi said: "I have my wish, but I dare not invite you."
I couldn't help but feel an indescribable feeling of emotion in my heart.
Chen Xiao nodded, stretched out his hand to invite, and said, "This is not the place to talk. You can go to the military tent to talk together."
"Get ready for the feast." Jia Heng stretched out his hand and ordered.
Xie Zaiyi nodded, and with Jia Heng's support on his arm, he walked towards the Chinese army's tent.
At this moment, the kings of Wei and Chu who were in the military tent also came out of the military tent and smiled and looked at Xie Zaiyi, who was walking arm in arm with Jia Heng.
While everyone was talking, they entered the military tent.
Then, everyone sat down.
Jia Heng stared at Xie Zaiyi, paused slightly, and asked, "How's it going over there in Shuosai?"
Xie Zaiyi said in a deep voice: "Now Jia Ling is leading five thousand cavalry troops to escort the grain road. There has been no trace of him in Shuosai for more than ten days. There is no trace of him in the direction of Shengjing City."
Jia Heng said: "Now that Shengjing City is in a deadlock, it is impossible for Shuo Sai to come to Shengjing City. He will probably wander around the grassland without a trace."
Xie Zaiyi's dazzling tiger eyes flashed under his thick eyebrows, and he said in a deep voice: "Maybe it's to preserve the fire, I don't know."
Jia Heng nodded and said in a clear voice: "It's not impossible."
Not far away, the King of Chu, Chen Qin, held up a blue and white porcelain wine cup, toasted to Xie Zaiyi, and said: "Xiehou, the little king toasts you a toast."
Xie Zaiyi said quickly: "His Royal Highness the King of Chu, you really defeated the last general."
At that time, Xie Zaiyi, who was sent to the city gate for contradicting his superiors in the capital camp, gradually matured after several years of officialdom.
Seeing this scene, King Wei Chen Ran frowned secretly, but after a second thought, he felt a little unconcerned.
Because when he was in the capital camp before, Wei Wang Chen Ran served as the military chief and was in charge of military training and battle matters. He usually had many friendships with Xie Zaiyi, and he showed him the utmost respect.
In ancient times, the nobles and the virtuous and corporal people mostly made friends with each other in a way that broke through the class status and made people feel extra respected.
Without saying much, everyone began to eat the food, changing cups and drinking wine among each other.
