Chapter 006: Riding the Chariot and Broadcasting the Message

He felt too embarrassed to say that since things have come to this point, he might as well let it all go, after all, whether he sticks his neck out or withdraws it, it is still a cut. He might as well take the plunge and gamble on it.

Borrowing troops to suppress bandits

At this time, Wang Yongji had already gone to Fengrun. Similarly, the cunning Song Quan was well aware that no one could be trusted at this moment, including his immediate superior and old friend. Therefore, he also supported Yang Feng in seizing the military power at Shanhaiguan. After staying in Zunhua for one night, the next day they, along with the former general of Xuanhua, Tang Yu, another deputy general, and three hundred cavalry, hurriedly assembled a makeshift imperial procession under Song Quan's arrangements and headed straight for Shanhaiguan. Yang Feng's dragon robe was also washed; originally, Song Quan intended to mend it for him. Although there was no time to make a new one, the dragon robe was in a poor state, full of holes and tears.

Sir, there are soldiers coming from outside again

The governor Song must be Song Quan, the last governor of Shuntian, whose residence was in Miyun. After Tang Tong surrendered to Li Zicheng and entered Juyong Pass, the troops under Song Quan scattered. He led a group of people to hide in this vicinity. When the Qing army entered the pass, he surrendered to the Qing and was highly valued. His son, Song Luo, was a renowned minister during the Kangxi era. However, this is not important; what matters is that Yang Feng knew this person would not surrender to Li Zicheng

Yang Feng said

He is certainly not one of those soldiers; being cunning and shrewd, he is well aware that this journey is far from simple. A deposed monarch has no authority to speak of. If Gao Di truly has loyalty when they reach Shanhaiguan, that would be one thing; if not, it is entirely possible to capture them and submit to Li Zicheng. At that time, he does not believe that these eight hundred cavalry will fight to protect him. The Emperor's attitude can be considered as having shown understanding and compassion.

This is sufficient

Your Majesty, it is clear that the closest military force from the south is none other than Liu Zeqing, who is still over a thousand miles away from Shanhaiguan. The rebel army, however, is merely four hundred miles from Shanhaiguan. Considering the time it takes for messages to be delivered, even if Wu Sangui and others are utterly loyal, they would need to hold Shanhaiguan for at least more than a month. Furthermore, Liu Zeqing's troops would find it very difficult to defeat the rebel forces. In my estimation, there is little hope for reinforcements within six months, and it is still uncertain whether the combined forces of Wu and Gao can defend Shanhaiguan for that long. Additionally, there are over one hundred thousand displaced people in Wu's camp, with hundreds of thousands crowded at Shanhaiguan. Not to mention, the food supply is absolutely insufficient. Given this situation, it seems unlikely that Shanhaiguan can be fully secured. Therefore, the best course of action would be to emulate the story of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, borrowing troops to suppress the bandits, and enticing the Qing forces to march south with generous rewards, so that they may confront the rebels. Regardless of the outcome, this would buy time until the loyalist army gathers in full strength.

What if those traitorous bandits are in league with the rebels

Thus, the city gate of Jizhou was ultimately opened

Song Quan said

It was only then that he remembered that Tang Tong was the general of Jizhen. Clearly, at this moment, Yang Yujie also knew that Tang Tong had surrendered at Juyong Pass. However, if he truly had the time, he could still gather a few thousand people around Jizhou. This area has a complete and extensive defense system, and it is not just Jizhou that has stationed troops.

His theory coincides with that of Wang Yongji, which indicates that this reflects the sentiments of those civil officials who still possess a modicum of integrity

This point is very important

He knew that this meant the Emperor had been moved, after all, there were truly no other options now. Relying on reinforcements without borrowing troops to quell the bandits was nothing but a mirage, completely unrealistic. Moreover, holding steadfast at Shanhaiguan was merely waiting for death, just a matter of dying a day earlier or a day later.

He said cautiously

Your Majesty, if they are in league with the rebel, even without military support, they would still march south. However, based on my assessment, they are unlikely to do so. The rebel has already taken control of Guanzhong and Shanxi, and if he were to gain Zhili, he would possess half the world. At that point, the rebel would certainly not stop there; perhaps his next target would be Liaodong. If the Jurchens were to assist the rebel, it would not only mean making a garment for another but also establishing a formidable enemy for themselves. Conversely, if we were to secure Shanhaiguan, the rebel would not be able to march north. In this regard, it would be advantageous for us against the Jurchens.

Yang Feng said with a smile that seemed to be both genuine and insincere

Yang Feng said

Is that all

Thus, this residual brightness has instead become an ally of clarity

They are all cavalry, moving swiftly, and they arrived in Zunhua by nightfall

Your Majesty, at this moment, we cannot afford to consider these matters. Moreover, if they do not retreat, our loyal army will gather, and we will merely drive them away again. As long as they are not allowed to enter through Shanhaiguan, but instead take the route through Zunhua and Jizhou, our troops will firmly guard Shanhaiguan. Even if the Jianzhou bandits have ulterior motives, at most they will only engage in some plundering, which cannot be regarded as a significant issue

Yang Feng said

Your Excellencies, please rise. How many troops are still available in Jizhou at this time?

Song Quan looked at him with some surprise, clearly feeling that this emperor was somewhat different. He was not one of those provincial governors or military officials who rarely saw the emperor in their lifetime. He understood very well that given Chongzhen's character, it was not easy for him to say such words. Could it be that he had been too deeply affected by the stimuli in Beijing?

Open the door

It is evident that he remains quite clear-headed; he understands that the loyalist army has little hope. If the various armies in Jiangbei were effective, they would not have allowed Li Zicheng to advance from Guanzhong all the way to Beijing. This implies that holding the Shanhaiguan and waiting for reinforcements is tantamount to waiting for death. Of course, fleeing south is equally suicidal. At this point, it is likely that the Tianjin area has already fallen into Li Zicheng's hands, meaning that there is a dead end in every direction. The only way to survive is to rely on the Qing army to eliminate the bandits. As for what to do after the Qing army has dealt with the bandits... fleeing south is also a form of suicide. At this point, it is likely that the Tianjin area has already fallen into Li Zicheng's hands, meaning that there is a dead end in every direction. The only way to survive is to rely on the Qing army to eliminate the bandits. As for what to do after the Qing army has dealt with the bandits...

... ...

Your Majesty is wise

I, Li Yongchang, the Prefect of Jizhou, humbly present myself before Your Majesty

What if the invading forces do not leave?

Yang Yujie and the other person quickly said

You have arrived just in time; first, let us have a meal. After dining, you shall immediately accompany me to Shanhaiguan. It is estimated that the Guanning Army has already arrived by now. Our first priority is to defend Shanhaiguan. I have already dispatched envoys southward, and it will not be long before the loyalist army arrives. At that time, we shall launch a counterattack.

Yang Feng said

Yang Feng looked speechlessly at the surroundings, where there were only about four to five hundred people in total, with fewer than one hundred cavalry, and they were all old and weak, certainly not comparable to elite soldiers. If it weren't for the cannons providing support, it is likely that even those few hundred Shun troops would not have been scared away. It must be noted that Jizhou is one of the foremost military strongholds in northern Beijing, a place once garrisoned by Qi Jiguang. Although such shocking and exaggerated events as the infiltration by Qian Yue have occurred, having only this small number of troops is still somewhat exaggerated.

Your Majesty, this is all that I have to present

From the perspective of Chongzhen, this is also the only choice at present, and theoretically it has a certain feasibility. Although Dorgon’s army has already set out, preparing to collaborate with Li Zicheng to attack Beijing, this is under the condition that Li Zicheng has not yet taken Beijing. Once Li Zicheng captures Beijing, it signifies that he has become the new lord of the Central Plains, thus making him the greatest threat to the Qing army. Moreover, he would not allow the Qing army to enter the pass, even under the pretext of assisting him.

Your Majesty, where are you preparing to go?

I respectfully acknowledge the imperial decree

Yang Feng immediately shouted

He then said

Song Quan hurriedly said

Song Quan said

At this moment, he was already seated inside a carriage, with Huang Ying kneeling beside him. Song Quan was riding a horse outside, surrounded by a large number of cavalry guards in all directions, which could be considered somewhat regal. In reality, the soldiers at this time were still quite simple-hearted; at least until the enemy arrived, they were able to demonstrate sufficient loyalty to the emperor. This was also true for the officials and generals, especially since this could be regarded as a contribution to the protection of the emperor. The soldiers, influenced by various legendary operas, were filled with passionate fervor!

I, Yang Yujia, the Minister of Military Affairs in Jizhou, humbly present myself before Your Majesty

Song Quan hurriedly said

Prepare the meals immediately, assemble all cavalry from Jizhou, and escort me to Shanhaiguan

He took a deep breath and asked

Yang Feng said with a cold smile

Yang Yujie said cautiously

Your Majesty is wise

He said with a solemn expression

As soon as Song Quan entered the city, he fell to the feet of Yang Feng, crying out. He was the Governor of Shuntian and the person responsible for the northern region, second only to Wang Yongji. Allowing Li Zicheng to enter the pass from the northern route was indeed his direct responsibility

Yang Feng helped him up and said

I humbly obey your command

Song Quan said

Yang Feng and others had dined at the provincial office. Together with the three hundred cavalry brought by Song Quan, the one hundred and fifty cavalry gathered from Jizhou, and the remaining thirty from the Imperial Guard, along with an additional twenty who had just fallen in battle, the total amounted to less than five hundred cavalry. Accompanied by a governor of Shuntian and a General Chen commanding the troops, they departed from Jizhou heading northeast towards Zunhua. They were well aware that after the pursuing Shun army retreated, Li Zicheng's large army would soon arrive. In fact, it was only when Song Quan encountered that retreating Shun army that he realized the emperor had already fled. However, he had originally intended to go to Zunhua as well.

Your Majesty, I have a plan that I wish to present, but it requires Your Majesty to pardon me of any wrongdoing

Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am incompetent, and I deserve to die a thousand deaths!

Song Quan hurriedly inquired

This matter requires careful consideration over a long period of time

Tang Tong, this rebel has squandered my grace

These two are eager for him to leave quickly, as everyone understands that he will encounter many troubles here

However, Yang Feng is not Chongzhen; he has no irreconcilable enmity with Li Zicheng. This world can be given to Li Zicheng or Zhang Xianzhong, but it must never be given to the Tartars

On the side, Wang Cheng'en gave him a glance.

Yang Feng hurriedly turned and rushed up the city wall. Indeed, there were troops approaching from outside, but the number was still not too large, only a few hundred cavalry. Soon, these individuals arrived at the foot of the city. The leading civil official urged his horse forward, and Wang Cheng'en, who was standing beside Yang Feng, looked at him and immediately exclaimed in delight: "Your Majesty, it is the Song Provincial Governor."

But now he has no time

"Your Majesty, the troops of Jizhou are all with Tang Tong."

Rise, for I have misjudged people and mistakenly employed a group of treacherous ministers; what concern is that of yours

However, it was rejected by Yang Feng

I want them to see that I can still fight bravely on the battlefield, so how can they not?

Song Quan let out a sigh of relief and said

At that moment, a soldier on the city wall suddenly shouted

Yang Yujie stated

Yang Feng, covered in blood, looked at the kneeling wall grasses with a gloomy face. It was evident that the idea of the emperor dying at their doorstep was still too exaggerated. After all, these were individuals who had read the classics and understood that if such a thing were to happen, they would be remembered for their disgrace for eternity. Moreover, regardless of who became their new master, such ministers would no longer be employed.

Then let's talk about it later