Chapter 6, Change of Dynasties
In such a situation, even if Old Liu were present at that time, he would likely be unable to stop the young Emperor Chongzhen
Niu Jinxing suggested with a smile: "Your Majesty, the capital has already been captured, and it is likely that the young Emperor Chongzhen has been apprehended as well. Should we not select an auspicious day to hold the coronation ceremony now"
However, this assassination of Chongzhen is of great significance and must not be allowed to fail
"We cannot let the young Emperor Chongzhen escape," Liu Zongmin said angrily. "We must capture him!"
Liu Zongmin said with a dark expression: "Damn it, the treasury of the false Ming's Ministry of Revenue only yielded one hundred thousand taels of silver, while the inner treasury of that little Chongzhen only produced a mere one thousand taels."
"Old Liu, what has made you so angry?" Li Zicheng's attention was immediately diverted.
"It is not permissible," Li Yan said anxiously, "Your Majesty, this matter must be approached with utmost caution."
I am aware of the capabilities of the Right Military Advisor. Li Zicheng, as usual, first acknowledged Li Yan, and just as he was about to introduce the next topic, he suddenly saw his adopted son, Li Shuangxi, rush into the Golden Luan Hall in a hurry
Li Zicheng was quite wary of Li Yan leading the army on his own, and the reason is simple: Li Yan's abilities were too outstanding. The Dashun army was able to emerge from the low point of the Shangluo Mountains and sweep through half of northern China in just four years, and it can be said that Li Yan made a tremendous contribution. Therefore, he was very concerned that if he let Li Yan go out, he would not be able to bring him back.
"Of course not," Liu Zongmin said, spreading his hands. "How could a dignified emperor only have a little over a thousand taels of wealth? Who would believe that?"
From the moment he stepped through the Cheng Tian Gate, the Ming Dynasty had already fallen
The subordinate accepts the order. Li You rises and departs
"What?" Li Zicheng exclaimed in astonishment, "Only a little over 1,000 taels?"
Speaking of this meal, Niu Jinxing looked at Li Yan and smiled, "Oh right, Right Military Advisor was indeed in favor of stabilizing the situation in Henan first before launching a northern expedition. He also said that the pseudo-Ming was like a centipede that, though dead, does not die easily; capturing the capital would not be an easy task. But what was the result? Wasn't the capital easily taken by our Great Shun army?"
Li Shuangxi let out a sound and quickly said: "What my father taught is correct"
Niu Jinxing frowned and said, "My lord, this is quite troublesome. The fake Ming treasury only has 100,000 taels of silver, which is not enough to reward the soldiers, let alone have any surplus to purchase provisions"
It is inexplicable to have suffered such a significant defeat
"Li You, what are you doing?" Liu Zongmin scolded first, "Not only did you let that little brat Chongzhen escape, but you also sacrificed your own five thousand elite soldiers? Oh right, and there are also over one hundred thousand surrendered troops!"
The meaning of the Chancellor's words is that Li Yan may possibly emulate Han Xin in creating a rebellion against the Great Shun
At this moment, Li Zicheng said: "Then I would trouble you, Right Military Advisor, to make a trip to Yongping Prefecture. It would also be a good opportunity to make contact with that fellow, Wu Sangui, in advance."
Li Zicheng did not read much, but he was still aware of the Three Heroes of the Early Han Dynasty
What?! Li Zicheng slammed the table and his tone suddenly rose sharply
"Not only the fire element, but also the hundreds of barrels of gunpowder on the fire element, directly caused the collapse of over a hundred thousand descending soldiers." Li You said with a dark face, "Moreover, the timing of the breakout chosen by that little brat Chongzhen was quite cunning, just as I was leading three hundred cavalry in a four-column formation outside Chaoyang Gate, preparing to enter the city, and as a result, we were directly hit by the fire element formation."
Song Xiance also said: "Your Majesty, I also believe that the words of the Right Military Advisor are reasonable; this matter must be handled with caution"
"What nonsense about being cautious," Liu Zongmin said, "If you don't ask them for it, how are you going to take out the silver to reward the troops?"
I never expected this, that the young Chongzhen actually understands military strategy and can employ tactics
Therefore, Li Yan is both the Right Military Advisor of the Dashun and the General of the Control, but he rarely leads the army independently
"Indeed," Li Shuangxi nodded and said, "Li You is just outside the palace; if the Right Military Advisor does not believe it, he can ask him directly"
The world is now under the rule of the Great Shun Dynasty, hehe
Moreover, this time Li Yan only brought 2,000 cavalry, which is not a significant issue
Song Xiance said: "It is reasonable; Your Majesty should send another elite cavalry unit to the east to intercept and eliminate them"
He truly did not expect that the Da Shun army could capture the capital so quickly
It is settled, the Prime Minister and the left strategist are also tired, let us first go down and rest
As he watched Li You's figure disappear into the distance, Li Yan suddenly spoke again: "My lord, Wu Sangui has already led the Guanning army into the pass and has reached the vicinity of Yongping Prefecture. Chongzhen may also head to Yongping Prefecture to meet with the Guanning army"
Niu Jinxing displayed an expression of embarrassment
Li Zicheng's brows immediately furrowed into a knot
Li Zicheng's expression, however, relaxed.
Li Zicheng then said to Li You: "Li You, I am giving you an opportunity to redeem yourself. Immediately transfer three thousand elite cavalry from the Zhongji Camp to the south to pursue Chongzhen. Listen carefully, if you can capture Chongzhen this time, everything will be negotiable. If you fail to bring back Chongzhen, then you need not return; take matters into your own hands."
Speaking of this meal, Li Yan remarked: "Not to mention anything else, the Guan Ning army is just a big trouble"
Li Yan ignored Liu Zongmin and only spoke to Li Zicheng, saying: "Your Majesty, our Daxun army has already captured Beijing, and Emperor Chongzhen is most likely captured at this moment. The task of overthrowing the false Ming has been accomplished. The next priority is to stabilize the situation, and thus the approach to dealing with the false Ming royal family and the noble officials should also be adjusted."
Li Zicheng also frowned and said: "This is indeed a troublesome matter"
Li Yan also did not believe it and asked, "Your Highness, is it true that Chongzhen has indeed broken through the siege with the Imperial Guard?"
"Li You, why aren't you coming in!" Li Zicheng shouted angrily, and Li You hurriedly entered from outside the palace gate, then knelt down in fear at the foot of the red platform.
After dismissing Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance, Li Zicheng took Liu Zongmin to visit the Forbidden City
Niu Jinxing's words left Li Yan feeling utterly ashamed
The subordinate received the order! Li Yan gave a deep bow to Li Zicheng, then turned and exited the Qianqing Palace
Restless and disorganized, have I not told you before that one must maintain composure in the face of challenges
The Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin, ultimately rebelled
Although Chongzhen had broken through the encirclement with the Imperial Guards and surprisingly understood military strategy, Li Zicheng still did not take it to heart, for the situation of the world was already determined, and it was impossible for a mere few hundred Imperial Guards to turn the tide.
Li Zicheng let out a light hum and said, "Speak, what has happened?"
Li You feels that even if he does not die this time, he will probably have to shed a layer of skin
Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, and Li Yan were positioned beneath the Dan Terrace.
Li Yan seized the opportunity to say: "My lord, I am willing to lead my two thousand light cavalry to intercept and eliminate them"
I am aware of the capabilities of the right military strategist
Impossible! Niu Jinxing, Liu Zongmin, and Song Xiance were also astonished
Li Shuangxi then said: "The old man Chongzhen led the Imperial Guards out of the Chaoyang Gate, and Li You's five thousand elite troops, along with over a hundred thousand defected soldiers from the three major camps of the false Ming, were also defeated!"
Watching Li Yan walk away, Niu Jinxing suddenly said softly: "The talent of the Right Military Advisor in leading troops is no less than that of the Han's Huaiyin Marquis. This trip to Yongping Prefecture will surely lead to immediate success, ha."
"Not good!" Li Yan suddenly changed his expression and said, "My lord, if Chongzhen escapes back to Jiangnan, then the story of the Northern and Southern Dynasties is likely to repeat itself, making it difficult for our Great Shun to unify Huaxia."
Li Shuangxi could not help but mutter to himself, what happened to the promise of maintaining composure in the face of adversity
Liu Zongmin said: "If all else fails, we shall resort to the old method, capturing all the false Ming royal family members, noble officials, and those eunuchs within the city of Beijing. Under the pressure of the stick, I do not believe they will not yield their silver."
With the two factions holding opposing views, it is necessary for Li Zicheng to make a decision. Li Zicheng is more inclined towards Liu Zongmin and Niu Jinxing, as Li Yan's assertions are not entirely accurate when considering the matter of capturing the capital.
"Fire Element Array?" Li Zicheng, Liu Zongmin, and others were also left dumbfounded after hearing this
Li You said with a dark expression: "General Quan, the young man Chongzhen is too cunning."
Song Xiance cast a dissatisfied glance at Niu Jinxing and continued, "The Right Military Advisor not only possesses the commanding talent of the Marquis of Huaiyin, but also the strategic acumen of the Marquis of Liu and the loyalty and diligence of the Marquis of Can. This is a divine blessing specifically bestowed to assist the sovereign in achieving imperial greatness. The sovereign must certainly place great trust in him."
Seeing Li Shuangxi like this, Li Zicheng's expression immediately fell, thinking to himself, how can I make you the crown prince with such a demeanor? How dare I entrust the great Shun dynasty to you?
Li Yan joined the ranks in the thirteenth year of the Chongzhen era, and he did so with capital investment. Initially, there were only eight hundred soldiers from Hanoi, but as the Dazhun army grew stronger, Li Yan's own forces expanded to twenty thousand, including two thousand cavalry.
Although the pseudo-Ming royal family and the noble officials are indeed detestable, behind them stands the entirety of the gentry and officials from Shanxi, Shandong, the Northern Zhili, and even half of China north of the Huang-Huai region. If the sovereign can treat the pseudo-Ming royal family and the noble officials with respect, then the situation north of the Huang-Huai will be settled. Conversely, if not, there is a fear that conflict will erupt. Although our Da Shun army is numerous, it may still be unable to suppress the chaos.
Just as Li Zicheng was about to nod, Liu Zongmin stormed in angrily
In the Forbidden City, within the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Li Zicheng sits high upon the imperial throne
"This Chongzhen brat is quite insidious," Liu Zongmin gasped.
Li You then recounted the incident that had occurred at Chaoyangmen half an hour ago
Niu Jinxing remarked: "The two strategists have overestimated the influence of the false Ming royal family and those noble officials. Their impact is not as significant as imagined, nor can they sway the hearts of the people north of the Yellow and Huai Rivers. Our Great Shun army has traversed from Hubei to Henan, and then to Guanzhong, having killed numerous false Ming royals and corrupt officials. Did we not similarly seize the world?"
Father, something has happened!