Niu Jinxing sat in the tent, staring at the oil lamp in front of him in a daze.

Since being captured by the Ming Dynasty's official army, Niu Jinxing's life has been so dull and boring. He is imprisoned in this small camp every day and cannot even leave the urination and defecation.

After so many days, Niu Jinxing became very haggard, with deep eyes and no energy at all, and looked like a living dead person.

A sound of footsteps sounded, and someone lifted the curtain of the tent and walked in.

Niu Jinxing subconsciously looked up, and was shocked when he saw the visitor. He hurriedly stood up and saluted: "The sinner Niu Jinxing has seen His Royal Highness the Prince."

It was not someone else who came, it was Zhu Cilang.

Zhu Cixuan took the initiative and dragged the only chair in the tent to sit down, then said, "Niu Jinxing, I will give you a chance today. If you can grasp it, then you will be a minister of the Ming Dynasty from now on."

Niu Jinxing suddenly felt a sudden stern when he heard this. Although Zhu Cilang didn't say it clearly, it was obvious that if Niu Jinxing couldn't grasp it, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Niu Jinxing hurriedly smiled and said, "Please give orders to the Crown Prince, and the sinner must act according to His Highness's orders."

Now that things have come, life and death are all in Zhu Cilang's hands, how dare Niu Jinxing say that he doesn't say anything?

Zhu Ciyang nodded slightly, and seemed to be very satisfied with Niu Jinxing's attitude: "I ask you, among the many ministers under Li Zicheng, which ones may be persuaded to surrender, and which ones cannot be used by the Ming Dynasty?"

As soon as the question was told, Niu Jinxing was immediately in the middle of thinking.

A moment later, Niu Jinxing said, "When you go back to your highness, like Song Xiance, Yuan Zongdi, Li Laiheng, etc., you all think that Li Zicheng has some dragon aura. If you want to follow Li Zicheng wholeheartedly, you can only kill without mercy. As for Li Yan, Tian Jianxiu, He Jin, Ma Shouying and others, they are joining halfway, and they are not loyal to Li Zicheng, and they are the targets that can be won."

Zhu Ciyang nodded and said, "The leaders of these two sects should be Song Xiance and Li Yan, right?"

Niu Jinxing nodded quickly.

Zhu Cixuan said: "Very good, then you can write two letters to me immediately, to these two people. Tell them that as long as they surrender to the Ming Dynasty, I can continue to blame them and recommend them to continue to be officials in front of my father."

Niu Jinxing was shocked and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, Li Yan can naturally win over you, but Song Xiance is Li Zicheng's tyrant, he..."

Zhu Cixuan slapped the table and shouted, "Are you teaching me to do things?"

Niu Jinxing was so scared that he shivered by Zhu Cilang. He almost knelt down on the spot. He didn't dare to do so and hurriedly picked up his pen to write a letter.

Soon both letters were finished. Zhu Cixuan picked up the letter and read it. He was quite satisfied with the content.

"Okay, wait. If the letter works, you will soon be free."

After leaving such a sentence, Zhu Cixuan left the tent.

Fang Gongqian was waiting outside. Zhu Cixuan first took two letters written by Niu Jinxing in his hand, and then took out two letters from his arms. The four letters were placed in Fang Gongqian's hand: "Let's find a few clever ones to make sure these four letters can be delivered to Song Xiance and Li Yan. Get it faster, we will go north tomorrow."

Fang Gongqian quickly replied.

...

The next day, a new guest was welcomed in Baoding City.

Li Zicheng stared at the "guest" in front of him, his eyes flashing. After a long time, he said coldly: "Hong Chengchou, you, a traitor from China, actually have the face to appear in front of me?"

The person who came was none other than the former governor of Ji Liao of the Ming Dynasty, and now the Qing Dynasty minister Hong Chengchou.

Hong Chengchou was not angry when he heard this, but smiled calmly: "Your Majesty is so critical now. Hong is here to save Your Majesty's life. Does Your Majesty want even his own life?"

Li Zicheng sneered: "I really don't want to die, but I also look down on someone like you who are greedy for life and fear of death! Dorgon asked you to come and say whatever you have, and get out of here if you say it!"

Faced with Li Zicheng's humiliation, Hong Chengchou still expressed his calm expression and said slowly: "Prince Rui asked Hong to tell His Majesty that Prince Zheng Jiergalang has led his army south to attack Shanhaiguan, and the main force of the Ming Dynasty will move north to support the capital soon. This is Your Majesty's opportunity. I hope Your Majesty can seize this opportunity to recruit troops, recover his vitality in time, and then go north to capture the capital again."

After hearing this, Li Zicheng's expression on his face did not change much, but frowned and said, "Don't think I don't know that the old guy Jirgalang has been inconsistent with your master Dorgon. Why do you think Jirgalang will definitely do things according to Dorgon's wishes?"

Hong Chengchou smiled and said, "Prince Zheng and Prince Rui are both auxiliary kings. If our Qing Dynasty goes south, we must be recognized by the two auxiliary kings before we can send troops. Therefore, Your Majesty's concern is unnecessary."

Li Zicheng pondered for a while and said, "Is there anything else?"

Hong Chengchou said: "We Prince Rui hope to learn more about the deeds of Zhu Cixuan, the Prince of Ming Dynasty."

After hearing this name, Li Zicheng's face changed: "Zhu Cixuan?"

Hong Chengchou nodded and said, "Yes, Prince Rui is very interested in this person."

Li Zicheng's face turned aside and said coldly: "Nothing can be told. Tell Dorgon that if we send our Chinese Han traitors over here, I will kill the other one when I see it, get out!"

Hong Chengchou's expression changed, and there was obviously anger rising in his heart, but when he faced Li Zicheng, he had nowhere to vent and could only leave in shame.

Looking at Hong Chengchou's back as he left, Li Zicheng spat heavily and said, "What's the matter!"

The several ministers on the side were not as responsive as Li Zicheng. On the contrary, the expressions on their faces were very excited.

Song Xiance couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, once these Jiannu go south, our Baoding Prefecture should be able to be kept. This is good news."

To defend Baoding Prefecture is equivalent to half of the Hebei Plain in the south being controlled by the Dashun Army. Whether it is the source of troops, wealth, or food, the supply of various materials is very beneficial.

Li Yan also smiled and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, the resources on the Ming Dynasty are definitely not as good as ours. As long as we delay for a few more months, even if we do not take the initiative to attack, the capital will collapse without fighting."

Several other ministers expressed their agreement and the atmosphere was very lively.

Since the defeat in Gu'an City, Li Zicheng retreated to Baoding, gradually gathered the defeated troops and allowed people to capture strong men everywhere to join the army. So far, there are about 40,000 troops, which has regained some size.

But the troops were reorganized, and morale was not reorganized, which is a big problem.

The restructuring of morale either requires new victories or time to slowly calm down.

Now that the number of Ming troops has surpassed the Dashun Army, time has become the only method of the Dashun Army. The Qing Dynasty's way to move south is undoubtedly the method that can best give the Dashun Army time.

Li Zicheng breathed a sigh of relief, reached out and knocked on the table, saying, "Although Jiannu has indeed bought me time, we must also be wary of these foreign races. If they are not my race, their hearts will be different! After I unified the world, I must go out to Liaodong and destroy these dogs and things!"

Although Li Zicheng wanted to rebel from the Ming Dynasty, his deep recognition of his Han people was also deeply rooted, which can be said to be innate.

Li Zicheng's ministers also had no objection to this.

Anyway, it's all for the future, so let's talk about it later.

Li Zicheng calmed down and suddenly said, "Can our current troops counterattack the capital immediately?"

After Li Zicheng finished speaking, he was shocked to the others.

Li Yan hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, our army is now depressed, so we should focus on defense in a short period of time."

Song Xiance also said: "When the troops from all over the country gather together in Baoding, then make plans."

After sweeping the Central Plains before, Li Zicheng also sent some troops to station in Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, and after the defeat of Gu'an, he immediately issued an order to ask these troops to come and support the rendezvous.

But considering the reasons for the journey, most of the soldiers should have just set off, and some generals may not have received Li Zicheng's orders yet.

At this time, relying on these remaining troops in Baoding Prefecture to attack is simply a desperate situation.

Li Zicheng was dissuaded by everyone, so he had no choice but to let go of this idea.

A moment later, the meeting was over, and Li Yan left Li Zicheng's temporary palace. There was a sudden sound of footsteps behind him. It turned out that it was military advisor Song Xiance who chased him and walked side by side with him.

Li Yan glanced at Song Xiance: "Is there something wrong with the military advisor?"

Song Xiance sighed and said, "Your Majesty has been in great mood these days, which is really not good news."

Li Yan's eyes flashed and he said, "It's okay. As long as the Qing Dynasty can defeat the Ming army, we can continue to destroy the Ming Dynasty, and His Majesty's mood will naturally be replied."

Song Xiance looked around and no one around, and suddenly spoke softly: "General Li Yan, do you really think we can still destroy the Ming Dynasty?"

Li Yan was stunned for a moment, and after a while, he said, "Of course it is OK. Could it be that the military advisor has any other ideas?"

Song Xiance coughed and said, "Mr. Niu... I wrote me a letter recently."

Li Yan's steps suddenly stopped.

After a few seconds, Li Yan slowly spoke: "Actually, I also received his letter."

Song Xiance breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The content in your letter should be consistent."

Li Yan didn't say anything, just nodded gently.

Song Xiance said: "Brother Li thinks that the promise made by the prince in this letter is reliable?"

Li Yan was silent.

Song Xiance said: "Brother Li doesn't believe me?"

Li Yan sighed and said, "What if the promise of the Crown Prince is reliable? We have been loyal to His Majesty for so many years. Can the Ming Dynasty really let us go? Let's make plans after the battle."

After saying this, Li Yan strode away directly.

Song Xiance stood alone, his face gloomy and gloomy, and after a while, he suddenly smiled.

"Good you, Li Yan, what a retreat to advance!"
Chapter completed!