Beijing City.

"Report to Your Majesty, Jiannu's army has arrived at Shanhaiguan!"

After hearing this news, the panic on Chongzhen's face was obvious, and the panic in his heart was even more doubled.

"How come these damn Jiannu come so quickly!" Chongzhen said hatefully.

If you want to choose the one you hate the most among Li Zicheng and the Qing Dynasty, Chongzhen's choice in his heart would undoubtedly be the Qing Dynasty.

Over the years of the Ming Dynasty, basically most of the resources were invested in Liaodong and the Qing Dynasty. In China, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong invested relatively fewer resources.

When fighting against Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, the Ming Dynasty has been an advantage most of the time, but it is gradually disadvantageous in recent years.

However, if you fight the Qing Dynasty, since Chongzhen succeeded to the throne, they have basically all been disadvantages, no advantages, and the difference is huge.

The Qing Dynasty had a very strong psychological shadow on Chongzhen, and this psychological shadow was not only Chongzhen, but also many Ming ministers present.

After hearing the news that the Qing Dynasty attacked Shanhaiguan, the hall suddenly became a mess.

"Your Majesty, Shanhaiguan is the northern gate of the capital, and there is no need to be misunderstood."

"Your Majesty, please immediately call the Duke of England and the Prince to lead the army back to defense."

"Your Majesty, Li Zicheng doesn't have to worry about it anymore. Let's guard Shanhaiguan and the capital."

"Your Majesty, you can't hesitate anymore!"

Hearing these ministers' words, Chongzhen felt only upset.

As early as a few days ago, when I learned that the Qing army was heading south, Chongzhen had already sent a letter to the British Duke in the south. Why hasn't the reply yet? Could it be that something happened in the south?

The more Chongzhen thought about it, the more irritated he became. Just when he couldn't help but want to get angry, a report came in time.

"Eight hundred miles in expedited, the British Duke of Baoding has arrived!"

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Everyone's eyes fell on the scroll held by the eunuch who urgently went to the hall, and there was the memorial of Zhang Shize, the chief general of the main force of the Ming Dynasty.

Chongzhen couldn't wait to open the memorial and read it.

Like before, everyone also observed Chongzhen's expression, hoping to judge the contents of the memorial based on Chongzhen's joys and sorrows.

But something that puzzled everyone happened. Chongzhen was happy when he started reading the memorial, but then his brows began to frown again.

Happy, but not completely happy.

After a while, Chongzhen put down the memorial and said, "Wang Cheng'en, please read this memorial to you all."

Wang Chengen immediately took the memorial and recited: "My minister Zhang Shize reported to Your Majesty: After discussing with the Prince of Xiangcheng and the Prince of Crown Prince, he divided his troops into two groups. One was led by His Royal Highness and Xiangcheng Bo to lead 40,000 troops to the north to rescue the capital, and the other was led by 40,000 troops to continue to attack Baoding. Please let Your Majesty know."

After hearing these words, the Ming ministers present looked at each other in one go, and then instantly got upset.

"Is the British Duke too arrogant?"

"He really thinks that just using half of his troops can kill Jiannu?"

"I'm afraid that even the capital can't defend this little bit of troops, why dare you continue to fight Baoding?"

"I can't reach foolishly, I can't reach foolishly!"

For a time, the hall was filled with criticism of the Duke of England and Li Guozhen.

Chongzhen was also in a complicated mood. His thoughts were actually similar to those of other ministers. Can only half of his troops really stop the Qing Dynasty?

The early morning of the Manchus is no longer the Qing Dynasty when Nurhaci just started his rebellion. Huang Taiji has been in power for so many years, and Mongolia in the south of the Moon has been basically swept by the Manchus and has become the sphere of influence of the Qing Dynasty. The Khalkha tribe in the north of the Moon is also swaying and may turn to the Qing Dynasty at any time.

North Korea, once the most iron supporter of the Ming Dynasty, has been controlled by the Qing Dynasty. Even the Junggar Mongolia in the west and the Hoshuot Mongolia in Qinghai, are also in love with the Qing Dynasty.

Looking at the vast northern border of the Ming Dynasty, there was no ally from east to west, which put the Ming Dynasty at an extremely huge disadvantage in its strategic direction.

It’s okay to have a strategic disadvantage, but every war in tactical ways ended with a loss or even a crushing defeat in the Ming Dynasty. What about Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou, which were waves of surrendering to the enemy.

It was such a terrible opponent who came to attack again now. Only half of the troops were released on the Ming side?

Chongzhen took a deep breath and said, "I think the Duke of England is indeed not considering this matter. What do you think?"

Chongzhen set the tone, and the other ministers present naturally spoke and criticized them.

"The British Duke beat Li Zicheng's mud legs and floated a few games, not knowing the southeast, west and north."

"Xiangcheng Bo is also young, too vigorous and take it for granted!"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise and powerful, why didn't he dissuade them?"

"Your Majesty, you have to make an idea, and you can't let the Duke of England do whatever you want."

Chongzhen was even more shaken when many ministers said this.

At this moment, Wu Sangui suddenly stood up and spoke in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, I have been guarding Shanhaiguan for many years and are familiar with Shanhaiguan and Jiannu. I also ask Your Majesty to give me an order. I am willing to go to Shanhaiguan immediately to guard it, and I will never let Jiannu cross Shanhaiguan one step!"

Wu Sangui also found an opportunity.

Since the British Duke won in Gu'an, Chongzhen's trust in Wu Sangui has dropped significantly, which makes Wu Sangui feel very dangerous.

Chongzhen was a person who even changed the cabinet chief minister at will. Isn’t it easy to remove Wu Sangui, a Minister of War who had no soldiers?

Wu Sangui really wants to regain control of military power to protect himself, and now is the best time.

Looking at Wu Sangui, Chongzhen's heart was also shaken.

Not to mention Wu Sangui, at least he has been guarding Shanhaiguan in the past few years.

otherwise……

After pondering for a while, Chongzhen spoke, "Since that's the case, I decided..."

"Your Highness, Xiangcheng is here!" A loud report interrupted Chongzhen's words.

Chongzhen looked up in surprise and happened to see Zhu Cilang taking Li Guozhen into the hall quickly.

"I have met my father/Your Majesty!" The two saluted Chongzhen.

Chongzhen was a little surprised: "Yan'er, why did you arrive so soon?"

The eight hundred miles of speed is actually a little faster than Zhu Cixuan. What speed is this?

Chongzhen didn't know that this was actually Zhu Cilang intentionally.

Otherwise, with the urgency of this matter, how could there be no news for several days? It is to let the army and messengers arrive in the capital.

Zhu Cilang said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, my father, I and Xiangcheng Bo will definitely be able to defend the capital this time!"

Zhu Cilang said this sentence very loudly, so that everyone in the hall could hear it.

There was a little silence in the hall.

Chongzhen looked at Zhu Ciyang suspiciously: "Yan'er, you only have 40,000 troops in your hand. Can you really defend it?"

Zhu Cilang laughed: "Father, when Li Zicheng surrounded the capital before, his son didn't even have a thousand soldiers in his hands. Didn't he defeat Li Zicheng? Li Zicheng is a major concern of the Ming Dynasty. If he is not eliminated for a day, the Ming Dynasty will not be able to fight against Jiannu with all his might.

So after discussing with the British Duke, Erchen decided to let him completely annihilate Li Zicheng in Baoding, and then continue to go north to join Erchen to fight back Jiannu.”

Zhu Cilang was full of confidence when speaking. This confidence was seen in the eyes of many people, and the doubts that had reached their throats could not be expressed.

Others may be bragging about speaking, but the prince has a solid record.

All the people present were the ministers of the Ming Dynasty. They knew in their hearts that the victory was fought by the Duke of England and Li Guozhen on the surface, but in fact, the Crown Prince was the Prince who decided the victory and the defeat.

Now that Zhu Cilang is so sure, it really makes people unfavorable.

Chongzhen was obviously a little infected, and said uncertainly: "Can you really beat Jiannu?"

Zhu Cilang smiled and said, "It may be difficult to win, but after destroying Li Zicheng, it is absolutely fine to defend Jiannu's offensive!"

Before he knew how much help the system had given him, Zhu Cilang was also cautious and did not say too much.

Chongzhen: "..."

Originally, Chongzhen wanted to order the British Duke to bring all the main forces back to the rescue immediately, but after saying these words to Zhu Cixuan, it was difficult to object.

Wu Sangui was listening to the conversation aside, feeling anxious.

Originally, Chongzhen had to speak out and delegate power, but now that he has done this, he will return to Zhu Cixuan's hands. Wouldn't Wu Sangui's military power be in nowhere?

Suddenly, Wu Sangui became wise and spoke loudly: "Your Majesty, I think the words of the Crown Prince are very reasonable!"

As soon as Wu Sangui spoke, Zhu Cilang was stunned.

No, why did this guy suddenly support me?

The sun came out from the west today?

Wu Sangui stood up and continued, "I believe that Li Zicheng is going to fight and Jiannu must be guarded. I have been fighting with Jiannu for many years and have a lot of experience. I am willing to fight with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and resist Jiannu for the Ming Dynasty. I would like to ask Your Majesty to be kind to you!"

Zhu Cilang then realized that Wu Sangui was thinking about this.

He wants to return to the military camp and take control of the military power!

On the surface, Wu Sangui wants to assist Zhu Cilang.

But after thinking about it carefully, Zhu Cilang was only fifteen years old after all, and he was just a military supervisor. He should not control the military power in terms of truth or reason.

Li Guozhen, the Xiangcheng Bo, who can control military power, cannot be compared with Wu Sangui in terms of official positions or qualifications. Therefore, once Chongzhen lets Wu Sangui return to the army, wouldn’t this position of chief general be obtained by Wu Sangui?

That would be a big trouble.

But the problem is that Wu Sangui wants to serve the country, and his reasons are upright and popular, and Zhu Cilang is really not easy to object.

Seeing that Chongzhen was already quite moved, Zhu Cilang suddenly had an idea and said loudly: "Father, I think Wu Shangshu's words are indeed very reasonable. Let's do this. I am willing to divide 40,000 troops into two routes, one led by Wu Shangshu to support Shanhaiguan, and the other route was led by Erchen and Xiangchengbo to be responsible for preventing Jiannu's surprise attack by bypassing Shanhaiguan, and ready to return to the capital at any time.

In this way, not only Shanhaiguan is as solid as a rock, but the capital also does not need to worry about Jiannu taking advantage of the situation. I wonder what his father thinks?"

After hearing Zhu Cilang's words, Chongzhen finally smiled.

"Yan'er's plan is very good, so let's do it like this!"

When Wu Sangui heard this, his face changed. He couldn't help but look at Zhu Cilang, and a trace of hatred flashed in his eyes.

This prince's prince came out again with bad things.
Chapter completed!