As soon as Zhu Cixuan arrived in Xuzhou, information from the capital came. The news of the Battle of Malanshan had reached the capital. It was brought back by Abatai's youngest son Yue Le, which triggered an uproar in the Later Jin court. Regent Dorgon had ordered the gathering of troops and prepared to personally lead the army to launch an attack on Dezhou, Shandong. Prince of England Ajige led 20,000 soldiers to stay in the capital.

The news also reached Dezhou, Shandong, which made many merchants in Dezhou panic and the market fluctuated slightly.

It is of great importance, and Zhu Cixuan must make a decision on how to deal with it.

The Xuzhou Inn, the reception room, Zhu Cixuan, who originally planned to go directly to the capital, had to rest in Xuzhou for a night.

Zhu Cilan looked at the map on the table for a long time, Shi Kefa, Cao Huachun, as well as Shandong Governor Yang Wencong, Shandong Governor Chen Hongmi and others who had just come from Dezhou, were waiting quietly.

Finally, a sneer appeared on Zhu Cilang's face.

"Wencong, you are the commander-in-chief of the troops. Tell me, if you were the ones who planned to attack Dezhou, Shandong, would you announce such a major news in the Huangji Palace and Wuying Palace? Even the deployment of troops was clearly stated."

Yang Wencong was stunned for a moment, then shook his head desperately.

"Report to the Emperor, sending troops to conquer is a major secret matter. Unless you are well-sure and have an absolute advantage in military strength, no general will publicize the news of the war, and will not disclose the deployment of the military strength. Wouldn't this make the opponent prepare everything?"

Zhu Cilang nodded and snorted.

"Dorgon is preparing to divert the contradictions. The Battle of Malanshan caused heavy losses to the Eight Banners Army and consumed too much combat effectiveness. Prince Yu Duoduo was killed in battle, Prince Doro Raoyu Abatai was killed in battle, and the Zhengbai Banner and the Inlaid White Banner were wiped out. If the Battle of Wuqiao and the Battle of Jingzhou, including the death of Haoge, only slightly shook Dorgon's power, the Battle of Malanshan completely shook Dorgon's position as the Regent. It can be predicted that it will not take long before Dorgon will disappear in the Later Jin court."

"Dorgon was able to become the regent of the Later Jin court who controlled actual power mainly because of the strength of the Zhengbai Banner inlaid white flag and his outstanding ability. The Manchus advocated force. Therefore, in the process of controlling power, Dorgon must clean up and suppress many people so that he can stabilize his position. Now the power Dorgon relies on has been completely destroyed by the imperial army. How could those who were suppressed by Dorgon missed such a good opportunity? They will definitely try every means to attack Dorgon."

"Dorgon understood this, so he made a big fuss and said that he was preparing to lead a large army to conquer Shandong, and the configuration of his troops was clearly stated. He did this just to fool the mankind and powerful people and completely transfer the upcoming storm. Dorgon also knew that I would not believe his trick. It seems that Dorgon is not stupid."

After Zhu Cilang finished speaking, Shi Kefa spoke.

"Your Majesty, I think that even if Dorgon temporarily diverts the attention of the powerful, he will still be unable to escape in the end."

After Shi Kefa finished speaking, Chen Hongmi nodded.

"Your Majesty, I think what Master Shi said is that Dorgon is likely to think that our imperial army is still in Shaanxi and has no time to withdraw to Shandong, so he decided to launch an attack at all costs. If Dorgon wins and captures Dezhou, Shandong, it will be able to block the mouths of many powerful people. In case of precautions, I still recommend sending heavy troops to protect Dezhou."

Zhu Cixuan looked at everyone and pointed his right hand at the map on the table.

"What Lord Shi and Lord Chen said make sense, so I will give you some good analysis."

"Dorgon was originally the prince of the Later Jin Dynasty, with a noble status. He suddenly encountered such a major change. He was very likely to write a memorial to the young emperor of the Later Jin Dynasty. At the critical moment, someone would still have to take the blame. The young emperor of the Later Jin Dynasty was the best candidate. When the young emperor of the Later Jin Dynasty was too young and did not know these things, the one who decided would be the queen mother of the Later Jin Dynasty."

"There are victory and failure in the conquest. Victory and defeat are common among military strategists. Dorgon will not be the regent of the Later Jin court. There is also Jirgalang, Jirgalang, who was the first regent of the Later Jin Dynasty at the time, had a great influence. He was simply suppressed by Dorgon and was forced to hand over his power. He is likely to make a comeback this time. Jirgalang, who has come back, thought of the first thing that was to speak for Dorgon, because Jirgalang also wants to leave a way out for him. In the future, the Eight Banners Army will fail again. Jirgalang can also escape unscathed like Dorgon. Otherwise, they will try their best to hold them accountable. Who would still be the regent?"

"Step a step back, for the stability of the Later Jin court and for the stability of the Eight Banners Army, the little emperor of the Later Jin must also appease and treat Dorgon well. If the handling is improper and lead to internal strife in the Eight Banners Army, I do not need to send a large army to encircle and suppress it, and the Later Jin court itself will collapse."

Speaking of this, Zhu Cilang looked at Shi Kefa.

"Mr. Shi, the reason why Dorgon wanted to make a big fuss to conquer Dezhou, Shandong was simply to delay time. He was waiting for the imperial edict from Shenyang, and to stabilize the powerful people in the capital. These people did not have so many visions. As long as someone led the lead, they would attack Dorgon without mercy, including those Mongolian tribal powerful people who were not afraid of being elevated when watching the show. Whether it was the Battle of Wuqiao or the Battle of Malanshan, the losses of the Eight Banners of the Mongolian Banners were the most heavy."

Shi Kefa nodded vigorously and bowed to Zhu Cilang.

"Your Majesty, I understand."

Zhu Cilang looked at Chen Hongmi.

"Mr. Chen, please look at the map."

"The Later Jin court left 20,000 people to defend the capital. The imperial army could attack the capital from three directions, Datong and Taiyuan in Shanxi, and Henan. Will Dorgon let Ajige stay in the capital and wait for death? If Dorgon led the army to attack Dezhou, Shandong and was dragged tightly by the army defending Dezhou, he could only watch the capital being captured and lose his place to stay. At that time, the army led by Dorgon had no way to heaven and no way to enter the ground, and he still thought about being able to withdraw to Shenyang."

"The Eight Banners and Han Army stationed in the capital city have only a total of more than 100,000 troops. The Battle of Malanshan has made Dorgon, Ajige and others like frightened birds. They must concentrate their troops, preserve their strength, and avoid ambushing. Even if they encounter an attack, they can fight with all their might. If Dorgon continues to divide his troops at this time, either his mind will be in trouble, or he just wants to completely collapse the court of the Later Jin Dynasty."

"The 20,000 soldiers led by Wen Cong have already entered Dezhou. In addition, the 30,000 soldiers who were originally deployed in Dezhou, the total strength of Dezhou is 50,000, and there are nearly a hundred red cannons. I wish Dorgon could lead the army to attack Dezhou."

Chen Hongmi nodded and bowed his head at Zhu Cilang.

"Your Majesty, I understand, I am also worried about the safety of Dezhou..."

Zhu Cilang waved to Chen Hongmi.

"You are the governor of Shandong, so you are naturally worried about Dezhou. I can understand that I have summoned you to discuss these things. You have to say whatever you think and gather your ideas so that I can make the best decision."

Speaking of this, Zhu Cilang knocked on the table and spoke thoughtfully.

"I still have one thing I haven't figured out. Dorgon's combat deployment first stabilized the situation in the north. Later, he launched an attack on Shandong and the south, trying to wipe out the army of our court. He encountered the Battle of Wuqiao, the Battle of Jingzhou and the Battle of Malanshan. The Eight Banners lost more than 30% of their troops. The most powerful Zhengbai Banners and the Inlaid White Banners were completely destroyed. The Eight Banners of Mongolia were in a slump, and the Han army was not much better. Is it still going to fight to the death for the Later Jin court? It's hard to say. Under such circumstances, will Dorgon still defend the capital city?"

"Dorgon could not control Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong and other places, and Northern Zhili was surrounded by three sides. If our imperial army took advantage of the situation to launch an attack on Northern Zhili and the capital, it would be difficult for Dorgon to deal with it."

"I originally thought that Dorgon would choose to lead the Eight Banners Army to evacuate the capital and return to Shenyang. This would gain time and be conducive to the rest of the Eight Banners Army. In winter, the climate is severely cold, so it is unlikely that our court army will launch an attack on Shenyang."

The one who followed the opening was Shi Kefa, the Minister of War.

"Emperor, I think that Dorgon can dispatch more than 100,000 troops. He is afraid he is unwilling to withdraw from the capital and return to Shenyang. Besides, those Manchu and powerful people would not agree to Dorgon do so."

Zhu Cilang looked at Shi Kefa and nodded.

"Mr. Shi said it well, but I have ignored it. Dorgon did not dare to mention giving up the capital at this time. He may have to leave this trouble to the successor Regent."

Speaking of this, Zhu Cilang looked at everyone.

"The original deployment remains unchanged. Look at the situation in Northern Zhili and the capital. Some people said that they would take advantage of the chaos of the Later Jin court to launch an attack to completely defeat the Later Jin Tartars. Do not mention such words again. Dorgon is trying his best to stabilize the situation in the Later Jin court, and is also looking for opportunities and excuses to divert the conflicts. If I launch an attack at this time, wouldn't it just give Dorgon the best chance? I wouldn't do such stupid things."

"If the Empress Dowager of the Later Jin Dynasty had a far-sighted vision and came forward to calm the situation, then the twists and turns of the Later Jin Dynasty court would have been smaller and would not be damaged. If the Empress Dowager of the Later Jin Dynasty had short-sighted eyes, it would not only be that the Later Jin Dynasty court would fall into the abyss, but the so-called Qing Dynasty would be difficult to maintain."
Chapter completed!