Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1136 Preparation
Dorgon, who was wearing fur, tightened his clothes and did not answer Nikan immediately. Instead, he concentrated on thinking about something.

Seeing this, Nikan did not urge him and waited quietly. After a long while, Dorgon looked up and asked, "Is there any movement from the Ming army?"

"There has been less noise these days, but the servants are afraid of being discovered, so they dare not get close to investigate."

Nodding, Dorgon asked Nikan how many supplies they had. When Nikan told him that they were running low, Dorgon frowned even more. He knew that hiding here was not a long-term solution, and he had to find a way to leave first, and then find a safer place, and also ensure their supplies.

If this continues, let alone surviving until spring, I'm afraid that within a few days all of them will have to die in these deep mountains and forests.

"Wait two more days..."

"But, Your Majesty!" Without waiting for Nikan to persuade him, Dorgon waved his hand and interrupted, "I know what you want to say, but a little impatience can ruin a big plan. Let's hold on a little longer. The weather is getting colder. As long as we hide well, the Ming army will not be able to find us and will eventually retreat."

"Yes!" Nikan agreed to leave reluctantly. After Nikan left, Dorgon continued to close his eyes and rest.

After hiding in this place for two days, Dorgon and his men had a very hard time. His two injured subordinates died of fever due to lack of medical care and the harsh environment. After learning of the death of his subordinates, Dorgon did not react at all, as if he had expected this outcome long ago. Moreover, for him, too many people had died since the Battle of Shengjing.

As the Ming army retreated, all the Ming army that was searching for Dorgon left. Dorgon did not show up immediately after learning the news, fearing that the Ming army would come back to attack him. So Dorgon waited for a few more days until he still did not see any trace of the Ming army, and then he was sure that the Ming army had really left.

After ensuring safety, Dorgon ordered to leave the forest and headed northwest with his men. Before the last of their dry food ran out, they finally found a small Oroqen tribe northeast of Ganhe River.

The population of this tribe is not large, only a few dozen people. Dorgon was overjoyed when he found this tribe. He knew clearly that he had to rely on it to survive the whole winter in this place. Although Dorgon didn't have many people, including himself, there were only a dozen people, but these people were the elite white-armored Eight Banners. They were not comparable to the Oroqen people in terms of ferocity and equipment.

Hiding near the tribe, waiting for the arrival of darkness. When the sky gradually darkened, the firelight flickered over there, and from time to time, the voices of Oroqen people talking and laughing and women and children could be vaguely heard. These Oroqen people had no idea that there was a group of demons lurking in the darkness, and what their appearance would bring to them. When the night gradually deepened, as the men, women, old and young in the tribe fell asleep, Dorgon issued an order to attack, and these wolf-like elite Eight Banners rushed towards this small tribe, and soon the sharp screams, cries, and fierce fighting broke the silence just now.

The battle didn't last long. The defenseless Oroqen people were no match for Dorgon and his men. Dorgon didn't spend much effort to defeat the small tribe. He killed all the men in the tribe, leaving only a few young women and even the children.

When the sun rose the next day, the tribe had been wiped out from this world. Dorgon, who had usurped the magpie's nest, not only occupied the tribe, but also obtained the supplies they desperately needed from it.

With these supplies, Dorgon and his men were able to get through the winter safely. When the ice and snow melted in the spring of next year, Dorgon had already made up his mind that he would lead his men back west and try to escape to Khorchin. Because he knew that Bumbutai was in Khorchin, as long as he found Bumbutai, with the previous arrangements, Dorgon would at least have the ability to protect himself, and then find an opportunity to make a comeback in Khorchin, and perhaps he could restore the glory of the Qing Dynasty.

Winter has passed and spring has arrived. The weather in Liaodong is still cold, but in the capital city in the south, there is already a slight hint of spring.

King of Song Zhu Mincheng had just returned from Liaodong a few days ago. He was full of confidence when he returned to the capital this time, because it would not be long before he would be officially sent overseas and sail to the New World with the fleet.

Not long ago, Zhu Mincheng selected suitable subordinates for himself in Liaodong. These subordinates were naturally selected from the elite of the Eight Banners, and a total of 1,200 people were selected. Although Zhu Mincheng had studied in a military academy and had some basic knowledge of military affairs, he only had theoretical experience and lacked practical experience. He lacked experience in how to select soldiers, including the reorganization and training of soldiers in the later stage. However, with the help of Sun Chuanting and others, this matter was done very smoothly.

Moreover, Li Dingguo was transferred from Jiangxi to Zhu Mincheng's subordinates by an imperial decree at Zhu Mincheng's request. Li Dingguo was indeed worthy of his reputation. Although he was a surrendered general, his ability was extremely outstanding. Zhu Mincheng talked with Li Dingguo for a long time after meeting him, and frankly told him about the future external appointment. Li Dingguo was unprepared for this, but after listening to Zhu Mincheng's words, he keenly knew that this was also an opportunity for him. As a surrendered general, Li Dingguo has not had a good life in the past few years. Although his military rank and military position are not low, the court has never given him the opportunity to be independent. Whether he was serving under Gao Jie or later transferred to Jiangxi, Li Dingguo had no chance to demonstrate his value, especially the battle of Daming to pacify Liaodong not long ago. After learning about the situation on the front line, Li Dingguo couldn't help but yearn for it in his heart, and deeply regretted that he did not participate in this war.

But he also knew that although he and Gao Jie were both surrendered generals, they were actually very different. Gao Jie took the initiative to surrender to the Ming Dynasty, and it was when Gao Yingxiang was dominating the world that he led an army to surrender to the Ming Dynasty.

In addition, after Gao Jie defected to the Ming Dynasty, he quickly established relationships with Wang Rong and Sun Chuanting. It can be said that Gao Jie had people above him, and these people could even speak in front of the emperor. With such a strong background, Gao Jie would naturally be reused. In addition, Gao Jie's good performance in pacifying bandits and civil strife further proved his loyalty to the Ming Dynasty, so it was natural for him to become a general and be granted a title.

But Li Dingguo was different. When he surrendered with Zhang Xianzhong, Zhang Xianzhong was almost at the end of his rope. To put it bluntly, their surrender was forced by the situation and was a choice made for self-preservation. The starting point was different, the timing of surrender and the original situation were also different, and they didn't have anyone above them, so naturally their future was not as good as Gao Jie's.

Even Zhang Xianzhong himself was now only holding a nominal position in the General Council, let alone Li Dingguo? After surrendering with Zhang Xianzhong, Li Dingguo temporarily became a subordinate of Gao Jie, and made contributions in the battle to destroy Luo Rucai, and was awarded the military rank of guerrilla general. His future was also extremely limited.

Therefore, Li Dingguo knew clearly that it would be extremely difficult for him to make a name for himself in the Ming Dynasty with his background. Perhaps he could only hold the rank of general in his lifetime, and being a lieutenant general would be the best he could do. But he did not expect that Song Wang Zhu Mincheng heard of his name from somewhere and transferred him to his command through the imperial court. At first, Li Dingguo thought that he could only guard the house of a Ming vassal king and become a subordinate commander of the vassal king in the future. But he did not expect it to be such an arrangement.

People with ability are not willing to be lonely. Is Li Dingguo capable? The answer is of course yes, otherwise he would not be valued so much by Zhang Xianzhong and adopted as his son. Moreover, among Zhang Xianzhong's four adopted sons, Li Dingguo is the most capable, and this is true. How can a person like him be willing to be an ordinary officer in the local area?
Although going overseas involves risks and the future is uncertain, Li Dingguo feels that the risk is worth taking.

Zhu Mincheng, the Prince of Song, was the legitimate son of the current emperor. How noble was his status? Since even he was willing to go overseas and fight for a place with his bare hands, what about Li Dingguo? Moreover, after meeting Zhu Mincheng, Li Dingguo found that the Prince of Song was not the dandy he had imagined. He was not only courteous to the wise and humble, but also well-mannered. Although he was young, he had a considerable understanding of both military and political affairs. What he lacked was only experience. More importantly, it was Zhu Mincheng who took the initiative to request to be sent overseas, which was enough to prove his determination and courage in this matter.

Under such a prince, it is possible to make achievements overseas. Li Dingguo did not think much about it and readily agreed to Zhu Mincheng's invitation, expressing his willingness to serve as the commander of his palace guards and be responsible for all military affairs.

When selecting the elite Eight Banners in Liaodong, Li Dingguo demonstrated his means and abilities. Not only did he select the most powerful and suitable elite troops for Zhu Mincheng, but he also made these unruly Eight Banners elite troops obedient. In just less than a month, he basically took control of this newly formed army.

When Zhu Mincheng returned to the capital, Li Dingguo stayed in Liaodong temporarily to continue training the army. According to the plan, at the end of March, Zhu Mincheng would sail from Shandong, then cross the sea to Liaodong, pick up Li Dingguo and the reorganized army, and then head to the New World. Now it is not long before this time, and there is not much time left for them.

Compared with Zhu Mincheng's high spirits and yearning for overseas, in another place in the palace, Zhu Youjian looked at Zhu Cizhao in front of him with a somewhat solemn expression.

"Are you really going?" Zhu Youjian asked.

"I have thought about it a long time ago. Now that I have made the choice, I will never regret it!" The boy grew up very fast. Two years ago, Zhu Cizhao was still a half-grown child, but now Zhu Cizhao has become a heroic man.

After deciding to be sent overseas, Zhu Ci Zhao spent the past two years training his body, strengthening his muscles and bones, and learning martial arts. When Zhu Shen Zhui learned about this, he did not say anything, but selected two guards to teach him archery and horse riding. With his efforts, he made considerable progress.

Because of the exercise and the good food and clothing in the palace, Zhu Cizhuo grew up very fast. Now he is almost as tall as Zhu Youjian when he stands up. Moreover, he changed his habit of reading, which he was not very interested in, and read a book in his spare time between martial arts practice, and studied the principles in it carefully.

Watching his son gradually grow up and become very different from before, Zhu Youxiao felt very emotional and relieved. However, as time passed, he was also reluctant to see Zhu Cizhuo leave.

(End of this chapter)