Ming Dynasty entry: I am Chongzhen, the greatest emperor of all time!

Chapter 61 Wu Sangui Enters Beijing

Li Zicheng's mind was in a mess.

Looking at Song Xiance, he asked, "Didn't the scouts say that Wu Sangui was still dawdling in Yutian, and that if he marched twenty miles a day, he could reach the capital in five days?"

Song Xiance didn't know why Wu Sangui came so quickly, far beyond his expectations.

Niu Jinxing muttered to himself, holding the report in his hand. "Yesterday, the scouts reported that the main force of the Guanning Army is still in Jizhou and hasn't moved camp yet. They're heading towards Tianjin. How could they reach the capital in just one day?"

Li Zicheng swung his sleeves and said, "Who cares? Look at this battle formation, there are only 20,000 or 30,000 cavalry. The central army camp turns around! Eat him up!"

"Absolutely not!"

Song Xiance and Niu Jinxing stopped him in unison.

"The left and right armies are deadlocked. The rear army is weak, and the front army is also in the north. The surrendered refugees are not good at fighting at night. If we mobilize the central army at this time, the refugees in front of the battle will surely be defeated!"

"The Guanning Army is famous for its cavalry. The Central Army will not be able to win quickly. If it loses, the casualties will be incalculable!"

Song Xiance was afraid that Li Zicheng would get too angry, so he pointed in the direction of the large Wu banner and said, "King Chuang, look carefully! They are coming on two horses!"

"Each of the elite Guanning Army must be equipped with two horses and wear double armor. These cavalrymen must be the Guanning Iron Cavalry who have been fighting against the Jiannu for years!"

"Even with the old camp, it's hard to suppress them. It would be better to let them into the city. The cavalry's ability to defend the city will definitely be greatly reduced!"

"Also, I observed the celestial phenomena at night and saw that the star Tianfu was approaching Taiweiyuan. This is a sign of a guest star suppressing the host! Wu Sangui must have launched a night raid. If we let him into the city, the Ming court will be in trouble!"

Li Zicheng's cheek muscles twitched.

How could he not understand these principles?

Turning his gaze towards the Zuoanmen Tower, he could vaguely see the fluttering bright yellow dragon flag at the gap that had just been opened by artillery fire.

If it weren't for the dragon flag, if Song Xiance and Niu Jinxing had followed their strategy step by step, the position of Dabao would have been within their grasp.

If he could delay it for two hours, he would be able to sit on equal footing with the almighty emperor.

Watching 100,000 refugees being driven towards the city walls by elite cavalry, the hungry people in the front row were pushed against the wall by the crowd behind them before they could even hold on to the ladders.

Someone's foot was pierced by caltrops and he rolled into the moat screaming, the splashing water glowing scarlet in the moonlight.

After struggling for a long time, Li Zicheng's fighting spirit finally dulled.

"Send the order, sound the retreat! Open up the left flank and let these Liaodong dogs enter the city and gnaw on the bones!"

Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance breathed a sigh of relief and quickly gave the order to sound the horn.

When the sound of bronze bells pierced the battlefield, Liu Zongmin was pressing the head of a Ming army captain on the arrow nest.

Hearing the horn sound, he was puzzled. "Retreat now? We can capture the city in an instant, but why retreat now?"

But he had to obey the military order. Liu Zongmin angrily beheaded the centurion with a sword and then roared.

"withdraw!!"

Thousands of rebel troops retreated like a tide.

The new army took back the city defense again.

Wu Xiang was lying on the Deshengmen Arrow Tower, covered in dirt, although it was late at night and he couldn't see clearly.

But the power of 30,000 cavalry is even more spectacular than that of 100,000 infantry.

The large flag with the Chinese character "Wu" was faintly visible in the moonlight and firelight.

Wu Xiang was so excited that his whole body was shaking.

My son is coming... My son is coming!
He even appeared at the most critical moment of the capital. If he could control the situation well, he would dare to ask the emperor for a Dukedom!

From now on, no one in the capital can look down on me!

So what if Ni Yuanlu is the Prime Minister! ?
As long as the Guanning Army enters the city, he will have the final say!
……

The war ended quickly as it started.

The 700,000-strong army retreated back to the camp in less than half an hour.

Only 50,000 soldiers from the old camp were left to confront the Guanning Army.

As twelve dragon flags were erected above Deshengmen.

The 20,000-strong army, led by the Yongwei Battalion, the Sanqian Battalion, and the Jinwei Huben, filed out, blocking the wide-open Desheng Gate behind them.

Wu Sangui did not hesitate and immediately led his army into the city through Deshengmen.

During this time, the soldiers in the old camp just watched and had no intention of attacking.

In this strange peace, the morning glow of March 23rd penetrated the clouds and sprinkled on the capital.

Wu Sangui rode a maroon warhorse, his dark black armor with mountain patterns was dull and lifeless, and his dark iron helmet made his face look ashen.

His body was not too strong, but it was very straight.

His eyes, which were filled with a hint of hostility when he looked at everyone, were now looking at the human walls on both sides in shock.

Starting from Deshengmen, several elite troops under Zhu Youjian were stationed on both sides of the official road, extending all the way to the outer parade ground.

Even if they wanted to establish Wu Sangui's authority, they were worried that the Guanning Army would disrupt the city's defenses.

good results.

The three layers of heavy armor of the imperial guards alone made Wu Sangui astonished.

What's more, there is the Yongwei Camp with dozens of entries.

Just standing by the roadside, their bodies are always in a state of combat. The distance between three people is never more than two meters, and one person must be holding a sword and shield, one holding a spear, and one carrying a bow.

Just by looking at their standing posture, you can tell that this group of people are terrifyingly strong!
At the very least, they should be on par with his personal army, and only slightly inferior to the white-armored soldiers of the Jiannu army.

When did Your Majesty train such a powerful army?

When the Jiannu arrived in Beijing last year and he came to support the king, there was only the Beijing camp to support him.

As I was watching, I suddenly heard the deputy general's exclamation.

"General!"

Wu Sangui turned his head and saw Zhu Youjian's golden armor shining in the morning light, and the twelve dragon flags behind him fluttering like burning golden flames.

Especially the one thousand imperial guards beside the emperor, even Wu Sangui was frightened.

This looks so good! ! ! !
He quickly dismounted and said, "Your Majesty, Wu Sangui, is late in rescuing me. Please..."

"I am very pleased that Changbo is working hard to serve the king day and night." Zhu Youjian interrupted Wu Sangui.

He walked up quickly and helped Wu Sangui up.

Zhu Youjian's hands were as cold as ice, but his voice was as warm as spring. "Don't be so polite, uncle. I know everything you and your father say and do, and I will definitely not let you down."

To outsiders, the conversation between the two is simply a model of a wise king and a virtuous general in ancient times, where the general does not take credit for himself and the king is generous with his rewards.

But when it reached Wu Sangui's ears, it was more painful than a needle prick.

This was clearly His Majesty's warning to him. He was well aware of all the troubles in Liaodong and told him not to ask for excessive amounts of money.

He could now be sure that the rumors about His Majesty's drastic change in temperament as stated in his father Wu Xiang's secret letter were true!

It is not known whether he is wise or not, but he can clearly feel the oppression emanating from the person in front of him!

Wu Sangui was even more frightened now, and he kept saying that he dared not
Zhu Youjian smiled and waved his hands, "This is what you and your son deserve. Uncle Chang has been exhausted from the journey, so go and rest first. I will hold a banquet in the Qianqing Palace at noon today to reward Uncle Chang for his service to the king!"

"Military Supervisor Fan, Minister Wang, quickly arrange camp for the Guanning Army."

"Your Majesty, please give me some food..." Wu Sangui didn't finish his words.

Zhu Youjian had already turned and left with the Imperial Guards.

A large number of new soldiers and civilians returned to work as usual, shuttling between the walls of Deshengmen and urgently repairing the gaps left during the siege.

Only then did Wu Xiang come before Wu Sangui.

He stroked Wu Sangui's shoulder and said with emotion, "I haven't seen you for a year, and my son has grown stronger."

After that, seeing that there was no one around, he took the opportunity to whisper, "Jinyiwei is back, let's talk about it when we get back to the mansion!"

Wu Sangui immediately responded loudly, "Dad, let's go back home first."

"Well, let's go back home." Wu Xiang smiled and handed over the task of defending the city to Wang Erhu, and then rode away with Wu Sangui and several personal soldiers.

(End of this chapter)