The New Destiny of the Ming Dynasty

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen immediately understood, thinking, "They're here! They're here! They've finally come!"

As expected, after Liaodong Governor Fang Yizao finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and started drinking tea. At that moment, Zu Dashou suddenly coughed, and all the generals in the hall were instantly drawn to Zu Dashou.

Yang Zhen also looked at him.

Zu Dashou had a square face, thick eyebrows, a mustache, and a goatee. His cheekbones were slightly high, and his cheeks were a little sunken. He had a dignified and imposing appearance, but now he looked a little tired.

At this moment, Zu Dashou looked around at all the generals in the hall, and then said in a deep voice:

"The governor's words are very clear. Since February, Minister Chen Xinjia of the Ministry of War and Eunuch Gao, the military supervisor, have repeatedly issued documents urging us to advance our troops. In the past two days, their urging has become even more urgent!"

"Although Governor Zu and Governor Fang cherish everyone and are unwilling to hastily advance troops without understanding the enemy's situation, nor do they want everyone to take unnecessary risks, I believe everyone understands our good intentions. However, at the moment, not advancing troops is simply not an option!"

"If we do not advance, we will be unable to answer to the court and the emperor, and we will also be unable to answer to the soldiers who are fighting to the death to defend Jinzhou and Songshan! Moreover, many of our generals have families and children who, like myself, are currently in Jinzhou. If Jinzhou falls into enemy hands, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"Some might say that Jinzhou and Songshan are fortified with high walls and deep moats, making them exceptionally strong and unlikely to be easily captured by the enemy. However, I am not worried that the Manchu Eight Banners troops can take Jinzhou and Songshan by force. What I and Lord Fang are worried about is that if Jinzhou and Songshan are besieged for a long time without any external reinforcements, internal strife will arise, and the resolve of the people in the cities will waver!"

"Last winter, the Tartars invaded the interior of the pass. Zu led his troops out of Jinzhou to rush to the aid of the capital. Several months have passed since then, and the siege of Jinzhou and Songshan has lasted for fifty or sixty days since the first month of the lunar calendar!"

"In my opinion, at most a month, and possibly less, the Jurchen army will be besieged under the fortified city. If they cannot capture it after a long siege, they will inevitably run out of supplies and retreat on their own!"

"However, the most worrying thing is that within this month, the morale and determination of the garrison in Jinzhou and Songshan, especially in Songshan City, must not collapse or waver!"

"In particular, if the three thousand garrison troops of Songshan fall due to a collapse in morale, and Jinzhou and Ningyuan lose contact, then Jinzhou will also be in danger!"

"Therefore, the most urgent task at present is for the armies of Ningyuan to both organize and prepare for the advance of the main force, and at the same time, to send an advance force to Jinzhou and Songshan as soon as possible! If they can break through the siege and enter the city, the morale of the defenders of Jinzhou and Songshan will surely be high! Then the Jurchen invasion will surely be fruitless!"

After Zu Dashou finished speaking, he stopped, looked at the generals, and finally fixed his gaze on Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes, but the tension in his heart could not be relieved.

At this moment, Governor Fang Yizao spoke again:

"General Zu's words are absolutely correct! Although Jinzhou and Songshan are fortified cities, the most dangerous thing after being besieged for so long is the loss of morale! As long as we send a troop to successfully reach the walls of Jinzhou or Songshan and inform the garrison that our Ningyuan reinforcements will arrive soon, we will have accomplished our mission!"

After saying this, Fang Yizao's voice suddenly rose, and he said loudly:

"Generals below! Who among you is capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility and overcoming this difficult situation for the court and for Liaodong!"

Governor Fang Yizao spoke these words with his hair and beard flying wildly, his voice full of passion and fervor.

Unfortunately, after he finished speaking, the generals in the hall remained silent, and not one of them stood up to respond to him.

Yang Zhen also kept his head down, trying to avoid the gazes of Fang Yizao and Zu Dashou, while secretly glancing at the other people opposite him out of the corner of his eye.

In the second hall, Fang Yizao and Zu Dashou, one a civil official and the other a military officer, sat side by side. The first seat in the row to Fang Yizao's left was occupied by a civil official.

Based on Yang Zhen's current knowledge of the situation in Liaodong at the end of the Ming Dynasty, he deduced that this civil official of medium build but with a dignified appearance should be Qiu Minyang, the second-in-command among the civil officials in Liaodong at that time.

Below them were two other civil officials: one was around fifty years old, thin, with a mustache and goatee, dark complexion, furrowed brows, and gritting his teeth in silence.

Yang Zhenchu ​​was new to the area and didn't even know his name.

The other man sitting to the left of the dark-faced civil official was much younger, around forty years old. He was tall and thin, with a mustache, a short beard, and striking features. He was quite handsome, but at this moment, he also had a worried expression and remained cold and silent.

Yang Zhen stood at the very bottom of the group of military officers, making it easier for him to secretly observe the appearance and expressions of the three civil officials opposite him.

As for his own generals, he couldn't very well turn around and look at them.

However, the second hall was completely silent. Even a fool would know that none of the military officers on Zu Dashou's side would take the initiative to obey orders.

After arriving in Liaodong, Governor Fang Yizao had no military staff of his own in the Liaodong army, apart from a few civil officials assigned by the court, such as the Liaoxi Circuit Intendant and the Ministry of Revenue Supervisor.

If there is anyone involved, it would only be Yang Zhen, the newly appointed deputy general of Ningyuan, who was sent to serve under the Liaodong governor after receiving his favor.

However, Yang Zhen's unit only had a mere two hundred soldiers.

Therefore, although Fang Yizao was the governor, the power to mobilize troops ultimately rested with Zu Dashou, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong.

Zu Dashou remained silent, and Fang Yizao's words had no effect.

Seeing that no one answered, Fang Yizao's face turned very ugly. After a while, Fang Yizao stopped waiting for someone to volunteer and turned to Zu Dashou, cupping his fists and saying:

"General Zu has many fierce generals under his command. In your opinion, who would be suitable to send?"

Sending a vanguard to Songshan and Jinzhou to provide relief, in order to appease the imperial court, was a decision made jointly by Zu Dashou, Fang Yizao, and others after repeated discussions.

Therefore, Zu Dashou did not object to sending someone, but he was unsure who to send, as the journey was fraught with danger.

Zu Dashou was also in a dilemma. After listening to Fang Yizao's words, he pondered for a moment and said:

"The purpose of rescuing Jinzhou and Songshan is to strengthen the resolve of both cities to defend them! All that is needed is to send a brave and fierce general with several hundred elite soldiers!"

"Although our garrison has many fierce generals, each has their own duties—Sanggarsai commands the Mongol troops, Zudale controls the wagon and supply train, and Wu Sangui leads the Ningjin cavalry. They are all our right-hand men, and we cannot leave them for a moment during this time of military preparation!"

As soon as Zu Dashou finished speaking, the people he pointed out immediately stood up one by one, clasped their hands and bowed to Governor Fang Yizao without saying a word.

The meaning was quite clear: they all had important matters to attend to and couldn't go. After all, Ningyuan City also needed to be defended, and it was even more important.

Zu Dashou's words made Governor Fang Yizao feel both angry and frustrated, but he was helpless and had no way to do anything about it.

He waved his hand, first gesturing for Zu Dashou's three main generals, Sanggarsai, Zu Dale, and Wu Sangui, to sit down, and then asked Zu Dashou:

"Then, in General Zu's opinion, who in Ningyuan City is capable of undertaking this important task?"

This was probably what Zu Dashou was waiting for. No sooner had Fang Yizao finished speaking than he continued:

In our opinion, the newly appointed Deputy Commander of Ningyuan, Yang Zhen, is perfectly capable of this position!

Yang Zhenzheng was standing at the back, secretly observing Sanggarsai, Zu Dale, and Wu Sangui. Just as he had figured out who they were, he suddenly heard these words. His heart tightened, and he panicked. He quickly looked at Zu Dashou, who had spoken.

Just then, Zu Dashou was also looking at him.

Zu Dashou gestured for him to calm down, and then continued:

"Yang Zhenshi, nephew, hails from Liaodong, a family of generals for generations, and is renowned for his bravery! Last year, when the Jurchen invaded the capital region, Yang Zhen led his troops under the command of General Lu Xiangshan to confront the Jurchen army. He fought his way out of the Jurchen encirclement, demonstrating the ferocity of his troops! This time, in the relief of Songshan in Jinzhou, Yang Zhen is qualified to serve as the vanguard!"