The Ming Dynasty began in the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

Emperor Chongzhen issued an edict ordering Wu Sangui to lead troops to defend the emperor.

If Wu Sangui had been decisive enough to lead the Guan Ning cavalry to defend the capital, they could have arrived in time to provide support before the city fell.

Even if they cannot defeat the rebel army, the Guan-Ning army can enter the city to strengthen its defenses, and the capital can hold out for several months without any problem.

Within a few months, loyalist forces from all over the Ming Dynasty should arrive one after another, potentially altering the course of history.

Don't assume there really weren't any loyal troops. While some might not dare to come to the aid of the Jurchens, they might not be so afraid of bandits.

The main problem was that the capital fell too quickly, and many people didn't have time to react.

If they can hold out for a few months, the loyalist troops will arrive one after another.

For example, You Shiwei and You Shilu from Yulin.

There should also be people in Nanjing who actively came to the aid of the emperor, such as Han Zhanzhou, the eunuch in charge of Nanjing, Chang Yanling, the Marquis of Huaiyuan, Li Dakai, the general of Chizhou, Shi Kefa, Huang Degong, and so on.

Ma Shiying, the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner and General of Fengyang, also had a considerable number of troops under his command. When Emperor Chongzhen faced a life-or-death crisis, he might come to the emperor's aid.

There will also be some unexpected armies coming to the aid of the king; they are all loyal to the royal family.

By then, even figures like Zuo Liangyu and Liu Zeqing would be unable to sit still and would have no choice but to lead their troops to defend the emperor, otherwise they might die.

Imagine if the bandit army were defeated by the loyalist forces, would Emperor Chongzhen have spared them?

Emperor Chongzhen still had the power to rule, unlike Emperor Xian of Han, who had no troops and no authority.

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, there were so many fierce generals and soldiers. No matter how arrogant and domineering they were, at most they would outwardly comply but inwardly defy the emperor. Which of them dared to openly challenge Emperor Chongzhen?

Wu Sangui was not truly loyal to the emperor; he took everything he could from Ningyuan and forced over 500,000 soldiers and civilians to relocate there.

This isn't about supporting the emperor; it's clearly about moving house.

It took them a full ten days to reach Shanhaiguan, and another four days to get to Fengrun. They were no match for the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry; they were crawling like tortoises.

It should be noted that by the time they reached Fengrun at their snail's pace, it was already March 20th of the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, three days after the Chongzhen Emperor's death.

It can be said that Wu Sangui was not genuinely loyal to the emperor; he was observing the situation as he went.

There must have been scouts traveling back and forth to report, so how could he not know that the situation in the capital was critical?

If Wu Sangui truly wanted to serve the emperor, he could have left a small force with his family and the people behind, while he personally led the main force to serve the emperor, which would have taken less than half the time.

Don't talk about ethnic integration; no one can whitewash figures like Wu Sangui, Hong Chengchou, and Qin Hui.

Wu Sangui, in particular, was a notorious traitor who led the Jurchens into China, causing them to wreak havoc on the country for centuries.

Even in later prosperous and glorious eras, Manchu remnants continued to wreak havoc on the country, and their crimes are unforgivable.

Wu Sangui's main force was present during this campaign to defend the emperor.

Lieutenant General Yang Shen, Guerrilla General Guo Yunlong, Deputy General Sun Wenhuan, and Guan Ning Army Cavalry Commander Wu Guofu.

Nephew Wu Yingxiong (commander of the family's personal guards), son-in-law Xia Guoxiang, son-in-law Hu Guozhu, etc.

The dozens of generals and advisors present were all Wu Sangui's confidants, and they would follow him to the death at his command.

The strongest fighting force is all led by nephews and sons-in-law.

The eldest son-in-law, Xia Guoxiang, was a man of both literary and military talent, and also an important advisor to Wu Sangui.

……

After about half an incense stick's time, Wu Sangui coughed lightly, interrupting the generals' discussion.

"Gentlemen, I have rushed to lead troops to defend the emperor, but unfortunately it is too late. The capital has fallen, and His Majesty has died for his country."

"Li Zicheng intends to offer surrender, and their envoys are already waiting outside the military camp. What are your thoughts on this?"

Before Wu Sangui could finish speaking, his deputy, Sun Wenxun, jumped to his feet and shouted:

"The capital is so well-fortified, yet it was easily breached by bandits. Were those people raised on shit? I will not work with such incompetent people."

Yang Shen quickly chimed in, stepping forward and bowing respectfully:

"Yes, the bandits forced Emperor Chongzhen to his death. How can we submit to them? Others will think that the Guan Ning Army is colluding with the bandits, which I will not accept."

……

Not to mention the Guan Ning Army, most Ming Dynasty armies looked down on Li Zicheng's army, so they called them bandits.

When the issue of Wu Sangui was raised, most generals opposed surrendering to Li Zicheng's Shun regime.

Finally, Xia Guoxiang stepped in to smooth things over, saying loudly:

"Father, why don't we let the messengers in first, hear what they can offer, and then decide whether to submit?"

Wu Sangui nodded:

"Alright, let's hear Li Zicheng's terms first. Please invite the envoy of the Great Shun Dynasty in."

……

Niu Jinxing, Song Xianze, Li Yan, Gu Jun'en.

These individuals were the most famous civil officials of the Da Shun regime, and anyone familiar with the history of the late Ming Dynasty will generally know them.

One of the envoys sent to persuade Wu Sangui to surrender was Gu Jun'en.

It is evident that Li Zicheng still valued Wu Sangui highly. Who would dare to underestimate the Guan Ning cavalry? At this time, they were the strongest fighting force of the Ming Dynasty.

I'm sorry, dear readers, this book has over 80,000 words but only a few dozen favorites and a dozen or so readers following it. I have no choice but to abandon it.

Perhaps the starting point was wrong; the protagonist will suffer some injustices in the early stages. Perhaps it was wrong to kill off Emperor Chongzhen. The new book should be as enjoyable as possible.