As soon as Zhu Cixuan said this, the Duke of England and Li Guozhen were directly shocked.

Then, a strange feeling suddenly surged in the hearts of the two of them.

This scene... seems familiar.

Wait, before that, didn’t Zhu Ciyang make the same judgment in the battle between Baoding Prefecture and Shanhaiguan?

When the British Duke thought of this, he was a little amused and amused: "Your Highness, the situation this time is completely different from the last time."

Zhu Cilang nodded seriously: "It's really different. Whether it's Li Zicheng or Jiannu, they are weaker than the last time. And our Ming Dynasty is much stronger than the last time."

Duke of England: "???"

Do we two mean the same?

But after thinking about it carefully, the British Duke suddenly realized that Zhu Cilang... was right!

The last time, the total strength of the Ming Dynasty was only 80,000, but now there are 150,000, almost twice that of the previous one.

But on the other hand, the Qing Dynasty claimed to be a 100,000 army, but according to normal calculations, it should be only 50,000 or 60,000.

As for Li Zicheng, he claims to have 200,000 troops, but it probably only 70,000 to 80,000. If he is to be able to survive, he will be 100,000.

If you calculate this way, you will find that the current Ming army is actually just the same as the Qing Dynasty and Li Zicheng combined with the combined number of troops!

Even so, the Duke of England still insisted on raising questions: "But Your Highness, this war does not mean that it is just a matter of the number of troops to win."

The British Duke's meaning is very obvious. In the past few decades, including the Chongzhen Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty actually had the advantage of military strength when facing the Qing Dynasty, but what's the use? It's the same as losing more than winning less.

Zhu Cilang also nodded seriously: "You are right in the British Duke. Li Zicheng counts his 100,000 people. In fact, his combat effectiveness is probably equivalent to that of our regular army of Ming Dynasty. Therefore, this war cannot be won by relying solely on the number of troops."

Duke of England: "…"

At this moment, the British Duke was in a mess.

Why is the eloquence of His Royal Highness so sharp?

When Li Guozhen, who was standing by, heard this, he couldn't help but say, "So, Your Highness, what do you mean?"

Li Guozhen was actually a little moved.

Unlike the British Duke, Li Guozhen is a young man who is 25 years old this year. He is a fledgling man and the real tough battles he has fought with Zhu Cixuan.

In other words, Li Guozhen's victory in this life was held by Zhu Cilang's thighs.

So although Li Guozhen once opposed Zhu Cilang, when it came to his conviction with Zhu Cilang, Li Guozhen was even more serious than the British Duke.

Zhu Cilang said with a smile: "The meaning of this palace is very simple. We are divided into two groups. We are still partnering with Xiangcheng Bo. We can just bring 50,000 troops to deal with Li Zicheng. As for the British Duke, you can take 100,000 troops north to guard the various roads east of Taihang Mountain, so as not to let Jiannu have the chance to disturb the capital. After this palace defeats Li Zicheng, you can go north to join the British Duke."

Duke of England: "…"

I have to admit that until now, I must admit that Zhu Cilang’s goal is very grand.

Moreover, it is possible to achieve.

But the Duke of England was still unsure: "Your Highness, can we really be agreed to by His Majesty if we do this?"

The British Duke actually knew Chongzhen very well.

Zhu Cilang smiled and said, "It's okay, my father will definitely say that we are fighting the war, so we will decide that we will do it!"

Li Guozhen interrupted, "This is indeed very likely to be His Majesty's idea."

The British Duke glared at Li Guozhen, where is this Xiangcheng Bo talking to?

Li Guozhen shrank his head. Although he knew the meaning of the British Duke, he did not change his words.

Li Guozhen is now in his mind. If he wants to achieve military achievements, he will follow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and oppose His Royal Highness? There is no such option for Li Guozhen.

Zhu Ciyang looked at the British Duke and smiled and persuaded: "Duke, what are you worried about? I have so many battles in the past, but has it disappointed you? This time, as long as you can defend the capital area well and avoid being invaded, I can promise you that I will definitely recover Datong and Taiyuan before this winter!"

Zhu Cilang has already agreed that Taiyuan has fallen, mainly because he thinks that Li Zicheng is too good to be a good person.

The British Duke had no choice but to sigh and said, "Your Highness, the old minister has found that sometimes I really can't keep up with your ideas."

The British Duke finally chose to agree.

To put it bluntly, Chongzhen's order was to let the British Duke go north to deal with Jiannu as soon as possible after conquering Jinan, but there was no requirement that the entire army should go north, nor did it be possible to deal with Li Zicheng when going north.

Anyway, the prince was holding on to him when the sky fell, and the British Duke thought in a dark heart.

This British Duke actually didn't realize that he was also changed a lot by Zhu Cixuan in a subtle way!

The next day, the British Duke was in a mighty manner and led an army of 100,000 and a captive of the Dashun Army of the Dashun Army to the north.

As early as when Ma Shiying and Zuo Menggeng made a northern expedition, the mighty Jiangnan canal fleet had already followed them all the way north to outside Jinan City. So after Jinan took it, the fleet that transported food and supplies to the capital had now entered the Hebei Plain, and the supply problem was greatly alleviated.

As for Zhu Cixuan, he obtained command of 50,000 troops from the British Duke, including all the cavalry and all the red cannons.

"The British Duke is still very interesting." Zhu Cilang praised and watched the British Duke's army leave in a mighty manner.

Beside Zhu Cixuan, Li Guozhen was also ready to fight: "Your Highness, let's kill Li Zicheng now?"

Zhu Cilang smiled and said, "Of course."

Later that day, Zhu Cixuan also led his army to set off.

This was a very chaotic era. In just half a year, the Ming Dynasty had fought with the Qing Dynasty and Li Zicheng many times, and this kind of war showed no sign of a stop.

After camping that night, Zhu Cilang ordered Fang Gongqian: "Go and bring Li Yan."

Although the British Duke took away most of the prisoners, some of them were handed over to Zhu Cilang, such as Li Yan.

Li Yan was quickly brought. Zhu Cixuan looked up and down, and found that the other party was in good spirits. He smiled and said, "It seems that your life in prison is not that sad."

Li Yan couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this: "What is your highness saying? The sinner wants to regain freedom at all times. I just hope that His Highness can give the sinner a chance."

Zhu Ciyang laughed and said, "To be honest, Niu Jinxing has now changed his name and become a rich man in the capital. The only small price is that he will be protected by the people from the East Factory for twelve hours. What do you think Niu Jinxing's life like?"

Li Yan hurriedly said, "That's simply the life that sinners dream of."

Zhu Cixuan's laughter became more and more refreshing: "Dreams? If this is true, then I think you should play some role in the next war between me and Li Zicheng. What do you think?"

...

When Li Zicheng heard that Zhu Cixuan led his army to about 80 miles outside Yongnian City, he finally confirmed something.

"This Prince is actually coming to me?"

Li Zicheng was also very shocked.

Li Zicheng thought that since he had stopped moving in Yongnian City, the Ming army should have noticed something from this action and rushed north to fight the Qing Dynasty to the death.

No matter how bad it is, the Ming army should have divided a side division to defend in Shunde Prefecture or Zhending Prefecture in the north.

As a result, the Ming army actually made great efforts and went directly to Yongnian City?

This is like this, this is simply not treating Li Zicheng as a scallion.

Li Zicheng slapped the table with a bang.

"This Zhu Cilang really doesn't take me seriously anymore, he's a very slut!"

The ministers of the great ministers in front of Li Zicheng were in a bit complicated when they watched this scene.

Actually, Zhu Cixuan does have the capital to not take Li Zicheng seriously. After all, from the capital, Gu'an, Baoding and then to Feicheng, Zhu Cixuan has completed four consecutive victories against Li Zicheng.

However, those who can survive under Li Zicheng until now are not stupid. Everyone stood there quietly and said nothing.

Li Zicheng cursed a few times, then looked up and said, "Tell me, what should I do now?"

After a little silence, Li Guo stood up.

Originally, it was the military advisors' business, but now two of Li Zicheng's three military advisors became prisoners and the last one chose to run away. Li Guo could only bite the bullet and take the lead.

Li Jiao said: "Your Majesty, I believe that it is meaningless to be hostile to the Ming army now, and we can only consume our strength out of thin air. It is better to retreat to Henan before the Ming army arrived. In this way, the Ming army will definitely feel that our Dashun cannot pose any threat, and they will go north to fight Dorgon to the death."

When Li Zicheng heard this, his cheeks jumped.

Li Guo’s plan is actually very simple, he admits his conscience.

but……

Li Zicheng couldn't hold this face down a little.

I couldn't beat it before and had to retreat. This was fine, but now I ran away without even fighting. What's going on?

You should know that Li Zicheng is no longer the leader of the refugee bandit who fled everywhere. He is the serious Emperor Dashun!

Just ran away like this. How did Dashun’s military and civilians view Li Zicheng? Do you still want the morale of the military and civilians?

Li Zicheng gritted his teeth and said coldly: "What are you saying? How could I be afraid of Zhu Cilang, a yellow-mouthed child, and became a deserter? Okay, don't say it again. I will guard this Yongnian City this time to see if Zhu Cilang can really beat me again!"

In the final analysis, Li Zicheng urgently needed a victory to restore Dashun's momentum and win back the trust of the army and the people in him.

Li Zicheng is still confident. Sun Chuanting beat Li Zicheng so much that he ran away with his head in his arms. In the end, Li Zicheng attacked Xi'an and killed Sun Chuanting?
Chapter completed!