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On the surface of the river, thick smoke rolled and flames soared into the sky. The surging river water had been dyed with a dark red layer. The uneven wooden boards and corpses were washed downstream by the river. The bandits cooperated with mines and artillery, which made it difficult for Zheng Zhilong to make a step forward.

Zheng Zhilong dared to swear that he had never fought such a frustrated battle in his life. The key is that this is in the river, not the sea, the sea is boundless, and letting water mines is just a joke.

Even though the Yangtze River is several miles wide and dense fleets are still difficult to move. When encountering an asymmetric war purely with lightning, it is inevitable that it will be frustrated.

"Father, let's retreat. The boats in front of us can just block the mines for us, so we have enough time to withdraw from the estuary of the Yangtze River."

Zheng Sen took a deep breath and advised.

Zheng Zhilong's face showed a look of pain.

Hundreds of warships and more than 300 merchant ships have already flowed out of the waterways on both sides of Baguazhou. If they retreat, these ships will not be able to return. Not even the ships of the Qinglei Gang, including only the hundreds of ships that voluntarily went to clear mines, which means that nearly 600 ships have been lost in this battle. Even if the Zheng Zhilong family has a great career, it will have at least one-third of its power, which will bring a heavy blow to his reputation and strength. Some pirate gangs below will inevitably be ready to move.

Moreover, if he returns without success, Sun Chuanting will be in danger. Once Sun Chuanting cannot support it, Li Xin will inevitably attack Hangzhou, and Hangzhou will be in danger.

However, if it is exhausted, it is very likely that the entire army will be wiped out, because the bandit army can continuously release mines. No one knows how many mines the bandit army has prepared. It is better during the day now and can still be seen. At night, it is dark everywhere, and I am afraid that it will not know what is going on after being bombed.

At this time, we must have the determination to cut off our arm!

"retreat!"

Zheng Zhilong Meng waved his hand.

It has to be said that Zheng Zhilong's fleet has been worthy of being scattered across the sea for decades. Although it was defeated, it was not chaotic. From the back formation, the ships turned around and slowly sailed backwards in an orderly manner. Moreover, the abandoned warships in front became a natural barrier, blocking the mines down the river and any possible pursuit.

"Mr. Hou ran away, Mr. Hou ran away!"

The ships in front found the fleet behind running back, and suddenly became a mess. Some turned around desperately, some abandoned the ship and fled, and some rushed out white flags and surrendered. Unfortunately, the mine was released, and Li Xin could not control it. Otherwise, he would really want to incorporate Zheng Zhilong's naval army. These people had much more experience in naval battles than his naval soldiers.

At this time, he could only order to stop the release of mines and temporarily fire the cannon. How many people could survive will be left to fate.

...

A day later, Sun Chuanting learned of the news that Zheng Zhilong was defeated and his face changed drastically!

"Waste, waste!"

"That Zheng Zhilong is known as a thousand warships and thousands of artillery. He was actually blown away by mines in the Yangtze River. It's simply strange. I'm just thinking he's a character!"

Sun Chuanting cursed with anger!

Ruan Dacheng also said from the side: "Mr. Hou, Zheng Zhilong is indeed not true. He has lost his troops and generals. It doesn't matter if he runs away. I'm leaving us here, I'm afraid the consequences will be bad!"

Sun Chuanting felt a little clear.

According to the original plan, Zheng Zhilong was the main attack on Nanjing to attract the main force of the storm army. He attacked from the southeast. Now Zheng Zhilong was defeated and fled, leaving him alone in Lishui to confront 20,000 storm troops across the air. He had no certainty about winning the 20,000 storm troops, not to mention that once Li Xin led the main force to come, there was even a danger of annihilation of the entire army.

"Mr. Hou, you still need to make a decision!"

Ruan Dacheng also advised with an uneasy expression.

Sun Chuanting asked in a deep voice: "If I retreat and go from here to Hangzhou, Li Xin will definitely go straight to Hangzhou. What should I do?"

Ruan Dacheng said: "This is not Mr. Hou's responsibility alone. Zheng Zhilong should take the main responsibility. Even if Mr. Hou forcibly fought a decisive battle with the bandit army, how sure is Mr. Hou? In the end, he will lose his own strength. Therefore, Mr. Hou might as well go back to Hangzhou first and ask the emperor and the prince to decide."

Sun Chuanting thought about it, his troops were his own, and did not belong to the Xiao Chaoting of King Gui. The situation is extremely unfavorable now, so there is no need for him to compensate his belongings. Without troops, Sun Chuanting is nothing.

"Well! Send the order and retreat tonight!"

Sun Chuanting waved his hand unwillingly.

Because Lishui and Yixing were connected to the mountains, Sun Chuanting walked away at night. Zhang Quan was worried and did not dare to pursue him, so he asked Sun Chuanting to retreat safely. Li Xin did not blame him. In this case, he would not dare to pursue him easily.

Another day later, the results of the battle came out. Because it was a water battle, most of the corpses floated downstream along the river, and there was no way to judge the specific number of enemies annihilated. However, a total of nearly 1,300 former Zheng navy troops surrendered, and Li Xin immediately joined his command.

He was not worried about betrayal. After all, Zheng Zhilong did things too well. These people were abandoned. They were full of resentment towards Zheng Zhilong. What's more, Zheng Zhilong suffered defeat with such a great advantage. It was so prosperous that he would not improve again in the future.

Although the navy of the Bandit Army was first established, compared with Zheng Zhilong, what they lacked was only the foundation and itself, which could be compensated with money. As long as you are willing to spend money, more warships will be built in the future to compete with Zheng Zhilong on the sea.

After Zheng Zhilong retreated, the soldiers cleared mines one by one inch by one, and the city of Nanjing was also very happy. The people of Nanjing were used to being dominated by the bandit army. Their politics were clearer and there were almost no taxes. The tax collection was collected according to the rules and clear names. In addition, the establishment of a large number of state-owned enterprises, many people's lives gradually became rich, and their children could also enjoy free education, which was much better than the Ming Dynasty.

Everyone knows that if the bandits retreat, Nanjing will return to its original state. As an ordinary person, he will not cover his body, not cover his stomach, and be bullied by men from all walks of life. No one is willing to go back to the past.

Li Xin was preparing to attack Hangzhou.

At the same time, Li Zicheng, who was stationed in Kaizhou, was shocked to learn that Zheng Zhilong had fled!

Kaizhou Prefecture, as Li Zicheng's temporary palace, has a suffocating atmosphere, especially June, which is the hottest season of the year. The hall is not airtight and everyone is sweating profusely.

"Your Majesty, I didn't expect that Zheng Zhilong was so vulnerable. It wouldn't matter if he was defeated, but it would put us in a dilemma!"

Hao Yaoqi wiped his sweat and said not angry.

Li Zicheng waved his hand: "It's not Zheng Zhilong's fault for this battle. It's because Li Xin was too cunning and actually prepared countless mines in advance. Thinking about how the mines were released from the upstream in the river, how to resist the ships downstream, let's talk about what we should do."

Niu Jinxing bowed and said, "Emperor, Zheng Zhilong fled in great defeat and no longer threatened Nanjing. I heard that Sun Chuanting also retreated to Hangzhou. The Tartars did not send out a single army or a soldier from beginning to end. The three alliances were already dead in name only. It is an unwise move to cross the river to attack Beijing. It is better to send someone to persuade Zhang Nai. Perhaps Zhang Nai will take into account his past friendship. Even if it fails, Zhang Nai will be honest and honest, but can return safely."

Li Zicheng thought about this and it was the same. It was obviously impossible to let him attack Beijing alone. Since he couldn't fight, it would be better to give it a try. Anyway, there would be no loss if he couldn't succeed."

"Who will go?"

Li Zicheng asked down.

Everyone looked at Gao Yigong one after another.

Li Zicheng frowned. He didn't dare to let Gao Yigong go to Beijing again. After all, Gao Guiying had given birth to a child for Li Xin, which was a blood relative. Gao Yigong confirmed Li Xin's identity as his brother-in-law. If he was told to vote for Li Xin, he would undoubtedly have great turmoil in the rebellion army.

Gao Yigong was not comparable to Zhang Nai. Zhang Nai was younger. Gao Yigong followed him to conquer the world since he started the army. He was an old man who had been with him for more than ten years and the nephew of the old King Gao Yingxiang. Li Zicheng started the army with the help of the Gao family's power.

Gao Yigong sneered secretly. He was already very dissatisfied with Li Zicheng. He immediately took a step forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, I am willing to travel to Beijing for the Emperor."

Li Zicheng faintly showed an unhappy look.

He didn't think that Gao Yigong couldn't understand his situation, which was obviously against him. But in the past, Gao Yigong was responsible for communicating with Li Xin. Now he suddenly refused to let Gao Yigong go. Isn't it clear that he did not trust Gao Yigong?

As a hero, such things can only be done secretly, not openly.

"Who else would like to go with Yigong?"

Li Zicheng deliberately did not look at Li Shuangxi, and his eyes were flowing between Yuan Zongdi, Tian Jianxiu, Hao Yaoqi and others.

Shuangxi wanted to recommend herself, but looking at Li Zicheng's appearance, she had to sigh secretly.

Hao Yaoqi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go with you."

"Yeah~~"

Li Zicheng nodded with satisfaction. Although Hao Yaoqi was not from the Old Eighth Team, but a subordinate of Gao Yingxiang. After Gao Yingxiang died, he joined Li Zicheng, but after following him for nearly ten years, he was still quite relieved. So he raised his hand and said, "Prepare quickly, you will go to Beijing with Yigong tomorrow."
Chapter completed!