In April in Liaodong, although the climate has not yet entered summer, it has also arrived at the season of spring flowers blooming. On both sides of the road, grass and trees are sprouting, green hair is everywhere, and it is full of life.

The Eight Banners soldiers of Manchuria march in formation according to the sequence of each flag. The Eight Banners soldiers of Manchuria are distinguished by flag colors, but they are not the real eight colors, but four colors of yellow, white, red and blue, with yellow and white inlays.

The four red and blue flags are four-color military uniforms and flags with red and white trimmings. Looking from a distance, you can see a long dragon composed of four colors rolling across the land of Liaodong, with no edges visible from the beginning to the end.

This time the Qing troops mobilized on an unprecedented scale. The Eight Banners Manchuria and the Eight Banners Mongolia drew two out of three, and more than 80,000 elite soldiers were gathered. The Eight Banners Han Army's obedient king Kong Youde, Huaishun Wang Geng Zhongming, Zhishun Wang Shang Kexi, Xushun Gong Shen Zhixiang

The infantry and cavalry from other departments even came out in full force. The total number of troops dispatched exceeded one hundred thousand, and all the food, fodder and baggage were also available.

For this ethnic minority dynasty that has grown wildly in the Northeast for decades, it depends on whether it can enter the Central Plains and become a strong competitor for the throne of the world!

As the commander-in-chief of the 100,000-strong Qing army, the regent Dorgon seldom rode a horse during the march because of his poor health. Most of the time he traveled in a yellow sedan chair carried by four people. There was a handle on the front of the sedan chair.

In addition, he also had a large yellow sedan prepared for him, which was carried by sixteen people. It was divided into bundles and carried by camels. There was also a large felt tent called the Tent Hall, which was also carried by camels.

These yellow utensils were all taken out from the royal warehouse and were used by Huang Taiji.

He has not yet settled in Beijing, but he openly uses tools that only the emperor can use, which will inevitably make people think.

The army led by Dorgon left Shengjing and Shenyang on April 13th. Although Zu Zepu arrived in Shengjing on April 11th, he met with Dorgon and agreed to lend troops to fight against the thieves.

But Dorgon still made two preparations.

According to the plan, the army would first march due west and then turn southwest, or go to the Liaoxi Corridor and enter Shanhaiguan to join forces with Wu Sangui to attack Beijing; or break through the Great Wall from Jizhou or Miyun, attack steadily, and approach the city of Beijing step by step.

The former is of course the most ideal. If Shanhaiguan is removed, the Qing army can enter and leave the Central Plains along the shortcut of the Western Liaoning Corridor. And without worries, they can go all out to seize the Central Plains territory.

The latter is not ideal. It will be choked by the 50,000 Ming troops at Shanhaiguan, and the retreat will be threatened. There is no problem in conquering Beijing, but it will not be easy to pursue Li Zicheng with all his strength and quickly expand the territory. Unless

After dealing with Li Zicheng, eliminate Wu Sangui.

But after defeating Li Zicheng and Wu Sangui, how many Eight Banners soldiers were left in the Qing Dynasty?

In addition, if Li Zicheng goes against Hong Chengchou's expectation and retreats to Beijing after failing in the field battle, Dorgon will be caught blind. There is the strong city of Beijing on one side and the mountains and seas on the other. If a hundred thousand Qing troops want to attack and capture these two fortresses,

, I’m afraid that not even a few scraps will be left after being consumed.

In other words, Li Zicheng had no chance of winning - as long as Wu Sangui did not lead Qing troops into the Pass, and Li Zicheng did not attack Shanhaiguan but fought the Qing troops under the walls of Beijing, then the outcome would be between 50 and 50.

Even if the army is defeated, it will not be too embarrassing.

Therefore, in the few days after the troops were dispatched, Dorgon was always uneasy. He was afraid that Wu Sangui would regret it, and he was even more afraid that Li Zicheng would stand still in Beijing.

Later historians like to regard Li Zicheng's delay in Beijing and his failure to attack Wu Sangui in time as a major mistake. However, at this time, Dorgon was frightened because he had not received news about Li Zicheng's eastern expedition.

Because in his opinion, it was impossible for Li Zicheng to capture Shanhaiguan in a short period of time without suffering heavy casualties.

If Li Zicheng had this ability, Dorgon would not dare to enter the Pass and die!

Even if the Eight Banners soldiers were to fight against a majestic pass like Shanhaiguan and a garrison of 40,000 to 50,000 people, it would take a long time and cause heavy casualties.

On the fifth day after the Qing army left Shengjing, that is, on the morning of April 17, the Zhengbai Banner Brigade where the Regent and Prince Dorgon of Shuorui belonged had arrived at the bank of the Liao River. After crossing the Liao River, he would decide whether to go to western Liaoning

Instead, the corridor went to the northern foot of Yanshan Mountain.

It can be said that the moment of relationship that determines the fate of the Qing Dynasty has arrived!

Just when the people of Zhengbai Banner were resting, eating, and preparing to cross the river, as the vanguard of the army, Geng Zhongming, the commander-in-chief of the Eight Banners Han Army who had already crossed the river, suddenly returned to the east bank in a small boat and arrived in front of Dorgon.

"Prince Regent, good news!" Geng Zhongming, who is almost fifty years old this year, still looks strong, strong and full of energy. His face is shiny and rosy, full of joy.

"What's the news?" Dorgon asked, his face sallow after not sleeping well for several days.

"Chuangni is on an expedition! The target is Shanhaiguan!"

Dorgon let out a long sigh, clasped his hands together and said, "Buddha bless you!"

"What's more!" Geng Zhongming said happily, "Tianjin Wei was captured by the rebellious generals Li Guo and Li Yan! On the way to escape by boat, Chongzhen and the prince were approached by the rebellious female general Hong Niangzi, and the ship caught fire and sank.

.....The Ming Dynasty is dead!”

"God bless the Qing Dynasty! Haha..." Dorgon's sallow face also had a rare rosy look, and he smiled so big that he couldn't close his mouth. "Quickly, hurry up and announce Fan Wencheng, Hong Chengchou."

Fan Wencheng and Hong Chengchou were soon announced. After learning the news brought by Geng Zhongming, the expressions of the two people were quite interesting. Fan Wencheng was smiling and beaming with joy. Hong Chengchou was crying, as if he were mourning for his heir.

Dorgon smiled and comforted Hong Chengchou and said: "Hengjiu, don't be sad... The Ming Dynasty has been exhausted. Let's figure out how to avenge Chongzhen and his son!"

Fan Wencheng had never been an official in the Ming Dynasty, so he did not need to be sad about the death of his old master. He immediately said with a smile: "Your Majesty, since the father of the Ming Dynasty has died, and Li Zicheng personally led an army to attack Wu Sangui, then what reason does Wu Sangui have not to

Submit to the Qing Dynasty? I suggest that we march through western Liaoning and arrive at Shanhaiguan to establish a stronghold."

Hong Chengchou wiped his tears and said: "Your Majesty, I agree with Master Fan. Li Zicheng made a big mistake in attacking Wu Sangui. Wu Sangui had no choice but to surrender to the Qing Dynasty. So there is no need to go around the northern foot of Yanshan Mountain and go straight to Shanhaiguan."

go!"

Dorgon smiled and said: "Since you two have the same intention, let's march to Shanhaiguan!

In addition, send an envoy to tell Wu Sangui that we, the Qing Dynasty, will join forces with him to avenge the late Emperor and the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty!"

...

When Dorgon was determined to avenge Emperor Chongzhen and Zhu Cixiang, Shanhaiguan was also in panic because Li Zicheng's personal army was approaching.

Li Zicheng's army was actually not very large. Because he did not bring too many troops to Beijing, otherwise Chongzhen and Zhu Cixiang and his son would not be able to escape. When he entered Beijing that day, including Liu Fangliang's troops from Baoding, he brought only old soldiers.

There are only 60,000 people. In addition, there are Chen Yongfu, Bai Guangen, Tang Tong and other Ming Dynasty troops who surrendered, and the full number is only 100,000.

However, Li Zicheng was quite good at deceiving people. However, he was able to blow up a hundred thousand people into a million people, which really frightened many Ming troops.

This time, although Li Zicheng only brought 60,000 people to the expedition, he still had to blow hard. The 60,000 people blew up to 200,000, and the people at Shanhaiguan believed it - Shanhaiguan was so strong and guarded.

There are also many troops, and they are Guan Ning's elite. Li Zicheng would not dare to do it if there were less than 200,000 people, unless he became the emperor and became a fool!

Therefore, the news that the "two hundred thousand troops" came to attack Shanhaiguan immediately frightened the Ming army entrenched in Yongping Prefecture.
Chapter completed!