This is the real concern of these civil and military officials present. Although the Qing army was swarming in at least 60,000 to 70,000, since the Yue army had defeated the Boluo army, everyone would naturally not take these new affiliated troops from the Ming army seriously. After all, Liu Liangzuo and others were all defeated generals under Liu Yongxi. The real threat was the Eight Banners soldiers and the Mongolian soldiers of the outer vassals that Duoduo personally led.

For Liu Yongxi and Empress Zhang, this is a real fatal threat. The so-called "more than ten thousand true captives are more terrifying than Li Benshen, Guo Hu, Yang Chengzu, Liu Liangzuo and others. However, it is also the real reason why Liu Yongxi decided to slow down: "It is precisely because the real enemy of our army is more than ten thousand true captives led by Duoduo that he should slow down!"

Mrs. Xing rarely intervenes in such major military controversies, let alone oppose Liu Yongxi's suggestions, but at this moment she also felt something was wrong: "But now our army in Huzhou City is at most tens of thousands of people. How to deal with the siege of several times stronger enemies? Besides, isn't your husband always worried about the entry of Ajige troops from Huguang and Jiangxi into Zhejiang?"

Mrs. Xing expressed everyone's questions. Everyone thought that soldiers were very fast and they had to meet with Zhang Boyi to have a chance of winning. They could not understand Liu Yongxi's sudden decision to slow down.

Liu Yongxi said very clearly: "So we slowed down, not stopped! As long as our army continued to advance north, Zhang Boyi could defend it. Please remember that our army slowed down, not stopped!"

Slow down? Stop?

Although it was only a word difference, many of the civil and military officials present suddenly understood, especially the old people like Zhao Zhijie, Fu Ding, and Li Huaiqing, who all knew that the difference between Liu Yongxi's words must have a deep intention. Fu Ding actually thought of an incredible possibility: "Is Duke of Yue ready to defeat Jianlu in a dignified manner?"

Liu Yongxi replied very clearly: "Yes, it is necessary to defeat Jianlu in a dignified manner! This battle must be won with great victory. If Jianlu is defeated, Li Benshen, Huama and Liu are not a problem. If Jianlu is not defeated, it will be useless even if he defeats ten Huama Liu!"

Liu Yongxi was so clear that Mrs. Xing was the first to understand: "Yes, this is our home court. If we slow down, Jianlu must get up quickly!"

Although Huzhou and Jiaxing are the most prosperous areas in Zhejiang and even the world, after at least 100,000 troops on both sides entered the battlefield, it was impossible to rely entirely on local supply. The Yueming army, which occupied the home advantage, had an absolute advantage in this regard. As Mrs. Xing said, "If we slow down, Jianlu must get up quickly." Duoduo not only needs to get up quickly but must take action himself, and this is the best opportunity to win a complete victory.

Although this is an open conspiracy, everyone has to admit that Duoduo will definitely follow Liu Yongxi's arrangement. Now everyone has only one question, that is, can Huzhou City be held for a long time under the siege of several times the Qing army?

If Huzhou City cannot be defended, it will be useless whether Liu Yongxi slows down, stops, or speeds up the marching.

However, Empress Zhang suddenly stood up to endorse Zhang Boyi: "I believe that Zhang Boyi can definitely defend Huzhou City! Just do it according to the Duke of Yue. The destiny is clear. The victory of this Huzhou battle must belong to us."

At this moment, Huzhou City seems to have become the most dangerous place in the world. From the head of Huzhou City, there are countless battle flags and dozens of dense camps. Among them are the regular army of the Yuan Hongguang Dynasty who had just surrendered for a few months, and various forces that depended on the Qing army after entering the pass. Some Mongolian soldiers and Eight Banners soldiers of the outer vassal states. At first glance, I felt that so many enemy troops were enough to overturn the sky.

The local rebel leaders in Huzhou, including Fei Hongji, felt astonishingly stressed. The last time Zu Dabi's thousands of Qing troops almost broke through Huzhou City. Now the Qing army's troops participating in the battle were several times or even dozens of times that of the last siege. Huzhou City could not afford a fierce attack at all, so Fei Hongji asked in a low voice: "General Zhang, where are the reinforcements of Duke Yue?"

Zhang Boyi didn't know that Liu Yongxi had "slowed down" and prepared to fight the Qing army in a dignified battle, but the more he was in this situation, the more he was calmer: "This time he rushed to Huzhou, Empress Zhang and Duke Yue led a 50,000 army. With them here, Huzhou would be foolproof! Besides, Huzhou City has no way back. At this point today, can we still shake hands with Jianlu and make peace?"

After Zhang Boyi said this, the leaders of the Huzhou rebel army present felt the same. After all, among the many prefectures and counties in the south of the Yangtze River, Huzhou Prefecture's resistance was the most intense. Now Duoduo has used all his strength to get rich. How could he let Huzhou Prefecture go easily? Under the custom of the Qing army, it would be atrocities in the city. Therefore, Fei Hongji felt that there was no way out to retreat except to persevere: "General Zhang means that the army of Empress Zhang and Duke Yue of Yue could be killed at any time?"

Zhang Boyi gave a very clear reply: "Otherwise, how could the tens of thousands of troops outside the city be so honest? They tried the strategy of siegeing the city after a little trial two or three times!"

Fei Hongji immediately understood: "The Qing army was worried that the Duke of Yue might arrive at any time, so he was so careless about siege!"

Zhang Boyi said confidently: "Even if Duke Yue is not there, I have the confidence to hold on to Huzhou for half a month. Moreover, Duke Yue is 50,000 troops at any time. Even if there are 100,000 Qing troops outside the city, they dare not attack Huzhou with all their strength!"

Although Zhang Boyi said this a little full, he would have such confidence if he dared to say this.

During this period, he rebuilt Huzhou's city walls and all fortifications, built countless defensive equipment, and mobilized almost all the elites. Now there are more than ten large and small artillery guns in Huzhou City, 7,000 regular soldiers and 8,000 auxiliary soldiers. At any time, 16,000 elite and healthy women can be mobilized.

It is precisely because of the extremely well prepared that Zhang Boyi has the confidence to stick to it for a long time.

Although the Qing army's offensive looked like a tide, Zhang Boyi believed that Huzhou City was a reef that stood in the tide.

The Qing army outside the city also had the same views as Zhang Boyi. Li Benshen, the oldest and most powerful, reminded Guo Hu and Yang Chengzu beside him: "Liu Yongxi's soldiers have not yet arrived. We must keep our courage in everything and not use ten years of strength!"

It is said that "it cannot use tenths of force", but Li Benshen, Guo Hu, Yang Chengzu and others are very clear. Now, let alone tenths of force, 70% of force, 50% or even 30% of force, 20% of force is useless. Since they arrived at the city of Huzhou, these Han soldiers have been busy setting up camps to prevent the army of Duke Liu Yongxi from suddenly rushing from the south and completely slacking off in the siege.
Chapter completed!