Late at night, Li Zicheng was still reading in the big tent. He suddenly felt irritable in his heart, so he put down the book and walked around in the mottled lights. His thoughts were thinking about the siege on Kaifeng this time. He didn't know whether it would go smoothly or not.
I know what countermeasures Chongzhen will have...
At present, the Ming court dispatched Sun Chuanting as the governor of the three sides, and also arranged for Ding Qirui, Yang Wenyue, Zuo Liangyu and others to come to rescue Kaifeng. However, this is by no means all the reinforcements. There may be some other troops who will arrive in Kaifeng by then.
How to defend against enemies?
When thinking of this, Li Zicheng suddenly thought of Niu Jinxing's suggestion, which was to declare himself king after capturing Kaifeng, so as to order the rebel heroes and legitimately reduce Luo Rucai's troops. However, Luo Rucai would definitely object to this, and Yuan Shizhong would definitely oppose it.
Will he side with his cheap father-in-law?
Regarding this question, Li Zicheng did not have much confidence. He sighed slightly and whispered: "Shuangxi, go ask Lin Quan if he is asleep?"
"Yes, Marshal."
Li Shuangxi responded with congratulations. This order was obviously that the commander-in-chief wanted to summon Li Yan at short notice.
Among today's rebels, Li Yan is indeed an extraordinary person. His original name was Li Xin, and he was a native of Kaifeng. His father, Li Jingbai, was the governor of Shandong and had the title of Shangshu of the Ministry of War. Although he was later redeemed as a citizen because of Wei Zhongxian's submission,
Li Yan won the imperial examination at a young age and can be called a versatile person in both civil and military affairs.
However, at this time, the Ming Dynasty had fallen into a precarious situation. Li Xin was completely desperate for the future of the Ming Dynasty. Later, when Li Zicheng came out of the Fish Belly Mountain in Brazil, Li Xin resolutely joined the rebel army, planned for Li Zicheng, and persuaded Li Zicheng to "respect
A virtuous and courteous person, who eliminates violence and cares for the people, pretends to be benevolent and righteous, prohibits soldiers from killing people, and wins people's hearts for great things." He was highly regarded by Li Zicheng.
Soon, Li Xin arrived at the commander's tent under the leadership of Li Shuangxi. He was wearing a short jacket. He didn't look like a scholar at all, but looked like a powerful general with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Lin Quan has met the handsome man."
Li Zicheng looked at Li Xin with a smile, expressed his worries, and then continued to ask: "Lin Quan, do you think we can capture Kaifeng now? What if Kaifeng is captured?"
Li Xin pondered slightly: "Although the commander suffered a setback in Kaifeng in the previous time, it was just because the time had not come yet. Now the time has come, and winning Kaifeng is a matter of course. As for after winning Kaifeng..."
When he said this, Li Xin stopped talking and shook his head slightly.
"How will it be after you take the Kaifeng?"
Li Zicheng asked, his eyes staying on Li Xin's face, "Just say what you have to say, don't be so cautious."
Li Xin nodded lightly and said: "Commander, if we take Kaifeng, we can no longer continue to seize the city... We have to start changing our thinking."
The so-called sacking of the city means that wherever Li Zicheng's army always went, he organized the people in the city into rebels and knocked down the city walls. Just like before the siege of Kaifeng, the invading army sacked Shangqiu.
Li Zicheng smiled softly and said, "It seems you don't agree with seizing the city?"
"Yes, the commander asked me to speak frankly, so I will say it carefully today."
Li Xin said solemnly and earnestly: "Judging from the current situation, the rebel army is getting stronger and stronger, which is different from the situation in the past. However, it is still the same as in the past. Every time a city is gained, it is abandoned and not defended. It can neither expand the land and the people, nor establish a
Even if we stabilize the foundation, we will not be able to rectify the exiles, restore farming and mulberry fields, and give the people the joy of recovery. If we capture the city but fail to defend it, won't we lose the hope of the people who have been in chaos for a long time?"
After saying this, Li Xin stood up and cupped his hands and said: "At present, the Ming Dynasty is declining and its troops are empty. Even if we can gather a force to rescue Kaifeng, it will not help the overall situation. The soldiers have no fighting spirit and are really not afraid. They are our rebels."
An excellent opportunity to enter Guanzhong!"
"Guanzhong?"
Li Zicheng took a breath. He really hadn't thought that far. He said urgently: "How can we advance into Guanzhong?"
Li Xin quickly walked to the map hanging in the commander's tent and said softly: "Commander, look, this is Luoyang. We can send a group of troops west to Shaanzhou and Luoyang.
In this way, Hangu can be sealed off, the way for the Ming army's eastward reinforcements can be cut off, and another group of troops can go south.
Xuchang and Ye County can occupy Nanyang and Dengzhou. At that time, the Central Plains will be victorious and will be in everyone's hands."
When he said this, Li Xin sighed softly and said: "On that day, from Weishi, Fugou to the south, Runing, Chenzhou area, Yinghe River, and the south bank of Ruhe River, there will be all the blessed land.
With the hands of the commander-in-chief, this place is not very dilapidated and can be easily restored to farm and mulberry fields, making it a sufficient place to feed and raise troops. In this autumn when the world is in ruins, there is a piece of land in the Central Plains that is enough to look out in all directions and run the world."
Li Zicheng looked at Li Xin deeply and said, "Please also ask Lin Quan to teach me."
"Next, our army will naturally march into Guanzhong, capture Qin and Jin, and then attack Youyan."
Li Xin gestured with his fingers on the map and said: "When the overall situation in Henan is decided, the commander-in-chief can send a general to lead the elite troops from Lingbao to Tongguan, and the commander-in-chief can
Following the example of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty who entered Guanzhong via Dengzhou via Shangzhou, we can immediately settle down in Guanzhong."
Li Zicheng did not speak. He thought carefully in his mind and felt that Li Yan's words were indeed quite reasonable. However, he also felt that dividing his troops for defense would make him weak. It would be better to unite his troops in one place to make him stronger and able to defeat the enemy at all times.
Not being controlled by the enemy, after all, he had won several battles by following this strategy.
If the siege of Kaifeng continues at present, the Ming court will definitely devote all its efforts to rescue it. However, as long as Kaifeng is captured within a few months, the imperial court's rescue efforts in Kaifeng have been defeated, the situation in the Central Plains has completely changed, and the government and army have no spare power to counterattack. By then, Luo Rucai can be dealt with, and then
It seems more beneficial to change the name of the establishment to the Yuan Dynasty, divide the troops and occupy the territory, and select local officials for prefectures, states, and counties than to take the risk of entering Guanzhong.
However, Li Zicheng did not rush to oppose Li Xin, but said thoughtfully: "This matter is more important after all. I think I need to ask the military adviser's thoughts...before I can make a decision."
Li Xin knew that Li Zicheng was not optimistic about this strategy, so he could only nodded calmly, trying not to show his disappointment at all.
While the two of them were looking at each other in silence, military advisor Song Xiance hurried into the tent and brought an unacceptable piece of bad news with a livid look on his face.
"Commander, Xiao Yuanying has rebelled!"
"What?"
Li Zicheng was greatly shocked. He quickly stood up and cursed angrily: "You Yuan Shizhong, you are so heartless!"
"This person actually did such a thing. It seems that Liu Yuchi also contributed a lot."
Li Xin also shook his head. He knew that this matter was of great importance and was by no means ordinary.
A fierce look flashed in Li Zicheng's eyes, and he hummed softly: "The 30,000 troops from Yuan's camp suddenly escaped like this, but there is no news at all from Cao's camp. It seems that Cao Cao also has two intentions!" This chapter has been completed!