Huai'an is right in front of us, and Jining is in the rear. One is a thief, and the other is an expansionist. Their military exploits are different.
Moreover, with fewer soldiers and horses, there will be more food and grass, which is a good thing.
Therefore, Jierhalang thought over and over again about Wu Sangui's request and finally agreed.
Wu Sangui was overjoyed.
In almost two days, they packed their bags, organized their troops and headed north.
On the way, the chief counselor Fang Yichen rode a horse and accompanied him.
Fang Guangchen, courtesy name Tingxian, was the son of Fang Yizao, Minister of Rites of the Ming Dynasty.
In the seventeenth year of Chongzhen's reign, Li Zicheng forced Chongzhen to death in Beijing, and the three leaders of Guan Ning's army, Wang Yongji, Li Yutian and Wu Sangui.
After the suggestion of borrowing teachers to help suppress the army was put forward, it was Fang Yichen who strengthened Wu Sangui's determination and opened the door to let him go.
In the Guanning Army at that time, Wang Yongji was the governor of Jiliao, Li Yutian was the governor of Liaodong, and although Wu Sangui was the military leader, he could not make the decision to switch on and off arbitrarily.
Later, Wang Yongji fled out of fear of crime, and Wu Sangui finally took control of Guan Ning's army.
"Ting Xian, what are the consequences if I give up my work and go north this time?"
Wu Sangui, who is in his thirties, has thick eyebrows, big eyes and a strong build, asked in a deep voice.
"Does your Majesty really want to make great achievements?"
Fang Yichen smoothed his beard and smiled: "Let's not mention the dispute between Prince Su and Dorobel, let's talk about how can cavalry like our Guan Ning Army achieve great achievements?"
"This time we fought in many cities, and it took almost a month to reach Huai'an. Shanyang County must be even more difficult to fight."
"But Emperor Shaowu is in Yangzhou. It would be bad if we were absent!"
Wu Sangui was a little worried.
Fang Yichen smiled and glanced at the man. After all, he was a military commander and his eyesight was shallow.
"Your Majesty, it is precisely because you are Emperor Shaowu that you have to avoid suspicion."
"After all, you were still a minister of Ming Dynasty before, so you can't bear the name of killing your lord!"
At this point, Fang Yichen showed deep thought and said in a deep voice: "And, if nothing unexpected happens, the hundreds of miles to Yangzhou will be filled with fortresses, making it even more difficult than before..."
"In this case, I would rather fight those bandits!"
Wu Sangui took a breath and shook his head.
The army was vast and dusty, speeding up northward regardless of fatigue.
When arriving at Jining City, Wu Sangui looked at the bright flag hanging high and couldn't help but sigh: "The emperor would rather appease these bandits than talk to me."
Fang Yichen's eyes showed a hint of worry, and he said calmly: "After all, it's just a matter of emotion."
Immediately, he looked at Wu Sangui's strong back and the fierce Guan Ning cavalry in front of him, and said again: "Maybe he knows that the conditions are too high and we can't negotiate!"
Wu Sangui said: "The family members are all in the capital, and Ying Xiong is also preparing to marry the princess. Let's wait until the future!"
Fang Yichen was stunned and suddenly said: "Your Majesty, do you think the Manchu Qing Dynasty can't hold on?"
"Nowadays, the red-coat artillery has special fortresses to restrain it. The water network in the south is so dense that the cavalry cannot use it. The advantages are gradually disappearing. It is difficult to——"
Wu Sangui said in a deep voice: "But it's impossible to say for sure, God's will is unpredictable!"
With the arrival of Wu Sangui's Guan Ning Army, Jining City instantly panicked.
After all, the Yuyuan Army was a rogue bandit. It had only occupied Jining for ten days, and before it was ready, it faced a fierce attack by the Guanning Army.
Within two or three days, several military camps outside the city also disappeared, and the soldiers had no choice but to enter the city to escape.
Now, Zhang Qi and Ren Qi had a dispute.
Gu Lai
One wants to leave, the other wants to stay.
Chu Yu fell into deep thought.
According to his original intention, staying in Jining and defending was the most important thing, but even if he didn't understand war, he also understood the weakness of the Yuyuan Army.
Unable to fight in the field, and unable to defend a city, they could only rely on tunnels and muddy ground in southwestern Shandong.
"Walk--"
Chu Yu gritted his teeth and looked at the two of them: "If we keep the green hills, we won't be afraid of running out of firewood. As long as we preserve our strength, we can fight again!"
So, after a day of preparation, the Yuyuan Army slipped out of Jining City at lightning speed.
Twelve days later, the Qing army entered Jining again.
Later, when Wu Sangui was about to pursue, he was stopped by Fang Yichen: "The Yuyuan thieves are cunning. If they pursue, they may easily fall into a trap. Besides, maintaining the canal is the most important thing."
"Women and smoke are everywhere in Shandong. It is really the time for the king to seize military glory."
After taking Jining City, Wu Sangui realized that the entire Shandong Province had fallen into a precarious situation.
Yanzhou Prefecture was completely lost, Jinan Prefecture was in danger, and wars continued near Jinan City. Once history was recorded, the capital was shaken.
"Your Majesty, the most important thing now is to urgently rescue Nancheng. As long as this palace is stable, Shandong will be safe."
"It is much better to pacify a province, stabilize the canal, and secure the capital than to go to the south and grab bones together."
Wu Sangui nodded and said with a smile: "A group of thieves and bandits can only give us meritorious deeds. They are all ours."
As he said that, he showed a meaningful smile: "Jinan Prefecture is not in a hurry. Other prefectures have to take their time. The bones in the south are very strong!"
"The canal has been frozen for more than ten days. It will take a lot of time to open it!"
It's early December.
The sand and dust from the north swept through this forty-nine cities.
After being filled with hundreds of thousands of Eight Banners family members, Beijing once again regained some prosperity, and the plague seemed to be forgotten.
The toddler Emperor Shunzhi gritted his teeth and read Manchu, while Dorgon, who had many things to do, occupied his imperial study room and handled government affairs.
Feng Quan, Ning Wanwo, Fan Wencheng, Gang Lin and other four people stood waiting with their heads lowered and serious expressions on their faces.
Dorgon raised his head, looked at these counselors with tiger eyes, and said:
"The water transportation in Shandong is cut off. Ding Wensheng said that rebels and bandits are rising in Shandong. Many Ming troops are out and about. Is there anything you can do?"
"Reporting to the regent, we only need to reduce the taxes in Shandong and send a strong general to pacify Shandong."
Fan Wencheng said calmly.
“Where does the food come from?”
Gang Lin didn't give any face at all and asked directly: "The army is going south, and there is a big gap in money and food. We can't be careless."
Fan Wencheng knew that this was Tidorgun's question, so he didn't care and said bluntly:
"Prince Regent, according to reports from North Korea, there are envoys in Seoul, North Korea, and they are very popular. We can order North Korea to provide grain. Shandong Jiao and Lai are very close, so we can accept them."
Dorgon moved his fingers slightly and sighed: "This is a good idea, let's do it like this!"
"However, there is news from Jilharang that Ming people have built many strange cities, and it is difficult for the red artillery to deal with them..."
Therefore, some drawings were handed over to everyone for review.
The strange-shaped and sharp-edged fortress gave everyone a hard time because no one had ever seen it before.
Ning Wan and I had a quick wit and couldn't help but ask: "Is it not something from China, but from overseas?"
"Just like the red artillery, it comes from the West, so the fortress that restrains it probably also comes from the West."