Liu Yuliang, the second assistant to the cabinet, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the world's military forces and commanded the armies from various towns to assist the capital. This was a decision made after cabinet deliberations, and Kong Zhenyuan, the first assistant to the cabinet, played an indispensable role.

In the view of Kong Zhenyuan and others, Yang Sichang's right to make suggestions was weakened. In the view of Kong Zhenyuan and others, this was due to the cabinet. In fact, this was not the case. If Yang Sichang had not taken the initiative to avoid suspicion, the cabinet would still have no right to make suggestions regarding the military deployment of the Ming Dynasty.

At the critical moment, Liu Yuliang shouldered the heavy responsibility, but he was unwilling to do so. Although more than 200,000 troops from various towns rushed to aid the capital, and it seemed that the troops led by Liu Yuliang were huge, the combat effectiveness of these armies was unknown.

, and because of the rush of troops from various towns, the expenditure on money and food of the Ministry of Revenue suddenly increased. These armies were either stationed in the outer cities of the capital, or in Tongzhou, Liangxiang and other places, and plundered places without scruples. Once the food and grass supplied by the Ministry of Revenue were

If the military pay is not in place, they will go around plundering the people who have fallen into desperate situations, causing anger and resentment.

Liu Yuliang would never dare to lead a large army to confront the Houjin Tatars head-on, nor would he dare to really rush to help Tianjin, Dezhou and other places.

Thanks to the efforts of the Jin Yiwei, the intelligence system was still smooth. Liu Yuliang knew all the news that the Hou Jin Tatars had captured the city of Tianjin and attacked Dezhou, Shandong Province. Unfortunately, Liu Yuliang never thought of actually going to help.

When the Tatars attacked the city of Tianjin, the army led by Liu Yuliang was still in the Tongzhou area. When the Tatars of Houjin attacked Dezhou, the army led by Liu Yuliang had not yet reached Gu'an City.

As for the emperor's imperial edict being announced to the world, Liu Yuliang didn't care. Anyway, there were Lu Xiangsheng and Gao Qiqian in front of them. The 200,000 troops they led had suffered losses of nearly 90%. This time he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the world's military forces. The emperor did not send any supervisory troops. His attitude

It is already clear, so the goal Liu Yuliang needs to achieve is not to lose too many troops. Whether he can resist the Houjin Tatars is not that important.

Of course, as the governor, Liu Yuliang's order was sent to Jinan Fucheng as quickly as possible, asking Shandong Governor Zhu Dadian and Shandong Governor Song Xuezhu to take strict precautions and defend the city of Dezhou.

Early in the morning, Liu Yuliang, who was stretching, received a report from the sergeant that the Houjin Tatars who were besieging Dezhou were divided into two groups. One of them, the Houjin Tatars, bypassed Dezhou and headed towards Jinan Fucheng.

After hearing the sergeant's report, Liu Yuliang was so excited that the Houjin Tatars bypassed Dezhou and rushed directly to Jinan Fucheng. This was something he never expected. If the Houjin Tatars captured Jinan Fucheng, Dezhou would be destroyed without attacking, and Shandong

Qingzhou and other places under its jurisdiction will also be in great danger.

Although preserving strength was Liu Yuliang's first task, if the Houjin Tatars captured too many cities and the emperor and the court blamed them, Liu Yuliang still could not bear the responsibility.

After the sergeant reported the news, Liu Yuliang lost all sleep and walked around the room.

Just when Liu Yuliang was about to give the order to set off the army, the sergeant entered the house again and delivered a letter.

Liu Yuliang couldn't wait to open the letter and read it with a smile on his face.

In fact, the imperial court was not only concerned about the Houjin Tatars, but also the Denglai New Army stationed in Liaodong and the rogue bandits in the north. This letter clarified what the 200,000-strong army should do next. Although it was not an imperial edict from the emperor, it meant

Very clear.

Putting down the letter, Liu Yuliang looked at the sergeant standing not far away, and spoke solemnly.

"The army is making all preparations and waiting for my order."

...

Jinan Fucheng remains calm.

In the central military tent, Wu Zongrui looked calm and looked at the map on the table. Liu Ning, Zu Dashou, Jin Guofeng and Wu Sangui were all standing aside. The way they looked at Wu Zongrui was very different.

All the movements of the Houjin Tatars were under the control of Wu Zongrui. Just after the scouts came to report, the Houjin Tatar troops divided into two groups, bypassing Dezhou all the way, heading towards Jinan Fucheng, and tightly surrounding Dezhou Fucheng.

The Houjin Tatars did not launch an attack.

Everyone completely believed in Wu Zongrui's judgment. The Hou Jin Tatars attacked Dezhou on the surface, but in fact the real target was Jinan Fucheng.

The Denglai New Army and the Liaodong Frontier Army had made all preparations. When the Houjin Tatars attacked Jinan Fucheng, it could be said that this was a battle in which they had taken the full initiative.

But there was no smile on Wu Zongrui's face.

"Everyone, we have been able to make it clear that the real target of the Houjin Tatars is Jinan Fucheng. The scouts reported that the Houjin Tatars led by Yue Tuo have bypassed Dezhou City and headed for Jinan Fucheng."

"Dorgon, Hao Ge and Yue Tuo are all brave generals of Hou Jin. Their analysis of the situation is accurate. As long as they capture Jinan Fucheng, all parts of Shandong will be in panic. By then, they will not be able to fight without a single blow.

We can easily capture places like Dezhou and Qingzhou."

"We, the officers and soldiers of the Denglai New Army and the Liaodong Frontier Army, will never let Houjin's Tatars succeed."

Having said this, Wu Zongrui's right hand hit the table hard.

"But I want to remind you that although we have taken the initiative in this battle, the dangers we face are still huge. If we are not careful, we will fall into the abyss."

The expressions of Liu Ning and others changed. Looking at Wu Zongrui, judging from the current situation, the Denglai New Army and the Liaodong Frontier Army who arrived in Jinan have made all arrangements and are waiting for Houjin Tatar to enter the ambush circle.

There should be no suspense in this battle. I don’t know why Wu Zongrui said such words.

Wu Zongrui's expression became more and more serious.

"Since the target of the Houjin Tatars is Jinan Fucheng, one thing is certain. Once the Houjin Tartars led by Yue Tuo arrive in Jinan Fucheng and pretend to attack Dezhou, Dorgon and Hauge will definitely lead a large army and march day and night.

Rush to Jinan Fucheng and participate in the battle to attack Jinan City. Once their strategic intentions are exposed, there is no need to continue to keep them secret."

"When the Houjin Tartars entered the pass, they had an army of 100,000. Now their total strength is close to 200,000, of which nearly 100,000 are Han troops. You must not underestimate the combat effectiveness of the Han army. At the critical moment, the Han army will

It can also determine the outcome of a battle."

"We only have 40,000 people, and 40,000 people are fighting against nearly 200,000 people. Unless our soldiers are all three-headed and six-armed, we will definitely lose. No matter how precise our deployment is, the gap in troop strength is huge."

"The separation of troops by the Houjin Tatars is our only chance."

Wu Zongrui clenched his fists.

"It won't take long for the Houjin Tatars to divide their forces. Once the Houjin Tatars led by Dorgon and Hauge join forces with the Houjin Tatars led by Yue Tuo, we won't have any chance to defeat them.

, and I can conclude that once Jinan Fucheng is captured, the next target of the Hou Jin Tatars will definitely be Dengzhou and Laizhou."

"We are very pressed for time, maybe only a day or so."

"We must concentrate our efforts to defeat the Houjin Tatars led by Yue Tuo, so that we can truly take the initiative."

"You may be worried that even if we defeat one group of Houjin Tatars led by Yue Tuo, Dorgon and Hauge will lead another group of Houjin Tatars to attack. According to my judgment, Dorgon and Hauge will

They will never be reckless, because deep down in their hearts, they are still afraid of our Denglai New Army and the Liaodong Frontier Army."

"According to the information reported by the scouts, the Jin Tatars under Yue Tuo's command can arrive outside Jinan City at Youshi. Their strength is at least 60,000."

"Our offensive must be launched before Xu Shi. The dark night is not good for the Houjin Tatars, but it is the most beneficial for our Denglai New Army and the officers and men of the Liaodong Frontier Army."

"We have been in Jinan for two days and have made all preparations. Next, I will make the final arrangements. Everyone must work together to completely defeat the Houjin Tatars."

When Wu Zongrui said this, everyone stood up.

Wu Zongrui also stood up.

"Zu Dashou, Jin Guofeng, you lead 10,000 Liaodong frontier soldiers as the vanguard. After the artillery bombardment stops, rush into the Hou Jin Tatar camp and start fighting..."

"Liu Ning, you will lead 15,000 Denglai New Army soldiers, divided into left and right wings, and rush into the camp of Houjin Tatars. Remember, your combat mission is to completely defeat Houjin Tatars..."

"The remaining five thousand Denglai New Army soldiers will be commanded by me to stop the fleeing Houjin Tatars..."

Zu Dashou, Jin Guofeng, Liu Ning and others left the Chinese military tent one after another and went to prepare.

Wu Zongrui looked at the artillery battalion commander Teixeira.

"Teixeira, whether this battle can be won, the performance of the artillery battalion is crucial. Your mission is very clear, which is to completely defeat the Houjin Tatars and lay the groundwork for the charge of the cavalry and infantry battalions.

..”

Teixeira has been the artillery battalion commander for more than a year. When Wu Zongrui appointed Teixeira as the artillery battalion commander, no one thought that an outsider from Europe could serve as the artillery battalion commander.

Teixeira clasped his fists at Wu Zongrui.

"My subordinates will definitely complete the mission."

In the Chinese military tent, only Wu Zongrui and Wu Sangui were left.

There was a look of helplessness on Wu Sangui's face. His identity was somewhat special. He was not a member of the Denglai New Army, but a guerrilla general of the Liaodong Frontier Army. Being able to participate in such an important meeting was already considered very good.

.

"Uncle, do you feel a little regretful that you can't participate in such an important battle..."

Before Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Wu Sangui quickly saluted.

"Sir, I don't dare to have such thoughts. I am very satisfied to be able to follow you."

Wu Zongrui smiled, Wu Sangui was indeed smart. It is no wonder that Wu Sangui in history was able to achieve great things.

"Uncle Chang, I give you the most important task. Kill or capture Yue Tuo alive. I give you two thousand soldiers. You must ensure that you complete the task and never let Yue Tuo go..."

Wu Sangui was stunned for a moment, then quickly came to his senses, walked up to Wu Zongrui, and knelt down on one knee.
Chapter completed!