Chongzhen Sunset Song

?one

It was midsummer in May, the sun was scorching, and the cicadas were noisy.In the Hall of Martial Heroes, the court lady was slowly shaking her fan beside the dragon chair, and the slightly cool breeze of mint gently brushed the broken hair on Chongzhen's temples.But Chongzhen's expression was far less relaxed and relaxed than the summer atmosphere - at this time, Jinzhou had been besieged by the Qing army for several months.

"According to the Jinzhou battle report, the Qing army did not just deploy troops to Jinzhou, but camped between Songshan and Jinzhou, and also deployed elite cavalry near Songshan. Entering in vain." Chen Xinjia, Minister of the Ministry of War, bowed his body respectfully, and described the contents of the recent battle report to Chongzhen.

"Well..." Chongzhen nodded slightly, "Hong Chengchou, who is guarding Ningyuan, also gave an example, saying that the siege of Jinzhou needs to be fought and defended, and there is no rush. At present, the Qing army is fighting on two fronts in Liaodong and Korea, and the siege may not last long. , After autumn, the Qing army was short of food and grass, and the soldiers were weak and poor, so they naturally broke down without attacking. I think Hong Chengchou's words are reasonable." Although he said it was reasonable, Chongzhen still had a dignified face, and the worry in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest . "However... now Jinzhou is guarded by Zu Dashou. Mentioning this person reminds me of the incident of Dalinghe four years ago. It was the same him at that time, who was also besieged by the Qing army for several months. In the end, the food was exhausted, so he had to feign surrender Abandon the city. I don’t know how long Jinzhou can support this time..."

"The trend of pine brocade, I have sent Zhang Ruoqi, Fang Langzhong, to Ningyuan to investigate again, and I think there will be an answer in a few days." Chen Xinjia heard Chongzhen's words, and he was sure, his withered face slightly stretched, "Your Majesty is very worried. Yes, Mr. Hong is too optimistic about the siege of Jinzhou. The Qing army is outside and our army is inside. The Qing army can't last long, and Jinzhou is surrounded by water, so it can't last for a long time? At that time, it will break down first, I'm afraid It's Jinzhou!" Chen Xinjia paused, looked at Chongzhen, saw that Chongzhen didn't mean to refute, and went on to say, "It's not an option after all to hold back the troops. I think that to solve the siege of Jinzhou, we should fight quickly and take the initiative to attack. It is certainly possible to say that the brocade is serving the pines, so we can order Master Hong to divide his troops into two routes, to aid Jinzhou and prevent the Qing army from attacking Songshan, and to take care of both ends is the best way to achieve both."

There was eagerness in Chen Xinjia's eyes, but Chongzhen was still sullen and noncommittal, as if his heart was moved, and he seemed to have doubts.After a long time, he tentatively put on an ambiguous attitude: "Hong Chengchou has been fighting north and south for many years, and he has been on the battlefield for many years. His opinion cannot be ignored. Whether to fight quickly or not, we can discuss it later."

two

Since it is a quick battle, how can there be room for further discussion.Chen Xinjia, who believed that the only way out of the siege was a quick battle, was indeed very anxious, and whenever he had an opportunity, he advised Chongzhen to persuade him to fight quickly.Hong Chengchou, who believed that retreating from the enemy would require a protracted war, had been harassed by Zhang Ruoqi who shared his nostrils with Chen Xinjia.

"Let's fight and defend, and wait for work with ease. This strategy was agreed by the emperor. Now Mr. Zhang is urging me to fight every day. Is it because I want me to resist the order and fail to obey?"

In Ningyuan Mansion, Hong Chengchou sat in the hall, looking at the middle-aged man with slender eyes and short beard and oily face, frowning.This person is Zhang Ruoqi, a doctor of the Ministry of War who came from the capital.In order to carry out a quick battle for Chen Xinjia, he took the initiative to ask Chongzhen to stay in Hong Chengchou's camp as a post of Zanhua.Someone was willing to contribute to the siege of pine and brocade, and Chongzhen readily agreed, but this agreement caused Hong Chengchou a lot of headaches.I thought that no matter what he said, after a while, this person will go back to the capital, and then he will just do whatever he wants.Unexpectedly, he just sat down and never left, talking non-stop every day.Hong Chengchou was bored, and gradually lost his patience when speaking.

"Your Majesty read Lord Hong's battle report, so he agreed to the strategy of fighting and defending, but Lord Hong really overestimates Jinzhou. According to the officials, let alone this summer, Jinzhou may not be able to survive. !" Zhang Ruoqi stared, not giving up a single step.

"Master Zhang, is there evidence for this statement?" Hong Chengchou glanced at Zhang Ruoqi, "Just this morning, a Jinzhou soldier broke through and brought a message from General Zu, saying that the food in Jinzhou City can last for half a year, and I just need to follow the policy. Step by step, don't rush forward, dare to ask Master Zhang, how did you infer the situation of Jinzhou?"

"This..." Zhang Ruoqi was speechless for a while, and after thinking about it, he said, "It is rumored that the main force of the Qing army will go south to take Beijing from the border of the Great Wall in the near future. Jinzhou is gone! If you don’t send troops to rescue the siege at this time, I’m afraid you will miss a good opportunity!”

"The rumor that the Qing army went south is just a rumor, not credible." Hong Chengchou waved his hands disdainfully, "The Qing army spread such rumors, which shows that they are eager for a quick battle. If I send troops, wouldn't it be in the opponent's hands?"

"Your Excellency said that this is a rumor, what evidence does it have?" Zhang Ruoqi lost no time, and returned to the other party what Hong Chengchou had just robbed him of, "This matter is of great importance, I would rather believe it than believe it, in case it is not a rumor ,The consequences could be disastrous!"

"You..." Zhang Ruoqi really doesn't understand anything, but he would rather believe that there is such a common saying that is universally applicable, but it is really impossible to refute.Hong Chengchou suddenly became angry and choked in his throat, his patience finally reached its limit. "What I say is a rumor is a rumor. What proof do I need to distinguish such a low-level plan to disturb the morale of the army! I have already drawn up a battle strategy with the generals of Songjin, so don't mention it again!" Huo Di stood up and walked away.

three

Before Hong Chengchou's anger dissipated, an imperial decree came from the capital.I don't know if Zhang Ruoqi had tampered with the report sent to the capital, or if Chen Xinjia's day and night persuasion finally persuaded Chongzhen to be moved. Jinzhou, don't wait for the enemy's army to overwhelm the border and be caught off guard.

"How can the emperor believe in rumors that can be seen through at a glance!" Hong Chengchou slammed the table and said angrily.The military generals gathered in the hall also sighed helplessly. "At this point, is it necessary to fight?" an official said in a low voice.Hong Chengchou glanced at the generals in the hall, his brows were tightly frowned, and he didn't care about it for a while.

"The emperor's order is here, Mr. Hong, don't be obsessed with it." At this moment, a familiar and annoying voice came from outside the hall again. Hong Chengchou looked up, and it was Zhang Ruoqi, who had a slick face, step by step. into the hall.Hong Chengchou twitched, turned his head away from looking at him, but saw him bowing to Hong Chengchou in a serious manner, ignoring the aggressive gazes of the crowd, raised his clothes, sat in an empty seat, brushed off his sleeves, and straightened himself up. In clothes, Fang said again:

"Lord Hong insisted that this was a rumor, and the officials had nothing to say, but now that the emperor has issued an order, wouldn't Lord Hong still want to use this groundless speculation to resist the order? Master Hong went out to guard Liao For more than a year, the cost of payment may be as high as 10 taels, but the siege of Jinzhou has not been solved for a long time. If the Qing soldiers go south and the interior is trapped, Mr. Hong will be worthy of this mighty emperor's grace? It is better to advise my lord earlier Send troops according to the order, don't delay any longer."

With the support of the imperial decree, Zhang Ruoqi's nostrils turned upside down all of a sudden, and there was not much respect in his words in the past, but now there is not much left.Hong Chengchou looked at Zhang Ruoqi's face of being a villain, and there was a big fire in his chest, but because of the face of Chen Xinjia and the Ministry of War, it was not easy to explode.What's more... I really can't resist and disobey... Hong Chengchou thought in his heart, looked around at the generals in the hall, who looked expectant, angry, dignified, or helpless, and then looked up to the southwest where the imperial city was located. He sighed heavily.

four

On July 26, Hong Chengchou swore an oath in Ningyuan and sent troops to rescue Jinzhou.Two days later, the army went out, and Hong Chengchou personally led [-] soldiers and horses to Songshan temporarily, and stored food and grass between Xingshan and Tashan for the needs of Aid Jin.The imperial decree from above and the urging from below forced Hong Chengchou to give up his idea of ​​a protracted war, and everything proceeded step by step according to the wishes of Chen Xinjia and Zhang Ruoqi.But Chongzhen, Chen Xinjia and others didn't know that all this was getting closer and closer to the result Huang Taiji wanted-not long after the main force of the Ming army led by Hong Chengchou arrived in Songshan, Huang Taiji personally led the army to divide Songshan and Xingshan Tashan. All paths between them are cut off.Food and grass were in short supply, and the way out was blocked. The [-] army was besieged in Songshan overnight by the Qing army.

"How can this be good, how can this be good!"

In the tent of the Chinese army in Songshan, Hong Chengchou urgently summoned the generals to discuss.Zhang Ruoqi sat on the side with his body curled up, muttering in his mouth, his eyes were full of fear.Although he was urging for a quick battle all day long, he never imagined that this quick battle strategy had only been implemented for three days, and it would have such a result.The sound of cannons from the Qing army's demonstration came from far outside the city, mixed with sobs of unknown origin, and the chest trembled one after another, and the small school who reported the letter ran into the tent one after another, with bloody ominous news in their mouths.Zhang Ruoqi was scared out of his wits by the situation, so he could only stare at Hong Chengchou with trembling shoulders, his face was as white as paper, and he no longer had Ning Yuan's arrogance at that time.Hong Chengchou's face was tense, and he didn't even look at him, just silently thinking about countermeasures.

"My lord, it's better to retreat to Ningyuan for the time being, and send troops after preparing enough food and pay!" One of the officers suggested.All the generals in the tent talked a lot, and most of them nodded in agreement.People's hearts have already begun to waver and retreat. If you retreat at this point, you will be defeated like a mountain.Hong Chengchou thought about it for a moment, then pulled himself together, and said sharply: "Since our army is out, how can we be defeated without fighting! There are still three days of food and pay, and a decisive battle with the Qing army tomorrow. In one fell swoop!"

"But the food and grass have been cut off. If we can't win this battle, what should we do... It's better to go back to Ningyuan..." Zhang Ruoqi stammered, his voice was not loud, but it caused everyone to whisper, although No one dared to express their support, but everyone had a look of fear on their faces.Incompetent bungler!Hong Chengchou glared at Zhang Ruoqi, calmed down, and encouraged the generals: "In the past, all the kings were determined to serve the country, today is the time to serve the country! Now that the food is exhausted, you will die if you stick to it, and you will die if you don't fight. Vigorous fighting is the only chance of survival! I am determined to put all my eggs in one basket tomorrow, and I hope that you will work hard on your own, so that you will not lose the grace of the emperor!"

When all the generals heard the words, they all looked at each other in dismay. After a long while, they each answered yes in a nonchalant manner.Hong Chengchou was anxious, but no matter what he said, he couldn't make the dejected generals and soldiers in the tent come to their senses, so he could only let out a long sigh and hastily broke up the meeting.

Either the will to fight was not strong, or Zhang Ruoqi was causing trouble, Hong Chengchou's encouragement still failed in the end.When the next day went out to march, as soon as the gate of the army opened, the commander in chief abandoned his armor and fled.This caused an uproar in the entire army, and the soldiers rushed to follow suit and escaped from the camp. Everyone stepped on each other, swords and bows were everywhere, and the situation could no longer be controlled.Zhang Ruoqi took advantage of the chaos to escape from Songshan, and returned to Ningyuan by sea by boat. Only Hong Chengchou and less than [-] soldiers were in a desperate situation. Facing Huang Taiji's besieging army, there was no possibility of breaking through.