There is a space for passenger planes in the late Ming Dynasty

Datong City, the magistrate's office.

Li Wanxiang was checking the documents in the custody room when Luo Kai, the battalion commander left behind by the Zhenming Army, hurried in and reported: "Master Fu, a large group of imperial troops have arrived from the south of Datong City. The purpose is unknown."

"Close the city gate immediately, and I will immediately organize Datong's Minzhuang to assist in defending the city." Although Li Wanxiang has no command experience, he has seen Lin Feng deploy the city defense, and has never eaten pork before seeing pigs running away.

"Master Fu, the walls of Datong City are strong. If the imperial soldiers and horses attack by force, there should be no problem in holding it for a while. However, we must be careful to prevent someone from stealing the city. Or we should not impose martial law on the entire city and prohibit people from taking to the streets." Luo Kai suggested.

Li Wanxiang touched the beard on his chin and said: "Martial law throughout the city has had a great impact on people's lives. Our Zhenming Army has won the hearts of the people in Datong. I decided that there should be no big problem. Just pay attention to the situation near the city gate. "

Li Wanxiang was Lin Feng's father-in-law, so his loyalty was no problem, but he lacked experience in commanding military operations. His benevolence this time left a great hidden danger for the defenders.

The Ming army camp outside the city.

Hong Cheng, the governor of Jiliao, was discussing the next move in his command tent with his generals Cao Bianjiao, the general of the ASEAN Association, and Wu Sangui, the general of Ningyuan.

After Huang Taiji decided to attack the Zhenming Army, according to their plan in Shengjing, Fan Wencheng used his connections in the Ming court to send large sums of money to Xue Guoguan, the newly appointed chief minister of the cabinet, and Chen Xinjia, the Minister of War, to encourage them to jointly deal with the Zhenming Army. .

Chen Xinjia was single-handedly promoted by Yang Sichang, and he knew that Emperor Chongzhen had always intended to temporarily negotiate peace with the Beibei and concentrate his efforts on destroying the domestic peasant army.

Although the Zhenming Army is not a rogue bandit, the danger of being a sitting bandit is even greater. Especially recently, they have successively occupied Datong Prefecture, Yan'an Prefecture and Luoyang City, and their power has expanded rapidly. Emperor Chongzhen has long been unable to bear it, and of course he would not let go of this opportunity when he encountered it.

In addition, there was still a large sum of money from the Qing Dynasty to be obtained, so Xue Guoguan and Chen Xinjia immediately deceived Emperor Chongzhen. Chongzhen agreed to take the opportunity to get rid of the Zhenming Army, but it was best to let the Zhenming Army and the Manchu Tatars perish together.

Considering that the Tatar chief Taiji personally led the main force to Datong Mansion, there was no big threat from Liaodong. Emperor Chongzhen ordered Hong Chengchou to lead 50,000 elite Liaodong troops from the capital to enter Datong and take the opportunity to retake Datong City. If the Zhenming army fought with the Qing army, There were heavy casualties, so they took advantage of the situation and attacked Yan'an Prefecture.

Of course, Emperor Chongzhen sent this army there with the intention of preventing the Qing army from entering the country again to plunder. After all, the Manchu Tatars were not good people either.

But as Chen Xinjia said in his persuasion, the Manta Tartars in Liaodong were plagued by scabies. At worst, they would plunder and return to Liaodong. However, Lin Feng’s Zhenming Army was a thorn in his side. He promoted policies such as public ownership of land and the integration of gentry into grain. But what undermines the foundation of the gentry is sworn hatred.

Therefore, Chongzhen also made it clear in his instructions to Hong Chengchou that the primary goal was to eliminate the Zhenming Army and recapture Datong Mansion, and to avoid direct confrontation with the Manchus as much as possible.

"Superintendent, the sentry horse has just reported. Lu Xiangsheng has led the main force of the Zhenming Army to confront the Manchu and Qing troops entering the Pass in the Hongyang Fort area. There are only a few thousand strong people defending the city in Datong City, and the defense is empty." Hong Chengchou followed the army and praised the painting. Xianhui reports.

"Two generals, do you have any good ideas for attacking Datong City?" Hong Chengchou asked.

"Superintendent, although the Zhenming Army listens to the propaganda but does not listen to the instructions, it is still the army of the Ming Dynasty. They fought bloody battles with the Manchus on the front line, and we captured Datong City in the rear. This is a matter that the relatives will hate and the enemies will be happy." Cao Bianjiao Bu Agreed.

"Of course General Cao's words are what I have taken into consideration. However, the imperial court has issued a strict decree that we must seize the opportunity to retake Datong City and rebuild Datong Town. We have to obey the decree." Hong Chengchou said.

"Superintendent, since the imperial court has an order, we must obey it. However, the walls of Datong City are high and solid. Although we have 50,000 people, we may suffer greater losses if we attack by force." Wu Sangui continued.

"If we don't attack by force, we have to outsmart Luo Qianhu, do you Jin Yiwei have internal support in the city?" Hong Chengchou asked Luo Bin, the Jin Yiwei Qianhu who came with him.

"Yes. After receiving Commander Luo's order to cooperate with Governor Hong to seize the city, we have sent people into the city a few days ago. We agreed to seize the west gate at midnight tonight and let our imperial army enter the city." Luo Bin replied. "That's great. If the capture of the city goes smoothly, I will give Luo Qianhu the first credit!" Hong Chengchou said happily.

"Thank you, Lord Supervisor!"

Datong City, in an alley in the west of the city.

Fan Yongsheng, the second brother of Fan Yongdou who was executed by Lingchi, had sneaked back to Datong City. With the help of Jin Yiwei, he contacted some old disciples in the city. Several people were getting together to discuss the matter of seizing the gate and dedicating the city at night.

"Mr. Jiang, you still can't make up your mind? Governor Hong has personally led the team here. Datong City will definitely not be able to defend it. Moreover, with the Zhenming Army, an officer has no privileges at all, so why should he be an official?" Fan Yongsheng said in The one on the side continued to encourage.

It turned out that General Jiang Jian of the Datong General Military Mansion surrendered to the Zhenming Army along with his deputy Yang Zhenwei. However, Jiang Jian usually liked gambling and visiting brothels. Although the treatment of the Zhenming Army was good, his monthly salary was not enough. Moreover, the Zhenming Army's military discipline was very strict. The officer had no chance to make money, so he complained often.

After the Zhenming Army took control of Datong City, they placed many subordinate generals like him in civilian camps, which further aggravated Jiang Jian's dissatisfaction.

This time Fan Yongsheng went to the city and quickly contacted Jiang Jian through Jin Yiwei, preparing to do his work and open the city in the evening.

"What benefits will I get from taking Datong City?" Jiang Jianming was obviously moved and began to bargain.

"Let's go to Datong City. Our Fan family also has a secret warehouse. I will give you three thousand taels of silver personally. Governor Hong will certainly be able to get you promoted." Fan Yongsheng was searched for the Fan family, and all the men in the family were executed. , hated the Zhenming Army deeply and wanted to overthrow the Zhenmin Army at any cost.

"Okay, I'll do it! But the Zhenming Army is very powerful. Fortunately, their main force has gone to the border. Otherwise, even if you gave me 30,000 taels, I wouldn't dare to do it." Jiang Jian replied.

Fan Yongsheng stretched out his hand to shake his hand and said, "Happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!" The two traitors quickly reached a sinful agreement.

At midnight, it was the turn of the Minzhuang post where Jiang Jian was on duty at the west gate of Datong City. He led a few iron men and took advantage of others not being prepared to kill several groups of loyal Minzhuang members of the Zhenming Army in the post, preparing to open the gate. The city gate is dedicated to the city.

"Jiang Jian has betrayed the Zhenming Army, please stop him!" A Minzhuang team member noticed the abnormality and immediately shouted.

The Zhenming Army's governance in Datong City won the support of the middle and lower classes. There were also many loyal fans in the Minzhuang Team, and several people immediately stood up to stop it.

As the two sides fought desperately, Fan Yongsheng led his Fan family's participating forces in the city to join in. They quickly suppressed the resisting Minzhuang members and took the opportunity to open the west city gate.

Wu Sangui, who had been waiting outside the city for a long time, rushed in immediately with a battalion of troops.

After hearing the commotion and preparing to come to support, Luo Kai, the commander-in-chief of the Zhenming Army Camp, saw that the city's defeat was inevitable. He immediately led his men to resist and retreat into the city. At the same time, he sent someone to notify Magistrate Li and Minzhuang team members to quickly evacuate to the station of the First Cavalry Division.

The headquarters of the First Cavalry Division was Fan Yongdou's original residence, which was originally built very solidly, similar to a fort. After being occupied by the Zhenming Army, some reinforcements were carried out according to the requirements of the military camp, and artillery was deployed. The defensive capabilities are still very strong.

(End of this chapter)