Ming politicians

After receiving Su Tiancheng's letter, Dorgon couldn't believe it, but after reading the letter, Dorgon fell silent. When he fought against Jiangning battalion soldiers in Cangzhou, the scene of cleaning the battlefield was still in his mind. In a flash, the so-called benevolent is invincible, Su Tiancheng's actions have almost reached the highest level of a benevolent person.

Dorgon also discovered the problem of the Black Death. Around Changping, the number of dead people began to increase. Even some soldiers engaged in grain and grass security in Zhengbai Banner and Xiangbai Banner fell ill. It didn't spread, but after receiving Su Tiancheng's letter, Dorgon felt chills all over his body, and he was still wondering why the scouts he sent out to investigate intelligence in the direction of Daming capital, but after returning, several people fell down, but They died within a few days, so many scouts didn't dare to investigate at all. It turns out that the problem lies in the severity of the Black Death.

The deployment of Huang Taiji failed in the end. The Liaodong frontier army did not have a large-scale deployment. The Guan Ningjin defense line was as solid as a rock. Dorgon's attack around the capital was meaningless. As for the attack in the direction of Yongping Mansion The deployment of the Liaodong Frontier Army is even more impossible to implement, and Dorgon will never take such a risk. He is not afraid of the Liaodong Frontier Army, but is afraid of the Jiangning Camp stationed in Tianjin. During the process, if he was surrounded by the Jiangning battalion, the army he led might be in danger of being completely annihilated.

Dorgon did not understand the severity of the Black Death, but he also had a strange thing, that is, many Han people near Changping died, but the soldiers he led were not really infected. Dorgon used to I thought it was because God bless the Qing Dynasty, but the Manchus were different.God blesses, and now I know that the root cause is still on the horses, because the smell of the horses disgusts the fleas on the mice, so the soldiers rely on the horses all the year round.It has avoided being infected, but one thing is unavoidable, that is, the infection between people, which is the deadliest.

The aloof Dorgon was originally fearless and would not easily convince others, but deep down in his heart, he really admired and feared Su Tiancheng. He didn't know why Su Tiancheng had such a great ability.He was able to defeat the Man Ba ​​Banners countless times, and Su Tiancheng showed extraordinary wisdom in every battle deployment. This kind of ability and wisdom has surpassed Huang Taiji. Every attack by Su Tiancheng will make everyone The Qing Dynasty was in a disadvantaged and passive position, so it had to do everything possible to defend.

Fight to the death on the battlefield.Treating people equally on the battlefield is the biggest education Su Tiancheng gave Dorgon.Although it was said that some time ago, he condoned the burning, killing and looting of his soldiers, but Dorgon was still a little uneasy in his heart. He also felt that such actions might bring bad luck to himself and all the soldiers.

After reading Su Tiancheng's letter, Dorgon rewarded the messenger.For the first time, he respectfully escorted the sender out of Tongzhou City, and strictly ordered the sergeant not to harm the sender.

Next, Dorgon issued an order to evacuate all soldiers from Changping and return to Datong the same way.directly into the grassland.

For those sergeants who had coughed, Dorgon was ruthless and decisively abandoned them. These people were not allowed to follow the army, and Dorgon also asked all the sergeants, whether they were cavalry or infantry, to leave on horseback. , not to stay along the way, not to continue to plunder the people, not to have any contact with the Han people, just rush on the road, leave the customs as quickly as possible, and enter the grassland.

Dorgon's staff were very strange, they didn't know why his coach issued such an order, and Dorgon didn't tell them, but obedience to military orders is the most important rule of the Manchu Eight Banners, so tens of thousands of troops acted very strangely. He quickly left Tongzhou with the looted gold, silver, treasures, food and grass, and returned the same way.

A staff member once suggested whether to report to Huang Taiji, and then withdraw from Tongzhou and return to Shenyang after Huang Taiji's order came down, but Dorgon did not agree and asked to withdraw directly.

The news of Dorgon's withdrawal quickly spread to the capital.

Zhou Yanru, Wang Chengen and others finally breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what, the threat from Changping was eliminated.At this time, Liu Jingting hadn't left the capital because Wang Chengen disagreed. Zhou Yanru's opinion could not move Liu Jingting and others. After all, they were envoys sent by Su Tiancheng, and the purpose of their visit was not to declare war. Unfortunately, Wang Chengen was very stubborn. , although Liu Jingting and others were not imprisoned in the prison, they were still under house arrest.

Just when Zhou Yanru and Wang Chengen had a disagreement, the emperor actually summoned them.

For such a long time, the emperor did not ask about the affairs of the court. Unexpectedly, at this time, he actually started to ask. In fact, according to the rules, the officials in the court should be in the time of rest, which is during the Spring Festival.

After Zhou Yanru entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, before he had time to speak, the emperor spoke first.

"Zhou Aiqing, I heard that Su Tiancheng sent people into the capital, is there such a thing?"

Zhou Yanru looked at Wang Chengen who was standing behind the emperor, lowered his head and spoke.

"My Majesty, there is indeed such a thing. This is a letter written by Su Tiancheng to my minister."

Zhu Youjian put the letter on the imperial case, did not open it to read, but continued to ask.

"I heard that the person Su Tiancheng sent is called Liu Jingting, who used to be a storyteller, isn't that true?"

Zhou Yanru lowered his head and did not answer. At this moment, his view of Wang Chengen has also changed in his heart. In fact, Wang Chengen must have reported all these things to the emperor. Liu Jingting came to the capital, specifically for what matter, the emperor You should also know that Zhou Yanru did not dare to distribute that box of masks for the time being, for fear of causing disturbances in the palace.

Unexpectedly, the emperor would have objections to who Su Tiancheng sent here.

In the past two days, Zhou Yanru began to pay attention to the Black Death inside and outside the capital, and the reports he received shocked him. The number of people dying every day exceeded a hundred, and there was no one to restrain the corpses everywhere. Many of the sergeants of the Bingma Division also fell, and the atmosphere of terror inside and outside the capital had already begun to spread.

This shows that the Black Death is really serious, and what Su Tiancheng said is true. Under such circumstances, Su Tiancheng can completely stand by and watch, but he still sent an envoy to report the situation, just like this The mind is worthy of respect. As for who to send, think about it differently. The capital is in such a dangerous situation. The envoys sent may be infected with the Black Death. It is very good to have someone come.

Seeing that Zhou Yanru didn't reply, Zhu Youjian spoke again.

"Zhou Aiqing, I heard that you are planning to release that Liu Jingting. Is there such a thing?"

Zhou Yanru's heart began to sink. At this time, he will not continue to be silent. The two armies do not fight each other. This is the rule. What's more, Liu Jingting came to the capital to remind the court to pay attention to the Black Death. If the imperial court really killed Liu Jingting, it would be tantamount to losing all morality. If the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty and the common people knew about such a thing, what would they think? Moreover, Zhou Yanru could conclude that the emperor would not bear the responsibility at that time. Wang Cheng'en will not bear this kind of responsibility. The cabinet is ultimately responsible, and he is the chief assistant of the cabinet. Zhou Yanru will never bear such a reputation of being immoral, so he has to clarify his own opinion.

"Your Majesty, I think that Liu Jingting came to the capital to remind the court to pay attention to the Black Death, and he also brought a large box of masks. The prince has seen this kind of masks before, and I am about to distribute them. Ministers of Li and North Korea must pay attention to it, and I have also drawn up a memorial, imploring the emperor to allocate silver to prevent the Black Death. Under such circumstances, I feel that Liu Jingting must be treated kindly, and I suggest that Liu Jingting leave the capital."

What Zhou Yanru said was very clear and directly expressed his opinion, which was rare in the past.

Zhu Youjian didn't express his opinion immediately, but looked at Wang Chengen behind him.

Wang Chengen also spoke.

"Your Majesty, this servant does not agree with Mr. Zhou's opinion. Su Tiancheng's rebellion is already treasonous. To actually send Liu Jingting here. Isn't this a humiliation to the court? Such a rebellious official and traitor, everyone can punish him, how can he let go."

Zhou Yanru's face also flushed red. Just after Wang Chengen finished speaking, he spoke again.

"Your Majesty, my minister's opinion is to let others go. If the prince insists on beheading, then I implore the emperor to clarify his will. I will never agree with it."

There was no expression on Zhu Youjian's face. Of course he understood Zhou Yanru's thoughts. Zhou Yanru was determined not to recite such a scapegoat. It was morally unjustifiable. In addition, it would be a matter of time before Su Tiancheng captured the capital. Without Liu Jingting, it will be difficult to meet in the future.

Zhou Yanru kept raising his head, and saw that the emperor's expression was getting worse and worse, and the worry in his heart was getting stronger and stronger. At this time, he no longer felt afraid.

After a while, Zhu Youjian spoke up.

"I understand what you mean. Kill Liu Jingting. What do I care about? I already knew how civil and military officials in the Manchu dynasty would look at me, and how history books would evaluate me. After Su Tiancheng occupied the capital, he would not want him anymore." My life will not touch the emperor's relatives, Su Tiancheng has such a generous speech, how can I lose to him, anyway, I will leave this matter to Zhou Aiqing to handle."

After saying this, Zhu Youjian got up and left, without giving Zhou Yanru a chance to speak again, Wang Chengen stared at Zhou Yanru, and then left.

Standing in the hall, Zhou Yanru felt his body was cold. The most important thing, the emperor did not mention, that is how to prevent the Black Death. This is the top priority. I don’t know what the emperor is thinking. .

Zhou Yanru gritted his teeth. This time, he had to make a decision on his own. He must defend against the Black Death inside and outside the capital. Even if there was no imperial decree from the emperor, he would still do the same. No one called him the chief assistant of the cabinet. (To be continued..)