novelonline Chapter 1365 Why is the Qing Dynasty about to fall? (3 more monthly tickets requested!)
Chapter 1365 Why is the Qing Dynasty about to fall? (3 more monthly tickets requested!)
Chapter 1365 Why is the Qing Dynasty about to fall? (Please give me a monthly ticket for the third time!)
Liaodong, Gaizhouwei, Si Ya Hou Tang
Jia Heng was hugging Gu Ruoqing's plump body at this moment, sniffing the refreshing fragrance, and whispered: "Ruoqing, do you remember when we first met?"
Gu Ruoqing snorted coldly, his face dazed, and all kinds of memories of the past seemed to be reflected in the lake of his heart.
Jia Heng said, "Come to think of it, we have known each other for two or three years. When Duoduo sneaked into Jiangnan and wanted to assassinate me, if Qing and I were in the same inn at that time, we could have survived the danger together."
I remember the first time I met Gu Ruoqing was when I went to Jiangnan for the first time, because the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou spent a lot of money to get Gu Ruoqing to accompany her.
When Gu Ruoqing heard this, her clear eyes and willow-shaped eyebrows seemed to be filled with memories. Her bright face flushed as she said, "At that time, it was indeed an assassination by a bad guy. It was extremely dangerous."
At the beginning, she was also a witness.
But when I first met him, the young man seemed so arrogant, like a court hawk, but now it seems that he also cares about the people.
The only shortcoming may be lust.
Jia Heng said: "Ruoqing's personality hasn't changed much over the years."
Gu Ruoqing's eyes were filled with a cold expression, and she whispered, "You've actually changed a lot. If you were like this before..."
Jia Heng angrily withdrew his hand that was wandering around the beautiful woman's waist and said, "I'm afraid Ruoqing is going to pick up the sword and kill someone, right?"
Gu Ruoqing pretended to be cold and indifferent, and snorted coldly, with a hint of shame and annoyance in her sparkling eyes.
Jia Heng chuckled, then hugged the beautiful woman's plump body, his heart inevitably beating fast.
At this moment, Gu Ruoqing felt the burning sensation behind the skirt. Her delicate body trembled and she stood stiffly, her heart trembling inexplicably.
Obviously, he didn't expect that while the boy was talking, he actually...
Just as the two were embracing each other, a teasing voice suddenly came from outside, saying, "I just left not long ago, why are you two hugging each other again now?"
Jia Heng's eyes moved slightly, and he turned to look, only to see Xiaoxiao entering the wing room with a half-smile on his face. He said softly, "Xiaoxiao, you're back?"
Gu Ruoqing also reacted at this moment and hurriedly straightened her messy clothes. She was filled with shame and anger to the extreme.
Chen Xiao glanced at Gu Ruoqing and said softly, "I just met with the scouts from Jinyi Mansion and asked them to find out information about Wang Jing."
Jia Heng looked at Chen Xiao and said, "Xiaoxiao, you've worked hard."
It is because of Xiaoxiao that he can be freed from the hard work of paperwork and can also talk about love with Gu Ruoqing.
Chen Xiao whispered, "On the Korean side, the former councilor Gui Sizhe planned to establish a pseudo-dynasty. Oboi used weapons to coerce and lure people to train nearly 100,000 Korean puppet troops. They fought against the loyal troops from Zhongqing Province, Gyeongsang Province, and Jeolla Province in Gangwon Province, but the two sides were evenly matched. Now that the weather has turned cold, both sides have stopped fighting."
The Jurchens had few soldiers, but Ajige ruled the court with "court people", while Oboi stationed 18,000 elite troops in the royal capital to support the Korean pseudo-monarch Gui Sichol.
On the surface, the Qing Dynasty's military expedition was not to subjugate Korea to the Qing Dynasty, but to whip and punish the disloyalty of the Joseon Lee family.
Therefore, to a certain extent, the resistance will of some high-ranking families in the capital of Joseon was undermined.
Otherwise, these 100,000 North Korean puppet troops would not be able to be organized at all.
Jia Heng asked, "As for North Korea, where is Li Hao's son now?"
"It is still in Gyeongsang Province, supported by the local clans. Recently, they are discussing to move the palace to Jeolla Province, but the clans in Gyeongsang Province are not very willing." Chen Xiao explained, "Especially after our Han army defeated the Jurchen troops in Liaodong and captured two guards, their will has become more determined."
This is also a rare commodity.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that once the Han Dynasty sent troops, the restoration of Korea would be a matter of days. At that time, the local clans in Gyeongsang Province would be able to enter the royal capital and become high-ranking political families because of their contributions in supporting the throne.
Jia Heng picked up the teacup and took a sip of the fragrant tea, suppressing the cool sweetness.
They don't take the conflicts among North Korean political factions too seriously.
As the saying goes, a small temple has strong evil spirits, and a shallow pond has many turtles.
Chen Xiao said: "However, in the near future, the navy stationed in Japan will arrive in Korea."
Chen Xiao's willow-shaped eyebrows were curved, and his cold jade-like eyes moved slightly. He asked softly, "When do you plan to send troops?"
Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "Wait a little longer. At least the situation will remain deadlocked for a while."
Nowadays, there is not much ice on the vast ocean, so when the time comes, the boats can go straight to Liaodong.
Chen Xiao nodded gently and said gently, "That's fine."
Jia Heng said, "Let's not talk about it for now. Let's eat first."
Chen Xiao nodded gently, then raised his eyes to look at Gu Ruoqing who was not far away with a blush on her cheeks, and whispered: "Let's not talk about this for now, let's eat."
Then, everyone sat down and started to eat.
Chen Xiao said: "It's almost winter. Tianjin has already sent over a batch of winter clothes and cotton shoes. The weather in Liaodong is too cold after all."
Jia Heng nodded and said in a gentle voice: "In addition, buy more wine and meat to keep the soldiers warm in winter. These are the navy from the south of the Yangtze River, and most of them can't stand the cold."
This is what war is really like. It is fought for money, food and logistical support. A real war must be less romantic and more about these tiny things that moisten things silently.
Chen Xiao nodded and said, "Wine and drinks are indispensable."
The weather in Liaodong is indeed very cold.
……
……
Time flies, and in a blink of an eye it is late November of the eighteenth year of Chongping. It is the coldest time of winter, and the weather is becoming increasingly bitterly cold. In Shengjing, Liaodong, which is at a higher altitude, a heavy snow fell early on. The heavy snow fluttered down and covered the entire vast land of Liaodong.
In the blink of an eye, several days passed and the weather became colder.
The entire Han-Lu situation remained eerily calm.
Just after the Battle of Shanhaiguan, Cao Bianjiao did not continue to pursue the troops under Prince Zheng Jirgalang due to insufficient troops and the cold weather.
Therefore, the war in the north calmed down temporarily.
As for the guards of Haizhou and Gaizhou, just as Jia Heng said, they began to pour large amounts of water on the city walls and built several ice cities.
Nearly 100,000 naval officers and soldiers from Jiangnan and border troops from Hebei began to spend the winter in Liaodong.
At this moment, in Shengjing, the palace——
There were low-pressure leaden clouds in the sky, and thick rolling clouds could be seen. A slightly cold wind blew past, and the glazed tiles on the houses made a humming sound.
Dorgon had a strong and upright figure, but because of days of worry and anxiety, his originally dignified and solemn face looked extremely haggard, and there was even untidy beard under his chin.
At this moment, Dorgon's eyes were dark blue and black, and he asked in a hoarse and rough voice, "Where are Prince Ying's troops?"
As Gaizhou Wei and Haizhou Wei fell into the hands of the Han court and the army's spearhead reached Shengjing, Dorgon felt waves of pressure coming at him.
Jia Heng's strategy of using the two guards as a peg and launching a massive attack on Liao in the early spring of next year was naturally anticipated by Dorgon and Fan Xiandou.
Then the most urgent task is to drive the Han people to the sea and recover the lost territories of the two guards.
How can you allow others to sleep soundly on the side of the couch?
The eunuch was very cautious, his expression slightly paused, and he said softly: "Your Highness, Prince Ying has already arrived in Liaoyang."
Dorgon took a deep breath, his face solemn as iron, and whispered: "Summon the princes and ministers of the Eight Banners to Xiande Hall. I want to discuss state affairs."
The eunuch responded and then left in a hurry.
At this moment, the eunuch came to report that the Empress Dowager had arrived.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager, also known as Concubine Zhuang, was wearing a gorgeous dress embroidered with phoenixes and her hair was covered with pearls and jade. Her dignified and beautiful face was as charming as spring flowers, and her slender fingers were wearing Manchu finger gloves to show that she did not need to work.
"Fourteenth brother." Concubine Zhuang walked closer with her plump and graceful steps and called to Dorgon.
Dorgon looked at the graceful and beautiful woman and said, "Sister-in-law, you are here."
Concubine Zhuang said in a delicate voice, "Fourteenth brother, I cooked some Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup for you. It's getting cold, drink some to warm your body."
Dorgon waved his hand and said, "Sister-in-law, I don't have much appetite at the moment."
What appetite could he have? He was already overwhelmed by state affairs.
Seeing this, Concubine Zhuang curved her willow-shaped eyebrows, pursed her slightly pink lips, and said comfortingly: "Fourteenth brother, although state affairs are difficult, they need to be sorted out slowly, and you must not overwork yourself."
Could it be that after taking her body, he had started to get tired of her?
This thought only flashed through her mind for a moment, and Concubine Zhuang suppressed such childish thoughts.
Now that we are facing a powerful enemy, my fourteenth brother cannot sleep at night, which is really worrying.
Dorgon said softly, "I will summon the ministers later, please take a rest first, my sister-in-law."
Concubine Zhuang's expression was slightly changed, and she persuaded him again: "Fourteenth brother, eat a little."
As he said this, he turned around, picked up the large blue and white porcelain spoon in his hand, and poured porridge into the bowl.
Seeing this, Dorgon could only let Concubine Zhuang take charge, close his eyes and rest, thinking about the Qing Dynasty's response strategy.
After a while, the eunuch came to call, and all the Manchu princes and ministers had already gone to Xiande Hall to wait.
Dorgon took two mouthfuls of porridge, said nothing more, left the inner study and headed towards the Xiande Hall.
Xiande Hall
At this moment, all the Jurchen princes and ministers had gathered in the hall, and it was crowded with people.
Man Dahai, Shuosai and other Wakda of the younger generation, as well as Prince Zheng Jirgalang and others, as well as Han ministers and generals were all in the palace.
Sun Shaozu was also among the Han generals, and his gloomy eyes looked cleverly at the people in the hall.
Because, after the previous Battle of Shanhaiguan, Cao Bianjiao did not continue to pursue the troops under Prince Zheng Jirgalang due to insufficient troops and the cold weather.
The Manchu royal family, which was once full of talented people, has gradually become declining.
Dorgon sat in the hall, looking at the princes and ministers below, with a somewhat sad look on his face.
Dorgon could certainly feel this lack of continuity.
In fact, if it was in a parallel universe where the Qing Dynasty entered the Pass and Shunzhi took power, it would not be a big deal that famous generals died out at that time, after all, most of the world had been settled. But now it is in a confrontation with the Han court, and looking around the court and the country, there are gradually no people who can be used.
How could this not make Dorgon feel extremely worried?
As the person at the helm, if the Qing Dynasty was destroyed, he would become the sinner of the Aisin-Gioro clan.
Dorgon was silent for a moment, then said, "My lords, I think you already know the momentum of the Han army's advance. What strategy do you have to defeat the enemy?"
Man Dahai, a vassal prince of the line of Daishan, was the first to step out of the line and said, "Regent, I said before that it is not appropriate to send troops to Korea, but now we have suffered such a defeat."
When Dorgon heard this, his face turned dark and he felt a little embarrassed.
Tian Feng's behavior obviously made Dorgon very angry, but at this moment the Jurchens had already lost their talents, and Dorgon could not lose his temper. He just secretly suppressed his anger.
"Things have come to this point. There is no benefit in saying any more." Prince Zheng Jirgalang said in a deep voice, helping Dorgon to get out of trouble.
Heshuo Chengze Prince Shuo Sai, who was standing in front of the sea, frowned and said loudly: "Now the Han court has come to our doorstep. If we don't do our best to expel the Han people, we will be in danger of national destruction. Now is not the time to find out who is right or wrong."
This biological son of Huang Taiji, later known as Prince Zhuang, was in charge of the Qing Dynasty's Ministry of War and the Ministry of Clan Affairs. Although he was young, he had already shown some military talent.
Previously, it was Shuose and Lekedehun who together defeated the vanguard troops of Hebei Governor Kang Hong.
Daishan's grandson Lekedehun chimed in, "Yes, Uncle Seven, no one would have thought of this."
Man Dahai looked indifferent, snorted coldly, and said nothing more.
If we had listened to him and not hastily invaded Korea, how could the situation have collapsed today?
Looking at the Qing Dynasty now, can it fight again?
As soon as Man Dahai's words came out, the faces of all the Jurchen high-ranking civil and military officials present became a little solemn, and their hearts seemed to be covered with a thick haze.
Indeed, the two guards in Liaodong were lost, and the Han army’s navy had already approached the heartland of the Qing Dynasty. What should be done?
Dorgon's face was as gloomy as iron, and he asked in a deep voice: "Now, everyone, please discuss how to repel the Han court's troops in Gaizhou?"
Prince Zheng Jierhalang bowed and said, "Prince Regent, Prince Ying's troops are already on their way back to support us. Once they return, we will attack from both sides. The Han army is coming by water, and it is inconvenient to transport military supplies and baggage. If it takes too long, they will surely run away."
Man Dahai also cupped his hands and said, "Regent, we should now mobilize all the troops in the country to attack Haizhou and Gaizhou in Liaodong, and completely drive out the Han army and prevent them from advancing any further."
All the Manchu princes and ministers present bowed their heads and asked for the throne, and the Han ministers and generals also echoed him.
The most urgent task now is to concentrate all troops and drive out the Han army.
Seeing that the princes and ministers had reached a decision, Dorgon turned his head to look at the old-looking Fan Xiandou and asked, "Now, Mr. Fan, do you have any good ideas?"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials in the palace looked towards this veteran minister who had served three dynasties, but there was a hint of coldness in Man Dahai's eyes.
If he had not repeatedly instigated the Regent to launch wars against Japan and Korea, how could the current corrupt situation have occurred?
Of course, Fan Xiandou was a veteran minister of three dynasties and had made great contributions to the founding of the Qing Dynasty, so it was not easy to criticize him to his face.
Fan Xiandou didn't want to answer at this moment, but when he heard Dorgon's question, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to court.
After all, it was Fan Xiandou who suggested sending troops to Korea, and now, just like sending troops to Japan, they both won first and then lost.
Of course, we can’t blame Fan Xiandou entirely here.
The main reason was that the officers and soldiers on the front line did not use their troops effectively.
Fan Xiandou sorted out his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "Now that the weather has turned cold, the Han soldiers should not attack Shengjing again. They will probably wait until the beginning of next spring and then march north. At that time, the Han court's army will march out from Shanhaiguan and attack together with the Liaodong navy, forming a pincer attack to destroy the country."
When Dorgon heard this, a look of surprise and uncertainty appeared in his eyes.
The Jurchen princes and ministers in the hall were actually Han officials. When they heard this, they were all shocked.
Why is the Qing Dynasty about to perish out of nowhere?
But when I think about it, it's really possible!
The Han court is no longer what it used to be. Once it gains the advantage by water, it will certainly mobilize a large army again and go out of the border to launch a war to annihilate the country.
The hall was suddenly filled with an indescribable depression.
It's truly a matter of life and death!
Dorgon looked solemn and said, "What do you say now?"
The court officials below paused and looked at each other.
Fan Xiandou said: "As mentioned before, the two armies will attack from both sides and drive the Han army's navy out to sea. Now it is winter, the weather is cold and the ground is frozen. The Han army will definitely defend the city, and the southern navy is afraid of the cold. It is the time for the elite Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty to recover the lost territory."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials in the palace showed expressions of approval.
This is a man of wisdom and strategy. Not only does he have profound insights, but his analytical strategies are also quite feasible.
"In the early spring of next year, the Qing Dynasty, Dzungar, and Khoshut will gather troops to attack the Han court. The Han court will surely be shocked and will not rashly attack Liaodong." Fan Xiandou said in a deep voice.
Upon hearing this, Dorgon's face became gloomy and uncertain, and he pondered the feasibility.
The Manchu princes and ministers in the hall had already started discussing the matter.
This is the strategy of forming alliances to share the pressure on the Han court.
Dorgon said: "Previously, Junggar and Khoshut did not raise troops to respond to the Qing Dynasty's expedition against Japan, saying that their tribes were still recuperating. Will they agree next year?"
It's not that the Jurchens had not been in contact before, but the two tribes had their own problems. They had just suffered a defeat and were still recovering. Now that almost two years have passed, they have indeed recovered a lot.
Fan Xiandou said: "The two Khans know the principle of the lips and teeth being cold. If my Qing Dynasty is destroyed by the Han court, the two Khans will be the next to be wiped out."
After hearing this, Dorgon nodded and said, "Mr. Fan is right."
The group of Manchu civil and military officials below also had thoughtful looks on their faces.
Indeed, there are only three border threats surrounding the Han Dynasty today: Liaodong, Dzungar and Khoshut.
Once the Han Dynasty had completely eaten up Liaodong, the hardest bone, the next two tribes, the Dzungar and Khoshut, would also be destroyed by the Han court.
Dorgon said: "Send an envoy to inform the two ministries immediately."
Fan Xiandou said: "In addition, the Han court's cavalry already has the ability to cross the border. In the previous battle of Shanhaiguan, our elite Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty were defeated by the Han court's elite cavalry in a frontal charge."
When Dorgon mentioned this, he frowned and looked at Prince Zheng Jirgalang beside him and said, "Prince Zheng, what's going on?"
Jirgalang looked ashamed, and his voice became lowered. He said loudly: "Reporting to the Regent, the young general who led the troops was brave and good at fighting. My men were caught off guard, and we were outnumbered, so we were defeated by him."
Hearing this, Dorgon said in a deep voice: "The Han court is now also full of talented people."
In comparison, the Qing Dynasty was in decline and faced a period of transition.
It can be said that the Qing Dynasty now needs to be saved.
Fan Xiandou advised: "Prince Regent, now is not the time to feel sentimental about this matter. Our Great Qing should work hard to get through this disaster."
Hearing this, Dorgon looked determined under his thick eyebrows and said, "Mr. Fan is right. Now that the Qing Dynasty is at a critical moment of life and death, in order to prevent the foundation of the Aisin-Gioro clan from being lost, you should work hard and make great efforts."
The faces of the ministers below were mostly solemn and tragic.
When all the ministers left Xiande Hall, they looked up and saw that in the inky sky, dark lead clouds had been pressing down like a black city without them noticing.
Fan Xiandou ran out from under the eaves, staggered, and the servant beside him hurriedly supported him.
Fan Xiandou looked up at the boundless sky. Soon, heavy snow had begun to fall, and between heaven and earth, a layer of cold and austere air seemed to cover the sky.
It was as if the Shengjing City was covered in a heavy layer of mourning.
When Fan Xiandou had this thought, his heart skipped a beat and he quickly drove this horrible idea out of his mind.
(End of this chapter)