The ruthless emperor in the late Ming Dynasty forced Chongzhen to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 15
Great Ming capital.

With the establishment of several refugee relief points in the city, after serving porridge twice a day, refugees from all directions gathered.

In just over ten days, hundreds of thousands of refugees flooded into the capital, which made the already chaotic outer city even more congested and chaotic.

Although Zhu Cihong issued a strict order to ask the Jinyiwei to draw out some manpower to join forces with the army and horses to maintain order, it still didn't help. A large number of thefts and looting happened almost every day.

As a last resort, they had to order some refugees to be relocated to the inner city for resettlement, and the situation improved.

However, it also provoked strong dissatisfaction among the dignitaries in the inner city.

.........

"Criminal Zhou Yuji, kowtow to my emperor, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

"Zhou Aiqing please get up!"

Zhu Cihong got up excitedly and left the dragon chair, came to the hall, and helped Zhou Yuji up himself.

He couldn't help being excited, now that the city is full of soldiers, horses, money and food, the only thing missing is a general who knows how to fight and is good at fighting.

Those nobles are half-baked, and it's okay to let them guard a city wall, but there may be no one in charge of the overall situation.

Although Wu Xiang and Tang Tong are veterans who have gone through battles for a long time, they are not loyal enough. He absolutely dare not entrust the important task of defending the city to them.

As for himself, although he also knew a lot of military knowledge from TV dramas or novels and news in his previous life, it was all on paper after all.

Coupled with the difference between ancient and modern warfare, if he is really asked to take charge of the overall situation, be responsible for dispatching the army, and stick to a city with a circumference of more than fifty miles, he will have no confidence at all.

And this week Yuji is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate, his ability and loyalty have been proven in history.

Relying on a mere [-] people, they blocked the so-called million intruders under Ningwu Pass for more than ten days, and killed more than [-] rebels.

In the end, if it wasn't for running out of troops and food, and taking the initiative to switch to a decisive battle, maybe they could really hold on to Ningwuguan and force the troops to retreat, which shows their strong organizational and command capabilities.

So Zhu Cihong has great confidence in him.

"Your Majesty, I owe you the grace of God. I failed to defend Ningwu Pass and stop the bandits. Please forgive me!"

Seeing Zhu Cihong treating him like this, Zhou Yuji felt even more guilty, and knelt down again to plead guilty.

"What's wrong with Aiqing?"

"Aiqing not only held back the bandit army for more than ten days with her weak and small soldiers, but also bought half a month for me, and also killed and wounded the bandit army in large numbers, dampening their spirit.

So not only you are not guilty, but you have made great achievements. What's more, it's not that Aiqing didn't stick to Ningwu Pass, but I ordered you to abandon Ningwu Pass and return to Beijing to enter the guard. Ai Qing! "

Zhu Cihong helped him up again, grabbed his hand, and said seriously.

In history, Zhou Yuji died in battle in front of Ningwu Pass, and his death was extremely tragic, and his family members also died for the country, which can be said to be full of loyalty.

Naturally, he wouldn't be tainted with abandoning the city.

"His Majesty…"

At this moment, Zhou Yuji, a tough general, burst into tears and was so choked up that he couldn't speak.

Obviously also understood Zhu Cihong's good intentions.

After his mood stabilized, Zhu Cihong introduced the current situation in the capital, and then asked:
"Zhou Aiqing, you have been fighting with the intruder for more than half a month, so you should know the intruder very well, what is your opinion on the next situation?"

"Your Majesty loves me. I can't talk about high opinions. I do have some stupid opinions!"

"Ai Qing doesn't have to be humble, just speak freely!"

"Your Majesty, although there are a large number of intruders, known as an army of millions, they are actually no more than 50, and the good and the bad are mixed. Except for a few elites, most of the rest are not high in combat power, even worse than our army.

Now it has been six days since the minister abandoned the pass, the rebel army must have arrived at Datong, although there are more than [-] soldiers in the two towns, there is no danger to defend them.

I expected that within five days, the rebel army might completely occupy the Datong and Xuanfu, and the front of the soldiers would point directly at Juyongguan. If Juyongguan is lost, there will be no barriers for the capital.

Therefore, I boldly ask Your Majesty to let you garrison Juyong Pass. You only need [-] soldiers and horses. "

At the end of Zhou Yuji's speech, he knelt down again with a determined face.

"Aiqing, please, I naturally believe that with Aiqing's ability, I will be able to defend Juyongguan, but the bandit army still has a south road and has reached Baoding.

At that time, the connection between the capital and Juyongguan will inevitably be cut off. At that time, Aiqing will be attacked by the enemy, with no reinforcements outside and no weapons and food inside. It may not last long.

Instead of this, it is better to simply concentrate our forces and stick to the capital, and use thieves to deal with them, waiting for a turnaround. "

Zhu Cilang knew that if Zhou Yuji was to guard Juyongguan, he would buy him another month at most, which would not be of much use in the overall situation.

"Your Majesty, the South Route of the Bandit Army is only a partial division. Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, is brave and good at fighting, and the Guanning Iron Cavalry under his command is enough to repel the South Route of the Bandit Army."

Zhou Yuji cupped his fists and suggested again.

"Hey! If that's the case, why should I... It's a pity that not all the generals of my Ming Dynasty are as loyal as Aiqing!"

Zhu Cihong sighed and said helplessly.

If Wu Sangui really led the Guanning iron cavalry to help, let Zhou Yuji go to guard Juyongguan, it is indeed the best choice, and it is also the best plan to repel the invading army.

It's a pity that half a month has passed, and Wu Sangui's bastard has not been seen yet. I don't know if that guy followed his order after receiving the imperial edict, and withdrew all the soldiers and horses to Shanhaiguan, abandoned Ningyuan City, and returned to aid the capital.

Zhou Yuji had a clear understanding of the virtues of military generals in the late Ming Dynasty. When the Supreme Emperor was in power, most of the generals from all over the world were obedient and vicious. Now that His Majesty has just ascended the throne, the situation will only get worse.

Seeing what His Majesty said now, even though he was resentful that Wu Sangui didn't follow his will, he could only keep silent and didn't mention to guard Juyongguan again.

Because he knew that if he could not defeat the Southern Route Bandit Army, he would indeed do as His Majesty said.

Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, it is likely that only the Guanning Iron Cavalry under Wu Sangui's command can defeat more than [-] troops from the south road of the bandit army in a field battle.

"Zhou Aiqing, if I let you serve as the general guarding the city, are you sure you can guard the capital?"

Zhu Cihong didn't dwell on this topic either.

He also knew that if he wanted to repel the Chuang army, he would most likely have to rely on Wu Sangui's Guan Ning cavalry in the end.

But it is unrealistic to rely entirely on that guy to save lives.

"Your Majesty, how can my minister He De...?"

"Hey, Aiqing doesn't need to be humble, there is no one else in the capital except Aiqing who can take on this important task."

Zhu Cihong waved his hand.

Seeing that His Majesty trusted him so much, Zhou Yuji didn't pretend anymore.

"Returning to Your Majesty, if there is enough food and grass in the city, it shouldn't be difficult to defend it. However, I just arrived today, so I don't know much about the soldiers of the Beijing camp, so I don't dare to jump to conclusions."

"Don't worry about grain and grass, I have sent Jinyi Weidong Factory to collect grain in the past half a month, and as of today, the hoarded grain and grass have reached a million stones.

Aiqing has been exhausted all the way, let's go back today and have a good rest for the night, and tomorrow I will review the various ministries of the Beijing camp and then we can discuss it? "

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhou Yuji hurriedly thanked him, then resigned and left.

In the past five days, he and the soldiers have been galloping all the way, and he is indeed exhausted to the extreme.

(End of this chapter)