Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Bang, bang, bang! Deep in the valley, the sound of gunfire was like a continuous stream of firecrackers, resounding through the sky. As soon as it stopped here, it started again there. Surrounded by mountains, the echoes lingered, adding a bit of urgency and uneasiness.

A group of soldiers stood upright like pine trees, their eyes fixed on the deep and unfathomable valley. Weng Zhiqi knew clearly that our scouts and Jiannu spies had met unexpectedly and had engaged in a fierce battle.

Both sides knew this secret path well, and were afraid that the other side would sneak through quietly, so they sent out elite soldiers to wait for it. However, to be honest, neither side planned to launch a sneak attack from here, because this path was too narrow and the army could not pass through it. If they were blocked in it, the consequences would be disastrous.

Seeing the soldiers standing still, Weng Zhiqi encouraged them loudly: "Brothers, don't be afraid! We have the newly issued Rumi guns from the court, which are much more powerful than the Jiannu's bird guns, with a long range and great power! Our current mission is to block this valley firmly and prevent the Jiannu from taking over here!"

Hearing this, the soldiers immediately became excited and worked hard, no longer thinking about the distant battle. They knew that every effort now was laying the foundation for future victory.

The Ming army was well-equipped with all kinds of tools. Some soldiers held shovels and dug the soil; some soldiers wielded chisels to split hard stones; and others wielded axes and saws to cut down thick trees. They worked in groups of dozens or a few people, with clear division of labor and tacit cooperation. Some soldiers used crowbars and levers to push down large rocks from the mountain to block the valley; others tied the cut trees with ropes and placed them on the paths in the valley, forming natural barriers.

Boom! With a loud noise, a huge rock rolled down from the top of the mountain and hit the ground, shaking the whole valley. Then, with a crash, thick trees were cut down one by one. A dozen soldiers pulled them with ropes and put them on the path in the valley, blocking the path tightly.

Clang clang clang! On both sides of the valley, hundreds of soldiers wielded hammers and chisels, carving cracks in the rocks. Others took gunpowder from baggage carts and carefully placed it beside them, ready to detonate at any time.

Three thousand Ming soldiers, one and a half miles above the top of the mountain, were busy and working as hard as they could. They were sweating and pushing down natural barriers one by one, making the valley narrower and narrower. Their faces were full of determination and resolve, as if they were going to turn the valley into an insurmountable natural moat.

At this time, the sun was already high in the sky, and the sunlight was shining on the valley, reflecting a busy scene. Weng Zhiqi carefully observed it with a telescope, then called the messenger and ordered: "The scouts are back, and everything is almost ready! Send the order to let everyone stop and rest for a while!"

The messenger frowned and trotted all the way to the depths of the valley, shouting, "Stop, I want to go over!" His voice echoed in the valley, sounding particularly loud.

The soldiers on both sides breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this. They had been busy for most of the day, hungry and thirsty, and had been looking forward to a break. Taking this opportunity, everyone joked: "Hurry up, or I'll be your son!"

"Your father is here!" another soldier responded with a smile.

"You dare to take advantage of me, kid? I'll let you taste our tea later!" another soldier joked.

Soon, the messenger's forehead was covered with sweat. He walked and cursed, but there was nothing he could do. The road was full of obstacles, and he struggled to get through and entered the depths of the valley.

Not long after, more than a hundred Ming soldiers came back with the messenger. They carried bird guns on their shoulders, and walked up to Weng Zhiqi with proud smiles on their faces. A soldier handed a head to Weng Zhiqi: "Deputy General Weng, we killed a Jiannu today, and this is his head."

Weng Zhiqi took the head, looked at it, and nodded with satisfaction: "Good job! There will be a reward when you go back!" His voice was full of praise and encouragement.

Another soldier looked at the wood and stones that filled the valley and asked in confusion: "Deputy General Weng, aren't we doing this to prevent the Jiannu from launching a sneak attack? Now that they can't get over, why are we still staying here?" His question resonated with the other soldiers, and they all cast inquiring glances at him.

Weng Zhiqi smiled and nodded: "Good question! This is the general's strategy. It had two meanings when it was originally formulated." He paused and continued: "First, our main force is in Miyun to contain the Jiannu army. We station troops here in Pinggu to both attack the Jiannu's rear and defend Pinggu to prevent them from taking a detour to attack our main force. Second, if the situation in Miyun is tight, we can block this valley at any time and support them." His words revealed a deep wisdom and foresight.

The soldier next to him nodded first to show his understanding, then his face turned serious and he whispered: "What Deputy General Weng means is that... Miyun can't hold on anymore?" As soon as these words came out, the soldiers around him became nervous. They all knew that if Miyun really couldn't hold on, the consequences would be disastrous.

Although Huang Degong was a general from the Beijing camp, he had been fighting in Jiangnan for a long time and most of his subordinates were from the south. Although they knew how powerful the Jiannu were, they had never really seen their fighting power and were somewhat unsure. The unknown is the most terrifying! The 3,000 soldiers under Weng Zhiqi were all good, but when they heard that the main force might not be able to hold on, they couldn't help but feel worried.

However, Weng Zhiqi remained calm. He smiled and comforted everyone: "What's there to be afraid of with only 20,000 Jiannu? The general has a secret order from His Majesty to do something big! As long as we hold this valley, we can buy more time and opportunities for the main force." His words were full of confidence and determination, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

"Someone, put the gunpowder on the ground so that the brothers can hear the explosion!" Weng Zhiqi ordered loudly. Boom! A flash of fire and a deafening sound shook the earth three times. The rocks on both sides of the valley were shaken by the explosion and then fell down with a crackling sound. There was another loud noise. Dust flew up and covered the sky and the valley was dark. Boom, boom... The explosions continued and there was another pile of rocks in the valley.

After the smoke and dust cleared, Weng Zhiqi looked through the telescope and nodded with satisfaction: "Brothers, let's march to Miyun!" His voice was full of pride and determination, as if he had already seen the scene of the army returning triumphantly.

……

The loud noise over there also alerted the Jiannu scouts. A team of more than a dozen of them carefully approached the place where the explosion came from. The leading commander was shocked when he saw this and quickly sent someone to report to Dorgon.

"The Ming army has blocked the valley?" Dorgon was stunned when he heard this. He quickly took out the map and stared at the route between Miyun and Pinggu with a frown on his face. Fan Wencheng, Ajige, and Ebilun also heard the news and entered the big tent together. They surrounded Dorgon and looked at the map with a thoughtful look on their faces.

After a long while, Dorgon looked up and asked, "What do Lin Xiaofeng and Huang Degong mean? Why are you blocking the road?" His voice was full of confusion and puzzlement.

Seeing that no one was talking, Fan Wencheng explained in a low voice: "Blocking the road... probably because they are afraid that we will go around and launch a surprise attack. But there is actually no need to do so." His words revealed a well-considered judgment.

"Why?" Dorgon asked puzzledly.

Fan Wencheng pointed to the valley on the map and said, "I personally explored this road a few days ago. It's narrow and dangerous, and one man can block the passage of ten thousand. If I were the Ming army, I would only need a thousand men to guard the entrance of the valley, set up a few cannons, and wait for Prince Rui's army to fall into his trap." His words were full of analysis and understanding of the Ming army's strategy.

"No matter how many people Prince Rui brings, it will be useless! If there is enough gunpowder, even a million-strong army cannot break through this pass." His words revealed an affirmation and appreciation of the Ming army's defensive capabilities.

"How strange!" Dorgon was also puzzled. Even if the Ming army was cowardly, they wouldn't be so cowardly, right? There was an opportunity to kill the enemy, but instead they blocked the road and cut off their own retreat. What on earth was going on?
"Wait..." Fan Wencheng suddenly thought of the situation in Xuanfu Town and became thoughtful. He felt that there must be some hidden meaning behind the Ming army's move. Perhaps... this was a bigger conspiracy? His heart was filled with doubts and uneasiness.

"What's going on?" Dorgon, Ajige and Ebilun all looked at Fan Wencheng, their eyes full of expectation and confusion, as if Fan Wencheng was the only key to solve the mystery. The candlelight in the room flickered, reflecting on the determined but anxious faces of the three people, waiting for Fan Wencheng's explanation.

Fan Wencheng's face was extremely serious, like the calm before a storm. He opened his mouth slowly: "I see that the Ming Dynasty is busy mobilizing troops!" Although his voice was not loud, every word was heavy, like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up waves.

"Oh, I know that." Dorgon answered without hesitation, revealing a sense of confidence, "They are afraid of us, so they transferred all the capable soldiers to Miyun, intending to fight us!" There was a bit of contempt in his tone, and he obviously disagreed with the Ming Dynasty's defense strategy. Outside the window, the night was deep and the moonlight was thin, as if it was holding its breath for the upcoming contest.

Dorgon's words were not groundless. In the battles of Sarhu, Shenyang, and Songjin, which one of them was not a victory of the few over the many? Huang Degong's 40,000 men were no match for their 20,000 elite soldiers of the Eight Banners. His eyes flashed with the glory of past battles, which was a kind of certainty of victory and confidence in his own strength.

However, although Dorgon thought it was natural to mobilize troops for war, Fan Wencheng shook his head and slapped the map with his right hand, as if he wanted to pour all his anxiety and worries into it. He pointed to Xuanfu Town and said firmly: "Prince Yu (Duoduo) may be wrong. I estimate that the Ming army will attack from Xuanfu, and the target is our Prince Yu!"

"What?" Dorgon stood up abruptly upon hearing this. The calmness on his face was instantly broken, replaced by an indescribable shock and tension. Although he did not believe that the Ming army could do anything to Duoduo, he had to defend himself. After all, the Eight Banners Army had just stabilized, and this entry into the pass was still advocated by Dorgon. If Duoduo made a mistake, his position as regent would be in jeopardy, and it might even affect the rise and fall of the Zhengxiang and Liangbai Banners. It was as if there was a huge rock pressing down on his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Fan Wencheng went on to say, "Look, Prince Yu is leading an army of 60,000 to besiege Xuanfu Town. News came this morning that the siege was not going well. You also know about this, right?" His voice was low and powerful, and every word was like a sharp knife, cutting through the tension and uneasiness in the air.

Dorgon, Ajige, and Ebilun all nodded. The news had been received five days ago, but it had only arrived this morning. It turned out that the news had to go through Dushikou, through Mongolia, and then go south from the grassland to the pass, and then cross Qiangziling to reach Miyun. There were many mountains and dense forests on the road, and there were wild beasts, so it was a little slow. Their faces were full of fatigue and anxiety, and the shadow of this battle seemed to have quietly shrouded their hearts.

Fan Wencheng continued his analysis, his voice echoing in the room with an unquestionable firmness: "I have read the battle report carefully and am familiar with the tactics of both sides. At this rate, it will be difficult for Prince Yu to capture Xuanfu Town in a short period of time." He ran his fingers across the map, and every route and every stronghold seemed to have a clear outline in his mind.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are? How dare you gossip about Prince Yu? Prince Yu is a warrior of our Qing Dynasty. No one can match him in deploying troops!" Ajige got angry when he heard this. He slammed the table, stood up, and glared at Fan Wencheng. He and Dorgon and Dodo were brothers, so he naturally protected their shortcomings and was extremely angry about Fan Wencheng's questioning. His face was twisted with anger, like an enraged beast.

As he said this, Ajige was about to hit Fan Wencheng, but Dorgon quickly stopped him, his voice filled with anxiety and helplessness: "Twelfth brother, calm down. Mr. Fan is our Qing Dynasty's strategist and court official. You can't be rude to him." He held Ajige's shoulders tightly with both hands, trying to push him back to his seat.

Ajige snorted and sat down, but his eyes still flickered with resentment and anger. Dorgon bowed deeply to Fan Wencheng, his action full of respect and apology: "Mr. Fan was frightened, I apologize to you on behalf of my brother." His voice was low and sincere, as if he was expressing his inner respect and gratitude to Fan Wencheng.

Fan Wencheng quickly returned the greeting, feeling surprised and touched by Dorgon's courtesy. His eyes were full of gratitude and admiration, and he deeply admired Dorgon's tolerance and wisdom.

After the storm temporarily subsided, Dorgon asked anxiously: "Mr. Fan, please continue." There was a bit of urgency and expectation in his voice, as if every word of Fan Wencheng was the key to their victory.

Fan Wencheng nodded, his eyes flashing with wisdom and calmness: "I have long expected that Xuanfu Town will be difficult to attack. But there is a reason for letting Duoduo attack." His voice was smooth and powerful, as if he was telling a fate that had already been predetermined.

Dorgon was stunned, his eyes full of confusion and puzzlement: "What's the reason?" There was a hint of urgency in his voice, as if he was looking for an answer that could solve all the mysteries.

Fan Wencheng reminded: "Prince Rui, don't forget the purpose of our entry into the pass this time. One is to rob money, food and people, and the other is to destroy the main force of the Ming Dynasty." There was some firmness and determination in his voice, as if he was expounding an unshakable truth.

"Oh!" Dorgon slapped his forehead, his eyes flashing with sudden enlightenment, "I understand, Huang Degong and his gang are our prey!" There was some excitement and anticipation in his voice, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

"That's right!" Fan Wencheng said with a smile, "The Ming court sent Huang Degong, so we can catch him in a trap." There was a bit of cunning and confidence in his smile, as if he had already grasped the key to victory or defeat in this battle.

After that, Fan Wencheng sat down and began to elaborate on his strategic analysis. His voice echoed in the room with an unquestionable firmness: "The Ming Dynasty's deployment is probably like this: first let Huang Degong fight with us in Miyun, neither attacking nor retreating, and put on a posture of holding out. Then, they quietly transferred the troops of Jizhou to Miyun, and changed the guard at night, only changing people but not flags. We won't be able to find it when daybreak. Finally, they will transfer Huang Degong's troops to Xuanfu Town, block Prince Yu's retreat, and then slowly approach Xuanfu Town to force us to fight a decisive battle." His fingers moved across the map, and every route seemed to have a clear outline in his mind.

After listening to this, Dorgon half leaned back in his chair, frowning. Fan Wencheng's words sounded reasonable, but he always felt something was wrong. It was as if there was a huge rock pressing down on his heart, making it difficult for him to make a decision.

"But, Mr. Fan, Duoduo has 60,000 men and Huang Degong only has 40,000. Even if their soldiers are brave and can be compared with our Eight Banners soldiers, they do not have the advantage in numbers! How can they win?" There was some doubt and confusion in his voice, as if he was looking for an answer that could solve all the mysteries.

Fan Wencheng smiled slightly, with a bit of wisdom and calmness in his smile: "What about Shanhaiguan? Prince Rui, don't forget that Lin Xiaofeng is likely to transfer the Guanning Army to Xuanfu Town for support." His fingers tapped lightly on the corner of the map, as if reminding Dorgon of an overlooked key.

"Are you sure?" Dorgon's eyes lit up, and it seemed as if a ray of light penetrated the fog in his heart.

"It's not a possibility, it's a certainty!" Fan Wencheng said firmly, "Prince Zheng is holding Wu Sangui back outside Shanhaiguan, but Wu Sangui has 40,000 to 50,000 men under his command, and he is guarding a natural barrier like Shanhaiguan. It is not a problem for him to send out tens of thousands of men." There was an unquestionable firmness in his voice, as if he had already grasped the key to victory or defeat in this battle.

"50,000 vs 60,000, we still have the advantage." Dorgon said this, but he was already nervous. Although he had won many battles in Liaodong, it was because of the help of the right time and place. Now that he was in the interior of the country, all these advantages were gone, and he didn't want to take any risks. His heart was full of contradictions and struggles, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

Fan Wencheng saw through Dorgon's thoughts. He looked up and asked, "Prince Rui, do you still remember Ji Zishen and Tang Shengyu? These two people together have tens of thousands of people. Together with Huang Degong's troops, their numbers are almost the same as Prince Yu. Moreover, Prince Yu has suffered heavy losses from consecutive sieges. Strictly speaking, he no longer has an advantage in terms of military strength." There was a sense of severity and urgency in his voice, as if he was reminding Dorgon of an impending crisis.

"The most crucial thing is," Fan Wencheng emphasized, "now the wheat in Xuanfu Town is not ripe yet. Once the Ming army enters Xuanfu Town and traps Prince Yu inside, the food will be gone after a long time. Food is the lifeblood of the army. Without food, how can we fight?" There was a heaviness and worry in his voice, as if he had already seen the tragedy of the future.

Dorgon could no longer sit still. He stood up suddenly, staring at the map, his face changing from gloomy to bright. Before entering the pass, he thought that the Ming army was almost wiped out, but now more and more troops are gathering. Huang Degong, Ji Zisheng, Wu Sangui, Tang Shengyu, and Zhu Fenghui who defended Xuanfu Town! Although Duoduo is brave and good at fighting, who can guarantee that he will win? His heart is full of anxiety and uneasiness, as if an impending storm made him unable to calm down.

"Sir, please give me some advice!" Dorgon finally lowered his status and bowed deeply to Fan Wencheng again. There was a hint of pleading and expectation in his voice, as if Fan Wencheng was his only hope and support. His eyes flashed with determination and resoluteness. No matter what the result was, he would do his best for this battle.

Fan Wencheng stood up, his figure was thin but he looked unusually tough. He responded respectfully: "This is just my personal guess. Prince Rui, you can believe it or not." When Dorgon heard this, he was stunned for a moment. A hint of doubt flashed in his deep eyes, and then he fell into deep thought, as if a stone was thrown into a tranquil lake, and ripples spread out.

At this time, Ajige snorted disapprovingly, his rough face full of disdain: "These are just clichés, so wrong!" Fan Wencheng's face was calm, not angry, but asked politely: "Then what is your opinion, Prince?" His voice was gentle and firm, like a spring breeze, without a trace of resentment.

"Just say it!" Ajige said with disdain, as if he was full of confidence in what he was about to say. "We only have 20,000 soldiers in total. If I were Lin Xiaofeng and Huang Degong, I would definitely take advantage of the situation and use the numbers to bully the minority, 40,000 against 20,000, and attack us directly. But they didn't do that. Instead of fighting us who were close to them, they went all the way to fight Duoduo. Isn't that stupid?" He said it with a firm voice, as if he had seen through the enemy's layout.

"That's not right!" Dorgon and Ebilun looked up at Fan Wencheng with a bit of inquiry in their eyes. Ajige's words really hit the point. The Ming army had 50,000 soldiers, so why didn't they attack them directly, but attacked Duoduo instead? This matter was indeed very puzzling, just like a clear sky suddenly covered with haze, making it hard to understand.

Fan Wencheng nodded slightly, indicating that he understood Ajige's point of view, but continued: "Although what the prince said makes some sense, it is not yet fully explained. First of all, the situations of Prince Rui and Prince Yu are very different. Prince Yu was besieged in Xuanfu, which is more than 300 miles away from Dushikou, and the defense there is weak. The Ming army can easily cut off his retreat, just like a hungry wolf pouncing on its food and hitting it with one strike. But it's different here. More than ten miles behind us is Qiangziling. We can attack or retreat outside the Great Wall, just like an eagle spreading its wings, advancing and retreating freely. If the Ming army really sends more troops, we can also deal with it calmly, using our advantages such as trenches, deer horns, and artillery to resist them, and at the same time buy time for the main force to retreat."

"So, the Ming army also knew this, so they didn't attack rashly." After Fan Wencheng's explanation, everyone felt that he was right, as if the fog in front of them had been cleared and everything became clear. Although Ajige was dissatisfied, he could only roll his eyes and sit aside silently, with resentment written all over his face. Fan Wencheng looked at everyone and saw that no one objected, so he continued: "I, Fan, have three strategies for your reference." His voice was steady and powerful, as if every word contained a great force.

“Tell me about it quickly!” Dorgon immediately pricked up his ears, his sharp eyes flashing with anticipation.

Fan Wencheng paused for a moment, thought for a while and said: "The premise of these three strategies is that the Ming army really transferred troops to Xuanfu as I said." There was a hint of caution in his tone, as if every step needed to be carefully calculated.

Dorgon answered easily: "This is easy to judge. Duoduo has deployed many scouts in the north of Juyongguan and south of Longmenwei. We will know immediately if the Ming army moves." There was some confidence in his voice, as if everything was under control.

Fan Wencheng nodded and began to talk about his first strategy: "We can hide the truth. It will take at least five days for the Ming army to deploy troops to Xuanfu. We can use this time to divide our troops into two groups, stay behind on one group, and quietly retreat to the outside of the Great Wall, bypass the grassland, and then enter the Great Wall from Dushikou to join forces with Prince Yu to fight against the Ming army together." His voice was low and powerful, as if every word contained endless wisdom.

After hearing this, Dorgon leaned back in his chair, put his hands on the table, and frowned. Although this strategy was safe, it lacked highlights. Once it was discovered by the Ming army, it would be difficult to succeed. Moreover, the terrain of Xuanfu was complex, and the advantages of cavalry were difficult to play. If they got into a confrontation again, it would be in vain. His mood was like the gloomy weather, depressed and heavy.

Seeing this, Fan Wencheng proposed a second strategy: "We can alert the enemy by making a move, and at the same time attack Wei to save Zhao. Regardless of whether the Ming army dispatches troops or not, we will send an appropriate amount of troops to fight the Ming army every day. If we win, we can boost morale, and if we lose, we can preserve our strength. The main purpose of doing this is to contain Huang Degong and make him dare not go to Xuanfu easily. If he really dares to go, we will pursue and harass him, and let our infantry become sitting ducks in front of their cavalry!" His voice was full of determination, as if he had already seen the smoke of gunpowder on the battlefield.

Dorgon shook his head secretly. This strategy did not meet his expectations. If they took the initiative to start a war, Huang Degong might concentrate his forces to deal with them, and Xuanfu would be safe. If the two armies continued to fight, their food and grass supply would be a big problem, while the Ming army could get supplies from the capital nearby. This would be disadvantageous to them. His mood was like the continuous rain, which would not clear up for a long time.

Fan Wencheng looked at everyone's solemn expressions and continued, "Although the last strategy is very risky, the benefits will be huge if it succeeds." There was a bit of determination in his voice, as if he had already prepared for the worst.

"Tell me quickly!" Dorgon urged with a frown, his heart full of anticipation and anxiety, just like this storm that was about to break out, waiting for that moment to come.

Fan Wencheng said: "The strategy is to wait. We will take action after Huang Degong's main force arrives in Xuanfu and has a feud with Prince Yu. At that time, we will send heavy armored infantry to attack the Ming army outside Miyun City. We do not seek to annihilate them completely, but only to force them to retreat. Once we succeed, we will immediately rush to Juyongguan." His voice was full of determination, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Ajige sneered when he heard it: "Juyongguan is extremely strong. Even if Tang Shengyu is not here, the defenders will not be pushovers." There was a bit of disdain in his voice, as if he was full of doubts about this strategy.

Fan Wencheng replied with a smile: "There is always a way to fight a war. If we capture Juyong Pass, we will pursue the victory; if we fail, we will line up outside the pass. Juyong Pass is the only road from Xuanfu to Beijing. As long as we surround Juyong Pass, Huang Degong's food supply will be cut off." His voice was full of confidence, as if he had already seen the tragic situation of the enemy army being cut off from food and grass.

"Once the food and grass are cut off, the army will be in chaos. In order to survive, they will definitely find a way to open up the food route. But the food route is not so easy to open. Prince Yu is guarding it in the north, and our Prince Rui is guarding it in the south. If Huang Degong sends his main force south to save the food route, Prince Yu will pursue him; if he does not send his main force south, the food route will still be blocked. Although we only have 20,000 troops, it is more than enough to deal with 20,000 Ming troops!" Fan Wencheng's voice was full of determination and confidence, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

After listening to Fan Wencheng's words, Dorgon couldn't help but take a breath and was deeply impressed by his strategy. All three strategies were feasible, especially the third one, which was the most ingenious. With the pincer attack from both sides, Huang Degong could not escape the fate of destruction. His mood was like the sky that suddenly cleared up, full of hope and expectation.

But Dorgon suddenly asked again: "Why did Mr. Fan say that the third strategy is very risky?" There was some doubt in his voice, as if he was full of curiosity about the risks of this strategy.

Fan Wencheng pointed to the map and said, "There is a Changping Prefecture 20 miles southeast of Juyongguan. There are two ways to cut off Huang Degong's food supply: one is to attack Changping Prefecture and divide the troops to guard the city and set up camp; the other is to set up camp between Changping and Juyongguan. These two methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Changping Prefecture may not be easy to capture, and it requires a lot of manpower and material resources; and if we camp in the middle, we may cut off our own food supply. Once it is cut off by the enemy, the consequences will be disastrous. If you can't get food support from the local people, Prince Rui, you may have to consider retreating." There was a bit of solemnity in his voice, as if he had seen the cruelty and difficulty of this battle.

Inside the big tent, it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and the air seemed frozen. Outside, the night was as dark as ink, with only a few dim lights swaying in the wind, casting mottled shadows on the tent.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes wide open, staring at the Changping and Juyongguan areas on the map. Everyone's face was filled with tension and anticipation, as if they could smell the smoke of the battlefield from the paper. Especially Dorgon, he felt like a mountain was pressing down on him, he could hardly breathe, and his heart was so tangled, as if he was tightly entangled by countless ropes and could not be freed.

"What should I do?" Dorgon kept muttering to himself, frowning, his mouth slightly drooping, showing a look of deep thought. His fingers unconsciously scratched on the map, and every route was like a hurdle in his mind.

There were three paths before him, which one should he choose? He closed his eyes and imagined possible battlefield scenarios.

The first way was safe, that is, to fight a small battle with a small group of Ming cavalry, and then make a big detour and sneak to Xuanfu from the grassland. But in this way, where would our Zhengbai Banner put its face? Dorgon thought, wouldn't this make the world laugh at our Zhengbai Banner for being as cowardly as mice?

The second route was slightly better, as it could tie down the main force of the Ming army, but in the end they would still return empty-handed. Dorgon shook his head. Although this route was safe, it achieved nothing, and he was unwilling to return empty-handed.

The third way, hey, that's dancing on the edge of a knife. If we win, we will be prosperous, but if we lose, the Qing Dynasty will have to take several years to recover. Why? There are not enough soldiers! Dorgon took a deep breath. This road is full of unknowns and dangers, but he also knows that only in this way can they truly demonstrate their strength and determination.

Dorgon turned his head and looked at Fan Wencheng with a sharp gaze: "Mr. Fan, can you give me some advice?" There was an imperceptible tremor in his voice, and it was obvious that his inner struggle had reached its peak.

Fan Wencheng's heart was beating fast, he knew very well that his words could determine the direction of the entire battle. He said vaguely: "Your Majesty, you must have an idea in your mind, I won't say any more." After that, he lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Dorgon's eyes.

When Dorgon heard this, he knew clearly that Fan Wencheng was protecting him, fearing that he might get into trouble if he said something wrong. He did not blame him, but just sighed softly, and became more determined in his choice.

He pondered for a while and asked Fan Wencheng again: "What I am most worried about is the problem of food and grass. I am afraid that we can't afford to fight with the Ming army. If we choose the third way, do you have any good way to solve the problem of food and grass?" There was a hint of urgency and anxiety in his voice.

Hearing this, Fan Wencheng felt relieved. He pretended to count with his fingers and said slowly, "According to the season, the summer harvest in Changping has ended. Although Beijing is a bit dry, it is not to the point of no harvest." He paused and continued, "When the time comes, we can either force the people to pay grain or send a few thousand soldiers to collect it. It won't be a big problem."

Dorgon nodded, and Fan Wencheng took the opportunity to run away. He walked out of the tent, looked up at the starry sky, and silently prayed in his heart that everything would go well.

At this time, Ajige and Ebilun came over, their faces full of anxiety and anticipation.

"Fourteenth brother, don't hesitate. We are more than enough to defeat the Guanning Army, let alone the Ming Army!" Ajige said anxiously, his eyes flashing with excitement, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Ebilun also joined in the commotion: "Yes, Prince Rui. If Huang Degong's 40,000 men are destroyed, we will have a great harvest when we enter the pass, and we may even be able to reach Beijing. Even if we can't take Beijing, we can go east to Shanhaiguan and force Wu Sangui to surrender. Once Shanhaiguan is in our hands, our Qing cavalry can enter the Central Plains whenever we want!" His voice was full of excitement and longing.

When Dorgon heard this, he could no longer hold back. He stood up suddenly and slammed the table: "It's settled! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This time we must gain something when we enter the pass!" His voice echoed throughout the tent, as if he was swearing their determination to heaven and earth.

Ajige and Ebilun smiled at each other, their eyes sparkling with fire. The bannermen were all rubbing their hands, waiting to go to the battlefield to make merit. They knew how to make merit in battle? Of course, it was earned on the battlefield!
"But there is no rush. We must prepare enough food and grass first." Dorgon instructed, his voice was calm and firm. He knew that this war was not only a challenge to the Ming army, but also a test of their own strength and wisdom.

"Yes, sir!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices full of firmness and determination. They knew that this war would determine their fate and future.

Dorgon was so excited, he felt that everything was ready, just waiting for the east wind to blow, and he would start working immediately. He thought that this time he would definitely make a big news, maybe he could even take Beijing and change the dynasty! His eyes were shining with fanaticism, as if he had seen the moment when he stood on the top of Beijing.

"Someone come!" he shouted, his voice full of majesty and power.

"Here!" A soldier responded and came in, knelt on one knee, waiting for Dorgon's order.

"Send a message to Duolun Nor, and ask him to quickly deliver half a month's worth of food and fodder. I don't believe the Ming army can outlast us!" Dorgon's voice resounded throughout the tent, and his eyes flashed with determination. He knew that this war would be the most important battle in his life.

"Also, write a letter to Prince Yu and deliver it to him within three days!" Dorgon gave the order again, with an unquestionable majesty in his voice. He knew that victory in this war required not only courage and wisdom, but also the support and cooperation of allies.

"Yes!" The soldiers retreated in response and quickly carried out Dorgon's order. The tent fell into silence again, with only Dorgon's heartbeat and breathing echoing in the air. He knew that this war would determine his fate and future, as well as the future and direction of the Qing Dynasty. He took a deep breath, as if to absorb all his courage and wisdom into his body, and then exhaled suddenly, as if to expel all his hesitation and worries from his body. He clenched his fists tightly, as if to gather all his strength and determination in his palms. Then, he slowly opened his eyes and looked into the distance with a torch-like gaze, as if he had seen the dawn of victory waving to him. He knew that this war would be the most important battle in his life and the most glorious moment in his life. He took a deep breath and then shouted loudly: "Let's go!" His voice resounded throughout the tent and the entire military camp. The soldiers responded to his call and quickly got ready. They knew that this war would determine their fate and future, as well as the fate and future of the Qing Dynasty. They held their weapons tightly, as if they were concentrating all their courage and wisdom into their weapons. Then, they walked out of the tents and headed for the battlefield. In the night, their figures looked particularly tall and heroic. They knew that this war would be a life-and-death contest, but they also believed that as long as they worked together and moved forward courageously, they would be able to overcome all difficulties and achieve the final victory.

When Bakyong saw Ji Zisheng, a great man, his heart was beating like a drum. His legs couldn't help but tremble slightly. When he came to his mouth, he seemed to be stuck by an invisible boulder. He didn't say anything for a long time. You know, although Ji Zisheng was the governor of Jizhou, his official title was the governor of Ji and Liao. His official position was much higher than Bakyong and Wu Sangui. He was like the stars in the sky, far away and unreachable. How could Bakyong not be nervous? It was like seeing his immediate superior. The drum in his heart was beating louder and louder, shaking him to the point of suffocation.

He wondered in his heart: Why didn't Governor Ji stay in the magnificent mansion in Jizhou, but came to Miyun, a turbulent military town? Was it because of the recent war? A series of questions flashed through Bakyong's mind, like mosquitoes in summer, buzzing and disturbing him.

Just when Bakyong was thinking about something and almost biting off his tongue, Ji Zisheng spoke. He stroked the steel-like beard on his chin and said with a smile: "Hey, isn't this Lieutenant General Bakyong? Long time no see, how are you?" The voice was warm and kind, like the warm sun in spring, instantly dispelling the chill in Bakyong's heart. Bakyong nodded quickly, with a smile uglier than crying: "Okay, I'm fine!" He was afraid that there would be too many people talking and he would make more mistakes, so he stood quietly in the corner of the big tent and tried to reduce his presence as much as possible. After all, in this place where third-rank lieutenant generals are everywhere, his official position is really not enough, just like a shooting star in the night sky, which flashes and disappears.

Soon, everyone was there, and the big tent became very lively. Generals from all walks of life were standing or sitting, and the sound of conversations came one after another. At this time, General Huang Degong coughed lightly, like a thunder, instantly attracting everyone's attention. He mentioned the May of the seventeenth year of the court, when the Jiannu (referring to the Qing army) invaded the south again, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil, causing panic in the court and the people, and the common people were even more miserable. Huang Degong said with a serious face: "I, Huang Degong, have followed the orders of the emperor and the dispatch of the Ministry of War, and swear to fight these Jiannu to the death and defend our homeland!" His voice was sonorous and powerful, like a sharp sword, pointing directly at people's hearts.

Hearing this, Bakyong swallowed his saliva involuntarily, his eyes full of anticipation and excitement. He seemed to see himself wearing armor, holding a spear, charging on the battlefield, and bravely killing the enemy. Ji Zisheng looked solemn, nodded, but said nothing. His eyes were deep and complex, as if hiding thousands of words. Gao Di raised his eyelids in surprise, as if he wanted to say something, but finally held back. The corners of his mouth curled up into a meaningful smile, as if he was full of anticipation for the upcoming battle.

Huang Degong looked at everyone present, smiled and said: "In this decisive battle, our Huang tribe will be at the forefront, and you will be responsible for assisting us. Is this ok with everyone?" When everyone heard this, they hurriedly clasped their fists and agreed: "We will follow the orders of Lord Jingnan!" No one dared to show any dissatisfaction or hesitation at this time, for fear of being targeted by Huang Degong and becoming a victim in his hands.

Huang Degong saw that everyone was determined, so he unfolded a map, which was a topographic map of the northern Zhili area. He pointed at the map and said, "General Ji, you lead your cavalry and rush to Juyongguan. There will be a caravan to meet you. You act according to the plan." His voice was calm and firm, as if everything was under his control.

When Ji Zisheng heard about the "plan", he couldn't help but ask in confusion: "What plan?" His eyes flashed with curiosity and vigilance, like a cheetah looking for prey. Huang Degong hesitated for a moment and wanted to keep it secret, but finally decided to tell it: "We have prepared the flag of the Jiannu Plain White Banner near Juyongguan. When you arrive, you will change the flag and disguise yourself as the Jiannu Han Eight Banners Plain White Banner, and then go to Xuanfu." His voice was low and mysterious, as if he was telling a big secret.

Ji Zisheng frowned, thinking: Are they going to launch a surprise attack on Duoduo? Huang Degong shook his head: "No, Duoduo is not that easy to deal with. Your mission is to eliminate the Jiannu spies in Yanqing and Longmenwei, and then retreat to Juyongguan and join our main force. Remember, don't confront the main force of the Jiannu head-on. Once you find them, immediately retreat to Juyongguan!" His tone was serious and earnest, as if he was instructing a child who was about to go out.

"As you command!" Ji Zisheng stood up and clasped his fists in agreement. Although it was not difficult to disguise himself as a Jiannu, he had no idea how many enemies he could kill. He seemed to see an unknown battlefield, full of unknowns and dangers. But he knew that as a general, he had to move forward bravely and not be afraid of any challenge.

Then, Huang Degong turned to Bakeyong and said, "Captain Bakeyong, you will switch guard with General Gao tonight. He will guard the camp, and you will lead the cavalry to sneak outside Juyong Pass and wait for orders." His voice was calm and decisive, as if he was issuing an order that could not be disobeyed.

Bakyong heard it and said without hesitation: "Yes, sir!" He thought to himself that if he was discovered by Dorgon, he could still retreat to Huang Degong with his cavalry. He seemed to see a clever self who could flexibly respond on the battlefield and turn danger into safety.

Huang Degong signaled with his eyes, and Ji Zisheng and Bakeyong left the tent. After Gao Di left, Huang Degong said to him: "General Gao, we will change guards tonight. You stay here and confront Dorgon, and we will go to Juyong Pass to fight Duoduo." His voice was low and powerful, as if he was issuing a decisive order.

When Gao Di heard this, he looked embarrassed and said, "Marquis Jingnan, we are good at defending the city, but not good at defending the camp. If Dorgon finds out and takes the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold on for long." His tone was full of worry and helplessness, as if he saw an inevitable failure.

Huang Degong nodded and said seriously: "I know, but you must try your best to defend it. If you can defend it, then defend it. If you can't defend it, then return to the city quickly. In addition, tomorrow you must use the strategy of increasing troops and stoves to confuse the Jiannu, and put more flags in the camp so that they can't figure out our details." His voice was calm and intelligent, as if he was making a perfect plan.

Gao Di hesitated: "Is this too deliberate? Dorgon might become suspicious." There was an uncertainty in his eyes, as if he saw a battlefield full of variables.

Huang Degong shook his head: "Dorgon must have known about the battle between Weng Zhiqi and the Jiannu scouts. We do this to make him think that we are prepared and dare not attack easily." His voice was firm and confident, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

"Yes, sir!" Gao Di left the tent after receiving the order, and happened to meet Ji Zisheng and Bakyong who had not gone far. Bakyong asked Ji Zisheng curiously: "Governor Wang, what task do you think Jingnan Bo has assigned to General Gao?" His eyes were full of curiosity, like a child eager for knowledge.

Ji Zisheng shook his head, indicating that he didn't know. His eyes were deep and mysterious, as if they were hiding endless secrets. Buck was not discouraged: "How about we go and ask?" His tone was full of expectation and curiosity, like a detective who was about to solve a mystery.

Ji Zisheng quickly stopped him: "Don't ask. Asking too much will only arouse suspicion." His voice was deep and powerful, as if he was admonishing a child who was about to make a mistake. After hearing this, Buck Yong had no choice but to shut up.

"But what if we lose this battle?" Bakyong asked in a low voice. His tone was full of worry and uneasiness, as if he saw a failed ending. Ji Zisheng laughed, patted him on the shoulder and said, "We just need to do our part and leave the rest to God." His voice was heroic and open-minded, like a warrior who was not afraid of any challenge.

Bakyong nodded, not quite understanding, but suddenly asked, "Um... what is the next word after 'do your best'?" He was scratching his head anxiously, like a person who had forgotten something important. Ji Zisheng shook his head helplessly and was about to leave, but Bakyong grabbed him and said, "Please tell me again! Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight!" His tone was full of pleading and helplessness, like a person who was about to lose something important.

Ji Zisheng was so annoyed by him that he had to say it again: "Do our best and leave the rest to fate. What it means is that we should try our best to do things, but the outcome depends on God's will." His voice was gentle and patient, like a teacher teaching a child.

Bakyong suddenly understood and nodded. At this moment, a loud noise suddenly came from the horizon, startling them both. They looked up and saw a colorful firework blooming in the night sky, like a blooming flower, beautiful and mysterious. They knew that this was Huang Degong's signal to summon the generals. So they quickly gathered their hearts and prepared for the upcoming decisive battle. And the loud noise seemed to cheer for their courage and determination. (End of this chapter)