Regarding Li Zicheng's founding of the country, Chongzhen, the imperial court was naturally furious and drew more money and food and the army to conquer Li Zicheng.
The Ming army is now more unbearable than in history, and flaws are everywhere.
Li Banghua tried his best to maintain the situation.
In early February, Li Zicheng personally led his army to cross the Yellow River suddenly and attacked in Henan, capturing the four houses and twelve counties, and even killing King Lujiang.
In the fifth day of the fifth day, Taiyuan was conquered. Afterwards, many officers and generals surrendered, Shanxi almost fell, and Li Zicheng broke into Gyeonggi.
At this time, Chongzhen urged Jiang Xiang, the commander of Datong, and Wu Sangui, the commander of Xuanfu, to help, but Jiang Xiang surrendered and Wu Sangui was defeated.
Afterwards, Li Zicheng went to Juyongguan, and the army drove into the Xuan Mansion, only one step away from the capital!
Li Zicheng has become a trend, Changping generals Tang Tong, Liu Liangfang, calm prefect Qiu Maohua, Baoding University scholar Li Jiantai and others have surrendered one after another.
Wu Sangui, the commander of the Xuan Mansion, had no choice but to surrender Li Zicheng.
On March 17, Li Zicheng passed Changping and arrived at Shahe, which was really one step away from Beijing!
In three months, Li Zicheng went from Xi'an to the city of Beijing. This was unexpected for everyone, and it was unimaginable!
The whole capital was panicked, and everyone was panicked.
Chongzhen immediately ordered Cao Huachun to supervise the soldiers and horses of the capital to prepare to defend the city.
At the same time, convene important ministers to discuss countermeasures.
At this time, the officials of the imperial court had different thoughts, and no one dared to speak much. The subjugation of the country was in sight, and they would be liquidated before and after!
Zhou Yanru asked for instructions, hoping to go to Liaodong to invite Zhou Zheng to lead the rescue.
Zhang Jinyan asked for his order and escorted the prince to Nanjing.
Others advocated negotiating with Li Zicheng.
As far as the officials are concerned, they are still madly submitting letters, impeaching Li Banghua, the minister of the Ministry of War, Zhang Jinyan, and the first assistant Zhou Yanru for leaving the country.
Chongzhen was at a loss, he almost listened to one opinion.
Of course, he didn't let Zhou Yanru go, but sent someone to pass the decree to Zhou Zheng.
Zhou Zheng was named "Zheng Xibo", and he was ordered to lead his army to rescue the capital as soon as possible.
Zhang Jinyan wanted to escort the prince out of Beijing, but before leaving the palace, Li Zicheng's army surrounded the capital and fired artillery attacks, frightening Zhang Jinyan and hurriedly fled back.
There were also internal prisoners who left the palace to negotiate secretly with Li Zicheng.
Within a day, countless things happened.
Shanhaiguan.
Zhou Zheng stood at the head of the city, looking out towards Beijing.
Even Zhou Zheng was surprised by Li Zicheng's speed. The Ming Ting collapsed too quickly, beyond everyone's expectations, otherwise Chongzhen would have time to adjust Zhou Zheng's rescue.
Cao Bianjiao beside him was shocked. The news they received was that Li Zicheng had captured Changping and was very close to the capital. Now, I am afraid that he has already reached the foot of the capital!
Cao Bianjiao was horrified, and said, "My lord, the thief, is it really that strong?"
Zhou Zheng carried his hands behind his back, his face was blue, and said indifferently: "This is going down and the other is long. The court has been dying, although it is a little bit faster, it is not surprising. It is not easy for the court to last so long."
The collapse of the Ming Dynasty can be said to be unexpected, but it is reasonable.
It collapsed so quickly, in the eyes of the big people, it was shocking and unbelievable; but after careful analysis, it felt that it should have collapsed long ago, and it was an accident to sustain it.
Cao Bianjiao felt a little unwilling in his heart. He always felt that this should not be the case, but he didn't know what to say.
Zhou Zheng looked at the capital for a long time, and said: "Yao Tongshun, pass my order, Liaodong, Tianjin, Shandong, immediately enter the wartime mobilization, enlisting 200,000 troops. Man Gui, the general soldier of Denglai, can take office and lead his troops to enter. Tianjin. Zhao led the commander of Shandong's general army and led his troops into the famous mansion. Cao Wenzhao resumed his post and took over 20,000 soldiers from Tianjin Guard and stationed in Hejian Mansion. Cao Bianjiao cavalry immediately stationed in Yongping Mansion. Jin Guoqi was transferred to the Jinzhou general army and Yang Guozhu led The soldiers of Jinzhou entered Shanhaiguan. At the same time, they ordered Li Weiluan in Youtun, Pidao in Dongjiang Town, and Huanglong in Lushun to stand ready to defend against the captives!"
Yao Tongshun knew that an important event was imminent, raised his hand violently, and said in a deep voice, "The villain takes the lead!"
Cao Bianjiao knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice, "I will obey the order!"
Following Zhou Zheng’s order, Shandong, Liaodong, and Tianjin Guards moved quickly. Officials at all levels quickly issued conscription orders. They gathered at Yongping Mansion, the ready-made army Hejian Mansion, and Yongping Mansion at any time. Ready to go to the capital.
The huge network of relations related to Zhou Zheng is operating quickly. With Shanhaiguan as the center, the entire Liaodong is extremely nervous.
at the same time.
The negotiations between Chongzhen and Li Zicheng broke down, and Chongzhen resolutely disagreed with Li Zicheng's confinement of the territories and peaceful coexistence.
Li Zicheng became angry, and the army attacked the city.
The guards of the capital are full of less than 10,000 people, so how can they stand the strong attack
There was a mess inside and outside the palace, and countless people rushed to find a way out.
On March 18th, Li Zicheng's army was still violently attacking the city. Suddenly, Zhang Jinyan, the minister of war, actually opened the Dongzhimen and let Li Zicheng's army into the city!
The bells in the palace rang eagerly, but the people all over the capital were chattering, all kinds of voices one after another, crying for father and mother, only saw people escaping from the palace, but few people entered.
Less than half an hour later, Li Zicheng couldn't wait to ride his horse into Beijing from Xizhimen.
The moment he passed the city gate, he couldn't help but screamed to the sky, loudly saying: "The dragon chair of the emperor, Lao Er, today I have to sit on Li Zicheng!"
Liu Zongmin and others around him naturally echoed loudly and laughed happily.
Before entering the inner city, in front of the city gate, there were the cabinet ministers of the Ming Dynasty, Shang Shu, and many other officials at the first level. Nearly a hundred people were scattered and knelt down and shouted: "The ministers welcome the king!"
Li Zicheng looked at these things that he hadn't seen at all, and the high-ranking big man knelt under his feet at this moment, and his heart was extremely happy, and the whole person was about to explode with excitement.
He laughed and walked forward with his whip, as if he hadn't seen these people.
The people who surrendered to the scene looked at each other, shivering, panicking, and at a loss.
The entire capital was in chaos, and there were still many Zhou Zheng people inside, and there was no time to evacuate.
There are too many people who are too late to escape. At this time, they are hiding in Tibet, and there is a wailing inside and outside the capital.
On the 19th, Li Zicheng was sitting on the Golden Temple, which was also full of people. Everyone was very excited and laughed.
Yesterday, Emperor Chongzhen died in Meishan, the prince was imprisoned in the harem, and most of the other officials at all levels were arrested. Those who were not caught are also being investigated severely.
Li Zicheng and others are discussing a lot of things, but the biggest one is ascending to the throne and proclaiming emperor, but they were prevented by Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance and others, because Zhou Zheng is still undesired, and Zhou Zheng has the most elite army of the famous, and The capital is close at hand.
Li Zicheng was also angry and hated. He remembered the fact that Zhou Zheng was almost wiped out, and vowed to destroy Zhou Zheng before returning to Beijing to take the throne.
Therefore, Li Zicheng had just captured Beijing, while sending troops to capture other places, while mobilizing troops to prepare, he wanted to conquer Zhou Zheng. (End of this chapter)