"Liu Zhaoji?" Wang Yongji frowned. "Why is he here if he is not stationed in the city?"

"He didn't say."

"Let him in."

"yes."

Soon, Liu Zhaoji, dressed in casual clothes, walked in.

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Governor." Liu Zhaoji clasped his hands together.

"No need to be so polite," Wang Yongji stood up and waved his hand, "General Liu, what can I do for you so late at night?"

"I caught someone."

"Who is it? How did you catch him?"

"This man's name is Fang Guangchen, and he is Wu Sangui's adviser. He disguised himself as an ordinary citizen and tried to bypass Fushun City to go to Shenyang, but was discovered and arrested by my scouts. After some interrogation, he admitted his identity."

Wang Yongji had heard of this person, and he immediately asked, "Where is he now?"

"It's in Fushun City." Liu Zhaoji said in a low voice.

"What did he say?" Wang Yongji asked.

"Evidence that Wu Sangui betrayed his allies and aided the enemy." Liu Zhaoji replied.

"Did you confess voluntarily?" Wang Yongji asked again.

"Of course not," Liu Zhaoji tried to suppress his smile. "At first he refused to say anything, but after two beatings he confessed everything. The three sheets of confession were filled with Wu Sangui's name."

"Great!" Wang Yongji slammed the table hard: "With all the evidence, Wu Sangui will be dead for sure."

"What is the Governor waiting for? Why not just do it?";

"Wu Sangui is, after all, the general in charge of tens of thousands of troops. If you want to move him, you need both the imperial court's will and sufficient strength."

Liu Zhaoji nodded: "What should we do next?"

"wait."

"Waiting for what?"

"We are waiting for the imperial court's order and Li Dingguo's troops." Wang Yongji explained: "Li Dingguo's troops are divided into two groups. He left the vanguard troops in Qinghebao to garrison, and the rest of the main force is following him back to Liaoyang. If an accident happens in Fushun, he will provide support immediately."

"When will the imperial edict arrive?" Liu Zhaoji asked again.

"It will probably take two or three days."

Liu Zhaoji was very worried: "I am afraid that Wu Sangui will cause trouble during this period."

"That's right, so we have to find a way to stabilize him."

While Wang Yongji was thinking of a solution, Dorgon was also thinking of a solution.

In the next few days.

Dorgon used various means of coercion and inducement to try to make Wu Sangui surrender.

Wang Yongji tried every possible means to appease Wu Sangui.

Wu Sangui was caught between the two, wavering between the two.

......

On March 21, Wang Yongji received three pieces of good news.

The first piece of news was that the court found Wu Sangui guilty and ordered him to arrest Wu Sangui and bring him to the capital for interrogation.

The second piece of news was that Li Dingguo personally led 5,000 elite troops to Shenyang and was on the way to Fushun.

The third piece of news is that Zu Dashou is about to arrive in Fushun.

His mission was to persuade Wu Sangui and his men to surrender.

Zu Dashou actually didn't want to come, after all, Wu Sangui was his nephew.

If he had not gotten involved in this matter, Wu Sangui might have lived longer.

With his participation, Wu Sangui would only die faster.

Chongzhen issued an imperial decree, and Zu Dashou could theoretically disobey it.

But he did not dare to disobey the order, and could only go to Fushun to persuade the enemy to surrender accompanied by his wife Zuo.

A crowd of people gathered in a courtyard next to the east gate of Fushun.

Except for Li Dingguo who was on his way, everyone else was present.

Wang Yongji, the governor of Pingliao, sat in the middle.

Liu Zhaoji, Li Xianzhong, Huang Degong and Gao Yigong stood on his left.

Liu Tichun, Li Guo and Li Laiheng stood on his right.

Zu Dashou stood opposite Wang Yongji, and his wife Zuo stood next to Zu Dashou.

"Everyone," Wang Yongji stood up and said, "The court has already concluded that Wu Sangui betrayed his allies and aided the enemy. Now that we have both witnesses and evidence, the court has ordered me to arrest Wu Sangui and bring him to the capital for interrogation."

"However...Wu Sangui has tens of thousands of Guanning soldiers under his command. They are all experienced warriors with outstanding military achievements. If this matter is not handled properly, a mutiny is very likely to occur."

"The purpose of gathering you today is to discuss a method to capture Wu Sangui at the lowest cost."

Everyone started discussing.

After discussing for a long time, everyone only came up with three solutions.

The first method is...the Hongmen Banquet.

Guanning military camp outside the city.

The messenger came to Wu Sangui and said, "General Wu, the Governor has ordered all the generals and commanders to go to the central army camp tonight for a banquet."

Wu Sangui immediately tensed up and said while coughing, "Go back and tell the Governor, ahem, I have been ill recently and cannot attend the banquet."

"The Governor will discuss the next military plan with everyone at the banquet." The herald followed up.

Wu Sangui said: "I will have someone attend the banquet on my behalf so that I won't miss the important event."

The herald had no choice but to return empty-handed.

Seeing that the Hongmen Banquet failed to lock on the target, Wang Yongji used his ultimate move: paying salaries.

Few generals can resist the temptation of salary.

Follow the rules.

Military pay and food wages must be given to Wu Sangui, who will then distribute them to lower levels.

As long as Wu Sangui dared to show up, Wang Yongji would capture him as soon as possible.

"The Governor has ordered General Wu to take the military register and official seal to Fushun City to collect his pay." The messenger came again to deliver the order.

When Hu Xinshui relayed this news to Wu Sangui, he stood up excitedly and asked, "Where is the military pay?"

"It's in Fushun City." Hu Xinshui replied.

"This..." Wu Sangui hesitated.

The temptation of military pay was indeed great enough, but he smelled danger.

The salary was not paid earlier or later, but at this time.

What does it mean?

This indicates that it is likely a trap.

Seeing Wu Sangui's worried look, Hu Xinshui lowered his voice and asked, "What are you worried about, sir?"

“I’m worried this is a trap.”

"Your Excellency means... that we have been exposed?" Hu Xinshui asked in disbelief, "But we didn't reveal any flaws from the beginning to the end. How did Wang Yongji find out?"

"Fang Guangchen!" Wu Sangui gritted his teeth and said, "The post soldiers I sent out couldn't find any trace of him. If nothing unexpected happens, he must have betrayed us."

"This..." Hu Xinshui was a little at a loss: "If that's the case, what should I do next?"

"Don't collect the military pay yet," Wu Sangui instructed, "wait a few days before you decide."

"The money can wait, but the food can't!" Hu Xinshui's eyebrows twisted into a knot: "The army only has five days of food in stock. After five days, our army will be out of food."

"Why didn't you replenish the food supplies in time?"

"I asked Wang Yongji for it, and he agreed, but he has been dragging his feet and not giving it to me until now!" Hu Xinshui said with a sad face.

Wu Sangui lowered his head and thought for a long time, then raised his head and said slowly: "I'll ask for it again tomorrow. If you don't give it to me... Haha, we'll rebel!"