Gao Di, whose courtesy name was Hanchong, was from Yulin, Shaanxi.

Historically, after he surrendered to the Jiannu, he made great contributions to the Jiannu.

When following the Jiannu southward, he helped the Jiannu to pacify 51 cities and surrender more than 1,500 Ming troops in camps.

Because of his merits, he was awarded the title of Shao Bao and Taizi Tai Bao.

but...

Because Wu Sangui had a huge influence in history.

As a result, Gao Di, who surrendered with Wu Sangui, had little presence.

Since it was already known that Gao Di had problems, there would definitely be no room for him in the Ping Liao army.

Li Xianzhong said: "I think we can lure him to Fushun and take him down when he enters the city to discuss matters!"

Zhu Cixiong shook his head slowly: "If Gao Di already knew that Wu Sangui had launched a rebellion, not only would he not be fooled, he might also launch a rebellion like Wu Sangui, and then we would be in big trouble."

"Send troops to attack?" Huang Degong asked.

"Not right!" Zhu Cijiong shook his head again: "Our army's primary mission is to defend Fushun. Haizhou is easy to defend but difficult to attack. If we have too few soldiers, we won't be able to capture it. If we have too many soldiers, Fushun will be left empty."

What to do?

Everyone was in trouble.

Liu Zhaoji suddenly had an idea and quickly said, "Your Highness, I have a plan."

"Tell me about it."

"Under the pretext of increasing the troops, Gao Di was transferred north to Shenyang."

Zhu Cijiong worriedly said, "He might disobey!"

"He won't!" Liu Zhaoji insisted, "Gao Di now has two choices, one is to continue to be loyal to the Ming Dynasty, the other is to surrender to the Jian Nu."

"If he is loyal to the Ming Dynasty, he will not disobey orders!"

"What if we surrender to the Qing army?" Zhu Cijiong asked.

"If he surrenders to the Jiannu, he must find a way to run to the Jiannu side as soon as possible and reunite with Wu Sangui."

"Couldn't he just stay here and be as shaky as Wu Sangui?"

"No!" Liu Zhaoji analyzed very seriously: "Why did Wu Sangui suddenly rebel? Because he was exposed. Gao Di had close contact with Wu Sangui. Now that Wu Sangui was in trouble, he knew that it would be difficult for the court not to suspect him. If he continues to stay here, the risk will be great."

"Shenyang is very close to the front line, and Gao Di is eager to come here."

“So whether he surrenders to the Jiannu or not, he will come to Shenyang.”

After listening to Liu Zhaoji's analysis, Zhu Cijiong had new doubts: "What then? Shenyang is right behind us. If Gao Di starts a rebellion like Wu Sangui, we will lose our retreat."

"Don't let him enter the city!" Liu Zhaoji analyzed again: "Gao Di's troops have been staying behind the Liao army since entering Liao, and they have almost no experience in participating in battles. He may be good at attacking and defending a city, but he is completely incapable of fighting in the field!"

"Before he arrived in Shenyang, he ordered the Shenyang garrison to close the city gates and not let him enter the city."

"At the same time, withdraw the Central Army back to Liaoyang and head north to Shenyang; the Northern Army also dispatched a troop from Fushun to support Shenyang."

"Give him a military order at that time and order him to come into the city for a meeting."

"If he enters the city, we will seize the opportunity to capture him. If he does not enter the city, we will have the right to send troops to attack him. With two-sided attacks, Gao Di will surely be defeated!"

"Great!" Zhu Cijiong couldn't help but look at Liu Zhaoji with a higher opinion.

This brave general is not only a great fighter, but can also come up with such a strategy.

He is indeed a loyal and capable general of the Ming Dynasty!

"What do you think?" Zhu Cijiong asked others.

"This is a brilliant plan!"

"I think it's feasible."

"I also think it's feasible, but I would like to add one more sentence..."

After discussing for a while, everyone decided on this matter.

Since it was Liu Zhaoji who came up with the idea, he was also responsible for the specific implementation.

Then.

Zhu Cijiong returned to the previous topic and said seriously: "The situation is complicated now. We cannot take the initiative to attack Jian Nu! But we have to do something while waiting for the imperial edict, right? If we stay idle, I am afraid it will cause impeachment from court officials and dissatisfaction from the court."

this...

Everyone was in trouble again.

Because they really couldn't think of anything else to do besides attacking.

Li Dingguo squinted his eyes and thought for a while, then asked Bakeyong: "How much food and grass did Wu Sangui's army have left before his rebellion?"

"Less than three days."

"Are the salaries in arrears?"

"Yes! Two months' salary is in arrears."

A smile appeared on Li Dingguo's face.

Zhu Cijiong's eyes swirled around his eye sockets and he asked confidently, "Do you want to recruit Wu Sangui's people to surrender?"

"No," Li Dingguo shook his head gently, "I want to use a trick to alienate Wu Sangui and Dorgon."

"Also," Li Dingguo added, "if possible, alienate Hong Chengchou and make Dorgon lose trust in him!"

"The strategy of sowing discord? This is the Jinyiwei's signature skill!" Zhu Cijiong stood up excitedly.

He looked into Li Dingguo's eyes but did not ask about the specific plan.

after all...

The fewer people who know about this, the better.

"Ahem," Zhu Cijiong coughed and changed the subject: "Everyone, we can wait for the imperial court's order in seven days at the latest. But while we are waiting, we have to discuss an important matter."

"Your Highness, please speak!" Huang Degong took the lead in responding.

"War requires soldiers! As the saying goes...Wu Sangui has surrendered to the Jiannu. Our army has more than 10,000 fewer soldiers than before, while the Jiannu have more than 10,000 more."

"Should we... ask the imperial court to send more troops?"

Huang Degong thought about it and said nothing.

Li Xianzhong and Liu Zhaoji didn't say anything either.

Li Dingguo seemed to want to say something but stopped talking.

Buck Yong didn't dare to say anything and could only lower his head and pretend to think.

No one wants to fight a battle that they are not sure of victory.

The more troops we have, the greater our chances of success.

But the thing is...

The imperial court did not have sufficient military force.

The Mongols in Shaanxi have been making trouble, and the border troops on the three sides of Shaanxi cannot move.

Sichuan is mountainous and has long and remote journeys, so there was no time to recruit troops.

There were not many soldiers in the Beijing camp.

If the withdrawal continues, the capital will be empty.

These are secondary.

If more troops are sent to Liaodong, the corresponding military expenditure will also increase.

This was a huge challenge to the Ming Dynasty's finances.

Seeing that no one spoke, Zhu Cijiong imitated Chongzhen and began to call out names: "Li Dingguo, do you think we should ask the court to send more troops?"

Li Dingguo adjusted his breathing and said calmly: "I don't think there is a need to send more troops."

"Oh?" Zhu Cijiong was somewhat surprised by the answer, "Can we pacify Liao without increasing the number of troops?"

"I can't say for sure, but there is still a chance, and it's very big."

"Tell me what you think."

Li Dingguo clasped his hands together, looking apologetic: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I think it's too early to say anything now. It won't be too late to say anything after Gao Di's matter is settled!"