Li Yan's words shocked everyone.
Especially the last one, which was to send troops to support Zhang Xianzhong, made everyone very puzzled.
Although Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong were both leaders of the "righteous army", they had a common enemy: the Ming Dynasty court.
In theory, they should support each other and jointly resist the Ming court.
The reality is not the case.
Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong were not originally in a hostile relationship, but some interactions during that period made them very unhappy.
It can also be said that a grudge was formed.
In the 16th year of Chongzhen, after Li Zicheng defeated Zuo Liangyu, he wanted to take the opportunity to attack Hanyang first and then occupy Wuchang.
As a result, Zhang Xianzhong got there first.
When Li Zicheng learned of this, he was furious and posted a notice to the public: "Anyone who can capture Xianzhong and hand him over will be rewarded with a thousand gold coins."
It was too late to kill him, but Li Yan actually said he would help him!
Niu Jinxing finally found an opportunity to scold Li Yan and said sternly: "Li Yan, do you know what you are talking about?"
"Zhang Xianzhong once refused to let the emperor in. Not killing him is already a mercy. How dare you still want to help him?"
"Yeah, no matter who you help, you can't help him!"
"Mr. Li, please take back what you just said."
"Everyone!" Amid the crowd's dissatisfied voices, Li Yan said loudly: "Listen to me first. If my words cannot convince you, can you refute me later?"
"Why should I listen to you? Zhang Xianzhong and I have irreconcilable ties!" Gao Yigong shouted at the top of his voice.
"Yes, we have irreconcilable ties with Zhang Xianzhong. We will never help him even if we die!" Hao Yaoqi shouted.
Liu Zongmin, Niu Jinxing and others looked at Li Yan with anger in their eyes.
In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Zhang Xianzhong was recruited by the Ming court and stationed his troops in Gucheng, Hubei.
At that time, Li Zicheng was defeated by Hong Chengchou and took more than a hundred troops to Gucheng to surrender to Zhang Xianzhong.
Not only did Zhang Xianzhong not accept it, but he also planned to get rid of Li Zicheng.
After Li Zicheng found out, he fled overnight.
Gao Yigong, Hao Yaoqi, Liu Zongmin, Niu Jinxing and others were by Li Zicheng's side at the time.
You can imagine the humiliation!
Not only them, Li Yan and Hong Niangzi were also there.
Matchmaker in the corner glanced at Li Yan, sighed softly, and said nothing.
"Everyone, be quiet for a moment." Li Zicheng said, and everyone immediately quieted down. "Listen to what Mr. Li has to say."
Li Yan coughed lightly and stood up.
He first bowed to everyone, and then continued: "Your Majesty, everyone! Those who achieve great things do not care about trivial matters! Although Dashun and Zhang Xianzhong have a grudge, Zhang Xianzhong cannot fall at this critical juncture."
"Before, the Ming court's harsh policies were more ferocious than a tiger, and the people were forced to rebel! Now the Ming court has exempted the entire country from taxes for a year. I dare not say how much more, but at least more than 80% of the scattered rebel forces will be temporarily settled down."
"Unlike the emperor, they have no ideals, let alone ambitions. They just want to plant a few acres of idle land and eat a few mouthfuls of full meals."
"The fewer rebels there are, the more disadvantageous it will be for Dashun! Once Zhang Xianzhong is defeated, Qin Liangyu in Sichuan and Zuo Liangyu in Wuchang can send troops north."
"Oh, by the way, I heard that Zuo Liangyu was eliminated by Yuan Jixian. Yuan Jixian is good at using troops, and he is definitely not an ordinary person."
"In addition to Qin Liangyu and Yuan Jixian, our army will also face pursuit and interception by Huang Degong, Gao Jie, Liu Liangzuo and others."
"What are the chances of our Dashun Army winning against these people?"
"The Ming court is changing, and we must change with it."
Li Zicheng fell silent, and the civil and military officials present also fell silent.
Their vision is indeed not as high or as far-sighted as Li Yan's!
After an unknown amount of time, Li Zicheng said firmly: "No! Whether Zhang Xianzhong lives or dies has nothing to do with me!"
It’s not that Li Zicheng didn’t have a sense of the overall situation, but the situation of the Shun army was not optimistic.
Dashun was short of money, and the most important task of the Shun army now was to make money, rather than going south to support Zhang Xianzhong.
"Even if you don't support Zhang Xianzhong, please send troops south to contain Yuan Jixian's troops so that he doesn't dare to act rashly."
"My current military strength is already stretched to the limit, where can I send more troops?" Li Zicheng looked at everyone present.
Li Yan was speechless.
He didn't expect that Li Zicheng would become what he is now, which is very different from his previous style of "being able to accept good advice" and "conspiring with everyone on everything".
Seeing her husband was embarrassed, Lady Hong stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I still have 4,000 soldiers under my command. I would like to go south to Chengtianfu (now Zhongxiang City) to garrison there. We can advance to spy on Jingzhou and retreat to guard against the enemy in Wuchang."
Li Zicheng was about to refuse when he suddenly saw Liu Zongmin winking at him.
After a little thought, Li Zicheng understood what Liu Zongmin meant.
Hongniang brought her own troops to join Li Zicheng's army, and she could leave at any time if she wanted to.
Plus, Li Yan and Hong Niangzi are husband and wife.
Rather than forcing them to stay, it is better to let them go.
He took advantage of this time to do something big!
Li Zicheng sighed first, then stood up and walked to Li Yan, patted his shoulder and said, "Mr. Li, Mrs. Hong, you must be careful on your way! I will clear out the Ming army in Henan as soon as possible, and then go south to support you."
Li Yan was stunned by Li Zicheng's change of heart. He felt a little guilty about his previous thoughts and said apologetically, "Your Majesty, rest assured that Hongniang and I will be careful and cautious."
"Well, before you leave tomorrow, go to Yigong to collect 10,000 taels of silver as military pay. I know it's not enough, and I will find a way to make up for it later."
"I thank the emperor for his grace!" Li Yan and Hong Niangzi knelt down at the same time.
After discussing for a while, the ministers turned around and left.
Before leaving.
Li Zicheng secretly winked at Liu Zongmin, Gao Yigong and Hao Yaoqi.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!
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