Fan Wencheng looked around and saw that there were no outsiders, so he picked up a bundle from the horse's back.
Under Dorgon's gaze, he opened the bundle to reveal the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone inside.
“What is this...?” Dorgon became more and more confused.
Fan Wencheng dismounted, took the small wooden table from a guard, and placed the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone on the table.
After doing this, he bowed to Dorgon and said, "Your Majesty, please write a memorial here."
"Here?" Dorgon was stunned.
"Yes." Fan Wencheng nodded.
"What's the content?" Dorgon asked in confusion.
"Request to withdraw troops from Ningyuan!"
"Mr. Fan, don't joke!" Dorgon stared into Fan Wencheng's eyes. "The court just sent 15,000 reinforcements to Ningyuan, and you want me to petition the court to withdraw the troops?"
"Yes!" Fan Wencheng nodded seriously and said, "Your Highness, do you remember what I once said, that the Eight Banners Army would be defeated in the Battle of Ningyuan?"
"I did!" Dorgon was a little puzzled: "I am still wondering why you are so sure that the Eight Banners will be defeated?"
"Because the Ming court needs the Liaoxi Corridor, and the Qing Dynasty also needs the Ming court to take back the Liaoxi Corridor." Fan Wencheng said mysteriously.
"Wait a minute," Dorgon stretched out his hands to cover his head, revealing a puzzled expression, "Mr. Fan's words...I don't understand."
Fan Wencheng coughed lightly and asked, "Excuse me, Your Majesty, what are we fighting for?"
"Is it...money and food?" Dorgon felt a little unconfident when asked this question, and answered with a stutter.
"Is the Qing Dynasty short of money and food?" Fan Wencheng asked again.
"We are not short of money. After all, we have robbed a lot of money over the years. If it is not enough, we can take back the silver we gave to the bannermen for emergency use."
"It's mainly because of the shortage of food and military supplies. Although Zheng Zhilong's smuggling has never stopped, the sea route is very long. In addition, the Ming court's navy has been launching surprise attacks in southern Liaoning recently, so the smuggled supplies are much less than before." Dorgon answered seriously.
"That's why I said that the Qing Dynasty needs the Ming court to take back the Liaoxi Corridor." Fan Wencheng said.
Dorgon blinked his eyes, and suddenly realized: "Mr. Fan means... smuggling supplies through the Liaoxi Corridor?"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Fan Wencheng bowed and saluted. "Given the current situation of the Qing Dynasty, it is difficult to fight a protracted war with the Ming court."
"The two sides are in a standoff in Ningyuan. The Ming court can hold out for one, two, or even three to five years! The rich Jiangnan region can provide countless food and fodder for the Ming army to use."
"The Qing Dynasty can't do that. With 60,000 troops and 100,000 civilians transporting supplies, they can't farm and have to eat double the amount of food! Liaodong can only harvest one crop of food a year. We can't afford it!"
"So as long as the Ming court does not withdraw its troops, the Qing Dynasty will have to withdraw its troops regardless of victory or defeat. This is why I say that the Eight Banners Army will definitely lose the Battle of Ningyuan!"
Although it is not very hot in Liaodong in June, it is extremely hot.
Under the scorching sun, Dorgon began to sweat on his back.
After an unknown amount of time, Dorgon raised his head and asked, "Then... how should I submit the petition? And what should be done with Ningyuan City? I can't just give it to the Ming court for nothing, right?"
"Your Highness, please just write down what I just said and present it to the Emperor. As for Ningyuan...Your Highness, please ignore it! If Prince Su (Haoge) wins, Your Highness, you will continue to command the navy and guard southern Liaoning. If Prince Su loses, there will be an opportunity for power transfer within the Eight Banners, and Your Highness can take this opportunity to return to the court."
Dorgon took a deep breath, squatted beside the small table, picked up paper and pen and began to write.
With rustling sound.
The brush dipped in ink drew across the white paper, leaving traces of history.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity in the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
Chongzhen put down his pen and stretched, "Gao Shiming?"
"The servant is here."
"Take all these memorials to the Cabinet."
"I obey your command."
Gao Shiming picked up the memorials that he had reviewed on the dragon case and was about to turn around and leave when a eunuch came to report outside the door: "Your Majesty, the chief minister of the cabinet, Fan Jingwen, and the minister of war, Wang Jiayan, request to see you."
"Let them in."
Wang Fan Jingwen and Wang Jiayan stepped into the hall and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"No need for formalities." While Chongzhen was speaking, Wang Chengen personally brought a wooden stool to Fan Jingwen.
After sitting down, Wang Jiayan raised the secret letter above his head and said, "Your Majesty, the Ping Liao army is confronting the Jian Nu in the Ningyuan area. Governor Wang Yongji sent a secret letter saying that he wants to have a decisive battle with the Jian Nu... Please make a decision, Your Majesty!"
"What do the Ministry of War and the Cabinet mean?" Chongzhen asked calmly.
Wang Jiayan swallowed his saliva and said, "It has been less than a month since the army left the border. The Ministry of War thinks it is a bit hasty to fight a decisive battle now, so it is better to wait a little longer."
"The cabinet also means to wait a little longer." Fan Jingwen followed.
Chongzhen glanced at Fan Jingwen and Wang Jiayan and snorted, "Why? Are the Ministry of War and the Cabinet more cowardly than the soldiers on the front line?"
Fan Jingwen's expression changed: "Your Majesty means... that you agree with Wang Yongji's decisive battle?"
"When did I say I agreed to a decisive battle?" Chongzhen retorted with a cold face.
Fan Jingwen stopped talking.
Because he found that no matter what he said, Chongzhen could find reasons to refute it.
After a moment, Wang Jiayan picked up the memorial and asked, "The Ping Liao army wants to have a decisive battle with the main force of the Jian Nu. Your Majesty, please make a decision!"
"I understand."
Wang Jiayan thought Chongzhen didn't hear clearly, so he repeated: "The Ping Liao army wants to fight a decisive battle with the main force of the Jiannu. Your Majesty, please reply."
Chongzhen rolled his eyes at Wang Jiayan and said, "I have already told you my will."
"Ah?" Wang Jiayan was stunned.
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