Chongzhen thought about it seriously and said: "If I am not mistaken, Zhang Xianzhong has already reached Wanxian and has stopped because of the flood."
Although Li Banghua didn't know how Chongzhen knew the news, he did not doubt it and took out the map from the bag he carried with him (similar to the briefcase in later generations) and placed it in front of him.
It is densely marked with the prefectures, counties and cities of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the latest garrison situation.
"Zhang Xianzhong is in the Wanxian area, and there are soldiers available near Wanxian..."
Before Li Banghua could finish, Chongzhen interrupted him: "Lord Li, by the time the court's message is passed on, it will be late April or even the end of April. Don't even think about the area near Wanxian. Let's see what troops are still around Chongqing!"
Li Banghua thought about it and agreed. The capital is nearly 4,000 miles away from Sichuan, and the post station currently has no expedited transportation capacity of 600 miles. Based on the calculation of 200 miles per day, it will take at least 20 days to reach Chongqing and Sichuan.
Li Banghua looked at it for a while and said, "Chen Shiqi, the governor of Sichuan and the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War, has 37,000 soldiers under his command, but he likes writing and is elegant and romantic. His military preparations are lax and he is not suitable to lead troops. So after the court discussion last winter, Long Wenguang was appointed as the governor of Sichuan. Long Wenguang is in northern Sichuan, and it is very inconvenient for him to bring his family with him. I estimate that he has not yet arrived at the post."
"Liu Jiayin, the Sichuan general, has 3,000 soldiers and is stationed in Shunqing, 300 miles north of Chongqing."
"General Qin Liangyu has less than 10,000 soldiers and horses under his command, stationed in Zhongzhou, more than 300 miles downstream from Chongqing."
"Ningnanbo Zuo Liangyu has 150,000 soldiers under his command. Although they are of varying quality, he has the advantage of numbers. He has just recaptured Wuchang (Wuhan). If he goes upstream, he can just cut off Zhang Xianzhong's retreat."
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