In fact, Li Ruolian specifically told him to pass on this message to the generals.
Li Ruolian's original intention was to use a provocation tactic to make these generals feel a sense of crisis and perform better when facing the Jurchens.
No matter what, these people were Li Ruolian's subordinates.
The better they performed, the shinier Li Ruolian became.
However, Li Ruolian did not expect that these generals would become furious upon hearing this.
They bid farewell to Li Zicheng with cold smiles, then walked to a distance and regrouped.
"Li Ruolian and Li Zicheng really don't take us seriously!"
Some "smart people" even speculated:
"Could it be that the imperial court has long been determined to replace us all, which is why they look down on us so much?"
The others were startled upon hearing this.
"That's quite possible! A few days ago, Qin Liangyu, that woman from Shu, led her troops into the capital, and the emperor treated her with great courtesy."
"If the emperor decides to replace us all, then the court will still have people to rely on!"
"Oh no, oh no, what should we do?"
Although these generals were not originally very bold, they gradually developed disloyalty after suffering repeated setbacks.
"No, we can't just sit here and wait to die!"
"In my opinion, when we get to the battlefield, we should deliberately suffer a rapid defeat, leaving only Li Zicheng and his damn cannons behind, and see if he can still win the battle!"
"Also, we should send someone in advance to let the Jurchens know about the cannons, so that they won't be caught off guard and collapse when they suddenly encounter cannons on the battlefield!"
These generals quickly devised a plan.
"But how should we inform the Jurchens?"
"There's no need to worry about that. Those old Westerners have been secretly doing business with the Jurchens all along. Just follow their lead."
Not long after, a trusted servant hurriedly left the city and followed the Shanxi merchants' caravan eastward.
A few days later, I met Huang Taiji.
"What? The Ming army has actually developed new cannons?"
Huang Taiji also found it troublesome after hearing this.
Two years ago, when the Jurchens besieged Ningyuan, they were routed by Yuan Chonghuan's artillery fire.
Even his father, Nurhaci, died of anger shortly after the retreat.
Therefore, Huang Taiji would naturally feel fear.
"Was that cannon powerful?"
The servant smiled and shook his head.
"Your Majesty, don't be afraid. Even if those cannons are powerful, their firing rate can't be fast."
"When the two armies clash, our soldiers will only pretend to fight for a while, and then they will retreat directly."
"When the time comes, you lead your troops in a swarm, and even if you take a few hits, so what?"
"Once the main force charges in, those cannons will not only be silenced, but they will also become yours!"
Huang Taiji was indeed tempted after hearing this.
"That's quite interesting."
Although his descendants liked to say things like the Eight Banners' volley fire was invincible.
But since Huang Taiji was able to inflict heavy losses on the Ming army several times, he couldn't possibly be a fool.
He knew better than anyone the power of firearms.
Historically, Huang Taiji placed great importance on firearms.
After Geng Jingzhong and others rebelled in Qi, they crossed the sea to join the Jurchens. Huang Taiji valued the firearms in their ranks.
Not only did he personally go to greet them, but he also allowed them to continue leading their own troops, giving them ample face and courtesy.
When he heard that he had a chance to acquire the Ming army's cannons, he was naturally very excited.
"You're not trying to deceive me, are you?" Huang Taiji asked tentatively, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
"If that's the case, then you can forget about keeping your head!"
That servant, who was entrusted with such an important task, was no ordinary person.
He showed no fear and said with a smile:
"How dare I deceive the Khan?"
"Furthermore, when the two armies clash, if Your Majesty sees that the situation is not good, you can simply lead your troops to retreat."
Upon hearing this, Huang Taiji nodded slightly.
Although the Ming army had some cavalry, the capital garrison had few cavalry, and they were no match for the Jurchen cavalry.
As for the Guan Ning cavalry, the Jurchens had fought against them many times and knew them well.
They understood that these people also did not want the Jurchens to collapse quickly, and some harbored the intention of maintaining their own power by supporting a bandit.
So he doesn't need to worry at all that this is a trap.
Thinking of this, Huang Taiji was overjoyed.
"Could this truly be a blessing from heaven for our Jurchen people?"
"Haha, if I can really get the Ming Dynasty cannons, I'll have the craftsmen replicate them when I get back."
"Then it won't be long before I can break through Ningyuan, then Shanhaiguan, and then..."
Huang Tai was overjoyed at the prospect of such a future.
He quickly waved for someone to take the servant away, and then summoned Fan Wencheng.
"I, the Great Khan, have changed my mind. This time, in the campaign against the Ming army, I intend to personally lead the troops into battle and will not let DaiĊĦan lead the army!"
Fan Wencheng was greatly surprised upon hearing this.
"Great Khan, why would you think that?"
Huang Taiji deliberately feigned anger: "What, do you think what I, the Great Khan, am doing is wrong?"
Fan Wencheng quickly shook his head: "This servant dares not. This servant just feels that what the Great Khan is doing is... somewhat risky."
Huang Taiji then said smugly:
"Hehe, this is no risk for me, the Great Khan."
He relayed what had just happened to Fan Wencheng.
Then, staring at him, he asked, "Do you still think this Great Khan is taking a risk?"
After hearing this, Fan Wencheng bowed respectfully in sincere admiration.
"So the Great Khan has a reason for doing this. This servant really didn't think of that."
However, he knew in his heart that this was just Huang Taiji taking the opportunity to warn him.
"It seems that this Khan still has a distance between him and me."
"But that makes sense, isn't it? Who told me I wasn't a noble Jurchen? What a pity, what a pity!"
Just as he was feeling angry, Huang Taiji nodded in satisfaction.
"Hehe, it's good that you know."
"In this campaign against the Ming Dynasty, I, the Great Khan, will not only achieve a great victory, but also seize their cannons, and preferably some muskets as well!"
"From this day forward, our Later Jin will be invincible!"
After Huang Taiji finalized his plan, he didn't delay at all.
After waiting a few days and seeing that the weather was gradually warming up, he led his troops out of Shengjing and made plans to besiege Ningyuan.
Although Yuan Chonghuan had already received intelligence that the Jurchens were planning to besiege the city and attack reinforcements.
But he still dared not be careful, fearing that the Jurchens might be plotting something.
Therefore, these fortresses in Ningyuan remain under defense.
As for Ningyuan City itself, it is like a hedgehog.
After inspecting the city walls, Yuan Chonghuan nodded in satisfaction.
"Although His Majesty has purged the Donglin Party, which makes him seem like a somewhat incompetent ruler, his ability to make money is indeed quite remarkable."
"Over the past month, silver has been continuously sent from the interior, not only making up for the long-overdue salaries of the Liaodong officers and soldiers."
"I, the governor, also have the capacity to further fortify this city."
"Hehe, if the Jurchens really have the guts to come and touch my Ningyuan City again, then they are courting death."
"It must be a family feast."
The Liaodong generals behind Yuan Chonghuan didn't understand what those last four words meant.
We were just cursing the Jurchens, so why are we suddenly blessing them?
Governor Yuan, this Cantonese man, is quite polite.
But they didn't understand, and they didn't dare to ask.
All I could do was casually agree, "Yes, yes, I wish him wealth and prosperity."
After a moment, someone cautiously asked:
"Commander, our side is indeed impregnable, but will there be any problems with the Beijing Garrison?"
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