Chapter 55: Narrow Road of Enemies

  "Chuang Wang's mighty army of 200,000 is invincible wherever it goes. Wu Sangui has already collapsed and been utterly defeated."

  Gu Zhenhua, in order to boost the morale of the gentry, suddenly doubled Li Zicheng's troops. He then threw Gao Di's head in front of these gentry, laughing and saying: "Everyone take a look, Gao Di has been beheaded, Wu Sangui is not far behind, don't you want to become a meritorious minister?"

  Want, how can I not want!

  The eyes of these gentlemen were all wide with terror, for the past dozen or so days had been an absolute nightmare. They had suffered all sorts of torture, some people were locked up with madmen, and the room was filled with excrement, the stench was unbearable.

  In the middle of the night, I suddenly felt a hot air blowing on my face. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw a pair of stupid and straight eyes staring at me. No one's heart can withstand such a fright, and in just a few days, someone will go crazy.

  More and more officials collapsed, enduring the pain of cutting their flesh, handing over large sums of silver. Having settled with Wu Sangui was not enough, they continued to extort. Of course, they did not know that this was arranged by Li Jiyu, who pushed all the blame onto Wu Sangui's head.

  Now everyone is overjoyed when they hear that Wu Sangui is going to be defeated.

  "Wu Sangui, this treacherous dog, doesn't know his place and still wants to oppose the Emperor, we won't let him off!"

  "Yes, I have over a hundred men in my household who can lend a helping hand to General Chu."

  "My nephew is in Guanning Army and just surrendered to Zhang Xianzhong."

  These gentlemen were overjoyed, the more they talked, the happier they became, and Gu Zhenhua was also extremely pleased. Li Zicheng's defeat at Shanhaiguan was largely due to his failure to grasp the situation, which allowed the Qing dynasty to take advantage of him.

  The gentry were all local snakes. If they could help Li Zicheng, the Dashun Army would not have lost so badly and could have maintained itself for a longer period of time.

  "Gentlemen, if you want to make achievements, you must seize the time. Once this opportunity is missed, it will be gone forever!"

  The enthusiasm of the gentlemen was suddenly stirred up, and they rushed out in a frenzy. These guys once again proved that human potential is limitless, with white-bearded old men, after being locked up for over ten days, still able to sprint out a hundred-meter dash.

  Looking at these scrambling officials, Gu Zhenhua returned to the warehouse with a pleased smile. At this time, various supplies had been loaded onto more than 100 horse-drawn carriages, forming a long dragon, and the soldiers couldn't help but drool at the sight.

  "Sir, the gold and silver have been loaded, and we've also loaded 3,000 good bows and arrows, 1,000 firelocks, and 20,000 catties of gunpowder." Yue Poxu excitedly reported to Gu Zhenhua.

  At this time, Li Xu also walked over and said: "There are still three things left, there are cannons, armor, and food. But we only have about 150 horse-drawn carriages left, and it's impossible to take everything away..."

  "Put on your armor, load the big guns." Gu Zhenhua said loudly: "Everyone remembers, we are transporting the most valuable and hardest to get."

  In the twinkling of an eye, all the carts were loaded with armor and tiger crouching cannons, and things like Frankish cannons. After a careful search, all the good stuff was taken away, leaving only 300,000 dan of grain behind.

  "What about the grain, sir?"

  "Fire!" Gu Zhenhua did not hesitate at all.

  The soldiers immediately looked embarrassed, and some even had tears in their eyes. They simply couldn't bring themselves to do it. Those who have never been hungry will probably never understand the value of food!

  "Sir, this is a lifesaver! In times of famine, five kilograms of flour can be exchanged for a child!"

  "Do you remember what I said? Are we going to let the Qing dynasty eat their fill and then come and attack us?" Gu Zhenhua looked at the soldiers present, took a deep breath, and spoke emotionally: "Brothers, many of you are from poor families and can't even afford a full meal, so you cherish food all the more. I understand that clearly. But we can't be foolish, if we leave the grain behind, it will definitely fall into the hands of the Qing dynasty. These robbers will eat their fill and then plunder even more fiercely. Everyone can rest assured, as long as you follow me, I guarantee that each and every one of you will have enough to eat and wear, not only living a good life but also with dignity!"

  "I believe in Master!"

  Hou Sanwai shouted loudly, holding a torch in his hand and throwing it onto the grain depot. The scarlet flames burst forth, crackling and burning fiercely.

  "We all believe in Master!"

  More and more soldiers steeled themselves, gritted their teeth, and threw the torches in their hands towards the grain depot. Suddenly, flames filled the sky, black smoke covered the ground, and the big fire quickly swallowed up the food.

  Finally, more than 200 horse-drawn carriages were fully loaded, with a harvest even greater than that of the capital city. Gu Zhenhua was also extremely pleased, sitting on his warhorse and excitedly shouting: "Brothers, it's almost done! Follow me out of the city, and a bright future awaits everyone!"

  "Long live! Long live!"

  Thousands of people shouted together and followed Gu Zhenhua rushing outwards.

  ……

  Outside Shanhai Pass, on top of Weiyuan Platform.

  Dorgon climbed high and looked out, watching the Shanhai Pass where people were shouting to kill, with flames soaring into the sky. He couldn't help but clench his fists tightly, and a look of infatuation appeared in his eyes. He couldn't help but think of the scene six years ago when he led his army into the pass.

  Majestic cities, prosperous trade, rich products, vast lands, countless people... Each one makes the blood of the Manchu nobles who live by plundering boil with desire, wishing to immediately take possession of this land of plenty.

  Dorgon felt it at this time, he had a clear feeling that an unprecedented opportunity was waiting for him.

  "Fan Xueshi, what do you think will be the outcome of this trip into the pass?"

  "Report back to the Regent King, of course, is to ride a horse in the Central Plains, build an eternal and unshakeable foundation!"

  When Dorgon heard Fan Wencheng's words, he burst out laughing: "Mr. Fan, many people have told me that being able to emulate the Great Jin and divide the country into north and south is already a huge gain."

  Fan Wen Cheng hastily said: "The Regent King must not have such thoughts, Zhu Ming is unrighteous, the bandits are just a mob, they are absolutely no match for our great Qing warriors. As long as we treat officials and gentry with kindness and win back the hearts of the people, reunifying the country is by no means impossible!"

  Haha, just follow Mr. Fan's advice.

  Just as Dorgon was laughing loudly, a team of disheveled cavalry suddenly rushed over from afar and hastily arrived at the Wei Yuan stage, led by Wu Sangui.

  Not long ago, Dorgon had seen Wu Sangui before, but when they met again, it actually gave Dorgon a fright!

  There was a sinister wound between Wu Sangui's mouth and nose, his nose was missing a section, his upper lip was gone, and he had lost two front teeth.

  Wu Sangui was also a free and easy person, and he and Chen Yuanyuan were a perfect match. But in the blink of an eye, he became a man who was neither human nor ghost, both laughable and pitiful...

  "Prince Pingxi, what's wrong with you? Who hurt you?" Dorgon asked in surprise.

  Wu Sangui gritted his teeth, this was of course Gu Zhenhua's masterpiece, an arrow pierced through the philtrum and became a virtuous deed, in this era, the rod wouldn't come from the heavenly star's plastic surgery, Wu Sangui was thoroughly disfigured.

  "The Regent, your subject's troops have mutinied. The remnant of the Ming dynasty, Gu Zhenhua, has incited the soldiers to rebel and even blown open the Xiluo city gate."

  "What?" Dolon's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but ask: "Pingxi King, what did you guarantee to the emperor at first? Wasn't the situation at Shanhai Pass under your control? How could you not even keep an eye on your own subordinates?"

  "This... Ah! Waaah, waaaah, waaaaaah......"

  Wu Sangui was in a hurry, his mouth wide open, and the wound cracked again, with fresh blood flowing from his lips, neck, and everywhere, his voice unclear.

  Dorgon frowned and could only wave his hand, letting people take Wu Sangui away to deal with the wound. Dorgon was really afraid that this newly surrendered Pingxi King would die from blood loss.

  Dorgon's gaze stayed on Deputy General Yang Kun, frowning and asking: "Is the situation in the city really that bad?"

  "Report to the Ninth Prince, it is indeed so. If you do not send troops again, Shanhai Pass will be Li Zicheng's. We won't go back either, lest we get our heads chopped off by Li Zicheng!"

  "Hmph, still trying to deceive me." Dolon let out a cold hum in his nose, but he also knew the situation was urgent, Wu Sangui's Guanning Army couldn't hold on anymore, he had to send troops.

  Dorgon immediately summoned Ajiige, the Prince of Ying, and Dorohono, the Prince of Duo, to bring in the elite troops with two white flags and enter Shanhai Pass at once.

  Azige and Dorji were already rubbing their fists, Wu Sangui simply treated the wound and then gave them a boost to lead the Qing army into Shanhaiguan from three routes: South Water Gate, North Water Gate, and Guanzhong Gate.

  Gu Zhenhua still didn't know that Manqing had made his move, he was leading his troops to charge eastward, wanting to break through the Great Shun Army's flank.

  However, Gu Zhenhua completely underestimated the chaos at Shanhaiguan. Of course, he also had his own merits, as the Dashun Army and the Ganning Army were at odds with each other, constantly attacking and killing each other.

  Those newly freed scholars also organized people to help the Dashun Army. The streets were filled with chaotic crowds, and the cries of killing shook the sky.

  "Master, who should we kill and who should we help?" Gu Yunlong frowned beside him.

  "Whoever blocks me will be killed!"

  Gu Zhenhua said viciously, he took the lead again, once more playing the role of vanguard, his chopping knife dancing up and down, just like the fastest meat grinder, continuously cutting down those in front of him.

  He came all the way, Gu Zhenhua didn't know how many swords he had cut off, but he just felt that both his arms were numb. However, he still mechanically repeated his movements. Relying on Gu Zhenhua's bravery, they finally rushed out of a bloody alley, with people closely following behind.

  They were getting closer and closer to the city gate, victory was in sight, and Gu Zhenhua couldn't help but relax.

  "Sir, what is that?"

  Gu Zhenhua was suddenly startled and hastily looked in the direction of the pointing finger, only to see a white ocean appearing in the distance, with white clothes, white armor, white flags, and white horses rushing towards this side.

  Bastard!

  Everyone present couldn't help but exclaim, the last player from Shanhai Pass has finally appeared!

  "Master, shall we fight?" Li Xu couldn't help but ask.

  "Hit him! Why don't you hit him!" Gu Zhenhua said firmly: "If we don't teach the Tartars a lesson, I won't be able to rest in peace!"