The Ming army in Huguang defeated Haoge, recovered Yuezhou, and the troops arrived at Wuchang, shocking Chu and Gan.

This always left Zhao Ming with a slight fantasy, that is, the huge pressure faced by the Qing army in Huguang would force Mandahai to mobilize troops to reinforce Wuchang and rescue Haoge.

Even when Mandahai appeared outside Wu Jincheng, Zhao Ming still had this idea more or less.

At this time, Hu Weizong brought news that the Qing Dynasty sent envoys to the south and wanted to negotiate peace with the Ming Dynasty, so that Zhao Ming knew that he could not wait for Huguang anymore and placed his hopes outside and had to rely on himself.

Wuxi City, the right governor's headquarters.

In the hall, Zhao Ming was wearing a python robe, black sand on his head, and a jade belt on his waist. He sat upright in the main seat with a host sitting on both sides.

Zhao Ming said in a deep voice: "There has been news from the court that the Qing Dynasty sent envoys to go south to discuss peace with the court. His detailed works have been in Changsha and have frequently visited He Tengjiao, Pang Tianshou and others. Now the Qing Dynasty still has seven parts of the world and still has the advantage. Is Dorgon sending people to discuss peace, is it true or false?"

When Zhao Ming suddenly received such a message, he couldn't say it for a moment.

Many staff members in the hall were also a little surprised when they heard the news. Unexpectedly, the Qing Dynasty would suddenly discuss peace talks and could not help but whisper.

After discussing for a while, Wang Jiaqin suspected in uncertainty: "Master, this is the Qing Dynasty's delay plan!" After saying that, he shook his head again and continued: "But it may be true. Now the Qing Dynasty can no longer conquer our dynasty. It seems reasonable to retreat and seek the division of the north and the south."

From a rational perspective, if the Qing Dynasty knew that it would stop when it was good, and when the Qing army still had the upper hand, it would be a good choice to reach a peace treaty that was beneficial to the Qing Dynasty and achieve legal occupation of the north.

Since the Qing Dynasty cannot destroy the Ming Dynasty, it can be said that it is a wise move to recognize the Southern Ming court, force the Southern Ming to surrender, give up its claim to the northern territory, establish a northern dynasty, and enjoy the results of entering the pass.

Xia Wanchun stood up and bowed to everyone, "I thought this must be a delaying strategy. Jiannu was greedy and Dorgon was cunning, like a hungry wolf. If he didn't beat them completely, the possibility of Jiannu asking for peace was not high. Besides, Jiannu sent an envoy south to negotiate peace, but Mandahai attacked Wujin again. This was not a delaying strategy, so what?"

Zhao Ming raised his eyebrows. Xia Wanchun's words coincided with his ideas. As long as the hungry wolf does not die and cannot move, he will covet the lamb. The Qing Dynasty is still strong and powerful, so how could it be easy to argue for peace?

"Xiao Yin's words are reasonable!" Zhao Ming nodded in approval, and then said: "If this is the case, the Qing Dynasty's intention must be to falsely discuss peace, delay the court's attack on Wuchang, and win time for Mandahai to defeat his commander and return to Wuchang to gain help."

Xia Wanchun said: "There are still 30,000 Qing troops in Wuchang City, including the Haoge Manchu Zhenglan Banner and the Shangkexi Han Army's Blue Banner, all in the city. Although the imperial court besieged Wuchang, it is probably difficult to capture it in a short period of time. If Jiannu sent people to negotiate peace, it will definitely affect the frontline war, and the time for conquering Wuchang will only be infinitely extended."

Zhao Ming glanced at Xia Wanchun and understood what he meant. In this case, it was no longer realistic to continue to fantasize that Mandahai would withdraw the siege of Wujin due to the Wuchang crisis. The Qing army would definitely firmly implement the strategy of first attacking and destroying Donghai Town, eliminating the Ming army on the Eastern Front, and then returning to the west.

Zhao Ming frowned and asked, "So, how should I deal with it now?"

Xia Wanchun thought for a moment and bowed: "The officials thought that they should immediately send a letter to the court to inform the court of Jiangnan, so that the court could know that Jiannu was attacking Changzhou fiercely and wanted to break the eastern front first and then return to the western front. Secondly, the Duke of the State should immediately increase his troops and advance to Wuchang to an emergency, and withdraw his troops from Mandahai."

Zhao Ming nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, stood up, glanced at everyone, and finally turned to Chen Mingyu, "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Chen will go there again!"

Chen Mingyu immediately stood up and bowed, "Don't worry, Grandmaster, let's go now!"

After saying that, Chen Mingyu bowed and left. Zhao Ming waited for him to leave the hall, so he stood up and shouted in a deep voice, "Send the order, and the battalions are ready to advance westward and reinforce Wu into the city."

"Here!" Everyone stood up and saluted.

With the order of Zhao Ming, the battalions of Donghai Town gathered immediately and prepared to take the risk of reinforcements from Wu to the city.

At this time, Zhao Ming had 80,000 combat soldiers, including 60,000 troops from the mainland and 20,000 naval troops.

Now 20,000 land divisions are trapped in Wujin City, and more than 10,000 navy divisions have to defend the Yangtze River, operate in the East China Sea, Taiwan, and protect the waterway. Zhao Ming can use only 40,000 land divisions, 10,000 navy divisions, a total of 50,000 troops.

This time, Wu Jin reinforced Wu Jin, and 50,000 troops could not be fully out. We still needed to leave troops to defend the Xicheng defense line, preventing the Qing army from taking advantage of the Ming army's sudden reinforcements to Wu Jin to enter the city, sending cavalry to break through the Xicheng defense line, break into Susong, and encircle the Ming army's retreat.

Therefore, after discussing with many soldiers and staff, Zhao Ming immediately decided to lead only 20,000 Shence Central Army, plus 6,000 navy troops, advance west along the canal, reinforce Wu to enter the city, leaving behind 24,000 naval and land troops, and continue to defend the Xicheng Canal, ensuring that Su Song has no worries.

On the eighth day of the eighth month, at Gaoqiao Town, Wuxi, where the Grand Canal and Xicheng Canal meet, people and horses neighed, and warships and chariots gathered.

On the canal, nearly forty Ming army warships and nearly a hundred small boats filled with grain and military funds covered the canal. Nearly ten thousand Ming army on the shore pushed chariots and artillery chariots through the floating bridge in sequence.

At this time, the fleet sailed west under the drag of the boatman. The Ming soldiers wearing red armor on both sides of the left and right sides were walking side by side like two long dragons.

Next to the road, Ma Shiao, Qian Qianyi and others brought Zhuangxing wine. Zhao Ming picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

Qian Qianyi took the wine glass back and handed it to Hedongjun, then bowed and said, "We will succeed in the country's stallion and defeat the enemy soldiers!"

This time, Zhao Ming led 26,000 people to reinforce, plus the 20,000 defenders who entered Wucheng, the strength was less than 50,000. The Qing army gathered in Changzhou had at least 100,000, which was twice that of the Ming army.

Therefore, the situation in Donghai Town's rescue of Wu and entering the city was not optimistic, and everyone's expressions were a little heavy.

Zhao Ming just nodded slightly, then turned over and rode a horse on a miscellaneous horse, leading the cavalry into the army, and 26,000 troops marched westward in a mighty manner.

On the west bank of Xicheng Canal, the Qing army's whistle cavalry watched the Ming army crossing the river and advancing west. The leader immediately shouted, "Hurry up and report to the prince, Zhao Zamao, leads his troops westward."

The Qing army scouts first passed the news to Geng Jimao, who was stationed dozens of miles west of the Xicheng Canal, monitoring Donghai Town. Geng Jimao was shocked when he heard that Zhao Ming led his troops across the river. He ordered the troops and prepared to come to intercept them. While sending fast horses to Wujincheng City, he galloped to the Qing army camp to Mandahai, Kong Youde, and Geng Zhong clearly warned and informed the three of them that Zhao Zamao led his troops westward to assist Wujin.
Chapter completed!