Chapter 147

"Only by relying on strong cities to inflict maximum casualties on Great Ming can we succeed!"

"As long as Great Qing does not suffer a total defeat, even if Great Ming wins a pyrrhic victory, even if they seize Huta Ala, they will surely be unable to hold their ground!"

"By then, the White Mountains and Black Waters will still belong to Great Qing!"

Hearing Fan Wencheng's words,

even Huang Taiji could not help but draw in a sharp breath of cold air.

The Eight Banners soldiers might not be skilled at defending cities.

But in this era,

if one wishes to inflict maximum casualties on the enemy,

there is only one way:

that is to hold fast within the city walls!

We must fight!

Fight until Great Ming has no strength left to occupy Liaodong.

Only in this way can we ensure that after the war, the Jurchens can continue to live as they did before Sarhu.

When Fan Wencheng finished speaking, a deathly silence fell over the entire Grand Hall of State.

Looking at Huang Taiji, who sat on the dragon throne hesitating and undecided,

Fan Wencheng could not help but let out a long sigh.

Then, clasping his hands together, he said,

"Your subject takes his leave."

Having spoken, Fan Wencheng withdrew from the Grand Hall of State on his own.

The entire hall was left with only Huang Taiji.

Qianqing Palace.

The agents of the Eastern Depot have already traveled far down to Fujian and Zhejiang to gather various grain seeds.

Looking, the Great Ming's grain shortage problem has already been solved.

Zhu Youjian himself felt much more relaxed.

Just as Zhu Youjian was still reading and approving memorials,

Wang Chengen, holding a stack of memorials outside the palace gate, ran into Qianqing Palace with a smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, great news, great news!"

Zhu Youjian continued reading and approving memorials without even lifting his head, then asked,

"What is it now?"

"Urgent report from the Northwest: since Your Majesty issued the decree to abolish the three extra taxes, Li Zicheng's million-strong army has already begun to scatter like birds and beasts."

"The Provincial Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu sent an urgent message via eight hundred li yesterday, stating that ten days ago, the gentry of Chang'an spontaneously went to the Viceroy Yamen of the Provincial Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, located at Tongguan, to welcome back the Provincial Governor."

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian immediately lifted his head.

He asked excitedly,

"What about Li Zicheng? Did he just give up Chang'an to Great Ming for nothing?"

Wang Chengen could not help but laugh and said,

"What is Your Majesty saying? That thief Li is hardly the generous type."

"It is the people of the world who turn their hearts toward Great Ming; they have been gradually dispersing since a few months ago. If he Li Zicheng continues to linger in Chang'an, he is afraid he will become a lone staff."

Since the Battle of Xingshan, Zhu Youjian could be said to have become overnight rich.

First, he abolished the three extra taxes for the entire world, and at the same time abolished three years of taxes for the two provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu.

The new censors selected by the Censorate have also been dispatched to various places to inspect and ensure the imperial edicts are implemented.

In addition, the land holdings of the various princely Wang Fu have also been accepted by the court.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand vigorously and cleanly played the hand of Equalizing Fields once again.

He distributed large amounts of land to landless tenant farmers.

If the common people can survive, who would continue to be bandits?

Zhu Youjian let out a long sigh, then asked with some curiosity,

"So where has Li Zicheng run to now?"

Wang Chengen smiled and said,

"Naturally to Shangluo Mountain; I heard that this time, it is not just twenty-eight riders, but fully over a thousand riders."

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian said with some dissatisfaction,

"Chengen, this bandit army is powerful; how can you still laugh?"

Hearing Zhu Youjian blame him, Wang Chengen quickly pulled a memorial from the very bottom of the stack and whispered,

"I respectfully report to Your Majesty, this is the price of horses in the Shangluo Mountain area over the past few months."

Zhu Youjian looked at Wang Chengen in confusion and asked,

"The price of horses?"

Wang Chengen clasped his hands and said,

"This servant has already investigated and confirmed that since Li Zicheng fled into Shangluo Mountain, the horse dealers in the Shangluo Mountain area have suddenly acquired a large batch of fine horses."

"Nowadays, even merchants from Jiangnan are smelling the scent and heading toward Shangluo Mountain."

Looking at the report sent back by the Eastern Depot.

Zhu Youjian could no longer conceal the smile on his face.

Why did the price of horses in Shangluo Mountain plummet?

Naturally, Li Zicheng's troops were selling off their warhorses!

"Good, very good!"

"Satisfying!"

"Since I ascended the throne, there has never been a day when I felt like an Emperor as much as this year!"

Wang Chengen looked at Zhu Youjian with some concern and said,

"Alas, Your Majesty, these Memorials to the throne are endless. This servant hopes Your Majesty will take care of your dragon body."

Zhu Youjian nodded and said,

"I know, I know. Just leave the Memorials there; I will sleep in a moment."

Hearing this, Wang Chengen's face lit up with joy. After placing the Memorials on the imperial desk before Zhu Youjian, he soon withdrew from the great hall.

And Zhu Youjian could not help but open the chat group.

Emperor Sizong Lie:

"Great-Grandfather, Li Zicheng has been defeated and fled to Shangluo Mountain again. This time, I can guarantee that Li Zicheng will never return."

Previously, Zhu Di had roughly understood Zhu Youjian's situation.

Upon seeing Zhu Youjian's message,

Zhu Yuanzhang finally let out a sigh of relief.

Emperor Taizu Gao:

"Now, on your side, only Hong Taiji in Liaodong remains, correct?"

"When a tiger fights a rabbit, it must use its full strength."

"This Hong Taiji is no simple man; he must absolutely not be taken lightly. What has he been doing recently?"

Mentioning this,

Zhu Youjian in the chat group fell silent.

Recently, during this period,

Zhu Youjian, besides constantly sending troops and generals to Liaodong,

had hardly paid any attention to the situation in Liaodong.

After Zhu Yuanzhang's reminder, Zhu Youjian suddenly came to his senses.

He hurriedly went to check the secret reports sent back by the hidden agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot in Liaodong.

After a long while, Zhu Youjian's message appeared in the chat group again.

Emperor Sizong Lie: