Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

Perhaps from the perspective of future generations, the Qing Dynasty at that time was thriving, winning victory after victory on the battlefields of Mongolia, Korea, and the Ming Dynasty, like a god of war.

But as the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Huang Taiji was worried at this time.

After all, if the territories of the newly conquered Mongolian tribes are included, the Qing Dynasty can be considered vast in territory, but it is far inferior to its larger neighbors.

The entire Manchu ethnic group had no more than 500,000 people, but the Ming Dynasty had more than one million people in just one wealthy city, Jiangnan.

The Ming Dynasty had hundreds of millions of people, billions of arable land, population, food, and military resources. It can be said that no matter from which angle you look at it, the Ming Dynasty was a behemoth.

The reason why his father Khan dared to raise an army was because he knew that although the Ming Dynasty was huge, it was sick and terminally ill.

But now, a doctor has appeared in the Ming Dynasty whose treatment methods are unique but very effective. This is a consequence that the Qing Dynasty cannot afford.

Of course, Emperor Chongde also wanted to take the opportunity to win over many brothers. As his health gradually deteriorated, many royal family members had even begun to take sides.

This was definitely not good news for the newly born Qing Dynasty.

"Prince Zheng, I order you to send more scouts and personally participate in the investigation. Make sure you find out all the information about Zhang Shikang."

After making up his mind, Emperor Chongde gave an order to Prince Zheng Jirgalang.

Although there were many Han officials in the court of the Qing Dynasty, and Emperor Chongde treated them with courtesy on weekdays, when it came to the safety of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Chongde did not trust those Han people.

Jirgalang stood up and accepted the order.

"Fourteenth brother, you and Yuetuo's troops have suffered heavy losses. After this battle, let them go back to graze and recuperate temporarily." Emperor Chongde said to Dorgon.

Although the Eight Banners had a standing army, it was limited to a small number of elite troops. Most soldiers, like the Mongolian tribes, made a living by herding and fishing.

Only when war breaks out will they respond to the call of the banner leader to enlist in the army and participate in the war.

After all, neither the Mongolian tribes nor the Manchu tribes are agricultural peoples, and basic production still depends on livestock.

Although many Han farmers were captured over the years, the grain was still not enough to support the entire Qing Dynasty.

It is also for this reason that they would always send troops into the pass in late autumn and early winter, on the one hand to weaken the Ming Dynasty, and on the other hand to plunder food for their own use.

However, this time, not only did they fail to plunder much food, but they also lost a lot of soldiers and horses.

This winter is not going to be easy. Thinking of this, Emperor Chongde became even more worried.

Seeing his brother caring about him so much, Dorgon's eyes turned red and he said:

"Your Majesty, I underestimated the enemy this time. Please forgive me!"

No matter what, a defeat is a defeat. Even if he knows that his brother is kind, he should reward those who have made contributions and punish those who have made mistakes. If he cannot do this, how can he win the support of the people?

Emperor Chongde sighed when he heard this, he naturally understood this truth.

"I will fine you one year's salary and take back half of your fiefdom."

One year's salary was nothing, but taking back half of the fiefdom was a severe punishment. However, Dorgon knew that this was not his brother's intention, so he accepted it.

Daishan, who had been sitting nearby, suddenly said:

"Your Majesty, Yue Tuo... I heard that Yue Tuo was tortured in the Ming army camp, unable to live or die!"

If his son died in battle, he really would have nothing to say, and he would even feel proud.

But Dorgon said in the letter he wrote to him that his son was suffering from some disease, so Zhang Shikang probably kept his son hanging on purpose, neither killing him nor letting him go.

Even when he asked the medical officer to treat him, the purpose was not to cure him, but just to torture his son by keeping him alive.

Yuetuo died the day after he was brought back to Dorgon's military camp. Before his death, he only left one sentence, begging him to avenge him.

"Second brother, calm down." Emperor Chongde advised.

The Qing Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty were mortal enemies. He did not think that Zhang Shikang was so unscrupulous in doing so. In order to achieve certain strategic goals, he even often indulged his subordinates in attacking the city.

But he also understood that it was none of his business and if it did, it would only cause chaos, so he could only comfort her.

"In this matter of my nephew, Zhang Shikang is indeed guilty of a heinous crime!

During the negotiation, in order to let me confirm that Yuetuo was still alive, he ordered someone to poke my nephew's feet with an iron needle.

But don't worry, brother. I will avenge my nephew in the future!"

Dorgon promised solemnly.

He actually knew Daishan's true thoughts. He was definitely sad, but he probably just wanted to gain sympathy.

Yuetuo was the leader of the Bordered Red Banner. After Yuetuo's death, the position of leader of the Bordered Red Banner was temporarily vacant.

Although he underestimated the enemy in the Battle of Jingshui, his nephew, who was a dozen years older than him, underestimated the enemy even more than he did.

When he was defeated by Lu Xiangsheng, he wrote a letter to persuade him, but Yue Tuo did not listen, which led to the tragic defeat in Jiazhuang.

Even before his death, he had infected dozens of people. If he had not acted decisively and expelled all those who had contact with Yue Tuo from the military camp, who knows how much more disaster would have occurred.

He felt that Yuetuo had it all his own fault, but this was another reason why Dorgon hated Zhang Shikang so much - he thought Zhang Shikang did it on purpose.

He even speculated that even if he did not agree to the negotiation conditions, Zhang Shikang would send Yuetuo back, and suspected that his real purpose was to spread the disease in order to weaken the power of the Qing Dynasty.

This kind of thinking did make him careless at the time.

"With a powerful enemy at hand, my second brother should mourn for us. I am also very sad about Yuetuo's death.

But the Bordered Red Banner cannot be without a leader. I know that among your sons, Gushan Beizi Shuotuo is very talented, so why not let him succeed the Bordered Red Banner?"

Emperor Chongde comforted.

Daishan had made great efforts when he succeeded to the throne, and Emperor Chongzhen certainly did not want to disappoint his brother.

Upon hearing this, Daishan quickly expressed his gratitude.

After Emperor Chongde comforted Daishan, he stood up from the dragon throne, and Daishan and others also stood up quickly.

"Brothers, in the Three Kingdoms, there is an allusion that Guan Yu, who was a master at using troops, lost Jingzhou due to carelessness.

This defeat today can be regarded as a wake-up call for our Qing Empire.

In the future, when we fight against the Ming Dynasty, you brothers should take this as a warning and not underestimate the enemy."

Influenced by his father Khan Nurhaci, Emperor Chongde and many of his brothers read The Three Kingdoms since childhood and were very familiar with the allusions therein.

Although relatives such as Hauge, Ajige, Dodo, Dorgon and even Jirgalang were not in harmony with each other, with him mediating, no one dared to act rashly.

"This defeat will surely make those Mongols who have just submitted to the Qing Empire rethink their views.

But with the help of you brothers, I believe we can deter the villains.

I hope that all my brothers will put aside their old grudges for the sake of the Qing Empire, unite against foreign enemies, and help me take control of the Central Plains, so that my people will no longer have to worry about their livelihoods, and that my Qing Empire will last for thousands of years."

Emperor Chongde made a sincere request to everyone.

"With my royal brother working hard to govern the country and us fighting hard to kill the enemy, don't worry!" said Dorgon.

"We, the men of the Eight Banners, are not afraid of death. After this winter, I am willing to conquer the Ming Dynasty again for Your Majesty!" Jirgalang said with great excitement.

"As for those Mongolian tribes, leave them to me." Daishan stood up and took on the task.

"I am willing to wipe out the rebellious people for Your Majesty! Let our Qing dynasty last forever! Let my people enjoy eternal happiness!"

Everyone shouted in unison, and for a moment they regained the fighting spirit they had lost because of Zhang Shikang.

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