The video takes us to ancient times; Li Er transforms into the Tongtian Emperor of Shu Han.

"Father, three months have passed. Have you received any news from Li Zicheng and his men?"

Upon entering the main hall, Zhu Di immediately asked the question.

The limit of what he and Zhu Yuanzhang estimated for Li Zicheng's army was three months.

"If you don't come soon, we'll have to send people to look for you. Li Zicheng has deserted his post, leaving only Zhang Xianzhong fighting to the death, but he probably won't last much longer either."

Old Zhu pushed the urgent military report to Zhu Di.

It was supposed to be a defensive battle, but it turned into a casualty ratio of almost three to one.

The Qing troops under Dorgon were truly remarkable in their elite status!

"These two men managed to defend the city like this?"

After reading the military report, Zhu Di found it hard to believe.

"The Qing army has cannons. Although we don't know where they got the technology from, judging from the military reports, their cannons are in no way inferior to the Red Coat Cannons that the Ministry of Works has just started producing!"

In siege warfare, it was definitely a weapon far more powerful than a catapult!

Neither Li Zicheng nor Zhang Xianzhong would dare to launch a preemptive attack against the Qing army.

According to military reports, it was precisely because they grasped this point that the Qing troops bombarded the city walls with impunity and then attacked the city with infantry.

Often, the defending forces would suffer heavy losses even before the siege began.

In addition, Shanhaiguan was already in disrepair, with cracks appearing in many parts of the city wall, and troops had to be deployed to defend those areas as well.

The situation is much worse than Lao Zhu had initially anticipated!

"Under these circumstances, Zhang Xianzhong's ability to hold on is truly remarkable."

"Father, you really dare to gamble. If Zhang Xianzhong had abandoned the city and fled like Li Zicheng, wouldn't the Qing army have already entered the pass?"

After Old Zhu explained the situation, Zhu Di was immediately terrified.

Fortunately, Zhang Xianzhong's ruthlessness exceeded their expectations; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

“Aren’t we giving you time? Fourth brother, we know you. You have a warlike nature. If the Ministry of Works’ output is enough to support your battle against Dorgon, you will naturally come to us to ask for permission to fight.”

“We knew you weren’t confident enough to come. Forcing you to lead troops into battle when you’re not confident is not only putting your life at risk, but also the fate of our Great Ming.”

"Build high walls, store up plenty of grain, and delay declaring yourself king. We endured it back then, so we know that sometimes patience is the best way to achieve the best results."

"Besides, haven't we caught up with the opportunity? Zhang Xianzhong is indeed a talented man. We're not planning to kill him. Fourth Brother, you should quickly muster the troops and make sure to stop Dorgon outside Shanhaiguan!"

As he spoke, Old Zhu stood up and patted Zhu Di on the shoulder.

"We can go to this battle ourselves, but we've chosen to leave the outcome to you, Fourth Brother. Do you understand why we're doing this?"

"Father, are you afraid I'll cause trouble from the rear?"

Zhu Di blinked.

Old Zhu was so angry that he slapped him on the back of the head.

"Get lost! This battle is a must-win situation. If you lose, don't ever say you're Zhu Yuanzhang's son!"

……

"Was Zhu Di feigning ignorance or genuinely ignorant? This is clearly an excuse given to him by the old Zhu!"

Li Shimin was so envious that tears streamed down his face.

Knowing full well that Zhu Di had usurped the throne, they were still willing to give him a way out.

Is this fatherly love?

What about my fatherly love?

Oh, my fatherly love is still creating younger siblings for me in Tai'an Palace!

Damn it, just thinking about it makes me want to curse!

"Zhu Di should have understood, but he probably couldn't believe it."

As a shrewd man, Liu Bang understood the expressions and words of the two men just now.

Old Zhu wanted to give Zhu Di a way out, but Zhu Di saw through it and dared not accept it.

"If it were me, I probably wouldn't believe it either. Usurping the throne is a heinous crime for anyone. If I were in Zhu Di's position, I wouldn't forgive him either. No one can defy my will!"

Ying Zheng expressed his opinion.

"Pfft."

By the end, Liu Bang couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"?"

Ying Zheng typed a question mark to express his dissatisfaction.

"What's wrong with what I said? What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing, I just thought of something funny."

"Pfft."

Li Shimin also laughed out loud.

"?"

"You thought of something funny too? What a coincidence?"

Ying Zheng said he was completely baffled.

These people are all crazy!

“My trusted minister’s wife is about to give birth, and I’m happy for him.”

Wei Zheng hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

Your Majesty, this old minister has been unable to have children for a long time...

"Pfft."

Zhao Kuangyin couldn't hold back either.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. My brother's wife is about to give birth. I'm genuinely happy for him. I didn't mean anything by it."

Ying Zheng: “…”

These emperors, they're all so weird!

Those who were able to achieve unification in later generations were all like this?

He had a bad feeling, but couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he turned his attention back to the sky.

Old Zhu certainly understood Zhu Di very well.

Zhu Di would not request to go to war unless he was absolutely certain of victory.

But if he volunteers for the battle, it means that in his estimation, he has at least an 80% chance of winning!

Even if the Qing army's elite status and the quality of its weapons exceeded his expectations, his chances of winning would still be no less than 50%!

Once two armies clash, with the outcome evenly matched, the battle comes down to the commander's ability!

"It's a pity. If Zhu Yuanzhang had chosen to go personally, the chances of winning might have been even greater. After all, as the founding emperor, his military capabilities would certainly not be lacking."

Li Shimin sent a comment.

Zhao Kuangyin secretly gave Li Shimin a thumbs up.

Liu Bang left the chat group while cursing.

Who says that the founding emperor has to be a great military leader!

He was about to make a complaint when he noticed the scene in the sky suddenly change.

Under the onslaught of Qing soldiers' cannons, Shanhaiguan could not hold out until Zhu Di arrived!

After Li Zicheng fled the battlefield, all the burdens fell on Zhang Xianzhong's shoulders.

Perhaps people are all strange.

During the rebellion against the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Xianzhong avoided battle at every turn, pushing Li Zicheng to the forefront while he quietly developed his strength in the rear.

However, when facing the Qing army, which was far more powerful than the Ming army, he was much tougher than Li Zicheng!

No one expected that even Wu Sangui, the Earl of Pingxi of the imperial court, would surrender, but Zhang Xianzhong, the rebel leader, would resist the Qing army until the very last moment!

After receiving the military report, Zhu Di remained silent for a moment before getting up.

"Zhang Xianzhong was a rebel before, but from this day forward, he is a hero of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

At least Zhu Di admitted that he was a real man!

Choosing to rebel is a choice between not being able to survive and seeking a way to live.

Fighting against the Qing army was a struggle for national righteousness!

Faced with the greater good, Zhang Xianzhong stood to the end!

"The Manchus have already entered the pass. You all should know what this means!"

Those seated below Zhu Di were among the few elite soldiers and generals remaining in the late Ming Dynasty.

These military generals also had the strongest sense of belonging to the Ming Dynasty!

"It means that the people will be slaughtered, it means that the territory of our Great Ming will be occupied by the Tartars, it means that our Great Ming Dynasty is in grave danger!"

Before they could answer, Zhu Di continued, word by word.

"Today I only ask you all, are you prepared to die on the battlefield?"