After conquering Nanchang, he surrendered Zhu Tongqi, the king of Shicheng. Zhu Hengjia initially wanted to send a group of troops to cross the Yangtze River and advance into the Central Plains. But on the other side of the river, Abatai on the other side was a veteran Manchu, with a very tight defense. His navy was similar to the navy of the Qing army, and it was not easy for a large army to cross the river. Secondly, even if he crossed the river, the terrain in the Central Plains was relatively flat, which was conducive to cavalry and infantry. Now his strength was not enough to gain a foothold in the Central Plains.

Therefore, Zhu Hengjia decided not to go north to Anhui and Henan for the time being, but to strongly support the King of Shicheng and lay a nail in the Dabie Mountains. He also spared no expense to build warships and expand the Yangtze River Navy, expanding the number of naval troops from 7,000 to 20,000 to prepare for the future crossing of the river.

After finishing all this, Zhu Hengjia looked at the basket of memorials in front of the imperial case and thought about it.

The ministers who submitted these memorials include veterans such as Shouzhen, Sun Jinding, Gu Yi, Yu Chao Prime Minister, Shi Qiwen, Yan Tianfeng, Fan Youxian; there are also rising stars such as Chen Bangyan, Wang Fuzhi, Qian Bingding; and surrendered generals such as Geng Jimao and Huizhiguan.

There is only one central content of the memorial: Your Highness, you have conquered Wuchang and made such a great contribution, you should ascend the throne as soon as possible to correct people's hearts.

Sun Jinding, the second assistant to the cabinet, even shouted loudly in the memorial: "If your highness is not called emperor, what can you do to the people of the world?"

Zhu Hengjia was very puzzled. Five years ago, when he was in surveillance, the whole world was full of curses, calling himself a clown and a snooping magic weapon. Why did it take five years to come to everyone’s expectations?

A secret letter from Zheng Feng, a confidant think tank, a Grand Secretary of the Dongge, and Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, made him sober.

There are only nine words on the secret letter: "Build high walls, accumulate grain, and be king slowly."

These nine words are the strategy of pacifying the world by Zhu Sheng, a scholar of that year, dedicated to Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang.

After seeing these words, Zhu Hengjia suddenly realized that it is a vain to be an emperor or not. He is already in power anyway. The most important thing now is to accumulate strength, and there is no need to stimulate the Tartars too early. Let’s talk about the matter of becoming emperor when it is captured in Nanjing.

In addition to persuading Zhu Hengjia to postpone his proclaim, Zheng Feng also suggested not to rush to the northern expedition of the Central Plains, but to go down the Yangtze River first, capture Jiujiang Prefecture, and then wait for an opportunity to conquer the Nankang, Raozhou, and Guangde Prefectures in Jiangxi, and finally advance to Nanzhili and go straight to Nanjing.

Nanjing was one of the two capitals of the Ming Dynasty, with great political significance. Jiangnan was also a major financial place for the Qing Dynasty. Conquering Jiangnan would definitely greatly change the balance of power between the two sides.

This suggestion coincides with Zhu Hengjia.

He ordered Li Chixin, Duke Xingguo, Gao Bizheng, Duke Yingguo, Yuan Zongdi, Lin Yangcheng, Li Laiheng and other generals to lead 50,000 troops from Nanchang and to attack Jianchang and De'an; he led an army of 120,000, starting from Wuchang, heading south through Daye and Xinguozhou to capture Ruichang and Jiujiang.

He also ordered the general Yan Zungao to stay in Wuchang; Duke of Yu State Jin Shengheng, Duke of Jianwu, Wang Deren, Duke of Wan State Liu Tichun, and Yang Fuchen, Duke of Xingye, etc. to stay in Nanchang.

The Ming army had many soldiers and strong powers, but Tan Tai was not afraid at all. Like Abatai, he was also a veteran Manchu, and he was fifty-six years old this year.

The day of the decisive battle has finally come.

Tan Tailing's younger brother Tan Bu and his wife Yue Erduo each led Liujiala and 9,000 cavalry on both sides; he led Liu Liangzuo and other generals to lead 40,000 infantry into the middle formation, and He Luo led 12,000 cavalry in front of the middle formation.

Zhu Hengjia ordered Li Dingguo to lead 30,000 troops as the front line, Li Mingzhong and Bai Wenxuan each led 20,000 troops as the left and right wings; he led Zhao Yong, Li Chengjue, Gao Minggui, Ma Jinzhong, Qin Yuchun, Yao Youxing and other generals to lead 50,000 troops as the central army.

Seeing that the number of his troops exceeded that of the Qing army, he waved his hand and said, "Strike!"

"Woo woo woo woo", "Dong dong dong!"

With the melodious horns and short advance drums, Li Dingguo, Li Mingzhong and Bai Wenxuan led their troops to slowly fight towards the Qing army.

Tan Tai was unwilling to give up his initiative and ordered the cavalry to attack.

"kill!"

He Luohui, Tan Bu, and Yue Erdo howled and rushed towards the Ming army.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The artillery behind the Ming army opened fire.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The Qing army's artillery counterattacked.

Soldiers kept falling down, although not many, but their momentum was amazing. After a while, the two sides fought each other and the artillery stopped.

"Raising a gun!"

The soldiers of the Ming army raised their spear heads diagonally, facing the Qing cavalry.

Shumulu Tanbu rushes to the front, which is the tradition of Shumulu's family. For generals, they charge forward and retreat behind.

"Bang!"

Tan Bu cut off the tip of the spear with his left knife, and the riding spear with his right hand pierced into the chest of the Ming army holding the gun.

"Bang!Bang!Bang!"

The personal soldiers around them cut off the tips of the spears and rushed inward.

"Yu Yuyu!"

An unlucky war horse was stabbed by a spear, and the knight immediately fell off the horse.

The fierce cavalry charged the formation, causing great casualties to Li Dingguo, Li Mingzhong and Bai Wenxuan troops. Fortunately, the Ming army had many soldiers and the army was thick. The Qing army's cavalry rushed into the opaque military formation and gradually fell into the formation, slowing down.

"Bo! Bo! Bo!"

The Ming army gunners behind the spear began to shoot, shooting one Qing army after another off the war horses.

Ming Jun's sword and shield hands also began to chop off the horse's legs.

Seeing the opaque army formation, Tan Tai ordered the cavalry to withdraw.

"Woo! Woo! Woo!"

The long retreat horn sounded, and the Qing army retreated like a tide.

"Change the array!"

Seeing that the attack was unfavorable, Tan Tai ordered a formation change.

Seeing the order from the Central Army, the Qing army changed its formation in a row, and changed from a wing formation to a circular formation.

The 30,000 cavalrymen who were withdrawn from Tan Tailing dismounted and shot, and at this time they became archers.

One wave of arrow rain, three thousand arrows. The Qing army's arrow rain, one wave after another.

"rush!"

Li Dingguo, Li Mingzhong, Bai Wenxuan and others will order a charge.

Countless Ming soldiers ran towards the Qing army formation with rattan cards and knives.

"Bang!Bang!Bang!"

The Qing army's feather arrows made the Ming army's rattling sound.

Although the shooting power of the bow and arrow is not very powerful and cannot penetrate rattan cards and armor, the range is long, and the Qing army has many archers. Countless arrows fall down, and soldiers are constantly being shot on the face, neck, instep and other parts with weak protection.
Chapter completed!