Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 411: Palace Coup (Part )

Meng Jun's condition was that the Qing government should withdraw from the interior, which caused chaos within the Qing court and endless disputes in the court.

In response, Hauge said bluntly: "Dorgon has mobilized all the troops outside the Great Wall, which has led to the current situation where we are in a difficult situation. In my opinion, we should plunder all the money and food and people in the north to fill the gap outside the Great Wall. Even if the Meng thief seizes the north, he will not get any supplies."

Many of the Eight Banners ministers nodded in agreement. Dorgon's confidant Suksaha sternly denied it, saying, "The late emperor went through untold hardships and defeated the Ming army several times. The regent was smart and courageous, which allowed the Qing Dynasty to enter the Great Wall. Prince Su's words are abominable. If we withdraw from the Great Wall without fighting, how can we face Taizu and Emperor Taizong in the future?"

"The area outside the Great Wall is empty. The Meng thieves only need to send a few thousand soldiers to run rampant. Do you think Shengjing is no longer needed?"

"If the Central Plains is lost, can we still defend the areas outside the Great Wall?"

"Why can't we defend it? We were able to defeat the Ming Dynasty outside the Great Wall before. We can do it now and in the future!"

…………

Just when the Qing court was arguing over Zhou's army's peace terms, Dorgon woke up. After receiving Hauge's wild words in the court, there was a hint of gloom in his eyes. Xiaozhuang, who was sitting beside the bed, could see the murderous intent in Dorgon's eyes that could no longer be concealed.

Dorgon gnashed his teeth and spat out: "Haoge, I will kill him!"

Xiaozhuang advised with some concern: "Prince Regent, the Qing Dynasty is in danger now. If you fight with Haoge, if you don't support him, I'm afraid the consequences will be out of control!"

After vomiting blood and being in a coma for several days, Dorgon had obviously felt that something was wrong with his body and that he might not be able to hold on for much longer. His face was pale and his eyes were no longer as sharp as before.

Although Dorgon's voice was a little weak, it was full of unquestionable determination: "Yu'er, I know you are worried, but I am still here, and Hauge is so rampant. If something happens to me, you and Fulin will definitely die. Therefore, as long as I am still alive, I must eliminate this disaster."

Dorgon's fingers were tightly clasped on the edge of the bed, and his joints turned white due to the force. Xiaozhuang looked at the man in front of her who was once vigorous and vigorous but now haggard, and her worries grew even more.

She knew Dorgon's vision. If Hauge came to power, would he let Fulin go?

But she also knew that the Qing Dynasty was in a precarious situation at that time. If there was another internal conflict within the Eight Banners, it would lead to unpredictable disasters if she was not careful.

Thinking of this, Xiaozhuang said hesitantly: "Prince Regent, the foundation of the Qing Dynasty lies in your hands. Although Haoge is unruly, he is the leader of the Zhenglan Banner after all, and he has many supporters in the two yellow banners. If a conflict arises, I am afraid..."

Before Xiaozhuang could finish her words, she was interrupted by Dorgon, "Yu'er, no need to say more! I have my own plans." After saying that, Dorgon couldn't help coughing twice.

Xiaozhuang quickly stepped forward and patted Dorgon's chest, tears in her eyes, and said, "Don't be anxious, take care of yourself. The Qing Dynasty cannot do without you, and Yu'er and her mother also need your protection."

Dorgon panted and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. The sky was gray at this time, just like his mood at the moment.

Dorgon naturally knew that the Qing Dynasty could not afford a civil war, but the issue of Hauge must not be delayed.

"Yu'er" Dorgon said in a low voice: "If...if, in the future I am no longer here and the Qing Dynasty cannot defend itself, then we should withdraw from the interior of the country, return to the Black Mountains and White Waters, and start over."

After Dorgon finished speaking, he looked straight at Xiaozhuang and continued, "Yu'er, don't worry, even if I die, I will not let Haoge hurt you!"

Xiaozhuang was moved when she heard this, and then she gently laid her face on Dorgon's chest, feeling the familiar heartbeat. This heartbeat made her feel dependent and at ease.

After pacifying Xiaozhuang and leaving, Dorgon summoned Luoshi of the Sticking Rod Office and the deputy commander Luo Yangxing. However, as soon as the guard who delivered the message left, Dorgon called him back and told him to only order Luoshi to come and see her.

Dorgon originally trusted Luo Yangxing, but after Lu Fengchun defected, Dorgon gradually became suspicious of these Han ministers.

After the establishment of the Sticking Rod Division, although the Qing court did not publicize it widely, Luo Yangxing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was suddenly appointed as the deputy commander of the Sticking Rod Division in the palace that caught cicadas. It was obvious at first glance that something was wrong.

Although Luo Yangxing completed the organizational structure of the Sticking Rod Office very well, his goal was too big. Many censors wrote to the emperor, saying: "The commander of the Jinyiwei, Luo Yangxing, suddenly took up a new position. The so-called "Sticking Rod Office" has attracted the attention of the government and the public. In the past Ming Dynasty, the Jinyiwei and the East Factory abused torture, poisoned loyal officials, and disrupted the government. There were many tragedies in the party prison..."

However, Dorgon dealt with these memorials perfunctorily. Not only the memorials from Han officials, but even some Manchu officials opposed the establishment of the Nian Gang Chu. However, Dorgon suppressed the opposition, allocated a large amount of money and grain, and established the Qing Dynasty version of the Jinyiwei.

At this time, Luo Shi was kneeling on the ground trembling with fear, cursing Luo Yangxing in his heart, what a crappy Jinyiwei commander he was, he couldn't even catch people.

Luo Shi didn't expect that Dorgon would be so angry that he vomited blood because the Lu family ran away. Now he was afraid that Dorgon would get so angry that he would push him out and chop him to death.

Dorgon looked at Luo Shi coldly and said, "The Sticking Rod Department spent so much money and food, but in the end they couldn't even catch the Lu family."

Luo Shi kowtowed repeatedly and said, "I am guilty, I am guilty!"

Dorgon narrowed his eyes and said, "Let's leave the Lu family's affairs at that. I have something more important to do at the Sticking Pole Office!"

"Please give instructions, Master."

Dorgon nodded and said word by word: "Haoge's words and deeds are arrogant and he has the intention of treason. This king wants to take him down in one fell swoop to serve as a warning to others."

When Luo Shi heard this, he was shocked. Haoge was Taizong's eldest son and had a special status. This was a palace struggle. If he got involved, he would be crushed to pieces if he was not careful.

But as Dorgon's confidant, he could not afford to hesitate at this critical moment, so he said in a deep voice: "Whatever the master says, I will do it!"

Dorgon's expression relaxed a little, and he was obviously satisfied with Roshi's attitude.

Although Hauge is now surrounded by only a hundred guards from his palace in the capital, the Zhenglan Banner has its camp outside the city. If he is not careful, there is a danger of civil war breaking out.

Dorgon said coldly: "Haoge has gone too far, but he still has the Zhenglan Banner in his hands, stationed on the outskirts of the city. Now the Meng thief is nearby, eyeing us covetously, so we must not start a civil war."

After Luo Shi pondered for a moment, he said, "Master, if we want to take action, we must do it in one go. We must not delay. It is best to do it in the palace and then let the Queen Mother issue an order to appease the Zhenglan Banner while the army immediately surrounds the Zhenglan Banner. With two approaches at the same time, we should be able to succeed in one fell swoop!"