Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 414 Mutiny

Turg and Oboi were killed, and Hauge was captured. Even if Leng Sengji acted decisively and led his troops to forcefully attack the palace gate, the situation could not be saved. Leng Sengji saw that Dorgon's reinforcements were about to arrive, so he had no choice but to withdraw from the capital and return to the Zhenglan Banner camp.

As soon as he returned to the army, Leng Sengji immediately summoned the generals at all levels in the army, and at the same time replaced them with his personal guards outside the tent. After all the generals arrived, Leng Sengji shouted loudly in the tent, threatening to send troops to rescue Haoge.

If any general in the army hesitated, Leng Sengji would immediately kill him outside the tent. In just the blink of an eye, Leng Sengji had killed four officers. For a moment, all the generals dared not say a word.

Only the vanguard commander, Sachabao, angrily rebuked Leng Sengji: "You are not a prince, how can you kill the general without permission!"

Leng Sengji said in a cold voice: "If we don't rescue the prince, what do you think will be the fate of us, the prince's confidants? Only by rescuing the prince can we survive!"

Sachabao frowned and said in a deep voice, "But now we only have 10,000 men, and the regent has gathered more than 100,000 troops in the suburbs of Beijing. We can't win the fight. Do we want to let the Eight Banners kill each other when we know we will lose?"

Leng Sengji walked up to Satchabao, and Satchabao took two steps back in shock. Leng Sengji said coldly: "If the master is gone, what does other things have to do with you!"

Sachabao was unable to speak. At this moment, the messenger sent by Dorgon had entered the camp, carrying the imperial decree, the Empress Dowager's order, and a handwritten letter from Regent Dorgon.

The messenger came to the big tent and saw all the generals of the Zhenglan Banner were in the tent. He was delighted and coughed twice, saying, "The emperor has issued an order. Generals, kneel down to receive it!"

A general was about to step forward and kneel down, but Leng Sengji coughed loudly. The general turned pale, stopped, and stared at his feet.

The imperial edict was written in flowery language. Generally speaking, it was to confer titles on generals at all levels of the Zhenglan Banner. As long as they could appease the military morale, all the soldiers in the army would be rewarded.

The imperial edict of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang repeatedly assured Leng Sengji and others that Haoge would be safe and sound. In the edict, Xiaozhuang swore that she would protect Haoge and told Leng Sengji and others not to have any concerns.

Dorgon's letter was also circulated by the envoys in the court. Its intention was to divide and disintegrate, and the words were quite thoughtful. He said that he just wanted Haoge to participate in the investigation, but who knew that Oboi dared to stab him with a knife, which led to this disaster. He also said that the country was in danger now, and the traitor Meng was by the side, watching covetously. The words in the letter were sincere, hoping that Leng Sengji and other generals would definitely work together for the country and strive to protect the Qing Dynasty. Then he changed the subject and said that he would definitely treat the Zhenglan Banner well and would never favor one over the other.

After the messenger finished reading, he looked around at the generals in the tent, waiting for their reactions.

Leng Sengji's eyes were like an eagle, examining every face in the tent. Leng Sengji thought to himself that things were not good. The rewards from the court, the promises from the empress dowager, and the temptations from Dorgon. If he had not acted decisively just now and killed four unstable generals in a row, there would probably be people kneeling to welcome the imperial edict.

However, Leng Sengji knew very well that as Haoge's confidant, he had just forcefully attacked the palace, and Dorgon would not spare him no matter who else he spared. Attacking the palace was an act of treason no matter who looked at it.

Leng Sengji had already made up his mind. He knew that any hesitation at this moment would result in the ruin of everything.

Leng Sengji slowly drew out his sword, which frightened the messenger so much that he took several steps back unconsciously. Leng Sengji ignored the messenger and just slammed the sword hard on the table.

Leng Sengji faced all the generals and said in a sonorous tone: "Everyone, how can you believe what Dorgon said? He used the excuse that his illness worsened and he was bedridden to trick the prince into entering the palace. I still have this letter. The prince is the eldest son of the late emperor, and in terms of blood, he and Dorgon are uncle and nephew. However, Dorgon disregarded family ties and attacked and killed the prince in the palace!"

The messenger said anxiously: "General, please don't talk nonsense. How could the Regent do such a thing?"

Leng Sengji snorted and threw out the letter Dorgon had written to Haoge. The messenger read it quickly, then smiled and said, "General, this letter is a forgery. The handwriting doesn't look like the regent's, and there is no seal on the letter. How can you prove that this letter was written by the regent?"

Leng Sengji was stunned. He didn't expect the other party to deny his fault. He was immediately furious. He put a knife on the messenger's neck and said fiercely: "You bastard! How shameless!"

Seeing the envoy's fearless appearance, Leng Seng kicked him down angrily, then looked at the generals in the tent and said in a deep voice: "As the prince's confidants, how can we betray our master because of a piece of empty paper? Dorgon sent people to say so much just to stabilize us. Once the time is right, Dorgon will definitely turn his face against us."

After he finished speaking, Leng Sengji touched the ground with his sword and shouted sternly: "I want to send troops to rescue the prince. Anyone who disobeys will be killed!"

The generals in the tent had different expressions when they heard this. Sachabao took a deep breath, nodded, and resolutely joined Leng Sengji. Seeing this, the other generals also expressed their support for Leng Sengji. In this situation, no one was stubborn enough to go head-to-head with Leng Sengji, after all, four heads had just fallen to the ground.

Then Leng Sengji grabbed the envoy by the collar, slapped him twice, and said, "Go back and tell Dorgon that as long as you release the prince, there will be room for negotiation. Otherwise, I will send troops to attack the capital!"

The messenger was first kicked by Leng Sengji and then slapped twice. Then the messenger returned to the palace in an embarrassed manner and reported Leng Sengji's words to Dorgon one by one.

After hearing this, Dorgon laughed angrily. If Haoge was released, why would he set an ambush in the palace? Was he just playing house?

Afterwards, Dorgon immediately ordered the Qing army camp on the outskirts of the city to divide its troops into three sides and surround Hauge's camp. On the one hand, he threatened with force, and on the other hand, he raised the price again, offering to confer a title, live with the country, etc. Dorgon played the carrot and the stick very well.

After Dorgon gave the order, he snorted coldly and said, "If you don't accept my toast, you will be punished!"

Just as he finished speaking, Dorgon suddenly felt a palpitation and dizziness. The discomfort in his body made his face change suddenly. Dorgon could not help but hold on to the table, thinking to himself that something was wrong.

Dorgon quickly signaled to the attendants around him to ask the medical officer to come.

The imperial physician rushed over, and after taking the pulse, he looked solemn and said slowly: "Prince Regent, this is because you have been overworked, and you are depressed and worried, which has led to deficiency of both Qi and blood. You must rest quietly and do not overwork yourself!" the medical officer said cautiously.