Chapter 246

Guangning's former garrison and general military mansion.

Ma Ke sighed and said: "The Eastern captives are coming again, what can be done? Abatai's 30,000 fine cavalry are coming with a fierce force. If Ningyuan cannot resist it, the front guard will bear the brunt."

As a veteran, Ma Ke can be said to have been in battle for a long time. However, he lost more than he won. He often ran away when encountering Donglu, and he had long lost the iron spirit of a soldier.

It's also because Mingting couldn't control the army and there was no one available, otherwise these people would have been captured and gone home to farm.

This time Donglu sent troops again, and their troops had reached Ningyuan. Ma Ke got the news earlier than Shanhaiguan. When he heard that it was Abatai's 30,000 elite cavalry, he couldn't help feeling guilty and helpless.

A general in the hall cupped his fists and said, "Sir, there is no need to worry. Ping Xibo has personally led the army to Ningyuan."

Ma Ke smiled when he heard this, stroking his beard and said, "Uncle Ping Xi is brave and good at fighting. I think he can withstand it."

All the generals in the hall burst into laughter, and someone said: "Even if he can't resist, his uncle can help him. I don't think he has a high and powerful position over there."

"Nonsense!" Marco scolded, and sighed slightly: "Uncle Ping Xi has an old uncle who can help him, but we have no one to rely on."

Everyone was silent.

After a while, Ma Ke said again: "We have been eating the emperor's food and serving as the emperor's messenger, and we have never slacked off for a day. Now we have not seen military pay for half a year, and no food and grass for three months. Alas, how can we fight this battle?"

The Ming Dynasty has been extremely weak. Where can we get enough military pay and food? Even if there were some, most of them were swallowed up by the troops directly under Wu Sangui. People like Ma Ke who had a similar relationship with Wu Sangui often did not get enough food and salary.

"Wu Pingxi is standing in front of him. Even if he suffers disaster, it will be Wu Sangui who suffers first. It would be better if he goes against his will. It is the commander-in-chief who will make the final decision on Guan Ning's front line." Someone said.

Marco smiled bitterly: "What nonsense can you say? At this juncture, what can he do if he is the general of the world's soldiers and horses? Can he keep his glory and wealth?"

Then he sighed and said: "The more rampant the Donglu are, the more ferocious the soldiers are. I don't know when they will end."

The atmosphere in the hall was tense and silent for a moment.

At this time, a soldier came to report: "Sir, Commander Bai is here and wants to see you."

"Commander Bai? Bai Guangen?" Marco was slightly startled and said, "Commander Bai, please come in."

Hearing a loud laugh, Bai Guangen strode in, clasping his fists. : "Lao Ma, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you doing?"

Ma Ke stood up, walked down, held hands with Bai Guangen and said, "It's very good. I just don't think about food and drink. I'm very nervous."

Then he said: "Brother Bai, please sit down."

Bai Guangen was not polite, he sat down with his fists slightly clasped, and said with a smile: "Brother Ma, a member of a big family, what good things can he do? Come on, let me listen. Brother Ma can't eat alone."

Ma Ke smiled bitterly when he heard this and said: "Where can there be any good things? The Tatars are about to attack the city, and they are discussing how to fight with all their strength."

Bai Guangen nodded and asked, "Didn't Wu Pingxi personally lead the army to Ningyuan? How is the military situation now?"

Marco said: "We don't know yet. Even if we think about it, it won't be within a day or two."

Then he said: "Brother Bai must have something to do, so he came here in person. You and I are brothers, but we just call a small soldier and let you know."

Bai Guangen's expression moved slightly, he straightened his body and said, "There is indeed a good thing, otherwise I wouldn't have to come to see you in person, Brother Ma."

After a pause, Bai Guangen said: "Both brothers and my whole family are here, brother, I won't beat around the bush, I'll just speak out."

Said: "Brother Ma's wisdom must be able to see clearly what the situation is like in the Ming Dynasty. The Eastern captives are powerful and they have been knocking on the pass for many years. You and I have insufficient food and pay, and the army has no morale and the soldiers have no fighting spirit. We really can't resist it. You and I My brother racked his brains but could do nothing."

He said: "Then Wu Sangui can take advantage of both sides, but you and I can't. But now we have to find a way out, so as not to die without a complete body in the future."

When Ma Ke heard this, his expression suddenly tightened, but he said in a nonchalant tone: "What does Brother Bai mean by this? Why can't I understand it?"

He added: "Isn't the Bai family's nephew also on the opposite side? Wu Sangui can eat both sides, and Brother Bai may not be able to do it either."

Bai Guangen sighed sadly: "Brother Ma, please don't laugh at me. I'm an evil boy. I've brought shame on my ancestors. I have no face to see others."

He said: "I despise the barbarians from the East. How can I keep company with them? I, Bai Guang'en, am not Wu Sangui. Even if I die, I will not beg for mercy from the Tatars."

After listening to this, Ma Ke and others couldn't help but look strange. Ma Ke said: "I heard what my brother said, and it is clear that there is something wrong. It doesn't seem to be Donglu?"

Bai Guangen said: "I am not a captive from the East. How can I, the descendant of Yan and Huang, descendants of Xia Miao, collude with the Tatars?"

"So, who is it?" Marco moved slightly.

"My lord Henan Yingyi." Bai Guangen clasped his fists towards the east.

Ma Ke and others were startled when they heard this.

Ying Yi? who is it?

For a moment, no one reacted.

After a moment, Ma Ke was the first to look at him and said: "Is it the one who occupied Henan? Why did Brother Bai get involved with him? This person is only in Henan, with no more than 50,000 soldiers and horses, and his opponent is just a bandit. What's the matter? How can I make Brother Bai, regardless of the honor and disgrace of his official position, come to me as a lobbyist even if he surrenders himself?"

At this time, all the generals in the hall were eager to respond, as if Ma Ke had given an order to capture Bai Guangen and correct military law.

Bai Guangen seemed to turn a blind eye, and the old god said: "Brother Ma, don't be anxious, just listen to what I have to say, okay?"

Marco smiled and said nothing.

Then he heard Bai Guangen say: "Brother Ma is in danger but he doesn't know it. Brother Ma and I have been in adversity. We are not bad friends, right? I came to see brother alone, not to entertain him, but to save you, brother."

Then he told the news that made Ma Ke and others almost unable to sit still: "Shanhaiguan has fallen into the hands of our lord. Brother, there are Eastern captives in front of me, and there is no way to retreat. There is no way to go to heaven and no door to the earth. Brother Ma, what do you say?" Am I here to save you?"

Several people couldn't help but stood up suddenly, their expressions changing.

Marco took a slight breath: "No wonder I came here in person, it turns out that Shanhaiguan has been lost. I have so much confidence, can you convince me?"

"Why not?" Bai Guangen sighed: "Brother Ma, you and I are brothers, listen to me, I will never harm you. You don't know the strength of my army, let alone the loss of the capital, and the destruction of the Ming Dynasty. You and I After all, the sons of the Han family are all flesh and blood under the skin and in the bones. What are the Tatars? A group of barbarians. Could it be that you would rather be a slave to the Tatars than start a new dynasty of the Han family with my brother and me as my master?"

He added: "Brother Ma has only two options now. Either surrender to the Tatars, or surrender to my lord. It's a pity that Brother Ma won't have the longevity of his ancestors if he surrenders to the Tatars. If he surrenders to the Tatars, he will be a slave and a maid, and he will be humiliated for eternity. I dare not meet my ancestors. You will have a bright future if you join my lord, and you will be credited with founding the country by following the dragon. I won’t say more about where to go, my brother. Brother Ma, it’s good for you to think about it.”