Chapter 700

When it came to the matter of Wu Sangui, Emperor Chongzhen always maintained a cautious attitude. Regardless of what Wu Sangui was thinking, as long as he still obeyed the orders of the Imperial Court, Emperor Chongzhen could not afford to do anything to him. Even if Wu Sangui committed a crime and was sentenced to death by Emperor Chongzhen, the Guanning Army would never obey the Imperial Court! This was because Wu Sangui was not merely a general of the Guanning Army; he was the representative of the Liaodong military gentry clique. The Liaodong military gentry clique had existed for a long time, but it truly grew powerful and formidable during the Wanli reign of the Great Ming Dynasty. In the early years of the Wanli era, military preparations had fallen into disuse, and the combat effectiveness of the Ming Army was weak. However, there was one exception: Li Chengliang of Liaodong. Using vast sums of money, Li Chengliang forged the Liaodong Iron Cavalry. This force was exceptionally skilled in battle, driving the Mongols and the Jurchens to the point where they could not even lift their heads.