Liu Yan followed Zheng Chongjian to the Qin army's camp. There was no third person in the camp.
Liu Yan said: "You can tell me, Governor Zheng. Is there any business that the general can participate in?"
Zheng Chongjian said with a smile: "I learned from the supervisor that all the army units will soon return to their respective bases. General He and Deputy General Li and I will return to Shaanxi to continue the campaign against Li Chuang, and General Liu will also return to Shandong."
"It's just that General Liu Shen also knows that the Qin Army is suffering. Everyone knows that. Although our Qin Army officers are brave and good at fighting, their equipment is poor. Let's talk about armor. Only warriors and generals in the army can equip it. Ordinary Soldiers only have uniforms. There are also firearms. The firearms used by the Qin army soldiers are three-eyed blunderbuss and matchlock bird blunderbuss..."
Liu Yan smiled and waved his hand, stopped Zheng Chongjian who was chattering, and said: "General, I finally understand. Governor Zheng wants to buy some military equipment from General, right?"
"Haha, I like chatting with smart people like Liu Shenjiang. It's a pleasure!"
Liu Yan said: "Then what will Governor Zheng give in exchange? Money or food?"
Zheng Chongjian said: "General Liu also knows that the current situation in Shaanxi is very bad. Food is more valuable than gold, and the governor cannot afford much food. As for money, the Qin army has been in arrears for military pay for four months. Naturally, there is no money available."
"So, Governor Zheng wants to get credit?"
"No!"
Zheng Chongjian said: "That's it. Today, our governor has been assigned 4,300 battle-hardened veterans. We can use these soldiers to exchange for a complete set of equipment of the new army. How about three soldiers?"
Liu Yan laughed loudly when he heard this and said: "Haha, if I guess correctly, the veterans on the battlefield that Governor Zheng mentioned are the defeated troops of the left army!"
"Haha, that's right. However, General Liu Shen doesn't think these are just broken troops, but he is a veteran who has been fighting for many years. With a little reorganization, he can become a powerful force!"
"It's better for Governor Zheng to keep such good soldiers for himself. Furthermore, what kind of equipment do our new army officers have? Full-body armor made of fine iron, helmets, iron gloves, iron mesh boots, fine iron flint-haired muskets, like this Even the equipment of the three major battalions of the year may not be comparable to it. Three defeated soldiers want to change to such equipment? Governor Zheng really made a good calculation!"
Zheng Chongjian looked a little confused and said: "General Liu, I have been kind to you, and I sincerely want to do this business with you. Even if the deal fails, there is no need to be so mean, right?"
"Are you serious about doing business? If Governor Zheng is sincere, then he will give you money or food. As for those trash in the Zuo Army, the last general will not look down upon you!"
Liu Yan looked down upon everyone in the Qin army. Zheng Chongjian was a mediocre man with no ability. He Renlong was an out-and-out warlord. He was no better than Zuo Liang in terms of killing good men and taking merit, trapping friendly troops, and disobeying military orders. Mr. Yu.
As for Li Guoqi, he is also a small character. He has no great abilities and is just an idiot general.
For such a person, Liu Yan didn't bother to do business. He originally wanted to maintain the superficial harmony, but seeing Zheng Chongjian being so ignorant, he just went back.
After saying that, Liu Yan stood up and said, "If you have nothing else to do, Governor Zheng, I will take my leave, please!"
Liu Yan ignored Zheng Chongjian who looked ugly, went out of the camp directly, called Miao Shao and others waiting outside, and returned to the New Army camp.
"Instruct the soldiers of all battalions to prepare to break up and return to Shandong!"
In the Chinese army's tent, Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Chen Xun, Wang Yue, Wang Bo, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo, Xun Jingyun, and Bao Xuezhen all cheered when they heard this. Everyone followed Liu Yan thousands of miles to come for help, but only one The war solved the great scourge of Zhang Xianzhong, and he could go home in less than a month, so he was naturally happy.
Chen Xun said: "Sir, has Yang Sichang announced an order?"
"Not yet, but it will only happen in the past few days."
Liu Yan thought for a while and said: "As the commander-in-chief, Yang Sichang has the right to mobilize troops back, so we won't wait here. We will set off back to Shandong the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I will go to the Chinese army camp to report to Yang Sichang bid farewell."
"I'm afraid Yang Sichang won't let anyone leave."
Wang Yue looked at the worried Cong Chen Xun, and then said with a smile: "The battle is over, what reason does Yang Sichang have for not guarding your return?"
Chen Xun said: "But the situation in Shaanxi and Henan is still very bad. If Yang Sichang goes there to suppress the bandits, he will definitely not let the people leave."
Everyone became worried when they heard this.
Liu Yan said firmly: "Don't worry, Yang Sichang has no chance to destroy Li Zicheng."
Everyone was surprised: "Why?"
Liu Yan said: "Yang Sichang was already ill before the war, and his condition has worsened a lot during this time. I think he has only a few days left to live."
Everyone was horrified.
The next day, Liu Yan came to the Chinese Army again and saw Yang Sichang in the big tent.
"So, General Liu Shen is planning to go back early?"
Liu Yan said: "Please be considerate of the supervisor. Not only is the drought still present in various parts of Shandong, but the locust plague has also begun to spread. The general is eager to go back and lead the army and civilians to fight drought and provide disaster relief in order to stabilize the place."
"Furthermore, Shandong is right on the edge of Henan. The general is worried that if the disaster in Shandong is not controlled, Li Chuang's troops will penetrate into all parts of Shandong, and then it will be even more difficult to wipe out the bandit army."
Yang Sichang sighed, and then started coughing. The violent cough made Yang Sichang's face turn red. It took him a long time to stop, and he quickly drank a sip of water to suppress it.
"Alas! The governor's original plan was to ask the imperial court for money, food and reinforcements after annihilating Zhang Xianzhong's troops, and then lead General Liu Shen and the Qin army to the north, marching to various places in Shaanxi and Henan to encircle and suppress Li Zicheng and other bandit soldiers. .”
"But my health is deteriorating and I am no longer able to unite the army in battle. I have to let Governor Zheng lead his troops back to Shaanxi to stabilize the situation first."
Liu Yan said: "The governor cares about the country and I admire him. After I lead my troops back, I will try my best to stabilize the place and serve the court."
"Alas! It seems that General Liu Shen is determined to leave."
Yang Sichang said: "Actually, General Liu Shen can stay or go to Henan. As long as General Liu Shen likes a place, the governor can recommend it to Your Majesty to open a separate town for General Liu, with Liu Shen as the chief military officer." . When my governor’s condition improves, wouldn’t it be good for us to go out together to fight against Li Chuang’s thieves?”
Liu Yan sneered in his heart, Yang Sichang was still dreaming, thinking that if he was given a general officer, he could control himself. With the new army in hand, he could continue to make great achievements and let the soldiers of the new army work for him!
In fact, Yang Sichang would not understand that the reason why Liu Yan's heart was strong was because in Jimo Yingcheng, Liu Yan divided land for more than 28,000 soldiers of the New Army, giving them hope and allowing their families to live. Go down.
At the same time, the two ordnance bases of Wangjiazhuang and Qianhusuo in Fushan, as well as other workshops and industries, provide the New Army with sophisticated military equipment and sufficient supplies of money and food. These are the fundamental reasons for the New Army's strong combat power.
If the place is changed, Liu Yan and the New Army officers and soldiers will be like a tree without roots and a tree without water. Even if the city of Beijing is given to Liu Yan, the New Army will fight less and less and become weaker, and cannot maintain it for a long time. Combat strength.
So Liu Yan clasped his fists and said: "General, I thank you for your kindness, but the people of Jimo Camp depend on me for their livelihood. General can't abandon them, please forgive me!"
Yang Sichang said: "Well, since Liu Shen has decided to leave, it is not convenient for me to force him to stay."
"But don't worry, General Liu. The governor will still recommend General Liu to Your Majesty. I just hope that if something happens in the future, General Liu can lend a helping hand."
Liu Yan said: "Please rest assured, Inspector, I will keep this in mind!"
Two days later, Liu Yan led more than 28,000 New Army soldiers to leave camp and return north. Although they used a lot of money and food, they still loaded more than 100 carts. All the hundreds of soldiers who died in the battle were cremated on the spot. The ashes and relics were loaded into the car and taken back for burial.
Chief Military Officer He Renlong and Deputy General Li Guoqi came to see him off, but Shaanxi Governor Zheng Chongjian and Yang Sichang did not show up.
"Haha, Governor Zheng is feeling unwell and cannot come to see him off. We are specially ordered to see General Liu Shen off."
Liu Yan looked at He Renlong and Li Guoqi and thought to himself: "It seems that Zheng Chongjian is not very broad-minded. He said a few words and then didn't show up!"
"Haha, I would like to congratulate Commander-in-Chief and Vice-General Li. Our mountains will remain green and our rivers will flow forever. We will have the opportunity to meet again in the future."
"Liu Shen will take care of himself all the way!"
“Take care along the way!”
Liu Yan immediately gave the order to set off, and more than 28,000 New Army soldiers set off in battalions, with the baggage and artillery battalions in front, the infantry followed, and the cavalry battalion in the end. The army set off in order. Although there were many people, they were orderly. There is no trace of confusion in the order.
He Renlong and Li Guoqi looked at the departing New Army units with envy in their eyes: "These are all good soldiers!"
At this time, Yang Sichang was lying in the Chinese army's tent. After talking with Liu Yan, Yang Sichang's condition took a turn for the worse. In just two days, he could no longer get out of bed.
General Supervisor Biaoying was standing by. Yang Sichang took out a memorial and said, "General, send this memorial to the capital."
"Yes, Supervisor!"
"Alas! God's calculations are not as good as those of others. Lu Xiangsheng had obviously assigned Liu Yan's department to me, but I fell ill and couldn't keep him. What a trick of fate!"
The next day, Liu Yan led his troops all the way north and entered Shaanxi.
On this return trip, Liu Yan did not follow the original route of Huguang, Henan, and Shandong, but chose to take the route of Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Beizhili.
This is because Yang Sichang received a military report that during the Battle of Manao Mountain, Li Zicheng's troops broke into northern Huguang. Although they were repelled by the government and army, most of northern Huguang and Henan had been completely destroyed by the bandit army. Liu Yan led The troops returned the same way they came, and could not get any supplies even though they were thousands of miles away.
On the contrary, it is better to go to Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Beizhili. Although there are rogue soldiers and horses raging in Shaanxi and Shanxi, wealthy households everywhere have built forts to defend themselves. Liu Yan can also spend money to exchange for some supplies along the way. After walking several hundred miles in this way, they entered the territory of Beizhili, where it was much easier for the army to obtain money and food.
However, as the New Army units entered Shaanxi, Liu Yan was completely dumbfounded by what he saw along the way.
Some people died, but not completely...
