Wang Ziyong took Suokang and others and followed the unarmed Quitu Taiji back to Suzhou City on March 15th.
The people of this majestic city are still ordinary people, and the streets and markets are still open; the flag army is still the flag army, and they can drill as usual.
Except for the five-square flag of the Marshal's Mansion planted at the top of the city, the Marshal's Army squad standing guard on the cross streets, and the houses that were demolished in the chaos in the streets, there seemed to be no changes at all.
He couldn't find any clue that the Three Tribulations would exist in this big city.
This made Wang Ziyong both angry and discouraged. In fact, at the Jinta Temple outside the Great Wall, he secretly wondered whether Liu Chengzong's army would swallow up his three calamities when they entered the pass.
But thinking back, Wang Ziyong knew very well that the decision-making power on this matter was in the hands of Liu Chengzong. If the brave and capable army of the Marshal's Mansion entered the pass, the weak Sanjiehui would not have the ability to fight against them; and if the Marshal's Mansion did not enter the pass, the Sanjie would not It is only a matter of time before they are dealt with by the Gansu army.
Therefore, all he can believe in is Liu Chengzong's virtue.
But now it seems that Wang Ziyong thinks that he may have a small misunderstanding of Liu Chengzong's moral standards.
But soon, Song Xian, the commander of the Suzhou Guard of the Marshal's Mansion who welcomed him into the city, clarified this little misunderstanding with actions.
The Sanjie Society is still in Suzhou City, and the camp arranged by Liu Chengzong for them is to the east of Suzhou Drum Tower. Suzhou Drum Tower is the east gate of Jiuquan City in ancient times, so the first intersection east of Drum Tower is called Fang Cross. Since ancient times, this The crossroads is where ex-offenders are released.
The alleys on the north and south sides of the Distribution Cross have soju workshops, so they are called South and North Soju Alleys. The end of the north alley leads to Wenchang Temple, so it is called Wenchang Small Cross; the end of the south alley leads to the Shaanxi Guild Hall, which is called Huiguan Alley.
Wang Ziyong followed Song Xian and walked all the way to the guild hall alley. He was very unconvinced.
This Song Xian was not a member of the Sanjie Guild. He just used the Sanjie Guild in Suzhou and used their rebellion as a means of promotion.
Now it's better, the Sanjie Society is gone in Suzhou, and Song Xian has become the commander of the third rank.
The Sanjie Hui's camp was at the Shaanxi Guild Hall built by Qin Shang. When he walked to the Shaanxi Guild Hall, Wang Ziyong was dumbfounded. The hall was filled with white lotus and Big Dipper flags, but only a few or dozens of people sighed.
After a quick glance, I saw that there were several men and women from the Sanjie Society, and there were a few Wang Ziyong who I had never seen before. I only knew that there were only eighteen people in total.
Song Xian greeted his shopkeeper and said, "Shopkeeper Du, tell Wang Huishou what's going on."
Shopkeeper Du looked unlucky, and after saluting Wang Ziyong, he said: "Captain, originally there were thousands of people in the congregation in Suzhou City, but when the general entered Suzhou City, he first issued a notice to calm the people, robbed, chopped off people, and killed people and beheaded them. "The Suzhou Camp was also built to recruit troops and horses. Later, we had to divide the fields from house to house...Those who went to the camp went to the camp, and those who went home went home."
Wang Ziyong was stunned for a moment with a complex expression and sighed. This reminded him of the light rain in Yanchang County many years ago. In that light rain, the rebels advancing to the next county stopped and people carried the things he had snatched on their backs. He kowtowed to him and said he wanted to go home and farm.
Shopkeeper Du seemed to be at a loss for such a turn of events, but Wang Ziyong had been through this before and could accept this result calmly. He even twitched the corners of his mouth, smiled with difficulty, and said to Shopkeeper Du with a smile: "Come with me."
Not long after, Wang Ziyong followed Song Xian to the first big cross on Gulou South Street. Because the military parade sergeant of the Ming Dynasty Military Academy was at this crossroads, it was called the Military Parade Cross.
The alley to the west of Yuewu Cross is called Weimen Alley. It is the yamen of Suzhou Guard Commander and is now Liu Chengzong's residence.
Wang Ziyong stepped into the Wei Yamen. He Tutai Ji was complaining to Liu Chengzong about Zhang Tianlin's banditry in the main hall of the Yamen: "The Great Khan is here to comment. Is it difficult to understand my Chinese? He, an officer who was born as a captain in the Ming Dynasty, actually said that he He’s a rough guy and doesn’t understand what I’m talking about!”
Liu Chengzong sat on a chair and listened to Chahar Taiji's complaints. After he finished complaining, he shook his head gently and said with a smile: "I didn't do well in crossing Tianxing. Taiji said this to me today, but he is still open-minded. .”
From the beginning to the end, the person who complained was not that Zhang Tianlin robbed friendly troops, but that Zhang Tianlin insulted his Chinese proficiency.
This matter can be big or small. In his complaint, Gututaiji did not characterize Zhang Tianlin's behavior. Naturally, Liu Chengzong would not put a serious crime on the forehead of a general fighting on the front line. In fact, Zhang Tianlin had already written a letter from Linshui Yicheng about the situation. Told him.
Ruitu Taiji understood the implication of Liu Shizi's words and nodded gently.
Liu Chengzong was saying that Zhang Tianlin didn't do things well, not that he did something wrong. The difference between one word and one word made Nutu feel disappointed.
He said: "The Great Khan has said so, so what can I do if I am not open-minded? I don't want any horses or weapons."
When Liu Chengzong heard this, he frowned and waved his hand: "He will give you all the war horses and weapons after the battle is over. And if he wins the battle, he will give it back double... I said he did not do well because things happened for a reason. , The main reason is me, the weapons, money and food are all foreign goods, so I am lucky that no one suffered any big losses, I can’t blame him any more."
Hearing Liu Chengzong say this made Tututaiji feel a lot better, but he was still very angry because he didn't know who to blame.
Since his brother Lin Dan Khan died in Bajiao City, Chahar's people were annexed by the Marshal's Mansion, but it was actually difficult to integrate because there were too many Mongolians in the Marshal's Mansion, and there was no Mongol Khan in his mind in the past. Mongolian things.
Huo Luochi, counting up, are the people of Anda Khan, Xie Erhu of Yongxiebu is the savage who came out of the Juedan desert, the remnants of the Khalkha tribe of Chuoketu Taiji, and the Oirat Mongols who cannot be hit with eight poles... said To put it bluntly, the Mongolians in the Marshal's Mansion are less interested in dealing with the Chahar people than the Han people in the Marshal's Mansion.
It's not a pleasant feeling to live under someone else's roof, especially for Cantu, who is used to being an idle prince. He is now the leader of the Chahar tribe that everyone expects, so he must form an armored cavalry.
Cantu knew that he could not afford the armored cavalry, and even Liu Chengzong could not afford to raise the armored cavalry. However, he did not form this armored cavalry for the purpose of fighting. The reason why he did this in his heart was to show Chaha to the Mongolian barbarians in the Marshal's Mansion. The orthodox majesty of the Erhan court won respect for the remnants of Chahar.
This plan is not smart. It is like a rabbit entering a wolf's den to show off. The direction of showing off is wrong.
But Rututaiji had no other choice. He knew very well that the entire Marshal's Mansion only valued strength, and those who could fight were the ancestors, but Chahar really couldn't afford to fight a tough battle now.
There are quite a lot of people in Chahar, with a total population of just over 50,000, but there are more than 30,000 children and women in Chahar, and more than 10,000 men. Half of them were used as dowries for the women and became the private property of the generalissimo. .
The most bizarre thing is that there are thousands of men left, and they can barely make up a complete Khan Court. There is no shortage of noble officials from all walks of life in the Khan Court... In other words, the real strength of the Chahar Department at present is more than a thousand men. War soldiers.
If these more than a thousand men died in the war, the Chahar tribe would become a cold historical term.
Chahar did not have the ability to be pragmatic, so Qututaiji could only be pragmatic and form an armored cavalry army to strengthen the momentum of these more than a thousand men, so as to prevent their wives from running away with the Han people who had single allowances.
As a result, Jia Qi was robbed by Zhang Tianlin for the first time he went out for a walk.
But in his heart, he didn't really blame Zhang Tianlin. He knew that Zhang Tianlin's robbery was only due to the fact that Wang Ziyong, who was in charge here in Qilian Mountain, didn't handle his own affairs well.
But Liu Chengzong can blame Zhang Tianlin, Zhang Tianlin can blame Wang Ziyong, Wang Ziyong can blame Hong Chengchou... Chahar is in a precarious state, and Zitu is full of complaints, who can be blamed?
Wang Ziyong entered the main hall of the Wei Yamen. Hearing what Guitu Taiji was talking to Liu Chengzong, he was so embarrassed that he didn't dare to speak. In the end, Liu Chengzong stood up first, clasped his fists, and said with a smile: "Brother Wang, why did you come here? The Three Tribulations Meeting Brother has achieved the first success in capturing Suzhou, and I was just about to talk to you about the rest."
When Wang Ziyong heard this, he clenched his fists and returned the salute. Then he waved his hands and walked around the hall for a few steps. He sighed and said, "The commander-in-chief must know better than me. There is no other Three Tribulations Society in Suzhou!"
Before Liu Chengzong could speak, Wang Ziyong had already said: "Commander, I'm afraid I can't go to Tianshan, and there is no need for me to go there. The Marshal's Mansion takes Hexi, and naturally has the ability to immigrate to Tianshan. It won't be unnecessary for three calamities."
Liu Chengzong waved his hand and said: "Brother Wang, don't be downcast. Please sit down first. What happened in Suzhou City this time has brought me a lot of inspiration. I think we should talk about it carefully... In fact, the Three Tribulations Association is still in Suzhou."
"There are only eighteen people."
Wang Ziyong's smile was very tired, but it was not a bitter smile. Instead, he felt a bit relieved. He said: "Commander, there is no need to persuade me. I have already thought about it on the way here. I will get whatever I ask for. I have no food and clothing." If I gather people, they will naturally leave me if they have enough food and clothing."
Liu Chengzong nodded gently when he heard this: "As long as you can think about it."
What he fears most is that Wang Ziyong can't think about it or has a misunderstanding about the Marshal's Mansion.
What happened in Suzhou is quite embarrassing. If you don't know the reason, it would seem to outsiders that the Marshal's Mansion was using the Three Tribulations Society to seize the city and then kill the donkey.
But this is not the case at all.
Wang Ziyong didn't seem to want to delve into the reason. After he sat down, he said: "Don't worry, Commander, I can think about it. This is not the first time this has happened. Three years ago, I and seven people entered Liangzhou Guards. Now a Suzhou City is enough." I leave eighteen people behind... When the battle here is over, I plan to go to Ningxia."
He raised a finger: "There must be enough manpower this time. In one year, Ningxia will be turned upside down!"
To be honest, Liu Chengzong admired Wang Ziyong's spirit of fighting after repeated defeats. Regardless of military defeats or rebellions, he had never seen Wang Ziyong discouraged.
However, Liu Chengzong was noncommittal about his idea of going to Ningxia. He thought for a moment and said, "Brother Wang, I saw something about Suzhou this time. Do you want to talk to me?"
Wang Ziyong cupped his fists and said, "Commander, please speak."
"This time the commander-in-chief's army entered Suzhou, the relationship between the half-day army and the Sanjie Meeting was not very good at first. This is a problem of friendly forces' coordination. The problem is not only mine, but also yours."
Liu Chengzong changed to a comfortable sitting position, placed his palms on the tea table beside him, looked at Wang Ziyong and said: "I thought about it, and I still want to give my brother an official position. Since you don't want to go to Tianshan, it doesn't matter whether you go to Ningxia or not. , the third-ranking general Zhaoyi will be given a commander of the Three Tribulation Battalion, and a commander of the Three Tribulation Guards will be given to Xiaoliu."
Wang Ziyong was meditating. He had never regarded himself as an outsider. He knew that General Zhaoyi was the twelfth level of the Ming Army's Wusan Order and the eighth level of the Marshal's Mansion. He mainly thought about General Zhaoyi's Yi and thought that Marshal Liu Maybe it's because he has been defeated repeatedly.
Liu Chengzong understood this to mean that Wang Ziyong was not satisfied with the official position, because he had never considered an independent leader as a subordinate, so he explained: "Whether or not a brother takes an official position, he will have his full support, but the biggest advantage of accepting an official position is to work together in the future." It is convenient and the personnel organization is guaranteed, so a situation like Suzhou will not happen again in the future."
As he spoke, he shook his head and said, "Otherwise, when my brother goes to Ningxia, he will inevitably make the same mistake again."
Wang Ziyong frowned and said, "Why is this?"
Liu Chengzong smiled somewhat complacently, raised his hand and walked between the two of them, saying: "Brother, you and I are both the best rebels in the world. In this industry, we can do better than us." There isn't much good between the two of us, so I won't hide it and talk about it openly and honestly."
The king himself talked about rebellion with all his heart, who could be better than Liu Shishi who founded the Marshal's Mansion?
He nodded decisively and waited for Liu Chengzong's eloquent remarks.
Liu Shizi said: "You and I have different paths. I am a rebel, and my success today depends entirely on the military; you are a peasant uprising, and you follow the path of civil association. A few years ago, I stayed in a three-story building in Yan'an Prefecture. The San Jie Temple is the San Jiao Temple in the hearts of poor people."
In fact, Wang Ziyong's behavior pattern is the underlying logic of the White Lotus Sect. It does not have a strict organization or strong political support. It just relies on words that few people understand but may be confused to hear. People gather together.
Everything revolves around two words, eat and live.
To give them hope of living, there are people who help with farming and mediate conflicts on weekdays. In disaster years, there are people who organize large households and beg for food, as well as some witch doctors and funerals... In the final analysis, Wang Ziyong is the first person to donate, and those in need are more and more The more, the greater the power of the Three Tribulations Association.
The most ideal situation is for private secret societies to completely kick out the court and local forces, and the poor people to be their own masters. In a sense, Liu Chengzong believed that the Three Tribulations would be a temple fair.
The people carried agricultural products to exchange what they had, and worshiped the gods and Buddhas in the sky. The power of the hardworking people was gathered in one point, and they were more effective than the gods in the temple.
"But it won't work."
Liu Chengzong's words were very cruel: "Among thousands of ordinary people, there must be some unlucky and unappreciated talents. However, it is difficult for folk associations to bring promotion opportunities to these people, and more people have limited abilities. They work in a regulated environment. Times are bad, and when there are no rules, the winners and losers are even better... So most of the riots are riots, and they are like children."
"I just felt uncomfortable, couldn't speak, and didn't know what to do. I had to cry and fight. After the trouble, I didn't know what to do. This is the situation in Suzhou City."
Wang Ziyong looked a little embarrassed and argued: "As for the troops from the Shuai Mansion who have entered the customs, they don't have to worry about what to do after the trouble is over."
"This is another problem. If there is no army from the Marshal's Palace and the official army arrives, thousands of ordinary people in the Three Tribulation Society will have to fill the trenches with their bodies, hang their heads in the merit book, and hundreds of people will escape. Gain experience and grow.”
Liu Chengzong spread his hands and said: "And when the Marshal's Mansion comes, the situation is even worse, because the Three Tribulations Society can grow in the Ming Dynasty court, and the Ming Dynasty court is not its natural enemy. The natural enemy of the Three Tribulations Society is the Marshal's Mansion... The Three Tribulations Society will rebel against the rebellion. Life, the Marshal's Mansion is also born for rebellion, the Three Tribulations will know how to mobilize the people to riot, and the Marshal's Mansion knows how to organize the people."
"Anything that civil society can do, the government can do. It just depends on whether you want to do it or not. The Marshal's Mansion will take care of all these things, and the three calamities will naturally disappear."
Wang Ziyong sighed. He really did not expect that when facing the Marshal's Mansion, Sanjie would be quietly chewed to pieces with bones and tendons. And it seemed that as the Marshal's Mansion marched in Hexi, it would probably Wherever he goes, he swallows it.
This is not to blame for the stunted development of Sanjiehui. The power of civil associations and emerging hegemons over local areas is simply incomparable.
He asked: "Then the commander-in-chief must have a solution to this matter, that is, Shiliu and I will accept the official positions in the commander-in-chief's office?"
"My idea is to divide the Sanjie Society into two groups in Hexi. Those who are good at fighting will be recruited into the Sanjie Camp to join the army; ordinary people will be merged into the Sanjie Guards to open up the Anxi immigration border; those who are good at mobilizing the people will have official positions and sneak in. Ningxia, do what you want."
After Liu Chengzong finished speaking, he looked at Wang Ziyong and said: "But in my heart, the best place to sneak into the Three Tribulations Society shouldn't be Ningxia. There are border troops there, and those who should escape have already done enough. It will be inconvenient for the Three Tribulations Society to develop... …The Central Plains is where my brother comes into play, Xi’an, Luoyang and Kaifeng.”
Good evening!
(End of chapter)
