Chongzhen ninth year, June 20th.
Thirteen miles west of Shiquan City, in the camp of the invading army, the noise of people and the neighing of horses almost ceased for a moment.
In the large tent of the Chinese army, a group of generals and seventy-two battalion leaders were gathered around the map placed on the table, arguing incessantly.
"There are only more than 3,000 soldiers in Hanzhong City, and the defense is empty. Even if we can't defeat Hanzhong, we can still capture it?!"
"The soldiers under Zhou Yumao's command are not border troops. There are still many guards among the three thousand troops. They dare not leave the city."
Shuntian King He Guoguan raised his eyes and stared, slapping the table hard and glaring at the leader Huang Long.
Facing He Guoguan's fierce gaze, Huang Long's face remained unchanged, and he snorted coldly without any fear in his heart.
"Hanzhong is three hundred miles away from Shiquan, and it takes at least ten days to get there."
Although He Guoguan is the leader of the 24th Battalion, he is the leading sentinel among the troops. He only needs to listen to the military orders of Gao Yingxiang.
And even if there is no such reason, he also leads nine teams of generals, with thousands of elite cavalry and more than 3,000 horsemen under his command. His strength is not much worse than that of He Guoguan, so He Guoguan is certainly worthy of his reputation.
"The leader of the 24th Battalion is so majestic. Oh, others are afraid of you, but I am not afraid of you!"
Huang Long raised his eyebrows, pressed the table with one hand, held a knife in the other, and asked sternly.
"The plan to march was drawn up by King Chuang. King Chuang was elected by everyone and is now the leader of the 72nd Battalion."
"He Guoguan, are you going to openly defy King Chuang?!"
The atmosphere in the tent was tense for a moment because of the quarrel between He Guoguan and Huang Long.
"Huanglong!"
He Guoguan's face was livid, and his heart was filled with anger. Ever since he raised troops and became the leader of the battalion, no one had ever dared to talk to him by name like this.
"When I was fighting on the battlefield with King Chuang, your boy was still kneeling in that town and working as a servant for others."
"I cried and knelt down to enter the military camp. I was promoted to the command post based on some merits, but here you are making noises with me!"
He Guoguan's eyes were filled with murderous intent and he said in a cold voice.
Huang Long's expression suddenly changed, and an evil look flashed in his eyes. What he most tabooed was for others to mention his identity.
Liu Zhe, the manager on the side, saw that something was wrong and directly held down Huang Long's arm, and then stood directly in front of him and He Guoguan.
"King Suncheon, don't be angry. This military meeting is to discuss the future march."
"We and other battalions are all under the command of King Chuang. We are all brothers. We must not damage our harmony."
Liu Zhe stepped forward and separated Huang Long and He Guoguan to relax the atmosphere a little.
"What King Suncheon said makes sense. Hanzhong is indeed empty now, but Hanzhong is indeed too far away from Shiquan. I'm afraid it will delay the plan."
"But this matter can be put down for now. When King Chuang returns to camp, King Chuang will make a decision. I don't know what King Shuntian thinks."
Liu Zhe put himself in a lower position and made concessions, which also calmed the anger in He Guoguan's heart a little, but he had lost face and did not want to let it go.
"Brother Liu said, this matter can be recorded temporarily and left to King Chuang to decide."
"but……"
He Guoguan came over with cold eyes and said in a deep voice.
"Huang Long must admit his mistake to me here today!"
Liu Zhe's face was slightly condensed, knowing in his heart that this matter might be difficult to correct.
But before he could think about how to solve the problem, a sudden sound of horse hooves outside the tent attracted everyone's attention.
"Welcome King Chuang!"
A group of armored soldiers outside the tent made a loud noise, and everyone in the tent subconsciously looked outside the tent.
The next moment, several heavily armed soldiers surrounded Gao Yingxiang and walked into the tent.
Gao Yingxiang was dressed as usual, still wearing a fan Yangli on his head, a mountain pattern breastplate, and a plain colored war robe.
When everyone saw Gao Yingxiang entering the tent, they couldn't help but look solemn.
Even He Guoguan, who was full of anger before, and Huang Long, who was not willing to be outdone, also changed their expressions, and followed everyone in bowing down, saying in unison.
"Welcome King Chuang!"
For Gao Yingxiang, their respect and fear intertwined in their hearts.
What they admired was Gao Yingxiang's impartiality, strictness and fairness in handling matters.
What frightened them was Gao Yingxiang's thunderous methods and decisive killing.
Gao Yingxiang's majestic eyes swept over everyone, and did not stop. Instead, he walked through the aisles that everyone had given up, and stood directly on the main seat of the map.
"Has the troop division plan been made?"
Gao Yingxiang turned his eyes to Liu Zhe, who was standing on one side, and asked in a deep voice.
"The plan has been made. The direction of Xixiang will be taken care of by the Yilong, Three Dragons and Nine Dragons battalions."
"The direction of Yangxian County is under the responsibility of the Yiziwang and Hengtianwang battalions."
This time, there were only nine of the seventy-two battalions of soldiers and horses who followed Gao Yingxiang into Hanzhong.
They are Shuntian King He Guoguan, Hengtian King Wang Zishun, and Yizi King Liu Xiaoshan.
The Thousand Rooster Zhang Er, the Sky-Drilling Harrier Wang Cheng, and the Horse Racing Chao Ma Yu.
One dragon, two dragons, nine dragons.
The Golden-winged Penglu was left around Ziyang, guarding against the officers and soldiers who might rush to help from Sichuan.
Zhang Xianzhong, Liu Guoneng, sweeper Wang Wenrenxun, Xie Zikuai and Tuo Yangxing continued to attract Lu Xiangsheng's attention in Xunxiang and Xiangzhou.
"but……"
Liu Zhe changed the topic slightly and looked at Shuntian King He Guoguan.
Gao Yingxiang naturally noticed Liu Zhe's expression.
“It’s okay to just say it”
With Gao Yingxiang's permission, Liu Zhe continued.
"The area around Hanzhong City is empty, there are few soldiers, and the place is rich, so King Shuntian suggested that we can raise food on the spot around it."
Gao Yingxiang's eyes stayed on He Guoguan. He was a little disappointed in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face.
Among all the leaders of the 72nd Battalion, the only ones he could like were Zhang Xianzhong, Li Zicheng, Luo Rucai and He Jin.
But their thoughts and concepts are still the same as before, they just want to plunder everywhere, if they can defeat them, they will attack them, and if they cannot defeat them, they will retreat.
"I have considered this matter before, but there is a vassal king living in Hanzhong City, so this matter is of great importance."
"King Shuntian should also know what happened in the seventh year of Chongzhen. After we threatened Hanzhong City, Hong Chengchou immediately sent three thousand armored cavalry to pursue us."
"Once the officers and soldiers outside Hanzhong City discover the enemy, they will definitely inform Hong Chengchou of the situation."
"In order to ensure the safety of the vassal king, if Hong Chengchou leads troops to return for reinforcements, all the efforts we have made and all the plans we have made will be in vain."
Gao Yingxiang put his hand on the map on the table, pointed at Xi'an first, then slowly moved to the lower left, until he reached the location of Chenggu County, and then said.
"Now that Hong Chengchou has been attracted to go north to Yan'an Prefecture, Xi'an Prefecture is currently empty. Our main goal is Xi'an."
"With my previous experience of entering Hanzhong, coupled with the actions of looting Xixiang and Yangxian, Hong Chengchou would only think that we would continue to loot grain and grass as before as a supplement. He did not expect that our goal was the city of Xi'an."
"The purpose of attacking Xixiang and Yangxian is to conceal our true plan. In order to ensure that the officers and soldiers will not return to defense, it is best not to even enter the county border of Chenggu, just stay near Xixiang and Yangxian."
Gao Yingxiang raised his head and knocked on the table gently.
"I know that in the Battle of Jingmen, your subordinates, King Shuntian, suffered heavy losses, so that's why you want to go to Hanzhong to make amends."
The world is full of hustle and bustle, all for the benefit of others.
The world is prosperous, and everyone is here for profit.
Gao Yingxiang knows this truth very well.
The seventy-two battalions of millions of people sound invincible and appear to be huge, but in fact they are just a pile of loose sand.
】
Everyone recommended him as the leader of the alliance for only two reasons. One is that if you follow him, you can survive and have meat to eat, and the second is that he has the biggest fist.
Gao Yingxiang sighed in his heart, now his situation was a little difficult.
In May, he returned to Xunxiang and Xunxiang. He suffered a defeat at Jingmen, losing five to six hundred elite cavalry and thousands of horse troops.
At that time, he joined forces with the soldiers and horses of the 10th Battalion. His original intention was to capture Jingmen so that Lu Xiangsheng would have to lead his troops south, further forcing Lu Xiangsheng into the Xunxiang battlefield and making Hong Chengchou relax his vigilance even more.
But I didn't expect that because I was unfamiliar with the terrain, my boat capsized in the ditch. Jingmen was a trap set by the Huguang camp.
The plan to capture Jingmen failed, and because of the loss of troops and generals, morale was also reduced a lot.
"After Xi'an City is captured, King Shuntian, you can lead the troops and horses into the city first."
He Guoguan's eyes suddenly lit up. The soldiers and horses attacking the city first could take advantage of them a lot.
Compared with the advanced city of Xi'an, the towns and villages surrounding Hanzhong City are nothing at all.
"The rest of you who followed me in Jingmen also suffered injuries. I remember them all clearly."
Gao Yingxiang took a smaller map from his arms and placed it on the table.
Everyone looked up and saw that the map Gao Yingxiang took out was a floor plan of the city.
"I have divided the areas in Xi'an City. When the time comes, it will be up to you to maintain order in these places."
They say they are maintaining order, but they are actually handing over all the wealth here. Everyone knows this and they are all smiling.
Gao Yingxiang looked at the smiling people and felt calm in his heart.
After capturing the city of Xi'an, he would naturally not indulge in looting.
When the time comes, he will strictly enforce military discipline and prohibit looting and indiscriminate killing.
The rebel armies that achieved great things in all dynasties were all armies with strict military discipline.
What he said about maintaining order was truly maintaining order. He wanted to gain the hearts and minds of the people in Xi'an...
"The Qin Fan in Xi'an is much richer than the Rui Fan in Hanzhong. After conquering Xi'an, there is no need to worry about gold, silver and jewelry, nor food and clothing."
Gao Yingxiang looked around at the generals and the leaders of each battalion in the tent and said in a deep voice.
Because of his advantage, the defeat in the Battle of Jingmen is still affecting his troops. Now the morale in the army is low, and all the battalion leaders and generals are not optimistic about the future.
He needs to arouse the desire of those who follow him and the leaders of the camp.
"The one in Guanzhong is the crest of the world and the dragon head of the Central Plains!"
Gao Yingxiang pressed his hands on the edge of the table, propped up his body, his sharp eyes slowly swept over everyone, and said in a serious voice.
"Capture Xijing, split the soil and divide the kings, and establish the country and claim the throne!"
"The emperor's throne is where the emperor of the Zhu family sits, and I sit on it too!"
A gleam flashed in Gao Yingxiang Danfeng's eyes as he looked at the leaders of the generals and battalions in front of him.
"If I conquer the world one day, everyone in the tent today will be a prince!"
Gao Yingxiang's voice is passionate and contagious.
All the generals and camp leaders in the tent were agitated in their hearts.
Most of them are old and rough, and they have never heard such words.
Split the soil to divide the kings, establish the country and call it a system, they are all princes!
Although they claim to be kings of heaven or dragons and tigers, they all know that in the final analysis they are just a group of bandits, not real princes.
But Gao Yingxiang put all their dreams in front of them.
And what made their hearts ups and downs the most was what Gao Yingxiang said.
"The emperor's throne is where the emperor of the Zhu family sits, and I sit on it too!"
Everyone in the tent had different thoughts, and some people even had different emotions in their hearts...
He Guoguan's heart was agitated, and the last unhappiness in his heart had disappeared. He said respectfully: "King Chuang has clear rewards and punishments. I, Mr. He, am willing to be the pioneer!"
"Besiege Xi'an, I will be the first to attack!"
Ma Yu was not content to be beaten by the horse racers, and then showed his loyalty.
The originally dull atmosphere in the tent suddenly became lively.
"Soldiers are valuable and quick."
Compared to everyone who was working hard, Gao Yingxiang was much more steady. Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, he immediately spoke.
"Several battalion leaders immediately launched troops to attack Xixiang and Yangxian, while the remaining battalions were on guard against Shiquan. They must conserve their strength during these days to wait for the weather."
"As you command!"
Gao Yingxiang finally concluded the military meeting, and all the generals and camp leaders responded with a bang.
The generals in the tent and the camp leader responded to the order and came out of the camp. As the sound of horse hooves faded away, the camp in the distance began to boil.
Gao Yingxiang watched everyone walk out of the tent until only Liu Zhe and Huang Long were left. He no longer hid his emotions, and his expression darkened in an instant.
"Tell me, what are you arguing about in the big tent?"
Hearing Gao Yingxiang's question, Liu Zhe did not dare to hide anything and immediately told the whole story.
Gao Yingxiang turned his head and glanced at Huang Long, his eyes sharpened suddenly, and heart-wrenching murderous intent flowed in his eyes.
"I teach you how to do things on weekdays, but it seems that you have completely forgotten?"
Huang Long was horrified. He was so frightened by Gao Yingxiang's eyes that he knelt on the ground and said in a nagging voice.
"My subordinate was so excited that he lost his mind..."
Gao Yingxiang said in a cold voice from a high position.
"You are now leading the sentry, and as soon as you were promoted to general, you are so domineering and dare to cause trouble with others during the military meeting."
"Your position as captain will be handed over to others for the time being. When you can calm down, you can take up the position of captain again."
Gao Yingxiang's eyes were slightly focused, looking at Huang Long who was kneeling at his feet.
In his heart, he was completely disappointed with Huang Long, regardless of occasion or location.
How can I be a general with this kind of spirit?
"Although I am the leader of the 72nd Battalion now, the 72nd Battalion does not just listen to my family's words."
Gao Yingxiang's tone left no room for argument.
"If you make a mistake, you have to admit it. You can go to King Suncheon to resolve the matter yourself."
"this……"
Huang Long suddenly raised his head, sullen in his heart, but after meeting Gao Yingxiang's eyes, he didn't dare to say what he originally wanted to say, and finally bowed his head and agreed...
