Gongchang Mansion and Cheng County Ming Army Camp.
Li Zicheng led the remnants of the rebel army to hide in the deep mountains and valleys of Cheng and Qi.
Hong Chengchou organized several campaigns in succession, but all ended in failure. He could only divide his troops to block key areas to prevent the invading army from leaving Gongchang Mansion north again.
Hong Chengchou was not impatient, and there were not many generals and soldiers following him.
Two months ago, while the Chuang army was storming Hanzhong Prefecture, Hong Chengchou led his troops to advance the battle line to the Chengxian area, roughly stabilizing the front line.
However, it also cost a lot of money. Now Hong Chengchou's troops are already struggling to defend the main roads, and there are not many troops that can be used for invasion.
At dusk, smoke curled up from the Ming army's camp, and the aroma of rice porridge and meals slowly flowed through the camp.
The camp was peaceful, a bit more popular than usual, and the originally frightening evil aura was much weakened.
However, this rare peace was soon broken by the sound of rapid horse hooves.
"Urgent report from Northern Sichuan!!!"
A messenger with a command flag on his back, covered in dust, rode a bay-red horse and rushed into the camp like a strong wind.
"Urgent report from Northern Sichuan, everyone stay away!"
The messenger on horseback had a fierce look on his face. When he saw that there were many soldiers standing in a daze on the road, he had no intention of dodge. He immediately held up his token and shouted sharply.
The soldiers who were originally standing on the road heard the scolding and saw the horses rushing towards them. Everyone subconsciously leaned towards both sides of the road to get out of the way of the knight holding the token. A fairly spacious road.
The sound of horse hooves echoed in everyone's ears like a dense drum beat, and the soldiers who gave way had not yet reacted.
The war horses were already galloping past, and the sound of horse hooves slowly disappeared along with the billowing smoke. Looking back, all that could be seen was a figure speeding away from them.
In the blink of an eye, the cavalry holding the token had already driven their horses past countless camps and arrived at the center of the camp.
The token in his hand lost all effectiveness during the last section of the journey. A group of armored soldiers had already noticed him and stopped him outside the tent.
The messenger did not force his way in. When he approached the Chinese army's tent, he had already seen the gun array blocking the way.
"Urgent report from Northern Sichuan, here is the seal certificate, please check it quickly."
Before he could even get close, the messenger had already dismounted before his horse came to a complete stop, and handed over the voucher and seal directly.
The general in charge of guarding the central army had already heard the "urgent report from northern Sichuan" mentioned by the messenger, and his face was very embarrassed.
The general stepped forward and quickly checked the official document and seal. His expression turned gloomy again and he said in a deep voice.
"Send the pond report to the governor immediately!"
The curtain was lifted, and the armored soldiers guarding the entrance of the tent walked quickly into the Chinese army tent holding the well-packaged Tang newspaper in both hands.
Then the general on duty also led several soldiers and escorted the messenger into the tent.
Hong Chengchou was standing in the center of the tent at this time, with a rather large sand table placed in front of him.
Rivers, woods, mountains, terrain, and cities and towns are all marked in detail.
"Sichuan North..."
Hong Chengchou raised his head and his eyes suddenly sharpened. Everyone in the tent felt as if they were being stared at by an owl eagle, and an inexplicable fear could not help but arise in their hearts.
The clerk standing next to Hong Chengchou quickly opened the packaged newspaper and handed it to Hong Chengchou. Hong Chengchou lowered his head, and everyone relaxed a little.
However, when Hong Chengchou's eyesight just came into contact with the Tangbao in his hand, he was so shocked that his pupils suddenly dilated a lot.
The next moment, Tangbao was pinched together by Hong Chengchou.
Hong Chengchou's complexion kept changing, turning blue and white, and then his eyes gradually turned red, like a wounded beast.
Everyone in the tent had different expressions, and everyone lowered their heads in unison.
Although they didn't know what was written in the newspaper, with Hong Chengchou's behavior, they didn't dare to make any noise at this time.
…
"Welcome General!"
In front of the camp gate at the foot of Dingjun Mountain, Chen Wang took the lead in bowing down.
The next moment, a group of generals and soldiers who followed him also prostrated themselves to the ground along with Chen Wang. Their movements were uniform, like a wheat field blown by a strong wind.
Cao Wenzhaole listened to the horses under his seat. His eyes stayed on Chen Wang for a while, and then he looked at the armored soldiers behind him.
"These soldiers of yours are indeed well trained."
Chen Wang raised his head and stood up at the same time.
The smile on Cao Wenzhao's face at this time was quite peaceful, and he seemed to be the same as before.
But if you observe carefully, you can find that Cao Wenzhao's energy is much worse than before, and he is much more tired than when he was in Qiutou Town.
This is normal. Cao Wenzhao has been following Hong Chengchou's men since Qiutou Town, fighting in the north and south, fighting thousands of miles away, and fighting with rogue bandits nearly a hundred times.
As the commander-in-chief of the assistance and suppression force, he was not only responsible for the suppression of bandits in the area, but also needed to coordinate the troops of various ministries and battalions. At the same time, he was also responsible for Hong Chengchou.
None of it is easy.
Memories of the past came flooding back like a tide, and they were memories belonging to the original owner.
In the late Ming Dynasty, the relationship between the servants and the generals was very close, and both prospered and suffered losses.
For the servants under his command, the treatment given to them by the general is basically the best, even much better than that of himself.
No matter before or now, Cao Wenzhao has always tried his best.
What Chen Wang wanted to say was stuck in his throat.
What came out of his mouth was something else.
"General, the situation in the country is difficult, but please be sure to take care of yourself..."
Cao Wenzhao was slightly startled and his eyes softened a little.
Cao Wen's edicts were read by countless people, and he could clearly distinguish between sincerity and falsehood.
Chen Wang stepped forward and held the bridle of Cao Wenzhao's horse.
Cao Wenzhao's eyes narrowed slightly and he was speechless.
As a personal guard, Chen Wang had led his horse for a period of time before.
But now that Chen Wang has become the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Guards, he is only one level behind him in name. At this time, he still leads the horse for him.
To be honest, Rao had been in the officialdom for many years and met all kinds of people, but Cao Wenzhao was still a little touched in his heart.
Chen Wang led the horse and walked in front. He had not thought about doing this beforehand. This was completely a subconscious behavior.
However, Chen Wang did not choose to let go of the horse's bridle, but led the horse all the way to the Chinese military tent.
In a sense, without Cao Wenzhao, Chen Wang would never have his current status and identity.
When he first took office, he sent his servants to temporarily help in charge of the army. After that, all the military merits reported were basically not suppressed, and ordnance and weapons were supplied as much as possible.
After making a mistake later, and with Cao Wenzhao's reminder, Chen Wang came to his senses and solved the problem, so that his career was not affected.
Without Cao Wenzhao's several suggestions, let alone the deputy general of guard, the original official function of guerrillas could not be preserved.
Outside the Chinese army's tent, Cao Wenzhao and all the generals who followed him dismounted.
Chen Wang saw an acquaintance inside - Cao Dingjiao.
Sensing Chen Wang's gaze, a smile appeared on Cao Dingjiao's face and he nodded. Chen Wang clasped his fists in return.
Cao Bianjiao had made military exploits and was promoted to deputy commander-in-chief after the Battle of Heishuiyu. Cao Dingjiao had now been promoted to staff general and no longer held the original garrison position.
Cao Wenzhao took Cao Dingjiao and walked into the Chinese army's tent. The others did not follow and still stood outside the tent.
Chen Wang glanced at the people standing outside the tent and knew that Cao Wenzhao might think that people were talking too much, so he also walked into the Chinese army tent.
Inside the tent, Cao Wenzhao and Cao Dingjiao were already seated.
Before Chen Wang could ask the question, Cao Wenzhao frowned and spoke first.
The first words Cao Wenzhao spoke made Chen Wang, who was about to sit down, freeze on the spot.
"The intruders entered Sichuan from Wen County at the end of September, and within ten months they had broken through 11 cities in northern Sichuan..."
Chen Wang's body was stiff, and he used all his strength to turn his head in the direction of Cao Wenzhao.
He finally figured out why he had always had a bad premonition and felt like he was missing something.
Now that he heard about Wen County and the intruder, he finally recalled it.
The Chuang army was trapped in the mountainous areas of Cheng and Qiu. In addition to entering Sichuan via Ningqiang, they could also enter Sichuan from Wen County in Gongchang Prefecture.
The road to Shu is not the only one from Ningqiang to Qipanguan to Guangyuan.
Li Zicheng took the second route, passing through Wen County in the south of Gongchang Prefecture and directly into Songpan Wei Nei in Sichuan Province.
There were many chieftains in Songpan Wei, and almost everyone had never thought that Li Zicheng would be so bold as to enter Songpan Wei.
But Li Zicheng did this. He left troops in Ningqiang and Mianxian as cover, and still attacked from the east to the west. This time, relying on such a blind spot, his plan worked.
Li Zicheng led a group of elite cavalry under his command and broke into Songpan Guards from Wen County.
There are many chieftains in the territory of Songpanwei. The people in the area under the jurisdiction of the chieftains are fierce and powerful.
But Li Zicheng was very scheming. He had already sent people to communicate with the local chieftains and offered him gold and silver to buy the goods, which did not offend Kun Ai at all.
Then Li Zicheng directly led the army south to Long'an Mansion. Long'an Mansion had been in peace for a long time, and there were not many soldiers in the mansion, not even the militia.
Therefore, Li Zicheng was unstoppable all the way.
Now they have entered Chengdu Prefecture, have broken through the northernmost district of Mingming, and are approaching the Mianzhou area.
"The urgent report from Sichuan has been submitted to Governor Hong. It is on the Governor's order that I go south to Sichuan to rush for reinforcements and suppression."
"This is a military levy order. Hanzhong Mansion is temporarily handed over to Zhou Yumao for defense. The governor has ordered you to lead my troops and horses to follow me to suppress it."
The intruders who invaded Sichuan successively captured many cities and held hostage a large number of people. The military strength was constantly expanding, and the number of troops in Sichuan Province was seriously insufficient.
"The invading army left behind in Ningqiang was a virtual force, while those left behind in the north of Jitou Pass were decoys."
"Hou Liangzhu and Cao Bianjiao have led their troops out of Qipanguan and are approaching Zitong."
"The intruder turned like the wind and was already at the gate of Mianzhou City."
Cao Wenzhao tapped the table and gave the final order.
"The thieves are running rampant in Sichuan and causing a lot of damage."
"Sichuan Province is empty, and Chengdu is now exposed to the front of the intruders. Time has not waited for me, and the soldiers are quick. I will give you one day to rest, and then follow me south to suppress."
I owe two thousand words before, plus today's eight hundred. I will try to pay it off tomorrow. I feel a little unwell. I'm really sorry, but updates will not be interrupted. Please feel free to subscribe.
(End of chapter)
