Before leaving, Hong Chengchou had one more important thing to do, which was to have Xiong Wencan, the former military prime minister of the six provinces, confiscated.
It was this scourge that was obsessed with appeasement. It not only ignored Zhang Xianzhong and mobilized troops, but also transferred Zuo Liangyu, Feng Ju, Miao Youcai and other troops away from the defense area.
Today, near Gucheng, there are only less than 5,000 troops under the command of General Chen Hongfan to monitor Zhang Xianzhong's 30,000 troops. Once the other side rebels, with such a disparity in strength between the two sides, how can Chen Hongfan's troops be able to suppress it?
As for the Gucheng County magistrate Ruan Zhidian, the censor Lin Mingqiu, the military supervisor Zhang Dajing, and the deputy generals Ma Tingbao and Xu Qizuo, they were no longer among Hong Chengchou's considerations.
If the intelligence about the revolt is true, before the officers and soldiers arrive, I am afraid that these people, together with the people inside and outside Gucheng, will be brutally killed by Zhang Nibing. The Gucheng cannot be saved.
"Hong Chengchou! How dare you treat me like this? I am the military prime minister of the six provinces personally appointed by your Majesty!"
Xiong Wencan, who had already been tied up, was escorted over by two soldiers, but he was very angry and high-spirited. He refused to let Hong Chengchou personally untie him and knelt down to kowtow to apologize. The momentum of never giving up.
"Haha, Xiong Wencan! You dare to speak harshly when you are about to die? What is the content of this account book? Can you explain it to me?"
Hong Chengchou did not get angry when he was suddenly questioned. He briefly browsed the booklet in his hand, and then raised his eyes to look at Xiong Wencan. The content recorded in this booklet was every time Zhang Xianzhong gave gifts.
Including the time, person coming, amount and type of gift, all were recorded in extremely detail. It can be seen that Xiong Wencan accepted gifts from Zhang Xianzhong and then protected and condoned this thief. It has become a fact. Even if he follows the established procedures, the Metropolitan Procuratorate will not forgive him lightly This person.
"...This is a plan to frame me! I have to meet with the emperor before I can explain!"
Xiong Wencan was startled at first and had some doubts about his words, but he quickly came up with a plan to delay the attack. He used Emperor Chongzhen to deal with the people in front of him. After arriving in Beijing, he would send people to clear things up, and maybe he could turn the crisis around.
"A frame-up? Are the tens of thousands of taels of silver found in your house a frame-up? Are your women wearing gold and silver also a frame-up? With your current monthly salary, can you live such a luxurious life?"
Originally, Hong Chengchou only heard that Xiong Wencan had received benefits from Zhang Xianzhong in private, but he didn't expect that when he came over to check, it was actually true, and the amount was huge, definitely no less than tens of thousands taels.
"Report! Commander, the gold and silver found from the mansion have been counted. There are 68,700 taels of silver and 3,930 taels of gold. Other treasures such as jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings are still being counted!"
There are indeed a lot of good things moved out of the Xiong Mansion. Most of them were collected from various places by bandits who had been recruited in recent years and then presented to Xiong Wencan as gifts.
"Master Xiong, you are really good at making money! The gold and silver alone are worth one hundred thousand taels, which really makes me envious~! Why don't you take this opportunity to teach me how to make money?"
Now that there is irrefutable evidence, this bastard still refuses to admit it. Hong Chengchou just happened to ridicule him again before executing him, so as to give everyone a warning.
"Hmph! How can you deceive Your Majesty with such trivial tricks? Those who are honest will be honest. I am under the orders of Your Majesty. I have always had a clear conscience as an official!"
Xiong Wencan still insisted on biting it, and he put on an upright and upright attitude. As for those yellow and white things, they were naturally framed, and they had to be framed!
"Hong is quite well-informed. I just found out today that you, Xiong Wencan, are the most shameless person in the world! Come here! Take him away. His Highness the Crown Prince has an order to rectify the person who betrayed the traitor on the spot, and then Send a flying cavalry to take his head to the capital. All silver taels will be used as military pay, and the rest will be packed in boxes and transported to the capital. Please inspect it by His Highness the Crown Prince! I will write two memorials and give them to His Highness the Crown Prince and the Minister of War respectively!"
You, the military prime minister of the six provinces, are not stationed in Wuchang, where the Chief Secretary is, but in Xiangyang. Obviously, it is for the convenience of accepting Zhang Ni's benefits.
Now I will help you, and it will not be in vain for all my colleagues. Before the group of rebellious thieves are wiped out, you are the first court official to be executed!
Hong Chengchou accepted all the money copied from Xiong Wencan's mansion. All he had to do was write it down in the memorial, and it could be used as a reward for killing the leader of the bandit army and distributed to the soldiers of the King's division who had made achievements.
The other items must be handed over to the prince, otherwise just sending a head would mean that all the treasures in the Xiong Mansion have been devoured by him. Hong Chengchou, who is now in great power, has not yet reached the point of being hungry and unscrupulous.
"Hong Chengchou! I am the military prime minister of the six provinces! How dare you kill me, you crazy guy! I will never live with you..."
Xiong Wencan was escorted over, and he immediately realized that Hong Chengchou was not joking with him, and that he really had murderous intentions towards him. He immediately started to pull his neck and howl, and tried hard to shake his shoulders, trying to break free from the restraints of the rope.
"Don't delay! I have an order! Kill this thief quickly!"
Hong Chengchou had previously shown the prince's imperial edict on the execution of Xiong Wencan to the generals and accompanying officials, so no one had any doubts.
Judging from the things found, Xiong Wencan deserves to be killed. He secretly accepted so many benefits from Zhang Xianzhong, and even sold the gun and war horse to others. This man really deserves to be killed, otherwise it will be difficult to quell the public's anger.
If this bastard hadn't profited from it, Zhang Ni wouldn't have been able to quickly regroup in just half a year. The news of revenge and rebellion from Gucheng is due to this person's cover-up.
Xiong Wencan was supposed to show off, but he just chopped it up with a knife, which really gave him an advantage. It's even more irritating for a guy like this to seem so confident before he dies.
"The army will march to Gucheng immediately, without any mistakes!"
After chopping up Xiong Wencan, who was eating everything inside and outside, two-thirds of the errand for this trip was completed.
In addition to killing Zhang Ni, a certain prince told Hong Chengchou three things, that is, he wanted to kill three people.
The first is to kill Liu Zeqing in Jining who tortures the people, the second is to kill Xiong Wencan in Xiangyang who accepts the benefits of bandits, and the third is to kill Chen Hongfan in Gucheng who lets Zhang Ni go free.
The first two criminals have been brought to justice, and now Chen Hongfan is the only one left. However, if the officers and soldiers in Gucheng are fighting with the rebels, Chen Hongfan will definitely not be killed so easily.
When Zhang Xianzhong joined the army in Yansui Town, he was executed for breaking the law. When Chen Hongfan saw this man's outstanding appearance, he interceded for him and spared his life. From then on, Zhang Xianzhong regarded Chen Hongfan as his benefactor and his parent.
Then in the 10th year of Chongzhen, the Donglu army besieged Pidao. Chen Hongfan signed the seal of General Pinglu and led 8,000 troops to rescue. Instead of holding on, he took the lead in escaping from the battle, resulting in the defeat of the Pidao defenders.
Not only was he not imprisoned and executed, but through some operations, Xiong Wencan became the commander-in-chief again, supervising his old friend Zhang Xianzhong in Gucheng. Isn't this the same as letting rats guard the rice vats?
This was another arrangement by the idiot Xiong Wencan. Hong Chengchou was a little angry when he thought of such an arrangement. It was simply stupid. If the prince had not been far-sighted, when Zhang Ni suddenly revolted and the court was caught off guard, Huguang would have been lost.
Thinking of this, Hong Chengchou looked at the map again before leaving. He put his fingers on the marching route and thought about it roughly. After feeling that there was no big disadvantage, he left the city with everyone.
Xiangyang City is no better than Gucheng. It has always been a battleground for military strategists. Therefore, the city here is high and the pond is deep. The Xiangshui River flows around the city in the north, which is a natural defensive barrier. There are many fire cannons at the top of the city, and their range is enough to shock the river.
If Zhang Ni's rebel army wanted to go down the river, it would be fine. The official army could not sink all the enemy ships in the river, but it would be a bit fanciful for him to want to capture Xiangyang with his warships.
Gucheng is only a hundred miles away from Xiangyang. If you send out elite cavalry to gallop forward, even if you bypass the pipeline, you can reach the city in about an hour.
However, the city is now heavily guarded, and Xiangyang City cannot be conquered just by relying on side tactics such as sneak attacks. The city has sufficient wages, money, and food. Even if the rebels plan to besiege for a long time, the defenders are not afraid.
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"No! I can't stand it any longer! The rebel army's offensive is too fierce. I'm afraid that our entire army will be annihilated! Mingfu and Shiyu must think of countermeasures quickly, but we're afraid that we don't have much time~"
The deputy general Ma Tingbao, who was wearing a full armor, saw the densely packed enemies below the city at the head of Gucheng City. His head was spinning. He didn't expect that what was supposed to come came anyway, and he couldn't even hide.
There are forests of swords and guns outside the city, arrows like rain at the top of the city, artillery fire nearby, the rebel army is extremely arrogant, and the formation in the distance is arrogant. This is what Zhang Xianzhong did after being recruited by Xiong Wencan.
The defenders were caught off guard, although the city gate was not quickly breached, but for a small city like Gucheng, facing the siege of tens of thousands of troops, it was only a matter of time before it fell.
Originally, there were not many heavy fire guns, and the bird guns were damaged and could not be replaced all year round, which greatly reduced their combat effectiveness. There were only less than three thousand soldiers left to fight. Facing an elite division like Zhang Ni, the chances of winning were slim. .
Under the constant attack of projectiles, gaps were opened in the parapet wall one after another. Even if door panels were used to fill it, it would be difficult to withstand the numerous thieves and soldiers climbing up using ladders below.
Standing at the top of the city, you can hear the bandit leader below the city calling on the soldiers to continue to climb the city, still chanting the slogan "do justice for heaven and kill corrupt officials".
Then he continued to encourage his soldiers. As long as the city could be broken as soon as possible, the women in the city could be divided up at will, and everyone would be happy for a few days, which made everyone even more frightened.
"I have no other choice. There are so many traitors now and there is no way out. I can only die for the country and repay the emperor's kindness!"
Lin Mingqiu, the patrol censor, secretly took a look at the battle outside the city. He saw that there were as many bandits as a swarm of ants, attacking the city in waves, just like the waves crashing on the shore. He was suddenly frightened and his face was ashen. He was determined and convinced The people of the city were at risk of survival.
"In such a critical moment, where is your general? How come he is not seen at the top of the city???"
Ruan Zhidian, the magistrate of Gucheng County, looked around for a long time, but could not see the shadow of the commander-in-chief Chen Hongfan. He was very surprised. When the rebel army was attacking Gucheng, as the commander-in-chief, Chen Hongfan was pretending to be ill to avoid the battle. ?
"Just now, my subordinates reported that General Chen has left the city with dozens of soldiers..."
Another deputy general, Xu Qizuo, was afraid of affecting the morale of the city's resistance to the rebels, so he had to whisper to several civilian officials around him that he no longer had any hope for the commander-in-chief who had escaped from the battle.
Now after everyone heard the news, they all understood that what Chen Hongfan did was equivalent to treating everyone as a gift and throwing it to Zhang Xianzhong so that he could escape to Xiangyang in exchange for his life. This really angered everyone.
"Zhang is not talented. I hope the two generals will defend this city! I heard that Zhang Ni kills people without batting an eye. Before he was recruited by the court, he often took pleasure in killing soldiers and the people. If this city is lost, wouldn't we? want……"
Supervisor Zhang Dajing was very afraid of death, especially of falling into the hands of Zhang Xianzhong, who called himself the "Eight King". Instead of being tortured to death, he might as well kill himself with a knife, at least it wouldn't hurt too much before he died.
The surrounding government and military forces have been reduced to the city, and the plight of the people outside the city can be imagined. If they cannot hold on, Zhang Dajing plans to surrender. However, there is the murderous devil outside the city, and he may not even be able to beg for surrender. None.
"Alas~! The matter has come to this, and Ma has no choice but to try his best!"
Ma Tingbao knew that he didn't have much time left. If he continued to resist like this and killed many thieves, he would inevitably become a prisoner after the city was breached. Zhang Xianzhong would definitely seek revenge by then.
"Everyone has seen that the thieves are so powerful. We are already alone and unable to support ourselves. Let us all accept our destiny!"
Xu Qizuo did not have the ability to turn the tide, and it was impossible to compare the enemy's and our own forces. Faced with the siege of many thieves under the city, they at least performed much better than the commander-in-chief.
"I don't have the strength to tie the chicken, so I can only help you two to help. If you really can't support it, you two can leave on your own. Ruan is not talented, and he and his family will be loyal to His Majesty!"
If he fought desperately to break through, he might be able to find a way out, but Ruan Zhidian, the magistrate of Gucheng County, knew that if he ran away, the family members in the city would fall into the hands of Zhang Ni, and they would most likely be tortured to death.
Therefore, he gave up the idea of escape. Since it was destiny, he would obey it. The family did not seek the same time, and if he could die, it would be a kind of relief.
Lin Mingqiu, the censor of the patrol, and Zhang Dajing, the military supervisor, were also a little sad after hearing this. Ruan Zhidian's words were not exaggerated. The facts were so cruel. If they could not break through, everyone, including the people in the city, would fall into Zhang Ni's hands. .
This person is ruthless and ruthless, not only killing the people at will, but also extremely resentful of the officials. Once he becomes his prisoner, he may not be able to live in an ignoble way, and a quick death will be a happy thing.
"Hold it to me! Anyone who retreats will be killed!"
Seeing that the situation was getting more critical, Ma Tingbao saw that many bandit soldiers had climbed up from the gap in the female wall and began to seize the position at the top of the city. He immediately slashed two bandits to death with his sword, and then shouted at the surrounding soldiers.
These fools didn't know that retreating would lead to death. If they could stop the attack at the top of the city, they might be able to delay the attack and get reinforcements from Xiangyang to arrive. Once they gave up the city and were seized by the bandits, Gucheng would fall in an instant.
"ah……"
Xu Qizuo was suddenly hit by an arrow in the arm, but he gritted his teeth, pulled it out, wrapped a strip of cloth around the wound, and continued to fight at the top of the city.
If they want to surrender, they have surrendered since the beginning. They have already killed and injured nearly a thousand soldiers of the other side. It will not be so easy to surrender again, and Zhang Xianzhong will not agree easily.
Now that there is no way out, we will have to fight against the trapped beast. At worst, the fish will die and the net will be broken. Even if we die, we must let Zhang Ni know how powerful he is. Although Gucheng is small, it cannot be attacked quickly.
Seeing that the situation had taken a turn for the worse and the city was in danger of falling, Ruan Zhidian, Lin Mingqiu, and Zhang Dajing, who had been hiding in the city tower, also came out to help kill the enemy. Although they were not good at martial arts, they could use every move to scare someone. Thief soldiers.
While everyone was desperately resisting the rebel army's massive attack on the city, they were constantly cursing Chen Hongfan for escaping from the battle. It would be better if this guy accidentally fell off his horse and died, hitting a stone with his head and cracking his skull...
