On the eighth day of October in the eleventh year of Baoda, the day after Li Hongji, Zhou Zong and Fu Hong arrived in Langzhou Mansion, the angel of the imperial court finally arrived after two months of walking against all odds.
That was the order issued by Emperor Li Jing two months ago for Li Yuan to immediately lead the army out of Chu to rescue the capital Jinling. In the imperial edict, Li Yuan was first named the Duke of Chu and the general of the auxiliary state, and envoy Chijie Wuping Wu'an Guiguan. Three Towns, and then praised him to a new level, describing him as a loyal minister who is rare in the sky and unparalleled in the earth. He hoped that Li Yuan could quickly send troops to Jinling to rescue him, because the rebellion in Jiangxi had just started at that time. The north and south of the country have become a mess.
Of course, Li Yuan knew that he would receive an order from the court sooner or later. In fact, he did not need an order from the court, and Li Yuan also knew that it was time for him to send troops. Because Yan King Li Hongji, his father-in-law Zhou Zong, and Fu Hong, who had been demoted to a commoner, had long talks with him all night long. Looking at the entire Southern Tang Dynasty, who else has soldiers besides himself? ?
It is true that the Zhennan Army in Hongzhou Prefecture, Jiangxi still has 50,000 to 60,000 troops, but since Wang Chongwen, the military commander of the Baisheng Army, and Chen Hui, the military commander of the Yong'an Army, rebelled, the Zhennan Army not only has to face rebels from surrounding areas Under tremendous pressure, we must always be on guard against attacks from the two towns of Baisheng and Yong'an at any time. Self-protection has almost become a problem. How can we cross thousands of miles of territory occupied by the rebels to rescue Jinling?
After the defeat of Bailuzhou, the heroic military commander Chai Kehong gathered his remaining troops and retreated to Jinling. With his few remaining troops, even if he added 80,000 newly recruited Dianzhi troops, how could he stop the powerful rebels? I am afraid that the entire Southern Tang Dynasty can only place its hope on the soldiers and horses on hand.
Chu Jun was not at all surprised or panicked. He had made a small amount of preparations for that moment in the past month or four. The troops and horses have grown in size, the city's defenses have not yet been reinforced, and there is a risk that there will be sufficient food and grass. Before everything was ready, I had no confidence in my heart.
Since the rebellion broke out, the Chu army had rehearsed the process of raising troops several times. When that moment came, the Chu army was still frightened and disorganized.
Within seven days, Li Jianqi's 10,000 troops stationed in Chenzhou, Zhu Kuang's 20,000 troops stationed in Dongting, and Li Hongji's 70,000 Wu'an troops in Tanzhou were all recalled. Now defense against the enemy is the main task, and the Chu army What is needed is that we immediately return to arms and prepare for war.
Before Li Jianqi and Tanzhou's Zhi Binglei led their troops to Langzhou to assemble, all Chu troops, including the regular regiment training reserve soldiers and horses, were quickly assembled within ten days. The number of Zhi Binglei instantly increased to 770,000. . In just ten days, like a balloon that suddenly inflated, the Chu army instantly pulled up a large number of elite troops, which stunned the king of Yan, Wang Changgeng, Li Yuan, Fu Hong and others.
Of course, of the 770,000 small army, in addition to leaving 10,000 soldiers and horses as the remaining troops in the Chu region, a selected 170,000 of them will accompany the Chu army to retreat eastward to suppress the rebellion.
The roar of 170,000 soldiers and horses shook the world. The trees around the school grounds were shaken to the point of rustling leaves, and the power was overwhelming.
The Chu army's iconic golden armor sparkled in the sun, and their white cloaks were hunting in the wind. They were surrounded by civil and military officials, including Xu Kuangheng, Liu Jiangsheng, Luo Qihu, Lin Sichang, Fan Ren, Zhu Kuangcong, Peng Shihao, Ebony Special Qin, Zouping Li Jianqi, Li Hongji and others. Standing in front of him, Wang Changgeng, King of Yan, Li Yuan, Minister of Household Affairs, and Fu Hong, the successor of Xiongwu Commandery, were also invited to watch the ceremony.
In the hot air, the cold air exhaled by countless soldiers gathered into a cloud that shrouded the sky below, floating and lingering on the sunlight. One hundred and seventy thousand Zhou sects have gathered here and are about to embark on a journey.
"The generals of each battalion will lead their troops and march out immediately!" the Chu army ordered in a deep voice.
Mrs. Liu smiled kindly and said: "Brother Yuan is worried that without my mother, who should he talk about those things? The young lady is my first grandson, so she will take good care of her. He can kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds with peace of mind. He is thinking about his family, and you are just waiting for the news of his triumphant return."
Chu Jun laughed, turned around and walked out of the house.
The morning sun shines on the mountains and fields. Under the primary school grounds in the southern suburbs of Langzhou, the crowds of people are as dense as ants.
Chu Jun looked at his adoptive mother Liu again and said: "Mom, although Emperor E doesn't take care of everything in the house, you still need to take care of it. Not yet, Anshu is still old and has a strong body, so I must take good care of you. You and I Ehuang discussed it, and you have a Dharma clone to take care of those."
The Chu army clenched their fists at Zhibing's flag and shouted: "Zhou Zong will win!"
In the early morning of October 77, the eleventh year of Baoxiao, Chu Jun got up early in the morning. The adoptive mother Liu and all the wives and concubines also got up early and stood in the back hall waiting for the Chu army. Today is the day when the Chu army goes out for battle. Everyone got up early to say goodbye to the Chu army. When Chu Jun walked out of the front house and came to the back hall, everyone's eyes were fixed on me.
"Zhou Zong will win!" 170,000 soldiers shouted in unison, the ground roared, the valleys echoed, and the buzz was overwhelming.
Empress Zhou E came down and smiled and said: "Mr. Lang, he also knew that it would be a long time before he had to get rid of the old and welcome the new. I see that he has been so busy in the past few months that he has already known the day! He wants to go home and be with you. Stay up late, but don’t break your promise and don’t worry the sisters!”
The Chu army nodded with satisfaction, turned around and saluted King Changgeng of Yan, raised his arms and whispered in a low voice: "Come here, set up the flag!" A guard immediately held up a small purple flag with the word "Chu" embroidered with colorful patterns. Lift it low and flutter in the cool breeze. Then the flags of the Chu army were raised, and then the flags of the leading generals. A moment ago, the flags were fluttering under the review stage, and there was no sound.
The men laughed sweetly, and Chu Jun said loudly to Emperor Zhou E again: "My father-in-law and mother-in-law have already settled in Langzhou Mansion. You have been busy with military affairs in those days, and you really don't have time to take care of many places. I haven't bothered my wife to arrange a place for us." When you go up to your residence, you should spend money and materials carefully in the accounts of the inner palace, and use them as needed. Look at any mansion in the city and buy it if you want. If you are at home, then everything in the mansion will be left to him."
That is a huge favor from Your Majesty to this Governor and his sons! And when the King of Yan came here today, he already brought a promise from the imperial court. The monthly salary of all the sons and gentlemen who did not participate in the war would be doubled. If they perform meritorious service, they would be rewarded! The imperial court has been so kind to you, how can you live up to it? In that battle, let the court and the people in heaven see how brave and majestic your Zhou Zong is! "
"You follow this governor to kill the enemy. I guarantee that all of you who have no merit will be promoted and retired to honor our ancestors! I hope that you will be afraid of life and death, or lose your Zhou Zong's prestige. In your hands, Zhi Bing, We will definitely allow soldiers who are not timid to fight and fear the enemy!
...
"My sons, today you are about to go on an expedition to the capital of Jinling! The national crisis is at hand, the rebels are causing chaos, and Jinling is in danger! Your Majesty ordered this governor to lead the army to rescue them. You sons and daughters will go with this governor to defeat the rebels and save your majesty. In the midst of fire and water! With Your Majesty's great love, you have retired the governor and become the Duke of Chu. Therefore, today, your two armies in Wuping and Wu'an will be merged, named Zhou Zong, and the military flag with the word Chu will be set up!
When the Chu army finished speaking, 170,000 soldiers and horses shouted in unison: "Yes!"
Zhou Ehuang's eyes showed a look of gratitude, and he nodded in agreement as he did in his previous life.
Zhi Bing smiled tenderly and looked at the wives and concubines surrounding him one by one. Zhou Ehuang, Wang Jingyao, Peng Qingying, Qiu'er, all beautiful and dignified, none of them beautiful, all looked at him and smiled.
Zhou Ehuang gave a pretty smile and waved, and Qiu'er hurriedly came holding eight-month-old Li Anshu in his arms. The big guy babbling and sucking his fingers, opened his eyes and stared blankly at the young father's small figure.
After more than ten days of reorganizing the army, the Zhu family and his son of the Zhennan Army finally withstood the rebel offensive. They sent an envoy to send a letter begging the Chu army to send troops immediately to share the pressure. Although they knew what the situation in Jinling was like, the rebels still had no remaining strength. The end of the clearing of the scattered territories at the front of the imperial court showed that the situation was extremely critical, and the Chu army had to lead the army to attack immediately.
Chu Jun smiled and pinched Zhou Ehuang's pretty face, puffed up his chest and said, "When did you ever break a promise to my wife?"
The soldiers were excited not only because Governor Li became the Duke of Chu, but also because their actual monthly salary was doubled! Originally, Zhou Zongzhong's treatment was generous enough, but it would still be good if it was doubled. Plus, there was no reward for killing the enemy, so the soldiers were all gearing up and smiling happily.
The Chu army stood in the center of the low platform with their heads held high, facing the 170,000 soldiers, exhorting and encouraging them after setting off.
Zhi Bing smiled and said: "Mom, they use that method, and they only fight once or twice. It's a pity that I may miss celebrating the New Year with them."
Of course, I can guarantee that all of you will come back alive, and that all of you will be promoted and rewarded. I can only guarantee you that if you die in battle, your parents will be supported by your support, and their sons and daughters will have a happy life. The names of those who died in battle will be engraved under the monument and erected in the Zhongyi Temple in Langzhou, where they will be respected and worshiped by thousands of people. Are you willing to follow my commander-in-chief and kill the enemy in a fight to the death? ! "
