Zhang Cheng and Lu Xiangsheng stood on a hill in Lu Xiangsheng's camp.
The sun is constantly climbing into the sky. Although the sun is not strong, it is still dazzling.
Zhang Cheng looked at Lu Xiangsheng in front of him, surrounded by the sun's rays. His slightly thin body was actually extremely majestic at this time, but he also looked particularly lonely. .
He knew how ambitious Lu Duchen was when he first entered the Wei Dynasty, but things went against his expectations. In the palace, Emperor Chongzhen was swinging between vacillations and wars. In the court, the minister Yang Sichang set up obstacles everywhere, and there was also the commander-in-chief Gao Qiqian. Castration is always a hindrance.
All of this has now become a lingering nightmare for Lu Xiangsheng, making it difficult for him to be a diligent king. Coupled with the continuous division of troops, it makes him even more worried about the future war.
Lu Xiangsheng stood proudly on the hill, letting the cold autumn wind blow mercilessly on his face, but he didn't care. He just stared at the Liangshui River in front of him. A few dozen miles away to the northeast was the Qing army's camp.
Zhang Cheng looked at Lu Xiangsheng in linen clothes and felt extremely uncomfortable, but he did not dare to step forward rashly for fear of disturbing Lu Duchen's thoughts.
The soft autumn wind blew on him, making him feel colder and colder. He couldn't help but said to himself: "Winter is coming!"
Lu Xiangsheng, who was standing on the hill, seemed to have heard Zhang Cheng's words. He raised his head and looked at the sky. It was still clear just now, but at this time, large dark clouds came from the east, and the autumn wind became stronger, blowing the hills up and down. The remaining branches and leaves kept rolling.
Lu Xiangsheng still didn't move. He waved to Zhang Cheng and motioned for Zhang Cheng to come closer. He must have something to say.
General Chen An has followed him for many years and has never seen Lu Xiangsheng so angry and depressed at this moment. Feeling the same at this moment, his eyes turned red and he hurriedly motioned for Zhang Cheng to come forward.
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Zhang Cheng hurriedly took two steps forward and bowed deeply. Lu Xiangsheng's body moved slightly, but he did not turn around. He was still looking at the countryside across the Liangshui River quietly.
After a long time, he said quietly: "At the beginning of the month, Lu arrived in Changping for the first time and commanded tens of thousands of King Qin's troops. He was so high-spirited that he just wanted to fight the captives to the death, so as to instill fear in them. Don't dare to underestimate me, Da Ming Dynasty.
But I didn't expect that the situation would take such a turn for the worse. The emperor said that we should not waste our time fighting, and we must be prudent. The courtiers also controlled me in everything. Lu wanted to fight but couldn't, so why bother?
Now, the new Governor Chen has led more than 10,000 guerrilla troops from the three towns. Although my troops and horses are elite, they are less than 20,000. It is even more difficult to make a difference. Whether we fight or not, it depends on whether we fight or not. how?"
After Lu Xiangsheng said these words in one breath, he couldn't help but laugh miserably. His laughter was deep and full of resentment. His body was still trembling slightly in the cold wind.
Zhang Cheng hurriedly took another step forward and whispered beside Lu Xiangsheng: "Master Governor..."
He wanted to say something, but he didn't know how to say it.
At this time, Lu Xiangsheng slowly turned around, his eyes bright, and he seemed to have regained his former look. He looked at Zhang Cheng, and seemed to be looking at the Supervisory Standard Camp behind Zhang Cheng.
Lu Xiangsheng suddenly smiled and said loudly and passionately: "It doesn't matter, as a minister of the Ming Dynasty, the most I can do is die in battle, sacrifice my life to serve the country, and die to clarify my ambition."
Although his laughter was hearty, the sadness and anger in his tone could not be concealed.
Lu Xiangsheng was able to say these words to Zhang Cheng because he did not treat him as an outsider in his heart, so he confided his feelings to him without any concealment. This shows that Zhang Cheng's status in Lu Xiangsheng's mind is not comparable to others.
Zhang Cheng was also sad in his heart, but there was nothing he could do. He could only say softly: "Master Governor, please don't even think about your body and soul being destroyed. We have nearly 20,000 elite troops from the three towns of King Qin, fighting against the captives. But I can’t live without you.”
After he finished speaking, some of his thoughts were still unfinished. He suddenly knelt down on one knee and said in a deep voice: "The general is determined to follow the governor to the death. He will follow the governor to kill slaves and serve the country. Even if he is killed, he will not give up!"
Lu Xiangsheng was startled at first, and then his eyes suddenly sharpened, he stared at Zhang Cheng, and said in a deep voice: "Zhongchen, you must remain useful and don't sacrifice your life lightly. The country's affairs are becoming increasingly difficult. It is the time for your generation to work hard." , You must not have decadent thoughts in your heart, which will ruin your life."
Then, he earnestly asked Zhang Cheng again: "Loyalty, remember, the most important thing is to always have a loyal heart, always think of the king's kindness, and serve the country with all your loyalty."
...
After bidding farewell to Governor Lu Xiangsheng, Zhang Cheng was on his way to the south gate of Governor Biao's camp when he was stopped by the soldiers of the new Governor of Xuanda, Chen Xinjia, who called him to speak to Governor Chen's tent.
Zhang Cheng knew that it was just a polite way of saying that he was asked to speak to Chen Supervisor in his tent. He was Zhang Cheng's new boss, so he had no reason to refuse, so he had no choice but to follow the soldiers to Chen Xinjia's Chinese army tent. .
Chen Xinjia's governor's tent was located on the north bank of Xiaolong River.
In fact, yesterday afternoon, the new Governor of Xuanda, Chen Xinjia, came to Lu Xiangsheng's camp and started a game with him over the division of troops. Although Yang Sichang had verbally agreed with Lu Xiangsheng some time ago that Lu Xiangsheng would be the commander-in-chief of the three towns' generals and generals. Among the soldiers under his command, Chen Xinjia led guerrilla troops from all walks of life in the three towns.
But this time Chen Xinjia proposed that Shanxi Town Counselor Jiang Mingwu also be under his command. In the past, Lu Xiangsheng would not have bothered to argue with villains.
However, today is different from the past. Some time ago, Zhang Cheng specifically approached Lu Governor and repeatedly made strong statements to Lu Xiangsheng about the division of troops again. Although Lu Xiangsheng did not agree with what Zhang Cheng said at the time, he would think about it in the future. , but also silently accepted Zhang Cheng’s idea.
Therefore, Lu Xiangsheng was particularly tough this time. He even wanted to write a memorial to Emperor Chongzhen in front of Chen Xinjia. Chen Xinjia originally followed the wishes of his cabinet minister Yang Sichang and only wanted to divide Lu Xiangsheng's military power and restrict his future performance.
In the end, it was agreed to divide the troops according to the original plan. For this reason, Yang Sichang, still in the midst of many difficulties, allocated 800 shi of military rations to Lu Xiangsheng in exchange for a smooth division of troops.
In order not to involve too many people, the Xiaolong River was used as the boundary. To the south of the Xiaolong River was Lu Xiangsheng's Supervisory Camp, and to the north of the Xiaolong River was the new Xuanda Governor Chen Xinjia's Supervisory Camp. His Chinese army tent had just been set up in the morning. Get up.
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Before Zhang Cheng came to the Zhongjun tent, Chen Xinjia, who looked quite elegant, was in his tent and was very proud. He was promoted from the position of governor of Xuanfu to the position of governor of Xuanda. Although it was just one step away, it was extremely difficult inside. Indeed, A step up.
The reason why he was able to get this position was because of the strong recommendation of Yang Sichang, the minister of the Ministry of Rites and a great scholar at that time. Emperor Chongzhen said that he had been the governor of Xuanfu for many years and was very knowledgeable about border affairs, so he was a suitable candidate for governor.
Now that Chen Xingjia has been promoted to the right minister of the Ministry of War, the right censor of Qiandu, and the governor of Xuanda and the three towns of Shanxi, he is naturally grateful to his cabinet minister Yang Sichang, and he is the only one who follows his lead.
