On October 23, the 13th year of Chongzhen's reign, troops gathered in the south of Yongning City on Xuanzhen East Road.
Zhang Cheng rode his horse until he reached the formation of Zhang Guangda's cavalry camp on the far west side. .”
"Zhang Guangda, you are the vanguard of the army. We need to open roads across mountains, build bridges when encountering water, and detect the enemy's situation to prepare the army."
"The general will get the order at the end."
"Leave!"
"Here."
Zhang Guangda rode his horse back to the front of the formation and commanded the troops to move out. The cavalry camp was composed of heavy cavalry and transport troops into the central army, with the light cavalry in front, while the rangers were scattered around the army to monitor the surrounding terrain and enemy conditions at any time.
The power of the cavalry marching was unmatched by the infantry. Although there were only less than two thousand soldiers, there were nearly three thousand horses. They galloped into action, making a sound that shook the earth and could be heard for miles, raising smoke and dust all over the sky.
Following the cavalry camp was the chariot camp, with two chariots and one chariot, and more than 3,000 sergeants guarding nearly 300 carts. The momentum was also amazing, with the mules and horses neighing and rolling forward.
In addition to the carriages and chariots of the car camp, traveling with the car camp were two Chinese army Wanggan chariots, one trolley chariot, four drum chariots, and one commander's chariot. Their momentum was no less than Riding camp.
Lin Fangping led the Guards' Bureau B and Bureau C to stay. They will accompany Zhang Cheng with the Tongzi Battalion, while Bureau D will stay in the Red Castle together with the Jianfu Battalion.
Finally, the infantry camp advanced in formation, with Cui Shijie on the left leading, Zhang Guodong leading the central army and Jin Yong's central army in the middle, and Chen Dakuan's right following.
The army marched in order, with smoke and dust flying, various generals' recognition flags, drum flags, door flags, five-square flags, corner flags, inspection flags, Qianzong's recognition flags, Bazong's recognition flags, Hundreds of Generals' recognition flags, etc. were fluttering in the wind. , it’s really beautiful. Of course, the most eye-catching thing is the banner of Zhang Cheng’s Chinese Army that follows the Chinese Army.
As the army advanced in formation, a loud military song was heard.
"Don't you see, the Han Dynasty's army has weak crowns, and the prisoners are asking for long tassels.
I don’t see you, Ban Ding is far away, Jueyu Qingqi urges Zhan Yun!
A man should be in a dangerous career, why should he let a scholar's crown ruin his life?
Kuang Nai's country is in danger as if it were full of eggs, and the feathers and feathers are racing without stopping!
Abandon my old pen and keep my wartime pen,
At one call, more than 100,000 comrades sang war songs and joined the army.
Cleanse yourself from the dust and vow to sweep away the Tartars regardless of your own safety! "
…………
Amidst the loud military songs, the army marched in sequence, rolled forward, and gradually disappeared from people's sight.
Zhang Cheng's bright golden armor was exactly the one given to him by King Qin, and the sword hanging high on his waist was also given by the emperor. He drove his horse to the front of Wu Zhizhong, Liu Minshen, Tong Shouxin and other generals, clasped his fists and said: " I’ll leave the east road to you.”
After he finished speaking, without waiting for anyone to answer, he whipped up his horse and ran towards the army to pursue him. The two guards and two battalions of boys followed behind him and disappeared in a flash.
Zhang Cheng has not returned to Chicheng since he sent troops to suppress the bandits on the East Road in August. This time he will go to Henan Province. He misses his wife Ji Xuanzhu, who is more than five months pregnant.
Therefore, while the army was about to set out, he led a group of his followers to rush back to the Red Castle, where there were still some matters that needed to be explained.
At Youshi, Zhang Cheng led Zhang Chengfang, Zhang Jintai and other boy battalions back to the General's Office in Chicheng Castle. Everyone knew that Zhang Cheng's return was on a tight schedule, so they arrived early to wait at the General's Office.
Zhang Cheng didn't talk nonsense. He went straight to the official hall in the middle hall of the general's office to meet with the generals. Generals Chen Zheng, Yan Qingrong, Gao Jinggong, Qian Zongtian Mingyu and Zhou Ping were also waiting for orders here.
Now, Chen Zheng has been promoted to a guerrilla general and replaced Zhang Cheng in guarding the base of the North Road. Everyone knows that if nothing unexpected happens, Chen Zheng is very likely to assist Zhang Cheng in guarding the North Road in the future and sit here. Invisibly, he Has become the leader of the people.
Although in the row of seats, Yan Qingrong is still ranked first on the left, and Chen Zheng is still in second place, everyone here also knows the weight.
In addition, sitting on the right are Tang Ruowang, Shi Tiegen, Wang Qiancheng, Li Chengmao, Du Gui, Xin Congjian and others. After receiving the notice, they had rushed to the Red Castle the day before to wait.
Looking at the people in the official hall, Zhang Cheng was thinking about another very important matter, based on the history in his memory.
These two years were supposed to be the famous "Songjin War" in history, but Zhang Cheng only vaguely remembered this battle that determined the fate of the Ming Dynasty. It lasted for about two or three years, but the specific details were unknown. not much.
He only remembered this station. The Ming army was defeated because it was eager for a decisive battle. The generals Yang Guozhu, Wang Tingchen, Cao Bianjiao and others were all killed in the battle. Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou were defeated and surrendered to the Qing Dynasty. The general Wang Pu was the first to escape, causing the general Soldiers Wu Sangui, Ma Ke, Li Fuming, Bai Guangen, Tang Tong and others all fled among themselves.
Based on the importance he attached to this matter, he paid special attention to Niu Sheng, Lu Dachun, Yu Shangyou and other people in the capital to pay more attention to the Tangbao and Dicopy information in this regard and pass it back in time.
According to the news from the capital, the "Songjin War" was still in its early stages at this time. In March, the Qing soldiers only began to order Prince Zheng Jierhalang, Dorobele Duduo and others to lead the troops to build the righteousness. In Zhoucheng, "Garrisoned in the fields, ordered the Ningjin area outside Shanhaiguan not to be cultivated."
They also sent troops to capture various strongholds outside Jinzhou City, and then set up camps on all sides to cut off foreign aid. They also set up eight camps along each side of Jinzhou City, dug long trenches five or six miles away from the city, set up crenels along the trenches, and sent soldiers Sentinels patrolled and surrounded Yimi.
In the face of the situation of the Qing troops, Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, speculated that the Qing troops were repeating the tactics of the Dalinghe River. He responded actively and vigorously stocked up grain in Jinzhou, Xingshan, Ningyuan and other places. Each place had at least a supply of grain. The defenders need half a year's worth of food and fodder to sustain their long-term consumption needs.
Zhang Cheng estimated based on this that the Songjin War would not end for more than a year. He only asked everyone in the capital to pay close attention, while he accelerated the integration of East Road resources.
Now he opened his mouth and said: "It is extremely dangerous for Zhang Cheng to go here. The locust plague in Henan is extremely serious now. Famine is everywhere. Wherever the rogues go, those who respond to them gather. The situation becomes more and more difficult to control. Moreover, due to the repeated defeats of the rogues, The more you fight, the braver you become, and the more you fight, the better you become. In my opinion, it cannot be destroyed in one battle.
Regardless of the outcome of Zhang Cheng's campaign to suppress bandits, the North Road is the foundation for us and others to settle down. I hope you will do your best to protect our only property. "
Everyone agreed in unison, and Chen Zheng stood up and clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Deputy Commander. Chen Zheng will definitely guard the North Road, train his troops, and protect the base for the Deputy Commander."
Zhang Cheng nodded with satisfaction. The reason why he left Chen Zheng in Chicheng was because of his trust in Chen Zheng. As long as Chen Zheng was in Chicheng, Beilu would not be able to overturn the world. His mother, aunt, especially His wife Ji Xuanzhu is safer.
Secondly, Chen Zheng is training two troops here. Even if he has a bad start and returns to the North Road, he will not be alone, not to mention there are more than two thousand troops in Yongning City.
