In the Zhougong Temple in the west of Luoyang City, Chuang King Li Zicheng had just finished his lunch. Since the capture of Luoyang City, various affairs had been complicated. Although the generals had a clear division of labor and each performed their responsibilities, he still felt that there were too few available people under his command. In particular, there is an even greater shortage of talents for civil administration.
Until today, the interrogation of the officials and generals in Luoyang City has come to an end. Those who had serious complaints from the people were beheaded in front of the Zhougong Temple. Li Shuangxi assisted Niu Jinxing in handling all the inspections.
Only then did he free up time to deal with other military affairs. It was only at this time that Gu Dacheng had the opportunity to report to him how Yanshi was recaptured by the army. Li Zicheng was not too concerned about the loss of Yanshi.
But the official army that Gu Dacheng mentioned caught his attention. Although the army under his command was not good at defending the city, he was quite surprised that it was captured by that official army in less than half a day.
Moreover, according to what Gu Dacheng said, the army was highly disciplined, well-equipped with armor, and extremely efficient in combat. Its command and dispatch methods were different from those of the local Henan army, especially the high proportion of guns used in the army.
"Who is Zhang Cheng?"
Li Zicheng muttered to himself the name he had just heard. He turned to look at the people around him and saw that everyone shook their heads to express that they did not recognize this person. When he looked at Song Xiance and Li Yan, I saw a smile on Song Xiance's lips.
Li Zicheng then asked: "Do Mr. Li, Mr. Niu and the military advisor know the origin of this person?"
Although King Chuang asked Li Yan first, Li Yan was unwilling to speak first because he understood that Niu Jinxing was already in the position of King Chuang's "guest mentor" in the Chuang army.
Song Xiance was originally recommended by Niu Jinxing, so he avoided the rabbit and "crossed" to the front of Niu Jinxing. The two of them only looked at Niu Jinxing, indicating that he would be the first to speak.
Niu Jinxing did not refuse, and just listened to him say: "As far as I know, there is a young general in Xuanzhen, his name is Zhang Cheng. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the Tatars invaded the capital. This man once went to the capital and followed the governor Lu Xiangsheng. Fight against a giant deer.
After Lu Xiangsheng died in the battle, this man led hundreds of cavalry to break through. Later, he followed the new governors of Xuanda, Chen Xinjia and Sun Chuanting, to intercept and kill the returning Tatars in Jibei. He once attacked the slave camp at night and killed the slave chiefs Ma Zhan and Yue. Trust.
Because his military merits were far greater than those of other generals, Emperor Chongzhen personally named him the best among the three armies. General Yi Gu said that this person must be the one who led the attack on Yanshi! "
Li Zicheng did not comment, but looked at Li Yan and Song Xiance, and said, "Do Mr. Li and the military advisor know anything about Zhang Cheng?"
Li Yan had kept a relatively low profile since he joined the army. At this time, he looked at Song Xiance and asked him to speak first.
Song Xiance gently stroked the few beards on his chin and said: "When I was in Kaifeng, I also heard that during the eleventh year of Chongzhen, there was a young general who was the nephew of Zhang Yan, the general of Xuanfu. He followed the army to King Qin of Beijing. Fight the Tatars all the way.
After the Battle of Julu, Governor Lu Xiangsheng and his uncle Zhang Yan were both killed in the battle, but the son was able to lead hundreds of cavalry to break through, and then attacked the prisoner camp at night in Jibei, killing the slave chiefs Ma Zhan and Yue Tuo. Their names seemed to match. Yes, I’m just not sure if it’s this Zhang Cheng! "
Li Zicheng still looked at Li Yan and asked, "Master Li, can you add anything?"
Li Yan then spoke: "There were a lot of rumors about the incident of Zhang Cheng in Xuanzang. The main ones were the arrow shooting of Dorgon, the bloody battle with Julu, the formation of Ma Zhan and Yue Tuo.
I have also seen on the imperial palace that when he first joined the Wei Qinwang, he held the military position of General Qian. Because of his deeds, there were many rumors and people paid much attention to them on weekdays. After Zhang Cheng returned to the Xuan Mansion, He left Zhenbei Road with a guerrilla military position.
As far as I know, this person is also extremely domineering on the North Road. With the governor's connivance, he has tried his best to suppress the local military leaders. He was promoted to the rank of staff general a few months ago and has more than 5,000 newly recruited officers and soldiers under his command. The combat strength of his troops is unknown! "
Liu Zongmin suddenly said: "Never mind him, we don't have the time and energy to deal with him now. No matter how strong the army is, what can we do? Cao Wenzhao's uncle and nephew, such as He Madman, Zuo Liangyu and others, are also known as We have a powerful army, but we can’t even do it!”
Li Zicheng also smiled at this time and said: "Well, so to speak, this letter is indeed a bit unusual. It was reported that the imperial court dispatched troops from Xuanzhen and Jingying to come to Henan to assist us and suppress us. I think it must be It’s Zhang Cheng’s team.
Jiexuan is right, in the ten years since our uprising, we have not been able to defeat any kind of fierce generals and strong armies, and when have we ever been afraid of them!
However, there were reports from sentry posts in Yanshi that there were 7,000 to 8,000 officers and soldiers. Previously, Li Jiyu’s troops in Dengfeng were defeated by this army and were recaptured. We should not take it too lightly, and we still need to strengthen our control. The sentry inspection of this official army must keep track of its military strength and movements at all times. "
Everyone agreed with King Chuang's words, and Liu Zongmin said even more enthusiastically: "Li Ji sent someone over to express his submission when he met this guy, but why did he turn around and join the army? Huh, if this guy is guilty of this crime, In my hands, he will definitely look good!"
Next, everyone discussed some matters such as recruiting brave soldiers and providing relief, and then had dinner together in the Zhougong Temple. During the dinner, they even agreed to hold a wedding for Li Yan and the Red Lady in two days.
…………
Lanterns were hung high in the Yangjia Louzhai. Yang Shibin held a banquet in the main hall of the central hall to entertain Zhang Cheng, Chen Zhong and Lin Fangping. He also called his elder brother Yang Shili and younger brother Yang Shijie to accompany them.
Yang Shili is in his forties, and is usually responsible for managing the Yang family's farms in various places. Yang Shijie is less than thirty years old, and he is a powerful man. He is the leader of the Yangjialou Village and is responsible for the Yangjialou Village. Defense and protection.
Yang Shili was mature and reserved and didn't talk much, and he was very well-behaved when accompanying people at banquets. However, Yang Shijie was much more lively. He was a little reserved in front of Zhang Cheng, but he kept chatting with Chen Zhong and seemed to be very familiar with him.
Yang Shibin had previously told brothers Yang Shili and Yang Shijie about the weapons and cannons that Zhang Cheng was going to donate. When they heard about it, they were overjoyed and went out, and the dinner became even more enthusiastic.
But Yang Shibin had more plans in mind. Although he chatted enthusiastically with Zhang Cheng and kept toasting, he was always thinking about how to say it!
After witnessing the combat prowess of Chen Zhong's cavalry some time ago, and hearing that they were under the command of Zhang Cheng in Xuanzang, who was the best among the three armies, he tried his best to win over Chen Zhong. His purpose was obvious, which was to fight in these troubled times. Grab yourself the ever-powerful foreign aid.
After three drinks and five dishes, when everyone was drunk, Yang Liying led two little maids in tight-fitting jackets and swords into the hall.
She was still dressed as she was during the day. Under the candlelight, Yang Liying, who was wearing a red jacket, looked even more fair and tender. Her tall figure, proudly erect chest, and heroic face made her even more radiant.
Yang Liying came directly to Zhang Cheng, cupped her fists and said, "General Zhang, I'm here to offer you a bowl of wine and thank you for giving me the two muskets!"
