On December 22nd, Zhang Cheng's army was stationed fifteen miles south of Yuanwu County on the north bank of the Yellow River in Kaifeng Prefecture. Wei Zhice's Cheying also crossed the Yellow River from Sunjia Ferry today and met Zhang Cheng. The main force is in one place.
All the generals gathered in the Chinese army's tent, and Lin Fangping was reporting on the military reports obtained by sentry scouts in recent days.
"Liu Jinhai and Li Jiyu have led more than 100,000 hungry people through Wu'an County. It is estimated that the journey will almost reach Xingtai County today. Niu Sheng has prepared grain on the road so that the hungry people can enter the Xuanfu territory through Zijin Pass.
The intruders recruited more than 100,000 new soldiers in Luoyang, and they all marched south into the Funiu Mountains. The fire in Prince Fu's palace burned for several days. It is estimated that the intruders had no intention of holding on to Luoyang. "
"It's such a pity that the good Fu Wang Palace burned down all of a sudden." Zhang Guangda complained in a rough voice.
Wei Zhice continued: "The reason why rogue bandits are called rogue bandits is because they do not engage in production, only destruction. They robbed everything they passed, and even coerced the hungry people to build up their momentum. Luoyang City has not yet been eradicated." It's a blessing to be safe."
Zhang Cheng said with a serious face: "The bandit army was previously a group of ignorant refugees and deserters. Although they fought hard and were all desperadoes, they did not have a clear constitution and program.
But things are different now. For example, cities such as Xin'an, Yiyang, and Yanshi fell into the hands of thieves, and no more raids were carried out. Although there was no clear official garrison in the cities, it was also revealed that the thieves wanted to conquer the world. We can no longer regard him as a bandit because of his ambition. "
He went on to say: "Previously, no educated person had ever joined the bandits. However, since the downfall of Jiren Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, a divinator, and Li Yan, a scholar-scumbag, have pledged their lives to thieves, giving the bandit army a clear idea. The goal gave rise to the desire to compete for the world.
When fighting against him, our army must no longer regard him as a rogue bandit, nor must he have any self-respect for the bandit. Either he will not fight, but if he wants to fight, he must hit him within seven inches. He must be beaten painfully and crippled, so that he will know I am powerful and know that our military's reputation is not for nothing! "
All the generals promised loudly with serious expressions.
Zhang Cheng looked at Lin Fangping again and said, "Does Chen Zhong have any information? Do you know the movement of the bandit army?"
Lin Fangping replied: "There was news recently that the bandit army was led by bandit general Tian Jianxiu to capture Ruzhou. No further action has been seen so far. There are also more than ten thousand bandit soldiers gathered near Baima Temple in the east of Luoyang City. , we haven’t figured out where to go next.”
Zhang Guodong continued: "The newly recruited soldiers and horses of the intruders are no longer able to be used, so they have been transferred back to Funiu Mountain for training. Those gathered in the east of Luoyang City at this time must be their elite soldiers. The target is either eastern Henan or southern Henan."
Zhang Cheng also nodded. He agreed with Zhang Guodong's judgment and asked Lin Fangping: "What's going on with Li Xianfeng?"
"Li Xianfeng is still lingering in Meng County, and there is no new movement."
Wei Zhizhi said with a mocking tone: "It's really hard for our Governor Li. He sees Luoyang in the hands of thieves, but he doesn't dare to attack in order to regain it.
As for the bandits going south to attack Ruzhou, he didn't dare to rescue them. Seeing that the bandits were gathering in the east of Luoyang City, and there was a danger of plotting to Kaifeng, he didn't even dare to return the troops and made plans in advance. He was really in a dilemma. ! "
Zhang Guodong also asked Zhang Cheng at this time: "Commander, will the bandits really come to attack Kaifeng?"
Zhang Cheng looked at the generals in the tent and said: "It's just a guess at the moment. After the intruders captured Luoyang, they gained a lot of money. If they have great wisdom, they should retreat between the Funiu and Xiong'er mountains to cultivate the fields and train the people." , wait for the army to come out in the coming year, maybe it will be able to dominate the world.
However, judging from his performance, he was already a little arrogant after he went to Luoyang. He just thought that no one in Henan could defeat him. I guessed that his troops in the east of Luoyang City must be trying to open the city, and seeing the show in the fields of Ruzhou was just a tactic to suspect soldiers. "
He continued: "I retreated from Yanshi before, and even today, if the intruders really attack Kaifeng, their soldiers will not be numerous, but they will all be their elites. In this single battle, if we can defeat them If they are crippled, the Henan bandits will be free from worries within a year."
Gu Zhangcheng glanced at the generals and ordered in a deep voice: "The army will set off early tomorrow morning and rush as quickly as possible to station between Yujiadian in Yangwu County and Jinglongkou in Fengqiu County.
Zhang Guangda and your light cavalry should not be concerned about their horse power, but rush forward. Contact the local boatmen. Don't care about money. Make sure that all ships, large and small, are gathered on the north bank for the transfer of the army. "
"Here..."
…………
Teams of sergeants in Yangjialou Village are all ready to go. The horses beside them are also saddled. They seem to feel the atmosphere of an imminent war and are uneasily digging the frozen solid ground with their four hooves. .
Yang Shijie was still pleading: "General Chen, just take us with you, and I promise not to cause any trouble to you."
Chen Zhong refused with a firm look on his face: "No, the commander-in-chief has ordered that the young men in your village can only be used to defend the village and are not allowed to go out with me to avoid attracting traitors and causing trouble in the Yang family building."
Yang Shijie's face was full of helplessness, and he continued to plead: "That's good. I won't take the young men in the village, but only two followers to go to Luoyang with General Chen. This way, I won't be conspicuous and there will be no one." It’s okay to talk too much about hidden worries.”
Chen Zhong said with a smile: "If the third master really likes to join the army, why not ask my handsome master to find a job for you in the army? It would be great to share the worries of the handsome master."
Yang Shijie smiled with embarrassment and said: "Second brother doesn't allow it, because he is afraid that I will go to the army and cause trouble to my brother-in-law. Although I command nearly a thousand villagers here, I have no experience in commanding an army, and I don't know how to defend a village and go into battle. , I am going to Luoyang with General Chen because I want to learn a thing or two."
Chen Zhong said with a smile: "I am just a little skilled, my marshal is the one who has strategy in mind and poetry in his belly."
He turned around and shouted to the sergeants: "Hurry up and pack your personal belongings. Set off at the right time and attack Luoyang at night."
After he finished speaking, he pulled Yang Shijie and said, "Let's go, I'm going to say goodbye to the second master. You also need to hurry up and clean up. I'll see you in the second master's yard."
Yang Shijie agreed loudly and turned around happily to go back to prepare his belongings.
Chen Zhong strode towards the Yang family courtyard and found Yang Shibin in the living room of the atrium. He cupped his fists and said, "Chen Zhong is about to leave. I came here to say goodbye to the second master."
Yang Shibin took a step forward enthusiastically. He took Chen Zhong's hand and said, "General Chen, I have been thinking about something these past few days. Do you want to express it?"
"Second Master has something to say, but there's no harm in saying it."
Yang Shibin looked at Chen Zhong with expectation in his eyes and said: "I would like to ask Marshal Zhang to leave a force to station in Henan Province permanently. As for the food and salary, I can find a way to raise it. I will not neglect the troops stationed here. I don’t know whether General Chen is willing to take up the position of commander of this force."
Chen Zhong said hurriedly: "What the second master said, my commander-in-chief has also mentioned this before. After the suppression of bandits in Henan Province is completed, there may be one or two troops stationed in Henan Province, but which one The general's decision to stay in Yu Province requires the personal approval of my commander-in-chief."
"Okay, if that's the case...that's the best..."
