At noon on December 24, the thirteenth year of Chongzhen's reign in the Ming Dynasty, outside the west gate of Kaifeng Fucheng, the leading cavalry of King Chuang Li Zicheng had arrived.
However, Zhang Nai's plan to surprise Ximen failed to come true. Instead, he lost forty or fifty of his elite cavalry from the old battalion. Now thousands of cavalry from the rebel army are arrayed outside Xiguan to protect the banner. Although their array is not strict, it is not scattered either. , five to six hundred men and horses were gathered into a pile.
King Chuang Li Zicheng led the generals Liu Zongmin, Liu Tichun, Zhang Nai and others into Xiguan to observe the defense of the city wall on the west gate. I knew that the Kaifeng city wall was thick before, but now I can only feel its majesty if I look closely.
"what a pity!"
Liu Zongmin sighed, and then said: "If the hungry people had not blocked the way, my army would have rushed into the city at this moment, and I am afraid they are attacking the palace of King Zhou."
Zhang Nai was already upset because he failed to seize the west gate of Kaifeng. Now after listening to the words of the commander Liu Ye, he felt his face burning even more.
Li Zicheng smiled and said: "The strategy of surprise attack on Ximen is to steal the chicken. It's best if you steal it. Don't be afraid if you can't steal it. Even if Kaifeng's defense is stronger and tighter than Luoyang city, so what?
Even if we can't win this time, we can just fight again next year! "
Liu Tichun also said: "King Chuang, since the surprise attack cannot be successful, let's wait for Mr. Niu and the military advisor to arrive before we plan to attack the city."
Li Zicheng nodded and said, "Okay, you and Xiao Naozi stay here to wait for the army, while Jiexuan and I take a detour to Beicheng."
Liu Tichun seemed a little worried, he said: "Let's ask Xiao Zhang Nai to accompany him with a few hundred cavalry to protect his safety."
Liu Zongmin smiled and said: "Erhu, do you think that Brother Li and I are made of mud?"
But he immediately realized that he was looking for a step for Zhang Nai to come down. He turned around and scolded Zhang Nai with a smile: "Little boy, what are you waiting for? Go recruit a hundred cavalry, follow me and Chuang Nai." The king goes to Beicheng to have a look."
Li Zicheng looked at Zhang Nai happily riding his horse to summon the cavalry, turned his head and smiled knowingly with Liu Zongmin.
…………
Gao Mingheng, who was on the west gate tower, saw the intruders retreating deep into the west gate to observe the city gate. He felt a little relieved. He turned to guard Su Zhuang and asked, "Is there any news about Vice General Chen's men?"
"Several couriers have been sent out, but no news has been returned yet."
He pondered for a while and then said: "However, news has just come back that an army of about two thousand people has appeared in Tao's store twenty miles north of the city."
Wang Xie, the magistrate of Xiangfu County, interjected: "There was news that Vice General Chen was accompanying the governor to suppress bandits in Hebei. Could it be that Vice General Chen's army returned to Kaifeng to aid?"
Su Zhuang shook his head and said: "No, the news also said that although the people in Tao's store are dressed as officers and soldiers, they have many carriages and horses. I don't think they look like local officers and soldiers.
Moreover, if Vice General Chen returns for reinforcements, he will go straight to Kaifeng and will never garrison Taojiadian. "
"There are many chariots and horses?"
Huang Shu, the promotion officer of Kaifeng Prefecture, said with some doubts: "Could it be Zhang Cheng, the commander-in-chief of the reinforcement and suppression force from Xuanzhen?"
"Zhang Cheng?" Gao Mingheng turned to look at Huang Shu.
Just listen to him continue: "I remember that this general soldier had many carriages and horses under his command. After he left Fucheng to the west to aid Luoyang, I only know that he recovered Yanshi and rescued the prince of Fufan, and then lost it. The traces are mysterious and elusive, could they be his soldiers and horses?"
Gao Mingheng said anxiously: "No matter which soldiers and horses they are, they should be the official army without a doubt. At this time, the rebel army has not yet gathered in large numbers. Send people quickly to call for reinforcements. If the rebel army surrounds the city on all sides, it will be difficult for us to leave the city to ask for help." La."
Su Zhuang, the guardian, said at this time: "Master Yintai, I personally invite you to go to Taojia store in the north of the city to investigate. I will risk my life to bring that army to Kaifeng."
Gu: "Such a great presence, Mr. Laosu."
As soon as Gao Mingheng finished speaking, Cao Kun, the official in charge of the Zhou Palace, said: "Master Su, please tell the general of Taojiadian's army that if he can come to the aid of Kaifeng and ensure that Kaifeng is safe, the prince will personally write a letter , please take credit for it!”
After Su Zhuang saluted Cao Kun, he clasped his fists and said to the officials: "Without further delay, I will take a few of my followers and rush to Tao's store to find out what's going on!"
"Go quickly, I'm looking forward to your good news!"
After a while, the north gate of Kaifeng reopened, and a group of more than ten riders hurried out of the city gate, then rushed out of the north gate and disappeared into the bone-chilling cold wind.
…………
"The roaring waves of the Yellow River come from all over the sky, making loud noises like Yin thunder."
The cold wind howled and the Yellow River surged, as powerful and unstoppable as thousands of horses galloping together.
Zhang Cheng stood on a large ship, feeling like a leaf falling in the river and sea, erratic, and the violent shaking made him slightly dizzy.
No matter in his previous life or in this life, this was his third time crossing the Yellow River by boat, but he still couldn't adapt. He couldn't help but remember that in his previous life, he had also crossed the sea in a large ship, traveling back and forth between Liaodong and Shandong, but it had never been like this. bumpy.
Yang Liying was standing next to him, but her condition was much better than Zhang Cheng. She asked softly: "Husband, can you hold on?"
Although Zhang Cheng's face was a little pale, he could still hold on. He forced a smile and then said: "It doesn't matter, the first two times were not as rough as today, and they were not as bumpy as today."
"Husband, there are fewer people on the boat. You see, the women's army under my command is much better than the elite soldiers under your command."
Zhang Cheng looked in the direction she pointed, and saw all his own soldiers sitting on the board of the ship, looking depressed, and many of them had vomited into a mess. On the other hand, the female soldiers were not in such a condition, although some of them had expressions on their faces. Pale and depressed, but not serious.
At this time, the captain of the ship came over with an apologetic look, lowered his head and said: "Commander, the wind and waves are strong today, and the boat is moving a little hastily. Please forgive me, Commander."
How could Zhang Cheng argue with him? He just asked: "Shipman, how long will it take before we can reach the south bank?"
"Come on, come on, there was a strange wind just now. The boat has moved forward a little further and is about to dock at the small ferry below!"
"Go and do your work. I have nothing to do here. It doesn't hurt to be a little further away."
…………
Huang Shu, the official of Kaifeng Prefecture, is sitting in the military camp south of Taojiadian. Now he has confirmed that the garrison here is the border suppression army led by Zhang Cheng of Xuanzang Town. He feels lucky in his heart that there is such a strong army here. Now, Kaifeng is worry-free.
Especially when he heard that the army under General Chen of the Beijing Camp would cross the river to aid Kaifeng in the near future, he felt at ease and was already thinking about taking the risk to come to Taojiadian for help. Although the journey was risky, it was worth it.
It turned out that when he led his ten cavalry guards out of Kaifeng Beiguan, he met Li Zicheng, Liu Zongmin and other thieves who came here to watch the city defense.
Zhang Nai was already angry because his surprise attack on the west gate failed. Now when he saw someone leaving the city, he knew that he wanted to seek help elsewhere. Without waiting for King Chuang's military order, he led dozens of cavalry in pursuit.
Huang Shu was also panic-stricken. He only had ten horses on his side, but the bandit army had hundreds of them. How could he keep calm? While calling for guards to intercept the bandit army, he beat the horse on his crotch with all his strength. Run north.
He heard howls and screams behind him, but he didn't even dare to look back. Fortunately, he met Zhang Cheng's sentry cavalry on the way, and he was able to intercept the dozens of cavalry and thieves, and he was able to save a life. Life, but none of the ten knights who escorted him survived.
