In the camp of Zhang Cheng's army outside Tao's store, Su Zhuang did not sleep well that night. He suddenly dreamed that he led an army back to rescue Kaifeng and drove away the intruders. Not only was he welcomed by the people of the city, but the king of Zhou was also a thousand years old. He personally submitted a letter to the court and promoted him to a higher rank.
But the next step was to dream about the city of Kaifeng being destroyed and the King of Zhou being executed. Because he did not die when the city was destroyed, he was considered by the court to be running away to avoid trouble, and he was punished by his entire family.
In his sleep, he sometimes laughed strangely, sometimes screamed and screamed. Before the fifth watch, he woke up in a cold sweat. He had no intention of sleeping anymore. He finally looked forward to the daylight, so he hurriedly came to see Zhang Cheng, but... Those who are blocked outside the tent are not allowed to enter.
Although he was anxious but also helpless, he paced around the camp and said bitterly: "You Zhang Cheng, you lead the army to fight, how dare you take a concubine privately, see if I won't join you... I won't join you ...I will not kill you...I..."
No matter how annoyed Su Zhuang was, there was nothing he could do against Zhang Cheng. After all, he still had requests from Zhang Cheng. As the saying goes, how could one not bow his head when he was under the roof?
It wasn't until Chenshi had breakfast that Su Zhuang finally saw Zhang Cheng. He asked hurriedly: "Shuai Zhang, why are there no signs of troops leaving camp today? Could it be that they are afraid of the traitors and dare not rescue Kaifeng?" "
"Ha ha!"
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "Master Su, your method of stimulating generals will not work on me."
He went on to say: "My lord, please enjoy your meal in peace. I still have a supply of troops and an army of soldiers under my command. It will take today for them all to cross the river. What's more, there are still a lot of gunpowder and lead on the north bank. The army is far from being assembled. All troops are ready." Don't attack the thief easily.
Now, the thieves have not discovered us yet, or maybe they have discovered us, but have not paid attention to them. In that case, let's recharge our batteries first, or wait for Mr. Chen from the Beijing Camp, who will also cross the Henan Province tomorrow. . "
Su Zhuang said: "We can wait, but we are afraid that the intruders will not be able to wait. If the city of Kaifeng is destroyed, Zhang Shuai leads the army close at hand, but loses the important territory of the vassal, can you afford it?"
Or maybe thieves attack the city and disturb His Royal Highness the King of Zhou, and the prince blames him, how do you deal with it? "
There was no emotion on Zhang Cheng's face. He picked up a piece of meat and put it into his mouth, chewing it carefully. After a moment, he said: "If Kaifeng is like Luoyang, it breaks down overnight, which means that His Royal Highness the King of Zhou in the city, along with those who The officers, generals and civilians have no intention of guarding the city, so why should I save it?"
His words were so rebellious that Su Zhuang's eyes widened, his mouth opened wide, and he was speechless for a moment.
Zhang Cheng continued: "There are nearly a million soldiers and civilians in Kaifeng City. If they are well organized and the city is tall and thick, why should we fear tens of thousands of thieves outside the city? Let alone one or two days, there will be no problem even if we hold on for ten months." .
But if the king of Zhou was as stingy as King Fu, and the officials were greedy and turned the people's hearts against them, if I, Zhang Cheng, could save today, would I be able to save tomorrow? "
He stared at Su Zhuang and said: "If His Royal Highness the King of Zhou is to blame, it is also to blame you and other officials in Henan Province. The officials in Kaifeng are unable to do their job, prevaricating, arguing with each other, and failing to cooperate well.
What do they have to do with me, the foreign troops coming from other provinces to suppress foreign troops? "
Su Zhuang was speechless by Zhang Cheng. He was dumbfounded and couldn't figure out how Zhang Cheng could change so easily.
Didn't we make good promises yesterday, and today we sent troops to the city of Kaifeng? Why did it change after just one night's sleep?
He opened his mouth and murmured: "This...this...such rebellious...words...Zhang Shuai, you...you...how can you say it..."
Gu Zhangcheng had almost finished eating at this time. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and said: "Master Su, I admire you for going out of the city to ask for help at the risk of swordsmanship. However, the army has its own rules for going to war. The walls of Kaifeng are high and strong. There are hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
There is no problem in holding on for ten months. Now that the bandits have not yet explored the location of my army, they can wait until they attack the city with all their strength. When the troops are exhausted, I will gather with Chen Jiugao's troops from the Beijing camp and kill them together. You will definitely be able to win in one battle. "
As he spoke, he stood up, walked to Su Zhuang, and said: "Master Su risked his life to go out of the city to beg for help. I will definitely ask for your reward in front of His Highness the King of Zhou. However, the war is fierce and dangerous, Master Su cannot do it." It’s urgent, we have to wait for one more day.”
Su Zhuang was about to speak when he heard Zhang Cheng say again: "I have something to trouble Mr. Su. Please write a letter. I will send someone to Kaifeng City, so that His Highness the King of Zhou can feel at ease and everyone in the city can be informed." The ministers and ministers of Xinjiang are at ease."
"If you please, Zhang Shuai will send out a bodyguard. I will return to the city in person and report Zhang Shuai's heart to His Majesty the King of Zhou."
"hey-hey……"
Zhang Cheng said with an evil smile: "There are thieves and soldiers outside the city. It is difficult to sneak into the city silently. This trip is dangerous. Mr. Su should not go there in person. He will stay with my army for the time being until he marches to fight the thieves tomorrow." , let’s make great achievements in front of the battle with this commander.”
When Su Zhuang saw Zhang Cheng talking like this, he also knew that it was all true. There were thieves patrolling outside Kaifeng City. What's more, the meaning of Zhang Cheng's words was very obvious. He would never let him return to the city at this time. See the King of Zhou and all the officials.
In desperation, he had no choice but to return to his military tent and write a letter to Gao Mingheng and Liang Bing, informing them that Taojiadian was indeed Zhang Cheng's army in Xuanzang, and that soldiers and horses from Chen Jiugao's troops in the Beijing camp would also cross the river to the south.
As long as Gao Mingheng and Liang Bing stick to Kaifeng for three to five days, after the army here gathers together, they can go to rescue Kaifeng and fight against the intruders.
…………
It was just after noon, and the bandits outside Kaifeng City lined up to leave the camp, and the newly built ladders were pushed forward, preparing to attack Kaifeng City.
Excluding the bandits sent to the other three sides and the reserve troops under Liu Zongmin, Li Zicheng still had more than 12,000 troops at the west gate of Kaifeng, and less than 20,000 hungry people.
There are about 3,000 thieves lined up now, and Li Zicheng has not committed all his troops at once. He still wants to test the situation of the city defense, as well as the fighting strength and fighting spirit of the soldiers and civilians on the city wall, and then decide on the next step of the fight. .
Thousands of hungry people were also driven forward. Most of them had empty hands. Only a small number of them had tools such as hooks and shovels in their hands. They all had skinny faces, thin clothes, and were shivering in the cold wind. .
Li Zicheng was still dressed as usual, wearing a red felt hat and riding his horse in front of the rebel army. Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, Li Yan, Li Shuangxi and others were beside him, looking at the majestic Kaifeng city not far away.
The young generals Zhang Nai and Bai Wang galloped over on horseback and reported loudly: "Report to King Chuang that the siege army has been assembled. Please order King Chuang to attack the city."
"Go ahead and use the city gate as the boundary. Xiao Naozi will be in charge of the north side and Bai Wang will be in charge of the south side."
After receiving the order, Zhang Nai waved his hand, and the dozen or so riders who followed behind him galloped toward the west gate of Kaifeng.
