The soldiers and horses of the Xuanfu under Yongning Bo and Zhang Cheng had been resting around Ningyuan City for ten days, but there was still no movement from the Qing army. Finally, under the urging of the eunuchs Wang Chengen and Fang Zhenghua, they led the army out of Shanhaiguan and returned to Xuanzhou. Mansion.
The wounded soldiers of the Xuanfu Army had already gone to the capital with the artillery battalion of the Shenji Battalion. After all, there were so many cannons in the Shenji Battalion that they were slow to move, so they set off first.
It was precisely because of his slow march and because he was a soldier and horse from the Beijing camp that his supplies were sufficient and timely. Therefore, Zhang Cheng specifically ordered Wei Zhice to lead the chariot camp and march back to Beijing with him. The wounded soldiers of the Xuanfu Army were in the chariot camp. among.
Two days ago, almost all the camps of the Xuanfu Army had set up camp. They formed a strict military formation, sang loud military songs, and marched toward Shanhaiguan with great vigor and high spirits.
Starting at 10 o'clock today, Xuanfu's veteran general Guo Yingxian led the troops of Supervisor Biao Camp and Zuoyi Battalion to set off. Looking at the officers and soldiers of Xuanfu Army who were drifting away, Zhang Cheng felt another emotion in his heart.
This time I led the army to aid the Liao Dynasty, which lasted for seven months, with nearly 5,000 casualties, and only killed one count. I really don't know if it was worth it?
However, this trip to Liaodong was not just about using the lives of thousands of soldiers to win the title of Count Yongning for Zhang Cheng. The most important thing was to fully prove the strength of the Xuanfu Army through this truly tough battle. .
The eunuch Wang Cheng'en, the eunuch who was responsible for the ceremony, Bingbi, was also standing on the city wall. He looked at the Xuanfu army slowly marching westward, and said to Zhang Cheng: "Uncle Yongning, what are you thinking about right now?"
Zhang Cheng turned around with a smile and clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, I am thinking that if I could intercept and kill the slave chief Hongtai last time, the slaves and thieves would surely fall apart, and various forces would continue to fight for power. In this way, the Liao Dynasty would be worry-free."
As he spoke, he turned his head and looked in the direction of the capital of the Ming Dynasty, and said: "At that time, our court can free up our hands to gather the best soldiers and generals from all over the world and gather them in Henan Province. There will be no need to worry about the rogue bandits being destroyed, the rivers not being peaceful, and the people being restless." ?”
Wang Chengen raised his hand with a very gentle expression, and stroked his bald chin a few times as usual, and then said to Zhang Cheng in a kind tone: "Yongning Bo is loyal and diligent in the king's affairs, and he is worried about his family and country. He is really the king of the country." Pillar."
As he spoke, he turned to look at the capital. With tears in his eyes, he bowed and clasped his fists, choking with sobs: "Your Majesty, you really saw the right person!"
At this moment, seeing Wang Chengen's sincere performance, Zhang Cheng felt a fleeting touch in his heart. If he hadn't been born in two lives, Zhang Cheng would have really sold his life to the Zhu family of the Huangming Dynasty.
Fang Zhenghua, the internal eunuch who came to convey the order, had been escorted by the Han generals in the capital camp a few days ago and returned to the capital to report to Emperor Chongzhen. Only Wang Chengen and Zhang Ruoqi were still in charge in Liaodong.
At this time, Zhang Ruoqi interjected: "Uncle Yongning is loyal to the emperor, and the world can tell. He is indeed much better than the many rotten scholars who have read the books of sages and sages."
The more he spoke, the more excited he became, and he went on to say: "If our Ming Dynasty could have fewer sanctimonious corrupt scholars and more loyal pillars of the country like Uncle Yongning, then there would be no need to worry about invading cavalry, or worry about the everlasting rogue bandits!"
When Zhang Cheng saw this, he knew that Zhang Ruoqi was deliberately bragging about himself, but he was also afraid that he would go too far, so he immediately said: "I am really ashamed to accept what Zhang Jianjun said.
As ministers, we should be loyal and diligent in the king's affairs and share His Majesty's worries. This is our duty, and I really don’t dare accept such kind words from Director Zhang. "
Wang Chengen was obviously very satisfied with Zhang Cheng's performance of not being arrogant about taking credit, and in his opinion, Zhang Cheng was not just pretending. He really did what he said, devoted himself to the emperor's orders, and never flinched in the face of danger, which is indeed rare.
Immediately, he said to him: "Our family will send you here first today. I wish Uncle Yongning a safe journey back. When I return to the capital, I will go to visit Uncle Yongning."
"Eunuch Wang spoke like this, which really disgraced Zhang Cheng."
Zhang Cheng hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted, and then said: "Thanks to the prince for not giving up, Zhang Cheng will be in the capital to wait for the prince's triumphant return. Then he will definitely go to visit and learn from him personally."
After Zhang Cheng said goodbye to Wang Chengen and Zhang Ruoqi, he led the Tiger Guards and headed towards Shanhaiguan, accompanied by Wang Pu, Li Fuming and Chen Jiugao.
…………
In early October of the 14th year of Chongzhen, when more than 200,000 troops from the Ming and Qing Dynasties were fighting fiercely on the banks of the Xiaoling River in the south of Jinzhou City, bandits were also ravaging the land of Zhongzhou in Henan Province, and similar battles continued one after another.
The "One Tiger" Li Guo and the "Two Tigers" Liu Tichun, the generals of the Chuang Army, had already killed Fu Zonglong, the governor of the three sides of the Ming Dynasty and the governor outside Xiangcheng, and returned to the camp of the Chuang Army.
The Allied Forces were afraid that Zuo Liangyu, the commander-in-chief of the Dudu Tongzhi, would attack, so they hesitated to advance. After waiting for a long time, they found out that Zuo Liangyu was leading his troops in the vast area of Huguangda on the pretext of guarding against rebels and Zuo Fourth Battalion bandits. The horses were stationary in the Guangshan, Yingshan, and Qichun areas.
When the rebel Li Zicheng saw that Zuo Liangyu was so timid in fighting, he became angry and began to plan with "Cao Cao" Luo Rucai to attack Fengfu City again.
In early October, when the fierce fighting between the Ming and Qing Dynasties was raging outside Jinzhou City in Liaodong, the Allied Forces of Cao Cao had crossed Xiangcheng without attacking. They suddenly attacked Xihua, Fugou and other counties in the north, and seemed to be about to besiege Kaifeng immediately. potential.
But just as Zhou Wang Zhu Gongqi, the censor of Youqiandu, Kaifeng governor Gao Mingheng, and Henan general Chen Yongfu were worried and nervously preparing for war, Cao Cao's army suddenly turned to the southwest.
Li Zicheng, who rebelled against the enemy, also sent people to spread the news, saying that the rebel army had adopted the strategy of military counselor Song Xiance, and wanted to divide his troops into two groups to attack Nanyang City first, then pass through Dengzhou and go out to Xixiakou to fight back to his hometown in Shaanxi, and break Shangzhou to take Xi'an.
Sure enough, after the Chuang Cao coalition attacked Wuyang County, they immediately divided their forces into two groups.
Along the way, Cao's bandit soldiers and horses took advantage of the trend to go south, passing Yuzhou, heading toward Bowang. The cavalry actually appeared on the bank of Baihe River more than ten miles away in the eastern suburbs of Nanyang City, spying on Nanyang City's defenses.
The other route went northwest to attack Ye County to supplement the grain needed by the army.
At the same time, the rebellious Li Zicheng also wrote to various prefectures and counties near Nanyang in the name of "the civil and military marshal who advocates righteousness from heaven", informing local officials and gentry that all those who surrendered to the city would continue to serve, and the common people, regardless of poverty, would If you are rich, you can live your own life as usual.
"However, anyone who dares to resist and refuse to surrender will surely suffer the massacre of the city!"
Ye County, known as Kunyang in ancient times, is located at the north entrance of the Nanxiang Pass. The famous "Battle of Kunyang" in history where a small number of people defeated a large number took place here. From then on, one hundred and twenty miles to the south is Yuzhou, and in the middle There is a place called Baodian, which is sixty miles away from Ye County and Yuzhou.
Twenty miles southwest of Baodian there is a small village with only about 20 households. Just because there is only a solitary big tree beside the main street of this village, people habitually call it Dushu.
In the area around Baodian and Dushu, you can see undulating hills, many dilapidated villages, very sparsely populated areas, grass everywhere, and swarms of foxes and rabbits. It is a desolate scene.
Now, there are large armies gathered. The main forces of the old battalions of Chuangying and Caoying are stationed here, about four or five miles apart, setting up camps respectively.
Less than ten miles away from Ye County, Liu Ye, the general sentry of the invading army's camp, led a group of soldiers and horses to be stationed here. He was commanding "One Tiger" Li Guo, Yuan Zongdi and Cao Ying's general Sun Shengzu and other generals to step up their efforts. Encircle Daye County.
At this moment, the firearms battalion led by Zhang Nai has arrived outside the city, and the artillery positions have been set up. However, the siege has not yet begun, and is waiting for the arrival of Chuang Wang Li Zicheng and Cao Cao Luo Rucai.
Within a few miles of Ye County, there are military camps everywhere, and the person in charge of the city defense at this time is Liu Guoneng, the deputy commander-in-chief. He was frightened by the invading Cao army, but he had nowhere to call for help, so he could only step up. Mobilize all manpower and material resources in the city and arrange defense arrangements.
Liu Guoneng, a native of Yan'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province, was originally the head of a group of bandits, nicknamed "Chuang Taotian". He seemed to have read some books, knew some words, and was quite famous among the bandits.
In the early years, there was a severe drought in Shaanxi, and the people were in dire straits. For some unknown reason, Liu Guoneng rose up against Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong almost at the same time. He also formed his own group, attacking states and ruining governments, and he was also one of the famous thieves.
In the eighth year of Chongzhen, when 13 families and 72 battalions including Gao Yingxiang, Zhang Xianzhong and Lao Huihui gathered in Xingyang, Henan, Liu Guoneng was already one of the powerful bandits.
Liu Guoneng was still a very filial son. When he rebelled, he took his mother with him. There was never any separation, and he always showed his filial piety to him every day.
Although his mother was born in a rural area and was not very literate, she was a very independent and upright old man. Moreover, Liu Guoneng's mother had almost the same problems as Yue Fei's mother and Song Jiang's father.
That is, she was seriously influenced by the mainstream "loyalty and filial piety" thought of this era. She always educated her son, hoping that he could serve the court, contribute to the country, and bring glory to the ancestors, instead of being a thief who ruined the reputation of the ancestors.
Therefore, in the eleventh year of Chongzhen's reign, Liu Guoneng, who had always had a quarrel with Zhang Xianzhong and was always worried about being annexed by him, finally settled in Suizhou with Xiong Wencan, the governor of the five provinces responsible for suppressing bandits.
When Liu Guoneng was in the care of Xiong Wencan, he took the initiative to express to Xiong Wencan: "The foolish people have been trapped in injustice for ten years, and Lai Gong is reborn. I hope that all of you will join the army and serve under my command to the best of your ability."
It can be seen that Liu Guoneng was truly cared for by the imperial court, and Xiong Wencan was overjoyed when he heard this. He comforted Liu Guoneng and won him a garrison position, temporarily placing him under Zuo Liangyu's command.
From then on, Liu Guoneng began to be restrained by the imperial court, and joined the army to suppress bandits in various places. He achieved numerous military exploits. In December of the twelfth year of Chongzhen, he entered the capital from Zuo Liangyu and was awarded the title of deputy commander-in-chief.
Later, he was ordered to attack the bandit Li Wanqing's tribe and surrendered them to his subordinates. He led Li Wanqing and other generals to suppress the rebel Zhang Xianzhong and other bandits and garrisoned in Yunyang. When Li Zicheng invaded Henan, Liu Guoneng was ordered to transfer his troops to Ye County to garrison.
Now, the cavalry of the Cao Cao rebel army were moving around Ye County every day, almost completely sealing off the entire battlefield. They even went as far as Xiangcheng and Lushan for inspection.
Soon, the rebel army began to besiege Ye County from all sides. The sound of cannons was "rumbling" continuously, and the shouts and roars were also heard one after another.
Chuang Wang Li Zicheng and Cao Cao Luo Rucai stood on a high ground in the southwest of Ye County, talking for a while while observing the rebel army attacking the city.
Li Zicheng asked Luo Rucai to try his best to persuade Liu Guoneng to return to the side of the bandits as soon as possible, so as to avoid innocent casualties of the soldiers on both sides in the siege battle, and to prevent the people in the city from being affected.
Luo Rucai agreed very readily. He told Li Zicheng that he would call Liu Guoneng to the top of the city to talk at the right time, and then act accordingly to try to bring him back to the side of the rebel army.
Although he agreed very readily, Luo Rucai actually didn't want to meet Liu Guoneng in his heart. Apart from some dissatisfaction when they were thieves together, he was mainly afraid that things would change in the future and Li Zicheng would be suspicious of him.
After Luo Rucai got on his horse and led his soldiers and generals away, Li Zicheng's general Wu Ruyi asked in a low voice to King Chuang: "Generalissimo, I am still a little uneasy and worried that if Cao Cao goes alone, will he secretly kill Liu Guoneng like this?" Are you letting me go?"
Wu Ruyi's eyes were full of doubts and worries, and he continued: "The two of them were also sworn brothers. There is a lot of friendship here!"
Chuang Wang Li Zicheng rolled his eyes when he heard this, and then said nonchalantly: "No. The incident on Agate Mountain is only mentioned on weekdays. You also hate it very much, and you can never let Liu Guoneng go."
However, even though he said that, on the way back to the military tent, Li Zicheng couldn't help but have doubts in his heart: "Really, will you let him go secretly..."
…………
The rumbling sound of artillery outside the city has gradually stopped. It seems that today's siege is over. The soldiers on both sides are taking turns to change shifts to eat.
There used to be a small earth city outside the south city of Ye County, which was first occupied by the bandits. There was also a small earth city outside the north city, which was also captured by the bandits the day before yesterday.
Now, all the officers and soldiers led by Liu Guoneng have retreated to the Brick City. After he accepted the recruitment, more than 50,000 thieves under his command were dispersed by Xiong Wencan among the officers and soldiers of various battalions. There were not many people left with him, only a few To more than two thousand elite soldiers.
Therefore, he simply did not have enough strength to organize a counterattack out of the city, and could only barely defend Ye County, waiting for reinforcements.
From time to time, some people in the bandit army shouted to the soldiers and civilians guarding the city, urging Liu Guoneng and his soldiers to stop working for the dog court and come back to attack the city and seize the territory together. If you want to be as happy as you want, why bother killing each other.
He even loudly persuaded the soldiers and civilians in the city to kidnap Liu Guoneng and surrender as soon as possible to avoid being massacred. Otherwise, once the rebel army breaks through Ye County, the rich gentry and people in the city will suffer.
A team of more than ten loud-voiced thieves and soldiers stood on the earthen city outside the south gate, shouting at the soldiers and civilians on the wall. Some even ran out of the earthen city and walked to the edge of the trench to shout loudly. .
The soldiers and civilians on the city wall neither fired cannons nor fired arrows. Sometimes when they saw that Liu Guoneng's soldiers were not nearby, they would even stick their heads out to look at the thieves and soldiers outside the city.
Some of them were so brave that they even started talking to the thieves and soldiers outside the city.
