After the Chuang Cao rebel army captured Nanyang City, Luo Rucai took his military advisor Ji Gui and a group of personal soldiers and generals and entered the city directly from the north gate, while Chuang King Li Zicheng took a detour and entered the city through the east gate.
Liu Zongmin, the commander-in-chief of the Tiying camp, Song Xiance, the military advisor, Niu Jinxing, the chief civil servant, and others all entered the city with King Chuang, while Wu Ruyi, Li Shuangxi, Li Qiang, and others were on the side.
Li Qiang is an old man next to King Chuang. He was originally a personal soldier of King Chuang Li Zicheng. After Tongguanyuan was ambushed and defeated, he fled into Shangluo Mountain with King Chuang. Later he was promoted to the leader of King Chuang's personal soldiers, and now he has been promoted to a guard. An officer is also a rising star in the army.
Li Zicheng and his party were escorted by two hundred soldiers led by Li Qiang, and entered Nanyang City majestically from the east gate.
Along the way, Li Zicheng unconsciously remembered that when he conquered every city in the past, he would always be the first to rush through the city gate with his sword, riding his horse and entering the city earlier than the leading soldiers.
But since the break-in army conquered Luoyang, Li Zicheng no longer had to take risks, make mistakes, and face the enemy in person.
When he entered Luoyang City, it was the first time in his life that he used the city entry ceremony. Amid the welcome of the people in the city, he majestically led his elite cavalry into the city.
At that time, he was riding on his own black horse, and for the first time he thought that if the Ming Dynasty was really overthrown in the future, it seemed that he could use the word "Da Shun" as the new "country name" when he founded his country.
Nowadays, Nanyang resisted fiercely when the rebels attacked the city. It was conquered after a bloody battle, so there were many killings, especially the search and killing of the soldiers who persisted in resisting in the city, which was even more brutal. Therefore, it cannot be like when we entered Luoyang City. Such big things were planned at that time.
Although it is not suitable for major events, King Chuang is now the "Civil and Military Marshal who advocates righteousness in heaven". He even claims to be the leader of all thieves in the world and must pay attention to everything.
Therefore, every time a city is captured, the time to enter the city and which gate to go through cannot be careless. It must be calculated by his military advisor Song Xiaozi beforehand.
Before Nanyang City was conquered, Song Xiance had already used divination to decide to enter the city through the east gate at three o'clock in the morning, so that he could seek good luck and avoid bad luck, and it would be the best time for him to have good fortune.
Cao Cao and Luo Rucai are now "generals with mighty virtues who care for the people on behalf of heaven". He is not as particular as Chuang Wang Li Zicheng. He immediately took his military advisor Ji Gui and started from the first to be captured. Entering the city through the north gate.
In his opinion, the first priority was to go to the city and inspect the houses of wealthy families. Not to mention how much gold, silver, fine grain, grain and fodder were confiscated, but to mention that the wealthy gentry had many wives and concubines in their homes, all of whom were charming and charming. It's white and tender, not comparable to the vulgar powder from ordinary people's homes. This is Cao Cao's favorite!
After Luo Rucai ordered his generals to quickly seize the houses of wealthy gentry and merchants everywhere, he rushed to the east gate in Jigui to meet the general Li Zicheng, but Gu Ying, who was under the command of King Chuang, was already waiting at the east gate.
It turned out that Tian Jianxiu was dealing with various matters in Nanyang City, and he couldn't be separated, so he sent Gu Ying to welcome King Chuang into the city on his behalf.
In fact, the reason why Luo Rucai came to the east gate of Nanyang to welcome King Chuang into the city was because of the idea given by his military advisor Ji Gui, in order to lower his profile to please King Chuang.
The reason why Luo Rucai did this was because when the Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong was defeated and the tiger came to surrender, he took the decision to let the tiger return to the mountain without authorization, which in turn aroused the resentment of some generals in the camp. There were often gossips in the camp, and they all It is said that Generalissimo Li Zicheng was deceived by Cao Cao.
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Luo Rucai followed Li Zicheng's instructions and moved his troops from Yingshan and Huoshan to the Funiu Mountain area and stationed them in Lushan and Xixiang. He even set up his old camp in a small village no more than ten miles away from Desheng Village. middle.
At this time, the Henan official army was no longer able to fight the Chuang army, so Luo Rucai's troops had a chance to rest safely. From this point of view alone, his soldiers all believed that the move of surrendering to King Chuang was a right move. .
And because of Luo Rucai's investment, Li Zicheng's reputation became even more prosperous. Within a radius of two to three hundred miles, the wealthy squires were frightened and kept sending him grain and money for peace.
This lasted until late August, when Cao Cao and King Chuang were about to move their troops to the vicinity of Runing Mansion, news came that Zhang Xianzhong was defeated by Ding Qirui, Zuo Liangyu and other officers and soldiers because of his arrogance and underestimation of the enemy.
There are also legends that Zhang Xianzhong was seriously injured by an arrow in his thigh and could not gallop away. He was overtaken by Zuo Liangyu near Xinyang and suffered another heavy defeat. Even his whereabouts are unknown.
After Luo Rucai heard the news, he couldn't help but worry about Zhang Xianzhong, fearing that he would be completely wiped out by the army and he would be isolated and helpless from now on. He privately said to the military advisor Ji Gui: "The commander-in-chief defeated Yunxi last month. We saved a lot of hungry people, and also incorporated some local bandits. The situation was originally very good, and we could do a lot, but why did we lose the battle and end up with the whole army disbanded? What a damn pity!"
Ji Gui also said: "For our Cao Ying's plan, it is most beneficial for the heroes to coexist and restrain each other, so that one family will not dominate. It is still difficult to say whether the defeat of Jingshuai will lead to a decline in strength.
I think we need to send some people to Xinyang and Queshan to inquire about the news. If we can save him, we will rescue him quickly. As long as Commander Jing is alive, his Xiying cannot be destroyed, and it will not be difficult to revive it. "
Luo Rucai nodded quickly and said: "Yes. I have ordered the army to send people to find out the news and help Jingxuan gather the remaining troops. Unfortunately, we will not be stationed here for long. Once he leaves here, the military situation will change. If we want to join forces, It’s even more difficult to contact Jingxuan.”
The Chuang Cao army will be heading to the Xincai and Runing areas. It was decided the night before yesterday at Chuang Wang Laoying in order to meet with the new Shaanxi Trilateral Governor Fu Zonglong and the Baoding Governor Yang Wenyue to see if there was an opportunity to count them. All officers and troops were annihilated.
After listening to Luo Rucai's words, Ji Gui thought for a moment before saying: "I estimate that Fu Zonglong and Yang Wenyue will meet up in Runing in early September, so King Chuang should have ordered the army to be between Xiping and Suiping. Rest for a few days and then march towards Runing.
Suiping is adjacent to Queshan. If Commander Jing fled between Xinyang and Queshan, it would be easier for us to find out his whereabouts and try to rescue him after arriving in Suiping.
Moreover, if Commander Jing hears that our Cao camp has arrived in Suiping, if he is not dead, he will surely send someone to look for Commander Cao, or send someone to tell us the news about him secretly.
In my opinion, although Commander Jing has the shortcoming of a rough temper, he has always been very kind to his subordinates. Especially his four adopted sons and generals Bai Wenxuan and Ma Yuanli. They will never die in battle. There will always be someone who will always be with them. As long as he and his group of close generals are still around him, Jing Shuai's career will never end.
Although there are wars everywhere now, King Chuang is the most popular, and the court is paying special attention to it. I predict that Ding Qirui and Zuo Liangyu will not pursue the commander-in-chief.
If they lead the army into Zhongzhou, Jingshuai will have a chance to breathe, and it will also be a matter of time to regain his strength. Cao Shuai helped Jingshuai when he was in trouble, and he will be grateful for the rest of his life.
And even though King Chuang had deep intentions and was a powerful man in the world, he would not dare to do anything to Commander Cao when the commander-in-chief would be there to help him! "
Although Luo Rucai was forced to join forces with Li Zicheng due to the situation, he still had a grudge in his heart about respecting Li Zicheng as his first priority. He was always planning for his future and was not willing to be led by Li Zicheng.
After all, he is a famous thief king, so how can he be willing to be subordinate to others?
At this time, he couldn't help but nodded after hearing Ji Gui's words, and looked at Ji Gui and laughed. Just at this moment, a soldier hurried in and reported that Wu Ruyi, the Chinese army who broke into the king's army, was here.
Immediately Wu Ruyi strode in. He saluted Luo Rucai respectfully, and also saluted Ji Gui beside him. Then he reported to Luo Rucai: "The Grand Marshal ordered me to report a small matter to Commander Cao. In addition, he also I would like to invite Mr. Cao Shuai and Mr. Ji to come to Desheng Village to discuss matters."
Luo Rucai was not in a hurry. He waved his hand and said, "Sit down, sit down and talk. What kind of trivial matter is it?"
Wu Ruyi did not take his seat, he clasped his fists and said: "Last night we received a report that Zhang Shuai was defeated in Yunyang. Eight sentry troops in the Western Camp were scattered in the Xichuan area. We heard that he intended to surrender to the army.
The Generalissimo had no time to discuss with Commander Cao, so he sent Pegasus to Zhenping overnight and ordered Gu Zijie to quickly go to Xichuan to recruit the Eight Sentries.
If they refuse to come, then they will be wiped out and they will never be allowed to join the army again. They will not be allowed to use the banner of Zhang Shuai's Western Camp to disturb the people and put ashes on Zhang Shuai's face. "
After Luo Ru heard what he said, she suddenly felt unhappy in her heart, but she said with a smile on her face: "It is only right that King Chuang decides so quickly. This matter cannot be delayed, otherwise things will change if it is too late."
Luo Rucai then asked King Chuang what important matters he wanted to discuss. Wu Ruyi just said that he didn't know, so Luo Rucai asked him to go back first.
After Wu Ruyi left, Luo Rucai's face immediately stopped smiling and showed an impatient look. He looked at the silent Ji Gui and said: "Xichuan's Eight Posts West Camp was defeated, but there were nearly 20,000 troops. At this time, the group of dragons was leaderless, and whoever gave me food and grass could get it. Zicheng didn't even say hello to me, and sent someone overnight.
In this way, as time goes by, his troops and horses in the camp become stronger and stronger, but there is no time for our Cao camp to add more troops! "
Ji Gui also nodded, his eyes rolled, and the black mole and a few long hairs above his right eyebrow trembled a few times. Suddenly he said with a slight sneer: "Everything is expected. Things like this will happen again in the future." , since we have King Chuang as our leader, we cannot openly compete with him, let alone speak with double intentions.
There are no fixed rules for things in this world. The important thing is to adapt to circumstances. The tricks are all fake and it depends on who plays them well. Are we just going to sit still and watch him break into the camp and keep adding more people? "
Luo Rucai seemed to be hesitant: "If we continue to add more troops, we will inevitably create our own dangers."
Ji Gui said nonchalantly: "Of course we should try our best not to offend him, but we should not be too afraid of him. Whether he will eat us in the future depends not on the word 'taboo', but on our Cao Cao." Is Ying a piece of soft meat or a piece of hard bone?
If our Cao Ying is a hard bone, even if King Li Chuang wants to eat it, he is afraid that he will not be able to swallow it in one bite. If our Cao Ying becomes stronger and stronger, we can form a good alliance with the Western Camp and the Hui and Ge five battalions for external support.
Even if he, King Li Chuang, wants to quarrel with me, how can he do anything to me? "
Luo Rucai smiled knowingly and said, "You and I both want to be on the same path!"
He paused and asked Ji Gui: "Since we followed Zicheng as the leader of the alliance, Zicheng's reputation has grown and his wings have become fuller, and he has become the savior of the world.
The people in Chuangying went everywhere to publicize the benevolence and righteousness of King Li Chuang, and also publicized the prophecies offered by Song Xiaozi, but they deceived people's hearts.
Ziyu, tell the truth, will the three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty really be destroyed in the hands of King Chuang and us? "
Hearing this, Ji Gui shook his head slightly and said: "Although every country has been destroyed since ancient times, the Ming Dynasty has been in power for three hundred years. Even if the country's fate is difficult now, it will not die suddenly.
As the saying goes, "A hundred-footed insect is dead but not stiff", let alone a country thousands of miles away?
Commander, do you also believe that King Li Chuang can conquer the world? "
Luo Rucai said: "I want to know whether the Ming Dynasty is exhausted, so that I can decide the way out for Cao Ying. If the Ming Dynasty is really exhausted, he, King Li Chuang, should be the best in the world. I might as well support him wholeheartedly to achieve great things as soon as possible. , I won’t have to worry about being able to enjoy fame and wealth in the future.
Ziyu, you are a learned person, and you know Feng Shui Liu Ren and other things. You are a good military advisor for us. Do you think my idea is correct? "
Ji Gui shook his head repeatedly and said: "The commander-in-chief's words are wrong. I often watch the sky at night. Although sometimes the stars are confused by the purple clouds, the emperor's star is not very bright, the wolf star's horns are moving, and its color is red. Although the world is in chaos, The war is not a sign of a change of dynasty.
Moreover, the Ming Dynasty was founded in Jinling, and now the king of the southeast is flourishing. It can be seen that the fortune of the Ming Dynasty has not completely declined. What's more, the prestige of Cao Ying was originally higher than that of Chuang Ying. Although Li Shuai is currently the leader, he is actually a tripartite with Zhang and Li. potential.
From now on, if Li Shuai proclaims himself emperor, all generals can kneel three times and nine times in front of Li Shuai, touch their heads to the ground, and prostrate themselves as ministers. Is it possible that Cao Shuai is willing to do this?
Even if he could force it, how could Li Shuai rest assured?
Therefore, if Li Shuai can really win the world, all the generals can worship and dance with his squad in the new dynasty, and enjoy fame, fame, and wealth. However, although Cao Shuai wants to defend himself with troops, sing, dance, drink, and roam the Central Plains today, he will not be able to do so. "
Luo Rucai was shocked and said: "Ziyu, you are really my good teacher and helpful friend!"
Ji Gui looked at Cao Cao with a gloomy look, and continued: "Besides, don't look at Li Shuai's increasing popularity now, claiming to be 'serving heaven and advocating righteousness', as if he will dominate the world in the future.
He also added the word "civil and military" in front of the generalissimo. Does the general know what the word "civilian and military" means? "
Cao Cao replied casually: "'Wen' means that he likes to read, is literate and can read and write, and is not a rough person. 'Martial' means that he can fight, run an army, and has a strategy."
Ji Gui twisted his beard and smiled and said: "No, no. The word 'wen' means that he can save the people from fire and water and govern the world. The word 'wu' means that he can defeat the Ming Dynasty, level the heroes, and unify the country.
The "Shu Jing" praises Emperor Yao as "a saint and a god, a warrior and a writer". King Li Chuang seems to regard himself as half of Emperor Yao!
Humph, I just don’t accept him! "
Luo Rucai felt a little heavy and said: "Zhang Jingxuan, Lao Huihui, Zuo Jinwang, and He Yilong would not nod in their hearts."
Ji Gui hurriedly took the opportunity to ask: "Commander, where are you?"
"I……?"
Luo Rucai pretended to be indifferent and said, "I have nothing to do but follow the crowd and see what happens."
"It is a good idea for the commander to just wait and see, but he must always be on guard and be good at dealing with it. In fact, the Ming Dynasty has not exhausted all his energy. Not to mention that he cannot enter the capital. Even if he is lucky enough to enter the capital, it will be in vain.
The red-browed thief Fan Chong established Liu Penzi as emperor, and all of them invaded Chang'an, but were eventually destroyed by Han Guangwu, and the Han family was still under the Han Dynasty. Huang Chao entered Chang'an, founded the Qi Dynasty, and changed the Yuan Dynasty to the Jin Dynasty. He was also destroyed soon, and then It took more than ten years for the dynasty to change.
How could it be expected that the Ming Dynasty would suddenly perish?
How could he know that he would definitely die in the hands of King Li Chuang? "
Luo Rucai nodded lightly at this time and said: "That's true, that's true. But with rebels swarming everywhere in the north, and barbarians invading the south, can Chongzhen's country survive for a long time?"
Ji Gui smiled and said: "Commander, please don't forget that I, the emperor of Chongzhen, still have a family!"
Luo Rucai suddenly realized: "Are you talking about Nanjing?"
"Exactly. When Liu Yao entered Chang'an, Emperor Min of the Jin Dynasty was captured. However, Sima Rui came to the throne and Jiankang continued the Jin Dynasty for more than a hundred years. In the Northern Song Dynasty, the two Huiqin sects were captured by the Jin people, and Gaozong Nima crossed the river. , which enabled Zhao and Song Dynasty to continue for another 150 years.
What's more, today's Nanjing is the capital of the Ming Dynasty, with six yamen and hundreds of civil and military officials. If the capital cannot be defended, only Chongzhen flees to Nanjing, where the dragon and the tiger are roosting. By borrowing the wealth of Jiangnan, there is no guarantee that half of the country will not be able to continue.
Can the natural chasm of the Yangtze River be cut off by throwing a whip? "
After hearing Ji Gui's words, Luo Rucai felt very satisfied. He thought for a moment and then said: "Ziyu, I have already made up my mind on how Cao Ying will act in the future, and I will never have any more doubts!"
Ji Gui also said: "I deeply hope that Commander Cao can deal with suspicions well, reconcile among the heroes, be inseparable from Commander Li, and be wise in protecting himself and accumulating strength to watch the evolution of the general trend of the world."
Luo Rucai nodded and said, "This is exactly my idea."
He estimated that the soldiers had almost prepared their horses, so he stood up and walked out, talking to Ji Gui in a low voice.
(End of chapter)
