Hong Qi and Qiao Shuangcheng were so ruthless that the White Lotus Sect, which had just been wiped out in Pujiazhuang, did not stop for a moment and immediately sent their troops westward, directly to the gates of Zichuan City.
In the middle of the night, the White Lotus Sect besieging Zichuan City was sleeping soundly. Hong Qi and Qiao Shuangcheng directly joined forces.
With gunfire and arson, the White Lotus sect immediately collapsed, and tens of thousands of people fled aimlessly. And because they were blind in the middle of the night, countless people fell down and were trampled on.
This fight lasted until dawn.
The entire land was full of White Lotus rebels who were kneeling and surrendering. It took the New Army three hours just to gather the prisoners.
Zuo Mengeng and Mao Yuanyi came to Shi Shi Ran. When they saw the results, they praised them without hesitation.
"Yes, yes, you two have the shadow of a famous general. If you fight a few tough battles in the future, you can stand alone."
Hong Qi and Qiao Shuangcheng smiled happily and went to work more attentively.
The battle below the city alarmed the officials, gentry and people trapped in the city.
These people lay on the city wall and listened all night. When daybreak, they found that the White Lotus Sect had been defeated by the army, and they couldn't help but be overjoyed.
The city gate that had been closed for many days was finally opened, and officials and gentry drove over with dozens of large vehicles.
"I, Sun Yinqi, respectfully serve as the magistrate of Zichuan County. The general has come all the way to save Hexian County. I am not respectful, so I have specially prepared some cattle, sheep and food for the army."
Sun Yinqi is unknown in history, but he is highly respected in the calligraphy circle.
The person who followed him was named Bi Jiyou, and his background was much more powerful. He was the second son of Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Household Affairs.
"The general is fighting fiercely in the capital, and my father has much praise for it. We have generals in Shandong, and we can quell the White Lotus Rebellion soon."
Looking at the supplies that Sun Yinqi, Bi Jiyou and others had put together to reward the army, Zuo Mengeng cupped his hands and said: "Everyone, Zichuan has been through wars and the people's livelihood is in decline. It is difficult for the villagers to make a living. I will not accept these good intentions." ”
Hearing that he actually refused to accept labor supplies, everyone in Zichuan was shocked and confused.
This guy doesn’t want more, right?
But when Zuo Mengeng expressed his thoughts, their attitude became even more joyful.
"I have something to trouble the local elders."
Zuo Mengeng looked around and said loudly: "In order to prevent the White Lotus Demon from returning, our army must be stationed locally during this period, just around Pujiazhuang. We need some bricks, stones and wood to build the camp. Please help me." Sun Mingfu and all the elders will give you a lot of help."
Sun Yinqi and others were overjoyed when they heard that the army would be stationed locally and they would not have to worry about being harassed by the White Lotus Sect in the future. Once I heard that we only needed some masonry and wood, there would be no problem.
Originally, when the city was being defended, there were many weapons prepared in the city. Now that the official army is here, there is no need to consider the issue of defending the city. Sun Yinqi immediately ordered that the bricks, stones and wood be sent to the new army.
"General Zuo, I don't know how many troops your department has stationed. If we prepare carefully locally, we will definitely not miss out on your troops."
Zuo Mengeng politely declined.
"Sun Mingfu, our army has its own rules and regulations. We have prepared our own food and grass, so we don't have to worry about it."
Sun Yinqi, Bi Jiyou and others really burst into tears when they heard that Zuo Mengeng's tribe did not even ask for food and grass from the local area.
If the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were like this, why worry about the world being unrest?
With the arrival of the new army, Murong Cai was so frightened that even though he ran back to Qingzhou Prefecture, he did not dare to stay in the north. Instead, he went south to Yishui and Juzhou.
The pressure on Jinan government was relieved instantly, and officials, gentry, and common people celebrated together.
Zhu Dadian even risked his life for his official title. He sent the new army three months' worth of food and grass, just hoping that the new army would not leave.
He has connections and has already received news from the capital.
The imperial court is preparing to appoint Yu Dacheng as the new governor of Shandong, and he will also be recalled to the capital.
As for the new official position, it depends on how the White Lotus Sect is pacified this time.
As long as he retains the new army and prevents the White Lotus Sect from causing trouble in Jinan Mansion again, this is his achievement.
Everyone was celebrating, but Zuo Mengeng received a shocking news.
Zuo Fu came from Linqing in person, and the journey was dusty. After rushing into Zuo Mengeng's tent, he didn't even have time to take a sip of water.
"Take a seat, second brother...Second brother is in trouble."
Zuo Mengeng was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Did Zuo Hua suffer a defeat?"
When he came to Jinan Prefecture, he made the decision to divide his troops and let Zuo Hua lead the fourth regiment south to wipe out the remnants of the White Lotus Sect.
Could it be that Zuo Hua was careless and underestimated the enemy and was defeated by the White Lotus Sect?
Zuo Fu shook his head and said angrily: "It's not the White Lotus Sect, it's the Kong family. They arrested the second brother and put him in Yanzhou Mansion Prison."
"Bang..."
Zuo Mengeng kicked the stool over and said angrily: "How can this be unreasonable? What reason does the Kong family have to arrest people?"
Mao Yuanyi hurriedly said: "Zhongheng, without further ado, hurry back and deal with this matter. I'm here, so don't worry."
Zuo Mengeng knew that he could only do this. After he handed over the matter to Mao Yuanyi, he immediately whipped up his horse and hurried back to Anshan Lake.
On the way, Zuo Fu told the story.
It turns out that after Zuo Hua led his army south, the remaining remnants of the White Lotus Sect were no longer able to fight and could only flee in confusion.
Zuo Hualian defeated Shushan Lake, Nanwang Lake and other places, and pursued them all the way to Jining Prefecture.
In Dongjia Village on the edge of Nanwang Lake, Zuo Hua witnessed an injustice with his own eyes.
Dongjia Village is not big, with only a few dozen households. Because of the rebellion by the White Lotus Sect, Dong Youcai, the landlord of Dongjia Village, lost his family and died.
It turns out that all the land in Dongjia Village belonged to Dong Youcai. Once he died, these lands had no owner.
After the White Lotus Sect was defeated, the people of Dongjia Village came back and wanted to plant crops in the fields if they wanted to survive.
Unexpectedly, before the seeds were sown, a group of people rushed in and threatened that the land belonged to the Kong family in Qufu and that the villagers were not allowed to farm.
The villagers have lived here for several lifetimes and know exactly who owns the land. Even if Dong Youcai's family is dead, the land cannot belong to the Kong family.
The villagers argued hard, but in the end they were beaten up by the Kong family and their slaves, and many of them were seriously injured.
Not only that, these people also demolished all the houses that the villagers had finally repaired, leaving the villagers without a place to live.
Zuo Hua happened to be passing by with his army. When he learned the reason, he ordered the soldiers to beat the group away in anger.
That night, King Sunfan, the magistrate of Jining, sent an invitation and said that he would discuss with Zuo Hua the suppression of bandits.
Zuo Hua did not doubt that he was there and went directly to Jining Zhoucheng.
But when he arrived at the government office, Wang Sunfan suddenly changed his face and accused Zuo Hua of committing lawlessness. He also hid a group of people and arrested Zuo Hua on the spot.
When the news came, the fourth group was in chaos. Liu Dacai and Cai Jiachuan quickly reported the matter.
After receiving the information, Zuo Fu did not dare to neglect and went to Zichuan in person, only to let Zuo Mengeng know about it.
Zuo Mengeng understood as soon as he heard this that this was an obvious plan for powerful tyrants to annex land. I just didn't expect that the new army would be bullied.
The people were angry and the horses were fast. They traveled hundreds of miles, but Zuo Menggeng came back in two days.
At this time, everyone on the New Army side of Anshan Lake was extremely angry.
"Come on, give me the order. Let's attack Jining City and rescue our second brother."
Zuo Shi was furious and planned to kill someone to vent his anger.
"Be quiet and listen to Shenzuo's instructions."
Zuo Rong also came. Although he was worried about his brother's safety, he was able to remain calm.
Zuo Mengeng looked at the people present and asked, "How do you deal with it here?"
Huang Zongxi said: "After Nian Taigong, Meng Angong, and Ruogu Gong knew about this, they rushed to Jining in person. I believe that with the three elders here, Wang Sunfan does not dare to mess around."
Zuo Mengeng snorted: "I'm not worried about the mere magistrate of Jining. What I'm worried about is the Kong family."
He was not a patient person, so he immediately said: "I'll go there myself."
Zuo Shi said hurriedly: "I'll go with you."
Zuo Mengeng glared at him and cursed: "Just stay here and don't cause trouble."
It was Huang Zongxi who came forward.
"I'll go with you."
Huang Zongxi and Zuo Fu accompanied Zuo Mengeng by boat down the river. Before leaving the waters of Anshan Lake, Zuo Mengeng suddenly made a decision.
Soon after, Li Qingshan, Ma Yingzhao and others came to the boat.
Zuo Mengeng looked at them with burning eyes and asked: "Are you familiar with Jining City?"
Li Qingshan and others knew about Zuo Hua's affairs and hurriedly said: "Fang Kuang, the arrester of Jining Prefecture, is our brother who we have known for a long time."
This couldn't be better.
Zuo Mengeng looked at Zuo Fu and said, "In that case, you lead the capable men and follow them into Jining. When necessary, rescue people directly."
Zuo Fu understood that Zuo Mengeng wanted to rob the prison.
He hesitated.
"If you take a seat, will things get out of hand?"
Zuo Mengeng said flatly: "As for people, many times we can only rely on ourselves. Zuo Hua is our brother, and his safety is more important than anything else."
Zuo Fu understood.
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Zuo Mengeng said again: "Send someone to Dongjia Village again to find out the real situation. It would be best if you can bring two insiders here to kill this matter."
Zuo Fu wrote them down one by one and set off first with Li Qingshan and others.
Zuo Mengeng went south, and when he arrived at the station of the fourth regiment, he asked how many of Liu Zongzhou's people had entered the city and had not yet returned.
Zuo Mengeng instinctively frowned, realizing that something might have happened.
"Take a battalion of soldiers and follow me into the city."
He was so angry that he no longer cared about the consequences of leading troops into the city. At this time, force deterrence is necessary.
Liu Dacai was even more furious when Zuo Hua was captured in his regiment. He immediately led a battalion to follow Zuo Menggeng and went directly to Jining to kill him.
