For the next few days, Li Guo didn't stay in the room. Instead, he kept running outside and looking everywhere.
He had seen the new branch of the army, the health corps, from a distance when he was in Kaifeng, and now he could observe it even more closely. Seeing that they skillfully handled the injuries of the injured soldiers, with their care, the proportion of injured veterans who basically recovered as before was greatly increased compared to what he had imagined.
In addition, he also felt the power of the art soldiers.
When this artistic soldier first heard about it, he thought that this branch of the army was so idle that he was so idle. How could there be such a branch of the army? You know, the army is for fighting, not a place for games and fun.
However, when he really saw the performance of the art soldiers and saw the effect of the art soldiers' performance, he was speechless! If I really want to say it, there is only one word: convinced!
Only with the artistic soldiers can we stabilize the morale of the military and gain the support of the people.
After experiencing this personally, Li Guo finally understood why the combat effectiveness of the imperial army did not weaken after absorbing a large number of prisoners, but instead continued to increase due to the increase in number.
He knew very well that generally speaking, for thieves like them, those who could survive could be considered elite. On the other hand, it means knowing how to fight. If something goes wrong, the first person to escape will definitely be the old thief.
However, among the officials and troops of the imperial court, there was no such thing. Everything obeyed orders. No matter what the situation was, advance when you hear drums and retreat when you hear gold. This is an iron rule.
In other words, when the old thieves among the bandits joined the imperial army, they also became part of the strict military discipline.
In addition, there are guards and supervisors at all levels teaching reading and literacy, and they understand why they are fighting.
Subconsciously, Li Guo would of course compare Li Zicheng's army with such a court army. The conclusion he came to was naturally obvious, that is, there was absolutely no possibility of Li Zicheng winning!
After coming to this conclusion, Li Guo became much quieter in the following days. There were even times when he stopped going out and just stayed in his room in a daze.
………………
On this day, Li Guo was in a daze in his room again. Suddenly, Liu Zegang came over excitedly and said to him: "The Duke invites you!"
Upon hearing this, Li Guo was a little surprised. Only a few days have passed, and Duke Xingguo is back?
So, he went over with curiosity.
When he saw Duke Xingguo, he couldn't tell at all. Duke Xingguo had just returned from leading the troops to fight, so he asked curiously: "How is the war on the front line?"
"I have cleaned up the troops of Gao Yigong and Yuan Zongdi, about 80,000 people!" Zhang Mingwei said casually, "There are 5,000 people, and their families are all in Chongqing. I was worried about their family safety, so I put them all back. Got it!"
Li Guo was immediately shocked when he heard this, although he understood that the imperial army led by the Duke would definitely be able to defeat his uncle's men. However, it had only been a few days, and he had just come and gone, and then he had killed about 80,000 people. How many more 80,000 people were there on his uncle's side?
If he hadn't seen what the Duke's army was like these days, if he hadn't known that with the dignity of the Duke, there was no need to lie in front of them, he would really not believe it.
However, he still had a question, and since he was outspoken, he still asked: "Since the Duke is so easy to fight in the war, why doesn't he take advantage of the victory to attack and completely pacify Shu?"
When Zhang Mingwei heard this, he smiled and said: "Although the military is heavy, people's livelihood must still be given priority. First, stabilize every place we conquer and let the people live and work in peace and contentment. This is the first duty. Otherwise, if we keep fighting, he Li Zicheng If we avoid fighting and the war drags on, the people will never have peace, don't you think?"
Hearing this, Li Guo understood again that in his heart, the Duke really pretended to be a common people!
As he was thinking about it, Zhang Mingwei said to him with emotion: "It's just a pity that Li Zicheng has been threatening the families of his brothers in the army. Otherwise, this war would have ended faster. Most thieves can Recognize the reality, be inspired by the court, and just want to live a good life."
Li Guo certainly knew this, as he himself was one of them. In this war, since the court has completely changed, no, since Duke Xingguo came to power, there is no point in being a rebel anymore!
At this time, after Zhang Mingwei finished his emotion, he smiled and said to Li Guo: "I was in a hurry last time and didn't have time to ask you. What are your plans for the future?"
After finishing speaking, he thought for a moment and then added: "Li Laiheng has been talking about you. Now he is Liaodong Bo and serves as the commander-in-chief of Dongjiang after the reconstruction. He is stationed on Pi Island to contain the Jianlu."
Li Guo didn't reply immediately, he just looked up at Zhang Mingwei and listened quietly, as if he was thinking about something.
"For now, Li Laiheng's troops are still a bit weak, not enough to confront Jianlu head-on. If you go over, Li Laiheng will definitely be very happy. But Li Laiheng was promoted to the rank of commander-in-chief for his military merit. As for you, I can report to the court that you will become a guerrilla general and serve under Li Laiheng. I wonder if you are willing?"
After Zhang Mingwei finished speaking, he looked at Li Guo, waiting for him to agree. Because he understood that Li Guo would not mind that his adopted son was more promising than him. And Li Zicheng is his biological uncle, so he can't stay here to beat his biological uncle.
The so-called killing of relatives for the sake of justice is really not as easy as it sounds! Especially for people who value emotions, it is even more difficult!
However, what Zhang Mingwei didn't expect was that after he finished speaking, he waited for a while and saw Li Guo shake his head and said with a sincere face: "My lord, I want to stay in Shu and go to Chongqing to persuade him again. I hope I can get it as soon as possible." End the war in Shu!"
Zhang Mingwei was very surprised when he heard this. After thinking for a while, he shook his head and said: "If Li Zicheng was willing to surrender, he would have surrendered long ago and would not have delayed it until today. I believe that he must know that he has no chance of winning. However, does he have any intention of surrendering? "
Hearing this, Li Guo couldn't help but fell silent. Because he understood that Duke Xingguo really knew his uncle, and he probably wouldn't be able to persuade him even if he went back to persuade him.
However, Li Guo still wanted to try again. If it succeeds, not only will his uncle survive, but the people will no longer have to suffer, and they will be able to live and work in peace and contentment like the people here in Chengdu!
Therefore, Li Guo still insisted: "It depends on the human effort, I still want to try again!"
Zhang Mingwei looked at him and did not speak immediately. Seeing that his expression was firm and he was obviously determined, he said, "If you want to enter Chongqing again, I'm afraid your life will be in danger. I don't want Li Laiheng to lose another relative, let alone This is how you end up..."
Hearing this, Li Guo couldn't help but be very moved. He didn't expect that he would be so valued by Duke Xingguo. Suddenly, an impulse to die for his confidant surged out of his heart.
In fact, the reason why Zhang Mingwei said this was just based on the original historical performance. He did not want those who would sacrifice their lives to fight against the Qing Dynasty, whether they were bandits or officers and soldiers, to have a good result!
"Let's do this!" Zhang Mingwei thought for a while and then said to Li Guo, "How about you go to the field to see the army in the field, go to the front line, and if possible, persuade more people to abandon the dark side and join the bright side?"
If Li Guo had just returned from Chongqing, he would have chosen to go to Liaodong instead of being arranged like this. But after what he saw and heard for so many days, and after witnessing Duke Xingguo’s compassionate mind and his wish for the people to live and work in peace and contentment, Li Guo finally chose to bravely face his former companions, and immediately nodded and agreed: "Okay!"
So Zhang Mingwei began to arrange Li Guo's affairs, and two days later, he asked Li Guo to set off to see Xiujun in Tian.
……………………
There are about a hundred riders, riding towards Chongqing. These people were all from Liu Zongmin's army and came to Chongqing to report military information to Li Zicheng.
After arriving at the city gate, after checking the military badges, and just as they were about to enter the city, suddenly, someone in the team exclaimed: "Do you see?"
After hearing this man's words, a group of people heard the sound and looked around. But he was surprised to see the rows of heads hanging at the city gate.
Someone immediately said disapprovingly: "What's all the fuss about? Beheading is not very common. Previously, He Yilong's head was hanging on his head!"
"No!" The man who just exclaimed pointed with his finger and said, "Did you see that I recognize those family members of He Baisui. Did you see his wife, son, and daughter?"
"Hey, it's true!" After hearing what he said, some of these people recognized him again.
The bandit guarding the city gate heard them talking and said, "What's so strange about this? He Baisui betrayed the general and caused a huge defeat on the front line. Naturally, his family will be beheaded! Look, It’s written on the notice over there.”
"This is impossible!" Upon hearing this, six or seven of the knights immediately denied it.
"He Baisui was beheaded in front of the imperial court because he was exposed for pretending to surrender and was given authority by the imperial court!"
"Yes, we all saw it with our own eyes. He Baisui and many others were beheaded in public."
"Why did you kill other people's family members indiscriminately? Who would dare to work for the general in the future?"
"..."
Many of these people were released by Zhang Mingwei and were among the five thousand people.
Because their status was high enough, after they fled to Liu Zongmin's army, Liu Zongmin's people took them back to Chongqing to report the latest news. But they didn't expect that they saw He Baisui's family beheaded by the general at the city gate.
Thinking about He Baisui working for the general on the front line, but his family couldn't survive, to be honest, they felt a little chilled all of a sudden. At the same time, because their situation is similar to that of He Baisui, their family members are all in Chongqing, so they feel like a rabbit is dying and a fox is sad, and they feel sympathy for each other.
Therefore, of course they were unhappy about celebrating their 100th birthday. Suddenly, the city gate burst into chaos.
