If that big man was Shi Dayong present, he could tell at a glance that this man was Zuo Liangyu.
On that day, Zuo Liangyu was ordered by Changping Commander-in-Chief You Shiwei to lead 300 troops outside the pass to aid in the Battle of Daling River. Zuo Liangyu took advantage of the wind direction to favor the Ming army and pursued the Jin army bravely. Then the wind direction changed suddenly, and he was the first to retreat.
The speed is no slower than Wu Xiang and others.
After escaping back to Jinzhou, Zuo Liangyu was originally going to lead the remaining troops to escape back to the pass, but was pulled by Shi Dayong to defend Jinzhou. General Zuo Liangyu was not as brave as Shi Dayong, and his soldiers were not as many as Shi Dayong. If Shi Dayong did not agree, he would have done it on the spot.
After a fierce fight with him, he had no choice but to go to the city to help in the battle.
Shi Dayong went to Beijing to report victory in the Pingdengzhou rebellion. Zuo Liangyu was also promoted to deputy general of Changping for his achievements in the Battle of Jinzhou. He led 2,450 Changping soldiers to Henan to quell the rebellion. Because his troops participated in the Battle of Xiaolinghe and the Battle of Jinzhou,
Their combat effectiveness was much stronger than that of the local army in Henan, so they wiped out many bandits and gained a good reputation in Henan. Their headquarters in Changping also had strict military discipline, which was highly appreciated by the local gentry.
(Author's note: Zuo Liangyu's military discipline deteriorated after his headquarters in Changping was destroyed. In the future, hundreds of thousands of Zuo troops were composed of thieves, bandits, and ruffians, and there were not many children from good families. At this time, Zuo Liangyu was considered a good general, and in his heart
There is a king and a father.)
With his achievements in Henan, Zuo Liangyu had great hope of being promoted to the rank of general military officer. Unfortunately, Hou Xun, his back-up man in the DPRK, offended his chief minister Wen Tiren and lost his right to speak in his promotion. Later, Zuo Liangyu
Yu was transferred from Henan by Chen Qiyu, the governor of the five provinces, to the Shaanxi governor to practice state affairs, and became a veritable guest army.
Zuo Liangyu did not pay much attention to Zuo Liang, and only used Zuo as cannon fodder. The generals under his command had meritorious service, but Zuo Liangyu was blamed for their mistakes. This made Zuo Liangyu very depressed, but he did not dare to break out.
Zuo Liangyu, a heroic young lieutenant general, has become a strong man under the hard training of the past two years. If Dayong saw Zuo Liangyu now, he would probably sigh: Time is really a butcher's knife.
.
In order to implement Chen Qiyu's plan for practicing national affairs this time, he wanted to select a courageous and knowledgeable person to lure the thieves into the carriage gorge, and promised to sponsor him to the court after the success was achieved. Zuo Liangyu thought about it a lot, and risked wealth and danger. If he wanted to become
The commander-in-chief of a town no longer has to rely on others, so he has to risk his life and ask himself to be the one who seduces thieves.
Zuo Liangyu was willing to go, and he naturally wanted to practice state affairs. Although he didn't value Zuo Liangyu, he also knew that this person was capable. If he could go, most of the matter would be solved.
...........
When Li Zicheng discovered the arrow wound on his body, Zuo Liangyu was a little panicked. Just as he was thinking about what to say, he saw a fair and tall man coming to ask questions. The strong thieves looked very respectful to this man, knowing that
This man must be a big shot in the banditry. He hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted, "This man's vision is really extraordinary! The villain's name is Zhang Debao. He was originally guarding the border in Liaodong. He was the general manager of Mr. Yuan Chonghuan, the Liaodong manager. Because he was named for Mr. Yuan,
Unjust, he received forty army sticks. In a rage, he killed the people and fled back to the pass. But he couldn't return home, so he had to hide in the mountains and make a living by collecting firewood. To be honest, the arrow wound mentioned by this uncle was...
It was shot by the Donglu Tatar soldiers when they followed Mr. Yuan in the fierce battle at Ningyuan, and the villain lay there for a whole month."
Except for his name, Zuo Liangyu basically told the truth, but he also concealed a lot. When Yuan Chonghuan put down the Ningyuan mutiny, he was beaten with 200 military sticks. He was willing to accept the punishment and guard the border until the crime was committed. After Yuan Chonghuan died, he was disheartened.
He ran to the pass and became a junior colonel in the Changping garrison. Because of his outstanding martial arts, he was appreciated by the commander-in-chief You Shiwei and recommended him to Hou Xun, the governor of the Changping garrison with the title of Minister of War. Hou Xun recommended him as deputy general. As for that
The arrow wound was caused by a Tatar soldier during the Battle of Daling River.
Gao Yingxiang listened to his true story and secretly admired him. His suspicions disappeared and he returned the favor with clasped fists: "Brother Zhang used to follow Governor Yuan to resist the Tatars outside the pass. How disrespectful! It seems that you have been here for a long time."
"More than five years."
"Brother Zhang, would you like to do me a favor and show us the way?"
"Brother is so frank and honest with others, I will never give up even if I die." Zuo Liangyu was overjoyed, with a calm expression on his face, and bowed: "This is Nuwa Mountain. Although there are mountains and rivers, and the road is difficult to distinguish, it is better than what you have crossed. Daba Mountain is no longer tall and precipitous. There is a valley in Fenghuang Mountain in front of it, which is called Carriage Gorge. The terrain is low, flat and open. It is the only way for ordinary merchants to enter and exit. When you exit the valley, you will see Xing'an City in front of you."
Gao Yingxiang had no doubts. He was not a bold-tempered person, and Zuo Liangyu made it clear, so he would not be suspicious. He immediately ordered Zuo Liangyu to lead the way, and tens of thousands of troops slowly marched towards Fenghuang Mountain. They could not reach it. After half an hour, I saw a low mountain, like a phoenix spreading its wings, and the mountain road gradually became smoother and wider.
Gao Yingxiang and others mounted their horses and set out. The leader of the expedition in front of them sent word that they were still less than a mile away from the Carriage Gorge. Gao Yingxiang sent the order to camp there tonight and capture Xing'an City at dawn tomorrow.
...........
At this time, there were officers and soldiers stationed inside and outside Xing'an City. Chen Qiyu built the headquarters in Xing'an County Yamen, divided his troops and sat alone in the custody room with his eyes closed. The Chinese army, staff, and soldiers were waiting outside the door. .
Several thick candles were lit in the room, illuminating the room brightly. He suddenly opened his eyes and stared at the engraved glass on the table. The golden lotus holds the floating arrow below, and the floating arrow rises from the water.
Next to the engraving was a cowhide envelope sealed with the Ministry of War's seal. He listened carefully and asked outside, "What time is it?"
The Chinese army, staff, and soldiers outside the door also gathered around the door and hurriedly replied: "It was just Youshi."
"Why is there no movement in the Bell and Drum Tower?
"I think there is some discrepancy with the master's instructions..."
Just as he was talking, the sound of bells and drums came continuously, which was extremely long.
The Chinese army was surprised and said: "Isn't there a lotus leak in front of my eyes? Why do you ask?"
"Dong Weng has such a big thing on his mind. He can sit still in the house, which is extraordinary. Don't you remember that when Xie An heard that his nephew had defeated Qin Fu Jian, he walked in a hurry and the wooden clogs on his feet were damaged by the threshold. ?”
"It seems that the master's magnanimity is better than Xie An's!" Zhongjun glanced at the staff and nodded in admiration.
The sound of bells and drums had just stopped, and everyone was whispering among themselves, but they heard several cannon shots coming from the south of the city, which made the roof rustle.
When everyone was stunned, the door of the room suddenly opened, and Chen Qiyu came out with a sword in hand. He stared at everyone with piercing eyes and said loudly: "The memorial on the table has been sent to the headquarters. Quickly report it with a 600-mile horse." Your Majesty, Mr. Cao, Mr. Wang, and a few of you, watch the headquarters kill thieves tonight----"
After saying this, he jumped out of the crowd with his sword in hand. Everyone shouted, everyone got on their horses and left the city.
.............
The Forbidden City of the capital, inside the Qianqing Palace.
Chongzhen sat alone behind the imperial court reviewing memorials. After reviewing the large pile of memorials, it was already dark outside.
Chongzhen stretched himself, slapped his back, took a breath, and took out a memorial left aside. After reading it, he was in a bad mood and cursed angrily: "Yue Fei can still If you use ten gold medals to recall you, Shi Dayong, do you want me to use twelve gold medals to recall you?" In anger, he smashed the ink pen on the table.
Hearing the noise, Wang Chengen who was waiting outside the door quickly came in quietly, carefully packed away the ink pens, wiped the ink stains, and said nothing. He only advised: "Long live Lord, it's already Haishi, it's time to rest..." See Chongzhen stared and quickly shut up.
"When did you see me going to bed so early?"
"Long Live Lord has eaten less than usual in the past few days. The Queen and the Concubine have both told the servants not to forget to give Lord Long Live a heads-up to avoid being overtired. When the slave saw that Lord Long Live had finished approving the coupons..." Wang Chengen said that the circles under his eyes were actually a little red, and the emperor was indeed suffering these days.
Chongzhen heard his verbosity and waved his hand: "I didn't say I won't rest. I want to take a walk outside."
After Wang Chengen heard this, his tears turned into laughter, and he hurriedly said: "My servant, go call the guard on duty."
"No need. I'll just walk outside on the terrace," Chongzhen said as he stepped out.
The crescent moon has long since disappeared, leaving only the stars in the sky, twinkling endlessly, and the Milky Way like a silver ribbon stretching across the sky, like a large bag of scattered pearls.
A light mist shrouded the surrounding palaces and pavilions, making the palace appear even more supremely dignified in the haze.
Chongzhen walked to the gilt-copper pavilion on the right side of the terrace, stretched out his hand and touched the top of the pavilion. It was warm and moist, and the Jiangshan Sheji Golden Palace was also a little misty.
How come the country left by our ancestors is so ruined in my hands? Chongzhen was very sentimental.
"What did the DPRK say about the peace talks with the Eastern Captives?"
"Except for Chen Xinjia, the right minister of the Ministry of War, who agreed to discuss the payment with Donglu, no other courtiers agreed."
"Chen Xinjia? Is this the Chen Xinjia recommended by Yang Sichang?"
"Exactly this person."
Chongzhen nodded. Ever since Yang Sichang was asked to die on behalf of his father, Chongzhen had greatly appreciated this man. He firmly believed that a person who is filial must be a person who is loyal, so he made an exception and named him the censor and governor of Youqiandu. Yongping and Shanhaiguan must read every memorial of Yang Sichang, adopt most of his suggestions, and reuse those he recommends.
"What did the cabinet say?"
"The cabinet said that the Eastern Barbarians even ordered Shi Dayong to burn Shenyang, and Prince Baylor sent hundreds of heads. This is a sign of defeat. We, the Ming Dynasty, should take advantage of the opportunity to attack and avoid future troubles. How can we negotiate peace with them and support them? Tigers are in danger."
"They are all sensible people, huh, I am just a fool." Chongzhen snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied with the cabinet's advice.
Wang Chengen was a little surprised. What the cabinet told was the truth. Why was Long Live Lord dissatisfied?
Seeing Wang Chengen's puzzled expression, Chongzhen sighed and asked him: "Is this battle really fought by our Ming army?"
"This..." Wang Chengen couldn't stand up.
"I can't even call back my men, so how can I take advantage of the opportunity to attack? That sounds nice. In addition to Shi Dayong's Jinzhou Army, do I have any soldiers and horses who can fight the Donglu?"
Chongzhen couldn't help but become even more angry when he thought that he had sent several groups of people to summon Shi Dayong to Beijing, but nothing happened. He was not Song Gaozong, and Shi Dayong was not Yue Wumu, but what happened now was extremely different from those two people. It was similar, which made him feel powerless.
Wang Chengen did not dare to speak and stood there silently looking at Chongzhen.
After calming down, Chongzhen turned around and asked, "Is Cao Huachun back?"
"Arrived in Tongzhou."
"As soon as a person enters the palace, ask him to come to see me."
"Yes, I have remembered it."
Wang Chengen nodded in agreement, thinking in his mind what Cao Huachun was going to Jiangnan for, and what he would say to the emperor after returning to Beijing, but he heard
The sound of "dang, dang, dang..." came from the distance.
Three clouds sounded loudly, and Chongzhen's heart tightened. Wang Chengen, who was holding the palace lantern at the side, also changed his face and quickly ran towards the corner of Qianqing Palace leading to Yangde Zhai.
This is a palace rule established by Chongzhen long ago. If there is a very urgent military document at night, it cannot be delayed at any time and must be started as soon as possible.
The cabinet, general affairs department, and ceremonial supervisor are on duty at night all year round. The cabinet bachelor on duty and the eunuch Bingbi received the urgent document and went to the corner to ring the cloud board. The eunuch and palace maid who was on duty at night took it and sent it to the door of Chongzhen Palace. , handed it over to the eunuchs and maids who were on duty outside the palace, and knelt down in front of the imperial couch.
Chongzhen took the cowhide envelope, pulled it twice, and then tore a small slit. He opened it, took out the papers, and read them under the lamp. He couldn't help but smile, and he looked up to the sky and sighed: "Ten years of suppressing bandits, all in one battle." Chen Qiyu As expected, it lived up to my expectations and trapped the rebels in the Carriage Gorge!"