In September of the seventh year of Chongzhen, the main force of the bandits who escaped from the Chexi Gorge all withdrew from Shaanxi and headed for Shanxi, Huguang, and Henan. Soon, the three parallel rivers merged into Henan.
The bandits entered Henan this time with great force, numbering hundreds of thousands, with 72 battalions of 13 families, large and small, stationed among Yi, Song, Wan, and Luo, with camps spanning dozens of miles. Henan Officials reported: The heart of the Central Plains is thousands of miles away, extending from Dahe in the north to the border of Chu in the south.
Chongzhen ordered Hong Chengchou to go out to Tongjiang to control the governors, and ordered them to wipe out the common thieves within six months. If the success was successful, the officials in charge would issue a reward. If the success was not completed, a heavy ceremony would be set up.
At the same time, 15,000 soldiers from Jizhen, led by the commander-in-chief Zhang Jiamo and You Shiwei, left Jizhen and headed for Henan;
Zhending's 5,000 model troops plus 2,000 Tianjin troops were sent to Linyi under the command of General Xu Laiqian;
In Baiganzi, three thousand Luojun chieftains, led by Sichuan general Tan Daxiao, headed from Kuizhou to Henan via Yunyang.
The commander of the Beijing camp, Lin Jiantai, supervised the 5,000 soldiers of the Shenji camp who marched south from Tongzhou to Henan.
The military commanders in each town were controlled by Hong Chengchou, Shaanxi Commander-in-Chief Yang Li, and Yulin Commander-in-Chief Wang Chengen each led their respective troops and returned them to the governor's camp.
Henan Commander Zhang Quanchang, Yansui Commander Cao Wenzhao, Kaiping Commander Qin Yiming, and Chongqing Commander Deng Qi took pictures of the strong bandits and stationed themselves in Kaifeng and Luoyang to ensure that Kailuo was not lost.
When he heard that the imperial court had mobilized another large army to encircle him, Gao Yingxiang immediately sent a letter to summon the leaders from all walks of life to Xingyang to discuss countermeasures.
............
Dengzhou, in the re-expanded Dengzhou Army Campus, flags are flying and the sound of gunfire is loud.
After several rounds of volleys, the school grounds were shrouded in smoke. Unable to bear the pungent smell of gunpowder, Hou Xun, the Minister of Household Affairs who was watching the review, couldn't help coughing. When he coughed, all the imperial envoys and attachés who were holding it in began to cough too. .
The Liaodong generals on both sides of the parade platform were as calm as still water, and no one looked strange. They had been used to it for a long time.
After coughing, Hou Xun felt refreshed. At this time, the smoke in the field had dispersed, and 3,000 drill soldiers had already received their guns and lined up.
An attaché of the imperial envoy looked sideways and saw that the square formation was a line horizontally and vertically. The soldiers under their felt hats were all full of energy, and there was no yellowish color on their faces. They couldn't help but secretly sigh: It is indeed a victory for the Donglu. Our strong army is indeed worthy of its reputation, and it looks more energetic than those show-stoppers in the Beijing camp.
I also thought about the rumors that Shi Dayong had robbed gold mountains and silver piles from Donglu. I didn't believe it before, but now it seems that it is true. Otherwise, how could his soldiers be so energetic? Compared with other general soldiers and servants, If he wants to be powerful, he doesn't know how much money he has spent. He secretly calculates how much Cheng Yi will be given to Dengzhou when he returns to Beijing.
3,000 soldiers lined up on the school grounds. The officers and soldiers were silent and looked at the high platform in unison. Not even a cough could be heard. This made Hou Xun admire him greatly and he nodded secretly, secretly saying that this army could be used.
Thinking that when I saw the soldiers loading the gunpowder just now, they did not pour gunpowder from the gourd like the gunmen of other armies, but directly tore open a small package of gunpowder at a much faster speed than ordinary gunpowder loading. I couldn't help but ask curiously. Shi Dayong from above: "What the soldiers are holding are the new fire guns you call them?"
Shi Dayong bowed and replied: "Sir, it can't be considered a new style. It's just that I made a slight improvement and changed the original gunpowder filling to a fixed gunpowder."
"Fixed gunpowder?" Hou Xun was puzzled.
Dayong explained: "In the past, the gunpowder charge in the army could not be measured. If it was too little, it would not be very powerful and it would be difficult to kill the enemy; if there was too much, it would be easy to explode the blunderbuss tube. Moreover, on the battlefield, people's hearts were uncertain and the soldiers were in panic.
It is difficult to charge the gunpowder quickly, which will inevitably affect the battle. Therefore, the general will ask someone to calculate the amount of gunpowder each time and put it into oil paper. When using it, you only need to tear off the oil paper and pour the gunpowder into the gun. There is no need to calculate the amount of gunpowder.
, which saves time and effort, and is much faster than filling the medicine before. On the battlefield, the time saved is enough to fire a shot."
"It is said that if a worker wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his weapon. If General Shi is an expert in using troops, it is no wonder that he can defeat the Eastern captives and increase the prestige of our country. This method will be reported to the emperor after I return to Beijing, and then in all armies
Promotion, I will also ask the Holy One for merit for you." Hou Xun is also a man who knows the military, so he naturally knows what it means to fire one more blunderbuss, and he can't wait to return to the capital to report this method to the emperor and promote it to the entire army.
"Your Excellency, you are very complimentary. The fixed gunpowder is not the work of the general, but the creation of Ma Gui, the general's subordinate."
"Oh? Where is Ma Gui?"
"The general asked him to lead a group of craftsmen to develop a new type of flintlock gun, but he was not at the school grounds this time."
"A flintlock gun?"
"The general saw that the matchlock gun was not easy to use in rainy and foggy weather, so he thought about improving it and using flint to fire it. If successfully developed, he would not have to worry about rain or wind."
"Okay, okay." Hou Xun praised several times and asked Dayong a few questions about the details of the flintlock gun. He secretly remembered it in his mind and planned to ask the Ministry of Industry to develop it after returning to Beijing. With the background and technology of the Ministry of Industry, how could it be done?
No worse than those under Shi Dayong.
Dayong also knew what Hou Xun's purpose was in asking such detailed questions, but he did not hide his secrets. He told the other party as much as he could about what he knew. Dayong also hoped that the Ming army would be equipped with flintlock guns as soon as possible. This would be another contribution to the Ming Dynasty.
.However, considering the morality of the Ministry of Industry, I have no hope of how far they can improve. If they don’t blow up their bodies, even if they are worthy of the country.
After Hou Xun asked a few more questions, Fang pointed to the gunmen on the school field and asked Dayong: "How many gunmen like this do you have under your command?"
"Twenty thousand." Dayong said very calmly, without any concealment.
"Twenty thousand?!" After hearing this number, Hou Xun gasped, and the attendants behind him were also surprised.
"Dengzhou is barren. I wonder how you can raise so many soldiers and horses?" Hou Xun frowned slightly. After speaking, he added meaningfully, "As far as I know, the imperial court has not given you any aid in the past two years.
Shi Dayong, a man with a military salary of one or two, is it true that you, Shi Dayong, made a fortune in Donglu, as the rumors say, hehe." His smile was unnatural.
Amidst the laughter, the eyes of all the imperial envoys' attachés brightened up. They looked at Shi Dayong's mutilated face and became more and more fond of it. There was no trace of disgust at all.
Dayong also smiled, and then said: "I'll tell you the truth, the last year I broke the Donglu Shenyang City and got some wealth, but in the past two years, I have spent it on raising the army, and there is not much left. I'll tell you the truth.
, Mo Jiang once wanted to ask for payment from the court, but he heard that in order to save money to provide military expenses, the emperor not only reduced the expenses of the imperial court, but even cut his own meals by half. He could only eat one meal of meat in two days. Mo Jiang thought every time.
This is heartbreaking. The emperor is in such a difficult situation, how can I have the heart to ask for money from the emperor? We still have to rely on our own efforts to repay the kindness of your father."
"If you are self-reliant, if all the generals of our Ming Dynasty are as brave as you, there will be no need to worry about the uncertainty of the world."
Hou Xun originally wanted to say that even the military pay was paid by you Shi Dayong. Is this Liaodong Army still an army of the Ming Dynasty? But he couldn't say this no matter what.
"But I wonder when General Shi will set out to defeat the bandits?" After talking for a long time, Hou Xun finally got down to business. This was also the purpose of his coming to Dengzhou this time.
Dayong hesitated and said, "It will take some time."
"Thieves are raging in the Central Plains, and the Ministry of War is urging you to send documents one after another. The so-called military situation is extremely urgent. General Shi cannot delay this important matter. I promised the emperor when I came here. You must not let the emperor down.
"Hou Xun didn't explicitly urge Dayong, but he meant that he wanted Shi Dayong to send troops immediately.
"If it's not that the general doesn't want to leave immediately, it's because the army is short of food." Dayong sighed, "Do you hope that the general will become a thief before killing the thieves?"
The army had not moved yet, but the food and fodder went first. Hou Xun explained the importance of food and fodder to an army. He sighed and said, "I will try to raise some for you regarding the food and fodder."
"Thank you, sir." Dayong bowed and saluted Hou Xun solemnly.
"If the food and fodder are ready, but I don't know when you can send troops?"
"At least half a month."
"How many troops and horses can be mobilized?"
"Thirty thousand horse infantry."
"Thirty thousand?" Hou Xun was startled again, but it was much weaker than when he heard the 20,000 gun soldiers before. He pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "The day the soldiers and horses set off, it will be the court's reward for Shi Dayong's loyalty.
hour."
"The general will not dare to ask for anything in return from the court, but I can only ask the court to treat me fairly. The princes in power should no longer doubt my sincerity."
"The imperial court will not let you down."
"The general has one more request, please accept it."
"What's the matter?"
"Commander Shen of the Dongjiang River has detained several ships of the last navy. I would like to ask you to write a letter of divorce to Commander Shen to let him go."
"This is a small matter. I will write a divorce letter for you later and go to him."
Hou Xun agreed, but he was confused in his heart, how did Shen Shikui from Dongjiang come into conflict with Shi Dayong? This matter needs to be investigated carefully.
............
Xingyang is known as "the belt of the Eastern Capital and the throat of the Three Qin Dynasties". It has Song Mountain to the south, Mang Mountains to the north, Jingxiang City to the east, and Hulao Pass to the west. It has always been a battleground for military strategists.
Just after October, the Dahai Temple in the east of Xingyang City was bustling with activity. Two huge red lanterns were hung in front of the temple door, and two rows of colorful flags were neatly planted on both sides of the road leading to the Main Hall, which sounded from time to time in the cold wind.
There is a large red sandalwood table in front of the Buddha statue in the main hall, and thirteen Taishi chairs are placed around the table. Li Zicheng, Li Guo, Gu Junen and dozens of other soldiers are busy with their affairs. Tonight, the leaders of the thirteen families will gather in the temple.
Shang faced the big plan. As soon as it got dark, the soldiers outside the door came to report that the Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong had arrived. Li Zicheng hurriedly came out to greet him. Zhang Xianzhong cupped his fists and asked: "Brother Zicheng, what kind of good food have you prepared for my brother?"
Li Zicheng led Zhang Xianzhong into the main hall and asked him to sit down by the big brazier before replying: "I know that my brother is a big drinker and a meat-eater. He can't get used to the exquisite meals of the officials, so I have prepared some."
Ten jars of strong wine and two whole pigs have been killed and are being cooked under the stove!" He stopped talking, raised his nose and inhaled, "It's already fragrant, and it must be out of the pot soon."
"Tonight all the heads of state are gathered together. If it were just a normal banquet and meal, my brother would have left immediately." Zhang Xianzhong stroked his thick beard and laughed.
Li Zicheng stepped forward, reached out and lifted up the red sandalwood table curtain. There were many wine jars lined up under the table. He touched the red paper sign on the jar and said with a smile: "Brother is an honored guest, how dare I entertain you with ordinary shochu? This is Xingyang’s famous Shangkuchun, the aroma of the wine is revealed through the mud.”
"Shangkuchun? I have never heard of it, let alone tasted it."
"This is a good wine that has been famous since ancient times!" Gu Junen saw that Zhang Xianzhong seemed a little unhappy in his words, and explained: "This wine has been recorded in the "National History Supplement" written by the Tang Dynasty people. In the first year, it has always been the work of the imperial court. This wine comes from Sanku Village, but only Shangku Village can be considered a good wine..."
"Okay, okay!" Zhang Xianzhong shouted: "I can't read a few baskets of Chinese characters, and my head is big when I hear people drop their book bags. You won't know if the wine is good or not by tasting it. Why should I be so noisy?" He faintly smelled something. There was a faint aroma of wine, and the wine worm in his stomach was trembling, but he asked again: "How strange! I have ordered people to look for wine everywhere these days, and I have also been to Shangku Village. Why can't I find it?"
Li Zicheng said: "The owner of the wine shop in Shangku Village escaped long before we came. Later, he couldn't worry about the old wine cellars, and the New Year was approaching, so he sneaked back and saw that Ma Qiu, the man who broke into the king, was innocent. Only then can we dare to reopen for business."
While the two were talking, Gao Yingxiang strode in, met Zhang Xianzhong and teased: "You came too early, you smell of wine!"
"Look what my brother said! I want to spend a good year with my brother!" Zhang Xianzhong stood up and saluted with his hands crossed and his fists raised.
"Sit down and warm yourself by the fire." Gao Yingxiang nodded with a smile.
Li Zicheng heard a commotion in the courtyard and knew that many leaders were coming, so he hurried out to greet him. Sure enough, Lao Hui Hui Ma Shouying, Ge Liyan He Yilong, King Zuo Jin He Jin, Cao Cao Luo Rucai, Kaishi Wang Xu change, and Li Wanqing shot down the sky. One hundred thousand horses entered the palace, Hui passed the Tianxing Palace, Zhang Yichuan, the king of sweepers, Liu Guoneng, who broke into the sky, and Guo Dacheng, the nine dragons, entered the temple one after another.
Li Zicheng led everyone into the hall with greetings. When everyone saw Gao Yingxiang, they all clasped their fists and saluted. Gao Yingxiang invited everyone to sit around the table, and the dishes were served immediately. Before the soldiers could move the wine and set the wine bowls, Zhang Xianzhong stretched out his hand and raised a jar of wine. Come, with a "wave" sound, the mud seal is broken, and a scent of wine comes to your nose, strong and mellow.
He looked around at everyone, smiled and said: "I'll try it first." He poured a full bowl, poured it into his throat, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and praised: "It's really good wine!"
Gao Yingxiang's pride was aroused, he stood up with the wine and said: "It's been six or seven years since our brothers started the uprising. We moved to Sanqin and never lived in peace again. It's not a bad idea to reunite with our brothers in this foreign land today." Lively, finish this bowl first!"
Everyone worked together and sat down to eat. Zhang Xianzhong took the pig leg from the earthen basin and munched it. Gao Yingxiang paused for a moment and suddenly sighed: "At the end of the Apocalypse, heroes rose up together, raised the banner of righteousness, killed corrupt officials, and attacked the city. What a momentum! It has been more than ten years now, and most of the thirty-sixth battalion has been dispersed. Only a few of us are left, but they were driven out of our hometown in Shaanxi. Although Chexixia survived the disaster, many brothers were killed in vain. …”