Chapter two hundred and ninety third smooth retreat
When Jiang Cheng heard Wu Shigong's cry, he immediately stopped and turned around. After hesitating for a moment, Chen Zhongzhi's director also turned to look at Wu Shigong. The other two military attaches knew that Wu Shigong and the others must have something secret to say, so they
He had no interest in staying any longer, so he quickened his pace and left.
When the two military attachés left, Wu Shigong stopped probing because he had already revealed his intentions, and directly said to the two of them: "It's not surprising that those outsiders misinterpreted my brother's meaning. From what we, a native of this country, can say."
Just speak from your heart."
"You all came to Shandong with Jiang Youyi, but Jiang Youyi died unfortunately. My younger brother also had a relationship with Jiang Youyi before, so now I feel extremely sorry for it. But the past is like smoke, and in the blink of an eye, we are separated. Alas.
——! But those who have left are done with it once and for all, but we living people have to bite the bullet and go on!"
When Jiang Cheng heard what Wu Shigong said, he immediately bowed and saluted Wu Shigong: "My uncle has always mentioned Wu Shoubei's reputation and said that he was lucky enough to fight side by side with Lord Shoubei. But my uncle's fate is poor, and this huge burden now weighs on him."
It's so heart-pounding to be on the shoulders of a villain."
Wu Shigong heard the meaning of Jiang Cheng's words and knew that Jiang Cheng wanted to surrender to him, so he immediately said: "We are all acquaintances, so we won't talk about the two families. Let's make a good plan, at least let us come from Henan
Son, come home safely."
"What does Wu Shoubei mean?" Chen Zhongzhi, who was standing by, saw Wu Shigong and Jiang Cheng singing together and immediately interrupted and asked.
"The troops are together in one place. I have more than 2,000 troops here. Including the two brothers, there are more than 3,000 troops. We help each other internally and have the same idea externally. I am not overly concerned. Look at your position today.
, it must be a dead end on the battlefield. This also shows that in this counter-insurgency, we Henan guest troops are always in a place where there is more danger and less success."
"But as long as we brothers work together, we must at least strive for a position where we are not bullied. Otherwise, do we want to go back to Henan wrapped in straw mats? Or do we want to go back with our hands and feet broken? Don't worry, little brother, I will definitely
I will not do anything to disgrace my brothers. I will not recruit or poach others. As soon as we return to our hometown, we will go our separate ways immediately."
"What I, Old Chen, may not agree with you. What Mr. Wu said is a good idea, but what if he changes his mind? Mr. Jiang Qian and I combined don't have as many people as you. How can you guarantee that what you say is correct?"
How about cashing it in?" Chen Zhongzhi then asked.
"Mr. Chen speaks straightforwardly. I just like to deal with people like you. It's pointless to hide your words. But it's even more pointless for me to pat my chest here and say that I keep my word. But you can ask me,
How is Wu's reputation in Henan? Is what I said a nail in the mouth? I still say the same thing, don't force it, but cooperation must be done wholeheartedly, and brothers must not stab each other in the back."
"That's true. Wu Shoubei has a very good reputation in Henan. Eunuch Xiao and my uncle have been talking about him. I can definitely vouch for you in front of Chen Dusi." Jiang Cheng also endorsed Wu Shigong from the side.
"Since you all said so, then you can count me, Old Chen, as well. Let's work together in the same boat." After thinking for a while, Chen Zhongzhi also agreed. Seeing that his strength had been strengthened, Wu Shigong and Jiang Cheng had expressions on their faces.
Showing joy.
But before the atmosphere relaxed, Chen Zhongzhi asked again: "A snake can't do without a head! Then who among us should make the decision?"
To be honest, what Chen Zhongzhi said was not only unpleasant to listen to, but also very damaging to the atmosphere. Indeed, what he said was correct, and a leader should be determined. But if you think about it, you will understand that since Wu Shigong is the strongest here,
It was Wu Shigong who took the initiative to propose the alliance, so it must be Wu Shigong who wants to be the leader.
Chen Zhongzhi couldn't wait to point out this point because he simply wanted to be the leader. It cannot be said that Chen Zhongzhi's idea was wrong. After the death of Jiang Guerrilla, among the Ming troops who came out of Henan, Chen Zhongzhi had the highest official rank. According to convention, he should now be the leader.
It's him who is the main one.
But the situation now is different. Not to mention their respective strengths, after Jiang Guerrilla was killed, Chen Zhongzhi did not even subdue Jiang Cheng's troops. When he came to Wu Shigong to express his gratitude, he also came with Jiang Cheng. This shows that he is not capable at all.
He did not have the ability to integrate these three armies in a short period of time. Therefore, his idea of being the leader was originally a fantasy.
Chen Zhongzhi was a Dusi of Governor Biaoying of Henan Province. This time he led the 800 soldiers of Governor Biaoying and followed Jiang Guerrín to the north for the expedition. Jiang Guerrín led 1,200 men of his own guerrilla battalion.
And Jiang Cheng is Jiang Guerrilla's nephew and captain of his own army. After Jiang Guerrilla died in battle, of course the soldiers in the guerrilla battalion also obeyed Jiang Cheng's orders. Now, although Jiang Cheng's official rank is far inferior to that of Chen Zhongzhi, his strength is greater than that of Chen Zhongzhi.
The strength that Chen Zhongzhi has mastered must be stronger.
In the governor's Biao camp, Chen Zhongzhi's fighting skills were quite strong, but he seemed to be a pure soldier, not good at making relationships and not good at talking. So this time, the governor of Henan also sent him out.
This principle is understandable: Who is a good child willing to give up his life in a temple?
And Chen Zhongzhi's character has shown up to this point, which makes him say these mindless words. Maybe Chen Zhongzhi still naively believes that he, the capital commander, should command all the Henan Ming troops.
However, Wu Shigong would definitely not understand that Chen Zhongzhi was just naive in character at the first contact. He would definitely think that Chen Zhongzhi had ulterior motives. Therefore, Wu Shigong immediately said back firmly: "Of course I am.
Otherwise, can you command my more than 2,000 troops?" Wu Shigong pointed out to Chen Zhongzhi again that he has more than 2,000 troops, and his strength far exceeds that of Chen Zhongzhi.
Seeing that there was some anger in the two people's words, Jiang Cheng immediately smoothed things over and said, "Master Wu, Chen Dusi didn't mean that. Of course our brothers in the guerrilla camp will follow Master Wu. Regarding the alliance, I think Chen Dusi will too.
Think about it yourself.”
After being persuaded, Wu Shigong also calmed down a little. Again, forceful melons are not sweet. Wu Shigong decided to rely mainly on himself. So he calmed down and said: "Then Chen Dusi, please do it."
When Chen Zhongzhi saw that his words had caused such a big reaction, he immediately blushed. He couldn't speak, but that didn't mean that he didn't know that he had said the wrong thing.
The current situation of Chen Zhongzhi is not very good. If there is no alliance, his five or six hundred people will become completely alone. Among the tens of thousands of Ming troops, there will not even be a wave. By then, they will definitely be alone.
A life of running errands and working hard.
But Chen Zhongzhi had just said what he said, and he couldn't save the dignity to go back on his words. At this moment, Chen Zhongzhi didn't know what to do, but Chen Zhongzhi would not be willing to leave like this.
After all, Jiang Cheng and Chen Zhongzhi fought side by side during the day, and it was hard to keep seeing Chen Zhongzhi's embarrassment. So Jiang Cheng said, "We from Henan will definitely be together. Chen Dusi, don't you think so?"
Of course Chen Zhongzhi climbed down the pole and said, "That's true. Wu Shoubei needs to worry more!"
Seeing that Chen Zhongzhi had already relented, Wu Shigong also took a step back and showed his goodwill: "Everyone just talks about it. Besides, I, the leader, only go out to see each other and do not interfere in the affairs of the two brothers in the army.
.And if there is any major matter, I will discuss it with the two brothers. I will not be dictatorial. Please rest assured, two brothers."
Chen Zhongzhi and Jiang Cheng nodded repeatedly, basically letting go of everything.
In the middle of the night, under Wu Shigong's order, all the Ming army assembled and retreated immediately during the night. However, a large number of bonfires were still left in place.
With more than 4,000 people retreating, the movement was definitely not small. The rebels on the other side of the river also noticed Wu Shigong's movement. However, Wu Shigong's behavior was so strange that the rebels did not dare to make up their mind to pursue them.
Therefore, Wu Shigong and others successfully broke away from contact with the rebels. They did not retreat along the road. They changed several directions one after another and retreated in several zigzags.
After more than a day's march, Wu Shigong and others finally withdrew to the original rear camp on April 3, the fifth year of Chongzhen's reign.
