Chang Yu didn't want to go over the mountains and open up a new route. It would be difficult to find his way out if he got lost in the mountains these days, so after discussing with Li Muxian and others, he decided to take the existing old route, from Jingzhou to the northwest via the mountain pass to Yiling (today's Yiling).
Yichang) Badong, Wushan, and then headed directly west to Wanxian (today's Wanzhou District of Chongqing, which was demoted to a county in the Ming Dynasty). After passing Wanxian, it turned around and headed southwest along the Guichuan border line to Kunming!
Since ancient times, there have been two routes to Sichuan, Hanzhong in the north and Yichang in the east. When Zhang Xianzhong came from Wuchang, he followed the Yangtze River all the way from Yichang. He first went to Chongqing and marched all the way to Chengdu along the waterway.
Chang Yu is heading straight west from here to the deep mountains and old forests of Zhangjiajie. It is too risky, but walking here in Jingzhou is also uneasy. The two armies are facing each other and they are nervous. Chang Yu and his entourage will cause a lot of reaction when they cross the border.
He was not afraid of more than a thousand horsemen and warriors. No matter who was looking for trouble, he could fight him. If he couldn't fight, he would rush out. So after much consideration, he decided to pass through Jingzhou.
In fact, Chang Yu's worries when passing through Jingzhou were not all about the rebels. Sometimes the so-called friendly forces were more dangerous than the enemy! This is why Chang Yu became cautious when he rushed into enemy-occupied areas and entered his own territory.
By the way, let’s talk about the situation around Jingxiang. The three towns of Wuhan are Zuo Liangyu’s territory, and Jingzhou and Xiangyang are Li Zicheng’s territory. At first, Zhang Xianzhong went up the river from Wuchang and entered Sichuan from Yichang and conquered Chongqing, Chengdu, etc., but at this time
His forces did not occupy the entire Sichuan, and many places were still in the hands of officers, soldiers and chieftains. For example, the Shili between Chongqing and Wanzhou was in the hands of Qin Liangyu, but the several prefectures and counties along the Yangtze River where he entered Sichuan were still in the hands of Zhang Xianzhong.
.
There are three forces within a few hundred miles of territory, and they are at war with each other. Especially in the hands of Zhang Xianzhong, Yichang and Jingzhou are too close to each other and are at the water crossing into Sichuan, so they are heavily defended.
But there is a buffer zone between Jingzhou and Wuchang Zuoliangyu. For example, the Gong'an and Jiangling in the lower reaches of Jingzhou and Qianjiang in the eastern plain are all in Li Zicheng's pocket, but Qianjiang is a hundred miles east of Mianyang (now Xiantao).
Li Zicheng did not extend his tentacles here because it was too close to Zuo Liangyu's base camp. If he occupied it, he would be attacked and Jingzhou's troops would be scattered. Zuo Liangyu also did not send troops to garrison the city. The reason
It is also understandable that Mianyang became an orphan and his father did not care for his mother. However, the bandits and soldiers also wandered in from time to time and even fought with each other. However, these were small-scale conflicts and the local people could only organize them voluntarily.
The villagers bravely defended the city.
But a few months ago, Zuo Liangyu was forced by Chang Yu to send troops to attack Jingzhou, so he sent Ma Jinzhong and Wang Yuncheng to advance towards Jingzhou with 5,000 troops, garrisoned in Mianyang City, and sent troops to attack Qianjiang, but Qianjiang is the west gate of Jingzhou
, Niu Wancai and Ta Tianbao would easily let the officers and soldiers succeed, so they sent troops from Jingzhou to rush for reinforcements and from Gong'an and Jiangling to attack from behind. However, Ma Jinzhong and Wang Yuncheng were also very slick. On the surface, they attacked Qianjiang, but in fact they attacked the east and west.
They sent troops to assist them, so they sent heavy troops to Jingzhou to steal the chickens, but Niu Wancai saw through it and returned to Jingzhou in time. Ma Jinzhong knew there was no chance to take advantage of him, so he made a show of fighting and returned to the army.
Niu Wancai did not dare to mobilize Jingzhou troops out of the city at will for fear of being stolen. He only ordered the public security and Jiangling City to act according to the opportunity. Ma Jinzhong's plan for Jingzhou was not successful, so he took another unexpected blow and asked Wang Yuncheng to lead his troops to attack Jiangling. Jiangling was then captured.
After the thieves from the two cities and Gong'an were restrained, he personally led his troops to attack Qianjiang again!
Although Qianjiang is the west gate, it is only a small town and cannot withstand Ma Jinzhong's firepower. However, the police and Jiangling's friendly forces were restrained. Jingzhou's main force was afraid of being deceitful and did not dare to come to rescue, so it was defeated by Ma Jinzhong within a few seconds.
!
Therefore, Mianyang and Qianjiang are now in the hands of Zuo Liangyu, and therefore they no longer care about Jingzhou. The main army is stationed in Mianyang, and thousands of troops are stationed in Qianjiang City.
After a while, he would not leave the city for the rest of the time. Anyway, taking Qianjiang in one fell swoop would be enough to fend off the young eunuch.
It’s only a fool who puts all the effort into attacking Jingzhou, at least not now. It’s an iron wall that can break a bone with just one kick.
The territory was a little chaotic, but it couldn't stop Chang Yu's eagerness to go south. He divided the money at the foot of Dajun Mountain, took a rest, made torches, and left camp overnight. This time Ji Jike led the Eagle Camp ahead, because Zuo Liangyu not only
He gave them money and even changed their horses. Their physical strength was at its peak, and if they encountered any trouble, Yingying would be the one to handle it.
After walking and stopping along the way, it was already outside Mianyang City at dawn. The weather became gloomy, as if it was going to rain. Chang Yu raised his head and cursed in a low voice. It was already a cold and cold day, and it would be really bad if it rained.
.
He was in a hurry, and Chang Yu had no intention of entering the city. He passed by Mianyang City four or five miles away. After walking another five miles, when everyone was resting, more than ten horses came running. It was Ma Jinzhong's men who came to investigate.
After investigating, he found out that he was from Dongchang Guards and left.
After a while, he broke camp and left. After more than ten miles, hundreds of cavalry were chasing him. The three battalions immediately set up and were waiting. Dozens of personal guards guarded Chang Yu in the center. Li Muchian frowned: "Is it Zuo Liangyu... No?"
Most likely."
"You'll know just by looking at it" Chang Yu said expressionlessly.
Hundreds of horsemen rolled up and arrived in the blink of an eye. Seeing that the Dongchang Guards were waiting, they quickly reined in their horses. Several riders came out of the queue and marched slowly. One of the first people shouted: "But they are from the Dongchang Guards?"
"Exactly, what do you want to do here?" Ji Jike rode out of the formation alone, firing his gun and asked.
The man laughed and said, "Brothers of Dongchangwei, don't be so nervous. I am Ma Jinzhong, a subordinate of General Zuo." He then pointed to the big man next to him: "He is Wang Yuncheng, a deputy general of General Zuo. I heard that brothers of Dongchangwei are coming here specially."
Just give it away."
"A gift?" Ji Jike raised an eyebrow.
Ma Jinzhong said with a stern face: "No, not far ahead is the Qianjiang River where the two armies are having an uneven confrontation. We have been ordered to garrison here. Brothers who are passing through the door will naturally have to say goodbye. If something happens,
If word gets out, it will be said that General Zuo did not treat him well."
"Are they escorting us here with good intentions?" Hao Yaoqi muttered in the array. Just as Tu Yuan was about to speak, Chang Yu's cold snort came from behind him: "If they have such good intentions, I think they are here to cause trouble."
"Why are they picking on us?" Hao Yaoqi was confused: "Didn't Zuo old thief just return the money?"
"You know nothing." Tu Yuan was clever: "Earlier, the Governor put pressure on him in Jiujiang. Zuo Lao Zuo was very angry but he still held a grudge. Although they didn't dare to openly rebel, they were looking for our people when they passed by.
But he has the ability to do personal things, right, Daochang Li?"
Li Muxian nodded: "I can't think of any other reason besides this. Anyway, I don't believe they are really kind-hearted in escorting me."
"They are all here to make trouble, and you two are still standing here stupidly." Chang Yu cursed in a low voice. Tu Yuan and Hao Yaoqi immediately got angry. They picked up the guy, clamped their legs and ran forward.
Bian Jiji was sneering and said to Ma Jinzhong: "Don't say that we are just passing through the border. The bandit army in Jingzhou City is coming out in full force. If he can stop us, he will be considered powerful. You are so funny, I understand."
Chang Yu has been invincible in the south and north battles for more than half a year. The four battalions of Dongchang under his command are famous all over the world for their bravery. They are all first-class warriors. Ji Jike's words are indeed not bragging, but when Ma Jinzhonghe heard it,
The irony was too loud in Wang Yuncheng's ears.
"What do you call this general? You Dongchang Guards are very powerful in fighting, but it sounds like we are all useless." Wang Yuncheng sneered. He was also a powerful character and was known as the "King of Iron Cavalry".
"That's what you said yourself." Ji Jike sneered. Wang Yuncheng was furious. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a few more riders rushing over. Among them was a big man with an iron tower, who was cursing: "Who the hell is this?"
If you come looking for trouble, give your name. My men will not kill unknown people."
Ma Jinzhong and Wang Yuncheng were also furious when they heard this, and shouted: "I, Ma Jinzhong, Wang Yuncheng, who are you going to do?"