weaving

After Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance joined Li Zicheng, they often accompanied Li Zicheng. In addition to secretly discussing important matters, they also talked about ancient times and answered questions for him. Their status became increasingly important.

Li Yan was not the same as Li Yan. Because he lived with the soldiers from East Henan in his own camp instead of living in the old camp, he was not allowed to have frequent contact with King Chuang. Moreover, he also had the idea of ​​"retiring after meritorious service". "I am not very keen on fame and wealth, so my contact with Chuang Wang is even more alienated.

However, because Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance had been with King Chuang for a long time, they were very familiar with the intrigue between the Chuang and Cao camps and the difficulty of their long-term reunion. They also knew that King Chuang wanted to take advantage of this good opportunity of joining forces to concentrate on Therefore, he did not fully support Li Yan's idea of ​​establishing a foundation to plan for great things.

Especially Niu Jinxing, he is more utilitarian and selfish. He is always worried that Song Xiance and Li Yan's achievements will be too great, which will affect his status in the heart of King Chuang, so he really doesn't want Song and Li to be too powerful. Get ahead.

Now, when Niu Jinxing saw King Chuang urging him to express his position with his eyes, he looked at Li Yan and said: "Lin Quan, your suggestion comes out of your loyalty to King Chuang and is also based on the overall situation. It is indeed the best policy. However, the Generalissimo has an overview of the current situation. I don’t want to be controlled by the enemy, but I also have a deep and grand plan, why did Brother Nian forget it?”

Li Yan understood that what Niu Jinxing meant by "thinking deeply about the grand plan" was to occupy Kaifeng first, defeat the main force of the imperial reinforcements, and then cut off the dissidents, so as to establish a name, use Kaifeng as the foundation, divide the troops and occupy the territory, and select officials to manage the people.

Now that Niu Jinxing had said so, he couldn't stick to his idea anymore, so he had to nod his head in agreement.

Seeing this, Niu Jinxing smiled again and said: "Marshal Kuang has already ordered the city to be stormed, so how can he change the order in the morning and give it up halfway? Wouldn't that damage his prestige?"

When Li Yan saw such a hat being slapped on him, he was also frightened and said quickly: "Yes, yes. Yan is careless and careless. I can't bear to see this. Please don't blame the general."

Li Zicheng didn't take it seriously. He laughed, patted Li Yan on the shoulder and said to him: "Lin Quan, your intentions are good, how can I blame you! However, if you are in front of me in the future and refuse to If you make bold suggestions, I will still blame you.

There was Wei Zheng beside Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, which really makes me envious! Lin Quan, there is a lack of people like Wei Zheng around me. You often advise me to imitate Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Although I am beyond your reach, I still hope that you can become Wei Zheng beside me. "

When King Chuang said this, he looked at Li Yan with sincerity in his eyes and asked him: "Lin Quan, did you agree?"

Li Yan was moved by King Chuang's sincerity, and he said with excitement: "The Generalissimo treats me as a national scholar. If Yan has seen something, how dare he remain silent."

Liu Zongmin suddenly said: "Lin Quan, no matter what you have to say, just say it! When King Chuang takes over the throne in the future, not only will you and King Chuang have the relationship of monarch and minister, but your wife will still be King Chuang and his wife. My adopted daughter!"

His words caused a burst of laughter from King Chuang and everyone else. After chatting about military affairs for a while, they all mounted their horses and left.

…………

Li Zicheng just returned to his old mansion. As soon as he jumped off the black dragon colt, Mrs. Gao's personal soldiers came up and reported: "Madam, you ordered me to come and see if the generalissimo has returned to his old mansion. As expected, he is back!"

He let Liu Zongmin, Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance and others do what they wanted, and walked towards Mrs. Gao's residence. As he walked, he thought: "What will happen if you look for me now?"

When they walked into Madam Gao's tent, they saw that it was their married adopted daughter Huimei who had come to see Madam Gao. When they saw King Chuang coming in, their laughter suddenly stopped and they all stood up in awe.

After King Chuang saw the ceremony with everyone, he asked everyone to sit down. First, he talked about Huimei's situation after her marriage. When he heard Aunt Lu talking about the love, harmony and unity between Huimei and Yuan Shizhong, he felt deeply pleased.

Although the original intention was to win over Yuan Shizhong, wouldn't it be beautiful if Huimei could truly stay with him for the rest of his life? Huimei's years of serving Mrs. Gao would not be in vain.

Finally, King Chuang even told Huimei: "You must respect Shi Zhong at all times. Don't think that you are my adopted daughter. You have been well-known in the army. Now you have been wronged when you married Xiao Yuanying. As the saying goes, ' Marry a chicken and follow the chicken. Only when a wife obeys her husband can she be considered virtuous and courteous.

You must understand in your heart that in my eyes, the Little Yuan Camp in the current period can never be like Cao Ying... I can only be a little careless about Cao Ying, as long as it is roughly the same, but a battalion like this, Under my "Chuang" banner, there can only be one, never two.

I have high expectations for Shi Zhong, and I have not treated him as a guest, nor have I treated his Little Yuan Camp as a guest camp. Although it is currently half a guest camp and half a camp, it will be time to become a guest soon. For the Lord, just like the battalions led by your eldest brother, Liu Mingyuan, Yuan Hanju, etc., when the time comes, I will include the small Yuan Camp under the banner of "Chuang" and treat it as my own.

From now on, we will be strict in military discipline and even more strict in drills. Today, I want to make these words clearer to you, so that you can know better and never go against my will in everything you do. Do you understand? "

Huimei quickly stood up and replied in a low voice with great respect: "My daughter understands that this is what she wishes."

Li Zicheng wanted to give Huimei a few more words, but was interrupted by Li Shuangxi who came out of the blue. He only heard him report: "Shuai Cao is here..."

It turns out that today is a good day for Luo Rucai to hold a banquet in Cao Ying, inviting the chief civil and military officers of each camp to have wine and watch a show. He had already sent out invitations yesterday, and to express his special respect for King Chuang, he came to Laofu in person to invite him.

Li Zicheng chatted with him for a while in the big tent. Seeing that it was almost noon, he called Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, Li Yan and others, as well as a large group of other generals living near Laofu, to ride with Luo Rucai to Cao Cao. Leave the camp.

The banquet in Cao Ying's camp was indeed much more sumptuous than the day before. It was full of all kinds of delicacies, and there was also a lot of fine wine. All the civil and military officials who attended the banquet were full of praise.

Today, in addition to the abundant food and wine at Cao Ying, a stage was set up overnight. A troupe of Kun Opera and a troupe of Henan Clappers performed in turn, and a large group of singing girls were waiting at each table, holding pots and urging wine.

There was a lively scene inside and outside the big tent, there was constant sound of guessing and punching, and even the literati were chatting and laughing. The scene was much more lively than when King Chuang hosted a banquet.

After Chuang Wang Li Zicheng ordered "Sea Cucumber Roast Fish Maw" and "Tremella Fungus Soup", he knew that the food and wine were basically ready. On the one hand, he had something to do, and on the other hand, he was afraid that he would make everyone feel restrained here, so he expressed it to Luo Rucai. It means to say goodbye.

Luo Rucai didn't understand what he meant, so he didn't force him to stay. He just toasted him with a glass of wine and said, "Brother Li, you are busy, so I don't dare to stay. To be honest, you only know how to plan big things, but you will not enjoy happiness." ! This next play is "Pipa Ji: Eating Chaff" by Zhou Shipu's Suzhou troupe. You don't even want to watch it. What a pity!"

Li Zicheng said with a smile: "It's better to leave early, so as not to worry about everyone. However, let's talk about it first. Although you are treating them to a banquet today, you can't indulge them in gambling, and you can't allow anyone to get so drunk. mud!"

"Of course. Brother Li, don't you trust us?"

Luo Rucai personally sent King Chuang out of the camp, but Li Zicheng was not in a hurry to get on his horse, but said softly to him: "Rucai, please send me a few more steps. I have a few words of personal experience with you."

Luo Rucai was also a little surprised and started to wonder in his heart: "Could it be that rumors from the army have reached his ears..."

They took a few steps forward and put some distance between themselves and the personal guards behind them. Li Zicheng whispered to Luo Rucai: "Rucai, do you know how Zhang Yongqi escaped?"

Luo Rucai was shocked and said secretly: "That's why!"

However, he did not show it in words, but deliberately pretended to be ignorant and asked: "I don't know, Brother Li, did you find out through the investigation?"

Li Zicheng didn't take it seriously, but held his hand, pretending to be very close, and said to him: "Of course you won't know about this. I just found out about it, and I didn't want to mention it again, but I was afraid of you. If we are kept in the dark, things like this will happen again in the future.”

"Brother Li, tell me quickly, what is going on?"

"That Zhang Yongqi was let go by your men from Cao Ying, but they kept it secret from you alone."

"what……?"

Zhang Xianzhong's face was full of surprise. He stared at his big eyes and asked eagerly: "Is there such a thing? It's so unreasonable! Who is this good deed? Brother Li, do you know?"

Li Zicheng nodded lightly and said: "I already knew it a few days ago, but I was just afraid that you would be angry, so I kept putting it off. Rucai, you just have an idea of ​​this matter. There is no reason for everyone to know. "

Luo Rucai said bitterly: "How can that be done? If I have a grandson like this, I will have to chop him down with my own hands!"

Seeing that he performed so well, Li Zicheng couldn't help but chuckle in his heart, but he deliberately said: "If you talk like this, I won't mention this matter in the future."

"No, Brother Li. Why are you acting like a boring gourd and making me miserable all by yourself? You must explain this clearly today."

"It's okay to tell you. However, you have to answer something from me first."

"What's the matter? Just tell me."

"You promise me first not to punish him, but to give him a chance to change his ways."

Luo Rucai scolded Li Zicheng in his heart for being "hypocritical", but on the surface he pretended to reluctantly nod in agreement and said: "Okay. Just tell me what kind of unconscionable grandson I am, and I will never hurt his life."

"Huanglong..."

"It's him?"

"Not only did he let Zhang Yongqi go, but he also secretly told Zhang Yongqi the policy of 'surrounding Kaifeng without attacking, and trapping Kaifeng to death' that you and I set."

"Is this happening? You ungrateful turtle grandson, see if I don't kill him!"

Seeing Luo Rucai gnashing his teeth, even Chuang Wang had to admire his acting skills. If Zhang Cheng was by their side at the moment and knew the inside story, he might not be able to give Luo Rucai an "Oscar statuette" "!

However, Li Zicheng would not give him a gold medal, but he also tried to persuade him: "You're a wise man, it's better not to ask more questions. You know this matter well, just be careful about this person in the future." After that, he was generous. He lightly patted Luo Rucai's shoulder meaningfully and said to him: "Okay, that's it. It's time for me to go back."

Li Zicheng waved his soldiers to come forward. He caught the reins of the horse and jumped on the horse. He was about to raise his whip and start riding, but he still seemed a little uneasy. He lowered his head and whispered to Luo Rucai quietly: "Don't do this." Keep it public so as not to let outsiders know about it and create side effects. It will just rot in your stomach, that's all."

Looking at Li Zicheng's retreating back, Luo Rucai's expression kept changing, and finally turned into a sinister smile, and said in a voice that he could only hear: "Brother Li, even if you know that it was Huang Long. Why, what can you do to me?"

…………

Liu Zongmin, Tian Jianxiu, Gao Yigong, Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, Li Yan and others saw that King Chuang had left the banquet and went back first. They sat for a while and reluctantly waited until the end of the song and the banquet was dismissed. They all quickly got up and left. go.

When Yuan Shizhong saw them getting up and leaving, he followed them along with the civil and military personnel of Xiaoyuanying to show that Xiaoyuanying was acting in unison with the camp.

Only Yuan Zongdi, Hao Yaoqi and a few others had already gone to the gambling table to throw the dice and left the table immediately due to inconvenience, so they stayed for a moment longer before they had an excuse to leave.

Because Yuan Shizhong did not feel close to Liu Zongmin and others, and did not want to talk to them much, he slowed down and allowed Liu Zongmin and others to march far ahead.

He, Liu Yuchi, Zhu Chengju, and Liu Jingyi were waiting in front. As they walked, they chatted about some things at today's banquet. They all expressed their feelings that Luo Rucai really enjoyed it more than Chuang Wang. Not only was the food and drink delicious, the opera was wonderful, and even those serving the wine were The singer is also good-looking.

"Damn King Chuang, you bully people... When you go down to Shangqiu, all the gold and silver mountains are brought to the old manor... Only our little Yuan camp distributes food according to the number of people... When has our little Yuan camp been punished? Are you so arrogant?"

Suddenly hearing a burst of rough yelling and cursing from behind him, Yuan Shizhong couldn't help but frown. Liu Yuchi reacted the fastest. He immediately turned his head and looked around to make sure no one was around before he felt relieved.

"Why do you have to be so arrogant? Whatever he says is what he says... You can bear it... I can't bear it... It's better for us to rush into the old man's house and kill the ball king Li Chuang while we are unprepared. These guys have robbed him of his gold, silver, money and food, so it would be great if we could live happily at home..."

The last part of the words was so explicit that it frightened Yuan Shizhong. He repeatedly waved his hands to stop: "You are drunk, stop talking like this, or you will cause trouble."

At this time, the big boss Wang Shikui rushed forward, grabbed the guy who was yelling and scolding, apologized to Yuan Shizhong repeatedly, and dragged him to the back of the team.

But "drinking makes people cowardly", not to mention that this old brother is not an ordinary person. He continued to curse even though he was drunk, and a few people even resonated with him and started to whisper along with him.

Seeing that they were getting more and more excessive, Yuan Shizhong couldn't help but get angry in his heart. Just when he was about to speak out angrily, he heard a burst of curses coming from behind. He didn't know why, but he saw a big man rushing forward on his horse and shouted angrily: "Yuan Shizhong , where?"

Hearing the familiar voice of this rough man, Yuan Shizhong hurriedly rode forward to greet him. When he saw it, it turned out to be Hao Yaoqi, the general who broke into the camp. He hurriedly said with a smile and clasped his fists: "It turns out to be General Hao. I didn't know you were coming from behind." I'm chasing you, but I couldn't meet you from far away, so please forgive me."

Hao Yaoqi, however, refused to take issue with him at all, and asked angrily: "Shizhong, your men dare to scold King Chuang, and they keep saying that they want to rush into the old man's house and rob gold, silver, food and grass. Are you trying to rebel?"

Yuan Shizhong secretly said "No!", but at this moment he had no other choice but to bite the bullet and deny it: "General Hao, please calm down. Shizhong was chatting with Yu Chi and others and did not hear about this."

"You say you don't know? Do you have donkey hair stuffed in your ears? Huh...huh...what do you mean..."

When Yuan Shizhong saw this, he could only hold his hands and said: "I really didn't know anything about it. If such a thing really happens, no matter who it is, I will definitely deal with him severely."

Hao Yaoqi looked at Yuan Shizhong, shook his head, and said to him: "See for yourself, King Chuang treats you well. His favorite adopted daughter is also married to you. Now you are both a general of King Chuang and a general of King Chuang. King Chuang's son-in-law allowed his subordinates to insult King Chuang and incite military morale.

You should think carefully about what to do! "

Before Yuan Shizhong could say anything, another person came up on horseback. It was Yuan Zongdi who stayed at Cao Ying's gambling table with Hao Yaoqi. He was not as violent as Hao Yaoqi, and he wanted to leave some money for Yuan Shizhong. face.

He first patted Hao Yaoqi's shoulder lightly, and then told Yuan Shizhong: "Shizhong, if the people below dare to be so arrogant, you really need to control them, otherwise it will cause a big problem, which will not be good. You’ve also failed to live up to King Chuang’s reliance on you.”

"I will deal with it strictly, I will deal with it strictly...I will never allow the people below to be so presumptuous." Yuan Shizhong's head was already beaded with sweat.

Hao Yaoqi still had an angry look on his face. Without saying another word, he whipped up his horse and rushed towards the camp camp. Yuan Zongdi smiled at Yuan Shizhong and bowed his hands to say goodbye. He also followed Hao Yaoqi and rode away, followed by It was their forty soldiers who followed closely.

"What should I do..."

Yuan Shizhong looked at the backs of Hao Yaoqi and Yuan Zongdi, and kept mumbling, he suddenly turned his head back and said angrily: "Damn it, you drank a few sips of cat urine and insisted on talking too much, now you can cause trouble." Coming!"

"General, don't worry, this matter may be irreversible..."

After listening to Liu Yuchi's words, Yuan Shizhong also calmed down. He looked at Liu Yuchi hopefully: "What can I do?"

…………

On the same day, when Unitary Time was approaching, Li Zicheng was in the camp of Chuangying Laofu. After handling official matters for a while, he was lying on his side with Xiao Tian when he heard a burst of footsteps outside the tent, followed by noisy voices entering the tent.

He suddenly stood up and sat up, shouting: "What's going on outside? It's so noisy."

A soldier reported at the tent door: "Going back to King Chuang, Cao Ying kidnapped Huang Long and sent him here, asking the general to surrender."

Li Zicheng smiled knowingly and thought to himself: "After all, he is the reincarnation of Cao Cao!"

However, he would not really punish Huang Long severely. After all, Chuang Ying and Cao Ying were in the same camp. Although Chuang Wang was the leader, Luo Rucaike did not consider himself to be his subordinate, so the treatment for Huang Long was still Luo Rucai's opinion should be the main one.

It is precisely because of this that Li Zicheng only severely criticized Huang Long, but he was also scared to death. In the end, he was carried back to Cao Ying by Cao Ying's soldiers and allowed Luo Rucai to do whatever he wanted.

Huang Long and the soldiers from Cao Ying had just left. Yuan Shizhong escorted the leader who was drunk and yelled and cursed to the old Mansion of Chuangying. He collided with the soldiers from Cao Ying who were carrying Huang Long.

When Yuan Shizhong saw King Chuang, he immediately knelt down, cupped his fists and said, "Generalissimo, Shi Zhong is guilty and I dare not ask for forgiveness. Please punish me!"

Li Zicheng stood up with a smile, pulled Yuan Shizhong up, and said to him: "Shizhong, what are you guilty of? The people below are talking nonsense, not from your mind, and you can't stop him, how could you I’ll punish you!”

"Generalissimo, it's all because of Shi Zhong's lax discipline. He usually treats these guys too indulgently, which is why today's drunken gibberish happened. I am really guilty. Please punish me severely, Generalissimo."

King Chuang sat back on the big chair and comforted him with gentle words: "Although you are not blameless, you are only guilty of lax discipline. You are loyal to me, and my heart is all-knowing. Besides, since you are my beloved general now, He is also my half-son, a relative and a beloved general, they are one body.

You won't have second thoughts about me, and I won't be suspicious of you. As for the people below, it cannot be attributed to you, so don't take it to your heart. Come on, sit down and talk. "

Yuan Shizhong accepted the order and sat down, but his attitude was still very respectful.

Just now outside the camp, he had heard that Huang Long from Cao camp had committed a serious crime, and King Chuang was lenient to Luo Rucai, so he thought that King Chuang would also be lenient towards his men. Now that King Chuang was treating He was as old as ever, and his gentle words multiplied the hopes he secretly harbored.

Li Zicheng glanced at the leader of Xiaoyuanying who was tied up outside the tent, and continued to say in a calm tone: "This boy named Wang is indeed guilty. If he is allowed to continue like this, he will definitely disturb the morale of our army and attract the attention of Laofu and Xiaoyuanying." There is a gap between them.”

He smiled indifferently with a cold face, and then said: "At this time, I regard Xiao Yuan Ying as a real camp trespasser, and I have to punish him for this matter. Don't you think so?"

Yuan Shizhong bowed and replied: "Yes, he must be punished. General, please punish him severely, beat him severely, and then travel around the camp with arrows to show to the public..."

Li Zicheng didn't wait for him to finish, and ordered in a stern tone: "Come here, push this guy out of the gate and kill him immediately."

As soon as he finished speaking, several soldiers came in and escorted the leader of the small Yuan camp named Wang out of the tent and went straight to the camp gate. Li Zicheng didn't even look at this, and he told Yuan Shizhong: "Shizhong, After you return to the camp, you must also tell all the soldiers of Xiaoyuan Camp that if anyone dares to provoke the crowd again, incite the morale of the army, or has the intention of betrayal, we will see what happens to him."

Yuan Shizhong's heart trembled with fear. He stood up and replied to King Chuang: "King Chuang, please punish Shizhong for his lax conduct."

King Chuang smiled and said to him again: "What crime do you have? Don't worry too much, sit down and talk."

While they were talking, a soldier walked into the military account and reported that the leader of the small Yuan camp named Wang had been killed. King Chuang did not pay any attention to it as if nothing had happened. He just smiled gently and told Yuan Shizhong that he must run the army strictly and treat the enemy in a strict manner. Violations of law and discipline cannot be tolerated.

King Chuang also said how much he valued Yuan Shizhong and how much he expected of him. Yuan Shizhong stood up and listened respectfully. He only dared to say what he said, for fear that he would leave his head here if he did something wrong.

After leaving Chuangying Laofu, Yuan Shizhong said nothing to the people who followed him. He still felt very scared in his heart. He decided to discuss carefully with Liu Yuchi and other cronies tonight to find countermeasures.

"From now on...how should we go on this road?" (End of this chapter)