weaving

Chapter 1148: Must we guard against it?

Zuo Liangyu, the thief general, was also depressed at this moment. He said to everyone in the commander's tent: "In this situation, our military morale is also unstable. You immediately send an order to the soldiers in each battalion to be careful to prevent the soldiers in the camp from escaping. If a deserter is caught, , they will all be taken back to the camp and beheaded in public as a warning to others!"

After the generals responded to the order, the deputy commander-in-chief Ma Shixiu mentioned the bandit army's release of prisoners from Zuoying.

He said: "Commander Zuo, this thing is a bit strange inside and out. The people who broke into the king treated us Zuoying soldiers with good wine and food, and finally let them go.

But the captured Governor Ding and Governor Yang's soldiers were killed and punished. Some even had their right hands chopped off and some had their right ears cut off before they were released. I always feel like something is not quite right! "

……

Ma Shixiu, whose courtesy name was Langu, was originally from Suide Prefecture, Shaanxi Province. In fact, he was originally a general of Chuang King Li Zicheng. In the tenth year of Chongzhen, he was defeated by Zuo Liangyu's troops, and then he surrendered to Zuo Liangyu's command. In the 11th year of Chongzhen's reign, he was awarded the title of Capital Commander for defeating Ma Shixiu's bandits. In the 13th year of Chongzhen, he attacked Wang Guang'en's bandits and beheaded more than 400 people. He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief Military Officer.

Although he is now the deputy commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty, he still calls Li Zicheng King Chuang. Fortunately, Zuo Liangyu has long been accustomed to this, and he knows his loyalty to him, so he doesn't care about him.

Speaking of this, there is one sentence that I have to mention. In the original time and space, after Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself in Meishan, Fengyang Governor Ma Shiying and others supported the Fu Wang Zhu Yousong to proclaim himself emperor, and established the Yuan Dynasty Hongguang. Later, due to political differences, they A series of reasons led Zuo Liangyu to lead his troops to serve the king.

Later, Zuo Liangyu died of illness, and his son Zuo Menggeng was elected as the commander-in-chief of the entire army. He was defeated by Huang Degong and other officials from the four towns in the south of the Yangtze River. When he had no choice but to surrender to the Qing army, Ma Shixiu was one of the generals who refused to surrender. one.

Ma Shixiu was also a Shaanxi border soldier in his early years, and was later forced to become a thief and became a general under King Li Chuang. Fortunately, he was able to find his way back and was used by the Ming Dynasty court again. In the face of national justice, he was able to stick to his bottom line and achieve Not betraying the country to seek glory is already very valuable. This alone is enough for future generations to remember forever!

……

At this time, Huang Zaixi, one of Zuo Liangyu's staff, interjected: "I also find this matter very strange. After thinking about it, this is probably a poisonous trick used by Blind Man Li on us."

The corners of Zuo Liangyu's mouth raised, and he said with a hint of contempt: "It's obviously a tactic used by Blind Man Li to sow discord."

He continued: "Today afternoon, I have discussed this matter with Ding and Yang, the two governors. They also think that this is a trick used by the intruders to sow discord, so there is no need to pay too much attention to it. When people's hearts are unstable, we It is also strictly forbidden for soldiers to believe in rumors and gossip in the camp. "

Deputy Commander-in-Chief Ma Jinzhong also shook his head at this time and said: "Although Ding and Yang, the two governors, knew that this was the traitor's plan to sow discord, their officers and men did not understand, which is the key point.

Nowadays, this rumor is spreading more and more. It is spread outside that one of our prisoners in Zuoying has brought back a letter from the thief, which was written by the intruder Li Zicheng to the commander-in-chief. "

……

This Ma Jinzhong is not simple. He is also a native of Yan'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province, with the courtesy name Kuiyu. He was one of the early rebel bandits in Shaanxi Province, nicknamed "Hun Shiwan". He has been wandering around Shaanxi and the border areas of Shaanxi, Henan, and Chu all the year round!

Later, in the eleventh year of Chongzhen, he was defeated by Zuo Liangyu's army in Shaanzhou and was defeated in Xinyang and Guangshan. He had no choice but to surrender to Zuo Liangyu and became a rare fierce general under his command.

After Zuo Liangyu died of illness, Ma Jinzhong was the most determined person to resist surrender to the Qing Dynasty. He led his troops to break away from Zuo Mengeng's command and returned to the embrace of the Southern Ming Dynasty. He continued to fight against the Qing cavalry for six years, during which he successively fought in the Qing Dynasty. Mahe, Hengyang, Baoqing and other places defeated the Qing army many times.

"Every time a person is a righteous person but a dog is slaughtered, but a person who is unfaithful is usually a scholar!"

The reality of history is often so cruel. Just like when the Ming Dynasty collapsed, how many court officials who were representatives of scholars committed themselves to serve as slaves and betrayed the country. How many vulgar warriors like Ma Jinzhong defended themselves for the sake of national justice. The loyalty and loyalty of the Chinese people have written out the unyielding spirit of the Chinese nation with their passion!

……

"Humph!"

Zuo Liangyu snorted heavily from his nose and said: "Since the rumors are getting more and more popular, we must strictly prohibit the spread of rumors in the camp. I am the general of the imperial court, even if he wants to be a thief, I will In the imperial court, I also approached Governor Ding and Governor Yang, but they would never write a letter to me..."

Then they discussed some military matters in the camp, and Zuo Liangyu ordered everyone to go back and do their work. He then led several of the generals who were accompanying him to a high hill outside the Chinese army camp, and headed north. Lookout at the military camp.

But I saw constant firelight far and near, extending from the left camp to the camp of the rebel army on the opposite side, and extending far and far to the north, as if it stretched for more than ten miles. From the firelight, it could be seen that the camp of the rebel army One layer next to another, like a dotted pattern.

Now it seems that it is no longer possible for the government troops to march to Kaifeng City, and it is no longer possible to respond to the garrison in the city!

Zuo Liangyu looked around for a while, feeling increasingly heavy in his heart, so he turned around and looked to the south. He saw that there were also flames all over the south, but now it was the closing time, and the flames of the government and army camps were being extinguished one by one.

But a new fire suddenly appeared further away. Zuo Liangyu couldn't help but sigh when he saw it. He knew that there were no camps between the enemy and ours there, but some bandit soldiers burning unharvested wheat in the fields.

Seeing this situation, he thought of the "withdrawal" thing again, and he secretly guessed: "If the war against the thieves is unfavorable, Ding and Yang will definitely escape by themselves first, and he must also think about his retreat in advance... Given the current situation It seems that whether we retreat to the southeast or escape to the southwest, we are not completely sure."

Now he still has an extravagant hope in his heart, that is, he still hopes to visit the two governors Ding and Yang tomorrow to try to persuade them to prepare to withdraw immediately, and also to retreat to Chenliu, and then detour from Yifeng to Kaifeng. Under the city, we can be like horns with the defenders inside the city, and work together to defend against the army of intruders.

…………

After returning to the commander's tent, he remained as before. In order to prevent sudden changes, he refused to take off his clothes and armor. He lay down like this and squinted for a while, when he was woken up by Zhang Yingxiang, the general on duty. .

Zuo Liangyu squinted his eyes and asked, "What's the emergency?"

Zhang Yingxiang immediately replied: "Commander, the primary school sent to Kaifeng is back."

After Zuo Liangyu heard this, he stood up from the couch and said, "Call him here!"

Guan Yigui was a member of Zuo Liangyu's family. Before the army arrived at Shuipoji, Zuo Liangyu had already sent him with ten Qingqi to take a detour to Kaifeng Fucheng. Zuo Liangyu expressed in his book that he was willing to camp at Yuwangtai and Fanta Temple in the southeast of the city to protect the safety of the provincial capital, and then divide 20,000 to 30,000 elite troops to station between Kaifeng and the south bank of the Yellow River. time to open up grain transportation routes.

However, when the Kaifeng officials and gentry learned that Zuo Liangyu was coming, they went to the governor's office to find Gao Mingheng. They strongly opposed it, saying that Zuo Liangyu's military discipline was very corrupt and they were raping, burning and killing everywhere. They must not let his troops arrive. After much deliberation at the gates of Kaifeng City, Governor Gao Mingheng replied with a very carefully worded letter to Zuo Liangyu and gave it to Guan Yigui to bring back.

Guan Yigui just entered the commander's tent and presented Gao Mingheng's book to Zuo Liangyu. Although he was only slightly proficient in writing, the general meaning was still clear. Zuo Liangyu knew that Gao Mingheng was politely refusing him to go to Kaifeng City to meet with him. The thieves fight.

After learning about the attitude of the officials and gentry in Kaifeng City from Guan Yigui, Zuo Liangyu couldn't help but become even more angry. Zuo Liangyu suddenly stamped his foot and cursed: "A bunch of beasts and bastards!"

Then he waved his hand and ordered Guan Yigui to go down and rest first.

It was now Yinshi, and the rumbling sound of cannons came from the north, followed closely by the sounds of cannons from the northwest and northeast. Although they were very sparse, they still made the earth tremble.

Zuo Liangyu suddenly lost all sleep. He stepped out of the commander's tent and said to his left and right: "This is a bandit army testing cannons. Don't worry."

After saying this, he asked Zhang Yingxiang, the general beside him: "What's going on with the Superintendent and the Governor?"

Zhang Yingxiang replied: "There is no other news yet, but we still have to be careful to prevent them from escaping privately."

Zuo Liangyu nodded, and his mood became heavy. What he was most worried about was Baoding Governor Yang Wenyue, fearing that he would repeat his old tricks again, just like throwing Fu Zonglong into the fire shop, throwing himself into the army of thieves. He was able to escape safely!

"What should I do if something like that really happens?"

He even thought: "Should I be one step ahead of them and leave in advance? But which direction should I go in? Where should I retreat to?"

A series of questions came to his mind at the same time, and he couldn't help but feel embarrassed!

…………

Just after Zuo Liangyu left, the military meeting in Yang Wenyue's central army tent did not stop completely, but the number of participants was much smaller, only Yang Wenyue and Ding Qirui.

At this moment, apart from him and Ding Qirui, there was only one of Yang Wenyue's Chinese generals waiting in Yang Wenyue's Chinese army tent, ready to do whatever he was told. Security was also tightened outside the tent, and no one was allowed to approach unless ordered to do so.

Yang Wenyue said softly: "Superintendent, do you think the intruders did not kill the captured officers and soldiers in Zuoying, but instead treated them with wine and food and then released them all with gifts? What is the meaning of this?"

"I think this is just a tactic used by thieves to alienate people, so don't take it seriously."

But Yang Wenyue shook his head gently and said: "Supervisor, we must also be more careful, don't let Zuo Kunshan betray you!"

Ding Qirui was shocked when he heard this and said: "Douwang, why did you say this? In my opinion, it's not enough..."

"You must be careful, Supervisor."

Yang Wenyue said anxiously: "Although I am the governor of Baoding, Hebei, and Shandong, I have been dismissed from my post now. I have committed crimes and seek merit. I cannot control the thieves general, so he will not take me seriously.

It stands to reason that the Superintendent can control the Pingthief General, but for a figure like Zuo Kunshan, even Yang Wuling couldn't control him back then. What's more, the Superintendent does not have the respect of Yang Wuling as the Assistant Prime Minister. If the war situation here is unfavorable, who can think of Zuo Kunshan? What will Kunshan do? "

After listening to Yang Wenyue's words, Ding Qirui couldn't help but sigh softly. Of course he knew that he was indeed far behind Yang Sichang.

For more than a year, he and Zuo Liangyu have been fighting against Zhang Xianzhong and the bandits from the fifth camp of Gezuo in southern Henan and northern Anhui. Although he has the honor of being a supervisor, Zuo Liangyu is not very willing to let him go. In his eyes, he could only feel some dark anger in vain.

After a moment of silence, Ding Qirui replied helplessly: "Nowadays, these arrogant and powerful generals are indeed difficult to control. Wang Suixing suffered the loss of these people. Before he fought with the thieves in Xiangcheng, He Renlong, Zheng Jiadong and other generals They all ran away, leaving him alone to defend the isolated city, until the city was destroyed and he died.

During the Battle of the Burning Store, He Renlong and Li Guoqi were the first to escape, and Fu Yuanxian died in Xiangcheng. It seems that if Zuo Kunshan is unwilling to fight hard or has selfish motives, you and I will be in a very dangerous situation. "

Seeing that Ding Qirui's tone had softened, Yang Wenyue continued to encourage him: "Zuo Kunshan is indeed a capable fighter, but he is just too arrogant. When Yang Wenruo recommended him as the Pingthief General, he treated him well, but he did not He refused to listen to his orders, which resulted in the failure of the mission to annihilate the Xian thieves. Instead, Xiangyang was lost, the king of Xiang was in trouble, and Yang Wenruo had to commit suicide in Shashi.

Now it seems to me that the intruder is also using all kinds of means to win over Zuo Kunshan. Maybe there is something secretly that we don’t know about..."

Ding Qirui seemed a little moved by what he said, and said: "It's hard to say. The Hou family of Guide Mansion is the benefactor of Zuo Kunshan. This time the intruders attacked Shangqiu, and they protected the Hou family. Everyone in the Hou family Having already escaped, leaving only an empty house and some slaves, the intruders even sent troops to guard the house, and no plants or trees in the Hou family were allowed to be touched.

Now it seems that the intruder has very deep intentions, and we must be on guard! "

Yang Wenyue hurriedly struck while the iron was hot and continued: "Not only that, but the officers and soldiers of Zuoying who were released were not only fed and served by the intruders, but none of them were harmed. Even those injured on the battlefield were not injured. They were treated by the intruders, but the captured officers and soldiers of our two battalions were either killed by the intruders, or had their right hands chopped off, or one of their ears cut off.

Although this seems like Li Thief's plan to sow discord, but comparing the two, it is no wonder that the soldiers are spreading rumors, and there is a reason for it. "

Ding Qirui hesitated again at this moment. He stroked his beard and said: "But... Zuo Kunshan himself mentioned this matter when they met in the afternoon. He thought it was a deliberate alienation tactic used by the intruder in order to make people angry. My army is distracted."

Yang Wenyue couldn't help but sneered and blurted out: "It's natural that he can't keep quiet about the things that happen on the surface, but he may not tell everyone about the things that happen behind the scenes to the supervisor."

Ding Qirui was shocked again when he heard this, and hurriedly asked Yang Wenyue: "Brother Dou Wang, did you hear something else?"