weaving

Chapter 1164 Own opinion

Since the rebellion began, General Zuo Liangyu had fought countless battles with Zhang Xianzhong, and had also fought with Luo Rucai many times. Even the coalition forces formed by Zhang and Luo had fought against each other quite a few times.

Although he suffered a defeat at the hands of the Zhang and Luo coalition forces in western Hubei in the summer of the twelfth year of Chongzhen because he underestimated the enemy and fell into an ambush, it was only this one time. He could almost be said to have won every battle, so he did not take Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai seriously.

In fact, Zuo Liangyu still admitted in his heart that Zhang Xianzhong was cunning in his use of troops and very brave in battle, but he also saw through the many careless aspects of Zhang Xianzhong's cunning. He would often become arrogant after a small victory, which would lead to even more careless aspects.

Therefore, he would usually concentrate on defense in the early stages, and only when Zhang Xianzhong began to become careless would he gather the elite forces in the army to launch a sudden attack and defeat Zhang Xianzhong.

Moreover, he saw through Luo Rucai, who only had the empty title of "Cao Cao" but was actually a man without ambition. When employing troops, he often failed to look at the big picture and could only play some petty tricks. He did not dare to fight any tough battles.

Now, the only person he regards as his strongest rival in life is... Li Zicheng!

Although Zuo Liangyu had participated in many battles to encircle and suppress Li Zicheng and other big bandits, he had never actually fought a single-handed battle against Li Zicheng.

In the two years since Li Zicheng entered Henan, he first captured Luoyang, besieged Kaifeng twice, killed two Shaanxi governors, Fu Zonglong and Wang Qiaonian, and successively captured dozens of counties in Zhongzhou, winning the support of the people. Moreover, his troops were well-organized and disciplined, and they were becoming stronger and stronger. He was very clear about all these.

Therefore, when he faced Li Zicheng's army, he did not dare to engage in a decisive battle with them and tried his best to avoid fighting.

This time, he, Ding Qirui, Yang Wenyue and others followed the emperor's strict order and joined forces to aid Bian, but they were blocked by the rebel army and could not reach the city of Kaifeng, nor could they seize the strategic location of Zhuxian Town in time, so they had to retreat to Shuipo Ji.

However, after the upper reaches of the Jialu River were cut off by the rebel army, the government army's reinforcements lost both the geographical advantage and the support of the people, and were almost doomed to failure.

…………

The military discussions over the past few days did not produce any effective results. There was not even a unified and clear opinion on whether to fight or retreat. They clearly did not want to fight and did not dare to fight, but were worried about being held responsible afterwards. Everyone was silent and did not dare to reveal their true thoughts. They just fought with the Chuang army in Shuipo Ji.

Faced with the current situation, Zuo Liangyu has almost completely lost the idea of ​​winning. He is now only thinking about how to hold on for a few more days and not let himself be defeated and "lose everything" and lose all the family assets he has built up over the years.

  In Zuo Liangyu's view - as long as his foundation remains - he will not only be able to make a comeback in the future, but even the current emperor will not dare to punish him!

When General Zuo Liangyu, the bandit-suppressing general, entered his own central military tent, he sat down dejectedly. He wanted to stamp his feet and sigh, but he did not do so. He even refused to show too much distress on his face.

His son Zuo Menggeng has been following him in the army and is now 26 years old and has become a deputy general...

He and several important generals who were his trusted followers entered the big tent and stood quietly by, waiting. They all wanted to know the outcome of today's military meeting between Zuo Liangyu, Commander Ding and Governor-General Yang.

However, Zuo Liangyu did not say a word to them, but just waved his hand gently. When everyone saw this, they all understood that today's military meeting must still be fruitless. They did not dare to ask any more questions, looked at each other, and then solemnly left the tent.

Only a servant with the title of general came to him with a half-basin of hot water, put it down in front of him, and then squatted down to take off his military boots...

Zuo Liangyu drew his feet back, looked up at the half-basin of muddy water, and said in a very cold tone: "Nowadays, the soldiers are struggling to even eat a hot meal, let alone wash their feet!"

The servant advised him, "General, you haven't washed your feet for three or four days. The weather is so hot and humid, and you still have athlete's foot. No matter how difficult it is to get water, you must wash your feet at least once!" Zuo Liangyu's voice became stern, but not loud, just a little cold: "Take it away, and go water the horses!"

Seeing that he was really angry, the servant didn't dare to say anything more. He just stood up quietly and brought the half basin of water out of the tent and used it to water the horse as ordered.

Just as the servant left, Deputy General Zuo Menggeng walked in again after lifting the curtain...

Zuo Liangyu seemed to have guessed that his son would definitely come back, but he still pretended to be very serious and asked, "What are you doing here again?"

Zuo Menggeng used his eyes to signal the guards waiting in the tent to retreat, and then he took a step forward and said in a low voice very respectfully: "Sir, my division is in a bad situation now, and the soldiers are in a state of panic. All the generals want to know what decision you have made after discussing with the two governors Ding and Yang..."

Zuo Liangyu smiled coldly upon hearing this, and said with great contempt: "What kind of decision can they come up with!"

After a brief silence, he continued, "Please tell all the generals to hold on for a while longer and not to disappoint the court. I will have my own ideas in a few days."

Zuo Menggeng was stunned at first, and was about to ask his father if he had made a plan, but when he looked up, he saw that his father's face was as cold as ice, so he swallowed the words back and said very obediently: "Yes, I will go and tell the generals right away."

But he couldn't help but express his worries, so he continued to test: "But... Sir, if the morale of our division collapses, or if the Ding and Yang armies escape first, even if our army wants to hold out for a few more days, I'm afraid it will be difficult to do so."

"I know it in my heart, you don't need to say more."

Seeing his father's unfriendly tone, Zuo Menggeng did not dare to say much. He only said very respectfully: "It's almost four o'clock in the morning, please take a rest quickly."

Zuo Liangyu saw his son was about to leave the tent, so he suddenly stopped him and said, "Meng Geng, I am in a suspicious position today, do you know?"

Zuo Menggeng was obviously very surprised after hearing this. He quickly took two steps forward and asked in a low voice, "Could it be that the two governors, Ding and Yang, doubt my father's loyalty to the court?"

Zuo Liangyu first glanced outside the tent, then said with some emotion: "It seems... they have fallen into the trap of the blind thief!"

"What do you mean, sir?"

"After our soldiers from the left camp were captured by the rebels, we treated them all to wine and meat, and even released them all alive. We even returned the weapons they had taken with them.

However, most of the soldiers from the Ding and Yang armies were killed after being captured. Even those who were spared had their noses or ears cut off, and some had their hands chopped off before they were released.

Even a three-foot-tall boy can see clearly that this is a blind thief's attempt to sow discord and will not be fooled. But..."

Zuo Menggeng's heart skipped a beat, and he asked anxiously, "Sir, don't the two governors Ding and Yang know that this is a plan?"