weaving

Chapter 1208: Let’s go without further delay!

When Zuo Liangyu and others led the army to withdraw from Shuipo Ji, Li Zicheng, the King of Rebellion, was gathering with his civil and military officials in Yue Temple in Zhuxian Town to discuss the next military response.

Today they defeated the Baoding troops led by Yang Wenyue and Hu Dawei, and took the opportunity to attack the government troops led by Zuo Liangyu, successively destroying three of their camps, killing and wounding a large number of government troops.

However, the strength of the left wing should not be underestimated. It actually withstood the fierce offensive of the coalition forces of Chuang and Cao, making Li Zicheng, the King of Chuang,'s strategy of "destroying one point and defeating the entire army" fail.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, King Chuang had no choice but to order all troops to withdraw and return to camp. Only Bai Minghe and Xie Junyou pursued Yang Wenyue, Hao Yaoqi and Tong Shoushan pursued Hu Dawei, and the other generals took their troops back to camp for rest.

Originally, Li Zicheng, the King of Rebellion, was discussing with Luo Rucai, Liu Zongmin, Song Xiance and others whether to continue attacking Shuipoji tomorrow, but no one expected that they would not even wait until dawn...

"Zuo Liangyu has escaped!"

The expression on King Chuang's face was quite complicated, with a hint of suspicion, a hint of relief, and a hint of unwillingness. He said slowly: "After all, it was the bandit Zuo Ping. This step is really ahead of us."

"We were fighting pretty well yesterday afternoon, why did you just run away?" The unwillingness on Liu Zongmin's face was particularly obvious.

"This Zuo Liangyu must have some skills to be able to beat Zhang Jingxuan so badly that he fled to join the Grand Marshal."

Luo Rucai smiled evilly and continued, "The most urgent thing is to send troops to chase them. We can't let them escape like this."

"Yes, I have to eat two ounces of his flesh anyway!"

After hearing what Liu Zongmin said, Li Zicheng, the King of Rebellion, nodded and said, "We have arranged the routes of Xuchang, Chenliu and Qixian. No matter where Zuo Ping and Ding Qirui flee, they will not be able to escape."

He suddenly stopped talking here, walked slowly to the north window frame, looked at the faint moonlight coming in through the window, and said two words lightly: "It's just..."

Song Xiance stepped forward tactfully and continued with King Chuang's words, "But now there are more Xuanda border troops in the north, so we must move our troops to prevent sudden changes, so we can't send out all our elite troops to chase Zuo and Ding at full strength.

In this case, even if we dig trenches and lay ambushes ahead, we won’t be able to keep the two bandits, Zuo and Ding, because we don’t have enough main force.”

This sudden change completely disrupted all the arrangements Li Zicheng had made.

He lowered his head and thought for a while, then raised his head and looked at Luo Rucai first. He saw him nodded at him, then looked at Liu Zongmin and Song Xiance. They also nodded and smiled. The King of Rebellion felt more confident.

King Chuang gave a direct order, and Liu Fangliang personally led 5,000 elite cavalry to pursue Zuo Liangyu. He told Liu Fangliang not to chase too hastily, but just harass from behind, with the aim of delaying Zuo's army as much as possible to buy some time for Li Guo who was behind.

Li Guo asked King Chuang for permission to lead the 5,000 cavalry to pursue the left army in the front, and let Liu Fangliang lead 15,000 infantry to pursue from the back, but King Chuang firmly refused to allow him.

He was even told very clearly that the reason he was not allowed to lead the cavalry in the front was because they feared that he would act on impulse and lead these 5,000 elite cavalry to charge into the left army without any regard for the consequences, which would put the entire army in danger of being wiped out.

King Chuang also ordered Liu Tichun to lead his troops, together with the troops of Ren Jirong and Li You, into Shuipo Ji to kill the officers and soldiers who had not yet had time to escape, and at the same time to collect all kinds of military supplies such as mules, horses, military tents, etc. abandoned by the officers and soldiers in the Shuipo Ji area.

Next, he looked at Luo Rucai again, and handed over the task of pursuing Ding Qirui and Yang Dezheng to his Cao camp troops, and sent his lieutenant Ma Shiyao to lead 10,000 infantry to assist him, also under the command of Luo Rucai.

Li Zicheng thought about how to collect all kinds of materials abandoned by the government troops, how to search for the escaped officers and soldiers, how to deal with the prisoners, and so on. Then he said to Liu Zongmin and Song Xiance, "Jiexuan, I will go after Zuo Liangyu myself. You, the military advisor, and Yigong will stay behind. After dawn, the military advisor and Yigong will go to Shuipoji to take charge. You will be in charge of Zhuxian Town. The focus is to keep an eye on the government troops in the north. If they make any unusual movements, you and the military advisor will deal with them immediately without waiting for me to come back."

Liu Zongmin said, "Prince Chuang, why do you have to go after Zuo Liangyu yourself? Let me go after that old fellow. You can stay here in the Yuewang Temple and command everything."

Li Zicheng smiled and looked at Liu Zongmin, saying, "You have been leading the attack on Yang Wenyue and Hu Dawei during the day, and you have been working hard all day without a break. How can I let you suffer the fatigue of riding a horse again?"

"King Chuang, what are you talking about?"

Liu Zongmin was obviously unhappy. He shouted, "No matter how hard it is, it was harder than when we were in Shangluo Mountain or in Brazil. Why... now that it's almost time for you to enjoy life, you're afraid of suffering?"

Besides, you are now the Grand Marshal, and you will wear the dragon robe and sit on the dragon throne in the future to be the emperor. How can you brave the arrows and stones in person like before? I will do the work of charging into battle for you!"

Seeing his firm tone, King Chuang agreed reluctantly.

Song Xiance said on the side: "I hope that Lao Zuo will not escape the trap we have set up. If we can capture him alive or kill him on the battlefield, it will surely scare the government troops and Chongzhen will be even less able to fight us from now on."

Liu Zongmin also went on to say: "Even if we leave him nowhere to escape and force him to commit suicide on the battlefield, that's fine too."

In fact, Li Zicheng was eager to capture Zuo Liangyu, or even kill him. As for where and how he died, it didn't matter.

However, he did not want to say it so exaggeratedly in advance, so as not to lose face in the future.

Therefore, he did not say anything, nor did he smile, but just glanced at Liu Zongmin's armor and said to him: "The plan has been decided, everyone hurry back to the camp and prepare, and set off immediately!"

…………

Outside the south gate of Zhuxian Town, King Chuang saw Liu Zongmin off.

He told Liu Zongmin, "Jiexuan, today's incident happened too suddenly. In addition, the government troops in the north are eyeing us covetously. The troops available are not as sufficient as originally discussed.

Mingyuan and Buzhi brought 20,000 infantry and cavalry with you along the way, so I can only give you another 5,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry. As for Zuo Liangyu, capture him if you can, but kill him on the battlefield if you can't.

In a word, we must not let him escape so easily this time!"

"I know."

Liu Zongmin jumped on his horse and said with a smile: "Let's do what we discussed yesterday. I guess when I meet him, there will be few people around him. Don't worry, Prince Chuang, I won't let him go."

Li Zicheng nodded, waved his hand at him and said, "There is no time to lose, let's go!"