weaving

As time went by, intelligence from all sides was gradually gathered at the Yongning Earl's Central Army Headquarters in Xinchengji.

The news of victory in the Battle of Liuzhuang, especially the Battle of Daguantou, greatly boosted the morale of the Yongyi Army soldiers. When everyone heard that Wei Zhice had destroyed the artillery camp of the Chuang Army in one fell swoop, they all praised him.

What everyone is most concerned about is the movements of the "Cao Ying" bandit army led by the great bandit Luo Rucai!
According to the intelligence transmitted back, Cao's camp has now moved to the Sui River southwest of Qi County and camped there. It seems that it is moving towards Guide Prefecture. The next step may be to go to the Dabie Mountains to look for Zhang Xianzhong and the Five Bandits of the Left, or it may go to Shandong.

At the same time, as Luo Rucai's Cao camp moved its troops away, Li Zicheng's Chuang army also began to withdraw its troops. The originally tense confrontation between the two armies was greatly eased, and no fighting had occurred for two days.

"General, the enemy troops seem to be gathering at the Xianggong Temple!"

Zhang Guangda of the Suzaku Camp pointed to the battle situation map on the large table in the middle of the headquarters and continued, "It is not like Liuzhuang and Daguantou, where we rely on water defenses to prevent the enemy troops from encircling us. We can also use the convenient water routes to replenish food, fodder, gunpowder and artillery shells.

There is no strategic location around the Xianggong Temple. Chen Zheng's White Tiger Camp has been besieged for many days. Fortunately, the bandits did not attack desperately. But even so, thousands of troops rely on a well in the temple to quench their thirst. If this continues for a long time, how can they get enough food and grass?"

After hearing his words, Chen Zhong was also somewhat moved and said, "General, we can't just let the bandits surround and kill the White Tiger Camp."

Seeing that Zhang Cheng did not express his opinion, Sun Shixiang said on his behalf: "General Chen's food reserves are enough for one or two months. As long as the well in the Xianggong Temple does not dry up, I think there will be no problem."

Lin Fangping also said: "Although the bandits have a lot of troops, they can't attack together. The Xianggong Temple is only the size of a palm, how can it accommodate so many bandits? Even if they besiege us with three layers inside and outside, in the end, we will still have to attack by thousands or even tens of thousands of people at a time.

You should know that the predecessor of the White Tiger Camp was General Chen's Dushi Camp, which held Changling Mountain in Liaodong and even defeated tens of thousands of Tartar troops. With these tens of thousands of bandits and hundreds of thousands of hungry people, they probably can't even touch the camp wall."

Zhang Guangda still couldn't rest assured. He looked at Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng and pleaded, "General, how about I lead the cavalry to charge in and defend the Xianggong Temple with Chen Zheng? "

His words of volunteering to fight stunned everyone in the headquarters. Everyone was wondering in their hearts what Zhang Guangda's real intention was. Was he worried about Chen Zheng and the White Tiger Camp, or was he simply so anxious that he wanted to kill the bandits?

"Nonsense!"

Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng continued with a cold face: "The White Tiger Camp is the bait I put out. When the bandits attacked Daguan a few days ago, I thought they had become smarter. Now they are finally about to take the bait. Don't make trouble for me here."

Zhang Guangda's face was bruised and red as he said, "I...I'm just worried about Brother Chen Zheng!"

Yongning Bo rolled his eyes at him and said, "Since Chen Zheng has been ordered to guard the Xianggong Temple, he will be prepared. The title of 'Panshiying' was not given to him for nothing."

After he finished speaking, he ignored Zhang Guangda and asked Zhang Mingyuan, "Has there been any news about Luo Rucai?"

"Reporting to Father, there is no new news yet."

Earl Yongning shook his head in disappointment, but looked at Liu Yuchi, who had been silent, and asked him, "Mr. Liu, you have been in the bandit camp before. Are you familiar with Luo Rucai?"

Ever since Liu Yuchi was kept by the Earl of Yongning, he has been like "Xu Shu entering Cao's camp". He never takes the initiative to offer advice, and he keeps himself clean. He never interacts with other counselors and generals. He is like a transparent person, and his presence in the Yongyi Army is extremely low.

But Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng had not forgotten him, and always took the initiative to ask for his opinion to observe his ability, character and loyalty, just like today. Seeing Yongning Earl taking the initiative to ask, Liu Yuchi naturally could not avoid answering, and hurriedly stood up and saluted and replied: "My Lord, although Yuchi had some encounters with Luo the bandit in the bandit camp, Luo the bandit is very arrogant and he does not look down on my general at all..."

Liu Yuchi had barely finished speaking when he suddenly realized that he had said the wrong thing and quickly changed his words: "Oh... no... it's General Yuan."

After he changed his words, he secretly observed whether there were any changes in the expression of Earl Yongning. When he saw that Earl Yongning looked normal, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and slowly continued, "The thief Luo doesn't even think highly of General Yuan, and he even disdains Yu Chi."

Without waiting for Earl Yongning to express his opinion, Liu Yuchi continued, "However, Ji Ziyu, the military advisor in Luo's camp, and Yuchi do have some affinity, and they have been in contact with each other from time to time."

"Jigui?"

"That's him."

"I have heard that this man is Luo Rucai's strategist and that many of Cao Ying's military strategies came from this military advisor Ji. Is that true?"

"Ji Gui is indeed Luo Rucai's strategist."

Liu Yuchi went on to say: "He was originally a juren from Shanxi, but his career was bumpy and he never had a chance to make a name for himself. Later, when Luo Rucai was appointed as a vassal by the imperial court and stationed in Fang County, he was introduced to Luo Rucai.

From then on, Ji Gui was always by Luo Rucai's side, offering him advice. Ji Gui was indeed capable and almost always made his point, which earned him Luo Rucai's trust and attention, and he gradually became Luo Rucai's adviser.

Luo Rucai also obeyed his orders and would always consult him first when making important decisions. I think the withdrawal of Cao Ying this time was the result of Ji Gui's plan."

He added at the end: "In order to completely win over Ji Gui, Luo Rucai even specially found two beautiful girls to give to him."

Yongning Bo listened to Liu Yuchi's introduction and nodded frequently. After he finished speaking, he suddenly said, "Mr. Liu, I will also give you two beautiful ones. What do you think?"

"What is 'great beauty'?" Liu Yuchi was totally confused and had no idea what Earl Yongning was talking about!

"Hahaha……"

Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng laughed and said to him cheerfully, "This is so pretty... Of course she is the most beautiful girl that men love!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a burst of laughter broke out in the headquarters.

Seeing the embarrassed look on Liu Yuchi's face, Earl Yongning comforted him gently, "Yuchi, I really want to give you two good girls."

He looked at Liu Yuchi sincerely, and said, "Are you willing to give me advice on the battlefield, just like Ji Gui did to Luo Rucai?"

Liu Yuchi was completely stunned. He had never expected that Earl Yongning would ask such a straightforward question, and he had never expected that he would ask him in such a way in front of so many people! (End of this chapter)