weaving

Chapter 1441 Who is suitable to go?

"We must fight this battle."

Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, said decisively: "If we retreat in such a disgraceful manner, it will have a huge impact on morale. Once we capture Luoyang, the leaders we have subdued will be distracted from us, and it will be even more difficult to deal with them."

Besides… that brat Zhang Cheng won't let us retreat in peace. He'll definitely harass and intercept us along the way. If we retreat without a fight, too many things could happen, and we can't afford to be complacent!”

“Yes, I also think we can’t just run away like this. No matter what, we should give him another beating.” Liu Tichun strongly supported Chuang Wang’s idea.

"Hanju, what do you say?"

Yuan Zongdi glanced at Liu Tichun and said, "Dejie, I don't want to run away like this either, but although the government troops are few in number, their strength is greater than ours. We really shouldn't fight them."

However, he immediately looked at Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, and said sincerely, "However, if the Grand Marshal is truly determined to fight this battle... I am willing to be the vanguard and lead the charge for the Grand Marshal!"

Yuan Zongdi is truly remarkable. His actions just now not only demonstrated his opinion on the current situation but also expressed his loyalty to the rebel leader.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
It is clear that, regardless of the era, those who leave their names in history books, even if only a few words are recorded about their deeds, have reached the pinnacle of their lives.

"Good." The rebel leader cheered for Yuan Zongdi.

But his gaze fell on Song Xianze and Niu Jinxing, his eyes filled with questions.

Song Xianze suddenly spoke up: "Grand Marshal, there is another way. If it succeeds, we can avoid a deadly battle with the government troops and allow our army to retreat safely."

"Oh. What brilliant plan does the strategist have? Tell me quickly!" the rebel king urged.

"Yes, indeed." Liu Tichun was even more anxious and interrupted, "Strategist, what brilliant plan do you have? Tell me quickly."

Song Xianze smiled first, but his gaze fell on Niu Jinxing. Seeing that Niu Jinxing nodded to him, he then said, "Grand Marshal, Zhang Cheng has neither killed our fathers nor stolen our wives."

He traveled a great distance from Xuanfu to Kaifeng, firstly on imperial orders, and secondly, solely for military merit and wealth. Zhang Cheng, of course, wanted a promotion, but what did his soldiers want? Nothing more than money!

"What does the strategist mean...?" Li Zicheng asked, deep in thought.

At this moment, the rebel king had understood Song Xianze's meaning. In fact, he had done similar things before, and he couldn't even remember how many times he had done them.

But things are different now...

Before, Li Zicheng was not yet the King of Chuang, but just an ordinary bandit leader. He was naturally good at taking money and risking his life, and he did not feel that there was anything wrong with it.

Now, Li Zicheng is no longer just the rebel king; he is also the Grand Marshal of the Army and the People's Army, who is determined to lead the heroes to conquer the world, change the dynasty, and become the emperor.

If he were to continue engaging in such desperate acts of spending money to buy his life, how could Li Zicheng possibly have the face to lead all the heroes under heaven, let alone ascend the throne and change dynasties?
"Spending money to save one's life, losing money to avoid disaster, I think this is feasible... but... I don't know if that Zhang Cheng kid is willing." Liu Tichun was quite in favor of Song Xianze's suggestion.

Niu Jinxing saw through the rebel leader's concerns. After a moment's thought, he said, "That's not how you should put it. The suggestion I made wasn't about buying one's life with money, but rather..."

"But what is it..." Liu Tichun pressed from the side, "Mr. Niu, please finish your sentence." Niu Jinxing smiled slightly, and seeing that Chuang Wang was also looking at him solemnly, he continued, "In my opinion, our relationship with Zhang Cheng should be considered a cooperative one."

"cooperate?"

This time, not only Liu Tichun was surprised, but even Yuan Zongdi asked in astonishment, "After fighting to the death for so many days, how can it be considered a cooperation?"

Niu Jinxing glanced at Song Xianze, then looked back at the rebel leader, and said with a smile, "'When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked,' these six words are an eternal truth."

To the imperial court, we are like cunning rabbits, digging holes everywhere and disrupting the court's agricultural plans; while Zhang Cheng is like the court's lackey, sent out specifically to deal with us.

It is precisely because of our existence that Zhang Cheng has become a useful lackey of the court… But what will happen to the lackey if the cunning rabbit dies?

"If the cunning rabbit dies, the lackey becomes useless, and its fate is naturally to be stewed into a pot of dog meat soup!"

"General Dejie is absolutely right."

Niu Jinxing first affirmed Liu Tichun's words, then looked at Song Xianze and said, "Xianze, quickly tell me your detailed plan."

Song Xianze glanced at Niu Jinxing and sighed inwardly. However, since it was his suggestion, he could not refuse. He could only think to himself, "Niu Qidong has won people's hearts with just a few words, as if he came up with this method himself. He is really cunning."

However, despite his inner grumbling, Song Xianze dared not be negligent. He said, "We can send someone to see Zhang Cheng and tell him that if he can help our army retreat to Funiu Mountain in peace, we can give him gold, silver, jewels, jade, and military merits."

Otherwise, we will fight him to the death. Even if he wins, he will be severely weakened, and the court will no longer pay as much attention to him as it does today because of the absence of our rebel army. He might even face execution because of it.

Song Xianze added at the end: "If there are no more thieves, then what is the point of having soldiers? I think Zhang Cheng naturally understands this principle as well."

"Gold, silver, pearls, and jade are all easy to obtain; we have plenty of them in Zhuxian Town..." Chuang Wang raised his question: "But military merit... are we going to leave behind a force for him to kill?"

Song Xianze smiled and replied, "That's not necessary..."

He paused for a moment to build suspense, then continued, "We still have many starving people in our hands. Taking them with us would be a waste of food. Why not leave them with Zhang Cheng? Killing them would be a military achievement, while keeping them would just waste food. It would be harmless to us. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Wonderful...wonderful!" Liu Tichun agreed wholeheartedly and was the first to clap and cheer.

The rebel leader remained calm, but his brows were furrowed, as if he were deep in thought...

Niu Jinxing glanced at the rebel leader, then at Yuan Zongdi and Liu Tichun, and seeing that no one else objected, he asked, "Xianze, who do you think would be the most suitable person from our group to go?"

Song Xianze lightly waved his feather fan, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he was cursing: "Niu Qidong, you old fox, you take all the good stuff, but push all the offending work onto me."

However, he could only curse in his heart. After all, Niu Jinxing's status in the rebel army was far superior to that of Song Xianze. Although he was a military advisor, he was not even half as good as Niu Jinxing.

Song Xianze's gaze swept over everyone in the command tent, finally settling on Liu Tichun, and he said, "General Dejie has met Zhang Cheng once before, so he is the most suitable candidate!"

He seemed to be talking to himself, but he was actually speaking to both Li Zicheng and Liu Tichun...