weaving

Chapter 1448 A Deceptive Tactic?

After discussing the conditions proposed by Zhang Cheng with Liu Zongmin, Tian Jianxiu, Song Xianze, Niu Jinxing, and others, Li Zicheng, the leader of the rebel army, surprisingly agreed to them all.

However, given the large number of rebel troops, if they all took the same route to retreat out of Kaifeng Prefecture, it would be difficult for them to fight for the road, which would be detrimental to their retreat. Therefore, they requested that the Earl of Yongning provide two more routes for their retreat.

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In response, the Earl of Yongning was quite generous and immediately provided the rebel army with three retreat routes.

Firstly, the original route via Weishi, Weichuan, Xuzhou, and Xiangcheng back to Ruzhou remains unchanged, and this is the middle route.

Secondly, starting from Zhuxian Town and heading east, passing through Xinzheng and Mixian, one enters the territory of Henan Prefecture, which is the northern route.

Thirdly, the route from Zhuxian Town southwards, passing through Fugou, Linying, and Yancheng, directly into the territory of Ruyang Prefecture, is known as the Southern Route.

In his letter, the Earl of Yongning also specifically instructed Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, not to attack prefectures or counties along the way, not to plunder local gentry and people, and not to linger in Kaifeng Prefecture.

Moreover, he kindly reminded him that when passing through Fugou, he should try to pass through the north side of Fugou County as quickly as possible, otherwise if Luo Rucai discovered his whereabouts, the Earl of Yongning could not guarantee that he would be able to suppress him.

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Soon, the reply from Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, was delivered to the army of the rebel leader Li Zicheng...

"I really didn't expect... that Zhang Cheng would be so easy to talk to?" Liu Zongmin said, holding the reply from the Earl of Yongning in his hand.

Tian Jianxiu laughed and replied, "It seems that, just as we guessed, Zhang Cheng is only after gold, silver and military merits. He doesn't want to kill us all, nor does he have any intention of fighting us to the death."

"Yufeng, how are your injuries?" Liu Zongmin only remembered to ask about Tian Jianxiu's injuries at this moment.

"It's nothing serious, it's almost scabbed over," Tian Jianxiu said with a smile. "Jianxiu thanks you for your concern, General Manager."

"You're being so polite with me," Liu Zongmin said with a smile.

"Ahem..." Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, coughed lightly, interrupting the conversation.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, he said, "We should discuss our next steps now, lest things change if we delay."

"There's nothing to discuss," Liu Zongmin said directly. "Brother Chuang, you take the main force first and head straight to Zhuxian Town to join forces. Abandon the baggage and travel light. After passing Weishi and entering Weichuan territory, there will be a tiger there to meet you, so you won't have to worry about the government troops."

Yu Feng, you will lead a group of men along the southern route. First, follow the rebel leader to Zhuxian Town. After the rebel leader and his men leave Zhuxian Town safely, you will head south. However, instead of taking the route through Weishi and Fugou, you will take the route through Tongxu, Taikang, Chenzhou, and Shangshui.

Finally, regarding my own force, besides my main troops, leave me with a contingent of elite cavalry. After you two have set off, while the government troops are unprepared, I will lead my army straight into the Dragon King Temple and see if we can capture and kill this Zhang Cheng brat in one battle!

Liu Zongmin looked at Li Zicheng with a solemn expression and said, "Brother Chuang, after you have achieved the great feat, do not delay at all. Immediately break camp and head west. Take nothing but the necessary food and supplies. As for gold and silver, we can take them back as soon as we catch our breath."

"If I succeed, I will send someone to find you. Then you can launch a surprise attack and wipe out the government troops outside Zhuxian Town. Then... we can reunite and perhaps even take Kaifeng in one fell swoop." He then solemnly instructed Li Zicheng, "Brother Chuang, if you don't receive news from me, you absolutely must not turn back. Lead your army straight to Xuzhou and reunite with Li Guo before you can rest."

Looking at Liu Zongmin, the rebel leader felt very gratified and said gently, "Jiexuan, you lead the troops to Zhuxian Town, and I will cover the rear of the army."

“King Chuang, at this point, you should stop refusing.”

Liu Zongmin was clearly getting impatient and said urgently, "King Chuang, as long as you can break through, the banner of our Chuang army will not fall. You can lead your troops to Xuzhou with peace of mind. Even if we can't kill Zhang Cheng, we will definitely turn Kaifeng upside down."

Li Yan had just led his men to this place. While everyone was discussing the matter, Li You was quietly explaining what had happened to him, which is why he hadn't said a word.

"Lin Quan, is there something you want to say?" Seeing Li Yan's worried face, Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, asked him.

Li Yan seemed rather troubled. He first glanced at Song Xianze, then at Niu Jinxing, only to see that both of them looked calm and composed, clearly having no objection to the proposal.

Just as Li Yan was considering whether he should tell the truth, the rebel king pressed him again: "Lin Quan, if you have something on your mind, just say it directly. Military councils are for expressing one's opinions frankly and speaking freely."

After listening to the rebel leader's words, Li Yan finally made up his mind and said, "Grand Marshal, I believe that since we have already reached an agreement with the government army, if our army does not keep its promise and launch a surprise attack on the government army, firstly, we may not necessarily gain any advantage, and secondly, it may affect the Grand Marshal's reputation and prestige. I urge the Grand Marshal to think twice before acting!"

Li Zicheng's face immediately tightened. Li Yan's words were tantamount to accusing him of breaking his promise. How could he bear it?
"Lin Quan, you are mistaken."

Song Xianze also noticed the displeasure of the rebel king and hurriedly explained: "Since ancient times, there has been a saying that 'warfare is based on deception,' and many famous generals in ancient times have also used deception in their military campaigns. What we are doing today is nothing more than using the 'tactic of feigned surrender.' It is deception in itself, so how can we keep our promises?"

Li Yan seemed not to have grasped the current situation and insisted, "The times are different now. Grand Marshal, you are destined to rule the world and become emperor. If you do something that breaks your promise to the world now, it will damage your great image and prestige. How can you command the heroes and change the dynasty in the future?"

The rebel king's face turned pale and then red, but he managed to hold back his outburst.

But Liu Zongmin couldn't hold back any longer. He asked bluntly, "It's understandable that we keep our word with Zhang Jingxuan, Cao Cao, and Ge Zuo. But with the government troops, it's a matter of life and death, a fight to the death. So where is the word 'trust' to speak of?"

He concluded by emphasizing, "This is war, a matter of life and death. Lin Quan, have you gone mad from reading too much and become 'pedantic' at this moment?"

Li Yan seemed ready to argue further, but Niu Jinxing spoke up at this moment: "Alright. Lin Quan, stop talking. The strategy of 'feigning surrender' is a plan we've already decided on, and there's no need to argue about it now. Let's consider our troop deployment and battle plan instead."

Li Yan clicked his tongue, but ultimately held back and didn't continue arguing about his point of view.

"I suggest we hide Luo Hu's two thousand child soldiers among the starving people. When the government troops come to take them over, we can suddenly attack them and throw them into disarray. When nearly 100,000 starving people start rioting, it will be enough to give the government troops a hard time," Tian Jianxiu suggested.

"Good." Liu Zongmin cheered decisively.

"Grand Marshal, Li Yan feels that we have troops in the west and south, but there is no movement in eastern Henan. For the sake of the great cause, Li Yan has volunteered to lead the army to eastern Henan to rally the people there to attack prefectures and counties, attract the main force of the government army, and buy time for the Grand Marshal."

"Hmm..." The rebel king only responded softly and did not grant his request on the spot.