stubborn thief

Liu Shizi's marching route made Chen Qiyu feel nervous.

Chen Qiyu had no means to determine the marching route of Liu Chengzong's main force, and could only rely on the fall of the city to make his own judgment.

He had been waiting in Xi'an Fucheng for the news that Xingping and Huxian in the west had been captured, but until Qianzhou started fighting, Xingping on the north bank of the Wei River and Huxian on the south bank of the Weihe River acted as if nothing had happened, and intermittently reported to him the marshal's army and cavalry. What about the riverside scenery while passing through.

This is too abnormal, as if Liu Chengzong knew that he wanted Qianzhou to be used as a defensive foreign aid for Xi'an Fucheng.

Now Chen Qiyu looked at everyone around him, including Lian Guoshi, who was lying on the couch unable to get up. After just staring for three seconds, he felt that there were clues of being a rebel spy on this person's face.

On the other side, when the southern city of Qianzhou City was closed, Duan Fuxing's face went numb and he looked helplessly at the southern plain.

Qianzhou has always been a prosperous area. It is named after the Qianling Mausoleum where Tang Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi and Wu Zetian are buried together in Liangshan Mountain to the north.

Qianzhou City is a large and solid city with two inner and outer cities. The inner city is called Zicheng, which has a perimeter of ten miles and is the old city of Fengtian in the Tang Dynasty. The outer city is called Luocheng, which is a new city built later. Two feet wide, the horse path on the city is three feet wide, and there is also a moat outside the city that is three feet wide and two feet deep.

The soil of the inner and outer cities is made of triple soil mixed with lime, sand, and nitrate, which is very strong. It was also covered with bricks in the second year of Wanli. The entire city has six gates. When viewed from above, it looks like a bird lying with its head facing north. turtle.

Therefore, it is also called Turtle City. There are local folk songs: Qianzhou City, Jiuli San, Turtle City Wangliang Mountain, nine floors and eight flood ponds, and 72 and a half alleys.

However, only half of Liangshan is left now. When Huang Chao led his army to dig graves through Qianling, they dug in the wrong direction, leaving a Huangchao ditch more than ten miles long and more than ten feet deep in the north of the city.

The reason why Chen Qiyu decided to defend Duan Fuxing in this way is that this turtle city not only looks like a turtle, but also has defensive capabilities like a turtle shell. Its city walls are of moderate height, with a base thickness of nearly 20 meters and a surface width of ten meters that can be used by cannons. Maintain strong defensive capabilities in battle.

The most critical thing is the surface width, which is the thickness of the top of the city wall. The bottom thickness is of little use in defending artillery. There is no artillery that can collapse the rammed earth city wall. Many city walls are attacked by artillery because of insufficient surface width. Arrange the Hongyi cannon.

After all, the Hongyi Cannon is a modern artillery from the Wanli, Tianqi, and Chongzhen years, with a long barrel and a longer gun carriage. Most of the city walls were built in the early years, and the deployment of such artillery was not considered when the city wall was built.

When it bombards, it will also recoil with the gun carriage. If the horse road is a little narrow, it will fall down when firing.

Therefore, in order to avoid this shortcoming, gun guards in many places simply use wheeled artillery carts in times of war, directly using fixed wooden gun emplacements as defensive weapons; or they may build supporting sheds on the inside of the city wall to extend the width of the horse road.

At this time, Fuxing and Yang Dianyuan, the magistrate of Qianzhou, stood side by side on the Xintai Gate of Xicheng Pass, looking at the two opposing camps on the flat plateau to the south. They both held their breaths and looked more cautious than the other.

Because although the two camps outside the city fought a battle last night, they started communicating with each other this morning and are currently negotiating.

To the west is the military camp of Lintao Brigade Shixiang of the Marshal's Mansion. Yesterday afternoon, he led [-] Lintao soldiers to arrive outside the city first. They persuaded Qianzhou City to surrender while building a camp.

To the east is the rebel camp of [-] rebels led by Yang Guodong, whose backbone is retired border soldiers. They arrived outside the city yesterday evening and launched a non-stop attack on Shi Xiang who had built the camp. In just half an hour, they filled the area with hundreds of heavy armored soldiers. A trench, two layers of camp fences were pulled out, and the camp gate of Shixiang was almost penetrated.

This man is not a veteran of Shixun Shilu, but the name Yang Guodong is too popular. There are now two Yang Guodongs under the Marshal's Mansion alone, one is the chieftain and the other is the honorable minister.

This Yang Guodong was a veteran of Shaanxi Governor Biao Camp. His background was actually quite high. At least the soldiers in Governor Biao Camp had not gone hungry in the past few years, so they were people who had not endured much hardship.

When Yang Qi was still serving as the deputy general of Fubiao under Governor Li Qiyuan, Yang Guodong was serving as a soldier in Fubiao. When Yang Qi was transferred to Guyuan, Yang Guodong lost the status of an officer and served as the chief hundred in the army.

Later, General Yang was lost when he was conquering the northwest rebels. Yang Guodong ran back to Guyuan Town. When there was a drought and no pay, he became a rebel with the support of hundreds of soldiers... After all, he was an officer from the governor's Biaoying camp. Speaking of which, life is too damn hard if there is a drought and no pay.

It’s just that these days, the rebels are more difficult than the Ming army. They don’t have heavy weapons. Field sieges are very disadvantageous to the Shangguan army. I happened to hear that the imperial court has a Monan governor’s mansion in the north. The governor has the same name as his former veteran soldier Yang Qi. Maybe it's a person.

Liu Chengzong's name was so famous, it wasn't that he didn't want to go and join Liu Chengzong, but Yang Guodong really didn't want to go further west, and the further he went, the poorer he became.

So he thought about finding an opportunity to grab a chance in Guanzhong, and ran north to the outside of the wall to join the old soldier.

There was no problem with his judgment in practicing national affairs earlier. Yang Guodong did not sincerely want to be recruited. He wanted to find an opportunity to infiltrate Xi'an Fucheng and control the city defense in the name of recruiting.

But no one was willing to recruit him at that time. Now Duan Fuxing, who was determined to die, recruited him. He was very charming to him, so he wanted to come and help him fight.

Last night, he fought all the way to Shi Xiang's camp. On the one hand, he was worried about a scam because it was dark, and on the other hand, he did not want to offend the behemoth of the Marshal's Mansion, so he withdrew his troops one after another. He just wanted to teach Shi Xiang a lesson and let him He just retreated by himself at night.

But until this morning, the soldiers from Shixiang's battalion were still standing there. Not only were they standing there, they even dared to send envoys over after being beaten, asking him to surrender with great nonsense.

Just, it left Yang Guodong quite confused.

They were negotiating at the front, while Liu Chengzong on the march looked at the recruitment proposal sent by Shi Xiang and thought about it carefully.

Zhang Xianzhong, who was dressed a bit funny, was riding behind. Seeing that Liu Chengzong was silent on the horse after receiving the report, he urged the horse to take two steps forward and asked: "What's wrong with the commander, are the rebels in Qianzhou not talking?" surrender?"

Liu Chengzong became happy when he saw Zhang Xianzhong. No kidding, anyone who saw Guan Yu wearing a red robe and a cuckold would be happy when he walked around.

The iron head on Zhang Xianzhong's head was wrapped in a green scarf, he was wearing gold lacquered fish scale armor, and a bare-shouldered scarlet robe... This robe was the military attaché uniform of the Marshal's Mansion, made of crimson satin with oblique gold dark patterns, but it was different from the Since the Song and Ming dynasties, military attache uniforms have left the right shoulder exposed instead of the right shoulder.

If it weren't for the green scarf wrapped around Zhang Xianzhong's head, this jersey designed and woven by the Garment Bureau of the Marshal's Office of Rites and Yamen is actually very beautiful in itself, and there are many little thoughts to please Liu Chengzong and make people shine.

For example, the left shoulder is exposed. Firstly, it is to distinguish it from the Ming court generals who also like to wear bare-shouldered shirts. Secondly, it is to quote the oath between the Western Han Dynasty Taiwei Zhou Boping and the generals of the Northern Army: those who support the Lu family should show their right side. Shoulders, those who support the Liu family bare their shoulders on the left.

The same goes for the oblique gold dark pattern on the shirt, which refers to Liu's popular golden sword prophecy.

However, it was not the shirt that made Liu Chengzong laugh, but his own minister of rites playing a game of dressing up as a warrior.

He shook his head and said: "I didn't think about it. Yang Guodong alone has seven to eight hundred double-armored soldiers, which is worth a general. We can afford the food and salary for three thousand soldiers."

Zhang Xianzhong smiled and said nothing.

At this stage, the more than a dozen battalions sent out by the Marshal's Mansion are in arrears with salary, and the rations also need to be replenished at any time. This is not a question of whether they can be given, but that as long as Yang Guodong surrenders, he will have to fight at least two for Liu Chengzong. The food and wages for the camp came out.Obviously, Yang Guodong's battalion of rebel soldiers was not the reason why Liu Shishi fell into thinking.

Zhang Xianzhong asked: "Who is the commander-in-chief? I can share my worries with my humble position!"

Liu Chengzong shook his head slightly, then glanced at Zhang Xianzhong, and then asked: "Brother, what do you think of Brigade Commander Shi Xiang?"

Now when the troops are deployed, as long as Yang Guodong's battalion is willing to surrender, Liu Chengzong will definitely welcome him with open arms. There is nothing to think about.

What he was thinking about was Shi Xiang.

"The commander-in-chief is asking the commander-in-chief..."

Zhang Xianzhong slowly repeated Liu Chengzong's question, his mind spinning rapidly to judge the situation in the Marshal's Mansion, his identity in the Marshal's Mansion, Shi Xiang's identity in the Marshal's Mansion, his relationship with Shi Xiang, and the current environment.

And the most important thing - Liu Chengzong's intention in asking this question, or what kind of answer he wanted to hear.

Zhang Xianzhong was so smart that he figured out the key to these things immediately and quickly judged three possibilities: Liu Chengzong wanted to trick him, Liu Chengzong wanted to reuse Shi Xiang, and Liu Chengzong wanted to see who he was.

Because there was a large crowd on the march, if Liu Chengzong wanted to touch Shi Xiang, he would definitely not ask him what he thought. Moreover, Shi Xiang was a frontline general at this time, so asking him what he thought was probably not to hear bad things.

What's more, he joined the Marshal's Mansion late, and Shi Xiang was still his senior. Zhang Xianzhong was really afraid that Liu Chengzong would transfer the remaining two generals of the Western Brigade, Wang Ziyu and Liu Tichun, to the Lintao Brigade.

As for the possibility of deliberately tricking him, it is not impossible. He said bad things about Shi Xiang in public. In the eyes of others, he is just a villain who speaks ill of people behind their backs. Who in the Marshal's Office doesn't know that Generalissimo Liu Chengzong likes people who speak loyalty the most? .

Loyalty exists not only between brothers, but also between husband and wife, father and son, monarch and ministers.

But, in many cases, intelligence is one thing, and character is another.

Being smart can make people think about many things, but it is character that determines the next decision.

Zhang Xianzhong opened his mouth and said: "Commander, there is nothing outstanding about the division commander, I am better than him!"

Liu Chengzong stared at Zhang Xianzhong with confused eyes and blinked: "Why do you say this?"

Lion Heart said: What does it have to do with you?I asked Shi Xiang.

"Lead [-] troops to attack the city. Even if we can't make an emergency landing in Qianzhou City, we won't be able to defeat the [-] rebel troops outside the city. We still have to send a message back to support."

Zhang Xianzhong curled his lips disdainfully: "If the commander sends a thousand tiger warriors to go with me, I will defeat the rebels tomorrow, and I will fall into Qianzhou early the next morning!"

These words made Liu Chengzong's eyes light up. It was not because Zhang Xianzhong thought he could fight. Although this was a fact, he felt more and more wise at this time that he had made a wise decision. He smiled in his heart and said: Brother Bingzhong, I will let you stay by my side as the Minister of Rites. How wise!
The Huben Camp of the Marshal's Mansion has never been an airtight wall, especially for the senior generals of the Marshal's Mansion. This camp is a vast network with Liu Chengzong as the center, connecting the entire Marshal's Army.

His every word, deed, likes and dislikes will be accurately conveyed to the ears of the generals and commanders of each battalion through this network.

Wouldn't it be more a reflection of his importance and trust in Shi Xiang to have such a naysayer around him who could attract the hatred of his colleagues at any time?

Shi Xiang's attack on the front line was unfavorable, and Zhang Xianzhong was so disparaging today that he would definitely know his shame and be brave next time; if the front line was successful, it would better reflect Liu Chengzong's ability to know people and make good use of them.

He opened his mouth and climbed up the ladder, saying: "Brother has his own unique way of attacking a city and fortifying a stronghold. The division commander is still inexperienced, but he has extraordinary courage and careful thinking. He is best at turning danger into safety and seeking victory in danger. Brother Believe it or not, good news will come from Qianzhou before our army reaches the front line."

Zhang Xianzhong naturally didn't believe it. He looked down on Shi Xiang.

Generals like Shi Xiang, whose starting point was the fourth-grade hereditary military position, Zhang Xianzhong killed many of them along the way. Compared with the leaders of various peasant armies, there was only one general who was born in the guards who could not be beaten.

In the eyes of the leaders of the civilian army, those who cannot fight are considered useless.

However, Liu Chengzong didn't see it that way. It's not that he thought Zhang Xianzhong's evaluation was wrong. It was very right. Compared with those Ming generals who were captured and surrendered, Shi Xiang was mediocre, and his ability to use force and lead troops to fight was indeed not outstanding.

But this person has self-motivation and comprehensive qualities.

Because Shi Xiang took the initiative to join the generals in the Marshal's Mansion, he was the one with the highest family background. He was good at planning things and getting things done, especially in persuading surrender. He should have extraordinary talents - he even persuaded himself to surrender.

Shixiang's family fell into decline, and he almost lost his position. He got money by imitating Liu Chengzong and robbing big families. Although he made the military position hereditary, he was burdened with the crime. He then sought Lanzhou's general and planned to sell Lanzhou to Liu Chengzong. In the end, he successfully led Lanzhou and the garrison to the Marshal's Mansion, clearing his stain in the Ming court.

This is also ability.

And it's a very powerful ability.

Earlier, the Marshal's Office did not entrust Shi Xiang with important tasks because of his ability to jump across the wire. Within a year, a candidate military attache who had not been replaced by a hereditary position completed the Lintao Guard actual command and Ming Dynasty. The status of the general of Tinglan Prefecture and the commander of the Lintao Brigade of the Marshal's Office has changed, and the tide has risen.

Liu Shishi couldn't guarantee whether he would take the soldiers and weapons from the Marshal's Mansion and turn around and become the Lintao chief military officer of the Ming Dynasty. Because the relationship between the generals and commanders of the Lintao brigade was complicated, if Shi Xiang didn't have the ability, he would most likely die in internal strife. inside.

But now there is no such concern. There has been no internal strife in the Lintao brigade, and the relationship between subordinate generals has been straightened out. Three thousand troops have also been transferred to Monan. It is a time when everything is ready to be revitalized.

Liu Chengzong thought that Shi Xiang should be holding back a ball of fire in his heart at this time, just waiting for this battle to be successful.

This time the letter was sent to the Chinese Army, probably not to ask for help, but to let Liu Chengzong know that he wanted to persuade Yang Guodong to surrender.

Liu Chengzong was also looking forward to seeing what surprise Shi Xiang could do in the battle of Qianzhou City!

good afternoon!