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"Uncle, my subordinate also has something to report."

Seeing that the Nanzhi Store and the newspaper were settled, Niu Sheng, the boss of Yuan Longchang Carriage and Horse Racing Shop, couldn't help but stand up and clasped his fists, and reported something to Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng.

"Sit down first, and then tell us what you gained from your trip to Jinan?"

With Uncle Yongning's permission, Niu Sheng sat back in his chair and said: "Back to my uncle, the plague is rampant in Jinan, especially in the three prefectures of Daming, Guangping and Shunde, except for those who fled due to the drought and locust disaster. Most of the remaining people died from the plague."

"Last year, when our army was assisting the Liao Dynasty to fight the slaves, Medical Officer Shen went to Jinan to investigate the epidemic situation, and even went deeper into Shandong and Henan. Drought and locust plagues came alternately, and hungry people were everywhere. The young and strong people fled to beg for food elsewhere. But The old and weak are unable to walk and stay in deserted villages, and most of them will die from the epidemic today."

Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng continued with a sad face: "According to Medical Officer Shen, this plague was caused by the overflow of rats after the locust plague. It is actually a plague caused by rats. It is called 'jaundice disease' among the people. However, I would rather Call it the 'plague'."

Looking at everyone, Zhang Cheng continued: "Medical Officer Shen has said that the disease can be cured at the beginning, but once it reaches its final stage, it will be difficult for even the gods to save it."

He turned his eyes to the south and continued: "Medical Officer Shen met Mr. Wu Youxing in Jinan. He was from Wu County, Suzhou Prefecture, Nanzhi Province. He was very knowledgeable about the plague. Whether it is its pathogenesis or treatment methods, we all have unique insights."

"Uncle, where is such a strange man now? Has he ever gone south with the army to prevent the plague from invading our army?" Sun Shixiang heard Zhang Cheng mention Wu Youxing's abilities and couldn't help but ask where he was.

He was not the only one who was curious about Wu Youxing. After hearing the severity of the Jinan plague, everyone present looked sideways, wondering if such a strange person was in their army.

"He is not in Ben Bo's army..."

Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng shook his head, still looking deeply at the south, and continued: "This Mr. Wu cares about the people, refuses to live alone, and refuses to come to our Xuan Mansion. Now I am afraid that he is still between Henan and Shandong, making inquiries. The plague relieves the suffering of all peoples."

"Uncle, my subordinates are in Guangping Fucheng this time. I also heard from the escort team below that Mr. Wu is indeed a very skilled doctor. Even our Medical Officer Shen is full of praise."

Niu Sheng continued to add: "It is also said that this Mr. Wu has prepared a prescription, which seems to be called 'Da Yuan Yin'. It is said that it has saved many people's lives!"

"Such a person is exactly the kind of talent our Yongyi Army lacks."

Wang Yuanjing quickly answered: "Uncle, if you meet Wu Youxing in Henan, you should try to make him stay in our army."

"A person like this must have ambitions thousands of miles away. There are many fetters in the army, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to keep him there for a long time."

Zhang Cheng finally withdrew his gaze from the south and continued: "No matter if I can keep him in my brave army for a long time, I want to meet him and see what kind of person this Wu Youxing is!"

In fact, Zhang Cheng didn't know much about Wu Youxing. However, when Shen Shichun, who went to Jinan to investigate the plague, told about this person, he suddenly realized that the person's character was "youke"!
Memories that had been sealed away suddenly came to mind. He vaguely remembered watching a movie called "The Tribulation of the Ming Dynasty" in his previous life. It mainly told the story of Sun Chuanting's final battle with the intruders after his resurrection.

Although without exception it ended with Sun Chuanting being defeated and dead, another character in the movie caught Zhang Cheng's attention. He was Wu Youke, a good doctor in the late Ming Dynasty who helped Sun Chuanting basically solve the epidemic in the army!
According to his judgment, the great doctor named Wu Youxing, whose name is Youke, is very likely to be the Wu Youke who helped Sun Chuanting in "The Tribulation of the Ming Dynasty".

As for whether Wu Youke really had an intersection with Sun Chuanting in real history, those are not important. At least Wu Youxing is still in Henan now.

"Uncle, I have something to report."

Niu Sheng's words interrupted Zhang Cheng's thoughts. He looked at Niu Sheng and asked, "If there is anything else, just tell me."

"Uncle, there are several bodyguards in my escort team, all of them are extremely powerful and highly skilled in martial arts. My subordinates have observed them for more than a year, so their loyalty can be guaranteed. I want them to stay with my uncle. I will serve my uncle on behalf of my subordinates."

Zhang Cheng was slightly stunned when he heard this. He looked at Niu Sheng with bright eyes and was thinking rapidly in his mind...

On the surface, Niu Sheng seemed to be loyal. Since he could not stay with Zhang Cheng, he wanted to appoint some capable people to serve beside Zhang Cheng in his place.

However, after all, "people's hearts are separated from each other by the belly". You cannot have the intention to harm others, but you must also have the intention to guard against others!
However, Zhang Cheng was only slightly stunned for a moment, and his facial expression did not change at all. He was no longer as ignorant and radical as when he first came.

After these years and these things, Zhang Cheng is no longer what he used to be. Just sitting anywhere can give people a sense of oppression without anger and self-power. Moreover, he has already cultivated to the point where he is neither happy nor angry. Form in color.

"Good, good, good."

He said three good words loudly and repeatedly, with a look of approval and appreciation on his face, and said loudly to Niu Sheng: "It's rare for you to have such a sincere heart, and I am deeply gratified.

In these years, you have worked hard for me in the capital alone, supporting this big family business, which is a great achievement. What is even more rare is that you can still worry about my uncle's safety.

Since they are the people you have chosen, they are bound to be right. I will accept them all. No matter how many people you choose, I will stay with you and listen to them! "

Niu Sheng suddenly stood up and knelt down and said loudly: "Uncle, although Niu Sheng is not in the military camp, his heart is always in the army. Niu Sheng is a member of the Yongyi Army. Even if he dies, he will still be the soul of the Yongyi Army. He will never regret it throughout his life." !”

"Okay...get up!"

Uncle Yongning Zhang Cheng continued to say in a deep voice: "You always kneel down and bow down. Everyone says that they will die for me, as if I am a reminder to you."

As he spoke, he waved his hand and said in a serious voice: "Please remember, I want you and I to share our wealth and honor. Your lives are equally important as mine. You must not always be willing to sacrifice your life for me. "

After hearing the words, everyone in the hall was moved, especially the deputy generals Xiang Jinbao and Wang Tieren of the Zhuque Camp, the deputy generals Liu Shizun of the Xuanwu Camp, and Niu Sheng. They even knelt down and expressed their gratitude.

Next, Niu Sheng introduced the situation in various places inside and outside Gyeonggi. It turned out that after Liu Jinhai focused his attention on southern Henan, the entire Gyeonggi region, as well as the intelligence system in Shandong, were handed over to Niu Sheng alone.

Zhang Cheng has been thinking about completely separating the affairs of Yuan Longchang Carriage and Horse Racing Agency from the escort team. He had not had the chance to propose it at first, but now that it was done, he said to Niu Sheng: "Niu Sheng, I miss you." I am a corps commander in our army, and I am not good at business matters.

But now, the Yuanlongchang Carriage and Horse Racing House and the escort team all need to be taken care of by you alone. I can’t bear it. In order for you to concentrate on the affairs of the escort team, why not temporarily leave the Yuanlongchang Carriage and Horse Racing House? Leave it to Zhong Fuye to take charge. "

He looked at Niu Sheng with eyes full of love and said warmly, "Look at it!"

"Niu Sheng obeys the command of the commander in everything."

Zhong Fuye was an officer in Zhang Cheng's army last year. Zhang Cheng placed him beside Niu Sheng before the battle to aid Jin Dynasty. He has been practicing for more than half a year now.

In Zhang Cheng's eyes, the business of the carriage and horse shop is relatively complicated, and they come into contact with merchants from all over the world. However, he just wants Zhong Fuye to share Niu Sheng's power, not to completely eclipse Niu Sheng.

Not to mention whether Niu Sheng understood what Zhang Cheng meant, but he carried out Zhang Cheng's orders unconditionally without any intention of resisting. He knelt down again to accept the order.

Niu Sheng's performance made Zhang Cheng very satisfied. He nodded and said to him: "Everything here in Gyeonggi is still dominated by you. If it were anyone else, we wouldn't be worried. However, Che The affairs of both the horse agency and the escort agency are very important, and the two are in a complementary relationship. In addition, there must be one person in charge of the affairs of Tongchun Tower in the capital."

After hearing Uncle Yong Ning's words, everyone became energetic. Even though this position does not have an official title, within the Yongyi Army's system, it is an extraordinary existence!
"Ren Huaiqing is also a veteran of the Right Wing Battalion. He has grown a lot over the years. He will be responsible for the specific affairs of the escort agency. Do you think it's okay?"

Since Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng appointed Niu Sheng as the person in charge in the capital, his opinions on the personnel arrangements below him must be sought in person.

"Uncle, Huaiqing is our old brother. Having him help us take care of all the chores in the escort agency is a great thing we can only hope for. How can we have any objections?"

"Niu Sheng, don't think that Tongchun Tower, Yuan Longchang, and Escort Store are all taken care of, so you can sit back and relax and enjoy your blessings safely."

Although Zhang Cheng had a pleasant appearance, it sounded extremely harsh to Niu Sheng's ears: "The capital is no different from other places. Hundreds of officials gather here, including people from Dongchang and Jinyiwei, and there are also slave-building spies everywhere, all kinds of The relationship is complicated and difficult to guard against.

You have been in the capital for more than three years now, and you are most familiar with the situation here. Only when you are in charge of the capital can I feel at ease.

People like Lu Dachun, Wang Zhaozheng, Zhong Fuye, Ren Huaiqing, etc. just help you, so that you can completely escape from the complicated daily affairs, sit in the middle, and coordinate all parties.

Only in this way can we live up to my expectations! "

"Uncle, please rest assured, Niu Sheng will never disgrace his orders."

Next, Niu Sheng introduced the news from Henan to everyone present. The intruder Li Zicheng and Cao Cao Luo Rucai had almost caused trouble in Henan.

After Wang Qiaonian succeeded Fu Zonglong as the governor of the three sides, he could not resist the pressure of Emperor Chongzhen. Although he knew that going to Henan Province to "suppress thieves" was like "feeding tigers with meat", he had no choice but to dare to disobey the "sacred decree".

He once told people at the time: "The troops are exhausted, food and pay are scarce, and the bandits are so powerful that it is difficult to defeat them. Now leaving the pass and entering Henan is like 'feeding a tiger with meat.' But the situation in Kaifeng is critical, and it is difficult to disobey the emperor's order. I can't Don’t go out this time to strengthen the hearts of the people of Zhongzhou.”

It was not until the end of the first month of the 15th year of Chongzhen that he gathered up the defeated troops who had followed Fu Zonglong into Henan. He also mobilized frontier troops from various places and managed to gather more than [-] cavalry. He led He Renlong, Zheng Jiadong, and Niu Chenghu. The general soldier left Tongguan.

In mid-February, Wang Qiaonian's army marched to Luoyang. He knew that Li Zicheng had failed in his second siege of Kaifeng and was now confronting the traitor general Zuo Liangyu in Yancheng.

Although the military situation was urgent, he was not in a hurry to continue to advance. After all, the bandits were powerful and the siege of Kaifeng had been lifted. He did not want to engage in battle with the bandit army so soon.

In Wang Qiaonian's view, the Shaanxi soldiers were defeated one after another, especially the death of former Shaanxi governor Fu Zonglong in the battle at Xiangcheng, which further depressed the morale of the Shaanxi soldiers. Now it is best to defeat some small groups of thieves and restore their morale, so as to boost the sluggish army. Military morale.

However, the Chuang army always moved together in large groups and had no intention of dividing their troops. As a result, his idea was never realized. Just when he hesitated, a man named Zhang Yongqi from Xiangcheng County came to see him. .

It turned out that in October of the 14th year of Chongzhen, the intruder Li Zicheng was attacking Ye County. He sent a message to the officials and gentry in Xiangcheng County, stating that if they were willing to donate food, mules, horses and labor, they would be exempted from attacking the city.

At that time, Cao Sizheng, the magistrate of Xiangcheng, held a meeting with the gentry to discuss. Everyone agreed to surrender the city to the intruders. Only Zhang Yongqi firmly opposed it. For this reason, he was targeted by everyone. As a last resort, he protected his mother and left Xiangcheng. He fled to Meng County on the north bank of the Yellow River and lived temporarily.

At this moment, he heard that Wang Qionian led the Shaanxi soldiers to Henan, and came to Luoyang specially to ask for a meeting.

Zhang Yongqi urged Wang Qiaonian to rush to Xiangcheng as soon as possible to form a pincer attack with the traitor general Zuo Liangyu. He even stated that he was willing to return to Xiangcheng with the army to assist Wang Qiaonian in preparing food and wages and help the army suppress the bandits.

Earlier, after Linying was captured by bandits, a lot of gold, silver, grain and other materials plundered from various places were stored. However, Zuo Liangyu suddenly broke into it and looted everything.

After hearing this, Li Zicheng was greatly annoyed. He just couldn't attack Kaifeng for a long time, so he immediately turned his guns and attacked Zuo Liangyu's troops with all his strength. Zuo Liangyu was defeated and retreated to Yancheng. He was tightly surrounded by intruders, but it was difficult to break through for a while.

Just at this time, Zhang Yongqi came to the door again, and Wang Qiaonian summoned He Renlong and other generals to discuss military matters.

He said to the generals: "Lincheng is in danger. However, the bandit army is now strong and they are going to aid Lincheng. It is difficult to compete with them. I heard that Xiangcheng is only 120 miles away from Lincheng, and all the old camps of the bandits are here. .

According to my plan, I will abandon the city of Lin and not attack it, but quickly advance into Xiangcheng with elite troops. The traitors will definitely return to rescue me. In this way, the siege of Lin city will be relieved.

At that time, our division can cooperate with the left army under the command of Ding Du Division and attack from the front and back, which will definitely defeat the rebels. "

He Renlong and other generals all said: "Okay."

Therefore, Wang Qiaonian temporarily left the infantry and firearms in Luoyang, and sent a deputy general to stay behind, leading the more than [-] infantry and firearms here to slowly advance.

He personally led He Renlong, Zheng Jiadong, Niu Chenghu and other generals, along with more than [-] carefully selected cavalry, out of Longmen Pass in the south, marching day and night towards Xiangcheng.

On March [-], the Shaanxi soldiers led by Wang Qionian entered Xiangcheng County. He divided He Renlong, Zheng Jiadong, and Niu Chenghu into three groups and stationed them outside Rushuiguai, forty miles east of the city, and made plans to invade Xiangcheng County. The power of the city.

Wang Qiaonian himself stationed his troops outside Xiangcheng, pretending to attack Xiangcheng. Seeing this, the rebels actually gave up the siege of Yancheng where Ding Qirui and Zuo Liangyu were stationed, and returned to rescue Xiangcheng.

Here, Wang Qiaonian captured Xiangcheng with the cooperation of the inner city. Over there, the three generals He Renlong, Zheng Jiadong, and Niu Chenghu were frightened by the bandits and fled without even fighting.

Wang Qiaonian was very helpless, but at this moment he had just captured Xiangcheng. There were troops inside and outside the city. It was difficult for him to escape with his entire army, so he could only lead these thousands of troops into Xiangcheng to defend.

He sighed and said, "I'm afraid this will be my grave."

At this time, Li Zicheng already knew that Wang Qiaonian had dug up his Li family's ancestral grave. He was filled with resentment and vowed to capture Wang Qiaonian alive. The bandits surrounded Xiangcheng on all sides to prevent him from escaping.

At the same time, they were digging tunnels and filling the city with gunpowder to blow up the city. Wang Qionian also dug tunnels in Xiangcheng and organized the officers and soldiers to stab the thieves who came in through the tunnel with spears.

The bandit army also brought in cannons to bombard the city. The city wall was riddled with holes, and even many houses near the city wall were destroyed. The officials in the city surrounded him, begging Wang Qiaonian to break out and escape.

Wang Qiaonian was so angry that he kicked them and said, "You are afraid of death, but I am not!"

On March [-], Xiangcheng, which had held firm for three days, was still captured by the rebels. Wang Qionian, the governor of the three sides of the Ming Dynasty, tried his best to kill three rebels, but then attempted suicide and was captured by the rebels.

King Chuang Li Zicheng asked him to kneel down for him, but Wang Qiaonian refused, so he ordered his kneecaps to be dug out. Wang Qiaonian continued to curse, and Li Zicheng had his tongue cut out, but Wang Qiaonian still pointed at Li Zicheng with his finger. He was spitting and bleeding, so ten more fingers were cut off by the bandit soldiers.

When Wang Qiaonian was exhausted, he leaned on the ground, looked north and bowed. In the end, he was cut into pieces by the bandits' five oxen, and his car was torn apart and he died!