Lock the hole, cook rice in a big pot, and cook meat in a big pot.

The air was filled with the aroma of meat, which made the Ming Dynasty officers and soldiers sitting around the campfire couldn't help but moisten their tongues with water.

Because it is rare for them to eat meat.

Meat can only be eaten during the New Year or during a great victory, so I am always very hungry.

The meat cooked in the pot was not brought by Wang Wu from Wujiayuanzi, but by Zhang Tianwang who had a dozen pigs killed.

It was said that the brothers were asked to make a tooth sacrifice so that they would have enough strength to rescue Liu Shuai.

Like the rest of the Ming army, Suokou Cave is self-reliant. In addition to training and fighting, the defenders also reclaim mountainous areas in the surrounding areas and work with the people to farm, trying to be self-sufficient in food without increasing the burden on the people. This shows that

The army is well supported by the local people.

This is one of the reasons why the Ming army was able to persist in resisting the Qing Dynasty in this area for nearly two decades.

However, although Zhang Tianwang raised some pigs and sheep in the camp, the number was not too large, mainly because of insufficient food.

In order to obtain meat, he often organized people to hunt in the nearby mountains. At first, he was quite productive, but as time went by, the wild animals were hardly seen.

This is also the case in other areas.

Wang Wu heard that Hao Yaoqi once sent people to hunt in the deep mountains and old forests in the north. If Wang Wu's geographical knowledge was correct, that place should be Shennongjia.

This place became famous as the "Savage" in later generations.

If he couldn't break through and hold on, Wang Wu had the idea of ​​going to Shennongjia and working as a barbarian to hold out until Wu Sangui raised an army.

I just don't know if I can hold on.

After all, going to that place is no different from being isolated from the rest of the world, and it cannot provide it with any materials to raise troops, let alone "build walls high and store grain widely".

When you enter this place, you will most likely go in with clothes on and come out with your buttocks bare.

Unless absolutely necessary, Wang Wu would not choose self-exile.

Otherwise, he might become the first naked rebel in history.

"Second brother, give everyone a share of the meat!"

Zhang Tianfang, who was obviously a landowner but looked like a butcher, saw that the pork in the pot was cooked, so he asked his younger brother Zhang Tianfang to lead people to share the meat with everyone.

The Zhang family also had a third son named Zhang Tianling who died in Hunan more than ten years ago.

Zhang Tianwang raised the clan to fight back then, so in addition to his third brother Zhang Tianling, as many as thirty members of the Zhang family died fighting against the Qing Dynasty in recent years.

This is also the reason why Zhang Tianwang, even though he hated the loyal camp from which Shun Jun was born, still cooperated with these old Shun Jun and persevered to the end even when everyone's hearts were shaken.

It means jointly resisting foreign aggression.

From the accident in the morning until now, everyone has only eaten some dry food on the road. They are already hungry now. Many people are looking directly at the pot, waiting for a full meal.

Wang Wu was no exception, but as one of the leaders of the Ming army, he still maintained a minimum of "air" and exchanged information with Ma Sizhong, Xu Deyi and Zhang Tianwang.

Ma Sizhong briefly talked to Zhang about what happened in Wu Jiayuanzi. After hearing this, Zhang couldn't help but sigh, but he didn't curse Suo Yanlong and the others, he just shook his head.

Wang Wu saw this and knew that Zhang Tianwang and he had previously thought that they could continue to fight to the end, but they would not have too much hatred for those who did not want to fight.

It's going to rain and my mother is going to get married. The situation has forced us to do so. Why should we be too harsh?

Ma Sizhong asked if Suokou Cave had received any rescue orders from Lao Mukong or any emergency calls from other places.

He desperately wanted to know whether Liu Shuai would live or die.

Zhang Tianwang was silent for a moment and told everyone two pieces of news.

It's all bad news.

The first news was that there was indeed chaos in Laomukong, and several Ming army settlements nearby were affected. Some people who escaped from Laomukong asked Zhang Tianwang to lead troops to Laomukong to quell the chaos.

Hearing this, Ma and Xu couldn't help but feel a sudden change in their hearts and look strange.

Wang Wu couldn't help but feel wary in his heart.

The reason was that the defenders of Suokou Cave did not rescue Lao Mukong.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Tianwang knew that everyone was suspicious of him, so he hurriedly explained: "I once wanted to take people to Laomukong to rescue Liu Shuai, but I was afraid that something would happen if I walked through the lock and my escape route would be blocked..."

What he was referring to was that the situation was unclear. If he led the defenders to Laomukong rashly, and if this place was occupied by the rebels, the Ming army hanging alone in Wujiayuanzi in the west would be cut off, and no one would be able to retreat.

If you are careful, your entire army will be wiped out.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Zhang Tianwang did not dare to take anyone to Laomukong.

"If I knew Suo Yanlong had a second heart, why would I have to worry so much."

Zhang Tianwang sighed slightly, originally intending to hold the only passage to the rear for the thousands of Ming troops to the west, but he did not want the thousands of Ming troops to disperse in an instant, leaving only this team of less than a thousand people.

It's really destiny that no one can control.

At this time, everyone had put aside their suspicions and put themselves in his shoes. If they were afraid, they would not dare to leave the lock easily.

"Everyone eat something first before we talk!"

Zhang Tianwang's second brother Zhang Tianfang brought several pieces of cooked meat and distributed them to everyone one by one.

This person is different from his brother who looks like a butcher. He looks somewhat similar to Tian Wen, Wang Wu's "scholar", but at first glance he looks genteel.

He is like a teacher, not a swordsman.

"Thank you!"

Wang Wu raised his head and nodded to Zhang Tianfang. He was not in a hurry to eat because Zhang Tianwang obviously had something to say.

Gou Sheng, Zhang Pengyu, and the mute Zhu San couldn't wait to start chewing, even though the pieces of meat that had just been cooked were very hot to the mouth.

The same was true for the officers under Ma and Xu, and the accompanying officers from Zhang were almost the same.

Being polite at this time is simply a joke.

The meat was boiled in plain water, without any seasonings, just with some oil. Wang Wu would not have had an appetite in his previous life, but now he was also very greedy. He just endured it because he wanted to know more about the situation.

He didn't move his mouth.

The same was true for Ma Sizhong, who asked doubtfully: "What's the other thing?"

Zhang Tianwang looked at everyone and said in a deep voice: "There is news that Duke Jing and Mao Duyuan have also surrendered."

"What, Duke Jing and Governor Mao surrendered!"

Everyone who was eating meat was shocked by the news and looked towards Zhang Tianwang. Ma Sizhong stood up in shock with a look of disbelief on his face.

Wang Wu also frowned deeply.

Who is Duke Jing?

Wang Guangxing also!

In his early years, this man followed his brother Wang Guangchang in the uprising during the Chongzhen period. Later, he was recruited by Xiong Wencan, an official of the Ming Dynasty. He followed Wang Mengyin, the governor of Yunyang, to guard Xiangyang and made meritorious deeds in many battles.

After the fall of Xiangyang, the Wang brothers and Jingxi Dao Xu Qiyuan defended Yunyang, and Li Zicheng failed to capture it despite several sieges. Wu Sangui, who later led the Qing army into the pass, summoned Xu Qiyuan, and Wang Guangchang joined forces to suppress the bandits.

Since Wang Guangchang was trapped in Xunyang for two years and did not know about the change of Ming and Qing dynasties, he sent his troops to go there. Only when he arrived at Wu Sangui camp did he realize that the situation was over, so he shaved his head and surrendered to the Qing Dynasty.

After Wang Guangxing learned that his brother had surrendered, he refused to surrender and led his troops to a stalemate with the Qing army for more than ten years.

Its territory is in the Shizhouwei area on the south bank of the Yangtze River, which echoes the north and south side of Kuidong. Therefore, if Wang Guangxing surrenders to the Qing Dynasty, it means that the Qing army on the north bank will be completely alone.

The tens of thousands of Qing troops who were supposed to deal with Wang Guangxing would immediately join in the siege of the Ming army on the north bank of the Yangtze River. This would undoubtedly make things worse for the already precarious Ming army.

Wang Wu, the Mao Governor, had heard Tian Shouyi mention it in the past, saying that he was the highest official appointed by the Yongli court to liaise with the Ming armies in eastern Kuidian, and was equivalent to the governor of the three provinces.

It's like calling Mao Dengshou.

His predecessor was Wen Anzhi, who died in depression in Fengjie a few years ago.

At the military level, the leader of the Ming army in the Kuidong area was Liu Tichun, the Duke of Anhui.

On a political level, Mao Dengshou was the commander-in-chief of the Ming army.

Therefore, Wang Guangxing's surrender to the Qing Dynasty caused the Ming army in Kuidong to lose an arm and become a lonely army militarily, while Mao Dengshou's surrender to the Qing Dynasty declared the complete defeat of the Ming army politically.

Those who continue to resist the Qing Dynasty at this time are truly China’s last benevolent people.

He is a lonely minister.

In other words, it is the last symbol of integrity of the Han nation.

"The elder brother of Duke Jing was innocently killed by the Tatars. He once said that he and the Tatars would never be in conflict with each other in this life. How could he suddenly surrender to the Tatars?!"

It was Tian Wen who said this, and the brother Wang Guangxing he mentioned was not Wang Guangchang, but another brother Wang Guangen.

After surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, this man was appointed as the commander-in-chief of Xiangyang by the Qing government. Later, he had a falling out with Pan Shiliang, the Fuyuan of Xunyang appointed by the Qing government, and was falsely accused of rebelling against the Qing Dynasty and was taken to Beijing to be killed.

Therefore, the Qing army tried to recruit Wang Guangxing to surrender many times, but he firmly refused. He said, "That day, Xuanyang's action has brought tears to Jiuyuan."

, the truth surprised Tian Wen.

Zhang Tianfang, who was dividing the meat, put down his plate, looked at Tian Wen, and said in a low voice: "What's so sudden about this situation? Not everyone wants to die for the Ming Dynasty like us."

After listening to his brother's words, Zhang Tianwang felt something in his heart. He thought about his third brother who had sacrificed his life in the early years and dozens of members of the Zhang family. He also thought about the fact that the entire country was occupied by the Dongqi, and only this last place that was as big as a palm was left and so few people who were willing to serve the country.

The loyal ministers and martyrs could not help but feel sad in their hearts, their noses were sore and their eyes were red.

Wang Wu also smiled bitterly in his heart.

There are not many emotional fluctuations anymore, and there is no emotion about the situation. What is left is just a heart that is dead.

Everyone has different expressions, but what remains unchanged is the determination in their eyes.

"What is Zhang Dusi going to do?"

Ma Sizhong wanted to ask Zhang Tianwang if he planned to go with them to Laomukong to rescue Liu Shuai.

His title of Zhang is a formal official position, not out of rejection of Zhang Tianwang in his heart, but out of respect.

"You all beat the Wu family and retreat. There is no point in guarding the locked cave. I will take people with you to Laomukong to rescue the Duke of Anhui. It would be better if I can rescue the Duke of Anhui. If I can't, I will die there.

There, I, Lao Zhang, can be considered worthy of this Ming Dynasty."

As he spoke, he looked at his second brother.

The look in his eyes was not questioning, but guilt.

He was worthy of Daming, but he was sorry to his brothers and the Zhang family!

"Brother, what do you think I'm doing? It's better to go see the third child earlier, so that he won't have to talk about it down there. Damn it, I haven't burned paper for the third child in several years. I can't blame him."

After saying that, Zhang Tianfang stopped looking at his elder brother and directly grabbed the piece of meat in the basin and started to devour it.

No wine.

The limited food is not enough for people to eat, so how can it be used to make wine.

"Okay, after seeing the third child, I, as the eldest brother, will make amends to him!"

Zhang Tianwang smiled.

Wang Wu also laughed, picked up the piece of meat on the table and took a big bite, chewing it up and swallowing it into his stomach together with the fat meat that he didn't like to eat the most.

With the company of these heroes who are not afraid of death, how can we be lonely on the road to hell!

.........

Dawn has not yet arrived, and the monstrous firelight has illuminated the lock mouth hole red.

Zhang Tianwang, who started a family, took more than 700 soldiers under his command, and more than 300 family members stood silently in the valley and watched as the residence where they had lived for more than ten years was burned to the ground by fire.

The nearby people were alarmed by the fire outside, and stood in the darkness with their young and old, watching the Ming troops who were about to leave.

After more than ten years of getting along, the people here are familiar with the Ming army.

Although they didn't know what happened, the people knew that the Ming army might never come back after leaving.

There was no parting greeting, just a look of reluctance from both sides.

Zhang Tianwang did not choose to take the people here with him, as doing so would only harm these people.

Zhang Tianwang gathered all the food and supplies that could not be taken away, and allowed the people to take them after dawn.

Although the grain was likely to fall into the hands of the Qing army, Zhang did not order it to be burned.

Maybe, they want to reduce the losses of the people.

"Let's go!"

After taking a long breath, Zhang Tianwang threw the ancestral tablet in his hand into the fire.

The second brother Zhang Tianfang, who followed closely behind, also threw his parents' spiritual tablets in.

But he was carrying a jar on his back.

Inside the jar are the ashes of the three old three spirits.

The ones clearing the way in front were still the Laoshun Army commanded by Ma Sizhong and others, with Wang Wu's team in the middle and Zhang Tianwang's people at the back.

The entire team increased from more than 900 people to nearly 2,000 people, and they marched along the valley snow path for more than ten miles.

Daylight soon dawned, and when viewed from above the valley, it looked like a long snake meandering forward.

It's like a group of poor ants crossing the mountains and ridges.

The team marched without any sound, and the atmosphere was somewhat depressing.

This depression is waiting for an explosion.

Maybe somewhere along the way, maybe in Laomukong.

But everyone is certain that this outbreak will be accompanied by unyielding fighting spirit and a final cry.

About three hours later, Lao Shunjun, who was clearing the way in front, suddenly sent someone to notify the rear to suspend the march.

Wang Wu thought it was a temporary rest, and when he was about to order his soldiers to rest on the spot, Ma Sizhong sent someone over to ask him to hurry to the front.

Wang Wu quickly asked the blind man Wan Si to lead a group of people to follow him. When they arrived at the ground, they found that the Lao Shun army was not in a fighting state.

This made Wang Wu breathe a sigh of relief. He thought he had discovered an enemy situation ahead.

After following the leader to a slope, Wang Wu saw Ma Sizhong, Xu Deyi and others looking ahead on the slope, and climbed up using a few pine trees.

"Brother Ma, what's wrong?"

As soon as they reached the slope, Wang Wu asked.

Ma Sizhong did not answer him, but pointed in the direction about two or three miles ahead for him to see for himself, and handed Wang Wu a telescope with broken lenses that he regarded as a treasure.

When he saw it was a telescope, Wang Wu quickly took it and looked forward with half-squinted eyes.

Although the lens is cracked, it is still usable.

When I looked at it, I found a team in front of me, with about a thousand people in total, carrying a flag, and the flag seemed to have the word "horse" embroidered on it.

"horse?"

Wang Wu didn't know which general of the Ming army was named Ma. Xu Deyi beside him whispered: "It's Lord Ma."

"Master Mahou?"

Wang Wu was startled: Who is this person?

"It was Ma Tengyun, our former Dashun general Guoyi, who was conferred the title of Marquis by Emperor Yongli of the Ming Dynasty."

When he said this, Ma Sizhong did not see any happy expressions on his friendly troops' faces. Instead, he had a solemn look on his face. This made Wang Wu wonder, as they were old shun soldiers, how could they act as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

"Brother Wang, please look carefully!"

Ma Sizhong didn't say much and asked Wang Wu to use a telescope to look again.

With doubts, Wang Wu picked up the telescope and looked at the team attentively. At first, there was nothing strange about it, because Ma Tengyun's troops were wearing the clothes of the Ming army.

After more than a dozen breaths, Wang Wu's eyes gradually began to change, and his breathing began to become heavier.
Chapter completed!