Of course Zhou Shixian had to leave the city, not only to boost morale, but also to suppress those who were ready to move.

The enemy he faced now was not a simple enemy. Although Pang Lun's idea that these escorting soldiers and horses could switch sides with a shout in front of the formation was a bit taken for granted, it was enough to illustrate the relationship between the two armies.

Therefore, Zhou Shixian, as the backbone of the entire army, must bring his royal guards with him to stabilize people's hearts, and more importantly, to show his determination to advance and retreat together with the soldiers, and to live and die together.

On the battlefield, morale and determination are extremely important, and the performance of an army's commander can often have a decisive impact on this. Especially when the troops and horses are at a disadvantage, it will largely determine the outcome of the war.

And the reality was just as he expected, with Zhou Shi appearing in the military formation, the morale of the escorting army was boosted, and the military appearance became even more vigorous.

This escorting force is worthy of being the elite of the Beijing camp. While leaving the city, they had already completed the basic formation arrangement. Then, under the organization of Xue Laoer, Zhang Hong and others, a crescent-shaped defensive square was quickly formed.

.

More than eighty musketeers formed two lines and were at the forefront, using shields as defense and musket support. The same number of musketeers also followed in the same formation. On their sides and behind, there were more than 20 cavalry on each side.

, most of them are composed of Jinyi guards to supervise the battle team, and they also have the functions of covering the flanks and chasing and killing the enemy.

There were only five people left around Zhou Shixian. Two of them held up shields to cover him, and the other three surrounded him to prevent the commander of the army and the dignified prince-in-law from being accidentally injured.

However, compared to the vigorous military appearance of Zhou Shixian's army, the rebel army on the opposite side was less powerful. Although they were also arranged in a square formation, due to the lack of armor and equipment and the lack of supplies for a long time, the army composed of several hundred people

The array always gives people a feeling of weakness, like a paper window that can be broken with just a poke.

Looking at these enemies, and then at the soldiers and horses under his command, Zhou Shixian became more confident in defeating the rebels on the opposite side.

The more than two hundred soldiers who came out of the city to fight seemed to be inspired by this. The visible equipment gap between the two armies made them full of confidence in this battle.

You know, this is the seventeenth century. Armor and firearms are the core of military equipment. If these two pieces of equipment are missing, especially armor, the army will lose the ability to fight in the field.

The scientific use of firearms can make heavily armored soldiers and cavalry lose their luster in the face of cheap lead bullets and gunpowder. This is something that bows and crossbows could not accomplish in the late Ming Dynasty when armor technology was highly developed.

"Prince-in-law, Sun Hu and Weng Dajie went to Pang Lun!" Wu Xingye rode his horse to Zhou Shixian and reported quickly.

"Yes, I know." Zhou Shixian's answer was very calm. He was still observing the enemy situation on the opposite side through the "telescope". From a distance of less than 300 steps, he could even see the scar on Pang Lun's face.

"Sun Hu and Weng Dajie are reliable. They seem to be trying to persuade Pang Lun, but...this person is a little ungrateful!"

Listening to Zhou Shixian's calm and cold tone, Wu Xingye's Adam's apple squirmed a little, but he still lowered his head, waiting for orders.

"Hmph, you want to scare me with just two or three hundred people across from you? I'm not like you two idiots. The capital is gone, but I'm still afraid of that old imperial envoy. It's really a fucking disgrace.

."

Pang Lun was completely indifferent to Sun Hu and Weng Dajie's persuasion, and even sarcastically said:

"When I kill all these bastards and enter the city, even if I sleep with the little girl, you two bastard cowards only deserve to sleep with me, hahahahaha..."

The rebel officers on the side burst into laughter upon hearing this, and some even made noises, which caused a commotion and strange shouts from the soldiers behind them.

Although they seemed a little lethargic, no one felt weak when they heard about Sleeping Girl!

After all, the opponent did look like that, but with three times the number of soldiers and horses, they didn't think they would lose. Many of them had even thought about entering the city to rob.

It can only be said that the inertia of thinking is terrible, which is also the source of the confidence of Pang Lun and these rebels - they know the Beijing camp too well.

Although Sun Hu and Weng Dajie came to persuade Pang Lun for the sake of Xue Laoer, Zhang Hong, and Wu Xingye, they did not intend to fall out with each other. After all, the gap in strength was there. Now that they were humiliated, they could only

Leave angrily.

However, Pang Lun immediately stopped them. The conversation changed and his tone suddenly changed:

"Huzi, Dajie, you just listen to Brother Pang's words today, and together we will destroy this group of pretentious turtles. When the time comes, take Old Man Li's Shangfang Sword, and seek glory whether you go to Chuangchuang or Jiangnan."

Isn't it easy to get rich and noble? Why bother to be subordinate to others and listen to others' orders? "

When Sun Hu and Weng Dajie heard this, they both stopped moving to leave. Upon seeing this, Pang Lun felt that there was hope for persuasion, so he quickly increased his efforts:

"I know that you are not willing to take action because of favors. Let's do this. When my brothers rush over, you just need to help these little bastards from the side. After entering the city, there will be a place for you to rob.

How about it?"

When Sun Hu and Weng Dajie heard this, they immediately turned to look at each other. They seemed to be moved, but did not agree.

Pang Lun knew what these two guys were thinking. He was just afraid that he would be defeated later and they would not be able to vote for him if word spread about it. But he was not someone to be trifled with, so he immediately put on a cold face:

"Since you don't want to, then go ahead. Do you still want me to invite you to leave in person?"

However, Pang Lun's persuasion did not seem to be effective. Sun Hu and Weng Dajie still did not agree, but they both raised their hands towards Pang Lun and seemed to agree, which made Pang Lun a little confused.

After all, Pang Lun didn't know that Zhou Shixian was watching them with a telescope, but Sun Hu and Weng Dajie found out about it from Wu Xingye.

Looking at the backs of the two people leaving with their guards, Pang Lun was obviously mistaken. He couldn't help but sneered twice: "What a fool. Both of them are old foxes. They just want to watch me fight for them!"

On the other side, seeing the ambiguous actions of Sun Hu and Weng Dajie, Zhou Shixian also had a bad feeling in his heart.

He knew that almost everyone despised the force under his command, whether it was Chongzhen, Empress Zhou, or ministers such as Li Banghua and Ni Yuanlu.

Even the officers under his command did not feel that they could win even with three times the number of troops. Now, it was just because they had no choice but to fight.

Because they made the same mistake as Pang Lun and others, they all ignored the equipment that was currently escorting the army. Can the more than eighty fire blunderbuss be carried by the opponent? This is not a three-eyed blunderbuss, and it will not explode on its own.

However, from this perspective, Xue Laoer, Zhang Hong, Wu Xingye and others are all reliable people, and Xue Laoer's vision is indeed good.

"The action on the other side has begun. The entire army is checking weapons and preparing to meet the enemy!" Zhou Shixian immediately put down his "telescope" and shouted.
Chapter completed!