In the Zhougong Temple in the west of Luoyang City, Chuang King Li Zicheng had just finished his lunch. Since the capture of Luoyang City, various affairs had been complicated. Although the generals had a clear division of labor and performed their respective responsibilities, he still felt that there were too few available people under his command.
In particular, there is an even greater shortage of talents for civil administration.
It was not until today that the interrogation of the officials in Luoyang City came to an end. Those who had serious complaints from the people were beheaded in front of the Zhougong Temple. Li Shuangxi assisted Niu Jinxing in handling all the inspections.
Only then did he free up time to deal with some other military affairs. It was only at this time that Gu Dacheng had the opportunity to report to him how Yanshi was recaptured by the army. Li Zicheng was not too concerned about the loss of Yanshi.
But the official army that Gu Dacheng mentioned caught his attention. Although the army under his command was not good at defending the city, he was quite surprised that it was captured by that official army in less than half a day.
Moreover, according to what Gu Dacheng said, the army was highly disciplined, well-equipped with armor, and extremely efficient in combat. Its command and dispatch methods were different from those of the local army in Henan, especially in that the army used a high proportion of firecrackers.
"Who is Zhang Cheng?"
Li Zicheng muttered to himself the name he had just heard, and turned to look at the people around him. Everyone shook their heads to express that they did not recognize this person. When he looked at Song Xiance and Li Yan,
I saw a smile on Song Xiance's lips.
Li Zicheng then asked: "Master Li, do Mr. Niu and the military advisor know the origin of this person?"
Although King Chuang asked Li Yan first, Li Yan was unwilling to speak first because he understood that Niu Jinxing was already in the position of King Chuang's "guest mentor" in the Chuang army.
Song Xiance was originally recommended by Niu Jinxing, so he avoided the rabbit and "crossed" to the front of Niu Jinxing. The two of them only looked at Niu Jinxing, indicating that he would be the first to speak.
Niu Jinxing did not refuse, only listened to him say: "As far as I know, there is a young general in Xuan Town, his name is Zhang Cheng. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the Tatars invaded the capital. This man once went to the capital to be King Qin and followed the governor Lu Xiangsheng.
Fight against a giant deer.
After Lu Xiangsheng died in the battle, this man led hundreds of cavalry to break out. Later, he followed the new governor of Xuanda, Chen Xinjia, and Sun Chuanting to intercept and kill the returning Tatars in Jibei. He once attacked the slave camp at night and killed the slave chief Ma Zhan and Yue.
Trust.
Because his military merits were far greater than those of other generals, Emperor Chongzhen personally named him the best among the three armies. According to what General Yi Gu said, it is true that he was the one who led the army to attack Yanshi!"
Li Zicheng did not comment, but looked at Li Yan and Song Xiance, and said, "Do you know anything about Mr. Li and the military advisor about Zhang Cheng?"
Li Yan had kept a relatively low profile since he joined the army. At this time, he looked at Song Xiance and asked him to speak first.
Song Xiance gently stroked the few beards on his chin and said: "When I was in Kaifeng, I also heard that during the eleventh year of Chongzhen, there was a young general who was the nephew of Zhang Yan, the general of the Xuanfu. He followed the army to the capital, King Qin.
Fight the Tatars all the way.
After the Battle of Julu, Governor Lu Xiangsheng and his uncle Zhang Yan were both killed in the battle, but the son was able to break through with hundreds of cavalry, and then attacked the prison camp at night in Jibei, killing the slave chiefs Ma Zhan and Yue Tuo. Their names seemed to match.
Yes, I’m just not sure if it’s this Zhang Cheng!”
Li Zicheng still looked at Li Yan and asked: "Master Li, can you add anything?"
Only then did Li Yan speak up: "There were a lot of rumors about the incident of Zhang Cheng in Xuanzang, mainly about the arrow shooting of Dorgon, the bloody battle with the huge deer, and the beheading of Ma Zhan. Yue Tuo was the most popular.
I have also seen on the imperial palace that this person was a Qianzong military officer when he first joined the Wei Qinwang Dynasty. Because of his deeds, there were many rumors and people paid a lot of attention to them. After Zhang Cheng returned to the Xuan Mansion,
He left Zhenbei Road with a guerrilla military position.
As far as I know, this person is also extremely domineering on the North Road. With the governor's connivance, he has tried his best to suppress the local military leaders. He was promoted to the rank of staff general a few months ago and has more than 5,000 newly recruited officers and soldiers under his command.
I don’t know what the combat power of this department is!”
Liu Zongmin suddenly said: "Never mind him, we don't have the time or energy to deal with him now. No matter how strong the officers and soldiers are, what can we do? Cao Wenzhao's uncle and nephew, such as He Madman, Zuo Liangyu and others, are not also known as
Even if we have a strong army, we can’t even defeat it!"
Li Zicheng also smiled at this time and said: "Well, so to speak, this letter is indeed a bit unusual. It was reported that the imperial court transferred Xuanzhen, and an army and horse from each of the Beijing camps came to Henan to assist us. I guess
It’s Zhang Cheng’s team.
Jiexuan is right, in the ten years since our uprising, we have never been able to defeat any kind of fierce generals and strong armies, nor have we ever been afraid of them!
However, there were reports from sentry posts in Yanshi that there were seven to eight thousand officers and soldiers. Previously, Li Jiyu's troops in Dengfeng were defeated by this army and were recaptured. We should not take it too lightly, and we still need to strengthen our control.
The inspection of this official army must keep track of its military strength and movements at all times."
Everyone agreed with King Chuang's words, and Liu Zongmin said even more enthusiastically: "When Li Ji met this guy, he sent someone over to express his submission, but why did he turn around and join the army? Huh, if this guy is guilty of this crime,
In my hands, he will definitely look good!"
Next, everyone discussed some matters such as recruiting brave soldiers and providing relief, and then had dinner together in the Zhougong Temple. During the dinner, they even agreed to hold a wedding ceremony for Li Yan and the Red Lady in two days.
…………
Lanterns were hung high in the Yangjia Louzhai. Yang Shibin held a banquet in the main hall of the central hall to entertain Zhang Cheng, Chen Zhong and Lin Fangping. He also called his clan brother Yang Shili and clan brother Yang Shijie to accompany them.
Yang Shili is in his forties, and is usually responsible for managing the Yang family's farms in various places. Yang Shijie is less than thirty years old, and he is very powerful. He is the leader of the Yang family villagers and is responsible for the Yang family village.
Defense and security matters.
Yang Shili was old-fashioned, reserved and didn't talk much, and he was very well-behaved when accompanying people at banquets, while Yang Shijie was much more lively. He was a little reserved in front of Zhang Cheng, but he kept chatting with Chen Zhong and seemed to be very familiar with him.
Yang Shibin had previously told Yang Shili and Yang Shijie brothers about the weapons and cannons that Zhang Cheng was going to give as gifts. When they heard about it, they were overjoyed and went out, and the dinner became even more enthusiastic.
But Yang Shibin had more plans in mind. Although he chatted enthusiastically with Zhang Cheng and kept toasting, he was always thinking about how to say it!
After seeing the combat power of Chen Zhong's cavalry some time ago, and hearing that they were under the command of Zhang Cheng in Xuanzang, who was the best among the three armies, he tried his best to win over Chen Zhong. His purpose was obvious, which was to fight in these troubled times.
Grab yourself the ever-strong foreign aid.
After three drinks and five dishes, when everyone was drunk, Yang Liying led two little maids in tight-fitting jackets with swords on their waists into the hall.
She was still dressed as she was during the day. Under the candlelight, Yang Liying, who was wearing a red jacket, looked even more fair and tender. Her tall figure, proudly erect chest, and heroic face made her even more radiant.
Yang Liying came directly to Zhang Cheng, cupped her fists and said: "General Zhang, I'm here to offer you a bowl of wine and thank you for giving me the two handguns!"