Miuhe Town is located thirty miles east of Meng County. It borders Wen County to the east and the Yellow River to the south. Because there is a "Jihe River" flowing three miles east of the town, it is called Miuhe Town.
The Miu River, also known as Miu River, "Jishui", is one of the famous "Four Rivers" in Chinese history. The four rivers are the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Huaihe River, and the Miu River.
The main reason why the Miu River is as famous as those three great rivers is because it twists and turns for thousands of miles and finally flows into the sea. What is even more amazing is that after meeting the Yellow River, the Miu River dives underground and does not join the flow of turbid water.
In ancient China, intellectuals with high moral character and no desire for glory were usually called "clear streams". "The vast seas in the distant dynasties are unobstructed, and the Yellow River is not muddy when it crosses it." It can be said that it has been China's moral model for thousands of years.
Zhang Cheng and Yang Liying were the second wave of people to cross the Yellow River. The place where they disembarked was the famous Mianhe Town, which has always been a prosperous water transport terminal and an important port for Mengjin Ferry.
The Pier of Mianhe Town is the distribution center for goods from North Zhili, Shandong, Shanxi, and Shaanxi provinces. It is home to many merchants and has hundreds of shops. There are more than 100 Dake shops alone, and there are even 20 or 30 shops.
Gambling houses and exchange houses, trade was extremely prosperous.
Although it has been affected by disasters in Henan in recent years, it is still much more prosperous than other places in Henan. After all, across the vast and vigorous Yellow River, intruders can't make trouble on the north bank for a while.
Not only is business flourishing here, but there is also singing and dancing as usual. It feels like a peaceful and prosperous time, without any trace of the desolation and dilapidation of the south bank.
The water source of the Miu River is abundant, and the area where it flows is also fertile. Although the drought is severe and the locust god is raging, it is still stronger than elsewhere. What's more, the business here is prosperous, and there are many people doing work and lifting feet. It is not
It all depends on digging in the soil for food.
Only after Zhang Cheng and Yang Liying got off the barge, Lin Fangping hurriedly came up to report: "Commander, General Zhang Guodong has led the battalion eastward past Wenxian County and is heading towards Wuxian. General Zhang Guangda is stationed in Wenxian County.
, waiting for the commander's military order.
Also, the Governor of Henan, Mr. Li Xianfeng, has led the troops of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Chen Yongfu to Meng County. When he learned that the commander-in-chief was also coming to the north bank, he sent a letter to invite the commander-in-chief to pass through Meng County to discuss the plan to regain Luoyang!"
Zhang Cheng thought for a while and said, "Tell the messenger that my saddle and horse are tired and I cannot go to Meng County for the time being. I have to rest and recuperate in Mianhe Town."
Lin Fangping hesitated for a moment after hearing this, but seeing that Zhang Cheng's eyes had turned elsewhere, he had no choice but to turn around and pass on the message.
Yang Liying was wearing a bright red woolen cloak with white edges and holding a very delicate small copper charcoal stove in her hand. She came to Zhang Cheng and said softly: "The governor has summoned you, are you really not going to go?"
"Oh, Governor? I'm afraid it won't be the case in a while!"
“Brother Cheng, it’s not long before Li Xianfeng takes the position of governor?”
"Hmm. If you think about it, first of all, he made poor arrangements and failed to rescue Luoyang. In addition, coupled with the crime of losing the feudal state, I am afraid that the Tiqi from the capital is already on the way."
"Ah. If so, will Brother Cheng..."
"Haha, Li Mei, there is no need to worry. Now that the country is in trouble, a good general is in need. The court and the emperor are using me at this time. They will not criticize me too harshly. It is nothing more than whipping a slow ox. As long as I achieve more military exploits, the rewards will come soon.
.”
Zhang Cheng paused for a moment when he said this. He stretched out his hand to help Yang Liying tighten her collar and said: "It's cold, don't let the cold wind blow you."
He then added: "After I defeat the intruder, I will help Li Mei fight for her life."
A flash of light flashed in Yang Liying's eyes, and she pouted her lips and said slightly stubbornly: "Humph, I want to be a general myself, and I don't want your help!"
…………
Mianhe Town is indeed prosperous. Even in the cold winter, there are still a lot of people. Zhang Cheng and Yang Liying led Chuni and the two guards around for a while, and then returned to the hotel where they stayed.
There were nearly 200 people in their party, including a carriage and more than 300 horses and mules. They directly booked three hotels in a row. Zhang Cheng and Yang Liying stayed in the middle hotel. Chunni, Chunxue and the two
Ten female soldiers all live in this store.
Lin Fangping led more than 70 mounted guards to stay in the inn on the left, and the remaining guards stayed in the inn on the right with Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai's boy scouts.
Lin Fangping made arrangements to keep watch on everything, and then came to Zhang Cheng's place to have dinner together. Since the entire inn was booked, there were no outsiders to disturb them. Although the female soldiers were chirping, they only added to the excitement.
, does not seem noisy.
After dinner, Zhang Cheng summoned everyone to the small hall on the second floor of the inn to discuss matters. Yang Liying did not need to avoid suspicion and sat directly next to Zhang Cheng. At this time, she also changed into a military uniform and wore a plain tight-fitting dress.
Outfit.
The two little girls Chun Ni and Chun Xue were also dressed in the same way and sat at the lower end of Yang Liying's side. Lin Fangping, Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai sat at the lower end of Zhang Cheng's side.
Zhang Chengfang first said softly: "Father, when Jin Tailin and I boarded the ship, President Chen Qian sent someone to deliver a military report as a gift."
After saying that, he handed a lacquer-sealed letter to Zhang Cheng. After he opened it and read it, he handed the letter to Yang Liying and said: "The thieves defeated the fierce tiger in Kaixian County, Sichuan, broke through the heavy siege of Yangge Ministry, and have come out.
to Sichuan.”
After hearing this, Lin Fangping said: "If the thief escapes from Sichuan, will he become one with the intruder?"
He continued worriedly: "Nowadays, Henan is full of hungry people. It is difficult to control just one intruder. If the thieves are sacrificed and Cao thieves enter Henan again, it will be even more difficult to subdue them."
"Ha ha!"
Zhang Cheng laughed when he heard this, and said: "If you offer a thief, Cao thief will also come to Yu Province to join in the fun, which is a good thing for us."
He went on to say: "Everyone knows that the hungry people in Henan have reached the point of exchanging children for food. Li Chuang's rebels gathered tens of thousands of soldiers and horses in Luoyang alone. If they continue to dominate the land of Henan Province, they may even gather together
Raising a crowd of millions is not impossible.
At that time, what will we fight against?"
Zhang Cheng said this, paused, and then said: "But if Cao Cao's thieves come to Henan Province to cause trouble, then these millions of hungry people will be divided into three groups. Although they sometimes fight in harmony with each other, in the end
It is difficult to form one group, and sooner or later they will separate and plunder again due to profit motivation.
If this is the case, it will be beneficial to me and we can divide and conquer!"
Zhang Chengfang interrupted at this time and asked: "Does the commander-in-chief think that Xian Tie, Cao Tie, will come to Henan this time to get involved?"
Before Zhang Cheng could say anything, Yang Liying beside him said: "I guess Xian Thief and Cao Thief will not come to Henan, at least not for now."
Everyone's eyes suddenly focused on Yang Liying, and Zhang Cheng also asked: "Can Madam be so sure?"
"ha!"
Yang Liying blinked and said playfully: "Is the commander testing me?"
She continued: "Although I don't know the Xian thief and the Cao thief, when I was at home, I saw the stories about them in the official residence documents. Combined with the rumors among the people, it can be seen that during the more than ten years of siege and suppression by the government and army,
Surviving is definitely not a kind thing.
In particular, this thief has a heroic attitude. How could he not know that there is no room for two tigers in a mountain? If it was not the only choice, he would not easily enter Henan and join Li Chuang's command.
I don’t know if what I said is correct, so I would like to ask the commander-in-chief to give me some advice!”
Zhang Cheng raised his hand and touched his smooth chin, and said with admiration: "Madam, you have unique insights, I really admire you."