In the camp of Zhang Cheng's army outside Tao's store, Su Zhuang did not sleep well that night. He suddenly dreamed that he led an army back to rescue Kaifeng and drove away the intruders. Not only was he welcomed by the people of the city, but the king of Zhou was also a thousand years old.
He personally submitted a letter to the court to promote him to a higher rank.
But what follows is a dream about the city of Kaifeng being destroyed and the king of Zhou being executed. Because he did not die when the city was destroyed, he was considered by the court to be running away to avoid trouble, and was punished by his entire family.
In his sleep, he sometimes laughed strangely, sometimes screamed and screamed. Before the fifth watch, he woke up in a cold sweat. He had no intention of sleeping anymore. He finally looked forward to the daylight, so he hurriedly came to see Zhang Cheng, but...
If you are blocked outside the tent, you are not allowed to enter.
Although he was anxious in his heart, he was also helpless. He paced around the camp and said bitterly: "You Zhang Cheng, you lead the army into battle, how dare you take a concubine privately? I won't join you... I won't join you."
...I will not kill you...I..."
No matter how annoyed Su Zhuang was, there was nothing he could do against Zhang Cheng. After all, he still had requests from Zhang Cheng. As the saying goes, how could one not bow his head when he was under the roof?
It wasn't until Chenshi had breakfast that Su Zhuang finally saw Zhang Cheng. He asked anxiously: "Commander Zhang, why are there no signs of troops breaking out of camp today? Is it possible that they are afraid of the traitors and dare not rescue Kaifeng?"
"
"Ha ha!"
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "Master Su, your method of stimulating generals will not work on me."
He went on to say: "My lord, please enjoy your meal in peace. I still have a supply of troops and a fighting force under my command. It will take today for all of them to cross the river. What's more, there are still a lot of gunpowder and lead on the north bank. The army is far from being assembled. All troops are ready."
Don't attack the thief easily.
Now, the thieves have not discovered us yet, or maybe they have discovered us, but have not paid attention to them. In that case, let's recharge our batteries first, or wait for Mr. Chen from the Beijing Camp, who will also cross the Henan Province tomorrow.
.”
Su Zhuang said: "We can wait, but we are afraid that the intruders will not be able to wait. If the city of Kaifeng is destroyed and Zhang Shuai leads his army close at hand, but loses the important territory of the vassal, can you afford it?"
Or if bandits attack the city and disturb His Royal Highness the King of Zhou, and the prince blames him, how will you handle it?"
There was no emotion on Zhang Cheng's face. He picked up a piece of meat and put it into his mouth, chewing it carefully. After a moment, he said: "If Kaifeng is like Luoyang, it breaks down overnight, which means that His Royal Highness the King of Zhou in the city, along with those who
The officers, generals and civilians have no intention of guarding the city, so why should I save it?"
His words were so disobedient that Su Zhuang's eyes widened, his mouth opened wide, and he was speechless for a moment.
Zhang Cheng continued: "There are nearly a million soldiers and civilians in Kaifeng City. If they are organized properly and the city is tall and thick, why should we fear tens of thousands of thieves outside the city? Let alone one or two days, there will be no problem even if we hold on for ten months."
.
But if the king of Zhou is as stingy as King Fu, and the officials are greedy and turn the people's hearts against them, if I, Zhang Cheng, can save today, can I also save tomorrow?"
He stared at Su Zhuang and said: "If His Royal Highness the King of Zhou is to blame, it is also to blame you and other officials in Henan Province. The officials in Kaifeng are unable to do their jobs, prevaricating, arguing with each other, and failing to cooperate well.
What do they have to do with me, the soldiers who came from other provinces to suppress the foreign troops?"
Su Zhuang was speechless by Zhang Cheng. He was dumbfounded and couldn't figure out how Zhang Cheng could change so easily.
Didn't we make good promises yesterday, and today we sent troops to Kaifeng City? After just one night's sleep, why did it change?
He opened his mouth and murmured: "This...this...such rebellious...words...Zhang Shuai, you...you...how can you say it..."
Zhang Cheng was almost finished eating at this time. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and said: "Master Su, I admire you for going out of the city to ask for help at the risk of swordsmanship. However, the army has its own rules for going to war. The walls of Kaifeng are high, thick and strong.
There are hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the city.
There is no problem in holding on for ten months. Now that the traitors have not yet explored the location of our army, we can wait for them to attack the city with all their strength. When the troops are exhausted, I will gather with Chen Jiugao's troops from the Beijing camp and kill them together.
I will definitely be able to win all the victories in one battle."
As he spoke, he stood up, walked to Su Zhuang, and said: "Master Su risked his life to go out of the city to beg for help. I will definitely ask for your reward in front of His Highness the King of Zhou. However, the war is fierce and dangerous, Master Su cannot do it."
It’s urgent, we have to wait for one more day.”
Su Zhuang was about to speak when he heard Zhang Cheng say again: "I have something to trouble Mr. Su. Please write a letter. I will send someone to Kaifeng City, so that His Highness the King of Zhou can feel at ease and everyone in the city can be informed."
The ministers and ministers of Xinjiang are at ease."
"If you please, Zhang Shuai will send out a bodyguard. I will return to the city in person and tell His Highness the King of Zhou about Zhang Shuai's heart."
"hey-hey……"
Zhang Cheng said with an evil smile: "There are so many thieves outside the city that it is difficult to sneak into the city silently. This trip is dangerous. Master Su should not go there in person. He will stay with my army for the time being until he marches to fight the thieves tomorrow."
, let’s make great achievements in front of the battle with this commander.”
When Su Zhuang saw Zhang Cheng talking like this, he also knew that it was all true. There were thieves patrolling outside Kaifeng City. What's more, the meaning of Zhang Cheng's words was very obvious. He would never let him return to the city at this time.
See the King of Zhou and all the officials.
He had no choice but to return to his military tent and write a letter to Gao Mingheng and Liang Bing, informing them that Taojiadian was indeed Zhang Cheng's army in Xuanzang, and that soldiers and horses from Chen Jiugao's troops in the Beijing camp would also cross the river to the south.
As long as Gao Mingheng and Liang Bing stick to Kaifeng for three to five days, after the army here is gathered together, they can go to rescue Kaifeng and fight against the intruders.
…………
It was only after noon that the bandit soldiers outside Kaifeng City lined up to leave the camp, and the newly built ladders were pushed forward, preparing to attack Kaifeng City.
Excluding the bandits sent to the other three sides and the reserve troops under Liu Zongmin, Li Zicheng still had more than 12,000 troops at the west gate of Kaifeng, and less than 20,000 hungry people.
There are about 3,000 thieves lined up now, and Li Zicheng has not committed all his troops at once. He still wants to test the situation of the city defense, as well as the fighting strength and fighting spirit of the soldiers and civilians on the city wall, and then decide on the next step of the fight.
.
Thousands of hungry people were also driven forward. Most of them had empty hands. Only a small number of them held tools such as hooks and shovels. They all had skinny faces, thin clothes, and were shivering in the cold wind.
.
Li Zicheng was still dressed as usual, wearing a red felt hat and riding his horse in front of the rebel army. Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, Li Yan, Li Shuangxi and others were beside him, looking at the majestic Kaifeng city not far away.
Young generals Zhang Nai and Bai Wang galloped over on horseback and announced loudly: "Report to King Chuang that the siege army has been assembled. Please order King Chuang to attack the city."
"Go ahead and use the city gate as the boundary. Xiao Naozi will be in charge of the north side and Bai Wang will be in charge of the south side."
After receiving the order, Zhang Nai waved his hand, and the dozen or so riders who followed behind him galloped toward the west gate of Kaifeng.