After resting for a day outside Jinan City, Liu Ruyi waved his hand early the next morning, and more than 50,000 colored stone troops strode westward into the Central Plains!
However, this time, although it was the largest expedition since the formation of the Caishi Army, Liu Ruyi did not hold a grand troop dispatching ceremony. There were no flowers and no applause. Instead, there was only the biting cold wind and scattered snowflakes!
This is not because Liu Ruyi does not want to hold a troop dispatching ceremony to boost military morale, but because in the past few days, Luoyang has sent several urgent letters asking for help, hoping that reinforcements from the Caishi Army can arrive in Luoyang as soon as possible to help!
History has quietly changed. Under the strong pressure of Liu Ruyi's Caishi Army, Li Zicheng is no longer as stubborn as in history. In less than ten days, the refugee army has launched an attack on Luoyang City.
Three large-scale charges!
Fortunately, the weather was bad at this time, the wind and sand were extremely strong, and the defenders of Luoyang City fought tooth and nail to fight the enemy, and they were able to barely save the city!
However, if the situation continues like this, it will only be a matter of time before Luoyang City falls. Whether it can survive the New Year is still unknown!
After all, the refugee army is in full swing at this time, but the city of Luoyang is in a state of chaos!
There is not much time left for Liu Ruyi!
However, at this time, from a strategic perspective, Luoyang City's position is actually very embarrassing!
As a result, western Henan and southern Henan have been completely lost and have fallen into the sphere of influence of the refugee army. However, the imperial court's reinforcements from Shaanxi and Shanxi have been defeated in consecutive battles and have no ability to affect the battle situation in Luoyang!
Secondly, Liu Ruyi's Caishi Army has just expanded its army. Although the number seems to be much larger, the military capacity is not stable enough. How much combat power it can have is still unknown!
Furthermore, Li Zicheng attacked the city like crazy, but Liu Ruyi's Caishi Army was all infantry with limited maneuverability and could not quickly support the battlefield. If the reinforcements had not arrived yet, Luoyang City had already been occupied by the refugee army.
Capture, this will add new variables to this battle!
But the matter has come to this, the die is done, and Liu Ruyi has no choice but to grit her teeth and keep going!
After all, Luoyang City is a watershed. If the refugee army is the first to capture it, their power will rapidly expand several times. By then, even Liu Ruyi, if he wants to confront the refugee army again, he must carefully
Weigh!
On the other hand, if the refugee army cannot take Luoyang City, then they are just a refugee army, a rabble. Liu Ruyi is confident enough to kill Li Zicheng in the cradle!
At this time, everything is focused on time!
Whoever can make progress first will have priority in this war and take the initiative in the war!
~~~~~~
The 50,000-strong army stretches for more than ten miles. The bright red mandarin duck jackets worn by the soldiers rustle with the cold wind. Looking down from a high place, they look like a fiery red and huge dragon, rushing westward!
In the middle of the team, there is a group of people who are incompatible with the rigidity and uniformity of the army!
There were not many of them, probably less than a hundred people, and they only had a few dozen horses. Under each horse, there were two tall and strong servants serving them.
"Ah sneeze~! This damn weather is really going to freeze to death? Lao Zhang, you fat boy, are you trying to trick us? Ah! If this continues, I won't even get to Luoyang yet.
I'm going to be fucked by an air-dried adult!" Li Xuan wrapped his fur jacket tightly and pushed the fur hat on his head to the lowest position, only exposing his two eyes. But even so, he still endured a gust of cold wind.
He couldn't help but sneeze, snot, and saliva all sprayed on his face. He couldn't help but curse Zhang Laocai beside him, even using the dialect he had just learned from his Cantonese concubine.
However, Zhang Laocai was very self-aware and said to Li Xuan with a smile: "Master Li, if you want to make money, you have to pay a price! I am not asking you to go to war, so don't worry! We, the sons of Caishi Army, will definitely do it." Guard Mr. Li thoroughly!"
"Bah! Lao Zhang, do I seem to be such a person who is afraid of death? Don't forget, ah~~ah sneeze! Master, my ancestor was a great hero who followed Taizu to conquer the world!" After all, he is a man, In this environment, when someone said he was afraid of death, Li Xuan couldn't help but retort loudly.
However, he looked like this, his body was obviously drained by alcohol and sex. Even if he had been riding on a horse, it would be difficult for him to withstand the high-intensity marching speed in such bad weather!
"Haha! Mr. Li is right, but I, Mr. Zhang, am confused!" Zhang Laocai didn't have a good way to deal with this man. He had been scolded by him countless times along the way, and Zhang Laocai was also a little bit confused. I was used to it, so I quickly followed Li Xuan's words and flattered him, hoping to dispel his anger!
Li Xuan sniffed hard and held the horse's rein tightly. He was not stupid. In this kind of weather, if he fell under the horse and fell, his life would be in danger. Go more than half!
"Hey! Lao Zhang! What's the attitude of the Duke of Guo! I'm so proud of myself. Whatever the Duke of Guo wants, I will do it! But how come it has been three or four days and the Duke of Guo hasn't shown up yet? "Li Xuan hurriedly dismounted his horse to a position level with Zhang Laocai, lowered his voice and asked Zhang Laocai.
Zhang Laocai glanced at Li Xuan and smiled mysteriously, "Master Li, I, Lao Zhang, don't agree with this matter! However, what Mr. Guo said has always been a golden rule! What did he say? That’s it! Don’t worry, Mr. Li! When we get to Luoyang City, just wait and see that idiot Li Zicheng being severely punished by the sons of our Colored Stone Army!"
At this time, more than a dozen gentry around him also gathered around Zhang Laocai.
"Master Zhang, the weather is so bad, and the brothers are working hard! Why don't you come forward and report to the Duke to ask the brothers to stop and take a good rest!"
"Yes! Yes! It's time to take a good rest! These days, the old man's body is about to fall apart!"
"Master Zhang, don't worry, we will pay for the money the brothers spent, okay?" It was Ma Deqiang who said this!
This time, these dozens of wealthy gentry and wealthy businessmen are the first die-hard followers to respond to Liu Ruyi!
In order to show his favor and to allow them to personally experience the combat effectiveness of the Colored Stone Army and the actual situation in the Central Plains region, Liu Ruyi allowed them to accompany the army, just like the "battlefield tour group" of later generations, through his own eyes, Find business opportunities from this war!
It's just that most of these wealthy gentry and wealthy businessmen are delicate and well-dressed. At first, they were all very excited. After all, what an honor it would be to see the battle between the Duke and the Caishi Army with their own eyes! I'm afraid it will give them something to brag about to their descendants for decades!
But the reality is cruel. Such harsh weather and high-intensity marching speed are really too much for their bodies and bones!
In three days, the army has traveled 450 miles, and now it has entered the capital, less than a hundred miles away from Henan!
Along the way, I only rested for less than eight hours!
If this continues, I'm afraid we'll be able to reach Luoyang City in just a few days!
Zhang Laocai was also physically and mentally exhausted at this time. However, in recent years, he has been running between Jinan City, Caishi Town and Andongwei. His endurance is better than that of these wealthy gentry who have been huddled in their respective territories at home all year round.
They are better!
But at this time, the Duke of Guo did not say anything. How could Zhang Laocai dare to discuss the army's itinerary?
You must know that in the Caishi Army, military orders are overwhelming. The only person with the right to mobilize troops is Liu Ruyi himself, that is, Huo Lang. Senior generals such as Chun Wa would never think of anything without Liu Ruyi's orders.
Mobilize every soldier of the Colored Stone Army!
Otherwise, it would be a serious crime of beheading and confiscating your home!
"Everyone, gentlemen, the Duke of Guo must have already arranged this matter! How dare we discuss it? You can just wait for the call of the Duke of Guo with peace of mind!" Zhang Laocai bowed to everyone repeatedly. This big man
The job of a housekeeper may seem like a great job, but it’s actually not easy to do!
Everyone was still about to say something, but at this time, several horses galloped in front of them, and a leading soldier, Qian Hu, said: "Dear distinguished guests, the Duke of the country has a treat in front of you!"
Everyone couldn't help but feel as if they had received an amnesty, and they all rushed towards the front of the team regardless of the fatigue of the journey!
~~~~~~
At this time, the sky was slightly dark, and the army had entered the territory of Dongming (later Dongming County, Heze City, Shandong Province), only one step away from Henan!
Liu Ruyi ordered the army to camp on the spot. By the way, he also met these loyal gentry and wealthy businessmen!
"My lord, this old man has finally met you! If you continue like this, all the bones in this old man's body will fall apart!"
"Master Guo, can we, can we walk slower! Our bodies are not as good as those of soldiers! This will cost lives!"
"…………"
When everyone saw Liu Ruyi, they couldn't help but complain, they were extremely pitiful!
"Haha! Everyone has worked hard, and Ruyi understands your mood! However, the war ahead is urgent, and Ruyi can't help it! You are all Ruyi's close relatives, and Ruyi has no choice but to do so!" Liu Ruyi smiled and handed over to everyone.
road.
"The Grand Duke is working hard, and I feel the same for you! It's a pity that my body is so weak! If I could be a few years younger, I would definitely join the Colored Stone Army and fight for the Grand Duke.
The pawn of the past!"
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but look sideways, and they were all surprised. At this moment, who else could actually make such a disgusting flattery?
Liu Ruyi was also startled. She looked back and saw Ma Deqiang who was bursting into tears!
"Oh~~! Isn't this a pony? You're here too! Haha! Not bad, very good!" Liu Ruyi walked to Ma Deqiang with a smile and patted him on the shoulder.
Ma Deqiang was immediately flattered!
Although he is a cook, he has a multifaceted mind. When he saw everyone complaining to the Duke of Guo, he did the opposite, hoping to attract the attention of the Duke of Guo!
After all, compared with the wealthy gentry and businessmen around him, Ma Deqiang is far from being a person!