After several years of leisure, he suddenly had to lead troops to fight again, and also to suppress a rebellion. This was indeed something Zhou Chen did not expect.
He also knew something about this rebel leader who proclaimed himself the 'Emperor Zhaode'. He was the leader of the rebel army in the south and was considered a relatively powerful rebel in the Song Dynasty.
In fact, in the official history, during the reign of Song Renzong, there was also this Emperor Zhaode named Nong Zhigao.
In fact, Emperor Zhaode was not an ambitious and righteous leader of the rebel army. After he rose up against the Song Dynasty, he wanted to join the Song Dynasty, but he did not get permission and had to continue to fight against the Song Dynasty.
But in the official history, Emperor Zhaode was wiped out and killed by Di Xianggong a long time ago.
Do you know that the world is an imaginary world after all, so although Emperor Zhaode, the leader of the Nong thieves, was wiped out once by Di Qing, Nong Zhigao did not die. In recent years, he has resurrected and started to rebel again.
Song Dynasty, and its momentum was not small. Many places in the south were persecuted by Nong bandits.
The court and officials couldn't bear it anymore, so they sent him to lead troops to suppress the bandits.
There are many noble generals in the imperial court today, but not many of them have experience in leading an army alone. Zhou Chen, as a general who rarely has representative battles, is also a Zhongjing Marquis, and has enough experience in leading an army alone.
, so the officials asked him to serve as the commander-in-chief of this rebellion.
However, the officials only told him in advance that the official imperial edict had not yet been issued, and even if they wanted to go south to quell the rebellion, they would not go immediately.
Whether it is preparation before the war or mobilizing the army, it takes time. According to the efficiency of the Song Dynasty, it is almost impossible to set off the army without half a month.
When Zhou Chen went back and informed Hualan that he was going to lead the army to suppress the rebellion, Hualan became nervous.
"Is it dangerous?"
For Hualan, what she cares about most is not whether Zhou Chen can perform meritorious service, but she is worried that Zhou Chen will be in danger.
Zhou Chen gently stroked her smooth cheek and said softly: "They are just a group of rebels who cannot stand up to the stage. I can even defeat the Xixia army. There is no danger in dealing with these rabble. Madam, you really don't have to
Worry."
He really didn't take Emperor Zhaode's Nong bandits seriously. Compared with the well-equipped Xixia elites, most of Nong bandits' soldiers were farmers who couldn't survive, as well as some lawless people, green forest bandits and the like.
The noise caused by these people seemed to be quite large, but it was entirely because of the internal problems of the Song Dynasty. The local army was really overwhelmed, which made them even more arrogant.
Zhou Chen had led troops in battles for many years and had been an emperor. He was very aware of the problems of the Song Dynasty. It looked like there were more than one million troops, but in fact, eight or nine hundred thousand was considered too much, and there was really no war.
For those who are strong, it is estimated that some of them will be reduced.
These capable troops are either guarding the border or guarding the capital. The combat effectiveness of the local Xiang army is estimated to be not much better than that of the peasant army armed with sickles and hoes.
Such a rebel would have been destroyed long ago if it had been a strong imperial court.
But in the Song Dynasty, all this is not surprising. Looking at the rebel thieves in the history of the Song Dynasty, the Liangshan gang in Water Margin could make trouble for so long. You can imagine how cowardly the Song Dynasty was.
Zhou Chen felt that sending him over to such a traitor was simply killing a chicken with a sledgehammer and overkilling him with his talents.
Hualan held Zhou Chen's hand tightly and said tremblingly: "But I'm still worried."
Zhou Chen kissed her gently on the forehead and comforted in a low voice: "Your officials are ferocious gods of murder in the eyes of Xixia people. For a god of murder like me, it is not easy to wipe out those rebels, let alone this."
This is the first time to suppress bandits. As the commander-in-chief, I basically don’t have to kill the enemy myself, so you don’t have to worry.”
"Really?"
"certainly."
Zhou Chen answered in the affirmative, and Hua Lan's expression relaxed.
"Sir, I know that I may put a burden on you, but when I think of you going to the battlefield, I really can't control my random thoughts."
"It doesn't matter, it means you love me very much in your heart. If you didn't love me, how could you be so worried? With you like this, it's too late for me to be happy, so how can I be burdened? You, don't think about it, just stay at home
Just wait for my triumphant return."
Hualan leaned on Zhou Chen's chest, listening to Zhou Chen's heartbeat, and said with peace of mind: "Well, I will wait for the officer to return safely."
Suddenly he hugged Princess Hualan.
"I don't know when we will leave yet, but I won't be able to see you for at least a few months after I leave. Before that, please let me take good care of my wife."
"Ah, no, no, it's still daytime."
"It's more interesting during the day."
"I, the official, um..."
The green cicada outside the door had a rosy face and hurriedly dispersed the people in the courtyard to prevent others from approaching, while she guarded the door.
I don't know how long it took, but the door was opened. Cui Chan just had time to call out "Master Hou", and then she was picked up by Zhou Chen.
"Your Marquis is very fair and will never forget you."
"Master Hou..."
Cuichan's body softened instantly. What she loved most was the Lord Marquis's domineering power. Under Zhou Chen's training, she had made rapid progress...
In the past two or three days, Hua Lan and Cui Chan's faces were very good, as moist as if they could drip water. Zhou Chen was also very energetic. They were about to leave. This pair of master and servant really served him wholeheartedly.
He enjoyed great happiness.
But he didn't know that just these two or three days had made Hua Lan more determined to have a concubine for Zhou Chen. Otherwise, if she did this every day, even if she had Cui Chan to help, she wouldn't be able to withstand it.
In the past few days, the officials officially issued a decree, making Zhou Chen, the Marquis of Zhongjing, the commander-in-chief of the troops going south to suppress the rebels. He was not assigned a civilian supervisor to oversee the army, which was relatively rare.
However, he only led the left wing dragon guard army, which numbered only ten thousand. In addition, he could call the local Xiang army according to his will, and the local Xiang army must cooperate.
As one of the most elite upper four armies of the Song Dynasty, the Dragon Guard Army has a different combat capability, but its weapons and equipment are well-equipped, so even if there are only 10,000 people, it is enough for Zhou Chen.
Everyone in the Dragon Guard Army was very excited. After all, there were very few opportunities to make achievements among the Forbidden Army. This time going south to put down the rebellion was a good opportunity to make achievements.
Therefore, except for a few people who are greedy for life and fear death, most people are looking forward to it. After all, their commander-in-chief this time is the invincible Marquis Zhongjing.
Zhou Chen was quite speechless about the rumors circulating among the Long Guard that he was invincible. He had only stayed on the border for a few years in total, and had participated in very few battles. Although he had never been defeated, he said he was invincible.
, which is indeed exaggerated.
But he didn't say anything. The morale of the whole army was high, which was a good thing.
Now the whole army is cooperating with the Ministry of Household Affairs and other departments of the imperial court to raise supplies, food and grass, etc., and is expected to set off in half a month.
Zhou Chen was very helpless. It took several months for the army to set off, and the efficiency was really low. If there was an emergency war, the fighter plane would be delayed directly.
But he also knew that this kind of thing was beyond his control, so he could only cooperate silently.
"What, you're getting married?"
When Zhou Chen heard Gu Tingye's words, he was immediately confused. He had already made a decision to take Gu Tingye with him when he went on the expedition and train him well.
But just before departure, Gu Tingye actually found him and said that he was getting married. This shocked him greatly. He was very curious about who Gu Tingye was getting married to, but it definitely couldn't be Minglan.
"Who are you going to marry? Is it the eldest girl of the Yu family?"
Gu Tingye nodded and replied: "Yes, she is the eldest girl of the Yu family. I thought she was very good before and could accommodate my wife and a pair of children. Now that woman is gone, but I still have a pair of children. If
If I marry a woman who can't tolerate others, they will definitely suffer. I have already inquired a lot about the eldest girl of the Yu family. If I marry her, I don't have to worry too much about Brother Chang and Sister Rong."
"Have you really made a decision?"
"Yes, Mrs. Yu and Mr. Yu have both agreed. Even my father went to the Yu family in person to discuss the marriage. I also gave their family a betrothal gift a few days ago, and I'm just waiting.
We have decided on an auspicious day to welcome the bride."
After Zhou Chen heard Gu Tingye's words, his expression was very strange, and he even paid a betrothal gift. It seemed that the marriage must be successful.
Gu Tingye and Yu Yanran, even he was really surprised by this.
Gu Tingye's future trajectory has been completely changed. If he marries Yu Yanran, he is destined to never have a fate with Minglan in the future. So what will the future of Minglan, the heroine who knows it, be like?
Suddenly, Zhou Chen's mind was a little confused. The plot of the male and female protagonists had completely changed. Did you know that the plot in the future would also be completely messed up.
'But it seems more interesting this way.'
Although foresight is good, with his current strength and ability, it doesn't really matter whether he knows the plot or not.
On the contrary, now the plot has completely changed and seems to be more interesting.
"Since you are ready to get married to the eldest girl of the Yu family, you don't have to go south to put down the rebellion this time. Just prepare for the marriage properly."
"Don't."
Gu Tingye said hurriedly: "Brother, I must go to this counter-rebellion. Although I have already paid a betrothal gift, I am not in a hurry to get married. This counter-rebellion is a rare opportunity, so I want to go with my brother."
Zhou Chen frowned slightly: "Then will your father and the Yu family agree?"
Gu Tingye smiled and said: "Although I don't know why my father has been treating me better recently, it is exactly what he said to let me go with my brother to suppress the rebellion this time. Since the Yu family agreed to marry the eldest daughter of his family,
To be continued...