Chapter 218 Wen Tianxiang in the Late Ming Dynasty
The two regiments of the New Army began to compress the battlefield and approached step by step.
After the White Lotus bandits lost their leader, they became a mess and were all squeezed on the edge of the Clam River.
People were pushing people, people were squeezing people, and some people were running for their lives blindly.
Soon, countless people jumped into the river and swam desperately to the other side.
But just as they were about to go ashore, before anyone could wake up, a wave of arrows hit them, nailing them all to the ground.
Only then did the bandits discover that there were actually officers and soldiers on the east bank of the river.
Now there is really no way to go to heaven and no way to enter the earth.
Ning Youwei also discovered the Ming army coming from the east coast. He raised his telescope to observe and saw the banner of "Dengzhou Zhang". He guessed that it should be Zhang Keda, the deputy general of Dengzhou.
Originally, the new army had insufficient numbers. Although they pushed the bandits to the river, it is estimated that many bandits would still be able to escape.
Now that Zhang Ke has such a big bag, none of the gangsters can even think of running away.
Seeing this, Ning Youwei immediately gave the order.
"Let the soldiers shout to surrender without killing."
The order was passed down quickly.
The New Army soldiers slowed down their shooting pace and began to chant in unison.
"Kneel down and hold your head, surrender without killing!"
The Ming army on the other side was not polite. All the bandits who swam across the shore were either shot to death or hacked to death. Even some bandits who surrendered in fear had their heads chopped off.
A human head is a military merit!
When the bandits on the west bank of the river saw that there was no way they could survive crossing the river, they were shouting to surrender without being killed, and it was true that those who were smart enough to kneel down were not killed, so what are they waiting for?
Like waves of wheat blown by the wind, the still-living bandits began to crawl on the ground, throwing away their weapons from a distance, fearing that the new army would misunderstand them.
Only then did the city gate of Laiyang open.
Several scholars led those who were still alive and rushed out with various weapons. Everyone was enraged and wanted to kill the Bailian bandits.
When the soldiers of the New Army saw it, they immediately set up a line of defense.
A company commander shouted: "Stop."
The scribe was the leader and hurriedly shouted: "Master, we are here to help in the battle."
The company commander smiled slightly and said: "The rebels have surrendered and the battle is over. You can have a good rest."
The scribe's expression suddenly changed.
"Why did the military master say this? These are white lotus monsters who harm the people. How can we let them go?"
The company commander pointed to the approaching headquarters in the distance and said, "This is an order from above."
Everyone in Laiyang County was furious and walked towards Zuo Menggeng and others who were approaching.
Before he even got close, he was stopped by guards.
After some exchanges, the guards let four or five people in. They were the leading scholars.
Zuo Menggeng accompanied Sun Yuanhua to the front. Seeing these people's faces full of flames and scars, he knew how hard it was for the defenders of Laiyang City.
He couldn't help but smile and said: "This city is not simple, there are loyal and brave people."
Sun Yuanhua nodded, feeling pleased.
After all, he is under his rule, so this is adding glory to his face.
However, the scholars who came over were not happy, and they were all angry.
"May I ask General, why didn't you deal with these White Lotus monsters?"
Zuo Mengeng looked around and saw that this man was less than thirty years old, with a tall and straight figure, a resolute face, and a heroic spirit that was hard to look at.
He said patiently: "Most of these thieves are ordinary people who cannot survive, and the White Lotus monsters are only a minority."
These scholars were very angry.
"These beasts are killing people for no good reason and are rich in blood debt, but the general protects them and regards the court regulations as nothing?"
Zuo Mengeng's face suddenly turned cold.
He pointed at the thieves who were being searched by the New Army and asked: "Do you believe that there are so many people in the White Lotus Sect?"
Several scholars were left speechless by his question.
Although the angry White Lotus bandits killed many people, they also knew that it was unjustifiable to slander all the bandits as White Lotus believers.
There was a confrontation here, and suddenly gunfire broke out in the distance, followed by chaos.
Soon, a soldier came back to report.
"Take a seat, the Ming army from the east bank came over to kill the surrendering rebels. Not only did we not listen to our dissuasion, but they also injured our men. Captain Huang Sanhu gave the order to shoot and started fighting with the Ming army.
"
Zuo Mengeng was furious.
"Tell Huang Sanhu to beat him hard!"
Sun Yuanhua was shocked and said hurriedly: "No."
He already knew that the Ming army on the east bank was Denglai deputy general Zhang Kedabu, who was under his command.
If this conflicts with Zuo Mengeng...
Zhang Keda can't beat him.
He hurriedly said to his old servant: "Take my official token and ask Zhang Ke to come over."
The servants went to the front with the soldiers.
The sound of gunfire only lasted for a while, and the two sides pulled apart. Soon after Sun Yuanhua's servant passed by, several generals hurried over.
Zuo Mengeng observed carefully and found that the man in front was quite tall and strong, with a majestic appearance. He was wearing a mountain armor, walking like a dragon and walking like a tiger, driving his followers steadily. He was indeed a good general.
It seems that it should be the famous Denglai general Zhang Keda.
Zhang Keda came closer with an angry look on his face, observed it, and led the crowd to bow down to Sun Yuanhua.
"My subordinate Zhang Keda pays homage to Master Zhongcheng."
The few scholars nearby were in an uproar. They did not expect that there was actually a governor hiding in this army.
Sun Yuanhua personally helped Zhang Keda up and asked with concern: "General Zhang, why did you kill the surrendered people?"
Zhang Ke was stunned and very rhetorical.
"Zhongcheng doesn't know something. Once these rebels cause trouble, if they are not severely punished, they will regard the laws of the imperial court as nothing. From now on, if you are lucky, it is inevitable that you will surrender and rebel again."
Sun Yuanhua listened and felt that these words made sense.
"Zhongheng, do you believe what Mr. Zhang said?"
Zuo Mengeng snorted coldly and said sarcastically: "It's just that the government and the army are lazy, greedy for merit and risking rewards, and don't know what is good and what is evil."
He was tantamount to revealing all the thoughts of the court officials and generals.
Zhang Keda and the generals in Denglai all showed their faces intact.
The New Army opened fire just now, killing and wounding many of their soldiers. They were already angry, and now Sun Yuanhua was in front, and they wanted an explanation.
A general behind Zhang Keda said sadly: "I haven't asked for the name of this young general yet."
He could not help but despise Zuo Menggeng when he saw that he was young and wore the robes of an ordinary soldier, lacking the majesty of a general.
Zuo Mengeng looked at him coldly, with murderous intent on his face.
"My general, General Zuo Mengeng, Assistant Counselor of Dongchang, would you like to ask for advice?"
As soon as this statement came out, all the generals in Denglai and the people in Laiyang were in an uproar.
The scribe was even more surprised. He took two steps forward and said excitedly: "Your Excellency, is General Xiaowei Huo Zuomenggeng?"
God steps on the horse, Xiao Weihuo...
Zuo Mengeng's head was covered with black lines. Amid the suppressed laughter of the people behind him, he said gloomily: "I am Zuo Mengeng, who cannot bear the name of Wei Huo."
The scribe no longer felt angry and was trembling as if a fan had seen a celebrity.
"Why can't you bear it? In the next battle at Qingshui Pass, the general killed tens of thousands of Eastern captives, and even killed the slave chief Amin. In today's world, there is no more famous general than the general."
Everyone in the new army looked strange.
The Hou Jin army under Qingshui Pass totaled more than 5,000 people. How did it reach here and there were tens of thousands?
The scribe was a quick talker. After praising Zuo Mengeng, he actually said to the rude general: "Brother-in-law, how dare you speak bravely in front of General Zuo?"
Do they actually know each other, or are they relatives?
The scribe arranged his clothes solemnly, and then bowed respectfully to Zuo Mengeng and Sun Yuanhua.
"Laiyang student Zuo Maodi has met Lord Zhongcheng and General Zuo."
Before Sun Yuanhua could do anything, Zuo Mengeng was shocked.
I never expected that I would meet Wen Tianxiang in the late Ming Dynasty under such circumstances.
"Xue Fu Wu Che Er You, Wenzhui Zuo Zhongji of Dongluo Xijing?"
I still have great admiration for Zuo Maodi and Zuo Mengeng.
He served as an envoy to the Manchu Qing Dynasty, remained unwavering in the face of coercion and inducement, and acted with righteousness to the death. He deserves to be called a national hero.
When he said this, Zuo Maodi became elated.
"General Zuo...has also heard of the false name of a student?"
Zuo Mengeng nodded and made up a lie: "I heard that Ludong also has the same surname. My family has a prosperous literary name. How proud of me I am."
Both of them have the surname Zuo. Although they are not related by blood, it is correct to say so.
Zuo Maodi was overjoyed.
"It is a great honor for a mere scholar here to be able to reach the rank of a general."
Over there, Zhang Keda also looked at Zuo Mengeng with a complex expression, and took a step forward, very solemnly.
"I don't know that General Zuo is in person. General Zuo beheads generals and captures prisoners, showing off my heroic deeds as a warrior in the Ming Dynasty. Please accept my bows."
How could Zuo Mengeng ask him to bow down?
In any case, Zhang Keda is the deputy general and he is the staff general. If Zhang Keda is really asked to worship him, there will definitely be many people talking about it.
Besides, Zuo Mengeng also had a good impression of this general who died in the Wuqiao Mutiny.
While supporting Zhang Keda, he said sincerely: "General Zhang guarded the important town with his own troops and tried his best to keep it intact. This is respectable and admirable."
Facing the chaos in Denglai, others may think that Zhang Keda is greedy for life and afraid of death, but Zuo Mengeng knows that the only thing Zhang Keda can do with the power at hand is to protect Dengzhou City.
Sure enough, when he said this, Zhang Keda immediately burst into tears and couldn't help himself.
During this period, he really encountered too much criticism. The emperor's desk was probably filled with memorials to impeach him.
Unexpectedly, Zuo Menggeng, who is famous all over the world, actually understands his difficulties.
Zhang Keda couldn't help feeling emotional.
After all, famous generals are famous generals, and they can indeed know things that others cannot.