In the first month of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Xinye Ding raised his sister to marry, and the team walked mightily on the official road from Xinye to Nanyang Wadian Town, and it happened that Zhang Xianzhong led the army to Gucheng and passed through here.

"Father, there is a situation ahead!" Zhang Kewang's eyes were sharp, and at a glance, he saw a group of people walking in the direction of them along the official road in the distance.

"Could it be an official army?" After all, the distance was too far, Zhang Xianzhong looked at it for a long time and didn't see the reason, in order to be on the safe side, he asked the whole army to suspend the advance, scattered and concealed on both sides of the road, and then sent a scout to quietly go to the front to inquire about the situation.

After a while, the scout came back, and I saw him running to Zhang Xianzhong with a smile on his face and reporting: "It has been found out that it is just a team to receive relatives, not an official army!" ”

"Kissing?" Zhang Xianzhong's hanging heart suddenly let go, but there was a hint of a different idea in his heart, only to see Zhang Xianzhong clamp the horse's belly and leap out of the battle, "Dingguo, stay in the old camp!" Kewang, take 500 people and go with me to find out! ”

"No!" How could Zhang Kewang not understand Zhang Xianzhong's thoughts, and immediately ordered five hundred cavalry and followed Zhang Xianzhong to roar away.

The kissing team is moving forward in the sound of suona and the sound of gongs and drums.

"Oh no, the rogues are here!" Suddenly, someone shouted, and everyone looked up when they heard the sound, and this was a terrible sight, only to see a black and oppressive cavalry, and they were about to kill in front of them. For a while, the scene was chaotic, the family sending team scattered and fled, the sound of horses' hooves, crying, and the shouts of the Xiying rebels from far and near, endlessly, the carriage to send relatives was also frightened, and turned around, Miss Ding sat in the car, holding on to the window in horror, not knowing what to do.

Gradually, there was no movement outside, Miss Ding was bold, lifted her hijab, and cautiously looked out, but saw that the dust was flying in front of her, and the guard of honor was thrown all over the ground, but she couldn't even see a living person.

"Look! The bride is there! I don't know who shouted.

Miss Ding was so frightened that she hurriedly hid back in the car, put her head back on in a panic, clasped her hands on her knees, and sobbed helplessly.

Soon, the carriage was surrounded by the Xiying Volunteer Army, Zhang Xianzhong turned over and dismounted, walked quickly to the front of the car, lifted the curtain, and picked up the hijab on Miss Ding's head with a knife.

"Raise your head and show me Lao Zhang!" Zhang Xianzhong ordered in an unquestionable tone.

With her life in the hands of others, Miss Ding dared not obey, she raised her head timidly, and her eyes were red and swollen from crying, which made people feel particularly pitiful after seeing it.

"What a beauty!" Zhang Xianzhong carefully looked at Miss Ding's appearance and couldn't help but admire.

"Father, what should I do with this little beauty?" Zhang Kewang asked with a smile on the side.

"What beauty? Is the beauty your boy's name? It's not too big or too small! From now on, she will be your stepmother! Go! Don't be stupid, hurry up and let people pull the car away, my old Zhang is going to visit the church tonight to get married! Anyway, regardless of whether Miss Ding wanted it or not, someone immediately jumped up, drove the carriage, and sent her to the old camp.

On the ninth night of the first month, Zhang Xianzhong led his troops to Gucheng, and heard that a small army was stationed in the Wangjiahe area, Zhang Xianzhong did not say a word, and immediately sent Zhang Kewang to lead the troops to ride across the Xiangjiang River from the shallows, and took advantage of the night to sneak attack, disperse this army, and forcibly occupy the opponent's camp.

As a result, when cleaning the battlefield in the early morning, it was found that the flood had washed the Dragon King Temple, and this garrison was the team of Liu Guoneng who broke through the sky, and the beams of both sides were concluded.

Zhang Xianzhong's soldiers came to Gucheng, Gucheng Zhixian fled when he heard the news, and the Xiying Righteous Army was able to enter Gucheng without blood.

At this time, all the officials and troops gathered towards Gucheng, and when the situation was critical, Zhang Xianzhong learned that Chen Hongfan was also among the officials and troops who were encircling and suppressing, and immediately had an idea.

Zhang Xianzhong sent people to post a notice in Gucheng County, saying: "This camp is determined to be chaotic, and the soldiers have fled far away. If you want to release your armor and return to the dynasty now, you will not harm the people, and you can live and work in peace and contentment, and there is no need to panic. ”

Later, he asked Zhang Nengqi to detain the local squire and the elderly in the camp, saying that he had come here to discuss and appease, and he could not leave after signing a guarantee for him. and sent Zhang Kewang to meet Chen Hongfan with all kinds of gold, silver and jewelry.

After offering the gold, silver and jewelry, Zhang Kewang said to Chen Hongfan respectfully: "Lord Zhentai, I always remember your life-saving kindness in the next stepfather, although he has rebelled for many years, he has always enshrined your woodcarved portrait on the shrine, and worshiped each other day and night. The father-in-law has also said to Zai many times that this life is left by the Lord of Zhentai, but he has never had a chance to repay it! Recently, I heard that Prime Minister Xiong presided over the recruitment of security, but I have been robbing in the west camp for ten years, and there are many enemies, so I dare not easily trust others and give my life in vain. The father-in-law was sent down to see the adult, and begged the adult to introduce him to Prime Minister Xiong, one is to repay the favor, and the other is to trust the adult, so that he dares to trust him with his life and hope that the adult will be fulfilled! ”

Zhang Kewang's words were high-sounding, then Chen Hongfan originally had the intention of appeasing Zhang Xianzhong, and he didn't want to invite himself to touch him today, and he said so sincerely and sincerely that he was overjoyed, and immediately agreed, and personally led Zhang Kewang to Xiangyang to meet Xiong Wencan.

Seeing Xiong Wencan, Zhang Kewang fell to the ground and bowed, and said earnestly: "The sinner Zhang Kewang is entrusted by his father-in-law Zhang Xianzhong to meet the lord of the palace!" We and other soldiers in Xiying are willing to serve the imperial court, and please fulfill it! ”

Without waiting for Xiong Wencan to speak, Huguang Patrol, who was standing on the side, stepped forward and asked sharply: "I attacked the Fengyang Emperor's Mausoleum before, and used the royal propaganda, but what did you do?" ”

Zhang Kewang knew that someone would mention this matter today, and he had prepared a countermeasure before coming, and when he saw Lin Mingqiu asking, he immediately kowtowed: "This matter is because the hungry people are mixed in the army and are not controlled, and it is true that the restraint of our western camp is not strict!" I only hope that in the future, I will be able to follow the Lord of the Ruler and redeem myself for meritorious service. ”

Lin Mingqiu sneered, and just wanted to ask again, but was stopped by Xiong Wencan's cough: "Ahem, the emperor has a clear will, but if you are willing to recruit peace, the previous sins can be forgiven!" The generals of Xiying can not only change their past mistakes today, but also be commendable! Why be harsh? Stand down. ”

"Yes." Lin Mingqiu had no choice but to stop talking, bowed deeply to Xiong Wencan, and then retreated unwillingly.

After Lin Mingqiu went out, Xiong Wencan leaned forward and said to Zhang Kewang leisurely: "Although the emperor has a will, Zhang Xianzhong has been a Kou for ten years after all, robbing seven provinces, and he has obtained thousands of treasures, and there are many people who are red-eyed. Now is the critical moment of appeasement, and it is not advisable to spare this thing outside the body and suffer the disaster of killing. ”

Zhang Kewang was so clever, he immediately heard that Xiong Wencan was asking for bribes, and hurriedly took out two feet of jasper and two diameter-inch pearls from his arms, respectfully handed them to Xiong Wencan, and whispered: "The great kindness of the Lord of the Mansion, I have a great sense of guilt in Xiying, this is just a small gift for meeting, and there will be a big gift after the matter is completed." ”

With Lu Ding'an's reinstatement first, coupled with Chen Hongfan's guarantee, Xiong Wencan was convinced of Zhang Xianzhong's sincerity in surrendering, and saw Zhang Kewang offering jasper and pearls, and immediately said to Zhang Kewang and Yan Yuese: "You are lacking in military discipline, and the old man has heard a lot, I happened to come to Xiangyang today, you might as well watch the battalions first, and practice according to the same after returning to Gucheng, and then call when the military discipline improves in the future!"

After that, Xiong Wencan leaned back on the Taishi chair behind him and glanced at Zhang Kewang, Zhang Kewang understood, immediately took a step back, and kowtowed.

After Zhang Kewang left, Xiong Wencan looked at the jasper and pearls in his hands, he really couldn't put it down, and he couldn't help but have a good impression of Zhang Xianzhong, and immediately studied the ink and wrote it, and presented it to Emperor Chongzhen, greatly praising Zhang Xianzhong's loyalty, as well as his involuntary difficulties, and suggested that the imperial court appease Zhang Xianzhong as soon as possible, and recommended Zhang Dajing as his supervisor.

The stakes are very high, in order to be able to convince Emperor Chongzhen, Xiong Wencan asked Liu Yuanbin, the eunuch of the supervising army, to discuss together. That Liu Yuanbin also accepted Zhang Kewang's dots, but he was afraid that the thing would not work out and ruin his own financial route, so he immediately decided to take it with him in person, and hurried to Beijing to meet Emperor Chongzhen for 800 miles.

There is no impermeable wall in the world, and the news quickly reached Zuo Liangyu's ears, hearing that Zhang Xianzhong wanted to surrender, Zuo Liangyu rushed to Xiangyang overnight to meet Xiong Wencan.

Seeing Zuo Liangyu coming unexpectedly, Xiong Wencan warmly welcomed him into the living room and asked the servant to serve good tea.

Zuo Liangyu ran all the way, thirsty, picked up the teacup and took a sip, but felt that the teacup was a little small, so he simply put down the teacup, grabbed the teapot directly from the table, didn't care about the heat, opened his mouth to the teacup and drank it.

"Comfortable!" Zuo Liangyu drank the whole pot of tea in one go, and then sat on the chair with his buttocks, leaned forward slightly, and clasped his hands into fists, which was considered a salute.

"Why did Kunshan come from today?" Xiong Wencan played with the pearls offered by Zhang Xianzhong in his hand, and asked knowingly.

Zuo Liangyu didn't go around the bend with him, and asked bluntly: "I heard that Zhang Xianzhong begged to surrender to the imperial court?" Is there such a thing? ”

Xiong Wencan stroked his beard and didn't answer, but just nodded slightly, which was a tacit acquiescence.

Zuo Liangyu said: "The Lord of the Imperial Mansion can know that Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng are both die-hard elements in the rogue, no matter who descends, Liangyu believes it, but these two people, even if the sky falls, it is impossible to truly submit to the imperial court!" ”

has been fighting with the rebels all year round, and Zuo Liangyu knows the temperament of each rebel leader well.

"Kunshan, don't say it so absolutely! At this time, at that time, now Zhang Xianzhong is at the end of the road. As the saying goes, it's better to die than to live, but any smart person knows what to choose at this time. Speaking of this, Xiong Wencan suddenly straightened up, arched his hand in the direction of Jingshi, and continued, "Entrusted to the emperor Hongfu, if Zhang Xianzhong can be successfully recruited this time, the matter of suppressing thieves will be half successful." ”

"Lord Maker! Did you know that this is raising trouble! When he surrenders and rebels against Zhang Xianzhong, how will it end? Zuo Liangyu slapped the table and stood up, "In my opinion, no matter whether it is a real surrender or a fake surrender this time, it is better to take this opportunity to kill Zhang Xianzhong!" Wipe out all the parts you have and completely stop the troubles! ”

Xiong Wencan shook his head again and again after hearing this: "No!" Never do it! It's ominous to kill and surrender, don't think about it, general! ”

"Scholarly and stupid! Stupid! Seeing that Xiong Wencan could not be convinced, Zuo Liangyu left the city angrily.

Besides, Liu Yuanbin, who traveled day and night all the way, soon arrived in Beijing. After reading Xiong Wencan's recital, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't make up his mind for a while, so he asked Wang Chengen to summon Yang Sichang into the palace overnight.

Yang Sichang was woken up in his sleep, hurriedly changed into official clothes and followed Wang Chengen to the Qianqing Palace, just about to salute, but was held up by Emperor Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen directly handed Xiong Wencan's fold to Yang Sichang and asked, "The false ceremony will be waived!" Look at Xiong Wencan's 800 miles of urgent delivery, Zhang Xianzhong begged the court to recruit peace, what does Aiqing think about this? ”

Yang Sichang took the fold and looked through it quickly, worried that Zhang Xianzhong would fake his surrender and raise tigers in the future, so he immediately proposed to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, the minister is capricious and capricious, and this time I am afraid that it will be a fraudulent surrender!" must first order him to attack and kill Li Zicheng and Ma Shouying, and use this as a vote, and then he can be allowed to recruit An, otherwise he will be killed! This is a strategy to drive the tiger and devour the wolf, whether it is true or false, it can weaken its momentum, and the court will reap the benefits! ”

"Long live Lord, Lord Yang's method is inappropriate." It was Liu Yuanbin who spoke, he glanced at Yang Sichang, and continued, "The dignified court, how can there be such a thing as a name in the rivers and lakes? Zhang Xianzhong is cunning and tough, not comparable to other rogues! Now that he is sincerely obedient to the imperial court, isn't Lord Yang's discussion chilling? If there is an incident in vain and the war resumes, it will drag on for a long time and waste money and food! Instead of this, why not set it as an example, and the rest of the thieves will see the magnanimity of the Lord of Long Live and will look down on the wind. ”

Liu Yuanbin's words, Emperor Chongzhen nodded again and again.