The rebel army suddenly besieged the city, and Zhang Heming, the former military secretary who lived in the city, had not had time to leave. Early in the morning, he was shocked to hear that the thieves broke through the city, and his eldest son Zhang Datong knew that it was impossible to escape the catastrophe, so he couldn't help but ask his father to change into a civilian outfit, and called a personal servant to protect the old man from leaving the house to avoid the limelight temporarily.

The slave took Zhang Heming all the way to the east gate with the flow of fleeing people, and before he arrived at the city gate, Zhang Dingguo had already led his troops to block the city gate. Seeing that there was no hope of getting out of the city, they had to turn back. At this moment, the city was already in chaos, and the two of them were marching west against the crowd, and at some point, the slave disappeared in the chaos. Zhang Heming was alone, seeing the sound of killing in front of him, and hurriedly hid in an uninhabited house.

Zhang Kewang led his troops into the city, and when he learned that Zhang Heming was still in the city, he personally led a sentry to Zhang's house. Still far away, I saw that the door of Zhang's house was closed, and a huge white cloth was hanging on the door, and it was written: Zhang Daxiang's study is here.

"What Lao Tzu hates most in his life is this crepe square word! The brothers knocked open the door for Lao Tzu! Don't run away Zhang Heming! Zhang Kewang waved his hand, and his subordinates immediately dismounted, pulled the white cloth aside, and broke in.

Everyone rushed into the hall, only to see Zhang Datong glaring angrily, sitting in the middle of the hall. So they all stepped forward to arrest him, and then searched inside and outside the mansion, but except for the female dependents and servants, there was no trace of Zhang Heming at all. Zhang Kewang had also walked into the hall at this moment, and sat on the chair where Zhang Datong was sitting just now.

"Get on your knees!" Everyone roared in unison, but Zhang Datong still stood tall and did not move.

Zhang Kewang was slightly stunned, then stood up, walked in front of Zhang Datong with a smile on his face, and apologized: "I have admired the Zhang family of Yingchuan for a long time, and today I saw it really extraordinary!" Please be seated, sir, please be seated! Our rebels are all rough people and don't understand the rules, so I hope Mr. doesn't have to care! ”

However, Zhang Datong didn't pay attention to him, neither sat nor looked at him, just didn't say a word.

Zhang Kewang was bored, his face was full of embarrassment, and he sat down again with self-deprecation: "Okay, since Mr. refuses to sit, let's stand and talk." While saying that, Zhang Kewang also moved the chair forward, trying to make a pleasant appearance, "I don't know where the boss is?" We have something to discuss with the boss. ”

Zhang Datong turned his head in disgust: "Wait for the thief!" If you want to kill, you will kill, and my father will not get it! ”

At this moment, someone suddenly walked quickly to Zhang Kewang's side from outside the hall, and said something in his ear, Zhang Kewang was overjoyed when he heard it: "Bring people up quickly!" ”

After a while, I saw two volunteers leading one person in, Zhang Datong turned his head and saw that this person was actually the personal servant who escorted Zhang Heming out of the house before. I saw this guy kneeling down in front of his seat with a thud, burying his head, and trembling and reporting: "The king, I know where the master is hiding, and I am willing to lead the way for the king." ”

Zhang Datong saw that this person knew that something was wrong, and after hearing what he said, he immediately exploded: "You dog slave who has been cut by a thousand knives!" Our father and son treat you well! How dare you? ”

Zhang Kewang laughed for a while: "Sir, don't be angry, let your father and son reunite later." He turned his head and glanced at his subordinates, who understood, and immediately escorted the servant out of the hall.

In less than half a pillar of incense, Zhang Heming was brought back by the five flowers, only to see him wearing a draped head, wearing a torn cotton jacket, his face was full of ashes, and he looked embarrassed. Zhang Kewang couldn't wait to order someone to torture him and ask for the place where the gold was hidden, but he didn't expect Zhang Heming to be tough, no matter how he tortured, it was just one sentence: "No!" ”

Zhang Datong also shouted on the side: "Don't hurt my father!" The family wealth is in my hands, and it has nothing to do with my father! ”

The dignified military department is still in the book, but there is no money? Zhang Kewang believed it, and immediately ordered the mansion to be turned upside down, but except for some ancient jade and pottery, there was no trace of gold and silver treasures. Continuing to torture and interrogate, Zhang Heming simply closed his eyes tightly and did not say a word. Zhang Kewang was annoyed and ashamed, snatched the steel knife from his subordinates, and slashed straight at Zhang Heming's head. This knife used all his strength, and he actually split Zhang Heming in half, and blood sprayed the faces of the people around him.

Seeing his father's tragic death, Zhang Datong screamed and immediately scolded. Zhang Kewang was so angry that he was about to cut Zhang Datong with a knife, but at this moment, he heard a shout outside the door: "Keep people under the knife!" ”

Zhang Kewang raised his knife and stopped in mid-air, turned his head to look, it turned out to be Dingguo and Wenxiu.

Walking into the hall, a strong smell of blood came to his nose, Dingguo frowned, walked quickly to Zhang Kewang, and pressed down the steel knife he held high: "Big brother!" Now that he has killed his father, let him keep his son! Just make them pay for their lives with gold and silver! Don't hurt anyone! ”

Wen Xiu also echoed on the side: "Zhang Heming has been an official in Shaanxi for many years, and he is known for his incorruptibility, and I hope that my eldest brother will think twice!" ”

Zhang Kewang was still hesitating, and Zhang Datong suddenly scolded: "Guts rats! My father is dead, but my righteousness is not my only life! ”

The louder Zhang Datong scolded, Zhang Kewang's face turned pale, and he no longer paid attention to the persuasion of Dingguo and Wenxiu, and ordered Zhang Datong to be dragged down the lobby, plucked out his beard and hair, and then slashed his cheek with the back of a knife. Although his whole face was blurred with flesh and blood, and his mouth was smashed to pieces, Zhang Datong still scolded Zhang Kewang in a vague voice.

Zhang Kewang was so angry that he gave an order, and then broke his body into pieces. dismembered Zhang Datong, Zhang Kewang was still angry, and then slaughtered all the old and young people in Zhang's family, leaving no one alive, even the slave who reported the news was not spared. In an instant, the entire Zhang Mansion was shrouded in a bloody storm.

The fall of Yingchuan caused a strong shock in northern Anhui, and neighboring prefectures and counties took measures to strengthen their garrisons. The Lantern Festival is approaching, at this time in previous years, the streets are already full of all kinds of lamps and lanterns, every household is setting off fireworks, and the lantern watchers in the streets and alleys are endless. However, this year, in order to guard against the incursion of the rebels, all states and counties have posted notices prohibiting the people in the city from playing and enjoying the lanterns.

However, Fengyang, the central capital, which is more than 400 miles away from Yingchuan, is still lively and full of festive atmosphere. Although Yang Ze, the eunuch guarding the tomb, had received an urgent report of the fall of Yingchuan, he expected that the righteous army was still far away, so he didn't take it to heart at all. The streets of the city are full of lights, and the songs are beautiful. The left-behind Prime Minister Zhu Guoxiang and the prefect Yan Ronghuo also shuttled among the rich gentry and celebrities in the city, busy with various festivals and entertainment.

At this time, Zhang Xianzhong and Gao Yingxiang's brigade had also entered Yingchuan and held a military meeting overnight. At the meeting, after listening to Tanma's report, the two unanimously decided to adopt a long-range attack plan and take advantage of the Lantern Festival night to capture Fengyang. The basis for this decision was that the Fengyang garrison was weak, and the remaining division only had the strength of four guards, and they were unguarded. At the same time, if the central capital of the Ming Dynasty can be defeated, the political impact is even more extraordinary.

In order to ensure that this battle was foolproof, Gao Yingxiang thought about it again and again, and decided to send an advance team to sneak into the city in disguise.

Back in the old camp, Zhang Xianzhong first summoned the three righteous sons of Dingguo, Wenxiu and Nengqi, and gave them a battle strategy. But after thinking about it, I always felt a little uneasy, so I asked people to call Wang Yinglong, the head of the craftsman battalion.

Wang Yinglong is more than 50 years old this year, and his hair is gray. He was originally a craftsman, good at making bows, and followed Zhang Xianzhong to the Shaanxi Uprising five years ago. Although he is illiterate, he has always been honest and upright, loyal and loving. And these loyal sons are interested in knives, guns and sticks, and they spend all day in the craftsman camp, watching the craftsmen make weapons. Over time, he naturally became acquainted with Wang Yinglong, and Wang Yinglong also liked these smart and clever children very much, watching them gradually grow up, and he had a different kind of feelings in his heart.

"Big brother, our rebel army is about to fight Fengyang! King Chuang has promised, and the heavy task of capturing Fengyang this time will be borne by our Xiying! But there is one thing that only you can do. As soon as Wang Yinglong stepped into the big tent, Zhang Xianzhong had already warmly stepped forward and held his hand tightly.

Wang Yinglong grinned a little embarrassed: "I don't understand this war!" ”

Zhang Xianzhong laughed, raised his hand and patted Wang Yinglong's shoulder: "Old brother, how can I be willing to let you charge into battle with this old bone!" As he spoke, Zhang Xianzhong pulled Wang Yinglong to the chair on the side, motioned for him to sit down, and then continued, "Fengyang is the ancestral tomb of the old Zhu family after all, if you blindly attack it, I am afraid that you will lose many brothers." Earlier, I agreed with King Chuang to send a small team of men and horses into the city, and the inside and outside should be combined. Originally, I wanted to let Dingguo and a few of their dolls go through the experience, but after all, a few dolls have too little experience, and it is difficult to ensure that nothing goes wrong at a critical time. So you still need to go out in person, brother, to protect these calves! I don't know what my brother thinks? ”

Wang Yinglong stood up from the chair after hearing this, and said loudly: "Jing Shuai, you will see the outside world when you say so!" As long as Jing Shuai gives an order, Wang is duty-bound! ”

Zhang Xianzhong nodded with satisfaction, and turned his head to look at the three righteous sons: "You dolls, listen to Lao Tzu, this time I went to Fengyang, all actions are up to your Uncle Wang, you can't make claims, let alone act without permission, do you hear clearly?" ”

"Hear me!" Dingguo, Wenxiu, and Nengqi roared in unison.

Zhang Xianzhong then asked Wang Shangli to carefully select 150 capable and clever people in the old camp and handed them over to Wang Yinglong, and ordered them to gather outside the east gate before midnight tomorrow, and everyone took the order.

In the early morning of the next day, a total of more than 300 horsemen from the camp and the western camp, all dressed in various costumes, disguised as merchants, monks, Taoist priests, and beggars, assembled outside the east gate of Yingchuan City. Dingguo saw his brother-in-law Li Laiheng dressed as a handsome son at a glance, and immediately led Wenxiu and Nengqi to rush forward and greet him: "Big brother! ”

Seeing Dingguo and Wenxiu, Li Laiheng was also very happy: "Second brother, third brother, I haven't seen my brother for many days!" Yesterday, I heard my father-in-law say that you are here in Xiying, but I am really happy brother! Li Laiheng glanced at Zhang Nengqi next to him, felt a little angry, and couldn't help asking, "Who is this little brother ......?"

Seeing Li Laiheng asking, Dingguo introduced him to him: "This is our fourth brother, Zhang Nengqi." ”

"Brother Li." Zhang Nengqi scratched his head, looking shy.

The brothers were talking, and suddenly they heard someone roaring like a tiger: "Come to Heng!" What are you still rubbing! Come on! ”

"Yes!" Li Laiheng turned his head and agreed, only to realize that while he was talking, the others had already set off. Li Laiheng shrugged helplessly, "That is my father-in-law!" I heard that it was the famous Li Guo, Dingguo and they looked up almost at the same time, only to see Li Guo riding on a jujube red horse, waving to them, dressed in light gray clothes, looking neat.

"Time is pressing, let's go! When Fengyang is broken, it's not too late for our brothers to talk about wine again! With that, Li Laiheng whipped his horsewhip violently, turned the horse's head and galloped away, Dingguo, Wenxiu, and Nengqi glanced at each other and chased after each other.

An hour later, Zhang Xianzhong also led the Xiying Brigade to leave Yingchuan, and he ordered the whole army to conceal their whereabouts, day and night, march quickly, bypassing the prefectures and counties along the way, and driving directly to Fengyang.

After a day and night of galloping, the advance team of the rebel army, under the leadership of Li Guo, arrived at the northern suburbs of Fengyang at noon on the 14th. Everyone hid the horses in the woods, leaving only a few people to guard them, and the rest of the people were broken into pieces, and they sneaked into Fengyang one after another, and they were divided into camps.