In October, taking advantage of the gap when the Central Plains official army galloped to aid the Beijing division and the Huguang army was empty, Zhang Xianzhong was from Junzhou, Lao Hui Ma Shouying was from Xinye, Scorpion Block Tuoyangkun was self-Tang, and the Sanlu Righteous Army claimed to be 200,000, marching together towards Xiangyang.

The army was about to start, and the generals gathered in Zhang Xianzhong's Chinese army tent to discuss the battle strategy.

"This attack on Xiangyang, who of you wants to be the vanguard?" Zhang Xianzhong sat behind the case of the Chinese army's big tent, his eyes were like torches.

Although the main force of the official army is not there now, but Xiangyang is a world-famous fortified city after all, and the Mongols, who thought that they were invincible at the beginning, have also been dragged under the city of Xiangyang for six years, and everyone looked at each other, and no one spoke.

Zhang Xianzhong saw that no one answered, and was about to have a seizure, when suddenly a crisp voice came from the end of the crowd: "Father, the child is willing to go!" ”

Zhang Xianzhong followed the voice and looked at it, it turned out to be his righteous son Zhang Dingguo.

"Oh? Dingguo, you kid want to take the lead? Zhang Xianzhong looked at Dingguo in surprise.

"Father, this battle is very important, the second brother lacks experience in leading troops, so let me go." Zhang Kewang saw Zhang Xianzhong's hesitation, and then stood up.

Zhang Kewang gave the nickname "A Wall", and it can be seen from this nickname that he is good at holding on to defense, but attacking cities is by no means his forte. However, except for Zhang Kewang, for a while, it seemed that there was no other more suitable candidate.

Zhang Xianzhong hesitated for a moment, and asked Xiang Dingguo in a consultative tone: "Dingguo, after all, Xiangyang is the provincial capital of Huguang, so it's better to ......."

Without waiting for Zhang Xianzhong to finish speaking, Dingguo immediately said very resolutely: "Father, the child is willing to make a military order!" If you can't take Xiangyang, you will be willing to be dealt with by military law! ”

"There is no joke in the army, do you mean this?" Although he was quite appreciative of Dingguo's statement in his heart, Zhang Xianzhong's face did not show the slightest.

"Take it seriously!" Dingguo's immature voice is loud and sound.

"Good! Pen and ink waiting! After all, the child has grown up, it's time to let him go through it, thinking of this, Zhang Xianzhong finally changed his mind.

Soon, Dingguo handed over the written military order, and after Zhang Xianzhong read it, he casually put the paper into his arms and said solemnly: "That's the case, Zhang Dingguo listens to the order!" ”

"The last general!" Zhang Dingguo replied loudly.

"Zhang Dingguo, this handsome man ordered you to be a pioneer! Allocate 20,000 elite soldiers to you, and set off immediately to attack Xiangyang! Zhang Xianzhong took out a token from the signature holder on the case, stretched out his hand and handed it to Dingguo, just when Dingguo stepped forward to receive the order, Zhang Xianzhong suddenly put his hand back slightly, looked at Dingguo, and his eyes were dignified, "Don't let my old Zhang down!" ”

"Father, rest assured! Dingguo will live up to its mission! Dingguo hurriedly agreed.

After getting a satisfactory answer, Zhang Xianzhong solemnly handed over the token to Dingguo, who held the token tightly, suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, hugged his fist towards Zhang Xianzhong, and then turned around and strode out of the Chinese army's tent.

Back in the pro-soldier camp, Dingguo summoned Jin Tongwu, the captain of the pro-soldier team, and instructed him: "Old Jin, call all the brothers quickly, I have something to say to everyone." ”

It didn't take long for more than 100 pro-soldiers under the command of Dingguo to finish the formation in front of the tent, Jin Tongwu stood at the front of the team, and behind him stood Li Yongcheng, Li Chunming, Chen Xi, and Zhang Chengjun.

"Good news, brethren!" Dingguo swept his gaze to everyone and paused deliberately, then continued, "Father has promised that I will be the vanguard in this attack on Xiangyang!" ”

When all the soldiers heard this, they were all happy, and they were eager to try.

"On this expedition, I have made a military order to my father, only succeed, not fail! You are all the closest brothers in Dingguo, this battle, please! With that, Dingguo clenched his fists and bowed deeply to everyone.

"Boss! Rest assured! Our brothers and I are willing to follow us to the death! Chen Xi raised his fist and took the lead in standing up.

"Swear to follow the boss! Swear to follow the boss! Under the leadership of Chen Xi, everyone was enthusiastic and roared with the tiger.

"Lao Jin!" Dingguo paced in front of Jin Tongwu and instructed, "I'll go to the camp to transfer troops, you tell everyone to pack up immediately, and then rush to the camp to join me!" ”

"Yes!" Jin Tongwu agreed.

After arranging the pro-military camp properly, Dingguo immediately rushed to the camp non-stop. At this time, the 20,000 elites of the Western Battalion were already lined up under the leadership of Deputy General Qi Sansheng and waiting for the arrival of the main general.

After checking the token, Qi Sansheng immediately retreated to the side, handed the command flag to Dingguo, and said: "20,000 soldiers of the pioneer battalion have been assembled, please review it by the general!" ”

Dingguo bowed slightly towards Qi Sansheng, then raised the Ling Qi above his head, and said in a loud voice: "Soldiers! This place is still more than 300 miles away from Xiangyang, and we must travel under the stars and nights to get to Xiangyang City in two days! The officers and soldiers were caught off guard! ”

"Two days? Walk 300 miles? How can it be? The second general is crazy! For a while, everyone turned their heads and whispered.

Dingguo and the others were almost talking, and then they continued, "Xiangyang City is strong, and we can only take Xiangyang with the smallest loss if we launch a surprise attack as quickly as possible!" I know that many people may fall behind in the middle of this attack! But don't worry! Behind us is the Great Sumption of the Eight Kings of Xiying! Ladies and gentlemen! I, Zhang Dingguo, am here to assure you that all those who are standing here today and can breathe, as long as there are still half of them standing under Xiangyang City in two days, Xiangyang will be ours! ”

"Can you have faith?" Qi Sansheng followed behind Dingguo and yelled at the top of his voice.

"Have faith! Have confidence! Twenty thousand people shouted in unison, almost at the same time, and their voices resounded through the sky.

Dingguo nodded with satisfaction, and turned his head to look at Qi Sansheng: "Pass the order, and the whole army will immediately set out of the camp!" Target Xiangyang! ”

"Out of ...... ......With the rumbling of war drums, Dingguo rode the "Erdoujin" and walked at the front of the team, and the pro-soldier Wang Guoren held a military flag with the word "Zhang" in his hand, followed closely behind. Further behind them were Qi Sansheng and Jin Tongwu, and behind them, there were more than 20,000 soldiers, majestic and high-spirited, stepping out in a neat pace.

Out of Junzhou, Dingguo led the army all the way through the mountains and mountains, although many people were left behind along the way, but the vast majority of people still gritted their teeth and insisted on arriving in the eastern suburbs of Xiangyang.

Knowing that the rebel army suddenly appeared, the chief soldier Qin Mingji couldn't help but be shocked. Now the official and military forces in Huguang are extremely weak, and there are less than 5,000 people in the entire Xiangyang City, how can this be good?

When the officials who stayed in the city heard that the murderous and unblinking demon king Zhang Xianzhong was coming, they all dragged their families and abandoned the city and fled, but Qin Mingji did not want to escape, and the glory of the military general should be the horse leather shroud, and he died on the battlefield.

He made up his mind, first asked the adjutant general to lead a thousand soldiers to escort the family of Xiangwang Zhu Yiming and his family out of Xichengmen to Gucheng for temporary refuge, and then wrote a unique letter, asking a capable soldier to disguise himself as a refugee and send the letter back to his hometown.

After arranging all this, Qin Ming ordered all the 2,000 cavalry in the city to go out of the Yangchun Gate to face the battle, and the remaining 2,000 infantry stayed in the city.

At this time, the front team of the Xiying Righteous Army had just crossed the Han River, and the rear team was still on the opposite bank.

"General, get on board and withdraw to the other side! The last general will lead the brethren here for your royal highness! Seeing that the official cavalry was approaching in an instant, Qi Sansheng anxiously urged Dingguo to hurry up and get on the boat.

Who knew that Dingguo was unusually calm, and said indifferently: "General Qi, have you ever played chess?" ”

"When is it, the general still has the kung fu to say this? If you don't leave, when the officers and soldiers arrive, it will be too late! The big war was imminent, and suddenly hearing Dingguo ask about these irrelevant things, Qi Sansheng couldn't help but be a little inexplicable.

Dingguo saw that Qi Sansheng didn't answer, so he said to himself: "In chess, is there a way for the pawn who crossed the river to retreat?" ”

Qi Sansheng suddenly became anxious: "General, you are a car!" Not a pawn! Wang Guoren! What are you doing there? Hurry up and cross the river with the general! ”

Wang Guoren looked at Dingguo hesitantly, not knowing what to do.

Just when everyone's eyes were focused on Dingguo, they saw Dingguo suddenly raise his horsewhip high, and ordered loudly: "I, Zhang Dingguo, am here today, living and dying with you!" To the following generals, if anyone dares to take a step back, cut off! If there is a person who shakes the heart of the army again, he will be killed! If there is a fear of the enemy, do not cut it! ”

Dingguo's words were sonorous and powerful, and the soldiers of the Xiying finally stopped panicking, and stood solemnly one after another, raised their blades, faced the officers and cavalry who were getting closer and closer, and shouted in unison: "Kill!" Kill! Kill! ”

Dingguo looked at the front with resolute eyes, and said calmly: "Pass my order!" The whole army is backed by Hanshui, facing the archway pavilion, and the wild goose is arrayed to meet the enemy! ”

"The officers and soldiers are all cavalry, but our army is back to resist the enemy with a line of Yanling formation, it seems that something is wrong, please think twice!" Qi Sansheng was very puzzled by Dingguo's military order, and reminded in a low voice.

Dingguo turned his head to look at Qi Sansheng, accentuated his tone, and repeated again: "Pass my order!" Lie wild goose feather array to meet the enemy! ”

Seeing that the persuasion could not be moved, Qi Sansheng was no longer reluctant, and immediately waved the order flag, signaling the whole army to change formation, and soon the Xiying Righteous Army had their backs against Hanshui and lined up in a line.

"Brethren! The thieves have a firm foothold, everyone rushes over with me! Drive them all down the Han River and feed the fish! Qin Mingji couldn't help but be overjoyed when he saw the Xiying Righteous Army fighting against the water, thinking that this time it could be regarded as an eye-opener, not only would he not succeed in death, but he might be able to pick up a fame in vain!

Under the leadership of Qin Mingji, the cavalry of the official army braved the rain of arrows and flew arrows, rushing over like a lightning bolt, and in the blink of an eye, they had rushed to a place only a hundred steps away from the central array.

"Order the central troops to move to the flanks and get out of the middle!" Dingguo gave the second order unhurriedly.

Under the command of Lingqi, the righteous army in the middle quickly dispersed to both sides, the official cavalry rushed happily, and suddenly found that there was a vast Han water in front of him, and he wanted to stop, but it was too late, and hundreds of cavalry who rushed to the front turned into the river with men and horses.

Taking advantage of the chaos when the officers and soldiers turned on their backs, Dingguo issued a third order: "Order the two wings to outflank!" Encircle the enemy! ”

It was only at this time that Qin Mingji suddenly discovered that he had fallen into Zhang Dingguo's trap, and after only a moment, he had become a party in a desperate situation.

However, at this time, it was too late to regret it, under the fierce offensive of the Xiying Righteous Army, the two thousand cavalry were either driven down the river to feed Wang Ba, or were annihilated on the bank of the river, and the general soldier Qin Mingji was also hit by several arrows and died in the chaos.

"The generals are like gods, and the last general is really an eye-opener today!" It took less than a quarter of an hour to annihilate the 2,000 cavalry of the official army, and Qi Sansheng admired Dingguo so much that he threw himself to the ground.

In the face of Qi Sansheng's praise, Dingguo was very shy, smiled slightly, and then regained his majestic expression: "General Qi, I order you to march to Yangchunmen immediately and take Xiangyang in one go!" ”

"Yes!" Qi Sansheng roared and rode away.

When Qi Sansheng appeared under the city wall with Qin Mingji's bloody head, the officers and soldiers at the head of the city were so frightened that they didn't have the courage to resist, so they immediately opened the city gate and surrendered to the Xiying Righteous Army.

Hearing that Dingguo took the impregnable Xiangyang in only half an hour, Zhang Xianzhong was overjoyed and directly allocated all the 20,000 elites of Qi Sansheng to Dingguo's command.

Dingguo then named this army Longxiang Battalion, with Qi Sansheng and Jin Tongwu as deputy generals, and selected Li Yongcheng, Li Chunming, Chen Xi, and Zhang Chengjun as partial generals, each leading 5,000 men, and the captain of the personal army was taken over by Wang Guoren.

Xiangyang fell, and Huguang shook.

On the sixth day of December, Xian Zhongqin led the army to continue along the east of the river, captured Suizhou in one fell swoop, and approached Yingcheng.