He said to Liu Zhe: "Send spies, investigate in many ways, and be sure to find out the situation of the officials and troops to see if King Lu Yan is really gone."

Lu Xiangsheng did leave. [Full text reading. 】

He followed Gao Yingxiang, is handy, several engagements, also won a big victory, now morale is booming, but also forced the peasant army into a difficult situation, for the matter of suppressing thieves, Lu Xiangsheng has a great grasp. He estimated that within a month, Gao Yingxiang could be eaten in one bite.

At this juncture, the holy decree arrived, and he was transferred to Datong to resist the invasion of the Manchu Tartars.

In Lu Xiangsheng's opinion, this holy purpose is simply a draw from the bottom of the kettle, and at the same time, he is also angry with the Manchurian Tartars, and always comes to make trouble at some important junctures. Last time, the official army besieged more than ten units of the peasant army on the edge of the Yellow River, because the Manchus attacked Datong, and the court had to transfer Cao Wenzhao to defend, which was the peasant army broke out of the siege by deception. Now that Cao Wenzhao is dead, the Manchurians are calling again, and there are no good generals to send in the court, so only he, the governor of the six provinces, has personally gone into battle.

After receiving the holy decree, Lu Xiangsheng immediately felt that this was a very critical juncture.

When the two armies fight, it is most forbidden to change commanders on the spot, unless the troops are withdrawn. But at this juncture, letting go of Gao Yingxiang and not chasing after him is obviously a missed opportunity, he knows Gao Yingxiang too well, this person is extremely courageous, and his reputation is big, once he returns to the Central Plains, tens of thousands of horses will not take a few months to develop to 100,000 200,000, and it will be much more difficult to clean up Gao Yingxiang at that time. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to chase closely and not let up.

But he is about to go to Datong, who will be the chief general in the army? Who has the ability to command the whole army?

There is only one answer, Sun Chuanting.

But Sun Chuanting has lost battles before, and his current position is not high, let him be the coach, will Zu Kuan and other fierce generals obey his fate? Once there is infighting, it can be a big problem.

Therefore, that night, Lu Xiangsheng secretly invited Sun Chuanting to his big tent.

Sun Chuanting's face was very calm, he already knew the will of the court, because when it was read, he was present, as well as Zu Kuan and Fan Ju. Therefore, only a few of them knew about Lu Xiangsheng's departure.

At present, as soon as Sun Chuanting heard Lu Xiangsheng invite him to go, he had already guessed eight points.

Sure enough, as soon as Lu Xiangsheng saw Sun Chuanting, he went straight to the point: "Bai Gu, today the military department came to deliver the will, and you also heard it, what do you think in your heart?" ”

Sun Chuanting didn't hide it, and said without hesitation: "Self-destruction of the Great Wall." ”

Lu Xiangsheng smiled bitterly: "Actually, the saint can't help it, the only ones who can stop the Manchurian Tartars right now are Hong Chengchou and me, Hong Chengchou is chasing Li Zicheng, although it is relatively close to Shanxi, but it makes sense that the saint does not transfer him, do you know?" ”

Sun Chuanting nodded: "I know, because Li Zicheng is much more terrifying than Gao Yingxiang." ”

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Yes, that's the reason. On the surface, Li Zicheng's fame is not as big as Gao Yingxiang, and there are not as many people as Gao Yingxiang, but the saint and we all know that once Li Zicheng is not eliminated as soon as possible, he will eventually become a big trouble. ”

Sun Chuanting said: "Exactly. Li Zicheng's men and horses are different from other thieves, they have strict military discipline, decisive action, and fierce fighting, Li Zicheng is the first soldier, his soldiers are very willing to die for him, such people must be eliminated before it develops and grows. ”

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Li Zicheng was able to kill Cao Wenzhao, which shows that he has good command. Therefore, when Hong Chengchou exterminated him, he couldn't give up halfway. So, I have to go. ”

Sun Chuanting nodded: "But as soon as the adults leave, Gao Yingxiang can make a comeback again." ”

Lu Xiangsheng smiled lightly: "No." I believe there is someone who can do better than me. Gao Yingxiang must have been captured by him. ”

Sun Chuanting's expression remained unchanged: "Your Excellency already has a suitable person to replace you?" ”

Lu Xiangsheng stared at his eyes, only to see that there was no trace of turmoil in Sun Chuanting's eyes, and his heart was even more bottomed. He smiled and said: "Bai Gu, the situation is urgent, I won't be polite, after I leave, you can be the commander of the whole army and continue to hunt down Gao Yingxiang." ”

Sun Chuanting's expression remained unchanged: "My position is low and not suitable." ”

Lu Xiangsheng said: "I have written to the Ministry of War and recommended you as the chief military officer and acting as my position in the army, you don't have to worry about this." It is believed that the decree will be given soon. ”

Sun Chuanting arched his hand: "Thank you, sir." ”

Lu Xiangsheng said: "After I leave, you must keep this news tightly sealed and not let the thieves know." Otherwise, they will come back and fight hard. ”

Sun Chuanting said: "I wrote it down. ”

Lu Xiangsheng said: "I don't doubt your ability, but can you guarantee that the generals in the army will obey your orders?" ”

Sun Chuanting thought for a while: "I can guarantee others, but Zu Kuan, this person is extremely arrogant, and he may not accept my dispatch." ”

Lu Xiangsheng said: "I think so too, don't worry, I will explain to him alone." ”

Sun Chuanting said: "No need. Lu Xiangsheng was stunned: "No need? Why? Sun Chuanting said: "The Manchu Tartars entered my Shanxi, and most of them were cavalry, and the adults needed the Guanning Iron Cavalry under Zu Kuan to go together to stop them." The Guanning Iron Cavalry and the Tartars fought many times, winning more and losing less, so the adults could ask Zu Kuan to go with them. ”

Lu Xiangsheng frowned: "Zu Kuan is gone, there is no stronger cavalry in the army, how do you suppress the thief?" ”

Sun Chuanting was confident: "Chuanting only needs 30,000 horses, which is enough to eliminate Gao Yingxiang's department." ”

Lu Xiangsheng was a little worried: "Bai Gu, there is no joke in the army, if you can't kill Gao Yingxiang, the emperor will be furious, and even I won't be able to protect you at that time." ”

Sun Chuanting got up and arched his hand: "Chuanting is willing to make a military order." ”

Lu Xiangsheng looked at him for a long time, and then got up and said, "No need, Sun Baigu is full of words, I believe it." It's just that...... You need to be extra careful. Although Gao Yingxiang is not as good as Li Zicheng, his department is also very strong. You don't have Guan Ning Iron Cavalry, it's like missing a fist, don't be reckless in everything, think twice. ”

Sun Chuanting said: "Thank you for your care." The court will inevitably capture Gao Yingxiang and be a great man for adults. ”

That night, Lu Xiangsheng held a secret meeting, invited more than 1,000 generals in the camp, and several important strategists, and told him his decision.

Lu Xiangsheng's meeting was quickly over, because he had to get up overnight.

After sending off the generals, Lu Xiangsheng led 8,000 people, together with 3,000 cavalry led by Zu Kuan, secretly out of the camp and headed for Shanxi.

According to his confession, Sun Chuanting became the commander of the army, and at this time, in addition to the wounded and sick, the old and weak, there were 30,000 elite soldiers in the army.

After Lu Xiangsheng left, Sun Chuanting immediately came to find Fan Ju, and as soon as he entered Fan Ju's tent, Fan Ju immediately stood up and smiled: "The general's opportunity has come." ”

Sun Chuanting said: "Each other. But opportunities are just opportunities, and it's important to be able to seize them. ”

Fan Ju said: "Yes, only by destroying Gao Yingxiang can adults come out now." ”

Sun Chuanting said: "The person I asked you to find, have you found it?" Fan Ju said: "I found it, this person sees death as home, can speak well, and has the ability to act at the opportunity, so he is the most suitable candidate." Sun Chuanting said, "Okay, bring him to me." ”

Fan Ju came out of the tent, and then brought in a person, it was Zhang Sanhuo.

Sun Chuanting said: "What Mr. Fan told you, are you clear?" Zhang Sanhuo said: "It's all clear, my lord." Sun Chuanting said: "To tell you the truth, if you go, you will probably be recognized as a spy and killed." Zhang Sanhuo didn't care: "There is no one in my family, and there is only one left." Nothing to be afraid of. Adults value me, and I just want to fight for my life, and I have to do it. ”

Sun Chuanting nodded: "Very good, after you come back, I will have another reward." Go ahead and prepare. ”

Zhang Sanhuo left, and Fan Ju asked Sun Chuanting: "My lord, why did you pass this news to Gao Yingxiang?" You're not afraid that he's coming to counterattack? ”

Sun Chuanting sneered: "I'm afraid he won't come, Mr. Fan, we have been dragged by Gao Yingxiang's nose, we have been going around for nearly half a month, we haven't fought a battle, if we continue like this, we will be dragged down, rather than this, it is better to fight." Besides, your plan requires some prerequisites, the most important of which is that Gao Yingxiang is desperate and forces him to enter the Meridian Valley. ”

Fan Ju suddenly realized: "The general wants to give him a dismount and let him know that although Lord Lu is gone, Master Sun is even more powerful than Lord Lu." ”

Sun Chuanting's face showed a hint of fortitude: "I am already better than him, and I want to use Gao Yingxiang's head to prove it." ordered the whole army to prepare to fight, and in addition, in order to make Gao Yingxiang believe, he had to release a little wind, lest Gao Yingxiang not be able to detect it. ”

The two looked at each other and smiled, confident.

Sure enough, under Sun Chuanting's arrangement, Gao Yingxiang soon heard the true news, and Lu Xiangsheng had been away for two days. At present, the official army is led by Sun Chuanting, and even Zu Kuan has gone to Shanxi with Lu Xiangsheng to deal with the Manchu Tartars.

What Gao Yingxiang is most afraid of is Lu Xiangsheng and Guan Ning Tieqi, at this time they are all gone, leaving an unknown Sun Chuanting, and 30,000 tired officers and soldiers, the opportunity could not be better.

So, Gao Yingxiang invited Zhang Sanhuo to drink a meal, and then sent him back to his hometown, Zhang Sanhuo left Gao Yingxiang's camp and immediately rushed back to the official army camp to report the news.

At this time, Gao Yingxiang was already ready to fight. He believed that he could defeat Sun Chuanting in a battle, and then go north to Henan to join Li Zicheng.

And Sun Chuanting had already been reported, he ordered the whole army, broke the cauldron and sunk the boat, left all the old and weak, guarded on the spot, and took 30,000 elite soldiers to face Gao Yingxiang's men and horses.

Two powerful armies, north of Zhuxi County, are about to start a fierce battle.

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