The peasant army won a great victory, Li Zicheng counted the men and horses after the battle, and the peasant army lost more than 30,000 people in this battle, but killed more than 50,000 officers and soldiers and captured 20,000 alive. [No pop-ups. Of the 160,000 men and horses of the official army, nearly half were lost. Only Zuo Liangyu and He Renlong led the army to escape, which can be regarded as preserving their strength.

This battle deeply shocked the world, and since then, the reputation of the Li Luo coalition army has been greatly enhanced, and it has firmly occupied the position of the leader of the rebel army. Since this battle, the whole of Henan has been in turmoil, and the people have come to defect, and the prefectures and counties in various places have even killed or driven away the local court officials, and the cities have surrendered.

Within a month, the ground in Henan was full of the banner of the peasant army. The peasant army under Kaifeng City expanded at an astonishing rate, reaching 600,000 in the blink of an eye. Among them, Li Zicheng received 300,000 people, and Luo Rucai and the 5th battalion of Gezuo also reached more than 200,000 people.

The fifth battalion of the left of the revolution made a big profit in Henan, and the three palms were very happy, this trip was not in vain, although it was hit by Zuo Liangyu, but it did not lose many men and horses, and at this time it was from 100,000 people who first entered Henan, expanded to 150,000 people.

Lao Huihui and Ge Li saw that the overall situation of Kaifeng and even the entire Henan had been decided, and it was more than enough for Li Luo's coalition army to attack Kaifeng alone, so they said goodbye to the two. Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai didn't force them to stay, after all, they were also smooth sailing in Shandong.

Therefore, Li Luo and the others gave a large sum of gold and silver to the fifth battalion of Gezuo, and the two sides were harmonious and broke up with tears. Lao Huihui and others went back to Shandong and went to Fan Ju and Ziyi to join the teacher.

Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai defeated Sun Chuanting, and after a few days of reorganizing the army, they rushed to Kaifeng City with great fanfare. At this time, Kaifeng City knew the news of Sun Chuanting's defeat, and he was shocked every day, and the defender Chen Yongfu had to strengthen the city defense in addition to complaining to the court, so as to prepare for the peasant army to attack.

He also knew that it was no longer realistic to rely on reinforcements from outside. can only rely on the high walls of Kaifeng City to resist the peasant army. Fortunately, there is abundant grain and grass in the city, and there is no problem in supporting the city for a year, and Chen Yongfu hopes that the situation in the world will change for the better within this year. Or the court will regroup and return to Henan.

So in the whole Kaifeng city, there was a tense and murderous atmosphere, and the people in the city also cooperated with the officials and soldiers to defend the city, because they were afraid that after the peasant army entered the city, they would burn and loot, so they could be regarded as the same enemy.

When the peasant army came to the city, Li Zicheng ordered Kaifeng City to be surrounded, he was in the north of the city, Luo Rucai was in the south of the city, Liu Zongmin was in the west of the city, and Tian Jianxiu was in the east of the city. There were 100,000 horses in each direction. No matter what kind of elite soldiers you have in the city, you can't rush out.

After the siege, Li Zicheng ordered not to attack first, he had already learned that Kaifeng City was thick with high walls, the people in the city were strong, and the vassal kings in the city were also enlightened, so the morale was not low. In addition, there are many cannons at the head of the city and sufficient firearms, so if you attack, you will inevitably suffer heavy losses.

Li Zicheng listened to the plan of the military advisor Song Xian, and wanted to besiege the city for a long time, and without losing men and horses, he could get Kaifeng at his fingertips.

Besides, Sun Chuanting, after being defeated and returned to Hebei, set up camp in Linzhang, set up a banner, and barely cleaned up the mess.

When it was a little more stable, Sun Chuanting immediately went to the capital in person and pleaded guilty to Chongzhen in person.

Chongzhen was very annoyed when he heard the news of Sun Chuanting's defeat, and he would definitely punish him according to his temper, but at this time, Chongzhen understood that when the country was employing people, he should not kill the generals lightly.

So he summoned Sun Chuanting into the palace and listened to his defense in person.

Chongzhen didn't see Sun Chuanting in the court, just to exonerate him, because those officials would not let Sun Chuanting go.

Sun Chuanting knew this reason very well, and was grateful to Chongzhen for giving him a chance, but as the commander of an army, he should bear the primary responsibility for losing the battle, so as soon as Sun Chuanting saw Chongzhen, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed, asking for his crime.

Chongzhen didn't pay attention to it, but said: "Aiqing's defeat, the blame is not yours." I heard that at the time of the first battle, Aiqing attacked the camp of the thief army with strange soldiers, burned its grain and grass, and had achieved a great victory, but in the later pursuit process, some generals coveted the property of the thieves, resulting in chaos in the army, and then the thieves took the opportunity to counterattack, and they were defeated. ”

As soon as he heard this, Sun Chuanting's heart sank, he understood what Chongzhen meant, that is, to find a scapegoat, so as to exonerate himself, his heart was deeply moved, but also a little embarrassed, at this time, no matter who he found as a scapegoat, he would leave himself an irresponsible bad reputation, how to lead the generals in the future.

But if he didn't find a scapegoat, even Chongzhen couldn't explain it here, so Sun Chuanting had to grit his teeth and kowtow upward: "The minister knows." This person is ...... It's the general soldier...... He Renlong, "

He can only blame He Renlong, because this person has always been too slippery in the war and refused to use his life, Sun Chuanting hated him early on, not to mention that the last time Fu Zonglong led the army, if He Renlong had not led the army to flee first, how could he send a court member like Fu Zonglong, the commander of the first army, into the tiger's mouth.

Sun Chuanting expected that Chongzhen's heart also meant this, if he had to find a scapegoat, He Renlong was undoubtedly the most suitable, as long as he moved out of this person, even the officials in the court and the central government would have nothing to say.

Sure enough, after listening to Sun Chuanting's words, Chongzhen let out a sigh and snorted: "Such thieves have repeatedly damaged my overall situation, what is the use of keeping them." I will slay them. ”

Sun Chuanting hurriedly said: "Your Majesty should not be in a hurry, He Renlong is from Shaanxi, and the minister heard that he has a lot to do with the people in Li Zicheng's army, if he orders to his military camp, the minister is worried that he will be forced to rebel against him." ”

Chongzhen nodded: "In Aiqing's opinion, how should I deal with it." ”

Sun Chuanting said: "If Your Majesty believes it, the ministers can deal with it properly, suppress the emotions among the generals, and prevent the soldiers under him from rebelling." Chongzhen said: "Okay, I will entrust this matter to you with full authority." ”

After finishing speaking, Chongzhen sat down on the dragon bed, stroked his forehead, and said heavily: "After this defeat, the situation in Henan is no longer able to return to the sky." Even if Aiqing reorganizes the people, it will take time, in your opinion, can Kaifeng still be saved. ”

Sun Chuanting didn't answer immediately, he thought for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty, although Weichen was defeated this time and lost countless men, there are not too many soldiers who have died in battle, and I believe that as long as you collect stragglers, you can recover." Moreover, Zuo Liangyu and other generals still have heavy troops, as long as His Majesty gives his ministers half a year's effort, they will definitely be able to gather 100,000 horses and horses and try to forge ahead. The situation in Henan can be recovered. ”

Chongzhen was slightly energetic: "But can Kaifeng support it for half a year?" I recently heard that the thieves have gathered more than 500,000 people, and the soldiers are directly pointing at Kaifeng, besieging them in groups, if they keep attacking day and night, how long can Kaifeng City be defended, it is worrying. ”

Sun Chuanting said: "Your Majesty doesn't have to worry too much, the minister has already found out that Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai's men and horses arrived at Kaifeng City, and did not attack, depending on their meaning, they are also worried that Kaifeng is too tightly guarded, and if they attack rashly, they will hurt the soldiers and lose the generals." At present, they are adopting a siege strategy, and the grain and grass in Kaifeng City should be supported for half a year, and there is no problem. ”

Chongzhen nodded: "That's good, that's good." However, although this defeat was caused by the escape of He Renlong and other generals, Aiqing, as the commander-in-chief, must also be punished. ”

Sun Chuanting said: "The minister is willing to receive any punishment. ”

Chongzhen said: "Then remove you from the post of governor of the six provinces, and only serve as the governor of Henan and Zhili, and also lead the military affairs." ”

Sun Chuanting thanked him and received Chongzhen's secret decree, and then left the palace.

Within a few days, Chongzhen issued an edict to remove Sun Chuanting from the post of governor, and ordered him to be reappointed as the governor of the two provinces, focusing on training people and horses, and preparing to kill back to Kaifeng. At the same time, he issued an order to He Renlong, and actually praised him for withdrawing the whole army in the midst of the defeat, without losing men and horses, and having the style of a famous general, and gave some commendations. He was promoted to the chief soldier of Henan and returned to Sun Chuanting's control.

Sun Chuanting returned to his camp, immediately gathered the generals, and at the same time ordered He Renlong to come to the meeting immediately and discuss important matters.

He Renlong was originally very worried that Sun Chuanting had lost the battle, and as a general under him, he would definitely be punished, but he didn't expect that a few days later, he would wait for the will to be promoted. He Renlong was relieved, and then he received an order from Sun Chuanting, asking him to move to Linzhang to discuss the enemy's plan.

So He Renlong immediately packed up his men and horses, crossed the Yellow River, and came to Linzhang.

Sun Chuanting personally went out to greet him, holding He Renlong's hand along the way, and couldn't help but praise him for his good management of the army. Hearing this, He Renlong laughed, and he didn't even dare to say it.

But after entering the tent, He Renlong immediately felt bad, there were two teams of sword and axe men lined up in the tent, and the generals on both sides looked solemn and did not say a word.

Without waiting for He Renlong to react, Sun Chuanting returned to the handsome case, took out the secret decree and read it: "He Renlong receives the decree ......"

He Renlong hurriedly knelt down, his heart was up and down, and he didn't know how high or low. I only listened to Sun Chuanting read: "The chief soldier He Renlong, in vain to care for Tian'en, did not want to repay the service, and escaped from the battle in the battle of Zhuxian Town, causing Fu Zonglong's superintendent to fall into the enemy formation, and in the battle of Kaifeng, regardless of the overall situation, led the crowd to defeat first, so that the great cause of suppressing thieves fell short, the so-called greedy generals, can not lead the army, and those who are afraid of death are not allowed to be in battle." He Renlong was deeply favored by the country and entrusted with military power, but he had no intention of enterprising, or was suspected of collaborating with the enemy, and was deeply disappointed. Therefore, he ordered the governor Sun Chuanting to arrest him and immediately behead him...... "The knife and axe men on both sides immediately stepped forward, pressed He Renlong to the ground, and tied him up.

When He Renlong heard this, he gritted his teeth angrily, and scolded in public: "What a little son and grandson, you lost the battle, you don't bear the main responsibility, but plant it to others, Lao Tzu fought with his life and the thief to the death, but in the end he was slandered by you, Lao Tzu is not convinced, even if he dies, he will not let you go......"

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