"Cao Ying's rebellion" is true, but it can be said from the mouth of the Xiying general Zuolu Yue, there is still an indescribable awkwardness.

At that moment, Zhao Dangshi was silent, coughed lightly and said: "Cao Yingxin has not been in for a long time, why do you want to make trouble again?" ”

Lu Yue said: "Our battalion's eyes and ears are all over northern Chu, and there are many people in Cao Ying's camp who admire the prestige of the Eight Great Kings, and it is they who take the initiative to spread the news. ”

"I don't know what the Eight Kings have done?"

"The Eight Kings said angrily, 'The big husband needs to have a beginning and an end, Luo Ru is descending and rebelling, and the villain is also'."

Zhao Dangshi was silent when he heard this, Ma Yuanli and Lu Yue glanced at each other, and they were silent.

After a while, Zhao Dangshi said: "Don't hide it from the two of you, Cao Ying's matter, Zhao has already heard the rumors." ”

"There is such a thing!" Ma Yuanli and Lu Yue's bodies were suddenly shocked, and they were very surprised.

Zhao Dangshi nodded and said: "Luo Rucai wrote to me, asking the two families to start an incident together, regardless of their previous suspicions. ”

As soon as the words came out, Lu Yue's buttocks seemed to be pressed against the needleboard, fidgeting, Ma Yuanli exhaled and asked, "How is the surname Luo treated?" ”

Luo Rucai said that Hong and Sun entered the guard, the Shaanxi soldiers went to five or six, and the Central Plains was empty, which was a good time to hold a big event together. He wants me to give him an answer within seven days, and today is the fifth day. ”

Ma Yuanli raised his eyebrows and said, "What does Mr. Zhao think?" ”

Lu Yue heard this, and hurriedly added: "Luo Rucai is also a sinister villain, Zhao Zongzhen don't listen to his gossip to confuse the public." ”

Zhao Dangshi shook his head and said, "I'm not afraid that he will lie to me, I only think about Zhao Ying." ”

Ma Yuanli sat up straight, leaned forward and said, "How can you think about it?" ”

Zhao Dangshi sighed and said: "The two of you are not outsiders, and Zhao does not engage in that mysterious and mysterious set." continued, "To tell the truth, although I, Zhao, am an official, I can't do it." ”

"Where to go? Mr. Zhao is uncomfortable? ”

"I waited for the recklessness, and once I turned a thief into an official, it seems to have changed from black to white, but in the heart of the court, it is actually white skin and black heart."

"What do you mean by that?"

"The officials and people of the world are all the sons of the saints today. I have taken the people to caress them, and I have also become a child. But the court was tired of my many soldiers, and repeatedly criticized me, and even asked me to disband the soldiers. Don't you know that if the soldiers and horses are scattered, and each of them returns to his hometown, he will be hated and persecuted by Haoyou, and suffer from food shortage, it is better to cultivate his work and rest in this world, and start a new stove freely. ”

Ma Yuanli responded: "That's the truth, it's just to beg for a bite to eat, but the hateful court always looks at us and is not used to it." Not only did they not give money and food subsidies, but they also had to repatriate soldiers and horses to their hometowns, I just want to ask the emperor Lao'er, Huguang is hundreds of thousands of miles away from Shaanxi, and he doesn't give a son, how can he return to his hometown? I don't have anything to eat, I'm afraid I won't even be able to get out of this Xiangyang Mansion! ”

Zhao Dangshi said: "For the sake of my life, I and the Eight Kings led the people to reclaim, and Luo Rucai started again, with different means, but the same purpose. Moreover, "In this way, there is a reason for the incident, and Luo Rucai is not a villain." ”

Lu Yue heard what he said, and said tentatively: "Luo Rucai gave Zhao Zongzhen seven days to consider, it has been five days, but he is still undecided, is there still a little hesitation in Zongzhen's heart?" ”

Zhao Dangshi immediately said: "Hesitation can't be talked about, but it can be said to be pity." After all, they were all rebels, so why be too anxious to fry each other. ”

"Why is it too anxious...... Zongzhen's words, I have to ......"

"Never, never." Zhao Dangshi hurriedly shook his hand, "Don't be too careful, two of you. Since ancient times, it has been difficult to achieve both loyalty and righteousness. But the word 'loyalty', loyalty in the front, righteousness in the back, which is more important, Zhao can still distinguish clearly. ”

"The town has misunderstood, and I have nothing else to do." Lu Yue smiled.

Ma Yuanli said at this time: "I heard that Mr. Zhao went to the southeast not long ago, so Yaxing." With that, he laughed dryly.

Zhao Dangshi said with a smile: "I have been in the army for a long time, and it is difficult to be bored. The matter in northern Chu was settled, so he was busy and went out to relax. Then he turned the topic back, "Since the eight kings despise Luo Rucai as a human being, as long as Luo Rucai causes trouble, he will kill his relatives in righteousness?" ”

Lu Yue said: "The eight kings guard Yunxiang and try their best to serve the country. Although Luo Rucai has an old friendship with our camp, at this time and at that time, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, he can't show favoritism. ”

Zhao Dangshi muttered: "The Eight Great Kings are determined to do this, and Luo Rucai's destruction is not far away." He sighed again and again.

After continuing to talk for a while, Ma Yuanli and Lu Yue immediately got up to say goodbye, and Zhao Dangshi sent the two out of the city, and entrusted Zhang Xianzhong to meet for a party on a certain day. When they returned to the Baoguo Hall of the Three Military Mansions, Chang Zeyu and Mu Gongchun had already walked out of the inner hall.

"Xiying is here, and there are no three hundred taels of silver here." It was cold, and Chang Zeyu put his hands in his sleeves and said.

"When something big happens, it's natural to be more careful. My camp town is in Chubei, and I don't have a good relationship with him, so it's understandable to come to explore the mouth. ”

"The lord's sentence 'Luo Rucai wrote to me' is really the finishing touch, if it weren't for the two of them, his subordinates would almost applaud."

The corners of Zhao Dangshi's mouth raised slightly: "If you want to understand my camp with just a few words, it's not that simple." Zhang Xianzhong was suspicious, and after hearing this, even if his two battalions joined hands, there would eventually be a thorn in it. ”

"Zhang Xianzhong said that Luo Rucai wanted to rebel, so it can be seen that Cao Ying must rebel with Xiying."

Zhao Dangshi nodded and said: "After returning to the camp and leaving, between Yunxiang and Xiang, the only people that Xiying can win over are Cao Ying and my camp. Now Cao Ying has agreed, and Zhang Xianzhong wants to pull me on the boat again, but I have never been on good terms with him, and it is not good for me to speak directly...... So it's an idea to get away with it. ”

Chang Zeyu bowed his head and said: "Exactly." As the lord said, Zhang Xianzhong is suspicious, and no matter what kind of attitude the lord shows towards the rebellion in front of Ma and Lu, it will be difficult to win Zhang Xianzhong's trust in the end. It's better to be vague and use ambiguity as a trick, but it is convincing. ”

"As soon as Ma and Lu went back to say it, Zhang Xianzhong knew that my attitude was wavering, and when he and Luo Rucai started together, maybe someone would come to persuade me again."

Chang Zeyu stroked his beard and said: "However, Ma and Lu are here, and the fuse is that Hei Bangjun's whereabouts are unknown." Zhang Xianzhong has been plotting for a long time, and this wave has started, and he must be worried about the change later. I also probed the attitude of our battalion, and wanted to come to erect a flag and plot rebellion for a short time. ”

After saying a short time, Hou Dagui was the leader, and Xu Hui, Guo Ruke, Han Gon, Ma Guangchun, and Wang Laixing came together. They all served as commanders in the Zhao camp and were the core of the whole army.

Hou Dagui may have seen Ma Yuanli halfway, and quipped: "I haven't waited for the move, the people from Xiying arrived first, didn't they come to write a war letter?" ”

Guo Ruke also smiled and said: "The soldiers are very fast, but they have the first hand." ”

The six people saluted, sat in the left and right columns of the hall, Zhao Dangshi was at the top, and two chairs were placed on the side, Chang Zeyu and Mu Gongchun sat side by side. The hall is very wide, no one speaks and is immediately deep and quiet, coupled with a huge dragon and tiger fighting picture hanging behind Zhao Dangshi, the atmosphere is invisibly extremely solemn and solemn.

Zhao Dangshi coughed lightly, and all the generals sat upright. Zhao Dangshi looked around for a moment, pointed out the main purpose, and said: "Everyone, the situation in northern Chu will change, and our battalion will fight in a few days." The voice was not loud, but it was full of energy, and the aftermath of the words echoed in the hall for a long time.

Hou Dagui said: "Xiying Xiao'er is so good, he has been planning for a long time, and we will never scare him." As he spoke, he raised his arms and said, "Brothers, yes or no?" ”

The generals said in unison: "Yes! ”

Zhao Dangshi said with a smile: "With the spirit of Lao Hou, I don't have to worry about it." ”

Since he was awarded the post of counselor of the deer head shop, Hou Dagui has swept away the declining temperament of the past and regained his spirit. No matter whether they are training or on duty, they will do their best. Others thought that Zhao Dangshi had given him some fierce medicine, but Zhao Dangshi knew that the factors that drove him to be excited were all internal causes. If a person is strong-willed, the positive effect is obvious to all. Although Hou Dagui's beard has turned a lot grayer, he can vaguely see the shadow of his activity two or three years ago in his behavior.

Hou Dagui said excitedly: "Lord, you command, how to fight?" I'll tell you the truth, I've been waiting for Xiying and Zhang Huanghu to be uncomfortable for a long time! As soon as his voice fell, the rest of the generals echoed him. It can be seen that with the vigorous development of Zhao Ying, the self-confidence of the generals has also increased a lot, and the so-called mutual benefit and mutual prosperity and mutual dependence are all shown here.

Zhao Dangshi raised his hand to stop the restless generals, and said with a wry smile: "Don't worry, everyone, Xiying has not yet rebelled." Then he got up and walked to the middle position, "I have summoned you here today, and I am preparing in advance in order to understand the situation in the western camp. Saying that, clapping his hands, Pang Jinming turned out from the shadows on the side, first saluted the generals, and then recounted the relevant information obtained by the secret service department as usual.

The west camp is headed by Zhang Xianzhong, the eight kings, and has tens of thousands of troops, including 3,000 fine cavalry, divided into four battalions, and each battalion is set up with a battalion general and a deputy commander.

"Four battalion generals, Zhang Guoxing, Zhang Sihu, Zhang Keji, Wang Fuchen. The first three are Zhang Xianzhong's sons, and Wang Fuchen is a veteran general. Needless to say, these four are not new to the army, and you must have heard of the names of these people in your early years. ”

Xu Hui said: "Zhang Guoxing, I have fought before, and I am unstoppable and called ten thousand enemies. Charging into battle is the best hand, and among the four battalions, it is also the most desperate in his battalion. If you want to break the western camp, this person must be removed. ”

Wang Laixing sighed and said: "If Lao Hao is still there, he and this Zhang Guoxing should really be a chess opponent." When the generals heard this, they all sighed when they thought of Hao Shaoqi, who had been dead in battle for many years.

Pang Jinming continued: "The deputy second of the fourth battalion, Wang Hui, Bu Ning, Wang Ziqi, and Wang Ziyu, are all brave and accustomed generals, and they should not be underestimated. ”

Hou Dagui said: "Zhang Xianzhong can train soldiers, he was born in the border army, and he is especially good at generalizing the horse army. Its horse army is second to none among the rebel armies in various places in terms of combat strength, assembly and order, and it is by no means comparable to the former Cao Ying and Hui Ying. ”

When these words came out, Ma Guangchun was not happy, and said coldly: "It is a fact that it can be compared to Cao Ying, but it may not be comparable to returning to the camp." ”

Hou Dagui was about to refute, Guo Ruke said first: "It doesn't matter if it's comparable or not, in short, Xiying has been galloping for so many years, relying on nothing more than these horse troops." For the western camp, dealing with these 3,000 horsemen is the most important thing. ”

After he finished speaking, Pang Jinming immediately picked up: "It is true that these 3,000 cavalry are the backbone of the Xiying, but the Xiying has been in charge since March last year, and in the past year, it has recruited rebels, trained troops endlessly, and added 20,000 or 30,000 soldiers, who are also brave." According to him, these 20,000 or 30,000 horses and horses are uneven, all of them have armor, and their combat strength will be better than that of our battalion Tuntian soldiers." ”

Wang Laixing snorted and said, "Foreign Envoy Fu didn't know that there was a training camp in the Tuntian Army at that time. If you knew, you would have to think about it before you say it. ”

Pang Jinming smiled awkwardly: "That's natural." Then he said, "These 20,000 or 30,000 people are led by the governor Wang Shangli and Ma Yuanli, these two people have followed Zhang Xianzhong for a long time, and they are the earliest brothers in Xiying, and they have rich combat experience. ”

Hou Dagui sighed and said: "Rich is not rich, just talking about it can not be counted." ”

Pang Jinming pretended not to hear it, and said: "His subordinates Zhang Hui'er, Zhang Hualong, and Zhang Xianzhong's righteous son, Bai Wenxuan, Feng Shuangli, and Qi Sansheng are also generals. The other deputy commanders Yang Wu, Di Sanpin, He Jiuyi, Guan Youcai, Yang Wei, etc., each have their own reputations. ”

Hou Dagui continued to ridicule: "Each has its own fame? Living until now, each has similar luck. ”

Pang Jinming smiled and said, "What Hou Tongzhi said is true. The rest of the generals in the Xiying are similar to Lu Yue, He Yuntian, Zheng Shoubao, Yao Zhizhen and so on, so I won't repeat them one by one. With that, he stepped aside.

When the generals heard these names, some sneered, some blew their beards and glared, in short, all of them were unconvinced and eager to try. Zhao Dangshi said in a loud voice: "There are tigers in Pixi's camp, why don't I have a strong army in Zhao's camp?" Xiying will rebel, it is the opportunity of God to give me Zhao Ying to grow! He said, "Everyone, I can't hide it, I want to fight for a long time!" ”

When the generals heard this, they all stood up and hugged their fists.

"I am willing to die for the Lord!"

For a time, the palace of the three military palaces shouted and shouted Ruohong bells, and the sound shook the roof tiles.