The rain was pouring down, Zhou Wenhe held up an oil umbrella and hurriedly chased after him, but Zhao Dangshi didn't wait for him, and strode into the courtyard in the mud in the rain. Not far away, the rain flowed down Hei Bangjun's clothes like a waterfall, he wiped his face fiercely, and greeted Zhao Dangshi and said: "Report to the lord, Henan has already seen the difference!" ”

Zhao Dangshi let the wind and rain blow, ignored it, and asked: "How?" ”

"The official army and the Chuang army fought a decisive battle in Zhuxian Town, and the official army was defeated, abandoning horses and mules and weapons was not counted!"

Zhao Dangshi's heart was shocked, and at this time, Zhou Wenhe came up and held up the umbrella, and said, "Let's talk about it carefully." ”

Hei Bangjun nodded violently, and then he told everything he had seen and heard in Henan for more than half a month.

It turned out that a month ago, after the invasion of Kaifeng Prefecture attracted the officials and troops of various departments in Henan to follow and gather, the two sides confronted Zhuxian Town in the south of Kaifeng Prefecture. The views of all parties within the official army were different, and the supervisor Ding Qirui was eager to relieve the siege and advocated launching an offensive as soon as possible, but Zuo Liangyu, Fang Guoan and other towns were worried that the outbreak of fierce fighting would cause too much damage, and believed that they could take advantage of the logistical advantage to drag the siege of the invading army and then choose an opportunity to destroy it, but they were opposed by Ding Qirui, Yang Wenyue and others. As a result, the official army was in a stalemate with the intrusive army externally, and at the inside of the two factions, the two factions were in a stalemate, and there was no progress inside and outside for nearly a month.

Taking advantage of this period, the Chuang army dispatched troops to make a detour to the south, and secretly dug hundreds of miles of hidden trenches and ditches in the area of Weichuan County and Weishi County.

In May, in the face of Ding Qirui and Yang Wenyue's increasingly aggressive attitude, Zuo Liangyu felt deeply worried. In addition, the business results of the Chuang army in the occupied areas in Henan exceeded Zuo Liangyu's expectations. Holding on for more than half a month, the invading army, which relied on some areas of western Henan and some areas of central Henan to provide logistical supplies, did not seem to lose the upper hand in the war of attrition, but instead launched a large-scale fort construction project in Zhuxian Town, posing as if it was going to fight fiercely with the official army to the end.

Liukou Liukou, now he actually does not have the capital and courage to fight to the end with the official army, which is a situation that Zuo Liangyu has never encountered in his career of suppressing Kou for more than ten years. This further plunged him into a panic, so he was trapped internally and externally, and after privately conspiring with Fang Guoan, he led the army to withdraw from the periphery in advance.

The Zuojia Army was the main force besieging the breaking army, and this withdrawal not only caused a huge gap in the entire encirclement, but also had a great psychological impact on the officers and troops of other departments. Following the Zuojia Army, the officers and troops of various departments began to evacuate in a hurry, and the Chuang Army seized the opportunity to pursue with all their might, breaking the officers and troops, and Hu Dawei, Jiang Mingwu and other officers and generals all died in battle.

The Zuojia Army was the strongest official army in Henan, and was considered by the Chuang Army to be the first enemy to be annihilated. Zuo Liangyu led the troops to escape for dozens of miles, and was driven into the trenches of Weichuan County and Weishi County, where the movement was blocked and had to fill in the trenches. Ma Yingxiang, Xu Guodong, Zhang Yiyuan, Bai Xian and other generals of the Zuojia Army and Cao Jingong, Yu Zixin, Wu Xueli, Ma Shixiu, etc. were killed, only Zhang Yingyuan and Wang Yuncheng rescued Zuo Liangyu from the remnants and returned to Runing Mansion in a hurry.

After this battle, the power of Henan's official army was weakened, and the Zuojia army was even more demoralized.

Thousands of mules and horses and more than 10,000 soldiers were captured, and countless ordnance and firearms were innumerable, and the arrogance was unstoppable. The land in central Henan is basically controlled by the Chuang army.

"Where is Zuo Liangyu now?" Zhao Dangshi asked with a condensed face.

Hei Bangjun replied: "When the subordinate came to Suizhou, the Zuo family army had already arrived in Queshan County, and it is estimated that it will arrive in Xinyang Prefecture in a few days. ”

As the two were talking, Pang Jinming outside the house hurriedly walked in and said, "Lord, someone has come to the army." ”

When Hei Bangjun heard this, he was about to get up and avoid it, Zhao Dangshi said: "No need, you are in charge of Henan's eyes and ears, and listen to the affairs of the army." ”

Pang Jinming then brought the messenger of the army, but he was familiar with it, it was Liu Tichun, the deputy commander of the right battalion of the army. After capturing Nanyang Fucheng, Li Zicheng officially divided the army into five battalions, and Liu Tichun is now the deputy commander of the right battalion, which is very prominent in the army. His face was covered with raindrops that he had not had time to wipe away, and his hair was wet and he could see that he had come in a hurry.

"Say Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives." Zhao Dangshi and Liu Tichun greeted each other and said with a smile, "I just talked about the victory of the Henan Guijun." ”

Liu Tichun nodded and said: "Since Zhao Shuai already knows about the war in Henan, it is no better, I will make a long story short here." ”

Zhou Wenhe said unhappily: "Listening to your tone, are you supporting my lord for King Chuang?" ”

Liu Tichun was stunned for a moment, and then hugged his fists and said: "There is no such intention, military emergency, presumptuous for a while!" "Turn to Zhao Dangshi, "Zhao Shuai, King Chuang always thinks of the friendship of the old king. The day before yesterday, I set off from Ruzhou, day and night, just to bring a good deal to Zhao Shuai on the order of King Chuang! ”

Zhao Dangshi raised his hand to stop Zhou Wenhe from speaking again, and said with a smile: "King Chuang's love is deep, Zhao is grateful in his heart, there is a good deal, listen to it." ”

Liu Tichun continued: "In the battle of Zhuxian Town, the officers and soldiers were defeated, especially Zuo Liangyu, which can be described as a great loss of vitality. The left thief has been poisoning Henan for many years, and his crimes are innumerable, and he is really the biggest enemy of your and our armies. King Chuang's meaning, it is better to take this opportunity and join hands with the two families to completely eliminate this guy. ”

Zhao Dangshi said: "It is advisable to chase the poor man with the remaining bravery, is that what it means?" ”

Liu Tichun was stunned, nodded again and again, and said: "That's right, the left thief was forced by our army to flee back to Xinyangzhou, and King Chuang decided that he would lead troops to avoid Chu in the next step...... It is rumored that someone from the left thief came not long ago? ”

Zhao Dangshi said: "Zuo Liangyu's son, Zuo Mengeng, is now stationed in the southwest boundary of Yingshan County. Maybe it was because he felt that it was not good, and left a way out in advance. The reason why our army was stationed in Suizhou was also to prevent him. ”

Liu Tichun continued: "Although the left thief was defeated, he still had residual strength, and if he merged the two armies of Chu and Henan, it would inevitably resurge." The meaning of King Chuang is to exterminate these two parts separately, our army will attack Zuo Liangyu, and your army will attack Zuo Mengeng. ”

"Zuo Liangyu is in Xinyang Prefecture and Zuo Mengeng is in Yingshan County, separated by a line, how can you prevent him from joining forces?" Zhao Dangshi said deliberately.

Liu Tichun patted his chest and said: "Zhao Shuai rest assured, if you want to cross the Tongbai Mountain between the two places, you need to control the three passes of Yiyang, and now these three passes are in the hands of our army, as long as the checkpoint is strangled, don't think about sparing his 100,000 troops." ”

When Li Jiyu instigated the Tongbai Mountain Bandits, he had to be the banner of the Chuang Army, and the one who helped him speak was Shen Wandeng, who was more dependent on the Chuang Army, whether it was the general of the Chuang Army or the Tongbai Mountain Bandits, they all thought that the three passes of Yiyang currently belonged to the Chuang Army.

"Mao Xianwen, Liu Hongqi and others have all served King Chuang?"

"Exactly."

"King Chuang ordered, and in a few days, he will gather all the armies to attack the left thieves in Xinyang Prefecture, and I also hope that Huguang will spend some time on Zhao Shuai's side."

"How many days?"

"Within five days, there will be a part."

Zhao Dangshi arched his hand and said: "Our army and your army share weal and woe, and the affairs of your army are the affairs of our army, not to mention Zuo Liangyu's perverse behavior, and people and gods are angry." As long as there is no problem with the three passes of Yiyang, Chu Di will be wrapped up in me, and I will never let the Zuo family army harass the king again! ”

Liu Tichun also arched his hand and said: "With Zhao Shuai's words, it is reassuring." The three passes of Yiyang are currently in the hands of Liu Hongqi and other village owners, and Zhao Shuai is in contact with them, as long as they report the name of the king, they will naturally cooperate. ”

Zhao Dangshi asked tentatively: "In the last battle, I accidentally hurt Luo Dazhang's plate, and I heard that Luo Dazhang's plate got along very well with King Chuang, and Zhao was really uneasy. ”

Liu Tichun shook his hand and said: "This matter was mentioned by King Chuang, and when he captured Nanyang Mansion City, he was ready to gather his army and return north. Who wants Luo Rucai to be blinded by lard, but he ignored King Chuang's persuasion and insisted on being alone, which is to cause evil results. King Chuang only sighed afterwards before Luo Ru ventured, but he could also understand Zhao Shuai's helpless move. He added, "I hope Zhao Shuai will not be worried, the military relationship between you and me is stronger than Jin Jian, not Ma Shouying, Luo Rucai and others." ”

"That's good...... Zhao Dangshi asked again, "What does King Chuang want to do next?" ”

Liu Tichun responded: "It is unpredictable to break into the king's machine, and I can't guess it under the order, so I only know how to do it." ”

Zhao Dangshi smiled when he heard this, so he didn't ask any more questions, and chatted a few more words, Liu Tichun only said that the army was in a hurry and resigned. Zhao Dangshi sent him out of the government office, turned around and instructed Zhou Wenhe: "Quickly call the four generals Han, Ma, Wang, and Bai." ”

Not long after, Han Gon, Ma Guangchun, Wang Laixing and Bai Wang arrived at the government office one after another, Zhao Dangshi first told them about the battle situation in Henan, and then said: "The army wants to kill the Zuojia army, and it has come to the door." In the past few days, the pattern of Chu Yu will change, tomorrow, come to Ge'er to lead the training camp 3,000 into the northeast of Yingshan County, Lao Han and Lao Ma two battalions will go to Xianggong Temple with me, Lao Bai, you will take the Changning Battalion of Wuyu and the Zhou command to sit in Suizhou. ”

The northeast of Yingshan County is close to Wuyang Pass, one of the three passes of Yiyang, and the Xianggong Temple is between Yingshan County and Suizhou. The three places are connected into a line, and Zhao Dangshi's intention to arrange soldiers and horses in this way is self-evident, that is, to restrict Zuo Mengeng from leading the army north.

"Zuo Mengeng is young and frivolous, and he just suffered a loss in Suizhou, it's really hard to say what he will do, let's be prepared." Zhao Dangshi said in a deep voice, "The northeast garrison of Yingshan County, first, is keeping an eye on the three passes, and secondly, Zuo Liangyu is really desperate to break through Tongbai Mountain, and he can block it as soon as possible." In other cases, Xianggong Temple is dispatched in the center, and the aid is rushed back and forth, which can be safe. Suizhou pressed behind, guarding the road into northern Chu, and it would follow at any time. In the past few days, Zhao Dangshi has repeatedly discussed with Gu Junen and Xu Yixian how to deal with various situations after the end of the war in Henan, so that he can quickly issue military orders calmly and quickly.

"Heavy rain and chaos after a lot of rain, with Zuo Menggeng's ability, he can't beat Anlu County, I think he will definitely return north." Ma Guangchun expressed his opinion and said, "His soldiers and horses can't get enough supplies in Yingshan County, and it is estimated that they will go to Tongbai Mountain to seize the cottage, at that time Liu Hongqi and others can't hide, so they can only turn their faces. ”

Han Gon echoed: "Lao Ma is right, meeting the saber soldiers of the Zuo family will do more harm than good, is it a way." If you don't do it, you need to think of a way to delay Zuo Mengeng on the road, otherwise when he really arrives at Wuyang Pass, things will be in trouble. ”

Zhao Dangshi nodded and said: "I'll do this thing, it won't be a problem to drag it out for a few days, you can start the action immediately when you go back." ”

The four generals agreed in unison and walked away quickly, and the sound of hurried hoop boots and the chaotic sound of rain mixed together, which seemed to diffuse a tense atmosphere inside and outside the yamen.