The banner fluttered in the wind and rain, and the soldiers of the Zuojia Army, shaped like a long dragon, meandered along the official road to the boundless north. After two months, Zuo Liangyu withdrew from Yuncheng to Xinyang Prefecture and led his troops again, this time, his destination was farther than Yuncheng, which was Zhuxian Town, located in the southwest of Kaifeng Prefecture.

At the beginning of this month, the Chuang army, which had repeatedly attacked and opened the Fengfu City without success, gathered troops from Xiangcheng County, Jiaxian County and other places and marched north. The strategic intention of the army was obvious, and Gao Mingheng, who was guarding the city of Kaifeng, immediately wrote to the supervisor Ding Qirui for help. Ding Qirui knew that the gains and losses of Kaifeng Mansion were very important, so he used the power of controlling Sun Chuanting, the governor of the three sides of Shaanxi, Yang Wenyue, the governor of Baoding and other places, Gao Guangdou, the governor of Fengyang, and the general soldiers of various towns, to call on soldiers and horses from all over the country to quickly go to help.

The fire at the city gate affected the pond fish, even if Zuo Liangyu was arrogant and reckless, but after all, it was his home field that the army was raging, and it was difficult for him to watch from the wall in public and private, so he sent troops unusually and quickly. His subordinates Zhang Yingyuan, Wang Yuncheng, Zhang Yiyuan, Ma Yingxiang, Bai Xian, Xu Guodong and Sichuan General Soldier Fang Guoan all joined the battle, and the momentum was extremely strong. The army has been marching one after another since the day before yesterday, and it is not until today that all of them have left the state city of Xinyang Prefecture.

The rain couldn't stop falling, and Zuo Mengeng, who practiced it for his father, watched the number of horses disappear into the ranks of the vast army, and sighed a few times. I don't know why, in the past, I was not separated from my father, but I never had such an empty heart as I do today.

"Childe!" Three figures in the distance hurriedly walked over, and when they saw Zuo Mengeng who was in the rain, they hurriedly came up to hold an umbrella, "It's still cold, you have to take care of yourself!" ”

Zuo Mengeng stroked the tips of his wet hair, and said kindly: "Thank you three uncles for taking care of you." ”

The three men in front of him are all Zuo Jiajun officers left by Zuo Liangyu to assist Zuo Mengeng, namely Jin Shenghuan, Lu Guangzu and Xu Yong. All of them are from Liaodong, among which Jin Shenghuan and Lu Guangzu followed Zuo Liangyu to fight very early, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they have watched Zuo Mengeng grow up. Xu Yong was originally the battalion general in the 24 Kou Suppression Camp set up by He Tengjiao of the former Nanyang Zhixian County, and He Tengjiao was introduced to Zuo Liangyu's account after being transferred to Beijing. There is also a Gao Jinku who is from Shaanxi, and today he is responsible for patrolling the state city of Xinyang Prefecture, but he has not left the city.

Zuo Mengeng sent a few companions to go back to the city first, and he and the three of them found a roadside tea shop in the suburbs to rest.

After two cups of hot tea, Zuo Mengeng's whole body warmed, but he said sadly: "Somehow, when I got up this morning, my right eyelid jumped and sent my father away, and I was uncomfortable." The uncles said, "My dad won't go wrong this time, right?" ”

"How so?" Lu Guangzu, who had a goatee, drank his tea, "This time it is not only our Zuo family army that responds to the suppression, but also Governor Ding and Governor Yang. After two months of cultivation, the strength of the officers and troops has increased unabated, didn't Zuo Shuai say that it is expected that the number of troops concentrated on suppressing will reach tens of thousands, and it is no problem to claim more than 100,000. ”

Jin Shenghuan said: "Zuo Shuai is wise and good at fighting, and the son doesn't need to worry too much." Since we have been ordered by the commander Zuo to sit in the rear, it is enough to do our part well. He went on to say, "My four battalions together have nearly 7,000 horse infantry troops, which is more than enough to support them. ”

"I'm relieved to have my uncles here." Zuo Mengeng squeezed out a smile, "But didn't my father say it before, it's not as simple as sitting in the rear...... We still need to open up the rear......"

The horse-faced Xu Yong muttered: "After all, Xinyang Prefecture is in Henan, and it is easy to be harassed by thieves, not to mention, the land is poor, and there are no development prospects. To open up the rear, you can only take the three passes of Yiyang to Huguang. A few days ago, I was ordered to go to Yiyang Sanguan to take a turn, and those bandits were condescending and respectful, and there was no problem with the loyalty of our army. ”

"Yiyang Sanguan? Where is that? Zuo Mengeng racked his brains, and he couldn't think of a place called Yiyang in Henan.

Xu Yong replied: "Xinyang was known as Yiyang in ancient times, and Wei Yan, the general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms, was a native of Yiyang. He continued, "The three passes are Pingjing Pass, Wuyang Pass and Jiuli Pass in the Tongbai Mountains in the south of Xinyang Prefecture. Now the bandits entrenched there have all surrendered to our Zuojia army, and our army has gone out of the three passes and can reach Huguang. ”

Zuo Mengeng said thoughtfully: "Oh, I see. So my father said at that time that he wanted us to prepare to enter Huguang, which meant to go to Huguang through these three passes? ”

Xu Yong and the other two looked at each other, they really didn't expect that Zuo Mengeng hadn't even studied the map and didn't think about the strategy until now. But I think that during this period, Zuo Liangyu's uninterrupted earnest teachings to his son still failed to have the effect it should have, half funny, half helpless.

Fortunately, as important members entrusted by Zuo Liangyu to assist the son, they are not completely indifferent to military affairs like Zuo Mengeng, and the plan has been generally discussed. At that moment, Jin Shenghuan, as a representative, patiently explained: "Out of the three passes of Yiyang, first go to Yingshan County in Huguang De'an Mansion. There are two roads in Yingshan County, one to the northwest, to Suizhou; One to the southeast, to the county of Anlu County, De'an Province......"

Halfway through the words, Zuo Mengeng interjected: "Wait, Suizhou...... I think it's like my father's territory, right? ”

Jin Shenghuan was stunned, and then responded: "Yes, yes...... It's the ...... of Yunxiang Town."

"Does Dad want us to ask our stepfather for help?"

"No, no!" Jin Shenghuan hurriedly shook his hand and said, "Yunxiang Town is absolutely untouchable, we can only go southeast to Anlu County." ”

Zuo Mengeng frowned and said, "Why can't you touch it?" Father-in-law, he has heavy soldiers and is righteous, and he is also very good to me. ”

Jin Shenghuan explained: "This matter can't be explained for a while, in short, Yunxiang Town can avoid it." ”

Seeing that Zuo Mengeng was still puzzled, Lu Guangzu expected to tell him that he would not believe the quarrel between Zhao Dangshi and Zuo Jiajun, so he gave Jin Shenghuan a look and said: "Son, Zuo Shuai wants us to forge ahead, and Chubei is the sphere of influence of Yunxiang Town, how can we occupy the magpie's nest?" Going to Chubei deviated from the original intention. ”

As soon as he said this, Zuo Mengeng accepted it, nodded and said, "That's right, let's go to the southeast, and our father-in-law can also provide support for us behind our back." ”

Jin Shenghuan and the three of them didn't know why Zuo Mengeng trusted Zhao Dangshi so much, and sighed in their hearts. Zuo Mengeng continued to ask: "Go southeast to Anlu County, what next?" ”

"Childe, De'an Mansion is not a place to live for a long time, if you want to settle down, you can only go to Wuchang Mansion."

"Wuchang Mansion?"

Jin Shenghuan nodded resolutely and said: "Exactly, Wuchang Mansion is the thoroughfare of nine provinces, and if you want money and people, if it is obtained by my Zuo family's army, the foundation can be achieved!" Zuo Shuai also thinks so. ”

Zuo Mengeng didn't know the specific location of Wuchang Mansion at all, and only saw that Jin, Lu, and Xu swore and carried their father out, so he didn't have much to worry about, and said, "Then go to Wuchang Mansion." ”

Jin Shenghuan coughed twice and said: "However, Wuchang Mansion now has Chu Fu Song Yihe Song Junmen, and his henchman Chu Zhen Qian Zhongxuan is stationed in Anlu County, so if we go out of Sanguan and take the southeast road, we must open the joints of Song Junmen." ”

Zuo Mengeng is not stupid, he knows the meaning of Jin Shenghuan's words. If he is Zhao Dangshi, he is still respectful for three points, and if he is someone else, he is not afraid of heaven and earth, how can he put Song Yihe, Qian Zhongxuan and others in his eyes? Immediately said stiffly: "It doesn't matter what joints he doesn't have, he Song Junmen knows the best about current affairs, if he doesn't know current affairs, who dares to stop my Zuo Jiajun?" ”

Seeing this, Jin Shenghuan and the three of them were finally a little relieved. They are not afraid that Zuo Mengeng will not care about military affairs, nor is he afraid of his recklessness, but they are most afraid that he will be timid and hesitant to diverge with Zuo Liangyu's strategic choice. It is a matter of course for the lord to make up for the lack of ministers, and several of them are also fully confident to assist, but Zuo Liangyu and Zuo Mengeng's father and son have different directions, and as subordinates, they are in a dilemma if they are caught in the middle.

"Childe, don't worry, with a few of me working hard, no one can beat the edge of my left army." Jin Shenghuan, Lu Guangzu and Xu Yong fell to the ground, and said calmly, "Then please go back to the city first, and we will immediately go back to the camp to rectify the soldiers and horses." ”

"Do what?" Zuo Mengeng's third cup of tea hadn't finished yet, so he listened to the urging and was so puzzled.

"Zuo Shuai has already set out for the expedition, and we should also set off at the same time, otherwise if the war in the north is over, we have not progressed, won't it chill Zuo Shuai's heart? Time is not waiting, I will wait for the next few days to enter Chu with my son! ”

"Huh?" Zuo Mengeng was dumbfounded when he heard this, and the teacup in his hand also fell to the ground and fell to pieces.

A few days later, De'an Province Suizhou.

Three cannons rang out, the city gate was opened, and Hou Dagui, who was guarding Suizhou, and Bai Wang, Shi Meng and other generals led Guo to meet the 6,000 horse infantry army led by Zhao Dangshi from Fanhe City.

"Look, the one in the red cloak is the lord, it's really a blessing to be able to see it so closely!"

"I heard that the purple flower armor controlled by Hou is the most eye-catching, and it really opened my eyes when I saw it today!"

The soldiers beside him were whispering, talking about the big people on the other side of the city gate, but Zhang Ganxian, who was mixed in the queue, was absent-minded and depressed at this time.

"The silver-armored general standing beside Hou Tongzhi seems to be the Meng Sentinel Officer of Feijie's left battalion......"

The three words "Meng Sentinel" came suddenly, as if a strong slap woke Zhang Dangxian suddenly, he hurriedly looked up, and through the rain, he saw a silver armor general standing next to Zhao Dangshi and Hou Dagui in the distance, and the three of them were talking and laughing.

"Well, do you know...... "One of the soldiers next to him whispered, "it is said that the Hou Commander will soon marry the sister of the Meng Sentinel." Meng Sentinel's sister, no one should know it, that's a famous beauty! ”

"I know, it's just ......" There were a few people around Zhang Ganxian who knew about his relationship with Meng Liu, and the middle of his words came to an abrupt end. Zhang Dang didn't look up first, and he could feel a lot of burning eyes focused on him.

Some people even wanted to take Zhang Dare to have fun first, and said in a weird manner: "Heroes and beauties, I think this is a perfect match." As soon as the words came out, several red-eyed junior officers who dared to be promoted first also echoed at the same time.

When Zhang Dang heard this first, his first reaction was that these people were chewing their tongues, and he couldn't help but turn his head angrily and glare: "What are you guys talking nonsense? ”

Unexpectedly, the other party did not back down, and shouted confidently: "Why is it nonsense?" The villain once took turns to listen to the use in front of the king's sentinel official tent, and once the king's sentinel and the outpost Guang sentinel discussed the matter, and the villain listened to it really well, and the Meng family's sister wanted to give it to Hou Tong! He raised his voice and said it so eloquently, which immediately attracted the attention of more people.

Zhang Dang was angry and scolded: "Shut up, otherwise you will report to the military judge for the crime of lying to you!" ”

When the man heard this, he was afraid of Zhang Dangxian's identity as a deputy sentinel, so he pouted and said no more. But Zhang Dangxian was upset at this time. The person who said this was only a low-level officer in the army, and even if he had the heart to arrange himself, he didn't need to involve the sentinels Wang Guangying and Guang Wenlu. You must know that once the case is decided, it is not a small sin. He dared to say this kind of thing in public, could it be that Meng Liu really wanted to promise it to Hou Dagui?

"This must be a misunderstanding, it must be nonsense." Zhang Dang's heart was beating and he was constantly relieved. can think of the unsuccessful search for Meng Liu a few days ago, and his body trembled slightly. For a moment, he felt that the rain dripping between his head and neck had become extremely cold, piercing to the bone.