In addition to Zhang Renxue's dismissal and Zuo Liangyu's seizure of the seal, the document approved by the DPRK and China at the end of July did not mention Xiong Wencan's guilt at all, which once made Xiong Wencan see a glimmer of self-preservation. However, the good times did not last long, at the beginning of August, Emperor Chongzhen ordered Yang Sichang, a scholar of the Ministry of Rites and Dongge University, to be the supervisor of the Shangshu of the Ministry of Soldiers, and to coordinate the suppression of the provinces on behalf of Xiong Wencan.

Xiong Wencan's suppression of Kou was fruitless, and he rebelled against Zhang Xianzhong, Luo Rucai and other giants to recuperate and even rebel, and was impeached by the government and the opposition, and Lei Yanzuo, the director of the Criminal Department, also directly impeached Xiong Wencan's recommender Yang Sichang, saying that "Xiong Wencan's main soothing the country, dispatching shelter, and always being the heir of Chang", and strongly advocated accepting Yang Sichang to prison to calm the court. Emperor Chongzhen also realized to some extent that Yang Sichang's words were "exaggerated and untrustworthy". But his heart is extremely high, how can he want to lose face in front of hundreds of officials, it is difficult to ride a tiger, and he still supports Yang Sichang.

Yang Sichang was afraid of Xiong Wencan's crime and the master, so he asked himself to lead the troops to "lead the division to the south" to suppress the thieves. Emperor Chongzhen was overjoyed, because he reused Yang Sichang and Xiong Wencan at the beginning, but he was bent on doing it, "scratching the crowd and using it", and also hoped that Yang Sichang would make meritorious contributions to the public. Therefore, after consulting with the secretary of the ministry, Xie Majesty, Yang Sichang was given the title of "Supervisor and Auxiliary Minister", and gave 500 pieces of silk and satin, 40,000 taels of silver and Shang Fang's sword, etc., "cheap reward", and placed high hopes.

In mid-August, Emperor Chongzhen set up a banquet platform, personally poured wine for Yang Sichang, gave poems to see him off, and asked him to "play skin skills early". Yang Sichang was grateful, knelt down and said that he would be able to eliminate the thieves within two years. In the same month, Fu Zonglong, the former governor of Sichuan, went to Beijing and served as the secretary of the military department, handing over to Yang Sichang. Yang Sichang then rushed to Huguang day and night.

Similar to most governors, Yang Sichang did not have a foundation of soldiers and horses in the local area, so before leaving Beijing, he recommended Zuo Liangyu to serve as the "general of the thief" again, hoping to win over this local powerful military leader in advance.

When the matter reached Huguang, it was late August.

"Congratulations on the reinstatement of Shuai Zuo!" As soon as it was recorded, Zhao Dangshi was the first to congratulate.

Zuo Liangyu laughed and said, "He Xizhi, it's just to get back what shouldn't have been lost." Then he snorted twice, "It's just a recommendation, empty mouths and white teeth are useless, and you still have to wait for the edict to come before it can be implemented." ”

Chen Hongfan also complimented: "Chuyu and other places, when it comes to generals, Zuo Shuai is called second, and no one dares to call him first." Isn't it a matter of course to get a 'thief general'? ”

As soon as the news of Yang Sichang's arrival in Chu came out, Xiong Wencan's yamen was completely deserted, and the door was full of birds, and no one cared about it anymore. Xiong Wencan's life is precarious, and he has no heart to plan for apportionment, and no one wants to listen to him. Since the thieves went elsewhere, Zuo Liangyu, Zhao Dangshi, and Chen Hongfan did not pursue, but only stumbled in the territory of Xiangyang Mansion. They have related interests and are relatively close, and they have been together for months, and today they are also in Zuo Liangyu's military camp.

Zuo Liangyu was defeated from Luo Monkey Mountain, picked up a life and fled back to Shengkang Town. Jin Shenghuan, Zhang Yingyuan, Ma Yingxiang and other generals have gathered, after nearly a month of rectification, the defeated and fleeing stragglers from all walks of life gathered from all directions, not long ago, the right Xiao cavalry battalion general Gao Jinku, who had stayed in Henan to watch his family, also led his troops to support. At this moment, Zuo Liangyu has thousands of soldiers and horses under his command, and the momentum has been revitalized.

There are Zuo Liangyu stationed in Shengkang Town, Zhao Dangshi stationed in Gucheng, Chen Hongfan stationed in Xianrendu, and there are three parties guarding the ground in Xiangyang, Zhang Xianzhong, Luo Rucai and other rogues did not return to Huguang, but went west into Zhuxi, Zhushan and other counties. But these places are poor and poor, and there is not much oil and water, so I can't keep them. According to the cable report, the next step for the second battalion of Xi and Cao will be transferred to Shaanxi. Zheng Chongjian, the governor of Shaanxi, took precautions, and the Shaanxi generals He Renlong and Li Guoqi were stationed in Xing'an and Pingli in southeast Shaanxi in advance to take strict precautions.

"I think that the sacrifice thief and Cao thief may not go to Shaanxi." Zhao Dangshi ate the candied fruit and said, "Before you move, let out rumors, thieves and old tricks." ”

Zuo Liangyu responded: "Nine times out of ten, I went to Sichuan. You said that the military disasters in Shaanxi have come and gone for many years, and they are all broken ground where birds don't, and Li Chuang disappeared and couldn't respond, and the thieves went there to ask for food and no food, and they wanted soldiers without soldiers, and they were killing themselves. ”

Chen Hongfan said: "Ahem, it doesn't matter where he goes, as long as he doesn't come to Xiangyang Mansion." As he spoke, he added with a little self-deprecation, "As long as I don't come to Xiangyang Mansion after my old Chen returns to the field." He was sponsored by Xiong Wencan to make a comeback, but the fire at the city gate affected the pond fish, Xiong Wencan's resignation was a certainty, he and Yang Sichang had no personal relationship, Yang Sichang didn't need him, and he said two things.

Zhao Dangshi said: "Brother, what are you talking about, the ground in northern Chu can only be maintained until now thanks to my brother, and with my brother's ability, it is necessary to grow Xiangfu." ”

"That's it, I can't do this job, and I don't want to do it." Chen Hongfan shook his head and said dejectedly, "I have already thought about it, and as soon as Inspector Yang arrives, I will resign and go home." "It seems that he has decided on his end.

"Why bother." Zhao Dangshi persuaded, "Inspector Yang is known for knowing people, and my brother will be useful." ”

Zuo Liangyu snorted coldly and said: "Know the name of the person? It's good that I got to know Xiong Wencan's straw bag. ”

Chen Hongfan sighed a few times and turned his back to silence. Zhao Dangshi said: "There is a little brother and Zuo Shuai, and the brother is safe." Saying that, he bowed slightly to Zuo Liangyu, Zuo Liangyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, Lao Chen, don't be too anxious first." ”

Zhao Dangshi really didn't want Chen Hongfan to step down at this time. Although Chen Hongfan's troops are weak, he still has more than 2,000 people, and it is useless to make good use of it. And Zhao Dangshi can see that Zuo Liangyu is deliberately alienated from himself, and if there is no Chen Hongfan as the glue to bring the two families closer, Zhao and Zuo may not be able to continue to cooperate.

Chen Hongfan is a person in Vanity Fair, this time it is not easy to recover, how can he be willing to sink again. Even if all he says is depressing, he will not give up in secret, and the old routine of officialdom will inevitably be used to it.

It's just that this time is different from the past, Yang Sichang was ordered to come with a heavy load, if he didn't make some achievements, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't protect him in the end. Something that is empty and honestly doesn't come in handy in this case. Zhao Dangshi is well aware of this reason, so he believes that the decision on Chen Hongfan's stay is actually in the hands of himself and Zuo Liangyu.

In other words, Yang Sichang presided over the situation to suppress the Kou, what he wanted was an army that could fight, and when he came to Huguang, the first thing he could rely on was Zhao Ying and Zuo Jiajun, the two head snakes. As long as he won the support of Zuo Liangyu and Zhao Dangshi, it was equivalent to setting an example, and other soldiers and horses were not allowed to follow his orders. Therefore, Chen Hongfan's stay in Huguang is not enough for him, Zhao Dangshi and Zuo Liangyu have to meet. Yang Sichang looked at Chen Hongfan unpleasantly, and he couldn't ignore Zhao and Zuo's feelings.

To be fair, Chen Hongfan has really helped Zhao Ying a lot in the past, Zhao Dangshi attaches great importance to affection, no matter whether Chen Hongfan is still useful to Zhao Ying at the moment, he will do his best to help him just because of the previous relationship. Zuo Liangyu was just taken by Chen Hongfan to Xiangyang City a few days ago to ask for a batch of military rations, so he couldn't pull his face and say no.

"Then how did Lu Zhenguo make arrangements?" Zuo Liangyu suddenly asked. Chen Hongfan doesn't care if he can stay at that time, he has a plan anyway, just walk and see. Xiong Wencan's guerrilla Lu Zhenguo was also one of the people implicated, and he asked casually when he thought of it.

Chen Hongfan shook his head: "I don't know." "He is too busy to take care of himself, how can he have the energy to care about others.

Zhao Dangshi also said he didn't know. In essence, secretly, Zhao Dangshi had sent people to visit Lu Zhenguo many times. Xiong Wencan's pacesetter, there is also a guerrilla Miao Youcai in Jizhou Town. But before the Qing troops entered the fortress, Miao Youcai, like many Ming troops, went to Beijing to Qinwang, and never came back after that. So now, only Lu Zhenguo and the 2,080 Zhejiang soldiers under his jurisdiction are still under Xiong Wencan's standard. Xiong Wencan's accident, Lu Zhenguo did not have the same connections and assets as Chen Hongfan, and he was even more panicked, forced by pressure, and even planned to resign directly.

Zhao Dangshi found him at the right time, knew the benefits, and promised to help him keep his official body, temporarily stabilizing his mind. As far as Zhao Dangshi is concerned, Lu Zhenguo is better than Chen Hongfan, after all, Yang Sichang came alone and also needed the support of pacesetters. Lu Zhenguo's soldiers and horses are also guest soldiers, so there is no hidden danger of arrogance. In addition, although the 2,080 Zhejiang soldiers lacked training and had no actual combat experience, they were excellent soldiers with a solid physique and high spirits, and Zhao Dangshi was confident that he would persuade Yang Sichang to keep them on his own. Many friends and many roads, Lu Zhenguo Zhao Dangshi has seen it a few times, and he feels honest and reliable, so he wants to take this opportunity to make friends.

Everyone is waiting for the sky to change.

The singing and dancing of northern Chu came to an abrupt end at the end of August. On this day, Zhao Dangshi played chess with Chen Hongfan in the camp as usual, and a soldier came to report, claiming to be sent by the Qihun camp Guo Commandery. Since he led the troops to Henan a month ago to support the suppression of the Kou, Guo Ruke would send people back every once in a while to spread the good news. Some of them were about the battle against the back camp, and some were about the invasion of the Henan bandits, but this time it was extraordinary.

There are two letters, the first one is about the battle situation, but it is not a good news like a running account, but a report to Zhao Dangshi on the recent movements of the camp. According to Guo Ruke, at present, the officers and men of Henan have found out the next destination of Ma Shouying and He Yilong, and are preparing to set up a bureau in advance to fight a major war of annihilation, and the location is in Beitaishan Miao Town, in Guanghua County, on the border between Chu and Henan, not far from Gucheng. Guo Ruke hoped that Zhao Dangshi would send troops to attack and make a great contribution steadily.

In the second letter, a man named Li Jiyu was mentioned. This Li Jiyu family for Henan Dengfeng Township Tyrant, he himself has read, proficient in boxing and feet, is also a famous hero, but a year ago, there were officials to the township to urge the grain to oppress the people, he can't see it, the government servants were beaten, arrested for crime in the county prison, but escaped under the secret rescue of the villagers, then scattered the family wealth, gathered in the mountains and forests. In just one year, the ministry has been quite large-scale, often in Dengfeng, Linru, Mixian, Gongxian and other places.

Guo Ruke said in the letter that he originally led troops to suppress Li Jiyu, but seeing that he was quite arrogant, he talked to him and surrendered very much, so he turned the war into a jade silk. Li Jiyu invited Guo Ruke to go up the mountain and called him a brother. Guo Ruke felt that although Li Jiyu was down, he was upright and loyal, so he suggested that Zhao Dangshi could win him over.

Li Ji didn't care, Zhao Dangshi read the first letter and was very interested. The point of interest is not in his own meritorious service, but in inviting merit for Chen Hongfan. A very important reason why Chen Hongfan is anxious is that he has always lacked military exploits. If he could help Chen Hongfan to add a meritorious service before Yang Sichang's arrival, it would be of great benefit to ensure that he stayed.