1

On the third day of April in the second year of Dashun Yongchang, Li Zicheng, the king of Dashun, was enjoying the scenery in the imperial garden, and the guards came to report: "General Tang Hai asks to see." Dashun Wang Xi said: "Quickly bring General Tang to Qianqiu Pavilion to drink tea." Tang Hai tended to go to the Qianqiu Pavilion to kneel and bow, the king of Dashun gave him to sit, and there was already a maid pouring tea and pouring water, and the king of Dashun said: "General Tang, taste this Biluochun." Tang Hai said: "King Xie! "And the tea at the back end is sipped.

After drinking a cup, the maid poured it again. King Dashun said: "How is the situation of the people outside the city? Tang Hai replied: "The people are stable and the people's hearts are smooth, but the pursuit of stolen goods and subsidies has caused a small number of people to be dissatisfied, and the ministers think that they must not be careless." King Dashun sighed: "Although Zong Min fought bravely with Guo'er, he lacked power and strategy, and he was jealous and hateful, but he didn't know how to reach it, and he was also worried about this matter. At present, there is no major war around Beijing, Jiangnan still needs to use troops, Zuo Liangyu's 300,000 troops are also flowing back and forth along the Yangtze River, these days, Gu Zheng is thinking about General Li Yan is responsible for recovering the stolen goods and helping the salary, and sent Zong Min and Guo Er to lead the army to the south. ”

Tang Haidao: "The king, the minister heard that Wu Lu, the head of the Ming court, had said to the faint king Chongzhen that the Manchu Qing wanted to take advantage of the chaos to invade my China, and he suggested that the king should be persuaded to accept the title of king of the northwest and return to Xijing on this ground, and then the matter was over, the minister did not know the truth, just in case, sent a detailed expedition to explore the Mongolian border, and did not find the Manchu movement. Even so, Kechen was still uneasy in his heart. Think back then, this group of Dongyu Tartars bypassed the Shanhaiguan many times to commit raids, faint and incompetent, afraid of the enemy like a tiger did not dare to fight, the Qing army was full of gold and silver treasures every time, driving the people cattle and sheep away, now China is in chaos, but they have no movement, isn't it suspicious? ”

King Dashun said with a smile: "Every time the Eastern Tartars enter the customs, they only plunder near the capital division and do not dare to go deep into the hinterland of the Central Plains. ”

Tang Haidao: "The ministers expect that the Manchu Qing Dynasty is not yet able to dominate the world, so they adopt a strategy of encroachment, every time they invade, the Ming court's power will weaken once, and they have obtained countless people, gold and silver, cattle and sheep, and their power has gradually increased. ”

King Dashun said with a smile: "What the general said is extremely true, but I think that the reason why Huang Taiji did not dare to go deep is that he can't break through Shanhaiguan because of his ---." If the Shanhai Pass is not broken, the Guanning Army may cut off the return route of Huang Taiji at any time, and the Manchu army is in danger of being attacked by the Ming army on both sides at any time, so if Huang Taiji wants to enter the Central Plains, he must first break the Shanhai Pass to relieve his worries. Last year, Huang Taiji fell ill and died, and the Manchu court fought for power, although it was rumored that the ministers recommended Dolgon as the regent, but he was new to power, and he would not have time to look south. Moreover, Wu Sangui has already returned to Shun, and Lone has sent elite soldiers to take over Shanhaiguan, even if Dolgon invaded, Lone ordered the Shanhaiguan defenders to be divided into two, the first army cut off its way back, and then transferred various armies to encircle and suppress, so that he had no return, and the other army commander drove straight into Shenyang to smash his lair, so that he could steal chickens and not lose a handful of rice. ”

Tang Haidao: "The king is strategizing, and the ministers admire." ”

King Dashun laughed and said: "It is more than 1,300 miles from Shenyang to Beijing, and only more than 700 miles from Shanhaiguan to Shenyang. ”

Tang Hai worried: "Kechen heard that Wu Sangui surrendered, and the king only sent Tang Tong to lead an army of 20,000 to receive Shanhaiguan, this person was originally the general army of Xuanhua in the Ming Court, and he had to surrender, but he was brave and unscrupulous, and the minister was worried about ......"

King Dashun said: "The general is reasonable, and he will send elite soldiers and strong generals to Shanhaiguan tomorrow to strengthen defense." ”

Tang Haidao: "The king is wise. ”

The two drank tea for a while, and the king of Dashun said: "I think that back then, Hanzhong was in trouble, the general rescued the lonely in the Nansha River, Shangluo was trapped, and the general led the troops to help the lonely east expedition to the Central Plains. ”

Tang Hai hurriedly bowed again: "The ministers are idlers in the rivers and lakes, and they only have today when they meet the king, how dare they be proud of their achievements, now the true dragon is in place, the world is benevolent, and the ministers only want to be restored to the grass people, and there is nothing else to ask for." ”

King Dashun smiled and said, "General Tang, hurry up and speak." Tang Hai stood up and sat down, and King Dashun said: "The general doesn't have to be too humble, Lonely's words are from the bottom of his heart, and Aiqing wants to have an official position in the new dynasty, just say it." ”

Tang Haidao: "The words of the minister are also heartfelt, the minister is here today, just for this matter, I hope the king will be fulfilled." ”

King Dashun was shocked and asked, "The general wants to abandon the orphan?" ”

Tang Haidao: "No, the world is the world of the king, and the ministers are either in the court or in the countryside, all of them are the subjects of the king."

Dashun Wang Qi said: "Why are you doing this? ”

Tang Haidao: "The ministers are tourists in the rivers and lakes, but they pity the suffering of the people, so they gather all the brothers to rob the house, break the evil and establish the right, kill the corrupt officials and the rivers and lakes, and then fortunately meet the king, know that the king is the world's talented and benevolent lord, so he led the brothers to act like a righteous person, today the king is famous, the people of the world are expected to live in peace, Tang Hai is satisfied, how dare to seek wealth again?" Furthermore, many days ago, the minister wanted to persuade Cao Yin to return to Dashun, but he not only did not surrender, but blamed the minister, the minister was angry for a while, fainted, although he recovered these days, but he was drowsy for a long time, and he also wanted to find a clean place to recuperate. The minister is here, and he specially asks the king to allow the minister to return to his hometown for the people and enjoy the rest of his life in peace. ”

King Dashun secretly pondered: "Tang Hai's retreat must not be true, it must be that I transferred his brother, and I have a grudge in my heart, and besides, blame me for leviing taxes, lax military discipline, and dishonesty to the people?" Nai smiled and said: "Good brother, the remnants of the Ming court are still kicking in Jiangnan, I originally wanted to wait for Jiangnan to be pacified, let your eighteen brothers be officials in the same province as officials, and guard one side, at that time, your brothers get along day and night, wouldn't you be happy?" You go now, you don't know how to settle for a while, and if you want to let your brothers go to the rivers and lakes again, won't you let the people of the world accuse you of being ungrateful? ”

Tang Hai thought to himself, the king thinks that I am going to take away all the brothers, I have to explain it in advance, so as to teach him to rest assured, but said: "After the king ascends the throne, the world will return to benevolence, and the people will be grateful to Dade, and they will only praise the benevolence of the holy lord, so how can they blame the king?" And the minister has nothing else to ask for, the brothers are outstanding in martial arts, and they only hope that they will follow the king in the future to make achievements and glorify their ancestors, and at that time, the minister will be satisfied. The minister asked, and the king of all hopes gave permission. ”

"What? The general retired alone? King Dashun was surprised.

Tang Hai said: "The brothers follow Tang Hai can only eat and drink, mediocre, buried the means of turning the river and the sea, but it is a pity that the ability to capture the dragon and subdue the tiger, and follow the king is very different, vertical and horizontal, open up the territory, make immortal achievements, leave a name for the ages, although Tang Hai is reluctant to leave them, how can he ruin the future of the brothers because of his own selfishness." ”

"Isn't the general going to take one with him?" King Dashun couldn't believe his ears.

Tang Haidao: "I beg the king Xu Chen to bring Hong Shi'an and the sixty-six guards back to Daba Mountain." ”

"General Shi'an's martial arts are outstanding, and it is difficult to match them in the righteous army, but these sixty-six people are?"

Tang Haidao: "The minister fought with Cao Impression Mountain, and swore that one person would not be in vain, and then took 18,000 Bashan disciples to follow the king to fight the violence, and now there are only 66 people left, and the 17,934 people died in the battle, although they were not killed by the minister, but the so-called 'I don't kill Boren, Boren died because of me,' this matter made the minister feel guilty day and night, and the reason why the minister had no intention of being an official was precisely for this. Now that our king has achieved great success, the minister only asks to return to Bashan with the survivors to live in peace, and hope that the king will be favorable. ”

Tang Hai said that when he talked about the sore spot, his voice was choked, and he knelt down again to salute, and couldn't help crying sadly. King Dashun stood up suddenly, helped Tang Hai up in a panic and said: "General, you are a truly benevolent and faithful person, get up quickly, you are alone." ”

Tang Hai was overjoyed and said, "King Xie." ”

King Dashun helped Tang Hai sit down, and he also returned to his seat and sat down, and asked: "General, you want to go into hiding, you don't want to stay, if you have any requirements, just say it, and you can't refuse it." ”

Tang Hai was moved: "The king really has mercy on Tang Hai, please send down the grace of heaven and exempt the people of the ten counties of Bashan from paying taxes for ten years, so that Tang Hai's guilty heart can be at ease!" ”

King Dashun said: "Okay, you are alone, after Gu ascends the throne, he will first exempt the ten counties of Daba Mountain from paying taxes for ten years, and order the household department to allocate 6,600 taels of silver to reward 66 Bashan soldiers, and each of them will be given 30 acres of fertile land, which will be exempted from taxation for life." ”

Tang Hai was overjoyed, and then presented the evil sword, and was about to return to the king of Dashun, the king of Dashun hurriedly pushed the sword back and said: "I also want to seal the general as a retreat, the general can wear the evil sword, travel the world, local officials at all levels see the sword as if they see the Qincha, welcome the gift, do not slack off." The officials of the Ming Dynasty were corrupt and violent, and the general was still eliminated for the people. ”

Tang Hai was grateful, and hurriedly knelt on the ground to thank him, crying with joy.

2

As soon as Tang Hai walked out of the palace gate, he met Song Xiance's car in a hurry, the two greeted each other, and Song Xiance said, "When did General Tang enter the city?" Tang Haidao: "I just came today." Song Xiance said: "What happened outside the city? Tang Hai bowed and saluted: "The military advisor is relieved, the outside of the city is stable, and there is no accident." Song Xiance said: "That's good, that's good." By the way, the king can be busy? Tang Hai said: "The king is drinking tea in the Qianqiu Pavilion. Song Xiance said: "I'll go to see the king." Tang Haidao: "The military advisor, please." ”

Song Xiance said goodbye to Tang Hai, went into the imperial garden to see the king of Dashun, and said: "Wu Sangui, the guard of Shanhaiguan, has come to Beijing to surrender my Dashun, but for some reason, he returned halfway. King Dashun was shocked: "Why, he dares to surrender and rebel?" Did he ignore the lives of a family in Beijing? Song Xiance said: "This thief is repeated, the king should make a decision as soon as possible, and it cannot be postponed." King Dashun said: "If he dares to rebel, I will personally go to kill him." Then he instructed the guards who were waiting on his side, saying, "Tell the order, and the people will discuss the meeting in the hall tomorrow." ”

The guards took the order and left, and Song Xiance asked, "Has the king summoned Tang Hai?" ”

King Dashun said: "It is not a lonely summons, it is he who has come to ask for his resignation." ”

Song Xiance was surprised and asked, "Please resign?" Where is he going? ”

King Dashun sighed: "Tang Hai has no intention of officialdom, now that he has become famous, he wants to learn from the hermit of the ancients, go to Daba Mountain to live a quiet and comfortable life, and he has been kept again and again, how can he have already decided to go, it is a pity." ”

Song Xian pondered: "It's strange, if it's decided today, everyone is thinking about merit and profit, but Tang Hai resigned and retired, but why?" Could it be ......"

King Dashun said with a smile: "Tang Hai only brought Hong Shi'an and sixty-six Bashan guards with him, and his sixteen brothers and tens of thousands of troops are still used by me, which shows that he has no two hearts." ”

Song Xiance said: "Long live this person should not be underestimated, when he used to only have three people, Shan Yong, Lin Yuan, and Ye Yang, he was famous in the rivers and lakes, and he made the Daming Prefecture and County Government panic all day long, and later gathered 17 people, and it was like a tiger with wings, and the rivers and lakes were powerful and corrupt officials changed when they heard it. And Tang Hai is extremely good at winning by surprise, with the strength of only nine people, he easily eradicated the Dragon and Tiger Gang Jian Lanning, and only eighteen people destroyed Miao Shaochun of the Great Buddha Country with their bare hands, and raised 18,000 strong men in the blink of an eye. ”

King Dashun said with a smile: "The military advisor is too worried, although Tang Hai has great ambitions, but he has no objections, he is a person, only admits death, does not understand expediency, he may complain that I am dishonest with the people, but there is no disagreement, this point, there is no mistake in self-confidence." ”

Song Xiance saw that the holy will had been decided, so he no longer persuaded him, and had to say: "This is very good." The king, about the enthronement of the matter, the minister has invited a number of old ministers of the Ming court, they are proficient in the system, quite familiar with the etiquette, and are now waiting for the decree outside the palace, the king can personally summon to inquire, so as not to make mistakes in the enthronement ceremony. Li Zicheng sighed: "Liaodong is undecided, the war is not settled, the matter of ascending the throne is slow, you let them go back first, and wait for Gu to deal with Wu Sangui's affairs later." ”

Song Xiance withdrew from the palace and dismissed the Ming court elders. came to the Prime Minister's Mansion to meet Niu Jinxing, Niu Jinxing welcomed him into the main hall and said: "When the military advisor comes to the door, there will be a teaching." ”

Song Xiance said: "Can the prime minister know about Tang Hai's resignation and retirement? ”

Niu Jinxing said: "I don't know, why did he resign?" Song Xiance said: "I don't know, I heard the king say that he has no intention of fame and wants to learn from the ancient hermits." ”

Niu Jinxing said "oh" without saying a word, and Song Xiance asked: "The Ming court is dead, and the world is decided, but he insists on going into hiding, doesn't the prime minister feel suspicious?" ”

Niu Jinxing asked rhetorically: "The king didn't listen to the dissuasion of the military advisor and let him go?" ”

Song Xiance said: "Yes, long live Tang Hai, I don't want to give more advice." ”

Niu Jinxing said: "Tang Hai is in hiding, who will he take away?" ”

Song Xiance said: "I heard that I only brought Hong Shi'an and sixty-six guards. ”

Niu Jinxing said: "Don't let him leave Beijing." ”

Song Xiance said: "The holy will has been decided, how can I stay?" ”

Niu Jinxing smiled: "I have my own clever plan." As he spoke, he made a move with his hand, Song Xiance passed over with his ear, Niu Jinxing muttered a few words in Song Xiance's ear, and Song Xiance was shocked and said, "Ah? This, wouldn't this cost Tang Hai's life? ”

Niu Jinxing smiled and said: "If it is not used by my Dashun Dynasty, what is the use of keeping it?" ”

Song Xiance said: "No, the prime minister doesn't know, I have a secret report from the spies today, Wu Sangui surrendered and rebelled, it seems that the war is coming again, at this moment, beheading Tang Hai, Yu Jun is not good." ”

Niu Jinxing exclaimed: "Wu Sangui has changed his hexagram? ”

Song Xiance said: "Yes, the king has ordered the generals to discuss the hall tomorrow. ”

Niu Jinxing said: "Even so, let him Tang Hai obediently stay in the capital for me." ”

Sent away Song Xiance, Niu Jinxing came to the palace in a sedan chair, at this time the king of Dashun had already reviewed the chapter in the Jiaotai Palace, saw Niu Jinxing, and asked: "What is the matter with the prime minister?" ”

Niu Jinxing said: "The minister recently heard that someone secretly transported gold and silver, ordnance, horses, salt, grain and other things outside the city, and the minister suspected that although the Ming Dynasty relics were named Guishun, they were actually secretly making trouble, trying to create famine in Beijing, so they could take advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos." ”

King Dashun was furious: "Lone knows that this group of relict ministers is blowing on both sides, it is not a good thing, if it weren't for Li Yan, Tang Hai and others to persuade Lone to kill less and kill carefully, Lone would have slaughtered them all a long time ago." ”

Niu Jinxing said: "Long live why not make a holy decree, the defenders on the outskirts of Beijing will strictly check the people who go out of the city, and those who carry gold and silver, ordnance, horses, salt, and grain out of the city without permission will confiscate the items they bring. ”

King Dashun said: "Okay, this matter is up to you." ”

3

Tang Hai sent someone to summon Shi'an Dao: "Brother Xian, I recruited you to come today, there is really a confidant to tell, the king will not ascend the throne in the future, the brothers will work hard, and there will be a reward, Tang Hai should have shared wealth with his brothers, but unfortunately his nature is elegant, he does not like to make noise, on the occasion of the world's benevolence, he is willing to choose a mountain and a water, the grass is a house, the sun rises and the sun sets, and he rests at sunset, and he is a fairy outside the world." However, the seventh sister and the Tang Xi brothers divided their troops to garrison the west of the city, I left, and there was only one sister Jin Zi in the northern army of the city, I was extremely uneasy, among the brothers, you were the only one with the best martial arts, please come and assist her, how about it? ”

Shi'an was shocked, knelt down and bowed: "Big brother, Shi'an is tired of fighting, since the eldest brother is leaving, please be sure to bring Shi'an." ”

Tang Hai helped him up and said, "Brother is willing to give up the wealth in his hands? You've got to think about it. ”

Shi'an's mind appeared in Zhang Dan's delicate face like water, and he couldn't help but feel sour in his heart, and after a heart-piercing pain, he said categorically: "Glory and wealth, the past is cloudy." ”

Tang Haixi said: "In this case, you and my brother will go together." And he said, "Wait a minute, I'll go and tell Sister Kaneko, she doesn't know yet." ”

Tang Hai was about to go out, the door opened, and Jin Zi entered the house and said: "Big brother, Brother Shi'an, you and the guards have all the necessary needs on the road, five hundred gold, thirty thousand silver, sixty-eight horses, one hundred stones of grain and grass, a cart of swords, bows and arrows, do you need anything?" ”

Tang Hai looked at Jin Zi in astonishment, and said for a long time: "You know? ”

Jin Zi said lightly: "Big brother go with relief, Seventh Sister said that she will let Brother Tang Xi come to Qinghe to help me." ”

"It's not that Big Brother is ruthless and unjust......"

"Two feet are stuck in the quagmire, and if you want to withdraw, you can only pump one foot at a time," Kaneko's face was expressionless.

"No," Tang Hai argued: "The eldest brother is gone, because the eldest brother not only failed to fulfill his long-cherished wish in his life, but killed 17,934 Bashan disciples, the eldest brother can't stand the Bashan brothers, and has failed Wang Changyue Zhenren, the eldest brother is guilty and disappointed, and you don't have to be like this, you have made great achievements for the Dashun country, and you should follow the king and be loyal to the king." ”

Jin Zi smiled lightly and said: "Big brother, don't be anxious, we just listen to you, in the future, everyone will come to Daba Mountain to see you and Brother Shi'an." ”

Tang Haijian said, only then was he relieved, and asked: "What are you doing with swords, bows and arrows, Hebei, Henan, and Jingxiang are all returned to Dashun, we will go all the way, and we will be unimpeded, why do we need so many weapons?" ”

Jin Zi said: "The Dashun Dynasty is newly established, the world is not yet peaceful, the eldest brother goes south, although it is the territory of Dashun all the way, but it is also necessary to prevent the remnants of the Ming Dynasty from sneaking attack, it is better to be prepared." ”

Tang Hai praised: "It's rare that gold is so thoughtful! ”

4

Tang Hai and Shi'an ordered sixty-six guards, asked everyone to report their names and positions one by one, divided the guards into six teams, and selected six sturdy soldiers Huang Yi, Xue Tao, Zhan Ping, Wang Hua, Li Jie, and Wu Fei as captains. Tang Hai and Shi'an said goodbye to Duan Qi, Tang Xi, and Jinzi, and took the guards, rode horses, each wearing a waist knife, and pulled grain utensils from the south of the Qinghe River, all the way to Daba Mountain.

Walking to Yuyuantan, a team of people and horses came behind, but the leader of the general was Li Yan. Tang Haidao: "Kyoto was initially decided, and the generals were busy with military affairs, so I will not say goodbye to each other. Li Yan said: "General Tang traveled far away, Li Yan came to pass the decree, and the second came to travel. Tang Hai exclaimed: "What is the king's will?" Li Yan jumped off the horse and said, "Tang Hai listens to the order." ”

Everyone knelt down, and Li Yan proclaimed: "Tang Hai, the general of the imperial feudal system, is waiting for retreat, holding the evil sword, supervising the millions of righteous troops, if there are unrighteous soldiers, Xu will cut first and then play!" Tang Hai was overjoyed, and he bowed and received the order. Li Yan toasted three more glasses, Tang Hai drank it, and then said goodbye.

When the sun sets, go to Baoding, Baoding Mansion Righteous Army guard Zhang Shijie opened the door to welcome the generals into the city, after the two sides greeted, Zhang Shijie said: "General Tang came to Baoding to see what to teach?" ”

Tang Hai said with a smile: "No, Tang Hai has not returned for six years since Bashan raised the uprising, and he misses it very much, such as the overall situation has been decided today, and the peace of the world is just around the corner, Tang Haite asked the king to allow him to go back to Bashan to explore, passing by Baoding, there is a lot of harassment. ”

Zhang Shijie was shocked: "Are you leaving the capital?" ”

Tang Haidao: "Exactly. Zhang Shijie showed a look of embarrassment, and Tang Haiwei asked, "What?" What does General Zhang think can't be? ”

Zhang Shijie arched his hand and said: "The last general received an order from Prime Minister Niu this morning, saying that Beijing was initially decided, food was scarce, ordnance was scarce, and horses were precious. Since the general had received the permission of the king himself, he had paid off the edict allowing the general to carry food, horses, ordnance, etc., and the general would have to make a difference in the future. ”

Tang Hai said: "Tang Hai came in a hurry, he didn't ask for any edict, and he hoped that the general would act cheaply." ”

Zhang Shijie said: "Then it will be difficult, the prime minister has an order, strictly set up checkpoints, no one is allowed to make exceptions, the last general is light and the post is small, how dare you disobey the prime minister's order?" ”

Tang Hai thought about it left and right, and felt that he was not thoughtful, and he should ask Li Zicheng, the king of Dashun, for an edict before leaving Beijing. So he said: "In this case, we will leave horses, swords, weapons and food, and now that Hebei and Henan are all in Dashun, we don't need swords to defend ourselves." As for the horses, they are the strength of the feet, and since the prime minister has an order, it is okay for all of us to walk. It's just that Tang Hai brought some gold and silver, and he had to eat, drink, and stay along the way, and he hoped that the general would be accommodating. ”

Zhang Shijie said: "Since it is entangled, how dare the last general be detained, but it is more than 2,000 miles to Daba Mountain, and there are no horses, so it doesn't take a month or two for the general to walk to Bashan?" In the opinion of the last general, the general might as well return to Beijing temporarily and ask the king or prime minister for an order, so that the road can be unimpeded. ”

Tang Haidao: "The king is diligent and hardworking, and it is already disloyal to be a courtier, so how can he bother him?" Prime Minister Niu Cheng is also a good day, Tang Hai is still good to disturb, now that Jiangbei has returned to the new dynasty, let's walk on foot, just appreciate and appreciate my Dashun colorful rivers and mountains. ”

Tang Hai said that, and then ordered Shi'an to collect all the weapons and mounts carried by the sixty-six people and hand them over to Zhang Shijie, Zhang Shijie ordered people to accept them, and said: "General Tang is really enlightened and courteous, the last general has thanked him, and invited the general and all the sergeants to rest in the pavilion." ”

Seeing off Tang Hai and the others, Zhang Shijie summoned his confidant Zhang Wei and said: "You ride a fast horse into Beijing quickly, you must see the prime minister tonight, just say that although the general confiscated the Tang Navy's weapons, food and horses according to the order, Tang Hai was firm and refused to return to Beijing." Zhang Wei took the order, went out of the city gate, rode his horse and whip straight to the capital, Niu Jinxing was shocked, and secretly doubted: "He is so determined, is he really going to retreat?" ”