Sichuan, Kai County.

He Renlong, along with other troops, repelled Luo Rucai and Hui Deng's attack on Kaixian in June, and has been resting here. At the same time, he is also waiting for Yang Sichang's reply, it has been half a year, and the "Ping Thief General" promised to him has not yet been fulfilled. It's Zuo Liangyu, who has been promoted again, Zuo Du Governor and Prince Shaobao, and the seal of the "Ping Thief General" is stable.

He had already sent someone to ask Yang Sichang, and now his son He Daming had returned, and he was questioning in a large mansion provided by the local area.

"Father." He Daming saluted He Renlong with a fist.

He Renlong waved his hand and asked directly, "Have you seen Yang Gebu?" What did he say? ”

He Daming sighed and replied: "I saw it, but Yang Gebu said that the matter of promoting you to the 'General of the Ping Thief' has to be discussed later." Yang Gebu said that it would be taboo to change the battle, and Zuo Liangyu had a great achievement, so it was inconvenient to change it now, so please wait for the father. ”

"Birds!" He Renlong slapped the armrest, and the handrail was broken with a bang. scolded loudly: "I feel that I am working hard for him everywhere, chasing and suppressing thieves, but I can't resist Zuo Liangyu doing his own thing, and he doesn't listen to orders?!" Hum! He's kind of a bird's cabinet?! Lao Tzu will also learn from Zuo Liangyu in the future, if you want to fight, you can fight, if you don't want to fight, you won't bird him! ”

He Daming reminded: "Father, think twice." The army here is staggered, and if we don't listen to the order, I'm afraid there will be accidents. ”

He Renlong's strength is not as strong as Zuo Liangyu, and he is not the only one who pursues the thief Luo Rucai, as well as Jingying and Huguang soldiers. So to be on the safe side, it's better to be cautious.

"Lao Tzu knows!" He Renlong scolded: "Lao Tzu does things, I don't need you to teach you!" Go down and rest first. ”

He Daming had no choice but to retreat.

He Renlong was thinking about how to act, so that he could be in a safe position and make Yang Sichang uncomfortable. It was Yang Sichang who did not keep his word first, and he let Yang Sichang not come to the stage now, which is just what he should mean. As for what impact his retaliation will have on the Ming Dynasty, what does it have to do with him? The trick of raising thieves with self-respect, not only Zuo Liangyu will, but he will also congratulate Renlong.

Huguang, in Zhuxi County, mountain paths.

Li Zicheng's troops were marching through the mountains. Originally, they thought that Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai had lost the battle with the official army in Fangxian and Zhuxi, and had moved to other places and taken the official army away, so they came to this area for activities. However, Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai went around the border between Huguang and Sichuan, and still walked around Xingshan, and the official army was concentrated in this area, so that they did not dare to plunder in a big way, and could only get supplies in the countryside and towns. Now I also have to move from the small road and stay away from the officers and soldiers.

"Zicheng," Liu Zongmin rode on his horse and asked Li Zicheng, "Where are we going?" ”

Li Zicheng was not in a high mood, and replied in a low voice: "Let's go back to Shaanxi first, and then go to Pingli." ”

"Zuo Liangyu is in Xing'an, but he keeps the troops." Gao Yigong reminded.

Liu Zongmin smiled: "What is this? It's the same as now, just kill everyone who doesn't go with us. In such a realm, no one will know that we have walked through here for half a year, what are we afraid of? ”

In order to hide their whereabouts and prevent the officers and soldiers from knowing their whereabouts, after they broke down the villages and towns, all those who were unwilling to go with them, and all the old and weak who were not physically strong, were all executed. so as not to waste food, and not to slow down the march of the troops. Turning all the way, their team, which was originally less than a thousand people, has swelled to more than two thousand.

And in the villages and towns that they conquered, all the big families and the families of meritorious names were executed, and not a single one was left. These people's floating wealth, grain and rice are all their spoils of war. Their rebellion is to create the rebellion of these big families, that is, to knock over those high-ranking old men who have meritorious names to the ground, so that they will never be able to turn over.

They put the plundered young men into the ranks, and the march was considered training. When encountering an attack on the village, let these newcomers take the lead, as long as they can survive, they are considered qualified soldiers. They opened at least a dozen villages and towns along the way, and the reason why there were such a small number of troops was entirely due to the excessive casualties of the newcomers.

Tian Jianxiu frowned, he looked at the demoralized team, and said, "This is not good, look at this team, how much morale is left?" What village or town doesn't have a few hundred people? But look at the present, plus our original nearly 1,000 people, it is only in the early 2000s. ”

"What do you mean?!" Liu Zongmin glanced at Tian Jianxiu and asked unhappily.

Tian Jianxiu was stunned for a moment, and explained with a smile: "It's nothing, it just means that this method is not good, and the killing is too heavy." Who is not raised by a father's mother, there is no need to do this. ”

"You have a good heart!" Liu Zongmin glared and said, "What are you rebelling for?!" Go to the temple and the Taoist Sutra to go! What's wrong with us killing people?! That's all forced by the imperial court! If you weren't forced to be in a hurry, who would want to do this head-killing business?! If you have grievances and grievances, you will go to the court, and you can't talk to us! ”

He spoke in such a loud voice that the generals around him could hear him. It's not that any psychological barriers are alleviated, these people have long had no psychological fear of killing. Instead, he reminded these generals that their rebellion was forced by the imperial court, and they cheered up if they didn't want to surrender.

Li Zicheng frowned and said, "Okay, don't quarrel, let's save some effort." When it comes to Pingli, there is still a battle to be fought. After we have collected enough food, we will go back to Shangluo Mountain before hiding. I think Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai can't hold on, and when they join forces again, the momentum will be big again. At that time, the officers and soldiers will be attracted by them again, and our opportunity will come again. ”

"Do we have to find a solid place to stay?" Yuan Zongdi said: "It's not a matter of running around like this. ”

Li Guo said: "Where to stay? Shaanxi is dry and the grass will not grow, but Huguang is better, but there are so many officials and troops that it is simply untenable. Henan is now also full of drought and locusts, and people have begun to eat people, and there is no place to be a foundation. ”

Li Zicheng also said: "How can it be so easy to get a foothold? As soon as we stopped, the officers and soldiers surrounded us. We still have to move, and the best way is to make the officers and soldiers unable to catch up with us. ”

"Why do you want to do so much? It's better to go back to Shaanxi first and avoid these officers and soldiers. As the saying goes, there must be a road before the car reaches the mountain, so you don't have to think about those useless ones. Liu Zongmin said loudly.

Gao Guiying reminded: "It's past noon, isn't it time to stop and eat?" ”

Liu Zongmin commanded: "Eat while walking!" Can you still delay your journey by eating? ”

Li Zicheng was helpless, so he had to say: "Just do what Zong Min said, it's all dry food, just eat while walking." ”

The soldiers were instructed and began to run forward and backward, passing orders to the troops.