Chapter Seventy-Two: Besieging Yaogang, Monarchs and Ministers Turn Against Each Other

The Dashun army camp was covered with gloomy clouds, and after Li Zicheng's soldiers and the Yaogang people collected the corpses together, they quickly brought all kinds of rumors about Yaogang back to the barracks. Li Zicheng and the others quickly discovered this very bad sign, and he ordered that no one in the barracks should be allowed to talk about anything about the kiln, and those who violated the order were beheaded. Despite this, the soldiers were quietly spreading news of one kind or another about the Kiln Gang in private.

In fact, Li Zicheng also understood that it was not a matter for the soldiers to pass these things if they were victorious by their own army, but they might be fatal when they were defeated continuously. At this time, Li Zicheng was really in a contradiction, and he had slowly seen that the preparations made by the kiln people in order to meet him were far beyond their imagination, and almost all their ideas, the kiln gang people had already thought of the front. According to the current situation, the best way for yourself is to withdraw, but if you withdraw this time, the kiln gang people will definitely become bigger, I am afraid that no one in the world can lower the kiln gang people, and I am afraid it is impossible to come back.

Li Zicheng is worried, Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance are also worried there.

After receiving the news of the defeat of Yuan Zongdi and Gao Yigong at Lingshui Wharf, Song Xiance came to Niu Jinxing's tent with a sad face.

Niu Jinxing pretended to be relaxed and said: "What's the matter, Zhiduoxing, who has always been strategic, also has times when he is at a loss?" ”

Song Xiance sighed and said, "Don't say it, the more I think about it these days, the more scared I become." We are facing a much more terrifying opponent than we previously thought. To be honest, I still haven't figured out what our opponents are thinking. ”

Niu Jinxing smiled and said, "How can a military advisor grow the morale of others? ”

Song Xiance shook his head and said: "After we arrived at Yaogang, we slowly found that the people of Yaogang seem to be far more prepared for today's events than we thought. And this kind of preparation will definitely not be completed in a short period of time, at least they started to prepare before we left Shaanxi. This shows that they thought about today's situation very early. When we came to attack them with great ambition, they were ready early on, waiting for us here, and all the means available to us were within their calculations, and we were played with like monkeys in their hands. Isn't such an opponent too scary? ”

Niu Jinxing smiled bitterly and said, "Strategist, you can only tell me about this matter and it's over." Actually, I've been thinking about it for a long time, and we've met a real master. Compared with others, you and I are the masters of mixed rice. ”

Song Xiance nodded and said: "What's even more terrifying is that we don't know what our opponents are thinking, why don't they fight back, they can calculate today's things so early, then they will definitely think about the future, and what will happen in the future, we don't know what to do until now, don't you think it's scary?" I felt like someone had dug a big hole in front of us, and we didn't know when we were going to fall down. ”

Niu Jinxing said: "It's useless for us to worry too much, the boat will naturally go straight to the bridge." The problem is that now we have to give the emperor an idea of what to do. ”

"I have thought about this matter, one is to immediately withdraw the troops back to Shaanxi, the other is to besiege Yaogang, and at the same time bypass Yaogang to attack the area north of Yaogang, we will take down the places around Yaogang, and we will see how the people of Yaogang can hold it for a long time." Song Xiance said.

Niu Jinxing said: "You must not say anything about the withdrawal of troops, if you want to talk about it, just talk about the idea of besieging Yaogang." The matter of withdrawing troops must be said by the emperor, and even if the emperor says it, we must also oppose it, because the emperor will not want to withdraw troops from his heart. After the withdrawal of troops, we will probably not be able to come back, because the Yaogang people will really become bigger, and it is likely that the world is also the Yaogang people. Another reason that cannot be said is that if we all return to Shaanxi and Henan, two places that have been dry for many years, what will we use to feed them? Everywhere we went, we said that we would not pay for food for three years, so how could there be such food. Therefore, people can't go back if they don't finish fighting. ”

Song Xiance nodded and sighed, but did not speak.

Niu Jinxing said: "Strategist, you are familiar with Qimen Dunjia I Ching Mathematics, you haven't calculated, what tricks will our opponent have?" ”

Song Xiance said: "These methods are okay to deal with ordinary people, but they are useless against people who are higher than me, their mana is much higher than mine." The hexagram is also marginal, and it makes me uneasy. ”

While the two were talking, someone came to inform them that the emperor had invited them over.

Li Zicheng saw Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance coming in, and said, "The prime minister and the military advisor come and sit, I still have some Huangshan hairy tips left here, you can also taste it." I think it's time for the new tea to come down soon. ”

Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance sat down together, and the two slowly tasted tea with a cup, Niu Jinxing said: "Tea is good tea, but it's a pity that the water in Shanxi is too hard." ”

Song Xiance said: "I still like the water from Longjing tea in Lin'an (Hangzhou) to make Hupao Spring, which is difficult to find elsewhere. ”

Li Zicheng's ministers all know that today's tea is not very delicious, and today they must come up with a decision on how to act next. Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance can even know that Li Zicheng must have made up his mind what to do next.

Li Zicheng sighed and said, "I don't know when our monarchs and ministers will be able to go to Lin'an together to taste tea?" ”

Niu Jinxing knew that it was time to get to the point, and said: "This matter is not difficult, as long as we can pacify the northern part of the Yellow River, it will be a matter of time before both sides of the Yangtze River are settled." ”

"Yes, but how can we get through this hurdle in front of us? Yuan Zongdi at Lingshui Wharf not only did not make progress, but he also fell into the water, and he is still suffering from a fever; Gao Yigong's grain and grass are burned, and the method they use to fill the earth to attack the city now, I don't think it will have any effect. I've been thinking, if it doesn't work, we'll withdraw to Shaanxi first. Li Zicheng picked up the cup, took a sip of tea and said.

Niu Jinxing said: "Your Majesty, we must not withdraw now, although we have lost our troops and lost our generals, but we have not lost our vitality." I was talking to the military advisor about this. Our idea is to leave some people trapped in the kiln gang, Lingshui wharf, and the smelting yard, so that they can't move. If they leave their fortifications to attack, we will use the superiority of our cavalry against them. The rest of our men and horses bypassed the kiln and attacked north, and we occupied all the places around the kiln, so we see how long the kiln gang people can survive? ”

Song Xiance said: "Yes, the emperor still has hundreds of thousands of horses and horses that have not moved. I don't think it's time to fight. ”

Li Zicheng said: "Since you all think that we can still fight, let's talk about your specific plans." ”

Song Xiance cleared his throat and said: "I think so, leaving Gao Yigong in charge of besieging the kiln and smelting yard and Lingshui Wharf. Our army is still in the vanguard of General Liu Zongmin, bypassing Yaogang and attacking Daixian first. It is reported that Zhou Yuji, the commander-in-chief of Shanxi, is now defending there. It took a little effort for us to fight the kiln gang, and the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty still had a chance of winning. ”

Li Zicheng said: "We can't be careless, it is said that Zhou Yuji bought a lot of muskets from the kiln people, and many people have been trained by the kiln people. We won't be too smooth to hit Zhou Yuji, so we have to be a little prepared. ”

Niu Jinxing said: "We have a hard time fighting the kiln people, not only because of the weapons of the kiln people. It's that they use their weapons better, and there are masters who can fight in the kiln gang. Even if Zhou Yuji changed all the firearms of the kiln gang people, they couldn't beat the effect of the kiln gang people, not to mention that it was impossible for the kiln gang people to sell all the things they looked after to them. ”

At this time, Li Zicheng laughed and said, "It seems that we are going to get some face back from Zhou Yuji's general soldier." ”

Niu Jinxing said: "Hey, no way! How could we have imagined that we would suffer a big loss here in Yaogang, and I also need to win a battle to boost the morale of the soldiers. ”

Li Zicheng held a military meeting in the big tent, and for the first time he saw his generals so depressed, and when he saw that everyone had arrived, Li Zicheng said: "What's wrong today, isn't it just a few defeats?" Haven't we ever lost a battle? ”

Niu Jinxing saw that Li Zicheng had finished speaking, and said: "It's not terrible to defeat the battle, how can there be a victorious general?" We met the kiln people this time, and we didn't expect them to have such powerful firearms. Therefore, we suffered their losses, not only were they powerful in firearms, but they also had geographical advantages, and we could not give full play to the advantages of our large numbers and strong cavalry. We use our shortcomings to touch the strengths of others, how can we be invincible? Therefore, the emperor brought you here today to tell you that we will change our tactics from now on, and we will not touch their guns, but adopt the method of siege. But we can't all be here with hundreds of thousands of people. We also need to set aside a part of our people to continue our great work. The next detailed action plan will be arranged by the military division. ”

After Song Xiance finished the detailed arrangement, the faces of the soldiers were a little better, and they really couldn't fight here.

After Song Xiance finished arranging the tasks of each department, Li Yan spoke, "Your Majesty, don't be too partial, and assign us tasks too." We who are in charge of food and grass have nothing to do, we can't watch the brothers fight, and we have nothing to do. ”

If he was okay in normal times, Li Zicheng could still control his emotions, but at this time, Li Zicheng was full of anger, and his face was ugly, and he said: "General Li Yan, whoever said that he was in charge of grain and grass has nothing to do." Without grain and grass, what will we eat for hundreds of thousands of horses? You'd better take care of the food and grass. You don't have to worry about anything else. ”

Without waiting for Li Yan to speak again, Li Zicheng said again: "The generals have understood the tasks assigned by the military division, and we must fight the next battle as soon as possible." If we don't play well, I think we'll go to the kiln together. ”

None of the generals expected Li Zicheng to say such a thing, and they looked at each other one by one, not knowing what Li Zicheng meant.

Li Yan here, he didn't know what was going on. But Li Zicheng's indifference to him can still be seen. Since Li Zicheng arranged for him to be in charge of grain and grass, he felt that there was a problem. Someone was in charge of the grain and grass matter, and Li Yan was in charge of it, and it was nothing at all. Obviously, Li Zicheng has left himself idle. But Li Yan and the Red Lady couldn't think of being together, and offended Li Zicheng there. They thought of it as Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance had done something bad to them. Although these two are because Li Yan recommended Niu Jinxing, and Niu Jinxing recommended Song Xiance. It should be said that they were all appreciated by Li Zicheng because of Li Yan, but after they came, they quickly took Li Yan's place in Li Zicheng's eyes. Li Yan didn't take this too seriously. But these two began to squeeze out Li Yan everywhere, which made Li Yan also a little dissatisfied.

Today in front of everyone, Li Zicheng was not polite to Li Yan at all, this was rare in the past, Li Zicheng's generals heard it, Li Zicheng had an opinion on Li Yan, as for what happened between them, they didn't dare to ask. Li Yan is also an open-minded man, he waited for everyone to disperse and left, stayed, and wanted to ask Li Zicheng what was going on. But Li Zicheng said: "I'm too tired and want to rest." ”

Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance hurriedly said: "General Li Yan, you go back first, and talk about it when the emperor wakes up!" ”

Li Yan flicked his sleeves and left with the red lady.

After Li Yan left, Niu Jinxing asked Song Xiance: "Military advisor, do you say that General Li Yan can really have two hearts?"

Song Xiance said: "The emperor thinks that there is something, but General Li Yan was always arrogant before, which made many people unbearable. ”

Niu Jinxing said: "I'm afraid of fakes, but if you do this, it will become true." ”

After Li Yan and the Red Lady left the camp, the Red Lady couldn't help but say: "We worked hard to give him our lives, how can it be like we owe him." Today, he didn't save face for you in front of everyone, it's too unusual. I couldn't help it for a long time. ”

After listening to the words of the red lady, Li Yan, who threw out his sleeves in anger, calmed down, and said, "Don't talk nonsense." I think there's something wrong. From before we went to Yaogang to participate in the siege of Yaogang, we fought all the way, and there was nothing to do, why did we start attacking here in Yaogang, and the emperor suddenly transferred me away? There must be something wrong here, and I must see the emperor tomorrow to figure things out. ”

The red lady said indignantly: "You want to talk to him today, he ignores you in front of everyone, and you still have the face to see him again." But your words just now reminded me, is this related to your acquaintance with Ouyang He, the military advisor of Yaogang? ”

Li Yan said: "No, the emperor has long known that I know Ouyang He, and he also persuaded me, can you let Ouyang He also come over to serve together?" ”

Li Yan and his wife didn't understand what went wrong along the way. How could they know that the kiln gang people have spent a lot of energy on the overall situation laid out for him, made a long-term foreshadowing, and operated for a long time. It's only natural that they stay in the dark.

Li Yan is also a fierce character, he almost didn't sleep all night, thinking about what happened to his relationship with Li Zicheng, but he didn't have a clue, Li Yan simply washed up after dawn, and rushed to Li Zicheng's big tent with his own soldiers without eating.

Waiting for Li Zicheng to get up, Li Yan asked someone to report.

Li Zicheng didn't expect Li Yan to come so early, at this time he remembered that he didn't save face for Li Yan in front of everyone yesterday, and he was a little too much. However, thinking of all this evidence that was unfavorable to Li Yan, Li Zicheng was still blocked in his heart. Intuitively, Li Zicheng felt that Li Yan would not have two hearts, but all the evidence was not favorable to Li Yan. None of this evidence was enough for Li Zicheng to make up his mind to convict Li Yan. This made Li Zicheng very entangled in his heart. Li Yan was originally a civil and military all-rounder, and at this time, he should definitely be able to take charge alone, but with all this evidence here, although the prime minister and the military adviser did not speak, they must be very dissatisfied with their failure to deal with Li Yan's matter, and they feel that they are not like an emperor and indecisive.

However, Li Yan came early in the morning and couldn't see him. Inform Li Yan to meet in the tent.

As soon as Li Zicheng entered the big tent, he said: "General Li Yan, come to see me early in the morning, is there anything urgent?" ”

Li Yan stood up and said, "I'm just asking the emperor for an explanation today, and see what I Li Yan can't do with the emperor?" Why did the emperor do this to me? ”

Li Zicheng smiled and said: "General Li Yan has filtered more, we have hundreds of thousands of troops, I think the matter of grain and grass is too important, and we need a competent person to be responsible." Don't think about it. ”

Li Yan made up his mind today, no matter what happened, he would not give up, and said: "Your Majesty, after I, Li Yanzhi, followed you, before and after the saddle, I bled and sweated, how many battles I fought, how many times I died, I can say that I have done my best, and I have nothing to say about these." Can't you change the emperor today and say a word of truth? After speaking, Li Yan was really a little excited, tears were in his eyes, and the strong ninja didn't come out.

Li Yan's words made Li Zicheng also a little moved, but Li Zicheng knew that the big war was imminent, and he couldn't leave a little hidden danger on the front line. Li Zicheng said: "General Li Yan, you and I are like brothers, don't think too much. As long as you do a good job of grain and grass, it will be the first achievement. If you have anything else to say, when the battle is over, we will prepare a good wine and speak slowly. I also believe that General Li Yan can handle the grain and grass affairs well. ”

Li Zicheng's words made Li Yan very disappointed, and said: "Your Majesty, do you treat me as a child?" Can't I even listen to the truth today? ”

At this time, Li Zicheng put his face down and said: "General Li Yan, the big war is imminent, the military order is like a mountain, since you are ordered to be in charge of grain and grass, you are in charge of grain and grass." You go back, I don't have time to talk about anything else now, I have other things to talk about after the war. ”

Li Yan stomped his foot, turned around and left.

The red lady was in her tent, waiting for Li Yan to wait even more anxiously, so she couldn't see Li Yan riding back on horseback, she stepped forward, grabbed the reins of the horse and was about to ask how the conversation was, but stopped when she saw Li Yan's face.

Li Yan entered the tent, half lying on the couch, panting and not speaking, and the red lady did not dare to ask next to him. After a while, Li Yan's breath became a little even, and he said slowly: "It's really ruthless!" Admire! Admire! ”

When Li Yan told him about seeing Li Zicheng today, the red lady said: "I don't think he can be the emperor for long, you see who are around him." When you really fight, you don't need it at all. will say good things. ”

Li Yan was so frightened that he hurriedly said, "Shhh Pitchers have ears. ”

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Paragliding, rubber model airplanes, piano making, and building an air force. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".