When Li Yan knew that Li Zicheng had broken through Luoyang, it was already the beginning of February. At this time, Li Xianfeng, who was suppressing bandits in Huaiqing Mansion, also returned to Kaifeng, and was taking Chen Yongfu to recover the lost land.

Li Mu said in surprise: "Beat Luoyang? This Li Zicheng is really different. In the past, when King Gao Chuang was still there, we went to Luoyang and attacked for several days, and we couldn't even rely on the city wall. Then reinforcements from the officers and soldiers arrived, and we retreated. ”

"Yes, Luoyang City is high and deep, and it is indeed not easy to fight down." Li Zhong also said.

Li Yan sneered: "This time they only fought for two days. ”

"Unless there are defectors," Li Mu immediately said: "Luoyang is not a small county town, and there are nearly 10,000 officers and soldiers who have just gone to reinforce, even if some people are mixed in, it is impossible to enter it so quickly." ”

Li Yan said: "No matter what, Luoyang was defeated. Moreover, King Fu was also killed, and the official army was about to come after Li Zicheng. However, we must also strengthen our vigilance to prevent Li Zicheng and them from running over. ”

At this time, Sun Sifu came in and reported: "Qian General reported that Yuan Shizhong's troops had stopped outside the county border, and sent someone to spread the word, saying that Yuan Shizhong wanted to see the general. ”

"Then let him come over," Li Mou said with a smile: "Let's also take a good look at each other." ”

Li Zhong smiled and said, "It's strange that he dares to come." ”

Li Yan stood up and ordered, "You two have your own duties, and I will take someone to meet this Yuan Shizhong." ”

"Bring more people." Li Zhong reminded: "There are more than 4,000 people at the head of Yuan Shizhong's camp, just in case. ”

"I'll just bring the muskets and the cavalry." Li Yan nodded and said.

Li Mu hurriedly said: "This is not good. Those guys are still training, and bringing them over will only add to the chaos. Besides, there are thirty-six cavalry members and forty musket teams, even if they are trained, what can they do? ”

"Don't be careless, let's take Wang Renfu's wing (general) over." Li Zhong persuaded.

Li Yan waved his hand and said with a smile: "It's okay, it's a big deal, you prepare grain and grass and take it to redeem me." "After that, I went to prepare.

This Yuan Shizhong is still quite special, not like a thief, but like a mountain bandit. He doesn't usually loot or kill much, but they have to live. And their method is to kidnap the ticket, send people into the city, tie up the family members of the big families, and then let the family bring money and food to ransom people. If there is really no meat ticket to tie up, then the village is fenced off, and the people inside are asked to bring out the grain and grass, and they will withdraw the siege.

It is this survival method that makes Yuan Shizhong's team have a good reputation. Even those scholars who hated the bandits did not abuse and curse Yuan Shizhong too much.

After Li Yan put on his whole body, he set off with the cavalry team and the musket team. The cavalry team did not wear a vest like Li Yan did when he was at the test site, but only put on a hand-holding coat in front of the saddle. All of them had a wide leather belt tied around their waists, and in front of each of them was a small rectangular leather box with three-by-five fixed ammunition.

There is a small square at the bottom of the ammunition box, and the ammunition can be placed in it to stand up steadily, which is convenient to take when reloading, and there is no need to worry about the bumps during the march. The amount of ammunition for the musket (long fire) is more than that of the handcuff, reaching three taels or four coins (about 110 grams), which is nearly three times that of the handcuff, so the ammunition box is much higher.

By the time Li Yan arrived at the county border, it was already evening.

Originally, he planned to wait until tomorrow to see Yuan Shizhong again, but the person on the other side must meet now. Moreover, Yuan Shi lit a bonfire in the middle of the two armies, and he was already waiting there, so that Li Yan could not see it.

Li Yan took Sun Sifu to the bonfire and saw an ordinary peasant-like person, who was neither too strong nor shrewd, just an ordinary person.

"Leader Yuan?" Li Yan asked the person sitting opposite.

The man added some wood to the campfire and said, "It's me, sit down." Let's talk about it. ”

At Li Yan's suggestion, Sun Sifu put down the small stool and put a piece of lambskin on the stool.

"Hahaha, it's really an official army, and even these things are carried." Yuan Shizhong said mockingly.

Li Yan wrapped his cloak around his body, sat on the stool, and said, "It's cold, you won't have a cold stomach if you sit like this all night." ”

Yuan Shizhong said with a smile: "It's really moisturizing!" However, I saw you today because of your name. Otherwise, even if it is Chongzhen's child, I will not meet him. ”

"I came to see you because your reputation is okay. Otherwise, the thieves and bandits who entered this distance would have been defeated by me a long time ago. Li Yan also said with a smile.

Yuan Shizhong waved his hand and said, "Don't say these braggart words." I've heard of your name, and although I don't know if it's true or not, I don't want to fight you yet. I'm going to the south and borrow a way from you. ”

Li Yan shook his head and refused: "That's not good." But you can go around it, and as long as you don't go into my territory, I won't care about you. ”

"What if it goes to your territory?" Yuan Shizhong looked at Li Yan and asked nonchalantly.

Li Yan took out a handcuff from his cloak, pulled the striking iron to the firing position when he pulled out his gun, and pulled the trigger on a sheep tied to a tree more than ten steps away.

There was a "bang", and Yuan Shizhong saw the firelight and smoke. He wanted to see what it was, but Li Yan quickly put it into his cloak again, and he only saw a black shadow.

Sun Sifu went over and dragged the carcass of the sheep over.

Yuan Shizhong took a look and found that there was a palm-sized hole on the sheep's head, and almost half of the sheep's head was gone.

"This sheep, and the three there, are for you." Li Yan said lightly.

"What's that?" Yuan Shizhong looked at Li Yan vigilantly and asked with some unease.

Li Yan said with a smile: "Guess." ”

Because of the gunfire just now, Yuan Shizhong's personal soldiers ran over from a distance. Li Yan's personal soldiers, on the other hand, immediately lined up in place, and then moved quickly towards the bonfire.

Yuan Shizhong looked at Li Yan's personal soldiers who were walking in a fast formation, and praised: "Sure enough, it is worthy of its reputation, and it can still maintain the formation at such a time." They don't care about your safety? Or do you have absolute confidence? ”

Li Yan said confidently: "Of course it's the latter." You shouldn't be able to dodge that moment just now, right? ”

Yuan Shizhong raised his hand and ordered loudly: "Stop!" It's okay, go back! ”

The soldiers around him also immediately turned around and continued to shout loudly twice, before his soldiers slowly stopped. They saw that the leader, who was only three or four paces away, was fine, and had to slowly retreat backwards.

Li Yan just waved his hand back, and Sun Sifu turned around and ordered: "Stop!" Get back to where you are! His own soldiers immediately stopped, and then remained in formation and slowly retreated.

Li Yan said to Yuan Shizhong: "The entire Qi County, as well as the west of Suizhou City, you can't come in." I don't care about the rest. ”

"Okay, I'll try to restrain my subordinates." Yuan Shizhong remained vigilant and said.

Li Yan shook his head and reminded: "It's not as much as possible, but as necessary." As long as it comes in, then we will go to war. After that, he signaled to let the soldiers come over. After that, under the protection of the personal shield, he slowly retreated to the county border.

And Yuan Shizhong was still sitting by the bonfire. He was still thinking about the thing Li Yan took just now, which was fast and powerful, which made him a little afraid. If Li Yan's target was him, then he would be dead by now.