Huguang (the name of Hunan and Hubei when they were not separated), Gucheng County.

Zhang Xianzhong's troops were stationed outside the city, and tables, chairs and benches were erected on the school grounds, and the soldiers climbed up and down the tables, chairs and benches that were more than a battle high like apes. The people of Gucheng regard this place as a place to watch juggling, and when they have nothing to do, they squat on a high place, chatting and passing the time while watching the handles.

A big man with a beard also looked at the people of Gucheng for a while, and then withdrew from the crowd with a smile on his lips.

"Father-in-law," Zhang Nai also retreated after him, and asked, "What kind of reputation is this Zhang Xianzhong doing?" Is his team really a juggling team? ”

The big man smiled and said in a low voice: "This is Huang Hu (Zhang Xianzhong) training." It seems that this old boy can't hold it back. ”

"Then will he want to die for the officers and soldiers?" Zhang Nai frowned and asked, "Just like breaking into the sky (Liu Guoneng), what about being a vicious dog of the imperial court?" ”

Dahan laughed silently, and said casually: "He just wants to be the eagle dog of the imperial court, and he has no chance." ”

The two continued to walk towards the county seat, and when they were not far from the city gate, Zhang Nai grabbed the big man and said, "Father-in-law, don't bring some people anymore." As long as the two of us enter the city, if Zhang Xianzhong has any thoughts, we don't even have any hope of rushing out. ”

"Just the two of us!" The big man broke open his sleeve that was grabbed and said, "There are fifty people in total, even if they all go in, what's the use?" This is Huang Hu's territory, if he wants to kill us, fifty of them will be given away for free! If I die, at least Li Guo and them can go back, it's better than all confessing here. Or you might as well wait for me outside. ”

Zhang Nai straightened his chest and said, "Father-in-law, I'm not afraid of death, I'm afraid that you will have a good one." Don't worry, if Zhang Xianzhong dares to think crookedly about us, I will try my best to give him the result first. ”

Dahan smiled: "Don't think about it, Huang Hu won't touch us now." Then he led his horse to the gate.

As usual, there was a tax to pay when entering the city gates. However, when Zhang Xianzhong first came to Gucheng last year, he did not collect the city gate tax, but since last year's lunar month, this city gate tax has been restored. However, Lao Zhang was born in the peasant army, and he did not collect taxes from ordinary people, but only collected money from merchants and chariots and horses.

The two entered the city, went around in circles, and asked people about Zhang Dashuai's residence from time to time. Finally, he found Zhang Xianzhong's mansion, a palatial mansion, which is said to be the home of a squire, but the squire's entire family seems to have died in last year's rebellion.

"Stop!" As soon as the two of them approached the gate, they were stopped by the soldiers: "Zhang Dashuai's mansion, the snooper is dead!" ”

Zhang Nai said loudly: "We are Zhang Dashuai's old people, and we are here to see you today!" ”

"Is there a famous thorn? Do you have an invitation? The guard at the door asked with a straight face.

Dahan took two steps forward, crossed Zhang Nai in front of him, and said loudly: "Tell Zhang Jingxuan that Li Zicheng is coming to him." ”

"Li, Li Zicheng?" The soldier guarding the door repeated in surprise, and after taking a closer look at the big man, he didn't reply, so he ran inside in a panic.

Li Zicheng smiled proudly, turned back to Zhang Nai, and said, "See, our name is still very useful, hahaha." ”

After a while, a general in armor came out, and with his left hand pressing his waist knife, he came to Li Zicheng and looked at it carefully.

"Zhang Wenxiu (Liu Wenxiu)!" Zhang Nai stepped forward and pushed Zhang Wenxiu away, and scolded: "Have you never seen my stepfather or what?!" Such an impudent view! ”

Zhang Wenxiu glanced at Zhang Nai, who pushed him away, and finally smiled, and said, "Zhang Nai!" You're not dead yet, are you? ”

"You're not dead yet, the master is naturally alive and well!" Zhang Nai replied without showing weakness.

Zhang Wenxiu bowed his hand to Li Zicheng and said, "Break through!" Forgive me for the offense. It's rumored that you're dead, and I heard that there's a 'Li Zicheng', so you can't come out and take a closer look. ”

Li Zicheng waved his hand and said with a smile: "Don't worry, what about Jing Xuan?" ”

Zhang Wenxiu hurriedly got out of the way, raised his hand sideways, and said, "General, please, my father is waiting for you in the flower hall." Father said, if it's fake, just 'clean up', if it's really you, then please come in quickly. ”

Li Zicheng nodded and followed Zhang Wenxiu into the mansion.

"Oh, Zicheng, is it really you?" Zhang Xianzhong saw that someone was brought in, so he walked out of the flower hall and saw that it was really Li Zicheng, so he laughed and said hello.

Li Zicheng casually arched his hand and said: "Jing Xuan, you are really getting more and more prestigious, you still need a name thorn and an invitation to enter the door, if it weren't for my name, I really wouldn't be able to enter your handsome mansion." ”

"Oh, didn't our Lao Zhang join the official army?" Zhang Xianzhong's big yellow face blossomed, and he stroked the beautiful beard that reached his abdomen with one hand, and said proudly: "The government has big rules, whether it is kowtowing or making a move, there are rules." ”

Li Zicheng also replied with a smile: "That is, Jing Xuan, you must not have kowtowed." I heard that even if you are a chief military officer, you have to kowtow when you see a civil official of Liupin. With that, he entered the flower hall by himself and sat down unceremoniously.

Zhang Xianzhong also sat down on the throne and commanded loudly: "Go, serve good tea." Prepare another table of good wine and good food, I want to wash the dust for Zicheng! ”

"Jing Xuan, if you make such a big fanfare, aren't you afraid of being known by the people in the government?" Li Zicheng picked up the herbal tea on the coffee table, drank it all, and asked after putting down the teacup.

Zhang Xianzhong stroked his long beard, laughed, and said: "Joke, Lao Tzu is the government, and anyone dares to take care of our Lao Tzu?!" Those who chew the root of the tongue, I don't need to clean it up, Prime Minister Xiong in Xiangyang will belittle them, our old Zhang is very happy! ”

Li Zicheng nodded and said, "You are quite happy." I heard you have another son? People in the city said that you held a full moon wine, and the gifts you received were mountains of gold and silver. ”

"Hahaha, I'm smiling, I'm smiling, it's just that our old Zhang is short of money, so let's make a post for those rich gentry and get some money." Zhang Xianzhong replied happily.

He is really happy, he is much better than Li Zicheng in terms of children. He grabbed a little wife at the beginning of last year, and at the end of the year, he added a big fat boy to him, which is really speechless.

Unlike Li Zicheng, he has only one daughter until now, and he has never given birth since. Li Zicheng's little wife, Xing, also ran away with Gao Jie, the general who climbed the mountain under his command.

Zhang Xianzhong thought proudly: "Although you Li Zicheng has always been under the banner of rebellion and has never surrendered, you can be regarded as a well-known man." But what about that? Isn't it now that the whole army has been beaten, haven't you come to find me The Eight Kings of Xiying? ”