Chapter 9 Pushing the boat down the river and breaking into the king's affection

"It seems that Mr. Ouyang is in the chest?" Zhang Zhimu heard Ouyang He say this, and knew that he had an idea.

"In this case, we can choose another place near the mouth of the Yangtze River where we can shelter our ships from the wind and stop our ships, and withdraw our warships there. Our surplus troops are also to withdraw to Hongze Lake. Leave one battalion of infantry, and some more artillery. In this way, I can give the emperor face. Let the emperor know that we are still very obedient. Ouyang He said, "Then we can use Li Zicheng's intelligence station and tell Li Zicheng that as long as they don't move our merchant ships on the Yangtze River, they won't attack our shipbuilding base." We withdrew our ships and our army. This is equivalent to telling Li Zicheng that as long as he agrees to our request, I don't care if they attack Yingtianfu again. Li Zicheng will definitely agree. ”

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Chen Yufeng said, "We really want to thank the emperor." It's called pushing the boat down the river. ”

"However, when Li Zicheng attacks again, the emperor will ask us to send troops." Zhang Zhimu said, "When he is not embarrassed, we still have to think about how to deal with it." ”

"We will never refuse the emperor's request, it depends on the speed of our troops." Ouyang He said.

"When the time comes, let's drag it out," Zhang Zhimu said, "The emperor himself will be depressed, and then he will regret letting us withdraw the army." ”

"Mr. Zhang should immediately reply to the emperor, saying that we will immediately arrange for the withdrawal of the army and come back. To put it more clearly, our original two warships were in Zhenjiang to protect our merchant ships, and now they are sent to deal with the Dashun army. Although we have spent a lot of money to build a base in Zhenjiang, but the emperor has spoken, and we will definitely carry it out. Please rest assured. ”

"Huh!" Chen Yufeng said with a smile, "In this way, if the emperor is sold, he will have to count the silver for others." ”

Zhang Zhimu drafted a letter and asked Li Zhi to come and translate it into a secret letter. Then immediately called Gonggong Li to come over.

After translating the letter, Li Zhi asked: "Mr. Zhang, are we really withdrawn from Zhenjiang?" ”

Ouyang He said: "This is to retreat into advance, and this matter still needs you to come forward and perform the second half of the scene well." ”

Chen Yufeng told Li Zhi about the decision to study. After listening to this, Li Zhi said: "In this case, Li Zicheng will be exposed." ”

"You can tell them that we already knew about them and that we won't touch them in the future. It's good to keep them as a contact channel. Zhang Zhimu said.

"Okay, I see." Li Zhi finished speaking and left.

Father-in-law Li took the secret letter away.

Li Zhi didn't delay, and went straight to Lingshui Wharf with a few people.

Now Lingshui Wharf is no longer the Lingshui Wharf of the past, it is already a very developed town with more than 100,000 people. After Li Zhi arrived, he informed his people to go to a teahouse and ask for a private room to sit down. He said to Fu Yan, the person in charge of the Lingshui Wharf of the Ministry of Intelligence: "Can you invite Li Zicheng and their little head here?" ”

"Director Li, what do you mean to serve them?" Fu Yan asked.

"No, you have to invite you here in the name of talking about business, and the fewer people who know, the better!" Li Zhi said.

"Okay, I understand. They also pretend to do business to the outside world, and I have been in contact with them, and I immediately called him, asked him to come out, and said that he had a good business. His current name is Guan Furen. After speaking, Fu Yan called Guan Furen.

After a while, Fu Yan came back and said, "Director Li, he'll come over right away." Our people were arranged in the next room, and there were also our people below. This guy has a bit of kung fu, you should be careful. ”

"Got it! I'll have something to talk to him alone in a moment, and you'll all go out. Li Zhi commanded.

Fu Yan and the others did a good job, and from the time Guan Furen went out, his whereabouts were reported here through the radio.

The person below reported: "Guan Furen has arrived, alone. ”

After a while, Guan Furen came to this private room on the second floor. Fu Yan got up and introduced: "Boss Guan! Let me introduce you, this is Boss Li. ”

Li Zhi glanced at Guan Furen, and Guan Furen also glanced at Li Zhi. They are all connoisseurs, and at this glance, they all know that the other party is definitely not a businessman. After everyone sat down, Fu Yan said, "Boss Guan, this Boss Li has business to discuss with you alone." You talk, I'm right next door. After speaking, Fu Yan pushed the door and went out.

Li Zhi picked up the tea bowl and said, "Boss Guan drinks tea!" ”

Guan Furen picked up the tea bowl and took a sip of tea.

Li Zhi spoke: "We don't have to turn around. I'm Li Zhi, you should have heard of it. ”

Hearing Li Zhi's words, Guan Furen was so frightened that he didn't hold the tea bowl in his hand and spilled it. Guan Furen also went through the wind and rain, calmed down, understood his situation, and also understood that Fu Yan, who had been doing business with him before, was also from the Yaogang Intelligence Department. He put down the tea bowl and said, "I've heard the name for a long time! I didn't expect me to plant it in your hands today. ”

"Humph! From the moment you arrived at the Lingshui Pier, you were under our surveillance. You also helped us send a lot of information to Li Zicheng. I've always wanted to thank you. Li Zhi was obviously sarcastic about the Guan Furen in front of him.

"Huh!" Guan Furen smiled bitterly and said, "I'm late." ”

"I'm not here to clean you up today, and I don't need to come over to clean you up." Li Zhi said, "There is one thing, I want you to bring a letter to Li Zicheng." Can you bring it directly to Li Zicheng? I don't want to go through too many people. ”

Hearing Li Zhi say this, Guan Furen's heart relaxed, it seems that he can't die today, as an intelligence agent, being able to do such a thing makes Guan Furen still have an inexplicable sense of excitement. He replied, "I can use a secret letter to send it to Song Xiance, only he can understand it." ”

"That's good!" Li Zhi said: "Please tell Li Zicheng if he can guarantee not to disturb our merchant ships on the Yangtze River and not to move us at the Zhenjiang shipbuilding base." Our warships and troops can withdraw from the Yangtze River. I hope he will give me a reply soon. In the future, if you have something to contact Fu Yan directly, your intelligence points can continue to exist, as long as you don't go too far, no one will touch you. ”

After Guan Furen listened to Li Zhi's words, he knew that this matter was too big. It is a great fortune for an intelligence officer to encounter such a thing in his life. Guan Furen hurriedly nodded and said, "Okay!" I'll send a letter to the military right away. Director Li, what else do you have to say? ”

"It's gone! You're good to go. Remember, the fewer people who know about it, the better. Li Zhi said.

"Know! Know! Guan Furen finished speaking and went out.

Guan Furen left this teahouse and wanted to jump up. He knew he was completely safe now. The kiln man who had been scared before, wanted him to be safe. If you do this, you will make a miracle, and the more you think about it, the more beautiful it will be. But he was not ambiguous, and for the sake of insurance, he used two pigeons and sent two pieces of information back.

After Song Xiance received this information, his heart was very complicated. He knew that the kiln people had already mastered this information, that is, most of the information sent back in the past was what the kiln people wanted them to know. Thinking of this, Song Xiance couldn't help but smile bitterly. However, he did not send the information directly to Li Zicheng, but discussed it with Niu Jinxing first.

Niu Jinxing also felt that things were a little strange, and he didn't understand why the kiln gang people would do this.

Song Xiance said: "According to the information I have obtained, the people of Yaogang are very stiff with the officials and soldiers in Zhenjiang. Those people in Ying Tianfu were afraid of the Yaogang people and tried every means to squeeze them out. I estimate that if we don't agree to the kiln people, the kiln people will also leave. They are leaving, they want to give us a favor, and they are also telling us that we can attack, and they will not make a move. ”

"I still have to tell the emperor about this." Niu Jinxing said, "It's useless for the two of us to talk about anything here. ”

"That's right! We have to figure things out and then go and talk to the emperor. Now that the emperor has a good face when he sees me, we must not make the emperor unhappy. Song Xiance said cautiously.

"This is a big deal, and it can't be delayed." Niu Jinxing said, "Let's hurry up and see the emperor." ”

The two came to Li Zicheng's Xiangyang Palace and asked to see the emperor Li Zicheng, and the eunuch invited them to come in for a while.

Unexpectedly, Liu Zongmin was also here, and when he saw the two of them coming in, Liu Zongmin rolled his eyelids and ignored them. But Li Zicheng hurriedly gave up his seat to them. As soon as Niu Jinxing landed, he said: "Your Majesty, the people of Yaogang have sent us a letter!" ”

"What?" Li Zicheng was taken aback.

Liu Zongmin also pricked up his ears.

"That's right, our intelligence station at Lingshui Wharf in Yaogang was discovered by the Yaogang people. Li Zhi of Yaogang personally went there to meet the head of our intelligence station. He brought a letter saying that as long as we did not intercept their merchant ships on the Yangtze River, we would not touch their shipbuilding base in Zhenjiang. Their warships and troops withdrew from the Yangtze River. Song Xiance hurriedly introduced the situation.

"Hmmm! What do they mean by that? Li Zicheng was a little confused.

"Master, no matter what they mean, I think it's an opportunity for us. The people of Yaogang still talk about it, didn't they send back those people who were left in Xi'an? Liu Zongmin interjected.

Song Xiance also talked about the discord between the officials, the army and officials of Yaogang and Nanzhili, and the opinions of the Yaogang people before they left. After hearing this, Li Zicheng nodded and said, "The military advisor's analysis makes sense. But if that's the case, it's time for us to let it go. I'm talking to Zong Min about this. ”

"Your Majesty, even if the Yaogang people really withdraw, we can't start a war right away." Niu Jinxing said, "Our naval army has suffered too heavy losses, fighting along the Yangtze River, and we are too passive without the naval army." At that time, whether it was Zhang Xianzhong or Zuo Liangyu, they would come out to bully us. ”

"Wait, wait!" Liu Zongmin said angrily, "A lot of things are bad for you. ”

"Zong Min! Don't be rude," Li Zicheng said to Liu Zongmin, "What the prime minister said is true." We'll have to build some more ships to fight again. When it comes to shipbuilding, the prime minister bothered to supervise it. ”

"Okay, Your Majesty!" Niu Jinxing agreed.

"How do we reply from the kiln? Emperor. Song Xiance asked cautiously.

"Reply to them," Li Zicheng said, "that intelligence station is exposed, and don't withdraw it, just use it as a liaison station with them." ”

This is also what the kiln gang people mean. That Lee Chi said they could stay there. As long as they don't go too far, no one cares about them. Song Xiance said.

"It seems that the people of Yaogang also want to have a connection with us." Li Zicheng said, "I heard that Li Zhi is very powerful, he turned out to be the housekeeper of a cottage called Wild Boar Ridge." How did you become a Chan when you arrived at Yaogang? ”

"Huh! Heroes don't matter where they come from," Niu said, "and that's the way they are." That Chen Yufeng and Liu Yun were both born as dart masters, and their military advisors were also unknown warlocks. But when I arrived at the kiln, I was out of breath. ”

Song Xiance listened to Li Zicheng's words, but his back was a little cold. It seems that Li Zicheng still has a set of intelligence systems in his own hands and has his own other sources of intelligence.

"That Li Yan, what do you say about us, but when you arrive at Yaogang, you can actually lead people to pacify the Ordos Mongols." Liu Zongmin said, but after saying that, this rough man also felt that it was wrong. Doesn't that mean that talent is useless in Li Zicheng, and it can play a role in the kiln?

Niu Jinxing hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, although the people of Yaogang want to keep in touch with us, they are our biggest threat after all. Some time ago, a small group of them crossed the Qinling Mountains and had an encounter with us. Later we learned that they had come to take measurements. I think their minds have already passed the Qinling Mountains. Also, Liu Yun is expanding the Chencang Ancient Road with a large group of people, and it is said that it will be built into an avenue that can be quickly passed by cars and horses. It is inevitable that they will take our Hanzhong, and we must be prepared. ”

"If the Yaogang people can complete the expansion of the Chencang Ancient Road, it will be a blessing for all the people, and only the Yaogang people have this strength." Li Zicheng seemed to be very interested in the Chencang Ancient Road, and after a moment of conversation, he said, "It is sooner or later for the people of Yaogang to cross the Qinling Mountains. I saw that the current strength of the Yaogang people was unstoppable by the Ming Dynasty, but they were stunned. Now I understand. After they occupied Shanxi, they did not chase us. It is because they want to govern Shanxi into their own backyard. After Shanxi was stabilized, their recuperated army came out to fight Shaanxi, and the strategic arrangement was simply unconvincing. However, they took Shaanxi and continued to operate steadily. They are not like us, they have laid down some places, except to keep a little army, they can only use the original officials, there is no other way. In less than two years, after the Yaogang people swallow Shaanxi, they will definitely not be restricted by Qinling. They can go out of the Qinling Mountains in the west and enter Hanzhong, and in the east they can attack us from Luoyang, Kaifeng Shangqiu, or along the Yangtze River. ”

Li Zicheng's words made several people feel cold.

After a while, Niu Jinxing said: "It's a pity that Sichuan let the Eight Kings take the lead. Otherwise, Sichuan is a place that can be operated for a long time. We can also learn from the way the kiln workers govern the place. ”

"Your Majesty, we have to plan for such a thing in advance." Song Xiance said, "Although we occupy the Central Plains, the Central Plains is also unsafe. It's not a place to guard. We need to have a place to operate for a few years and slow down. Although we are now very quickly expanding our army. But this is only enough people, and it is not enough to really go into battle. ”

"What do you think?" Li Zicheng asked.

It's been a long time since Li Zicheng had a good face for Song Xiance, let alone asked for his opinion. Song Xiance's heart was hot and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I think so." When we are ready this time, we will send a capable general to the east. It's best to take down Ying Tianfu with all our might, so that we can breathe a sigh of relief. Then they crossed the river to the south and marched to those wealthy places in Zhejiang. It's enough to raise as many troops as you want there. ”

"That's right!" Liu Zongmin came to the spirit and said, "I heard that all the rich gentry there are rich and rich rivals the country, and one defeat is enough for us to eat for a year." We're doing it right there. Father! Let me go this crusade! ”

"The opinion of the military advisor is exactly what I want," said Li Zicheng, "and I thought about retaking Sichuan from Zhang Xianzhong, but it is easy to defend and difficult to attack." Zhang Xianzhong will not let go easily, and when I fight down, I will hurt my vitality if I don't do it well. I think we will develop to the south of the Yangtze River, and the further south we go, the better. The kiln gang people pushed from north to south. The farther away we get, the more time we can buy to recuperate. However, this matter must be kept secret. ”

"And the emperor, I suddenly have an idea," Niu Jinxing said, "I heard that the kiln people can do anything in order to earn silver. They now have their own branches in the Eight Kings and Zuo Liangyu. We have the opportunity to contact them, can we also invite them to come to Xiangfan to build a branch? ”

Niu Jinxing's suggestion is very good, which can not only show goodwill to the kiln gang people, but also not lose face. If they build a branch in Xiangfan, they can ventilate first and save face if they have anything in the future.

Li Zicheng nodded and said, "Good idea!" Add this when you call them back. By the way, in a few days, I will write another letter to Li Yan. Explain to him the previous misunderstanding, although he is now following the kiln gang, but I am happy for him, we will still be brothers no matter what time in the future. ”

"The emperor has a good heart!" Song Xiance said, "Actually, last time the Yaogang people sent our people back, we should express it." The kiln people do things very meaningfully, but we were not calm at that time, and we did not understand the intentions of the kiln people. Their move is not just about keeping promises. They also want to keep in touch with us. ”

Li Zicheng nodded and said, "In this way, the kiln gang people and the imperial court are not monolithic. But I don't understand, why do they give millions of taels of silver to the imperial court every year, with this silver, how many troops are not enough? ”

"Your Majesty, I've thought about this question," Song Xiance said, "The people of Yaogang are atmospheric! They gave the emperor a few million taels of silver, and the court was able to withstand the Manchus and the Mongols. If there was no imperial court to stand up, the iron cavalry of the Manchus and Mongols would have rolled in. That's not the death of the country, but the death of the world! ”

"That's right!" Li Zicheng slapped his face and said, "Zhang Zhimu! Compared to you, I am a king of the mountain. I don't know if I will have the opportunity to chat with such a person in this life! ”

Song Xiance said: "Did the emperor see that when the Yaogang people attacked Shaanxi, they also solved the Ordos people. They knew that instead of defending like we did, they should take the initiative. It is said that they arranged for Ordos Wanhu and others to live in the kiln gang and did not kill them. This shows their self-confidence and their cleverness. Many orders could be issued in the name of Ordos Wanhu. ”

"Military advisors, prime ministers, you have to read the Yaogang people's newspapers, and you have to read every issue. Radio broadcasts have to be listened to, and the news every morning has to be listened to. There are so many things that we can learn from the kiln people. We were defeated at their hands, and we were not wronged at all. Li Zicheng sighed and said, "Alas! It's not that our brethren are incompetent, it's that I'm incompetent. With people like Zhang Zhimu, anyone who goes there can become a hero. Let's learn more! ”

Song Xiance and Niu Jinxing hurriedly nodded yes. Even Liu Zongmin, who has always been very arrogant, had to lower his head.

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Mt. Fuji erupted, Japan was earthquaked. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".