Zhang Fuzhen and Dai Junen looked at the head placed in front of them, and they were both very surprised. Although the fierce generals in the Ming army brought elite family members, it was not uncommon for them to go hundreds of miles away from the border wall to pound the nest. But most of those people are well-known generals, and their subordinates can only do this with two or three hundred family members, not to mention it.

However, this time, more than 60 sentry cavalry under Zhang Mengjin actually killed 27 heads (several of which were prepared by Zhang Mengjin in advance) at the cost of only a few soldiers being injured. Although there are a few heads in them, it doesn't look like they were obtained at the same time as the other heads, but looking at the shaved hair on their heads, it should also be a hair ornament that only Tatsuko has outside the plug.

If that's all, Zhang Fuzhen and Dai Junen will still wonder if the other party has done something to kill the good and make a meritorious deed. But they also brought back hundreds of animals consisting of horses, cattle, sheep, and camels, as well as other supplies from the Mongols. Coupled with the fact that dozens of Mongols were captured alive, the old and weak, proved that they had indeed made a great achievement.

Zhang Fuzhen smiled and said to Dai Junen: "Zichen (Dai Junen's number) has a lot of elite soldiers, presumably the west road will be worry-free in the future." This time the work of smashing the nest can not only slightly lenient the sin of the former governor, but also relieve our embarrassment a few days ago, this skill is really timely. ”

Zhang Mengjin and his gang were appeased by Yang He, and now they have repeatedly made military exploits, which can indeed be used as Yang He's political achievements to reduce his punishment. As for relieving Zhang Fuzhen and others of their predicament, it was because more than 1,000 of the thieves who surrendered in Ningsai had defected. One can imagine how angry Hong Chengchou who is rushing here.

Dai Junen is also quite satisfied with the performance of Zhang Mengjin and others. Although he was reminded by Zhang Mengcheng in advance, he still failed to prevent a rebellion in Ningsai, and he still had to take responsibility as a soldier on Yansui West Road.

Now Dai Junen's name, as well as Wu Hongqi, who went out before, and the rescued military attaches Fan Li and Yin Hongji, have appeared on the impeachment list of Wu Fu, the inspector of the imperial history. Although he has a friend of Yansui Governor Zhang Fuzhen to take care of, he is still a little uneasy when he doesn't know the detailed punishment results.

However, after the outstanding performance of Zhang Mengjin's department, he should be able to regain a lot of lost points in the affairs of Yansui West Road, and with the help of his boss Zhang Fuzhen in the same year, the punishment of the imperial court should not be too lethal to him.

Although the descendants of Ningsai sacrificed the head of the gods, they still occupied Ningsai and bargained with them. Zhang Fuzhen and the others originally planned to get things done before Hong Chengchou arrived, so they agreed to some of their requests. But when they finally negotiated and appeased, Huang Youcai suddenly fled with many people because of his uneasiness.

Fortunately, the officers and soldiers under his command reacted quickly and did not cause a big mess. Zhang Mengjin and Cai Zhongming also used their former identities to appease many anxious Dingding. Therefore, the garrison force after Ningsai will not be empty, and Huang Youcai, who escaped, fled to Tiejiao City in the deep mountains of Dongchuan after being chased by Zhang Yingchang for hundreds of levels.

"Although Nimsai has now been pacified, the city walls are dilapidated, and people's hearts are uncertain. In addition, this time I went out to pound the nest and made quite a success, so I was a little worried about whether it would attract revenge from the insertion. Dai Junen is happy that Ningsai is calm, but also a little uneasy about the future situation in Ningsai, at present, there are nearly a thousand people in Ningsai who have surrendered again, but the people are uncertain. And the Mongols outside, after receiving this sneak attack, can hardly guarantee that they will not retaliate.

Regarding Dai Junen's worries, Zhang Fuzhen said his newly obtained news. "It's okay to insert the department, I just received a report from Tang, and now Hudun Rabbit will transfer most of the people back to the old nest, and there is news that it is because the East Captives want to attack, and Hudun Rabbit has to be guarded against. There is also news that among the Dazi who originally surrendered to the insertion, some people were dissatisfied with the tiger dun rabbit and intended to make trouble. The insert department has no time to look south now, but what Ning Sai should do next needs to be discussed by us. ”

After hearing that the Mongols did not need to worry, Dai Junen was finally relieved a little. As for what should happen after Ningsai, he said: "The people of Ningsai are unstable, so they can divide this generation into various places and be supervised by the forts on the West Road. In addition, some money and food need to be allocated for pacification. Although the treasury is empty now, it is the autumn harvest season, and some grain should be received. ”

Zhang Fuzhen also understands the importance of money and food, but this matter is not easy to do. Even if you can collect some food, it will take a certain amount of time, in case the dwindlings change again during this time. The scattered Dingding is not easy to clean. Therefore, Zhang Fuzhen said: "It is not easy to allocate food for a while, and if the Ding is divided into various places, I am afraid that it will be like the previous thieves to rotate and rebel, and if it is scattered all over the place to make the bandit trouble bigger, it will be difficult to clean up." In my opinion, it is better to concentrate on resettlement in the vicinity and choose a reliable officer and soldier to guard it, so as to protect everything. ”

Seeing that Zhang Fuzhen already had a plan in his heart, Dai Junen directly asked what to do. Zhang Fuzhen didn't want to talk about business in front of a bunch of bloody heads, so he returned to the official residence in Ningsai City with Dai Junen, and only then did he say his thoughts. While the two adults were discussing the follow-up to Ningsai, Zhang Mengcheng, who had returned to the camp, was looking at a child and worshipping the tablet of Shen Yikui.

The great thief god of Yanxi, who was once as famous as Wang Jiayin, went through some twists and turns, and finally had a different head. At first, Shen Yikui didn't want to rebel again, but his former thieves kept coming to him to tell the rumors they had heard. Shen Yikui, who knew the details of Ru Chengming's killing, naturally didn't believe it, so he kept himself in the house and didn't accept any advice from the old department.

But things in the world don't just work like this way because you think about it. On September 18, the fourth year of Chongzhen, his original subordinates, led by Huang Youcai, rebelled again and reoccupied Ningsai.

And Shen Yikui himself was forced to "lead" this mutiny, looking at his subordinates who were holding a knife to force him, Shen Yikui had no choice but to agree to come out again and carry the banner.

Huang Youcai also lied to himself that now the south is occupied by thieves in the central county to attract the main force of the official army, which is like Wang Jiayin who made a big fuss in the river meander. And there are many thieves in other parts of Shaanxi. Now the thieves in Shanxi have also overwhelmed the officials and soldiers, and their rebellion this time is just to save their lives, and at the same time they ask the court to send money and grain in full, and the court will inevitably agree to their request.

Because he was already in a forced situation, Shen Yikui had to force himself to believe that these seemed to have some reasonable reasons. However, things went in a diametrically opposite direction, although when the old ministries in various places were first called, many people did respond one after another. And there are no powerful officers and soldiers around.

But what's worse is that Zhang Mengjin, the fierce general of Duhe Fort, did not rebel with everyone, it turned out that Huang Youcai deceived his big leader.

After that, Zhang Mengjin and his group of brothers exerted their might on the battlefield, and repeatedly depleted the superior military strength of the Ningsai rebels. Then Zhang Yingchang, who was in Dingbian, suddenly led the team to arrive, and Zhang Mengjin and his gang worked together with them to fight, and once again dealt a heavy blow to the rebels. They could only retreat to Ningsai and choose to stick to it and wait for help.

After returning to Ningsai, Shen Yikui found that the rebels led by Shen Yikui had lost a total of more than 1,700 men, which was more than one-third of their total strength. As a result, the rebels were no longer able to confront the officers and soldiers, and this time they were in a worse situation than they had been in the security guards.

At that time, their security forces were quite strong, and they were attacked by Zhang Yingchang at that time, and they were not completely defeated. Therefore, when guarding the city, a group of concerted leaders and brave soldiers in the city can also use a small number of reinforcements outside the city to break through the siege and defeat the official army. But what can they expect from this siege? Before Shen Yikui could figure things out, Huang Youcai led someone to break into his bedroom, kill him, and send his head out of the city. (Note 1)

And Shen Yikui's henchmen and family members were also encircled and suppressed subsequently. Zhang Mengcheng's old acquaintance Liu Jin was hacked to death by others because he wanted to protect Shen Yikui's family. But there was a man holding a child in his arms and saving his life by hiding in the cellar. This person is Lao Liao, who once followed Liu Jin and drank with Zhang Mengcheng.

After the children worshiped Shen Yikui, Zhang Mengcheng took down the tablet of Shen Yikui and hid it. Lao Liao on the side led the children and worshiped Liu Jin's head together. Shen Yikui is a thief after all, and Zhang Mengcheng can't get it back. But Liu Jin's first level is much less difficult. Zhang Mengcheng used some tricks to get the head of this old friend back. As for the rest of his body, it seems that it has been burned down, and Zhang Mengcheng is powerless about it.

Looking at the children who continued to bow and bow, Zhang Mengcheng looked at his old friend again. Although he was covered in blood from the knife wound, his expression was distorted. But this head that was quietly brought back was indeed Zhang Mengcheng's former friend Liu Jin. In order to let Shen Yikui's son survive, Liu Jin asked Lao Liao to hide with others, and pushed his son out.

Zhang Mengcheng didn't know how to evaluate Liu Jin's behavior. As a confidant of God, he is definitely loyal enough. But as a father, he was absolutely incompetent. However, as Liu Jin's friend, Zhang Mengcheng is willing to fulfill his last wish for him and take good care of Shen Yikui's orphans for him.

After seeing the children's worship, Zhang Mengcheng and Fan Shunjiang, who was also a friend of Liu Jin, offered incense to Liu Jin's head. After that, Zhang Mengcheng said to Lao Liao: "What are your plans in the coming days, if you want to return to your hometown, I can give you some entanglement." If there is nothing good to go, you can follow our brothers in Jindingshan and do it well. ”

Lao Liao was also injured in the previous battle. Fortunately, it is not very serious, and after being treated by the military doctors of Duhe Fort, there is no major problem now. After hearing Zhang Mengcheng's question, Lao Liao thought about it and said: "All the people in my family have starved to death a long time ago, and other relatives have also fled in the previous famine and don't know where they are. It doesn't mean me to go back, if Jindingshan is willing to take me in, I am willing to follow you. ”

After seeing that Lao Liao chose to join Jinding Mountain, Zhang Mengcheng nodded. Then he said to the son of Shen Yikui: "Your father was coerced by traitors to rebel, although this incident does not completely blame your father, but the court does not account for so much. If you find out that Shen Yikui still has a son, he will definitely hunt him down to the end. You will change your name to Liu Sikui now, Liu is to commemorate the leader Liu who took your family's life, Sikui means missing your father. If you agree, kneel and kowtow to me. Call me Third Uncle Zhang, call him Second Uncle Fan, and the two of us will definitely protect you when you grow up in the future. ”

The eight-year-old child has grown a lot in these days, and although there is more confusion and sadness in his eyes, there is already a faint hint of maturity. After listening to Zhang Mengcheng's words, he knelt down after a little thought, kowtowed to Zhang Mengcheng and Fan Shunjiang, and shouted respectfully: "Second Uncle Fan, Third Uncle Zhang." ”

Originally, I was a little worried that this child would be playful because of his young age. However, seeing that the other party understood things so well, Zhang Mengcheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. After Fan Shunjiang helped Liu Sikui up, he took out a piece of dry food and handed it to the child. Liu Sikui took the dry food and ate it, while Zhang Mengcheng poured a bowl of water for Liu Sikui, then found a pen and paper to write out the three words Liu Sikui and handed them to the child.

PS: Note 1: Although there are many brief records of historical materials, Shen Yikui was killed by Huang Youcai. However, according to the record of the first month of the fifth year of Chongzhen in the "Chongzhen Long Edition", the Shaanxi patrol said according to Wu Fu's performance that Shen Yikui was killed by Dai Junen and Cao Wenzhao on the 25th day of the 11th month of the leap year, and Huang Youcai continued to defend because of Shen Yikui's death.

The author flipped through Wu Fu's "Chai An Shuji", and in the ninth volume of "The Border Thieves Are Rampant and Sparse", Wu Fu quoted Dai Junen's statement that Shen Yikui was deceived by Huang Youcai to go to the Mongols, and Huang Youcai became the big boss of Ningsai. And in the later "Ningsai Divine Thief Grants the Leader of the Party to Evil Stronghold City Not Clear", Shen Yikui was deceived again, and then "tied and killed". But it is not clear who killed Shen Yikui. In the same volume, "The Kou Flows into Qingyang and Urgently Pursues and Suppresses Shu", it is famous that Huang Youcai killed Shen Yikui. Therefore, Dai Junen and others "make money and kill" Shen Yikui's statement, it is possible that it was taken by Dai Junen and others. It is also possible that Huang Youcai killed the gods, which was originally designed and facilitated by Dai Junen. It is up to interested readers to verify the facts. This book still adopts Huang Youcai's statement that he killed Shen Yikui.