After communicating with Chen Zilong and Xu Tiaoyuan, Yang Chao also took the opportunity to go downhill and said that he would help guard Jinhua. (Gentlemen's Gathering Hall)

Anyway, the last time he feinted anger, it also had another purpose, but the means of the Jinhua prefect made Yang Chao lose the reason to be angry, and he said that he thought that the other party would not let him enter the city before leaving, which was a bit far-fetched, and the guest troops of the Ming Dynasty were not allowed to enter the city.

So simply stay first, the Baitou army should indeed be flattened, not because they are worse than Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong's army, and the damage caused is greater, but because Zhejiang is the hinterland of Jiangnan, in case Yang Chao can't keep Beijing in the future, Li Zicheng still broke through the city of Beijing, Yang Chao also needs to use Jiangnan as a base camp to resist foreign enemies.

Because Li Zicheng can capture the city of Beijing, but he can't stop the Manchu Eight Banners, not to mention Wu Sangui's defection to the Manchu Qing, that is, without Wu Sangui, the Manchu Halal wants to move the real character, Li Zicheng can't stop it, Wu Sangui is in Ningyuan, and the Manchu Qing Dynasty didn't enter the customs last year.

Since Jiangnan may become the last center of resistance, then Jiangnan can't be chaotic, so Yang Chao can only adjust his mentality and grit his teeth to be an unrighteous person.

However, if we want to use force against the Baitou army, we must not delay it too long, and we must return to Nanking after a month, and delay it until April at the latest, otherwise we will not be able to reach Beijing before April 25.

Yang Chao set out from Nanjing in mid-February, and it is already the 25th, if he wants to fight, Yang Chao hopes to solve the battle within 10 days, and then the whole army sets off, rushes back to Nanjing in mid-March, immediately raises supplies, and at the same time arms more than 20,000 people now, in preliminary training, and then goes north to rescue Beijing.

If it is delayed for more than 20 days, it will delay the big event, so whether or not the Baitou army can be exterminated, Yang Chao will have to return after 15 days.

It is better to be able to exterminate nature. Because at least the stability of this area of Zhejiang is ensured, the people here are not like those people in the northwest, at least they can survive after working hard. There is no way for the Northwest to rebel, they have to eat people. Not the other way around?

But Zhejiang's climate and economy are very good, the Suhu area is still one of the richest places in the world, although Dongyang and other mountainous areas in eastern Zhejiang are poorer, they will not be unable to eat, but the Baitou Army is so troublesome, I don't know how many displaced people to be added.

Stabilize as soon as possible, and it's good for the people.

It's just that now I don't even know where the white-headed army is, and Yang Chao is a guest army. This information can only be turned to Wang Xiong, the head snake, so since he wants to stay, he has to deal with them.

Sure enough, on the third day, the news came, and the Baitou Army fled back to Dongyang County as everyone guessed, but did not enter Dongyang County, this news is very accurate, because the news was personally sent by Yao Sun Pei of Dongyang Zhixian County.

This Dongyang magistrate has a very bad reputation and is corrupt. Although there were no people in Zhejiang in these years, the mountain people of Tingzhou at the junction of Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi in the southeast of Zhejiang rebelled the year before last, when the eastern captives entered the Central Plains. Jiangnan has no soldiers to send, so he can only recruit troops by himself, which requires Yao Sundi to take the opportunity to make a lot of money.

Yang Chao asked his subordinates to inquire about the situation of Xu Du in the eyes of the people in the past few days, and it turned out that Xu Du was given by this Yao Sundi to be opposed, but the statement was very inconsistent, some people said that Yao Sundi took the opportunity to blackmail Xu Du and asked Xu Du to raise 10,000 taels, but Xu Du refused, and ended up making enemies. After that, Xu Du gave his mother a funeral, and there were thousands of people who mourned him. Yao Sundi insulted Xu Du for rebellion and reported it to Jinhua Mansion. Wang Xiong, the garrison of Jinhua Mansion, led troops to arrest Xu Du, and Xu Du was forced to rebel in desperation.

There are also people who say that Xu Du befriended the righteous people in the rivers and lakes for self-defense, and Yao County ordered him to denounce his illegality, Xu Du still couldn't get rid of the crime after offering a thousand gold, and insulted Xu Du for hiding 100,000 taels of silver when he was in Wu Chang, which should be paid to the government. Xu Du was afraid of being convicted, so he took his acquaintance into the county government to plead for mercy. The order still angrily reprimanded him, and he was to be immediately imprisoned.

These two statements are inconsistent, but everyone says that this is Xu Du Yijun himself, so there are many people who are forced to rebel, after all, the Chinese people have never trusted the government very much, and they hate corrupt officials even more, this Yao Sundi is a corrupt official It is not wrong, then it must be that he forced Xu Du and his subordinates to rebel.

And Yang Chao also inquired that the military discipline of the rebel army in Xu Du was not bad, and there was not much to rob the people, of course, they broke a few county seats, and the materials obtained from the official treasury alone were enough to support consumption, and the Xu family was also a local wealthy family, and they could also supply the Baitou army.

It is precisely because of the armed forces of the wealthy clan, which is equivalent to the regimental training of the landlords, that the military discipline is better than that of the real peasant army, and the Xu family has a great business and a very high reputation in the local area, so they cannot do the kind of thing of robbing the people and robbing other families.

Of course, the more important reason is probably that Xu Du was really forced to rebel temporarily, otherwise how could he rebel on the day of his mother's burial, Xu Du should have been extremely painful at that time, and then he was forced by the county order, he couldn't help it, and he was wrapped in filial piety on his head, and immediately pulled out the knife.

But calm down afterwards, after all, the risk of rebellion is too great.

Therefore, not robbing the people, in fact, is also to leave him a way back, and then release the news that he was forced to rebel, which is equivalent to hoping that the imperial court will be peaceful.

After getting these news, Yang Chao immediately judged the plans of Xu Du or the family behind him.

But if this Xu Du is loyal to the imperial court and is completely wronged, Yang Chao doesn't believe it at all, he has nothing to recruit tens of thousands of people in the rivers and lakes, and it is strange that he has no ambition.

The information sent from Jinhua City also proves this, and today someone in the city sent someone to quietly tell Yang Chao that this Xu Du had sent someone to secretly participate in the Kuocang Mountain Uprising a few years ago.

Then it is obvious that this is an ambitious person, or an ambitious family, who wants to take advantage of the troubled times to dig up greater power, to be honest, the peasant army has been making trouble for so many years, and the Ming Dynasty believes in the Mandate of Heaven, there is definitely more than one such family, I am afraid that many wealthy families are secretly preparing it.

The Xu family's plan is obvious, if it can be successful, they will participate in it and finally gain power, after all, there are many such families in history, for example, Cao Cao started by relying on the clan power of the Cao family and the Xiahou family, Xiang Yu is also Jiangdong's 8,000 soldiers, Li Shimin's Tang Wang family, and these families are indispensable to wrestle behind the change of dynasty again and again.

Therefore, the Xu family probably also has this speculative mentality, and may not want to be the emperor, because the risk of taking the lead is too great, but they can participate in advance. That meant they could get a piece of the pie afterwards, so they quietly participated in the uprising, but did not take the lead. This time I was forced to do nothing, but after being defeated. Immediately released the message and wanted to make peace.

Yang Chao believes that if the world cannot be pacified soon, the Xu family will make trouble again, this is for sure.

It's just that the Xu family doesn't have the courage to break the boat, so they have other mentalities while fighting, and even captured Dongyang County. didn't kill this Yao Sundi, just locked him up, and after the failure of the attack on Jinhua, the army withdrew and occupied the county seat.

The latest news brought by Yao Sundi, Xu Du gathered his army and deployed it at Ziwei Mountain at the junction of Dongyang and Yiwu, which is where the Xu family's home is located.

"I'm afraid I'm going to Zhao'an?"

After Yang Chao got these news, he couldn't help but sigh.

The Xu family is also a family of eunuchs, and it has already begun to operate, and it will probably be before someone speaks for them. Asked the court to be peaceful.

Yang Chao probably doesn't need to do anything.

Sure enough, when he got the news that Yang Chao proposed to Jinhua Mansion to march to Dongyang, someone put forward a proposal to Zhao'an Xu's family.

Jinhuacheng opened the door this time and invited Yang Chao to discuss. did not stop the pro-soldiers brought by Yang Chao.

It was proposed by a small official in Jinhua Mansion, saying that Xu Du was sitting on Ziwei Mountain, the army was strong, there was a lot of money and food, and a forced attack could only be a defeat for both sides, so it was better to surrender, and the Xu family really sent people to get through relations with some officials, hoping to surrender.

Jinhua Mansion Soldier Dao Wang Xiong asked everyone to discuss.

The timing of Xu Du's rebellion was very suspicious, and it was the prefect of Jinhua Mansion who went home to mourn. Launched before the new governor arrived.

At this time, the most powerful person in Jinhua Mansion was the garrison Wang Xiong and Jinhua Mansion. Jinhua County Magistrate, as well as the foreign manager Chen Zilong.

"Surrender is like an enemy!"

Chen Zilong said. In fact, Xu Du has a very good relationship with Chen Zilong, after Chen Zilong became the manager, he recommended Xu Du many times, but unfortunately it was not accepted by the above, probably because the Xu family did not have enough money and the operation was not successful.

But Chen Zilong and Xu Du's friendship can be called irreversible, Xu Du wants Zhao'an, I am afraid that he will be the first to think of Chen Zilong, but I didn't expect Chen Zilong to say this.

Yang Chao's understanding of Chen Zilong immediately deepened, and he felt that this was a guy with strong principles and who could kill his relatives in righteousness, that is to say, he was loyal to the Ming Dynasty, and it seems that in history, this person was also a martyr in the end, and he died against the Qing Dynasty.

Then other people also expressed their opinions, some said that they were surrendered, and some said that they were exterminated, but there were more people who said that they were surrendered, and as for those who said that they were exterminated, Yao Sundi was the most resolute.

Wang Xiong finally stroked his beard and smiled, looked at Yang Chao and said, "What does General Yang think?" ”

Yang Chao knew that the water was very deep, and the matter between the Xu family of the wealthy family and the local government was probably an agreement a long time ago.

So Yang Chao shook his head and smiled: "This official is a guest general, and he doesn't know much about Jinhua, and everything is sent by the garrison lord." ”

As a guest general, Yang Chao arrived in Jinhua, and theoretically should accept the command of Jinhua's most senior military attaché, but Yang Chao's grade is too high and his reputation is too great, and Jinhua has to give some face.

Yang Chao's opinion obviously made Wang Xiong very useful, he obviously had an idea a long time ago, and the only thing he was worried about was that Yang Chao, an outsider, would suddenly raise an objection.

After clearing his throat, Wang Xiong said: "The matter of Xu Du has been delayed for a long time from last year to this year, and our army's military food is really insufficient. ”

Yao Sundi lost Dongyang in front of him, and he didn't dare to brush Wang Xiong's intentions at this time, and frowned: "Who to send to talk?" ”

Wang Xiong said: "Manager Chen and Xu Du have some friendship, why don't you take a trip to Manager Chen?" ”

Chen Zilong frowned: "How to talk about it?" ”

Wang Xiong sighed: "Hey, God has the virtue of a good life, my Son of Heaven has always been kind-hearted, and he once made a promise, if the thief is willing to surrender, it is still my child, since the Son of Heaven has promised, we as courtiers should also be considerate of the saint's love for the people." If all of them come down from their own bindings, they should remain immortal. ”

Chen Zilong sighed and said, "In this case, the lower officials will go for a trip." ”

Yang Chao has a new view at this time, this Chen Zilong seems to be not simple, in a few words and Wang Xiong, he was exempted from the death penalty by cooperating with Wang Xiong, and he also moved out of the Son of Heaven, Chongzhen did say such a thing, but Yang Chao did not believe that Chongzhen was a kind-hearted person, he even killed more than one Shoufu, and the military department Shangshu killed seven or eight. Kind-hearted? These officials don't believe it!

The reason why Chongzhen proposed to appease the Liukou was that as long as the peasant army was willing to surrender, he would still be the emperor's child. It's the emperor's people, there's no way. Who let the rebels be too many, millions of people can't be killed, but this also gives Zhang Xianzhong a chance, this guy surrendered again and again, every time the civilian official agreed, and he surrendered soon after.

Moreover, when civilian officials accepted Zhang Xianzhong's surrender, they often accepted a lot of bribes to help him say good things, and Zhang Xianzhong finally rebelled. The officials who accepted his money and finances posted notices, including a few Beijing officials, but they severely disgusted the Ming civil official group, making these guys who were so bold that they even dared to collect the money of the rebellious peasant army were very uncomfortable, but they escaped, because there were too many civil officials involved in the case, and the emperor was so bad that he didn't dare to kill them.

No wonder Xu Du dared to rebel, probably because he felt that as long as he had soldiers in his hands, killing people and setting fires was a shortcut to being an official.

Then this Wang Xiong played a double reed with Chen Zilong. Immediately set his way.

Fang Cai also felt that Chen Zilong was a loyal minister Yang Chao, and suddenly felt that this loyal minister was not so simple.

But Yang Chao didn't say anything, they were able to Zhao'an. So better, Yang Chao can go back early, Yang Chao hopes they can Zhao'an as soon as possible, but his trip was tossed in vain, it seems that some can't be said, you Zhejiang is in a uproar, and finally the government and the wealthy family made peace, so that the emperor who didn't know the details issued an order to summon Yang Chao to suppress the bandits, but in the end it only delayed the preparation time for going north in vain.

Thinking that this is a drama that has been choreographed a long time ago. Yang Chao felt that he was the harlequin who was played, and his heart moved. I don't think it should be like these guys.

So he stood up and said, "Lord Chen's visit is in danger, and this official originally escorted Lord Chen there." ”

Yang Chao said high-sounding. Wang Xiong and the others couldn't say anything, their faces were strange for a while, and their expressions were extremely exciting, as if they had eaten a rotten egg that was difficult to swallow.

After a long time, Wang Xiong smiled: "Lord Chen is going to surrender, where is there a need for a fierce general like Lord Yang, it is not good for Lord Yang to go, not to mention the food and salary, if the thief army is suspicious, it will be unfavorable to Lord Chen." ”

Yang Chao insisted: "Lord Wang is surprised, if Lord Chen goes alone and is trapped in the bandit army, what should it be." With the escort of 5,000 elite soldiers of this official, he should be able to ensure that Lord Chen is safe. ”

Wang Xiong continued: "It's just that Jinhua Mansion is really short of food, and Lord Yang has come thousands of miles to help, but he can't allocate military food. The army is mobilized, and people eat horses and feed them, how can this be borne by it? ”

Yang Chao was resolute: "Don't care, my lord, this official will bring military rations when he goes out, and he can eat enough for a month!" ”

Wang Xiong opened his mouth, it's too exaggerated, carrying March military rations with the army, tens of thousands of people to eat and drink, how much does it cost?

But he still didn't give up: "But that Ziwei Mountain is the old residence of the Xu family, and it has been in business for a long time, and it is guarded according to the danger, I am afraid that it will not be able to be defeated in three months." ”

Yang Chao said confidently: "Don't worry, my lord." This official was in Haizhou for less than a month, and killed 10,000 captives. Although he thinks that although the white-headed army is strong, this official can also break the thief in March. ”

Wang Xiong snorted, showing a displeased look, this is hinting that Yang Chao should not be reconciled, but he can't say it explicitly, it will inevitably be true, after all, he also knew from Shi Kefa's private letter that Yang Chao actually came by the emperor's decree, although this kind of holy decree can be dismissed, but it proves that the emperor knows about it, and the emperor is staring at Jinhua, so there is no reasonable reason, he can't stop Yang Chao at all, and he doesn't dare to forcibly stop Yang Chao.

"Even if the thief is broken within three months, what will Lord Yang do after that, he will always need food and grass for the return trip."

As soon as Wang Xiong finished speaking, Yang Chao burst out laughing.

"This official heard that the Xu family is a wealthy family in Dongyang, and it is also a first-class family in Jinhua Mansion, and the white-headed army is said to have 100,000 people, and the official will eat their food when he kills the white-headed army!"

Yang Chao said it so fiercely that these people didn't know what to say at all.

What the hell, if you want to kill all other people's people, and you have to eat other people's food, needless to say, you will definitely not let go of the Xu family's property.

But after Yang Chao said this, suddenly Wang Xiong understood, it turned out that Yang Chao had already seen through their behind-the-scenes deals, and deliberately said so, the meaning was obvious.

That is: you can't eat alone!

And Yang Chao has a great appetite and a very high price, that is: the property of the Xu family.

In other words, the Xu family had to take out the equivalent of their family property to buy Yang Chao.

Wang Xiong and the others couldn't help but sweat and sighed secretly, this is the predator. (To be continued...... ）。