The sound of artillery outside Dengzhou City stopped, and the people in Dengzhou City could vaguely hear the sound of fighting and shouting from the battlefield outside the city, which lasted for a long time, and then heard the loud sound of Hongyi cannon placed at the head of the city that shook the world, and the shouting and killing outside the city gradually stopped.

Many people in the city near the city gate noticed that a large number of panicked officers and soldiers suddenly poured in when the city gate opened, and the officers and soldiers of the Dengzhou battalion were defeated, and many people in the city began to be really nervous and afraid.

At this time, it was already the time to hold the lamp, the Denglai Governor's official office hall, the governor's official office, civil and military officials were all present, Governor Sun Yuanhua's face was ugly, and he roared at Zhang Tao, the deputy chief soldier kneeling in the hall: "The Liao soldiers under your command have all surrendered to the chaotic soldiers, what are you going to do when you come back!" Is it to see the joke? ”

Zhang Tao hurriedly kowtowed and said: "The lowly position is incompetent, please atone for the governor's sins, the lowly official never expected in advance that these despicable soldiers would suddenly turn against Kong Youde's rebellious soldiers, please give the lowly office a chance to make meritorious contributions." ”

Sun Yuanhua's face was gloomy and almost melted into water, and he smiled angrily: "Give you a chance, then who will give Benfu a chance, instead of quelling Kong Youde's rebellious troops outside the city, you led the troops under your command to harm the people of Dengzhou with the rebellious soldiers." ”

Sun Yuanhua took a breath and continued to roar: "Benfu thinks that there is no place where you Liaodong generals can't stand it, you are desperate in Liaodong, it is Benfu who will take you in and raise you, let you continue to lead the troops, food and salary subsidies are always given priority, who knows that a group of hungry wolves will be raised!" ”

Speaking of sadness, Sun Yuanhua couldn't help but burst into tears. continued to say fiercely: "Wait, in a few days, the imperial court will lock you and me into Beijing!" ”

Ninety percent of the Liaodong soldiers under Zhang Tao defected outside the city to the side of Kong Youde's rebellious soldiers. Now he is almost the top deputy commander-in-chief, and there are no generals under him at all. It's like a toothless tiger that can only be slaughtered now.

Sun Yuanhua waved his hand weakly and said, "Take Zhang Tao down for temporary detention!" ”

"Your Excellency, this official has something to say."

Speaking is the Nanjing Right Governor Denglai Chief Military Officer Zhang Keda, according to the grade Zhang Keda is a first-class military attaché, and Sun Yuanhua is a second-grade civil official, according to the grade hall should be Zhang Keda to give orders, all know that the Ming Dynasty is a noble and military lowly, so although Zhang Keda is a first-class military attaché, he still has to obey the dispatch of Sun Yuanhua, the governor of Denglai, who is one level lower than him.

Zhang Keda, the chief military officer of Denglai, who was sitting on the side, also had a gloomy face, and his Dengzhou Zheng barracks was fighting against Kong Youde's rebellious soldiers with all his might. However, it was suddenly attacked and killed by Zhang Tao's Liao soldiers from the side, and the officers and soldiers of the Dengzhou battalion were caught off guard, and naturally the whole line was defeated.

Thanks to Sun Yuanhua, who supervised the battle at the head of the city, he ordered the Hongyi cannon to shoot to deter the rebellious Liao soldiers, and Zhang Keda and Zhang Tao led the defeated soldiers to flee back to Dengzhou City.

After inspection, more than 30% of the soldiers of Jiangsu and Zhejiang under Zhang Keda's command were killed or wounded, and only more than 300 cavalry fled back to the city.

Looking at the soldiers who followed him to fight in the north and south, innocent and tragically died under the swords and guns of that group of chaotic soldiers, Zhang Keda felt like his heart was dripping blood. These 4,000 soldiers were loyal to themselves.

With these soldiers, even if they lose the battle, the imperial court must have some scruples even if they want to punish themselves, otherwise their fate will not be better than that of Sun Yuanhua, Zhang Ke turned his heart over and over with various thoughts.

Sun Yuanhua is also angry with Zhang Keda. He was full of hope that through the pursuit of the Dengzhou battalion soldiers outside the city, he would rescue the hijacked foreign craftsmen, who thought that the 200 cavalry would not only be unable to catch the thieves who hijacked the foreign craftsmen in Dengzhou City. Instead, they lost their armor and horses, and all their horses and weapons were robbed by thieves. Until now, I haven't even figured out where the thieves came from.

He looked at Zhang Kedao with burning eyes: "What does Zhang Zongbing say?" ”

Zhang Keda frowned slightly, his official position is the right governor of Nanjing. However, Sun Yuanhua called himself the chief soldier, obviously suppressing himself in the battle and signaling that he could not be surpassed.

Zhang Keda sighed secretly, when is this time, I can't forget the intrigue to protect my face!

Zhang Keda consciously glanced at the military officials in the lobby quickly, and said: "Lord Governor, there are still many Liao soldiers in the city, and there are also some Liaodong generals, these Liao soldiers and Liao generals did not defect to Kong Youde's rebels outside the city, which shows that they are all heart-oriented to the imperial court and unwilling to join the chaos with the rebels, which shows that they are all the only deputy chief soldiers and horses!" Now that the situation is urgent, the official thinks that it is better to let Zhang Tao make meritorious service for his crimes, and then deal with it impartially when the rebels outside the city are exterminated. ”

Sun Yuanhua was a little surprised: "This Zhang Tao, as the deputy chief officer, the officers and soldiers under his command conspired to defect, such a big thing, he didn't hear anything, Ben Fu saw it clearly in the city, it was the sudden attack of these rebels that caused serious casualties among the soldiers under Zhang Zongbing, and now Zhang Zongbing actually interceded for such an incompetent person!" ”

Zhang Keda said lightly: "The casualties of his soldiers, the officer is naturally heartbroken, they are all veterans who followed the official to fight in the south and the north, but now they are innocently injured, but at this time it is a critical moment, I am the chief soldier of Denglai, and I must be responsible for the entire Denglai." ”

The faces of more than a dozen civil and military officials standing under the lobby were moved, and at the critical moment, this famous chief military officer resolutely put aside his personal grievances and actively responded to external threats, which was really moving.

Zhang Taomian, who was kneeling in the hall, looked up at Zhang Keda, with gratitude in his eyes.

Sun Yuanhua's gloomy face was a little clear, and he said angrily: "Guanfu (Zhang Keda's cousin) is reasonable, he can be as open-minded as Guanfu, and he is dedicated to my Dengzhou City, so why worry about the chaos outside the city!" ”

He bowed his head and shouted to Zhang Tao, who was kneeling in the hall: "Deputy Chief Zhang, get up, this time General Zhang will intercede for you, and this special case allows you to lead your soldiers to make meritorious contributions." ”

Zhang Tao hurriedly bowed to the ground and said, "The last general thanks the governor for his leniency!" ”

Sun Yuanhua snorted in his nose and made no sound, Zhang Tao stood up and said to Zhang Keda: "Thank you Lord Zhang for interceding, the end will be unforgettable!" ”

Zhang Keda raised his face and didn't look at Zhang Tao at all, and said coldly: "This official is just thinking about the safety of the entire Dengzhou City, and Deputy General Zhang doesn't need to be grateful." ”

One sentence blocked Zhang Tao back, and Zhang Tao stood a little overwhelmed with an embarrassed face.

Sun Yuanhua shouted: "Deputy Chief Zhang, you are waiting for a guilty body at this time. Remember to keep your current subordinates under control and if there are any surprises. The only thing waiting for you is a severed head, so you step aside and wait! ”

His eyes turned to Zhang Kedao: "How to deal with Kong Youde's rebels outside the city." What countermeasures does Mr. Zhang have? ”

Zhang Keda shook his head slightly and said: "The soldiers of the Dengzhou battalion have just experienced a fiasco, and the rebellious soldiers of Kong Youde outside the city have suddenly been joined by a large number of Liaodong soldiers, and their morale is high. ”

Sun Yuanhua nodded slowly, he turned his gaze to the officials under the hall and asked, "What are the good plans of all the people present?" ”

Sun Yuanhua's gaze swept over Song Guanglan of Dengzhou Dao, Wu Weicheng, the prefect of Dengzhou, Jia Mingjie, the governor of Tongzhi, Wang Ming, the commander of Penglai County, Zhang Keda, the chief soldier of Denglai, Zhang Tao, the deputy chief soldier of Denglai, Geng Zhongming, the general of the pacesetter battalion, and Chen Guangfu, the guerrilla Chen Guangfu, and other large and small civil and military officials. Seeing that some of the many officials in the hall were staring down at the ground, and some were staring at one place with empty eyes, they all looked like they were thinking hard.

Sun Yuanhua's brows furrowed even tighter, and a person dressed in a seven-grade civil official uniform among the civil and military officials stepped out of the crowd, "Lord Governor, the lower officials have some bad opinions, say them for the Governor and your lords to consider." ”

Sun Yuanhua's gaze turned to the person who spoke, and his frowning brows relaxed slightly, two days ago, there was a robbery of foreign craftsmen in Dengzhou City. The words and deeds of this Penglai County Wang Ming County Commander left a deep impression on him.

Sun Yuanhua's voice slowed down and said: "If Wang Xian Ling has any lofty opinions, just say it, Ben Fu and all the adults will listen to it!" ”

Wang Ming hurriedly bowed down and said, "Don't dare." He straightened up and continued: "Kong Youde's rebellious soldiers have been in rebellion for nearly a month now, and they have passed through various state capitals along the way, burning, killing and looting, and the entire hinterland of Shandong has made the people miserable. It also made the imperial court have a lot of constraints on foreign military operations, and it was learned from the Di newspaper that the imperial army is now dealing with the Houjin slave soldiers and Shaanxi Liukou. For a while, it was impossible to mobilize troops to encircle and suppress it, and I am afraid that Kong Youde would dare to set up a rebellion. It is precisely by seizing that the government and the opposition are unable to take into account this favorable opportunity for a while and seize the opportunity to reap the benefits. ”

Many officials in the lobby, including Sun Yuanhua and Zhang Keda, pricked up their ears one after another. Listen carefully to what this Wang County Commander has to say.

Wang Ming continued: "Kong Youde's people are in turmoil, nothing more than to gain benefits for themselves, and they have no real intention of rebelling against the imperial court. The lower officials thought that while there were no rebels and no more harm now, they would take the initiative to appease them, and if they could succeed in appeasing them, they could quickly eliminate this scourge of the place, and also make the court reduce the verbal and written criticism of our generation! ”

The proposal of Wang Ming, the commander of Penglai County, immediately caused an uproar in the lobby, and civil and military officials began to confront.

Zhang Keda pointed at Wang Ming with his finger and said: "It's really nonsense, Kong Youde's chaotic soldiers burned and looted along the way, and destroyed everything they could, and today they killed and injured many of my Denglai soldiers. ”

Zhang Keda and several cronies and generals around him echoed one after another, and Zhang Tao, Geng Zhongming, Chen Guangfu and others were silent.

Most people on the civilian side, however, nodded in agreement with Wang Ming's proposal, and they could subdue the rebels outside the city without bloodshed, so as to minimize the loss of their own interests, why not! criticized Zhang Keda, but felt unimpressed.

Dengzhou Dao Song Guanglan ignored Zhang Keda's accusations, although Zhang Keda was two levels higher than him, he did not get his attention.

Seeing Sun Yuanhua's impatient and anxious expression before, when he heard the proposal of Wang Ming, the commander of Penglai County, he obviously restrained, and even showed a smile.

It seems that the governor has this plan in mind! This Wang Ming's proposal is in line with the Governor's intentions.

Song Guanglan bowed to Sun Yuanhua and said, "The lower officials think that what this Penglai County Decree says is to the point, and it is the best way to solve the current situation, and I also ask the governor to adjudicate." ”

Dengzhou Governor Wu Weicheng, Tongzhi Jia Mingjie and other civil officials, large and small, echoed one after another, asking the governor to appease Kong Youde's rebels.

Sun Yuanhua has long been inclined to appease Kong Youde's rebels, and being able to quickly subdue Kong Youde's rebels can at least alleviate the verbal criticism of the imperial historians of the DPRK and the central government, so that those who create incidents will have fewer interfaces, and can somewhat reduce the pressure on some of the first assistant Zhous!! (To be continued......)