In the middle of May of the twelfth year of Chongzhen, Zhang Xianzhong erected a counter-flag in Gucheng again, and soon occupied Gucheng, Laohekou, and even Fangxian area, and the strength of the army increased from 40,000 to 60,000 at the time of the army, and Luo Rucai, Lao Hui Ma Shouying, etc., who were entrenched in Yunxian, led 20,000 troops to respond. For a time, the vast area at the junction of Huguang, Sichuan, and Henan fell into a rebellion of swords again.

At this time, Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting's troops had received an order from the imperial court to pull out the camp and return to Beijing, and Xiong Wencan, the governor of the five provinces and the prime minister of the thief suppression, had to transfer Zuo Liangyu, the general soldier of Huguang, and Luo Dai's department, which was left behind in Liaozhen, to march to the area of Fang County to encircle and suppress Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai's department.

The officers and soldiers fought fiercely with the Liukou, and the Liukou fought and retreated, retreating in the direction of Gucheng.

In the east of Fang County, there are more than 30,000 elite people from Zhang Xianzhong, Luo Rucai, and Ma Shouying. Zuo Liangyu and Luo Dai, not long after sending troops from Xiangyang, encountered a problem, that is, the supply of grain and grass was not enough, and the soldiers had to pile up and plunder everywhere, and even pick wild fruits on the mountains for food. Zhang Xianzhong and others launched an attack at this time, and ambushes were everywhere.

Zuo Liangyu and Luo Dai's 30,000 troops were crushed, killed and wounded everywhere, and were defeated by the rogues in one fell swoop, Luo Dai died on the spot, and Zuo Liangyu fled in the direction of Xiangyang with only a thousand people.

After a fierce battle, the corpses in the valley were all over the field, the banners, war drums, and armor of the Ming army were thrown everywhere.

Li Rujing sat on the top of the mountain panting, looking at the scenes at the foot of the mountain, his heart seemed to be pressed against a boulder, forcing him to breathe. The same uniform, a few months ago, he used to wear the same military uniform and fight bloody battles with the Tartars, but now, he wants to kill the killer like these former "robes". On the battlefield, Li Rujing was inexplicably distracted several times, and almost became a ghost under the knife of the official army. Fortunately, thanks to the timely protection of the soldiers around him, he saved his life.

During his few months in Zhu Ping'an's army, Li Rujing never mentioned it to anyone, not even his father-in-law and brother-in-law. And from top to bottom in the army, they all thought that he had been lurking in the official army in the past few months, waiting for an opportunity to avenge his righteous brother Zhang Kewang, that is, Sun Kewang avenged with an arrow, and everyone raised his thumbs up for his righteous deeds, and they praised him vigorously, but they didn't know that his heart was changing subtly.

Li Rujing suddenly found that he no longer had a trace of fighting spirit in the battle against the official army, and even he couldn't tell what it was for. Li Rujing's sluggish state was seen by his righteous brother Sun Kewang, he thought that Li Rujing was angry because he failed to avenge himself, so while he was full of gratitude to his righteous brother, he also secretly paid attention to it, just in the fierce battle, he found that Li Rujing was in a trance for a moment, so he took a decisive action and saved Li Rujing's life.

Sun Kewang panted and climbed up the hill, threw the thick-backed machete in his hand to his own soldiers, and took a water bladder and sat down beside Li Rujing.

"Fourth brother, are you okay?" Sun Kewang handed the water bladder to Li Rujing, Li Rujing took it with a somewhat blank expression, pulled out the stopper, poured cold water into a big gulp, and sprinkled it everywhere on the placket.

"Revenge doesn't have to be on the mind!" Sun Kewang patted Li Rujing on the shoulder, "My father-in-law has raised troops this time, and the strength of the troops is even better than before, and the imperial army has been transferred north, this is our good opportunity." I heard that King Chuang has also sneaked back to Shaanxi, and when he sees it, he is about to rise again, I think this Ming court is indeed exhausted. In the future, following his father-in-law, there are so many opportunities to make meritorious contributions, isn't it easy to kill an officer and army general? ”

Although Li Rujing's heart was bitter, he still forced out a smile and nodded.

The soldiers under the mountain ran up the mountain quickly, and when they were far away, they began to shout excitedly, "The eldest prince, I have obtained the head of the general of the official army!" ”

Sun Kewang immediately stood up, "Is it Zuo Liangyu?" ”

"No, it's the one surnamed Luo, it seems to be the general of Liao Town outside the Guan, he is really brave, he won't retreat from the fight, and in the end he was pierced through the heart by the brothers' arrows, so he took the head!"

"Good!" Sun Kewang laughed excitedly, "Follow me back to the camp and ask my father-in-law for credit!" ”

At the same time as the Boji Village surrounded and annihilated the official army, Zhang Xianzhong had conquered Fang County again, and also moved his battalion to the county government of Fang County. On the flagpole at the gate of the county government, there is a string of heads, all of which are the officials of the county government and the wealthy families of the big families who desperately resist in the city. The blood dripped down drop by drop, the wind blew, and the head swayed left and right with the wind, adding a touch of horror to the entire county government.

In the county seat, there is already a shortage of soldiers, this is a month, Fang County fell into the hands of the Liukou for the second time, because Zuo Liangyu and Luo Dai's army pressed forward step by step, the Liukou soldiers vented all their anger on the heads of the people of Fang County, and the city was full of black smoke, killing and looting everywhere.

The main hall of the county government was elated, and the magistrate's case was moved to the entrance of the main hall, and wine and meat like a hill were placed. And Zhang Xianzhong took more than ten leaders under his command to invite Luo Rucai, who came to meet the teacher, and Lao Hui Ma Shouying.

Luo Rucai is not tall, his limbs are short, and his head is as big as a fight, but his face is fair and delicate, not at all like the origin of a homeless person. He is cunning and resourceful, and is called "Cao Cao" in the Liukou army, but his popularity is surprisingly good, and the reason for this is his personality.

He believes that "thieves also have the way", which is essentially different from the ruthless Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong. Luo Rucai pays attention to life and death with wealth and nobility, so he has won the support of his subordinates and the various departments of the Liukou, and in recent years, his reputation has gradually caught up with Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong.

Sun Kewang and Li Rujing strode into the county office, and when they saw the head hanging on the flagpole, Li Rujing's face couldn't help but sink, but he didn't say anything, just followed his righteous brother into the main hall.

"Father-in-law, Luo Dai has been killed by us, and the head is here!"

Sun Kewang walked in front of Zhang Xianzhong, and unconcernedly put Luo Dai's head on the public case in front of Zhang Xianzhong.

When Zhang Xianzhong heard this, he immediately threw away the wine glass, held his head for a while, and then laughed wildly. "Take it out, hang it at the top of the flagpole, and let the people of the whole city see that the commanders of the official army have all died in my hands, and who else in this Huguang realm will dare to oppose my old Zhang in the future!"

"Congratulations to the king, congratulations to the king!" The leaders hurriedly stood up to congratulate. Luo Rucai and Ma Shou glanced at each other and stood up.

Zhang Xianzhong's adviser Pan Duao took advantage of the situation to fill Zhang Xianzhong with wine, "King, now that our army has won a big victory, the Huguang official army has no strength to fight again, it is better to take advantage of this army to go south and drive directly to Xiangfan, this is the emperor's capital!" ”

Zhang Xianzhong drank all the wine in the bowl, but did not answer Pan Duao's mention, but looked at Luo Rucai, "Old Luo, what do you think?" ”

Luo Rucai nodded, "What Mr. Pan said is extremely true, now that the two armies of Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting have returned to the north, and Huguang is empty, it is the time for us to make great achievements." Luo is willing to follow the eight kings, saddle before and after the horse, for driving! ”

Zhang Xianzhong couldn't help laughing, "Lao Luo is really a wonderful person!" It's okay, I'll get drunk today, and the day after tomorrow I'll go straight to Xiangyang! ”

At the moment, the guests and hosts are happy, Luo Rucai is also known for "lust" in the Liukou army, this time he met with Zhang Xianzhong, and also brought more than 100 looted beauties, and immediately summoned dozens of them, these women are the daughters of the official eunuchs or wealthy businessmen robbed by Luo Rucai, Zhang Xianzhong was born recklessly, but he loves this tone the most, and at that time he and a group of subordinates pounced on these screaming and crying miserable women like hungry tigers.

The banquet didn't end until the time of the lantern, and Zhang Xianzhong hugged the two beauties and went to be happy. And Luo Rucai and Ma Shouying returned to the camp.

When he arrived outside the city and chose a secluded place, Luo Rucai turned over and dismounted, and with the support of the guards, he held on to the big tree and vomited for a while, and then vented the wine in his stomach.

Ma Shouying was originally a Hui from Suide, Shaanxi, and he didn't drink alcohol, so his mind was very clear at this time, and he was full of anger and sent the water bladder in his hand to Luo Rucai. "General, Zhang Xianzhong is going to annex your subordinates and me. As early as the tenth year of Chongzhen, he invited King Jin Yong to attack Jianghuai together, but it was not because Wang Jinyong was defeated and died. Today's is clearly the Hongmen Banquet, once he goes south to Xiangyang, we are bound to become his pawns! ”

Luo Rucai swallowed half a bag of water in his stomach, and then he eased up, and said to Ma Shouying with a wry smile: "Old Ma, are your eyes and ears ornaments?" ”

Ma Shouying was stunned, "Why did the general say this?" ”

"There are at least 500 sword and axe men in ambush in the county government just now, as long as I wait to say the word 'no', I am afraid that the heads of you and me have already been hung on the flagpole outside the county yamen at this time."

Ma Shouying was shocked, "Does he Zhang Xianzhong really dare to do this?" ”

"What's not to dare?" Luo Rucai threw the water bladder on the ground with hatred, "Originally, the Tao is not the same!" But Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng both govern the army with hegemony and slaughter, what can't the two of them do! ”

"Then we won't go quickly!" Ma Shouying grabbed Luo Rucai's arm, "The official army returns to the north, not only Huguang is empty, but even Sichuan and Henan have no large troops stationed, we might as well go west to Sichuan and seize the country of Tianfu, when the time comes, it will be easy to defend and difficult to attack, and we will be the emperor of the soil in Shu!" ”

Luo Rucai shook his head, "No." First, if we and Zhang Xianzhong raise troops again, the imperial court will send a large army to conquer and suppress it, if we leave Zhang Xianzhong, with our troops, it will be easy to be wiped out by the imperial army; Second, I'm afraid you don't know, Zhang Xianzhong has already regarded Sichuan as his retreat, according to my information, Zhang Xianzhong has sent his righteous son Zhang Wenxiu deep into Shuzhong to stand forward, once the war is unfavorable, he can immediately go west. Think about it, if I wait for the soldiers to enter Sichuan, I'm afraid the first one who won't let me wait is him Zhang Xianzhong! When the time comes, we'll be in a situation where we can't move forward! ”

"So, what should I do?" Ma Shouying was stunned for a moment.

"Let's deal with the conquest and suppression of the imperial court first, the top priority is to recruit soldiers as much as possible and expand our power, as long as there are soldiers in hand, let him be in the court, or what can Zhang Xianzhong, Li Chuang and others do!" R1152