After Li Zicheng explained again, everyone left one after another, but Li Guo stayed, and said: "Uncle, according to the report from our brother in the capital, the imperial court has made a big move this time, not only transferring Zuo Liangyu to Henan, taking full charge of Henan's military affairs, but also transferring Cao Wenzhao to Shanxi. Moreover, when his nephew came out of the Zhongnanshan base area, Cao Wenzhao had already set out from Qingyang, Gansu Province, and led 3,500 horse infantry soldiers who had been in battle many times to cross the river directly from Tongguan, and the front of the troops was directed at Puzhou and other places. ”

Hearing this, Li Zicheng's calm expression finally had a trace of waves, his brows furrowed slightly, and he always felt that something was wrong. As a person with the soul of a modern person, I have seen some things about the end of the Ming Dynasty, it is impossible for Li Zicheng not to know Cao Wenzhao?

Known as the first good general in the Chongzhen period, although he was invincible in the battle of encircling and suppressing the rebel army for many years, he was finally outnumbered and fell into the hands of the peasant rebel army, which can be described as an untimely death!

Li Zicheng pondered for a moment, and after a moment, he muttered: "In this way, you and Cao Wenzhao's marching routes are almost the same?" ”

"Well, yes, uncle." Li Guo nodded, and then added: "If it weren't for Cao Wenzhao leaving early, maybe I would have met him squarely, and there would have been a big fight." ”

Speaking of this, Li Guo's tone was stunned, as if he had thought of something, his face was very ugly, he hesitated slightly, and then said: "Uncle, according to my analysis and that of Mr. Li Changmao, it is very likely that Hong Chengchou and Cao Wenzhao are aware of the existence of our base area. The latter, in particular, had to go almost in a big circle to the south before entering Shanxi from Tongguan. ”

After this reminder, as if a layer of window paper was punctured, Li Zicheng figured it out, and finally knew what was wrong, and at the same time the map of Shaanxi appeared in his mind, nodded thoughtfully, and said noncommittally: "Yes, Cao Wenzhao was ordered by the imperial court to lead his troops to Shanxi to encircle and suppress the rebel armies in Shanxi. It stands to reason that Cao Wenzhao should have set off from Gansu all the way to the east, from Yan'an Mansion to Shanxi, so that the time spent is the shortest. However, the fact is that on the contrary, Cao Wenzhao chose the longest route. ”

"Yes, uncle. Cao Wenzhao's marching route is almost like our walk in various base areas in Shaanxi. ”

For a while, Li Zicheng fell silent again and began to recall information about the Shaanxi base area, especially the southern base area. What was the mistake that made Hong Chengchou and Cao Wenzhao aware of the existence of the base area?

After a while, Li Zicheng nodded slightly, as if he had figured it out, and said thoughtfully: "In the past two years, Hong Chengchou and Cao Wenzhao have surrounded and suppressed the rebel army in Shaanxi. Especially in the past year, the official positions of the two have become higher and higher, and they have a better understanding of the situation in Shaanxi. In addition, the frequent looting of military rations and weapons transported from Sichuan to Shaanxi made their counterinsurgency operations always hampered, and it is not surprising that Hong Chengchou and Cao Wenzhao were suspicious. ”

Speaking of this, Li Zicheng touched his chin, his eyes flashed, his eyes were faint, and the wind of words changed.

However, according to my analysis, Hong Chengchou and Cao Wenzhao may have noticed something, but they are not sure, and they should not have received any useful news. Otherwise, it would be impossible for the two of them not to report to the imperial court. ”

"Yes, uncle, I discussed it with Mr. Li, Mr. Song and others, and I think so."

Li Guo echoed, and then asked: "However, uncle, before I left Zhongnan Mountain, Mr. Song Yingxing asked me to report this matter to you, and at the same time, I also asked you for instructions, what should I do next?" After all, Hong Chengchou is the trilateral governor of Shaanxi, and if he develops a base area under his nose, it will be difficult not to provoke his attention. Although Cao Wenzhao has left Shaanxi, there is one less big threat. ”

Li Zicheng thought about it and didn't answer immediately, and after a while, he said softly: "That's it." Later, you will send someone to inform Mr. Li and Mr. Song that they will reduce the looting of official and military weapons by the Li Jiajun in various base areas, and focus on military rations. At the same time, the base areas have reduced their actions against nearby counties and counties and set their goals farther. After all, Hong Chengchou was only the governor of the three sides, mainly responsible for defending against foreign enemies, and Shaanxi's military and government affairs were not under his control. ”

"Yes, uncle, early tomorrow morning, I will send someone to inform Mr. Li and them to adjust the foreign policy of each base area, focusing on the internal development of the base area and the absorption of displaced refugees."

Li Guo agreed, and he understood what his uncle meant, this is the use of a confusing strategy, reducing the operation around the base area, focusing on looting military rations. In this way, the imperial court will feel that the people are hungry and unbearable, and they will not hesitate to risk their lives to rob the military rations.

At this time, talking about the Zhongnan Mountain base, Li Zicheng also thought of some things, and suddenly asked: "By the way, Guo'er, how is Sun Yuanhua's matter?" Was he really beheaded by the imperial court, or was he rescued by you? ”

When it came to Sun Yuanhua, Li Guo's expression was relieved, and he became a little proud, and there was a hint of pretentiousness in his words.

"Uncle, Sun Yuanhua, along with his three sons and wife, are now in the Zhongnan Mountain base area, and those foreigners are studying firearms. Moreover, Wang Wei's people didn't go to the border, they were all intercepted by our people from the way and got to the Zhongnan Mountain base area. ”

"Uncle, I can tell you that in order to save Sun Yuanhua, the brother who was hiding in Beijing City took a lot of effort and spent a lot of money, so he opened up the layers of relationships and replaced him with a death row prisoner."

Hearing this, Li Zicheng smiled at this time, nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "No matter how much it costs or how much money it costs, as long as you can rescue Sun Yuanhua, it will be worth it!" ”

"Yes, uncle..."When Li Guo echoed the sentence, his expression froze, his face showed respect, and he said in a deep voice: "Rescuing Sun Yuanhua is really worth it!" Not to mention his attainments in the art of war, tactics and leading troops, in terms of firearms alone, he is far superior to everyone in the base area. Even Mr. Song and those foreigners sighed to themselves. ”

At this moment, Li Zicheng's memory opened, like a spring, thought of more, frowned slightly, and then stretched out again, and then asked: "By the way, Guo'er, how is your investigation about the businessmen of Jinhuang Taiji after collusion?" Do you have eyebrows? ”

Li Guo paused slightly, he couldn't react for a while, and he couldn't keep up with Li Zicheng's thinking jumping rhythm, but he still subconsciously replied: "Uncle, according to your reminder, I first focused my investigation on the two major families of Duan Yuan and Han Yun in Shanxi, and I really found some clues. These two families not only had close contacts with various rebel armies, but also secretly corresponded and bought and sold grain. Moreover, the caravans of these two families also went to Liaodong and other places. ”

Li Zicheng nodded thoughtfully and muttered calmly, "Hmm... Looking at it in this way, it is not difficult to understand that when the rebel armies of all walks of life were active in Binh Duong Province, they attacked various state capitals and counties. Although Jiangzhou was also attacked, only the two Han Duan families escaped, and only a few small shops were affected. Now it seems that anger is nothing more than a clumsy cover-up. ”

"Yes, uncle, all indications show that the Han Duan family is not simple. Not only did he believe in Western Catholicism, but he also built a church in Jiangzhou, and he helped Gao Yizhi to promote Catholicism everywhere, and he also had secret contacts with various rebel armies. Otherwise, it will not be possible to keep its net worth in the chaotic Shanxi and will not be affected. Li Guo listened very seriously, and while meeting again and again, he was also adding.

At this time, Li Zicheng's expression was tightened, his tone was retracted, and then he yawned a long time, stretched his waist, waved his hand, and said with a slightly tired voice: "Okay, let's talk about it today." After a few days of driving for so long, you should be tired, so go and rest first. ”

"Well, that uncle, nephew retreated first."