In Guyuan City, Guyuan Prefecture, Pingliang Prefecture, Shaanxi, Hong Chengchou once again summoned the generals to the hall to inform the will of the imperial court.

For a while, there was silence in the hall, and the atmosphere was very depressing, so that everyone was almost out of breath, only Hong Chengchou's voice sounded immediately, echoing in the hall, comforting everyone.

"Generals, this is the emperor's holy will, and it is not something that we can guess as ministers. Although the current situation in Shaanxi is treacherous and changeable, people can't see it clearly, but fortunately, Zuo Guangxian and He Renlong and they held Longzhou. As long as this period of time is over, the Tartars withdraw from the gate, and the court will be able to free up its hands to clean up this group of thieves. ”

"But, my lord, I'm afraid that the situation will change again." A general then interjected, his face full of worry, and said further: "My lord, regardless of Zhang Xianzhong, Lao Huihui and Gao Yingxiang, the leaders of the bandits, just Li Zicheng's family is a chaotic army, in just one month, 200,000 people have gathered, General He and General Zuo can really hold out for so long?" Can you keep Longzhou? ”

Obviously, Hong Chengchou's words were just to stabilize the morale of the army and stabilize everyone's minds, but now that someone has pierced the layer of window paper, he has to turn around and say: "You are right, in a month's time, Li Zicheng has indeed gathered 200,000 rebel troops, which is equivalent to twice the total number of rebel troops when they were trapped in Chezhou Gorge, and more than that. ”

"However, you must not forget that Li Zicheng made a fatal mistake, except for Longzhou, almost the entire Fengxiang Mansion was under their occupation. Unlike in the past, these bandits known as the 'Li Jiajun' did not rob and leave after attacking the city as usual, but completely took possession of it, and faintly became a nest. In this way, it is inevitable to divide their forces, and they have to stay behind to occupy the county seat, so that He Renlong and Zuo Guangxian will have much less pressure on them. ”

"But, my lord, are we really going to sit still like this?" Another general spoke, and then explained: "My lord, the rebellious army of Fengxiang Mansion and Gongchang Mansion may be able to ignore it for the time being, but the rebellious army of Qingyang Mansion cannot be ignored......

"Yes, my lord, if Pingyang Mansion and Yan'an Mansion fall, if the rebel army colludes with the Tartars again and unites against the imperial court, the situation will take a sharp turn and worsen. When the time comes, it will be difficult for the imperial court to control that situation again. ”

Hearing this, looking at the general who immediately followed, everyone was shocked, no one said anything, but everyone's scalp was numb, cold sweat broke out on their backs, and they realized the seriousness of the matter.

If the situation really develops according to this speculation, and the rebel army and the Tartars collude and collude, then the entire north of the Yellow River will be out of the control of the imperial court, and the Beijing division will fall into an isolated situation and become an isolated city.

For a while, almost instinctively, everyone couldn't help but think of Jing Kang's shame in the Song Dynasty.

As soon as they thought of this, everyone couldn't help but tremble, they were all agitated, and they swallowed their saliva with difficulty, as if a boulder was pressing on their hearts, and they felt panicked.

At this time, Hong Chengchou's expression was gloomy and terrifying, as if he was appeasing everyone, and as if reminding himself, he nodded fiercely, and said very firmly: "Don't worry, that kind of situation will not happen." Although these bandits rebelled and brought disaster to various state capitals and counties, some of them were once soldiers and knew the righteousness and would never collude with foreign enemies. ”

As if he felt that his tone of speech was not enough, Hong Chengchou paused, and then said further in an accentuated tone: "Looking at the chaotic army over the years, although it has caused trouble in all directions and fought against the imperial court, there are few collaborators. As far as this official knows, the rebel army is not without the opportunity to collude with the Tartars, but the fact is that the only one who colludes is Kong Youde, who defected. ”

Although everyone was suspicious in their hearts and did not have much trust in the rebel army, when they heard Hong Chengchou say this, they had to think deeply, showing a faint look of deep understanding, nodding lightly, and between speaking, Hong Chengchou was even more touched.

Immediately, feeling the slight slowing down of the atmosphere, Hong Chengchou's expression was retracted, and he turned to say: "Besides, although the momentum of the Tartars is fierce, they burn and loot north of the Yellow River, and wander outside the various cities. However, after all, they belong to the lonely army, like water without a source, and in the end they can only withdraw from Guanzhong. ”

"When the time comes, once Houjin retreats, we will hold Pingliang Mansion and curb the offensive of the rebel army here. Then, we are like nails wedged in the chaotic army, forming a flanking situation with other officers and soldiers, so as to suppress the thieves who commit rebellion. ”

At this moment, when everyone heard Hong Chengchou suddenly say this, although they were very recognized and approved in their hearts, they still had a strange feeling, and they didn't have a taste in their hearts.

The rebel army did not collude with the Tartars, but instead laid the disaster of killing and destruction in the future!

In Baishui County, Yaozhou, the county government is full of soldiers of the Li family, either standing guard or wandering around, patrolling.

At this moment, in the study, Li Zicheng and Gu Junen were sitting there, quietly listening to Tian Jianxiu's report.

"Boss, most of Fengxiang Mansion has fallen into our hands, and we are carrying out the strategy of 'fighting local tyrants and dividing the land', pacifying the people, and completely eliminating those squires, landlords and magnates who are extremely hostile to the rebel army."

Speaking of this, Tian Jianxiu hesitated for a moment, but still continued: "The actions of the Mountain Harrier and Gao Jie are not going very well, in the early stage, because He Renlong was stationed in Longzhou, the defenders resisted very stubbornly. Coupled with the arrival of Zuo Guangxian's reinforcements and the entry into Longzhou City, He Renlong was even more fearless and had the intention of defending to the death. ”

"Hmm...."Li Zicheng nodded slightly, elongated his voice, and said as if talking to himself: "It's okay, according to the original plan, I never thought I would be able to take Longzhou." Now the situation is just right, and the other rebel armies are either in Gongchang Mansion, or in Pingliang Mansion, and some are attacking the city in Qingyang Mansion, but no one is attacking Yan'an Mansion, which just creates an opportunity for our Li family army to take advantage of. ”

Gu Junen nodded lightly and echoed: "Boss, what you said is exact, now is the best time for us to attack Yan'an Mansion." Today's Yan'an Mansion is like an isolated island, in a situation of isolation and helplessness, and Shanxi is suffering from the Tartar disaster in the east; There were other rebel armies in the west, and Hong Chengchou could not rush to the aid at all; Fengxiang Mansion in the northwest is almost completely controlled by us, just as a way to retreat; As for Xi'an Mansion in the south, the garrison did not dare to come to the aid easily. ”

At this time, it seemed that he thought of something happy, Tian Jianxiu was happy, and then turned to say: "Boss, Chongzhen's emperor Xiao'er really helped us a lot, regardless of right and wrong, regardless of merit or demerit, removed from the post of governor of Shaanxi who practiced state affairs, and arrested him and put him in prison, which not only shook the entire Shaanxi officialdom, but also chilled some civil and military generals who knew the inside story. With Li Jiayan's reduction of his post and investigation, it has intensified the shock of Shaanxi officialdom. As soon as the two were held accountable, we took Baoji County the next day. ”

"Look, this is just the beginning." Li Zicheng responded lightly, with emotion on his face, and then said meaningfully: "From now on, not only the officialdom of Shaanxi has been greatly shaken, but the civil and military generals have become more and more discouraged. The whole world, the entire Ming Dynasty, will be greatly shaken, celebrities and scholars will become discouraged, and people of insight have no intention of career. ”