On this day in July, the western part of Puxian County was full of war horses and mixed personnel, and the troops of tens of thousands of people were divided into several parts, advancing in unison, and the troops were directed at the county seat of Puxian County in the east.

In the middle of the team, Gao Yingxiang rode on horseback, but he did not walk in the middle, there was another person in the middle position, it was the alliance leader of the 36th battalion Wang for his own use, and the people on the left and right sides also included Luo Rucai, Lao Huihui, Zhang Xianzhong, Xing Hongliang and other leaders.

At this moment, Gao Yingxiang's expression was very ugly, and he didn't expect that it was just a request for help, and all of these people actually led the team in person and came to support. So many rebel armies met here and attacked Puxian together, not to mention how much he Gao Yingxiang would be less, the key was the command.

Of course, if it was who planned this operation to elect the commander-in-chief, he Gao Yingxiang deserved it. However, the situation has changed greatly, and the other rebel armies that came to help are several times more than the original, and the total is far more than all his troops Gao Yingxiang, and the people led by him are all leaders.

One thing that cannot be ignored is that many leaders are not good matches, how can they easily obey his Gao Yingxiang's dispatch? What's more, there is also the leader of the alliance for his own use.

At this time, he seemed to feel Gao Yingxiang's bad mood, his expression was ugly, Wang Ziyong still maintained a leisurely riding posture, smiled faintly, and said aloud without looking back: "Hehe... Leader Gao, don't think about it, Wang Mou came in person this time, but he didn't want your command. Moreover, there is no interest in Pu County. ”

Hearing this, Gao Yingxiang's face suddenly turned happy, but it only lasted for a moment, and a bad feeling was born in his heart.

"Leader Gao, this time to help you capture Puxian, Wang will not take it at all. When the city is broken, I don't want anything, I just hope that Your Excellency will not interfere with our capture of other counties. ”

Gao Yingxiang suddenly realized, but he didn't feel a little relaxed, but his heart was even heavier, he had already guessed the purpose of Wang Ziyong, Luo Rucai and others, why did they come here in person?

"Hey, hey... Leader Gao, I, Luo Rucai, are not welcome, just like the Lord of the Wang League, after helping you capture Puxian, a few of us will capture several nearby cities and neighboring counties. ”

Lao Hui Hui has the unique characteristics of the Hui people, short and strong, and said in a rough voice: "Yes, I don't want anything else, Gao Chief, you take your Puxian, and Xing Hongliang and I will go to Zhaocheng." ”

......

When the rebel armies were intriguing and plotting each other's interests, Li Zicheng and his subordinates were together, leading the Li family army to move slowly, located slightly in front of the army.

At this moment, Li Zicheng and everyone had a relaxed look on their faces. Liu Fangliang, in particular, had a gloating expression, and said with a smile: "Hehe... Leader Gao really stole chickens and rice this time, waiting for reinforcements, but waiting for a group of hungry wolves. Even if this operation goes smoothly and Puxian is taken, it will have to lose a lot of things. ”

Gao Yigong looked at Li Zicheng and said flatteringly: "Brother-in-law, your trick is really amazing, let the news out, saying that this area is rich in iron ore." You see, the news hasn't been around for long, and all these cats and dogs have come. If my uncle knew that we did it, he would have to be mad. ”

Tian Jianxiu also smiled, nodded slightly, and echoed approvingly: "Yes, the most lacking thing in the rebel armies is weapons." Now that I hear this news, there are a lot of iron mines in this area of Puxian, and many of them still belong to official mines, so it's no wonder that those leaders don't break their heads? What's more, in the past six months or so, the strength of the various rebel armies has increased more or less. In particular, the alliance leader Wang used it himself, and the number of soldiers under his command increased by more than 20,000. ”

Compared with others, Xu Xiake's vision is broader and broader, and while acknowledging it, he also further added: "Although iron ore occupies a large reason, it is undeniable that there are also many leaders who are opportunistic. More than 100,000 people attacked Puxian together, regardless of whether they could immediately break through Puxian, but they had already formed a momentum of overwhelming the mountains and the sea. In the many counties around Puxian, whether it is the officials and soldiers defending the city, or the common people, there will be an illusion that the anti-thief army is pressing the border and surrounded by anti-thieves. ”

In an instant, most people understood what Xu Xiake meant. What's more, the composition of the Li Jiajun varied, not only peasants who could not survive, but also mutinous officers and soldiers. The latter, in particular, knew deep that they were often hungry without any guarantee of food, and that once the rebels attacked, the city defense battalion could easily follow the tide and join the rebel army.

Therefore, without much explanation, everyone already understands why so many rebel armies are gathered here. Why did those leaders come to the aid and use almost all of their troops?

Obviously, Wang Ziyong and others are not only as simple as picking cheap, but also like picking peaches!

At this time, the party guard Su Ce Ma walked a few steps quickly, came to Li Zicheng's side, and reminded: "Boss, since Wang Ziyong's people are not in Pu County, but plotting against other counties. In this case, when the time comes to attack Puxian, these people are likely to deal with it. If you can't capture Puxian County for a long time, don't use us as cannon fodder and attack us, you have to be careful to guard against this? ”

The atmosphere has obviously changed a lot, it is no longer so relaxed and cheerful, and it is schadenfreude. Because everyone agrees with this, with Gao Yingxiang's temperament and consistent practice, it is very likely that he will do so.

For a while, all eyes were focused on Li Zicheng's body, and a faint sense of worry permeated the surroundings.

"Well, I know that." Li Zicheng's expression was much more solemn, and he replied lightly, and then added: "Don't worry, when the war starts, even if I can't get rid of the forced assignment of the task by the high leader, I will look for an opportunity to keep our Li family army away from Puxian." ”

Suddenly, Li Zicheng suddenly paused, as if he had thought of something, and had some kind of countermeasure, his eyes lit up, his eyes flashed, he looked at Gao Yigong, and said in a low voice: "Yigong, come here." ”

Immediately, Gao Yigong drove forward, very close to Li Zicheng, and the latter turned his head to the side and said something to Gao Yigong.

Not long after, Li Zicheng sat up straight, patted Gao Yigong's shoulder, and said in a good mood: "Okay, Yigong, this matter will be called to you, before tomorrow, it must be done for me." Moreover, it must be done to hide people's eyes and ears and not attract the attention of others. ”

Gao Yigong was stunned, his face was confused, he scratched his head, and said puzzledly: "Brother-in-law, you want these ......."

As soon as Gao Yigong spoke, he was stopped by Li Zicheng's scolding.

"Also, Yigong, before the operation of Pu County, you must keep your actions secret, let alone disclose the content of the mission to others, not a word! Moreover, the brothers who accompany them must choose someone who is strict and reliable. ”

Gao Yigong wanted to say something, but Li Zicheng waved his hand to stop him.

"Alright, don't dwell on it, hurry up, there's not much time left for you. Be sure to come back tomorrow before sunset. Otherwise, military justice disposes! ”

"Yes, brother-in-law, I'm going to pick Brother One Hundred and Ten, get things, and make sure to complete the task."

Gao Yigong left, but everyone was dizzy, and they were very curious and itchy by the mysterious two. At the same time, there is also some speculation in his heart, what the boss wants to do and how to do it, so as not to let Li Jiajun become cannon fodder as much as possible.

At sunset, the 100,000 rebel army stopped, and each rebel army successively chose a relatively gentle area and set up camp.

I don't know if it was intentional or unintentional, but the camps of each rebel army would be separated by a certain distance. Moreover, at the junction of each camp, there are groups of soldiers patrolling back and forth, faintly with a sense of precaution and vigilance.

In Gao Yingxiang's camp, many of Gao Yingxiang's henchmen and main generals gathered.

At this moment, Gao Yingxiang sat on the upper seat, his face was gloomy and terrible, and he said angrily: "Who is making up the news?" It is said that there are not only coal mines but also iron mines in this area of Binh Duong Province. This is purely because I can't get along with Gao Yingxiang, and it's on eye medicine! ”

Hao Shaoqi walked out and said respectfully: "Chief, now is not the time to be angry, you should hurry up and think of countermeasures." The subordinates investigated, and those gossip news were really not rumors, with Puxian as the center, there were not only coal mines in this area, but also a lot of iron ore. ”

Ge Li Yan He Yilong also stood up and reminded: "Yes, leader, the matter is irreparable, no matter how much you complain, it's useless to complain, now it's time to think about how to deal with Luo Rucai's old foxes?" Chief, it's not a good one......"

Hearing these words, Gao Yingxiang's angry mood became much lighter, but his face was still gloomy, and he said in a cold voice: "These old foxes really caught me off guard, I didn't expect those gossip to be true." What I didn't expect was that not only are there many shops making ironware in Puxian County, but there are also iron mines in this area. ”

After a pause, Gao Yingxiang became more calm, his eyes narrowed slightly, stroked his beard, and said faintly: "Wang Ziyong and Zhang Xianzhong are really good at fighting, and they don't let me interfere with their attacks on other counties." Hum... Puxian County is less than two miles away from Hongdong County, Yaodu and other prefectures and counties, and once this side of Puxian County is breached, it will be easy for other counties to attack again. ”

Standing at the head of the left side, King Zuo Jin nodded, and echoed, "Yes... Whether it is Hongdong County or other places, coal and iron ore are not inferior to Puxian. Although there are still many months to go before the cold winter, now is not the peak time to use coal. However, with the supply of coal, copper and iron can be smelted in large quantities. As long as there is no shortage of copper and iron, and there are forgers, no matter how many people come to vote, they can distribute weapons. At this time, coal and iron ore together are no less important than grain and silver. ”

......

There were also a lot of people gathered in Wang's own camp, and the former said directly: "These people you are responsible for assisting Gao Yingxiang must show me and let him take Puxian as much as possible." In this way, it will be much easier for us to take the Hongdong. Even if the soldiers are not bloodless, it is not impossible. ”

"Yes, Chief. As long as the war starts, I will keep an eye on Gao Yingxiang's subordinates, so that they don't have the slightest chance to be careful. A general stood up, clasped his hands into fists, and replied aloud.

Immediately afterwards, Wang Ziyong's eyes flickered twice, full of some kind of different color, looked at the other person, and explained: "And you, once Gao Yingxiang's side breaks through the county seat of Puxian, we will also act here to capture Hongdong." When the time comes, you will be in charge of the surrounding area of Hongdong City, and immediately control the nearby coal and iron mines. ”

......

Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai's army were together, but only two people in the camp were conspiring and discussing things.

"Leader Luo, I really don't understand, why do you have to insist on attacking Huo County? Although Zhaocheng is not as big as Hongdong, and there are not many rich iron mines and coal mines, it is also stronger than Huo County? You and I are united, don't you have the strength to return to the old for a long time? Why sell it to Lao Huihui for such a big bargain, does he have such a big face? ”

However, in the face of Zhang Xianzhong's righteous words and angry appearance, Luo Rucai seemed unhurried, and waited for the other party to finish excitedly, then said mysteriously: "Hehe... Chief Zhang, of course I understand what you said. If it were in normal times, in Shaanxi, there would definitely be no humble fight for Zhao Cheng. However, this is not if, let alone Shaanxi, nor in peacetime. ”

It seems that he was made out of temper by Luo Rucai's not arrogant and impatient temperament, and he was embarrassed to get angry again, as soon as he heard the latter words, he suddenly calmed down, his eyes rolled for a moment, and then he asked curiously: "Leader Luo, is there any reason for this?" ”

Luo Rucai smiled indifferently and did not answer immediately, but asked rhetorically: "Chief Zhang, this operation is not small, plus Gao Yingxiang captured Puxian, Pingyang Mansion almost fell within a month, and the imperial court successively lost Fenxi, Huozhou, Zhaocheng, Hongdong and other places. If you were the chief official of Shanxi, would you turn a blind eye to such a big bandit trouble in Shanxi? What's more, the governor of Shanxi is next to him and is stationed in Fenzhou, will he turn a blind eye and care? ”

At this moment, Zhang Xianzhong had a hint of realization in his mind, and he had some kind of guess, but he still asked: "Leader Luo, what do you mean...?" ”

"It's very simple, next to Huo County is Huo Zhou. Once there is a storm and the situation is unfavorable, we can enter Huoshan for refuge. ”

Luo Rucai's tone was stunned, and when he saw Zhang Xianzhong's eyes lit up, flashing with some kind of unusually bright light, he immediately continued: "Look at the Hongdong chosen by the alliance leader for his own use, next to it is Jiuji Mountain, I'm afraid that our alliance leader has this plan to consider?" ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Xianzhong really didn't have any dissatisfaction, but nodded and echoed: "That's what I said." Whether it is coal or iron ore, mining is by no means an overnight thing. Even if it goes well, it is difficult to see the effect without three or five months. And during this period of time, it was enough for the imperial court to react. ”

......

When the leaders of the various rebel armies were planning, Li Zicheng and the others were not idle, and Tian Jianxiu almost reminded him: "Boss, although we are different from other rebel armies, things like iron ore and coal mines are also necessary and indispensable, aren't you really going to seize some?" ”

However, Li Zicheng's answer to Tian Jianxiu was to shake his head reluctantly, plus there were no words of nostalgia and greed.

"Jianxiu, you should know that our main purpose now is to leave Shanxi and enter Henan as soon as possible, the weakest point of the Ming Dynasty's defense, it is impossible to stay in Shanxi for a long time. Moreover, you should also know that the strength of this area is mixed, and there is no secret to do anything. In this case, it is better not to think too much and always be ready to leave Shanxi. ”