On the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it was also the second day of Li Zicheng's capture of Daning, and the main force of Li's army, Chen Bing, was outside the south gate of Xixian County, about four or five miles away from the city gate. With a force of more than 4,000 people, looking down, I saw that the black pressure was overwhelming, and there was a great tendency for the black clouds to crush the city, and the war was about to break out.

Li Zicheng has been stationed here for more than a day, but he has never launched an attack, which makes the nerves of the officers and soldiers defending the city in a tense state at all times, restless, and lose their appetite.

At this moment, in Xi County, among the county officials, Yang Wei of Zhizhou and Gao Yi, the garrison of Xizhou, were discussing the city defense and how to resist Li Zicheng's army, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

"Lord Yang, there is a small garrison below, and there are only a thousand soldiers under him, so he can't resist the chaotic army outside. Or hurriedly ask for help from the imperial court and move troops to the governor of Xuanda, Zhang Zongheng, and Lord Zhang. Otherwise, if it's too late, it won't be too late. ”

Listening to Gao Yi's words that lacked confidence, his words were full of the meaning of abandoning the city and fleeing, and he was not optimistic about this battle at all, Zhizhou Yang Wei was much more indifferent, he was not flustered, his brows frowned slightly, and then he stretched out, returned to his usual color, and just said lightly: "General Gao, far water can't quench your thirst, even if you immediately move the rescue troops to Lord Zhang, you won't be able to get there at all without eight or nine days." Moreover, you don't know that Kong Youde's rebellion in Shandong is getting bigger and bigger, approaching Laizhou, and a lot of troops from the imperial court have been sent to Laizhou and Dengzhou to suppress the rebellion, how can there be any troops to support us? ”

Hearing this, Gao Yi was even more deflated, feeling bottomless in his heart, and there was a kind of despair that the sky should not have, and he was even more weak and then said: "But, Lord Yang, you should know that if you continue like this, it is not a way!" After a cursory observation, there were four or five thousand people in the rebel army outside, four to five times our size. Moreover, we are on the defensive side, and the maximum number of troops to concentrate on one city gate is three or four hundred. Once a war starts, we won't be able to hold out for long at all, and we can't afford to fight a war of attrition. ”

After saying this, Gao Yi couldn't sit still and was impatient.

However, Zhizhou Yang Wei looked like he was sitting firmly on Diaoyutai, and he also knew in his heart that what Gao Yi said was the truth, and the strength of a thousand people was too small. Especially when it comes to defending the city, on average, a city gate can only be divided into two hundred and fifty people. Using two hundred and fifty men to guard the city gate and defend against the rebellious army is simply unrealistic, it is simply a fantasy. However, even though he knew this, Yang Wei was still not a little flustered and still remained calm. The brain begins to work at high speed, thinking about countermeasures.

Therefore, Yang Wei only thought for a moment, and then calmly replied: "Hmm... General Gao, now that the matter has come to this, we can only do this, immediately organize the people, distribute weapons, and let the people follow us to guard Xi County. ”

Gao Yi didn't look happy at all, but looked very playful, and he had a feeling of crying and laughing at Yang Wei's suggestion, and couldn't help but complain: "My Lord Yang, don't you know? For two months in a row, the 1,000 soldiers under my command did not see any food and often did not have enough to eat. Being able to stabilize them is already the limit of the bottom, and they have done their best. ”

"You tell me now, immediately expand the army, forcibly recruit the common people to guard the county, resist the rebellion, let alone whether they are willing or not, is this method feasible? Weapons and rations alone are two extremely thorny issues that must be resolved immediately. Otherwise, any idea is just on paper. ”

It seemed that he felt that his words were too intense, and the guard Gao Yi's tone was much more rational, and his tone became more relaxed, patiently explaining the basis for what he said.

"Lord Yang, I might as well hand over a solid foundation to you, with the current inventory of the armory, it can only equip a few hundred people. As for the latter, my soldiers can't get enough to eat, so how can there be too much food to take care of these forcibly recruited people. If there are not enough weapons and food and salaries, how can we recruit soldiers? ”

It's like opening the chatterbox, Gao Yi didn't care about the change in Zhizhou Yang Wei's expression, and began to be dissatisfied with his negative emotions, and the complaints in his heart were like a flood that burst the embankment, out of control.

"Lord Yang, let me remind you, not to mention the hungry refugees in the city, even my men, a thousand soldiers, are already on the verge of breaking out. If they are not fed any more, it will be dangerous. Moreover, the leader of the rebellious army outside the south gate is Li Zicheng, it is impossible for you not to know this person? This leader of the thieves has the ability to demagogue and incite, and has a certain influence among the people. Especially in Shaanxi, the prestige is extremely high, climb high and move, raise your arms and shout, and the followers win the food and follow! ”

Yang Wei understood, guarding Gao Yi This is two meanings, two off-string sounds. More precisely, two warnings or threats.

First, if he can't raise any more food and salary, the city defense camp is very likely to mutiny, and he Gao Yi can't control it. Second, Li Zicheng's background is huge, his momentum is extremely high, and he has great prestige among the people. Once the Li family army attacks the city, whether it is the officers and soldiers defending the city or the people in the city, it is very likely that they will turn against each other and help them!

The situation of Xizhou City is already very delicate, and it may be lost at any time! What's worse is that if the people in the city knew that it was Li Zicheng who was attacking the city, it was very likely that Xizhou City would not be attacked.

Knowing this, Yang Wei knew these two points very well, but he did not break them, he still looked calm, he didn't seem to be in a hurry and nervous, but said loudly: "General Gao, don't worry, this official will definitely raise enough food and salary in the shortest possible time." ”

After a pause, Yang Wei's voice suddenly rose a few points, and the words turned even more, and he said loudly: "No matter what the result is?" How fierce was Li Zicheng's offensive? I, Yang Wei, swear to live and die with Xi County! The city is in the people, and the city is lost! ”

"Yes, yes... Lord Yang is right, as a minister, he should be like this! Gao Yi hurriedly said yes, but secretly pursed his lips in his heart, very disapproving.

Xi County, outside the south gate, in the camp of Li Jiajun, in Li Zicheng's big tent, many generals gathered here, standing opposite Li Zicheng, with a straight body.

At this moment, there was silence in the big tent, Li Zicheng was scanning everyone one by one, and Gao Yigong, who was standing at the front, had a depressed look on his face, and asked puzzledly: "Brother-in-law, I really don't understand, why do you have to attack Xizhou City with great fanfare?" How good it would be to follow the method of attacking Daning City! In the second half of the night, when the officers and soldiers defending the city were most tired, everyone was drowsy, put a wooden ladder on the city wall, and captured the south gate in one fell swoop. ”

Li Zicheng shook his head with a smile, looked at Gao Yigong, and asked instead of answering: "Yigong, how did I let you do it?" ”

"It's all done! Yesterday afternoon, I contacted some of my brothers in the rebel armies and asked them to help spread the word, and that evening the things you said reached the ears of the chiefs. According to the news that they have returned today, the various leaders have completely believed your analysis and put on a posture, as long as there is any movement on our side, their side will definitely attack the city. ”

In the middle of his words, Gao Yigong suddenly stopped, seemed to think of something, and said instead: "However, brother-in-law, the reason why this matter went so smoothly was that it was able to persuade and influence the decisions of the various leaders, and I have to thank the leader of the Wang Alliance." If it weren't for him to coordinate and help, would things have been successful? ”

Hearing this, Li Zicheng nodded lightly and responded: "Yes, the reason why things are so smooth and successful in such a short period of time is inseparable from the help of the Lord of the Wang League. After this battle, be sure to come to the door to thank you! ”

However, although Li Zicheng said so, he didn't think so in his heart, the reason why Wang Zicheng was so enthusiastic about helping this old fox was not only beneficial to him, but also the idea of weakening his cheap uncle.

In this matter, the two sides are just using each other, a win-win situation!

Therefore, from the bottom of his heart, Li Zicheng's gratitude to Wang Ziyong is not much.

Of course, among them, it is good to sell him Li Zicheng for Wang Zi's own use, which occupies a great role. After all, having experienced the battle of Daning is enough to prove the potential that he Li Zicheng has, and the amazing combat power of the Li family's army. If he can take Xizhou City, not to mention the friendship value that he Li Zicheng has!

Seeing that his brother-in-law did not answer his question, as soon as he solved the doubts in his heart, Gao Yigong asked the question again, but Wu Ruyi gave an answer.

"Yigong, you should know that Daning City is not more rigorous than Xizhou City, and the city defense of Xizhou City is more rigorous. Especially Yang Wei of Zhizhou, he must check the post every day, and eat and live in the city at night, focusing on the south gate, which is guarding us. Therefore, we can't do the same thing again. Otherwise, the result will only be a loss of troops, which is too unwise. Moreover, don't forget, we have more than 4,000 troops, and it is trivial to take the south gate of Xizhou City. ”

"Oh... So that's the case......" Gao Yigong nodded suddenly, and then asked, "That... The boss's use of troops is really incomprehensible. The south gate was heavily armed, with 3,000 men, while the east and west gates were each with only 500 men. The most incomprehensible thing is that there are only 100 people at the north gate, isn't this waiting for the officials and soldiers to break through the north gate and escape? Why not surround the four gates with heavy troops, form a momentum of Mount Tai's overwhelming, crush the will to fight of the officers and soldiers, and let them disarm and surrender! ”

After finishing speaking, Gao Yigong's incomprehension disappeared, and the whole person looked very proud.

However, Li Zicheng was speechless for a while, shook his head, and finally spoke.

"One achievement, if we attack the city from the four gates at the same time, not to mention distracting our forces and weakening our advantages. Even if it really forms the momentum of Mount Tai to the top, do you think the officers and soldiers in the city will surrender obediently? ”

As soon as this question came out, Gao Yigong's expression froze, and he was very bottomless, and he didn't know how to answer for a while? However, even if Gao Yigong had an answer in his heart, Li Zicheng would not give him a chance to answer, and his next words were full of helplessness.

"Yigong, you are still too naïve, too taken for granted, and your thinking is still stuck in the past, the experience of other rebel armies attacking the county seat. This Zhizhou Yang Wei, if he was a timid and afraid person, he would not be so concerned about the city defense of Xizhou? According to his current posture, Dayou and the county guard of Puxian County have the same meaning, and he has made up his mind to live and die with the city. ”

At this moment, Gao Yigong was like a frosted eggplant, wilting, and his confidence was greatly hit, but he still asked puzzledly: "That... Brother-in-law, I still don't understand why you use troops like this? ”

At this time, without waiting for Li Zicheng to answer, Dang Shousu took the lead and answered Gao Yigong's question.

"Captain Gao, this is simple, as the saying goes, the poor don't chase, and it's the same thing when it comes to siege. If one of the gates of the city is equipped with a small number of soldiers, it is equivalent to giving the officers and soldiers in the city a way to escape. In that case, once we attack the city from another city gate, we will not let the officials and soldiers have the heart to fight against the water, and we will not make a battle of trapped beasts. If they can't hold the city, they can still escape from the weaker place, and there is hope of escape. In this way, we can reduce a lot of resistance by attacking the city. ”

Gao Yigong was dizzy when he heard it, but he still understood the general meaning, and he still had a little disbelief in his heart, looked at Li Zicheng, saw that his brother-in-law nodded heavily, smiled in return, and gave an affirmative expression.

Gao Yigong knew that the original story of the matter was as the party Shousu said.

At this time, Li Zicheng looked at Tian Jianxiu and suddenly asked, "By the way, Jianxiu, how are things going in Daning City?" ”

Tian Jianxiu was just a little flustered, he didn't expect Li Zicheng to ask about Daning City, and he returned to normal in an instant, and blurted out: "Boss Qiyu, Mr. Xu is still dealing with the affairs of Daning City, fighting local tyrants and dividing the land, and eliminating those who are rich and unkind." So far, the official silver and warehouse grain of the Yamen have been almost disposed of, except for the food that is enough for us for the next ten days, and the rest has been distributed to the people. The most troublesome thing now is to deal with the property of the rich families in the city who are not benevolent, as well as the fields of the powerful. ”

"Definitely! After all, we don't know much about the situation in Daning, and after dealing with those rich and powerful, it is the most difficult to distribute land and land to the people. Li Zicheng agreed, and then explained: "You must tell Mr. Xu that in addition to leaving enough rations for half a month's ration for the army, each soldier will be distributed ten taels of silver, and all the rest will be left for the people." Otherwise, once there are too many, it will affect the marching speed and morale of our Li family's army. ”

"Well, okay, boss, I'll send someone to tell Mr. Xu what you said."

Hearing Tian Jianxiu's answer, Li Zicheng nodded with satisfaction, but Gao Yigong's voice sounded at this time: "Brother-in-law, I have a way to deal with the real estate of those landlords and magnates, I don't know if it's feasible or not?" ”

"What method? One work, you talk quickly! Li Zicheng was overjoyed in his heart, and hurriedly urged, dealing with the real estate of local tyrants and inferior gentry has always been a problem for Li Zicheng.

"Hey, hey... Brother-in-law, no matter which county town, there is no shortage of money and pawnshops, as long as all those landlords and magnates are cleared out, and the house becomes ownerless, they can completely mortgage and sell their real estate, and exchange the house deed and land deed for some silver and silver tickets. ”

After Gao Yigong finished speaking, he was very proud, and seemed to feel unfinished, and further said: "After all, it would be a pity to discard the properties of those landlords and magnates!" Moreover, with the silver ticket, we can buy food and weapons through some special channels, which is definitely a double win! ”

For a long time, every time he conquered a city, after fighting local tyrants and dividing the land, what made Li Zicheng say that it was a pity was the real estate of those local tyrants, which was a lot of wealth. However, the property is immovable property and it is impossible to move out, let alone blatantly take possession of it in perpetuity.

Now it's different, with this method of high merit, every time you capture a city, you can make an extra fortune out of thin air! This money can not only be used to purchase food and weapons, but can also be used as funds for the intelligence system, greatly reducing the financial burden of each base area!