Hearing the news that the Praetorian Guards were attacking Nanchang, Lu Peng's psychology was a little broken.

Because Lu Peng knew that once the Praetorian Guards were killed under Nanchang City, it would inevitably shake the hearts of the people in the Imperial Court of the Prison State. Even Zhu Yousong, the prison country, will also have the idea of surrendering in his heart.

has supported Zhu Yousong for so long, and he already knows Zhu Yousong and Lu Peng very well, he is not a master at all, and his ability is too far from his cousin Chongzhen Emperor Zhu Yousong.

At the beginning, he was afraid that people's hearts would be shaken, so Lu Pengcai led the army into Poyang Lake, trying to resist the enemy in Poyang Lake, even if he couldn't defeat the attacking Praetorian Guard, maybe he could wait for a turnaround. Zhu Youzhen's tyranny caused panic in the people of the world, countless gentry and ordinary people looked forward to his resignation, and the uprisings against tyranny in various provinces rose one after another, and there might be a big chaos at any time, and then it was the opportunity for the Nanchang court.

However, Lu Peng did not expect that Zhu Youzhen would personally drive to Nanchang, and would divide his troops to attack Jiujiang. Lu Peng didn't expect that the strong Jiujiang City would be beaten down by the Praetorian Guards even for a day, and the Praetorian Guards in Jiujiang did not stop, and they launched an attack on Nanchang by land non-stop

What to do? How can the situation be salvaged in this case?

Lu Peng was thinking deeply.

The only way to solve the problem at the moment is to quickly defeat the main force of the Praetorian Guard in front of him in order to turn the tide, but Lu Peng knows that this is even more difficult.

There's no good way to do it, so let's last as long as we can, and I hope there will be a chance to turn around.

Thinking of this, Lu Peng personally wrote a "good news", telling Nanchang that he had just fought with the Praetorian Guards and won a small victory, and he would definitely be able to defeat the army led by Duanjun one day, and told Nanchang that he should be strictly defended and not afraid of the Praetorian Guards who came from Jiujiang.

There are still 50,000 troops in Nanchang City, and there is a strong city, and the Praetorian Guard army is only more than 20,000 people, it is not easy to capture Nanchang City, and there is still time. Lu Peng said secretly.

On that day, someone suddenly came to report that a large number of prisoners had been released by the Praetorian Guards and were waiting to enter the water village, and the generals under him asked Lu Peng what to do, should he put these brothers who had been captured into the camp?

"A conspiracy, it must be a conspiracy!" Lu Peng said categorically. The faint king captured them so easily, how could they be easily released?

"But Inspector, if you don't accept them, I'm afraid the other brothers in the camp will have ideas." Chief soldier Xu Chengming persuaded. These captives were almost all Xu Chengming's subordinates, and it was impossible for him to ignore them.

"What if they are rebelled against by the Praetorian Guard? What if there is a detailed work of the Praetorian Guards lurking in it? Lu Peng asked coldly.

"The overseer can rest assured that they can be locked up alone in a camp, under the personal care of the last general, and will not give them a chance to wander around the camp. As for the meticulous work sent by the Praetorian Guard, they will be strictly investigated, and once they are found out, they will be killed. Xu Chengming assured.

"No matter how you look at this, it's a bit strange," Lu Peng still didn't dare to agree easily.

"Inspector, I don't think there is any problem, since General Xu is guaranteed, if there is a problem, he will be punished." Fang Guoan said with bad intentions.

At present, Guoan and Xu Chengming already have a deep contradiction, so naturally they will not let go of the opportunity to fall into the well, once it is found out that Xu Chengming has a Praetorian Guard in the army, Xu Chengming will not be able to eat and go around.

"Okay then." Seeing that the two generals under his command agreed, Lu Peng could only reluctantly agree.

"General Xu, you must strictly guard these captives, and don't let them make trouble, otherwise I will ask you!" Lu Peng said sternly.

"Rest assured, the Governor is all on the last general." Xu Chengming said happily.

With these thousands of captives back, Xu Chengming's forces doubled in an instant, which made him unhappy. This year's strength is respected, as for the rest, we will talk about it later.

However, despite Xu Chengming's assurances and strict control, the news of the release of thousands of prisoners spread throughout the camp, causing a lot of discussion among the sergeants and soldiers, and many rebel soldiers praised the benevolence of the Praetorian Guard. In those days, there were not many people who were willing to treat their captives well. And the release of these captives also invisibly weakened the fighting spirit of the rebel soldiers. Since the Praetorian Guard treats the prisoners well, there is no need to fight to the death, and if they can't fight, they just surrender directly. And this situation was also something Lu Peng didn't expect.

In fact, releasing the captives was originally a conspiracy, and no matter how Lu Peng responded, it would be unfavorable to him. If he does not accept and release the prisoner, the officers and men will think that he is ruthless and unjust, and the current situation will arise when he is received

And Lu Peng's biggest mistake was to let Xu Chengming go to see these released prisoners. The captives and the lieutenant general of Xu Chengming's army are a family, how can their own family members watch over them?

The captives talked everywhere about the benevolence and righteousness of the Praetorian Guard, and about the emperor's policy of reducing the amount of land in Juntian, which made everyone in Xu Chengming's army yearn for it. Most of these soldiers were peasants who had been forcibly conscripted into the army. Their biggest idea is to return to their hometowns to farm and live with their wives and children. For them, being able to own their own land and be able to eat their stomachs after paying the imperial grain tax is already a heavenly life.

So, for the kind of day depicted by the captives, all the soldiers were full of longing.

Regarding this situation, Xu Chengming was also anxious in his eyes, but he had no good way. He can forcibly stop the rumors, and kill whoever dares to talk nonsense, but that will inevitably provoke the opposition of the whole army, and once a prisoner or soldier rises to the top and shouts, I am afraid that it will be a mutiny in an instant.

"General, I have captured a Praetorian Guard." A family member walked into the cabin and said.

"Bring it in. By the way, first strictly block the news and prevent the news of the seizure of the fine work from leaking out. Xu Chengming thought about it and commanded.

Hosaku was brought in, and it was an ordinary-looking young man, dressed in a tattered military uniform, who looked no different from other soldiers.

"Let's be honest, who are you, and who sent you?" Xu Chengming asked sharply.

"My name is Cheng Shuang, and I am an ordinary supervisor in the Praetorian Guard, and I am lurking among the rebels on the orders of His Majesty and Inspector Hong, in order to rebel against the sergeants of the army." The prison soldier named Cheng Shuang said proudly.

The supervisor in the Praetorian Guard is different from the supervisor in the rebel army, it is an ordinary position, and each battalion and each post has a number of supervisors, which are completely selected from ordinary soldiers, and Xu Chengming also understands this.

"How many people did you send in total? Who else but you? Xu Chengming asked forcefully.

Cheng Shuang shook his head and said, "There are many, many dispatches, but I don't want me to tell you the specific name." ”

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Xu Chengming said sharply.

Cheng Shuang smiled: "You can kill me, but it's best not to leak the news, otherwise after my Praetorian Guard defeats the rebels, you will fight for me." ”

Xu Chengming sneered: "Just by you, you are just an ordinary prison army, what qualifications do you have for me to give you your life?" ”

Cheng Shuangdao: "Although I am an ordinary prison army, I am also a person sent by His Majesty, if you kill me, you will be an enemy of Your Majesty, and there will be no good end." And in the future, after you are captured by our army or surrender voluntarily, your disposal will be subject to the opinions of our prison guards, unless you choose a path to the dark, it will be a dead end. ”

Seeing the other party's unyielding appearance, Xu Chengming hesitated, he didn't dare to order torture or execute the other party for a while.

In the final analysis, Xu Chengming knew in his heart that he was afraid that this time he was really gone

"General Xu, Your Majesty's personal expedition is bound to win against the rebels such as Dingdinger, and you can't support it for much longer. His Majesty was benevolent, believing that the rebel soldiers were also his people, but they were just bewitched, and they did not want to cause a large number of casualties, so they did not take the initiative to attack, but to give you a chance to mend your ways. If General Xu is willing to take the initiative to surrender, you will be able to make a meritorious contribution, and you can be compensated for your past sins and treated you leniently. I hope General Xu will think twice. Cheng Shuang continued, and he was persuaded to surrender.

"Hehe, how I choose, it's not your turn to teach a lesson." was taught a lesson by the enemy's ordinary soldiers, Xu Chengming couldn't hold back his face, and immediately ordered someone to escort Cheng Shuang down.

"Even if Lao Tzu surrenders, he has to talk to the big men of the Praetorian Guard, what qualifications does a small soldier have to talk to me?" Xu Chengming muttered.

Because he was worried about the back road, Xu Chengming did not dare to kill Cheng Shuang, nor did he dare to do anything other in the army, so he could only order to strictly guard the camp and not let the news leak.

However, half of the people in the camp are prisoners, these prisoners have basically been brainwashed by the Praetorian Guard, and the other half and the prisoners are also former comrades, how can it be so easy to block the camp. Every day, I don't know how many people secretly enter and leave the camp and bring the news to the entire camp. However, within a few days, the battalion of nearly 200,000 people knew the news of the release of the prisoners, and also knew about the Praetorian Guard's upcoming policy of reducing the land of Juntian.

Although the army strictly ordered that the fine work be strictly checked and killed, but the people's will, Lu Peng's order could no longer be implemented, and Xu Chengming could not take care of his camp at all.

Before the Janissaries arrived, the 200,000-strong battalion was already in fear.

Lu Peng felt like he was sitting on a needle and anvil every day, but there was nothing he could do. I can only pray secretly, praying that Nanchang City can block the attack of the Praetorian Guard's partial division, otherwise if Nanchang City is lost, the collapse of the 200,000 army will be instantaneous.

As for dividing troops to rescue, Lu Peng didn't dare. The pressure on him from the Praetorian Guard on the opposite side was too great, and once the troops were divided, the other side would inevitably attack immediately.

Just as Lu Peng was worried, Nanchang City at this moment was indeed in a panic.

The attacking Praetorian Guard division was still 30 miles away, and there were still 50,000 troops in the city, as well as more than 300,000 people, but everyone from Zhu Yousong, who was in prison, to the generals in the army, were all panicked.

"Your Highness, we still have 50,000 troops in the city, and the Janissaries who come to attack are only 20,000 people, why not send troops out of the city to meet the enemy, and keep the enemy outside the city gate, if we can defeat this Praetorian Guard in the field, it will greatly improve the morale of our army, and the Lu Inspector can calmly deal with the main fleet of the Praetorian Guard." University scholar Xie Xuelong proposed to Zhu Yousong.

"Elder Xie Ge is right, but who will he send to meet the battle?" Zhu Yousong asked.

Xie Xuelong was silent. The generals who could fight in the army were all led by Lu Peng to face the faint monarchy, and there were no generals in the city. There are many civilian officials, but there are few people who can lead soldiers and know how to fight

"If there is no other candidate, the minister is willing to lead troops to meet the enemy." Wu Zhaoyuan, a university scholar, said suddenly.

Wu Zhaoyuan was originally the prefect of Ganzhou, and he fought with rebellious bandits, but he still knew how to lead troops. Later, with Yuan Chonghuan to support Zhu Yousong, he was appointed as the political envoy of Jiangxi Zuobu because of his merits, Yuan Chonghuan was defeated in Nanjing, the Nanchang court was reorganized, and Wu Zhaoyuan was able to enter the cabinet because of his prestige in Jiangxi officialdom.

At this time, in Nanchang City, there is indeed no more suitable person to lead troops than Wu Zhaoyuan.

"I think it's okay, Wu Ge Lao can be the superintendent and go out of the city to meet the Praetorian Guard." Xie Xuelong agreed after thinking carefully.

"If you want me to say that His Royal Highness doesn't take the military expedition in person," the scholar Zhou Yingzhi said suddenly, "Your Highness's personal expedition will inevitably make the morale of the army high, so that you can be sure of defeating the Praetorian Guard." After defeating the Praetorian Guard, he will wave his army to Kanglang Mountain and fight a decisive battle with the Faint Monarch! ”

"Huh?" Hearing that he let himself drive the expedition, Zhu Yousong suddenly panicked, "Widow, where do widows know how to fight?"

Zhou Yingzhi said: "Your Highness doesn't need to know how to fight, you just need to sit in the army, and Wu Ge Lao is responsible for the war." ”

As long as Zhu Yousong is in the army, morale will inevitably be high, this is something everyone knows, Chongzhen, as an emperor, can drive the expedition without fear of danger, what qualifications do you have to hide in the rear?

Xie Xuelong and other ministers also agreed to support Zhu Yousong's personal expedition.

In normal times, no minister wanted the emperor or the prison to leave the capital, and they all wanted to use various systems to confine them to the capital. But now that the situation has reached the time of life and death, they can't take too much care of Zhou Yingji. Let's die first and be a live horse doctor

The ministers all agreed to take the expedition in person, and Zhu Yousong could only agree even if he was unwilling.

After returning to the palace, the more Zhu Yousong thought about it, the more scared he felt. He was just the prince of the Tang Dynasty, accustomed to glory and wealth, living a pig-like life, with neither ambition nor ability, and being a prisoner of the country was just a matter of fate. Now let him personally go to the battlefield, where does he dare?

"Your Highness, the Praetorian Guard is attacking in three ways, our army has been defeated one after another, I think Nanchang City can't hold it at all, if you follow the army to fight in person, once defeated, you will definitely die. It's better to take advantage of no one's attention, let's secretly escape from Nanchang City. The cronies and eunuchs said. Laifu was the old man of the Fuwang Mansion at the beginning, and he has always been loyal to Zhu Yousong.

Zhu Yousong's eyes lit up suddenly, but then he frowned: "Run, where to escape?" ”

Once Nanchang is lost, the Nanchang court will be completely destroyed, the world is so big, where is there still a place for itself?

At this moment, Zhu Yousong regretted it very much, regretting that he should not have listened to the foolery of Lu Peng, Yuan Chonghuan and others, and became the prisoner of the country.

was originally fine in Fengyang Prison, although there was no freedom, at least there was no food and clothing, and there was no danger to life

"We can flee south, flee to Guangdong through Ganzhou, and then buy a ship in Guangdong to go to sea, go overseas, and we will definitely find a way to live." Fortune bewildered.

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