Gong Chengkang was gearing up to do a big job, when he saw Li Banghua who came in a hurry, and Shi Zhanglie, who he had never seen before, followed by him.

Gong Chengkang couldn't help but ask curiously: "Master Li, the brothers are ready, what are you doing here?" ”

"Chengkang, and attack the city slowly, this Wuchang Zhixian is my neighbor, wait for me to go and persuade him to surrender, if he is persuaded to open the city and surrender, won't he be spared another military disaster!"

When Gong Chengkang heard this, he couldn't help but understand in his heart, and he hurriedly stopped the preparations for the siege.

At this time, Shi Zhanglie stood up, he took the initiative to come to the city, and shouted loudly at the city tower: "Lord Lin Zengzhi of Zhixian County is here?" I am Shi Zhanglie, the prefect of Huangzhou, and I want to see your family if I have something! ”

When the soldiers guarding the city upstairs heard that it was the arrival of the prefect on the other side of the river, they were confused for a while, and hurriedly asked Lin Zengzhi in the city tower.

Lin Zengzhi, who was already forty-three years old, heard that the person from outside the city was Shi Zhanglie, the prefect of Huangzhou, and immediately got up and came to the edge of the city wall.

Seeing Shi Zhanglie under the city, Lin Zengzhi immediately realized that he had surrendered.

He sneered and said, "Master Shi, you are not guarding the city in Huanggang, why are you here?" ”

When Shi Zhangzhi heard this, he knew that this was Lin Zengzhi mocking himself.

He smiled helplessly and said, "Brother Lin Xian, Brother Fool is here to be a lobbyist today!" ”

When Lin Zengzhi heard this, he couldn't help sneering: "Really, you have surrendered to the thief, you two ministers and thieves, you don't die for the country, and you still have the face to be a lobbyist, it's really shameless, in vain you read the book of sages and sages, and are deeply favored by the court, is this how you repay Your Majesty and the court?" ”

As soon as Shi Zhanglie heard this, the thousand words that had been prepared in his chest were immediately held back.

Just when Shi Jilie was speechless, Li Banghua walked up.

He shouted at the city wall, "Nephew Lin Xian, do you remember me?" ”

Lin Zengzhi fixed his eyes and couldn't help but be shocked.

"Li Shangshu, why are you here?"

Lin Zengzhi is a native of Anfu, and Li Banghua's hometown Pangu Town is only less than 20 miles away, Lin Zengzhi went to Ruian, Wenzhou with his father when he was a teenager, and his residence is there, but he still returns to his hometown of Anfu every year to worship his ancestors.

For Li Banghua, a senior in officialdom, and everything is close at hand, how could he not visit.

He still has great respect for Li Banghua, and when he saw Li Banghua appear, Lin Zengzhi hurriedly saluted and said, "Li Shangshu, I haven't seen you for a long time, are you okay?" ”

Li Banghua smiled slightly, pointed to the closed city gate and said, "Virtuous nephew, this is not the place to speak, can you let the old man enter the city and have a drink with the virtuous nephew?" ”

When Lin Zengzhi heard this, he couldn't help but think about it for a while, and finally agreed to Li Banghua's request.

Li Banghua appeared in front of the anti-thief array, which already shows that this military secretary has joined the ranks of anti-thieves.

Lin Zengzhi had already guessed the purpose of Li Banghua's coming, but he actually knew in his heart that it was impossible to block the strong attack of tens of thousands of troops by relying on one Wuchang County alone, and it was only a matter of time before the city was broken.

But Lin Zengzhi, who has been familiar with the books of saints for many years, has a hurdle in his heart, he can't surrender directly, because it is too easy to bear a reputation for disloyalty.

Lin Zengzhi originally made up his mind to die for the country and repay the emperor's kindness.

But seeing Li Banghua's arrival, Lin Zengzhi's heart couldn't help but waver.

Li Banghua is a Confucian in Ji'an, a member of the imperial court, this kind of person is followed by anti-thieves, what is his small Wuchang Zhi County?

Lin Zengzhi put down the hanging basket and hung Li Banghua and Shi Zhanglie up.

Li Banghua went up to the city tower in a hanging basket, and as soon as he came up, a group of soldiers surrounded him and put knives around their necks.

Lin Zengzhi saw it, and hurriedly shouted: "This is Gong Li, the former secretary of the military department, you must not be rude!" ”

When several soldiers heard the book of the military department, they were so frightened that they quickly put away their knives and retreated.

Seeing the soldiers retreating, Lin Zengzhi hurriedly saluted and said, "Gong Li, how offended!" ”

Li Banghua waved his hand, "It's okay, you are also loyal to the king, virtuous nephew, the old man has not eaten today, can the virtuous nephew have delicious hospitality?" ”

As soon as Lin Zengzhi heard this, he knew that Li Banghua was looking for an opportunity to surrender himself.

He immediately said: "Gong Li, please follow me to the county office, and I will order someone to prepare a banquet to entertain Gong Li!" ”

Before going down the city tower, Lin Zengzhi called the general instructed: "Look at the city, I will come when I go!" ”

When he heard that the magistrate was leaving, he couldn't help but ask anxiously: "My lord, what if the thieves attack the city?" ”

Lin Zengzhi smiled and said: "Before I send them out of the city, the thieves will not attack the city, you can watch here with peace of mind, and be careful not to conflict with them!" ”

After speaking, Lin Zengzhi gave the general manager a color.

He has been following Lin Zengzhi for several years, and he immediately understands Lin Zengzhi's eyes.

Lord Lin is going to talk about the conditions, and he is ready to give everyone a good future.

The troubled times have come, and Huguang is not a paradise on earth, since the attack on Zhang Xianzhong, Huguang has been harassed several times.

The imperial court is also in turmoil now, especially at the beginning of last year, when the news of the imperial tomb was burned, everyone was discussing, saying that the Zhu family's qi was approaching, and the world was about to change the dynasty.

It's just that everyone doesn't know who this person who changed the dynasty is.

Lin Zengzhi and his entourage went down to the city tower and came to the county office, Lin Zengzhi invited Li Banghua directly to his back house in order to show respect, and called his wife to see the ceremony.

Lin Zengzhi knew Wuchang, and his family members also followed.

Lin Zengzhi was a thirty-five-year-old Jinshi who got an errand to be sent to Puqi Zhi County, and later moved to Renzhi County in Wuchang.

After serving in Wuchang, Lin Zengzhi took his wife and parents together, and the family was by his side.

Their family was originally from Anfu, Jiangxi, and they were just registered in Ruian, Wenzhou, and had no foundation.

After Li Banghua met Lin Zengzhi's family, he went straight to the point and said: "Virtuous nephew, the old man came this time to persuade him to restrict his surrender. ”

When Lin Zengzhi heard this, he asked without changing his face: "Dare to ask Duke Li, when did you enter the account of the governor of Jiangnan?" ”

"Last year."

When Lin Zengzhi heard this, he couldn't help but pause.

Unexpectedly, Li Banghua has been joining the rebel army for a year.

"Duke Li is a pillar of the imperial court, an important minister of the society, the younger generation has great respect for Duke Li, Duke Li is a thief, there must be a reason for you, the student should not ask, but the student is still puzzled, then the governor of Jiangnan, what is the charm that can make people like Li Gong follow him?"

Li Banghua thought about it, and spit out eight words in his mouth: "Immortal Mingjun, it is rare to meet in eternity!" ”

When Lin Zengzhi heard these eight words, he was immediately shocked, and he couldn't imagine that he, a fellow Jiangxi countryman, would be praised so much by Li Banghua, which seemed to be indeed extraordinary.

Shi Zhanglie also came out at this time and said: "Brother Xian, this governor of Jiangnan is indeed the lord of Ming, although he is called a thief, but he conquered the city, but he did not commit any crime against the people, and cracked down on the lawless heroes, collected the land, and scattered it among the people under his rule.

The day before yesterday, the battle outside the city of Huanggang, presumably the virtuous brother also heard it across the river, how powerful Zhang Xianzhong was, he fought with my lord outside the city for a day, Zhang Xianzhong was stunned and retreated, and tens of thousands of corpses were ambushed.

As far as the foolish brother knows, most of Jiangxi regions have achieved a bumper harvest last year, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. ”

Hearing Shi Zhanglie's words, Lin Zengzhi's heart moved.

The day before yesterday, across the Yangtze River, he heard shouts and cannons from the other side.

At that time, he still wondered what happened in Huanggang, there was such a big movement.

At that time, he also wanted to send a few clippers to cross the river to check, but he was blocked by Mo Qian's sailors, and he couldn't cross the river at all.

It wasn't until today that he learned that it was Zhang Xianzhong and Mo Qian who had a big battle outside the city.

Lin Zengzhi thought for a while and said, "Gong Li, Brother Shi, if I surrender, what should the people and officers in this city do?" ”

Li Banghua and Shi Jilie glanced at each other, and Li Banghua said: "Everything is from the original, but the city defense is taken over by the rebels, and the officers who are willing to surrender can join the rebels, and if they have meritorious service in the future, they will be rewarded and promoted as usual, and those who are unwilling to join the army will be given travel expenses and allowed to go home."

Of course, if there are villains in the army and the government who do evil and oppress the people, they must be convicted, beheaded when they are beheaded, and sentenced when they are sentenced, and they will not be soft! ”

When Lin Zengzhi heard this, he immediately had a bottom in his heart.

"Okay, that's it, I, Lin Zengzhi, am willing to surrender!"

......

Wuchang County was defeated, Lin Zengzhi, the county governor, led his troops to surrender, and Mo Qian, who got the news, also happened to lead the army to cross the river at this time.

Mo Qian left 2,000 soldiers and horses in Huanggang to defend the city, and Peng Jinhong was responsible for defending Huanggang, while he led 10,000 troops to cross the river by boat and landed at Wuchang Wharf.

Gong Chengkang heard that the marshal was coming, and hurriedly informed Li Banghua and others in the city.

Li Banghua took the newly descended Lin Zengzhi to the dock to greet him in person.

When Lin Zengzhi saw his Jiangxi fellow with his own eyes, his eyes were stunned.

"You are King Mo, the governor of Jiangnan?"

Mo Qian looked at Lin Zengzhi who was in a daze, and couldn't help but smile and ask, "What?" Don't I look like a governor? ”

Lin Zengzhi reacted at this time, and hurriedly explained: "No, no, no, it's just that I didn't expect that King Mo, the governor of Jiangnan, would be so young!" ”

Mo Qian laughed, took Lin Zengzhi's hand and said: "I heard that you are from Anfu, I am from Yichun, and I am very close to your hometown of Anfu, and we are also considered fellow villagers.

Li Gong and Master Shi both gave me a guarantee, saying that you are a good official, in this way, this errand of Wuchang Zhixian County, you will continue to do it first, but you probably may not understand the policy of my righteous army, and when I go back and find a few assistants to help you help, let them help you implement the Juntian policy of the righteous army, what do you think? ”

"Since Ren Xian has surrendered, naturally everything is subject to the lord's order, lord, please enter the city!"

"Okay, please!"

When the army entered the city, the people of the city looked at the rebels with fear and curiosity.

The people of Wuchang County have never heard of the name of the Jiangxi Righteous Army, but because the imperial court often claimed the brutality of Zhang Xianzhong and other thieves, everyone was a little afraid of this kind of rebellious rebel army.

Soon the notices of the rebels were posted all over the city, in which they made it clear that the people did not need to be afraid, that the rebels would not take a stitch from the people, and that any soldier who dared to oppress the people and ask for money could go to the county government to complain, and once it was verified, he would be beheaded on the spot.

As soon as the notice of Anmin came out, coupled with the serious military discipline of the righteous army, the stones in the hearts of the people were put down.

Early in the morning of the fifth day of the fourth month, Mo Qian personally led 20,000 infantry, 60 naval warships, 3,000 sailors, and 20,000 grain and grass people, and set off from Wuchang County, all the way to Wuchang Mansion, 100 miles northwest of the country.

At this time, in Wuchang Mansion, people were already panicking.

After Zhang Xianzhong's army defeated Huanggang, this guy did not go away, but waited in Huangpi, which was across the river, ready to cross the river at any time.

Hanyang Mansion, which is across the river from Wuchang Mansion, is also facing a great enemy at this time, because Zhang Xianzhong's soldiers and horses have appeared on the periphery of Hanyang Mansion, and dozens of villages outside Hanyang City have been robbed by Zhang Xianzhong's soldiers and horses, and hundreds of people have died.

The people outside Hanyang City knew that there was going to be a war, so they fled the village with their families and took refuge in the capital city of Hanyang.

Yin Deming, the prefect of Hanyang, saw Zhang Xianzhong's Bingfeng and knew that Hanyang must not be defended, so he crossed the river with his people and fled to Wuchang Mansion.

As soon as Yin Deming arrived in Wuchang on the front foot, Mo Qian on the back foot arrived outside Wuchang with 20,000 troops and 3,000 sailors.

The sailors were lined up on the Yangtze River, and the army was displayed outside the east city of Wuchang South City.

In addition, Qian Dayou led the troops and horses before, 30,000 troops and 20,000 houses were stationed outside the city, and the camp was ten miles, and the generals defending the city saw that there were so many thieves, and their hearts trembled with fear.

At this time, in Wuchang Mansion, although Tang Hui, the governor of Huguang, had 30,000 soldiers and horses in the city, they were all a group of rabble, and the remaining 20,000 were hastily recruited except for 10,000 who were transferred back from the De'an front.

And with these 20,000 horses, Tang Hui may not be able to command, because he has no money to pay these 20,000 people, and even 10,000 officers and soldiers have no money to pay them.

At this time, the general Cui Wenrong stood up, and he suggested to Tang Hui: "Lord Futai, why don't you lead the officials of the three divisions to ask the king of Chu for money, the king of Chu hides millions of gold, and the people of the two divisions and yamen go to the king of Chu together and ask the king of Chu to pay, and the salary of the 30,000 army may be settled." ”

When Tang Hui heard this, he felt that this was an idea, and immediately took the political envoy of Hu Guangbu, and commanded the chief officials of the envoy and the chief officials of the criminal envoy to go to the palace of the king of Chu and ask the king of Chu for sponsorship of military expenses.

When the king of Chu heard that the three divisions were here to ask for money, his nose immediately smoked angrily.

He invited all the members of the three divisions to his main hall, pointed to the gold-wrapped chair given by Zhu Yuanzhang to the first generation of the king of Chu and said: "The widow has no money to help the army, and the only valuable thing in the palace is this golden chair given by the great grandfather, and he has nothing to do with it!" ”

When the three divisions heard this, they were so angry in their hearts.

This Chu king is rich and armored, and now he is in the city, and he is still not pulling out a dime.

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