June 11, the fifteenth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, Xiangyang City was shrouded in a drizzle. The city that had been noisy for many days also gained temporary peace because of the long-lost drizzle. Most people were immersed in the cool rain and mist and gave up temporarily.

The annoying mundane things made the cries of grief and anger that could be heard from time to time in the alley become even louder.

On the dilapidated and tall city wall, Commander-in-Chief Zuo Liangyu has been walking slowly around the city in silence for a long time. His face is gray and gloomy, his tall body is even more hunched after bending, and his eyes have been staring for a long time.

lingering on the ruins at the east end of Green Shadow Wall Lane in the south of the city.

There used to be the majestic and vast Prince Xiang's Mansion, but since it was destroyed by bandits last year, it has become a ruin. Only the lonely screen wall is left standing there. The still exquisite stone carvings on it can only silently hint at this place.

The glory of the past.

The defeat at Zhuxian Town twenty days ago was the most painful defeat in Zuo Liangyu's life. He lost almost all his troops, most of his cronies and loyal subordinates who had followed him in battles, and even lost his face.

Confidence in intruders.

Yes, Zuo Liangyu escaped and fled directly to Xiangyang.

But he only brought back less than a hundred soldiers and horses.

In that battle, Li Zicheng almost wiped out Zuo Liangyu's army. He captured tens of thousands of soldiers alone, and captured an astonishing more than 7,000 horses and mules, as well as a large amount of other supplies.

This was an astonishing result and the heaviest loss suffered by the army since the suppression of bandits.

Zuo Liangyu himself didn't know what was going on.

Everything is like a dream.

In just one night, he went from holding an army of 100,000 to barely escaping alone.

Li Zicheng once again gave him a new understanding.

He followed without hesitation, and then continued to test with small groups of cavalry. After the infantry group at the rear caught up, he suddenly concentrated all his strength to strike. After defeating Zuo Liangyu's main cavalry force, he continued to follow and cover up Zuo Liangyu until Zuo Liangyu

The defeated army was blocked by the deep trenches dug in advance, and Li Zicheng once again concentrated his cavalry to kill them with all their strength. Li Zicheng conducted an impeccable hunt.

This was no longer the grassroots bandit who said he would respectfully call him "Grandpa Zuo". The rebels and thieves who he once looked down upon the most were now so strong that he was frightened.

Thinking of the bandits and soldiers all over the mountains and their crazy and ferocious expressions, Zuo Liangyu was filled with helplessness and frustration. He clearly realized that the bandits and soldiers could no longer be easily shaken by the weak officers and soldiers.

He couldn't help but feel sad.

What's even more depressing is that he knows that he is in big trouble now.

The army has always been his biggest support, no matter in the past, now or in the future. Zuo Liangyu knew very well that if he did not have the army, he would be nothing, and many people in the court would not be able to tolerate him anymore.

This is not the first time that he has not listened to the words of those civil servants, and there are no longer just one or two civil servants who have objections to him. When he had the army, everything was easy; once he did not have the army, those people would not

It would be weird if he ate it.

The weakness of his current military strength has become his most fatal hidden danger, which far exceeds the oppression imposed on him by the rebel army.

If we do nothing, I am afraid that just like the palace in front of us, it will be gone if it is gone.

A few years ago, his family in Xuzhou was wiped out due to a mutiny. Only he and his son were safe. Since then, he has become much more cautious and will never engage in the kind of war without risking his life and committing crimes.

It's an impulsive thing.

But why did God still fail to fulfill his wishes and still put him in such danger?

He is old, so it doesn't matter.

But he only had one son left, and he couldn't let this last hope of the Zuo family's incense die with him.

If he wants to live well, the army is his only life-saving straw.

On this issue, Zuo Liangyu thinks that he is not confused yet.

In the past few days, Zuo Liangyu often left Xiangyang City to Fan City across the river, and then went to the surrounding areas outside the city for horseback riding. First, he patrolled the surrounding areas to deter dissatisfaction; second, he also wanted to see how many stragglers were still being defeated.

, so as to favor them. He needs to rely on them to expand his army.

Although God is not kind today, how can we miss important events because of the drizzle.

After thinking about this, Zuo Liangyu straightened his back, quickened his pace, and walked towards the city. Seeing his father cheer up, the deputy general Zuo Mengeng and several soldiers who were following him quickly also followed closely.

Keep up.

More than two hours later, Zuo Liangyu, who was wearing a cloth-faced armor, led dozens of soldiers who were also covered in armor on a high slope north of Fancheng. It was Zuo Liangyu's deliberate decision to inspect the armor.

This can best demonstrate the momentum and majesty. Moreover, it is raining today, so it will not be so muggy.

At this time, they were immediately watching a team slowly approaching down the slope.

Although he had received the notice from the scout cavalry earlier and knew that this team was led by a sentry commander and that most of the team was composed of skirmishers gathered together, Zuo Liangyu was still very interested in seeing what this group of troops looked like.

Unlike the past few days, people brought the young military leaders to meet him in the mansion or directly asked his generals to meet him.

In fact, these days, the only ones who can return are groups of twos and threes who are frightened out of their courage. At most, they can only gather dozens of people. It is really rare for such a large army to be able to retreat together.

Thinking about Zuo Liangyu himself, he brought back less than a hundred people. Therefore, he was more interested in this army and wanted to see the difference.

Although this was clearly an infantry army, with about 300 soldiers, there were about 50 large animals such as mules and horses, and they came in two long lines in order in the drizzle.

Although their clothes were messy and crude, and they had very little armor. They were probably not elite soldiers in the first place, but their ranks were surprisingly neat, especially the calves that were wrapped uniformly, giving them a strange sense of uniformity.

And this kind of orderliness is even more extraordinary because there are no strong soldiers holding whips or sticks to intimidate or the guidance of many flags around.

The Qingdao flag held high at the front and several square flags in the team also gave this team a sense of official and military orthodoxy.

Just looking at their appearance from a distance, this team has greatly exceeded Zuo Liangyu's expectations, and the person leading the troops also gave him more expectations.

Countless thoughts went through Zuo Liangyu's mind instantly.

At this time, the soldiers on his left and right were also pointing curiously. They had also not seen such a regular army for a long time.

When approaching the bottom of the slope, the team finally stopped.

Several horses left the team and galloped all the way. They were still more than ten feet away from Zuo Liangyu. Immediately, several people rolled down, and then hurriedly trotted to Zuo Liangyu's horse, knelt down and worshiped.

Zuo Liangyu did not dismount, but instead straightened his back to make his horse appear more imposing. Several riders behind him galloped away at this moment, heading straight for the stopped team.

When the people kneeling on the ground looked puzzled and surprised, Zuo Liangyu's people started asking questions.

The leader who was kneeling on the ground could no longer care about doubts and had to clasp his fists quickly to report: "General Qi, the younger one is Zhao Jin, the commander of guerrilla Du Sanjiang. He first joined the army in western Liaoning and later served as a hundred households in the army of Governor Yang Wenyue of Baoding. ...The villain also knows loyalty. As long as he is still alive, he dare not forget the trust entrusted by General Qian, let alone live up to the trust of the guerrillas. Now that I am lucky enough to serve under the old general, I should die for the old general."

Listening to Zhao Jin's lengthy and impassioned speech, Zuo Liangyu did not interrupt impatiently, but remained expressionless.

But after Zhao Jin finished speaking, he stared at Zhao Jin and said solemnly: "Are you serious about what you said?"

Zuo Liangyu obviously listened.

"There is absolutely no falsehood." Zhao Jin's answer was resolute.

Zuo Liangyu immediately nodded affirmatively and said: "There is such a story, please get up quickly and let me take a good look."

After Zhao Jin and others stood up, Zuo Liangyu, who was still riding proudly on his horse, really took a closer look.

Zhao Jin, Li Ping, Shi Ming and Wang Chengwu will certainly not disappoint him.

Zhao Jin, who is leading the front, is nearly six feet tall, lean, with a dark face and long bumps. He has a majestic air and looks like a good man at first glance. The three people following Li Ping are not short either. Tough and strong, one person is strong but slightly elegant.

Zuo Liangyu soon showed joy and praised repeatedly: "As expected, they are all sons and daughters."

At this time, a soldier behind Zuo Liangyu suddenly answered: "General Qi, I recognize this Commander Zhao. One day I went to Du Youyi's place to deliver an order, and he was right there. After I delivered the order, I chatted more with my acquaintances. Two sentences, but I heard about Du Youyi's happy event, so I took a few more glances, and I remember his appearance very well."

The talkative Zuo Liangyu, who was somewhat unruly towards the soldiers, did not show any dissatisfaction. Instead, he became even more happy and said: "I am so lucky to have such a loyal and loyal person."

However, even though he had no doubts, Zuo Liangyu still did not dismount.

Zhao Jin's rank is really too low. No matter how courteous a general like Zuo Liangyu is to a corporal, he can't be too greedy for a small sentry commander. This is not a matter of pretense, but it is easy for people to look down upon him.

Of course, Zhao Jin did not dare to expect too much. Meeting Zuo Liangyu in person was far beyond his imagination.

Just when Zhao Jin was thinking about what to say, Zuo Liangyu's expression suddenly turned sad, and he looked up to the sky and sighed: "It's just a pity that Du Sanjiang doesn't know whether to live or die now. I'm afraid the good talk that should have envied others will end here." Already."

As he said that, Zuo Liangyu actually fell silent.

As a result, everything became extremely quiet, and Zhao Jin and the other four had no choice but to stand aside and not dare to move.

After a while, the knights who left the team finally returned from the team that stopped in the distance. One of them whispered something into Zuo Liangyu's ear. At this time, Zuo Liangyu seemed to suddenly wake up from his grief. , a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Then, he lowered his head apologetically and said to Zhao Jin and others: "During troubled times, we have to be on guard. Just now, a few young men went to interrogate you and other subordinates. Don't blame the young generals. Don't worry. , now that I have confirmed your identity and know your loyalty and bravery, I will treat you kindly."

Only then did Zhao Jin and others suddenly realize.

No one of them dared to look back just now, so they didn't know where those horses went, let alone what they were doing.

But now that I know it, I don’t think it’s a big problem.

Although the previous reconnaissance cavalry had conducted a detailed investigation, it is not an exaggeration to send capable people to check and identify. After all, caution is the attitude that should be adopted in times of war.

It was Zuo Liangyu's truthful telling that really surprised people.

There is no need to explain what generals like Zuo Liangyu do to small fish and shrimps like them. Who dares to have any objections?

But he chose to be very honest and frank, which immediately attracted the favor of the little fish and shrimps to him. It seems that he is a good person to win over people.

Zhao Jin's reaction was also very quick. He continued without any hesitation: "You guys don't dare. The old general should have considered it."

Zuo Liangyu suddenly smiled.

After obviously thinking for a moment, Zuo Liangyu suddenly turned around and said to the soldier who had just spoken: "Since you know Zhao Gueryi, you can simply take them to the southeast of Xiangyang City to find a spacious place where multiple attacks can occur."
To be continued...