Cutting over the end of the Ming Dynasty: a dog-leg knife at the beginning

Chapter 252 Time difference

On October [-], the sky in Jinzhou was gloomy, with dark clouds pressing down on the top of the city, as if it might crush the city at any time. Snowflakes fell from the gaps in the clouds, and before they hit the ground, it was unknown where they were blown by the north wind.The sea seemed to be frozen as well. The waves hit the reef without splashing a few splashes. The whole city was shrouded in a suffocating silence.

The brisk drumbeat broke the silence, followed by the sound of sonorous and powerful footsteps. It seemed that thousands of feet were raised and lowered at the same time. Every step fell, and a cloud of snow powder was thrown on the ground.As the snowflakes flew, a large army appeared in the sight of Jinzhou people. They wore fiery red battle jackets, their generals also wore fiery red cloaks, and their helmets were also decorated with fiery red tassels, like countless balls of flames in the cold wind. Dancing, spears like a forest, armor clattering, although the face is covered with dust, it can't cover the high-spirited fighting spirit.The soldiers and civilians in Jinzhou were amazed: "I have seen many troops coming from the pass over the years, but I have never seen such a well-equipped and high-spirited fighting spirit! Which famous general brought out the Tiger Ben?"

The army stopped outside the city gate, and the military envoy stepped forward and handed over the spy. It turned out to be one of the two flying armies that had been rumored for a long time—the Tianxiong Army.Wuyangwei is still in Shanhaiguan, and it will take a few days to arrive.After the guard inspected the espionage, he ordered: "Open the city gate and let the Tianxiong army enter the city to rest... Who, hurry up and organize servants to cook water and cook for the guest army. They traveled thousands of miles without eating a meal." It’s not okay to soak your feet in hot water after a hot meal!”

The subordinates quickly got to work.

The gate of the city opened slowly, and after obtaining the permission of the defenders, Tianxiong's troops entered in strict order. From the beginning to the end, no one made a sound, and the discipline was so strict that people were amazed.The general guarding the city gate strode up to meet him, cupped his hands and called: "Soldiers of the Tianxiong Army, you have worked hard from afar, so hurry up and go to the barracks to rest, and wait for your own food and hot water to arrive, eat something before soaking." Feet, even if you immediately forget the fatigue of the long journey! By the way, where are you adults? Why don’t you see you?” This guy has a rough appearance and a majestic voice, which is very eye-catching. Putting it on the battlefield, he must be a fierce general.

Lu Xiangsheng stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "This general invites you. I am the commander-in-chief of the Tianxiong Army, Lu Jiandou!"

The guard looked Lu Xiangsheng up and down, and said with a smile: "I thought that the one who could train such a disciplined tiger ben must be an invincible general, but unexpectedly, he was a Confucian general who is in the wind. You can't beat it!" His left knee bent, he half-kneeled to the ground, and he clasped his fists in salute: "The last general, Zu Kuan, see Master Lu!"

Zu Kuan was originally Zu Dashou's servant. He was skilled in martial arts, and he was very courageous when he worked immediately. Guard the gates.Unlike those Liaoxi generals who despise the guest army from the bottom of their hearts, Zu Kuan is still more enthusiastic about the guest army. This is probably related to his background. As for the guest army who is stronger in combat and can help, he is even more enthusiastic Yes, for example, the Tianxiong Army...

After the Tianxiong Army arrived at Shanhaiguan, they received a lot of cold treatment and look-downs. They were originally angry at Guan Ningjun, but when they saw Zu Kuan being so enthusiastic, their unhappiness disappeared and they all said in their hearts: "It turns out that Guan Ningjun Not all generals have eyes on their foreheads!" Seeing Zu Kuan's boldness, Lu Xiangsheng also had a good impression of him. He stretched out his hand to help him up and said, "General Zu, there is no need to be polite. Our army has come from a long way and is exhausted. , I hope the general will take care of you."

Zu Kuan smiled heartily: "You should, you should! Master Lu, please come inside!" Leading the way, he personally led Lu Xiangsheng into the city.At this time, Jinzhou City was already bustling with crowds of people emptying the alleys to pay their respects to this legendary flying army.With the attention of so many people, the Tianxiong Army became more and more energetic, with their heads held high and their chests held high, and their high morale surprised the soldiers and civilians of Jinzhou.According to their past experience, when guest armies receive orders and come thousands of miles away, the first to arrive among the 1 people is often only the few hundred servants led by the general himself. After the troops arrive one after another, even if they arrive, , has also become a beggar, and cannot fight without ten days and a half of rest. The Tianxiong Army set out from Daming Road and arrived in Jinzhou in less than a month, and all of them arrived. It stands to reason that such a high-intensity campaign The march should have dragged them down long ago, but their morale is still so high, it's incredible!Many officers and generals of the Guanning Army with their eyes above the top were also amazed by it, and said sincerely: "Good soldiers, good soldiers!"

To Lu Xiangsheng's surprise, there were unexpectedly few troops in Jinzhou City.As far as he knew, Zhang Chun's army had 4 troops, plus Jinzhou's defenders, the total strength was no less than 5. This small city of Jinzhou was packed with [-] horses, so it should be packed to the brim. But the reality is quite different from what he expected.When he arrived at the barracks, he was even more surprised to see that the camp assigned to the Tianxiong Army was empty, which was unreasonable!He couldn't help asking Zu Kuan: "Didn't Master Zhang bring an army of [-]? It stands to reason that the barracks should be filled to the brim. Why is there no sign of the army?"

Zu Kuan hesitated to speak.

An ominous premonition rose in Lu Xiangsheng's heart, and he asked, "Did something happen to Mr. Zhang?"

Zu Kuan sighed and said, "Lord Lu, don't ask any more, the general doesn't know anything. You should ask Elder Ge, he is waiting for you."

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Then take me to see the old man quickly!" He threw off his shirt, took off his saber, and walked out with Zu Kuan, obviously in a real hurry.Zu Kuan gave a wry smile, and led him straight to the Governor's Mansion.

Sun Chengzong was already waiting at the gate of the Governor's Mansion.

Lu Xiangsheng was excited, he strode forward, half-kneeled on the ground, his nails collided with each other, clanging: "I will see you, Master Shufu!"

Sun Chengzong's voice was old and tired, and a little hoarse, but there was still a smile on his face: "Jiandou, are you here? Get up quickly, get up quickly!" He helped Lu Xiangsheng up, and looked at this Confucian general whom he carefully trained Seeing that he had lost a lot of weight, he reproachfully said, "Why are you so thin? Did you just focus on the journey and lose your body? You have to correct your problems. You are the commander of the army. If you collapse, you will lose your body." Your army should be dispersed!"

Lu Xiangsheng's nose was slightly sore, because he found that Sun Chengzong had become thinner, his eye sockets had sunken, the wrinkles on his forehead had deepened, and the cloak was hanging loosely on his body, covered with snow flakes. "The oil is exhausted and the lamp is dry", this terrible word flashed through his mind, yes, this old man has reached the point where the oil is exhausted and the lamp is dry.He said: "The lower officials are young and strong, so they can bear the hardships, but Ge Lao, who is over [-] years old, still has to travel outside the customs to endure the wind, knife, frost and sword..."

Sun Chengzong interrupted him and said: "I'm very happy that you came here. From Daming Road to Jinzhou, the journey was two or three thousand miles, and it took less than a month to arrive. Such a speed, which is unheard of, shows that you have already captured Tianxiong. The army has been trained as an elite army capable of fighting, and I am happy for you! Come on, let's go in, I have prepared ginger soup for you, take a few sips to warm your stomach first."

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Thank you, sir!" He helped Sun Chengzong go inside.Sun Chengzong is indeed very thin, holding his hand is like holding a handful of bones, which makes people feel sad.Lu Xiangsheng originally wanted to talk about some light things to ease the atmosphere, but the empty Jinzhou City filled with uneasy atmosphere really made people feel uneasy, so he couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Ge, Jinzhou Military Camp Why is it so empty? Where is Mr. Zhang's [-] army? Why is it so long?"

Sun Chengzong, who was looking down at the road, slowly raised his head, and asked with some effort: "Are you asking about Zhang Chun?"

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Exactly! Didn't it mean that he led [-] troops to Jinzhou early in the morning and was waiting for the Tianxiong Army and Wuyang Guards to come and meet? Why is he missing?"

Sun Chengzong's expression became bitter: "Zhang Chun... led the army to reinforce Dalinghe City before you arrived."

The thing he was most worried about finally became a reality. Lu Xiangsheng felt dizzy and staggered slightly. His heart was beating wildly and he couldn't breathe: "This... when did this happen?"

Sun Chengzong said: "Three days, what happened three days ago."

Lu Xiangsheng asked angrily: "Master Zhang, why did you wait for the officials to arrive before going out to fight? Can't you wait for these few days? Or are you afraid that the officials will compete with him!?"

Sun Chengzong said: "It's all a conspiracy to establish slavery! They released a businessman who escaped from Dalinghe City and told the soldiers and people of Jinzhou that Dalinghe City had run out of food. The soldiers and civilians were eating each other's bones as wages. It was extremely tragic. ! Everyone can’t sit still. The supervisors are forcing Master Zhang to fight, the soldiers and civilians in the city are also forcing him, and even the civil servants in the rear are forcing him. He has no choice at all. If he doesn’t fight as soon as possible, Jinzhou City will Riots are likely to occur, and the consequences will be disastrous!"

Lu Xiangsheng was taken aback: "What? Daling River City has run out of food?"

Sun Chengzong said: "The food has long been exhausted, and even the war horses have been eaten up. Now I am afraid that half of the servants have been eaten. Zu Dashou, I can't last!"

Lu Xiangsheng's heart beat even harder.What he was most worried about was that Zhang Chun would go out without waiting for the Tianxiong army to arrive. The [-] army was the main force of the Ming army. What can the human Wuyang Guard do?These two new infantry-based armies are single and weak. How can they withstand the impact of Jiannu iron cavalry on the Liaoxi Plain?But now, he really came here for whatever he was afraid of. Zhang Chun had already fought three days ago, and now the winner might have already been decided, and he was not optimistic about the outcome of the battle between Zhang Chun and Jian Nu...

Before fighting Hou Jin, Lu Xiangsheng felt tremendous pressure.This feeling of being led by the nose is really too passive!
(End of this chapter)