Chapter 31 Section 31

The Nian army encountered an unprecedented predicament. They were concentrated in Wanghucheng, north of Shouguang. The sea was to the north, the heavily fortified Yellow River was to the west, and the Yi and Meng mountains were to the south. It was blocked by a Mishui River originating from the west foot of Yishan Mountain in Linqu County. If they refused to surrender, they would have to fight to the death, and they were heavily surrounded on all sides. The result of the battle was mostly death. In the official army, people from all walks of life have gathered together.The Ming Army and the Wu Yi Army joined forces on both sides of the Mi River, with Pan Dingxin, Yang Dingxun and the "Eastern Army" forming a line of defense from the east to the west as a support.If Dong Nian was allowed to break through again this time, not only would there be no need to talk about suppressing Nian, but also no need to talk about military achievements, and wait for the "dismissal and investigation".

For both sides, the situation has come to the end of life and death, the last moment of this battle.The decisive battle must be decided before the action, so Liu Mingchuan and Guo Songlin are not in a hurry, they dispatch troops to ensure stability.When the deployment was about to be completed, Li Hongzhang sent his younger brother Li Zhaoqing, who was also the general manager of his "Battle Office", to rush to the front.There are two tasks here, one is to proclaim the "Wen Yu", to reward Liu Mingchuan for "loyalty, bravery and hard work, and quick pursuit of thieves. Jia En rewards a small knife with a white jade handle, a scythe, a pair of large purses, and two small purses." .” Shanqing and Wendluck, the two deputy capital commanders who were unlucky because of Seng Gelinqin’s death in battle, also came and went, except for the “rehabilitation officer”, there was another kind of grace.

Li Hongzhang has his own rewards, one bag per person, or rare curios, or cash, depending on each person's needs and hobbies. some effort. "Brother originally expected to be able to complete all his achievements next year, but he didn't expect that everyone would use their lives. It seems that he will be able to triumph within the year." Li Zhaoqing paused and said: "Brother is going to follow in the footsteps of Marquis Zeng by abolishing the Huai army and let everyone Let’s live a comfortable life for two years first.” Hearing this, everyone except Guo Songlin was very excited.Disarmament is the disarmament of troops and not the disarmament of generals. The admiral is still the admiral, and the commander-in-chief is still the commander-in-chief. Fill in the gaps and return to the establishment. Look at the fuck, eat and eat, go in and out of the green sedan chair, and don't have to wear stars and moons. What is a comfortable day if you are not on the horse all year round?

"However, my brother has a saying that I specifically asked me to pass on: the comfortable life in the future will depend on the difficulties in front of me in exchange for the hardships in front of me. The battle in front of me is no small matter. I specially ordered me to ask you for advice." "At this moment, Dong Nian has become a situation of catching a turtle in an urn. Please report to the young commander. Don't worry about it." Liu Mingchuan patted his chest and said, "'The end of a strong crossbow is not enough to pierce Lu Jin'. Now is not the time for empty talk, please wait! "

"Yes, we must wait for good news. Just ask the provincial commander, what is the best way to defeat the enemy?" Liu Mingchuan knew in his heart that this was a question Li Hongzhang wanted to ask because he was worried.The meaning of this sentence is not to ask about the strategy of defeating the enemy, but about the attitude towards the enemy. Do you try your best to fight wherever you can, or make up your mind to wipe out the stubborn enemy? Therefore, he thought for a while, and replied: "In terms of geographical advantages and harmonious people, this is the first good opportunity I have encountered in the three years since I suppressed Niu. , fight hard, fight hard, no matter whether he goes to heaven or earth, the Ming army will fight to the end!"

"Ming Jun will fight to the end, and Wu Yi Jun will accompany him to the end!" Guo Songlin followed up his words. Hearing that these two top-ranking generals have such determination, Li Zhaoqing's expression of joy appeared on his brows, "With the words of the two gentlemen, there is no doubt that Dong Nian will be flattened!" Thank you for God's blessing. "San San!" Guo Songlin looked very serious, "I have something to say beforehand, officers and soldiers are often unable to outrun the Nian bandits, most of them are burdened by the baggage, this time since we want to chase to the end, we must first make up our minds, I can't plan to ask for luggage!"

Liu Mingchuan nodded again and again: "This is what hit the nail on the head." As he spoke, he looked up at Li Zhaoqing. Of course Li Zhaoqing understood what they meant, thinking in his heart, as long as the battle is won, everything will be easy to deal with, but what do you do with the luggage?However, it is very difficult to replenish the baggage and lose the battle.It seems that this should also be said earlier, but it is very difficult to word. It was too much to think about, so he braced himself and replied: "As long as the two princes are in charge, how can I say it. I will just convey the meaning of the two princes."

Both Liu and Guo were satisfied with his answer.After Li Zhaoqing was sent to the hotel to rest, they talked about the detailed plan of Liliang's attack.Liu Mingchuan has traveled thousands of miles in the past three years, and he has a very deep impression that he must rely on the help of the common people in battle. The common people are willing to help, well-informed, and caught off guard everywhere, otherwise they will always fall behind the Nian army.In fact, the common people were not helping the Nian army, they just stood by and watched, and the officers and soldiers became isolated.Therefore, during this period of time, he has strictly enforced military discipline and prohibited harassment. Now that he is planning to abandon the luggage, it is better to give it to the common people.

"That's a good idea!" Guo Songlin strongly agreed, "But it has to be done practically, so that no one can be satisfied." "The one who dared to be satisfied, I shot him dead." They kept talking like this late into the night, the two had a harmonious relationship, and both felt that the success of the Nine-Turn Pill was right in front of them.The conversation was speculative, and the time was forgotten, until the cold rooster sang, Guo Songlin stood up and said goodbye. "Zimei!" Liu Mingchuan grabbed him, pointed to the treasures on the table and said, "These things are not easy to come by. I want to share them with everyone to show my heart. Two pairs of purses, Pan, Yang, Shan , Wen, one each, and the remaining two, let you choose first."

The rest was a small knife with a white jade handle for eating meat, and a suede scythe bag for lighting fire. Guo Songlin felt disrespectful, so he reached out and took a scythe bag, "I want this thing!" He said, "My dry pipe , it is a rare square bamboo, a jade mouth, cost me two hundred taels, and it is even more exquisite when paired with this thing." "Okay, you want it." Liu Mingchuan saw that his eyes were red, and said again: "But I advise you to smoke less, you are too angry!" "What does it have to do with smoking?" Guo Songlin said with a wry smile.

So what's the deal?Looking at Guo Songlin's strong body, Liu Mingchuan suddenly understood.The generals of the Hunan Army have a bit of Zeng Guofan's morality, and their lives are relatively simple and self-contained. .This time he came back to lead the army, aiming to avenge his humiliation, so he is quite willing to work hard, but his talent is extraordinary, and he may be like the legendary Ji Xiaolan, who sleeps alone overnight and feels uncomfortable, so he has to find a way for him. There is such a thought in the heart, but there is no need to say it.After sending Guo Songlin away, Liu Mingchuan drank alone under the lamp, thinking over Li Zhaoqing's intention for coming and the plan for the Liliang decisive battle, and found that something was wrong. This thing is to give up luggage to show the benefit of the people.If the poor were scattered on the spot with surplus food and extra military uniforms, it would indeed win some applause in these cold days, but the people in the nearby counties would definitely come upon hearing the news, and it would cause chaos.Moreover, the Nian army was full of cunning, and they might mix in with the common people and take the opportunity to make a surprise attack. The situation at that time would be unimaginable. He decided to change a method, and immediately found a material officer, ordered two tables of wine to be prepared the next night, and then prepared a post to invite all the gentlemen who were holding group exercises from nearby villages.At the same time, he also explained that the committee members sent by Liangtai to the front line had urgent business to do. The committee member sent by Liangtai to the Ming Army Camp is an alternate magistrate from a miscellaneous background. His surname is Wu, and he is extremely capable. Come and see. Seeing him shivering from the cold, Liu Mingchuan asked him to have a drink together, and Wu Zhifu only said, "Don't dare, dare not, please use it yourself, Commander." "You're welcome! We're all brothers in the camp, so sit down and talk." "Yes!" Magistrate Wu sat down first, and poured a glass of wine for Liu Mingchuan with the pot first. "This trip must kill Lai Wenguang and his gang. I have already discussed with Guo Junmen, and I don't plan to ask for luggage. Don't worry, it's not your responsibility." "Yes! With the commander in charge, what am I afraid of?" Wu Zhifu thought to himself that it would be good to not have to worry about luggage. He was happy and poured another glass of wine for Liu Mingchuan. "However, don't be too happy!" Liu Mingchuan said with a smile, "You don't need to have luggage, but you have to eat.You have to find a way to drive out 50,000 catties of dry food within three days! " Prefect Wu was in a dilemma, but he didn't show it on the surface. After thinking about it, he replied with a smile: "I want to ask the commander-in-chief for an extra day." "Okay, it's just four days," Liu Mingchuan said again, "One more thing, Guo Junmen didn't bring his aunt this time, seeing that his eyes are red these two days, you have to find a way to defeat him!" "That's easy, leave it to me, and make sure it's done." "Okay. Please do it early tomorrow morning!" "Yes! I'm asking the commander-in-chief for leave." Prefect Wu got up to say hello, and retreated. The next morning, the prefect of Wu brought people into the city to buy dry food. Liu Mingchuan invited Guo Songlin to inspect the defense all the way. By the way, he told him the purpose of inviting a nearby gentleman to dinner that night, and invited him to be the host together. "No need! It's the same if you come out alone." "Come on, come on! Listen to what they have to say." In order to inquire about the gangsters, Guo Songlin, who has always been unrestrained and afraid of socializing, went to the banquet after all.When the lights were on, guests came in an endless stream. They were called "gentlemen", and naturally they all had fame, but most of them were bought with money. After the township examination, it is only for the sake of going to the hall. When you meet the county magistrate, you don't have to kneel and kowtow.The two most respectable gentlemen among them were a civil servant and a martial artist. The literary one was a juren who had been an academic officer in Zhejiang, and his surname was Zhao;In terms of official position, the surname is Li Gao, but that one is a Juren, with a different background, so even the two masters of the first-rank official look at him differently, calling him "Mr. Zhao" and regard him as the head. The guests who went to the banquet were all on their minds, "There is no good banquet, no good meeting", and the two "admirals" posted a post to invite you to eat. Is this meal easy to swallow? So everyone discussed at Li Tongzhi's house for a long time beforehand, pooled two thousand silver as a "charcoal respect", and recommended Mr. Zhao to give it away. After three rounds of drinking, he coughed, took out the two red envelopes, got up and left the table, to present. Liu Mingchuan was very calm. Although he knew what was going on, he had to wait until he opened his mouth to speak, but Guo Songlin, who was the host at the other table, couldn't help it, and asked loudly, "Hey, Mr. Zhao, what are you doing? " "Returning to the two adults, the nearby desolate and cold villages are fortunately sheltered, and they have prepared a little respect for them. Please accept them." "Oh, I'm so useless!" Guo Songlin drew his eyebrows and eyes together, "Sang San! Tell everyone!" "Mr. Zhao, please sit down!" Liu Mingchuan, who was funny and angry, asked Goshha to help the bewildered Mr. Zhao back to the table, explained the original intention of giving the luggage as a gift, and then declared: "However, it is not possible at present. Distribute, when we finish this battle and keep the food, fodder and quilts, please take care of the aftermath of the local area. Prepare a glass of water and wine today, and tell everyone first. Let me say something: "In less than ten days, Shouguang will not see a single bandit. " All the guests who were invited were surprised when these words came out. Li Tongzhi was extremely capable, and then he said loudly: "The two adults really love the people like children, and worry about the people like hurts. Teacher Zhao, we have to do something for the local people. I would like to thank the two adults for their kindness." "Should, should!" The guests all stood up, Mr. Zhao and Li Tongzhi went down to kowtow for the two hosts, Liu and Guo thanked each other without hesitation.After a while of chaos, Liu Mingchuan took the opportunity to request that the Nian Army not be taken in, food not be provided to the Nian Army, and the situation of the officers and soldiers not to be leaked to the Nian Army!Everyone guards their own dikes and does not deal with the Nian army. If they find a large number of Nian troops, they can report at any time so that they can send out to attack and suppress. When he said a word, everyone agreed, and it was obvious that everyone was sincerely willing to obey.Guo Songlin was very happy and admired Liu Mingchuan very much. He did a very good job. The host and guest broke up happily, and only Li Tongzhi stayed behind, saying that he had a secret.Liu Mingchuan invited him and Guo Songlin into the bedroom and had a private conversation behind closed doors. "There is a saying. I didn't dare to say it because I was afraid of getting into trouble. The two adults are so generous, so I don't mind if I say it." Li Tongzhi stopped here, depending on what the two of them meant before making sense. "It's okay!" Liu Mingchuan encouraged him: "Just tell the truth." "That's right, there was a word from someone - needless to say, he was definitely not a gangster anyway, saying that Li Yun intends to surrender. I didn't know if his words were true or not, and I didn't dare to interfere with Rongji, so I ignored him.If the two adults think it's okay to talk, I can still connect with that thread. " "Li Yun?" Liu Mingchuan looked at Guo Songlin and pondered, as if he didn't know what to say. Guo Songlin hated the Nian Army very much, and he did not believe in the Nian Army, but Liu Mingchuan had to decide everything here, so even though he disagreed, he didn't speak up. "Li Yun and Lai Wenguang joined together after Zeng Jiushuai went to Jinling. These two "lords" are almost fifty years old, and they can't run. They should surrender. However, "Liu Mingchuan asked, "How is Lai Wenguang?" This sentence was asked by Li Tongzhi when the "wiring" person came a few days ago.It is said that Lai Wenguang would never surrender, especially Li Hongzhang, because Li Hongzhang conquered Suzhou and used Cheng Xueqi's tricks to recruit Gao Yun, the false King of Na, and killed Tan Shaoguang, the false king of Na, and opened his doors to welcome the surrender.As a result, those "princes" and "heavenly generals" closed the gate of the camp for Cheng Xueqi, and all were killed. With this past incident, Lai Wenguang would rather die than surrender.However, Cheng Xueqi killed and surrendered, and even if Li Hongzhang did not instigate him, he did it silently, so the Huai army kept secret about it.Li Tongzhi knew this taboo, so of course he refused to tell the truth. "How about Lai Wenguang, I haven't heard of it." If Lai Wenguang is willing to surrender, Liu Mingchuan would rather consider it.Although Li Yun is also a leader of the East Nian, he has no effect. Liu Mingchuan does not want to have more side effects, and he also knows that Guo Songlin will never approve of it.However, the government and the army should always give the bandits a way to rehabilitate. If some people surrendered and refused to accept it, it would not sound good to spread the word, so he used a "delayed strategy". "Well, please, brother, contact Qianqian to see what Lai Wenguang said? Better come together. " "Yes!" Li Tongzhi also saw that Liu Mingchuan was not sincere, so he stood up and prepared to leave. "Wait a minute, brother!" Liu Mingchuan warned him solemnly, "Only the three of us know about this matter. At the same time, when passing on the word, please don't be too sure." Li Tongzhi's enthusiasm has disappeared until now, and he will never send any messages or connect any lines.So he repeatedly promised: "Obey, obey!" He left, but Guo Songlin was a little worried, fearing that Li Tongzhi would have some collusion with the Nian Army.Liu Ming heard that he didn't dare, so he said a few words of comfort, and kept urging him to go back to rest early.