Chapter 142 Zuo Liangyu's Crisis
Zuo Liangyu, in keeping with the course of history, raised the banner of purging the imperial court. Firstly, Zhao Xiaofei treated these warlords differently. Second, he had the support of the Donglin Party. After all, the Donglin Party wanted to regain control of the court, and Zhao Xiaofei and the cabinet agreed to minimize the Donglin Party's control over the government.
His 800,000-man army was completely broke. They wanted to march on Nanjing, but they couldn't even leave Wuchang without money. They looted every city they entered, first robbing the landlords and then, if that wasn't enough, the civilians. Initially, Zuo Liangyu was able to control the situation, but when they reached the next city, they couldn't control the troops. It was like a lion: once it's tasted human flesh, it craves human flesh.
Just like that, they kept robbing as they went. When they reached the city of Jiujiang, Yuan Jixian finally couldn't stand it any longer. He went to Zuo Liangyu's tent, clasped his fists, and said, "General! We can't let the soldiers rob anymore! And don't go any further east!"
"Brother Ji Tong, I am not clearing the court of corrupt officials for my own sake. The Zhao brothers are calling the shots and doing whatever they want in the court. They are trying to destroy the Ming Dynasty!" Zuo Liangyu said.
"Kunshan, the current emperor is the legitimate son of the late emperor. He is the legitimate heir after the crown prince was killed. What reason do you have to purge the emperor's side? The Zhao brothers rescued the emperor and the empress dowager from the capital, and they just arrived in Nanjing! Kunshan, can't you wait a little longer?" Yuan Jixian said.
"Brother Ji Tong, can I turn back? Zhao Xiaofei's army has probably already set off! Don't stop me!" Zuo Liangyu was determined to go all the way.
Yuan Jixian, the governor of Jiangxi, could not bear to see Jiujiang destroyed by Zuo Liangyu, and he wanted to persuade him, but Zuo Menggeng sent someone to tie up Yuan Jixian.
Yuan Jixian was really angry this time. He glared at the Zuo family father and son and said, "Kunshan, this will not end well for you!"
Zuo Liangyu said to the soldiers, "Suppress them first! Wait for your punishment!"
Two soldiers took Yuan Jixian away. Zuo Menggeng said, "Dad, why not just kill him and be done with it!"
Zuo Liangyu glared at him and said, "What else do you know besides killing? If we succeed in reaching Nanjing, Yuan Jixian could be of use to us!"
"Dad, what should we do now? Are we preparing to attack the city?" Zuo Menggeng said.
"Is it still necessary to attack the city with Yuan Jixian in hand? Use your brain!" Zuo Liangyu said angrily.
With the Zuo family father and son threatening Yuan Jixian's life, the Jiujiang defenders opened the city gates to allow Zuo Liangyu's army in. Once inside, the army unleashed a wave of unbridled violence, and the people of Jiujiang were filled with resentment. Even decent women were brutally raped by the soldiers, and the people, unable to appeal, were exterminated by the soldiers.
Zuo Liangyu was in the Governor's Mansion, discussing with several generals how to eliminate Zhao Xiaofei's troops. Zuo Liangyu said, "The Kenan Army has already set out. Let's discuss what to do."
"Marshal! The Kenan Army has only 100,000 soldiers, while we have 800,000 troops. They are simply overestimating their own capabilities!" Huang Shu said.
"General, I am willing to accept your order and meet the Kenan Army. I want to see how powerful this Kenan is!" said Zhang Yu.
"How many troops do you want?" Zuo Liangyu asked.
"I need 50,000 troops!" said Zhang Yu.
"Don't underestimate him. Back then, he defeated tens of thousands of Jianlu troops with only a few thousand people in the capital, and even captured Huang Taiji's son Hauge alive!" Zuo Liangyu said.
"Dad, wasn't it the Gongji County magistrate who led the entire city to repel the Jianlu?" Zuo Menggeng asked.
"You believe it too? What does that county magistrate know? His father is just an imperial physician. Zhao Xiaofei's eldest brother organized a militia in Jiangyin, with tens of thousands of people. Zhu Guobi wanted to contact us to start an uprising together, but was dealt with by his eldest brother. Ruan Dacheng, who was with him, escaped, and an army of more than 100,000 besieged Nanjing. In the end, they were directly defeated by the troops led by Zhao Xiaofei's two concubines. I only found out about this yesterday when Ruan Dacheng sent someone to contact me!" Zuo Liangyu said.
"Ruan Dacheng's army of more than 100,000 was actually defeated by two women! Hahaha!" Huang Shu laughed.
"Is it so ridiculous? What's wrong with women? The ancients had Hua Mulan and Liang Hongyu. The Ming Dynasty had Qin Liangyu! Don't look down on women!" Zuo Liangyu said.
"Uh, yes! I understand!" Huang Shu said embarrassedly.
Since his defeat and escape, Ruan Dacheng has been reduced from 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers to only 10,000. He was in dire straits along the way and was nearly captured by Huang Degong. Upon reaching Jiujiang, he learned that Zuo Liangyu's troops had entered the city and sent someone to contact him, hoping to protect him.
Zuo Liangyu looked down on Ruan Dacheng, a worthless person, but believing that even the smallest mosquito is still meat, he took him in. His army was also incorporated. Inside the Governor's Mansion, Ruan Dacheng reported to Zuo Liangyu on the situation at Zhao Xiaofei's place.
"What? You were defeated by a chariot? Tell me what the chariot looked like?" Zuo Liangyu asked.
"Marshal, they have a chariot that can move by itself. It is definitely made of iron, and the soldiers can't chop it at all. There are also three soldiers on it, and they are responsible for shooting and killing the enemy." Ruan Dacheng said.
"Could it be Zhuge Liang's wooden ox and flowing horse?" Zuo Liangyu muttered to himself. In this era, influenced by the vision of science and technology, this kind of thing can only be understood in this way.
"Well, the Marshal is trying to find a way to destroy his chariot!" Ruan Dacheng said anxiously.
"It's too late! I've already sent Zhang Yu with 100,000 troops to engage Zhao Xiaofei head-on. Even if we call him back now, it's too late!" Zuo Liangyu said helplessly. He could only pray that Zhang Yu could bring these 100,000 troops back safely. He didn't seek merit, but only that he could avoid mistakes!
Zhang Yu led a hundred thousand troops, fifty thousand of whom had been in battle. For Zuo Liangyu, those who had survived battle were considered elite. Zhang Yu simply didn't believe Zhao Xiaofei's Kenan Army was truly capable. How many years had he only been fighting? How many years had he only been in the Ming Dynasty? As for capturing Haoge alive, it was probably just a stroke of luck.
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