Xie Ming

Chapter 9: Ru Hou, Liu Zongmin
Liu Zongmin, 37 years old, with the courtesy name Jiexuan, was from Lantian, Shaanxi, or some say Mizhi.

This man was originally a blacksmith, but later by chance, he joined Li Zicheng in the uprising.

In the 1638th year of Chongzhen (), he followed Li Zicheng to break through Tongguan Plain and hid in Shangluo Mountain.

In the 13th year, he helped Li Zicheng break through the Baxi and Yufu Mountains and enter Henan, and his power was greatly strengthened again.

In the 16th year, he was appointed as General Quan. In the following year, he was granted the title of Marquis of Ru in Xi'an. He led his army out of Guguan and conquered Zhending, and joined the main force of the peasant army in Beijing, and was given the title of Left Commander-in-Chief.

This man had a violent and vicious temperament, was lustful and murderous. There is also a saying in unofficial history that he had an unclear relationship with Chen Yuanyuan.

Of course, putting aside his affairs with women, Liu Zongmin was the most powerful general under Li Zicheng, and this is factually supported and verifiable.

At this moment, his troops stationed outside Xizhimen received the news that Wu Linzheng had unexpectedly launched a night attack and was leaving the city to die. Surprised, Liu Zongmin was greatly encouraged and hurriedly got up from the couch.

"Well, you two, get up and help me get dressed and armored!"

After the official left the tent, Liu Zongmin stood up and spoke.

After he finished speaking, two beauties suddenly walked down from the couch, with their bodies completely uncovered except for the red bellybands on their chests.

The two of them took off clothes and moved armor with skillful movements. The flickering candlelight in the tent reflected the seductive looks of the women on the tent cloth, and the whole tent suddenly became fragrant and charming.

"Faster, faster!"

"Damn it, embroidering here!"

Liu Zongmin was anxious to get out of the tent to understand the military situation. He looked impatient and while urging her, he stretched out his hand and slapped the waitress on the buttocks. With a crisp sound, the woman screamed in surprise.

"Hahaha"

"You are so happy!"

"The soldiers of the central army are fighting fiercely outside the tent. You, Lord Ru, will enjoy yourself in this tent!"

Before seeing the person, I heard his voice first. A young man dressed as a Taoist priest walked into the tent slowly and leisurely, laughing and talking. He looked calm and composed, as if he was strolling in the garden.

"Ah, aah!"

"I wonder who is the one who dares to come and tease me!"

"Haha, it turns out to be you, Song Xiance, Taoist Priest Song!"

Song Xiance, also known as Song Kangnian, was from Yongcheng, Henan Province.

His family was originally a local scholarly family, but after the Chongzhen period, wars were frequent and the family fell into decline.

He studied hard when he was young and always had great ambitions, but due to his short stature and ugly appearance, he was not accepted by the local school. Later, he turned his attention to studying numerology, yin and yang, and the five elements, and achieved some success. He was proud of his talent and knowledge, and later, with the recommendation of Niu Jinxing, he served as an official to assist Li Zicheng and became the chief strategist in the rebel army.

"Hehe, Lord Ru, you'd better clean up quickly and send away these beautiful women around you. I, Song Xiance, have always had a good reputation, don't let me ruin it in your tent!" Song Xiance continued teasing.

"You are just seeking fame and reputation. If you really have nothing in your eyes, why would you care about these things?"

"It seems like you haven't practiced your concentration enough, haha!"

Liu Zongmin retorted at the right time and turned the tables.

But after all, the other party often walked in Li Zicheng's tent. Due to his status, Liu Zongmin tactfully waved away the two beautiful women in front of him and put on his armor himself.

After the two girls dressed and left the tent, Liu Zongmin continued, "Brother Xiance, why did you come to me in person? Do you have any instructions from the King of Rebellion?"

When Liu Zongmin asked, Song Xiance smiled and did not answer.

"My Lord, you'd better put on your armor quickly. It's important for me to go up to the high platform with you to watch the battle."

After saying this, Liu Zongmin stopped talking and hurriedly fastened his armor.

After a while, the two of them went out hand in hand and went up to the stage to watch the battle.

Boom boom boom!
The war drums beat and the trombones blew.

At this time, Liu Heita and Wang Bingquan on the left and right wings of Liu Zongmin's army had already completed the encirclement of Wu Linzheng's army.

Old General Wu Linzheng fought hard in the camp, and the battle between the two sides was extremely fierce.

"Haha, brother Xiance, look, tonight, that old guy Wu Linzheng is definitely going to die!" As he said this, Liu Zongmin, with his rough character, stretched out his big hand and patted Song Xiance on the shoulder twice.

"Lord Ru, do you feel that Wu Linzheng's night attack this time is very strange?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Liu Zongmin asked with a frown.

"When the defenders attack at night, the key is speed! They should move in and out quickly to break up your morale. Then they should return to the city immediately and not linger in a fight. What's more, there is a huge gap in the strength of the enemy and us. He fights so desperately and leaves no way to retreat. Don't you think it's strange?" Song Xiance hit the nail on the head.

"Oh? What you said makes a lot of sense!" Liu Zongmin continued.

"So, I guess things are not that simple. In my opinion, another group of soldiers may break out of the city. Wu Linzheng is risking his life to launch a feint attack!"

"Ah? The commander is using it for a feint attack. Could it be that the old Ming Emperor wants to break out?" Upon hearing this, Liu Zongmin was startled.

"Haha, no, when I came here, the intelligence reported that Emperor Chongzhen went to Coal Hill alone with the eunuchs."

"My Lord Ru, this is why I came here to find you."

As he spoke, Song Xiance intentionally took two steps closer to Liu Zongmin.

"The king has issued an order that all troops should only surround but not attack for the time being, and wait for the king's order."

"Huh? Why is that?" Liu Zongmin had a bad temper. He was very confused when he suddenly heard such a military order, so he asked sharply.

Seeing this, Song Xiance smiled awkwardly and waved his hand to stop the other party from asking questions, and continued.

"My Lord, my Lord, don't be anxious, just listen to me."

"The reason why we surrounded but did not attack is because King Chuang and the military governor Zhu Chunchen in the city are exchanging secret letters!"

"And Zhu Chunchen has already intended to surrender the city!"

"Just now, the messenger brought back a message from the city. It has been agreed that at 3 a.m. tomorrow, the defenders in the city will open the city gates and surrender!"

"Ah? This..." Liu Zongmin was very surprised.

"So, whether Wu Linzheng is dead or alive is secondary. You'd better not rush to attack Xizhimen for the time being!"

"As the saying goes, a single move can affect the entire body. At this critical juncture, both sides are on edge and their hearts are on the line. If you are not careful, the people inside will have a negative misunderstanding, and then your little achievement will cause a big disaster!"

"Oh my, my dear brother, it's a pity that you came to deliver the letter, otherwise I, Liu Zongmin, would be in trouble!"

After hearing Song's suggestion, Liu Zongmin broke out in a cold sweat. He almost ruined King Chuang's plan. He would inevitably be punished. It was really a close call!
Two flowers bloom, one on each side.

While the high-ranking bandits were plotting and colluding with each other, the people inside Xizhimen were also busy.

On the city wall, the soldiers who had been keeping a close eye on the battle situation outside the city saw that General Wu Linzheng had already attracted all the enemy troops on the left and right wings. They did not dare to delay at all and rushed to the city wall to report the news to Xiao Jingchuan and others.

Seeing this, the big chestnut horse under Xiao Jingchuan snorted, as if it had sensed its master's strong desire to fight.

"Soldiers, General Wu Linzheng has already risked his life to buy the best opportunity for us to break out!"

"We are soldiers, and a soldier's duty is to go into battle and kill the enemy!"

“To break out, we must also fight with the momentum to break out!”

"All the generals, listen to my orders. Follow me and charge out of the city. Break through with all your might on the right wing!"

"Follow the flag with the character 'Xiao' on it behind me, and if anyone stops charging, kill them!"

"The sun, moon, mountains and rivers will always be there, and the Ming Dynasty will always be there!"

"kill!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Xiao Jingchuan drew his sword and charged forward, leading the way.

The Xizhimen city gate was opened again.

Behind the flag with the character "Xiao" on it, a newly formed and replenished team, like a new army emerging from a cocoon and a butterfly, began their first charge in the next ten years of their fighting career!
(End of this chapter)