"According to Heaven, the emperor issued an edict that there was a big bandit in Shanxi named Pei Xiaoer... Therefore, Hong Chengchou was transferred to lead the headquarters to attack Pei Xiaoer in southern Shanxi. Cao Wenzhao was promoted to Shanxi Commander-in-Chief and was responsible for annihilating Taiyuan, Shanxi.

The bandits in this area admire this."

The eunuch who announced the edict stood on the steps, reading Chongzhen's imperial edict word for word. Below, a large number of civil servants and military generals were kneeling in a black and black shape. The leader was a middle-aged man with a broad sky and a thin lower cheek. He was about forty years old.

, wearing a bright red official uniform with a golden pheasant embroidered on the chest, it was Hong Chengchou who was called the God of Killing by the rebels.

The eunuch who announced the edict finished reading the imperial edict and was gathering it back. Hong Chengchou and other civil and military personnel had also stood up. Hong Chengchou smiled and walked to the eunuch and said: "Eunuch, it's even hard to come from a long distance." As he said,

He stretched out his right hand and held the eunuch's hand, and a large hard object immediately came into the eunuch's hand.

The eunuch shook his head and looked about twenty taels. The smile on his face deepened and he said: "Master Hong, it is the hardest work. Before we reach the middle of Jinzhong, we have to change direction and go to the south of Shanxi. The country is also

It is precisely with pillars like Mr. Hong that the country’s fortunes can be prosperous.”

"My father-in-law is ridiculous. I am just doing my job as a low-ranking official." Hong Chengchou was modest, and then lowered his voice and said, "I dare to ask my father-in-law, isn't the imperial court going to wipe out the bandits in Taiyuan? Why did it go to Wenxixia County first?

?”

The eunuch looked around and saw that the civil and military officials who had been listening to the order walked out with interest. Then he whispered: "I heard that a censor named Fan Shutai reported to the emperor that Pei Xiaoer from southern Shanxi was responsible for the disaster.

What's more, the troops attacking the bandits in Taiyuan are more than sufficient, so some of the officers and soldiers who attacked Taiyuan should be transferred to attack Pei Xiaoer in southern Shanxi first. For this reason, the chief assistant has been devastated and has been at home for many days claiming to be ill.

.”

"Master Chief Assistant, you are calling him sick?" Hearing this, Hong Chengchou couldn't help but exclaimed.

Think about it, Hong Chengchou has been in the officialdom for more than 20 years. To be able to sit in this position, he has already practiced the ability of Taishan collapse in front but his appearance remains unchanged, and the elk rises to the left but does not blink.

However, even such a person who could express his emotions and anger could actually exclaim, which shows that this incident shocked him quite a bit.

The eunuch looked at Hong Chengchou complainingly, thinking that Mr. Hong's ability to cultivate himself was not very good. There were many inside stories that he wanted to tell him, at least to make his twenty taels of silver worth it, but Hong Chengchou was

After doing this, it was better not to say anything, so he said goodbye to Hong Chengchou and returned to Beijing.

At this moment, Hong Chengchou was completely distracted by the words of the chief minister saying he was sick. He didn't think much about the eunuch, so he nodded and asked the soldiers on the side to send him out.

Because the eunuch was born lacking something, he was extremely sensitive to these interpersonal interactions. Seeing that Hong Chengchou did not come to see him off in person, in his opinion, this was just killing the donkey and crossing the river to destroy the bridge. He couldn't help feeling sullen and made up his mind to follow him in the future

It is better to have less contact.

Hong Chengchou didn't know that he had unknowingly offended a young eunuch beside the emperor. At this time, he was still thinking about the reason why the chief eunuch claimed to be ill.

In fact, Hong Chengchou was able to prosper in Shaanxi precisely because he wore Zhou Yanru's tiger skin. Hong Chengchou was born in Fujian and had a close friendship with Zhou Yanru, the leader of the Donglin Party. At the same time, it was also because the Donglin Party was extremely powerful in the court.

So much so that no one, not even Hong Chengchou in Shaanxi, was affected by it. At least when collecting military rations, officials from various places were afraid of their relationship with Hong Chengchou and Donglin and did not dare to disobey.

This time Zhou Yanru, the leader of Dongling, claimed to be ill for many days because of the emperor's order. Does this mean that the imperial court is going to take action against the Donglin scholars? If it is true, then he should carefully consider his retreat.

While he was thinking about it, Cao Wenzhao and other generals came in and saluted: "Your Excellency."

Hong Chengchou came back from his thoughts and saw that it was Cao Wenzhao and other generals who were giving orders. Without waiting for anyone to speak, he said: "Since the imperial court has an order, let's act in accordance with it."

"But sir, it is said that the number of rogue bandits in Taiyuan is over 200,000. General Cao has only seven or eight thousand cavalry. If he goes alone, he may encounter mishaps." A civil servant said with concern.

"It doesn't matter. Although there are many rogues, they are all a mob. Although General Cao is a small number, he is a good general in the world, unparalleled in the world. How can anything happen? Besides, there is not only General Cao in Shanxi, but also Governor Xuanda, Zhili

Lu Xiangsheng and others, won't it be easy to take down the bandits by then?" Hong Chengchou was full of confidence in Cao Wenzhao. This confidence came from Cao Wenzhao's repeated defeats of bandits, and from the fact that the bandits had frightened Cao Wenzhao.

He is called Cao Yanwang.

Sure enough, as soon as Hong Chengchou finished speaking, Cao Wenzhao stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty Governor, colleagues, don't worry, there are just rogue bandits, don't care about them, wait until someone Cao comes over and kill them all."

Seeing Cao Wenzhao's statement, Hong Chengchou stroked his beard and laughed: "This will make him a good general for the country."

December 18th, the fifth year of Chongzhen.

More than twenty days after Pei Xiaoer defeated Jiexiu, the special envoy sent by Fan Yongdou set out from Zhangjiakou and finally arrived at Jiexiu.

This time, the Fan family's envoy was extremely sincere, saying that he had brought the captured Pei Zhu'er to the mountains more than 20 miles west of Jiexiu. He only hoped that Pei Xiaoer could let go of the Fan family in Jiexiu and the others.

Everything is easy to say.

However, in the envoy's extremely humble attitude, Pei Xiaoer sensed a deep conspiracy. No one could maintain such a humble attitude when their city was breached and their family members were captured.

Don't hold any grudges. If there is such a person, he must be a saint.

Although Pei Xiaoer has never met Fan Yongdou, nor has he had any interactions with him, based on his limited knowledge of Fan Yongdou, he can know that the family that can develop such a large family must not be like this no matter how much he thinks about it.

A good-tempered person.

Sure enough, when Pei Xiaoer agreed to leave the city and go to the mountains west of Jiexiu to exchange for Pei Zhuer, Pei Xiaoer could clearly feel the joy hidden in the eyes of the special envoy. He quickly thanked him and promised that if the exchange was completed, then

The grievances between the two families could be wiped out, and Pei Xiaoer could even continuously buy grain, grass, weapons, horses and other supplies from the Fan family.

The special envoy's behavior aroused Pei Xiaoer's endless fighting spirit. He raised the corner of his mouth slightly and showed a smile. It is not yet known who will win. Since we are going to play, let's have fun. He waved to indicate to the special envoy that he can leave and asked him to tell Fan

The head of the family was about to report, so he said that he would definitely go and meet him early tomorrow morning.

At the same time, in the mountains more than twenty miles west of Jiexiu, Fan Shihui, who had successfully become a general, was imitating Feng Kebin and assigning tasks to his subordinates.

"Have you chosen the ambush location?"

"Don't worry, sir. My subordinates have personally selected this place. There are mountains on both sides of this place, and only a canyon in the middle can pass through. As long as that Pei Xiaoer from Jiexiu dares to come, we only need to send troops to block the entrance of the canyon and discipline Pei Xiaoer.

There is no return." A general in armor followed Fan Shihui and reported.

"That's good." Fan Shihui said casually while looking at the surrounding mountains, "The head of the family has specifically told us this time that there must be no mistakes, otherwise, neither you nor I will end well."

"Don't worry, sir, I know this."

Early the next morning, Pei Xiaoer got up early and dressed neatly. Although the attack might not last long, Jiexiu's defense still needed to be carefully arranged. The most important thing was to prevent the ship from capsizing in the ditch.

"It will be inconvenient for the artillerymen to enter the mountain this time. It is better to stay in the city."

Hearing what Pei Xiaoer said, Ren Mingdao felt unwilling, but he also knew that what Pei Xiaoer said was the truth, so he had no choice but to accept the order.

"Wang Hong, Xing Dazhong. You two will stay in the city, with Wang Hong as the leader. Watch over Jiexiu and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"My subordinates obey orders."

After explaining this, Pei Xiaoer took the saber handed over by Liu Changle and said with a faint smile: "Let's go meet the Fan family."

Soon, Pei Xiaoer led Liu Changle's 4,500 infantry, 1,500 personal soldiers and cavalry, and left Jiexiu City in a mighty manner.

However, what no one noticed was that among a group of beggars at the gate of Jiexiu City, a beggar witnessed Pei Xiaoer's army dispatching and silently calculated something in his mind. After Pei Xiaoer's army had gone away, he left where he was.
Chapter completed!