Hubei, Jingzhou Prefecture, Yidu.

A table is placed above the city wall with tea and pastries on it.

Behind the table is a chair, and Zhang Xianzhong sat on this chair, with his feet on the edge of the table, and his expression was very relaxed.

This scene seems to have a leisurely and leisurely atmosphere, but if you look a little further, you will find hundreds of heads hanging on the city wall, and many of them have become real skulls.

Zhang Xianzhong's reputation for killing people was not in vain. Perhaps it was not as good as slaughtering cities at any time, but it was common for him to kill hundreds of people to sacrifice to heaven for every city he conquered.

A burst of rapid footsteps sounded, and Li Dingguo walked over and said respectfully to Zhang Xianzhong: "Father, I just got the latest news from the north. Li Zicheng suffered another defeat in Yongnian City, and his life and death are unknown at present."

Zhang Xianzhong did not comment and reached out to pick up the teacup and took a sip of tea.

Li Dingguo's eyes fell on Zhang Xianzhong's hand and found that his father's hand was slightly trembling, obviously not as calm as he showed.

Zhang Xianzhong put down the teacup and slowly spoke, "Where is Zhu Cixuan's movement?"

Li Dingguodao: "The Prince of the Ming Dynasty did not seem to have the intention to continue pursuing Li Zicheng."

Zhang Xianzhong nodded and said, "This is indeed the reason. Jiannu is now conquering cities and territory in Shanxi. No matter how good the prince is, he must follow the intention of Chongzhen. If you fight against foreign countries, you must first settle the country, hum."

Li Dingguo said with some concern: "Father, Li Zicheng has been defeated repeatedly, which is not good news for us, so it is better to make plans early."

Of course, the Ming Dynasty's uprising army was not just Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, but now it is undoubtedly the most powerful of these two people.

Zhang Xianzhong's current strength is far from comparable to Li Zicheng.

Li Zicheng has lost now...

Zhang Xianzhong tapped the table gently with his fingers and said calmly: "It seems that the Ming Dynasty has really produced an amazing prince. If this king expected it was right, it would be only a matter of time before Li Zicheng's defeat."

Li Dingguo was a little surprised and said, "Father thinks that the prince of the Ming Dynasty can destroy Li Zicheng?"

Zhang Xianzhong laughed and said, "Zhu Cilang is Li Zicheng's nemesis. Li Zicheng is already done. We should think carefully about what we should do after Li Zicheng dies."

A storm broke out in Li Dingguo's heart.

Everyone is a peasant army, but Li Zicheng has always had a strong momentum, and his territory and troops are stronger than Zhang Xianzhong. This is beyond doubt. It is also why Li Zicheng dared to be emperor and Zhang Xianzhong only became king.

Moreover, since Li Zicheng was fighting in the Yellow River area, he helped Zhang Xianzhong resist the attacks of most of the Ming courts. If Li Zicheng died, Zhang Xianzhong would become the number one target of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Xianzhong pondered for a long time and said, "Then send troops."

Li Dingguo Highway: "Where are we sending troops?"

Zhang Xianzhong smiled and said, "Of course we are sending troops eastward to fight that damn Zuo Liangyu!"

Li Dingguo said in surprise: "Zuo Liangyu? But, haven't we already had an agreement with him?"

Some time ago, Zhang Xianzhong suddenly went out east and launched a large-scale attack on Hubei. He was originally thinking of a decisive battle with Zuo Liangyu.

Unexpectedly, Zuo Liangyu suddenly secretly sent an envoy to come, saying that he was willing to give the western part of Hubei to Zhang Xianzhong as a place to stay, but asked Zhang Xianzhong not to continue to go east.

At this time, Zhang Xianzhong also learned that Zuo Liangyu's son Zuo Menggeng was killed by Zhu Cilang, so Zhang Xianzhong agreed happily, and a temporary peace was maintained between the two sides.

Zhang Xianzhong laughed and said, "Do you know what the situation is now? That old boy Zuo Liangyu ran to Jiujiang, Jiangxi, where he trained the navy army, and wanted to conquer Nanjing and separate half of the country and become king."

Li Dingguo was a little surprised: "Zuo Liangyu is going to rebel too?"

Zhang Xianzhong nodded with certainty: "The moment Zuo Menggeng died, Zuo Liangyu's rebellion was already a foregone conclusion."

Li Dingguo hesitated for a moment and said, "Since Zuo Liangyu is going to rebel, isn't he our friend anymore? Why does his father still attack him?"

Zhang Xianzhong snorted and said lightly: "I ask you, when the Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty rebelled in the south and unified the entire Jiangnan, why did the Mongolian and Yuan army in the north never go south?"

Li Dingguo said without hesitation: "That's because the many forces of the Mongolian Yuan in the north are also in fierce civil wars and fighting each other."

Zhang Xianzhong snapped his fingers and said with a smile: "That's right! Isn't this the case in the Ming Dynasty now? In the north, the Ming Dynasty, Jiannu and Li Zicheng, three forces were killed into a group. And in the south? There is only one Zuo Liangyu. Guoer, haven't you seen it yet? This is the best opportunity for you, my father and son!"

Li Dingguo was stunned for a while, then finally understood and said in shock: "Did the father want to imitate the Ming Taizu, unify Jiangnan first, and then carry out the Northern Expedition?"

Zhang Xianzhong laughed loudly and patted Li Dingguo on the shoulder hard: "My son knows my intention! Just that waste of Zuo Liangyu, he is worthy of going to Nanjing? I will kill him first, annex his territory, and then go downstairs to take over Nanjing, taking half of the Ming Dynasty! Previously, the Ming Dynasty had Ma Shiying, Shi Kefa and other troops to guard Nanjing, but now all these troops have gone to the north. As long as Zuo Liangyu is killed, Nanjing will be the one in my pocket!"

Li Dingguo was so excited by Zhang Xianzhong's words that he couldn't help but fist and said, "Father's plan is very wonderful!"

The next day, Zhang Xianzhong led all his troops and drove eastward along the Yangtze River and began to launch a fierce offensive against the territory controlled by Zuo Liangyu.

Zuo Liangyu, who was in charge of Jiujiang, received the news soon.

On this day, Zuo Liangyu stood on the dock, staring at the countless warships in front of him, and was filled with passion.

This is the fleet he has worked hard to accumulate, and the purpose is to advance eastward to conquer Nanjing!

A general strode to Zuo Liangyu and said in a deep voice: "Grandmaster, the soldiers are all ready and can set off."

Zuo Liangyu smiled and said, "Then get on the boat!"

Under Zuo Liangyu's leadership, many generals under his command followed him and walked onto the largest building.

Zuo Liangyu came to the deck and smiled at his subordinates around him, "This time, we will conquer Nanjing and lay the foundation. By then, you will be my founding prince!"

When these generals heard this, they were naturally excited and flattered.

"The Grand Governor will definitely be able to establish the Central Plains and unify the world!"

"First pacify the south of the Yangtze River, then set the Central Plains, and the Great Governor is the best in the world!"

Amid the cheers, a general rushed onto the ship in anger and came to Zuo Liangyu.

"Grandmaster, Hubei urgent military information!"

Zuo Liangyu was stunned for a moment, but still took over the military information and started to see it.

As he looked, Zuo Liangyu's face changed drastically.

"Zhang Xianzhong is besieging Jiangling?"

Even though Zuo Liangyu had always been on guard against Zhang Xianzhong and had been mentally prepared, he still couldn't help but curse at this moment.

"This damn thief, when will he not come? He just makes trouble at this time!"

Around Zuo Liangyu, many generals looked at each other.

Originally, everyone happily went east to fight Nanjing, where troops were empty, and it was a very easy-to-win war no matter how you look at it.

But now, Zhang Xianzhong's surprise attack broke out and stabbed Zuo Liangyu hard in the back, which was very embarrassing now.

what to do?

Everyone's eyes fell on Zuo Liangyu.

Zuo Liangyu's face was gloomy and gloomy. After a long time, he gritted his teeth and said, "Send the order, the entire army stops advancing east, turn around and go to the west, and fight a battle with this damn Zhang Xianzhong!"

Zuo Liangyu's foundation is in the area of ​​Jiujiang in eastern Hubei and northern Jiangxi. Most of the soldiers also come from these places, so he will never give up this foundation.

Zuo Liangyu felt so angry. He directly swears: "If I win, I must tear Zhang Xianzhong to pieces!"

After returning, Zuo Liangyu quickly recovered his mind and said, "By the way, what about the envoys sent to the court before? Hurry up and chase him back!"

Earlier today, Zuo Liangyu also sent an envoy to the Ming court, and the general idea was to scold Chongzhen and Zhu Cilang, and then said that I would not end the Ming Dynasty with you, and would rebel from today.

But in this situation, Zuo Liangyu suddenly felt that it was nothing wrong to be a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty for the time being.

So that night, Zuo Liangyu re-drafted a new memorial.

The words of this memorial were much more relaxed, first of all, it showed that he was fighting with Zhang Xianzhong and hoped to receive assistance from the court.

Then, the most important part is that Zuo Liangyu complained about his son Zuo Menggeng.

While making an appeal, Zuo Liangyu also severely criticized Zhu Cilang, believing that the prince Zhu Cilang was careless and killed his son Zuo Menggeng for military power, and asked His Majesty the Emperor to give an explanation to Zuo Liangyu and his 200,000 soldiers.

After writing, Zuo Liangyu let out a long sigh and sent the new memorial away.

Sitting in the study and relaxed, Zuo Liangyu smiled sinisterly: "Hmph, Prince? I want to see if my impeachment memorial is coming up this time, will Your Majesty deal with you?"

A confidant couldn't help but speak: "Grandmaster, what if His Majesty must protect the prince?"

Zuo Liangyu smiled indifferently and said, "If this is the case, after I defeated Zhang Xianzhong and unified Jiangnan, I can fight in the northern expedition in the name of Qingjun."

Clearing the monarch is a very good excuse and a more tactful way to rebel.
Chapter completed!