Chongzhen: Why is the emperor's head square?

Chapter 21: Destroying the Raider Outpost Triggers an Attack

He never expected this.

Gao Yingxiang could be so despicable.

They used coffins from the Ming Dynasty ancestral tombs to try and provoke them.

The key point is that they cannot sit idly by.

Upon learning this news, Hong Chengchou's expression turned solemn, but he remained unmoved.

The tactic was to provoke him, implying that as the governor-general of five provinces, he needed to consider the bigger picture.

Perhaps, by turning a blind eye to the coffin of the Holy Ancestor Emperor, we might incur the Emperor's wrath.

But if we go out of the city to fight, we will truly fall into their trap.

Gao Yingxiang saw that even after he had moved the coffin out, Hong Chengchou still did not move.

They then abandoned their plan to attack Xi'an.

They then turned their attack on Pingliang.

Upon learning the news, Hong Chengchou dispatched Ai Wannian, Cao Wenzhao's deputy commander, to Pingliang to garrison the town.

……

Half a month later.

Xi'an City.

The atmosphere inside the military tent was unusually oppressive.

Just now, the latest battle report came from the front line: Ai Wannian, who went to defend Pingliang.

They were ambushed by Li Zicheng at Ganjiabao.

He was defeated and killed in battle.

Cao Wenzhao was instantly filled with rage, recalling the days he fought alongside Ai Wannian.

He gritted his teeth.

Just a few days ago, they were working together, but now they are separated by death.

Enraged, Cao Wenzhao immediately volunteered for battle: "Governor-General, this humble general requests to fight! I will surely kill Li Zicheng's troops! To avenge Vice Commander Ai!!!"

Hong Chengchou nodded: "You truly are my beloved general. Without you, I really don't know who else could have wiped out this peasant army."

"However, my troops have already been dispersed and cannot come to your aid."

Gao Yingxiang and others did not attack Pingliang together.

Pingliang is not a large city, and even if it is captured, it cannot supply the food and provisions for 200,000 peasant soldiers.

Therefore, Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and others launched attacks in various locations in a dispersed manner.

He was also forced to disperse his troops to defend various locations.

"However, after the general departs..."

"I will rush from Jingyang to Chunhua to support you."

Cao Wenzhao clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "This humble general will surely take the enemy general's head, Governor-General, do not worry! I will return victorious!"

After saying this, Cao Wenzhao led three thousand soldiers to Ganjiabao.

Watching Cao Wenzhao leave, Hong Chengchou felt much more at ease.

Cao Wenzhao had achieved numerous military exploits in suppressing bandits over the years, and he was among those sent to fight.

I have nothing to worry about.

……

Ten days later.

Chunhua, outside the military camp.

Hong Chengchou received a report from a soldier that General Cao Wenzhao's troops had returned.

Upon learning this, Hong Chengchou came to greet him outside the camp.

But when he arrived outside the camp...

However, he did not see his beloved general, Cao Wenzhao.

Instead, they saw a demoralized, exhausted, and low-morale army.

Cao Wenzhao's nephew, Cao Bianjiao, slowly stepped forward, his eyes red and filled with tears.

Hong Chengchou's heart skipped a beat: "Where is your uncle?!"

Cao Bianjiao choked up and said, "We encountered the enemy in Qiutou Town. We were not careful and were surrounded by tens of thousands of enemy cavalry. My uncle fought for several miles, but after he was exhausted, he committed suicide."

The death of Cao Bianjiao caused Hong Chengchou great pain; a valiant general had died just like that.

After a long silence.

Hong Chengchou could only accept the news: "He must have committed suicide because he didn't want to be taken prisoner by the enemy and humiliated."

Cao Wenzhao had been in Shaanxi for many years, and most of the peasant army knew his reputation.

If he were captured, it would be a blow to the morale of the Ming army, which is why he committed suicide.

"I will report this to the imperial court and request an official title for him."

Looking at Cao Bianjiao in front of him, although he was Cao Wenzhao's nephew, Cao Bianjiao had inherited Cao Wenzhao's abilities.

Brave and skilled in battle, possessing both courage and wisdom.

His achievements were earned through his own efforts.

"I will also petition the court to allow you to succeed your uncle as the commander-in-chief."

"These people are still under your command. I hope you will not forget the death of your uncle."

Upon hearing this, Cao Bianjiao clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "This humble general obeys the order."

Immediately, Hong Chengchou wrote a memorial and submitted it.

……

Wuying Hall.

"Your Majesty, General Cao Wenzhao has been killed in battle."

Zhu Youjian was somewhat displeased upon hearing this news.

First it was Ai Wannian, then Cao Wenzhao.

The peasant army's fighting power was stronger than he had imagined.

Cao Wenzhao started as a low-ranking officer and accumulated military merits to become a guerrilla general.

Since the peasant uprising, it has been stationed in Shaanxi, forcing the peasant army in Shaanxi to flee to other provinces and other places.

It was a name that struck fear into people's hearts.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was the best general at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

There was also Ai Wannian, Cao Wenzhao's deputy general and deputy commander-in-chief, who passed the military examination.

They all rose through the ranks based on their military achievements, making them rare and valuable generals in the Ming Dynasty.

Losing two people at once was painful for Zhu Youjian.

"By imperial decree, Cao Wenzhao is posthumously granted the titles of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and Left Commander-in-Chief, and is granted the honors of a state funeral. His descendants are to inherit the position of Vice Commander."

"Also, Cao Bianjiao was promoted to general."

Cao Bianjiao was also a formidable general.

In the final battle, Cao Bianjiao almost succeeded in launching a surprise attack on Huang Taiji's camp.

If it had succeeded, history might have been rewritten, but it ultimately failed.

As for Ai Wannian, because of his low official rank, he was not posthumously awarded any honors.

"Yes."

After dealing with the matter, Zhu Youjian immediately waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

After Wen Tiren, Hou Xun and the others left.

Zhu Youjian then directly entered my world.

The death of Cao Wenzhao made Zhu Youjian realize that development must be accelerated.

People cannot be brought back to life. If these loyal and capable generals were to die one by one in battle...

Even if, in the end, you develop yourself, have resources, and have troops, then...

They might not even be able to defeat them.

Having soldiers but no generals makes it difficult to win battles.

……

Minecraft world.

Looking at Zhu Yong, Zhao Zhu, and the others before them, fully armed and clad in diamond armor.

Zhu Youjian also donned a diamond suit and held a diamond axe.

He rode his warhorse and asked, "Is everything ready?"

Zhu Yong raised his arms and shouted, "We're ready! We're just waiting for His Majesty's command!"

A total of 150 villagers served as guards.

Thirty of them wore diamond-encrusted suits, while the rest wore iron suits.

And each of them rode a warhorse.

"Excellent! Head to the Raider's Outpost!"

One hundred and fifty villagers guarded a pillager outpost and subsequent village raids.

That should be enough.

Led by Zhu Youjian, the group arrived at the raider's outpost.

Upon learning that Zhu Youjian intended to lead the charge, Zhou Liang advised, "Your Majesty, why must you be the first to charge? Zhu Yong and others are sufficient for the raiders' outposts. You must not take such a risk!"

Zhu Youjian controlled the connection between the two worlds, and its importance is self-evident.

Moreover, he was the emperor.

If Zhu Youjian dies, the world will surely descend into chaos.

Zhu Yong also advised, "Yes, Your Majesty, we are enough!"

Zhu Youjian calmly replied, "As I have said before, here, I govern the world together with the people, and I also have this responsibility to fight the enemy."

"No need to persuade me anymore."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhu and the others silently stared at Zhu Youjian.

This emperor seems really different.

Zhu Youjian looked at the trapped iron contraption and said, "When we attack later, release that guy who's trapped; he'll be a great help."