From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 323

There is no so-called son of destiny in this world.

What about the heavy rain from the sky that helped Zhang Bailong escape, what about the good weather in the controlled area...

In Zhou Yuan's view, these statements are the same as "the rise of the great Chu, Chen Sheng is the king", which is purely to create public opinion.

But what was unexpected was that just two days after the army set out, it began to drizzle.

With 60,000 troops on the march, and the food and grass escorted by the Ministry of Revenue and Shanxi merchants behind them, the rain not only slowed down the marching speed by half, but also made people anxious.

"At this rate, it will take us at least 20 days to reach Kaifeng Prefecture."

Zhou Yuan looked at the map and squinted his eyes and said, "Starting from Shenjing, going south from Handan, passing through Junxian and reaching Kaifeng, I don't know if we can make it in time."

Li Yu'an said, "Didn't you say that there are only 10,000 defenders in Kaifeng? How can they stop Zhang Bailong's army of more than 100,000? Let alone 20 days, it would be good if we can hold out for 3 to 5 days."

Zhou Yuan said, "The situation is not that simple. Zhang Bailong's base is Guangzhou, followed by Runing. It has not been long since he occupied Luoyang and other places. They need to leave troops behind to suppress the situation and deal with the gentry. "

"Dividing the land is a hard job and requires people to do it. There will be a lot of disputes, and it will take them some time to slowly grind it out."

"In addition, although it is said that there are more than 100,000 troops, most of them are estimated to be temporary militias. The real armored warriors are probably less than 40%, and there are only tens of thousands of soldiers."

"Kaifeng is a thousand-year-old capital with high city walls. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It should be no problem to hold on for a while."

Li Yu'an said: "But I'm afraid that the internal situation will be in chaos. Luoyang was lost just like that."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty's edict is on the way, allowing the gentry to start militia. These gentry are afraid of Zhang Bailong, so they will definitely spend a lot of money to hire people to form a temporary militia team, and it will be no problem to recruit more than 100,000 people."

Li Yu'an asked in confusion, "Can such a team be combat-effective?"

"No, but it is still useful for defending the city."

Zhou Yuan sighed, "The battle to defend the city is not important, because behind the city wall is home, and those gentry will spare no effort to help. In any case, Zhang Bailong wants to take Kaifeng. It will take at least a month to reach Kaifeng Prefecture."

"As long as the rain does not continue to get heavier, we can reach Kaifeng Prefecture around the 20th."

Li Yu'an smiled and said, "Now you believe that Zhang Bailong is the son of destiny, right? The north has been dry for many years, and this spring rain is too unexpected."

Zhou Yuan sneered and snorted, "It's nothing more than a blessing in disguise. What does it have to do with Zhang Bailong?"

"Even if this rain continues, it can't stop the army from advancing."

As soon as the voice fell, a voice came from outside the carriage.

"Marshal, the vanguard has an accident."

Zhou Yuan was startled by Li He's voice. He quickly got out of the carriage and said in a deep voice, "Is there an enemy attack?"

"No, there was a landslide at the foot of the official road, burying more than a dozen brothers. They are being dug now, but it is estimated that they are gone."

Li He's voice was a little heavy.

Zhou Yuan frowned and gritted his teeth and said, "Is the landslide large? Can we take a detour?"

Li He shook his head and said, "I'm afraid not. The detour will take us two or three hundred miles longer, which will delay us for at least four or five days. One day is enough to clear the landslide."

"But I'm afraid we'll encounter a larger landslide."

Is he really the Son of the Plane?

Zhou Yuan really didn't believe it, and immediately said, "Send experienced veterans to explore and analyze the possibility of another landslide. Let Guan Dayong continue to lead the people forward. When encountering complex terrain, analyze whether it is dangerous first."

"Yes."

Li He rode away on his horse.

Li Yu'an said softly, "We have encountered many difficulties just after the expedition. Do you think Zhang Bailong has good luck?"

Zhou Yuan said, "If he wins me in the end, I will believe that he has good luck."

Fortunately, the vanguard reported that the possibility of another landslide was very small. After clearing the mud and rocks for a day, the 60,000-strong army was on the road again.

On the twelfth day of the expedition, the spring rain that had lasted for ten days finally stopped.

The sky cleared up, the sun was shining, and the air was fresh.

Zhou Yuan rode a maroon horse, comforted the soldiers, and returned to the carriage to continue thinking.

"In two days, we can reach Handan. If the weather continues to clear up, it will take at most three or four days to reach Kaifeng Prefecture."

At this point, Zhou Yuan knocked on the table and said in a deep voice: "In the morning, the inner guards reported that Zhang Bailong's 80,000 troops had arrived at the west gate of Kaifeng. They must have been fighting for several days."

Li Yu'an frowned and said, "Didn't they take it down?"

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "The gentry opened their warehouses to release grain and called on the people of Kaifeng to defend the city. For the sake of food, all the young and strong men went up to the city tower. They can still hold on for now."

Li Yu'an said, "Your trick of starting a group training is indeed useful, otherwise those gentryHow can I afford to spend money? "

"It's not worth it. The court can only fine them, but Zhang Bailong wants their lives."

Zhou Yuan paused for a moment and continued, "When our army arrives, they will return to their original state."

The sound of horse hooves came quickly, and Li He's voice was extremely urgent: "Marshal! Many refugees are pouring out in front of us, blocking our way!"

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and whispered, "Let's go, Virgin Sister, let's take a look."

The two got out of the carriage, got on the horse and followed Li He forward quickly, and soon saw the dense refugees.

They were either kneeling, lying, or standing, with numb faces, and some of them were full of joy.

Zhou Yuan frowned and said, "What's the situation?"

Li He whispered, "They think we are a disaster sent by the court."

"It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of people, Marshal, what should we do? "

Zhou Yuan was silent.

Then he slowly laughed and sighed: "Zhang Bailong is really extraordinary!"

"He guessed our marching route and was unable to harass us, so he spread rumors to the people."

"These extremely hungry people, how could they sit still after hearing the disaster?"

Li Yu'an said: "Drive them away?"

Zhou Yuan said: "They have no food to eat, can they be driven away? Either feed them or kill them."

"We are the army of the court. If we kill people, Zhang Bailong will probably be very happy."

Li Yu'an frowned and said: "What should we do? Set up tents for them to give them porridge? Anyway, they don't need much food."

Zhou Yuan sneered: "If you dare to give porridge to these tens of thousands of people today, hundreds of thousands of people will come tomorrow. In two days, all the refugees will come."

"This not only consumes our food, but the key is that we can't walk. ”

“At that time, Kaifeng didn’t have time to wait for us for dozens of days.”

Li Yu’an was angry and shouted: “This won’t work, that won’t work, what should we do!”

Zhou Yuan said: “It’s because it’s difficult, so I said Zhang Bailong’s move is extraordinary!”

“Whether you believe him or not, he is still spreading the word that the disaster-giving army is coming.”

“This move can be said to be driving away tigers and wolves. They are afraid of the imperial army, but the imperial army is also afraid of hungry ghosts!”

Li Yu’an said: “So? What should we do?”

“Give!”

Zhou Yuan snorted coldly and said in a deep voice: “This time I brought a full two million stones of grain, enough for millions of refugees to eat for three months. I have plenty of grain to give!”

“As for the marching progress, it is indeed a bit slower, but... if it is only five or six days slower, Kaifeng can still hold on. "

Li Yu'an said: "How can it be delayed only five or six days? If the food distribution is delayed like this, it will be delayed for at least half a month."

Zhou Yuan said coldly: "Would I be so stupid? Zhang Bailong can use refugees, so why can't I?"

"He is extraordinary, I will give him a surprise too!"