That year, that cicada, that sword

Chapter 474

Zhang Wubing's life is nothing short of legendary.

He was born in humble beginnings, a reckless generation, and his good friend Wei Wuji who grew up with him supported each other and lived in the market. Later, forced by the livelihood, the two joined the White Lotus Sect secretly, and soon became the backbone of the sect.

That year, Emperor Shenzong of Zhengzheng passed away, Xiao Yu became king, Xiao Lie became the prime minister and brought the emperor to the princes, and the world was in chaos. He and Wei Wuji followed the white lotus envoys Lu Lin and Zhang Fu to launch the famous Red Scarf Army uprising thing.

The Red Scarf Army rebelled like a single spark that started a prairie fire. In just half a year, it grew from an initial 3000 people to a large scale with tens of thousands of elites and more than a million refugees, sweeping across most of Jiangnan. Zhang Wu, who was still called Zhang Dingguo at that time, During this process, Bing also began to show his talent for leading the army, which is different from ordinary people, and soon he was able to lead an army by himself, and became famous in the south of the Yangtze River.

However, refugees are refugees, and mobs are always mobs. Facing the Jiangnan officers and troops who have been in battle for a long time, they can still win by virtue of their numbers. Lose and lose.

At that time, the Northwest Cavalry Army was known as the No. [-] army in the world. It swept across the grassland cavalry army and later built iron cavalry. After the Northwest Army set foot in the south of the Yangtze River, it often killed thousands of people and killed tens of thousands of people. It was called "opening the way for the true king" by later historians. After the Red Turban Army flourished for a while, it collapsed under the iron hooves of the Northwest Cavalry.

Then Emperor Xiao went to the south of the Yangtze River in person, and together with the Jiangnan Taoist sect, initiated the change of the East Lake Courtyard. The saint of the White Lotus Sect, Tang Shengyue, the Bailian envoy Tang Yuerong, and the sword sect Zhang Xueyao were captured. As a result, the Red Scarf Army collapsed completely.

Looking back now, the role of the Red Turban Army was actually to destroy the ruling foundation of the Dazheng court in Jiangnan. Afterwards, Lu Qian logically cleaned up the mess and easily established his own rule in Jiangnan.

However, Zhang Wubing and Wei Wuji did not choose to belong to Lu Qian's command, but traveled around with a team of direct descendants and became one of the countless straw kings.

Later, Emperor Xiao established the general trend, and the two returned after being defeated and captured. They were named Wuji and Wubing respectively by Emperor Xiao. Now Qi Xianyun, Xiao Yuanying, Zhao Tinghu, and Xu Beiyou are collectively called the Four Great Men. At that time, the Four Great Men were The sick tiger Zhang Wubing, the human cat Wei Wuji, Zhong Mang Zha Qing, and Fei Xiong Yu Kuang, all four of them were born in the army, and later all held high positions. Compared with the other three, Zhang Wubing was the one with the most bumpy official career.

He was the first among the four to climb to the high rank of the governor, but he was the last to be promoted to the first rank. It was only because of the Blue-Korean party struggle in the first year of Taiping that Zhang Wubing, who was a member of the Korean party, was dismissed from office. , had to dormant and silent for more than 20 years, and it was not until [-] years later that he was named one of the five left governors of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion together with Yu Kuang who had been keeping a low profile for many years.

There is a saying that people can't help themselves in the rivers and lakes, but when they are in the temple, when are they free?

After receiving a letter from the imperial capital, Lord Zuo Dudu, who is usually moody and angry, is obviously a little worried these days, which surprised a confidant general. As Zhang Wubing's recovery, he was also transferred to the Northwest Army. For so many years, he has rarely seen this old boss with such a demeanor. It was Duanmu Ruisheng who was arrested by the Dark Guard 20 years ago. When he dismissed himself, he just smiled.

Zhang Wubing paced back and forth in the study room, although according to his age he was already an old man, but because of his high level of cultivation, he still looked like a middle-aged man, on the contrary, it was the one who was younger than him The subordinates in their early teens looked older, already pale-haired.

Zhang Wubing stopped without looking back, and said to his confidant: "Ziyi, this governor is in a difficult situation. On the one hand is Lord Lan who recommended me to be the governor of the left, and on the other is the old benefactor Han Ge." Lao, the two of them are fighting, and they put me in a dilemma. This time, Han Ge Lao sent a letter saying that his adopted son Xu Nangui is going to the North God Capital, and he will pass by Zhongdu on the way, and he wants me to receive one or two, what do you think?"

The veteran surnamed Wen and named Ci Ziyi was stunned for a moment, and said: "If Mr. Xu wants to go to the capital of God, he can go directly to the Dongjiang Grand Canal. I'm afraid it's because the drunkard doesn't care about drinking."

Wen Ci had heard of the name of Mr. Xu, not because of how Xu Beiyou was in Jiangdu, but because Xu Beiyou was expected to be the third son-in-law of the imperial court. The word "emperor son-in-law" exaggerates a different meaning. It is really exciting to see how high the third son-in-law can go.

Zhang Wubing sighed, and said: "I have an old relationship with Xu Nangui, and there is no reason to avoid seeing him because of emotion and reason, but once we see him, many things will inevitably be put on the surface, and the window paper has never been seen. Before piercing, you can pretend you can’t see or hear, but once the window paper is pierced, there is no room for maneuver.”

Wen Ci hesitated for a moment, and said softly: "Subordinates, just say a word. In terms of the current situation of the governor, it is impossible to sit on the sidelines like the governor. On the one hand, the governor should have made a decision earlier."

Zhang Wubing remained silent.

To say that the most detached person in the court must be the Metropolitan Governor Wei Jin. After Xu Lin's death, Wei Jin became the second Metropolitan Governor, ranking above the five Left Metropolitan Governors. At the peak of a thousand military officers, in wartime, their authority would even exceed the palms of the chief assistant of the cabinet and the supervisor of ceremonies, and become a real one person under tens of thousands.

Now the governor Wei Jin is not in the imperial capital, but sits in the southern border, and also takes the post of the left governor of the former army. Wu Bing couldn't compare with Wei Jin regardless of his seniority, military exploits or power, so naturally he didn't dare to expect Wei Jin's aloofness.

Zhang Wubing thought for a while, and then ordered: "Whether it's Han Ge's face or Xu Nangui's love, we must see each other, but even if we want to fall to one side, it can't be done overnight, and we have to figure it out slowly. Counting the days, Xu Nangui is about to arrive in Shanzhou, Ziyi, you go to his side for me first, to find out what's going on, so I can be prepared."

Wen Ci said in a deep voice, "No."

Zhang Wubing waved his hand, "Okay, you can go."

Wen Ci slowly exited the study.

After Wen Ci left, Zhang Wubing sat behind the desk and rubbed his forehead habitually.

He never liked to owe favors to others. Han Xuan was kind to him many years ago, so he became a member of the Han party. After many years, Lan Yu took a fancy to him, so he was recommended in advance as the left commander of the left army , although he knew the key to it, he was still unwilling to confront this benefactor head-on.

Thinking of this, he suddenly missed Wei Wuji a little bit. When the two of them worked together in the past, one moved his mouth, the other moved his hands, the other worked his mind, and the other labored. Usually Wei Wuji decided which city to fight, and Zhang Wubing decided how to fight. It is said that Zhang Wubing is a general rather than a handsome talent.

It's a pity, after 20 years of estrangement, no matter how deep the friendship is, it will inevitably be weak. Today's Wei Wuji is no longer the Wei Xianji of the past, just as Zhang Wubing is no longer the Zhang Dingguo of the past.

Zhang Wubing leaned back on the back of the chair and muttered to himself: "To the left or to the right?"

(End of this chapter)