Hong Chengchou has been isolated in Kaifeng Fucheng for two months.

When Hong Chengchou led his sergeants into Kaifeng Fucheng, there were very few officials left in the city. The defeat in the Battle of Zhuxian Town made these officials aware of the crisis. They would not stay in Kaifeng Fucheng to die and chose to evacuate one after another. However, the Henan Governor

Gao Mingheng still insisted on defending Kaifeng Fucheng together with Hong Chengchou.

Hong Chengchou stayed in Kaifeng Fucheng and would not choose to leave. He knew very well that if he gave up Kaifeng Fucheng, he would be severely punished by the emperor and the court no matter where he went. The defeat in the Battle of Zhuxian Town had already made him lose his position in the city.

Unwilling to gain a foothold in the imperial court, Hong Chengchou retreated all the way to Kaifeng City, not quite understanding where he had been defeated.

The harsh situation left Hong Chengchou little time to think. The rogue bandits quickly surrounded Kaifeng Fucheng. Looking out from the city wall, there were densely packed rogue soldiers everywhere. The entire Kaifeng Fucheng was surrounded by water, that is, from the perspective of the rogue sergeants.

From the day they arrived in Kaifeng Fucheng, the brutal fighting began.

This time, Hong Chengchou showed rare strength. He was not only the highest military commander of Kaifeng City, but also a direct participant in the battle. Whenever the bandits began to attack the city, he would personally go to the city wall to take command. Under his personal command

, the city of Kaifeng was impregnable, and the soldiers repeatedly repelled the attacks of rogue bandits.

The decision made by Hong Chengchou received unconditional support from Gao Mingheng, the governor of Henan. Gao Mingheng knew very well that Hong Chengchou's title of "King of the Northwest" was by no means unearned.

More than a month later, due to repeated victories in battles, Hong Chengchou's prestige in Kaifeng City reached its peak, and he won the unanimous support of officials, people and sergeants in the city.

However, something that worried Hong Chengchou gradually emerged, that is, the food and grass in the city was obviously insufficient.

The defeat in the Battle of Zhuxian Town caused Hong Chengchou to lose a lot of food and grass, which were all obtained by rogue bandits. Although Hong Chengchou stored part of the food in Kaifeng Fucheng, he never thought of sticking to Kaifeng Fucheng for a long time, so he also

It is impossible to store large amounts of grain in Kaifeng City.

Generally speaking, if the city is defended to a certain extent, the army can collect grain and grass in the city. That is to say, the sergeants can enter the homes of the people to collect grain and grass. Kaifeng Fucheng is said to have one million households. The so-called Kaifeng Jia Li Jia Zhongzhou may be like this

The statement is a bit exaggerated, but hundreds of thousands of residents are still more than enough.

If Hong Chengchou issued an order to collect grain and grass, the sergeants would definitely be able to collect a large amount of grain and grass in the city.

But Hong Chengchou will not issue an order to collect grain and grass for a while, because Gao Mingheng, the governor of Henan, does not agree.

Governor's Yamen, wing room.

Seeing Hong Chengchou coming in, Gao Mingheng stood up and saluted with clasped fists.

Although Hong Chengchou has been dismissed from the post of governor of the five provinces, his crown prince Shaobao and the title of Minister of War are still there, and he is still nominally Gao Mingheng's superior. Besides, while guarding the capital of Kaifeng for two months, Hong Chengchou showed extraordinary abilities.

Gao Mingheng admired his ability, so in front of Hong Chengchou, Gao Mingheng still showed enough respect.

Seeing Gao Mingheng stand up and salute, Hong Chengchou quickly clasped his fists.

"Sir Gao, the rogues have besieged the city of Kaifeng for more than two months. I am worried that there is not enough food in the city. It seems that you and I have to find a way to raise some food and grass, so that we can resist the rogues with peace of mind."

As he spoke, Hong Chengchou had a sad look on his face. The soldiers and horses moved ahead without food and grass. If there is no food and grass in the city, no matter how powerful the soldiers are, they will not be able to fight. At that time, the gods will not be able to defend Kaifeng Fucheng.

There was no particularly anxious look on Gao Mingheng's face, and he looked a little calm.

Of course, Hong Chengchou noticed Gao Mingheng's expression. Two days ago, he had discussed with Gao Mingheng whether to collect food and grass in Kaifeng City for the soldiers to resist the rogue bandits. However, Gao Mingheng did not agree, thinking that the army still had some food and grass, so there was no need to use it prematurely.

Collect food and fodder in the city.

Hong Chengchou, who felt strange, couldn't help but speak again.

"Master Gao, are you able to raise food and grass?"

Gao Mingheng pondered for a moment and then slowly spoke.

"Lord Hong, I paid a visit to His Highness the King of Zhou a few days ago. His Highness promised to spend some money and food specifically to comfort the soldiers stationed in the city..."

Hong Chengchou's face showed an expression of disbelief. In his opinion, the princes from all over the Ming Dynasty were extremely stingy. When Luoyang City was besieged, if King Fu, whose fiefdom was in Luoyang, could come up with a small part of the money and food, he would be very stingy.

Luoyang Fucheng would not be captured so quickly.

"Master Gao, is His Royal Highness the King of Zhou really willing to use money and food to reward the sergeants?"

"The official is preparing to go with Mr. Hong to visit His Highness King Zhou. I think His Highness King Zhou has already prepared money and food."

Hong Chengchou showed a comfortable smile on his face and nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, okay, Mr. Gao, you and I will go visit His Highness King Zhou right away. As long as His Highness King Zhou is willing to provide money and food, I will do anything."

...

Zhou Wang Zhu Gongzhen's mansion is in the south of the city, and the entire mansion covers an area of ​​several hundred acres.

When the sedans of Hong Chengchou and Gao Mingheng landed in front of the mansion, the steward of Prince Zhou's mansion had already greeted them with a smiling face.

"The prince knew that the two adults were coming, so he ordered the young one to greet the two adults here..."

Hong Chengchou had a smile on his face and clasped his fists at the butler.

"I would like to thank His Highness the Prince of Zhou for his kindness. Today I specially come to visit with Mr. Gao. I also hope not to disturb His Highness the Prince."

Hong Chengchou and Gao Mingheng followed the steward into the Prince Zhou's mansion.

Hong Chengchou, who was in a slightly relaxed mood, noticed the luxury of Zhou Wang's mansion, with pavilions, pavilions, small bridges and flowing water. Although it was already the early winter season, there was no cold in Nuoda's mansion.

Entering the reception room, a wave of heat hit your face.

Compared with the south, Henan is a bit cold, but compared with Liaodong and even Northern Zhili, the climate in Henan is slightly warmer. This is just the early winter season, and the prince of Zhou has begun to use Dilong. It is estimated that throughout the whole

This is the only one in Henan, which shows how wealthy the king of Zhou was.

"Master Hong, Master Gao, you are the distinguished guests of this king when you come to the mansion."

Seeing Hong Chengchou and Gao Mingheng entering the reception room, Zhu Gongzhen stood up with a smile on his face.

The princes who were ennobled to various places by the Ming Dynasty were a deformed existence of the Ming Dynasty. To put it bluntly, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty did everything he could to consolidate his rule and prevent others from usurping his power. Some of them were scattered everywhere.

This is how the prince was raised like a pig.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, had many sons. After becoming princes, they were conferred to various places. One of them, Zhu Di, rebelled and became the emperor. From that time on, the princes who were canonized in various places became the target of public criticism, not only the emperor's target.

Looking at them, the officials of the imperial court and local officials also stared at them. These princes had no problem eating and drinking, but if they showed any ambition, they would be severely punished.

The ancestor of Zhou Wang Zhu Gongzhen was Zhu Yuanzhang, the son of Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. Hundreds of years have passed, and the blood relationship between Zhu Gongzhen and the current emperor Zhu Youjian has become very thin and distant. Therefore, he pays attention to it on weekdays and does not have any problems.

Don't act inappropriately to avoid causing disaster for yourself.

Hong Chengchou looked at Gao Mingheng beside him, cupped his fists and saluted Zhu Gongzhen.

"Hong Chengchou, the lower official, pays homage to His Royal Highness the King of Zhou..."

"My lower official, Gao Mingheng, pays homage to His Royal Highness the King of Zhou..."

Zhu Gongzhen quickly walked up to Hong Chengchou and Gao Mingheng, stretched out his hand to lift their arms.

"You two adults are very polite, it doesn't have to be like this, it doesn't have to be like this..."

Zhu Gongzhen's politeness made Hong Chengchou even more confident. Although the princes from all over the Ming Dynasty were the targets of public criticism and were impeached and punished if they were not careful, officials still had to bow respectfully when they saw the prince. No matter what, the prince was

They are all members of the royal family and represent the dignity of the royal family. If officials make mistakes in etiquette, they will also be punished.

After the guests and hosts sat down, Hong Chengchou didn't mince words and looked at Zhu Gongzhen before he spoke.

"His Royal Highness the King of Zhou, Xiaguan and Lord Gao came to visit today for the purpose of providing food and fodder for the sergeants in the city. The bandits have besieged Kaifeng City for more than two months. The food and grass stored in the city may not last long. Xiaguan and Lord Gao

I feel terrified all the time. Mr. Gao paid a special visit to His Highness a few days ago. His Highness expressed praise to the official, Mr. Gao and the sergeants guarding the city. The official is grateful..."

Hong Chengchou, who had always spoken and acted neatly, became polite this time.

If Zhu Gongzhen was unwilling to give out a penny and a grain of grain, Hong Chengchou and Gao Mingheng had no choice but to touch any money or grain from the Prince of Zhou's residence. Such behavior would be tantamount to treason.

Hong Chengchou, who is hopeful, knows that if he can defend Kaifeng Fucheng, the mistakes in the battle of Zhuxian Town can be mitigated. However, if he wants to defend Kaifeng Fucheng, on the one hand, many soldiers need to work together; on the other hand,

There was enough food and grass. With enough food and grass, Hong Chengchou could safely and boldly dispatch his sergeants to severely attack the rogue bandits.

As soon as Hong Chengchou finished speaking, Zhu Gongzhen spoke.

"Lord Hong, you are so polite. Lord Gao came to the mansion a few days ago and talked about the matter of resisting the bandits, and also talked about the matter of food and grass. I understand that if the city of Kaifeng is captured by the bandits, everything for me will be ruined.

As a result, I cannot personally go into battle to kill the bandits, so I can only provide some money and food."

"I will give you 300,000 dan of food, 5,000 taels of gold, and 100,000 taels of silver. All soldiers who fight to the death with the bandits will be rewarded. Master Hong and Master Gao, if you still need it, just ask...

..”

Hong Chengchou and Gao Mingheng were stunned for a long time, and it took them a while to react.
Chapter completed!