Luo Rucai's sudden showdown caught Li Zicheng off guard. He did not expect that this day would come so quickly.

In fact, Li Zicheng had been prepared for a long time. When he led the rebel army to capture Luoyang Fucheng, he went to Nanyang Fucheng to join forces with Luo Rucai and captured Nanyang Fucheng. His prestige reached its peak. From that time on, Li Zicheng regarded the rebel army under Luo Rucai as a

own troops.

As time went by, Li Zicheng's inner desire became stronger and stronger. When more rebels came to take refuge in Kaifeng, Li Zicheng felt urgently that there could only be one leader among the rebels. As the saying goes, one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers.

If there are Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai among the rebels, if this situation continues to spread, the rebels who come to join them from all walks of life will also work on their own, trying their best to gain benefits on weekdays, and at critical moments they can run faster than a rabbit.

Li Zicheng was already murderous, but whenever he thought of the brotherhood with Luo Rucai, of Luo Rucai's influence in the rebel army, and of Luo Rucai's help to the rebel army, he couldn't bear to take action.

Unfortunately, Li Zicheng's forbearance was rewarded by Luo Rucai's toughness.

When Luo Rucai said that everyone should do their own thing, Li Zicheng's murderous intention was completely aroused.

However, it was impossible for Li Zicheng to kill Luo Rucai casually. In other words, killing Luo Rucai required a reason, preferably a reason that convinced many rebel generals. This would be conducive to the unity of the rebel army.

Of course, under desperate circumstances, Li Zicheng could also kill Luo Rucai.

Pointing at Luo Rucai's back, Li Zicheng finally said nothing and watched Luo Rucai leave the wing.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Li Zicheng, whose face was ashen, was rubbing his forehead, obviously thinking about something.

Zhang Dongtao stood up, looked at Li Zicheng, and spoke unhurriedly.

"King Chuang, I heard some rumors in the army a few days ago, but there is no evidence, so I dare not say anything casually. General Luo's attitude just made me believe those rumors in the army..."

Li Zicheng raised his head and looked at Zhang Dongtao.

"Zhang Dongtao, if you heard any rumors, tell them immediately."

Zhang Dongtao nodded and looked at Li Yan, Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance and others. These people were all Li Zicheng's confidants, so what he said was not worried about being leaked.

"General Luo insisted on going south to attack Huguang, probably because he was thinking of joining forces with the Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong..."

Li Zicheng trembled, stood up suddenly, and walked to Zhang Dongtao.

"What did you say? Do you have any evidence? Say it again..."

Li Zicheng was obviously excited. This news really stimulated him. If Luo Rucai insisted on attacking Huguang because he wanted to unite with the Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong, then his purpose would be obvious.

Zhang Dongtao was very calm and was not infected by Li Zicheng.

"King Chuang, I just heard rumors without evidence. Otherwise, I would have reported it to King Chuang a long time ago. However, after I heard the rumors, I secretly arranged sergeants to pay attention to General Luo's every move, especially those sent by General Luo to leave the military camp.

The sergeants are all watching closely. If there are any sergeants going to Huguang or Nanzhili, they will all be detained, hoping to find evidence from their bodies, so that they can prove General Luo's purpose.

.”

Li Zicheng nodded repeatedly, reached out and patted Zhang Dongtao's shoulder hard.

"Okay, yes, very good. If we can get the evidence, that would be the best. Even if we can't get the evidence, it won't be a big problem. It is impossible for such rumors to appear in the military for no reason..."

After Li Zicheng finished speaking, Niu Jinxing also stood up.

"King Chuang, I think what Mr. Zhang said is definitely true. Luo Rucai was originally dissatisfied. He always felt that he did not get enough power in the rebel army. He always felt that King Chuang was suppressing him, so he would try his best to change it.

At that time, various rebel armies came over, and Luo Rucai was particularly active, constantly contacting the leaders of these rebel armies, and even seeking benefits for these rebel leaders in front of King Chuang. This was obviously an attempt to win over the leaders of various rebel armies."

"It's a pity that King Chuang's prestige among the rebels can't be shaken. Luo Ru tried his best, but it didn't have much effect."

"To attack Huguang or to attack Shaanxi, for the rebels, they can make a choice with their eyes closed, but Luo Rucai insists on going south to attack Huguang. The rumors that Manager Zhang heard just now fully demonstrate Luo Rucai's purpose."

"The Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong captured Xuzhou, which belongs to the Southern Zhili Province. A few days ago, brother Song Xiance and I were still speculating on where Zhang Xianzhong would attack. He did not dare to go to Shandong. He was overestimating his ability to go to Nanjing. It seemed that there were no more

There are good places to go. Now it seems that Zhang Xianzhong’s goal is Huguang. He got supplies in Xuzhou and passed through Fengyang and Luzhou before entering Huguang.”

"Zhang Xianzhong entered Huguang, and Luo Rucai also entered Huguang. If the two of them joined forces, wouldn't they just want to deal with King Chuang?"

...

Li Zicheng nodded repeatedly, confirming Niu Jinxing's analysis.

"Yes, you are right. It turns out that Luo Ru has such a reason. No wonder the rebels went south even if they were killed. If the rebels really went south, Luo Ru would join forces with Zhang Xianzhong to cause trouble among the rebels, which would very likely take my life..."

.”

Having said this, Li Zicheng's face turned a little livid.

Zhang Dongtao watched all this silently and stopped talking.

In fact, it is impossible for Zhang Dongtao to make such an analysis. All this analysis was made in a letter. It was a letter written by Wu Zongrui himself. He analyzed the conflict between Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai and believed that Li Zicheng must not be able to live in peace with each other.

He will look for opportunities to kill Luo Rucai to fully control the rebel army.

Zhang Dongtao has always been looking for opportunities. In the past, Li Zicheng and Luo Rucai showed at least superficial harmony and mutual help. Zhang Dongtao, who was cautious, would not open his mouth to avoid getting bored.

Today, Luo Rucai and Li Zicheng almost fell out. Zhang Dongtao seized the opportunity and said those words.

"Zhang Dongtao, keep an eye on Luo Rucai. He and I quarreled today. It is very likely that he will tell Zhang Xianzhong this information and seek an alliance with Zhang Xianzhong. You must seize the opportunity..."

"Niu Jinxing, carefully review the information we have collected during this period. Since Luo Ru has such a mind, we will definitely be able to discover something from the information..."

"Li Yan assists Zhang Dongtao, and Song Xiance assists Niu Jinxing. You must act quickly and don't waste time. I think Luo Rucai can't wait."

...

When Zhang Dongtao walked out of the wing and was about to return to the camp, Zhang Guoxin followed him.

"Brother, I have been staying at the Governor's Yamen during this period. I haven't gone anywhere. I don't know when I will have the opportunity. I can follow my brother around and take a look."

Zhang Dongtao turned around and looked at Zhang Guoxin.

"Guoxin, your duty is to protect King Chuang. You are already the general manager of the personal barracks. It is your responsibility to protect King Chuang's safety. If King Chuang makes any mistakes, I will not spare you."

Zhang Guoxin pouted and shook his head slightly.

"Brother, I knew you would say that, forget it, don't say it anymore..."

Zhang Dongtao looked at Zhang Guoxin, frowned and spoke.

"Is there no good wine, or no good food..."

Zhang Guoxin, as the general manager of the personal barracks, has an extraordinary status, but unfortunately it is just superficial. Under normal circumstances, the personal barracks cannot participate in battles at all. If you cannot participate in battles, you will not get more money, food, jewelry, and even less money.

When he wanted to drink fine wine, he almost always found Zhang Dongtao.

Zhang Guoxin didn't speak, Zhang Dongtao patted him on the shoulder.

"I got it, follow me to the camp. I still have a few bottles of good wine there. I'll give them all to you. But you have to tell King Chuang that he agrees for you to go to the camp before you can go..."

A few minutes later, Zhang Guoxin came to Zhang Dongtao with a smile on his face.

"King Chuang agreed and asked me to follow you to the camp to have a look, but I have to return to the city after dark..."

Zhang Dongtao nodded and walked quickly towards the gate of the governor's office, with Zhang Guoxin following closely behind.

...

Outside the city, the rebel camp.

Entering the barracks, Zhang Dongtao's expression became serious.

"Zhang Guoxin, do you have any information..."

Zhang Guoxin carefully opened his cuffs and took out two thin letters from inside.

"This should be an autographed letter from your lord. Take a look. Where is the wine? I'll take it away. I've been drinking too much during this period, but I have no choice. I want to meet you alone. This is the only chance. If

If I always take wine from you but don't drink, Li Zicheng will definitely be suspicious."

Zhang Dongtao nodded.

"I know that when you are around Li Zicheng, you have to be careful at all times. You can't say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. I have had that experience before, and I know what it's like, but there is no way. You and I have to persevere.

Don't worry, I've read every letter from your lord carefully, and I can feel that you and I are about to get through it..."

Zhang Guoxin nodded and suddenly remembered something.

"Zhang Dongtao, Li Zicheng has always suspected something. You should pay more attention to it. When the rebels attacked Kaifeng Fucheng, you contacted and purchased the Hongyi cannon. The more than ten sergeants who controlled the Hongyi cannon all left after they captured Kaifeng Fucheng. Li Zicheng

Maybe I have been secretly tracing the origins of these sergeants..."

Zhang Dongtao squinted his eyes and thought for a moment.

"I know about this matter. In fact, your Excellency has thought of this at the beginning. These sergeants were introduced by merchants. Li Zicheng has met all of them. Li Yan and I just helped introduce them. On the surface, we were not directly involved in this matter, so Li Zicheng

It will be difficult to doubt me for a while..."

Zhang Guoxin also nodded.

"Yes, I have also thought that you are not responsible for handling this matter. The merchants are directly introduced to King Chuang. I think Li Zicheng may be reluctant to let go of those gunners, so he investigates this matter secretly, hoping to win over those

gunner."

A sneer appeared on Zhang Dongtao's face.
Chapter completed!