Chapter 152 Zhang Shicheng's Pingjiang City is Destroyed

Zhu Yuanzhang was unable to lead the front, but other generals, including Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, risked their lives to fight. Ming morale was exceptionally high.

The letter that Zhang Shicheng wanted to talk to Chen Biao was passed around and became more and more outrageous.

The version that reached the generals was that Zhang Shicheng was mocking the Ming army for failing to capture the city after so long and asked Zhu Yuanzhang where Chen Biao was, and whether he was going to send another young boy to the front line to replace the veterans.

Although Chen Biao had some contributions, his contributions were actually only of great political symbolic significance. In terms of military achievements, he was far inferior to the generals present.

The generals were furious.

Some of them thought that Zhang Shicheng was sowing discord, some thought that Zhang Shicheng was talking trash, and some believed in conspiracy theories, saying that Zhang Shicheng had guessed Biao'er's identity and wanted to harm him.

Of course, those who hold the last guess are those who know Chen Biao's true identity.

Zhang Shicheng didn't expect that just because he wanted to meet Chen Biao, he would provoke such a fierce attack from the Ming army.

Rao Jie, who was still accompanying Zhang Shicheng as a clerk but no longer issuing any proposals, smiled bitterly.

He said, "Chen Biao is young and highly accomplished. Zhu Yuanzhang has high hopes for him and may treat him like a son or nephew. Furthermore, Chen Biao is still in Dadu. Whether it's a long journey or entering Pingjiang City, it would be dangerous. Zhu Yuanzhang may think that our lord is petty and is using Chen Biao to scold other Ming generals, or he may be trying to harm Chen Biao."

Zhang Shicheng was stunned: "I didn't mean that."

Rao Jie smiled bitterly: "I know."

Zhang Shicheng sat there for a while, then suddenly heard a chaotic noise outside. He asked in surprise, "Could it be that the Ming army is attacking?"

The personal guards cried bitterly, "Zhang Shixin opened the city gates and surrendered!"

Zhang Shicheng was stunned for a long time when he heard his personal guard calling his brother by his name. He asked, "Who?!"

The guards knelt on the ground, tears streaming down their faces. "It's Zhang Shixin! He's our lord's brother! He opened the city gates and said he won't fight anymore!"

Zhang Shicheng's head buzzed and his thoughts went blank.

He wanted to ask why.

But when he opened his mouth, he seemed to already know why.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was not the emperor who arbitrarily claimed to be the emperor after making small moves in the Red Turban Rebellion and occupying a small piece of territory.

Zhu Yuanzhang was already the emperor of the Central Plains, and the Ming Dynasty was already the new dynasty that replaced the Yuan Dynasty.

Zhang Shicheng had three younger brothers. His second brother, Zhang Shiyi, died during the Yuan army's encirclement and suppression, and his third brother, Zhang Shide, died in Yingtian. As the youngest son, Zhang Shixin was doted on by both Zhang Shicheng and his two older brothers. Despite his family's poverty, Zhang Shixin experienced little hardship.

After Zhang Shicheng became the leader of a faction, Zhang Shixin lived the life of a playboy, indulging in sensual pleasures and doing evil things.

Zhang Shicheng knew all of this.

But he only had this one younger brother left, so even when Zhang Shixin went too far, he pretended not to see it.

Given Zhang Shixin's lazy nature, and the fact that the Central Plains had now become Zhu Yuanzhang's territory, it was normal for him to see that he had nowhere to escape and, out of fear and worry, opened the city gates to surrender, and sold out his own brother to gain the "first merit in capturing Pingjiang."

Too normal.

The guards cried, "My lord, put on your armor and mount your horse! The Ming army is about to attack the palace!"

Zhang Shicheng put on his armor woodenly.

He knew that he should probably lead his personal soldiers, who were still loyal to him, in a street fight in an attempt to escape.

But the news that Zhang Shixin opened the city gate and surrendered to the Ming Dynasty seemed to have dissipated the heroic spirit that he had finally regained.

He mechanically rushed out of the palace and was surrounded by his personal guards and marched out of the city.

Before they had walked two blocks, Zhu Yuanzhang, wearing silver armor, personally drew his sword and mounted his horse, blocking Zhang Shicheng's way.

Zhang Shixin was beside Zhu Yuanzhang, with a flattering smile on his face, helping Zhu Yuanzhang persuade his brother to surrender.

Zhang Shixin was the most determined to fight Zhu Yuanzhang to the bitter end. Whenever someone suggested reconciling with Zhu Yuanzhang or joining his growing power, Zhang Shixin would jump out and say, "Zhu Yuanzhang murdered my brother Zhang Shide. My family has an irreconcilable feud with him!"

Now Zhang Shixin is persuading Zhang Shicheng to surrender to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, so that he will be rich and prosperous in the future.

Zhang Shixin's voice was very loud, but when it reached Zhang Shicheng's ears, it was all noise. He could not hear a single word except the word "surrender".

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, and Zhang Shixin immediately shut up and retreated obediently.

Zhu Yuanzhang stepped forward and said, "Fight with me."

Zhang Shicheng heard Zhu Yuanzhang's voice clearly.

He sneered, whether mocking himself or Zhu Yuanzhang, "In single combat, you are no match for me. Why not send your most courageous general to fight me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily, "I also started as a soldier and worked my way up. Who are you looking down on? Hold your sword steady."

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, he turned his horse around and rode out of the city.

Zhang Shicheng clenched his sword tightly and said to his guards, "You should surrender. You shouldn't die for me."

After saying that, he spurred his horse to catch up with Zhu Yuanzhang's horse.

The personal soldiers all cried bitterly, looking at Zhang Shixin with deep hatred in their eyes.

Zhang Shixin's eyes wandered for a moment, and then he said confidently: "When the Ming army breaks in, you will all die! I saved your lives! You should thank me!"

The personal guards were about to rush up and beat Zhang Shixin, but the Ming army quickly stopped Zhang Shixin's personal guards.

Although the Ming army also looked down on Zhang Shixin, Zhang Shicheng had not surrendered yet. Given Zhang Shicheng's doting on his younger brother, they were worried that if something happened to Zhang Shixin, there would be another disturbance at the end of the Battle of Pingjiang.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng arrived at the flat ground outside the city gate one after another .

Zhu Yuanzhang stretched his shoulders and asked, "You said you wanted to see Biao'er, why?"

Zhang Shicheng said, "If I say I just want to see him and chat with him, and have no intention of harming him, would you believe me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I didn't believe it when I received your letter, but now that I see you, I do. Let's fight casually and stop when we're done. Come with me back to Yingtian, and I'll summon Biao'er to see you."

Zhang Shicheng said, "I will not surrender."

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes and said, "When you meet Biao'er, you can surrender or die as you wish, but don't even think about escaping."

Zhang Shicheng lowered his head to wipe his long sword and said in a deep voice, "I won't run away."

After a brief conversation, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng both squeezed their horses' bellies and rushed towards each other like arrows.

In a duel, spears should be the main weapon. However, at this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng did not intend to fight, but just wanted to compare themselves, so they only used long swords.

The two horses kept passing each other, and the two long swords kept colliding, sparks flying and making a harsh sound.

Zhang Shicheng was a fierce general of his time.

Zhu Yuanzhang is better known as a marshal and lord, but his early experience of personally fighting in battles has been overshadowed by his overly dazzling talent as a commander and has been overlooked.

But a 27-year-old beggar like Zhu Yuanzhang was able to climb all the way to the position of general in the Red Turban Army. In addition to his good-looking face, his bravery was also one of the reasons.

Zhu Yuanzhang was penniless and had never been to school when he joined the Red Turban Army. The only thing about him that was worthy of praise was his strength, apart from his face.

In the early battles, Zhu Yuanzhang personally led the vanguard and won the battles one by one.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang was now the lord and rarely went to the front lines, and even when he did, he was only in command of a general. However, his martial arts skills had not declined from the beatings he had received from his old companions, and in fact, they had become more sophisticated.

But now he was suppressing Zhang Shicheng in every move. It was not because his martial arts were much better than Zhang Shicheng's, but because there was a world of difference between the two of them from their state of mind to their physical condition.

Zhu Yuanzhang could eat meat every day outside the city, but Zhang Shicheng was very careful in budgeting to defend the city and did not dare to eat too much; Zhu Yuanzhang had already become the emperor and was in high spirits, while Zhang Shicheng, as a loser, had also suffered betrayal by his younger brother; before, Zhang Shicheng was able to chase and beat Chang Yuchun in order to break through, but now that his anger had died down, his strength was not as strong.

Zhu Yuanzhang's sword strikes were heavier than the last, and Zhang Shicheng's hand trembled, causing the sword to fly out of his hand.

Zhu Yuanzhang put away his sword, and for some reason, his mood suddenly became depressed: "Take good care of Zhang Shicheng and his family. Do not harass them or treat them badly."

Xu Da, who had watched in fear as Zhu Yuanzhang went to fight the general himself, breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes!"

Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Ming army to strictly observe discipline when entering the city and not to disturb the people.

Under the scorching gazes of his colleagues, Chang Yuchun reluctantly accepted the heavy responsibility of comforting the people.

"Marshal Chang Yuchun is here, what are you worried about?"

"Pack your things quickly and wait for the Tuntian Marshal to lead you to the farm."

"What does our fight against Zhang Shicheng have to do with you, the people of Pingjiang? Go away, don't bother us. Go bother the Marshal of Tuntian, only then will he take care of you."

The people looked at the black-faced general with a murderous look on his face: "Marshal Chang?"

Chang Yuchun's tone was so cold it could make ice chips fall off: "Yes, it's me."

The worried and frightened faces of the people immediately became much more relaxed, and they obediently accepted the command of the Ming army and cleared the remnants of the battlefield in the city.

Chang Yuchun had a sullen face, as if he was about to attack someone. But once the people knew he was Chang Yuchun, they were no longer afraid of him. Some elderly people even pulled him aside to ask him questions.

The generals all pointed at Chang Yuchun and laughed, but after laughing, they felt very envious.

Being feared is not as good as being admired and loved by others. It seems more capable.

While Chang Yuchun was comforting the people in the city, he also put out a fire.

Zhang Shixin opened the city gates and welcomed the Ming army into the city, leading to Zhang Shicheng's defeat. Not wanting to be robbed by the generals, Zhang Shicheng's wife, Liu, took Zhang Shicheng's concubines and his two young sons to the Qiyun Tower, intending to burn it down and hang herself.

When Liu ordered people to pile up firewood downstairs of Qiyun Tower, the old father of a concubine came to find Chang Yuchun and begged Chang Yuchun to save his daughter.

The Emperor is trying to persuade Zhang Shicheng to surrender. How can Zhang Shicheng's wives, concubines, and children die?!

Chang Yuchun rushed to the scene and put out the flames as soon as they started. He rushed to Qiyun Tower and rescued Zhang Shicheng's concubine who was crying and was being forced to hang herself. He also asked a doctor to treat Zhang Shicheng's young son who was almost dying.

Liu scolded Chang Yuchun and asked her to remain loyal to Zhang Shicheng.

Chang Yuchun said impatiently: "If you want to die, then die. Don't force someone who doesn't want to die to die."

Chang Yuchun looked at Zhang Shicheng's terrified concubines and said, "If you want to regain your freedom, then go to the labor camp and work to earn points, and wait for your land to be distributed. If you want to remain faithful to Zhang Shicheng, then after he dies, you can follow him on his journey, and I will not stop you."

He glanced at Liu, whose face was flushed, and said, "Zhang Shicheng is not dead yet, and it is unknown whether he will live or not. He only has these two sons. Even if you want to remain faithful to him, at least send someone to send the two children away and leave Zhang Shicheng with an heir."

The two young children were revived by doctors.

At their age, they were not very good at recognizing people. They only knew that Chang Yuchun had saved them, so they thought Chang Yuchun was a good man, someone sent by their father to save them.

The two threw themselves into Chang Yuchun's arms and burst into tears, and even tried to climb onto Chang Yuchun.

Chang Yuchun hurriedly protected the two children and promised them to go find Zhang Shicheng.

Before leaving, Chang Yuchun continued, "Chastity... We in the Ming army also have wives of generals who are chaste, but they don't force those who don't want to die to death, and they send their children away before they die. They use death to attract the attention of enemy generals so that they can protect their children and families. It's not just about chastity. But I think if there is hope of survival, they will definitely survive. Even if their husbands are dead, they still have children and other families."

Chang Yuchun was not a man who respected women very much. He was just thinking of his wife Lan, with whom he had shared every day and every day.

If he died, he hoped that the Lan family would live with the children.

You can keep your chastity while you are still alive, you don’t have to die.

But this was probably just wishful thinking. A general's wife, if beautiful, would become another man's concubine, and if less attractive, he might use her to vent his anger. The only way for him to protect his wife and children was to not lose the battle himself.

"Wait! I'll go with you!" Liu no longer wanted to commit suicide. She followed Chang Yuchun and wanted to snatch the child back from Chang Yuchun's arms.

The two children who were almost strangled to death cried loudly and refused to return to Liu's arms.

Seeing this, Liu also cried bitterly, her heart was broken and she was very regretful.

She should have died for Zhang Shicheng, and those of Zhang Shicheng's concubines who had received so much benefit from the Wu Wang Mansion should also have died for Zhang Shicheng. But before she died, she should have hidden the child and tried her best to keep the child alive.

Chang Yuchun said, "Come with me. The emperor has ordered that Zhang Shicheng's family be treated well. You can go with him to Yingtian and make plans later."

Zhang Shicheng, whose sword was knocked down by Zhu Yuanzhang and who was as dejected as a stray dog, sat in a daze in the house arranged for him by Zhu Yuanzhang.

When he saw Chang Yuchun walking in with his two children in his arms, he perked up a bit and said sarcastically, "How could the famous farming general Chang Yuchun embarrass women and children?"

Chang Yuchun didn't answer. He put the two children down and patted their heads: "Go, go to your father."

The two children rushed towards Zhang Shicheng crying, "Dad!"

After Chang Yuchun brought Zhang Shicheng's wives, concubines and children, he turned around and left immediately to continue comforting the people, not caring whether anyone would defend him.

In September of the first year of Hongwu, Zhang Shicheng was defeated.

With the exception of Yunnan, all of southern China fell into Zhu Yuanzhang's hands. It could be said that the foundation of the Ming Dynasty was now secure, and the next step was to lead a dignified and upright campaign against the remaining forces of the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

Although Yunnan was a province of the Yuan Dynasty, the King of Yunnan still lived in Dali, and the royal family was enfeoffed as the King of Liang and lived in Kunming. It had two administrative systems, provincial and vassal, and was actually still autonomous under the vassal state.

As long as the Yuan Dynasty is destroyed, Yunnan's resistance forces will not be too stubborn. At most, they will try to bargain for the power of a vassal state. It is basically certain that Yunnan will fall into the hands of the Ming Dynasty.

The battlefields in Gansu and Shanxi had basically been cleared by the time Kuyuk Timur was defeated.

The territory directly governed by the Ming Dynasty central government had been basically determined. Everyone in the world knew that a new dynasty had truly arrived.

In Peking, Chen Biao received an imperial edict from Zhu Yuanzhang, ordering him to return to Yingtian and persuade Zhang Shicheng to surrender.

After Chen Biao learned about the battle of Pingjiang, he was stunned for a while.

"Zhang Shixin... Zhang Shixin wasn't hacked to death by Zhang Shicheng's subordinates?" Chen Biao couldn't believe it. "Zhang Shicheng's subordinates are really heartless."

His three brothers nodded vigorously.

Zhu Wenzheng cursed, "If Biao'er has a brother who dares to cheat him, I'll twist his head off!"

Chen Xun said angrily, "I think the only one who would betray my elder brother is a cousin like you who has a bad temper and a simple mind. Just wait, when I grow up, I will definitely twist your head off."

Zhu Wenzheng rolled up his sleeves: "Then don't even think about growing up."

Chen Biao glanced at Zhu Wenzhen and Chen Chong lightly, and the two immediately admitted that they were joking.

Li Wenzhong gave Zhu Wenzhen a look of disdain.

Chen Ying said, "Biao'er, I'll go back with you."

Chen Biao nodded: "Okay...Chuang'er."

Chen Chong said: "Here!"

Chen Biao said, "You stay in Peking and take good care of your brothers."

Chen Xun sighed, "Okay, got it. Big brother, please go back soon. It would be even better if you can bring mother back."

Chen Biao said: "I'll try my best."

Chen Biao left Peking and headed south along the Grand Canal.

On the way, Chen Ying asked, "Biao'er, will Zhang Shicheng surrender?"

Chen Biao was silent for a while, then said sadly, "If he wanted to surrender, he would have surrendered long ago."