weaving

Chapter 1022 The knife is in my hand, who dares to say no?
In the 15th year of Chongzhen, on the [-]th day of the first month, although the Lantern Festival has passed, colorful lanterns are still hung all over the streets and alleys of Chicheng Castle, and the lively atmosphere is still there, even more so than during the [-]th Lantern Festival.

Naturally, it was because the soldiers of the Yongyi Army's battalions on vacation returned one after another, so that the surrounding area of ​​Chi Castle, all the way south along the Baihe River, was full of soldiers wearing military jackets, and the barracks even extended to the vicinity of Yangtian Castle.

But today, outside the south gate of Red Castle, there are more than a thousand elite knights standing in line. Amidst the neighing of war horses, there is not a trace of human voice.

Occasionally, some other battalion soldiers shouted and greeted the cavalry formation, but there was no response from the cavalry formation, as if they were like stone statues, standing on their horses, motionless.

Suddenly, a group of knights rode out from the Dading Gate of Red Castle. They were all dressed in red cloth armor and wore a purple wool cloak behind them. , but all of them are extremely young.

They were Zhang Cheng's twenty-riding adopted son's personal soldiers, and behind them was Zhang Cheng in a golden helmet and armor, riding his green horse and galloping slowly.

Veteran Guo Yingxian and deputy He Zhenxiong who had been waiting outside the Dading Gate, when they saw Yongningbo's guards coming out, they had already urged their horses to meet Zhang Cheng's horses.

"How can the last general be sent off by General Lao!" Guo Yingxian said while riding on his strong presbyopic horse, clasping his fists.

Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng smiled and said to him: "The old general will go back to the town first, this is taking the lead for Ben Bo, how can I not give him a gift."

Since the end of the Liao War, after Zhang Cheng was conferred the title of Earl of Yongning, Guo Yingxian never joked with Zhang Cheng again, and even addressed him with official titles and titles.

It's not because he and Zhang Cheng have a relationship, but because he loves this devil so much that he cherishes his reputation and prestige so much, and he doesn't hesitate to lower his status to keep Zhang Cheng's reputation alive.

He replied with a respectful expression on his face: "All the soldiers of the standard battalion are willing to be driven by the general, and all the soldiers are also very honored to be able to open the way for the general!"

Guo Yingxian's words were not false at all. The nearly [-] soldiers of the Zhenbiao Battalion were extremely supportive of Zhang Cheng, and there were two main reasons for this.

First, most of the team leaders and Bai Zong in Yang Guozhu's standard battalion, especially those officials such as Ba Zong and Qian Zong, are old comrades who killed slaves side by side with Julu back then. This is a friendship that blood is thicker than water.

And the second is the most important thing, but Zhang Cheng made up for their previous salary arrears, and paid them in full and on schedule every month. May I ask, who can do this if there are dozens of generals in the army tomorrow?
It’s been the same since ancient times—the rich people who sell goods, even if people in this era still have the word loyalty in their hearts, they can’t tell you loyalty with a family hungry.

Of course, it does not exclude those who give their lives to others for the sake of loyalty, and there are indeed those who dedicate all of themselves for a meal.

But now it is an indisputable fact that the soldiers of Zhenbiao Battalion all support Yongningbo Zhang Cheng very much. Even if other officials want to buy them off, they may not be able to do so.

After all, Yongningbo's reputation of loving soldiers like sons is beyond doubt here, and there is no room for everyone to have any doubts!
Zhang Cheng looked up at the sky, and said to Guo Yingxian: "The sky is getting close, let's set off to catch up with the front team now, and we can go to Diaohaobao to camp before dark."

He cupped his fists on the bicong colt and said to Guo Yingxian, "Old General, I will send you across the Qingquan River, please start now!"

"Here. I would like to obey the general's orders."

After Guo Yingxian received the order loudly, he and his deputy He Zhenxiong followed behind Zhang Cheng, rode their horses across the bridge over the Qingquan River, and arrived in front of the Biaoying cavalry formation on the south bank.

"...Wan Sheng...Wan Sheng...Wan Sheng..."

Nearly a thousand standard battalion cavalry soldiers stood in formation on the west side of the avenue. Seeing Yongningbo galloping from a distance, they couldn't help shouting excitedly.

On the opposite side of them are the chief generals and deputy generals of the other six battalions, each leading a sentry cavalry to see Guo Yingxian's standard battalion off. All the subordinates cheered and rode their horses to meet them.

The six generals and the twelve lieutenants saluted Uncle Yongning one after another, and then stepped aside. After all, Guo Yingxian and He Zhenxiong are the protagonists today.

Zhang Cheng pointed to Wu Zhizhong and other generals and said to Guo Yingxian: "The old general still has weight. You see, all the generals of the six battalions under Benbo's command came to see you off. You are very proud of yourself."

Guo Yingxian's old face was also slightly flushed, he laughed and said to Zhang Cheng: "The general doesn't need to be sent away, let's lead the boys back to the town, lead the battle for the general, and clean up the Zhenshuo mansion properly. .”

Zhang Cheng grabbed him, and said in a deep voice, "Brother, you can't do this...you mustn't do it..."

He rode on the bicong colt, looked at the veteran Guo Yingxian with a solemn expression, and couldn't figure out what his intentions were?

"It's absolutely impossible!"

After Zhang Cheng emphasized it again, he continued to say to Guo Yingxian: "Old brother, Yang Shuai fought slaves and bandits in Liaodong, fought fiercely for the country, and died heroically. Now his bones are not cold. How can I ask Mrs. Yang to move to Tengyuan at this time?" Woolen cloth!"

Guo Yingxian's face was full of puzzlement, and it seemed that he was not pretending to be like this. He only heard him say: "Although that is the case, the general took over the post of general soldier, and he does not live in Zhenshuo Mansion, but where does he live?" ?”

Zhang Cheng saw that he was really not pretending, and for a moment he couldn't figure out what he meant when he mentioned these words at this moment, but it was always his habit to play tricks.

"This is easy to do."

Zhang Cheng continued: "My uncle used to have an old house in the town, but it has been idle for more than a year now. After a little cleaning, it can be used for people to live in. When I return to the town this time, I will just live in the old house.

He Shihui has been staying in the town to take care of the old house for me. You only need to find him in Hu Siwang's village in the north of the city and tell Benbo what he wants, and he will know what it means. "

Guo Yingxian was taken aback when he heard the words, and then said again: "Although that's the case, the general is the general of Xuanzhen, and he should live in Zhenshuo Mansion, why did he go back to live in the old house?"

"That's it!"

Zhang Cheng continued firmly: "You don't need to say much, but just do as I tell you."

"Here."

Zhang Cheng finally urged him again: "Go. It's time to go."

Guo Yingxian nodded, turned around and clasped his fists at Wu Zhizhong, Zhang Guodong and the others and shouted: "Generals, my old Guo will go ahead and set up a banquet in the town to clean up the dust for you all!"

He turned his horse's head and ran towards the standard battalion. He raised his arms in front of the formation and shouted: "The brave army..."

"Wan Sheng... Wan Sheng... Wan Sheng!"

"Bo Yongning..."

"Wan Sheng... Wan Sheng... Wan Sheng..."

There was another burst of enthusiastic shouting, which immediately resounded through the sky.

Looking at the smoke and dust slowly going away with the cavalry of the Biao Battalion, Zhang Cheng still recalled Guo Yingxian's words just now in his heart.

In fact, what Guo Yingxian said was not wrong. Zhang Cheng is now the commander-in-chief of Xuanzhen.

But Zhang Cheng couldn't bear to ask Mrs. Yang to worry about moving house and hospital during the mourning period at this time.

If this is the case, not only will he feel sorry for himself, but he will also have a bad reputation of bullying orphans and widows, which is also the result that Zhang Cheng does not want to see.

What's more, it is just a house with a thousand dollars and ten thousand dollars. In the eyes of others, that place may also be a symbol of power and status, but in the eyes of Zhang Cheng, he believes in his own strength.

"The knife is in my hand, who dares to say no?"

This sentence is the real monologue in Yongningbo Zhang Cheng's heart.

…………

The New Year's Eve is about to pass, and Zhang Cheng has also received news from Beijing that Bian Yongqing, the eunuch appointed by the emperor to supervise the Yongyi Army, will also leave Beijing soon to take up his post in Xuanfu.

Bian Yongqing, courtesy name Zhenyu, nicknamed Taoist Xuanyin, was a man from the Mancheng of Baoding Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty. He served as the steward of the Qianqing Palace during the Tianqi reign of Xi Zong, and later served as the eunuch for many times during the reign of Chongzhen, and even supervised Xixie , served as admiral eunuch Zhongyongying.

However, this person seems to be different from most other eunuchs. He has a weaker heart and is not obsessed with power and gold and silver. He can be said to be one of the few good eunuchs during the Chongzhen period.

According to the surviving "Laoshan Chronicles", Bian Yongqing did not sacrifice the city to surrender his enemies like Du Xun, Du Zhiyi and others after the fall of the Ming Dynasty.

After Bian Yongqing escaped from the battlefield, he immediately came to Laoshan to abandon his home and become a Taoist. He changed his name to Bian Jingning and became the abbot of the cultivation nunnery in Laoshan Wanggezhuang.

According to the records in the "Laoshan Stele", Bian Yongqing died around the tenth year of Kangxi.

Zhao Sizzu, a Jinshi in Haiyang County, once wrote an ancient poem "Bian Taoist Song", which described Bian Yongqing's life in detail. There is a verse in it that reads: "I heard that Bian Taoist was an envoy in the Ming Dynasty. The dragon's beard flew to the sky, sideways There is no land. Love is with the four court ladies, and the yellow dust suffers."

Of course, Zhang Cheng still doesn't know the content of these historical records, but according to the information sent back from the capital, one thing is still very clear - Bian Yongqing still has some principles in his actions, and he is not very greedy!

In addition to Bian Yongqing's supervision of the army, the military merits of the Xuanzhen generals who aided Liao have also been reviewed, and the official document of the Ministry of War will also be sent out in the next few days, and it is estimated that it will arrive at the same time as Bian Yongqing.

This news is enough to make people excited. I don't know how many of the tens of thousands of soldiers in the Xuanfu army will receive the imperial court's reward. Some of them are destined to be promoted and get rich.

In fact, within the Yongyi Army, Yongningbo Zhang Cheng has already conducted a round of rewards for meritorious officers and soldiers. Whether they are promoted, promoted, or rewarded with silver, they are the same.

This time, the reward given by the imperial court was nothing more than a title. Although the official positions of the generals were conferred by the imperial court, Zhang Cheng had the final say. How he rewarded the imperial court would be awarded by the imperial court. It was all up to him to decide.

As for the money rewarded by the imperial court, after layers of embezzlement and drifting away, there is not much left. After Zhang Cheng accepts it, it will naturally be included in the public treasury and will not be distributed to the soldiers.

This is also the main reason why after his triumphant return, the first priority is to sacrifice the heroic spirits of the fallen soldiers, and the second priority is to reward the soldiers under his command.

Taking the first step, promoting and rewarding the soldiers under his command before the court, over time, they will only remember the kindness of their general master Zhang Cheng, and will gradually ignore the pitiful and almost dispensable rewards from the court.

First of all, Zhang Cheng must first report his merits, and then the court will reward them in order, so the decision rests with Zhang Cheng.

Secondly, no matter how high the imperial court confers on you, it is Zhang Cheng who decides what to do in the Yongyi Army. Even if the imperial court confers on you to be the deputy commander in chief, Zhang Cheng can just let you be an idler instead of actually leading the army. General, so the final decision on who to choose is still in Zhang Cheng's hands.

…………

While waiting for the military supervisor Bian Yongqing and the Ministry of War to reward the meritorious service, Yongningbo Zhang Cheng was not idle either. He stayed at home with all the female relatives, enjoying singing and dancing every night, and at the same time frequently called everyone to discuss matters. established.

According to the policy agreed upon by Yongning Bo and the others, each battalion will organize its own examination of the combat skills of ordinary sergeants, and the rank of sergeants will be assessed according to the results of the examination.

From now on, all newly recruited sergeants will be rated as private soldiers. They can only stand in the queue, which means the lowest rank of sergeants in the army. They are not allowed to enter the battlefield except under special circumstances, and they all serve as auxiliary soldiers.

Private soldiers can only be promoted to senior sergeants such as corporal, sergeant, and sergeant only if they pass the test of sergeant combat skills and meet the standards.

In this link, Zhang Cheng also set up some additional rules for them. For example, after enlisting in the army, private soldiers first participate in training for six months, and then there is a combat skill test. If they pass the test, they will be directly promoted to corporals. Only after a month can you participate in the test again.

Similarly, after being promoted to corporal six months later, you can also participate in the combat skill test, but if you fail the first test, you can take the test again after [-] months, and so on. The same is true for the promotion of sergeants.

Of course, if you make military achievements during the battle, you can get different rewards according to the size of your military achievements, including promotion to military rank and promotion to position.

Among the various military merit awards, from high to low are promotion to military rank, promotion to post, rewards of medals, rewards of meritorious service, rewards of land, rewards of silver, etc., as well as tax exemption, exemption from corvee, and forgiveness of crimes.

Among them, promotion to military rank is the most rare item. After all, sergeants in the Courageous Army are promoted to rank mainly through combat skills, and promotion to military rank based on military merit is only a supplement to reward loyal and brave fighters.

Most of the time, some sergeants will be promoted after each battle. This is because some officers will leave due to death or injury after each battle. add up.

But this is not the case for military ranks. After all, military ranks have little to do with battlefield command, and they can slowly test their combat skills after the war, so they are not in a hurry to promote them.

Everyone has no objection to the system and the rules of the promotion of ordinary sergeants to the military rank, and it was easily and thoroughly established.

(End of this chapter)