weaving

Chapter 1532 Your merits are known throughout the world.
In the original timeline, Sun Chengzong, who held the titles of Grand Master of the Palace, Left Pillar of State, and Grand Tutor, had already hanged himself after the fall of Gaoyang City when the Jurchens invaded in the eleventh year of the Chongzhen reign.

But now, thanks to the series of chain reactions caused by Zhang Cheng, this butterfly that unexpectedly stumbled in, he has survived by chance, living four years longer than in the original timeline.

Now eighty years old, Sun Chengzong was lying on his bed. Sitting in front of him was Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning of the Ming Dynasty, who had just entered the city. He was looking at Sun Chengzong and said, "Grand Tutor, take good care of yourself. You don't need to worry about the Jurchen invasion. I and the court officials will take care of it."

Sun Chengzong's face was gaunt and his expression was somewhat listless. He looked like he was on his last legs and didn't have much time left to live.

Seeing him like this, Zhang Cheng felt a pang of sorrow in his heart!
Back then, I rushed to the rescue and saved the soldiers, civilians and people of Gaoyang City, and even saved the lives of Sun Chengzong's entire clan. But everyone must die eventually, and no one can defy fate.

But what exactly is destiny?

What should one's destiny be?

When will I face death, and what will the Ming Dynasty be like then?
"Loyalty..."

A call interrupted Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, as he saw Sun Chengzong raising his hand and pointing tremblingly at his fifth son, Sun Yue.

Zhang Cheng looked over and saw Sun Yue looking as if he had just realized something. He quickly turned around and took out an item wrapped in red cloth from a slightly old-fashioned cabinet next to him. It looked like a book.

Sun Yao returned to Sun Chengzong with the gift in hand and said respectfully, "Father."

"Zhongchen, I am old and can no longer fight for the court to kill the enemy and make contributions. From now on, I will rely on you to protect my Great Ming Dynasty and its people."

As he spoke, Sun Chengzong pointed to the item Sun Yue was holding and continued, "This book contains some of my experiences in fighting against the Jurchen traitors, which I wrote when I was in charge of the Ji-Liao region. I am now giving it to my loyal young friend, hoping it will be of some help to you."

Zhang Cheng solemnly took the red cloth package from Sun Yue's hand, carefully opened it, and found, as expected, a thread-bound book inside, with the words "Cheying Kouda Hebian" prominently displayed on the cover.

He casually flipped through the preface and read for a while. The words "using vehicles is using fire, and using fire is using overlapping formations" in the preface actually coincided with the current concept of coordinated infantry, cavalry, artillery, and vehicles of the Yongyi Army, and were even more accurate than his own ideas.

Further reading reveals further details such as "the alternation of chariots, infantry, and cavalry, each displaying its strengths," "the transformation of formations into square, round, curved, straight, and sharp shapes, adapting to the terrain and the enemy," "the deployment of troops and weapons such as horses, infantry, arrows, and cannons according to the situation, ensuring their appropriate use," and "not being bound by tradition or conventional rules, but acting according to circumstances."

"Great. Great book!"

Clutching the book in his hand, Zhang Cheng looked at Sun Chengzong lying on the bed and said with slight excitement, "Grand Tutor, this manuscript is the result of your hard work. I, Zhang Cheng, am truly ashamed to accept it, and I am even more afraid that I am not up to the trust placed in me by the Grand Tutor!"

Sun Chengzong looked quite agitated. He took a few quick breaths before saying, "Zhongchen, stop being modest. What's the use of making excuses?"

Your abilities are unmatched by any official in the court; your achievements in suppressing bandits and driving out captives are known throughout the land. Why be so humble? A true man, a great man, should bravely shoulder responsibilities, taking it upon himself to protect the people, unafraid of worldly gossip and slander!

He had talked a bit too much and had to catch his breath before he could continue: "This book is not written by me alone. It is a record of my experiences in fighting against the Tartars during my time managing the Ji and Liao regions. Lu Shanji, Guan Maoyuanyi and others contributed their help in the illustrations."

It was originally intended to deal with the Tartars, and now that I can personally hand it over to Zhongchen, it can be considered... it can be considered to have relieved this old man of a worry. So please stop pretending to refuse.”

Seeing his sincerity, Zhang Cheng was deeply moved. He grasped Sun Chengzong's withered and weak old hand and said earnestly, "Grand Tutor, it would be disrespectful for Zhang Cheng to speak like this."

"I hope this will be of some benefit to you."

“It’s more than just beneficial.” Zhang Cheng’s expression was also quite excited: “It’s like sending charcoal in snowy weather.”

"To be honest, Grand Tutor Zhang Cheng has been pondering the tactics of chariot warfare, and has always believed that only by making good use of chariot warfare can we have the strength to fight the Tartars in the field. However, he has always been puzzled by how to deploy the chariots, how to coordinate with the infantry and cavalry, and what the key points of attack and defense are."

Having received this book, I feel as if I have suddenly gained enlightenment, as if I have been struck by a thunderbolt, which has greatly benefited me. The old tutor's action is simply like divine assistance to me!

After hearing Zhang Cheng's words, a satisfied expression appeared on Sun Chengzong's face. He straightened his body, as if he wanted to sit up, but he was somewhat powerless.

Zhang Cheng quickly reached out to support him, saying, "Grand Tutor, please don't move. You can give me your orders while lying down."

Sun Chengzong then lay back down, looked at Sun Yue standing to the side, and said tremblingly, "Go and call Sun Hao and the others in."

"Yes. Father."

Although Sun Yue agreed softly, he did not move. Instead, he looked at Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng and saw him nod to him before turning around and going out to call for someone.

A moment later, Sun Yue led his younger brother Sun Hao and four others back into the main hall.

Sun Chengzong looked at the people standing in front of the bed and pointed to them one by one, saying to Zhang Cheng, "This is the youngest son, Sun Hao; these are his nephews, Sun Keng and Sun Qiang; these two younger ones are his grandson, Zhi Jie, and his nephew, Zhi Huan."

After introducing each of them to the Earl of Yongning, Sun Chengzong once again took Zhang Cheng's hand and said softly, "Zhongchen, you have many talented people around you, including strategists and generals who can charge into battle. These young men also have a heart to serve the country. I want to have them join your ranks and serve you."

What do you think?

…………

When Sun Chengzong asked Sun Yue to fetch people earlier, Zhang Cheng had already foreseen this situation. Now that Sun Chengzong had said these words in person, it completely confirmed Zhang Cheng's guess.

In fact, as early as the eleventh year of Chongzhen's reign, when Zhang Cheng was fighting to rescue Gao Yang, he already had the idea of ​​relying on the powerful Sun Chengzong family.

Although Sun Chengzong is no longer in office, he still wields considerable influence, especially among officials.

After all, he was a veteran who served under four emperors: Wanli, Taichang, Tianqi, and Chongzhen. He was also one of the twelve generals in Wei Zhongxian's "Donglin Generals' List" who guarded the central army. He enjoyed extremely high prestige both in the imperial court and among the common people.

At that time, Zhang Cheng had already thought of inviting the Sun family members to join his army, but he was of low rank and had little influence. In addition, he was worried that the Sun family members would look down on martial artists. Although they got along very well, he never dared to reveal his intentions.

However, just after Sun Chengzong finished presenting the book, this unexpected event surprised Zhang Cheng greatly!
It's important to understand that this is not just a matter of three or five members of the Sun family joining the cause; it represents not only the attitude of the Sun family, but also the attitude of the scholars and literati of the Ming Dynasty.

Sun Chengzong's approval of Zhang Cheng, a military general from a military household, almost simultaneously represented the approval of a group of literati towards Zhang Cheng!

…………

Although Zhang Cheng was very happy inside, his expression remained unchanged.

Looking at Sun Chengzong's expectant eyes, he said gently, "How could Zhang Cheng dare disobey the old tutor's words? It's just... military life is dreary, and I'm afraid my brothers and nephews will suffer along with me."

"I am over sixty years old and I can still manage the Ji and Liao regions. These young men are in their prime. How can they not endure the hardships of military life!"