weaving

Marquis Yongning, Zhang Chengcai, had just returned to his command chair and sat down, but had not yet had a chance to speak.

Then a military officer stepped forward from the crowd and came to the open space in front of the commander's desk. He bowed deeply and said loudly, "Commander, Kaifeng has been besieged several times. If it weren't for your desperate rescue efforts, the city would have fallen long ago, and Chen De would not be here today."

Now that Chen De has submitted to the Commander-in-Chief's command, he should naturally follow the Commander-in-Chief's lead and obey all orders in all his actions. Even if it means sacrificing his life, Chen De will have no regrets!

All of this happened so suddenly...

This was completely unexpected by everyone...

Zhang Guangda's gaze towards Chen De softened with a newfound sense of goodwill. He suddenly felt a natural affinity for Chen De and inwardly praised him, "Good lad!"

Wang Pu's eyes seemed to spit fire, as if he wanted to burn Chen De, who was kneeling on the ground, to ashes, leaving not a trace. He also cursed himself inwardly: "How stupid of me, what was I hesitating for? Now look what happened, this kid beat me to it!"

At that moment, Wang Pu, the general of Datong, who was cursing himself inwardly, suddenly noticed that Wei Zhice seemed to be about to get up. He hurriedly got up from his seat and headed towards the center of the hall.

Because he got up too quickly, his steps were a little unsteady, but Wang Pu didn't care about that. He just wanted to express his loyalty to the Earl of Yongning before everyone else.

When he heard footsteps behind him, Wang Pu was almost running to the middle of the hall. He hurriedly knelt down next to Chen De and said, "Lord Yongning, I, Wang Pu, am willing to follow you on the battlefield to fight and make merit. I will obey your orders without any disloyalty."

Before Wang Pu could finish speaking, the voice of Xiong Tingrui, the military commander of Xuanfu, came from beside him: "Commander-in-Chief, this humble general Xiong Tingrui is willing to serve you as my superior, and I swear to follow you to the death, even if it means going through fire and water, without regard for life or death, and I will never waver!"

Wang Pu, taken aback, took a quick look at Wei Zhice while Xiong Tingrui was expressing his loyalty. He saw that Wei Zhice was still sitting in his seat, smiling at the three of them, and showed no intention of getting up.

He couldn't help but wonder, "Could I have misjudged? That shouldn't be the case... Perhaps I'm just anxious and my vision is blurry."

Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng sat steadily on his tiger-skin general's chair, quietly watching them come up to pledge their loyalty. His expression did not change much, showing that he was not at all surprised by the performance of Chen De, Wang Pu, Xiong Tingrui, and the other two.

After coldly staring at Wang Pu and the other two for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Earl of Yongning said loudly, "General Wang, we are both subjects of the same court, why are you suddenly acting like this? What is the meaning of this?"

Wang Pu was taken aback upon hearing this: "This isn't right. Why is this scene different from what I expected? Shouldn't the Earl of Yongning be praising me, comforting me, and encouraging me?"

"me……"

So nervous, even Wang Pu, who is usually so glib, started stammering.

Fortunately, although he wasn't good at fighting, he was very sensitive and quick-witted when it came to interpersonal relationships. He reacted in a flash.

Wang Pu kowtowed again and said, "Commander, I, Wang Pu, am willing to follow you closely, through thick and thin, even through fire and water, I will have no regrets in this life!"

The Earl of Yongning stared at Wang Pu for a moment, only to see that he kept his head down on the ground, not daring to raise it even slightly. Even Chen De and Xiong Tingrui on either side of him kept their heads down, not daring to raise them either.

Zhang Cheng smiled with satisfaction and said loudly, "Oh dear, Brother Wang, why bother? Get up quickly... get up quickly. You're making me feel so bad."

As a commander-in-chief of a garrison in the Ming Dynasty, Wang Pu's public kneeling and declaration of loyalty not only demonstrated his own loyalty but also set a good example for others. Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, was naturally very satisfied; his desired effect had been achieved. Even his address to Wang Pu changed from "Commander Wang" to "Brother Wang."

It was this "Brother Wang" that really caught Wang Pu off guard!

Wang Pu felt as if he were in a cloud of mist, his whole body light and airy, as if he had no support. He was so confused that he forgot to get up.

"My dear Brother Wang, why aren't you getting up? Don't tell me... I really have to go down and help you up myself?"

Only then did Wang Pu realize what was happening. He hurriedly stood up, clasped his hands in salute again, and said, "Commander, Brother Wang, I dare not admit it."

Besides, the Commander-in-Chief is the master of ten thousand armies. We are only fit to lead his horse and carry his spear. How dare we accept such a title from him? It would be utterly disrespectful!

Zhang Cheng looked at him and smiled gently, saying, "Brother Wang, why be so polite? We are all one family in Xuanda, and we are of one mind. Why should we distinguish between each other?"

After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Li Fuming, the Shanxi general in his seat, and said with a smile, "Brother Li, could you please help Commander Wang back to his seat for me?"

When Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng said this, his face was full of smiles, but his tone clearly carried a commanding element, leaving Li Fuming no chance to refuse.

As expected, upon hearing this, Li Fuming immediately stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and then walked to the center of the hall to help Wang Pu back to his seat.

Only then did the Earl of Yongning remember that there were still two people on the ground who had not gotten up. He said loudly, "Chen De and Xiong Tingrui, you two should get up and go back to your seats."

"Yes, sir." Chen and Xiong responded with a "Yes, sir," then stood up, bowed, and returned to their seats.

…………

Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng was very satisfied with everyone's performance. He had not only gained the loyalty of Wang Pu, Chen De, Xiong Tingrui, and others, but also completed the obedience test on the three of them, as well as Li Fuming.

Overall, everything went relatively smoothly.

After scanning everyone with his tiger-like eyes, the Earl of Yongning spoke again: "The principle of 'an army must first prepare its provisions' is something that I'm sure everyone here understands very well."

But there is one more thing I want you all to remember, and never forget: "A great battle is approaching; let our thoughts be unified."

Zhang Cheng paused for a moment, and seeing that most people looked confused, he continued, "You should know that the key to victory in every major battle lies in the strategic objectives set before the battle."

All planned military strategies must be formulated around this established strategic objective. Even if the military strategy can be adjusted according to changes in the battlefield situation, the established strategic objective will remain unchanged.

On the battlefield, the situation can change rapidly, and tactical objectives can be adjusted accordingly, but our strategic objectives must not change, otherwise it may ruin the entire battle.

Zhang Cheng scanned the assembled civil and military officials, his gaze finally settling on Wei Zhice. He asked them, "So... do you all know what our army's strategic objectives are, and what our army's tactical objectives are?" (End of Chapter)