weaving

Chapter 991 It's easy to get on a thief ship, but it's hard to get off a thief ship
In the 14th year of Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty, on the third day of the twelfth lunar month, the sky was sunny, with no wind, and white clouds floating in the blue sky. It was a rare good weather.

Surrounded by court officials and military generals, Yongningbo Zhang Cheng left the Desheng Gate in the north of the capital. He recalled that he had entered the capital through the Anding Gate in the east when he returned from Liaodong a few days ago, but now he was about to leave again. .

Because of the haste, Zhang Cheng didn't make too much preparation, and he didn't even have time for everyone to prepare a practical banquet for him.

After Zhang Cheng received the imperial decree at the Earl's Mansion, he chatted with Wang Cheng'en for a while, except that he found out that the imperial court would appoint Bian Yongqing, the chief eunuch of the Royal Horse Supervisor, to take up the post of military supervisor in Xuanfu Town.

He was also taught by Wang Chengen. Wang Chengen also hinted that Zhang Cheng should always keep in mind the emperor's grace, always think about the greatness of the emperor's kindness, and always cherish the heart of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country.

In the end, Wang Chengen even warned Zhang Cheng that everything he has today is bestowed by Emperor Chongzhen. If he doesn’t appreciate the emperor’s kindness, be loyal to the king’s affairs, and serve the country with hard work, all he needs is a word from the emperor, and everything he has now will be in vain. re-exist.

Naturally, Zhang Cheng had to show his loyalty in front of Wang Chengen, and even donated a thousand taels of silver to Wang Chengen. Even with such a large amount of money, Wang Chengen didn't even bat an eyelid, he just simply shied away , and ordered the little inner prisoner who came with him to accept it.

Because of the emperor's order and the tight time, Zhang Cheng did not dare to delay any longer. He ordered someone to send a message to Chen Jiugao, and he had to postpone the appointment with Tian Hongyu's mansion, the left governor the day after tomorrow.

Changed Zhang Chengfang to go to the mansion of father-in-law Ji Zhiheng to bid farewell instead of himself, and at the same time sent his own soldiers to call his uncle Wu Jinkang, the doctor of the Ministry of Industry, Yu Shangyou, the censor, Yuan Pengnian, the head of the Ministry of Rites, and other officials to go to Yuanlongchang outside the west gate of the capital. Waiting for you.

After Zhang Cheng finished these, he took four personal guards including Zhang Mingyuan and rushed to the Yamen of the Ministry of War on East Chang'an Avenue.

…………

At this moment, Zhang Cheng was already the majestic Yongning Bo, even his own soldier, Chen Xinjia, could not put on airs in front of him, and the reason why he dared to send Zhang Cheng to come to the Ministry of War to discuss matters in person was because of the emperor's order and his busy schedule.

Zhang Ruoqi, the right servant of the Ministry of War, had already been waiting in the gatehouse. After learning the news of Yongning Bo's arrival, he hurriedly led a few entourages out to greet him. After exchanging greetings, Zhang Ruoqi enthusiastically led the way and took Zhang Cheng to the yamen to meet Chen Xinjia. .

"Zhang Cheng will never forget the kindness of supporting and supporting this soldier."

After Zhang Cheng met with Chen Xinjia, he immediately expressed his thanks for his support and help along the way.

Chen Xinjia was very satisfied with his attitude. He first took a sip of the tea and said: "Loyalty, although the old man admires you quite a lot, if it weren't for you to forge ahead, even if I You have a clever tongue, but it's hard to cover up your mistakes."

Zhang Cheng smiled, and said bluntly: "I don't know if my soldier called Zhang Cheng, what orders do you have?"

Chen Xinjia was not in a hurry to reply to his words. He picked up the teacup and sipped the tea again, but his eyes were fixed on Zhang Ruoqi on the other side.

Seeing this, Zhang Ruoqi knew what he meant, and immediately got up and made a complaint. He only said that the ministry was busy with affairs and could not stay with him for a long time. After getting Chen Xinjia's acquiescence, he quietly withdrew.

Now, only the soldiers Chen Xinjia and Yongningbo Zhang Cheng are left in the elegant room. It was only at this moment that Chen Xinjia was completely relaxed. He put the teacup on the table and said, "Yongningbo, have you received the tea?" To the holy will?"

Zhang Cheng knew that he had the best personal relationship with the eunuch Wang Dehua, the eunuch who supervised the military affairs of the capital, and most of the news in the palace couldn't be hidden from him, so he didn't hide it immediately, and replied directly: "Yes. I want Zhang Cheng to leave Beijing today and return to Xuanfu to clean up military affairs, and lead his troops to help suppress the rogue bandits in Henan in the next year."

Don't look at Chen Xinjia yelling one after another Yongning Bo, but from the words, it can be known that he still regards Zhang Cheng as a junior and a subordinate.

Although Zhang Cheng is now a majestic Yongning Bo, an existence beyond the rank of a court official, he has another identity, that is, the chief military officer of Xuanfu Town, and Chen Xinjia is his immediate boss.

In addition, although Chen Xinjia has not officially entered the cabinet yet, the government and the public secretly call him Chen Ge Lao, so it is normal for him to still regard himself as a senior official in front of Zhang Cheng.

However, Zhang Cheng never cared about these superficial matters. As long as his actual interests were not harmed, a mere reputation and vulgar etiquette were nothing to worry about, so he always treated Chen Xinjia as a student and subordinate.

Regarding Zhang Cheng's performance, although Chen Xinjia didn't say anything, he was very grateful in his heart. He always thought that he could control Zhang Cheng to death!

Chen Xinjia first sighed, and then said: "Fu Zonglong fell to Xiangcheng in the battle, Yang Wenyue feared the enemy like a tiger, and only dared to chase the enemy, but could not defend against the enemy. In the south of Henan, it is not allowed to go north to support.

Today, Cao Cao's bandit army is in the southwestern part of Henan like a broken bamboo. In the past, it even broke through Xihua, Fugou, Yexian, Wuyang, and Xiangcheng. "

When he said this, there was a trace of sincerity in his eyes, and he continued: "The situation in Yu Province has become more and more difficult to deal with, and the emperor is also worried about it. As the saying goes, 'the master worries about the humiliation of his ministers', seeing the emperor getting more and more Thin and thin, I feel very uncomfortable in my heart, wishing I could share my worries and solve my problems for Your Majesty!"

Chen Xinjia didn't wait for Zhang Cheng to answer, and continued: "Now, the elite troops of the imperial court have gathered in Liaodong and fought fiercely with the slaves for more than a year. They are exhausted, and the treasury is empty, and it is becoming more and more difficult to raise money and food.

Although the slave bandits have retreated a little, they are always cunning and good at tricks, but they have to guard against them. Moreover, when the Liaodong ancestor commander passed away, the general's heart is unstable, and the army's morale is uncertain, so it is not appropriate to transfer them to the mainland.

That's why I proposed to the emperor, please Yongning Bo return to Xuanfu as soon as possible, complete the handover as soon as possible, clean up Xuanzhen's military affairs, send troops to Yu Province as soon as possible, and help suppress Cao's traitors, so as to stabilize the place and save the people from the fire.

The emperor said that the imperial court will reward Yongningbo for his achievements on the battlefield! "

After Zhang Cheng heard Chen Xinjia's words, he couldn't tell for a moment whether it was because of his words that Emperor Chongzhen urged him to return to Xuanfu, but the drama must always be full.

He smiled and cupped his fists and said: "What this soldier said is very true. Zhang Chengshi has received the emperor's favor. Now that the country is in trouble, he should do his best to repay him. How dare he ask for a reward."

"Uncle Yongning's words are wrong. How could the court treat the heroes badly?"

Chen Xinjia went on to say: "Uncle Yongning only needs to fight for merit in the battlefield, and it is not impossible to become a lord and duke in the future!"

Then, he tried his best again, and promised Zhang Chengxuan's army all kinds of military resources, but if there is any need, he can provide it as much as possible, and the Ministry of War will handle it all.

As far as Zhang Cheng was concerned, even if Emperor Chongzhen did not send Wang Chengen to deliver the decree today, he would have to return to the Xuan Mansion in a few days.

However, what Chen Xinjia said today really made him happy. The Xuanfu army's tens of thousands of equipment had already made him exhausted and tired of coping, not to mention the addition of Guo Yingxian, He Zhenxiong and other troops with nearly ten thousand troops.

At present, the most lacking in Xuanfu is nothing more than high-quality iron and grain. Zhang Cheng can completely control the only Xuanfu North Road and East Road. The area is limited. Although the fields and Dingkou have been inspected again, the support The needs of tens of thousands of troops are still very difficult.

So this time, he made some requests to Chen Xinjia, which were nothing more than the purchase of iron materials and grains. The most important thing Zhang Cheng lacked now was money.

Therefore, except for the iron materials and grain allocated by the imperial court, he is willing to buy the rest at official prices, as long as the imperial court provides directions and official documents.

In fact, with Zhang Cheng's current reputation and strength, no matter where he goes, he doesn't need the cooperation and guidance of the military department of the imperial court.

And such a large number of soldiers and horses operating outside the Xuanfu will undoubtedly give others a handle, so Zhang Cheng asked Chen Xinjia to give him a job in the name of the Ministry of War, so that the soldiers of the Xuanfu army can go abroad to guard the caravan.

This small request was a piece of cake for Chen Xinjia, since he didn't want money from the court, he was overjoyed, so he readily agreed to Zhang Cheng's request.

…………

At noon, outside the Desheng Gate in the north of the capital, only Chen Jiugao, Fu Yingchong, Luo Yangxing, Li Ruolian and other old and new friends came to see off Zhang Cheng, and the most senior among them was Zhang Ruoqi, the right servant of the Ministry of War.

Chen Jiugao first complained strongly about his poor arrangements and failed to make an appointment with Zuo Dudu Tian Hongyu earlier, so that Zhang Cheng failed to get what he wanted, and saw the beauty of Jingzhong nobles raising singers.

At the same time, he also apologized to Zhang Cheng on behalf of Uncle Xiangcheng. Li Guozhen, as the governor of the Daming Jingying, had a relationship with Zhang Cheng before the army came to Liao. Think of it happening so suddenly.

Zhang Cheng naturally doesn't care about these details. He first thanked everyone for coming to see him off, then he deeply apologized for not being able to continue drinking with friends, and finally he warmly invited everyone to visit Xuanfu when they have time .

Datong General Soldier Wang Pu and Shanxi General Soldier Li Fuming were by Zhang Cheng's side, and their faces were full of regret. One must know that if Zhang Cheng hadn't obeyed the imperial edict, he would leave Beijing immediately.

At least Zuo Dudu Tian Hongyu, Jiading Bo Zhou Kui, Xiangcheng Bo Li Guozhen and other honorable relatives will bring them along when they invite Zhang Cheng. It's a real pity.

When everyone was saying goodbye to each other, Zhang Chengfang galloped up to him and clasped his fists, saying, "Young Commander, it's already noon, if you don't set off again, I'm afraid you won't be able to make it to Juyongguan before sunset."

Zhang Cheng turned his eyes and saw three elite armored cavalry outside the moat in the north, waiting in full force under the scorching sun. Perhaps it was influenced by the tiger guard cavalry of the Xuanfu army, or it might be the morale boosted by the victory in the Liao war.

The servants of the commanders-in-chief of Datong and Shanxi towns are also generally brightly armored and full of energy. If only from the appearance, they are not inferior to the soldiers of the Tiger Guards.

Zhang Cheng cupped his fists to bid farewell to Chen Jiugao, Luo Yangxing and others. Zhang Ruoqi, the right servant of the Ministry of War, stepped forward and took Zhang Cheng's hand, and said to him: "To be able to share military experience with Yongningbo, and to be a war slave in Liaodong, is indeed Ruoqi's life. Great luck.

Now that Yongningbo is triumphant in Liaodong, Ruoqi can't go to Xuanfu together. It's really a great regret in life to watch this unprecedented grand occasion! "

He went on to say: "Uncle Yongning, in the second spring of the coming year, we will lead an army into Henan to help suppress Cao's rebels, so as to relieve the crisis in Henan Province, stabilize the land of Zhongzhou, and save the people and the common people.

When Bo Yongning defeats the thieves and returns victorious, Ruoqi will surely take over the entire Tongchun Building to congratulate Bo Yongning and the loyal and brave soldiers of the Xuanfu! "

Zhang Ruoqi's words were impassioned, and everyone around couldn't help cheering, and they even invited each other, as if they had seen Zhang Cheng destroy the trespassers.

Zhang Cheng also smiled and said some grateful words, and after saying goodbye to Zhang Ruoqi, Chen Jiugao, Luo Yangxing and others, he and Wang Pu and Li Fuming rode horses and led nearly a thousand armored riders to Changping slowly. State direction.

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Wang Pu and Li Fuming's soldiers and horses have all been led back to their respective towns by their own generals, and each of them only left fifty or sixty elite riders to be stationed near the capital with the Xuanfu army's tiger guard battalion.

When the group rode their horses and walked slowly for about two miles, Zhang Cheng smiled and said to Wang Pu and Li Fuming: "Benbo has a few good friends who are just outside Fucheng Gate in the west of the city. Would you two be interested in accompanying me?" Take a walk together?"

Zhang Cheng's invitation made Wang Pu and Li Fuming extremely excited, which fully proved that Zhang Cheng no longer regarded them as outsiders, but regarded them as his own.

You must know that although Zhang Cheng walked a bit hastily, but even so, there were still high-ranking officials and dignitaries such as the Minister of the Ministry of War, the Commander of the Jinyiwei, and the Chief of the Beijing Battalion who came to see him off.

Moreover, Tian Hongyu, the father of Emperor Tian’s noble concubine, Zhou Kui, the father of Jiadingbo, the father of Empress Zhou, and Li Guozhen, Bowei of Xiangcheng, and Shitai, Bowei of Xuancheng also invited Zhang Cheng to the banquet. Hou Liu Wenbing ordered someone to bring the message, intending to invite Zhang Cheng to the banquet.

Now, he wants to turn specifically to the outside of Fucheng Gate. If the people he sees are not high-ranking officials, they must be Zhang Cheng's confidantes. own heart.

Although the two of them also have some thoughts of loyalty in their hearts, they are more concerned about their own wealth and honor. The reason why they are willing to move closer to Zhang Cheng is nothing more than wanting to use Zhang Cheng's strength to preserve their own wealth and honor, and even to make their own family rich. Wealth rises to a higher level.

But there is one thing they haven't thought of yet, and that is the truth that "it's easy to get on a thief ship, but hard to get off a thief ship"!

Although Yongningbo Zhang Cheng was not as suspicious and uncertain as Emperor Chongzhen, he was not as indecisive as Chongzhen, and Zhang Cheng was more powerful and skilled than Emperor Chongzhen, and he was more decisive.

They boarded Zhang Cheng's ship today, and if they dared not to do things with sincerity in the future and remained as greedy for life and fear of death as before, then the punishment waiting for them would be even more severe.

However, they were far from realizing this at this time, and after looking at each other, they happily agreed.

(End of this chapter)