weaving

Chapter 993

There is a horse farm more than ten miles away from the western suburbs of the capital of the Ming Dynasty. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers. The south side of it is a tributary of the Lugou River.

To the west is a mountain, which is the extension of the remaining veins of the West Mountain. The mountain here is very gentle, which is very suitable for grazing and training cavalry. It is precisely because of these convenient conditions that this place was chosen as the official horse farm. .

Today, there are very few traces of war damage in this racecourse. There are many houses in it.

Here, most of them are fighters of Niu Sheng Bodyguard Team and those who provide services for them, such as blacksmiths, grooms, doctors, veterinarians, etc. There are occasional traffickers, and most of them are regular customers who have served the bodyguard team for a long time. .

The racecourse is in charge of a Xuanfu veteran named Huang Fulai. He was originally one of the ten soldiers in Niu Sheng's team, and he built the racecourse by himself.

Datong General Soldier Wang Pu and Shanxi General Soldier Li Fuming were walking on the street of the racecourse accompanied by Huang Fulai at this moment, and Huang Fulai also told them everything about the racecourse while walking.

There are now 500 knights gathered here, nearly a thousand horses, mules and horses, and more than [-] infantry guards, which is simply a small and capable army.

At the beginning, Wang Pu and Li Fuming were amazed by the terrain of this racecourse. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and has a tall and thick wall.

Now it is even known that nearly two thousand elite cavalry warriors are hidden in it, and they have hoarded enough food and grass for these people to eat for a few months. What is Zhang Cheng's intention?

In this regard, they no longer dare to think about it in depth!
This time when they sent troops to Liaodong to help break the siege of Jinzhou, they had seen the bravery of the Xuanfu army. If they hadn't hugged Zhang Cheng's thigh tightly, how could they have escaped completely and returned in victory?
What's more, they stayed in Beijing and insisted on waiting for Zhang Cheng to return to Xuanda together. Although this matter cannot be said to be known to everyone, it is also known to most people.

No matter what they think in their hearts, outsiders have long regarded them as Zhang Cheng's party, and this is actually the result they hoped for. Only in this way can they follow the Xuanfu army and pick up more military achievements.

Therefore, seeing everything here, they can only swallow it in their own stomachs, and dare not speak to outsiders at all.

Huang Fulai took Wang Pu and Li Fuming all the way to the field where the cavalry and infantry were practicing, and showed them the practice of the knights and infantry of the escort team in the racecourse, and they were shocked.

…………

While Huang Fulai, the steward of the racecourse over there, led Wang Pu and Li Fuming to visit the racecourse, Zhang Cheng was discussing the future with everyone. Niu Sheng first reported to Zhang Cheng the information he had collected recently.

First of all, the Qing army outside the pass has all retreated, and there are only two Qing troops stationed in Yizhou in the north of Jinzhou and Dalinghebao in the west, and their strategic direction has turned to the defensive.

Zuo Dashou, Zuo Dudu and Liaodong Forward Soldier General, also passed away in Jinzhou City ten days ago due to insufficient treatment of arrow sores.

Emperor Chongzhen personally wrote a sacrificial oration for him, posthumously gifted Zu Dashou as the crown prince and Taifu, and gifted Uncle Ning Yuan, bestowed the posthumous title of Zhongwu, and ordered the priests to set up five altars for sacrifice.

Although everyone felt deeply sorry for Zu Dashou's death after hearing this, they were also very envious of him being named uncle after his death.

But Zhang Cheng knew in his heart that Zu Dashou's fate was completely changed only because of his appearance, even though he was injured and died in the Jinzhou battle.

But because of this, his family's reputation was preserved. He was not included in the "Biography of Second Officials", and he was granted the posthumous title of uncle after his death, and his posthumous title was Zhongwu.

However, when Zhang Cheng learned that the Qing army had completely retreated, he couldn't help but think of something, so he asked Niu Sheng, "Is there any news about the slave chief Hong Tai from Liaodong?"

Niu Sheng replied: "Returning to Lord Sir, it is not easy to get news from slaves and thieves, and the transmission is very slow. It usually takes several months before some news is sent back. The villain will pay attention to the slave chief Hongtai, but there is information If you hear it, you must fly to report to the Sir."

Zhang Cheng also knew what he said was the truth, so he nodded and said, "Go ahead!"

After Niu Sheng received Zhang Cheng's instructions, he immediately reported: "My lord, the rebels who invaded Cao have attacked the cities of Poye County and Biyang one after another. Dexun was besieging Nanyang the day before yesterday. No one can cure it."

"There is also news from Lord Chen that Liu Shiwen, the eldest son of Liu Guoneng, the deputy commander-in-chief, was rescued in Ye County. He is now under the protection of Lord Hai and Counselor Wang, and is heading to the capital for a starry night..."

Niu Sheng then introduced the details of what he knew about the battle in Ye County and Chen Zhong's activities in Henan.

After hearing this, Zhang Cheng sighed and said: "Although Liu Guoneng went astray earlier and once worked as a partner with the two thieves Chuangcao, but he 'knows mistakes and can correct them, there is nothing good about it', and now he is even more loyal to the country, which is indeed rare and precious."

He went on to say: "Niu Sheng, you send a message to Chen Zhong on behalf of Uncle Ben, asking him to pay close attention to the movements of the intruders, and pay more attention to hoarding grain and grass, especially in Kaifeng, which is the most important thing."

"Here."

Zhang Cheng asked again: "When will Liu Jinhai and Wang Yuanjing be able to come to the capital, do you have anything to say?"

"Go back to Lord Hai, according to the letter from Lord Hai and Counselor Wang, he will come to the capital within a few days." Niu Sheng replied.

Zhang Cheng nodded, no longer talking about this matter, but turned his head to look at Lu Dachun, the Sicheng of Honghe Temple, and asked him with a smile: "Lu Sicheng, are you used to living in Beijing?"

Lu Dachun looked flattered, he got up and knelt down and said: "Returning to Uncle Yongning, Dachun was able to enter the capital thanks to Uncle Yongning's support, never forgetting.

Since entering Beijing, Dachun has always kept Yongning Bo's teachings in mind, devoted himself to studying in Honghe Temple, and made friends with colleagues. Now the officials of Honghe Temple, except Da Honghe, are not very familiar with him, and the rest are already familiar with Dachun. "

Zhang Cheng nodded slightly satisfied, he still has some confidence in Lu Dachun's ability, otherwise he would not deliberately get him to Beijing, but with the changes in the world, now he has some other ideas.

Immediately, he asked again: "Lu Dachun, benbo asked you, are you familiar with all the official affairs in the monastery?"

Lu Dachun knelt on the ground and kowtowed his head and replied: "Back to Uncle Yongning, although Dachun doesn't have a complete understanding of the various departments in the temple, he still knows the general outline. I believe that in a few days, he will be able to count them all." but in the chest"

"What specific job do you have in Honglu Temple now?" Zhang Cheng asked again.

"Back to Uncle Yongning, the current affairs in the temple are not overturned. Dachun has no specific assignments for the time being, and he still walks in the temple. This is also convenient for Dachun to familiarize himself with the various duties."

Lu Dachun didn't know why Zhang Cheng asked such a question, he bowed his head, his heart was beating like a drum, he didn't know whether his answer was appropriate.

"Ah."

Zhang Cheng then asked him straight to the point: "Lu Dachun, the emperor is sympathetic to Benbo, and gave him an earl's mansion in Beijing, but Benbo has to live in Xuanfu for a long time due to complicated military affairs, and Beijing must leave someone to look after him.

Now I am going to let you be my official in the Earl's Mansion, and help my uncle manage all kinds of affairs in the Earl's Mansion. I don't know what you want? "

Lu Dachun was startled when he heard the words, his heart burst into ecstasy immediately, he kowtowed his head like pounding garlic, and replied: "Uncle Yongning is so trustworthy, Dachun should be heartbroken to repay the kindness of Uncle Yongning for his support, although he can't be a lord in this life Leading the horse and falling on the pedals, but being able to look after the family and the courtyard for the lord, my wish is enough!"

Lu Dachun is not stupid, he knows that Zhang Cheng alone is responsible for his success, he has no foundation in the capital, if he breaks away from Zhang Cheng's influence, not to mention being famous, it may be difficult for him to survive in the capital.

Now, Zhang Cheng actually proposed that he wants to serve as an official in Earl Yongning's mansion. For him, that is a supreme honor, and it is also the great trust of Yongning Earl in him.

Although on the surface, one is a Beijing official of the imperial court, and the other is a private person under Zhang Cheng's subordinates, but the gold content in it is quite different!

How could Lu Dachun easily let go of such a good opportunity, so he immediately agreed and took the opportunity to show his loyalty.

Zhang Cheng nodded in satisfaction, and said to him: "Get up. Later, Uncle Ben will transfer you to the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies, so that it will be convenient for you to manage affairs in Uncle Ben's mansion, and you can also walk around the various yamen. "

He then asked about the recent situation of Yu Shangyou, Yuan Pengnian and others. Of course, the main thing was whether they were doing well in the various yamen and how many friends they had made.

Except Yu Shangyou among them, which one of them didn't get their status today through Zhang Cheng's relationship in the court?

Moreover, not only have they been promoted, but they are also much more generous than before. They have a lot of friends in various ministries and halls. They are very famous, and they are all supported by Zhang Cheng's financial support behind them.

Starting from Yu Shangyou, one by one, he reported his situation in the department hall, such as the relationship with colleagues in important departments, his current status in the department hall, how popular he is, and so on.

After all, although Zhang Cheng didn't care much about money, he couldn't let them squander it arbitrarily. Every penny had its use, whether it was to cling to relationships or make friends with superior officials, it always had some effect.

Finally, Wu Jinkang, Zhang Cheng's uncle, the director of the Ministry of Industry and Construction, was in a very important position, so he hadn't moved upwards in the past few years.

After all, Wu Jinkang was in charge of repairing the royal court, mausoleums, altars, palaces, city walls, warehouses, houses, and barracks. He used some silver to manage the relationship, and those free artisans from the Ministry of Industry could use it at will.

Moreover, you can also use the materials in the Ministry of Industry's warehouse for your own use. In general, it is really more suitable than relying on your own money.

Now what Zhang Cheng needs to know is the family background of the Ministry of Industry. If he wants to make a big move in the Xuanfu, he must first figure out how many resources he can mobilize!

Then everyone chattered some gossip again, it was nothing more than congratulating Zhang Cheng once again on being named "Emperor Yongning" and saying some words of miss to each other.

Seeing that it was late, Zhang Cheng ordered Niu Sheng to arrange a banquet. Tonight, he will have a big drink with all his good friends, and at the same time, he will send someone to find Wang Pu and Li Fuming, so that everyone can get close to each other. .

…………

In the middle of the Jingxi Racecourse courtyard, the terrain is slightly higher than other places, so a large courtyard was built here, but the courtyard wall is as high as Zhangxu, and there are hopeful towers built on the courtyard wall at intervals. tower.

The courtyard has three depths. The front is the lobby, the side hall, and the second room. The two sides are the barracks and stables.

There are also two small cross courtyards on both sides of this compound, and there are corridors connecting them. However, in order to strengthen defense during wartime, the corridors on both sides here can be cut off at any time, and the main courtyard in the middle can be The heavy wooden door was completely closed.

Of course, with the current strength of the racecourse, if tens of thousands of government troops did not attack on a large scale in the Gyeonggi area, no one would be able to pose the slightest threat to it.

However, "Be prepared for danger in times of peace" is Zhang Cheng's teaching to Niu Sheng's ear, so all the buildings here are not based on comfort, but on the strength of their defense. Everything is prepared for war, not for enjoyment!
The sky was getting dark, and it was almost dusk. The outside of the compound was strictly guarded, but the inside was also busy. The main hall and side hall of the front yard, as well as the side rooms and wing rooms were all used.

There are [-] knight guards from Zhang Cheng's barracks, and [-] guards from Wang Pu and Li Fuming. It's like a holiday tonight. They can eat and drink freely without restriction.

In the main hall in the middle courtyard, there are Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng, General Soldier Wang Pu and Li Fuming, plus Beijing officials Wu Jinkang, Yu Shangyou, Yuan Pengnian, Wang Diaoding, Ma Jiazhi, Liang Yuming and others, and then there are Niu Sheng, Lu Dachun, Wang Zhaozheng and other old men under Zhang Cheng's command.

They were seated at two tables. The first table was Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu, Li Fuming, Wu Jinkang, Yu Shangyou, Niu Sheng and other six people.

Among them, Wang Pu and Li Fuming are both the chief soldiers of the town, and they are also powerful figures, while Wu Jinkang is Zhang Cheng's natal uncle, who is naturally superior, and Yu Shangyou is the official Zhang Cheng first met in the capital, and Niu Sheng is here. The master is also Zhang Cheng's confidant, so there is nothing wrong with staying at the head of the seat.

On the next table are Yuan Pengnian, Wang Diaoding, Ma Jiazhi, Liang Yuming and others, and there are Lu Dachun and Wang Zhaozheng accompanying them.

Although Yuan Pengnian, Wang Diaoding and other four people also knew Zhang Cheng quite early, but they were very soft-spoken at that time, and later borrowed Zhang Cheng's help to achieve their current status, so compared with the first few people, they are naturally indifferent. I fell behind.

And Lu Dachun is now the butler of Yongning Bo's residence, and he is here to accompany them at this table, which is also enough to give a few people face.

The other Wang Zhaozheng, although he is just the shopkeeper of Tongchun Tower, he was the first to join Zhang Cheng, and he was also the key figure for Zhang Cheng to hand over the officials in the capital. Familiarity, sitting at this table is all right.

After a banquet, the crowd was naturally hearty and hearty while pushing cups and changing cups, and their mutual feelings also greatly increased, and they became more and more closely united around Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng.

(End of this chapter)