"The number of people who can participate in this Northern Expedition must be over eight thousand." Xu Chengfei knew all this and answered without hesitation at all.
With eight thousand capable soldiers, Han Du nodded with slight satisfaction. From this point of view, there are probably nearly 10,000 people in Shanzi Camp now. After all, even if it is the Northern Expedition, it is impossible for everyone to be sent out. Some must be left to guard the camp.
After thinking for a while, Han Du looked at Xu Chengfei and couldn't help but smile: "How about it? Do you have a problem with leading eight thousand people? Let me make it clear first, I don't understand land warfare. Our northern expedition depends entirely on you."
When Xu Chengfei heard this, he looked up at Han Du and sneered. He turned his head to the side, not wanting to talk to Han Du at all. Perhaps in his opinion, Han Du's question was too stupid.
After a while, Xu Chengfei turned back to look at Han Du. Seeing that Han Du was really confused, he had to explain: "Before coming to this Shanzi camp, a certain person had already led more than 10,000 troops. Now you actually ask me Is there any problem with leading eight thousand troops? Do you look down on me?"
He led over 10,000 troops a few years ago. Is this guy so powerful? With such ability at such a young age, it seems that he is also a figure in Lao Zhu's pocket.
"Haha, Brother Xu misunderstood, misunderstood. If that's the case, then I'm relieved." Han Du quickly apologized to Xu Chengfei.
Mentioning the past, Xu Chengfei's heart was moved. Thinking of the past scenery, and then looking at the life he was living now, he couldn't help but feel sad. "I have been under your command for six years. Do you know how I have spent these six years? To be honest, if I had not come to this Shanzi camp, I would not have missed the Northern Expedition to Mongolia and Yuan Dynasty. Maybe I would have already relied on my military merit. Knighted."
This... Han Du couldn't refute. With Xu Chengfei's status, if he had not come to Shanzi Camp to guard the treasure chest, he would have participated in the Northern Expedition long ago and would not have waited until now for an opportunity.
Thinking of this, Han Du also felt that he felt a little sorry for Xu Chengfei. After laughing twice, he said: "How about you go to the navy? Next time I go to sea, I will take you with me. Maybe you can also make meritorious deeds?" "
This is the only thing Han Du can do. After all, since the death of Li Wenzhong in the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army, there is no one who can speak. Only Navy Han Du can still make the decision. Besides, there is countless wealth overseas. Even if he can't get military merit, he can get gold, silver and jewelry, which can be regarded as compensation for Xu Chengfei.
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xu Chengfei not only did not express gratitude to Han Du for his suggestion, but looked at Han Du with a puzzled face and asked: "I am about to go to the north, you are going to ask me to go to the Navy? Are you sure, really?" Is it for my own good?"
Seeing Xu Chengfei's misunderstanding, Han Du laughed dryly and explained: "I didn't say it's now, you can do it anytime you want. We are just assisting King Yan this time and following his command. I'm afraid you won't have the chance to make meritorious deeds." "
Xu Chengfei's face became a little better now. He did not refuse, but he also did not agree immediately. Instead, he said: "Let's talk about it. Now we'd better go all out to prepare for the Northern Expedition."
Indeed, it is only right to successfully win the battle in front of you first. If you lose the battle, there will be no future. You will either die in battle or be accused and imprisoned.
Han Du couldn't help but nod, he really wanted to go all out.
Thinking of this, Han Du stopped chatting with Xu Chengfei and left directly to the Arms Bureau.
Han Du, who suffers from the phobia of insufficient firepower, is very knowledgeable about how to go all out. Only by hiding behind the death net intertwined by bullets and shells can we be considered absolutely safe and can we go all out.
As soon as he took a step towards the Arms Bureau, he was stopped by someone.
"Stop, this is the Arms Bureau, please stay away."
The guards at the Ordnance Bureau are much more temperamental than those at Shanziying. Even though Han Du was wearing the Marquis's python robe, they didn't look good.
After all, this is an important place in the capital. Let alone a marquis, even a duke cannot enter at will without a warrant.
Han Du took out the token from his arms and motioned to the guards. It is strange to say that Lao Zhu suspended all his duties at first, but after the incident passed, he did not say anything about reinstating Han Duguan. In order to be lazy, Han Du simply pretended not to know. Even if Lao Zhu did not remove Han Du from his official position, Han Du never came to the weapons bureau again.
But Lao Zhu seemed to have forgotten his token and did not let anyone take it back.
This resulted in that Han Du was still nominally the head of the Arms Bureau, but he had not performed his duties since then.
The guard was shocked when he saw it. He knelt down quickly and apologized and replied: "I pay my respects to your lord. Your lord, please come in."
"Is Peng Ke in the yamen? If so, ask him to come to my office." After giving the order, Han Du strode past the guard with his hands behind his back and stepped into the door.
"Master Peng came early in the morning and has not left yet. He must be here. Please stay a moment, sir. I will inform Master Peng right away."
Han Du didn't look back, just said "hmm" and walked straight to his office.
The guard quickly arranged for another person to wait behind Han Du, while he ran all the way to find Penk.
Han Du pushed open the door of the office room, and the sunlight instantly shone through the door. The things in front of him were the same as in Han Du's memory. It was obvious that no one had used this room since he didn't come.
Although this room has not been used for a long time, there is no dust on the table, chairs and coffee table. You don't need to ask, you know that there must be someone regularly cleaning the place.
The person behind him sensiblely brought a pot of hot tea and offered it to Han Du.
"Sir, do you have any other orders?"
Han Du looked up at him, smiled, waved his hand and said, "No, you can go down first."
"Yes, sir. The little one will be guarding outside. If you need anything, sir, let me know and I will take care of it immediately." After saying that, when Han Du nodded towards him, he took two steps back and turned around to go out.
After a while, Penke got the news and came.
The moment he stepped through the door, he looked at Han Du, who was sitting at the top, with a complicated and happy expression on his face.
Peng Ke's mood was very complicated for the Lord Han in front of him, the Marquis of Zhenhai. Judging from his nature, he naturally couldn't stand Han Du's behavior of disappearing for so long and not asking about the Ordnance Bureau at all, but at the same time, he was glad that Han Du never interfered in his affairs.
Penke is a purely technical official, and what he fears most is an outsider telling him, an expert. He is not interested in anything other than technology. This kind of personality has caused him to suffer a lot in the past, and it was not uncommon for Shangguan officials who thought he would never get into trouble to give him little shoes to wear.
Otherwise, with his ability, he would not be just a sixth-grade official at this age.
On the contrary, the period when Han Du was in charge of the Arms Bureau turned out to be the most comfortable days since Peng Ke became an official.
Peng Ke suddenly laughed out loud, stepped forward in three steps and paid homage to Han Du: "Peng Ke, my lord, pay my respects to your lord."
When Han Du heard Peng Ke's voice, he put down the paperwork in his hand and asked with a smile: "These days when I am away, all the affairs of the entire Ordnance Bureau have fallen on you and Zhan Yong. Thank you for your hard work. "
"It's not hard to be a subordinate, as long as you don't blame the subordinate for mishandling things." Peng Ke said softly with a smile.
Han Du put down the document in his hand and sighed: "I have taken a brief look at it and you have handled it properly. There is nothing inappropriate."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir." Peng Ke finally felt relieved after hearing this and bowed slightly towards Han Du.
Han Du did not continue the question and asked about the purpose of the trip.
"How many revolvers does the Ordnance Bureau have now, and how many bullets does it have?"
The revolver is now regarded as a magic weapon by the Ming Dynasty. Although the Ordnance Bureau produces a large number of revolvers and bullets every month. However, due to the strict order issued by the emperor, the revolver and bullets were strictly guarded.
Therefore, Penke was extremely sensitive to Han Du's words, and his whole body couldn't help but tense up when he heard it.
He asked carefully and tentatively: "There are still some revolvers and bullets in the weapons department. I don't know what you want to do by asking this?"
"As long as it's in stock." Han Du nodded with satisfaction, and then said nonchalantly: "Send 10,000 revolvers to Shanzi Camp for me, and I'll start with 1 million rounds of bullets."
Naturally, the Ordnance Bureau can provide 10,000 revolvers, as well as 1 million rounds of ammunition. But if so many revolvers and bullets are really transferred away, the Arms Bureau's inventory will be reduced by more than half in an instant.
This is the output of the Ordnance Bureau for more than a year. Even if Han Du wants it, Penke will shed tears in distress.
"My lord, you must not do it. You must not do it. Your Majesty has decreed that the revolvers and bullets must be strictly guarded. If your lord transfers so many of them at once, I will not be able to explain them to you."
Han Du raised his head and looked at Penke dissatisfied, and asked: "Who wants you to explain?"
Just when Peng Ke was stunned and hadn't understood what Han Du meant.
Han Du said lightly: "Don't forget, I am still the head of the Ordnance Bureau. I will naturally explain this matter to the emperor. Why do you need to take charge of the tank?"
Penke was stunned for a moment and then came back to his senses. In the past, Han Du was not in the Yamen, so he was responsible for the dispatch of revolvers and bullets. But now that Han Du is back, there will naturally be nothing to do without him. He had been doing this kind of thing for a long time and had become accustomed to it. He didn't come back to his senses for a while, so he subconsciously objected when Han Du ordered it.
Seeing Peng Ke's stunned look, Han Du smiled and persuaded: "Don't worry, I will write this order, so you won't get into trouble."
When Peng Ke saw what Han Du had said, he quickly apologized and raised his hands towards Han Du and said, "I have overstepped my bounds, please forgive me. Please give me the order, and I will do it now."
Han Du nodded, took out a piece of paper, and wrote an order to transfer 10,000 revolvers and 1 million rounds of ammunition to Shanzi Camp. Open the box, take out the copper seal, cover it, fold it and give it to Penke.
