The next day, the three merchants sent samples early in the morning, and Liu Yan inspected them all personally.
The length of the belt is about one and a half meters, and there is an iron buckle on it that can be adjusted in length. There are also eight small iron rings on the belt, which are enough to hang the scattered items carried by the soldiers.
The quality of the hardwood-soled military shoes is also very good. Although there are still many differences from the military boots of later generations, they are enough to satisfy Liu Yan.
"These military shoes will be made in three sizes: large, medium and small, with each size slightly different to accommodate the foot shapes of all soldiers."
The merchant smiled and said: "Don't worry, sir. I have many old shoemakers under my command. They all understand what you mean and will not make these military shoes the same size. People's feet are all big and small. How can this be so?"
"Well, that's right."
Then Liu Yan picked up the leggings. The style of the leggings was exactly what Liu Yan remembered. He stretched it hard and found that the fabric was very strong. After a closer look, the stitching of this fabric was very fine. It could be seen that it was made of good quality cloth. .
"good!"
Liu Yan smiled and said to the three merchants: "The samples of all three have passed the customs. In ten days, you will transport the finished goods to the Qianhu Government Office. After they are inspected and found to be correct, I will pay the price." .”
The three merchants hurriedly clasped their fists in thanks.
Liu Yan said to Song Gongming, the Baihu next to him: "Song Baihu is responsible for supervising the work, delivering the goods, inspecting the quality, etc. After ten days, the equipment will be handed over to Tian Baihu and distributed as soon as possible."
"Yes, I obey."
Then Liu Yan said to Yue Ming of Baihu who came with him: "Yue Baihu will first withdraw the general silver and pay it to the three of them. Ten days later, after Song Baihu has verified that everything is correct, he will pay the other half."
"I obey my orders."
Afterwards, the three merchants followed Yue Ming and Song Gongming down, and before leaving, they thanked them profusely. After all, Liu Yan gave them a big business.
In the blink of an eye, it’s December 17th.
The four thousand sets of leggings, belts, and military shoes ordered by Liu Yan have all been delivered, and together with the new custom-loaded ammunition produced by the Firearms Supervision and Manufacturing Department, they have been distributed to all general armies.
After a few days of changing their uniforms, the mental outlook of the new troops in Xiahezhai has also undergone some changes, and their morale has been greatly improved.
However, Liu Yan couldn't be happy, and he kept his brows furrowed all day long, because at this time, the Qing army should have assembled its main force and was about to start a decisive battle with Lu Xiangsheng.
At this time, Prince Rui Dorgon, the chief general of the Qing army, commanded the left-wing army as the ordered general, and Beileyuetuo commanded the right-wing army as the powerful general, and Beiledudu and others assisted him. The two armies were robbed in Beizhili and other places. After plundering, the whole army gathered around Julu.
At this time, the Ming army was still afraid of fighting.
In the middle of the court, Yang Sichang, the Minister of War, was at odds with Lu Xiangsheng. He first cut off the military supplies of Lu Xiangsheng's Tianxiong army, and then transferred Liu Guangzuo's and Zuo Liangyu's troops from Henan Province who had entered the capital to Sun Chuanting. Gao, the eunuch who oversaw the army, also Three thousand Guan Ning cavalry were assigned to Sun Chuanting when he got out of the water, in order to check and balance Lu Xiangsheng's troops.
At this time, most of the Qing army began to gather, but among the Ming army, only Lu Xiangsheng and Sun Chuanting petitioned for a fight. Gao Qiqian, who controlled the main force of the Ming army, did not move.
Later, Yang Sichang, the Minister of War, ordered Sun Chuanting to be "cautious" and not to attack rashly. As a result, only Lu Xiangsheng's troops were still moving closer to the Qing army, forming a lone army situation, which eventually led to a confrontation with the main force of the Qing army in the Julu area.
Emperor Chongzhen received the report from Lu Xiangsheng and believed that what Lu Xiangsheng mentioned in the report: "Gather a large army, use the Tianxiong army to defend Julu, block the Dongnu offensive, use all the troops of the imperial court to surround Julu, and gather and annihilate the Dongnu soldiers and horses. Here." The suggestion was very attractive, so he ordered Gao Qiqian and Sun Chuanting to lead their troops to support Lu Xiangsheng's troops, and also ordered troops to be dispatched from Shandong to go to Julu to assist in the battle.
However, although Emperor Chongzhen ordered his ministries to prepare for an attack, his fear and suspicion made him regret it, so he ordered Yang Sichang, the Minister of War, to "wait for the opportunity to move to prepare for the war."
To put it bluntly, Emperor Chongzhen gave Yang Sichang arbitrary power when the opportunity came, and at the same time put Lu Xiangsheng's tribe into an irreversible situation!
Lingshan Acropolis, the official residence of ethics.
The conduct officer Hu Zongming and the commander Wang Wenzhen sat speechless. The two had received a transfer order from the Jimo Camp and the governor of Shandong Yan Jizu, ordering the Lingshan Guards to send three thousand troops to the Julu area for reinforcements.
"I just don't understand why it's us!"
Wang Wenzhen's eyes were red. Everyone knew that the main force of the Qing army was in Julu, and the imperial court already had hundreds of thousands of troops around Julu, but no one dared to go to the rescue. Why did they still need to mobilize troops from Lingshan Guard? Is it possible? Can a mere three thousand troops turn the tide?
Hu Zongming knew more information and said: "Guerrilla Master Li sent me a private message. This time the imperial court asked Shandong to send 20,000 troops to rush to rescue, but the generals everywhere were afraid of the Qing army and worried that they would be transferred to the giant army. Lu, they all bribed their superiors to avoid being called up. It is said that Governor Yan Jizu has received no less than eighty letters of mercy."
"There is no way. I guess Mr. Futai also knows the situation of soldiers and horses in various places in Shandong. Even if he is sent, he will die in vain. When the time comes, he will be blamed for the failure of rescue."
"Then why is it our Lingshan Guards!"
Hu Zongming said with a complicated expression: "It's not because Liu Yan is the general of Lingshan Guard, he is a strong general registered with Lord Futai! At this time, if we are not transferred, who can be allowed to go?"
Wang Wenzhen said with a sad face: "It's true that Xiao He succeeds and Xiao He loses. We were promoted because of Liu Yan, but now we are going to die because of Liu Yan!"
Hu Zongming also frowned, thought for a while, and said: "Shangguan gave us ten days to gather troops and horses. I don't think you and I should rest. Now let's go to the Qianhu Station in front of Xiahe Village."
"What do you mean, sir?"
Hu Zongming stood up and said: "Three thousand people! This is said to be the number of pioneers that Governor Yan Jizu told the court to silence people. If we can't even come up with these three thousand people, then I guess you It’s a small thing for the two of us to be dismissed from our posts, otherwise we might lose our heads!”
"So, let's go find Liu Yan quickly. Didn't he say to expand the army? Let's see if we can mobilize an army of three thousand!"
Wang Wenzhen was about to cry at this time and said: "Three thousand people? Liu Yan is just a defense officer. Even if he changes, he can't change into three thousand people!"
"Alas! Let's treat a dead horse as a living horse doctor."
That night, Hu Zongming and Wang Wenzhen braved the cold wind and rushed into Qianhusuo City in front of Xiahe Village. When they arrived at Qianhu's official hall, they were so tired that they could hardly speak.
Liu Yan looked at the two Shangguan who arrived overnight and couldn't help but be startled: "Two adults, why are you doing this?"
Hu Zongming was panting and took out the order to mobilize troops from his arms. Liu Yan frowned and read it.
After a while, Hu Zongming regained his breath and said, "Liu Yan, just tell me: how many soldiers and horses do you have now? Can you assemble an army of three thousand?"
Wang Wenzhen on the side was also staring at Liu Yan, his eyes full of expectation.
After reading the transfer order, Liu Yan had a general understanding of the situation at this time, and said: "Master Qi Chengshou, my subordinates have just expanded their troops. There are more than 3,000 soldiers and horses. These 3,000 people can still be gathered together." of."
Hu Zongming and Wang Wenzhen looked at each other and let out a sigh of relief.
Wang Wenzhen stood up and said: "Master Chengshou and I have discussed it on the way here. It is impossible for our Lingshan Guards not to send troops this time. However, the soldiers and horses of other departments are useless, and only the troops in front of Xiahe Village can be used." Qianhu's troops are the main force, so this time we send troops, we rely on Liu Qianhu's troops!"
Liu Yan did not answer immediately after hearing this. After thinking for a while, he said: "I dare to ask you two adults, how will Xiahe Village be garrisoned after our army sets off?"
Now that Hu Zongming and Wang Wenzhen have come to visit, Liu Yan understands that he can't escape this time, and he doesn't intend to escape. Isn't this the time he has been waiting for a thousand days to raise troops?
Moreover, Liu Yan now has more than 3,700 people in his hands, and Liu Yan will not divide his troops to stay. The Qing army is already powerful. Liu Yan will definitely use all his strength this time. If he fails, he will be benevolent and pass this level. Then you can transform into a dragon in one day!
Wang Wenzhen naturally understood that although Liu Yan was talking about various places in Xiahe Village, he was still worried about Wangjiazhuang and Dapanbao.
So Wang Wenzhen said: "Liu Qianhu doesn't need to worry about this. After the army left, I asked Jia Hongyu of the Hundred Household to lead his troops to Wangjiazhuang to look after Liu Qianhu's home and home. I took my servants to the Qianhu House in front of Xiahe Village City, maintain various affairs. How about it?"
Liu Yan looked at the earnest Wang Wenzhen and Hu Zongming and said with a smile: "In this case, I just obey my orders."
"good!"
A stone fell from the hearts of Hu Zongming and Wang Wenzhen instantly, and then Hu Zongming told him: "Ten days, the army will leave within ten days, and it must arrive in Julu within a month to join the battle. Liu Qianhu must take care of himself! "
Liu Yan cupped his fists and accepted the order.
However, Liu Yan was not a novice in officialdom. At this time, Hu Zongming and Wang Wenzhen wanted something from him, and Liu Yan took the opportunity to make a request.
"Two armies, our army has just expanded. If we want to go on an expedition, we are still short of the mandarin ducks, fat jackets and other uniforms required by the soldiers. We need the help of two adults to solve it. In addition, various medicines needed for the army to go out also need a lot of help. and added.”
Wang Wenzhen patted his chest and said: "This matter is easy to handle. I will rush back to Lingshan Guard tonight and seize the time to prepare for Liu Qianhu according to the standard of four thousand people. Mandarin ducks and fat jackets, etc., warm-weather clothes and medicines will be provided in three days." The contents will be transported to the city where thousands of households live in front of Xiahe Village."
"Thank you, Lord Tongzhi."
"If Liu Qianhu has any other requests, please tell them."
At this time, Hu Zongming was afraid that Liu Yan would regret it temporarily, so he simply started to promise.
Seeing this, Liu Yan pointed out that his men lacked armor and needed to be equipped with enough thunder, rockets, and artillery.
Hu Zongming immediately agreed to report to the superiors on his behalf: "The armor and Zhentian Lei are easy to handle. Lingshan Guards has them. I will ask Wang Tongzhi to go back and handle them together. The quality of the military equipment must be the best. Liu Qianhu can rest assured."
"As for the rockets and artillery, our Lingshan Guards don't have these. I will write a letter now and have my accompanying personal escort send it to Jimo Camp overnight, and ask the guerrilla general Li Jiwen to help with it. How about it?"
Liu Yan smiled and clasped his fists and said: "In this case, I have thanked you two adults. As long as these supplies, equipment and artillery can be arrived in time, I will definitely be able to lead the attack within ten days. Please rest assured, two adults." "
That night, Wang Wenzhen braved the cold wind and, under the protection of several servants, rushed out of the Qianhu Residence in front of Xiahe Village and returned to Lingshan Guard overnight. At the same time, Hu Zongming's personal entourage also set off on horseback and went to Jimo Yingcheng overnight to deliver the message.
Hu Zongming stayed in Qianhu Guanting, preparing to wait for the definite reply from guerrilla general Li Jiwen before returning to Lingshan Acropolis.
Some people died, but not completely...
