Late at night, Liu Yan took advantage of the excitement and returned to the New Army camp outside the city. Also returning with him were several carts of rewards.
At this banquet, King De Zhu Youli learned from Xingzhi that he rewarded Liu Yan with a large amount of property, including 5,000 taels of silver, 300 pieces of cloth, 3,000 shi of grain, and 1,000 taels of gold.
Liu Yan transported these belongings back to the camp and used them all for military purposes without keeping any of them himself.
Two days later, Lu Xiangsheng ordered the soldiers of all ministries to return to their bases. After Liu Yan received the order, he also began to make preparations. The soldiers of each battalion cheered and began to pack their bags.
In just one day, several Ming armies set off, and the number of Ming army camps outside Jinan Prefecture gradually decreased. After another two days, the officers and soldiers of the new Lingshan Guard army were also ready to go. Liu Yan entered the city to bid farewell to Lu Xiangsheng and Yan Jizu.
In the governor's mansion, Lu Xiangsheng and Yan Jizu were both wearing casual robes and sitting in the pavilion of the mansion. Liu Yan was wearing armor and clasped his fists and said: "I have seen the governor and Futai. Now the officers and soldiers of Lingshan Guard are ready to go back to Lingshan Guard." We are stationed here and have come to say goodbye to the governor and Futai!" 33
Lu Xiangsheng said with a smile: "That's fine, Liu Yan, you go back to comfort the soldiers and appease the people first. If you need anything, send someone to report to the governor. But there is one thing, we must train the new army as much as possible and contribute to the country!"
Yan Jizu said: "What the governor said is reasonable. Commander Liu has outstanding military exploits and an unlimited future. He must have a strong army in his hands. The New Army officers and soldiers suffered a lot in the Battle of Jinan, so they must be replenished in time... …”
Not long after, Liu Yan said goodbye to Lu Xiangsheng and Yan Jizu, submitted his resignation to Prince De's Mansion, and then left the city to the camp outside the city.
By this time, the defense line in the south of the city had been built, but the Qing army had withdrawn, and this line of defense had lost its effect. Lu Xiangsheng specifically ordered this line of defense to be retained and used as a defense fortification in Jinan Fucheng.
Liu Yan looked at the hastily constructed defense line and felt filled with emotion and more regret. If this line of defense could work, the main force of the Qing army would have to leave at least 10,000 lives!
The battalions of the new Lingshan Guard Army have been assembled, and seven combat battalions are on standby in the wilderness. Liu Yan rides his horse to patrol the formation, and then orders the entire army to return to Lingshan Guard southward. Thousands of soldiers march southward singing war songs, and the rest have not yet The officers and soldiers of the Ming army who left came out to watch one after another to get a glimpse of the strong military style.
Lu Xiangsheng and Yan Jizu stood on the top of the city and looked out, with a glimmer of hope in their hearts: they hoped that Liu Yan would become more courageous and make more military exploits as he fought under his command.
Eight days later, the time has come to mid-June. Liu Yan led the soldiers of the new Lingshan Guard Army to Lingshan Acropolis. The commander who stayed behind was Wang Wenzhen, the commander Tian Huixu, the governor Zhang Lei, and the experienced Zhao Min. , Qian Liang Guan Yue Ming, Commercial Officer Song Gongming, Zhongqianhu Station Defense Officer Jia Hongyu, as well as Liu Yanyue Zhang Wang Jing, president of Lingshan Wei Chamber of Commerce, have all gathered outside the east gate of Lingshan Acropolis.
When everyone saw the majestic Xinjia soldiers coming along the official road, they all raised their arms and shouted. The news of Jinan's great victory had come long ago, and the Lingshan Guards were in a state of shock. For such a great victory, the court would definitely reward the meritorious soldiers.
As Liu Yan was the first general to achieve great success, it would be indispensable to reward a general when the time came. As Liu Yan's subordinates, everyone would surely be in a better position, and they were naturally very happy in their hearts.
Liu Yan stood up and dismounted. Chen Xun, Wang Bo, Wang Yue, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo, Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Xun Jingyun and others also dismounted. People gathered around Liu Yan and came to the east gate. Everyone who had been waiting here saluted. .
Liu Yan laughed and encouraged everyone. Chen Xun, Wang Bo and others also warmly embraced the people who stayed behind. Although they left for a short time, they were still fighting life and death. Now that everyone is back safely, they must take good care of themselves. Exchanging pleasantries.
At this time, Liu Yan didn't see his wife Wang Yunhe, nor his two concubines Shang Shan and Ruoshui, so he couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Commander Wang Wenzhen looked at Liu Yan who was confused and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, you'd better go back to the mansion as soon as possible. There is a big surprise waiting for you!"
Liu Yan was stunned for a moment, and then looked at his father-in-law Wang Jing in the crowd, and saw Wang Jing smiling and nodding to him. Liu Yan immediately beamed with joy, clasped his fists to bid farewell to everyone, and rode his horse towards the city.
Miao Shao, the commander-in-chief of the Guard Battalion, still wanted to lead his troops to follow, but was stopped by Wang Wenzhen, who only sent a few guards to follow him: "My lord, I don't need you to follow me now, so you should follow me. The campus in the city has been prepared for all the troops to follow." The soldiers have gone back to rest. You guys will follow me to a wine shop in the city. I have booked the largest wine shop in the city, Dahonglou. Let’s get drunk before resting today!”
After splitting his words, Liu Yan rode his horse back to the commander's office, entered the mansion, and went straight to the backyard.
"lady!"
Liu Yan quickly came to the main room in the backyard and opened the door. He saw Wang Yunhe half-lying on the bed with a red silk tied on his head. Shang Shan was holding a bowl of soup, and Ruoshui was holding a baby in his arms. , the three of them looked blankly at Liu Yan, who rushed in panting, obviously not yet reacting.
Liu Yan burst out laughing when he saw this, rushed to Ruoshui, and said loudly: "Hurry up and see if it's a boy or a girl!"
Ruoshui's Emei frowned slightly and said angrily: "My husband didn't say how about seeing my sister first when he came back, but he only wanted to take care of the child!"
Shang Shan on the side also joked: "Does your husband like boys or girls? If you don't like it, don't blame your sister."
Liu Yan laughed loudly and looked at the infant child. He saw that the child was sleeping soundly, white and tender, and extremely cute. Then he strode to the bedside, held Wang Yunhe's hands, and said, "Boys and girls like it. As long as Yun Niang is well, everything will be fine!"
Wang Yunhe snorted and said: "Wang Tongzhi came over yesterday to inform us that my husband would be back today. The three of us sisters were full of joy. Unexpectedly, our husband only wanted to take care of the children, but he ignored our wishes!"
Liu Yan said many kind words repeatedly, which earned Wang Yunhe, Shang Shan, and Ruoshui smiles.
After some tenderness, Liu Yan learned that Wang Yunhe had given birth to a baby boy three days ago. In the past few days, Shang Shan and Ruoshui had been serving him. Liu Yan was very moved when he heard this and immediately rewarded Shang Shan and Ruoshui with some property.
"Husband, this child doesn't have a name yet. Husband, please give me a name."
Liu Yan nodded, thought for a long time, and then said: "Why don't we call him Liu Sheng, the strong Sheng, the prosperous Sheng. I hope that when he grows up, the world will no longer be turbulent, and the world will return to the prosperous age. bustling!"
Shang Shan and Ruoshui nodded frequently, their eyes full of longing.
Wang Yunhe said with a smile: "I will definitely do it! With my husband here, this kind of world will definitely be replaced by a prosperous one!"
After the new troops of the Lingshan Guard returned in triumph, Liu Yan ordered Chen Xun and Wang Yue to lead the front and rear battalions respectively to return to their bases. After all, the Qianhu Station in front of Xiahe Village and the Qianhu Station in Jiaozhou had to be heavily guarded. The remaining battalions are all stationed in Lingshan Acropolis.
At the same time, the pensions for the casualties of each battalion were also supervised by the town governor Xun Jingyun, and were distributed according to the amount of 20 taels per person for the fallen soldiers and 15 taels for the disabled officers.
The imperial court already provided pensions for the casualties of soldiers in each battalion. Even if officials at all levels exploited them, they would still get a few taels of silver.
Liu Yan had given out so much pension this time, and the families of the disabled soldiers were so grateful that they wished they could build a shrine for Liu Yan.
Next, Liu Yan ordered the garrison officer Zhang Lei and the money and grain officer Yue Ming to resettle the more than 7,000 people who had moved there as soon as possible. At the same time, he ordered the commanding officer Tian Huixu to start recruiting new soldiers, and within two months, each battalion would be replenished. Shortage.
Soon it was mid-July, and Liu Yan served a full-moon wine at the commander's office. Chen Xun, Wang Yue, Wang Bo, Zhang Yi, Xu Ming, Miao Shao, Shen Tuo, Xun Jingyun, Wang Wenzhen, Tian Huixu, etc. All the subordinates came to congratulate him.
Jimo Camp Staff General Zhang Youxun, Wendeng Camp Staff General Lu Tingyan, and Dengzhou Camp Staff General Han Xu also arrived, as did the Jimo Camp guerrilla generals Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming.
Now Liu Yan is not only a popular figure among Lu Xiangsheng and Yan Jizu, but I heard that King De also values Liu Yan very much. In addition, Liu Yan has made great achievements, and his future is unlimited. Although everyone is Liu Yan's superior, they have to catch up this time. Come join in the fun and build a good relationship with Liu Yan.
In the commander's yamen, Liu Yan placed more than 120 tables of full-moon wine. Generals at all levels of the Lingshan Guard New Army, plus officials from all parties, hundreds of households, general banners, small banners, etc. There are a group of generals from the three major battalions of Shandong.
In addition, although Lu Xiangsheng and Yan Jizu did not come, they sent their close relatives to congratulate them. Counselor Lu Huaiying and Counselor Xu Tonghui arrived with generous gifts and were placed on the main table by Liu Yan.
What Liu Yan didn't expect was that De Wang Zhu Youli also sent someone to congratulate him. It was Wang Yue, the supervising eunuch of De Wang Palace.
As the steward sang loudly, the conductor made everyone in the Yamen who came to congratulate fell silent and looked at the door one after another.
I saw a smiling eunuch walking in with small steps. When he saw Liu Yan coming out to greet him, he shouted at the top of his voice: "Oh! Commander Liu is so happy, so happy!"
Liu Yan clasped his fists and said, "My dear father-in-law, I'm here to greet you, but I'm far away to welcome you!"
"Haha, who are the Zajia? They are just running errands for His Highness King De. Today, His Highness King De also wanted to have a wedding drink, but he was unable to leave the city, so he sent the Zajia here. Don't be surprised, Commander Liu."
Liu Yan said with a smile: "My father-in-law has defeated the last general, please come in!"
Then Liu Yan led eunuch Wang Yue to the main table. Xu Tonghui, Lu Huaiying, Zhang Youxun, Lu Tingyan, Han Xu, Wang Wenzhen, Li Jiwen, and Hu Zongming, who were already sitting here, stood up and saluted Wang Yue.
"Haha, they are all powerful generals of my Ming Dynasty, no need to be polite. Today is for Commander Liu to have a successor, and the Za family is also asking for a drink. The protagonist is here!"
With that said, Wang Yue patted Liu Yan on the shoulder. Everyone was jealous when they saw this. From this, it seemed that King De valued Liu Yan more than simply!
"My father-in-law is so complimentary. Please come to the table."
"Okay, hehe, okay."
Everyone sat down one after another. At this time, the entire backyard and middle courtyard of the Commander's Office were filled with banquets. All the guests were already full. Liu Yan immediately called Shang Shan and Ruoshui to take his son Liu Sheng out. Everyone came forward to take a look. , couldn't help but praise again.
Especially the eunuch Wang Yue was even more amazed: "Tsk tsk! Look at this little baby, with a tiger's head and a tiger's brain, so chubby, so strong. As the saying goes, a tiger's father has no dog son, and this is true!"
The rest of the people also agreed. Liu Yan said a few words of humility, then ordered Shang Shan and Ruoshui to take the child back. Then Liu Yan waved his hand and ordered people to serve the food.
As the delicacies were served one after another, the atmosphere of the banquet became lively. Everyone drank and drank and chatted. Liu Yan was also in the presence of Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Chen Xun, Wang Yue, Wang Bo, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo and others. Under "protection", toasts were started table by table.
Just as Liu Yan was toasting, suddenly a flag officer on duty walked in quickly, clasped his fists and said loudly: "I just received the Jinan Kuaima. Congratulations, sir. The court has completed the merit review and promoted you to the position of guerrilla general. Affiliated to Jimo Camp!"
Some people died, but not completely...
