After Hong Chengchou finished speaking and sat down, he smiled and asked Ma Shaoyu, Zhang Ruoqi and Liu Yan to say a few words.
As supervisors of the army, Ma Shaoyu and Zhang Ruoqi were in charge of the distribution of provisions and merit verification of the army. They also supervised the bravery and bravery of the troops. They had great power. Hong Chengchou asked them to say a few words, which also gave them face.
As the most powerful military officer in each town, Liu Yan was also valued by Hong Chengchou. By letting Liu Yan speak at this time, Hong Chengchou was showing his attitude to Liu Yan and taking the initiative to show his goodwill.
Liu Yan and the two of them made some concessions, and Ma Shaoyu stood up with clasped fists and a smile, and took the lead in saying: "Actually, I have nothing to say, but this time I have been entrusted by His Majesty, and I will definitely live up to His grace. I will definitely supervise the delivery of food and fodder." In place, the frontline soldiers will not be deprived of food and clothing. If there are meritorious service, I will definitely verify them on the spot, so as not to chill the soldiers who have made meritorious service. Of course, if there are those who dare to retreat in timidity and fail to fight for the country, don’t blame me at that time. Officials don't care about their feelings. In a word, everything is for the victory of Liaodong."
Ma Shaoyu's words left a deep impression on everyone present. Although he spoke in a gentle tone, everyone could still hear the sinister meaning in his words. It seems that if you want to achieve great success, you really can't offend this person. This person who looks kind but is actually deep and cold is indeed not a kind person. Many generals present regard him as someone who needs to be fawned over.
Zhang Ruolin twirled his neat beard and seemed to appreciate Ma Shaoyu's words very much. He smiled and nodded from time to time. After Ma Shaoyu finished speaking, he said to Liu Yan with a smile: "Ma Jianjun just said it, well said! Liu Zongbing Say a few words, I and you all are listening attentively?"
Liu Yancai was not in the mood to talk nonsense with everyone. It would be great if Hong Chengchou had this attitude. As for whether to say anything or not, there was no point in it, so he smiled and said, "Both the governor and the supervisor Ma have spoken very well just now. This town does not want to talk about it." It's embarrassing, so Zhang Jianjun should talk about it, this town is all ears."
Zhang Ruoqi pretended to be humble for a few words, then stood up and said: "In this battle, all the elites of the king's division have gathered in Liaodong. The officers and soldiers of the army are high in fighting spirit and their morale is available. I believe that our army should take advantage of the sharp attack to determine the victory in Liaodong." ! In this way, we will live up to everyone’s expectations, and we will live up to the wishes of the Holy One and all the nobles!”
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of Wu Sangui and other Liaodong generals, as well as Hong Chengchou's close aide Xie Sixin and others changed. Only Hong Chengchou sat with a smile and looked calm.
Zhang Ruolin then said a lot more. His words represented the imperial court and Chen Xinjia, the Minister of War, so everyone was very respectful. After Zhang Ruoqi finished speaking, everyone cheered.
But Liu Yan frowned slightly and said to himself: "This Zhang Ruoqi talks a bit too much!"
After that, the hall became peaceful and everyone drank directly from the sea bowl, especially the chief military officers of each town, who were basically rough-looking warriors. They shouted loudly and fought over drinks, making the hall noisy.
Wang Pu, the chief military officer of Datong Town, has always been very comfortable with such social occasions. Although he took the initiative to get close to Liu Yan, at this time he was chatting and laughing with Wu Sangui, Bai Guangen, Ma Ke, Liu Zhaoji and others. Everyone toasted to each other, as if they had been there for many years. Like good brothers we have never met.
The warriors were all arrogant and the wine bowls were clattering. In comparison, Liu Yan's table was relatively boring.
Governor Hong Chengchou was a gentle man, and even drank wine in small sips. Qiu Minyang, the governor of Liaodong, looks more serious and restrained. He is a censor, and his temperament is relatively cold, which is consistent with his background. There were also soldiers Cai Maode and Zhang Dou at the same table. They just talked about some poems and poems. Even though Liu Yan could memorize a lot, he was too lazy to talk to them.
Moreover, before speaking, Hong Chengchou, Qiu Minyang and others, without exception, had to sing praises to Emperor Chongzhen and the court, and then they raised their glasses and took a sip. No one dared to fight for wine, which was a bit boring.
Of course, they were still very polite to Liu Yan. Headed by Hong Chengchou, they mentioned some military affairs from time to time and discussed with Liu Yan to prevent Liu Yan from being left out.
In the banquet, Liu Yan found an interesting person, that person who seemed to be knocked down by a gust of wind, Cai Maode, who was demoted one level even though he participated in politics on the right side of Ningqian Bingbei Road. Liu Yan observed for a while and saw that he had been sitting silently, eating only vegetarian dishes, not meat dishes. Looking at his sitting posture, he seemed to be doing some grooming in his seat.
I have some understanding of Cai Maode and Liu Yan. I heard that his parents both upheld Buddhist precepts. Cai Maode was infected since he was a child and inherited his family education. He disciplined himself like an ascetic Buddhist monk, which seems to be true.
Perhaps due to his long-term vegetarian diet, Cai Maode looked extremely thin. Someone once wrote that he was weak in literature and unfit to take on the important task of guarding the border. However, because he knew people well and was good at using troops, Emperor Chongzhen trusted him very much. Therefore, Cai Maode's official career was always very good. Historically, Cai Maode was appointed as the governor of Shanxi.
At this time, Cai Maode was eating the food in silence. Seeing that Liu Yan seemed to be paying attention to him, he nodded slightly at Liu Yan and said, "Does Mr. Liu like Chinese Buddhism?"
Cai Maode's accent has a bit of the Kunshan tone of Nanzhili, but it is not too strong and sounds very special.
Before Liu Yan could say anything, Qiu Minyangji, the governor of Liaodong, glanced at him displeased and said, "You are silent, but you are so powerful that you can blame the gods. This Cai Maode actually talked about this at the banquet?" Are you still talking to General Liu Yan? I really don’t know how to advance or retreat.
Bingbei Zhang Dou was a funny person. When he saw this, he spoke to smooth things over and said: "Weili, Buddhism says not to kill. Are you talking to the wrong person about Buddhism to Mr. Liu, a bloody general? I think it's better to drink and eat food." , don’t talk about these anymore.”
All the officials laughed, and Liu Yan also laughed, but Cai Maode shook his head and said: "Buddhism talks about compassion, but there is also a saying about the angry-eyed Vajra, which kills demons and demons."
Seeing Cai Maode looking at him, Liu Yan had no choice but to remain silent. After pondering for a long time, he said: "Buddhism is profound and profound, and it cannot be explained in one sentence or two in this town. However, Buddhism is very useful in calming the people and appeasing people's hearts. We are here In the vast world, people are ignorant of many things. If you are ignorant, you will have fear. If you are afraid, you will think about it and explore the causes and consequences. If you cannot explore, you will be confused and confused. In this way, the teachings of Buddhism have their use. Self-evaluation If people have a peaceful mind, the world will be peaceful."
"However, Buddhism also has disadvantages, that is, it makes people too peaceful, and even teaches people to suffer and avoid fighting. The world is in chaos now, and if Buddhism prevails, there will inevitably be many problems."
Liu Yan's words made everyone at the table look at him in surprise. They didn't expect that a martial artist could be so knowledgeable.
Hong Chengchou took a deep look at Liu Yan, stroking his beard and thinking deeply.
Cai Maode praised: "Wonderful, Mr. Liu's words are so wonderful! I really didn't expect that Mr. Liu has such a profound understanding of Buddhism. These words alone are more profound than many lay disciples!"
As if Cai Maode had found a confidant, he talked about life and death with Liu Yan, making the others frown secretly.
Just as they were talking about how to work hard, two generals came over with wine bowls, but it was Li Fuming, the commander-in-chief of Shanxi Province, and Zuo Guangxian, the commander-in-chief of the reinforcements and suppression.
Li Fuming was about the same age as Yang Guozhu. His face was full of wind, frost, snow and rain, and his behavior was quite heroic. He came to Liu Yan and laughed loudly and said: "General Liu is a warrior who killed the Tatars. I can't say anything today." I have to have a few drinks with General Liu!"
Zuo Guangxian, who had a disheveled beard and hair and was extremely tall, said like a thunderbolt: "That's right, that's right. Mr. Liu has to give you face no matter what. He won't come back until he's drunk today."
Liu Yan stood up and said with a smile: "How dare you let the two marshals come over to toast? Liu Yan should be the one to toast to you and all the marshals!"
Li Fuming and Zuo Guangxian were very happy when they saw Liu Yan's kind attitude and respect for themselves. They laughed and said, "Then let's drink together."
Li Fuming was originally a subordinate of Zu Kuan and a native of Liaodong, but he came to Shanxi Town. It is inevitable that they will be alienated from each other in Liaodong. Along the way, Li Fuming also got closer to Liu Yan, Yang Guozhu and others.
Zuo Guangxian was originally a subordinate of the Qin army. He spoke with a Shaanxi accent and was known for his bravery.
Liu Yan, Li Fuming, and Zuo Guangxian drank three large bowls in a row. While the three of them were talking, a large number of generals came over, but it was Liu Zhaoji, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, and Cao Bianjiao, the commander-in-chief of the ASEAN Association, who were behind them. Also followed by a large group of generals. They all came to toast Liu Yan.
Seeing Wu Sangui coming, Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, and Qiu Min, the governor of Liaodong, looked up with smiles on their faces. Hong Chengchou stood up and said with a smile: "Uncle, are you here to toast General Liu?"
Wu Sangui saluted and said, "Return to the governor, that's right."
Hong Chengchou stroked his beard and said with a smile: "That's right. Mr. Liu is outstanding in running the army and fighting, and the Qinglai Town New Army under his command is even more famous and strong. Uncle Zhang, you are unique in strategy, honest and brave, and you are also a hero of our Liaodong." , you two should get closer to each other."
Wu Sangui saluted again and said: "The governor's teaching is correct, and Sangui thinks so too."
Liu Yan looked at Wu Sangui, he was still fair and handsome, and his demeanor as a child of aristocratic family was unmistakable. Judging from the appearance of everyone, he was vaguely in the lead, and many people even spoke fawningly. On the side, Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, and Qiu Minyang, the governor of Liaodong, also sincerely cherished Wu Sangui and praised him a lot.
"This big traitor is quite popular."
Liu Yan secretly thought in his heart, although Wu Sangui is still a strong fighter against the Qing Dynasty, but thinking that it was this guy who led the Qing army into the pass in history, and he had to drink with Wu Sangui to make a fuss, Liu Yan felt as sick as if he had eaten a fly. .
However, Liu Yan didn't show anything on the surface. He just smiled and clinked glasses with Wu Sangui and said a few words.
Liu Yan had already made up his mind to keep a distance from Wu Sangui. Of course, if there is a chance in the future, Liu Yan would not mind letting Wu Sangui follow in Zuo Liangyu's footsteps!
Of course, Wu Sangui is still capable, not comparable to a fool like Zuo Liangyu. After Wu Sangui served as the commander-in-chief of the Ningyuan Regiment, he trained vigorously with the support of Hong Chengchou. In two years, he trained 20,000 Liao soldiers with combat effectiveness. Together with his father Wu Xiang, he also trained a group of Wu's servants, with 2,000 elite cavalry, all divided into 50 cavalry teams, divided into 40 teams, and each team was equipped with a leading cavalry officer.
Wu Sangui wrote the names of these leading cavalry officers on bamboo sticks and inserted them into his boots. In an emergency, he would take out a stick from his boot and call a certain cavalry officer. The cavalry followed him to fight and fight, and they were invincible.
Moreover, Wu Sangui himself was quite good at fighting. In the 13th year of Chongzhen, after the Qing soldiers besieged Jinzhou, Wu Sangui performed outstandingly in the encounter at Jiama Mountain, the surprise attack on the Qing soldiers’ Xianglan Banner camp, and the ambush at Wudaoling. , no wonder Hong Chengchou valued him so much, this traitor did have two skills.
Especially in the 14th year of Chongzhen, the Qing army's cavalry was everywhere in Jinzhou and Songshan, and it was very rampant. At that time, there was a shortage of grain and grass in Jinzhou City, and all the grain transport officials were afraid of the might of the Qing army and did not dare to transport grain. Only Wu Sangui volunteered to take advantage of the New Year's Day and unexpectedly transported grain and grass.
On the second and third day of the first lunar month, Wu Sangui used 3,400 oxen, mules and donkey carts, loaded with 15,000 shi of rice, to safely escape the surveillance of the Qing soldiers and transport grain to Jinzhou. Later, he returned to Ningyuan safely with an empty carriage, and was highly praised by Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, and Qiu Minyang, the governor of Liaodong. m.
Everyone believed that Wu Sangui took the risk to supervise the transportation of grain, which showed that his courage was far superior to that of other generals, and he was sincere in his work and extremely loyal.
In addition to the full support of his father Wu Xiang and his uncle Zu Dashou, Wu Sangui himself was also very good at being a good person. He was fond of people, was kind to others, and did not have the arrogance of someone from a famous family. He was highly praised by officials and generals in Liaodong.
Wu Sangui was also very good at clinging to others. When Gao Qi lurked to supervise the army in Liaodong, Wu Sangui recognized him as his adoptive father. When Fang Yizao was patrolling Liaodong, Wu Sangui and his son Fang Guangchen became sworn brothers. After Hong Chengchou visited Liaodong, he quickly became close friends with Xie Sixin, Hong Chengchou's close aide. He was so shrewd and astute that it would be difficult for him not to develop.
Looking at Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao next to him, his dependence on him is obvious in his expression.
In comparison, Liu Zhaoji, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, was a bit embarrassed. In terms of background and prestige, he could not compare with Wu Sangui. In fact, Hong Chengchou was already considering dismissing Liu Zhao from his post and replacing him with Wu Sangui as the commander-in-chief of Liaodong.
Some people died, but not completely...
