Early October.
At the end of autumn and into winter, the city of Kaifeng was desolate inside and outside. The people in the city put on heavy clothes and walked hurriedly on the streets. Most people would not go out to the streets if not for a bite to eat. There were no shops or merchants on the streets. After suffering a disaster, it can be said that business is bleak and there are few people.
Outside the city of Kaifeng, things are also in order, and the earth is full of gray and yellow. This year, due to the raging army of thieves, most of the cultivated land in Henan has failed to harvest any grains. It is destined that next year will be a year of great famine. !
Early that morning, the Ministry of War's horses rushed into Kaifeng City. Liu Yan immediately summoned the generals of the new army battalions in the city's command office and loudly said: "The Ministry of War has issued a transfer order, and our army can return home in triumph." !”
Everyone cheered when they heard this. Since they left Qinglai Town and went north to Liaodong, the New Army soldiers had been away from home for more than half a year. During these six months, tens of thousands of New Army soldiers fought for thousands of miles, fighting bloody battles with slaves and bandits. He made great achievements in battle.
During these six months, many soldiers shed blood on the battlefield. Liu Yan and the generals will remember this in their hearts and will never forget it.
"The army will set off in two days, so each battalion should seize the time to prepare."
"yes!"
In fact, the battalions of the New Army have already made preparations. According to Liu Yan's order, the ashes, clothing, and various supplies of the fallen soldiers have been loaded into trucks. The wounded in each battalion have also been properly placed and have all returned to their respective battalions. , under the care of the medical officers of each battalion, and ready to leave with the army at any time.
A few wounded soldiers with serious injuries were temporarily settled in Kaifeng City after Liu Yan negotiated with Chen Yongfu. Chen Yongfu was responsible for arranging doctor's diagnosis and treatment.
After these soldiers recovered from their injuries, they were given travel expenses and returned to Qinglai Town together.
Of course, Liu Yan also knew that even if these seriously injured soldiers recovered, most of them would remain disabled. In such troubled times, could a group of disabled soldiers really arrive safely after returning to Shandong thousands of miles away?
Liu Yan was unsure, but he could only do this. If he took away the seriously injured people now, most of them would die on the road, and those left behind might still be able to return alive one day.
Then Liu Yan looked at Xun Jingyun and asked, "What happened to the money and food in the treasury?"
Xun Jingyun said: "Don't worry, the head of the town. Three days ago, my subordinates had already counted 50% of the money and grain in the treasury and registered it. Now they have all been loaded and more than 1,400 large trucks have been parked. He is in the military camp in the city and can be taken away by the army at any time.”
"That's good."
On that day, Liu Yan traveled with Gao Mingheng and Chen Yongfu respectively, and specifically told them to treat the severely wounded in the New Army well. Both of them agreed and promised to take good care of the seriously wounded in the New Army.
Then Liu Yan went to the Prince of Zhou's Mansion to pay homage to the King of Zhou, Zhu Gongzhen.
"The general has left, and I feel sad to leave him. I hope the general will take care of himself and make new contributions to the court!"
Liu Yan looked at Zhou Wang Zhu Gongzhen, who was chewing words, and became impassioned.
Two days later, Liu Yan led more than 70,000 soldiers of the New Army to leave Kaifeng Fucheng. On this day, the whole city was empty, and they all came to see the New Army soldiers off.
If Liu Yan and his troops hadn't arrived in time, Kaifeng City would have been a hell on earth at this time. Even if Li Zicheng couldn't get in, the city would have been reduced to the point where everyone was competing for food. It can be said that Liu Yan and the New Army officers and soldiers are Kaifeng Hundreds
The savior named Liu Yan, so the army evacuated at this time. Many people on both sides of the road were kneeling on the ground, kowtowing constantly, praising the merits of Liu Yan and the new army officers and soldiers.
From Kaifeng City to Qinglai Town, more than a thousand miles apart, the New Army soldiers marched eastward in mighty force, finally arriving outside Qingzhou City on October 22.
The news of the New Army's victory in several battles has spread back to all parts of Qinglai Town. When the New Army soldiers arrived outside the city, there were crowds of people inside and outside Qingzhou City. Tens of thousands of people gathered in and around the city, almost blocking the official road. Just to witness the heroic appearance of the new army soldiers in triumph.
But when the soldiers who were exhausted from the journey appeared, and when the wounded on the carriages passed by, all the cheers disappeared, and the onlookers covered their faces and wept. These soldiers in Qinglai Town had suffered a lot, and now they finally returned. Home.
Wang Yunhe led the officials left behind by the shogunate. Zhao Min, Yue Ming, Song Gongming, Tian Huixu, Zhang Lei, Wang Wenzhen, Wang Jing and others were among them, but Tan Xiaoda, Xu Le, Chen Jiang and others were not among them. Can come.
Everyone was very moved when they saw Liu Yan and the commanders of each battalion. They all clasped their fists and saluted Liu Yan. Wang Yunhe even cried. God knows how he has spent the past few months. Every day has been like a year. I am afraid that I heard bad news from the front line.
But thank God, all the good news finally came, and Liu Yan also led the army back in triumph.
As the Minister of Government Affairs, Wang Wenzhen prepared a grand triumphal ceremony for the army officers and soldiers. A gong and drum team of hundreds of people was waiting at the city gate. Following Wang Wenzhen's order, festive drum music sounded, and the new army officers and soldiers Everyone was smiling.
Liu Yan
He called Shang Wenyuan, who had returned with the army, to his side, introduced him to Wang Wenzhen, and appointed him as Sicheng of the Government Affairs Deployment Administration Department. The two met and got to know each other, and Shang Wenyuan immediately met Wang Wenzhen as a subordinate.
"Haha, since it is an appointment from the main town, it must be a talent. It seems that our Government Affairs Department will prosper!"
However, unlike everyone who was smiling happily, among the people watching, there were many family members of the New Army soldiers, who were eagerly looking for their men in the military formation.
Liu Yan couldn't help but let out a long sigh when he saw this, and immediately called Tian Huixu and Xun Jingyun, asking them to complete the pension arrangements for the casualties as soon as possible. The imperial court's pension was a lump sum, and Qinglai Town had to pay another lump sum. This must not be allowed. The families of the wounded and killed soldiers suffered from hunger and cold.
The two clasped their fists and accepted the order.
"Enter the city!"
The army marched into the city with the sound of drums, but amidst the lively drums, Liu Yan also heard some anxious cries, and his heart felt heavy.
There was nothing to say that night. Liu Yan went directly back to the General Military Mansion to meet Wang Yunhe, Shang Shan, and Ruoshui. His son Liu Sheng was almost one and a half years old and could already call him father. He had not seen him for several months. At this time, he was a little nervous to see Liu Yan. Recognizing life made Liu Yan a little depressed.
Afterwards, Liu Yan played with his son for a long time, and after reconnecting with each other, he called the nanny to take the child away, leaving the four of them in the room to "connect with each other," so let's not mention it...
Early the next morning, Liu Yan summoned all the subordinates of the shogunate in the main hall of the General Military Mansion. They had not seen each other for a long time, and a while of greetings was indispensable.
At this time, Wang Yue sighed and said: "It's just that without Chen Xun and other brothers from the front camp, I don't know how the war in Liaodong is going now."
Liu Yan is also Weiwei
Frowning, I wonder if the outcome of the Battle of Songjin will change. It seems that we need to send more people to pay attention.
So Liu Yan mentioned the first thing: "The Liaodong War is at a critical moment. More than 12,000 soldiers from our front camp are still stationed in Hongluo Mountain. The success or failure of the Liaodong War is not only related to the safety of the country, but also the safety of the country. The life and death of our New Army officers and soldiers, so from today on, the Intelligence Department will focus its main energy on the capital and Liaodong. No matter how much food is spent, no matter how much manpower and material resources are spent, we must find out specific information!"
Wu Guojin clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, headquarter. Wang Yang, the person in charge of investigating Cao, took people to the capital early this morning. I believe it won't be long before news comes back."
"good!"
"The second thing: the compensation for the casualties of each battalion."
Liu Yan looked at Minister of War Tian Huixu and Deputy Minister Xun Jingyun and asked, "Is there a specific pension plan?"
Xun Jingyun was already formulating a pension plan for the casualties on the way home from the army. He also talked to Tian Huixu last night. At this time, Tian Huixu nodded with a smile, and Xun Jingyun stood up and said: "Don't worry, the town has been It’s been drawn up, here are the specific details and amounts.”
Liu Yan took it and glanced at it, then handed it to the Minister of Finance Yue Ming and asked: "Is there enough money and food in the treasury?"
Yue Ming said: "It's enough. The Ministry of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce have delivered a large amount of money in the past few months. Although various places in Shandong have been hit by disasters this year, our Qinglai Town Agriculture Department and Household Department have handled it properly. In addition, various places in Qinglai Town have The water conservancy facilities are complete, so although the autumn harvest has reduced production, it has also collected a lot of taxes and grains. The Ministry of Finance can definitely pay
Pension money and food for the army officers and soldiers. "
"very good!"
Liu Yan said: "The imperial court ordered our new army to come back and reorganize. Although we don't know the specific time limit, each battalion must seize the time. Starting from tomorrow, each battalion, under the coordination of the Ministry of War, must immediately begin to replenish its troop sources."
"In the past few months since the army went out for war, what progress has been made in the Recruitment Department and the Drill Department of the Ministry of War?"
Tian Huixu said: "The main town had an order before the expedition, asking the Ministry of War to continue to recruit and train new soldiers, and to reorganize the troops in Huolu Dun and Tunbu. At present, the Ministry of War has trained 5,362 new recruits and reorganized them. There are 897 Dun troops in various places. According to the casualty list provided by Deputy Xun, these new soldiers trained by the Ministry of War can completely make up for the battle losses of each battalion."
Liu Yan was completely relieved at this time, which meant that the new army in Qinglai Town could continue to fight, and the war machine he had built with his own hands began to operate!
"From now on, when the army goes out for battle, it will be the custom for the Ministry of War to train new recruits. This town will not give orders alone anymore. Remember this!"
"yes!"
After saying this, Liu Yan showed a smile on his face and said: "Tonight, the Ministry of Finance will provide the money, and the Ministry of Commerce will mobilize chefs from various restaurants in the city to prepare a celebration banquet for the army officers, and the officers of each battalion will enjoy it at their stations in the city. .”
"The soldiers can drink, but only tonight. The defense of the city tonight will be taken care of by the prefect of Qingzhou Prefecture, who will patrol everywhere with the Yamen and Dunjun."
"In addition, this town has also prepared a banquet in the General Military Mansion. Officials from the shogunate's ministries and above, as well as all battalion commanders and generals above, are present."
"yes!"
Everyone was smiling happily, having won the battle, so of course they had to relax for a while
Down.
At this time, Wang Yue stood up again and said flatteringly: "Headquarters, what reward will the court give us? The chief town is already the chief military officer with the seal. Are we going to join the court next?"
This time, everyone rarely looked at Wang Yue's flattering jokes, but looked at Liu Yan. Apparently everyone had also thought about this issue.
Liu Yan smiled faintly and said: "For this town, we don't care so much about official positions anymore. As long as the new army is strong, everyone has rewards, and Qinglai Town is prosperous, everything will be easy."
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Yes, what would happen even if Liu Yan was made a king? The King of Zhou in Kaifeng and the King of De in Jinan were both first-class princes, but they were raised like pigs.
Even though Liu Yan was just a general officer, he had a strong army at his hands and the entire Qinglai town behind him. He was a welcome guest wherever he went. Even the prince and the governor were polite to Liu Yan when he entered the capital. The ministers of the DPRK should also respectfully call Dinglupp.
Face is important, but inside is more important!
"Okay, let's go back and get ready, and relax tonight. Early tomorrow morning, Minister Tian, Deputy Director Xun of the Ministry of War, and the Miao Guerrilla of the Guards Battalion will be ready to go with the town to Wangjiazhuang and Aoshan Wei Fushan Qianqian Household office, this town will inspect all the supervision offices of the Ministry of War!"
