The fire in Luoyang had been broken out, and Cao Zhang's troops did not enter the ruins, but set up camp outside the city.
Under night, several large pots were set up in the open space in the center of Cao Zhang's camp. The firewood under the pots was burning brightly, and the water in the pots was about to boil.
Several soldiers carried several freshly cleaned sheep over, placed them on the tables nearby, and began to cut the mutton into large pieces, then put it into the pot and began to stew.
Cao Zhang, Xia Houba, Xu Huang, Xia Hou Shang, Xia Houru, Xu Shu and others were sitting around the platform set up in the open space. This was Cao Zhang's celebration banquet to celebrate.
As the water in the cauldron continues to boil, the mutton is gradually cooked, and the aroma begins to spread around.
The soldiers took out the stewed mutton, put it into basins, and delivered it to several people.
Cao Zhang looked up and saw that in the tents around the open space, many soldiers were watching from a distance, and some of them were even drooling.
Cao Zhang stood up, picked up the pot of mutton in front of him, handed it to Li Jin beside him, and ordered: "Go and share it with the brothers!"
Li Jin took it as ordered and handed it over to the guards to distribute the mutton to the soldiers.
Cao Zhang announced loudly: "Brothers, don't be impatient. Since today is a celebration banquet, we have prepared a lot of fat sheep. They will be cooked and distributed to everyone in a while. Everyone will have meat to eat today."
When the soldiers heard Cao Zhang's words, they all cheered loudly: "Thank you, Master!"
For these soldiers who lived in poverty and could only eat grains and vegetables to satisfy their hunger, eating meat was a luxury for them.
In normal military celebration banquets, the generals can enjoy meat, and they can only watch it. But now Cao Zhang actually said that everyone can eat meat, how can he make them not excited and excited.
After hearing Cao Zhang's words, Xu Huang hesitated, walked to his side, and persuaded in a low voice: "Master, I understand your intention of treating your soldiers kindly, and I am very grateful. But I believe that kindness cannot be dealt with." Soldiers, we should be stricter with soldiers so that we can control them better!"
"Gongming's reminder makes sense. But I don't think there is a contradiction between loving soldiers like sons and not being in charge of them. Don't forget that soldiers are all flesh and blood, and they are brothers who will follow us through life and death!"
"They can entrust their lives to us, which is their trust in us. We should also love them from the bottom of our hearts. When it is time to strictly enforce military discipline, we will never relax; but when it is time to provide comfort and warmth, we will also You can’t be stingy.”
"Only by treating each other with sincerity can the soldiers have a heart-to-heart relationship with us, truly obey the orders and prohibitions, and become an invincible force with one heart and one mind!" Cao Zhang calmly responded to Xu Huang and expressed his reasoning.
"Young master cares about the soldiers, and his vision is much higher than that of his subordinates. It's because my subordinates are worrying too much." Xu Huang expressed his admiration for Cao Zhang sincerely.
Cao Zhang picked up the wine bowl and said to Xu Huang: "Gong Ming, you can say this, which shows your loyalty and sense of responsibility. I am very happy. This time you ran hundreds of miles, raided Luoyang, and severely injured Li Jue, which is why our army recovered Luoyang’s first achievement! Come, let me toast you!”
"Thank you, Master. All of this is Master's ingenious arrangement. Xu Huang is just following the plan and doesn't dare to take credit!" Xu Huang responded modestly.
"Under my command, merit is merit, and there is no need to be modest!" Cao Zhang said to Xu Huang, "Come and see the reward!"
Following Cao Zhang's instructions, several soldiers brought the bounty, silk, and cloth that had been prepared in front of Xu Huang.
When Xu Huang saw the reward, he hurriedly said: "Thank you sir, but this credit was obtained by our soldiers together. How can Xu Huang enjoy it alone..."
Cao Zhang waved his hand and interrupted Xu Huang: "Gongming, I understand what you mean. But these rewards are all for you, and everyone under your command also has a share, and I will distribute them based on merit!"
"Remember, the soldiers under my command will be rewarded for their merits, and no one will fail! So I don't need to be a general and distribute my rewards to my subordinates. What I want is for everyone to fight the enemy bravely and fight for themselves. His achievements and rewards!" Cao Zhang interrupted Xu Huang and announced loudly.
Xu Huang always liked to distribute rewards to his subordinates. In a sense, he loved his soldiers as his sons.
But the rulers did not approve of his behavior. The reward is given by me. If you use the reward I give as a favor, the soldier will be grateful to you, not me. Therefore, if you want a reward, I will do it too!
Although Cao Zhang was only a forensic doctor in his previous life, he also understood the ways of being an official, so he had to prevent his subordinates from using his rewards to win people's hearts.
"Thank you, sir!" Upon hearing Cao Zhang saying that everyone gets a reward, thunderous cheers broke out among the soldiers.
Seeing what Cao Zhang said, Xu Huang naturally couldn't resist anymore, so he could only hand over his hand and thank him: "The general understands what you mean, thank you so much for your love! Xu Huang will do his best to help you wipe out the rebels!"
Cao Zhang nodded with satisfaction, waved his hand for Xu Huang to sit down, and then walked towards Xiahou Ba on the other side with the wine bowl in hand.
"Zhong Quan, I really didn't expect that you actually killed Li Xian in formation, captured Dagong Pass directly, and entered Luoyang before me. Brother, I am convinced that I lost this time."
"Don't worry, I will definitely fulfill my promise to you. I will have ten fine Xiliang war horses. We have recorded this account!"
"Bo Yan helped you capture the pass, and he deserves credit, and all of you will also be rewarded!"
After all, this was Cao Zhang's first battle. He was able to win so happily thanks to the bravery of his soldiers, and he did not hesitate to reward him at all.
There are three profitable businesses: wine making, Cao Gong paper, and movable type printing. Cao Zhang also has such confidence.
When Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Shang heard that Cao Zhang was going to give them a reward, they both raised their glasses together to thank them. The three of them clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
"Yuanzhi, Junlin!" Cao Zhang raised his glass again and walked towards Xu Shu and Xia Houru.
The two of them also stood up quickly and raised glasses to greet each other.
"I was able to kill Li Li and successfully capture Yique Pass, thanks to your help. Thank you very much!" Cao Zhang raised his glass and toasted to the two of them.
The two also hurriedly raised their glasses, and after some polite thanks, the three of them also raised their glasses and drank.
"Zi Wen, I am so happy today. You are so talented in literature, why not recite a poem to strengthen the morale of the army!" Xia Houba suggested to Cao Zhang.
"Go on, you are really a pig teammate. You asked me to write a poem in front of a large crowd. You think I am Cao Zhi. If you can really open your mouth, just do it!" Cao Zhang secretly slandered Xiahou Ba, but in the face of everyone's attentive eyes, he Naturally, I couldn't refuse, so I could only start searching my memory for suitable poems.
The others didn't know what Cao Zhang was thinking. They just looked at him quietly, waiting for the good words to come out of his mouth.
While Cao Zhang was thinking hard, a scout came running from a distance: "Report!"
Cao Zhang hurriedly said: "What's the military situation!?"
"Young Master, Li Jue has gathered up his remaining troops and has withdrawn from Hangu Pass, heading towards Chang'an." The scout reported to Cao Zhanghui.
Cao Zhang waved his hand to signal the scouts to retreat.
"Great, Li Jue has withdrawn. It seems he is afraid of us!" Xia Houshang said excitedly.
"Yes, the enemy troops have withdrawn! This is a good thing!" Xia Houru also echoed.
Xu Shu frowned slightly at this moment: "Two young masters, the military order my young master issued in front of Sikong is to kill Li Jue and regain Chang'an. Now Li Jue has retreated after the first battle, and his vitality is not injured!"
"Chang'an is different from the ruined Luoyang. There is a strong city to defend there. Li Jue has occupied it for many years and has abundant food, grass and ordnance. It will not be easy for us to confront Li Jue in Chang'an!" Xu Shu whispered. The battle that followed was difficult.
After hearing Xu Shu's words, Xia Houshang and others came to their senses and looked at Cao Zhang solemnly, wanting to hear what his attitude was.
Cao Zhang, who was thinking hard about the verses, felt moved after hearing Xu Shu's words. He became so heroic that he faced the sky and recited loudly: "The pale moon and solitary clouds are in the north of Mang Mountain, and the ruined city looks at Hangu Pass in the distance. The yellow sand will wear golden armor in a hundred battles, and Chang'an will never be returned until it is broken!"
He slightly changed the famous fourth poem from "On the Military March" by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling, combined it with the current environment and mood, and recited it loudly, which was quite suitable for the occasion and expressed his determination to win!
"Good! Chang'an will never be restless!" Everyone recalled Cao Zhang's poems and exclaimed in unison!
Cao Zhang was secretly happy when he saw everyone's emotions aroused by him.
"Yuan Zhi, please report the news of our army's victory to Xudu as soon as possible. Please rest assured, father! Gongming, Zhongquan, Boyan, and Junlin have each organized their own troops. They will set up camp early tomorrow morning and send troops to Chang'an!" Cao Zhang The order was given to everyone to continue marching!
