On March 6, Yang Peng received the imperial edict on his way back to Cangzhou and was overjoyed to learn that he had been promoted to General of Hussars, Bachelor of Longtuge, and Special Officer of Ronglu. Doctor Ronglu is a casual rank of a first-grade military attache, bestowed upon meritorious officials. General Hussars is the highest position of military attache, the first rank. In the Song Dynasty, the Privy Council was the highest organ for managing the army and had the power to command the army. Specializes in "military and state machinery maintenance, military and border defense and military orders", as well as "guarding the bans and prohibiting troops at home and abroad, recruiting parades"
Trial to move to repair the settlement of Xu and reward and punish it."
"Three Dukes" are the highest official positions in Chinese dynasties. In the Song Dynasty, the Taishi, the Prince and Taifu, and the Prince and Taibao were the Three Dukes: among them, the Prince and Taishi taught the Prince to read, the Prince and Taifu taught the Prince to martial arts, and the Prince and Taibao protected the Prince. safe. Of course, in the Song Dynasty, the position of the Three Dukes became a virtual title and did not really need to guide or protect the prince. Instead, it became an honor given to important ministers.
Yang Peng has the honorary title of bachelor of Longtuge, which means that Li Zhi is already an important minister in the court. In the future, no one would dare to ask Yang Peng to kneel down, even if he met the magistrate or governor. When discussing military arrangements, if Yang Peng, a Ronglu doctor, participates in the war, some lower-status governors not only cannot command Yang Peng, but should also ask Yang Peng's opinions before making the final decision. With the honorary title of Bachelor of Longtuge, Yang Peng was already a very important figure in the Song Dynasty.
Yang Peng was very happy with the series of promotions. He stuffed a hundred taels of silver into the eunuch who announced the decree, which made the eunuch beam with joy. "The general is so generous," and he kept shouting, "Congratulations to the general on your promotion." After receiving the official reward, Yang Peng's army became more morale and headed for Qingshan Pass to attack. Empress Dowager Xiao left five hundred auxiliary troops at Qingshankou, but how could these people be Yang Peng's opponents? As soon as they saw Yang Peng's army attacking, these Tatars immediately dispersed. They had already prepared their fast horses, and before Yang Peng's troops arrived, they fled to the north.
Yang Peng recaptured Qingshan Pass without any bloodshed. On March 7, Yang Peng's army marched back to Tianjing New City with great vigor. After walking for ten days, the army reached the boundary of Tianjing New City. The people of Tianjing New City had already decorated both sides of the road with lanterns and colorful decorations, beaming with joy to welcome the triumphant return of Yang Peng's army.
Yang Peng, wearing a black gauze hat, a python robe, and a jade belt around his waist, was riding at the forefront of the team on his royally gifted horse "Treading the Wind", which was very majestic. With such an outfit, wherever Yang Peng went, people in Tianjing New City cheered one after another. "General, is he wearing a dragon robe?" "That's not a dragon robe, that's a python robe!"
Some literate people in Tianjing New City saw that the flag sign displayed by Yang Peng had changed again. They read the flag sign to the illiterate people on the left and right, making the illiterate people happy and elated, as if they were promoted. He was as happy as he had become an official, shouting "General" and "General" non-stop.
Not only the people from Tianjing New City came out to welcome him, but also the people from dozens of miles around Tianjing New City came. Many of these people have relatives and friends serving as soldiers in the Huben Division. At this time, these people were very happy to see the army returning safe and sound. In particular, some parents of older soldiers searched for their children among the advancing soldiers until they saw their sons. When they saw their sons alive and triumphant, these old parents cried with excitement.
However, there were casualties in the Battle of Qingshankou. More than 40 soldiers were shot in the face by Khitan bows and arrows. The wounds were deep and serious, and they died of poisoning. Two soldiers were killed by Queen Mother Xiao's powerful crossbows. The parents of the deceased could not find their children in the queue and eagerly went to the officers to inquire. After confirming the death of their child, these parents burst into tears one by one.
Seeing the grief of these old parents, Yang Peng announced on the spot that from now on, the death pension for soldiers in Tianjing New City would be increased from one to five taels per month to 20 taels per month, and would continue to be provided for thirty years. When the old parents who had benefited heard the news, they knelt down in front of Yang Peng's horse and cried. The emotions of great sadness and joy are so sad.
Yang Peng rode into Tianjing New City and found that the people had already hung lanterns at the door. The people in Tianjing New City are prosperous, and the lanterns hung during the Chinese New Year are a standard utensil for every family. At this time, every family hangs up the lanterns. Looking from a distance, only the red under the eaves on both sides of the road can be seen. Not only that, many families also put red paper-cuts on their doors and windows, creating a festive atmosphere. People from every household came out to look at the triumphant army. The army walked through the main street, and there were cheers everywhere.
When they reached the entrance of the official hall, Yang Tong was already standing there, waiting for Yang Peng's team. Seeing Yang Peng jump off the horse, Yang Tong burst into tears and threw herself into Yang Peng's arms. Yang Peng quickly wiped Yang Tong's tears.
Yang Tong cried for a long time, then stood up from Yang Tong's arms and asked, "Are you not injured?" Yang Tong looked at Yang Peng and felt that she had lost some weight in the past two months, so she waved her hand and said "Look at me, I'm doing well!" Yang Tong then burst into laughter and said, "Have you been promoted again?"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Yes, now your husband is already Dr. Ronglu, a first-class hussar general." Yang Tong wiped his tears, bit his lips and said, "It's not fair!" Yang Peng was stunned. , asked: "Why is it unfair?"
Yang Tong said angrily: "In the past few months since you went to fight, I couldn't eat or sleep. I was worried every day that you would be beaten to death, and our children would have no father. Or that you would be injured. I will become a cripple for the rest of my life. I am worried during the day and at night. It has been so hard, but now you have only been promoted to an official. You have become a first-rank official, and I am still a second-rank wife."
Yang Peng couldn't help laughing when he heard Yang Tong's words. Yang Tong said angrily: "Why are you laughing? Isn't that right? You work hard in the war, and I work hard at home! Shouldn't I be promoted?" Yang Peng touched his chin and said, "This is a bit troublesome. The official family does not have a royal wife. ."
Yang Tong said eagerly: "The emperor has not given the title, you can ask for it from the emperor. You have beaten the Khitans away, and if you ask the officials for the title, the emperor will definitely give you the title!" Yang Peng smiled and said: "That's alright, then let's You have to get married first, and next time I see the official, I will ask him to be a royal wife."
Yang Peng stood there angrily and said, "That's pretty much it!" Yang Peng saw that Yang Tong was childish and ridiculous, making fun of Mrs. Gaoming, so he pinched Yang Tong's face. Yang Tong didn't dodge and let Yang Tong keep pinching him. Then Yang Peng met the master and Mrs. She again.
On March 11, an express report came from the front line that Xiao Tianzuo left the customs at Huangyakou. The Khitan soldiers who had ravaged Cangzhou for five months finally left. This time the Khitans entered the customs, attacked seven states and counties of the Song Dynasty, killed countless people, and robbed more than 100,000 people. The losses of the Song Dynasty were not small. However, the Khitan soldiers were defeated several times by Yang Peng and suffered heavy casualties. Because of Yang Peng's appearance, it became a lose-lose situation for both parties.
On March 12, martial law was lifted in Cangzhou. On this day, Yang Peng went to the wounded soldiers camp to visit the wounded soldiers who had not yet recovered. In the wounded barracks, Shen Yuji and more than thirty apprentices were busy taking care of the wounded who had not yet recovered, and their hands and feet kept moving. Seeing Yang Peng walking in, Shen Yuji was stunned for a moment and was about to prostrate himself. Yang Peng quickly went up to help him up and said, "Mr. Shen has worked so hard, why do you need a big gift?"
Shen Yuji stood up, wiped his sweat, and said, "Sir, are you here to visit the wounded?" Yang Peng nodded and asked, "Mr. Shen, how many casualties are there in our army this time?" Shen Yuji said, "This Fifty-six soldiers died in this expedition, and 762 were injured. More than 400 people with minor injuries gradually recovered after their wounds were treated, but 337 people were seriously injured. One hundred and seventy-one of the seriously injured people eventually died of their injuries. Today, there are still 166 seriously injured people who have undergone surgery and are recovering. It is estimated that 106 people are permanently disabled, and 60 people are expected to recover. "
After hearing Shen Yuji's words, Yang Peng nodded. This army expedition was different from the past. They fought in Cangzhou for less than half a year, and the troops suffered quite a few casualties. Under the care of Shen Yuji and his disciples, many of these wounded people survived, but more than 200 people still died, and more than 100 people may become disabled.
These soldiers who sacrificed their lives or died of serious injuries will be awarded a first-class hero medal and a monthly pension of two taels of silver will be given to their families. Two taels of silver is a large sum of money per month, enough to cover the expenses of a family of three. Even if the wounded and wounded soldiers have a wife and children to support, with the pension, the family will not be deprived of food and clothing.
The soldiers of Huben Division all filled out their wills before going out to fight, and agreed to whom they would give their pensions to if they sacrificed their lives. Most soldiers chose to give pensions to their wives, children, parents, or poor brothers and sisters, but some soldiers also gave pensions to benefactors or other people. In this matter, Yang Peng fully respected the soldiers' wishes.
If the soldiers who died in battle die with honor, other soldiers of the Tiger Division will be braver, and this unit will have more combat effectiveness. Soldiers who are disabled and lose the ability to work are also awarded the Second Class Medal of Valor. In addition, a disability allowance of two taels of silver is paid every month until the wounded person dies of old age. With Yang Peng's generous pension policy, the soldiers of the Huben Division are not very afraid of sacrifice or injury.
Yang Peng walked up to a soldier who had recovered from serious injuries and asked: "How is your health?" The soldier struggled to sit up from the bed, but Yang Peng held him down: "It doesn't matter, just lie down and talk!" The soldier then lay down. He went down and said with a sad face: "To tell you the general, the injury is almost healed, but I am blind in one eye and have a big scar on my face. I'm afraid I won't have anywhere to work in the future!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Why don't you have anywhere to work? After you recover from your injury, I will give you a second-class warrior medal, and you will be a hero respected by everyone from now on. After you recover from your injury, go to the salt factory to weave cloth, and I will give you Your monthly salary is two taels, and you are entitled to meat for three meals a day." When the soldier heard this, he was so excited that tears flowed down, and he wanted to climb out of bed and kowtow to Yang Peng. Yang Peng quickly held him down and said: "Don't get excited, I'm not taking care of you! This is the standard of Tianjing New City, the treatment that every wounded person has."
The wounded man burst into tears and said repeatedly: "General, we will never forget your kindness."
Yang Peng smiled and nodded. On March 13, Yang Peng received an imperial edict asking Yang Peng to lead the meritorious personnel of the Qingshankou victory to Beijing to receive rewards.
The great victory at Qingshankou was won by Yang Peng and Huben Division alone. The other governors were not present, so Kou Zhun could only let Yang Peng report casually when he wanted to report his merits. In addition to the officers at all levels who participated in the war, Yang Peng also reported Zhang Xiang who stayed behind in Tianjing New City, as well as the management personnel of various lines in Tianjing New City. Therefore, there were many people who were promoted for the Qingshankou victory. Four hundred people.
It was a big deal for the Song Dynasty to receive rewards from so many people, so the officials asked Yang Peng's subordinates to go to the capital to accept the rewards at the court meeting. Not only that, in view of Yang Peng's great achievements in several battles in Cangzhou in the past few months, the official gave Yang Peng, who had returned triumphant, a horse to enter the palace gate.
Riding a horse into the palace gate is an extremely glorious grace. After Yang Peng got this imperial edict, he discussed it with Mrs. She. Mrs. She said, "If you don't think about yourself, you should think about the brothers and sisters below, because now many people recognize the Song Dynasty, and the common people also recognize the Song Dynasty." Song, you can't rebel openly now, you can take the exam yourself." Yang Peng left Tianjing New City with 400 officers and headed for the capital in a mighty manner.
When he arrived in Bianjing, Yang Peng reported to the Ministry of War. Two days later, news came that he would bring all the military attachés to court in two days' time. On the morning of the third day, when it was time to go to court, as soon as Yang Peng walked out of the courtyard, he saw the streets filled with people watching the excitement. Obviously, the news that the general is going to ride into the palace has spread in the past few days. The people all admire Yang Peng, who has won many great victories and captured tens of thousands of Khitan heads. How can they want to miss this excitement?
There was a huge crowd of people outside the courtyard and it was very lively. In the middle of the crowd, eunuch Wang Jin and a dozen eunuchs stood waiting.
Yang Peng went up and cupped his hands and said, "Hello, Eunuch!" Wang Jin clasped his fists and said, "Our family has seen the general again! This time, our family has been entrusted by the officials to guide the general who rides into the palace gate. General If you are ready, can you tell our family?"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "I'm ready, let's go now!" Wang Jin nodded and shouted at his eunuchs. The eunuchs whipped their whips randomly on the road to scare away the people who were watching and cleared the road. Yang Peng got on his horse and heard cheers from the people watching.
"The general is mighty!" "The general has great skills!" "He is indeed the general who crippled the Khitans!"
The people applauded him for getting on the horse. Yang Peng smiled and thought to himself, was his ability to mount the horse really powerful? Yang Peng rode on the wind and led hundreds of military attachés under his command to slowly walk behind Wang Jin. More and more people were watching in front. Regardless of men, women and children, the common people who received the news rushed to the streets to see the heroic appearance of the general riding into the palace gate. Many people didn't squeeze in and didn't see Yang Peng when Master Huben was parading last time. Now seeing that Yang Peng was so young, these people were even more happy and kept shouting.
"The general is mighty!" "The general is a heroic young man! I am mighty!" "The general is married?! The general! I know the daughters of several good families! The general!"
Yang Peng didn't have a yard or a cook in Bianjing. Every time Li Zhi came to the capital, he always ordered food from a nearby restaurant called Zhaixinglou. At this time, Yang Peng rode into the palace gate, and the boss of Zhaixing Tower met Yourong Yan. When Yang Peng's team passed by Zhaixing Tower, the boss of Zhaixing Tower actually pulled out a gong and drum team, got in front of Wang Jin's eunuch team, and beat the gongs and drums to clear the way for Yang Peng.
Wang Jin secretly thought that this would save his men from whipping, so he asked the gong and drum team to walk in front. After the team had walked dozens of steps, another teahouse owner, who Wang Jin had stopped to drink tea, squeezed in and lit a string of big firecrackers in front of the team. The crackling firecrackers exploded loudly, making the whole scene even more lively.
The crowd of onlookers was so crowded that every time the gongs and drums team approached, the crowd would reluctantly get out of the way, causing the entire team to move very slowly. After walking for half a mile, I saw a teahouse in front of me full of people. They were all crowded onto the road, crowded together with people watching Yang Peng's excitement. A storyteller stood on a stage in the teahouse, among more than a hundred people, dancing and telling some story. Those who listened to the story were different from ordinary listeners. They were very emotional. From time to time they would wave their fists and cheer, filled with indignation.
Yang Peng curiously asked Wang Jin who was walking next to him: "Eunuch, why are there so many people listening to stories? What story is this about?" Wang Jin laughed and said, "This month there are only storytellers in Bianjing City. Let me tell you a story, that is, the general killed the Khitans in all directions in Cangzhou. It was either the battle of Tianjing New City, the victory of Qingshankou, or the victory of Dingzhou, nothing else."
Yang Peng smiled. He didn't expect that his battle had become the material of storytellers. He didn't know if these storytellers knew the story of the battle, and whether their stories were reliable or not? After walking a dozen steps forward and almost passing the teahouse, those who were listening to the story noticed that the general was coming, abandoned the storyteller and crowded to the door of the teahouse. Seeing Yang Peng riding a tall horse to the imperial city, those who were listening to the story crowded to the street and shouted:
"The general is so majestic!" "General, thank you for your hard work in killing the Khitan!" "The general is so majestic in killing the Khitan dog!"
Yang Peng smiled, bowed his hands to those people, and heard another roar of applause. After walking another half mile, Yang Peng saw a large Confucius Temple in front of him. There was a stage outside the temple with more than a dozen people singing operas on it. Four of them were holding black fire sticks as firecrackers and shouting loudly. Every time those four people shouted, some of the dozen or so people dressed as Khitans across from them fell down. Standing next to the four fire gun soldiers was a general wearing golden armor, standing tall and majestic next to the fire gun soldiers.
The stage was surrounded by three floors inside and three floors outside. As soon as they heard the crackling sound of the fire gun soldiers, they waved their fists and cheered loudly, as if they couldn't wait to get on the stage to kill the Khitan soldiers on the stage. Yang Peng secretly thought that he had never seen this play before. It was a newly re-arranged opera, right? Yang Peng asked Wang Jin: "Eunuch Wang, what kind of show is this? Are there fire rifle soldiers?" Wang Jin flicked his sleeves and said with a smile: "Oh, General, don't you know? This is exactly what you are singing. The Great Victory in Tianjing New City is a play about the general defeating 30,000 Khitan troops in Tianjing New City! This play was just released last month, and there were the most people who wanted to see it. The stage was packed with people."
Yang Peng was stunned, but he didn't expect that his battle would not only become the material of the storyteller, but also be included in the play. He looked up at the stage again and saw a man in yellow clothes playing the role of emperor walking out from the backstage with an actor dressed as a eunuch, and he was promoted and rewarded to himself in golden armor. Seeing this scene, those watching the theater became more excited and cheered louder.
Those people were so focused on watching the show that they didn't notice Yang Peng walking by. The gongs and drums team was about to pass through the crowd of theatergoers, when someone shouted: "The general is here!" The theatergoers immediately turned their heads and stared at the people coming on horseback. Yang Peng.
Those people looked at Yang Peng for a while and shouted: "The general is here!" "The general is mighty!" "The general is a great hero."
In the end, I don’t know who took the lead. All the theatergoers bent down, bowed their hands to Yang Peng, and prostrated themselves on both sides of the road. Even the actors on the stage stopped acting and bowed deeply to Yang Peng one by one.
Li Yangpeng returned the salute to these common people and walked across the street. After walking for an hour, Yang Peng and several hundred of his men finally reached the Suzaku Gate. There are more people watching the excitement there. After passing the Qianbu Corridor, the Zhuque Gate is regarded as the palace gate of the imperial city, and ordinary people are not allowed to enter. The Qianbu Corridor was crowded with people inside and outside, and everyone wanted to see Yang Peng riding into the palace gate.
When they arrived outside the imperial city, the gong and drum team did not dare to make any more noise and stopped beating. Wang Jin led the eunuchs in front to lead the way, leading Wang Jin on horseback and the military attachés of Tianjing New City on foot to the Zhuque Gate. Yang Peng rode across the Waijinshui Bridge and entered the gate of Donghua, surrounded by people shouting from the front and back from the back.
When the people saw this scene, they shouted for joy. There was thunderous cheers for a while, and the cheers could be heard from a long distance away. These days the Song army is weak and unable to protect the people. The Khitans were raging in Cangzhou, and only Yang Peng's soldiers and horses could defeat the Khitans and protect the people. The people loved Yang Peng from the bottom of their hearts. If it hadn't been for Yang Peng, I don't know how many thousands of people would have been killed by the Khitan soldiers, and how many thousands more people would have been plundered and made slaves by the Khitan soldiers. The steward gave Yang Peng honorable treatment, and the people supported him very much.
Yang Peng rode a big horse and led hundreds of officers through the gate of Donghua under the watchful eyes of the imperial guards. The cheers of the people behind him gradually faded away. Yang Peng went all the way and stopped at the palace behind Donghua Gate. Two rows of eunuchs were already standing on the square in front of Huangji Hall, facing each other, leaving a road in the middle, as if to welcome Yang Peng.
When Yang Peng's officers saw the majestic Huangji Palace, the vast square in front of the palace, and the two rows of eunuchs with royal bearings, they became a little nervous, and their faces turned red with excitement. I smiled and said: "Our family brought them here. Please invite the general to the Huangji Palace to attend the court meeting!"
This is Yang Peng's first time here, and he is familiar with the roads. He dismounted in front of Donghua Gate and led his officers to walk between the two rows of eunuchs. Walking all the way across the square to the emperor in front of the Huangji Hall, he saw the officials, civil and military officials already waiting in the hall.
Yang Peng led Zhang Xiang and other officials of fourth rank and above into the Huangji Palace, raised his hands and shouted: "Your Majesty Yang Peng and the generals of Tianjing New City have seen the officials!" Seeing Yang Peng come in, all the officials in the palace turned slightly and glanced He glanced at Yang Peng. This Yang Peng was awarded the title of General of Hussars at such a young age, and even entered the palace on horseback. He was so distinguished and respected that it made people jealous. But there was nothing we could do. Yang Peng was so good at fighting that ten thousand people chased the Khitan soldiers and blocked them at Qingshan Pass, unable to get out.
The scouts on the front line finally figured out the situation these days. It was Yang Peng who blocked the Tatars at Qingshan Pass and could not leave the customs, so he came to Qingshan Pass to rescue Xiao Tianzuo after he captured Xiao Tai of Liao Kingdom. This Yang Peng can be said to have almost driven the Khitans to death. Zhao Heng looked at Yang Peng with satisfaction and shouted: "I love you!"
Yang Peng led several officers behind him to stand up. Zhao Heng stroked his beard and said with a smile: "The achievements in the last battle have not been shown, but Yang Qing has made new achievements. The battle at Qingshan Pass has greatly increased the momentum of our Song Dynasty. It is really fun!" Yang Peng handed over his hand. He said: "Although the great victory at Qingshan Pass was achieved by the last general, it was really due to the power of the officials. Without the officials' strategizing and proper arrangements, this victory would not have been possible!"
After hearing what Yang Peng said, Zhao Heng was stunned for a moment, and then he laughed very happily. Another great victory was reported at Qingshan Pass, and all civil and military officials throughout the Song Dynasty were deeply inspired. Yang Peng gave the emperor the credit for strategizing, and he also wanted to gain a lot of authority for the emperor! Seeing the atmosphere, the officials standing on both sides held up their dental plaques and sang: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live my emperor!"
Zhao Heng smiled and looked at the officials congratulating him and waved. He then said to Yang Peng: "Yang Peng, you have made great contributions. I will also reward you! I have entered you as the Youzhu Kingdom, made your master Lin Qing'er a first-grade imperial concubine, and made your wife Yang a first-grade imperial concubine. ." Yang Peng said, "Guan family, Yang Tong and I are not married yet. Isn't that bad?" Zhao Heng said, "Then you are not married yet, or you can find someone to get married here in Bianjing. The Eighth Prince can arrange it for you." ." Yang Peng was startled and said, "Not an official. I can't beat my unmarried wife when I go back. My martial arts skills are not as good as his."
The court burst into laughter. This time, the official awards were all awards such as honors and honors. After hearing the reward from Madam Gaoming, Yang Peng secretly thought that it was good now. Yang Tong had Madam Gaoming in hand, and there was no need to ask for it from the officials anymore.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
