What the old man said after he came out was really shocking.
In front of Li Shimin, in front of Li Chengqian, he dared to use foul language, and even did such vulgar behavior as spitting.
For a moment, several guys standing next to the old man with a cane were about to step forward and beat him.
But the old man was not afraid at all.
He raised his head and said, "I am Zhang Shengju, the 34th old rogue who enlisted in the Jinyang Army. Who dares to take action against me today?"
Jinyang Army?
After hearing these three words, not to mention the veterans present, even Li Chengqian and Li Shimin were shocked.
You know, the Jinyang Army was the earliest team in the Tang Dynasty, and it was Li Yuan's army.
This army existed as early as when Li Yuan was still the king of Tang.
Once upon a time, Li Shimin led his cavalry out of Yanmen Pass to rescue Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty. He led this army.
In the subsequent war to quell the chaos in the Tang Dynasty, this team always followed Li Yuan and was under the personal control of Li Yuan.
When Li Shimin was defeated in Qianshuiyuan, it was their appearance that prevented Li Shimin from being completely defeated.
However, in the subsequent battles, this team was crippled and has been resting in Chang'an City.
Therefore, this team was rarely seen in the following wars.
After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, the Jinyang Army was reorganized on the spot.
The two most elite formations were divided into Zuo Yiwei and Youyiwei, and the rest were all incorporated into the Shenwu Army.
As for the team's designation, it was also changed from the original Jinyang Army to the Bingzhou Army, becoming the most powerful cavalry force in the Tang Dynasty.
It can be said that even the Liangzhou Army has to look up to the glorious history of this army.
"Zhang Shengju?"
Li Shimin's eyes widened, he looked at the person in front of him and said, "You were the one who fought with me outside Yanmen Pass, right?"
Over the years, Li Shimin has experienced many things and met many people.
But the battle at Yanmen Pass is still fresh in his memory, because it was the first battle he participated in in his life.
And he will never forget the strong middle-aged man who followed him all the time.
It was with him helping him guard his back that he could charge forward bravely.
After hearing Li Shimin's words, Zhang Shengju slowly turned back.
He smiled straight at Li Shimin, then knelt on his knees and said: "I am the former commander of the third formation of the Jinyang Army. Long live my emperor!"
Seeing this, Li Shimin was extremely excited.
He personally stepped forward to help Zhang Shengju up from the ground, and said with a moved face: "Brother, where have you been all these years? It's been so hard for me to find you!"
This is not difficult to see from his attitude towards Changsun Wuji and others.
He was extremely nostalgic, especially for the people who fought alongside him.
And of course he will not forget the old brother who once led him to the battlefield.
When the Jinyang Army reorganized, he wanted to draw the other party under his command.
But when he went to ask for someone, he heard that the old guy had been discharged from the army due to injury.
Although this matter has not become a knot in Li Shimin's heart, he still sighs every time it is heard.
"When the Jinyang Army was reorganized, I, an old rogue, was originally transferred to the Shenwu Army."
"But I, an old rogue, couldn't stand the restraints of the palace, so I retired from the army for some reason and went home to farm."
Hearing Zhang Shengju's words, Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh: "You could have lived a better life."
He would definitely not treat Zhang Shengju badly, and would even let him become an official, a general, and a great general.
But Zhang Shengju shook his head.
He said: "I am getting old. I was over 40 years old when I retired from the army. I have to make way for young people."
"The most important thing in being a human being is self-awareness. I am not that material."
"Furthermore, I feel happy from the bottom of my heart as I watch the Tang Dynasty getting better and better over the years, and watching His Majesty lead the Tang Dynasty to a prosperous age..."
Speaking of this, Zhang Shengju glanced at Li Chengqian and said with a smile: "Especially His Highness, the scenery in the past few years is really the same as His Majesty's youth."
"He's better than me."
Li Shimin smiled slightly and looked back at Li Chengqian: "Qian'er, come here and salute!"
Hearing this, Li Chengqian was also very obedient.
He stepped forward unsteadily, cupped his hands in front of Zhang Sheng and said, "Greetings to Uncle Zhang..."
"Your Highness, Your Highness..."
"You have a distinguished status, so you can't do this!"
Zhang Shengju was also flattered and supported Li Chengqian, and then said: "Besides, I am just a commoner, so I can't bear your highness's gift..."
"If you can't bear it, no one in the world can bear it."
Li Shimin raised his head slightly, then glanced at the old soldier on crutches and said, "Do you know this man?"
"Of course I know you!"
"He's a fellow countryman of mine who joined the army with me."
"It's just that this kid is greedy for life and afraid of death, and almost became a deserter on the battlefield."
"Thankfully, the commander-in-chief at that time was kind enough to let him live and let him become a cook in the army."
"Later, when I went out with the army, I didn't pay attention to my steps, fell into a horse pit and broke my leg, so I left the team and returned to my hometown."
"Who would have known that this old man would actually gain some fame for himself by bragging that he was a meritorious soldier of the Jinyang Army."
Zhang Shengju turned back to look at the old soldier named Wang and said, "What's the matter, Wang, am I right?"
"On weekdays, you just rely on bragging to eat and drink, but today you actually went to act wild in front of His Majesty."
"Do you really think how many battles you have fought and how many meritorious services you have made for the country?"
Zhang Shengju sneered and said, "I'm afraid the scars on one of my legs are covered by the scars on your whole body, right?"
Facing Zhang Shengju's aggressiveness, the old guy surnamed Wang really didn't dare to speak.
After all, what Zhang Shengju said is true.
The old soldiers around him were a little surprised to see him in such a state.
They are all more or less related to the man named Wang.
Either they met while drinking and eating meat, or they met at a gathering of old soldiers.
And they have all heard of this legendary story of Lao Wang.
It is said that when he was fighting with the enemy outside Yanmen Pass, he used his own leg to save a general at that time, so that he could be honorably discharged.
But now it seems that is not the case.
One of the guys with a hot temper shouted angrily: "Wang, what is going on here, you'd better tell us clearly."
Another person also stood up and said: "You are telling us that the prince has no virtue, the world will be in chaos, and all our blood will be shed in vain. Now it seems that he has lied to us?"
For a time, there was endless denunciation of the old soldier named Wang in the crowd.
Li Shimin's face also darkened.
The old pawn was on the verge of forcing himself into the palace in Chang'an, and even uttered treasonous words.
Originally, Li Shimin thought they were really dissatisfied with Li Chengqian's reform proposals, but now that he saw it, it turned out that the trouble was caused by this guy himself.
Then he saw Li Shimin looking towards him.
The man surnamed Wang also quickly knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I know my sin, I know my sin..."
"Convicted?"
Li Shimin sneered, then waved his hand and said: "Someone will take this person to Dali Temple and hand him over to Fang Xuanling for trial!"
After hearing this, the soldiers nearby did not hesitate, rushed into the crowd, captured the old soldier named Wang, and escorted him aside...
