The classic sound of "boom, boom, boom, boom" was heard, and on both sides of the river embankment there was the sound of people knelt down and singing official names while wearing horseshoe sleeves.
"The magistrate of Gaoyou County, Shanyang, and the magistrate of Yangzhou Prefecture, see the Marshal." These normally aloof officials were shouting at the top of their necks, fearing that the Marshal would not hear his name or see his filial piety.
Each handbook and gift list are held high. Some people may say that this is an open bribery, but in the officialdom of the late Qing Dynasty, when the power reached the level of Zeng Guofan, the crime of accepting bribes would not be applied to him.
The world is full of disciples and old officials, and they are old and have great prestige. It is called filial piety when the people below give them gifts. Especially for the group of military generals promoted by Zeng Guofan himself, facing Zeng Guofan's meaning of being a benefactor and a kind master, giving gifts to the general is as natural as a son giving gifts to his father.
In this case, even the clear stream cannot be sprayed. However, he never expected that there would be no response at all on the Marshal's warship, neither saying he would see them nor saying not seeing them, and even the Marshal would not bother to say a word of appreciation for the banquet prepared by these local officials.
The warship moved slowly, and the commander's soldiers on the deck were like iron javelins nailed to the bow of the ship, looking at each other without saying a word. There was even silence inside the cabin, as if the commander didn't hear the sparrows outside.
The atmosphere gradually became depressing. None of the officials kneeling on the river embankment knew what the commander-in-chief meant. They just stood there without talking, beating or scolding. Did we not do something well?
Officials south of the Huaihe River in the Qing Dynasty had a very clear understanding in their hearts: "It is better to offend the imperial court than the King of Jiangnan!" 'The imperial court is in the far north, but the commander-in-chief is right in front of everyone. The soldiers of the Hunan Army are stationed in various places. If they are in a hurry, they may lose their lives.
Just when all the officials were at a loss, the veterans standing guard with guns on the river embankment had red eyes and swollen eyes, and some shed tears when they looked at the familiar commander's flag.
The emotions that people condense on the battlefield are very precious. The brotherhood in a trench in the war is closer than the fair-weather brothers of the Tianping envoys. The founder of the army who leads them to victory is the god in the hearts of the soldiers.
Just as the new Chinese army loves Xiao Letian, these Hunan troops trained by Zeng Guofan also admire the commander.
"Commander, please give your regards to the commander! I am Xiangxiang One Ear! In the battle of Wuhu, six long-haired soldiers were killed and one ear was lost!"
A veteran in the team suddenly rushed out, knelt on the river embankment, kowtowed to the commander, and reported his name. Where there is the first, there is the second.
"I kowtow to you, Commander-in-Chief. When I was conquering Tianjing with Iron Blade Back at Niutou Ridge in Anhua, Changsha, the Ninth Commander once gave you wine! Marshal Wan An, I kowtow to you with Iron Blade Back."
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became chaotic. The veterans who had followed the commander crawled beside the river embankment one by one and bowed their heads to pay respects to the commander who led them in the battle. The scene was full of tears.
Just when the local officials and military camp generals were preparing to suppress the attack, suddenly the warship took the lead and sounded the trumpet, and a strong figure came out of the cabin. "One ear? The back of an iron sword? Hahaha, you little thieves who steal wine and drink deserve to be killed." Yangzhou Prefecture has come to eat food!"
"Hahaha, I remember you all, I remember you all!"
There was a bang, and the scene was in chaos. The veterans howled and cried, "Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu didn’t forget us, the commander-in-chief! He has not forgotten us,"
"Commander! Oh wow, is there still a fight? Take us with you, and we will continue to work hard with the commander!"
The local officials did not invite Zeng Guofan, and the senior officials in the military camp did not invite the old commander. Instead, it was these ordinary veterans with scars all over their bodies who cried bitterly and alerted Zeng Guofan and walked out of the cabin.
The old commander was also moved. He took out his handkerchief and wiped the corners of his eyes, laughing and scolding, "That's nonsense. The purpose of me leading you to war is to let you enjoy a peaceful life. In the future, you will die on your bedside with your grandson to accompany you. This is a good life." What kind of war are we fighting? We can’t fight, but we can’t fight again!”
"One ear! Have you got a wife?" Zeng Guofan shouted to the river bank with a smile.
These veterans laughed loudly and said for him without waiting for Yi Er to speak, "I have married a wife, but Yi Yi is useless. I beat my wife all the time. I think sooner or later I will beat my wife away! Hahaha"
"Fart! You fart! I have some, sir, don't listen to their farts, I don't have them."
Zeng Guofan also laughed, "Don't beat your wife, that's something only unpromising men can do! The good men I brought out, Zeng Guofan, go into battle to kill the enemy without blinking an eye, and they will use their majesty and evil spirit to the enemy, but they can't be unruly at home."
"Let's all live a good life! If you can live a peaceful life, it means that all my hard work has not been in vain." At this point, Zeng Guofan could no longer hold back his emotions, and tears rolled down his face.
Seeing this as an opportunity, the officials on the embankment quickly shouted to persuade them to stay, "Commander, please get off the boat and have a drink of water! Commander, please get off the boat and see us!"
Zeng Guofan gave face to these big soldiers, but not to those officials. Although many of them were the officers he used back then, in order to avoid suspicion, Zeng Guofan just nodded to them, and then the old farmer behind him shouted angrily. .
"The commander-in-chief has given orders. Your banquets and gifts have been collected. You can take your gifts to your respective yamen for errands. Only by protecting the country and the people can you really respect me. Don't spend money on such scenes in the future. Remember!"
Don’t ask for any gifts, just enjoy the banquet. The so-called reward means not eating it, so don’t give it to me. I accepted your idea, even if I have eaten it.
Just when Zeng Guofan was approaching the cabin, the veterans on the shore kowtowed in unison and begged, "When will the commander come again! Let's invite the commander to have a drink and look at us!"
Zeng Guofan, who was in tears, waved his hand, "Definitely, definitely! I will definitely take a look at you next time I come!"
As the saying goes, good things don't work but bad things don't work. These veterans never thought that this would be the last time they saw the commander in their lives.
Entering the cabin, the Ninth Commander, who had never shown up, was wiping tears. After all, the court did not let him go to Beijing, but the old brother also wanted to send his elder brother off, so he secretly boarded the boat and headed north. He planned to send his eldest brother to Zhili. territory, and then return to Jiangning by boat.
He also knew many veterans on the shore, especially Iron Sword Back, a fellow from Changsha. He was a fierce soldier with outstanding achievements, and he once gave him wine in Tianjing City.
"I really miss these brats! I really want to have a good drink with them! If it weren't for the sake of avoiding suspicion," Jiu Shuai regretfully lowered the curtain, picked up the wine glass and took a deep drink.
"Don't talk about it. The news that I met the veterans in Baoying will definitely reach the capital. I want to see how the Sixth Japanese Army will respond!" Zeng Guofan leaned on the Taishi chair, with soft bearskin supporting his waist.
The ninth commander put down his cup, "If you want to force the Japanese to take action, the best thing is for you to get off the ship and have a few drinks with the officers. If those cowards of the Manchus see the commander rewarding his old subordinates all the way, they will all be scared crazy!" "
"If you mobilize thousands of fine cavalry to go north, you will say that there are bandits in the Taihang Mountains and the peace will not be peaceful. This will make Yi restless! I estimate that in just one or two days, he will have to take action!"
Zeng Guofan smiled faintly, "The Empress Dowager Dong hopes that I can resist this thunder! Then I will just resist. Do you really think it was before the Hongyang Rebellion? Give me a fight, then let's play slowly!"
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