In February, the spring cold is very cold, on Jingxi Road, south of Ezhou, above the Han River.
A merchant ship heading south rowed through the water. Several young men in military uniforms stood on the bow deck and looked around. Several generals have straight backs and weathered faces, and they look like they have been in the military for many years. Several Song troops who followed stood guard around the generals, and the travelers stayed away.
The leader was wearing armor all over his body, wearing a wide robe with big sleeves. He had a face with Chinese characters and thick eyebrows. He was extremely majestic. With a slight glance, his eyes flashed, making people awe-inspiring.
This man's name was Meng Gong, and he was under the control of the "Zhongshun Army" of the Zaoyang Army, an important border town west of Beijing in the Song Dynasty. He was the son of a famous family, and his great-grandfather, father, and grandson were all on the front line of the fight against the Jin Dynasty. He was an out-and-out loyalist.
Meng Gong's great-grandfather Meng An and grandfather Meng Lin were both generals of Yue Fei's tribe. Meng Gong followed his father Meng Zongzheng to fight against the Jin Dynasty in Zaoyang since he came of age. In the 16th year of Jiading (1223), Meng Zongzheng died while he was in charge of the capital of Jing'e and knew the Zaoyang army. Meng Gong mourned for his father.
When Meng Zongzheng was still alive, he recruited more than 20,000 strong men from Tang, Deng and Cai states in the Jin Kingdom and organized them into the "Loyal and Shun Army". After his death, Jianghai ruled. Due to the complicated composition of the army and the uneasy military situation, the Jinghu Production and Construction Department ordered Meng Gong to take over the power of Jianghai to manage the Zhongshun Army.
Although he is a noble son, his father has passed away and he is a warrior. It is not easy for him to guard the border area with Zaoyang Army. This time he was ordered to enter Jinling City to meet the Holy Spirit, which was also beyond his expectation.
At thirty, can it be said that there are really surprises in life?
"Fourth brother, the emperor asked you to hand over military affairs and go to Jinling to face the saint. What does this mean?"
Meng Zhang, the seventh child, couldn't help but ask.
In fact, the brothers had asked this question countless times before.
"Seventh brother, this goes without saying. Needless to say, the new emperor has just ascended the throne, and it is the right time to hire people. Fourth brother has made a lot of achievements in battle, so he must be promoted!"
Meng Ying, the youngest of the ten, said cheerfully.
The ten brothers of the Meng family, the third eldest Meng Jing, the fourth eldest Meng Gong, the seventh eldest Meng Zhang, and the tenth eldest Meng Ying, these four have been in the army all year round with their father Meng Zongzheng. This time when I went to Jinling, in addition to the third oldest Meng Jing who was in charge of the Zaoyang Army, the fourth oldest Meng Gong, the seventh oldest Meng Zhang, and the tenth oldest Meng Ying all came.
Meng Gong smiled slightly but said nothing. The "Book of Changes" in his hand was never unfolded.
"Several generals, if the villain's prediction is correct, the emperor summoned several generals to Jinling, I am afraid that he will let you enter the Jinling Martial Arts Hall and become the emperor's disciples."
Meng Da, the accompanying servant, suddenly came up with a different opinion.
"Meng Da, what do you say?"
Old Meng Ying's eyes lit up and she immediately became excited.
Jinling Martial Arts Hall recruits students from all walks of life in the Song Dynasty. Regardless of their origin, this is already known to everyone. Is this really what the emperor planned to do when he summoned the three brothers?
"Didn't it be said in newspapers and notices that the Jiangwu Hall recruits students between the ages of 17 and 30, and 200 people are recruited from the army. The recruitment deadline for the Jiangwu Hall is until the end of February. I'm afraid that several generals will enter Aurous Hill at this time. Isn’t it just a face-to-face meeting?”
Meng Da's analysis made Meng Zhang and Meng Ying smile. Meng Zhang immediately said:
"No wonder the emperor didn't call Third Brother, but just the three of us. It turns out that Third Brother is past his thirties. This is really unexpected!"
"Actually, it's not surprising if you think about it carefully. Many young generals in the army have gone to the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall and have handed over military affairs. They can go to the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall, why can't we?"
Meng Ying followed Meng Zhang and spoke, her face full of joy.
If the emperor summoned his fourth brother, Meng Gong, to go to Jinling to meet the saint, it might be for other military matters. The three brothers went together, thinking that it could only be about the Jinling Martial Arts Hall.
What an unexpected surprise!
Having said that, Meng Jing, the third eldest brother, is already 35 years old and is mature and prudent. With him in charge of the Zaoyang Army and temporarily handling military affairs, Meng Gong can leave without any distractions and hit the road easily.
The fourth child, Meng Gong, is just 30 years old this year, the seventh child, Meng Zhang, is 24 years old, and the tenth child, Meng Ying, is only 18 years old. They are all within the age range for recruiting students in the martial arts hall.
It seems that they have decided on the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall!
"Meng Da, but I am already 30 years old. Isn't it a little inappropriate for Your Majesty to drag me into the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall?"
Meng Gong smiled bitterly, feeling a little emotional.
The tenth brother Meng Ying is only 18 years old, which is the age when he goes to the martial arts hall to learn skills. At thirty, he is already old.
Meng Gong's words were rejected by Meng Da, who shook his head.
"General, you will only be 30 years old by the end of the year. You are now in your early 29s. Besides, Jinling Martial Arts Hall is a one-year school system. By the time you are 30, you will have completed your studies. Just right!"
After Meng Da persuaded him, Meng Gong curled his lips and said nothing.
In fact, he had already vaguely guessed that when the emperor asked him to go to Jinling, he would most likely want him to study at the Jinling Martial Arts Hall. Otherwise, there would be no need for him to hand over military affairs.
What kind of existence is the Jinling Martial Arts Hall, and what can he learn?
"Fourth brother is skilled in bow and horse, and has been on the battlefield for many years. We have all seen life and death. When we go to the Jinling Martial Arts Hall, are we going to teach others or to be taught by others?"
Lao Qi Meng Zhang asked suspiciously and sneered.
Since the 10th year of Jiading (1217), when the Jin army invaded Xiangyang, Meng Gong fought with his father Meng Zongzheng, and made many military exploits in the seven-year war between the Jin and Song Dynasties. I really don’t know, he went to the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall, what else does he need to learn?
"That is, with Fourth Brother's military exploits and ability, if he really goes to the Jinling Martial Arts Hall, then even the emperor will have to listen to the lectures in a proper manner."
Lao Shi Mengying couldn’t wait to join in.
"What nonsense?"
Meng Gong turned his head and glared at his two younger brothers coldly.
"Since you are so powerful, why did Song and Jin fight for seven years? Why didn't you destroy the Jin Kingdom?"
Meng Gong's cross-examination made Meng Zhang blush and find it difficult to refute.
"You have been at the frontier for a long time, and you all know the strength of the frontier army, especially the ability of the officers and generals to lead the troops."
Meng Gong turned his head and looked at the rolling river with a solemn expression.
"For example, the Zaoyang Army has more than 20,000 troops in name, but in fact, only more than 7,000 people are fighting, less than 30%. The rest have to farm and raise horses to avoid running out of food and grass."
"However, there are many generals in the army who are greedy for life and afraid of death, and only a few of them can be reused. Once the army is used, the Jingxi system appoints a supervisor to supervise the army and restrains it in every possible way. Although the general is loyal and obedient to the army, he is afraid of hands and feet, and cannot be like an arm. Use your fingers."
Meng Da continued what Meng Gong said, and it seemed that he was inspired by it.
Meng Zhang and Meng Ying looked at each other, not daring to say anything.
It sounds like what my brother said makes sense.
Even if what his brother said didn't make sense, he couldn't refute it at this time to avoid being hit even harder.
"You have all seen "The Tatar Strategy". Do you think that His Majesty is just sitting around and trying to please others?"
Meng Gong pointed to the book "Tatar Policy" on Meng Ying's waist.
"Fourth brother, what do you mean..."
Meng Ying asked confusedly.
"Tatar Policy" has been read by their brothers. Because it was written by the emperor, it is expensive. Among them, the Tatar fighting strength seems to be scary, but I don’t know whether it is true or not.
Anyway, he only heard about it and didn't see it with his own eyes.
"The mighty Song frontier army had such a hard time even dealing with the Jin army, let alone the Tatar cavalry. The Tatar cavalry came and went like the wind, and they were invincible. Of the Jin people's huge territory, only Shaanxi was left to be encroached upon. The land of Henan. Can the current border army compete with it?"
Meng Gong said in a deep voice and couldn't help but let out a sullen breath.
The Tatar cavalry roamed the world, and the Jin people were driven back to the south of the Yellow River. They would be a serious problem for the Song Dynasty in the future. Even he felt that the pressure was so great that it was difficult to feel at ease.
The emperor established the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall and reorganized military equipment. It was the right time for him.
"Fourth brother, you mean that the emperor founded the Jinling Lecture Hall to deal with the Tatars in the north?"
Meng Zhang seemed to understand, but he was stupid and dumbfounded.
You know, the "Tatar Policy" was made when the emperor was still a prince. If that's the case, the emperor really worked hard and had good intentions.
Meng Ying and Meng Da together turned their attention to Meng Gong.
Many times, Meng Gong's analysis is correct.
"Of course!"
Meng Gong said decisively and raised his voice unconsciously.
"To train soldiers, you must first train officers. Officers are the courage of soldiers. Without a large number of well-trained middle and low-level officers, how can we build a strong army? How can we kill the enemy on the battlefield? Why did the Yue family army dominate the battlefield in those days? It was not because of their great-grandfather and grandfather. Such a mainstay of middle and low-level officers. I think this is the original intention of His Majesty in establishing the Jinling Military Academy and the Naval Academy."
"General, since you have such high regard for the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall, why are you still holding your broken copy of "The Book of Changes" in your hand? Do you want the military general to become a Confucian general and meet with the emperor to discuss the "Book of Changes"?"
Meng Da's teasing made Meng Gong smile awkwardly.
"The emperor's articles are the best in the country. Who dares to write in front of him? I hope the emperor understands the disadvantages of not taking action on border affairs, gets rid of bad policies, and revives our Song Dynasty's border army!"
Meng Gong waved his arm and threw the "Book of Changes" in his hand into the roaring river.
"Fourth brother, you don't read the "Book of Changes" anymore?"
Meng Zhang asked in surprise.
The fourth brother has studied the "Book of Changes" diligently for many years and has achieved a lot in the "Book of Changes". It's a pity to throw away the book now.
"Why are you pretending! A general should do what a general should do. I hope that after the interview, the emperor will not let me down and don't let me pick up this crappy book again!"
Meng Gong replied loudly without looking back.
Suddenly, the water surface widened in front, and it turned out that the ship had entered the Yangtze River waterway.
"The rolling waters of the Yangtze River pass eastward, and the waves wash away the heroes. Right and wrong, success or failure, are all gone. The green mountains are still there, and the sunsets are red several times."
Meng Zhang couldn't help it, stretched out his arms, faced the surging river, and sang loudly, attracting surprised eyes from the bow of the ship.
"White-haired fishermen and woodcutters on the river bank are used to looking at the autumn moon and the spring breeze. We are happy to meet each other over a pot of wine. Many things in ancient and modern times are all talked about with laughter."
Meng Ying stood next to her brother and sang loudly. The two faced Dajiang, they were generous and heroic, and they got angry frequently.
Meng Gong smiled slightly and did not blame his two younger brothers for their "misdeeds".
Young people should behave like young people.
Amid the noisy singing, Meng Gong looked at the distant skyline where mountains and rivers met, and he was filled with ambition.
Jinling Martial Arts Academy, is this a change of fate for Meng Gong?
