Chengde Governor's Mansion.
The next day, Zhao Erxun discussed with his counselor Yuan Jinkai: "The bandits are rampant in Pingquan Prefecture, and it is very unrest. Someone advised me to recruit Zhang Tianhe of the Chenjiayu Security Team, and then he would lead his troops to conquer. Do you think it’s feasible to suppress the local bandits, pursue the Mongolian bandits, and use bandits to control bandits?”
"Mr. Governor, I heard that Qin Liang, the commander of the fifth battalion of Pingquan Prefecture, went to conquer the Chenjiayu security team this time. It was not smooth. Our officers and soldiers died more than the bandits. When the officers and soldiers went to conquer, they turned into They broke into pieces, dispersed, and penetrated into the mountains. As soon as the officers and soldiers left, they came out again. Therefore, this bandit is very difficult to eradicate. It has been suppressed not only for a year, but for many years, and it cannot be eradicated. , the more the suppression, the more bandits there are, and Qin Liang has been assassinated, but the murderer has not been caught yet, and we don’t know who the murderer is." Yuan Jinkai said.
Zhao Erxun listened quietly.
"My Lord Governor, you are familiar with classics and history. Do you still remember Song Jiang, the hero of Liangshan? The Song Dynasty court sent troops to conquer many times, but could not annihilate them. In the end, they still recruited them. After Song Jiang was recruited, they sent Song Jiang again. Go fight Fangla. In this way, the court will save more energy. The situation around Pingquan Prefecture is much the same now as it was then. We will recruit Zhang Tianhe’s security team. To put it bluntly, we only need to give them a few sets of military uniforms and equipment. For guns and ammunition, just give each person a few taels of pay per month and let them fight. No matter which side wins, it will be good for us. Of course, if Zhang Tianhe can really wipe out all the bandits, that will be Nothing could be better," Yuan Jinkai said. "In addition, the bandits have been bothering us. They are nomadic people who live in no fixed places and come and go without a trace. They are extremely harmful and cannot be completely eradicated. By then, Let him go to conquer the Mongolian bandits, so we can sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight and reap the benefits, wouldn't we get the best of both worlds?"
"What you said makes sense," Zhao Erxun nodded, "Since you also said so, let him be appointed as the commander of the Pingquan Prefecture Cavalry Battalion to take the lead. There will be an establishment of 500 people. You can draft a letter of appointment immediately. Send it to Zhang Xiluan of Pingquan Mansion and let him handle the matter."
"Yes, Lord Governor!" Yuan Jinkai said.
On this day, Zhang Tianhe was patrolling outside on horseback. Suddenly, he saw a sentry on Pegasus coming to him and reported: "Captain, go back quickly, someone is looking for you."
"Who is it?" Zhang Tianhe asked.
"He said that he was sent by Master Zhang Xiluan, the prefect of Pingquan Prefecture, and that he was their master named Qian Wenbo." The sentry said.
"People from the government?" Zhang Tianhe couldn't help being stunned when he heard this. He thought for a while and then said, "Go back and have a look."
Zhang Tianhe returned to the team headquarters, turned over and dismounted, and saw an old man standing at the door. He was thin, wearing a hat on his head, and a pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose. He looked dry and energetic.
"My Excellency Qian Wenbo, congratulations to Captain Zhang, congratulations to Captain Zhang!" After seeing Zhang Tianhe, the old gentleman bowed his hands and saluted.
"Mr. Qian, are you Mr. Zhang's master in Pingquan Mansion?" Zhang Tianhe asked.
"good."
"Excuse me, Mr. Qian, where does my happiness come from?" Zhang Tianhe said.
"Captain Zhang, we received instructions from the top to recruit your security team and become the official army of the imperial court. Isn't this a great joy?" Qian Wenbo said.
"Is there such a thing? Are you joking?" Although Zhang Tianhe was mentally prepared, he didn't expect that this day would come so quickly, and he still couldn't hold back his excitement.
"Captain Zhang, how dare I joke about such a big thing?" He took out the letter of appointment from his arms and handed it to Zhang Tianhe and said, "Look at the letter of appointment here, how can it be fake? It's also covered with a big Here’s the seal.”
Zhang Tianhe took the letter of appointment and read it carefully three times. After confirming that it was correct, he said: "Sir, you have worked hard all the way. Please come inside and serve tea."
"Captain Zhang, please!" Qian Wenbo stepped into the security team.
After the two entered the security team headquarters, they were seated separately as guest and host, and someone offered tea.
"Captain Zhang, I really didn't expect that you would meet a noble person." Qian Wenbo said.
"Sir, how do you say this?" Zhang Tianhe asked.
"Do you know a man named Li Xuewen? This man is the Living God of Wealth in Chengde. I heard that he went to the Governor's Mansion to intercede for your security team, and the Governor Zhao Erxun gave the order to recruit you."
"That's it." When Zhang Tian heard this, he understood in his heart.
"Mr. Governor Zhao, that official is too big. He has many things to do all day long and is not busy with this matter. Therefore, he entrusted this matter to our Pingquan Mansion, Mr. Zhang Xiluan, with full authority. Mr. Zhang sent me to you to report the situation and Please make it clear and have full communication and exchange with you to see if you have any other opinions or suggestions. If not, I will ask you to bring your troops to Pingquan Prefecture in the next few days to formally integrate them into the imperial army. , the Governor is still waiting for our return," Qian Wenbo said.
"I understand what you said. Then, please go down below to rest and allow me to discuss it with my brothers." Zhang Tianhe said.
"Of course." At this time, someone came to take Qian Wenbo down to rest.
So Zhang Tianhe called everyone to a meeting and set up two posts outside the door.
Zhang Tianhe handed the letter of appointment to everyone and circulated it.
"Now, please tell me, should we accept the recruitment, or should we not accept the recruitment?" Zhang Tianhe said, "Everyone can speak freely and express his or her own opinions."
"Captain, I don't think we can accept the recruitment. This is a trap!" Tang Dalong said, "This must be the Pingyuan Mansion that wants to wipe us out, but it can't be wiped out, so it decided to make this poisonous plan and set up a trap for us to escape. It says It is very clear that there are only 500 people in the establishment. If you take 500 of us to Hingquan Mansion, if you really go and get into their pockets, it will be all over."
"Why do you think it's a trap?" Zhang Tianhe asked.
"Captains doing things like this are a common tactic used by the government. Do you remember Jia Daya, the bearded leader of Jilin? The government conducted many encirclement and suppression campaigns, but could not wipe them out. In the end, they used this method to grant him an official position and attract him. They went there, but he believed it and pulled over more than 200 of his brothers. When they got there, they were all killed, no one was left, and they all had their heads chopped off," Tang Dalong said, "We have learned from the past, how can we be fooled? ?”
"Yes, Captain, Leader Tang is right. This is a trap. Once you go there, you can't come back. We can't be fooled. We won't accept the recruitment." Everyone said in unison.
"Mr. Liu, what's your opinion?" Zhang Tianhe looked at Liu Bodu who was sitting next to him and remained silent, so he asked him.
