"You are not allowed to drink alcohol during the war, and you only have simple meals. It is really wronging His Highness and the Duke."
"When the war is over in the future, the general will surely entertain you two again with good wine and good food."
Yang Lu said enthusiastically while guiding Zhu Su and Chang Mao. Zhu Su asked him: "Commander Yang, you keep preparing for war, but you don't know where the enemy is?"
"Who are you really going to fight with?"
Yang Lu's face paused for a moment, and then he said awkwardly: "This is really..."
"Sigh. Although it is a scandal, how dare you deceive Your Highness. I believe the prefect has already told His Highness."
"Previously, there were water bandits in Taihu Lake who took advantage of the disaster to attack the government and wreak havoc on the people."
"My guard is responsible for protecting the country and the people, so I resolutely went to collect it. But, alas..."
"Even the bandits didn't patrol, but because the ship accidentally hit the island, a shipload of soldiers was lost in vain..."
Speaking of this, Yang Lu looked embarrassed, and other Suzhou guards also bowed their heads and remained silent, seeming deeply ashamed.
Zhu Su looked at Chang Mao in surprise. He really didn't expect that Yang Lu would expose his shortcomings so easily.
"Although the water bandits have disappeared for the time being due to the slowdown in Taihu Lake in recent days, as a commander of the First Guard, how can the general dare to neglect such a group of thieves in Suzhou who have not yet been eliminated?"
"That's why I practice here every day, arranging and preparing for battle, so as to eradicate banditry in the future." Yang Lu had a righteous look on his face.
"...Of course, it also means to avenge the past shame." When he said the four words "to avenge the past shame", he scratched his head in embarrassment. A simple and honest look.
"That's it." Zhu Su's eyes softened. "Commander Yang knows his shame and then becomes brave. If he can suppress the banditry in a moment of shame, it will be a good story."
"Thank you for your encouragement, Your Highness!" Yang Lu cupped his fists and thanked him.
Zhu Su smiled and nodded, but said nothing more. As he walked, he took stock of the interior of the Suzhou Guard. I had heard before that military households in the Ming Dynasty usually farmed their own crops, but the Suzhou Guard was stationed in the city, but there was no land as expected.
Thinking about it, it would be up to the family members to choose another land to farm and support.
The health center occupies a large area, and apart from a few houses, most of it is used as sentries and school fields. Now that the night was getting darker, there should have been no people on the school grounds, but Zhu Su saw that there were about thousands of soldiers still standing in the cold night wind.
There seemed to be someone executing an execution in front of them, and there was the faint sound of military sticks hitting the flesh, and the muffled sound of being gagged.
"Commander Yang, it's so late, what are those people doing on the school grounds?"
"Huh?" Yang Lu followed Zhu Su's gaze and said suddenly: "Those people are the surrendered soldiers of the former King Zhang Shicheng."
"His Royal Highness Haojiao knows that since the general was defeated that day, he has been puzzled by the disappearance of this group of thieves out of thin air."
"Later, I realized the possibility that this thief could be the so-called remnant of King Cheng."
"Only they have been operating in Suzhou City for many years and are familiar with the terrain here..."
Unexpectedly, Yang Lu also thought of this level. Zhu Su's expression softened slightly. Chang Mao over there was no longer angry as before, and said in surprise: "You guys, I didn't expect that you would sum up the defeat to this level!"
"Your Majesty, the award is too great." Yang Lu humbly held his hand. "It's really a shameful defeat. I can't tolerate the general thinking about it day and night."
"After thinking about this, the general began to wonder if someone had leaked the whereabouts of the army to the remaining gangsters in advance."
"That's why these former Zhang Shicheng's soldiers were picked out individually for interrogation."
"I see." Zhu Su nodded, looked at the soldiers on the campus in the distance, and remained silent after all.
The group of people arrived at the main hall. I saw that tables, chairs and meals had already been set up in the hall.
Suzhou is close to the lake and the sea, and all kinds of lake fish are available in season. What is rare is that not only the season is fresh, but also all kinds of dishes from all over the world are displayed in the banquet. Yang Lu said with a smile: "Your Highness, the Duke, please come to the table. It's a grievance for both of you."
"If it were just a simple meal, there would be no feast in the world." Zhu Su said with a smile. At Yang Lu's humbly request, he and Chang Mao sat at the first and second seats at the top.
Yang Lu also took the third seat, and the others also took their seats. Zhu Su asked: "Commander Yang is so conscientious and dedicated, it is really admirable."
"I heard that he was promoted to commander not long ago. Did he participate in the 'Battle of Pingjiang' that took place in Suzhou City before?"
Suzhou was formerly known as Pingjiang. The so-called Battle of Pingjiang refers to Lao Zhu's last battle to defeat Zhang Shicheng. Yang Lu hugged Zhu Su and said sincerely: "The last general has not been lucky enough to participate in the Battle of Pingjiang."
"I feel ashamed to say that I am able to assume this position of commander only because of the influence of my ancestors."
"My father was once a member of the army of a thousand families. He was the first to take the lead in the battle of Pingjiang, but he died as a result."
"My great kindness has just taught me to take over my father's position and get a military position under the Marquis of Jiangyin..."
"You are still a loyal queen!" Chang Mao sat up straight. Yang Lu's humility and actions had made him completely put down his resentment and guard, and his face showed appreciation.
"I would like to thank the Duke for his praise on behalf of my late father." Yang Lu bowed his hand humbly. "My family has received a lot of kindness from His Majesty."
"My sister-in-law was also favored by His Majesty and was brought into the palace. Now she is His Majesty's concubine."
"General Yang, it turns out he is Concubine Yang's brother!" Zhu Su said in surprise. "So, you and I are not outsiders anymore!"
"Come on, let's have tea instead of wine today. I'll give General Yang a drink first!"
No wonder this man is so young, but he is already the commander of the first guard of an important town in the south of the Yangtze River. It turns out that he is actually related to his father.
I have met Yang Concubine Zhu Su a few times. She is only about 29 years old this year, and she is considered to be a relatively young group of concubines in Lao Zhu's harem. In the past, Zhu Su often criticized Lao Zhu and Lao Niu for eating young grass.
However, the slander is the slander, Lao Juna's concubines were mostly motivated by political considerations. Some of them were even brought in for him by Queen Ma. After all, the population of Lao Zhu's family was really thin before, and only by spreading more branches and leaves can the country's foundation be stabilized. As far as Zhu Su knew, although there were many young and beautiful girls in Lao Zhu's harem, he rarely ate these "tender grasses".
Remember that this Concubine Yang will not make any achievements until several years later. His son was Ning Wang Zhu Quan, who was deceived by Zhu Di.
His descendants rebelled because of this incident. So much so that in many fictional TV dramas of later generations, the title "Prince Ning" almost directly became synonymous with the treacherous king who had different ambitions and planned rebellion.
After obtaining Chang Mao's forgiveness and establishing a relationship with Zhu Su, the heavy atmosphere in the field was now completely gone.
Although tea was served instead of wine, the atmosphere at the banquet was very lively. A group of people exchanged glasses and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves.
"Since they are all our own, I won't hide them anymore."
After drinking a cup of Yang Lu's tea, Zhu Su smiled at Yang Lu.
"But I have something on my mind, and I would like to ask General Yang to help me!"
(End of chapter)
