Just when Lu Xiangsheng led his troops and horses and just arrived outside Baoding City, Yang Tinglin also galloped into the army from the chaos.
Although a close friend and a helping hand came to his side, Lu Xiangsheng was not particularly happy.
His current situation is indeed as he expected, getting worse and worse, which has made him feel discouraged about everything. He just wants to die on the battlefield early to repay the grace of God and live in peace with his name.
Lu Xiangsheng stood on the official road, looking at Yang Tinglin who had returned from afar. He was nearly fifty years old. He had the aloofness of a scholar in his manner, and a large beard hanging down to his chest.
As soon as they met, he asked eagerly and expectantly: "Boxiang, what's going on? Can the magistrate of Qingyuan provide me with food?"
Yang Tinglin's face was full of resentment. He shook his head and said: "Zuo Huaibi of Qingyuan County refused to supply our army with food and grass on the grounds that there was no food in the city. Brother Yu held your hand and sternly rebuked him, but he ignored him at all. , Brother Yu is helpless."
Lu Xiangsheng stood blankly for a long time, guessing that Zhang Qiping, the governor of Baoding, and Zuo Huaibi, the magistrate of Qingyuan County, must have figured out that the great scholar Yang Sichang wanted to cut off the food and wages of his own army.
Since he was ordered to serve the king, he was not afraid to fight against the Qing soldiers and cavalry, but the constraints from within the imperial court made him feel physically and mentally exhausted.
Yang Tinglin was resentful for a long time, and Fang Fuxu mused: "Ming Gong, the current plan is not to move troops to the three prefectures in Jinan. Ming Gong has been ruling the name for a long time, and the local people are also quite loyal. In addition, the territory is not very clear." It's dilapidated, so it's convenient to raise food and fodder. After our army has replenished its strength, we will go to find Dongnu and fight to the death with him."
Lu Xiangsheng suddenly felt powerless. He slowly shook his head and finally made up his mind and said to Yang Tinglin: "Boxiang, you and I will go to Zhending and beg for food with the local people. I will wait for the death of the soldiers and think that I will serve the country!" "
Yang Tinglin said with some urgency: "Sir, you must not do this. Our division is hungry and exhausted, and Dongnu is in great power. Fighting against them will inevitably lead to disaster, so it is best to move to Jinan."
He saw that Lu Xiangsheng had a resolute expression and was unmoved, waiting for persuasion. At this moment, the two of them suddenly saw smoke and dust billowing from the south of the official road, and several horses were rushing towards them.
Lu Xiangsheng's soldiers hurriedly rode up to meet him. Soon, the soldiers led Xuanzang guerrilla Zhang Cheng and his guards in a hurry.
Zhang Cheng, wearing only a suit of cotton armor, came to Lu Xiangsheng, hurriedly turned over and dismounted, raised his hands and clasped his fists and saluted: "The general will pay homage to the governor."
After that, he bowed deeply to Yang Tinglin, cupped his hands and said, "Zhang Cheng paid homage to Yang Hanlin and gave me the gift of a telescope. I have never had the opportunity to express my gratitude in person. Today I am lucky enough to have you meet Mr. Yang. I would like to express my gratitude." More than an adult.”
Yang Tinglin looked at Zhang Cheng, stroked his beard and laughed and said: "Zhongchen, don't be polite, the telescope is just a plaything with me, it may be of great use to you. Now I am painting military affairs in front of Ming Gong's army, and it will be common in the future. General Zhang does not need to be polite."
At this time, Lu Xiangsheng said in a deep voice: "Zhongchen, why are you here? Are all the officers and soldiers in the department settled properly?"
Zhang Cheng clasped his fists again and reported: "Back to the governor, the soldiers have all settled down. The general has some military information and wants to report it to the governor, so he hurried over here."
Hearing this, Lu Xiangsheng seemed to gain some energy and hurriedly asked: "What's the military situation?"
Before Zhang Cheng could speak, Yang Tinglin on the side stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Sir, how about we wait and discuss it in detail in the account?"
Lu Xiangsheng laughed loudly and ran to the Chinese army's tent together with Yang Tinglin, Zhang Cheng and others.
…………
Zhang Cheng followed Lu Xiangsheng and walked side by side with Yang Tinglin. They chatted softly along the way. Yang Tinglin told Zhang Cheng that he was recommended to Lu Xiangsheng to praise the painting in front of the army because of his impeachment of Yang Sichang.
In Yang Sichang's own opinion, this fulfilled his wish. It was exactly what he wanted to stay away from the smoky court and go to the front of the two armies to help his old friend Lu Xiang.
However, when he arrived at the army, he realized that everything here was more difficult than he imagined, and even a little helpless.
In Zhang Cheng's view, this is not in line with the popular saying in his previous life - ideals are full, but reality is skinny!
Lu Xiangsheng, Yang Tinglin and others who were slapped in the face by reality all felt very helpless. A sense of emptiness and powerlessness had gradually invaded their bodies and minds.
However, Zhang Cheng was different from their general thinking. His understanding of this era far exceeded that of everyone around him. He knew more clearly than anyone else that the current court and the superior king could not save this troubled world.
If you want to live and live well, you can only rely on yourself!
In troubled times, strength is king, and only by forming an army capable of conquering and fighting can we defend our own paradise.
But the basis of all this is to have your own territory, your own people, and a large number of skilled craftsmen, and have a far-sighted vision, in order to stand proudly at the top of the heroes in troubled times!
Zhang Cheng lost no time and said softly to Yang Tinglin: "Master Yang, Zhang Cheng has something else that I would like to ask you for advice. Is it convenient?"
Yang Tinglin was stunned for a moment, then said: "Zhongchen, I admire you very much. If you don't mind, how about we call each other by names from now on?"
Zhang Cheng felt quite flattered and hurriedly continued: "Zhang Cheng, a martial artist, how dare you match your name to yourselves? If you don't give up, Zhang Cheng will call you sir from now on. How about that?"
Yang Tinglin brushed his beard and said with a smile: "Okay, it's up to you. I didn't expect that although Zhongchen is a military general, he knows etiquette."
When Lu Xiangsheng heard this, he looked back and said with a smile: "Boxiang, don't be deceived by him. Zhongchen is just a kid."
Yang Tinglin was also a little surprised. Because at that time, there were not many military generals in the Ming Dynasty who were literate. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were just warriors and illiterate.
Especially after the middle of the Ming Dynasty, because the generals of the generals in each town had too much power, the court began to popularize the use of civil and military forces in order to suppress the power of the generals in each town and avoid losing the tail and causing chaos in the feudal towns.
Since then, all military generals have taken pride in being illiterate, which can be regarded as a wise and wise strategy to protect themselves. Gradually, a situation like the late Ming Dynasty emerged, where illiterate generals were everywhere.
Therefore, when Yang Tinglin learned that Zhang Cheng was still a boy, he couldn't help but admire him even more, and took the initiative to ask: "Zhongchen, what you just said, is there anything that you need my help for?"
Zhang Cheng thought for a moment and then said: "Zhang Cheng heard that Mr. Xu Wendinggong and Mr. Xuan Hu, the former elders of the front cabinet, tried to grow something called sweet potato in Tianjinwei area in the east of Jingdong in the early years. I don't know whether Mr. Xu knows about this. ?”
Yang Tinglin stopped and watched Zhang Cheng for a while, then moved into the Chinese military tent. As he walked, he said: "I didn't expect that Zhongchen would be quite interested in this matter. Xu Wendiggong did plant sweet potatoes in Tianjin Wei area, and in the Fangshan and Laishui counties have also tried growing rice."
