In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, on the 9th day of the 11th month, at the end of Shenshi, the sky was dim and the strong wind gradually subsided, but there were patches of snowflakes falling. On the ground, patches of withered yellow were interspersed with white snow, reflecting the hazy half-moon that had just risen on the eastern horizon. .
Gaoyang is said to be the former capital of Zhuan Xu, and its north is Baiyangdian and Xin'an County. Most of the territory is plain, with fertile land and a densely populated area.
Three miles away from the north of the city, piles of bonfires were lit in the camp of Lu Xiang Shengxuan's army. Except for the sergeants responsible for guarding and scouting outside, most people gathered around the piles of bonfires.
After a day's journey and an afternoon of fierce fighting, the cavalry in Xuandasan Town were very tired. At this moment, the camp guards, patrols, and sentries were all undertaken by infantry.
The knights all took off their armor and sat around the campfire, drinking broth and eating freshly steamed buns. There were also noodles there, all cooked in broth. Everyone could eat whatever they wanted. Which.
The injured sergeants were placed in warm tents, and were taken care of by specialized sergeants. Bowls of broth, as well as noodles, steamed buns, and rice porridge were provided to the wounded soldiers. The pork and mutton in the broth for the wounded soldiers were better than those outside. a bit more.
Today, there was a great victory over the Qing army, and the grain and grain seized amounted to more than 1,000 shi. Sun Chengzong led the gentry and common people of Gaoyang to work hard, and delivered more than 500 shi of grain, dozens of pigs and sheep, and food for the army and horses. The problem is solved for the time being.
…………
Zhang Cheng rode his horse and stopped outside the north gate of Gaoyang City. Looking up at the mottled and broken city walls, he sighed in his heart that Gaoyang was not a strong and strong city. There were no soldiers to garrison it. It was impossible to hold on because of the young people.
Looking at the bloodstains on the city wall in front of us and the mess under the wall, we can imagine the brutality of the Qing army's attack on the city.
Just now, beside Lu Xiangsheng, he heard Sun Yao tell that during the two days of guarding the city, the Qingzhuangs in the city suffered more than a thousand casualties, but only killed more than a hundred slaves and thieves. This shows that the temporary organization of the Qingzhuangs was unable to defend against the Qing army's attack. city.
Without foreign aid, it is only a matter of time before Gaoyang City is destroyed.
Therefore, Sun Chengzong, on behalf of the gentry and people of Gaoyang, warmly invited Lu Xiangsheng and the generals of Xuanda Sanzhen to the city for a banquet. He wanted to toast Lu Xiangsheng and other Xuanda generals in person.
Lu Xiangsheng declined politely, but he had no intention of entering the city for the banquet. He was afraid of disturbing the people in the city, but he could not bear the sincere entreaties of Sun Chengzong and the gentry people of Gaoyang, so he agreed to lead the generals of Xuan Dashan Town into the city to attend Sun Chengzong's celebration banquet. .
Zhang Cheng had also taken off his armor and put on a pair of casual uniforms. Without the constraints of armor, he felt extremely comfortable. Sitting on his horse, he vigorously shook the snow off his cloak and cloak, and looked at Chen Zhong and Wu behind him. The guard said: "Let's go into the city."
…………
Although the wind is biting and there are still snowflakes falling in the sky.
Gaoyang City was still bustling with people, and the streets were filled with people from the city, as well as villagers who had fled from nearby areas outside the city. The Qing army retreated, avoiding the danger of being massacred and plundered, and everyone's face was filled with a trace of happiness. .
On the street, teams of young men temporarily organized to defend the city maintained order. They also kept looking at the Xuanda generals who were riding on their horses. Their eyes were not only grateful, but also full of envy. .
During the two days they defended the city, they personally fought against the attacking Qing troops. Seeing their former playmates or relatives falling on the city wall one by one, they felt sad in their hearts and knew the cruel fighting power of the Qing troops.
Just when they were exhausted, Lu Xiangsheng led the Xuanda Jingqi, rushed thousands of miles to support, fought hard for half a day, and finally drove back the Qing army. How could they not admire and envy them, and some even wanted to join this army? I went with them to fight the Qing army and avenge their dead relatives and friends, but I didn't know who to ask for or how to ask.
Every twenty steps or so, there would be a young man holding a torch, keeping a glimmer of light in the dim street, so that the people on the street could see what these reinforcements sent from the sky looked like.
That night, Sun Chengzong hosted a banquet for Lu Xiangsheng and other Xuanda generals in his mansion. Several large square tables were placed in the courtyard. The personal guards and servants brought by each general gathered around the table. The square tables were filled with various kinds of dishes. Dishes.
Originally, Sun Chengzong had drinks prepared, but Lu Xiangsheng was worried that the military situation might change at any time, and strictly ordered his soldiers not to drink. Sun Chengzong wanted to give some advice, but seeing the determination on Lu Xiangsheng's face, he stopped talking.
He had also been in charge of Ji Liao in the past, so he naturally understood how the military situation could change rapidly when he was away on an expedition, so he ordered his subordinates to remove the wine and replace it with water, which made the soldiers feel quite boring.
Fortunately, there were plenty of dishes on the table. For more than a month, they had never enjoyed such delicious food as they did today, but they also devoured the food with great joy.
In the inner hall of the atrium courtyard, four large Eight Immortals tables were set up. Sun Chengzong sat at the head of the Eight Immortals table, Lu Xiangsheng sat next to Sun Chengzong on the left hand side, and Yang Tinglin sat next to Lu Xiangsheng.
However, Zhang Cheng was called to go up to the Eight Immortals Table and sat on Sun Chengzong's right hand. This made the generals of Xuanda Sanzhen envious, but what else could they do besides envy?
Who knows that Zhang Cheng has been commended twice by the emperor's imperial decree, and he is also the most brave person in the army who has been conferred by the emperor himself?
The commander-in-chief of the third town of Xuanda led their generals and sat at the three big Eight Immortals tables at the bottom. Each Eight Immortals table also had several of Lu Xiangsheng's staff. Then there were some famous gentry in Gaoyang City, sitting at the Eight Immortals table. Accompany each other.
The banquet was very harmonious. Although water was used instead of wine, everyone still kept changing glasses, especially the table of Wang Pu, the general of Datong, which was even more lively.
Wang Pu also went to the banquet in regular clothes today, but he came from a wealthy family and was very well-dressed. Compared with the generals in the hall, he looked really handsome and heroic. He was seen sitting in the banquet, telling his glorious story of fighting the Tartars single-handedly.
Everyone at the table looked sideways and exclaimed from time to time, causing other people at the table to also listen carefully from time to time, with constant applause and cheers.
Zhang Cheng looked sideways and sighed in his heart. No matter how much Wang Pu was held back in history, at least his performance today was understandable. Perhaps after today's battle, he could change a little and not lose his life by leading his army to a retreat. , and left a bad reputation.
However, after he got to know Wang Pu and observed all his actions, he couldn't help but feel that this Wang Pu was indeed a good communicator. He had a good facial expression and was also eloquent. Not everyone had the ability to boast.
During the dinner, Sun Chengzong kept asking Zhang Cheng about the two battles against the captives at Mafang and Shiqiao. He had already heard about these two great victories and Zhang Cheng's name in the newspaper from the capital.
So today I asked Lu Xiangsheng about this person, and specially invited Zhang Cheng to sit with him. Although Sun Chengzong is no longer in the court, he still cares about the country, and he also particularly appreciates Zhang Cheng, a rising general.
