During the Ming Dynasty, on the eighth day of June in the twelfth year of Chongzhen, outside the Desheng Gate in the north of the capital city.
Yu Shangyou, the censor, Yuan Pengnian, the head of the Ministry of Rites, Tiao Ding and Ma Jiazhi, the king of Li Ke, and Liang Yuming, the pedestrian secretary, were seeing Zhang Cheng off.
They saw that even Zhang Ruoqi, a doctor in the Ministry of War, had condescended to come to see Zhang Cheng off. Everyone looked at Zhang Cheng with eyes full of expectation, especially Wang Tiaoding, who looked even more enthusiastic.
The world said that civil servants were noble, but when Zhang Cheng looked at all this, he knew clearly that official positions were still very attractive to the people in front of him.
He does not rule out that there are noble literati, but there are so many scholars in the Ming Dynasty. They have studied hard for more than ten or even decades in poverty. What is the purpose?
Why don't you sit in the high hall when you are naming names for the gold medal list? Once you hold the seal, you will issue an order!
Let’s talk about this Ruoqi. After Zhang Cheng came to the palace to meet Emperor Chongzhen the day before yesterday, Yang Sichang summoned him to the cabinet to speak, asking him to use the Ministry of War to prepare troops for Xuanfu North Road and East Road, and asked them to recruit troops at Zhang Cheng We must give our full support to the brave military movement.
He naturally knew Yang Sichang's position in Chongzhen's heart. Looking at the situation in the court, Yang Sichang would definitely succeed Xue Guoguan as the chief assistant if nothing unexpected happened.
Zhang Cheng can be summoned by the emperor repeatedly, and he can be supported by high-ranking officials like Yang Ge and Chen Xinjia. His achievements in the future will be limitless. If he is not close to him now, he may not have the chance in the future.
I saw him saying: "General Zhang came and went in such a hurry that my brother didn't even arrange a drink."
Zhang Cheng took his hand and said: "How can my brother talk like this? When Zhang Cheng comes to Beijing again, he will definitely visit him and get drunk with his brother."
It turned out that Zhang Ruoqi had been chatting enthusiastically with Zhang Cheng just now, and he had great intentions of reconnecting with him. Zhang Cheng did not comment, and the two of them laughed and treated each other like brothers.
"By the way, my good brother, Wang Diaoding also knows a little bit about military affairs. If he takes up a post in your military department from now on, my brother should give you some advice."
Zhang Cheng still said a few nice words in front of Wang Diaoding, trying his best to win people's hearts.
That day while drinking at Tongchun Tower, he said he wanted to mention Wang Diaoding, Ma Jiazhi, Liang Yuming and others. In the past few days, Wei Zhice wandered around between Xue Guoguan and the officials, passing some money and favors. This matter has a clue.
Zhang Ruoqi listened to Zhang Cheng's words and said with a smile: "The people recommended by my brother must be talented and knowledgeable, and they are easy to talk to. Don't worry, brother."
Zhang Cheng also smiled, then turned to Wang Diaoding, Ma Jiazhi, Liang Yuming and others: "I have already recommended a few people to the cabinet department today. We will have some clues in the next few days. Please be patient and wait patiently." Good news."
Everyone was smiling with joy, their brows full of excitement, and they all thanked Zhang Cheng.
At this time, Chen Zhong had brought the war horse. Zhang Cheng took the reins and climbed on the horse. He clasped his fists in front of everyone and said: "Zhang Cheng has received the instructions from the cabinet minister. He must quickly return to the north road to serve the country and must not fight with him." It’s a great pity that you all will be reunited again. When Zhang Cheng comes to the capital again, I will definitely get together with you and have fun together!”
After Zhang Cheng finished speaking, he raised his whip and whipped the horse. The white dragon colt under his crotch neighed, raised its front hooves, jumped hard with its hind hooves, and then galloped away. Chen Zhong, Wei Zhice and others followed behind on their horses, heading towards Pingjuyongguan in Changchang. .
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Chang'an Ridge was formerly known as Qiangan Ridge because there were rocks standing on the ridge that looked like spear poles. Its location was between Huailai and Longmen, and it was the northern barrier of Yan State. It was 140 miles away from Xuanfu Town.
The terrain of Chang'anling Fort is extremely dangerous. The east and west ends of the fort span the mountains and are built on the main pass between the two ridges. The middle part is guarding the access between the north and the south. The city wall on the ridge has been twisted and turned several times.
"Xuanfu Town Chronicle" records that "Chang'anling Fort is five miles and thirteen steps long, three feet high, equipped with four towers and two city gates. The south gate is called 'Ying'en', and the north gate is called 'Gonghuan'."
Chang'an Lingbao City is irregular in olive shape. The east and west city peaks extend to the tops of the mountains on both sides, like a phoenix spreading its wings, so it is also called Phoenix City. The "Xuanhua Mansion Chronicle" records that "Phoenix Mountain is a hundred steps south of Chang'an Lingbao." , Chang'anling City is also the Phoenix City."
At noon that day, Zhang Cheng and a group of more than 70 knights rested in the Chang'anling Fort. They walked all the way out of the capital and arrived at Chang'anling Fort at the end of Si Shi.
The Qianhu of the Chang'anling Qianhu Station was none other than Liu Shizun, the eldest son of Liu Guangwu, the former general of Shangbei Road. He was accompanying Zhang Cheng and talking to him, trying his best to persuade Zhang Cheng to stay in the fort for one night. Go again.
He pulled Zhang Cheng and said, "General Zhang must be tired from running around for days. Let's rest here today. It won't be too late to start our journey again tomorrow."
Zhang Cheng stood on the south gate wall of Chang'anling Fort and looked at the Wengcheng. He said: "Good brother, you and I are just a few years apart. My Liu sisters have adopted Mrs. Liu as their adoptive mother. We are brothers." Bar."
When he said this, he turned around and looked at Liu Shizun and said: "I also want to stay at Brother Liu's place for a night and have a good drink and talk with him. However, when I first arrived at Beilu, everything was undecided.
Mr. Yang Ge and the Emperor in Beijing are eagerly looking forward to my brother becoming a powerful force as soon as possible. I really don't dare to delay. Brother, don't be anxious. When everything on the North Road is settled, I will go to Yongning to meet with Deputy General Zhang. I will definitely go to Chang'an Ridge at that time. My brothers always have time to get together. "
Liu Shizun showed a disappointed look on his face, but he had no choice but to say: "In this case, Shizun does not dare to force him to stay. He can only wait until next time to have a drink with the general."
"Brothers like you and I, why should we be so polite? Let's rest for a while and set off at noon. Today we will arrive at Diaohao Castle to stay, and we will arrive at Chicheng at this time tomorrow." Zhang Cheng said with a smile.
He walked down the horse path of the fort wall and said to Liu Shizun beside him: "Is everything okay, General Liu Shen?"
"In response to the general's words, I thank you for your concern. My father is doing well. He always comes to the general with confidence. I hope that the general will go to town early so that he can have a drink with you." Liu Shizun replied.
Zhang Cheng stopped and said in a deep voice: "World Honored One, from now on you and I will treat each other as brothers. We must not be so reserved anymore. Of course, if we are in a military tent, then that is a different matter."
Liu Shizun smiled and agreed, and Zhang Cheng and he walked around the fort for a while, looked around, ate something briefly, and then rode horses from the "Gonghuan Gate" in the north to Diaohao Fort. And go.
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Zhang Cheng and more than 70 people rode out of Chang'anling Fort and headed north along the valley road. The steep walls on both sides were very rugged and there was a long and narrow road in the middle.
It is precisely because of dangerous places like Chang'an Mountain that even if the Mongolian Tatars break through Dushibao and Mayingbao and go south, they will most likely be blocked here, but they cannot easily threaten the important areas of the Ming Dynasty's capital.
Although this was the mainland of the Ming Dynasty and they had just left Chang'anling Fort, Zhang Cheng still divided the march into three groups for safety reasons. In the front was Chen Zhong leading 20 cavalry to explore the road, and more than 200 steps away were Zhang Cheng and Wei Zhice. He led twenty guards in the middle, and then Zhang Guodong led thirty cavalry to cut off the rear.
