In the main hall of the General's Office in Dushikou Fort City, General Zhang Guangda, who was sitting in the cavalry camp under the command of Admiral General Zhang Cheng on Xuanzhen North Road, heard Zhang Cheng ask about the gap in his heavy horse.
He hurriedly replied: "General, the pack horses and riding horses for the heavy cavalry are all ready. However, only 212 of these suitable war horses have been selected, and there are still 88 horses missing."
Hearing this, Zhang Cheng pondered for a moment and then said: "The war horses required for heavy riding are indeed rare. I will try my best to purchase them. For the time being, I have to replace them with the existing war horses. As for the war horse equipment and sergeant armor, it is not a problem. I told Yun The state craftsman camp will hurry up and make it."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Chen Zheng and said, "Chen Zheng, your infantry camp has been training for three months. In your opinion, can we fight?"
Chen Zheng was stunned at first. Others asked what was the difficulty, but why did it change when he came here?
He thought for a moment before replying: "General, although the infantry camp has only been practicing for nearly three months, the two divisions in the camp are following the general's instructions, using the old army as the skeleton, and using the old to lead the new. way, practice day and night,
Although the time is still young, everything about infantry warfare is already known, but the sergeants in the infantry camp have not yet practiced with the cavalry camp, and among the sergeants in each department, only the cold soldiers are equipped with full armor, and the fire soldiers do not yet have armor available. .
If we go to war at this time, the infantry camp's combat power will still be insufficient to face Tartars or rogue bandits. However, if we face small groups of bandits from various places, there should be no problem. "
Zhang Cheng nodded with great satisfaction. When he suddenly asked a question, Chen Zheng could guess that he was deliberately sending infantry troops to eliminate bandits everywhere. It seemed that these people under his command were gradually growing up.
"Well, the Tartars just retreated last year, and they won't come back in the next two years. Although the rogues have revolted, they are raging in Huguang. They are too far from our northern road. We cannot leave without military orders from the Ministry of War. We will follow them now. Can't fight.
However, I am about to be ordered by the emperor to supervise the military affairs of the North Road, so I can no longer tolerate bandits running amok. Now that all the military households and farms on our North Road have been approved, and the old and weak soldiers have been eliminated. It is an important time for various villages to clear wasteland and prepare for farming. In a few months, it will be time to plant wheat.
The hard-earned stable days must not be destroyed by bandits again. Moreover, no matter how day and night these newly recruited sergeants train, they will not come as fast as the last battlefield. The new troops in your infantry camp should also see blood. ,"
Zhang Cheng's words made everyone in the hall excited. They thought that when Zhang Cheng first arrived at Shangbei Road, he wiped out bandits all over the territory. Everyone who participated in the incident was rewarded.
In particular, Zhang Guangda, Chen Zheng, Chen Zhong, Wang Tieren, Cui Shijie, Jin Yong and others looked at Zhang Cheng with bright eyes. Chen Zheng was the first to ask: "General, where are we fighting?"
Zhang Cheng said lightly with a smile: "Zhao Shihu."
"Zhao Shihu!?"
Zhang Guangda, Chen Zheng, Chen Zhong and other three people exclaimed in unison. They were all close to Zhang Cheng. They naturally knew that Zhao Shihu had surrendered to Zhang Cheng's command. Now that they heard that Zhang Cheng was going to send troops to exterminate Zhao Shihu, how could they not Dazed?
Fortunately, after nearly a year of experience, he and others have become much calmer. Although they were surprised in their hearts, they did not ask directly. If this matter had happened before King Qin, Bao Buqi would have asked the question on the spot.
They looked at each other, and Chen Zheng continued to ask softly: "General, which unit do you plan to send to the battle?"
Zhang Cheng smiled and said nothing, his eyes couldn't help but look at the few people. The faces of the leading generals in the hall were all excited, hoping that Zhang Cheng would name him to lead the army into battle.
"Where is Jin Yong?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall was even more surprised. Logically speaking, if Zhang Cheng sent an army to fight, he should choose one of Zhang Guangda and Chen Zheng to lead the army. At the worst, he should choose Chen Zhong to lead the army. In any case, it would not be Jin Yong's turn. .
The one who was most surprised was Jin Yong himself. Although he was also praying in his heart that Zhang Cheng would name him to lead the army and perform meritorious service, for him, it was secondary. He mainly wanted to serve Zhang Cheng to show his loyalty.
Although he was also praying in his heart, he also knew that he did not have an advantage among the generals in the hall, regardless of their trust level or the combat power of the soldiers under his command, and it would be difficult for him to take the lead in leading the battle.
At this time, he suddenly heard Zhang Cheng yelling his name. He was stunned at first, but he immediately realized it. Jin Yong, who was in agitated mood, stood up from his seat and walked to the middle of the main hall, kneeling on one knee and holding fists with both hands. road:
"Jin Yong, Commander-in-Chief of the Second Department of the Dushi Buying Camp, pays homage to the Commander-in-Chief!"
Zhang Cheng looked at Jin Yong who was kneeling on the ground with excitement on his face. He smiled first and then said: "Jin Yong, that Zhao Shihu was working as a provocateur, colluding with the traitors Xue Liangqing, Wu Youlu and others, trying to cause trouble in our country." Road, the thieves can't stay like this.
Now we have found out that the stronghold is hidden in Baoan Prefecture, in a valley called Muzhajian in the remaining mountains of Yanshan Mountain. I want you to lead an army alone to cut it off. Do you dare to go? "
"Here!"
Jin Yong shouted loudly and said: "Please rest assured, Commander, Jin Yong will never disgrace his orders!"
Zhang Cheng nodded silently and called again: "Where is Chen Zhong?"
Chen Zhong, who was sitting on the left, suddenly heard Zhang Cheng calling him. With Jin Yong's example in front of him, he hurriedly got up, knelt down on one knee in the hall, clasped his fists and replied: "Chen Zhong, General Manager of the Cavalry Department," Pay homage to the Commander-in-Chief."
Zhang Cheng looked seriously, looking at Jin Yong and Chen Zhong with cold eyes, and continued: "This time we send troops to exterminate the bandit Zhao Shihu, with Jin Yong as the main general, leading the second unit of the Dushi Infantry Battalion, and Chen Zhong as the deputy general, leading the troops The cavalry is responsible for inspecting all matters for the army.
Ten days later, on the fifth day of August, you and others sent troops south to Baoan Prefecture to wipe out the bandits led by the traitor Zhao Shihu in one fell swoop.
This is the first battle since the new troops we recruited from the North Road have gone out for training. You and the two of you must be careful. The army has been unarmed since the day it left the camp. Use this battle to test the effect of the previous drills. ,
We should also take this opportunity to practice marching and camping. Even if we are on the North Road, we must patrol all the way. Camping must be in the wild and no fortresses are allowed. "
"Here!"
Jin Yong and Chen Zhong took the order in unison.
Zhang Cheng added: "The sergeants who go into battle all bring three days of emergency rations. I have ordered Wei Zhice's car camp to prepare ten large carriages. After you two march to Yunzhou, he will hand over to you and others. .
Nowadays, our northern route is not rich either. Ten baggage trucks can only guarantee you enough food for three to five days, and the emergency rations brought by each sergeant cannot be touched lightly, so you have to try to raise them yourself along the way.
Chen Zhong, you are going to send out a team of sentry cavalry to detect the enemy along the way in front of the main army. It is not limited to Zhao Shihu at Muxianjian. If there are other bandits, they should also be cut off to prevent them from causing trouble. "
