On August 13, the twelfth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, it was Maozheng, when the sun was breaking.
A red sun rises slowly from the mountains in the east, and the morning glow reflects on the mountains two miles away to the east. Because the rocks on the mountains are mostly red, red golden light is reflected back, and the whole sky of Akagi is filled with red light.
Zhang Cheng, who was neatly dressed, stood in the courtyard of the back hall of the Chicheng General Department, looking at the red glow reflecting back from the west of the castle, as if the entire Chicheng had turned red.
Under the glow of the rays, he arrived at the residence of the two old ladies. After saying good morning, he had breakfast with the two old ladies.
"Cheng'er, Su Zhenxiang is very serious and hardworking in her work, which shows that she is still loyal to you, but after all, she has lived in a farmhouse for a long time and has limited experience. My aunt here is here to help you arrange it.
We must not let Miss Ji's family think that we are neglecting others. After this matter is over, I will go back to Dushi with my sister-in-law and wait for you. "
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "In this case, there is Aunt Lao."
He added: "The residence here is originally my villa. Especially in the west of the city, there is a hot spring, which has long been famous. There is also Ruiyun Temple, built in the Tangquan Mountain. The mountains here are green, the trees are lush, and the spring water is gurgling.
Cheng'er has nothing to do, so I will accompany you two elders to stay at Ruiyun Temple for two days as a way of fulfilling your filial piety. "
Mother Zhang Yang asked: "Won't you miss the time to go to Beijing?"
"No, everything has been arranged here. Some gifts and the motorcade will leave tomorrow. Cheng'er will spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with you and your two elders, and then ride back to catch up." Zhang Cheng replied.
…………
"General Zhang is now in charge of all military affairs on the North Road. I wonder how much money and food will be put into the treasury this year?"
In the Chicheng Military Preparation Office, Qin Shizheng, the North Road Grain Officer, was questioning Zhang Cheng in a loud voice.
Zhang Cheng held the teacup, gently moved the tea leaves with the lid, took a sip of hot tea, and then said calmly: "What Mr. Qin said is absolutely true. Zhang Cheng was in charge of all the affairs of the North Road at the beginning, and the treasury in various places." Under review.
However, the urgency of military training cannot wait. Although I have cleared some wasteland, there will be almost no harvest in three or two years. I wonder if Lord Qin can allocate some money and food to meet the needs of military training. I will comfort the Holy Heart. To ensure the stability of the military and civilians of one side. "
Qin Shizheng's face was filled with anger when he heard this. He let out a loud "hum" and said: "I should ask the ministry to allocate money and food to the North Road. However, the treasury is currently insufficient to meet the needs of the general."
Zhang Cheng continued to drink tea and ignored him. Instead, He Chongwu from the army came out to smooth things over and said: "General Zhang has recovered. There are many state affairs and military training is urgent. However, General Zhang still needs to pay attention to his health and not to be too tired." ”
Zhang Cheng hurriedly put down the tea cup and replied with a respectful expression: "I'm sorry for your concern, Sir. Zhang Cheng is fine."
"I heard that General Zhang sent troops from the North Route to suppress the bandits in the East Route. I don't know if there is a military order from the Ministry of War. It is a serious crime to send troops out of the country without permission." Qin Shizheng asked angrily.
Zhang Cheng, on the other hand, looked well-rested. He was still holding a tureen tea cup, blowing the tea leaves in the cup gently, and said softly: "It's really good tea!"
He took a sip of tea before continuing: "Master He, I was ordered by the emperor to supervise the military affairs of the North Road and take charge of all matters in recruiting brave soldiers. Now we have recruited nearly 10,000 new brave soldiers. However, the weapons and weapons are not complete, and the money and food are also lacking. If it’s not enough, I hope Lord Bingxian can help Zhang Cheng make arrangements properly.”
He Chongwu put down his tea cup and said: "The North Road is located at the border fortress, and the money and food produced are not enough. In addition, in recent years, the Tartars have frequently entered the fortress and disturbed the place. Now that the army and the people are exhausted, it is more difficult to raise money and food. "
As he spoke, he turned to look at Qin Shizheng and said, "I wonder if Lord Qin can please transfer some money and food from elsewhere to alleviate the urgent need on the North Road."
Qin Shizheng snorted softly on the tip of his nose, and then said: "Now, not only the North Road is exhausted, but the entire Xuan Mansion is also like this. Not to mention asking for money and food, the court is urging money and food every day. This tells me where to raise funds.”
After he finished speaking, he dropped the tea cup heavily on the table, causing the tea to spill out.
Only then did Zhang Cheng speak: "Sir, I was ordered to send troops to capture the traitor Zhao Shihu. I also wanted to use this to train the sergeants in marching and garrisoning. I also wanted to use this to make these new sergeants see blood, in order to A quickie.
But I never thought that Zhao Shihu was so frightened when he heard that our northern army was advancing to suppress the army. He hurriedly sent people to write in front of the army, saying that he would be cared for if he was willing, and he made no demands, just to save his life. Join the army and conquer all directions for our Ming Emperor.
Zhang Cheng did not dare to decide this matter arbitrarily. He only ordered someone to send a message to the bandit Zhao Shihu, ordering him to stay where he was. Now I came here to ask the military commander for instructions on how to decide this matter? "
"Just caress?"
He Chongwu was also shocked when he heard this. He calmed down, thought for a while, and then said: "General Zhang can discuss this matter with the supervisor Eunuch Li Guofu. Eunuch Li came with the emperor's order. For such matters, he must be the confidant." It’s settled.”
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "Yes, why didn't I think of the key here?"
The three of them chatted some more, and Zhang Cheng even kindly invited He Chongwu and Qin Shizheng to go to Dushi stutter for a wedding banquet on August 26th.
After Zhang Cheng left, Qin Shizheng's anger was still not gone. He complained to He Chongwu: "Master He, look, does Zhang Cheng still have Master Bingxian in his eyes?
How could a martial artist be so arrogant and domineering because he relied on the support of Yang Sichang in the court? "
…………
On August 13, in the afternoon, Wei Zhice, commander of the Kaiping Guards, led two groups of Zhang Cheng's escort troops to Jin Yong's camp.
After Jin Yong and Chen Zhong saluted, they welcomed Wei Zhice into the Chinese army tent. The three of them chatted for a while and then got into the topic.
"Master Wei, you have worked hard here. I don't know what the commander-in-chief has ordered." Jin Yong sat down and asked for instructions.
At this moment, Wei Zhice was already in command of the generals, and even the generals of the chariot camp, while the two of them were just commanders with the rank of Qianhu, and naturally regarded themselves as subordinates.
Wei Zhice smiled and said: "I am here on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, just to care about Zhao Shihu.
The commander-in-chief said that his original intention was to cut him off completely. A thief is still a thief. If he is already a thief, how can he be a soldier? Just like the great thieves Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai, they rebelled many times, but rebelled again and again. Every time they thought about it, they gnashed their teeth with hatred.
However, Zhao Shihu was once abducted by an adulterer with the intention of killing me. If he refuses to caress him now, it will appear that he is stingy and will make those who are determined to serve the country lose the chance to devote themselves.
Therefore, let him be cared for for the time being and observe his performance before making arrangements. Wei Zhice, together with Jin Yong, Chen Zhong and others, will work together to complete the matter.
But since our army has moved, it cannot return empty-handed. After Jin Yong, Chen Zhong and others have finished Zhao Shihu's affairs, we will divide our troops to wipe out the bandits everywhere in the East Road, making sure to wipe them all out without leaving any remnants or causing trouble to the place. ! "
After hearing this, Jin Yong and Chen Zhong both had expressions of disgust on their faces.
