On August 18, the twelfth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Cheng, as the new son-in-law of the Ji family, visited his father-in-law, Ji Zhiheng, a fifth-rank scholar at the Hanlin Academy, and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Ji, Ning, for the first time.
The guests and friends of the Ji family in the capital have gathered in the house. Zhang Cheng, dressed in rich clothes, wearing red and flowers, rode on his favorite pure black horse and arrived in front of Ji's house. He was accompanied by six sedans. Carriage.
After presenting the gift, Zhang Cheng, led by the best man, met with his father-in-law Ji Zhiheng, mother-in-law Ning, as well as his brother-in-law and other relatives.
Zhang Cheng was like an exhibit, led by his best man, and completed each item according to the requirements of the ceremony. Until everything was finished, he had to attend a banquet and be commented and pointed out by the relatives of Ji Mansion.
"Look, this is the young general who killed the slave thief Yue Tuo..."
"So tall...so big...so powerful..."
"It is worthy of being crowned the best among the three armies by the Holy Lord. It is so majestic..."
In the evening, after the banquet, it was agreed that Zhang Cheng would come to take the bride back to the Xuan Mansion two days later. On the Ji Mansion side, uncle Ning Guangyuan and Ji Mansion's second son, Ji Youqing, would see off their relatives.
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On August 20th, at the beginning of the day, Zhang Cheng rode his horse and led the team to welcome the bride to the door of Ji's Mansion. After another ceremony, two maids of Miss Ji's Mansion came to Zhang Cheng and worshiped: "My maid embroidered Yue, Yurui pays homage to my uncle."
Zhang Cheng looked at the two girls. They were also fifteen or sixteen years old. They were just like flowers in bud, beautiful and graceful. The embroidered moon was slightly taller and the jade stamens were more exquisite.
After they saluted, they came to the first carriage and got on the carriage to lay out the mattresses and other things. At this time, the bride's uncle Ning Guangyuan came out. He walked up to Zhang Cheng and said, "I'm afraid the new uncle will come back." Please wait a little while, my niece is saying goodbye to my sister."
"Thank you, uncle. Zhang Cheng is not in a hurry."
Zhang Cheng looked at Ning Guangyuan. He seemed to be less than forty years old. He was also very thin, with two curls of beard on his upper lip, and his face was also very handsome.
After a while, the bride, accompanied by her second brother Ji Youqing, dressed in bright clothes and a red hijab, walked out of the house supported by Xiuyue and Yurui. Mrs. Wu and her daughter Wu Tingyue also accompanied Ji. Come out together with Miss Fu.
The carriage is quite spacious and can seat up to six people. The bride Ji Xuanzhu and Wu Tingyue got on the first carriage together. The maids Xiuyue and Yurui also got on the carriage and accompanied the young lady.
Zhang Cheng's cousin, Mrs. Han of the Wu Mansion, got into the second carriage. The bride's uncle, Ning Guangyuan, who was not good at riding, got into the third carriage. Ji Youqing did not want to ride in the carriage, so he also took out a horse from his house. A fine horse.
At this time, Zhang Cheng waved to Su Zhenxiang, the leader of the strong woman camp, and walked with her to the first carriage. He said loudly to the carriage: "Is Miss Ji in the carriage?"
According to the rules, Zhang Cheng was only welcoming the bride in person, but he was not allowed to see or talk to the bride before entering the bridal chamber, so he asked such a question.
I heard the maid Yu Rui lift a corner of the car curtain, revealing half of her beautiful face, and replied: "General, please speak!"
"Please tell your lady that I have a women's camp under my command, called the Jianwu Camp. When I enter Beijing now, I will bring Wujia Jiawu with me. Su Zhenxiang, the leader of the Jianwu Battalion, is outside the car.
Please allow her to pay a visit to your lady. From today onwards, Su Zhenxiang and the Healthy Women Camp will be dispatched by your lady to protect your lady and the safety of the inner house. "Zhang Cheng said loudly.
Vaguely, I seemed to hear a soft whisper in the carriage, and then the maid Yu Rui replied: "Miss said, I understand. Thank you General for your thoughtfulness. Please stay with Su Zhenxiang."
After everything was done, Zhang Cheng rode his horse around the first carriage three times, and then the procession of carriages and horses to welcome the bride set off.
Outside the Desheng Gate in the north of the capital, Wei Zice led more than a hundred cavalry to wait in Longchang, Yuan Dynasty. Wu Jinkang, Yu Shangyou and other officials were also waiting here to see Zhang Cheng and others back to Xuanfu.
Zhang Ruoqi, a doctor in the company's Ministry of War, also came to see Zhang Cheng off in person. Wu Jinkang also gave various instructions to his wife and daughter. Everyone exchanged pleasantries again. Just as they were about to set off, two horses came running quickly.
It turned out that Yang Sichang, the elder of Yang Sichang, sent people to come here and said that he would soon set off to Huguang to supervise and suppress the bandits. Now he sent someone to send a congratulatory gift, which turned out to be a couplet of congratulations written by Yang Sichang.
At nearly noon, the team of chariots and horses set off in great force, heading straight for Xuanfu along the official road.
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In the early morning of August 22nd, Zhang Cheng's motorcade had just left the city of Chang'an Mountain when he saw a large army standing sideways under the official road, and powerful military songs could be heard in the distance.
Fortunately for Zhang Cheng and others, no one in the escorting team had ever seen such a battle before, and they were all surprised.
Even Miss Ji Xuanzhu of the Ji family in the carriage peeked out from the corner of the carriage curtain at the armored army with flags fluttering in front.
Zhang Cheng, who was sitting on his horse, glanced at them coldly. After more than half a month of marching and suppressing bandits, these sergeants seemed to have been reborn, and their energy and spirit were even more powerful than when they were in camp.
Two horses galloped up the official road. It was Jin Yong and Chen Zhong. They rode up to Zhang Cheng's horse, cupped their fists and said, "Jin Yong and Chen Zhong congratulate the commander-in-chief."
Zhang Cheng looked at the two of them with satisfaction and said, "Yes, you have worked hard for more than half a month."
"Be loyal to the commander-in-chief, bring peace to the North Road, and bring peace to Xuan Town, and you will not have to work hard in the end."
"Yes. Jin Yong, your army and horses do not need to return to Dushi. From today on, your army will be under the command of Wei Zhice of the Chicheng Infantry Camp. You can now lead the army to Chicheng to garrison.
Chen Zhong, your troops will accompany me to escort my convoy, and five patrols will be sent out to check on the front, rear, left, and right sides. You must protect the convoy in a safe manner. "
"Here!"
Then, Jin Yong turned around on horseback, waving his big hands in the air, and the soldiers forming formation under the official road shouted in unison: "Congratulations to the Commander-in-Chief, and welcome to the Mistress!"
"Wow, what a majestic officers and soldiers..." There was an exclamation from inside the carriage!
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On August 23, in the south of Chicheng City, guarding Zhang Guodong led a thousand troops to wait in formation. He saw a convoy approaching from a distance. The army formation was divided into two, and the two troops were lined up on both sides of the official road.
Zhang Cheng and the convoy arrived in front of the military formation. Zhang Guodong stepped forward and paid homage: "Chicheng garrison Zhang Guodong, leading the troops and horses of the A Division of the Chicheng Battalion, congratulates the commander-in-chief and welcomes the mistress!"
A burst of clanging sound sounded, and the soldiers arrayed on both sides of the official road knelt down on one knee and shouted loudly: "Chicheng Camp congratulates the commander-in-chief and welcomes the mistress!"
"Miss, how many troops does our new uncle have?" Several people in the carriage kept guessing.
Under the escort of the army, the convoy entered the city and went straight to the General Staff Office.
Starting from Dadingmen, every house along the street was decorated with lanterns and colorful flags, and flags and flags were flying. On both sides of the street, military households and civilians stopped to watch, all pointing at the carriages.
"I really don't know which family has such a blessed girl..."
"...I heard it was from the capital..."
"Yes, she seems to be the young lady from the family of Master Hanlin of the Capital..."
