On April 24, the 13th year of Chongzhen's reign in the Ming Dynasty, the Inspection and Procuratorate Office in the Security Guard City of Xuan Town had been idle, and Zhang Fuzhen, the governor of Xuanda, stayed here temporarily.
Zhang Cheng came to Baoan Guard City to meet Zhang Fuzhen, the governor of Xuanda. He did not stay at a hotel or inn, but stayed at the house of Yang Wanjin, the owner of Bao'an Guards Shunlongchang Niu Horse Store.
At Youshi, Zhang Cheng had finished his dinner. In order not to attract attention, he took only Lin Fangping out of Yang Wanjin's house, and the two of them walked to the gate of the Inspectorate.
Lin Fangping stepped forward to announce his name, and then handed over Zhang Cheng's name card and waist badge. After a guard sergeant took it, he respectfully asked the two of them to enter the foyer of the mansion to meet each other, and then quickly went inside to report. .
After a while, the sergeant brought back a middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian scholar. Zhang Cheng hurriedly stood up to greet him. As soon as the man entered the hall, he clasped his fists and said, "It's a sin to have Admiral Zhang waiting for you in the concierge."
As he spoke, he came to Zhang Cheng and said: "My Excellency, Liu Chenglu, followed Zhang Duchen in front of him to praise the painting. I specially came to welcome Admiral Zhang into the inner hall to talk about it."
Zhang Cheng also hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "Zhang Cheng is a military man, how can he be so virtuous and capable that he actually worked for Liu Zan to paint a picture to welcome him personally on behalf of the governor."
Liu Chenglu didn't take it seriously, but said with a smile: "Admiral Zhang is being humble, isn't he? There is a line in the 'Army Song' written by the general, 'A man should be in a dangerous career, how can he let a scholarly scholar ruin his life?', every time Thinking about it, Liu’s blood is boiling!”
Zhang Cheng said humbly, "Zhang Cheng made Liu Zanhua laugh on his whim."
The two of them chatted and walked to the inner hall of the Procuratorate. Lin Fangping stayed in the concierge and waited. On the side, a sergeant brought two plates of pastries and placed a pot of tea on his seat. The previous small case is here.
…………
In the inner hall, the newly appointed Governor of Xuanda, Zhang Fuzhen, the left minister of the Ministry of War, was sitting at the top. After Zhang Cheng entered, he knelt down and knelt down. He said loudly: "General Xuanda, Admiral North Road Military Affairs Zhang Cheng pays homage to Governor Zhang." minister."
"Get up."
Although Zhang Fuzhen didn't say much, his tone was extremely majestic. He slowly said: "Zhang Cheng, sit down and answer!"
There were two chairs and a table on the lower seat on the left. After Liu Chenglu bowed briefly, he walked to the second chair and sat down, playing with the teapot and teacups. He left the first seat to Zhang Cheng. .
Zhang Cheng was not polite. He strode over and sat directly in the chair. He watched Liu Chenglu pour tea for him. He didn't say a word, but just nodded to express his gratitude.
Zhang Fuzhen was sitting at the top, and after seeing Zhang Cheng take his seat, he asked again: "Zhang Cheng, I heard that when I entered King Wei Qin last time, Governor Lu gave you a cousin."
"Returning to the governor, Governor Lu once gave the last general the word 'loyalty'!"
"Loyalty!"
Zhang Fuzhen read it silently before saying: "Loyal, righteous and courageous, full of enthusiasm! A good word, but a good word. I hope you can live up to Governor Lu's expectations!"
Zhang Cheng responded in a deep voice: "Zhang Cheng is loved by the Holy One and protected by all the governors and ministers, which is why he is here today. He should be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, dedicate himself to death, and die."
Gu: "Well! I heard that although you have only been out of Zhenbei Road for more than a year, you have indeed achieved great results. Not only have you increased the number of military households in the field, but you have also trained a strong army." Zhang Fuzhen asked about the situation on the North Road, his face There was also a slightly skeptical look on his face.
Zhang Cheng replied softly: "Reporting to the governor, Zhang Cheng only knows how to serve with sincerity, be loyal to the Holy One, and be loyal to the court. Since leaving Zhenbei Road, he has devoted himself to rectifying military affairs, inspecting the army's farmland in various fortresses, and vigorously exterminating various areas. The thieves were in chaos and the fleeing military households were recalled, but the number of military households increased.
However, recruiting brave men for camp training cannot be accomplished overnight. Although there are currently nearly 10,000 soldiers stationed on the North Road, they are all newly recruited young and strong soldiers. However, although camp training is tight, it will take more than a year to complete. Army, and without actual combat, it is difficult to say what its combat strength is! "
Here, Zhang Cheng is indeed hiding something. A few years ago, he had nearly 10,000 soldiers under his command. In early February this year, he recruited more than 4,000 new soldiers. The number of soldiers under his command alone by Zhang Cheng has reached 10,000. More than three thousand people,
If we include the garrison of other fortresses on the North Road and the garrison troops under Qianhu's command, we can conservatively estimate that there are at least 16,000 to 16,000 to 7,000 troops.
Zhang Cheng had his own reasons for saying this. As a general, although he was ordered by the emperor to train more troops, he should not have too many troops. He could not exceed the troops directly led by the commander-in-chief Yang Guozhu.
The Imperial Ministry of War's memorandum required that the general should only train 10,000 new troops, and the deputy general should train 5,000. Zhang Cheng, a general, could only train 3,000 troops. After all, he could only train 5,000 or 6,000 troops at most. It cannot exceed 10,000.
However, Zhang Cheng had other plans in mind. At this time, the number of soldiers and horses under the command of the generals in each town was only an estimate. For example, Zhang Cheng could say that he led an army of 7,000, plus 3,000 or 5,000 auxiliary soldiers. .
Zhang Fuzhen's face showed no emotion, but he asked coldly: "It is said that Admiral Zhang privately recruited more than ten thousand soldiers on the North Road, and even set up a private military camp to conduct operations in private. If this is true, he may have other plans. !”
Even though Zhang Cheng had been mentally prepared, he was shocked when he heard these words. He did not rush to reply and defend himself, but calmed his mind first before continuing: "The general's loyalty to the Holy One can be learned from the sun, and this will definitely happen." There is a scoundrel who has made malicious remarks, so I would like to ask the supervisor to investigate it carefully."
Zhang Fuzhen was drinking tea. He didn't even raise his eyelids after listening to Zhang Cheng's words. After putting down the tea cup, he slowly said: "When the governor left the capital, my soldier Chen also said,
It is said that you have a loyal heart and a good understanding of the general situation. What is more rare is that you are sincere in your duties and brave in fighting. You are indeed a pillar of the country. I want my governor to encourage you more and don't make you slack and miss the state affairs. . "
Hearing this, Zhang Cheng sat upright and replied with a serious face: "The Zhang family has been favored by the emperor and has been loyal to generations. My uncle also sacrificed his life for the country. Zhang Cheng will never forget his loyalty to the emperor and the country.
I always think about defeating the bandits, exterminating the Tartars, and returning the Ming Dynasty to a bright and prosperous world, so that the people can be stable and the king's heart is worry-free. Even if his body is broken into pieces, Zhang Cheng will not hesitate.
I also hope that the governor will learn from this! "
What he said was sincere and impassioned beyond words. Zhang Fuzhen, the governor of Xuanda who was sitting at the top, was also a little moved. His tone was slightly gentle and he comforted softly:
"Zhongchen, I know your heart to serve the country with all your strength. There are many mediocre people nowadays, who are doing things like flies and dogs, flattering and eating all day long, without any intention, but all of them want to have both fame and reality.
However, those who work sincerely and speak their minds will not only be greatly ostracized, but will also be constrained in everything they do. They will be walking on thin ice all day long. If they are not careful, their reputation will be ruined, and their family will be destroyed.
Today, since your Majesty has ordered me, the governor, to declare greatness, I will no longer allow villains to gain power, which will sway the hearts of all officials and generals who are loyal to their work. I just tried to test you, so don’t worry about it! "
