At noon on October 23rd, the 13th year of Chongzhen reign in the Ming Dynasty, nearly ten thousand troops were arrayed outside Xuan'en Gate in the south of Yongning City on Xuanzhen East Road, with various flags flying in the wind.
The side of the moat outside the city was crowded with soldiers and civilians from Yongning City. They were in awe of the soldiers standing in formation. Although these officers and soldiers were cold-faced, they had extremely strict military discipline.
In the past few days, although they had gathered outside the city for two days, there was no bustle in the camp. Occasionally, when officers and soldiers came into the city together, they paid the bills honestly, without credit or force. Forced buying and selling occurred.
This made the soldiers and civilians in Yongning City have a great impression of the officers and soldiers coming from the north road. More importantly, as soon as these officers and soldiers from the north road arrived, the bandits on the entire east road also stopped.
After Chen Yuzhu, the "Tianba King" of Dongshan, was killed by a thousand swords, the remaining bandits were frightened. Some of them reacted quickly, took a few old thieves with them, took all the gold, silver and soft things, and fled overnight. East Road.
Except for a few indifferent people who still wanted to wait and see the situation, and were killed by Zhang Cheng's men in the mountains one by one, there were also some who took the initiative to go down the mountain and defect, and could live a peaceful life. How many people were born to be willing to become bandits?
As long as there is a way to survive, normal people will not choose to go up the mountain to become a thief and live a life of wandering and licking blood from today's to tomorrow's knife.
At this moment, the eyes of the soldiers and civilians in Yongning were full of respect. They pointed at the soldiers in formation and talked a lot.
"...I said, Lao Qi, you are not usually very upright, why don't you join the army..."
"...Bah...I didn't mean...he is so bear-like..."
"...This northern army is really stronger than our Deputy Commander Zhang's soldiers..."
"...You kid, don't talk nonsense, they are all Deputy Commander Zhang's soldiers now..."
"……Hahaha……"
…………
Zhang Cheng stood on the gate tower of Xuan'en Gate. Next to him were Wu Zhizhong, Tong Shouxin and other generals, as well as Yongning County Magistrate Liu Minshen and other civil officials. They all looked at the North Road army arrayed outside the city.
"Deputy Commander Zhang is truly a famous general in the world. He can train such an elite army. The students admire him!"
Liu Minshen, the magistrate of Yongning County, stood next to Zhang Cheng, his words were very respectful. He was full of enthusiasm, but he could not control it alone. Although he wanted to inspire the imperial court and restore the Ming Dynasty to its former glory.
However, he was a small man with little power, full of knowledge and ambition, but he was born at the wrong time. He had heard of Zhang Chengqin's deeds as king, and he admired him in his heart. Later, he got the lyrics of Zhang Cheng's "Army Song" I couldn't put it down because I loved this manuscript so much.
Now, looking at the mighty military formation below the gate, he was so excited that he said again: "Deputy Commander Zhang, the student has an unkind request..."
Zhang Cheng couldn't help being stunned when he heard this, and said: "Mr. Liu, if you have anything to ask me, there's no harm in saying it!"
"The student wants to accompany Deputy Commander Zhang on his expedition to Henan Province and praise the paintings in front of the army. I wonder if Deputy Commander Zhang will agree?"
Liu Minshen's eyes were full of expectation, which showed that what he said was true and what he really wanted.
But Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "How dare you? Mr. Liu is a respected figure in the county. How can he join Zhang Cheng's army? What will happen to Yongning County?"
Liu Minshen smiled calmly and said: "In a mediocre life, it is better to work vigorously with the deputy commander. Nearly half of Yongning County is a military household, so why don't I be the one to do it? I can have the county magistrate to take my place."
Zhang Cheng originally had a smile on his face, but his face darkened when he heard this. He came into contact with many civil servants, but they were all aloof and arrogant people. Most of them looked down on military men like him, or they were just looking for their own money and power, just like Liu Minshen. The common ones are rare.
He said with a solemn expression: "If Mr. Liu is like this, he will probably be ridiculed by the scholars in the world. As a county minister, how can he follow Zhang Cheng in the military."
"'A man should do a dangerous job, why should he let a scholar's crown ruin his life?'
This is not exactly what the deputy commander said, this is also what Min Shen thinks. Although I am the magistrate of Yongning County, as far as Yongning is concerned, there is no fear of missing me. I think deputy commander Zhang is really a person worth following. In this life If I can fight on the battlefield with the deputy commander and use my little strength, it will be my lifelong wish. "
Liu Minshen actually used Zhang Cheng's words to answer, which surprised Zhang Cheng. He didn't know how to reply to him for a moment. He couldn't help but look at the military formation outside the city. After a while, he said: "Master Liu has this wish." , Zhang Cheng is indeed surprised, but Mr. Liu is really the honorable person of the county, the parents of Yongning, and the official of the imperial court. This matter really needs to be taken seriously. How about waiting for Zhang Cheng to return this time to make further plans?"
After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Liu Minshen and said: "If Zhang Cheng can secure the country with force, he will eventually need someone like Mr. Liu to rule the country with culture. The world is so big, and if he shows his ambition, he will not be the only one in Zhang Cheng's army."
Hearing this, Liu Minshen felt a rush in his heart and said hurriedly: "The commander-in-chief has taught you a lesson, but the student is being rude."
Zhang Cheng smiled, and said in a profound voice: "Zhang Cheng is an expert in leading the army, and Mr. Liu is good at governing the people. Zhang Cheng will definitely have needs in the future, and Mr. Liu must not shirk it."
Liu Minshen's expression eased slightly and he said: "If Deputy Commander Zhang needs it, I will definitely serve him. Today I wish Deputy Commander Zhang a speedy victory and triumph."
At this moment, Zhang Chengfang, Zhang Cheng's adopted son, strode up, clasped his fists and said, "Father, the army has been assembled. It's noon, and Zhang Chengfang is here to ask for orders to march out."
Zhang Cheng shouted loudly: "Send the order, drum up, move forward!"
After saying that, he turned to the county magistrate Liu Minshen and said, "Master Liu, take care!"
Liu Minshen nodded and said with excitement, "Deputy Commander Zhang will make a triumphant return soon."
…………
The Xuan'en Gate in the south of Yongning City was wide open. Zhang Cheng was the first to gallop out across the moat and arrived in front of the military formation. Wu Zhizhong, Liu Minshen, Tong Shouxin and others followed behind him.
Zhang Cheng clasped his fists and said to them: "Yongning will be left to you. The city defense will be in charge of Tong Guards, the recruitment camp will be headed by Wu Zhizhong, and the governance of the people will be in the hands of Liu Zhixian. I hope you can unite sincerely to protect Yongning and protect the East Road! "
"Please rest assured, Deputy Commander."
Zhang Cheng ignored them and rode towards the military formation. Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai each led 18 cavalry behind him, raising smoke and dust, and quickly galloped to the east side of the military formation.
Further east were the troops and horses of Songshan Quanbu who had just moved to Yongning, and more than a thousand soldiers who were assisting the camp, forming an array to send Zhang Cheng off for the expedition, while people gathered on the side of the city wall.
Zhang Cheng reined in his horse and stopped, staring at Zhang Guodong's camp arrayed on the edge. He pulled out the sword from his waist, raised it high, and shouted: "The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
"Mighty, mighty, mighty!" all the soldiers shouted in unison.
Zhang Cheng urged his horses to gallop slowly, traveling from east to west. He kept shouting: "The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
All the troops responded: "Mighty, mighty, mighty!"
"The Ming Dynasty will be victorious!"
"Ten thousand victories, ten thousand victories, ten thousand victories!"
