Zhang Cheng also knew that he and Chen Jiugao arrived late. The area along the river around Ningyuan was naturally already occupied by troops from other towns. He smiled and said, "I don't mind. What do you think, Mr. Chen?"
Chen Jiugao also said: "It doesn't matter, it's just that the movement of this cannon truck is a little inconvenient."
It turned out that when he and Chen Jiugao took a break at Zhongqian, they received a letter from Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, saying that he would greet Zhang Cheng's Xuanbei Army and Shenjiying generals outside Ningyuan City.
After some discussion, they decided to send troops one day in advance and rush to Ningyuan City as soon as possible. After all, Hong Chengchou was still the governor of Jiliao, so he always had to give him this face.
At the same time, Zhang Cheng also sent his own troops to catch up with Zhang Guodong's infantry camp, asking his troops and the army to slow down the advance appropriately to wait for the army to catch up.
Yesterday, the army passed Xingshan Post and set up camp, and this morning set off for Ningyuan. After learning that Zhang Cheng and Chen Jiugao had sent troops from Zhongqian Post in advance, Chen Zhongcai also flew to Ningyuan to resume his duties.
He is now here to greet Zhang Cheng and Chen Jiugao's army on the orders of Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao.
At this time, Lin Fangping reported from the side: "Commander, we and Chen Shuai arrived late, and the area near Ningyuan City has been occupied by other towns. Just now, Vice General Chen said that the Su Village area ten miles south of the city is for us. You can go directly to the camp reserved with Chen Shuai and set up camp there."
Zhang Cheng only said lightly: "You lead a team of sentry cavalry to investigate. First, mark out the camps of all the armies to avoid confusion among the camps later."
"Here. The general will finally get the order."
Zhang Cheng waved his hand and told him to wait, and then said: "The Chinese troops in the Shenji Battalion should be closer to this commander to facilitate communication!"
"Here!"
Lin Fangping rode his horse and galloped away, and heard Chen Zhongcai continue to say next to Zhang Cheng: "The governor learned that the two generals were leading the army, and he ordered the last general to come first to lead the army. He also led the officials from Ningyuan. The town commander is waiting outside the city, and tonight we will hold a banquet for the two commander-in-chiefs."
Zhang Cheng nodded, but before he could speak, Chen Zhongcai shouted excitedly: "The governor is here to greet the two generals!"
…………
On June 11, the 14th year of Dongzhen, at Shenshi, we were in front of the stone bridge southwest of Ningyuan Acropolis.
Governor Hong Chengchou of Jiliao, General Commander Zhang Ruoqi, Governor Qiu Minyang of Liaodong, Zhang Dou of the Military Preparation Department, Yao Gong, Deputy Envoy of the Military Supervisory and Supervision Department of Shandong Yongping, and other officials stood at the bridge to greet them.
Behind them are Xuanzhen Commander-in-Chief Yang Guozhu, Datong Commander-in-Chief Wang Pu, Shanhaiguan Commander-in-Chief Ma Ke, Jizhen Commander-in-Chief Bai Guangen, Miyun Commander-in-Chief Tang Tong, ASEAN Commander-in-Chief Cao Bianjiao, former Tun Guard Commander Wang Tingchen, and Ningyuan Tuanlian The commander-in-chief, Wu Sangui, and other eight officers were commander-in-chief.
In addition, there are people such as Zuo Guangxian, the general soldier of the Chinese Association, Liu Zhaoji, the general soldier of the Liaodong Association, Meng Dao, the general soldier of the Liaodong Association, and Li Fuming, the commander-in-chief of the Shanxi Province who was just dismissed and retained, as well as the deputy generals Jiang Zhu and Rao under the command of each town commander. Xun Xun, Zhu Wende, Xia Chengde and dozens of generals came to greet him.
Zhang Cheng and Chen Jiugao hurriedly urged their horses to run forward. They dismounted more than ten steps in front of the stone bridge and quickly rushed to catch up. They all knelt on the ground with one knee and clasped their fists and said loudly: "It is already a sin for the general to arrive late to lead the army." , How can you dare to go out of the city to meet me when you have not asked for punishment yourself?”
Hong Chengchou didn't take it seriously. He took a step forward with a smile on his face and said in a calm tone: "You two generals, get up quickly. You must be tired after a long march. Please quickly lead the soldiers of each battalion to rest in camp. We will discuss the strategy of entering the army the next day." .”
Zhang Cheng and Chen Jiugao did not stand up. They leaned down and bowed to Zhang Ruoqi, the commander-in-chief. Zhang Ruoqi also smiled and said: "No courtesy, no courtesy. Governor Hong has prepared a banquet. If you want to wash away the dust for you, don't stay here." It’s a mess.”
Zhang Cheng and Chen Jiugao stood up as instructed and ordered their generals above the guerrilla generals to come forward to salute Governor Hong Chengchou and supervisor Zhang Ruoqi.
After all the generals had seen the ceremony, they returned to each camp to lead the soldiers in formation across the bridge, and walked along the east bank of the river to the north of Ningyuan City.
The first to pass was the Xuanbei Army under Zhang Cheng. Although they had marched a long distance, they were tired at the moment, but their general was watching from the side, so they were all in high spirits.
Groups of armored soldiers held their heads high and crossed the wooden bridge in high spirits, heading north. The military formations were connected in dense layers, and there were countless layers in front and back.
"Don't you see, the Han Dynasty's army has weak crowns, and the prisoners are asking for long tassels.
I don’t see you, Ban Ding is far away, Jueyu Qingqi urges Zhan Yun!
A man should be in a dangerous career, why should he let a scholar's crown ruin his life?
Kuang Nai's country is in danger as if it were full of eggs, and the feathers and feathers are racing without stopping!
Abandon my old pen and keep my wartime pen,
At one call, more than 100,000 comrades sang war songs and joined the army.
Cleanse yourself from the dust and vow to sweep away the Tartars regardless of your own safety! "
A burst of loud military songs resounded through the sky. Zhang Guodong was so excited the moment he stepped onto the wooden bridge that he couldn't help but sing the "Military Song".
The Xuanbei Army has more than ten military songs personally commissioned by the army, but the officers and soldiers are particularly fond of this "Military Song", which is the most widely sung. Because this military song was written by the general himself At once.
The loud singing mixed with the "rumbling" footsteps, making it even more majestic. As the carriages, chariots, and artillery carriages from behind gradually approached, the sound of neighing war horses also continued to be heard.
In a sea of flags, Xuanbei soldiers, both armored and unarmored, strode forward with their chests held high. After the infantry formation, a mighty cavalry formation came running towards them.
Looking back again, I saw flags like a sea, and large groups of infantry marching towards them. It was boundless, and the vast sea of people seemed to cover the earth.
The reinforcements had indeed arrived, and they were so powerful that not only Hong Chengchou and others laughed, but the sergeants and soldiers in the city also cheered.
Their tidal cheers faintly blended with the loud military songs outside the city, forming an unstoppable and majestic sound!
The artillery carriage at the end was even more eye-catching. The thirty mighty general cannons shocked everyone when they appeared. There were actually Hongyi cannons on Ningyuan City, but they were less than twenty.
The four-wheeled artillery carts that flashed in front of us, each pulled by eight bullocks, left deep ruts on the official road and aroused discussions among the officers and generals behind Hong Chengchou.
Although they were deeply surprised that the Xuanbei Army was still in good condition after a long journey, they paid more attention to these thirty powerful general cannons. After all, their reliance on heavy firearms was deeply rooted in their hearts.
At first, Chen Jiugao was a little unhappy when he heard everyone talking about the power of the Xuanbei Army. Now when he heard everyone praising his artillery team, he suddenly smiled and felt that he was taller and more powerful in an instant.
Zhang Cheng was indeed not the case. He could faintly hear the jealousy in the hearts of the generals in the towns, but so what?
After all, I have to rely on my strength to speak for myself!
Although he was only the deputy commander of a town, Zhang Cheng still had the largest number of soldiers and horses when he entered the Liao Dynasty. Not only did he have the largest number, he also had the most complete types of troops, and the proportion of firearms equipment was second only to the Shenji Battalion.
Moreover, Zhang Cheng also believed that when it came to military morale, his subordinates were no less generous. In his eyes, only a few generals such as Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, Yang Guozhu, and Liu Zhaoji could compare.
By the way, there is also the flower of the famous general in Liao Town, who may be comparable to Wu Sangui, the general training commander of the Ningyuan regiment, who is generally young, but he, a real warlord family, always keeps the strength first, flees first when in danger, and always has to Reserve your strength and refuse to fight to the death.
