In the Xuanbei Army camp, on the earthen platform in front of the Chinese Army's banner.
Zhang Cheng turned back to Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai and said, "You two, what are your thoughts on the future?"
Zhang Jintai said without thinking: "I want to stay up all night and lead my brothers through the mountains and forests to catch and fight with the Tatars' most elite white-armored sentries. That would be a great pleasure."
He actually licked the corners of his mouth as he spoke, and added meaningfully: "It's so satisfying just thinking about it!"
Zhang Cheng was slightly surprised. This boy had always been very obedient around him, but he never expected that he could be so wild in his heart.
He asked Zhang Chengfang again with a calm look on his face: "Chengfang, my son, what do you think about the future?"
Zhang Chengfang pondered for a moment, then raised his head, with a magical light in his eyes, he held out his chest and said: "Father, my son wants to be a general like my father in the future, commanding thousands of armies, conquering unruly subjects, protecting all people, and making the world a better place." Peace and peace for the people.”
As he spoke, he actually lowered his head and muttered silently: "So that the Holy Spirit will no longer be charred, and the flesh and blood will no longer be separated..."
Zhang Cheng nodded solemnly, raised his hand and patted Zhang Chengfang's shoulder gently, and said to him: "Yes. As long as I am here, as long as I have you here, we work together, and one day we will wipe out the evil atmosphere and revive me." The great Ming Dynasty will make the people live and work in peace and contentment."
He glanced at the generals again and said loudly: "We will have a beginning and an end. I am willing to share the wealth, honor and disgrace with you all!"
"Clatter" came a sound of beetle leaves.
All the generals knelt together in front of Zhang Cheng, clasped their fists and saluted, and said in unison: "I am willing to follow the commander to the death, as long as I obey the command of the commander!"
Although Zhang Cheng was a little surprised at this time, he felt more satisfied. He originally took this time to have a heart-to-heart relationship with the generals around him, but how could he have imagined that it would turn into a scene of expressing loyalty.
However, this is fine, after all, it is a critical moment when the war is imminent. Being able to be so open and honest with the generals around you will further help your generals return to their heart.
Unity is the key to victory!
Zhang Cheng summoned the generals. He saw that the bodies of the two adopted sons were covered with dust. They only fetched water and boiled water to wash away the dust. They did not think of him at all, and he couldn't help but feel a little distressed in his heart.
He said to the two of them: "Fang'er, Tai'er, you go back first, get some hot water, and take a good wash. It will also relieve some of your fatigue."
Zhang Chengfang gently shook his clothes and sniffed at the collar, while Zhang Jintai on the side patted him carelessly for a while, stirring up a cloud of dust, but he didn't care and said: "It doesn't matter. Don't say it's dust. , we have also eaten soil, this is a ball!"
What he said is true. He became an orphan early and had to endure so many hardships to survive until now. If it were not for the Tartar invasion in the 11th year of Chongzhen, he was rescued by Zhang Cheng by chance. He still doesn't know where he is in Liaodong, enslaved by the Tatars.
The soil he once ate was the "Guanyin soil" that is famous in Chinese history.
Guanyin soil is white in color, soft and slippery. It can turn into a paste after adding water, which is somewhat similar to flour.
In fact, the main component of Guanyin soil is aluminosilicate. Because white Guanyin soil itself is an oxide of silicon and aluminum, and because it is not easily digested and absorbed, eating a small amount can produce a feeling of fullness. , and will not decompose into components harmful to the human body.
In every year of great disaster, when all the food that can be found on the surface, such as grass roots and tree barks, has been eaten up, they start to eat this.
Many poor people use the steaming method, which is to first crush the Guanyin soil and sieve it finely, then add water and a small amount of wild vegetables to knead it into a ball, steam it and eat it.
However, although this Guanyin soil is not harmful to the body if eaten in small amounts, if consumed in large amounts, it will accumulate in the body because it cannot be digested, and eventually cause death from bloating.
Zhang Cheng looked at their two children, sighed, and said, "You are still growing, so don't be careless."
After saying this, his face darkened and he said loudly: "My commander's military order."
"Brush...swish..."
There was another sound of trembling armor leaves, and all the generals looked solemn and stood upright, waiting for Zhang Cheng's order.
"Zhang Chengfang, Zhang Jintai, I order you two to go back quickly and give me a good hot bath!"
Although there was a hint of joking on his face, he added in a cold tone: "Those who disobey the order will have their ears pierced and travel to the camp."
Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai looked at each other with normal expressions. There was confusion in their eyes, but more importantly, they were full of gratitude.
They cupped their fists to receive the order and shouted in unison: "Here!"
After the two of them retreated, everyone started talking about the expedition again.
When out on an expedition, it is indeed no more inconvenient than when we were in Xuanbei. Water and other supplies are extremely inconvenient. Moreover, in this hot weather, the soldiers of the army have to wear armor and uniforms, so everyone often has a strong smell of sweat.
However, everyone is used to fighting and doesn't take it too seriously. It's just that people like Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai are still young and their body bones have not yet fully grown. This person's hygiene really needs to be taken care of.
But Zhang Cheng understood these truths, and most of the generals did not take them seriously.
Just like growing hair, Zhang Cheng wanted to promote short hair in his army more than once. There are naturally many benefits, one of which is hygiene. Others may not understand this, but Zhang Cheng, as a time traveler, knows it all too well.
The second thing is time. The sergeants all have long hair, so they naturally have to spend time taking care of it. Although it won't be as meticulous as the scholars, officials, and gentry, it still wastes some time.
Finally, there are medical needs. When you join the army and fight in all directions, you fight a lot, and you are bound to get injured. Why do sergeants wear helmets as much as possible even if they don't have armor? Because the head is protruding and is most vulnerable to attack and injury.
Whenever soldiers injured their heads, they had to carefully shave off their long hair so that the wounds could be treated and bandaged.
Although there are many benefits, there are also considerable obstacles.
One is the power of tradition. After all, growing hair is a traditional moral concept with a long history. It is said in the "Book of Filial Piety": The hair and skin of the body are received from parents and do not dare to damage them. This is the beginning of filial piety.
The second problem is the helmet. Zhang Cheng learned that the helmets at this time were not like the steel helmets of later generations. They had a built-in mesh pocket for shock absorption, so the long hair was tied on the head for this purpose. function, effectively protecting the head from being shocked.
Therefore, if you want to promote short hair in the military, you must modify existing helmets in advance.
But taking a bath shouldn't be a big problem. He looked at He Biao, the commander-in-chief, who was walking in the distance, and went up to discuss with him. He planned to have all the soldiers in each battalion take turns to take a hot bath within the next two days. bath.
In this way, it can not only relieve the fatigue and nervousness of marching, but also make it easier to find the wound and provide timely treatment if it is injured in the future. This can only be done by He Biao, who has always had great prestige, so that the effect will be obvious.
Everyone laughed and chatted for a while. Zhang Cheng saw that the sky was almost dark and said to everyone: "Let's go into Songshan City!"
