Feng Yuanshan must be a few years older and more experienced, so he tugged on Ma Zhongli's lapel. At Feng Yuanshan's reminder, Ma Zhongli also reacted. The two of them also left the table and knelt down, saying in unison: "If the general hadn't rescued me,
We, the common people, have become slaves of the Tatars,
From now on, I will swear to follow the general to the death and act according to the general’s orders.”
Su Zhenxiang, on the other hand, had a confused look on her face, but she also followed everyone else's example, left the table and knelt down, not knowing what to say: "General... General, we... really listen to the general in everything... even to death.
I’m sorry…I’m also grateful to the general for surviving…”
Everyone's behavior made Zhang Cheng speechless. He hurriedly waved to everyone to get up, and said: "Everyone has gone too far."
He picked up the wine bowl and continued: "I, Zhang Cheng, don't care what the rules were in the past. As long as you are sincere and loyal to me, there will be no distinction between you at the banquet and you will be treated as one."
But if you are just a fool, mediocre and unwilling to make progress, then you will have no chance to enter the eyes of my general again. If you still dare to do corrupt things here, then don't blame me for my sharp sword."
Looking at the people who had already prepared their seats, Zhang Cheng said: "Today, I am able to sit here and have a drink with my general because of your hard work. As long as you work wholeheartedly for me, I will never forget it."
.
Come, everyone, please pick up the wine bowl on the table. Now, we will drink this bowl of wine to congratulate you."
Although what Zhang Cheng said was somewhat deviant, it seemed to everyone at the table to be sincere, and they toasted again to show their loyalty from the bottom of their hearts.
…………
During the dinner, Zhang Cheng asked He Shihui: "What are the conditions of those children?"
He Shihui replied: "Among the ninety-seven children, there are fifty-four orphans without relatives, and thirty-eight of them are between the ages of ten and sixteen."
"Shihui, please make arrangements to gather these thirty-eight children in the courtyard outside. I will take a look at them personally."
Zhang Cheng gave the order, and He Shihui accepted the order in a hurry and went to do the work as ordered.
Here, He Shihui had just arranged for someone to call the children over, but Su Zhenxiang next to him stopped working. He shouted: "General, when it comes to work, we women will never be inferior to those men.
If you don't believe me, general, you can inquire privately. Whether it's shoulder-to-shoulder lifting, clearing wasteland and building canals, whatever their men can do, we are no less good at it. If you don't believe it, just ask Mr. He!"
Zhang Cheng smiled and was not in a hurry to ask He Shihui, but he had already made a calculation in his mind. If these women were worthy, they could also form a strong women's battalion to protect the families in the inner courtyard.
Then he asked: "Sister-in-law Su, please tell me, among all the women we have, how many are strong enough to hold a spear and a halberd?"
Su Zhenxiang became very serious at this time. She looked thoughtful. After a long time, she continued to reply: "A rough calculation, I can make up the appearance of two hundred strong women."
Zhang Cheng looked at Su Zhenxiang with great interest and continued: "Sister-in-law Su, I will give you a task. Among the existing women, select a hundred strong women and register them in a register. I will give you another task."
There is accommodation.”
Su Zhenxiang has been responsible for organizing nearly five hundred women to do laundry and cooking. Although she has no education, she does have innate management abilities.
All the affairs were arranged in an orderly manner by her. Of course, He Shihui saw all this, and Zhang Cheng already knew all the details from the previous reports from other people and He Shihui.
At this moment, Su Zhenxiang continued: "Reporting to the general, the women who can be brought here are all strong and strong. If we choose a hundred people among them, it is not difficult. I just don't know how the general will arrange them."
"You don't need to worry about this. When the time comes, I will tell you. For now, you only need to select a hundred people and train them strictly. Regarding the training, He Shihui will help you!"
After saying that, Zhang Cheng turned to look at He Shihui. When he saw him nodding in agreement, he raised his wine bowl again and said, "Everyone, you have worked too hard in the past six months. Not only has the village fortress expanded, but also the cultivated land has been added.
What's more important is that the village fortress here is stronger, and this is all due to your efforts. Zhang sincerely offers you a bowl of wine!"
Everyone exchanged glasses for a while. Except for a few people who had their own thoughts, the atmosphere of the banquet was also very harmonious. While toasting each other, they also kept talking about the military, horse and defense situation in various places.
…………
After the banquet has dispersed, we are in the outer room of the north courtyard of Xinzhuang Castle.
Zhang Cheng, accompanied by He Shihui and Chen Zhong, was reviewing the thirty-eight young men under the age of sixteen.
"You are not from Xuanfu Town, but the Tatars from Liaodong suddenly broke in and made you homeless until today.
When we were in Mafang, you were trapped, and I happened to lead the army to rescue you. I didn't ask for anything in return, but you voluntarily followed me back to Xuanzhen.
You have such trust, I will not let it down easily."
Zhang Cheng paused and then continued: "At your age, if you were born in a prosperous age, you would either be educated in private schools or official schools; or you would be working in the fields.
Now that you are orphans, I am willing to take you in and adopt you as my adopted son. I will ask you to teach me how to read and write, and I will also have military generals to teach you how to fight in battle. In the future, each of you will be based on his or her own strengths, so that you can succeed in this country.
Show your subordinates what they have learned;
Are you willing?"
After Zhang Cheng finished speaking, there was silence in the courtyard, and everyone was shocked.
At this time, although there was a habit of recognizing adopted sons among the bandits, it was not common among the officers and soldiers. Even if there were some such cases, they were mostly hidden.
There is no situation like Zhang Cheng, who has to recognize thirty-eight adopted sons at one time. If he is accused before the imperial court, he may be considered to be rebellious!
Among the children, a voice burst out: "Chi Chengfang, I would like to recognize the general as my foster father and follow him until death!"
Everything in the world is like this. If you take the lead, everything will follow.
All the young men knelt down and worshiped in front of Zhang Cheng, shouting loudly and recognizing Zhang Cheng as their adoptive father.
Zhang Cheng felt quite satisfied. He said: "Chi Chengfang, from today on, you will change your name to Zhang Chengfang. These thirty-eight people are all headed by you. You and other thirty-eight people will form their own unit, named Zhang Chengfang."
The Boy Camp is one of the general’s personal armies.”
Then, he said to Lin Fangping beside him: "Lin Fangping, these thirty-eight good men of mine will be temporarily entrusted to you to be responsible for training the military affairs. All the guards in your team will be retained as instructors. You must do your best."
Try your best, no matter what happens in the meantime, you can come directly to me."
Lin Fangping was suddenly entrusted with an important task and was extremely happy. He agreed loudly with excitement on his face.