On August 11, the twelfth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, dark clouds gradually gathered in the sky, threatening to destroy the city.
Zhang Cheng lingered in Jiangying for almost a whole day before arriving at Yunzhou Post House. He felt that the sky suddenly darkened, like night.
Postmaster Lu Dachun was greeting Zhang Cheng warmly, and he also called him a commander. After welcoming Zhang Cheng and others into the posthouse, they felt that the sky was dim and dark clouds were pressing over the city.
Yunzhou garrison Chiyuan, Cangshang Fort Chihuda Zhenshang, Wei Zhice, Shi Tiegen, Lin Fangping and others all stayed in the living room, drinking tea and chatting with each other.
"Lu Dachun, please stay!"
Lu Dachun hurriedly ordered the postman to light the lamps and candles, and personally invited Zhang Cheng into the quiet room inside and served him tea. He was about to turn around and leave, but was stopped by Zhang Cheng.
Lu Dachun stood aside very obediently, waiting for Zhang Cheng's instructions, with the same smile on his face as before. His smile gave people the impression of being very gentle and sincere.
"Lu Dachun, you have been serving as Yi Cheng here for more than six years, have you ever thought about changing your position?" Zhang Cheng asked casually while sipping the fragrant tea.
Lu Dachun was extremely excited, and the smile on his face froze for a moment, and then returned to normal.
"Plop!"
He actually knelt directly in front of Zhang Cheng, kowtowed and said: "The villain Lu Dachun is willing to be driven by the commander-in-chief, and he will swear allegiance to the commander-in-chief to the death!"
"Ha ha……"
Zhang Cheng burst out laughing and said, "You all say you will swear loyalty to the death, but if you are really dead, who will come to do things for me?
I want you to serve me sincerely, overcome the difficulties together, create a new situation for the North Road, and let us live a good life together."
"Don't worry, little man. Lu Dachun is willing to follow the commander-in-chief and serve the commander-in-chief. He will do his job wholeheartedly. Please rest assured, commander-in-chief."
Zhang Cheng looked at Lu Dachun who was kneeling on the ground with satisfaction, and said warmly: "Okay, get up, I am getting married this month, and there are many visitors from all over the country. I really need someone to take care of everything, so I am willing to transfer you."
Go and serve in the Red Castle and welcome guests from all over the place on my behalf."
A flash of light flashed in Lu Dachun's eyes. Anyone who could come to Zhang Cheng's wedding banquet was not a high-ranking official. For a low-level person like him, he would not seize such an opportunity even if he had one.
He stood up gently, stood aside with a bow, and then said softly: "Commander, please rest assured, I will do my best to receive you, but..."
Zhang Cheng raised his head and looked at Lu Dachun, who was still smiling, and asked: "But it doesn't matter!"
The smile on Lu Dachun's face did not change, but he said with a somewhat frightened look: "You are an unworthy person. I am afraid that I will lose the commander's face in front of all the distinguished guests who come to congratulate the commander on the new year!"
"Ha ha……"
Zhang Cheng saw through Lu Dachun's little thoughts at a glance and couldn't help laughing loudly. He said nonchalantly: "It doesn't matter, you are my person, who dares not to give you face?"
Let's do this. You should think about it first and recommend a suitable candidate to succeed you as the postmaster here, and then leave for Akagi to join the General's Office within two days."
"Yes, I have taken note of it. Commander, please rest for a while while I go to order the food and wine."
…………
On August 12, more than 20 miles north of Mayukou Fort in Baoan Prefecture on Xuanzhen East Road, there was the bivouac of Department B of Dushibu Camp.
Cheng Sanhu had just put the holster on the bird gun that had been wiped and maintained. He tied the muzzle and placed it on the shelf outside the tent. Then he lifted his feet and bumped his body up and down a few times, and then clasped his hands in front of his chest. , and twisted his waist vigorously back and forth.
Hearing two soft "click" sounds from Cheng Sanhu's waist that only he could hear, he immediately felt relaxed and refreshed.
"The scoundrels have finally stopped today!" Cheng Sanhu shook his thick neck, remembering what happened in the past few days after leaving Beilu.
Today is already the fourth day since they left the North Road.
Since we passed Yiangtian Fort, we have been marching for three consecutive days. Except for the first day, it was relatively peaceful. However, since we passed Diaohao Fort, there have been inexplicable enemy attacks every day.
Under the command of his superiors, he desperately seized the high ground, arranged his troops according to the terrain, and prepared for battle with all his strength. However, whenever they mustered up their energy and became murderous, the unexpected enemy cavalry attacked them one after another. to retreat without a fight.
In order to prevent bandits from attacking every day, a stronghold was built, trenches were dug outside, and open posts, hidden posts, and mobile posts were set up near and far, but no trace of any bandits was ever seen.
When we broke camp and set up camp the next day, we had to work hard to dismantle the fences and walls, fill in the trenches, level the manure pits, etc. that had been erected with great pains the night before. It was a lot of trouble.
Especially yesterday afternoon, hundreds of bandit cavalry attacked again. The whole army once again formed a formation to prepare for battle, but still escaped without fighting. The army marched for ten miles in a hurry. Mr. Qian ordered to camp early, and still formed a car-city stronghold. Dig trenches and set up light and dark sentinels everywhere.
In order to prevent the bandit cavalry from attacking, it was still the same as the day before. However, yesterday, it was replaced by the infantry battalion Division A and the rangers to form a formation outside to gather strength and vigilance, while Division B was replaced by Division B to be responsible for digging trenches. After a lot of trouble, everyone was They were exhausted and half-dead, and a stronghold was formed, but the enemy attack was never seen.
…………
After breaking out of the camp today, although there was no more harassment from the bandit cavalry, the whole battalion was marching hastily. Although they still stopped every ten miles to reorganize the team, no pots were buried at noon to cook, and all the soldiers were chewing as they walked. Eat dry food to satisfy your hunger and replenish your physical strength.
After days of marching and preparing for war, everyone was complaining in their hearts, but no sergeant dared to complain. Since the establishment of the Dushi Infantry Camp, the commander-in-chief, Marshal Zhang Cheng, has been implementing new military laws, which is no child's play.
Who dares to offend?
Especially when Liu Changliang, the commander of Division B and Division A, actually dismounted his war horse and walked all the way with the soldiers. This also boosted the morale of the soldiers a lot out of thin air and cheered up the soldiers. A complaint.
Jin Yong and Chen Zhong have always adhered to Zhang Cheng's teachings and made good use of this battle to train their soldiers in various aspects.
Although they had not arranged for an attack today, on the pretext of discovering the banditry, they first marched thirty miles in a hurry, then changed roads and turned back for twenty miles, and marched fifty miles all day long, which greatly exercised the marching ability of the sergeants.
The army finally arrived at the pre-decided camp at Shenshi, and formed a stronghold of cars and cities, dug trenches outside, and set up light and dark sentries everywhere.
Today, it was replaced by the sergeants of Division A of Division B to dig trenches, while Division B and the rangers were responsible for forming a guard formation outside the camp.
Cheng Sanhu and the other sergeants were digging a trench outside the fence. They were so tired that they were about to collapse. At this moment, he heard Commander Tan Hesheng shouting in a loud voice: "Cheer up, everyone. Get the ditch in order, there will be bacon to eat tonight!"
As soon as they heard that there was meat, everyone regained their strength. They quickly arranged the trenches, set up their pickaxes, and all of them rushed to the camp gate in groups with happy faces.