On August 16, the sun had just risen from the sky, and there were more than thirty strong men, all dressed in powerful clothes, riding on horses, galloping south from the Red Castle.
Facing the cool autumn wind, they galloped all the way on the White River Valley Road, their red cloaks flying in the wind, like a fiery red dragon winding and flying in the morning mist.
Although there were only about thirty people, there were nearly seventy horses. It seemed that they were preparing to change trains along the way, as if they had something urgent to do.
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On August 17, at noon, there was a "Yuanlongchang" horse and carriage shop outside Deshengmen in Beijing. In front of the door was a wooden pole nearly three feet high, with a large willow jar and bucket hung on it, plus a string of
The robe is wearing a long red strip of cloth underneath, which is very eye-catching.
The carriage and horse shop here is similar to the one outside Fucheng Gate. It occupies a very large area. There are rows of houses and halls inside. In addition to stables and cowsheds, there is also a large yard for parking large cars and more.
There are even more than ten warehouses and warehouses.
The carriage and horse shop not only provides food and accommodation, but also raises horses, feeds cattle, and parks and stocks the cars. There are also performances such as drums and calligraphy in a hall for the entertainment of merchants who come and go to stay here.
There are six independent small courtyards in the backyard of the carriage and horse shop. Today, these six small courtyards are all occupied by Zhang Cheng and others, which means that the entire carriage and horse shop belongs to them.
Several carriages came and drove straight into a courtyard. They were Yu Shangyou, the imperial censor, Yuan Pengnian, the head of the Ministry of Rites, Wang Tiaoding, the head of the Staff Department of the Ministry of War, Ma Jiazhi, the head of the Henan Qingli Department of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and one of them was the Secretary of General Affairs.
Experience Liang Yuming.
Three of them, Wang Tiaoding, Ma Jiazhi, and Liang Yuming, have been promoted to serve in various ministries and departments after Zhang Cheng's operation. Because of this, they have become more determined to cling to Zhang Cheng and rely on Zhang Cheng.
The determination around Zhang Cheng.
Having received the letter earlier, they knew that Zhang Cheng would arrive in the capital this afternoon, so they made an appointment to find Yu Shangyou, the censor, and hurriedly came to the Yuanlongchang Carriage and Horse Park in the north of the city to meet Zhang Cheng.
At this time, Zhang Cheng's relative Wu Jinkang, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry's Maintenance Department, and his wife Wu Hanshi were already in the hall, discussing with Zhang Cheng the wedding matters.
"Everything has been arranged properly. The information that you, Cheng'er, have arrived in the capital has also been reported to Ji's Mansion. Li Niang's meat and noodles have also been sent there. There will be a banquet at Ji's Mansion at noon tomorrow to thank the capital.
Of the relatives and friends, Cheng'er will be attending." Mrs. Wu said.
"Zhang Cheng doesn't know anything about this. It all depends on my aunt to arrange it properly." Zhang Cheng replied.
"This time, my aunt will go to Xuan Mansion with your cousin Ting Yue to attend Cheng'er's wedding banquet. She will stay in Xuan Mansion for a while, so she can accompany my sister as she pleases." Mrs. Wu added.
Zhang Cheng was naturally happy and said: "That's very good. The bicycle frame Zhang Cheng brought this time is enough. My aunt will definitely be happy if she knows she will go."
I just don’t know if Mr. Wu has time to go to North Road together to attend Zhang Cheng’s wedding banquet.”
Wu Jinkang looked a little regretful and said: "I think so too, but I'm just busy with business and can't leave."
At this moment, someone came from outside to report that the censor Yu Shangyou and others had arrived in the courtyard next door and asked Zhang Cheng how to arrange it.
When Mrs. Wu heard that guests were coming, she said, "Everything has been arranged for the wedding. Since Cheng'er has guests visiting, my aunt will go back home first."
"That's fine. Zhang Cheng will pay a visit before noon tomorrow, and we will go to Ji's Mansion for a banquet together. Zhang Cheng will call a car to take my aunt back to her home."
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That day, in the Yuanzihao Courtyard of Yuanlongchang Carriage and Horses, Zhang Cheng, Wu Jinkang, Yu Shangyou, Yuan Pengnian, Wang Tiaoding, Ma Jiazhi, Liang Yuming, Wei Zhice and others were eating and chatting.
Nowadays, these people have more or less connections with Zhang Cheng. They all serve in the court and are busy with official affairs. They cannot rush to the North Road to attend Zhang Cheng's wedding banquet. They are gathering here today. Quan Dang
It's an early celebration.
Everyone exchanged cups and cups, and the atmosphere was very lively. They included the Censor, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Etiquette, the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of War, and the General Affairs Department. They formed a small group headed by Yu Shangyou, the Censor, and Wu Jinkang, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry.
group.
Of course, the backer behind them, or the financial backer, must be Zhang Cheng. In the near future, these people will definitely become Zhang Cheng's thorn in the capital, become his pawns, and cheer for him.
The banquet did not end until Shenshi. After sending everyone off, Zhang Cheng received a report that Yang Sichang, the cabinet minister, sent someone to deliver a message. If it is convenient, please ask him to come to the house to talk.
Zhang Cheng did not dare to delay. After giving instructions to Wei Zhice, Lin Fangping, Su Zhenxiang and others, he took four guards with him and followed the messenger, riding towards the capital.
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"Reporting to Mr. Yang Ge, the general has recruited more than 8,000 new soldiers on the North Road. Adding the more than 1,000 remnants of the original right-wing battalion, the current number of troops is nearly 10,000. However, the training period is still short and the weapons are not in good condition.
We are still unable to play at the moment." Zhang Cheng stood aside and reported.
Yang Sichang was sitting in a chair, looking thoughtful. There seemed to be many unspeakable secrets in his expression. After a long time, he said: "Zhongchen, I know you also have various difficulties. However, the national funds are insufficient, and although the northern road is exhausted, it is difficult to
To feed such an army of nearly 10,000 people, you still need to find ways to raise money on the spot, and you must not expect the imperial court to allocate money, food and other matters."
He paused and then said: "The situation in Huguang is urgent. The Xian thieves have revolted. Now it is difficult to control. I have requested your Majesty's order to personally go to Huguang to supervise the Xian thieves and other rebel bandits. I have asked Zuo Liangyu to be transferred to Huguang."
, He Renlong and other generals gathered in Xiangyang,
After you return to the Xuanfu this time, you have to step up all the camp operations. You can take care of the money and food matters on your own. If you need armaments, I will arrange for the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works to do their best to satisfy you. You can just contact Zhang Ruoqi for this matter."
"Please rest assured, Mr. Yang Ge, at the latest in mid-June of next year, and as soon as the end of this year, at least four to five thousand troops can be pulled out of the North Road. Zhang Cheng is willing to follow the cabinet to wipe out the Xian thieves." Zhang Cheng clasped his fists and saluted.
A glimmer of light flashed in Yang Sichang's eyes, and he said solemnly: "If this can be done, it would be the best. It is just a matter of battalion training, but it cannot be rushed. If it is not useful, rushing to fight will not necessarily be useful.
I think there is still something to be done for the Huguang Governor to suppress the rogue bandits with Zuo Liangyu, He Renlong and the generals. You can train your army with peace of mind first. When the rogue bandits are gone, or fear that the Eastern bandits will come again, your army of nearly 10,000 people must be mobilized as soon as possible.
It’s done.”
"Yes, Zhang Cheng can save it. Please rest assured that the cabinet will not delay, so as to form an army as soon as possible."
Zhang Cheng knew that when Yang Sichang came to Huguang to supervise the suppression of Zhang Xianzhong, Luo Rucai had a bright future in the early stage, but his cleverness led to him being misled by his cleverness. The title of "Pingtai General" was first assigned to Zuo Liangyu, and then to He Renlong.
In the end, it was given to Zuo Liangyu.
However, this incident also offended the two generals Zuo Liangyu and He Renlong. In the end, the good situation of suppressing thieves in Huguang was ruined, and Zhang Xianzhong succeeded in a sneak attack on Xiangcheng.
Yang Sichang was also guilty of trapping the feudal vassal, and had no choice but to drink poison and die!
He wanted to give Yang Sichang a warning today, but when he said it, he swallowed it back. He knew that although Yang Sichang was quite talented and strategic, he was a narrow-minded person. If he tried to advise him at this time, he would probably get into trouble.
to yourself.
He had no choice but to remain silent, chatting with Yang Sichang some more about military affairs, then stood up and left.