At noon on October 23rd, the 13th year of Chongzhen's reign in the Ming Dynasty, nearly ten thousand troops were arrayed outside Xuan'en Gate in the south of Yongning City on Xuanzhen East Road, with various flags flying in the wind.
The side of the moat outside the city was crowded with soldiers and civilians from Yongning City. They were in awe of the soldiers standing in formation. Although these officers and soldiers were cold-faced, they had extremely strict military discipline.
In the past few days, although they had gathered outside the city for two days, there was no bustle in the camp. Occasionally, when officers and soldiers entered the city together, they paid the bills honestly, without credit or force.
Forced buying and selling occurred.
This made the soldiers and civilians in Yongning City have a great impression of the officers and soldiers coming from the north road. What's more important is that as soon as these officers and soldiers from the north road arrived, the bandits on the entire east road also stopped.
After Chen Yuzhu, the "Tianba King" of Dongshan, was killed by a thousand swords, the remaining bandits were frightened. Some of them reacted quickly, took a few old thieves with them, took away all the gold, silver and soft things, and fled overnight.
East Road.
Except for a few indifferent people who still want to wait and see the situation and are killed by Zhang Cheng's men in the mountains one by one, there are also some who take the initiative to go down the mountain and defect to live a peaceful life. How many people are naturally willing to become bandits?
As long as there is a way to survive, normal people will not choose to go up the mountain to become a thief and live a life of wandering and licking blood from today's to tomorrow's knife.
At this moment, the eyes of the soldiers and civilians in Yongning were full of respect. They pointed at the soldiers in formation and talked a lot.
"...I said, Lao Qi, you are not usually very upright, why don't you join the army..."
"...Bah...I didn't mean...he is so bear-like..."
"...This northern army is really stronger than our Deputy Commander Zhang's soldiers..."
"...You kid, don't talk nonsense, they are all Deputy Commander Zhang's soldiers now..."
"……Hahaha……"
…………
Zhang Cheng stood on the gate tower of Xuan'en Gate. Next to him were Wu Zhizhong, Tong Shouxin and other generals, as well as Yongning County Magistrate Liu Minshen and other civil officials. They were all looking at the North Road army arrayed outside the city.
"Deputy Commander Zhang is really a famous general in the world. He can train such an elite army. The students admire him!"
Liu Minshen, the magistrate of Yongning County, stood next to Zhang Cheng and spoke very respectfully. He was already full of enthusiasm, but he could not control it alone. Although he was determined to inspire the imperial court and restore the Ming Dynasty to its former glory.
However, he was a small man with little power, full of knowledge and ambition, but he was born at the wrong time. He had heard of Zhang Chengqin's deeds as king, and he admired him in his heart. Later, he got the lyrics of Zhang Cheng's "Army Song"
I loved it so much that I couldn’t put it down.
Now, looking at the mighty military formation below the gate, he was so excited that he said again: "Deputy Commander Zhang, the student has an unkind request..."
Zhang Cheng couldn't help being stunned when he heard this, and said: "Mr. Liu, I have something to ask you, but it doesn't hurt to say it!"
"The student wants to accompany Deputy Commander Zhang on his expedition to Henan Province and praise the paintings in front of the army. I wonder if Deputy Commander Zhang will allow it?"
The look in Liu Minshen's eyes was full of expectation, which showed that what he said was true and was actually what he wanted in his heart.
But I heard Zhang Cheng smile and say: "How dare you, Mr. Liu is the lord of the county, how can he join Zhang Cheng's army? What will happen to Yongning County?"
Liu Minshen smiled calmly and said: "In a mediocre life, it is better to join the deputy commander and make a splash. Nearly half of Yongning County is a military household, so why leave me alone? I can have my own county magistrate to take my place."
Zhang Cheng originally had a smile on his face, but his face darkened when he heard this. He came into contact with many civil servants, but they were all aloof and arrogant. Most of them looked down on military men like him, or they were just looking for their own money and power, like Liu Minshen.
But it is rare.
He said solemnly: "If Mr. Liu is like this, he will probably be ridiculed by scholars all over the world. If you are a county prince, how can you follow Zhang Cheng in the military?"
"'A man should do dangerous things, why should he let a scholar's crown ruin his life?'
This is not exactly what the deputy commander said, this is also what Min Shen thinks. Although I am the magistrate of Yongning County, as far as Yongning is concerned, there is no fear of missing me. I think deputy commander Zhang is really a person worth following. In this life
If I can fight on the battlefield with the deputy commander and do my best, it will be my lifelong wish."
Liu Minshen actually used Zhang Cheng's words to answer, which surprised Zhang Cheng. He didn't know how to reply to him for a moment. He couldn't help but look at the military formation outside the city. After a while, he said: "Master Liu has this wish."
, Zhang Cheng was indeed surprised, but Mr. Liu is really the honorable person of the county, the parents of Yongning, and the official of the imperial court. This matter really needs to be cautious. How about waiting for Zhang Cheng to return this time?"
After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Liu Minshen and said: "If Zhang Cheng can secure the country with force, he will eventually need someone like Mr. Liu to rule the country with culture. The world is so big, and if he shows his ambition, he will not be the only one in Zhang Cheng's army."
When Liu Minshen heard this, he felt a rush in his heart and said hurriedly: "The commander-in-chief taught you a lesson, but the student is being rude."
Zhang Cheng smiled, and said in a profound voice: "Zhang Cheng is an expert in leading the army, and Mr. Liu is good at governing the people. Zhang Cheng will definitely have needs in the future, and Mr. Liu must not shirk it."
Liu Minshen's expression eased slightly and he said: "If Deputy Commander Zhang needs it, I will definitely serve him. Today I wish Deputy Commander Zhang a speedy victory and triumph."
At this moment, Zhang Chengfang, Zhang Cheng's adopted son, strode up, clasped his fists and said, "Father, the army has been assembled. It's noon, and Zhang Chengfang is here to ask for orders to march out."
After saying that, he turned around and said to the county magistrate Liu Minshen: "Master Liu, take care!"
Liu Minshen nodded and said with excitement, "Deputy Commander Zhang will make a triumphant return as soon as possible."
…………
The Xuan'en Gate in the south of Yongning City was wide open. Zhang Cheng was the first to gallop out across the moat and arrived in front of the military formation. Wu Zhizhong, Liu Minshen, Tong Shouxin and others followed behind him.
Zhang Cheng clasped his fists and said to them: "Yongning will be handed over to you. Tong Guards will be responsible for the city defense, Wu Zhizhong will be the leader of the recruitment camp, and Liu Zhixian will be responsible for governing the people. I hope you can unite sincerely to protect Yongning and protect the east road!
"
"Please don't worry, Deputy Commander."
Zhang Cheng ignored them and rode towards the military formation. Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai each led 18 cavalry behind him, raising smoke and dust, and soon galloped to the east side of the military formation.
Further east were the troops and horses of Songshan Quanbu who had just moved to Yongning, and more than a thousand soldiers who were assisting the camp, forming a formation to send Zhang Cheng off to the expedition, while people gathered on the side of the city wall.
Zhang Cheng reined in his horse and stopped, staring at Zhang Guodong's step camp arrayed on the edge, took out the sword from his waist, raised it high, and shouted: "The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
"Mighty, mighty, mighty!" all the soldiers shouted in unison.
Zhang Cheng urged his horses to gallop slowly, traveling from east to west. He kept shouting: "The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
All the troops responded: "Mighty, mighty, mighty!"
"The Ming Dynasty will be victorious!"
"Wonderful victory, ten thousand victory, ten thousand victory!"