Chapter Two Hundred and Four: Merchants also have the heart to serve the country
On the Huanxi Ridge southeast of Shanhaiguan, Hong Chengchou actually ignored Liu Zizheng's concerns about Zhang Cheng's fear of disobedience. He now only hoped that Zhang Cheng could lead the army and arrive as scheduled. As for whether he would obey the control, that was a matter for the future.
He said to Liu Zizheng: "Of the generals who are capable of fighting, how many of them are not arrogant and domineering? However, Zhang Cheng mentioned in the letter that 8,000 infantry have already set out ahead and will arrive at Guancheng soon, and he will also lead the cavalry.
The escort baggage is about to leave, but I can't wait any longer!"
Liu Zizheng said: "It only takes more than ten days to reach this point on the east road of Xuanzhen. Since there is a slight delay on the way, we will surely be able to reach the gate of Ningyuan in more than a month at most. The governor can set up defenses around Ningyuan until the army has gathered before deciding to advance.
Strategy."
Hong Chengchou looked at the army marching under the mountains and said calmly: "Do your best."
After he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked in the direction of the capital, and said: "I will wait and do my best. As for the outcome, it depends on fate!"
After Hong Chengchou finished speaking, he led his soldiers and rode down Huanxi Ridge. Looking at the retreating figures of the governor, Liu Zizheng suddenly felt desolate. He sighed deeply and couldn't help but shed tears.
He immediately stood on the Huanxi Ridge and watched the army's ranks winding and receding gradually into the distance. The sound of the horses' hooves in the rear gradually weakened, and finally the wilderness became silent. In the warm spring wind, only a few barks of dogs occasionally came from the surrounding deserted villages.
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On the eighth day of May, beside the large school field outside the south gate of Yongning City, a load of carriages was traveling southward, leaving deep ruts on the slightly muddy road.
At the front of the team was General Qian of Zhang Cheng's Central Army, He Kuan. He took the lead to clear the way for the central camp army, followed closely by two chariots and three chariots, General Qian, carrying the army's grain, grass and supplies.
Military resources accompanied them, and finally Du Youwei from the left of the Chinese army led the troops to break up the rear.
After the army, there were many carriages accompanying them. They were convoys organized by the major grain merchants, cloth merchants, salt merchants, medicine merchants and carriage and horse dealers in Xuan Town.
Since Zhang Cheng's army carried a large amount of gunpowder cannons, iron leaves for repairing armor and other military supplies for this campaign in Liaodong, the grain and grass carried by the cart camp was insufficient.
Ever since King Qin ran out of food in the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Zhang Cheng had set an iron rule for himself. No matter what situation he went into battle, he must prepare no less than ten days of food rations for his army.
Therefore, in addition to being fully loaded with military supplies, the carriages and carriages that went to war this time were mostly dried meat, bacon and bacon sealed in porcelain jars, as well as pickles and pickles sealed in porcelain jars.
There are also various marching and combat rations such as light cakes, pot helmets, fried rice, steamed cakes with vinegar, dried coarse cloth and vinegar, dried black beans, rice cakes, and sesame balls. In addition, there are some black plums and cheese.
These are processed Ming Dynasty standard marching rations. Compared with grains, they are lighter in weight, easier to carry and more durable. Some of them are emergency rations carried by every sergeant during wartime.
Of course, the army will also carry some normal grains in order to improve the food for the soldiers when necessary. It is just inconvenient to carry too much, because when transporting grains, a large amount of grains will also be consumed. If you transport too much grains, the gains will outweigh the losses.
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A few days ago, he had discussed with the big merchants in Xuan Town in Chi Castle, asking them to help him raise and transport some of the food and grass needed by the army.
After Cheng Ruzhi, Zhao Zhenju, Tang Zhiyi, Yang Wanjin, Xu Qingyi and others returned, they discussed it together. Due to time constraints, they were no longer allowed to return to the town to collect corresponding supplies.
They could only cooperate with various local merchants on the North Road and East Road, and even purchase corresponding grains, salt and other raw materials from various military households, and then rush to make all the rations and military supplies needed for the army to leave the customs.
Gu Qiao
Zhang Cheng naturally strongly supported this matter. The reason why he discussed the purchase of military rations with them so late was to catch them off guard and force them to actively seek cooperation from local merchants.
How could he let others outside the North Road and East Road take away most of the benefits from something he had spent so much energy planning?
Zhang Cheng also gave a new term "household subcontracting" to the fact that large merchants take over military supplies and then turn to small merchants or military households to purchase the required raw materials!
In this way, he only needs to take out the money, and the purchase, sorting, processing, transportation and many other trivial matters will be completed by the big merchants who handle military supplies.
All he had to do was inspect and accept the goods at the predetermined place of delivery. As for the money, he had to pay a 30% deposit in advance according to the rules, and settle the full amount after returning from the war.
In this way, you can save yourself some effort, save the money in your hands from the difficulty of turnover, and also allow the soldiers and civilians who follow you on the north and east routes to have some income.
The most important thing is that you can take this opportunity to completely tie those big merchants who intend to move closer to you on your own chariot, and also serve as an example to those merchants who have not moved closer to you. It can be said that you kill multiple birds with one stone!
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Zhang Chengce looked at the majestic convoy and soldiers on the horse, and said to Wei Zhice beside him: "Go. Even though we are marching in Xuanzang and Jibei, we must pay more attention to the sentinel inspections, and we must not be lazy."
Wei Zhice cupped his fists and said, "Commander, please rest assured, Wei Zhice knows."
Zhang Cheng was still relieved about Wei Zhice. He nodded and said to He Biao, the commander-in-chief on the other side: "Ghost face congratulations, I will leave all the army's food, grass and military supplies to Wei Zhice and you, but I have to give them to you."
I’ve taken care of it!”
He Biao still had a gloomy face and said in a deep voice: "Commander, don't worry about the food, grass and military supplies, they will be taken care of safely. However, the commander must not be reckless in the future, and everything must be handled in accordance with the order and regulations."
Zhang Cheng just smiled and said: "Following us are the caravans from Xuanzang. They are carrying military supplies and supplies as they march with the army for the first time. Remember to take care of them."
He Biao turned his head and took a look, but didn't say anything. He just couldn't understand why the army would go to war and bring this group of profiteers with them to cause trouble.
However, Wei Zhice somewhat understood the deeper meaning. He clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Commander. The general will control the speed of the army and will never let the caravans accompanying the army stray too far from the army."
Zhang Cheng nodded with satisfaction and waved for them to catch up with the army. Wei Zhice and He Biao didn't say anything. They clasped their fists and saluted before riding their horses towards the south.
At this time, Cheng Ruzhi, the shopkeeper of Qing'an and Liangzhuang in Zhencheng, Xu Qingyi from Sihai Car Dealer in Dushikou, and several others rode over. Zhang Cheng clasped his fists at them and said, "Zhang Cheng is going to fight in Liaodong this time. I really bother you all to deal with it."
I’m really sorry that we helped raise and transport military supplies and food supplies, and that we had to have shopkeeper Lao Cheng and Mr. Xu’s family personally escort them.”
Cheng Ruzhi and others naturally knew that these were Zhang Cheng's self-effacing words, and they hurriedly clasped their fists and saluted: "Why did the commander say this? Although we are merchants, we are also loyal to the country. Now the commander looks up to me."
Wait, give us the opportunity to serve the country, how dare you say the word 'trouble'."
After he said these words, he turned his head and looked at each other with several big shopkeepers and bosses for a while, then turned back and clasped his fists and said, "Ruzhi has something to report to the commander-in-chief."
Cheng Ruzhi looked at Zhang Cheng sincerely, clasped his fists and continued: "We deeply admire the commander-in-chief for his loyalty to the country. After discussing with several big shopkeepers and owners, in order to show our respect for the commander-in-chief, we would like to
Use 20% of the remaining balance to donate to the army."