Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Eight: There will be blessings if you don't die
Since the start of the Jinzhou War, although the Xuanbei Army has never actually fought against the Qing Army and has not suffered a large number of casualties, the army has frequently left out sentry posts at night, and the casualties have indeed been considerable.
Among them, the Tiger Guard Battalion led by Lin Fangping had the most frequent sentries and suffered the greatest casualties. He was biting his lower lip tightly at this time, and there was a trace of sadness and pain in his eyes.
Seeing this, Zhang Cheng shouted sternly: "Good man, why are you crying?"
Afterwards, he also sighed and said firmly: "The brothers who died in the battle with me, we, the Xuanfu Army, must never forget them, and the people of our Xuanfu military household must not forget them either.
If our Xuanfu soldiers had not sacrificed their lives in front of us, how could the military households and common people in our territory have a stable and prosperous life?"
Zhang Cheng's eyes were as bright as a torch, and he scanned the people in the hall again, and continued loudly: "When the war here is over, I will build a 'Praise and Loyalty Temple' to commemorate the fallen soldiers who followed me in the conquests from all directions.
I want to make Xuanbei, Xuanfu Town, and even the entire Ming Dynasty remember these heroes who sacrificed their lives in blood, so that we can offer incense at all times and never forget them year after year."
As soon as he said this, everyone in the room was moved. You must know that people in this era take the matter of building temples and offering sacrifices very seriously.
Don't you see, every time the imperial court commends heroes and generals who have made great contributions, it only orders the construction of archways and gates. This is already a supreme honor.
The matter of building a temple to offer sacrifices is even more rare. Even if it is an honor after death, just imagine how many people in the entire Ming Dynasty were treated like this?
For example, only a few people who were canonized as saints, such as the most holy teacher Kong Shengren, Yue Wumu, Guan Sheng Emperor Guan Gong, etc., could enjoy the great and special titles of the past dynasties and build temples to worship them.
However, ordinary court officials rarely receive this honor. At most, they are worshiped in ancestral halls and family temples, and the descendants of the same clan within the family offer sacrifices and incense on time every year.
As for the ordinary soldiers who fought on the battlefield and sacrificed their lives for the country, not to mention their names and memorial tablets in temples, many of them were not even allowed to bury their bodies properly, and their families have not known whether they were dead or alive for many years.
How many old parents look forward to their children day and night, but the children never come back; how many widows wait for their husbands to come back, and burn their hair alone without seeing their husbands; how many children cry out for food and are separated from their fathers, but have never seen an adult in their entire lives.
However, at this moment, they actually heard from their coach that they would build a "Praise and Loyalty Shrine" after returning to Xuan Mansion to worship the loyal souls of the fallen soldiers in battle!
What kind of treatment is this?
This is unprecedented in Ming Dynasty!
Previously, temples and shrines were built for generals who died in battle to enshrine the bones of their loyal souls and seek protection for their heroic spirits.
However, this act of building a shrine to honor the spirits of ordinary fallen soldiers who accompanied the army was indeed unheard of and unprecedented. Although everyone was moved in their hearts and quite excited in their expressions, there was also confusion on their faces.
and worry.
At this time, I heard Zhang Cheng continue to say: "Since I brought King Qin to Beijing and killed the Tatar thieves with Ma Fang, I have ordered the military scribes to record the details of every battle since then, no matter how big or small.
Record it in a book so that it can be used to test military achievements in the future and to check for deficiencies."
Everyone in the room was stunned when they heard him talk about this past incident again. Many people didn't know what he meant. Even Wei Zhice had a confused look on his face.
Zhang Cheng ignored everyone. He looked at them like a god, and continued: "Previously, when our division arrived at Songshan, we felt that we were fighting with the Tatars, especially our Xuanfu sentry cavalry. Not only were there casualties.
There are quite a lot of people, and there are many deeds that make people sing and cry.
In order to let future generations know how difficult our battle was, and also to alert future generations to the horrors of war, I ordered the commander-in-chief, Fu He, to organize military scribes to record the war and sentinel records of the Xuanfu army officers and soldiers.
, organize it carefully and carefully.
We must select all the touching heroic deeds and characters and compile them into a pamphlet. We must also spread them widely among our Xuanfu army, so that they can become a model for all our soldiers and become a model for our soldiers to imitate.
hero!"
Everyone was stunned, their faces were not only shocked, but also shocked.
Many people had their mouths wide open, but they were speechless, and then they looked like they were deep in thought. They were still savoring and interpreting what the master just said.
After all, Wei Zhice was a man who had read books. Compared with others, he was more lively and had a broader vision and thinking. He was the first to react and said: "The commander-in-chief has a broad mind and still has millions of soldiers.
Every thought and thought is far beyond the reach of ordinary people and beyond our reach.
I admire you!"
He went on to say: "Although I still can't fully understand the commander's move for a while. But now that I think about it, I am fascinated. If we follow the commander's wishes, not only our lieutenants and generals will know about the heroic deeds in the future, but also the rule of law."
The common people in the military households will also worship him endlessly.
When word spreads about these heroic deeds, not only will everyone in my Xuan town be admired, but also the military and civilians outside the government, and even the officials, businessmen and gentry, will also admire them endlessly, and they will also like me to declare their government.
Commander, what a great layout!"
After Wei Zhice's explanatory praise, everyone's hearts became brighter, and everyone praised Zhang Cheng's move.
For everyone in the house, it was really great for them to be able to sacrifice their lives in front of the battle and then enter the "Baozhong Temple" and enjoy the incense and offerings from the world.
People in this era cherish and value their reputation to a degree that people in later generations cannot imagine!
If it is true as Zhang Chengzhi said, after they died on the battlefield, they could really enjoy the four seasons and five sacrifices in the "Baozhong Temple", and have people kneel down and pay homage to them year after year.
Not only do they feel proud in their hearts, but their children will also feel proud in the future and will be respected by the world.
In this way, it is equivalent to what they are fighting for today, which will definitely benefit future generations in the future. In conjunction with Zhang Cheng's previous preferential treatment and retirement policies, those who come to sign up to join the army in the future will definitely be the ones who deserve it.
While everyone was talking happily, Zhang Cheng also smiled again and said: "I also want to recruit some storytellers to spread the heroic deeds of our Xuanfu in the form of catchy blackboard writing, both inside and outside the Xuanfu.
From north to south!
Let everyone in the world know the deeds of our loyal and brave soldiers in Xuanfu, so that the deeds of our loyal and brave soldiers in Xuanfu will be sung throughout the ages.
In this way, the commander’s original intention of ‘praising the loyal and good’ will be fulfilled!”
Everyone in the room had solemn expressions on their faces. They were deeply moved by Zhang Cheng's move.
Their general's thoughtfulness really surprised them. With such a general, what reason did they have not to follow him to the death, and why not to swear allegiance to him!
Zhang Guangda is worthy of being Zhang Cheng's old subordinate. He was the first to kneel down, clasped his fists in salute, and said loudly: "We are really lucky to meet the commander-in-chief. In the end, I will follow the commander-in-chief until death without regrets, no matter the sword or the sea of fire."
, I’m going too!”
In unison, a group of military generals knelt down in the small hospital room, saying, "... I am willing to follow the commander... through mountains of swords and seas of fire... and he will go!"
Zhang Cheng looked at them with a solemn expression on his face. After a long time, he said gently: "Everyone, please get up. You are all my brothers and people I trust. I am lucky to meet you!"
"
Seeing all the generals stand up, Zhang Cheng said loudly: "You believe in me and are willing to stay by my side to build a great cause together. I will make an oath to you today.
Zhang Cheng will definitely live up to your trust!
I will work together with you to suppress the rogue bandits internally and defend the Tartars externally. We will revive our Ming Dynasty and revive the prestige of our Ming Dynasty, make the barbarians submit to submission, and welcome the coming from all directions."
"I am willing to follow the commander-in-chief and revive the Ming Dynasty!"
Zhang Cheng waved his hand, and the room suddenly became silent. He turned around, looked at Zhang Jintai on the wooden bed and said, "You should take good care of your injuries first."
After he finished speaking, he turned back and told Li Changsheng: "Li Changsheng, if you write a battle report in the next few days, the Zhenfu Division will also review your achievements during this outpost and make them worthy of verification."
Li Changsheng suppressed his sobs and answered the order: "Here!"
It is certain that Li Changsheng and others made great contributions during this sentry trip.
However, after each battle of the Xuanbei Army, the generals of each army must write their own battle reports. The contents include but are not limited to pre-war analysis, battle arrangements, evacuation and rescue, etc., as well as emergency decisions, excellent
There are personal descriptions, and there are also contents such as first merit, major merit, secondary merit, etc.
It is best to have the Town and Fu Department send personnel to check them one by one, and only after they are verified to be correct, they can be registered in the register for inspection at any time.
This set of rules was first proposed by Zhang Cheng, the then Qian General, after the Battle of Mafang in the 11th year of Chongzhen, when King Qin came to Beijing, and has been implemented in his Qian headquarters ever since.
The final shape was indeed taken in the twelfth year of Chongzhen, when he went to Xuanfu North Road to serve as the North Road Branch Guard General. From then on, acting like this became the rule of the Xuanbei Army.
Over the years, these practices have formed a series of perfect systems, and the entire army has become accustomed to them.
Before leaving, Wei Zhice, Zhang Guangda, Zhang Guodong and others all gave Zhang Jintai some gentle words to comfort him. Lin Fangping even held his hand and said affectionately: "Brother Jintai, you are concentrating on recuperating now.
Let’s just think of a solution regarding the Tiger Guard Camp.”
Soon, everyone exited the hospital one after another, and then Medical Officer Shi also led several medical staff out. The hospital, which had seemed very crowded, was suddenly empty.
Zhang Jintai also quietly asked Medical Officer Shi just now that other brothers from the Huwei camp who were injured on sentries were treated in the hospital next door. He was the only one who lived in a hospital alone.
Although Zhang Cheng loved his soldiers, people at this time were more concerned about the distinction between superiority and inferiority. As the adopted son of an army commander, others naturally did not dare to receive treatment in the same hospital as him. Therefore, he did not
Forcing equality.
Now, Zhang Cheng is the chief military officer of the Xuanfu. Although the document from the imperial military department states that he is acting temporarily, all the Xuanfu battalions under the former commander-in-chief Yang Guozhu have expressed their loyalty to him. After the war, he completely took over as the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu.
It's only a matter of time before the commander-in-chief of the government is appointed.
Among all the armies that came to the aid, only Zhang Cheng's Xuanbei Army had the most medical personnel and the most abundant related pills and powders. On this point, Zhang Cheng was willing to spend money.
After all, the cost of training a qualified sergeant is far greater than the cost of medical officers and medicinal materials.
Of course, this is not comparable to other military towns in the Ming Dynasty. After all, other military towns only need to protect the servants and accompany them personally. What does the life and death of the remaining military and auxiliary personnel have to do with them?
Among the nearly 200,000 troops and more than ten generals of the King's Division to aid the Liao Dynasty, only Zhang Cheng's Xuanfu troops could receive comprehensive treatment for the injured soldiers. Furthermore, their treatment conditions and abilities were unparalleled on the Jinzhou front line.
The best among all the battalions of the Ming army.
"I still have to rest for a month..."
Zhang Jintai was wailing alone in his heart and feeling bored when he suddenly saw countless heads poking through the door.
Looking closely, he saw that all the brothers in the boy's camp were there. When they learned that Zhang Cheng had left with his generals, they rushed over to see him.
For a moment, the room became very lively again, and everyone was talking about it: "Seeing that my second brother is fine, I feel relieved."
"...I really want to congratulate my second brother on his return victoriously!"
They had long wanted to visit Zhang Jintai, but they were blocked by doctors outside the door and were not allowed to enter.
Then, when he saw Zhang Cheng leading the generals, he quietly hid aside. At this time, he learned that Zhang Cheng and others had left and that Zhang Jintai had also woken up, so he hurried to visit.
Seeing the concerned eyes and cordial greetings of all the brothers, Zhang Jintai suddenly felt warm in his heart.
He smiled and said, "I told you it would be fine. Who am I, your second brother? As early as when I was born, the fortune teller told me that I have nine lives, but I am lucky!"
While everyone was laughing, they suddenly saw another person walking in the door. Li Changsheng became even more happy when he saw it. It was Zhang Chengfang, Zhang Cheng's first adopted son.
After he entered the room, he looked Zhang Jintai up and down carefully. After a moment, when everyone gradually became quiet, he asked with great concern: "Seeing as your injury is not serious, why do you have to go to Songshan City to recuperate for more than a month?"
Zhang Jintai sighed and said: "Who says it's not the case? Brother, please help us make peace with our handsome father and let us stay in the army to train. How about that?"
The expression on Zhang Chengfang's face did not change, but he simply said: "Brother, I just came back from the sentry, and I am injured again. Please rest peacefully for now. As for whether we can enter Songshan City, we will talk about it later."
He walked forward, sat in front of Zhang Jintai's bed, and sighed: "This sentry trip is indeed dangerous. If you can survive the catastrophe, brother, you will be lucky in the future!"
Zhang Jintai also smiled and said: "TOEFL, TOEFL. Brother, I am very lucky to be able to enter the Tiger Guard Camp."
After hearing this, Zhang Chengfang shook his head and said with a smile: "Jin Tai, if you look at the Tatar heads and seizures this time, you will know that it will be wonderful. Tell it to your brothers quickly, so that it can open your eyes."
.”
Seeing people gathering around one after another, everyone looked very interested.
Zhang Jintai then sighed and said: "It's a long story. My brother's sentry duty this time has been through life and death. It shocked the world and made us cry."
Zhang Chengfang smiled and said: "Okay, stop trying to show off to the brothers and tell me quickly!"
Zhang Jintai's ups and downs voice came out from inside the house one after another: "... If we want to talk about this, we have to start when I led the brothers out of Daxing Fort..."