After walking three hundred miles, Kang Maocai's injuries worsened day by day. Da Kui was not only worried, but fortunately he had entered the boundary of Lanzhou. Da Kui sent people to rush into the city to report the news. When the team reached Xiaquan, they saw the rescuers sent by Lanzhou.
Back in Lanzhou, Da Kui couldn't afford to fall ill. The military medical officer checked Da Kui's pulse and couldn't help but marveled at it. Yang Xiaohu hurriedly asked the reason, and the medical officer then said: "Master Zhang lost too much blood, and he was tired all the way." , he will be fine after two months of training, but the injury is so serious, but the pulse is stable and the breath is long, which is the only thing I have seen in my life." After a pause, the medical officer continued with a smile: "There is nothing else to do here, I will take my leave."
Yang Xiaohu sent the medical officer out of the camp, but he held the prescription left by the medical officer in his hand. Most of the medicinal materials on the prescription were for nourishing blood and qi. But now it is a year of war, and ten medicine shops with nine rooms are empty, but where can they go? While he was getting worried while taking the medicine, a group of people came from a distance. When Yang Xiaohu saw them, he couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
Xu Da, Tang He and other generals came. Yang Xiaohu came forward to greet them one by one. Xu Da smiled slightly and said, "How is Master Zhang's injury?"
Yang Xiaohu bowed and said truthfully: "The doctor said that he lost too much blood and will be fine after two months of training."
Xu Da nodded and saw the prescription in Yang Xiaohu's hand. He took it and looked at it before turning and handing it to General Lan Yu who was standing behind him.
"General Lan always has a way, I'll leave this matter to you," Xu Da said to Lan Yu with a smile on his face.
General Lan Yu took the prescription, looked at it, then clasped his fists and said, "I'll do it now," he said, turning to leave, but Xu Da smiled and said, "Even if I need to take the medicine, I'm not in a hurry. I've visited Mr. Zhang." It’s not too late to leave,”
At this moment, Dakui was sleeping, with a livid complexion and pale lips. Xu Da and others quietly entered the tent, and after a visit, they quietly exited the tent. Yang Xiaohu walked outside the door, and Xu Da then ordered: " General Yang will take good care of Mr. Zhang here, and I will send someone to take care of him later."
Yang Xiaohu quickly thanked him, and Xu Darxu asked: "Where is General Kang now?"
Yang Xiaohu hurriedly said: "General Kang suffered internal injuries, and the doctor was helpless after seeing it."
Xu Da sighed and then said: "General Kang has been in the army for half his life, but he has ended up like this. God is jealous of his talent."
Yang Xiaohu bowed to the side until Xu Dayan said: "Take us to see General Kang,"
"Marshal please," Yang Xiaohu stretched out his hand to invite. Marshal Xu Da went first, and Yang Xiaohu walked beside him, always half a step behind Xu Da until Xu Da and others were brought to Kang Maocai's residence. Yang Xiaohu was of low status, so They stayed outside the door. After a long time, Xu Da and others came out. Yang Xiaohu unexpectedly saw that Xu Da's eyes were wet.
After seeing off Xu Da and others, Yang Xiaohu returned to Da Kui's residence.
The imperial edict summoned Xu Da and his generals to return to Yingtian in the south of the Yangtze River. Emperor Taizu wanted to reward the three armies based on their merits. Therefore, the Ming army did not stay in Lanzhou for long. Xu Da planned to return to the capital Yingtian before the next spring, so the entire army had already made preparations. Be prepared.
Lanzhou is a battleground for military strategists. If the army leaves, there is a fear that Timur, who is far away in Mobei, will lead troops to capture it. Therefore, the selection of Lanzhou's garrison becomes a top priority.
The imperial decree declares that all generals in the army must take charge of their divisions. Therefore, those who stay in Lanzhou should be deputy generals or partial generals. There are many capable people in the army. Normally, there are not many good generals guarding the city, but in terms of wisdom and strategy, Xu Da can rest assured. That is Kang Maocai.
Many people only know one of Kang Maocai's life experiences, but not the other. Marshal Xu Da knows it very well. Kang Maocai was originally a surrendered general of the Yuan Dynasty. He once led troops to fight with the Red Turban Army for many years. Later, the Yuan Dynasty awarded him the Huai River. Xi Xuan was appointed as the comfort envoy and ordered him to guard the Yangtze River. At that time, King Wu's army went north several times to capture Chuzhou, but was repelled by Kang Maocai's troops. Later, Marshal Xu Da sent 800 miles to expedite the transfer to invite Chang Yuchun to come. Only then did Kang Maocai defeat him with one blow.
Kang Maocai may not be as good as other generals in martial arts, but he is the best among them in terms of intelligence and scheming. He has never been defeated in hundreds of battles in his life. He was defeated in a battle with Chang Yuchun. After Kang Maocai was captured, Wu King Zhu Yuanzhang loved his talent, but sent Chang Yuchun to him. Yuchun went to ask for surrender, as the saying goes: "Knowing a hero and respecting a hero, Kang Maocai and Chang Yuchun turned into a quarrel and became friends, and only then did they become ministers in the same palace."
However, God was unfair and jealous of talents. Chang Yuchun was killed, and now Kang Maocai was seriously injured and was in danger. This made Marshal Xu Da heartbroken.
In the central military tent, Marshal Xu Da frowned, and all the generals were silent.
"I would like to ask General Kang Maocai to guard Lanzhou, but he is ill and unable to do the job. Are there any generals who can be chosen?" Marshal Xu Da was silent for a long time before asking.
The forward general Sun Qian came out and said: "The last general has brother Hou Ji and Hou Yong who can take on this responsibility."
Xu Da had a bitter look on his face, but he said: "The two generals Hou Ji and Hou Yong are more than brave, but they lack strategy and cannot take on big tasks."
Xu Da's words were bloody, but he didn't show any mercy. Naturally, when it comes to important matters in the military, one should not look at others with affection. This is also Xu Da's usual style.
General Lan Yu came out and said: "The general thinks that guarding Lanzhou requires both civil and military skills. This will ensure that everything is foolproof. The general recommends the reserve army to be in charge of Tiancang. This person is familiar with the art of war and is as meticulous as hair. He should be qualified for the job."
When Xu Da heard this, he shook his head repeatedly and said: "Although Master Tiancang is a wise man, he is indecisive and cannot do anything."
It turns out that Xu Da, as the commander-in-chief of the three armies, has already understood what his subordinates can do. Therefore, he can win every battle with ease. The generals looked at each other sideways, and several generals came forward to recommend talents. Xu Da refused one by one.
Tang He remained silent. When Xu Da saw this, he not only asked: "General Tang has been silent all this time. It seems that he has a plan in mind."
Tang He smiled slightly, pondered for a moment, then stepped out and clasped his fists, saying: "I quite agree with General Lan Yu's words. However, if you want Lanzhou to be worry-free, you must be wise and considerate, and brave enough to be invincible. I recommend two people here who are qualified for the job." ,"
Xu Da's eyes suddenly shone when he heard this, and he asked, "Who is he?"
Tang He thought for a while and then said: "The messenger of the capital, Zhang Wen, a member of the Privy Council's Thousand Households, is as resourceful and resourceful as General Kang."
Xu Da pondered for a moment after hearing the words, nodded and said: "Yes, Prime Minister Liu also recommended Zhang Wen to my commander, but the important areas of the capital cannot be guarded by unscrupulous generals, so Zhang Wen did not come with him during this Western Expedition. Zhang Wen is in Lanzhou now. This couldn't be better." Xu Da paused, and then asked: "It is good for a wise man to think carefully, so who is the other person?"
Tang He smiled slightly and said: "Prince Taibao, Zhongshu Province Zuodu Yushi, Jeju Taigong Zhang Dakui,"
As soon as this statement came out, all the generals not only whispered among themselves.
Hearing this, Xu Da waved his hands repeatedly and said, "It's necessary. Mr. Zhang has had a hard life. Now I have asked the Holy General to reinstate him and let him return to his hometown to enjoy his blessings." It turns out that Da Kui once asked Marshal Xu Da to retire after his achievements. Although Xu Da didn't agree to ask about the military affairs, he kept it in mind.
Da Kui was once the Taibao of the Crown Prince and the political envoy to the south of the Yangtze River. Later, because he lost his 300,000 taels of silver, he was reduced to a lieutenant in the army. However, in the battle of Guanchuan River, Da Kui retreated 100,000 yuan of troops and conquered Qingyang alone. Cheng Dakui took the lead in capturing Lanzhou and forcing Li Siqi to surrender to the Ming Dynasty. These three great achievements only earned Xu Da a soft heart, and then he wrote to Taizu to intercede on behalf of Zhang Dakui.
When Taizu received the report from Xu Da, he felt very embarrassed. The prince and Taibao were easy to talk to, but the Jiangnan general envoy was now on a transit mission to report to local officials, and he had been replaced by Hu Weiyong. Zhang Dakui was very capable. Doing this task of spreading the news was really a humiliation of talent. In desperation, Taizu had no choice but to appoint Dakui as the censor of Zuodu, Zhongshu Province. It happened that Dakui was from Jeju, so he even became the prefect of Jeju.
If Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang's temper was consistent, Da Kui would have had his head chopped off eight hundred times after embezzling 300,000 taels of silver. Although some important ministers interceded during this period, it can be seen that Emperor Taizu protected Da Kui. If Taizu really wanted to No one can save Dakui's head if he pleads for mercy.
Now Tang He recommended Zhang Dakui, but Xu Da waved his hands repeatedly. Firstly, Dakui was seriously injured, and secondly, Xu Da made a promise to Dakui. Although the promise was silent, it weighed more than a thousand catties.
Seeing Xu Da's refusal, Tang He smiled slightly and looked around at the crowd and said: "Kuokou Timur's bravery has won the three armies. Who among you here can stop him? Zhang Dakui once forced Kuangkou Timur's 100,000 troops back. Who can If you can do it, it can be seen that Zhang Dakui is the first choice to defend Lanzhou."
Xu Da sighed and then said earnestly: "Now that Zhang Dakui is the governor of Jeju and the censor of Zuodu, it would be inappropriate for him to defend the city. He is seriously injured at the moment. It is better to leave him to recuperate in Lanzhou and send an attendant from the army." As a matter of fact, the doctor will take care of you, and I expect Mr. Zhang will not be able to get out of bed within two months."
It was inconvenient for Xu Daming to leave Da Kui to defend the city, so he could only use the excuse that Da Kui was seriously injured and could not travel far.
When the generals heard this, they all said yes, and Tang He even admired Xu Da. Who among the Ming army was wily and cunning, Xu Da.
Originally, Xu Da planned to leave Kang Maocai in Lanzhou to recuperate, but after Kang Maocai heard the news that the army would be reorganizing that day, he actually asked the soldiers around him to bring Xu Da a message: The last general will be favored by the Holy One, and the official will reach the third rank. , now his life is not long, he only hopes to survive for a few days, and the class teacher will return to the capital to see Long Yan, and Kang Maocai will die without regrets.
Xu Da ordered people to prepare a warm car, and Kang Maocai set off with the army. Before leaving, Yang Xiaohu sent a letter. Tang He took the letter and opened it and took a look, but it was for Kang Maocai. Kang Maocai was seriously injured, and in desperation Tang He took the letter and got into the warm car, and read it to Kang Maocai himself: Brother Kang is as good as his face. Zhang Dakui is lucky in this life to know Brother Kang. Although there is no Jinlan vow, we will share life and death together. It will be a revelation when we meet again one day.
Although it was just a few sentences, the friendship between life and death brothers was clearly revealed between the lines. After Tang He read the letter, he looked at Kang Maocai again, and saw two lines of hot tears on Kang Maocai's face, and he lightly opened his lips and said something. : We will be brothers again in the next life,