The moonlight was hazy, the night breeze was refreshing, and the Yuegang camp was full of joy.
With a sound:
"His commander has given orders, and the whole army is in high gear, rejoicing with you and having fun with your brothers."
Then there were thirty-six cheers from the military drum, which filled the wilderness with the sound of birds.
This big feast began.
In the center of the camp is the military banquet place for Zhang Chong and other military officials. This was originally Zhang Chong's shogunate. In order to unite the officials and soldiers, he specially removed the car camps around the shogunate and simply arranged lights.
Let the nearby soldiers also see Zhang Chong.
This night is destined to be a night of joy. No matter what era and what kind of people, everyone likes banquets. The key to human beings' love for cooking has never been because of nutrition, but a kind of enjoyment, which is the joy brought by food. So banquets are also
It became an important ceremony and was carefully prepared.
For example, when the Han Dynasty held a banquet, all the officials were dressed up to attend, with the beauty of eating lambs and the lips of orangutans. During the exchange of wine and glasses, the dignity of the Han Dynasty and the relationship between the monarch and his ministers were consolidated. Therefore, even if a banquet costs a lot of money, the banquets of all dynasties have always been
more than.
And this kind of enjoyment does not only stop at the court banquets, but also among private parties. The aristocratic family stays up all night, indulges in sensuality, and the rich candlelight illuminates the night. This is how Kyoto never sleeps.
But you are wrong if you think that this kind of banquet is only held by a group of people. For example, our Yuzhou governor Wang Yun, as the official of Taiyuan, had to prepare it according to the specifications of a banquet even if he was eating alone. There were cooks who only served for
Wang Yun prepared a meal for one person, but Wang Yun roared, and the person said:
"Why don't you say there is no banquet? Today is the banquet for me, Wang Yun, and the prince's master."
This time, Zhang Chong's banquet was no different in essence from those held by the Han Dynasty. They were both showing great victory and maintaining the bond between the officials. However, in terms of specific food, the Taishan Army's victory banquet was definitely inferior.
Not to mention that Zhang Chong, who was born in the Han Dynasty, did not like luxury in the first place, but if he really had to prepare well, what would he be able to prepare in time of war?
However, even so, when the golden-roasted horses, cows, sheep, and pigs were served, everyone couldn't help but swallow their saliva, which showed how hungry everyone was for meat.
The entire banquet did not use one table and one table between the ministers in the past, but a table filled with tables in the center. All the food was placed on it. There were no straw mats. Everyone stood so that everyone could share it.
Food and conversation.
At this time, the table was filled with all kinds of food. On both sides were fragrant millet, rice, and wheat rice for everyone's own use.
The food was in front, but no one from Taishan Army or Ru Ying Huangjin came forward. They quietly looked at Zhang Chong who was sitting on top, waiting for him.
Sitting on the horse, Zhang Chong was dressed in single clothes, with his hair simply tied up with a wooden stick. He looked like an old farmer in the countryside rather than a handsome general on the battlefield.
Zhang Chong looked at the banquet with satisfaction. It was a good idea to use the Han army's capture to reward the whole army for a victory. Looking around, everyone was smiling and their morale was good.
When the food was ready, the two gangsters brought a large table with two cards on it, one for Supreme Yellow Taiyi and one for Taishan Fujun.
Obviously, Zhang Chong decided to sacrifice these two people before the banquet.
Zhang Chong didn't know whether these two people existed, but he knew that when the whole army felt that they were there, then they really existed.
During this battle, countless people saw the clouds that looked like divine generals, and also saw the formation of giant crows, which was protected by Huang Tian and Lord Taishan together.
Zhang Chong came down first, followed by two columns of civil and military personnel. Everyone was solemn and solemn, holding three incense sticks in their hands and two divine tablets in front of them and bowed three times.
At this time, Ma Yuanyi, the divine envoy of Taiping Road in golden crown and yellow clothes, threw a bamboo slip with yellow words that he had written earlier into the fire. What was written on it was the Taishan Army's thanks to Huang Tian and Taishan Prefecture and the sacrifices.
quantity.
For example: a hundred horses, six oxen, a thousand sheep, three hundred pigs, thirty wolves, two tigers, one bear, three stags, stags, and female deers.
These are all things that come at no cost. The horses are dead horses from the battle, the oxen are the mutilated cattle that were injured in the Han camp, the pigs and sheep are the supplies for the Han army, and the wolves, tigers, bears and deer are the game they killed.
When the aroma of the food mixed with the smell of the incense is sent to the sacred tablet, it also means that the sacrifice is ready. The remaining meat is the food of the Taishan Army and the Ruying Yellow Turbans.
And this is the highlight, because Zhang Chong wants to determine who will divide the meat for everyone. This is very important, because dividing the meat here is not just about dividing the meat, it represents who will be Zhang Chong's butcher.
The prime minister here divides the meat and is also the prime minister who assists the monarch.
This important meaning originated from the Chengtang period. At that time, Tangwu had a strange dream before the revolution. He said that in his dream, he dreamed of a strange man carrying a bronze tripod, holding a chopping board, and smiling stupidly at him. When Tangwu woke up
Then he said something with a double meaning:
"The tripod is a utensil used for cooking, and the chopping board is a utensil used for chopping fish. Who in the world is willing to be my slaughterer?"
From then on, Zaiye was given this strong meaning. Later, the daughter of the You Xin family married Tang Wu. As a concubine of the You Xin family, Yi Yin carried a copper tripod on her back, held a chopping board and met Tang, and later assisted Tang.
Wu Chenggong revolution.
This is a strong symbol of the virtuous ministers helping the holy king in the revolution in the dream!
And now the counselors of the Taishan Army were all watching eagerly to see who Zhang Chong was going to hand over the meat-splitting knife in his hand.
Doesn't Zhang Chong know this? Of course Zhang Chong knew it, but he didn't give it to anyone, because the candidate in his mind was the companion, Duman, who guarded Mount Tai for him.
The importance of Duman is even less important than that of He Kui.
Therefore, Zhang Chong did not give anyone the knife in his hand, but planned to divide the meat himself.
Zhang Chong's move was naturally surprising to those highly resourceful counselors. Many of them couldn't help but look at He Kui. He Kui's face was calm, but there was a hint of bitterness in his heart.
Since Zhang Chong comes to divide the meat in person, he needs to bear the consequences of dividing the meat. Why let the Prime Minister divide the meat? It is to let the Prime Minister bear the consequences of dividing the meat. After the meat is divided, everyone is happy, that’s no problem. But this
If the meat is not divided properly and everyone gets into trouble, it is also the slaughter's fault. As long as the slaughter is changed, the resentment will disappear.
But is it really so easy to share meat? Everyone likes the fattest and tenderest piece, but there is only one piece of fattest meat, and there is only one piece of tenderest meat. If you share it with this person, others will not have it. How can you let it go?
Is everyone satisfied?
So dividing meat is never about dividing meat, but politics!
How was Zhang Chong divided?
What he divided was a pig. The meat of the pig can be divided into four grades. The best is the tenderloin; the second is the spine meat and the hind leg meat; the third is the front leg meat and the pork belly; and the last is the blood neck meat and milk breast.
Meat, front elbow, back elbow.
Zhang Chong first chopped off the pig's head and set it aside, then cut out the tenderloin from under the backbone.
Zhang Chong took the tenderest tenderloin and said:
"Yun Chang, please come forward."
Guan Yu, who had a heavy-faced face, was half-squinting the whole time. What was he thinking about the twists and turns before? He looked at those who were looking forward to it, or were proud of it, and felt a little sick in his heart.
The scribes of that generation were all like flies and dogs, scrambling for positions.
But he didn't expect that the first person Zhang Chong called would be him. He was stunned for a moment, then strode forward, knelt down on one knee, and obeyed the order.
Zhang Chong said loudly to all the officials present:
"Guan Yu, the captain of the Zuo Army, made the first contribution in this battle. He penetrated into the crowd of ten thousand people with two thousand soldiers and remained calm in the face of danger, laying the foundation for a great victory in this battle. Guan Yu was a man of silence and never allowed fierce words, but
The color of loyalty can be seen in actions. Yun Chang, please accept this piece of tenderloin."
As Zhang Chong finished speaking, dozens of soldiers behind him loudly repeated Zhang Chong's words:
"Guan Yu is the best in merit."
The sound was like thunder, spreading throughout the whole place, and then there were warm cheers. Those were the officials of the Zuo Xiaowei Department. They shouted:
"In this battle, the merits come first!"
Amid the cheers of his brothers, Guan Yu's face turned red. He took the piece of tenderloin and said word by word:
"I am willing to die for his commander, and I am willing to die for the great cause!"
He didn't say much, but Zhang Chong understood what it meant. Some people's promises are so important that they will use their lives to fulfill them. Zhang Chong was a little moved, patted Guan Yu, and then helped him up.
Zhang Chong took a bowl of wine from the guard, handed it to Guan Yu, and then took a bowl himself.
As soon as Guan Yu took it, he saw that Qu Shuai had already drank it all in one gulp, and he also hurriedly picked it up and drank it all.
"good!"
Zhang Chong said heroically:
"It's my general!"
Then, Zhang Chong asked Guan Yu to step back, and he began to cut the second piece of meat. This piece was the spine, which was the upper part of the tenderloin, the outer ridge part.
The way the three armies cheered for Guan Yu just now has already made all the generals go crazy. Who wouldn't want to take over their honor from Commander Qu in the presence of everyone witnessing and cheering?
Therefore, when Zhang Chong held the Tongji, all the generals watched eagerly.
Zhang Chong shouted:
"Adan, come forward!"
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Dan, who was unsmiling in the crowd, immediately stepped forward, got down on one knee and knelt down heavily:
"Lieutenant Zhang Dan of the Right Military Academy, listen to the order."
Zhang Chong looked at his companion with satisfaction. Adan had always lived up to his training and was now an outstanding general, walking like the wind, resolute and decisive.
Zhang Chong said to the audience again:
"Zhang Dan, the captain of the right army, commanded two thousand troops in this battle, took the lead in defeating the enemy's right wing, and together with the captain of the left army, resisted the Han army's counterattack. This battle was a great achievement! This ridge is the beautiful meat between the ridge and the platoon.
, just like your role in this battle, now I will give it to you, are you satisfied?"
Zhang Dan kowtowed first, then gathered his clothes and took it, saying solemnly:
"I am willing to relieve my troubles for him, and I am willing to shoulder the great cause."
Similarly, during this process, dozens of soldiers behind them loudly repeated Zhang Chong's words:
"Zhang Dan, the backbone of our army."
The same cheers came from the officers of the Right Colonel. They rolled up their sleeves, raised their arms and shouted:
"Zhang Dan, the backbone of our army."
After that, Zhang Chong took out a bowl of wine to Zhang Dan as usual, but this time Zhang Dan drank it all before Zhang Chong could drink it first.
Seeing Zhang Dan like this, Zhang Chong smiled and nodded with satisfaction.
After dividing the tenderloin and clearing the spine, Zhang Chong divided the hind legs this time.
This time, Zhang Chong shouted at Yu Jin.
The officials were obviously taken aback, apparently by surprise.
No wonder everyone was stunned, yes, he did block the attack of the Youzhou Cavalry. But what kind of team did he lead? It was the left part of the Central Guard Army, the most elite armored soldiers in the entire army. But what about such elite armored soldiers?
Six hundred and thirty-two people died in Jin's hands. It can be said that except for the thousand archers and crossbowmen on the left side, the rest of them are no longer able to fight.
This is not over yet. After the war, many of Ru Ying's Yellow Turban commanders complained that Yu Jin's army refused to save them and killed hundreds of their own brothers in front of the battle. Yes, you have a point. Those people did attack your Yu Jin's front.
, but do you have to kill? In short, you are right in banning, right?
Because of these complaints and such huge battle losses, the army's lieutenants and generals had guessed that Yu Jin's military exploits in this battle would not be very great. After all, we have to consider Ru Ying Huangjin's emotions.
But who knew that Qu Shuai still reported Yu Jin’s third contribution. Although Qu Shuai only reported Guan Yu’s first contribution, everyone already knows the true ranking of merits from the order and the parts of the meat.
Obviously, even if Ru Yinghuangjin complained, Qu Shuai still chose Yu Jin, and he was indeed our Qu Shuai.
Yu Jin in the crowd was stunned when he heard Qu Shuai's announcement, and his eyes turned red. Finally, Zhang Da from behind pushed him, and then he pushed through the crowd and walked to Zhang Chong.
Zhang Chong looked at the tearful tiger general, smiled, wiped away his tears with his thumb, and said jokingly:
"Why, General Tiebi didn't even cry when he faced the charge of Youzhou Cavalry, but he cried when he felt a little wronged?"
Yu Jin tried hard to control himself, and imitated Guan Yu and Zhang Dan, knelt down on one knee and cried:
"The end will be forbidden, come on!"
Zhang Chong held up the hind leg meat and said to everyone present:
"He is Yu Jin, the iron wall of our army. In this battle, it was the left guard of the Yu Jin belt who fought hard to block the Youzhou sudden cavalry attack. It can be said that it was Yu Jin who made me sit on my butt.
Steady. Now, I will give him the piece of hind leg meat in my hand, who of you objects?"
Naturally no one objected, everyone was shouting:
"Yu Jin, General Iron Wall!"
At this moment, in the cheers, all Yu Jin's grievances turned into water. He carried too much on his shoulders. He slept in the doctor's camp for the past two days. Whenever a soldier from the left side of the Central Guard Army died, his waist
He was just a little shorter. He never felt that he was at fault in this battle, but seeing his brothers die in front of him, he felt so guilty.
But now, Qu Shuai recognizes him and understands him, and Yu Jin feels that everything is worth it.
So he knelt on his knees and kowtowed heavily:
"A certain person will be imprisoned and is willing to go through fire and water for the Zhang family for generations to come."
Zhang Chong was taken aback by these words, and he always felt that Yu Jin's words might become true.
After dividing the tenderloin, clearing the spine and backing off. It can be said that the best meat has been divided, so Zhang Chong said to everyone:
"This pig has four hooves, and it relies on them for crossing ravines and wading streams. And our army also has four pillars. These four pillars are the generals with strong arms. Therefore, these four hooves must be divided among these four people."
Then Zhang Chong asked Li Damu, Dian Wei, Meng Ju, and Cai Que to come up and get the pig's trotters. These four people were the four pillars of the army selected by Zhang Chong.
In the end, the remaining front legs, belly, neck, and breasts, which contained the most meat, were distributed one by one by Zhang Chong to the mid-level officials of each army. With a special comment, Zhang Chong specially gave a piece of milk to Ding Sheng.
, didn’t say anything, but Ding Sheng made up everything in his head.
Cutting meat again and again, cheering again and again, directly filled the atmosphere of the banquet.
Finally, all the pork was eaten, and Zhang Chong formally addressed everyone:
"There are three things left: eat, eat, and eat. Brothers, open up!"
Then there was another burst of cheers, and everyone finally gathered around the table full of food to eat happily.
At this time, the differences between the local people in Taishan Army were revealed.
For example, people from Taishan like to eat meat on millet rice, which is called pork rice. People from Lu people like to eat mutton. They say they have never eaten mutton in their lives, saying that it is only eaten by nobles, and they have to eat it today.
I want to taste what it tastes like. People in Runan love to eat game, venison, and tiger meat. They have tasted them all.
But no matter where people live, they all love to eat beef. Unfortunately, there is too little beef, so it just tastes bad.
For a banquet of ten thousand people, it is easy to imagine how quickly the food is consumed, and the cooks can only keep cooking. They use huge pots and chimneys, and the tongs and shovels they use are huge, and several people have to work together. Often one person
The sheep was put into the whole pot and cooked until it was half-cooked before being served.
The aroma of meat in the air can spread for ten miles, and just smelling it brings a sense of satisfaction. I believe that even decades later, these Taishan Army officials will not forget the meat that night.
The generals in the middle tent were also laughing constantly, eating meat and drinking wine. The staff were in high spirits, composing poems and singing about the joy of the banquet. The warriors didn't understand this, and in short, whoever came just said one word:
"drink!"
For them, it's all in the wine.
Tian Jun was small in stature, but he had a lot of energy. He went around trying to persuade people to drink, and he drank a lot of people. Even Guan Yu was so drunk that he lay down on the desk and pretended to sleep while hiding from the wine.
And someone like Ding Sheng, whose intestines are too straight, would drink after complimenting him, but the man who knew how to drink already lay down on the table for a few times, and kept muttering:
"Let me tell you, I, Ding Daqi, am the best in martial arts. Hehehehe!"
Li Damu wanted to help him up, but he held his hand and kept talking.
There are no generals from the Fei Army carrying flags. They are all wandering outside with Meng Ju. This is their responsibility. If the whole army is relaxed, they cannot relax, even if the Han army has been completely defeated.
At this moment, Zhang Chong was also a little drunk.
When Zhang Chong was just dividing the meat, he drank dozens of bowls of wine in a row. Even if it was low-alcohol wine, he couldn't bear to drink like this. After pouring the water for the sixth time, Zhang Chong saw Zhang Dan coming up to offer a toast again, so Zhang Chong hurriedly said:
"Adan, it's too much, it's too much, it's going to explode."
Drunk Zhang Dan grabbed Zhang Chong's hand:
"Ah Chong, time flies so fast! In the blink of an eye, we walked here from Da Sang. Who could have imagined that we naughty people in Da Sang could be like this."
Zhang Chong squinted his eyes and said meaningfully:
"Adan, good times are yet to come. Now, we have just started, and there are more difficulties waiting for us later. When we succeed, I will drink with my old brothers again."
Zhang Dan wanted to say something, but at this moment, someone suddenly started singing:
"Raise swords and soldiers, exchange for peace, and teach the world to restore the Qingming Dynasty."
"There are fields to cultivate and houses to live in, and only the well-being of the people will be left behind."
Everyone hugged each other and sang this song repeatedly for a long time.
Zhang Chong looked at the stars shining in the night sky and murmured: