On July 21, the eighth year of Chongzhen's reign, outside the official reception pavilion ten miles south of Tongcheng, there were various honor guards from the county government. Two teams of about a hundred soldiers each stood solemnly on the east side.
Cicadas chirped one after another on the surrounding willow trees. Tongcheng became even hotter after the heavy rain, and everyone was sweating profusely [Literature Museum www.wxguan.info].
Yang Erming walked around a little anxiously in the pavilion, while Pang Yu sat on a bench in the pavilion, fanning leisurely with a cattail leaf fan.
After receiving the news about the rogue bandits, he immediately dispatched two hundred general bureaus to garrison Tongcheng. On July 13, he received an order from Anchi to prepare for the road and mobilized all battalions to reinforce Tongcheng. He has been stationed in the county seat, waiting for Shi Daotai.
s arrival.
Different from last year, the surviving states and counties in South Zhili are very concerned about the situation in Henan. Because of doubts about the efficiency of the Ministry of War and the governor's office, many states and counties have sent their own spies to Henan, such as Shouzhou, Taihe County, and Luzhou.
, Tongcheng, Wuwei Prefecture, etc., and even Anqing Prefecture are included.
Therefore, the intelligence work was much more effective than last year. In June, rogue bandits began to leave Tongguan one after another. Tongcheng got the news in July. Then the news came one after another. Shouzhou, Taihe, Luzhou and other places had already begun preparations for war in advance.
.
According to last year's plan, Tongcheng stockpiled food and equipment in the city. Large families went to Songyang, and some even lived on boats.
With the arrival of the Anqing garrison, people in Tongcheng calmed down. As long as everyone saw Pang Bantou, they believed that the rogue bandits could not defeat Tongcheng.
Even Pang Yu himself wasn't too worried, after all, Tongcheng's city wall had withstood the test.
And the newly appointed Shi Kefa has to go to the front line in person, which makes everyone feel more relieved.
Seeing Yang Erming's appearance, Pang Yu couldn't help but said, "Sir, there is no need to worry. I heard that Shidaotai is gentle and elegant, and he should be an easy-to-get-together Shangguan."
Yang Erming stopped after hearing this. He is only sixteen years old this year, and in Pang Yu's eyes, he is still a high school student, but after these few months of experience, his demeanor is much calmer than that of his peers.
"I'm not worried about meeting Shi Daotai."
Yang Erming came to sit next to Pang Yu and frowned, "There is news about Henan every day. I heard that more and more bandits are leaving Tongguan, and they continue for hundreds of miles for several days.
If you want to go to Anqing, the city may be able to be defended, but the outside of the city will definitely be difficult to protect. General Pang, tell me, the houses they burned last year have not been rebuilt yet, so why is it coming again?"
"Not all rogue bandits will come to Anqing. Mr. Yang, if you lead the troops on a march, you will know that a road cannot supply many soldiers. When rogue bandits come out of Shaanxi, they will not bring much supplies. They can only rely on looting along the way.
, the ones behind will starve.
As soon as they enter Henan, they will scatter in all directions and loot and provide food through many roads."
Yang Erming breathed a sigh of relief. Pang Yu had an inexplicable authority in his heart, and it seemed that what he said was quite credible.
"What do you mean, General Pang, that the bandits will not come to Tongcheng?"
"I don't dare to say that I can't come. I just say that even if I come, it won't be with thousands of troops."
Pang Yu comforted him and said, "As long as Mr. Shi leads his troops and horses across the river, there should be no worries about protecting Tongcheng."
"Then General Pang is talking about preserving the county seat or the county territory?"
Pang Yu raised his head and glanced at Yang Erming. He was the one who asked Yang Erming this question last year, but now the roles have been reversed.
"It depends on how many bandits there are and what Shi Daotai thinks."
Yang Erming's anxiety was not completely eliminated, and just as he was about to continue talking, a gong sounded from the south, and a red queue appeared on the official road in the distance.
...an official sedan chair was parked outside the reception pavilion, and Tongcheng officials and gentry all knelt on the ground.
Next to him, Zhou Xian Cheng was breathing heavily. Pang Yu took a sneak peek and saw a long stream of saliva coming out of Zhou Xian Cheng's mouth, looking like he was struggling. It wasn't that he was nervous, but that his old illness had relapsed.
Since the invasion of rogue bandits at the beginning of the year, Mr. Zhou's health has been deteriorating. Pang Yu has not forgotten the support he received from him, and went to visit him in person as soon as he returned to Tongcheng.
The curtain of the official sedan in front was raised. Pang Yu knelt on the ground and looked up, and saw a pair of official boots falling on the ground.
"I went to Tongcheng County Magistrate Yang Erming and led the government officials and gentry to kowtow on the platform to welcome me!"
A gentle voice from the front said, "Jinxian, please get up, everyone, please get up."
After hearing this, Pang Yu quickly answered, "My subordinates have received military orders from Master Daotai to assist in guarding Tongcheng, and Anqing has been guarding Pang Yu to welcome Master Daotai."
"Pang Guards please rise."
Pang Yu then stood up and stood respectfully with his hands lowered. This famous official of Nanming finally appeared in front of him.
Shi Kefa is half a head shorter than Pang Yu. He has a thin cheek and a dry beard. He is about in his early thirties. According to his current rank, he can be regarded as a young and promising official. Compared with Zhang Guowei, his eyes are gentler and he is calm beyond his age.
Although it was midsummer, Shi Kefa was sweating profusely, but he was still fully dressed. Pang Yu noticed that his official uniform had a peacock patch. He should be a third-grade or junior civil servant. The last time he saw Zhang Guowei, Pang Yu
I didn't look closely because I was nervous, so I didn't know how many products it was.
Just like the governor, the official position of marshaling troops and preparing roads is a matter-of-fact arrangement and does not belong to the official position. Shi Kefa's official position is Jiangxi Chief Secretary, a third-rank official, and Zhang Guowei's official position is the imperial envoy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, a fourth-rank official.
It seems that Shi Kefa is half a level higher, but the governor also needs to oversee the military and road preparation, which will cause confusion in terms of etiquette.
In order to make the rank consistent with the relationship between superiors and subordinates, the imperial court would often add an empty title of Minister of War to the governor, which would make him a third-rank official, which was higher than the rank of Military Bei Dao.
Some of the truths in this were told by those friends. If it weren't for these people, Pang Yu would have been confused. He didn't understand why the Ming Dynasty made a simple official level so complicated. At the same time, he had no idea about the officials in the court.
Gain a new understanding of status.
Shi Kefa looked the two of them up and down and said, "On the occasion of our arrival, Mr. Zhang Du told me that a young county magistrate in Tongcheng and a young general are both rare talents. To hold on to Anqing, we must have two of them. Today, one day
You see, you two are indeed young heroes, and no one can help but say that Tongcheng is truly an outstanding person."
Yang Erming praised everyone present in one sentence, and Yang Erming and the two of them dared not talk to each other. After being praised by Shi Kefa, the surrounding atmosphere became a little more relaxed.
Pang Yu secretly took a look at Shi Kefa. Sure enough, he was able to achieve military preparation at such a young age, and his speaking skills were much higher than those in the county government.
Shi Kefa looked at the other officials and gentry present again, and said in a gentle tone, "You all fought hard to defeat thieves at the beginning of the year and kept the people of Tongcheng safe. This is the supreme merit of the officials and gentry. On behalf of Zhang Duye, I would like to thank you all.
The merit of protecting the people.
This time the rogue bandits have entered Henan again, and I have specially led troops here. I hope that you will work with me as you did at the beginning of the year to protect Tongcheng and live up to my emperor's heavy mission."
Everyone in the venue was humble. Yang Erming took Shi Kefa and introduced him to the people in the venue one by one. Shi Kefa was very kind and talked a few words with everyone.
When Pang Yu had time, he took a look behind the official road and saw Pan Keda first. Pan Keda was looking at him coldly. Pang Yu was not angry and nodded with a smile.
In front of Pan Keda was a general he had never seen before. He was about forty years old. He looked a little stout and did not look like he could be used to fighting. There were some well-dressed officers behind him, who might be low-level officers.
He glanced back again, and saw that the official road was filled with troops, extending far back, but the formation was quite chaotic.
The people in the front are probably two servants, but the total number is only about 200, mostly in red fat coats. The people in the back are colorful and colorful, and many people are half-clothed. I am afraid they are strong men who have been brought in to make up the numbers.
The meeting ceremony over there was over. Shi Kefa was about to get on the sedan. He casually glanced at the garrison camp on the roadside. He paused, then suddenly turned around and walked towards the queue.
Yang Erming and Pang Yu had no choice but to wait, while Shi Kefa walked sideways along the queue. The garrison battalion in front of him was neatly lined up, and all the soldiers were upright. Due to the intensive training in the summer, the soldiers looked dark and strong, and some of the soldiers in the front row were wearing clothes.
Chain armor, compared with the officers and soldiers on the official road, has a majestic air.
Shi Kefa walked to the end of the queue, turned to Pang Yu and asked, "Are these all General Pang's servants?"
Pang Yu hurriedly replied, "I'm reporting to you, sir, there are no family members in the official camp.
These soldiers were selected one by one by the official, and every one of them is a strong and strong man. When they join my camp, they are warriors who want to kill thieves and serve the country. They are all soldiers of the imperial court, and none of them is the official's own servant."
Shi Kefa was a little surprised in his eyes. It was the custom for generals to have servants at this time, and it was also the guarantee of their status. He didn't expect Pang Yu to say such a thing.
Pang Yuze had been observing Shi Kefa's demeanor. In the message sent by Mr. Ma, he specifically reminded him that Shi Kefa was a member of the Donglin Party.
Pang Yu had already understood the style of the Donglin Party through his interactions with Ruan Dacheng, Zhang Guowei, and Fushe scholars.
Sure enough, Shi Kefa then showed an expression of appreciation, nodded to Pang Yu and said, "General Pang is so young, he can have such knowledge.
No wonder Zhang Duye said that General Pang is different from ordinary warriors."
Shi Kefa turned to Yang Erming and said, "With such a majestic general, I am more confident in holding on to Anqing. I originally planned to have a detailed discussion with you two at the Fenshoudao Branch, but at this time I am not unhappy."
The two people quickly stood up and listened. Shi Kefa glanced at the queue again. Pang Yu thought that he would continue to praise him. As long as Shi Kefa was satisfied with the Anqing garrison and could provide more resources in the future, the financial pressure would be much less.
"Since I took over Anchi Bingbei Road, I have been planning day and night.
The trend of rogue bandits comes and goes intermittently, and millions of people come and roar away. Anqing is a thoroughfare that connects Huguang, Henan, and Jiangbei. If we want to defend such a vast territory, how can we have so many soldiers and generals?"
Pang Yu suddenly felt something was wrong, and took a sneak look at Shi Kefa. From what he meant, it seemed that he was not planning to increase his troops.
Shi Kefa's face became serious, "When the bandits entered the country at the beginning of the year, they could protect themselves wherever there were cities. However, in Susong and Taihu, there were no cities in the hidden mountains, so the poison was the worst.
I was ordered to seal the territory and protect both the land and the people.
In Anqing, all the people in the plains and close to the official roads should gather in villages and set up forts. When the rogue bandits enter, they should enter the forts to protect each other. The rogue bandits will recognize the difficulty and retreat."
Yang Erming hesitated and said, "What you say makes sense, but in rural areas, when a stronghold is built and a fort is built, the money and food expenses..." "If there is insufficient money and food in the stronghold where there is a large gathering, I can help raise it. This is the guardianship."
The key to protecting the people is to do what must be done. In this way, all the people will have shelter, no wealth and food will be scattered, and the land will be filled with hundreds of forts and thousands of strongholds to protect thousands of people. The rogues will gain nothing from their comings and goings, and they will naturally not commit crimes again."
The Shi Kefa in front of him was full of energy after speaking and was very confident in his strategy. Pang Yu followed Yang Erming to take orders and couldn't help but frown slightly when he lowered his head.