"The barbarians pay homage to the commander-in-chief."
Zuo Menggeng's demeanor and aura made people all over the world feel moved and wanted to meet him on the spot.
His legs were about to soften, but they were stopped by a pair of big hands.
When he raised his head again, what he saw was Zuo Mengeng's annoyed look.
"Why kneel?"
Lian Shanhai didn't know what was going on and was a little worried.
"The common people admire the commander's demeanor and can't help but... can't help but..."
Then he felt a lightness in his body and stood up again.
Zuo Mengeng's expression was very serious.
"Lian Shanhai, Commander of the Fourth Regiment of the Northward Army!"
"arrive!"
Lian Shanhai reacted instinctively and immediately straightened his body, held his head high, and was full of energy.
This made Zuo Meng even more satisfied.
"You are a soldier, don't you understand the rules?"
Lian Shanhai's face turned red for a rare moment, and he said in a loud voice: "You are the commander-in-chief..."
Zuo Mengeng interrupted him.
"I am both the commander-in-chief and your comrade in the army. You don't need me to teach you how to meet each other, right?"
Lian Shanhai's whole body trembled, and he felt a warm breath rushing through his body. He raised his right hand, put his thumbs together, and raised it to his eyebrows.
"Lian Shanhai, commander of the fourth regiment of the Northbound Army, reports to the commander-in-chief."
Zuo Mengeng smiled slightly and raised his hand in return.
"Wei Yuanfeng, General Wu and the others should have told you that in Shandong, everyone is equal and there is no need to kneel and kowtow."
Lian Shanhai scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"The commander of the Guards said that, but when his subordinates saw the commander-in-chief, they were so excited that they forgot about it."
Zuo Mengeng laughed loudly, looking at the others who were still a little nervous, and said: "Company commander, please introduce me to these friends from far away."
Just the word "friend" makes these primitive people feel warm in their hearts, and a sense of intimacy permeates their whole bodies.
"I am Heishui, the leader of the Manjing Guards. Please, the respected commander, accept the gift from our Manjing Guards."
It is obvious that Heishui has made adequate preparations.
He took out an exquisite wooden box, and when he opened it, it turned out to be a thousand-year-old ginseng, which was also paved with expensive silk underneath.
Zuo Mengeng couldn't refuse this kind of gift.
He took it with both hands and hugged Heishui.
Heishui didn't expect him to be so approachable, and he was completely dumbfounded. Recalling the hug just now, a silly smile appeared on his face.
After him, other primitive people also gave precious gifts one by one.
Zuo Mengeng accepted all the orders, and all of them, old and young, gave him a hug.
This is a very noble etiquette among the Jurchens.
Being able to open your arms means being unguarded and sincerely accepting.
In order to receive these people from far away, Zuo Menggeng really learned a lot.
For a time, both the guest and the host had a great time, and their hearts became closer to each other.
On that day, Zuo Mengeng arranged a sumptuous dinner and entertained Lian Shanhai and others in the commander-in-chief's residence.
The Commander-in-Chief's move was even more extraordinary. A table full of delicacies made these primitive people almost swallow their tongues.
Fortunately they remembered that there were important things to do.
Heishui stood up.
"The Legion that went north has helped us a lot over the years, allowing us savages to live a peaceful life. Unlike those who founded the state, they only bullied us, stole our wealth and women, and captured us as slaves.
We have discussed it and hope to become your subjects."
This is an original issue.
Zuo Mengeng had already thought about how to deal with it.
He slowed down his speech.
"Although you have lived in the far north for generations and lived an isolated life, we are not isolated from each other. During the Tang Dynasty hundreds of years ago, the place where you were was the territory of the Tang Dynasty. The same was true for the Yuan Dynasty later.
More than two hundred years ago, Ming Dynasty official Yi Shiha once visited Nuergandusi and built Yongning Temple. It can be said that we have been a family for a long time. This is also the purpose of the Northward Army. I hope it can help you live a better life.
life."
Lian Shanhai was a little anxious.
"Commander, we all want to be Han Chinese, not Jurchens."
Zuo Mengeng was quite pleased to see that these primitive people had such a strong desire to naturalize.
"In fact, there are many people living in this country today, including Han people, Miao people, Hui people, Mongolians, and of course Jurchens. Although the ethnic groups are different, they all belong to one country, which I call the Chinese nation. Therefore.
You don’t need to mind your national identity, you can live uprightly under this sky.”
These words had lofty intentions. Although they were a bit profound, because they came from his mouth, Lian Shanhai and others were immediately relieved of their worries.
Zuo Mengeng also used Lianshanhai as an example.
"For example, your company commander is doing well in the army heading north. Is there anything you don't feel comfortable with? Or has someone bullied you?"
Lian Shanhai quickly shook his head.
"No, no, everyone is very kind to me and taught me a lot. The commander of the Guards also recommended me to study in the military academy, hoping that I can make more progress."
Zuo Mengeng smiled.
"Then do you know who the principal of the military academy is?"
Lian Shanhai really didn't know, so he shook his head in confusion.
Zuo Mengeng pointed to himself.
"I am the principal of the military academy. Once you enter the military academy, you will be my student from now on."
Lian Shanhai was stunned for a moment. He never thought that one day he would establish a close relationship with Zuo Mengeng.
No wonder other members of the regiment heading north are so envious when it comes to studying at the military academy.
Is there anyone in this world who wouldn’t want to be a student who can become a commander-in-chief?
Even Heishui couldn't help it after hearing this.
"Commander, I also want to join the New Army, and I also want to go to the military academy to study."
Looking at the strong and simple Heishui, Zuo Menggeng liked it very much.
"If you want to join the new army, I can approve it now. But if you want to enter the military academy, you have to undergo certain training and make certain achievements. We have agreed that everyone will be treated equally, so whether you can enter the military academy,
It depends on your efforts."
Zuo Mengeng did not open the back door to Heishui, but instead made these newly naturalized people feel at ease.
To put it bluntly, in the past, the Ming Dynasty treated these foreign races equally, and it was considered kind if they did not bully them.
These foreigners don't ask for much, and being able to enjoy the same treatment as the Han people is enough to make them ecstatic.
Only by treating everyone equally can we have a sense of identity, cohesion, and become a family.
Zuo Mengeng saw the cruel side of the Ming Dynasty in its treatment of foreigners, and also saw the shortcomings of later generations' treatment of foreigners. Based on the combination of the two, he decided to adopt an impartial and fair approach.
And fairness is already extremely rare.
"Is this your son?"
Looking at Dahu nestling next to Lian Shanhai, his simple and bright eyes are very endearing.
The biggest hero in Dahu's mind is his father. Seeing that his father was obedient to Zuo Mengeng, he was instinctively afraid and did not dare to say a word.
Zuo Mengeng had plans.
"Fusong, come here."
Zheng Chenggong was eating at the table next to him when he heard the call and ran over.
Zuo Mengeng pointed at Dahu and told him: "This is a new friend, about the same age as you. He still doesn't understand many things. You have to take care of him, do you understand?"
After Zheng Chenggong came here, apart from going to school, there was nothing to do around him.
At this time, I couldn't help but feel very happy when I saw Dahu who was similar in age.
"Dahu, can I take you to set off firecrackers?"
Dahu paused for a moment and then remembered that the firecrackers were the fun thing they saw on the way here.
After all, it’s the nature of a child’s mind.
He looked at his father expectantly.
Lian Shanhai was particularly moved when he saw Zuo Mengeng personally arranging playmates for his children.
"Go ahead and have fun with your new friends and don't fight."
Dahu immediately became happy and chased Zheng Chenggong. The two and a half young men ran away.
