On New Year's Eve, Li Zhen had already returned to the Jiangbei camp with all his soldiers.
Since Shi Dakai chose to pretend to attack Shandong, Li Zhen had no need to stay and simply returned to the camp with his soldiers. In fact, Shi Dakai and Li Zhen failed to achieve their respective goals in the first battle.
Shi Dakai pretended to attack Shandong, intending to mobilize Li Zhen's army, but failed because Li Zhen chose to wait and see what happened. Li Zhen used meteorite carvings to disturb the opponent's military morale and wanted to attack Shi Dakai's army, but failed because Shi Dakai attacked Shandong.
Neither of them succeeded.
At noon, Li Zhen, Huang Shihai, Yang Banhou, Yang Luchan, Huan Xiaolang and other military personnel gathered in the Chinese army tent. Li Zhen's conference table had been turned into a wine table, filled with all kinds of dishes. , there are countless fine wines, wines and delicacies, which are extremely rich. Shi Dakai has no supplies, so he can only take supplies from towns along the way, or rely on ordinary people to supply them.
Li Zhen was different. Li Zhen had supplies from the government and the gentry of Yangzhou. He was not short of food or money. Li Zhen stood up with a wine bottle and said: "Everyone, today is the New Year. I am here to wish you all a happy New Year." ."
After that, Li Zhen drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
"Happy New Year, handsome."
Huang Shihai smiled and shouted, and then Yang Luchan, Dong Haichuan and others all opened their mouths to congratulate. It was very lively.
Li Zhen sat down, looked at Mu Ziqing, and joked: "Ziqing has just returned from abroad. This is the first time he has celebrated the Chinese New Year in the military. This time I can't reunite you with your family. I'm sorry as a brother." , However, with this guy Huan Xiaolang accompanying you, the two of you spending the New Year in the army will be quite unique and very interesting to think about."
Mu Ziqing curled her lips and glanced at Li Zhen.
At first, he listened to Li Zhen's words seriously and was quite moved, but in the end he changed.
Huan Xiaolang smiled and said, "Sir, I'd like to toast you."
Li Zhen nodded, poured the wine and drank it in one gulp. Immediately, Li Zhen's eyes fell on Zheng Zaoru who was sitting behind him, and he said with a smile: "Mr. Zheng, you just joined us this year. I hope you can Show your strengths and give full play to your talents. Come on, today is a great day, I’d like to toast you.”
Zheng Zaoru was flattered and stood up to return the favor.
However, when he stood, he felt his body trembling slightly.
This is not fear, but excitement.
The dignified imperial envoy, the feudal official who commanded tens of thousands of troops and controlled countless civilians toasted to him. What an honor it was. Zheng Zaoru felt warm in his heart. After drinking and sitting down, his mind was in a trance. I feel like I'm in a dream.
After Li Zhenjing paid tribute to Zheng Zaoru, he then looked at the surrendered general Li Xiucheng and said: "Captain Li, you have been in the camp for a long time and have joined the army for a while. Taking this opportunity, I hope you can join the army as soon as possible." Familiar with things in the military, familiar with the rules of the military, integrate into the military, I hope you can show your strengths and show your abilities."
After Li Xiucheng surrendered, he was appointed battalion commander and commanded a battalion of soldiers. He looked at Li Zhen with gratitude in his eyes. As a subordinated general, he was proud to receive such treatment.
Next, Li Zhen toasted one by one. Even though he drank a lot, his eyes became blurred.
However, Li Zhen was really happy.
It is worthwhile for the soldiers in the army to be of one mind. Only when the hearts of the army are united can the strongest combat effectiveness be exerted. If there is mutual distrust, it is definitely not what Li Zhen wants to see. Li Zhen looked at a man sitting in the tent. He is a familiar face and feels warm in his heart. With such a group of people following him, this life has been worth it.
Everyone was passing cups and cups, and the camp was very lively.
Especially the two old guys, Yang Luchan and Dong Haichuan, began to persuade them to drink and talk about past events. The whole scene was enjoyable and there was no barrier at all.
"call."
The tent door curtain was rolled up, and a gust of cold wind blew in.
Li Zhen shivered when the cold wind blew, and he immediately woke up. There were charcoal burning in the tent, which was warm, and he didn't feel cold. The soldier who reported the news laughed loudly while looking at the people at the table, talking casually, and some In a daze, after all, it was rare for them to see an army general so casual. The soldiers saluted Li Zhen and said loudly: "Commander, the gentry from nearby Yangzhou have arrived at the gate of the camp and have come to wish the commander a happy new year."
"Oh, please."
Li Zhen immediately gave the order, and after the soldier who sent the message left, he said: "You eat slowly, and I will greet the visitors."
"Commander, I will go with you."
Ye Chengzhong, who was Li Zhen's secretary, stood up immediately. This boy was young and had drunk wine again. His face was as red as Guan Gong's. He stood up, and Huang Shihai also stood up and said: "Commander, I'm going too."
"Commander, I'm going too."
…
The generals stood up one by one, some of them holding wine glasses in their hands, which was quite funny.
Li Zhen said with a straight face, shaking his head: "What are you going to do? Just have Xiaoye with me. Sit down and have a good reunion dinner. After you finish eating, don't get drunk. Remember to visit the soldiers in the army." , don’t forget these people who also need care.”
After speaking, Li Zhen and Ye Chengzhong left together.
When he arrived at the gate of the camp, Li Zhen saw the two leading gentry. They were Sun Youcheng and Kuang Jiacheng, the leaders of the gentry. These two old men were thickly dressed and wrapped themselves like rice dumplings. Seeing Li Zhen come out to greet them in person, they The old man was so excited that the wrinkles on his face that looked like old tree bark stretched out, and he responded with a smile.
"My lord, happy new year."
Sun Youcheng saluted Li Zhen respectfully, with a humble expression and no sign of relying on his elders. Kuang Jiacheng and the gentry behind him also saluted, with messy voices, but full of joy.
Li Zhen glanced around and found that everyone was carrying gifts.
Moreover, each family has dozens or hundreds of followers. There are at least ten families who came to congratulate Li Zhen. The number of followers is nearly a thousand, and the momentum is huge, like a long dragon stretching across the outside of the camp. Li Zhen led Sun Youcheng and others entered the tent, but it was Huang Shihai's big tent.
Li Zhen smiled and said: "Thank you very much for Mr. Sun and everyone taking time out on this New Year's Day."
Sun Youcheng said: "It is also a blessing for us to be able to pay New Year greetings to you."
The rest of the people agreed one after another, all very happy.
Li Zhen received Sun Youcheng wholeheartedly and talked about the New Year and the Taiping Army. When Li Zhen promised to work hard to suppress the bandits, the people of the major families felt relieved. Sun Youcheng was an extremely shrewd person. He talked with Li Zhen Later, he heard the news about the Taiping Army and took the people away knowingly. He came here just to get familiar with each other and had no intention of getting anything.
Li Zhen sent off Sun Youcheng's group, but before they returned to the Chinese army's tent, officials from around Yangzhou came to pay New Year's greetings.
Li Zhen met with the officials and gave them affirmations. However, Li Zhen had no intention of talking too much with these people. He only had a superficial exchange and then sent away the visiting officials. Next, people from all walks of life came. Most of the visits were done by paying New Year greetings to get acquainted with each other, or they came specifically to see Li Zhen.
The people who came to see Li Zhen didn't stay long, they came and went in a very short time.
However, Li Zhen became impatient. He handed the matter over to Ye Chengzhong and let Ye Chengzhong handle it. As long as they were not important people, Ye Chengzhong would receive them. In this way, Li Zhen could relax.