On the evening of October 25th, when I finished giving instructions on the memorial, it was already midnight.
I came to the Southern Song Dynasty for exactly one year.
Sitting in the Imperial Study Room, I couldn't help but think of the time I traveled a year ago. The Mausoleum of the Young Emperor, the Elder in Black, the murals in the corridor and the stone gate at the end of the corridor all came to my mind. Moving forward, the subway, High-rise buildings, bright office buildings, relatives and friends, and of course, Lelingshan, which is unforgettable to me. There is another pain in my heart. It has been a whole year. I can never let it go. I can never forget it.
Is this what a guardian must experience?
When I think of this, I can only sigh.
Compared with the two major war zones of Lin'an and Guangnan, the establishment of the Royal Forest Army was much more convenient and faster. Firstly, because the number of people was smaller, and secondly, because the core generals of this team had already been identified.
The Royal Forest Army was the first army established according to the squad, platoon and company structure of later generations. It would also become the first hot-weapons unit in the Song Dynasty with musketeers as the main force. The number of troops totaled 10,000, which was roughly equivalent to the personnel of an army in later generations. Establishment. In my plan, the Royal Guards will serve as the sharp sword of the Northern Expedition, not just my personal guards. In the most difficult places, the Royal Guards will definitely appear. In addition to the Youth Guard and the Yangzhou Army, the other eight thousand and five thousand The hundred people are respectively the leaders of the Forbidden Army and the elite of the newly recruited soldiers.
On October 28th of the first year of Xianchun (7 a.m.), a cold wind blew by, bringing with it a chill.
I, the commander of the Royal Guards Army, was accompanied by Deputy Commander Xie Daolin, Division Commanders Wen Zhang and Zhang Shijie, Privy Council Envoy Jia Sidao, Minister of War Fan Wenhuan, Military Affairs Council Lu Xiufu and others. I came to the temporary residence of the Imperial Guards. That is the former youth. Guard station. Participate in the flag presentation ceremony of the Royal Guards.
This is the second time I have officially come to the military camp. Just like the last time, Yuan Ji and Xiao Qi were guarding me every step of the way. However, I no longer feel as nervous as last time. You know, I am this The commander-in-chief of the Royal Forest Army.
The original Youth Guard's garrison could only accommodate more than 1,500 people at full capacity. However, there was a large square to the east that could accommodate 2,000 soldiers.
At this time, there were four square formations arranged in the square. They were composed of 500 people each from the original Youth Guards, the original Forbidden Army, the Musketeers brought back by Zhang Shijie from Yangzhou, and the soldiers newly recruited from the civilian population. The two thousand soldiers on the field were Selected from the newly established Royal Forest Army to participate in the flag presentation ceremony.
Judging from the formation of the phalanx, although the uniforms of the soldiers in each formation are different, except for the phalanx of new recruits, the other phalanxes are neat and tidy, giving people a pleasing feeling. It is obvious that they are well-trained.
A five-meter-high wooden platform was temporarily built in front of the square. A group of generals and I braved the cold winter wind to climb onto the platform. On the platform, I waved to the soldiers below and sat down. I sat on the seats on the high platform. At this moment, the two thousand soldiers on the field were silent. Their eyes were all staring at me on the high platform - the emperor of the Song Dynasty.
Except for the sound of the wind, the scene seemed very quiet.
"I have seen the emperor. I have seen the emperor." The two thousand soldiers thought involuntarily. Although no one said a word, it was clearly written on everyone's face. "I am extremely excited. This time it is truly true." Saw the Emperor up close."
In an era without photos and the Internet, it was a great honor for ordinary people to see the emperor's face.
In fact, even the soldiers at the front were nearly ten meters away from the high platform. In addition, in the early morning of winter, there was a slight mist, and the visibility was not very good. Therefore, the soldiers standing in the front could only see an outline. More Don't talk about the soldiers later.
After getting my approval, Xie Daolin walked to the front of the high platform and said loudly: "Fellow soldiers of the Royal Guards, today is a great day for our Royal Guards. Please remember that this day is October 28th of the first year of Xianchun. This is the day when our Royal Guards Army officially becomes an army. As we all know, the Royal Guards Army is His Majesty the Emperor's personal bodyguard. Do you feel it is a great honor to be able to join it?"
"yes."
Xie Dao Linyun had enough energy. He shook his head and said: "The voice is not loud enough. Didn't you all have breakfast? The Royal Forest Army should have the momentum of the Royal Forest Army. Let's do it again. I asked and you answered. Do you feel a sense of honor? "
"yes."
Although it is not very neat, the sound is like thunder and deafening.
"Xie Daolin is indeed the number one master of the Lin family. It's only because he is so powerful that he can make his voice spread throughout the audience without using a loudspeaker." I praised secretly.
"Okay. This sound sounds like it was made by a soldier of the Imperial Guard Army." Xie Daolin smiled heartily. "The founding and flag-presenting ceremony of the Imperial Guard Army begins now. The whole army listens to the order. Stand at attention and take a rest. Okay. Now I invite His Majesty the Emperor. That is, the commander of our Royal Guards. Announces military orders."
I walked up to Xie Daolin and said, "Thank you, Aiqing, for conveying my will. First of all, announce the establishment of the Royal Forest Army."
My voice could not reach the entire square. So Xie Daolin became my loudspeaker.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xie Daolin then said loudly to the people below. "The Emperor's decree. The Royal Forest Army has been officially established." After saying this, he took the lead in applauding. Seeing this, the two thousand soldiers on the field also clapped their hands. .For a moment, thunderous applause resounded throughout the sky.
After a while, I stretched out my hands to signal everyone to quiet down. I said to Xie Daolin: "Thank you, Aiqing, for presenting the flag."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xie Daolin said again. "It is the Emperor's decree to grant the Royal Guards Army's flag. The Royal Guards Flagmaster will be the main chess player, and the left and right flag bearers will take the stage."
Three burly men in well-dressed clothes walked onto the high platform. They knelt down and said, "My subordinates are here to see His Majesty the Emperor. Long live the Emperor. Long live the Emperor."
"Pingsheng." I took the military flag with the words "Royal Forest Army of the Song Dynasty" written on it from the accompanying guard. "The flag bearer of the Royal Forest Army. Take the flag."
The military flag chess player took over the military flag and swore: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving me the flag. As long as the people are there, the flag will be there."
Xie Daolin said: "Okay. The three of you will go around the field to show the might of our Imperial Guard."
The three people walked off the high platform, got on their horses, and together with the other seven flag bearers waiting under the stage, held high the military flag, rode slowly around the square, and finally stopped under the high platform.
"Raise the flag."
As Xie Daolin's voice fell, the military flag slowly rose to the flagpole.
There seems to be something missing. I thought to myself. By the way, the national anthem, military song and the like are missing.
Xie Daolin looked at the military flag and said loudly: "All soldiers, salute and salute the military flag."
"If people are with the flag, the Song Dynasty will be invincible. If people are with the flag, the Song Dynasty will be invincible."
"Okay." I smiled, handed Xie Daolin a piece of paper and said, "Thank you, Aiqing, for announcing my instructions."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xie Daolin stretched out his hand to express silence. He opened the note and said loudly, "The following are the emperor's instructions to the imperial guards. Everyone, listen up. The emperor said, whoever dares to draw a sword and stand on horseback, I wish to be the imperial guard of the Song Dynasty."
I am the commander-in-chief of the Yulin Army, but I am also the Emperor of the Song Dynasty. So I cannot be partial. I write "I am the Yulin of the Song Dynasty" instead of "wei".
"Who dares to draw a sword and stand on horseback? May I be the emperor of the Song Dynasty."
Some of the soldiers in the audience shouted with a particularly loud voice: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We, the Royal Forest Army, will definitely be able to fulfill His Majesty's request. We will attack Huanglong straight away with our swords drawn."
Immediately, two thousand soldiers shouted together repeatedly: "Horse the sword immediately, go straight to Huanglong. Go straight to Huanglong."
"Very good. Thank you Aiqing for reviewing."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xie Daolin said. "Fellow soldiers, the Emperor is about to review our Royal Guards. Everyone welcomes you."
Amidst the continuous applause, the ministers and generals around me and I walked down the high platform, got on the horses, and marched slowly. I waved to greet the soldiers on the field while riding the horse. Everyone was excited and shouted loudly. : "Long live. Long live the emperor."
According to the pre-arrangement, the soldiers did not have to kneel down. But this kind of madness did not occur to me. After calming down, I thought of the Cultural Revolution. It was good. This was the era of emperors. I was the one who was above. Long live. I am worshiped by all the people. At the same time, I also feel that the responsibilities on my body are increasing proportionally. My subjects naturally need me to protect them and need me to give them a better life.
"Thank you Aiqing. The ceremony is over. Let's go back to the Chinese army's tent."
Xie Daolin nodded and said: "The flag-giving ceremony is over. The Royal Forest Army has been officially established. Each department returns to its original station."
"Long live the Emperor. Long live. Long live the Emperor."
The former Youth Guard's conference room was slightly remodeled and became the Imperial Guard's tent.
"I will see you, Your Majesty." After entering the big tent, all the ministers and generals saluted again.
"My dearest friends, please stay seated without any courtesy. Please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I would like to take today's opportunity to officially announce the list of generals above the brigade commander level of the Royal Forest Army."
"Xie Daolin, Wen Zhang, and Zhang Shijie obey the order."
"I'm here," the three of them said in unison.
"Thank you Daolin. I appoint you as the deputy commander of the Royal Forest Army. You will be responsible for the daily affairs of the Royal Forest Army."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Wen Zhang. I appoint you as the commander of the First Division of the Royal Forest Army. You will be in charge of the first to third brigades."
"Chen Wenzhang thanks your Majesty for your kindness."
"Zhang Shijie. I appoint you as the commander of the Second Division of the Royal Forest Army. You will be in charge of the fourth to sixth brigades."
"My lord, Zhang Shijie, thanks the emperor for your kindness."
"Now I am announcing the candidates for six brigade commanders. Zheng Xiangdong, a former member of the Ministry of War, has come out. Former Forbidden Army generals Lin Yibiao, Qian Junjie, and Zhang Yong have come out. Yi Yi, the former commander of the Yangzhou military camp, has gone out. Where is the former deputy commander of the Youth Guard? Dust. Go out."
"exist."
"exist."
Those who read their names stood up together and said.
These six people have one thing in common, that is, they are all members of Longya. Among them, Zheng Xiangdong, Lin Yibiao and others are all young generals developed by Lu Xiufu and Ouyang Jianqing. Yi Yi and He Quchen are developed by Zhang Shijie and Wen Zhang .
"Zheng Xiangdong, I appoint you as the commander of the first brigade of the first division; Yi Yi, the commander of the second brigade of the first division; Zhang Yong, the commander of the third brigade of the first division; and Lin Yibiao, the commander of the fourth brigade of the second division. ; Qian Junjie. Commander of the Fifth Brigade of the Second Division; He Quchen. Commander of the Sixth Brigade of the Second Division."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I obey your order."
"You don't have to worry about thanking me for now. I still have something to say."