In the twelfth month of the twelfth lunar month, a "Di Bao" from the Consultative Department arrived in Changde Mansion and was sent directly to the Wuchang Camp Office. The most important content was to announce the establishment of the first battalion of the Navy and appoint Yao Fang (Yao Monk) as the commander.
make.
There are also some trivial military and political matters, such as changing the organizational designation. The previously cumbersome left-post and outpost and other indistinguishable titles were changed to first and second-post, and each battalion was still organized into four posts.
The most important goal of the Xiangwang Group at that time was the military. The subordinate organizations were streamlined and not well developed, so it was unable to implement civilian administration. Therefore, it has always used the military to rule the "country". It eliminated many complicated relationships that were always constraining, and the efficiency was quite high. However,
It is also inevitable that generals in charge of the army have excessive powers. For example, Zhou Mengxiong of Changde Prefecture is the commander of Wuchang Camp, but in fact he controls the military and government of prefectures and counties on the south bank of Dongting, such as Changde Prefecture and Chenzhou Prefecture. Local officials have to look to him.
Acting with face is equivalent to the Ming Dynasty, the chief envoy, the inspector, and the commanding envoy. The reports from the Council are also sent directly to the military camp office.
By this time, it was past midnight (six o'clock in the afternoon), and Zhou Mengxiong had already packed up his things and was about to leave for home. Before leaving, he briefly read the newly arrived newspaper.
He sat in the sedan and pondered for a while, and soon discovered that there might be some mystery in it. Zhou Mengxiong knew the monk Yao. He had indeed been an officer of the Imperial Guard more than 20 years ago, and he could barely be regarded as a military general. However, he had been working with a military commander for many years.
As the village chief in Shangagari, I don’t know what great abilities he has.
But this old boy has a special identity. He is Yao Ji's brother, that is, the uncle of King Xiang; and Zhou Mengxiong himself is the father-in-law of King Xiang. They are all relatives, but Yao Ji's relatives are obviously "mother party"
"; Monk Yao rarely makes public appearances, but he is indeed very powerful in the Xiangwang Group. In addition to his identity and his son being the commander-in-chief of the Suzaku Army, many veterans in the army have some connections with him, such as the commander of the Yongding Battalion.
Let Wei Bin and others.
Such a pond of water has created a pattern of checks and balances for Zhang Ning. When Zhou Mengxiong thought of this, he didn't know whether to be happy or worried. The good thing is that his son-in-law does have some abilities, and everyone will not lose sight of the future. The worry is that as soon as there are checks and balances, there will be imbalances.
, it is possible that he may become a victim of strife in the future; when Jianwen was still emperor, such things were not uncommon in just four years.
When Zhou Mengxiong returned home, he first sat in the teahouse. His beloved seventeen-year-old concubine Yun Niang came up with his little son in her arms to say hello. But he did not see his wife Zhou Li, as usual.
Everyone could see her at home. When Zhou Mengxiong asked, he found out that his daughter and his mother-in-law had come home, and they were talking inside.
After hearing this, Zhou Mengxiong's face was slightly happy, and he stood up immediately, but soon made an indifferent and stern expression. How could a father be as tall and short as his mother? He first found a way to take his concubine.
After I opened it, I was sitting here drinking tea and waiting. When my mother came home on Tuesday, she had to take the initiative to see her father.
Sure enough, after a while, Mrs. Li pulled Zhou Mengxiong's mother into the teahouse through the side door. The two women were still holding hands. When Er Niang saw Zhou Mengxiong's appearance, she was not frightened like an outsider, but quietly extended her affection to Li.
He stuck out his tongue and made a face.
Then she walked up to the chair in a polite manner, curtsied and said, "Second mother, please ask how your father is doing."
Zhou Mengxiong just nodded and said "hmm" majestically. In the past, he could only find the feeling of being a man at home. Now he has dignity both inside and outside. Although he has a straight face, he actually feels good in his heart.
His appearance is actually quite scary, with a long, knife-like face, no smile at all, a big beard, and a tall and burly appearance. Unfortunately, neither of his children look like him, and Zhou Zhong and Er Niang are more like their mothers.
, with slender bones and no imposing figure. Especially the second lady in front of her, who has an oval face and looks very weak, without the dignified appearance of Yao Ji.
Mrs. Li screened away the maids in the house and soon began to complain for her daughter in front of her husband: "It has been several months since the second sister (second mother) got married, and there has been no movement at all. It's no wonder she is. It's really her husband who is too romantic."
. Before he got married, he had several concubines. As soon as he got married, he helped one of them become the concubine of his second concubine..."
"Are you talking about Xu Wenjun?" Zhou Mengxiong asked with a frown. The answer was obvious. He immediately lowered his face and said, "Then there is no one in Xu Wenjun's natal family. What is there to argue with the second sister? Old Xu fought in the Battle of Changde
If she dies and her body is gone, not to mention that you should sympathize with her; considering that Xu Wenjun is helpless, isn't it the time for you to win her over? The Xu family is very thin and has no influence at all in the palace; but the Xu family is following Xiang
She has shared the joys and sorrows with her since the beginning, so Prince Xiang must have feelings for her. If you don't win over her, why are you waiting..."
Zhou Mengxiong paused for a moment, took a breath and said seriously, "As a princess, you win the hearts of the people because of your kindness. This is benevolence and etiquette. I have taught you this."
Er Niang is a very smart girl. When she heard this, the playful look on her face completely disappeared, replaced by a serious look. She fell silent, as if she was thinking about something.
When Mrs. Li saw this, she scolded her: "A good family can talk about household chores. As soon as the master comes back, he scolds her loudly and quietly. Just stop it. You have to make your daughter cry for you to be happy!"
Zhou Mengxiong seemed to have gradually softened his heart, stopped lecturing, and turned to look at the bearded man outside the door who was stroking his chin. It was raining lightly outside the door, and the rainy day made everything in the world become graceful and entangled.
Just like this woman in the inner house.
He calmed down his breath, turned back to look at Zhou Niang, and said kindly: "Every big family likes to have people in crowds, and there are also a lot of people with four generations living under one roof. It is not a good thing for people to live alone. But there are people in crowds."
Now, it is inevitable that there will be likes and dislikes, and there will be disputes between those who are used to it and those who are not used to it. But only the little people in the market can only fight. Women who really understand the general situation also understand peace. Fighting and peace, alas..."
"My daughter understands her father's teachings." Tuesday's mother said softly and seriously, "You will never say bad words to harm me, I understand."
"Okay..." Zhou Mengxiong was immediately relieved. Although the air on the rainy day was chilly, he seemed to be very warm all of a sudden. Mrs. Li couldn't help nodding, and kept stroking Er Niang's back lovingly, her eyes were a little moist.
, this woman is like this, she can act like a mother-in-law even when she is happy.
A man who once served as a military general and killed innocent people in the "Battle of Jingnan", and whose hands were stained with blood, gradually became warmer at this time, as if he wanted to show how good it was to have a daughter, but he was poor at speaking.
He chattered kindly: "There are only loyal ministers and filial sons in the world, but there is no such thing as loyal ministers and filial daughters..."
Li immediately retorted: "What did the master say? Women cannot be officials or ministers, so that's why there is no such statement!"
Zhou Mengxiong had no choice but to change his words: "I just want to say that it is natural for a son to be filial to his mother. Prince Xiang and Mrs. Yao are also filial to their mother. You should pay more attention to building a good relationship with Mrs. Yao..."
He pondered again for a moment, and then said with caution: "The so-called fight, fight if necessary, fight if you can win; the so-called peace, you have to show that fighting is for peace, you can't be false, you have to be sincere in making peace...
…”
Li said: "I should give a lecture on Zen. I go round and round. Every sentence seems to make sense, but every sentence is specious."
Zhou Mengxiong lowered his face and said, "Second sister knows better than you!"
Tuesday's mother smiled and said: "Okay, what my father said is true, and it is about governing the country and bringing peace to the world. I'm going to the kitchen and make two dishes for the two elders to try."
"When did you learn to cook?" Zhou Mengxiong asked.
Erniang said: "I learned it on my own in the palace, but no one will abuse me, so don't worry."
Zhou Mengxiong regained his majesty and severity: "You will go back early tomorrow morning. Although King Xiang is not here, you are just throwing water away. Don't go back to your parents' house every two days to get bored."
After the couple left the teahouse, Zhou Mengxiong looked at the rain curtain outside the door to recover for a while, then turned to look at a waist knife lying on the bank in the corner, his eyes gradually changed. The knife was already stained with fines.
Although the maids would wipe it with a fine layer of dust when cleaning the room, no one usually used such weapons. Only warriors like Zhou Mengxiong put this thing in the tea room at home.
Perhaps it was time to kill with his own hands again. He saw the distant Changsha City through the rain. The main force of the Suzaku Army was on the Yangtze River in the north. It would be difficult to get away to pacify the southern prefectures. This great achievement was sent to Zhou Mengxiong.
When attacking various prefectures in Huguang, the first battle should be the important town of Changsha. If you capture this place, you may be able to defeat other places without losing blood.
…
The rain hadn't stopped the next day, but Zhou Mengxiong came to the school field dressed in armor and personally supervised the training of the soldiers in the barracks. He had a different weapon on his waist. It was originally a sword and now there was a knife hanging on it. The scabbard was already very strong.
It's worn out, and it's still unsightly after being repaired. However, few people notice this detail, and only some of the generals who are closer notice it.
In the cold drizzle, Zhou Mengxiong stood with him in the rain. Even if the soldiers felt miserable, they could not complain. No matter how noble you are, how can you compare to the nobleness of the middle-aged coach?
After all the sentries lined up, Zhou Mengxiong said a few simple instructions in the rain: "General, I have no other twists and turns in running the army. I just have to be strict with myself, follow orders and prohibitions, and share joys and sorrows. I always treat you like my own sons."
, but no matter who dares to disobey military orders and fall into my hands, even if he is really his own son, he will never show mercy! And those who dare to drink the blood of soldiers and are greedy for life and fear death, it is best to be careful not to fall into my hands.
"
Zhou Mengxiong was half a head taller than an average person, with a big beard, a ferocious face, and a voice as loud as a bell. He was so frightened that a group of soldiers stood frozen in the rain and did not dare to move.
"Don't complain if you get whipped on the school field, you will lose your head if you go into battle! If you can't stand it, get out as soon as possible!" Zhou Mengxiong put a hand on the handle of the knife, thought for a while, then waved his hand and said, "After that, each sentry will train according to the rules.
Stew braised pork in the evening.”
Hearing the braised pork, the group below became a little more energetic. The school ground gradually became lively with the sound of drums and whistles.