Haisheng Mingdi

Chapter 484 Loyalty and Filial Piety
Zhao Zhongyi walked with one ear in the dilapidated and grassy Shangshudi, secretly looking at it. On this dilapidated ruin, there are many servants guarding the admiral's courtyard.

These servants of Xu Dingguo are all dressed in cotton armor, equipped with swords and guns, and there are even soldiers with shotguns on their backs, showing fierceness everywhere, and there is a murderous look in the eyes of these people.

Zhao Zhongyi reckoned that these were Xu Dingguo's confidantes brought back from Beijing.

One ear was still sighing, saying how grand and extravagant the Yuan Mansion Shangshudi was back then, and how precious the books, calligraphy and paintings in the Yuan Mansion were at that time, at least worth a few hundred thousand taels of silver. All turned to ashes.

"The land we're stepping on now, a handful of soil is estimated to be worth a hundred and eighty taels of silver, hehe."

"Does Dong Qichang know that Yuan Shu used to call Dong Bo Nian and had a very good relationship with him? After Dong died, his favorite four famous paintings in Siyuantang belonged to Yuan Shu and they were hidden here. It is said that those four paintings are at least worth 10 taels of silver, what a pity."

Wang Jie smiled, "Yuan Shenzheng is a good person. He was very good to us when he was here before. Not only is he a master of calligraphy and painting, but he is also good at riding and shooting. We soldiers admire him very much. I used to be in the army. When the gate was guarding the border in Liaodong, the Qing army invaded aggressively, and the generals of the Ming Dynasty were afraid, but Mr. Yuan was not afraid. Loyalty, marching with the army, there is a manchurian vest brave and unstoppable, the young master fired several arrows, piercing his throat, defeating the enemy's courage."

Back then when Xu Dingguo was in Chongzhen's last years, he was imprisoned several times due to his inability to control his subordinates. Yuan Shu also did his best to save him, especially when he went to Henan from Shanxi, the people mutinied, and finally Yuan came forward to protect him.

When he arrived in Henan, Yuan also raised food and salaries for him. In Xu's army, Yuan's status was actually very high.

Xu Dingguo respected him very much and even obeyed his orders. If Yuan Shu hadn't been transferred, maybe Suizhou would not have killed Gao Jie.

"It's a pity that Mr. Yuan was loyal and loyal. He was in charge of grain in the south of the Yangtze River. Hearing that the city of Nanjing had fallen, he and his friend Yue Qijie died of depression and hunger strike for several days."

Yuan Shu was the only son of Yuan Keli, and he could not be surrendered by everyone. As the son of the elders of the four dynasties, how could he be surrendered like Qian Qianyi and others.

He died as a martyr.

When Wang Jie and others mentioned it, they also felt a little embarrassed, "At that time, Mr. Yuan didn't expect that the Ming Dynasty would survive, otherwise he would vote for Taizhou. His father's disciples Huang Daozhou and Qi Biaojia are now But they are all Grand Scholars of Emperor Shaotian."

One ear canal, "I heard that Mr. Yuan's two sons are now officials in the south. The eldest son, Yuan Fucheng, is the magistrate of Nanning, and the second son, Fu Chen, is the pedestrian department."

"This can be regarded as a continuation of the Yuan family."

Zhao Zhongyi was emotional, and even a little happy.

Xu Dingguo's generals have a good relationship with the Yuan family, and they even miss the care of Yuan's father and son.

It's just that Yuan Shu is dead now, and Yuan Shu's two sons are both officials in the Southern Dynasty.

One ear led them to the courtyard where Xu Dingguo was, and went to inform them, and came out to let them in.

"The military gate seems to have just gotten angry, and some are not happy. Be careful yourself."

"Thank you, brother, let's drink together later."

"It's easy to say." One ear smiled and went away.

Wang Jie tidied up his clothes carefully outside, and then he brought Zhao Zhongyi to sign up loudly.

"Is it Fatty Wang, come in." A loud voice came from inside.

Zhao Zhongyi went in with Wang Jie, and saw a burly figure sitting there, several armored generals trembling from being scolded.

"Go away, you can't get people up within seven days. I have all your official positions. When is it? Are you still playing with me?"

"Fatty Wang, you're getting fat again."

Xu Dingguo scolded those generals and said to Wang Jie with a smile.

"The handsome has lost a lot of weight."

"How is your Yongcheng Camp?" Xu Dingguo asked directly.

Wang Jie pulled Zhao Zhongyi over and said that he had already recruited 3000 people. The Yongcheng guerrilla battalion had 500 personnel. In fact, there were five small battalions in the front, back, left, middle, and right, and two battalions directly under the left and right. Each small battalion had 200 people. It is three thousand and five, and each battalion is equipped with one hundred and eighteen auxiliary soldiers. There are more than one thousand and two hundred, so there are now five thousand in total.

Xu Dingguo was stunned for a moment.

After receiving the order in Beijing, he met the queen regent, and hurried out of Beijing to Henan.

As soon as I arrived in Henan, I quickly contacted the old department and summoned the local generals to quickly pull up the team.

But the effect is not very good.

Just like those generals who were scolded by him just now, this one claimed to have [-] soldiers under his command, and that one claimed to have [-] or [-] soldiers, but when it was time to check the names of soldiers, it was discovered that this was not the case at all.

The shortfall is serious.

Although Xu Dingguo is also prepared, but now the task is urgent, he can't go out alone to suppress the bandits, can he?

"Five thousand?"

"The last general has exceeded the quota, and I hope the commander will punish him."

Xu Dingguo smiled, got up and poured a glass of wine for Fatty Wang, "Why is it super, tell me?"

So Wang Jie didn't hide it, and said that when he was on the defense in Yongcheng, he and Zhao Zhongyi became friends with Jinlan and worshiped him. He supported and guided him to establish a village regiment, recruit village braves, train hard, etc. They also cooperated with the encirclement and suppression of bandits many times.

So as soon as he received the order from the military gate, he immediately reorganized the Xiangyong. Because he wanted to serve more for the military gate, he overstaffed it.

"Five thousand?"

"Well, originally only five battalions were organized, with 3000 people. Later, brother Zhao and I each brought our own children and servants with us, and set up another battalion directly under it, and there were only seven battalions. Then who knew what would happen next? The battalion officers and sentry officers also learned from each other, and they also set up directly subordinate sentries and teams, and suddenly many more people were added. Then we thought about going to Yanzhou to suppress the bandits, fearing that the logistics would be difficult to supply and transport, so we simply Some more strong men were recruited, and auxiliary soldiers were formed under each battalion, and more than 1000 were added at once.

In fact, there are more than 3000 real soldiers and more than 1000 civilian husbands, adding up to [-]. "

Xu Dingguo didn't care about the excess at this time, what he wanted was real soldiers.

The more the better.

"Fatty Wang, don't play tricks and lie with me, you will know the consequences."

"The last general dare not lie to the commander. There are actually 5000 people, and even if they are civilians, they are all young and strong. The more than 3000 people are not ordinary people. They have been practicing for the regiment under Brother Zhao before. Wu, even learned array, had several actual battles to suppress bandits, and the results were good,

The last general came this time and brought 300 people, all riding mules. On the way, we encountered many bandits and local village attacks. We killed them all the way, and defeated one or two adults. , now in the camp outside the city, the commander-in-chief can send someone to check it at any time! "

"Grass!" Xu Dingguo looked surprised, "You're fucking talented, you did a good job!" Although Xu Dingguo didn't fully believe Fatty Wang's words, he was even sure that among those heads, nine out of ten were all It was cut down by the hungry or even the good.

But he doesn't pay attention to these now, what he cares about is whether there are enough soldiers.

"Well, since you have 5000 people, it would be too wronged for you to be a guerrilla. I will promote you to the general of the Yongcheng Road Association right now. Who is that? What's his name?"

"Zhao Zhongyi, from Yongcheng Daqiu."

"Zhao Zhongyi, that's a good name. Fatty Wang used to be my groom, and he fought with me for many years. I really trusted him. Since you are his sworn brother, you will be my Xu Dingguo's brother from now on. I will promote you." Don't you have 5000 people for the Yongcheng guerrilla?
Simply divide them into two battalions, Fatty Wang, you lead the general battalion, Zhao Zhongyi, you lead the guerrilla battalion, and you recruit some more people, 3000, [-] each.

"Thank you, Commander, for appreciating the promotion. It's no problem to recruit more troops. We have a lot of village warriors who practice guns and martial arts. We can recruit another 1000 people at any time. It's just that we lack weapons and food. Now, except for General Wang's subordinates, the last general's original troops Xiangxiangyong only has a red-tasseled spear."

"The issue of food and equipment is indeed a bit troublesome, but you don't have to worry too much, I will transfer some for you to use first, take your time."

"I can give you some money first, but I don't have any food right now. You have to figure out a way first. I authorize you to collect food in Yongcheng first. Those landlords and rascals dare not pay the food, so they will be wiped out immediately."

Zhao Zhongyi looked at Xu Dingguo, this guy was quite generous.

"Marshal, I will know some salt merchants at the end of the day, and I can get salt from the Huai River."

Xu Dingguo carefully looked at Zhao Zhongyi, this young man was unexpected in every way.

"Salt is a good thing," he smiled. "How much can you get?"

"a lot of."

"Ok?"

"If the commander-in-chief needs it, I can get as much as I have. Food, cloth, even armor, weapons and gunpowder can be exchanged."

Xu Dingguo coughed twice.

Salt was in short supply even during the Taiping years, but now in times of turmoil, salt has become even more precious, and it is completely hard currency.

When Xu Dingguo returned to Henan this time, the main purpose of the imperial court was to order him to rectify the local troops, wipe out the thieves in the local villages, and stabilize the rear of the Central Plains. He is no different from the field army on the front line.

There are no soldiers at hand.

However, he got a lot of money, and he was able to get tax money from the Henan chief envoy's yamen, but there was also a shortage of food and equipment.

The young man Zhao Zhongyi told him directly that he could get salt, a lot of salt, and he understood the meaning at once. In fact, he was going to smuggle salt with him.

When he was in Henan before, he naturally controlled the circulation of commercial goods, not only directly attacking and looting native villages, but also setting up cards to collect taxes, and even selling salt and smuggling directly.

There are huge profits in these transactions.

If he wants to gain a foothold in Henan again, the first thing to do now is to recruit a new army, and it is not enough to rely on the money and food provided by the governor and chief envoys. He must have his own financial resources for the army. A real private soldier.

Zhao Zhongyi has such a private salt channel, which is very useful.

His private salt channel is in line with the sale of private salt in the Henan area under his control, which is just right.

"Yongcheng is indeed a good place to produce talents." Xu Dingguo sighed, "I want as much salt as you can get."

"You have done me a great favor, tell me, how can I thank you?"

Zhao Zhongyi saw that he was so direct, so he said directly, "The general is willing to serve the army and the court, but he doesn't want his brothers to go to the battlefield with a red tasseled spear and wearing civilian clothes."

"You want armor ordnance?"

"It's not for nothing. You can pay for it with silver or you can exchange it with salt. You just have nowhere to buy it."

"Hahaha, you're straightforward enough. Now that we've reached the point, I have no reason not to deal with it. As long as you have silver or salt cloth, I can still get you a few battalions of equipment first."

"Thank you, Master!"

Xu Dingguo stroked his bare head, "Your boy looks a bit like me when I was young. I like it very much. I want to adopt you as my adopted son. Would you like it?"

Zhao Zhongyi knelt down.

"The last general lost his parents when he was young. He was an orphan who was loved by no one. He survived by eating a hundred kinds of food and wearing a hundred kinds of clothes. He survived by his fate to this day. The commander-in-chief did not give up his wish to adopt him as a foster son. It's too late for the general to be happy,

willing! "

"Hahaha, good boy, happy person, I like it better, so, from today onwards, your name will be Xu Zhongyi."

As he said that, he stroked his beard and laughed heartily, and pulled Zhao Zhongyi up, "In this way, you and Wang Jie's troops will be directly organized into the commander's bidding battalion, and my current troops will be compiled into the left, middle, and right teams." Three battalions, each with 3000 people, Wang Jie, you are the general of the left battalion, Zhongyi, you are the general of the right battalion, and Liu Fangxing of the Chinese army is in charge of the middle battalion.

My second son, Er Anji, is serving under the command of Prince Fuzheng Su, so he can't serve you, and I hope you can serve him in the future." He said a nice word, but it was about how to support and recommend in the future.

Zhongyi was also full of gratitude, and even tried his best to hold back a few tears, which made Xu Dingguo very happy.

This trip to see Xu Dingguo is not only a matter of routine, but also to see if there is a way to get some equipment. Unexpectedly, this Xu Dingguo is also a straightforward person, and he does not stick to one pattern, so he is going to accept him as a foster son.

Although there is obviously an opportunity to win over or even recruit more than [-] people like Zhao Zhongyi and others, and even Zhao Zhongyi's private salt channel, but anyway, this is not a bad thing.

Zhao Zhongyi changed his name to Xu Zhongyi, registered as a general, and actually led the promotion of the right battalion guerrillas. He unified the right battalion with 3000 people, and was divided into front, back, right, middle, and right five battalions plus the central army.

He became Xu Dingguo's adoptive son and confidant in one leap, so naturally he didn't have to worry about this equipment, and Wang Jie was also promoted to a general, a general of the Zuoying, with three thousand.

All are happy.

In order to win over Xu Zhongyi, Xu Dingguo asked his servants to bring him a set of armor, which was a refined cotton armor bestowed by Emperor Shunzhi. It was full of materials, more than 30 catties, and could prevent lead bullets from guns.

He also gave him a sword, a gun and a pair of golden maces, and even gave him a telescope.

"Father and son soldiers in battle, brothers fighting tigers, our masters work together, from now on, this Henan and that will all be ours!"

"Come here, gather all the generals, this commander will grandly introduce the newly adopted son Zhongyi to everyone!"

(End of this chapter)