King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 503 Fresh is good

Zhu Jinghong's emotion was only momentary. He had been commanding the battle for such a long time. He had already seen more tragic situations, and his mental capacity to bear it was already extremely strong.

After briefly paying homage to the heroes, Zhu Jinghong came to the collapsed city wall, where reconstruction had begun.

"Commander, this is Hami guard general Tibur!" Liu Yudong, commander of the Yulin right guard, reported.

The bodies of other Junggar soldiers were moved away, but Tibur's body remained in place.

Tiebuer was killed by Yu Lin's right guard, so Liu Yudong specially ordered him to be kept so that Zhu Jinghong could see the contribution of this guard.

"Bury it!" Zhu Jinghong responded calmly.

Liu Yudong was ready to say a few words of humility, but he didn't expect that Zhu Jinghong would only say this, which made him somewhat disappointed.

The other commanders accompanying him all had faint smiles at this moment. If Zhu Jinghong hadn't been there, they would have laughed.

After wandering around Hami City for a while, Zhu Jinghong went to the official office and convened the generals here for a brief discussion, mainly about the garrison arrangements in the city.

After arranging these matters, Zhu Jinghong held a closed-door meeting. The only participants were Liu Fang, Liang Qian and Huang Qing.

"Everyone, it is now the end of September, the weather is getting colder and colder, and it is impossible to fight a big battle again!"

"What I mean is that all the ministries should be taken back to the area around Hami for repairs, and they will wait until the cold winter has passed and then start the expedition according to the situation!"

At the main table, Zhu Jinghong put forward his opinion. This was something that had been discussed before, and now it was just for final confirmation.

"Your Majesty, what you said makes sense. It's difficult to transport food and grass in such a cold weather now. If you want to go on a long-distance expedition, you must be more prepared!" Huang Qing was the first to agree.

After a few breaths of silence, Liu Fang was heard to say: "What the commander-in-chief said makes sense. It will get colder and colder in the future, which is not conducive to long-distance operations. We will have to wait until spring for another expedition!"

Immediately afterwards, Liang Qian also expressed his agreement, so the four of them reached an agreement.

"Well, this matter is settled, let's jointly report to the court!"

"In addition, you can order the Qinghai Xingdusi, Jurchen, Tibetan and Mongolian tribes to withdraw and station around Hami City for repairs!"

"We also need to order all ministries to verify and report military merits. We will hold a celebration banquet in three days!"

"Also, select the soldiers who meet the standards I have set before and have outstanding military achievements. I will personally reward them at the celebration party!"

Rewarding generals is a matter for the imperial court. Now that Zhu Jinghong has made such great contributions, of course he will not do these taboo things again, so as not to make the emperor more suspicious of him.

But honoring ordinary soldiers does not involve too much, and it is also in line with his personality.

After issuing several orders in succession, the people below will be very busy.

After Liu Fang and others left, Zhu Jinghong met with Jin Yiwei's people again.

These spies from Nanzhen Fusi also made great achievements, so Zhu Jinghong first praised them, and then assigned them a new task to contact the Jin Yiwei in Yili City and inquire for information.

After all these things were arranged, Zhu Jinghong took off his armor with Yu Hai and other eunuchs waiting on him.

"Master Thirteen..."

Qiqige entered the room carrying the tea tray, with a bright smile on her face that was pleasing to the eye.

As the "princess" of Junggar, Qiqige cannot normally enter and leave freely. She can move around freely only with Zhu Jinghong's tacit permission.

Zhu Jinghong didn't take it to heart to throw himself into the arms of beautiful women, even if they had ulterior motives.

After all, no matter how hard Qiqige tries, in Zhu Jinghong’s eyes, it’s just childish, and he can crush her to death with just one backhand.

"Why didn't Nuo Min come over?" Zhu Jinghong asked as he sat on the chair.

Arriving next to Zhu Jinghong, Qiqige smiled and said, "That girl went to see her father!"

"She is still younger and is always not very thorough in doing things. I have learned the rules in the palace, so it is perfect for me to take care of the Thirteenth Master!"

While she was talking, Qiqige had already arrived in front of Zhu Jinghong, showing off her figure in a slightly exaggerated manner.

At this time, she had already called herself "concubine", and she really did not regard herself as an outsider.

Zhu Jinghong's food and drink had always been taken care of by the eunuchs around him, and the tea brought by Qi Qige also came from the eunuchs.

And from the moment she took the tea tray, two eunuchs kept an eye on her to ensure that there was no chance of poisoning her.

When Qi Qige handed over the tea cup, Zhu Jinghong smiled and said, "If you show courtesy for nothing, you will be raped or stolen... What do you want?"

Sitting in Zhu Jinghong's arms, Qi Qige put her arms around his neck and said, "What I want, I have already said before!"

"I just want to follow Master Thirteen and fight back to Ili City together... to watch my enemies die with my own eyes!"

Qiqige's words all showed that she was a dangerous woman, and normally Zhu Jinghong would give her up.

But at this time, he felt that this girl was very valuable.

In addition to being able to use her to undermine the morale of the Junggars, Qiqige's greater value lies in her identity as a Khan's daughter, and being by Zhu Jinghong's side can make her self-defiled.

There is no other way. After defeating Junggar in consecutive battles, it is no exaggeration to say that Zhu Jinghong's current reputation is at its peak.

He wasn't actually afraid of the courtiers' attacks, but he was afraid that the old man would doubt him, so he really didn't feel at ease if he didn't do something stupid.

Of course, with his current status, he has to be selective when doing stupid things.

Now that the reckless persona has been lost, it would be good to create a lustful persona again... Zhu Jinghong thought this way.

People still have to have weaknesses before they can reassure others!

Holding Qiqige in his arms, Zhu Jinghong said with a smile: "This matter is very troublesome. We have to discuss it carefully!"

Feeling Zhu Jinghong's body temperature, although Qiqige was enthusiastic on the surface, she was actually extremely scared in her heart.

But she still forced herself not to give up, and then said: "Your Majesty... let's go in and talk!"

What she was afraid of was that Zhu Jinghong was doing business here, and it would be too embarrassing for so many eunuchs to see him.

Standing up with Qiqige in his arms, Zhu Jinghong smiled and said, "We should go in and talk slowly!"

After saying that, Zhu Jinghong didn't waste much time, and carried Qiqige into the inner room.

His mind had been tense for the past two days, and now was the perfect opportunity to relax.

When the two of them were having fun, Nuo Min also came back from outside and went directly to Zhu Jinghong's residence.

"Miss Nuomin, it's not convenient for the prince right now!" Yu Hai stopped Nuomin.

"Is it inconvenient for the prince? Even I can't go in?" Nuo Min asked with a frown.

Nuo Min had never encountered such a situation before, so she raised questions.

Yu Hai is an honest person, and Nuo Min is usually polite to him, so he explained: "Miss Qiqige is inside!"

"Is she in there? What is she doing in there?" Nuomin asked, feeling as if something she cherished had been robbed.

"This...servant doesn't even know!" Yu Hai said something unconscionable.

"I want to go in and take a look!"

Nuo Min's words really surprised Yu Hai. It was the first time he heard such a request.

"Miss Nuomin, isn't this appropriate?" Yu Hai reminded.

In fact, what Nuo Min said was angry. Of course she knew she couldn't go in, so she found a chair next to her and sat down, waiting for a while before going in.

As she waited, less than half an hour passed before the room became completely quiet.

After about a while, the room door was opened from the inside, and Zhu Jinghong appeared at the door.

At this moment, he was wearing a dark blue moire round-neck robe, and his expression looked particularly relaxed, with a smile on his face.

"It's really fresh and good!" Zhu Jinghong sighed in his heart.

"Master Thirteen, you are finally out!"

Nuo Min's resentful voice woke Zhu Jinghong from his aftertaste, so he glanced over. "Nomin, you're back!"

Biting her lip, Nuomin plucked up the courage and said, "Master Thirteen, I want to say a few words to you!"

"Say it!" Zhu Jinghong replied casually.

"Let's... let's talk in another place!" Nuo Min said in a waxy voice.

"Girl...are you serious about what you say?" Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile. He had already guessed Nuo Min's intention.

To be honest, although Nuo Min's words were quite reserved, they were actually very bold, at least the women in the palace did not say so.

Walking to Nuo Min, Zhu Jinghong held her waist and said, "Girl... now is not the time. Let's talk slowly tonight!"

He is currently in the sage time and is really not interested in those things. He needs to recover for a long time anyway, so it would be just right to make an appointment in the evening.

"Commander, Junggar's grain reserves were found in the city, which is enough to support our army for more than two months!" Feng Ziying went into the hospital to report.

The Ming army on the front line only had enough food and grass for less than a month, and this was the result of replenishing it every few days.

With these additional supplies of food and grass, even if it becomes more difficult to transport food during the severe cold in the later period, the army stationed on the front line will still be able to remain high-minded and worry-free.

"Has Tiebul been buried? If not, just bury him alive. He left us a big gift!" Zhu Jinghong walked down the steps as he spoke.

Seeing Zhu Jinghong walking toward her, Feng Ziying hooked her waist and said, "There were defeated soldiers setting fire to the city just now. Fortunately, they were discovered by the brothers, otherwise we would have lost a lot of food and grass!"

"Severe punishment!"

"Yes!" Feng Ziying was even more humble because Zhu Jinghong had already come to him.

Looking at Feng Ziying, Zhu Jinghong said calmly: "In three or two days, I will go back to Beijing. Will you go back to Beijing with me?"

Returning to Beijing to pay homage to the Supreme Emperor was an itinerary that Zhu Jinghong had planned long ago, and the top brass of the Ming army knew about it.

From October to March next year, there will basically be no major battles, so all the staff will be idle, so Zhu Jinghong asked Feng Ziying if he would return to Beijing.

Although she performed well during this expedition, Feng Ziying was a military general who "went home halfway" after all, so she naturally felt homesick after being away from Beijing for so long.

"Commander, the fighting on the front line has not stopped, I am only afraid..."

"That's true, forget it!"

Zhu Jinghong asked casually. Since Feng Ziying was unwilling to go back, he naturally would not force it.

"But if the commander-in-chief needs someone to run around, I will go through fire and water without giving up!" Feng Ziying said hurriedly.

So this kid is really quick and smart, and no one should underestimate him... Zhu Jinghong said secretly.

He often boasts that he doesn't like reading, but he practices this principle of self-examination three times a day.

"Go down!"

"Yes!"

Feng Ziying had no choice but to retreat. At this time, he felt uncomfortable and wondered whether Zhu Jinghong wanted to take him back.

On the second day, the cavalry troops who had been away from home had returned to the vicinity of Hami one after another and began to build camps and prepare to garrison.

At this moment, Zhu Jinghong was on the city wall, checking the defense situation and the repair situation of the city.

The young men who were recruited last night did not rest. They worked hard all night. They blocked several gaps in the city wall with stones. Next, they only needed to improve the appearance.

After walking around the city wall, Zhu Jinghong entered various military camps to check the repair status of the soldiers.

Although it is sad to lose the robe, it is even more joyful to survive, so there is an atmosphere of joy everywhere in the military camps.

There will be no major war in the next six months, which is even more gratifying.

When we arrived at one of the military camps, it was Zhenwei Zhongwei's camp. Meritorious soldiers were being selected here, so at least a thousand people were crowded at the scene.

Seeing Zhu Jinghong and his entourage approaching, the crowd consciously moved out of the way, and then all greeted him.

"No gift!"

The person in charge of this matter was a commanding officer, and when he saw Zhu Jinghong appear, he immediately came out to greet him.

After being greeted by him, Zhu Jinghong asked: "I remember that you were given twenty spots for the Zhenwei central defender. Now are you able to choose from them?"

This time to commend the meritorious soldiers, Zhu Jinghong gave 300 quotas, including 120 for the North Four Guards, 40 for the Beijing Camp's two guards' cavalry, and 30 for the two guards' infantry. Qinghai Xingdu Division gave Fifty, and the remaining sixty were divided among the Jurchen, Mongolian and Tibetan armies.

There are 20,000 and 120 soldiers in the North Guards, 20,000 and 70 in the Beijing Guards, and 50 soldiers in the Qinghai Xingdu Division. It has to be said that there is a big difference.

But the battle in Hami is so crucial, so basically no one can criticize Zhu Jinghong's arrangement.

What's more, formally commending soldiers has never happened before, so how can soldiers suffer from inequality?

"Replying to the commander, I'm checking it, and we can finalize the list in half an hour at most!"

“Not only must we make a list, but we must also announce the specific achievements and make everyone convinced. Only in this way can we inspire others!”

When Zhu Jinghong said this, he glanced at the other people present, and his purpose was self-evident.

"Yes!" all the generals replied.

"Go on your errands!"

"Yes!" the conductor replied.

Zhu Jinghong planned to take a look and leave, but he saw someone in the crowd next to him, so he shouted: "Wang Chengfu?"

At this time, everyone was staring at Zhu Jinghong, and Wang Chengfu was certainly no exception.

He never expected that a big man like Zhu Jinghong could remember his name.

"I just told you to come here!"

Seeing Zhu Jinghong waving to him, this murderous man of steel was actually trembling with excitement at this moment.

After Pao Ze pinched him beside him, the guy regained his composure and stepped out of the crowd to stand in front of Zhu Jinghong.

"The little man bows to the commander-in-chief!"

Wang Chengfu was the leader of a small team in the Beijing camp, and he only commanded ten people. In front of Zhu Jinghong, the prince and governor, he was so insignificant that he was not worth mentioning.

"I told you before that if you behead someone at level 30, I will personally give you a drink to celebrate!"

"But now it seems that this matter will be difficult. At only level 30... I'm afraid I won't be able to be chosen as your Zhenwei central defender!"

From Zhu Jinghong's command to the present, all armies have basically won consecutive battles and victories. In a sense, military merit is somewhat worthless.

Individuals with level 30 beheadings were extremely fierce no matter where they were seen. Only on this northwest battlefield did they appear to be not among the best, especially the Zhenwei central defender who was seriously involved in the involution.

Zhu Jinghong's words surprised everyone at the scene. They didn't expect Wang Chengfu to have this experience.

Although he was excited, Wang Chengfu was an adult after all, and he had controlled his emotions at this moment.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, the villain was beheaded in front and back, a total of forty-three levels!"

This time it was Zhu Jinghong's turn to be surprised, and then he laughed and said: "Okay... I will be waiting for you at the celebration banquet!"

Level 43 is indeed brave enough, but compared to a fierce man like Zhu Jinghong, it is just a fraction.

He himself had plans. In the previous battles he had participated in, he had killed more than 300 enemy troops.

If it weren't for the emperor's strict decree, if this guy went to the battlefield a few times, his achievements would be unbelievable.

Therefore, no matter who he is, he dare not take credit in front of Zhu Jinghong, because from big strategies to small battles, his achievements are all outstanding.

(End of this chapter)