Win the Ding 1617

"You mean, we ran for hundreds of miles in Xiying, through hundreds of miles of deep mountains and old forests in Fangxian County and Baokang, and went to Nanzhang to grab his vote?"

Zhang Xianzhong's eyes were shining brightly, playing with Zhang Dingguo's letter to him, and asking Feng Shuangli in his mouth.

Zhang Dingguo's letter clearly stated that this group of Nanzhong merchants carried a large number of commodities, including knives, guns, armor, grain, oil, salt, saddles, medicine, cloth, etc. Machines and guns are not a problem!

All of a sudden, local gentlemen from various counties came to negotiate in the name of self-protection. Even Meng Ruhu, He Renlong and others also sent confidant officers to discuss the purchase.

"Commander! Didn't the young commander say it in the letter! This method must never be used! Since this group of businessmen dared to carry so many things that everyone would envy to walk in the troubled times, they naturally have armed forces to protect them. I have recently suffered a setback in the West Camp. Every old brother is extremely precious and must not be compromised."

Feng Shuangli did not say a word, that is, if he takes action against this group of businessmen, he will not be able to succeed in one fell swoop. If the news leaks, Wu Biao's troops stationed nearby will definitely come to help.The reason is actually very simple. Although it is said that Wu Biao has changed his family and joined the court, after all, the people under his command still have some kind of incense with Nanzhong.Moreover, his troops are accustomed to eating and drinking, and their supplies and ammunition are supplemented, and they must rely on the support of these Nanzhong businessmen.That's why this group of Nanzhong businessmen set up their base in Jiuji Town.

"If you can't succeed, you will be easily backlashed. I'm afraid that the thousands of veterans in my west camp will be glued to by the officers and soldiers. It's not easy to get away! What the young commander means is that instead of using force, it's better to use the wealth in the camp with this group of businessmen Exchange! Then our army will enter Sichuan in a big way!" Feng Shuangli explained Zhang Dingguo's intentions clearly.

"These people dare to sell these taboo things to us?" Zhang Wenxiu, who had been silent for a long time, found the crux of the problem after listening to it for a long time.

"No problem! When General Ning Yu (Zhang Dingguo's word) and I approached these businessmen, we only said that we are gentry from Fangxian County and Xing'an area. We need some weapons to protect ourselves and are willing to pay a high price for them. According to my subordinates , These people are greedy for profit, as long as they have enough money, even my own mother and I will sell it! Besides, people who ask them to buy weapons, in my opinion, have bandits and local bandits! For me and Ning Yu Thinking about it, they know the identity of the general! It’s just that they don’t want to expose it!”

Everyone turned their attention to Zhang Xianzhong.Looking forward to his final decision.

"Xiao Wang! Go and open the door. This shack is too stuffy, I want to go out to get some air!"

The mink cloak wrapped tightly around his body, surrounded by a group of adopted sons and generals.Zhang Xianzhong patrolled the camp.

Most of the horse soldiers and old battalions in the camp wore felt hats, breastplates or leather armor, spears, knives, bows and arrows on their waists, and some carried blunderbusses, with gunpowder hanging obliquely on their chests. Box.Before the second uprising in Gucheng, Zhang Xianzhong took advantage of the location of the water and land wharf to collect taxes and fees for a period of time, and used the money and local products to exchange a lot of Nanzhong equipment. After several defeats, the men and horses were quite damaged, but a lot of equipment and armor of the officers and soldiers were also captured. At least the equipment of the old battalion and the horse army is considered exquisite, especially those brothers of the old battalion.

These people are resting around the fire or warming the fire, or mending cotton armor, sharpening swords, and mending shoes and socks. From time to time, the doctors who accompanied the army came in and out between the tents and huts with pots of replaced bloody bandages. , to treat the injured brother, from time to time there was a painful moan and scream from a certain tent.

"Marshal, we don't have too many wound medicines and cotton bandages in our battalion. These hundreds of brothers with lottery numbers are in critical condition..." The low voice of the old battalion secretary was in Zhang Xianzhong's ear He muttered twice, and told him the truth about the camp in front of him.

Hundreds of old brothers are extremely precious to Zhang Xianzhong and any leader of the peasant army, especially the old brothers who will not leave at this desperate time, they are more useful than tens of thousands of hungry people in good times.

"What about grain, oil and salt?"

With the same low voice, Zhang Xianzhong chatted with those peasant army soldiers, and at the same time asked the old battalion secretary calmly.

"One dry meal and one thin meal every day, the whole army can last for half a month."

"Damn it! Take out the money and buy some game meat from the mountain people nearby to the left, so as to nourish the bodies of the lottery brothers. Let the brothers do it twice a day! Only when you are full can you beat Zuo Liangyu!"

"But.....!"

The old battalion secretary wanted to say something, but seeing Zhang Xianzhong turned his head away, he knew it would be useless to talk, so he had to make arrangements.

"Xiao Wang! You take Lao Bai to find your younger brother in Jiuji Town! Tell him, tell the group of Nanman merchants, I want as many things as I want! However, he has to be transported to Fang County for us! At least It must be shipped to Baokang! I will pay for the freight!"

Turning his head, Zhang Xianzhong looked at the bearded men in the camp with only a tattered sheepskin jacket in the snowstorm.The fur jackets were lifted by the cold wind from time to time, and in the cold wind mixed with snowflakes, they still kept their faces unchanged and talked and laughed happily.

"Brothers, add food and wine to the big guys tonight! It's a good meal!"

"Thank you handsome!"

"Thank you, handsome!"

"Master! Why do you add wine and food to the brothers!? Is it not a year or a festival?" Someone laughed and chatted with Zhang Xianzhong.

"Why? I'm sending you poor today! Give us Xiying poor! Get rid of bad luck!"

"Sending the poor" is a very distinctive custom of the ancient Chinese folk.Its meaning is to offer sacrifices to poor ghosts (poor gods).Poor ghosts, also known as "poor sons".According to Song Chen Yuanliang's "Sui Shi Guang Ji" quoted "Wen Zong Bei Wen" records: "At the time of Zhuanxu Gaoxin, a son was born in the palace. It is said that today I will send the poor son away."

There are customs of sending poor people everywhere, but they are similar, nothing more than sending poor, an annoying monster, out of the house, so as not to harm yourself again.In northern Shaanxi, there is even a habit of giving away five poor people and eating gray noodles.The so-called "five poor" are also called "five ghosts".Refers to five kinds of poor ghosts, namely "poor in wisdom, poor in learning, poor in literature, poor in life, and poor in friendship".So he bowed three times and sent it off.Later, the "five poor" are often used as a metaphor for bad luck.

Right now Zhang Xianzhong has suffered consecutive defeats.It was this season again, so he talked about the excuse of giving away the poor in a joking tone, which immediately caused everyone to burst into laughter.

A few days later, Zhang Kewang rushed back first, and returned to Zhang Xianzhong with a thousand life-saving kits and knife wound medicine.

Without taking a break, Zhang Kewang rushed to Zhang Xianzhong after handing over the urgently needed medicines to the doctor.

"Father Commander! I will go back first to report to Father Commander! Brother Dingguo, Bai Wenxuan and others are accompanying the group of Nanban merchants slowly escorting a large amount of grain and grass goods to Baokang County. The agreed trading place is Siping Town in Baokang County!"

"What did you trade?"

Zhang Xianzhong didn't bother to ask his adopted son if he was tired and hungry. These days, he watched the food, meat, oil and salt decrease day by day.Although he didn't say anything on his face.I am more anxious than anyone else in my heart.

"In addition to the medicine I brought back, there are a thousand sets of armor, swords and guns! After all, our old battalion and horse army can be replaced!"

"Two hundred sets of saddles, shoes, etc. Five hundred bolts of cotton cloth. One thousand cotton coats."

"In addition to these. There are also some meat, grain, rice, oil, salt and other items. The detailed amount is at the brother of Dingguo!" After taking a breath, Zhang Kewang looked at Zhang Xianzhong with some excitement, "Father, this group of Nanman really has everything you need! Let me know!" Come, as long as the money I wait to pay is real money, or what they want, I can buy anything and sell anything!"

"What? They don't know that my father is a thief?"

"Know!"

As soon as Zhang Kewang said this, Zhang Xianzhong's interest was immediately aroused.

"Donkey ball! Knowing that I'm a thief, you dare to celebrate my birthday with me like this. These guys are special characters!"

However, what Zhang Kewang said later made Zhang Xianzhong a little surprised.

"They said that this transaction is too much, it is best to ask the father to go to Siping Town in person."

After hearing this, everyone's first reaction was, "Isn't this group of barbarians planning to lure the general (our old man) to Siping Town, and then set up an ambush to wipe out the Xiying soldiers in one fell swoop?!"

"Xiao Wang, aren't you tired and confused?" Zhang Xianzhong stared at Zhang Kewang with blinking red eyes.

"No, Brother Dingguo and Uncle Wenxuan also think the same way. They both suggested that the commander-in-chief go to meet with the merchants in Nanzhong, and the commander-in-chief has to sign several contracts!"

"Huh?" Zhang Xianzhong became more and more surprised.

"This time the transaction is up to you to decide. It's only a matter of tens of thousands of taels of silver. Just go to the old camp secretary to get it!"

Zhang Xianzhong is still very satisfied with the arms purchase behavior of the two adopted sons and several generals.It is worthwhile to exchange those useless gold and silver for useful things.What's more, the price of the Nanzhong merchant is a very kind and conscientious price in his opinion.

"For one thing, Brother Dingguo has been discussing with Nanzhong merchants about purchasing the Dafo Langji. Recently, a group of Nanban merchants said that the newly-made Dafo Langji only weighs about [-] catties even with the gun mount, and a mule and a healthy The donkey can be dragged and walked everywhere. What's more, there are no shock-absorbing springs and tires, and it is very convenient to march on the mountain road. Brother Dingguo has been talking about it. It is much easier for the army. And now there are more and more firearms in the army everywhere, if we don’t have them, we will definitely suffer a lot if we encounter them in the future!”

"If they are willing to sell guns to my old man, it will be worth it for old Zhang to take the risk!"

Zhang Xianzhong is well aware of the performance of the Dafo Lang machine. This thing is the same as the Type [-] infantry artillery of the Japanese army in later generations. It is the most effective against fortification targets and group targets, and it is simple and light. Rogue" tailor-made!

Hearing that the other party could get Dafo Langji, Zhang Xianzhong decided to go and have a try!

"Father commander, there is no need to take risks. They asked father commander to go to Siping Town to make arrangements first, and then they can arrive!"

Hearing that he could go to the trading place first to make arrangements, Zhang Xianzhong became more confident.

"Xiao Wang, if there is anything else, let's talk about it together!"

"This time, my brother Dingguo and I discussed a business with Nanzhong merchants."

Zhang Kewang deliberately paused to see Zhang Xianzhong's expression.

"In the future, our army's weapons, armor and other items can be traded with the treasures and jewelry we seized. Or the special products recognized by them in the region."

Hearing what Zhang Kewang said, Zhang Xianzhong sat up from the tiger leather chair suddenly, and grabbed Zhang Kewang's arm, "Xiaowang! Is this true?!"

"It's absolutely true! That's why the commander-in-chief has to go to sign a contract with them. We don't dare to be good at it!"

Gradually trying to calm down from the initial excitement, Zhang Xianzhong paced back and forth in the shack, deliberating over the details of this incident.

"Wenxiu! Neng Qi! You two, lead the five-hundred-year-old battalion to pick up one or two on the way to Yuerlai. By the way, set up defenses in Siping Town!"

"Ma Yuanli, you and Xiao Wang will follow my father and lead 1000 people!"

"Feng Shuangli. You've been running back and forth these days. It's been really hard, so you'll stay in the old camp to watch the house and rest along the way. Pack up your things, and we'll be ready to go out at any time!" excited.Zhang Xianzhong described the retreat as water.All the slang words of the year came out.

Siping Town is also a town that Zhang Xianzhong was very familiar with when he was stationed in Gucheng.It is adjacent to the transitional bay in the east, Fangxian in the west, and Chengguan and Maqiao in the south.It is adjacent to Gucheng and Fangxian in the north, with high mountains and steep slopes, vertical and horizontal ravines, higher in the southwest and slightly lower in the northeast, and the Nanhe River runs through the whole area.

Along the Nanhe River originating from Shennongjia and Wudang Mountains, it enters Gucheng County from Dongzhuang Valley.It flows into the Han River through Gucheng County to Geleizui.

At this time, on the wharf where the Nanhe River flows through Siping Town, [-] or [-] large Upon boats were moored, and the people in the town were mobilized. double wages.

In the rainy and snowy weather, the pier and the stone slabs on several streets in the town became extremely slippery, and people carefully stacked heavy goods on both sides of the street.The streets that could have been paralleled by two carts were crowded with all kinds of goods.

Tightly wrapped bundles of straw, huge oil jars, wine jars, jars filled with refined salt, heavy cloth, and crates of meat jars dazzled the eyes of the people in this mountain town.

Zhang Xianzhong randomly opened a very tight bundle of straw wrapped with straw and straw, and picked up an item. After the straw was scattered, it was beaten with oil, and a long knife full of oil smell appeared in front of the Eight Great Kings.

"Good boy! It's very sharp!" Zhang Xianzhong made a judgment on the knife with his thumb slightly touching the edge of the knife that hadn't been fully sharpened.

"Eight Great Kings, a thousand sets of armor, knives and guns, and a piece of goods that should be discussed with the two young marshals. They are all here. Please order them."

Chen Dongtao, a businessman in Longsheng, pointed to the salivating items on both sides of the street, which made the Xiying soldiers fall in love with each other.

Among the 500 people who came, a few anxious guys took out the armor, knives and guns from the straw bag, assembled them, put them on for themselves, and swayed their bodies from side to side to let their companions see if they fit.

"Yu'er, the money for shopkeeper Chen! Add [-]% to the price!" Zhang Xianzhong waved his hand generously, saying that there is no need for it. Even if the officers and soldiers hold the money, there may not be a place to buy these things, let alone a thief. ?

"Thank you, Commander, for your generosity. However, businessmen also have business rules, and they dare not accept extra rewards."

"What?" Zhang Xianzhong was very surprised by Chen Dongtao's performance. He had never seen a businessman who was suspicious of giving too much money. Even the Shanxi businessman who claimed to be from the same hometown as himself would only think that there was too little money, not too much money. .

"Are you afraid that it will be stolen by thieves?"

"That's not true. Since you dare to do business with the commander-in-chief, you won't worry about it. It's just that merchants have their own rules, and you can get as much money as you want. Don't dare to charge more money from the commander-in-chief!"

"Hey! Our old Zhang thinks that the weather is cold, the guys are working so hard, and the small town in the mountains does not have any good entertainment, so we take some silver and invite the brothers to have a glass of wine after they come out of the mountains. Keep out the cold!"

Zhang Xianzhong stroked his beard happily, smiling all over his face.

"Since that's the case, the merchants are ashamed to accept it. A few days ago, the two young marshals transferred the favor of Marshal Chen, intending to buy Dafolang machines. If the marshal can buy more than ten at a time, the merchants will be responsible for training the gunners for the marshal. If I don’t leave, all the gunpowder and guns will be consumed, and all the food wages for the instructor will be paid by the merchants. I don’t know what the commander thinks?”

Zhang Xianzhong, Zhang Kewang, Zhang Dingguo and other father and son couldn't help but dance with joy at these words.Isn't it just buying ten cannons?Even if you don’t teach, why don’t you leave?Where in the world can I find such a kind businessman?

"Xiaowang! Yu'er, take out the contract you talked about! It's rare for shopkeeper Chen to be so righteous, and we, Zhang, have to reciprocate and sign the contract! From now on, we in Xiying will take the shopkeeper Chen's Be your own!"

The content of the contract is actually very simple, strictly speaking, it is a framework agreement.

The military supply of the troops under the command of Zhang Xianzhong, the Eighth King of Xiying, will be supplied by Chen Dongtao's team in the future.The Eight Great Kings can use gold and silver jewelry, antique calligraphy and paintings, or any other items approved by Chen Dongtao and others to make up the payment.

Zhang Xianzhong pulled out the dagger at his waist, scratched a line on his thumb, and pressed a handprint under his name.

"Okay! The commander-in-chief is bold! This contract is signed, and the merchants will prepare those big Buddha machines when they go back, for the commander-in-chief to use in battle!"

"Also, when the commander-in-chief fights in the future, if there is something urgently needed in the army, he can rely on this contract and token to transfer the goods to the nearby Nanzhong company, and pay according to the price! Just ask the commander-in-chief Huwei Next, to be able to restrain the soldiers, it would be better to be lenient to Nanzhong merchants!"

"Of course! We're all a family, whoever dares to mess around, I'll be the first to chop him off!"

Hearing that with this contract, he would no longer worry about the shortage of supplies in the army, Zhang Xianzhong couldn't help but feel happy.

"Xiaowang, Yu'er, Laobai, you guys pass the order on my behalf. If anyone dares to offend shopkeeper Chen's brothers in the future, he will be beheaded on the spot!" (To be continued...)