A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 17 Defensive Officer Xu Zhongjun
Xinzhuang is not far from Dongjiazhuang, after traveling south for a few miles, Zhuangbao has appeared in front of everyone.

Arriving in front of the Ying'en Gate in the east, some soldiers and civilians who were out of the fort to work saw Wang Dou and others, and some recognized Wang Dou and others, and immediately gave pointers and discussions in surprise.

"Look, aren't those people the same as the heroic men who paraded through the streets in the fort that day?"

"That's right, it's them! I heard that a few of them killed ten Tartars. Even our captain is full of praise. They are really heroes."

"Isn't it? Look at the horses under them, which were taken from the Tartars. Such a good horse is really enviable."

"This is what they deserve. If you have the ability to kill the Tartars, you can also ride such a good horse."

"Look! The person in the front is Wang Dou. I heard that he killed five Tartars by himself. He looks extremely vicious..."

"Wang Dou is openly carrying a woman behind him, isn't that a bit like that..."

"Are you taking too much care?"

While everyone was pointing and pointing, Wang Dou and others boldly came to the gate of the fort. The guards had obviously seen Wang Dou and the others, and they all greeted each other affectionately, and even looked eagerly at the fat horses under them. .One of them asked the reason why Wang Dou and others entered the fort. Wang Dou said that the envy in the eyes of several sergeants could not be concealed. , Look at yourself, alas, this person compares to others, it's really annoying.

Wang Dou and several soldiers were polite, and gave each of them some money, the expressions of the soldiers became more cordial, even Wang Dou and the others skipped inspection of their belt badges, and let them enter the fort directly.

Han Zhong said proudly: "It seems that our brothers are really famous in the castle, and even these guards give us face."

A few people behind laughed, but Wang Dou was thinking. From the guards at the fort gate, he could tell that the defense of the place was lax.

All the way into the fort, all you saw were all kinds of eyes and discussions. When you arrived in front of the hundred-household government hall on the East Street, several people got off their horses. Wang Dou was about to let the guards in front of the gate report. out.

Seeing Wang Dou, Zhang Tanggong greeted him with a big laugh. He said: "What a coincidence, we just mentioned Brother Wang, and Brother Wang came. You wait here for a while, and wait for Brother to report to the supervisor."

Wang Dou bowed deeply: "I'm sorry, Brother Zhang."

Zhang Tanggong pointed at Wang Dou and said angrily: "You and I are like our own flesh and blood, so saying this is to be out of touch."

He strode in, and soon, he heard Zhang Gui's hearty voice, and then saw Zhang Gui striding out, he laughed and said: "I was talking about Brother Wang, and I saw him coming."

He is wearing a pair of official clothes of thousands of households today, with a bronze lion-shaped waist plate on his waist. He looks very energetic. It seems that he has really been promoted.

Wang Dou hurriedly led several people to pay homage to him, Zhang Gui smiled and stepped forward to help Wang Dou: "You don't need to be too polite, brother."

He was in good spirits, and when he saw Han Chao and the others behind Wang Dou, he also nodded and said: "Several good guys have come together, very good!"

Wang Dou congratulated Gao Sheng, Zhang Guimei said with a smile: "This is also thanks to Brother Wang!"

The two said a few words, and under Wang Dou's signal, Xie Xiuniang stepped forward nervously to salute Zhang Gui. Zhang Gui looked at her and said with a smile, "This is the honored lady? It really is Xiuwai Huizhong, my wife has long been thinking of you." Woolen cloth."

Could it be that he said something polite, and then called out another girl to take Xie Xiuniang to the backyard.

The girl said respectfully: "Ma'am, please come with your servants."

Xie Xiuniang was taken aback by this claim, and felt a different world opened up to her, thinking that she used to be just like this girl, but now this girl respectfully calls her wife... She looked at it nervously Wang Dou glanced at Wang Dou, and Wang Dou gave her a comforting look. Xie Xiuniang adjusted her floral clothes, and followed the girl with an expression as if she was going up a mountain of knives or down a sea of ​​fire.

After Xie Xiuniang left, Zhang Gui said affectionately to Wang Dou: "Brother Wang, let's go into the house."

He took Wang Dou's hand without hesitation, and went to the inner courtyard together, the rest followed behind them.

Zhang Gui smiled at Wang Dou as he walked, "Brother, you really have a lot of face. The new defender, Mr. Xu, will see you at the first roll call after he arrives at the village."

Wang Dou hurriedly said: "It's because of the love of the captain that Wang Dou has this opportunity."

Zhang Gui nodded in satisfaction. This kid is very knowledgeable, and he can indeed win him over.

……

When everyone arrived in front of the hall, they saw two military officers sitting and talking in the hall. Seeing Zhang Gui, Wang Dou and others coming in, they all looked at each other.

Wang Dou looked and saw a military officer sitting in the middle, about 40 years old, wearing an official uniform of a thousand households, with the bear embroidered pattern of a fifth-rank military officer on it, and a beautiful unicorn bronze medal on his waist, his gaze Calm and soft.The man next to him was nearly forty years old, and he was wearing a suit of Qianhu's clothes.

Seeing everyone coming in, that Qianhu stood up with a smile, and the one next to him also stood up.

Zhang Gui hurried forward a few steps, he completely lost the coercion in front of Wang Dou and the others, and smiled so much that his short hairs seemed to be trembling, he saluted the thousand households respectfully: "Master Xu, Wang Dou and others The good man has arrived."

The thousand households smiled and nodded, Zhang Gui turned back to Wang Dou and the others and said, "Brother Wang, this is the new defender Xu Zhongjun of Shun Township Fort, and this is Lord Du Zhen. Lord Xu and Lord Du came here in the midst of their busy schedules. In our village, this is an honor for everyone in the Dongjiazhuang, so hurry up and pay your respects."

Wang Dou didn't dare to be negligent, and hurried forward to kowtow to Xu Zhongjun according to the sergeant's etiquette.The Han and North Koreans were also very excited, and followed closely behind Wang Dou to pay homage.

Xu Zhongjun said softly: "Get up."

He stretched out his hand to feint, like a qigong, Wang Dou and others took advantage of the momentum and stood up.

Xu Zhongjun looked carefully at Wang Dou and the others, and seeing that they were all hulking and sturdy, he couldn't help admiring: "It really is a hero, and it is worthy of being a hero who fought against the Tartars!"

He spoke softly and behaved quite elegantly. He had a sharp sword hanging from his waist, but he had an awe-inspiring aura, which was the majesty of power brought about by being in the top position for a long time.The deputy Qianhu Du Zhen next to him was full of arrogance, looking at Wang Dou and others with a condescending manner.

Zhang Gui said: "It's all because Master Xu and Master Xu have made a decision, and our Dongjiazhuang has such a great victory."

Xu Zhongjun said with a smile: "Zhang Gui, you are getting better at talking."

Zhang Gui opened his mouth and laughed, Wang Dou clasped his fists and said loudly: "Master Defender is overrated. The Tartars are poisoning the village. This is a difficult time for the country. As Ming officials and soldiers, Wang Dou and others can only serve the country with death. Death in battle is nothing more than a corpse shrouded in horse leather!"

Zhang Gui and the others all nodded. Xu Zhongjun looked at Wang Dou with a look of surprise. He was born in a low-level rough army.

He and Du Zhen looked at each other, and pondered: "Wang Dou, do you have a family inheritance, can you read and write?"

Wang Dou cupped his fists and said loudly: "The ancestor Wang Hu used to be under Qi Shuai's command. He fought with Qi's army in the north and south, and then lived in seclusion in the countryside. Wang Dou has practiced martial arts and calligraphy with his family since he was a child. Everything he has learned is passed down to his ancestors! "

Xu Zhongjun couldn't help being moved: "So it's Empress Zhongliang!"

He looked Wang Dou up and down, with eagerness on his face, his family background and good martial arts, if such talents can recruit under his command, it will be enough to make him even more powerful.But... this Wang Dou is Zhang Gui's direct commander, so it's not appropriate to ask him directly, so don't be in a hurry.

He pondered in his heart, but Han Chao and others realized at this time that Wang Dou's ancestor had followed Grandpa Qi, no wonder he was so outstanding in martial arts!Thinking of this, several people followed Wang Dou even more eagerly.

……

Xu Zhongjun smiled and encouraged Wang Dou a few words, then he straightened his face, called his followers over, and took his official clothes to tell him to wait.

Wang Dou and the others knew that the main show was coming, they were a little nervous for a while, they all stood up straight, even Zhang Gui sat down in a serious manner.

Xu Zhongjun came in front of Wang Dou, and said gently: "Wang Dou, you have made great achievements in capturing Dongnu, and the merit is commendable! I will offer you a generous reward to boost morale. Wang Dou, you have captured three heads. , You will be promoted to two grades, rewarded with 60 taels of silver, and you will be rewarded with your appearance and appearance. From now on, you still need to do your best to live up to your appointment!"

Wang Dou agreed loudly, and he knelt down to accept the belt badges handed over by Xu Zhongjun, official uniform seals, silver silk and other things, and he was very happy.

Look at everything in your hand, it's different after being promoted, the general flag waist card is made of high-quality copper and wood, and it's heavy to hold in your hand.The copper seal of the letter is also well-made, and the silk cloth is so comfortable to the touch.

There is also the reward silver that I got in my hand, which is also the kind of fine and delicate golden flower silver, 25 taels an ingot, with a curved bow around the waist, and there are two stamps in the ingot.This kind of silver has always been in the treasury of Shangjie, so it has been cast extremely well, with inscriptions, time, place, weight, silversmiths, casting supervisors, etc., all available. The so-called snowflake silver is this kind.

But at this time, Wang Dou received 60 taels of silver. Originally, he applied for the third rank, so it stands to reason that he should get 90 taels of silver. , it has been regarded as less embezzlement, and he got as much as 90 taels of 60 taels of silver, which is already very rare.

Looking at Han Chao and the others, they also received rewards one by one, and everyone was very happy. Whether it was the waist badge in their hands, or the seal of the official uniform, they kept looking at it over and over again, especially It's Qi Tianliang, with his big mouth open and giggling non-stop, even saying that my old Qi also has this day.

Seeing the appearance of Wang Dou and others, Xu Zhongjun and Zhang Gui looked at each other and smiled. They could understand the mood of Wang Dou and others. They thought that when they learned that they had been promoted a few days ago, they behaved differently. Not much better than Wang Dou and others.

Xu Zhongjun laughed and said: "Okay, everyone has finished their rewards, it's getting late, Mr. Zhang, shouldn't it be time for a banquet?"

Zhang Gui hurriedly said: "That's right, it's time to hold a banquet, come, come and serve me a drink, and let all the heroes celebrate their achievements!"

(End of this chapter)