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

Chapter 69 Marriage
When the gunpowder smoke cleared, Wang Dou and the others saw the terrified bandits a few steps ago. Behind them, the bodies of the bandits were scattered all over the place, and some of the survivors were still rolling and screaming on the ground.Two rounds of gunfire struck Jingbian Fort, killing and wounding at least twenty bandits.

The situation in front of me, not to mention the dazed expressions of the bandits, even the servants of Xu Zucheng next to him, as well as the servants of the various castles, were too shocked to speak. The firearms of this Jingbian Fort are so sharp?Much beyond everyone's expectations.

Seeing those Jingbian Fort Bird gunners constantly advancing and retreating, shooting and killing many bandits calmly, they were all shocked.

Just now they also fired a few rounds of bows and arrows and three-eyed guns, but in terms of killing effect, they were far behind the Jingbian Fort Bird Gunners.

After the Jingbian Fort Bird Gunners finished fighting, they quickly retreated from both sides.

"kill!"

Those bandits rushed towards the officers and soldiers habitually, and after the two rows of Jingbian Fort Bird Gunners retreated, behind them was a row of Sword and Shield Soldiers standing erect with shields, led by Yang Tong.At this time, under Yang Tong's order, they collectively took a step forward, shouted loudly, and threw the javelins in their hands together.

Ten javelins came, and the bandits in front of them screamed again.

With such a distance of a few steps, those heavy and sharp javelins could penetrate not only the human body, but even shields. Several bandits were nailed to the ground on the spot.

At this time, the passionate drums of the Central Military Department sounded, and immediately behind the sword and shield soldiers of Jingbian Fort, two rows of spearmen in iron armor rushed out with their guns.

"kill!"

The spearmen in the first row were led by Han Chao. Han Chao gave an order, and all the spearmen stabbed the bandits in front of them with their spears.

A row of long spears shot out like lightning, and each shot pierced the opponent's eyes, throat, heart, and waist. Amidst the screams, several gangsters clutched their wounds and fell down in pain.

The pikemen stabbed once, and then stabbed again. Some of the gangsters stabbed them with swords and spears. Although they were protected by iron armor, a few of them still made low, muffled sounds when they were injured. He gritted his teeth and stood still, but the spear in his hand stabbed out again, stabbing the bandit opposite to death.

"Back off!"

Following the sound of Han and North Korea, the first row of pikemen retreated, and the second row of pikemen led by Zhong Tiaoyang stepped forward.

"kill!"

The second row of pikemen stabbed out the pikes in their hands together, and there was another scream.

……

In the short battle, Lian was shot by the blunderbuss before, even the javelin was thrown to kill, and the two rows of pikemen were assassinated several times. Only in front of the formation of Jingbian Fort, the corpses of more than 30 bandits fell, lying in disorder. The ground was covered with blood, and more than a dozen bandits were injured.

Previously, the bandits saw that there seemed to be a gap on the Jingbian Fort side. They picked the persimmons and pinched the soft persimmons. The attack vanguard of more than 200 people was assigned to as many as a hundred in front of the Jingbian Fort army. Unexpectedly, before they could react, This number of casualties has accounted for nearly half.

Even if these bandit vanguards are the bravest and least fearful of life and death among the bandits, their complexions have changed drastically at this time, and they are very frightened, but they just stand hesitantly on the periphery and dare not go forward.

Han Chao shouted: "Array!"

With a sound of "Wow!", the spearmen in the front row held their guns flat, and the spearmen in the back row leaned their spears against their shoulders.

"go ahead!"

Two rows of Jingbian Fort spearmen moved forward according to the order. Their movements were uniform and their steps were neat. Seen from the side, they looked like two straight long lines.

They came silently with guns, revealing a solemn killing intent.

The bandits in front of them were all pale, and they all staggered back, not daring to meet the pikemen.

Along with their pale faces, there were also Xu Zucheng's servants and the servants of other forts next to them. The bird guns in Jingbian Fort had already surprised them. After seeing the fighting methods of these pikemen, they were even more chilled.Neat, efficient, stabbing out with one shot, going forward indomitably, ignoring the life and death of the other party and oneself.

They are not human, they are clearly indifferent and efficient killing machines.

Although these servants played lively and beautifully, but the results were not much, and the number of people killed in Jingbian Fort was already several times that of their own side. Why did this happen?

Xu Zucheng's Central Army Headquarters was set up on a small hill, with a rough platform built on it. He had seen the shooting of the blunderbuss in Jingbian Fort before. He was very surprised and said: "Then Jingbian Fort What kind of firearm is used, and why is it so sharp?"

Yang Dongmin beside him said suspiciously: "It should be the bird gun, but why is their bird gun..."

Speaking of this, Yang Dongmin was also surprised and didn't know what to say.

The next battle of the Jingbian Fort spearmen shocked everyone again. The people in the Central Military Department all stared blankly at the two long spearmen lined up over there, watching those bandit forwards keep retreating, and finally they With a cry, swarms of swarms fled for their lives, leaving armor and weapons all over the place.

Xu Zucheng murmured, "It's really sharp!"

……

The bandit vanguard was defeated and fled, and the officers and soldiers chased for a while, no more messy than other officers and soldiers, the Jingbian Fort sergeants also kept their queues when they pursued.The officers and soldiers pursued for a while, and when the opponent's cavalry came out to intercept, they withdrew their troops and returned to the formation.

The first battle was won, and the morale of the officers and soldiers was greatly boosted.

During the rest of the battle, Xu Zucheng called Wang Dou over to speak, and looked at Wang Dou's subordinates who stood upright, Xu Zucheng nodded again and again: "What a good soldier!"

He said: "Wang Dou, these are the servants you trained?"

Wang Dou clasped his fists and said, "My lord, these are all military households from Jingbian Fort, and the humble officer trained them roughly for several months!"

Everyone took a collective breath of air-conditioning, and they were military households who had been training roughly for several months?

It's like this after a few months of training, and a few years of training, what will it look like?
Xu Zucheng was also speechless, and finally sighed: "What a fearsome future generation!"

His own general Yang Dongmin also said beside him: "Such bravery, I am afraid that Qi Shuai's soldiers back then were no more than this!"

Yang Zhichang, the defense officer of Wubao, was also very surprised, and looked at Wang Dou in disbelief.

Xu Zucheng looked at the blunderbusses in the hands of the blunderbuss soldiers in Jingbianbao with emotion again. Hearing that these blunderbusses were only made by ordinary craftsmen in Shunxiang Fort, he was speechless for a long time.

He looked at the sergeants of Wang Dou, although they were just ordinary military households in Jingbian Fort, but they all had abilities comparable to servants, Xu Zucheng even paid attention to the two teams of soldiers, ignoring their beggar attire.I also heard that there are still several teams of soldiers left behind in Wangdou Fortress, so if calculated in this way, Wangdou has more than a hundred soldiers in his hands, and their combat power is comparable to that of servants.

Xu Zhongjun, the original defense officer of Shun Township Fort, only had fifty servants. Xu Zucheng looked at Wang Dou for a long time, thinking in his heart, maybe this Wang Dou...

……

The officers and soldiers fought against the bandits several times. When the battle got intense, the cavalry of the bandits repeatedly attacked the officers and soldiers' wings. The door's tiger crouching cannon.

The bandits cherished their cavalry the most. Seeing that they had no advantage to take advantage of, they only maneuvered around the periphery far away, took a moment to pounce on them, took a bite, and left immediately.Although it did not cause much damage to the officers and soldiers, the psychological pressure was also great.

In the afternoon of the battle, the bandits were defeated. Those cavalry fled first, and the rest of the infantry followed. Three thousand bandits, one of which disappeared, only the core core of several hundred cavalry, and more than 1000 bandits fled into the city. He set up a bandit camp near Yizhuang, closed the camp to protect himself, and let the officers and soldiers shout and scold outside, and never came out alive or dead.

……

In the head fort a few miles away from the bandits, officers and soldiers gathered in this small military fort to camp and rest.

Yang Dongmin said: "My lord, this time our army beheaded more than [-] ranks, wounded more than [-] thieves, and captured more than [-] pairs of swords, shields and spears. The supplies are worthless. My lord, this is a great victory!"

Xu Zucheng just listened indifferently, and everyone else was also a little absent-minded. The great victory sounds good, but in fact, it only killed some old and weak among the bandits, and there were few young and strong. Most of them were killed by the Jingbian army before the battle. .

Three thousand bandits, less than 1000 young and strong, and the core of more than 300 cavalry, almost without any damage.Now that the bandits are retreating into the camp, if the officers and soldiers insist on attacking the stronghold, there will be a lot of casualties.Another point is that if they can't stay in the camp, at worst they will abandon those refugees and use their hundreds of cavalry to coerce the refugees elsewhere, and they can quickly gather thousands of troops and make a comeback.

The key is how to eliminate the hundreds of cavalry.

"Night attack? This black light is blind, Wang Zongqi, you take someone to attack at night?"

Because Wang Dou was valued by Xu Zucheng, even though Wang Dou was a general banner in the military discussion, he was honored to be present and put forward his own suggestions.

After hearing Wang Dou's words, Yang Zhichang, the defense officer of Wubao, immediately made fun of him.

Night blindness is common in this era, it is difficult to recognize objects at night, and the organization of night battles is extremely difficult. This night battle is a mess, no wonder Yang Zhichang said so.

Zhang Gui said angrily: "Master Yang, when we wiped out the Siqingliang Bandit Village last year, it was destroyed by Wang Zongqi's sneak attack at night. Why is this night attack not possible?"

Hearing Zhang Gui's words, Xu Zucheng was also a little moved. He mused, "It's just that there are few servants who are good at night battles in each castle, and there are very few recruits at night. I'm afraid there are not enough troops!"

Although all officers have some servants, most of them do not have the ability to fight at night.Although Yebushou is used to night activities, the number of Yebushou in each fort is small, and they have no experience in cooperating with each other in combat. It is also a problem who will command and command.Night battles are notoriously dangerous, and any small accident may ruin all previous efforts.

While he was pondering, Wang Dou stood up again, cupping his fists and saluting: "Master Xu, since the night attack was proposed by the humble officer, the inferior officer is willing to lead his subordinates to steal the camp!"

Yang Zhichang, the defense officer of Wubao, immediately sneered: "Wang Zongqi, there is no joke in the army!"

Wang Dou said indifferently: "The humble officer dares to issue a military order!"

……

At night, Wang Dou quietly led his five teams of soldiers and his second team of soldiers out of the fortress.In his discussion with Xu Zucheng and others, if the night attack is successful, Wang Dou will release a rocket signal, and then the officers and soldiers in Toubao will lead the troops to support.

Watching Wang Dou and the others disappear, Xu Lu sighed: "This young man just can't hold his breath and can't stand the excitement. This banditry is no small matter, no more than Siqianliang's gang of bandits!"

Zhang Gui said in a daze, "It should be fine!"

Xu Lu sighed, "It's hard to say."

He just shook his head and sighed, these days he and Zhang Gui were having a heated fight, and at this moment the two were standing together and talking.

Except for Xu Lu and Zhang Gui, none of the others had any intention of resting. They stood quietly on the wall of the fort, watching the movements in the west carefully.

Time passed quietly, the ugly time passed, there was no movement, the Yin time passed, there was still no movement.

Yang Dongmin walked beside Xu Zucheng, and said softly: "My lord, it's late at night and the dew is heavy, why don't you go back and rest?"

Xu Zucheng shook his head and said, "It's okay, let's have a look again!"

At the exact moment of Yin time, suddenly the flames and thick smoke rose into the sky in the direction of the northwest bandit camp, accompanied by the faint sound of gongs and shouts of killing.

Zhang Gui was overjoyed, clapped his legs and shouted: "It seems that Wang Dou has succeeded!"

Xu Lu, Yang Dongmin and others were also overjoyed, Yang Dongmin said: "Brother Wang is really good, he really stole the camp of thieves!"

Xu Zucheng laughed too, so he ordered to send troops to respond.

Yang Zhichang hurriedly said: "My lord, I haven't seen the rocket signal agreed by Wang Zongqi. Besides, it's not yet dawn, and the march at night may be chaotic. It's also a trick of the bandits. Why don't you wait any longer?" look!"

Everyone in the five forts over there immediately tried to persuade him, saying that what Master Yang said was a prudent statement, and he should wait until Wang Dou's rocket signal came out.Hearing what everyone said, Xu Zucheng also hesitated. When everyone continued to wait until Maoshi, when the sky was slightly bright, a rocket was shot from the northwest direction, which was very eye-catching in the night sky.

Xu Zucheng shouted loudly to send troops to respond, he ordered all the soldiers and horses, and only went to the bandit camp to kill.

When all the officers and soldiers entered the camp, they saw that most of the interior had been burned, there were broken trees and branches everywhere, and the corpses and blood of the bandits were all over the ground, everyone was speechless.

In the camp, Xu Zucheng and others saw Wang Dou with blood all over his face, and looking at his subordinates, they were all covered in blood, whether it was his own or someone else's. It can be seen that many of them were covered with blood. color.

Wang Dou wearily reported to Xu Zucheng that he had led more than 280 men, and after successfully attacking the camp, killed more than [-] bandits and captured more than [-] bandits. Most of the bandit cavalry were killed, and it is estimated that only dozens of people fled , and some thieves dispersed at night.In addition, more than [-] war horses were also seized, as well as some gold and silver. There was too much food and grass to be liquidated.

Looking at the tragic situation in the camp, Xu Zucheng sighed: "Wang Dou, you have made great achievements in attacking and killing the bandit camp. You should remember the first merit, and I will reward you for your merit."

Everyone nodded in admiration, Wang Dou made this contribution, achieved something impossible for everyone, and everyone was amazed.

Only Yang Zhichang snorted softly, with a look of jealousy in his eyes.

Xu Zucheng ordered to search and suppress the bandits, counted the supplies, and looked at the boxes of gold and silver in front of him, as well as the many grains and grasses. Everyone was overjoyed, and the harvest this time was too great.

Looking at the more than 280 war horses in front of him, Xu Zucheng pondered for a while, and said to Wang Dou: "Wang Zongqi, these captured horse supplies..."

Wang Dou saluted deeply: "Everything is up to Mr. Xu!"

Xu Zucheng was startled, he looked up to the sky and laughed, he patted Wang Dou's shoulder heavily, and said loudly: "Wang Dou, you are very good, very good!"

……

On the ninth day of October in the eighth year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou got married.

On this day, the entire Jingbian Fort was decorated with lights and festoons, and it was full of joy.All the military households put down their work and came to work on Wang Dou's wedding.

There were many guests on this day, apart from the relatives and friends of the Wang family and Xie family, He Yi, an officer from various forts, came here.

Wang Dou was dressed in the groom's official attire, and he was busy greeting the guests. His mother, Zhong Shi, was even more attired in a new look, beaming with joy, but she was just looking around.The son is finally married, and the mother has settled her worries.

Wang Dou welcomed the guests into the hall one by one, suddenly he heard a burst of laughter, and then a rough voice came: "Brother Wang, my brother is here to congratulate you, great joy, great joy, today you are double happiness."

But it was Zhang Gui and Zhang Tanggong, the head of his family team, who came here, and several others carried several boxes of congratulatory gifts!
Wang Dou hurriedly greeted them, and the two exchanged pleasantries for a while, Wang Dou said a little strangely: "Double happiness is coming? I don't understand what the elder brother said!"

Zhang Gui laughed loudly and said, "You don't know yet, do you? Mr. Morality has already appointed my brother as the defense officer of Shun Township Castle. The appointment document will come down soon."

Wang Dou was stunned for a moment, the good news came too suddenly, he said: "What about you, brother?"

Zhang Gui smiled from ear to ear, and said: "Thanks to my brother, I have been transferred to Zhoucheng. Although we brothers are not in the same place in the future, we still have to get close!"

After Zhang Gui's explanation, Wang Dou finally understood that both the garrison officer and battalion officer of the prefectural city had recently been transferred to the Acropolis, leaving two places vacant.This time Zhang Gui and Lin Daofu succeeded in suppressing the bandits, so they were transferred to Zhoucheng to serve as Tuntian officer and battalion officer respectively.As for the position of defense officer vacated by Shun Xiangbao, Wang Dou came to take over.

Although Wang Dou is now the general banner, but he has made great achievements recently, this promotion is certain. Although the official title of the Ming Dynasty is to be appointed by the Ministry of War, the position of the defense officer can be appointed by the ethics officer.For the current integrity officer Xu Zucheng, he has already set his sights on the next defensive position. Shunxiangbao needs someone with outstanding ability to take over, and Wang Dou is of course the best candidate.

Looking at Wang Dou in front of him, Zhang Gui secretly sighed in his heart, this guy has too much official luck, he sat in the position of defense officer at a young age, how many people will never reach such a height in a lifetime.But I have nothing to be unhappy about. Although I failed to be a defensive officer, I am very happy to be transferred to Zhoucheng to serve as a farm officer. After all, Zhoucheng is prosperous, and it is much better than staying in a small Shunxiang Fort.

Scholars have a good saying, it is so appropriate to apply it to oneself.

Hearing Zhang Gui's words, Wang Dou came to his senses quickly. Zhang Gui was transferred to Zhoucheng to serve as a farm officer, and he himself served as a defense officer. There will be many things to ask him for help in the future. It is certain to have a good relationship.He hurriedly said: "We are happy together, my brother has been promoted to the position, and my younger brother also congratulates you. I will work harder for you in the future."

Zhang Gui smiled so much that his teeth could not be seen, he said: "It's easy to talk, easy to talk, we are all brothers, if you need something, just come and find it!"

Wang Dou welcomed Zhang Gui in, and soon, the good news spread that Wang Dourong was promoted to the defense officer of Shun Township Fort, and the military households in the fort were even more happy.

Then more guests came, Lin Daoji came, Zhang Jungui came, the team officer of Huiyaobao Chang Zhengwei came, the team officer Zhong Dayong came with a smile on his face, and the officials of Shunxiang Fort Feng Dachang, Zhouzhuang, Huzhuang, Jia Duonan, Lu Xianyang, Zhang Shutang and others came, all of them accompanied by smiling faces, with respectful and affectionate expressions, and defended the adults one by one.

Wang Dou greeted them one by one with a smile, and someone beside him called brother-in-law, but it was Xie Yike, Xie Xiuniang's younger brother.

This guy is 16 years old this year. He has handsome features but a strong body. He is the only male in the Xie family. Xie Xiuniang has eight brothers and sisters. People, Xie Xiu's mother's family now only has an older sister and this younger brother.

Xie Yike is an acquaintance, he has only been in the castle for a few days, and he has become one with everyone, Wang Dou also likes him very much.

At this moment, he glared at Xie Yike: "You boy, you know how to run around, and you don't follow me to greet guests."

Xie Yike shouted: "Okay, what brother-in-law says, do what you want."

Suddenly, Bin Yi shouted: "Master Xu Zucheng, the integrity officer, has arrived!"

Immediately there was commotion in the hall, and one voice said: "Master Xu is here!"

Wang Dou also rushed out to greet him.

……

There was a lot of noise outside, but it was quiet inside.

This is the bridal chamber of Wang Dou and Xie Xiuniang. Inside, red candles are burning brightly, and a bright red wedding bed is laid out.

At this moment, Xie Xiuniang was sitting on the bed, dressed like a bride.Next to her, surrounded by several clever maids selected from the castle, these maids were chattering at this moment, just reporting the situation outside to Xie Xiuniang.

Two girls clapped their hands and sang a little song from the Northland around Xie Xiuniang: "Silly Junjiao, my brother, pinch us with a piece of yellow mud. Pinch one you, pinch one me. Squeeze like Make a living, come and lie on the same bed. Throw the clay figurines, and reconcile them with water. Make another you, and another me. Brothers have sisters, and sisters have brothers..."

This was a popular song in the north of Ming Dynasty at that time, the lyrics and tone were quite bold, and Xie Xiuniang was ashamed and happy when she sang it, but she just lowered her head with a blushing face.

Suddenly a rough woman came in and shouted loudly: "Ah, congratulations, little lady, your lord has been promoted to be a defense officer, what a joy!"

Everyone couldn't believe it, and the girls kept asking questions, and the rough woman said loudly: "Now it's spread in the hall, it's absolutely true!"

Everyone congratulated Xie Xiuniang one after another, and the rough woman said loudly: "Little lady is really lucky, now she has become an official wife!"

Xie Xiuniang listened to everyone's congratulations, and her expression was a little dazed. The words in everyone's ears seemed to be far away. She was just thinking that she had finally become brother Wang Dou's wife. She was looking forward to it every day. Achieved.

She couldn't express that kind of anticipation and feelings for Wang Dou in words. She had heard a little song before and felt that it sang in her heart.

"If you want to be separated, unless the heavens do the earth. If you want to be separated, unless the east and the west are made... If you want to share time, you can't be separated from me. If you want to be apart, you can't be separated from you. Even if you die in the underworld, you can't be a parting ghost!"

Xie Xiuniang felt that something was blocking her heart, and her mood was very agitated. She felt like crying, but she was too embarrassed to cry in front of everyone.

Suddenly there was another shout from outside: "Ah, Mr. Xu is here too!"

Immediately, everyone in the room crowded out, Xie Xiuniang also subconsciously stood up, and then sat down again.She sat there in a daze, and at some point, her tears had already flowed down.Perhaps, this is the happiness that scholars talk about.

"End of Volume Two"

※※※

Old White Bull:
The second volume is finally completed, and the next volume will slowly unravel the magnificent historical picture of the late Ming Dynasty, and a great era is coming.Should be a better story.

Another: The next volume will start tomorrow, and it will be on the shelves. If you haven't collected it yet, please bookmark it, so as not to be inconvenient to find it when the time comes.

谢谢，老白牛于2010年8月14日20时49分！
(End of this chapter)