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Chapter 333 Is 'Burning Knife' Tasty Enough?

On June [-]th, at the end of the hour, outside the South Gate of Dushikoubao City.

Two carriages were ready to go, and two guards, a total of 24, rode on both sides of the carriage, waiting for the military order to set off.

In front of the general's office, Zhang Cheng tightly held the hand of Commander Jin Xinpeng of the Guards, and said: "I'm really sorry to have Commander Lao Jin rushing around for my younger brother's private affairs."

Jin Xinpeng smiled and said: "Jin's old bones are still useful, and I'm so happy to be able to serve Admiral Zhang. The admiral is waiting in peace on the North Road. We will definitely handle this errand properly. posted."

"Furthermore, Jin has been guarding the barren land on the North Road, just taking the opportunity of doing business for the admiral, let's go to the capital for a stroll, right?"

Jin Xinpeng joked, and everyone laughed together.

At this time, a young eunuch walked slowly, regardless of his young age, he held his head high, with a lofty and arrogant appearance, came to Zhang Cheng, and said in a high-pitched voice: "Zhang Cheng Admiral, can we start here?"

Seeing his appearance, Zhang Cheng was extremely disgusted in his heart, but this little eunuch came to Beijing with Jin Xinpeng this time, and he was recruiting craftsmen for the North Road, so he could only say with a smile on his face: "Eunuch Chen, Everything is ready, please get in the car."

He turned his head and told Wang Keda and Liu Shanzi, the two guards of the Ding Bureau of the Pro-Military Department: "Don't be in a hurry, you must pay more attention to safety, and you must not be careless when you wait for the guards."

Seeing the little eunuch surnamed Chen get into the carriage, Jin Xinpeng said to Zhang Cheng: "No need to send the admiral far away. Xinpeng will definitely handle everything properly when he comes to Beijing this time. You don't have to worry about it."

Watching the two carriages gradually go away under the guard of the knights, and turned south on Yong'an Avenue, Zhang Cheng also turned back and entered the general's office.

…………

Since Zhang Cheng sent away Jin Xinpeng and others, he never rested. He led Lin Fangping to inspect Junzi Fort, Pine Tree Fort, and Maying Fort one after another.

After the purge in the past, there is a serious shortage of guards and troops in the castle towns on Shangbei Road. Gein's famous old and weak have been eliminated, and the remaining people are small but all young and strong.

The thousands of households in each fort have some opinions on this. They can no longer be greedy for food and wages, and all the occupied fields have been returned, and they can no longer enslave the military households.

These made them unable to continue to support the servants. At first they were okay, but as time passed, some servants were unwilling to stay here any longer, and they left one after another.

For this situation, Zhang Cheng's rule is that if those who have military registration in the North Road leave, they will be dealt with as deserters, while those who are not from the North Road military households will be allowed to leave freely, without restrictions or restrictions. retain.

Ren Jilong, the defender of the Maying Army, had great opinions on this at the beginning, and he also had a lot of complaints in private, but since Zhang Cheng returned from his visit to Beijing, he captured and killed Xue Liangqing, the commander of the Kaiping Guard, and Wu Youlu, the defender of Chicheng. Astray.

In fact, before Xue Liangqing plotted to assassinate Zhang Cheng, he also sent someone to contact him and Yunzhou's guard Chi Yuan, but this Ren Jilong had an extra heart.

He walked around frequently with Jin Xinpeng, Yan Qingrong, and Xue Liangqing on weekdays, but secretly he was the closest to Jin Xinpeng. He did not rush to reply to Xue Liangqing, but asked Jin Xinpeng for advice in private.

Under Jin Xinpeng's suggestion, he didn't explicitly promise Xue Liangqing anything, but only hinted that Xue Liangqing would not interfere in his affairs, as long as he could continue to sit in the guard position of the horse camp.

And Chi Yuan didn't even see the person sent by Xue Liangqing. Since Zhang Cheng passed by Yunzhou Fort for the first time, he was determined to follow Zhang Cheng. thing.

On this day, Zhang Cheng stayed in the garrison office of Ma Yingbao. Ma Zhong, a thousand household in Junzibao, and Liu Zhenzhou, a thousand household in Songshubao, also came to Maying to accompany them.

In the official hall of the Maying Garrison Office, Zhang Cheng sat in the center at the top, Lin Fangping and Maying Garrison Ren Jilong were on the left, and Ma Zhong and Liu Zhenzhou were on the right.

"Master Admiral, there are only 40 cavalrymen and 270 infantrymen left in our horse battalion, which is relatively small." Ren Jilong was the first to complain.

Zhang Cheng smiled without saying a word, he took a sip of tea from his teacup, and then said in a calm tone: "I also know that first we eliminated the old and weak in your department, and then took away the elite cavalry under your command." The departure of some old soldiers and some family members has indeed weakened the military strength of each fort.

However, this general has already been ordered by the emperor to admiral Beilu, so he will not empty out the army of Beilu, only this general will benefit! "

Having said that, Zhang Cheng stopped to pick up his teacup and drank a few sips of tea. He also observed the performance of several people. Seeing that they were all waiting for him to continue, he put down his teacup and said:

"Long live God ordered me to train more than ten thousand elite officers and soldiers as soon as possible. This general is also for the sake of the king, so he dispatched strong soldiers from each fort to enrich the new army. meritorious person."

Ren Jilong, Ma Zhong, and Liu Zhenzhou all said: "Don't dare, dare not!"

Zhang Cheng continued: "You don't need to be impatient. After the recruiting of the new army is over and the drills are on the right track, the general will re-approve the number of sergeants stationed in each fort and equip you with armored battles.

Now, everyone, please understand my difficulties, and use this limited force for the time being to do a good job of patrolling and sentry. But if you have a side situation, please report to the general, and I will deploy the army to assist in the defense, so that the north road will not be lost. "

He also said: "The most important thing in raising soldiers is money and food. The Secretary of Defense has re-checked the fields and military households in several of your castles before. Looking at it today, there are many newly opened barren fields. It can be seen that you are still doing things with all your heart." try my best.

As long as I do things honestly here, and don’t cheat with me, I will definitely not treat him badly. If I have a double heart, play games with me, and fool me, I will never forgive him lightly. Him, do you know? "

"The humble officer knows, please rest assured, the admiral, we will do things with sincerity, and we will all be dispatched by the admiral, and we will never dare to be fooled in the slightest."

Ren Jilong, the defender of Ma Ying, took the lead in expressing his opinion, and Ma Zhong and Liu Zhenzhou also responded obsequiously.

Zhang Cheng picked up his teacup, drank a few sips of tea, and was satisfied with their performance. Now, secret whistles and eyeliners have been set up in all the big castles on the North Road, but he will know if there is any trouble.

Under the influence of Xue Liangqing and Wu Youlu, the guards and officials of thousands of households in various castles will no longer have the guts to take the risk of their entire family being slaughtered.

At this moment, the general banner of Ren Jilong, the garrison of the horse camp, came to report, and the food and wine were all ready, waiting for the masters to go to the table.

Zhang Cheng was not in a hurry to get up, he turned his head and told Lin Fangping: "Fangping, take out the spirits we brought, and invite Ren Shoubei, Ma Qianhu and Liu Qianhu to taste our 'burning knife' Enough flavor!"

(End of this chapter)