weaving

Chapter 623

On the Huanxi Ridge in the southeast of Shanhaiguan, Hong Chengchou didn't care about Liu Zizheng's worries about Zhang Cheng's fear of disobedience. He only hoped that Zhang Cheng would lead the army as scheduled.

He said to Liu Zizheng: "How many generals who are capable of fighting are not arrogant? However, Zhang Cheng said in his letter that [-] infantry have already marched ahead and will arrive at Guancheng in a few days, and he will also lead the cavalry. The escorted luggage is about to set off, but I can't wait any longer!"

Liu Zizheng said: "Xuanzhen East Road has only traveled for more than ten days. Since there is a slight delay on the way, at most it will take more than a month to reach the city of Ningyuan. The governor can deploy defenses around Ningyuan, and wait for the army to gather before deciding to advance. Strategies."

Looking at the army marching down the mountain, Hong Chengchou said calmly, "Do your best."

After he finished speaking, he turned his head to look in the direction of the capital, and said, "I'll wait and do my best. As for the outcome, it's up to fate!"

After Hong Chengchou finished speaking, he led his soldiers and galloped down the Huanxi Ridge. Looking at the back of the governor, Liu Zizheng suddenly felt desolate. He sighed deeply, and couldn't help rolling down old tears.

He immediately went up to the mountain of joy, watching the army line wind and move away, and the sound of the hooves of the rear team gradually weakened, and finally the wilderness was silent, in the warm spring breeze, only the occasional barking of dogs from the surrounding deserted villages remained.

…………

On the eighth day of the fifth lunar month, beside the Dajiao Field outside the south gate of Yongning City, a fully loaded cart was traveling south, leaving deep ruts on the slightly muddy road.

Walking at the front of the team was He Kuan, the right commander of Zhang Cheng's central army. The military funds accompanied them, and finally Du Youwei, the left part of the central army, led the troops to cut off the rear.

And behind the army, there were many horse-drawn carriages accompanying them. They were a convoy organized by the major grain merchants, cloth merchants, salt merchants, medicine merchants, and chariot and horse dealers in Xuan Town.

Because Zhang Cheng's army carried a lot of gunpowder, cannons and iron leaves to repair the armor and other military resources in this expedition to Liaodong, the food and grass carried by the car battalion appeared to be insufficient.

Ever since Chongzhen experienced the 11-year shortage of King Qin's grain, Zhang Cheng has set an iron rule for himself, no matter what the situation is, he must prepare no less than ten days' worth of rations for the army under his command.

Therefore, in addition to being fully loaded with military supplies, the Che Ying Shu Department for this battle is mostly dried meat, bacon and bacon sealed in porcelain jars, and pickles and pickles sealed in porcelain jars.

There are also various marching and combat rations such as light cakes, pot helmets, glutinous rice, vinegar steamed cakes, coarse cloth vinegar, dried soya bean, glutinous rice cakes, and sesame balls, as well as some dark plums and cheese.

These are processed Ming standard marching rations, which are lighter in weight, easier to carry and more durable than grain grains. Some of them are emergency rations carried by every sergeant during wartime.
Of course, the army will also carry some normal grains to improve the food for the soldiers when necessary, but it is inconvenient to carry too much, because a large amount of grains will be consumed while transporting grains, and transporting too much will outweigh the benefits .

…………

A few days ago, in Chi Castle, he had discussed with those big merchants in Xuan Town that they would help him raise and transport part of the food and grass needed by the army.

After Cheng Ruzhi, Zhao Zhenju, Tang Zhiyi, Yang Wanjin, Xu Qingyi and others went back, they discussed together again. Due to the urgency of time, they were not allowed to go back to the town to collect the corresponding supplies.

They can only unite with various local merchants on the North Road and East Road, and even purchase corresponding grains, salt and other raw materials from various military households, and then rush to make all kinds of rations and military supplies needed by the army going out of the customs.

Zhang Cheng was naturally very supportive of this matter. The reason why he was so late in discussing the purchase of military rations with them was to catch them off guard and force them to actively seek cooperation from local businesses.

How can it be possible for others outside the North Road and East Road to take away most of the benefits of what I have spent so much energy planning?
Zhang Cheng also gave a new term "subcontracting to households" for this kind of large merchants who purchase military supplies and then turn to small merchants or military households to purchase the required raw materials!
In this way, he only needs to take out the money. As for the procurement, sorting, processing, transshipment and many other trivial matters, the big merchants who take care of the military supplies will be responsible for it.

And he only needs to check and accept the goods at the scheduled pick-up place. As for the silver, he naturally pays a [-]% deposit in advance according to the rules, and settles the full amount after returning from the battle.

In this way, I can save myself some effort, save the money in my hands from the difficulty of turnover, and also give some income to the soldiers and civilians who follow me on the North Road and East Road.

The most important thing is that you can take this opportunity to completely bind those big merchants who intend to move closer to you to your chariot, and you can also set an example for those merchants who have not moved closer to you. It can be said to serve multiple purposes!
…………

Zhang Chengce looked at the mighty and majestic convoy and soldiers on the horse, and said to Wei Zhice beside him, "Go. Even though you are marching in Xuanzhen and Jibei, you must do more checks, and you must not be slack."

Wei Zhice clasped his fists and said, "Commander, please rest assured, Wei Zhice knows."

Zhang Cheng was still at ease with Wei Zhice, he nodded, and then he said to He Biao, the general governor on the other side: "Ghost face congratulations, I will leave all the food, grass and military resources of the whole army to Wei Zhice and you. Our father sees it properly!"

He Biao still had a gloomy face, and said in a deep voice, "Please don't worry about food, grass and military supplies, Commander, they will take care of them safely. It's just that Commander will not be reckless in the future, and everything must be handled in accordance with the rules and regulations."

Zhang Cheng just smiled, and said again: "Our caravan from Xuan Town is following behind. It is their first time carrying military supplies and grass to march with the army. Remember to take care of them."

He Biao turned his head and took a look, but he didn't speak. He just couldn't understand why the army brought along these profiteers to make trouble.

However, Wei Zhice understood the deep meaning of it, he clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Commander, the general will control the speed of the army, and he will never let the caravan go too far away from the army."

Zhang Cheng nodded in satisfaction, and waved his hand to signal them to go after the army. Wei Zhice and He Biao didn't say a word, and after they clasped their fists in salute, they rode their horses and ran south.

At this time, Cheng Ruzhi, the treasurer of Zhencheng Qing'an and Liangzhuang, and Xu Qingyi from Dushikou Sihai Motors and several others rode over. Zhang Cheng clasped his fists at them and said, "Zhang Cheng is going to fight in Liaodong this time. I’m really sorry to help raise and deliver military supplies, food and grass, and have to be personally escorted by Lao Cheng and Xu Dong’s family.”

Cheng Ruzhi and the others naturally knew that these were Zhang Cheng's self-effacing words, and immediately saluted with fists in their hands, "Why did the commander make such a statement? Although we are merchants, we are also loyal to the Xu country. Now the commander thinks highly of me." Wait, give me the opportunity to serve the country, how dare you say the word 'trouble'."

After he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked at each other for a while, and then turned around and cupped his fists and said, "If there is something I need to report to the commander in chief."

Cheng Ruzhi looked at Zhang Cheng sincerely, clasped his fists and continued, "We deeply admire the commander in chief for his loyalty to the country. After discussing with several big shopkeepers and owners, in order to show our respect for the commander in chief, we would like to Use [-]% of the final payment to donate to the army.”

(End of this chapter)