prosperous age

Chapter 29 29 The First Literati Gathering

"How many of your hundred households can you fight?"

Wu Zhankui asked Wei Meng in a low voice, obviously he was more concerned about this.

Wei Meng was silent for a moment when he heard the words, and after thinking about it in his mind, he said: "If according to the requirements of the soldiers, there are about ten people on my side, and those who are strong, flexible, and barely capable of fighting, there are probably twenty or thirty people." .

The rest of the dozens of people pretended to be okay, but if they really fought, they couldn't do it, and they all only knew how to farm. "

"Thirty or forty, it's not bad."

After hearing Wei Meng's words, Wu Zhankui nodded slightly, as if he was very satisfied with the result.

And if this expression and movement fell into Wei Meng's eyes, it could only continue to lower the lower limit of the current guard army.

"I said uncle, do you still want to order us when we are fighting in the north? There are a lot of troops in the north."

Wei Meng knew that Jiujiangwei seemed to be empty-handed, but he still didn't worry too much, as long as he had someone under his command.

However, even if there were so many people, if they were really sent to the north, it would not be a sheep in the mouth of a tiger. He didn't want to go to the north to fight, it would be a terrible job.

"Huguang and Jiangxi allocate military rations, and we may be required to send escorts directly to the front line."

Wu Zhankui replied, but he could also see that Wei Meng had a worried expression on his face when he heard the news, and he comforted him: "It's just a possibility, and the horoscope has not been written yet.

Besides, even if the frontier army can fight, it is relying on the city to fight. According to the news I heard, the frontier army is not capable of field combat now, and going out of the city is similar to delivering food.

I reckon that the chances of a fight are very small if these preparations are made for the emperor to see. "

"That's good, that's good, if you can't fight, don't fight."

When Wei Meng heard the next few sentences, most of the worries in his heart disappeared.

According to normal people's thinking, if the army's combat power is not enough, then defend.

The big bosses who came to the capital didn't want the army to be sent out to suffer a defeat. When the time came to investigate, they might not be able to do well.

Up to now, the officers and soldiers of Ming Dynasty don't want to fight anymore, they just stay in the local area to make money, and they have long lost the drive to expand the territory and immediately confer titles.

That is to say, the military households in the northern border towns are willing to fight the Tartars in order to protect themselves and their families, and of course for rewards. The strength of the guards in the interior has long since declined.

It is also because the family members know their own affairs and know that the people under them are not good at fighting, so the officials are even more afraid to think in that direction.

"Tomorrow, I'll invite Liu Qianhu over for a drink. You all know each other, so let's talk about it."

Hearing Wu Zhankui talk about the eldest son's marriage, Wei Meng immediately regained his spirits, and this time he came out, this is the main important thing to do.

"I tried it a few times before, and Lao Liu said that your kid is not bad, so I think it's interesting."

"That's good, all thanks to uncle for help."

When Wei Meng heard this, he was naturally happy.

These days, to be honest, it is really hard for ordinary military households to find someone else.

The daughters of military households would marry out if they had the opportunity, and they would not stay in the army even if they were poor.

Therefore, most of the grassroots soldiers are married to each other.

Of course, this is a more euphemistic statement, but it is actually a change of wife.

It's better to be a military officer, Baihu, after all, is also a formal military position accepted by the imperial court.

Unless the girl in the family is really outstanding and beautiful, she may marry other people of civil nationality, but the target is usually a gentry, and it is absolutely impossible for ordinary people.

"After the marriage is settled, we will go to Fucheng in a few days. My father-in-law still has something to say."

Wu Zhankui continued.

"If Master Zhang has any orders, brother-in-law can just send the message directly."

Wei Meng frowned slightly when he heard that he was going to Jiujiang Mansion again, feeling a little puzzled.

"It's also a way to prepare everything. The father-in-law's relationship is in the capital's governor's mansion, and the news spread over there, whether the Northern Expedition will come to fruition or not, we have to make preparations as it is.

In case my father-in-law is transferred by the higher authorities, I will definitely have to go with him. If I don't have a manpower ready, I still feel uneasy.

In the past two days, you should make a careful calculation to see what equipment you need, and then I will send you a batch directly from the warehouse of the guard. "

Wei Meng's reassurance just now was raised again. Although what he said was just a preparation, it was still a bit scary to hear.

But at this time, he definitely couldn't shake his head.

If you really want to order soldiers to come down, you will definitely not be able to escape, so you can only come down and think about what equipment you want.

In the Ming Dynasty, there was a lot of military expenditure every year, but most of them were not implemented.

The weapons and equipment produced by the Ordnance Bureau every year can't guarantee the needs of the troops at all, and can only make up for the mass production of low-quality equipment.

Everyone in the officialdom is well aware of these things, but no one is going to lift the cover.

However, each guard has more or less prepared some usable ones, but they are not allocated, and they are reserved for critical moments to equip cronies.

On the battlefield, only the strength of one's own troops is guaranteed, which is the capital of life preservation.

In the next room, Wei Guangde, Wu Dong, and Wei Wencai were also chatting about articles and knowledge.

Although Wei Wencai didn't study anymore, he did read books back then. Those who have read books these days, who hasn't had the idea of ​​"being proud of the spring breeze and seeing all the flowers in Chang'an in one day".

In fact, the ones who are really interested here are Wu Dong and Wei Guangde, and Wei Wencai just made jokes because he didn't want to sit there by himself.

"By the way, the day after tomorrow, I have an appointment with Zeng Yuanshu, and Ma Xiang and the others for drinking. They are all in the same year as me, and there are a few others who are classmates. Then you should go together. My little cousin is going to take the imperial examination. Say no. It’s a good time to be the same age as my classmates.”

While drinking tea, Wu Dong suddenly remembered the arrangements for the next few days, so he spoke.

"Gathering of literati, have a good time."

Wei Guangde was so happy. He used to know that scholars in ancient times often gathered together. After half a year, he stayed in the backcountry and never participated.

"Not really, just a few local friends, drinking and listening to music together."

Wu Dong said with a smile, he could see that his little cousin seemed to be very interested in these social activities, so he went on to say: "Why don't you just move here in the future, there are also gentlemen in the county, so it won't delay your study." Reading is also convenient for the county and government exams in the future.

The most important thing is that before and after the county examination every year, the surrounding literati gather, and there will naturally be various gatherings. "

"That's it."

Wei Guangde lowered his head to think about it, then shook his head and said, "Forget it, I'm not used to being away from home for too long, anyway, my home is not far from the county seat, and it will be the same when I come here for the county exam in the future.

Cousin, please tell me the details of this gathering, so as not to lose face by not knowing anything at the time. "

"This gathering is actually hosted by Zeng Yuanshu. He has a relative from a distant clan who came back to worship his ancestors. He is a man from Huguang Chengtian. He just passed the examination for a scholar this year, and his name is Zeng Xingwu."

(End of this chapter)