Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 23 Entering Ningxia City

After a long journey, Zhang Xiao and others are finally arriving in Ningxia City.

"This place is really blocked in the south of the Yangtze River. The northwest is desolate and windy, but this place is really green and full of vitality." Li Rusong said with emotion.

"Yes, this place is uniquely blessed by nature, so Li Yuanhao can use it as a foundation to separate one side. Ningxia also has one of the nine important towns." Zhang Xiao also said with emotion.

"I am finally back. I would like to thank Commissioner Zhang for interceding for me. I have never met Commissioner Zhang. I, Ma, have recorded this kindness." The person who spoke was the re-activated Ningxia boss Bing Magui.

"A wise man once said, 'A country in chaos misses a good general, and a poor family misses a good wife.' Now that the barbarians are provoking and the country is troubled, General Ma will have to shoulder more responsibilities," Zhang Xiao said.

"I have been fighting for most of my life. As long as the court likes me, I will risk my life to serve the court." Ma Gui said firmly.

"Then it's up to General Ma and General Zhang Weizhong to hand it over. General Rusong will also assist. We must stabilize Kuai Bai, his son and their retainers." Zhang Xiao solemnly warned.

At this time, outside the gate of Ningxia City, Dang Xin led the civil and military officials to greet Zhang Xiao and his party.

"Governor of the Party, you don't have to be like this. When it comes to official positions, you are higher than me and you are in charge of one party." Zhang Xiao said politely.

"Zhang Qin came thousands of miles away and shouldered the emperor's orders. We should be here to await your majesty's orders," Dang Xin said.

"This time I and General Li Rusong are here because His Majesty wants to reward the officers and soldiers of Ningxia Town, and also to inspect the achievements of the civil and military officials. I hope you will help us with our work." Zhang Xiao said straight to the point.

"That's natural. Whatever the angels tell us, we will do it. If there is any problem, we will correct it immediately." Dang Xin said.

"It doesn't have to be like this. You are also busy with official duties. Ningxia Town is also an important border defense town with complex enemy situations. I dare not disturb your work at will. You can just go about your business as usual. If you have any individual needs, I will usually say hello in advance and will not disturb your official duties. "Zhang Xiao said politely.

"Commissioner Zhang Qin, we have prepared some food and tea, and I would like to ask you to appreciate it." Dang Xin said.

"Okay, since this is what my colleagues in Ningxia Town want, it would be disrespectful to refuse." Zhang Xiao said with a smile.

On the dining table, there are all kinds of dishes.

"I've heard for a long time that mutton from the northwest is delicious. I tasted it today and it's true." Zhang Xiao took a few bites of the dish and praised it.

"Although Ningxia Town is located in a remote area, its products are quite unique. As long as Commissioner Zhang Qin is satisfied, that's fine." Shi Jifang complimented.

"It's no use just being satisfied with me. If the officers and soldiers of Ningxia Town are satisfied, the people of Ningxia Town can live and work in peace and contentment, and if the soldiers and people of Ningxia Town work together to resist the invasion of barbarians from all walks of life, then the Holy One will be satisfied," Zhang Xiao said. .

After Zhang Xiao finished speaking, the originally cheerful atmosphere at the banquet suddenly cooled down. Ningxia Town officials, big and small, looked at each other and didn't know how to answer.

"What did envoy Zhang Qin mean? We will work hard to change it." Dang Xin saw that the banquet was quiet, and everyone did not dare to say anything, so he was the only one to take action.

"I, Zhang Xiao, have lived in Jingzhao for a long time. When I came to Ningxia Town this time, I passed by several border forts. It can be said that the sergeants inside were short of food and clothing. In the past few years, the government's funds were tight, and the military pay for the border areas was indeed insufficient. In the past, Let’s forget about the matter for now. This time, I also escorted a batch of food and supplies under the orders of the imperial court. However, I also need some help from the local people. If the squire is willing to donate, I can still give some merit plaques." Zhang Xiao said.

"Why did the imperial court suddenly reward the army?" Shi Jifang couldn't help but ask. "Ningxia Town had a lot of conscription in the past. Over the years, many people were killed and wounded in the east and west campaigns, and they made a lot of achievements. The imperial court wanted to provide a preferential treatment and pension to boost the morale of the Ningxia army. It also wanted to use it to Taking this opportunity of reward, we select a group of officers with potential and a group of soldiers who are courageous and courageous." Zhang Xiao explained.

"I would like to thank the imperial court for its kindness on behalf of the tens of thousands of soldiers in Ningxia. Then according to your majesty's original intention, will the matter of embezzlement of military pay not be investigated?" Dang Xin continued to ask.

"Governor Dang, the court has never said that it will not investigate corruption and embezzlement of military pay, but now we have to reward the officers and soldiers, and such disappointing things can be postponed." Zhang Xiao was a little speechless. Why is this Dang Xin so stubborn? No wonder he has been in office for so many years. When you get more and more eccentric, that's not how you get out of the way. If you mess with the big-headed soldiers who are short of food and clothing, you're looking for death.

"Oh oh oh, I misunderstood." Dang Xin said.

"Everyone, we are not allowed to talk about official business tonight. Why don't we have dinner beforehand? Party Governor, you also introduce your colleagues to me, and you also tell me about the customs and customs of Ningxia Town." Zhang Xiao also made a haha.

The banquet became lively again.

……

In the military camp outside the city, three thousand elite members of the imperial court were stationed here.

In the Chinese military tent, there was also a lot of wine and meat.

"Old General Kuai has a great capacity for drinking. Come on, have an extra drink." Li Rusong toasted to Kuai Bai.

"Okay, I've long heard that Governor Li fought bravely and won the three armies. I didn't expect that he also won the three armies bravely while drinking. It's really heroic." Kuai Bai picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

"Lao Kui, when I was here before, when I met you for a drink, you always said that you should lead by example and not dare to drink. Why now you have a drink with Governor Li first. Come on, let's have a drink too." Ma Gui also bowed to Kuai. Raised his glass.

"First of all, congratulations to Mr. Ma on his reinstatement. Hey, brother, I used to be very nervous. Even after winning a battle, I was criticized by others. How could I dare to drink casually? Now that I have retired, I am not afraid anymore. Mr. Ma's toast , I don’t want to drink it thoroughly.” After that, he drank another full glass of wine.

"Why, why did General Xiaoyi come to the banquet? He didn't say a word, and he didn't feel happy drinking." Li Rusong picked up the wine glass and looked at Kuai Chengen.

"Hey, I really envy you, Governor Li. You have gained a great reputation in the war here. My father and I have worked hard for so many years and made so many achievements. My old father wants to make another contribution and show it to the court. Ability. Some people still can't see it. Their own people have no ability and cannot make meritorious deeds, and they still want to prevent others from making meritorious deeds." Kuai Chengen complained as he picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

"Cheng'en, you drank too much and talked too much." Kuai Bai's eyes that were a little blurry from drinking immediately became clear, and he even looked at his son with sharp eyes.

"Father, what's wrong? I'm not telling the truth. Didn't that Dang Xin just want golden melon seeds? You, an old fool, really gave people watermelon seeds and pumpkin seeds, and you even compromised the gift you gave to that bastard Dang Xin. Brother." Yi Cheng'en shouted.

Kuaibai's face turned dark and he wanted to reprimand him, but he didn't dare to get angry when he saw everyone at the banquet looking thoughtful. Yi Chengen didn't know if he realized that his acting was a little too much, so he lay down on the table and fell asleep.

"My son drank too much and talked nonsense. Don't take it off." Kuai Bai could only forcefully explain.

"It's okay, it's a good thing to be straightforward. We won't talk about spoiling things tonight, old general Kuai. Why don't you tell me how you master archery and horseback riding? I still don't feel like riding a horse as I want." Li Rusong asked Kuaibai.

(End of this chapter)