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

Chapter 119
Wang Dou warmly welcomed Yang Dongmin and his party. This sturdy middle-aged officer couldn't help but marvel at the tragic war traces inside and outside the city.

Wang Dou didn't say anything about the battles of the past few days, but simply said a few words. The military strength of the army was greatly damaged.

Yang Dongmin expressed his understanding. He saw that the fort was full of people, and teams of young and strong were busy on the street. It was Wang Dou who moved all the military households in the fort in the territory into the fort of Shunxiang. I gave up all of them, no wonder there was no one living in Tunbao along the road when I came here.This kind of approach is not something ordinary people can do. He was very surprised by Wang Dou's courage. It is typical to kill one thousand enemies and damage oneself by eight hundred.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yang Dongmin expressed condolences to Wang Dou on behalf of the integrity officer Xu Zucheng, and then he couldn't wait to see Wang Dou's achievements without thinking about dinner.

Wang Dou led him to the warehouse. One of the places was piled up with the heads of Qing soldiers who had been nitrated with lime, all of them grinning and grim.

Yang Dongmin personally inspected the heads, and he took the trouble to examine them one by one. He carefully studied the features of each head's face, braided hair, teeth, etc., and put one aside after confirming it. Fifty and ten are counting by the side.

I don't know when, all those heads have been inspected and piled up in a high pile. He and all the servants showed horrified expressions on their faces. They were indeed beheaded at the third level of 240. There was no water, and there was not a single head. It's killing the good and pretending to be meritorious, it's true, all of them are the heads of real Tartars.

Yang Dongmin looked at Wang Dou speechlessly: "Brother, brother, you..."

After a long time, he let out a sigh of relief, with an envious expression on his face: "Brother, you have contributed a lot to gaining so much."

Wang Dou smiled and said: "Isn't it because the integrity of the adults and the command, plus Brother Yang and you fought bravely together, the younger brother has such credit?"

He pointed to the head over there and said: "Brother Yang, you even led your troops to cut off the heads of twenty thieves with your own hands. You were wounded several times, but you still fought to the death. Your bravery and loyalty are amazing..."

Yang Dongmin stared blankly at Wang Dou. After a long time, tears welled up in his eyes. He stepped forward to give Wang Dou a tiger hug, choked up and said, "Brother, you are a human being... Needless to say. Tell me, if you need brother's help, try your best to help me." Open your mouth, if I can't do it, let me be struck by lightning!"

Yang Dongmin did not expect that Wang Dou would give him [-] precious heads. He is now a thousand households. With these heads, he will be promoted soon.

Wang Dou sighed: "The army of thieves and slaves besieged the city, and our Shun Township Fort suffered heavy losses, and the army was completely lost. In the previous few days of fighting, the artillery in the fort was insufficient, so we had to let the brothers fill it with their lives..."

Having said that, he shook his head and continued: "I don't have anything else to ask for, I just hope that Big Brother Yang will go back and talk to Lord Ethics, and ask him to transfer a batch of artillery equipment to me."

Yang Dongmin's chest slapped loudly: "Brother, you treat my brother so kindly. If you can't do this little thing, brother, am I still human?"

That night, Wang Dou invited Yang Dongmin and his party to a banquet, and the host and guest broke up happily.Early the next morning, Yang Dongmin went back to Zhoucheng. Before leaving, he took away the heads of twenty Qing soldiers with a smile on his face. The remaining heads were still left in Shunxiang Fort. Gathering, the roads in various places are impassable, and after the Qing soldiers retreat, the state city will report the victory to Huailai's military equipment and the governor of the town.

Wang Dou asked Lin Daofu to lead three hundred young and strong military households, and asked Han Chao to lead a group of soldiers to escort them to the state city with Yang Dongmin and others. The official Xu Zucheng is so happy.

In the evening, Lin Daofu, Han Chao and others returned to Shunxiang Fort, and they also brought back a large number of artillery equipment.

In the city of Baoan Prefecture, there are five Iron Cannons, twenty sets of Bronze Frang Machines, and thirty sets of Iron Frang Machines.There are 25 small copper cannons and [-] small iron cannons.In addition, there are three generals, Yingzi Pao, Zhankou Pao, Zimu Pao, Xiaoba Pao and so on.

Wang Dou's military achievements are true, Xu Zucheng, the integrity officer, was in a very happy mood, and Yang Dongmin lobbied vigorously, so Xu Zucheng generously allocated a batch of artillery equipment to Wang Dou.

There are ten sets of copper and iron Flang machines, twenty small copper cannons and small iron cannons, in addition to the three generals Yingzi cannons, that is, fifteen tiger crouching cannons.In addition, there are 88 large rockets of flying guns, flying knives, and flying swords, and several large bundles of single rockets.

In addition to these artillery rockets, Lin Daofu and others also brought several large barrels of refined kerosene from the state city. These "fierce kerosene" were specially processed by the Daming Military Bureau and distributed to the military town guards in various places. .With these "fire oil", put it in a can, ignite it and throw it out, you can burn the enemy's siege tools and burn those sons of bitches to death.

After the artillery equipment was transported to Shunxiang Fort, Wang Dou and others were very happy. With these new weapons, even if the Qing soldiers came again, they would not be afraid.

……

On July [-], the ninth year of Chongzhen, Huailai Acropolis.

Huailai City is under the jurisdiction of Huailong Road East Road in Xuanfu Town, which includes Baoanzhou City, Baoanwei City, Huailai City, Yongning City, and Yanqingzhou City.

In addition to the generals of Yongning on the East Road who were stationed in Yongning City, the soldiers on Huailong Road East Road, the guerrillas, the management of food, and the defense of Huailai Weicheng were all stationed in Huailai City.In the city, there are military and constitutional department, guerrilla general office, Baoding administrative office, garrison official office, Huailaiwei command and envoy department and other official offices.

Most of Huailai City in later generations sank under the Guanting Reservoir, but at this time in the Ming Dynasty, the city was an important military fortress.The Xuanfu Town Chronicle once said: "Although Huailai is only a hundred miles away, Xuanzhen Town is screened in the west, Juyong is covered in the east, the spear pole and the dripping cliff are in the north, Baiyang is protected in the south, and the border city of the town is in danger. It is regarded as an important town to station troops." He also said: "The important area of ​​Xuanzhen is not in Zhencheng, but in Huailai."

Such an important place is naturally the height of the city.Huailai City has a circumference of seven miles, 220, and two steps, and a height of three feet and four feet. On the city wall, there are three towers, three turrets, and three gates in the east, south, and west. There are trenches built on the outside of the city wall, each ten feet deep and wide.

Not only that, there are also densely packed artillery pieces on the city wall, including nearly 150 sets of large and small copper and iron Francophones, nearly 150 small copper cannons and small iron cannons, 24 tiger crouching cannons, [-] sub-mother cannons, and one small cannon. One thousand two hundred.There are also many invincible generals cannons.

In addition, there are nearly 5000 guerrillas and Taobiao Battalion guards led by Huailai Garrison and Donglu Guerrillas in the city.There are more than [-] military households in Huailaiwei, most of which are gathered in the acropolis, and there are many young and strong soldiers who can guard, but all of these can't shake the fear and anxiety in Huailong's military preparation Dao Ji Shiwei.

The sunset is beautiful.

"Kaiping Road in the setting sun, Huailai ancient county town, there are only a few homes but earthen houses, and there are palaces in Wancheng. The snow embraces the strong mountains, the dust is light with the post horses, and the people on the long bridge stand side by side. I still love this river clear." The poet's Huailai City is like this full of poetry.Huailai City is supported by Woniushan Mountain in the north and Guishui River in the south. In the past, the rain in the eastern suburbs, the moon in the West Rock, and the clouds in the North Ridge were all beautiful scenery in Huailai, where scholars and ladies visited.

But all the beauty in front of me was destroyed by the densely packed tents of Qing soldiers outside the city, and the flags over there were all white with red borders on the outside, it was the army of Qing soldiers with white flags.

"Thief slaves are powerful."

Looking at the Qing army camp outside the city, after a long time, Ji Shiwei, the soldier of Huailong, let out a long sigh.

Ji Shiwei is 47 years old this year. As the Deputy Envoy of the Procuratorate of Shandong Province, he served as the Huailongdao military equipment in Xuanfu Town.His appearance is elegant, with three long beards fluttering. From the aesthetic point of view of the Ming Dynasty officialdom, he is considered a handsome man, which fits the official appearance and decency of the officialdom. His ability to rise through the ranks has a lot to do with his appearance.

After Ji Shiwei took office, he had great ambitions, but in the face of reality, he found that his intentions were powerless. In only a few years in Huailongdao, he encountered two sieges by the Qing soldiers, in vain.

At this time, beside Ji Shiwei, Feng Shilei, the general judge of Baoding Mansion, Mao Bin, the guerrilla general of the East Road, and Huailai were still guarding Huang Changyi.Except for Feng Shilei, all the generals respected Ji Shiwei.

Speaking of which, Bing Bei Dao Ji Shiwei's official position is only the fourth rank, while Mao Bin's official position in the Donglu guerrilla is the third rank.There is also Huailai guard Huang Changyi, who serves as the garrison officer as the commander of the Huailai guard, and his official position is also the third rank.

However, Daming emphasized civility over martial arts, and his status as a military reserve officer in Ji Shiwei allowed him to sit on an equal footing with the deputy commander in chief of Xuanfu Town. Not to mention the guerrilla generals, even the generals of Yongning on the East Road were under his supervision and command.So in front of Ji Shiwei, it is understandable that the two looked respectful.

Not only that, but the two of them were also respectful and respectful in front of Feng Shilei, even though Feng Shilei was only a small official of the sixth rank.

Daming implemented a civilian management system with several levels of governor, governor, and military equipment in each border town, and was responsible for military and political affairs in each town and along the way.Similarly, in each town, each road, and each prefecture, household officials such as household doctor, government magistrate, and general judge were set up to supervise the collection and payment of military food and salaries for the road.

Although the Tongzhi and Tongjuan are small, they control the supply of food, grass and supplies for the armies of all walks of life. They are the parents of the generals and officers. Who would dare to offend him?In many places in Ming Dynasty, many generals who started as second-rank officials were also under the supervision and command of these six-rank general judges.

"Yes, yes, the thief slave is powerful, the thief slave is powerful."

After hearing Ji Shiwei's words, Mao Bin and Huang Changyi hurriedly responded, making Ji Shiwei sigh even more.

Unexpectedly, there was a voice at this time: "The warriors in Xuanzhen are all full of wine and food, allowing slaves to run rampant."

It was Baoding Mansion General Judge Feng Shilei who said something on his own, ignoring the strange gazes cast by Mao Bin and Huang Changyi.

Feng Shilei is 43 years old this year. He is in charge of food and payment matters on Huailong Road East Road as a general judge of Baoding Mansion. There is a Baoding Mansion in Huailai City for him to live in.Although there are several prefectures on the East Road of Xuanfu Town, he is the only one in charge of food and justice. Because he is in charge of the food and salaries of the army along the way, no one inside or outside Huailai City dares to disrespect him, which makes him quite angry.

Ji Shiwei frowned slightly, and said, "My lord, be careful with your words."

Regarding Feng Shilei, Ji Shiwei can't say anything. Feng Shilei is an official of the household department, and he has a different system from him. Although he is controlled by himself, the person in charge of him is the household doctor of the town.It's just that the enemy is present, especially if there are several warriors around, if Feng Shilei's words cause civil and military discord, this is a taboo, so his words reveal the meaning of reproach.

Feng Shilei cupped his hands to Ji Shiwei, looked outside the city and frowned and said, "Other people have been taken captive into the bandit camp, alas."

Ji Shiwei looked outside the city, shook his head and sighed: "The country is in trouble and I think of a good general. I sit and watch the people being plundered and suffer, but there is nothing I can do. I am really ashamed."

He suddenly said to Mao Bin and Huang Changyi, the guerrillas on the East Road beside him, who were guarding Huang Changyi: "General Mao, Huang Shoubei, do you two dare to fight and take back the captive people?"

Mao Bin was taken aback, his face turned blue for a while, then turned pale for a while, he said in a low voice: "Bing Xian, slaves and thieves are powerful, I am afraid that there will be nearly ten thousand people, and our army will go to battle, I am afraid that there will be more dangers than good luck, if you don't guard against death, you will be killed." The city is high and the pond is thick, so the slave soldiers will definitely not be able to attack."

Huailai's defense of Huang Changyi was also persuasive, and he even said that going to war is undoubtedly an egg against a stone. If the Qing soldiers take advantage of the situation and attack, the people and civilians in the entire Huailai city will not be spared. It is better to guard the city carefully.

Hearing what the two said, Ji Shiwei could only sigh, and gave up the idea of ​​sending the army out of the city to fight.

He looked at the Qing army camp outside the city for a while, and then looked far away to the northwest of the city. There was always a thought in his heart, but he was not easy to speak to outsiders.He sighed, told Mao Bin and others to be extremely vigilant, and then went into the city under the protection of his personal guards.

The streets in Huailai city are orderly, the houses are tidy, there are four streets in the east, south, west, and north in the city. It was originally a bustling and bustling place, but with the outbreak of war, every house closed its gates, and the streets were deserted, like a ghost town.Occasionally, a few pedestrians passed by, all of them looked flustered, and only a group of soldiers patrolled the street back and forth.

When Ji Shiwei returned to the military affairs department in the city, when he came to the backyard of the mansion, his wife came out to greet him, and said anxiously: "Master, is there no news about Jiaoer?"

Ji Shiwei sighed and just shook his head.

His wife was even more flustered, and said repeatedly: "Well, what should I do? Since the arrival of the Tartar soldiers, there has been no news of Jiao'er in Bao'an City..."

She suddenly screamed: "She...she will be okay?"

Ji Shiwei suddenly became furious: "It's all your fault. You have spoiled her since she was a child. See how you have spoiled her. She is a girl who shows up everywhere. It's all over now, her life and death are unknown, you are happy!"

Seeing her husband's furious appearance, his wife was stunned. In her impression, her husband had always been gentle and gentle, and he had never been so angry with her.

She burst into tears, turned around and rushed into the backyard, yelling, "I'm dead."

The maids next to her hurriedly followed, saying repeatedly: "Madam, Madam..."

Ji Shiwei sat down in annoyance, and finally heaved a long sigh.

……

The Qing army camp outside Huailai city.

In the continuous tents, in front of one of the luxurious tents with a fiery silver roof stands a huge gold-woven dragon banner.Surrounded by white and red flags, this dragon flag is as eye-catching as standing out from the crowd.In front of the big tent, Baiba Yala and Kabashi guards are also densely packed.

But at this time, there were bursts of shouts and roars in the big tent.

(End of this chapter)