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

Chapter 209
Chongzhen 11th September 28th, afternoon.

On the official road from Baoanzhou City to Baoanzhou Weicheng, Wang Dou led a small team of guards and was galloping on horseback.

Not long ago, Wang Dou received an order from Lu Xiangsheng, Minister of the Ministry of War and Youqian Capital Censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, to go to Baoanwei City to meet him.Wang Dou's prediction was right, the enemy was in front of him, and Lu Xiangsheng would not let him go, a brave general who dared to kill the enemy. This time it was inevitable for Wang Dou to go out to fight against the Qing soldiers.

On the 22nd, 20 Qing troops entered the bandits, claiming to be [-]. With Dorgon as the commanding general and Yue Tuo as the general of Yangwu, they divided the left and right wings of the army Kou Ming, and Huang Taiji personally led the troops to divert the Shanhaiguan.Not long after the two Qing soldiers broke through the wall, Wu Aheng, the governor of Jiliao, and Lu Zongwen, the commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty, died in battle one after another. The guarding eunuch Zheng Xizhao fled.

On September 24th, the capital was under martial law, and Emperor Chongzhen urgently summoned Yang Guozhu, the general of the Xuanfu, Wang Pu, the general of Datong, and Hu Dawei, the general of Shanxi, to enter the guard.He also gave Lu Xiang Shengshang Fang a sword, and ordered him to come to Beijing at night and starry night to serve as the governor of the world to serve the king's soldiers and horses.

At this time, the towns in Xuanda were strictly defending, and Wang Dou also ordered martial law in Baoan Prefecture. Anyone who dared to pass without authorization and shake the morale of the army would be killed. Since the 23rd, he has been anxiously waiting in Baoanzhou.

After receiving the imperial decree, Lu Xiangsheng immediately spread the call to the commanders of the towns to discuss the matter of inviting them into the guard.The commander-in-chief of the three towns went to Yanghe at night to receive Lu Xiangsheng's letter. After a series of tense divisions of horsemen, generals, and food supplies, the reinforcements of the three towns rushed to the capital under the leadership of Lu Xiangsheng.

After Lu Xiangsheng set off from Yanghe, he traveled day and night. He led more than 1 cavalry from the three towns first, followed by infantry.After receiving Lu Xiangsheng's call, Wang Dou did not dare to neglect, led a small group of guards, rode his horse and rushed towards the Acropolis.

It was only thirty miles from Baoanzhou City to the Acropolis, Wang Dou rode his horse and galloped down, and soon reached the foot of the Acropolis.

A huge temporary camp has been set up along the southeast of the city, and the sound of many banners chasing.Although it is roughly tied, the strong killing spirit is still shocking.Most of the people walking in the camp were armored men. The cavalry of the three towns led by Lu Xiangsheng went first.

The sergeants and cavalry of Ming Dynasty were all in armor, looking inside the camp, there was a sea of ​​red and yellow armor.In fact, the Qing soldiers learned from the Ming army to paint the armor.When you come to Daming, you will find that the armor of the Qing army and the Ming army are very familiar. Except for the tall lightning rod on the top, most of the two are double-breasted armor.

Outside the gate, Xie Yike and other guards were stopped by the gate guards. This time it was Lu Xiangsheng's relative Chen An who came to recruit Wang Dou, so Xie Yike and others were left outside, and Wang Dou and Chen An entered the camp.Eye-catching iron armor, cotton armor, leather armor, everyone wears armor, a dazzling red, although many people look tired, or sit or lie on the ground to rest, and many people also wear old armor, but at least that momentum, the guards everywhere Compared with them, it is not on a level at all.

Wang Dou saw that these rebellious soldiers behaved well, their camps were scattered but not chaotic, and the internal and external camps were clearly divided, so he couldn't help secretly admiring Lu Xiangsheng's ability to lead troops and manage the army.This was also the first time he had seen large-scale soldiers of the Ming Dynasty. After calculating that these were professional soldiers who were paid to kill the enemy, it must not be easy in terms of personal skills.

Soon, Wang Dou came to Lu Xiangsheng's big tent, and a large banner of the Chinese army fluttered high, with a huge "Lu" written on it.

In front of the big tent stood tall and strong guards in iron armor, standing upright and motionless.Presumably these people are the guards of Lu Xiangsheng's superintendent battalion.When he got here, Chen An said to Wang Dou: "Brother Wang, you stay here for a while, I will report to Master Lu."

Wang Dou hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, General Chen."

After Chen An entered, he looked at the majestic tent in front of him, and felt an inexplicable excitement in his heart.The guards in front of the tent also secretly glanced at him out of the corners of their eyes, secretly guessing Wang Dou's identity, who is this young and burly general, brought by General Chen himself?Chen An is arrogant, it is hard to see him being so polite to outsiders.

Soon, Chen An came out, smiled at Wang Dou and said, "Brother Wang, Lord Lu let you in."

Wang Dou gave a deep salute to Chen An, entered the big tent, he swept his eyes, but there were only two people in the tent, one was Lu Xiangsheng, he was dressed in sackcloth and white scarf, staring at a huge hanging map, with a worried expression on his face.I haven't seen him for a few months, his hair has turned whiter, and his attire is an act of mourning for his late father.

Standing beside him was a middle-aged general in his 50s or [-]s, who was wearing a thick iron armor, and the leaves of the armor were faintly bleeding.This general is tall and burly, with a Chinese character face, his face is full of weather, and he looks like a veteran general.Seeing Wang Dou coming in, he swept his eyes towards Wang Dou, and there was a majestic demeanor in Gu Pan.

Wang Dou went up to meet Lu Xiangsheng, and when he saw Wang Dou, Lu Xiangsheng showed a gratified expression on his face, and warmly told Wang Dou to stand up.

Then he pointed to the general beside him and said: "Wang Dou, this is General Yang from Xuan Town, come up and pay a visit."

Wang Dou's heart trembled, he remembered the identity of Chief Bing Yang, he was the second-rank general Yang Guozhu who took office in Chongzhen ten years ago, served as the governor of the post-military governor's mansion, general Zhenshuo, and guarded Xuanfu Town. official body.

In history, Yang Guozhu died in the Battle of Songshan in the 14th year of Chongzhen. His father, brother, and two sons died successively, martyred for the country, and they can be said to be as loyal as Lu Xiangsheng.After Yang Guozhu died, only a few armors and 53 horses were left behind.His wife, Mrs. He, dedicated all of it to the imperial court. Emperor Chongzhen admired it deeply, and granted Mrs. He a first-rank imperial order, with Siyue to give rice and grain, and eat it for life.

For Yang Guozhu, Wang Dou also sincerely admired him. He stepped forward to pay his respects, and said loudly: "The last general, Wang Dou, the garrison officer of Baoan Prefecture in Xuanfu Town, has met Yang Junmen."

"You are Wang Dou?"

Yang Guozhu's voice was loud, and he looked Wang Dou up and down: "I heard that you beheaded eighty levels in the ninth year of Chongzhen, you really are a good man."

Lu Xiangsheng smiled and said, "It's beheading level 280."

Yang Guozhu was slightly taken aback, he had been in the army for a long time, and immediately understood the inside story, his sharp eyes swept over Wang Dou's whole body, and said, "Just now, Wang Dou, you said you were just a guard?"

Wang Dou cupped his fists and saluted, "Go back to the military gate, that's right."

Yang Guozhu shook his head slowly: "It shouldn't be."

After saying this, he didn't say anything more, his expression seemed to be in deep thought.

Lu Xiangsheng stroked his forehead. He felt a little tired. Since Yanghe set off, he had traveled day and night. Sometimes he was really tired and closed his eyes on the saddle.After arriving at the Security Guard City, he ordered to set up camp and rest, but the sergeants could rest. As the commander, he was worried about the enemy situation on the front line, but he couldn't sleep no matter what.

Yang Guozhu looked at him from the side, and said softly: "Minister, you are tired, you should take a rest."

Lu Xiangsheng waved his hand: "No problem."

He looked at Wang Dou: "Wang Dou, how many soldiers and horses do you have now?"

Wang Doudao: "According to the instructions of the governor, the last general has drilled another two thousand soldiers and horses, and there are still some strong troops."

Lu Xiangsheng pondered: "So, you have three thousand soldiers on hand."

He looked at Wang Dou, with hope in his eyes: "Wang Dou, if I let you go to the army, how many soldiers and horses can you choose?"

Wang Dou made some calculations and said, "Returning to the governor, the last general should be able to pull out three thousand soldiers."

Lu Xiangsheng was a little surprised: "Wang Dou, you have only three thousand soldiers in total, and all of them will go out with you. How will you protect the city?"

Wang Doudao: "You don't have to worry about the governor. Out of the three thousand soldiers, one thousand is a strong army, and one thousand soldiers are left to guard the city. The force is enough."

Lu Xiangsheng nodded with satisfaction, and sighed: "The slaves from the east have invaded the country, and we, as subjects, have been greatly favored by the country. We can only repay the country with death."

He was very satisfied with Wang Dou's volunteering, and said with a smile on his face: "Wang Dou, I originally wanted you to train in Baoanzhou for two years, and then recommend you as a guerrilla in Xuanzhen. Unexpectedly, the Dongnu invaded and the incident happened suddenly, so we had to follow the authority. gone."

He said: "I have recommended you to the Ministry of War as a guerrilla in Baoan Prefecture. Although the courtiers disputed it, the military situation was urgent, and there was a recommendation from the governor. It is expected that the official document of the Ministry of War will come down in a few days. In these days, you should prepare for the expedition. .”

At the beginning of Xuanfu Town, there were four battalions of Zheng, Qi, and Zuoyou. During the Wanli period, Fubiao battalion and Bingji battalion were added to form six battalions.If Wang Dou added another battalion of rangers, Xuanfu Town would have seven battalions of soldiers.

Wang Dou was very happy in his heart, and thanked Lu Xiangsheng loudly for his cultivation and promotion.Yang Guozhu watched Wang Dou and listened to his question and answer with Lu Xiangsheng. In the end, Lu Xiangsheng recommended him as the new guerrilla general in Xuanfu Town.Yang Guozhu was very surprised, he didn't expect Wang Dou to be so appreciated by Duchen Lu.With a surprised look in his eyes, he looked Wang Dou up and down.

After hesitating for a while, Wang Dou still asked: "After the last general was promoted to guerrilla general, the food and equipment in the last general's battalion, as well as this horse soldier..."

To be promoted to a battalion soldier, one must enjoy the treatment of a battalion soldier. The soldiers of each battalion in the Ming Dynasty have the highest salary, with a monthly salary of two, three, and five cents, followed by the southern soldiers, who are paid one, two, and five cents a month. Add five buckets of natural rice.The last one is the ordinary northern army, who can only get one tael of silver for one stone per month.In addition, the remuneration of the cavalry will be higher. In addition to the salary of one tael or five per month, there is also 24 taels of grass bean silver for war horses a year.

However, the proportion of infantry and cavalry in the battalion, in the towns of Daming, only the 5000 people in the main army battalion can have 500 cavalry troops, and the 3000 people in the deputy commander-in-chief's odd army battalion can have 2000 cavalry troops. , the ratio of infantry and cavalry for the rest of the guerrilla generals is mostly three to seven for horses, and the maximum is no more than five to five. The higher the ratio of infantry and cavalry, the more food and salary they will get.

It's just the current situation of Daming... Although Wang Dou doesn't expect Daming to pay him much money, he still has to fight for it.

Hearing Wang Dou's words, Lu Xiangsheng's face turned pale, and he sighed heavily: "Wang Dou, the governor will try to find ways to provide food and equipment for the rangers in your camp."

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Lao Bai Niu: Many book friends mentioned the issue of rice. Throughout the book, there is no mention of the protagonist’s subordinates eating rice.At that time, wheat, sorghum, and millet were commonly planted in the north of Ming Dynasty.Sorghum, millet (millet), and millet (yellow rice) are all millets.Why do you think of rice when you talk about rice?Millet is also rice.

(End of this chapter)