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

Chapter 449
In May of the 14th year of Chongzhen.
Calculated according to the Gregorian calendar, it is already June in later generations, and the wheat fields on the East Road will soon be harvested.
On this day, Zhang Fuzhen, Governor of Xuanda, led Xuanfu Town Governor Ji Shiwei, Chief Soldier Yang Guozhu, Chief Soldier Wang Pu and others to the East Road.Perhaps it was a coincidence that Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen also arrived at the East Road with Zhang Ruoqi and others.
When they were in Yanqing, they met and went together to Yongning.
Although in terms of official positions, Zhang Ruolin, the official secretary of the Ministry of War, and Ma Shaoyu, a foreigner, are younger than the governor and governor, but they are from the central government, and everyone will of course give them some face.
Zhang Ruolin was quite talkative, and he was very knowledgeable, especially in the study of Confucian classics and history. He was not lonely when he talked with Zhang Fuzhen, Ji Shiwei and other civil officials all the way.
Looking at the scenery along the way, Zhang Ruoqi praised: "Since entering the East Road, the weather has been very different. Ma Bingxian and Zhongyongbo are well-managed."
Governor Zhang and Governor Ji muster smiled, Donglu Daxing, as governor and governor, they also have merit, when Zhang Ruoqi mentioned it, their faces were full of brilliance.
The accompanying officials from the East Road at this time included Ma Guoxi, the military commander, Wu Zhi, the magistrate of Yanqing Prefecture, and others.Hearing Zhang Ruoqi's words, Wu Zhi was expressionless, and Ma Guoxi laughed and said, "It's all thanks to the great blessings of the sage, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Ji made a point, Donglu Fang has made a small achievement, it's not worth mentioning, it's not worth mentioning, hehehe .”
Seeing his appearance, everyone cursed in their hearts: "Old fox."
The backstage of Ma Guoxi is Xue Guoguan, the former chief assistant of the cabinet. After Xue Guoguan fell, many people thought that Ma Guoxi would also fall, and they were moving to prepare to enter.The current East Road is famous for its wealth, and many officials are salivating. Presumably, after serving as an official for a few years, everyone will make a lot of money, right?
Unexpectedly, Ma Guoxi was still sitting firmly on the East Road, obviously Jane was in the emperor's heart.
Moreover, he is an old fritter, a master grinder in the officialdom, and everyone wants to find his fault, but there is also a feeling of dog scratching and stabbing, and there is no way to start.
However, everyone has also heard that Ma Guoxi was almost bypassed by Uncle Zhongyong on East Road.
Don't talk about military affairs, let's talk about civil affairs, and there are fewer and fewer affairs under his management.Obviously, when the old fox meets the little fox, the little fox is still the best.In other words, if you drop ten meetings with one force, no matter how many tricks you have, you will be easy in the face of powerful military forces.
Not to mention Ma Guoxi's side, Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen and several generals, as well as the accompanying generals, chatted behind.
Everyone's thoughts are much more complicated. Last year, they also came to the East Road. At that time, Wang Dou was still a general, but now he is the general soldier, and Gao Feng Zhongyong Bo, his status is far above everyone.
But it's complicated, so let's put this thought away, Wang Dou's status is different now, it's better to make friends more.Everyone and Wang Dou have friendships from bloody battles, which is an advantage that many people don't have.
Only Yang Guozhu's relative, Guo Yingxian, was still heartless, and praised: "My brother, I really don't need to talk about my skills. This east road changes every day, and it's much easier to just talk about this road."
Yang Guozhu said: "It's true that the changes are not small."
With a worried look on his face, he said to Wang Pu, Cao Bianjiao, and Wang Tingchen, "Three generals, do you think Guoqin will sell us his son's medicine?"
Cao Bianjiao bowed his head and muttered, Wang Tingchen laughed: "I know General Wang, and he misses the past the most. What is our relationship with him? Although it is not easy to develop Zi medicine, but if we ask, he will definitely share one."
Wang Pu smiled beside him: "We have a life-long friendship with Uncle Zhongyong, why don't you sell it? Medicines are expensive, just spend money to buy them. It's better to buy some high-quality bird guns."
As soon as he opened his mouth, he smelled like a businessman, and the clothes he was wearing were still very bright.
It seems that he has a soft spot for the word gorgeous, no matter the armor or the daily clothes, they are all bright red and green, and the colors are gorgeous.
For Wang Dou, Wang Pu envied and envied him, but he came from a merchant family, and since he was a child, Li has always been his top priority.It would be beneficial to him to befriend Wang Dou, so he quickly changed his mentality and decided to hug Wang Dou's thigh and do a good job on the East Road.
At the same time, he looked at Yang Guozhu with gleeful eyes. In the past, Wang Dou was a general under Yang Guozhu's command and won a lot of credit for Yang Guozhu. Now Wang Dou has climbed to the top of Yang Guozhu instead.If this goes on like this, I'm afraid that Yang Guozhu's position as General Zhenshuo will be lost. It's interesting to think about it.
He couldn't wait, he wanted to see what Yang Guozhu's expression was like when he gave the official ceremony to Wang Dou after Yongning.
After Wang Pu said that, before everyone responded, Guo Yingxian heard it and shouted: "Don't you dare not sell the medicine? Brother Wang, don't try to recognize me as an elder brother."
Yang Guozhu sighed, as a general himself, brave is brave, just a little...
……
In the afternoon, a group of people arrived a few miles outside the west gate of Yongning City, where a shed for receiving officials had already been set up. General Wen Fangliang under Wang Dou's command led Yongning City to guard Wang Yide, and a group of gentry and village elders from Yongning City greeted everyone inside. In the city, arrange to rest at the mansion.
After bathing and changing clothes, after resting for a while, everyone was thinking about their business, and went to visit Wang Dou in the General's Mansion.
Wang Dou greeted everyone with a smile in front of the General's Mansion, he did not go out of the city, as an earl, it was very grand to be able to greet everyone in front of the General's Mansion.
Headed by Zhang Fuzhen, the governor of Xuanda, Zhang Ruolin, the official secretary of the Ministry of War, together with Ji Shiwei, Yang Guozhu and others, they paid homage to Wang Dou.
The etiquette cannot be discarded, Wang Dou is a loyal and brave uncle, and the first-rank officials have to pay two salutes when they see him, is it not trivial?The military officer is fine, if the civil servant is rude in front of Wang Dou, maybe Yushi will impeach him immediately, why would everyone want to be rude in this respect?
Although Ji Shiwei is Wang Dou's father-in-law, he still has to salute.
Wang Dou saluted with a smile, and said to Yang Guozhu, Cao Bianjiao and the others: "Yang Shuai, why do you brothers do this? Please hurry up."
Seeing Wang Dou's sincere expression, Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen felt warm in their hearts. Although General Wang was promoted, he did not forget the old friendship.
Wang Puze said flatteringly: "Uncle Zhongyong, today is different from the past, you deserve our worship."
On the way, he originally wanted to see what Yang Guozhu's expression was like when he gave the official ceremony to Wang Dou, but at this moment he was busy flattering him, but forgot.
Yang Guozhu saw that Wang Dou was wearing a python robe with a jade belt, and there was a five-clawed dragon pattern on the python robe, which was very prominent and honorable, and he sighed inwardly.
He also felt a little awkward, and when he heard what Wang Dou said, he immediately stood up.
Guo Yingxian called out behind him: "Brother Wang, brother is here, do you have some good wine?"
Wang Dou looked at this straightforward guy and had a good impression of him. He laughed loudly: "Don't worry, I won't forget you, brother."
After blowing and blowing, everyone entered the general's mansion, and saluted again, Wang Dou said with a smile: "Thank you, you came from a long way, and the plants are shining, please sit down!"
Zhang Ruolin, a doctor in charge of the Ministry of War, said with a smile, "I'm in a hurry to pay my respects, and I'm working and living. I'm begging, loyal and brave, please forgive me for being so abrupt."
Zhang Ruolin is over [-] years old, has three beards, is neatly groomed, and speaks with a strong Shandong accent.
When he spoke, his expression was very kind. Of course, this kindness depends on who he is speaking to.
Zhang Ruolin holds the real power of the Ministry of War, and he follows Chen Xinjia closely on weekdays. How can he pay attention to idle people?But facing Wang Dou is obviously different.Moreover, when he came here this time, as the secret envoy of Chen Xinjia, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, he had important matters to discuss with Wang Dou, let alone dare to offend.
Wang Dou also knew that this person was Chen Xinjia's loyal running dog, and he was usually domineering, and part of the reason for the defeat in the Songshan Battle in history was also due to this person.
Everyone sits down as guests and hosts. Zhang Ruoqi's intention to come this time is to represent the imperial court's award to the Jingbian army, but Wang Dou's subordinates probably don't care about the award of the guard officer, so the issue of soldiers' food and pay is quite important.
Governor of Xuanfu Town, Ji Shiwei, meant to give the Jingbian Army [-] soldiers, including [-] cavalry. Xuanda Governor Zhang Fuzhen also agreed, and Minister of the Ministry of War Chen Xinjia also agreed with his heart.There were dissenting views in the cabinet, however.For example, Li Rixuan, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Li Daiwen, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Due to financial difficulties, since Li Daiwen came to power, he has been losing communication, laying off workers and food, and making up for the poor. Wang Dou has more soldiers and horses, and the pressure on the household department is heavy. This is what Li Daiwen does not want to see.
Li Rixuan said that General Zhenshuo and Yang Guozhu, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu Town, had no more than [-] troops. As the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu Town, how could Wang Dou surpass Yang Guozhu?
Li Rixuan's opinion was acquiesced by Emperor Chongzhen, so Chen Xinjia didn't dare to insist on his own opinion too much, for fear that Long Yan would not like it.
Recognition of meritorious service, rewards, and pensions for the Jingbian army is not something that will happen in a short while, so after everyone is seated, they will mainly talk about the purchase of powerful medicine from Wang Dou.
……
Zhang Fuzhen, Governor of Xuanda, sighed: "At first, I thought that Master Wang would imitate the Jingbian army, and after training the new army, he would be able to gain the upper hand over the captives. Who would have thought that the thieves also had a lot of firearms? If there are spare medicines, we must support the friendly army one or two."
Zhang Fuzhen looked like a little old man, his eyebrows and beard were gray due to excessive worrying, his face was wrinkled and wrinkled, and he looked worried.
For Zhang Fuzhen, Wang Dou has sympathy and admiration in his heart. After he took office, he worked hard for state affairs. He is not afraid of hardships and devotes himself to management.In contrast, his father-in-law, Ji Shiwei, is much more anti-utilitarian.
However, it is difficult to return to various places, and it is not enough for individuals to do their best.
Because Zhang Fuzhen did not make any achievements when he took office, some officials have repeatedly neglected to take his position.
Zhang Fuzhen also felt disheartened and lazy, and Shangshu asked to resign and return to his native place, but Emperor Chongzhen just refused.
Of course, for Wang Dou's father-in-law, Ji Shiwei, Zhang Fuzhen asked to resign, which was a good thing. Once Zhang Fuzhen left, the seat of Xuanda Governor would be his.
Chen Xinjia, Minister of the Ministry of War, had already promised Ji Shiwei.
In the local area, Ji Shiwei also followed Chen Xinjia's faction.
Wang Doulue pondered for a while, and said, "How much medicine does Zhang Junmen want?"
Zhang Fuzhen looked at Yang Guozhu and Wang Pu, Yang Guozhu said: "Guoqin, if possible, I would like to buy [-] rounds of Weijin fixed-pack medicine."
Wang Pu also hurriedly said: "Uncle Zhongyong, the last general also wants to buy [-] rounds of Weijinzi medicine."
Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen also said: "General Wang, we also want to buy [-] rounds of sub-medicine."
Yang Guozhu had [-] new troops, of which [-] were blunderbuss soldiers, and if each soldier was loaded with [-] paper tube ammunition, that would be [-] rounds.Wang Pu and the others only had one battalion of new troops, half of them were musketeers, and each soldier had [-] rounds of ammunition packed in paper tubes, that is, [-] to [-] rounds.
In fact, in this era, ammunition is not used much during battles. Each of Wang Dou's gunpowders usually carries thirty rounds of fixed paper tube ammunition in their ammunition packs. Often, every battle ends when each soldier can't fire five rounds of ammunition.Sub-charges carried in one ammo pack can carry out several battles.
The blunderbuss soldiers of the Jingbian Army mainly use more ammunition during training, and they don't use much ammunition in battle.
Of course, Yang Guozhu and the others couldn't train with the custom-packed paper tube ammunition they bought. In everyone's imagination, twenty rounds of paper ammunition per soldier can last for a long time.
Of course, for many Ming generals, such as Zuo Liangyu and others, they felt that firearms were expensive.It's like cold weapons, a saber costs only three yuan, a long ax costs two yuan, and a spear is even cheaper.To use firearms, you have to constantly invest in ammunition. How can cold weapons be cost-effective?
(End of this chapter)