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

Chapter 786
At the beginning of the first month of the 16th year of Chongzhen, Jingnan Bo Cao Bianjiao and Ning Nanbo Wang Tingchen set off to take office in Liaodong. At this time, the two of them only had 500 cavalry in the Zhengbing Battalion, and there were [-] new troops. up.

After returning to Yutian and Zunhua garrisons, the people of the second town did not blame them. On the contrary, if they recruited new troops again, they would ask their children to sign up enthusiastically to repay the kindness of the second commander. Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen were grateful and grateful. ashamed.

At this time, the two were unable to recruit new troops again. They just properly arranged the compensation for the casualties and dealt with the aftermath.They distributed all the pension money given by the court to the soldiers, and the 50 silver dollars sent by Yongning Hou Wangdou also helped them a lot.

This time, the new army under the command of the two was almost wiped out, with more than 50 casualties and missing soldiers. What is the use of the mere [-] taels of pension money given by the imperial court?Fortunately, after they returned to the station, Li Jinpei, Wang Dou's chief comfort officer, sent [-] taels of silver. At least each family member can live without worry for a long time.

At that time, Wang Dou also asked Li Jinpei to bring a letter written by him. He said in the letter that the new army shed blood to kill thieves for the country. It is wrong for the frontline soldiers to shed blood, but the rear was hungry and cold, and the family members had no food and clothing. Therefore, he sent 50 silver dollars. , Talk about your meager intentions.

After reading the letter, Cao and Wang were very grateful. They owed Wang Dou a lot, but it was difficult to repay each time, and these silver coins were a timely help to them.

Li Jinpei is a very kind middle-aged man. He used to be in the Korean army with Huang Shibian, and now he has been promoted to the position of chief comfort officer step by step.Huang Shibian's official career was also good. After Chi Dacheng was transferred to the Ministry of Supervision, he was promoted to the governor of the town.

Seeing Cao and Queen, he privately persuaded them to go to Monan, saying that if the second uncle is willing to go to Monan, the general will definitely write a letter to the court, and the court will definitely agree to his memorial.

The two also seriously considered Li Jinpei's persuasion, going to Monan, they can indeed live in peace and carefree, and they can spend their days leisurely in the future.But his ideal is to go to the front line of killing slaves, so he politely rejects Li Jinpei's kindness, thinking about it makes him feel guilty for Yongninghou, but he doesn't regret his choice.

In the early spring, it was extremely cold in the north, and the army from the second town left. The local people saw each other off along the road. They wore coir raincoats and braved the wind and snow. Many people were reluctant to leave and cried bitterly.

They were also at a loss, not knowing what would happen to Yutian Town and Zunhua Town after the two commanders left. Zhiwan was protecting the local gentry, and after the commander-in-chief left, they might have nothing to rely on.

Regarding this matter, Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen were the only ones who were worried about this matter when they parted. They promised the new army land to the soldiers. They didn't want them to be occupied by others after they left.

Moreover, they had obtained permission from the imperial court and promised that their family members would not pay food for several years, and they didn't want to leave by themselves, and the local government would use various banners to do things that made them break their promises.

"Brother Cao and Brother Wang, just rest assured, no one will dare to touch an inch of the new army's land if Yang is in Ji Town for a day."

It was Marquis of Jibei who spoke, Yang Guozhu, chief soldier of Jizhen, Cao and Wang set off for Liaodong, and he personally brought Guo Yingxian, a general of the Chinese army, and some personal guards to see him off.

The daily toil made this veteran look even more weather-beaten, and his hair at the temples became even more grizzled, but he was still tall and tall, standing as thick as a mountain.

At this moment, Yang Guozhu was in a bad mood. Cao and Wang's subordinates were an important force in his Ji town. They were defeated, and now they set up the town to go to Liaodong. Respect both choices.

After he became the general of Ji Town, he was busy training soldiers and horses, repairing the side walls all day long, and he was even more determined to imitate the faction he had in Xuanfu Town at that time, and train a group of new troops.It's just that the time has passed. According to the food and salaries given by the imperial court, he can barely maintain his [-] army unchanged. With more soldiers and horses, he will be powerless.

He also wanted to imitate Wang Dou's practice of setting up the Loyalty Battalion, but firstly, the generals of the battalions resisted, and secondly, how to arrange the dismissed soldiers?Farming the fields and arranging to make a living requires a large number of food and salary positions. None of these conditions are available in Ji Town, and things are delayed again and again.

Yang Guozhu knew that the reason why his new army was able to garrison in Ji Town with peace of mind was largely because Wang Dou took good care of his new army's fields.Comparing his heart to his heart, he also understood the anxiety in Cao and Wang's hearts, and he solemnly made a guarantee to them.

In the change of the former Fan Township, Yang Guozhu stood on the side of Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen, and even squeezed out 3 taels of silver from his own rations to pay for the families of the new army who were injured and injured in Yutian and Zunhua Townships. Zhiwan and the others were not happy.

Coupled with Wang Dou's support, he personally commented on the matter in the newspaper, and the matter became even more troublesome. In order to appease Cao and Wang, Emperor Chongzhen dismissed many officials in Ji Town. At my request, the two of them were transferred to Liaodong, so the matter came to an end.

This also caused more people to be dissatisfied. Afterwards, there were rumors in Jizhen that "the new army is really a disaster for the Ming Dynasty", and it is unknown who was secretly fanning the flames.

"Thank you Shuai Yang!"

With Yang Guozhu's guarantee, Cao Bianjiao was relieved that the new army was almost wiped out, which was an eternal pain in his heart, and it also made him and Wang Tingchen feel sorry for Yutian and the elders of Xiangzi in the second town.

Yang Guozhu guarantees that at least the families of these soldiers who have fought bloody battles for the country can live in the local area with peace of mind, and there will be no regrets after he leaves.

The army of the second town was walking in the direction of Fengrun, and the densely populated people braved the wind and snow to send each other off. Many of them wept silently, especially the hundreds of new troops who followed the second commander to Liaodong. Their families even held their children hand in hand to say goodbye.

When we go to say goodbye, when will we see our family?

Li Jinpei also rode horses with Yang Guozhu, all the way in silence until they reached a sparse forest full of snow. The two marshals bowed their hands to Yang Guozhu and Li Jinpei to say goodbye.

Guo Yingxian murmured: "There are very few people who can drink together..."

Yang Guozhu instructed like a brother: "Go to Yizhou, Liaodong, you two must be careful..."

Cao Bianjiao smiled and said, "Killing slaves is my wish."

Wang Tingchen also smiled heartily: "What General Xiao Cao said is also what someone wants to say."

"Treasure all the way!"

Everyone solemnly bid farewell. At this time, among the people who were sending off, more people wept loudly. They all turned blue from the cold and their lips were purple, but they all shouted: "Son, follow the commander well and go to Liaodong to fight the Tartars!" .”

"Son, don't forget about mother's side, and listen carefully to what the commander-in-chief has to say."

The cold wind was blowing, snowflakes swirled and fell, and the soldiers in the team were covered with snowflakes. They kept turning their heads and waved to their relatives, and then all disappeared in the wind and snow. They walked eastward resolutely, their figures were lonely and firm!

……

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the 16th year of Chongzhen was the Lantern Festival.

Every year from the eighth day to the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, the capital keeps burning lanterns, nine gates are not closed, and golden drums are shaking the sky. Thousands of people enter each gate from outside the city every day.

There is a small town not far from Chaoyangmen in the east. Because of the 11th year of Chongzhen, the capital city was not prosperous, and some towns near the capital were prosperous again. The residents of this small town have been making Lantern Festival, and people are coming and going on the street. , was very lively, and many children even jumped up and down with lanterns.

Near noon, a carriage came suddenly from the West Road of the town. The carriage was so simple that it seemed to be seen everywhere. In particular, the front curtains and curtains of the carriage were hung with extremely thick cloth, and several capable attendants guarded the carriage. Beside him, his eyes seemed to scan all around vigilantly.

There were a lot of people on the street, and there were all kinds of sounds of avoiding sedan chairs, the sound of horseshoes, and singing, so after the carriage entered the town, it moved very slowly. Bao Cheng first raised a corner of the curtain, looked outside the carriage, sighed, and then The curtains were lowered.

He was thinking about his own concerns, and he came to the Southern Dynasty on the order of the emperor. In addition to negotiating peace, he also shouldered a series of important responsibilities.However, almost a year has passed, but the matter has not made any progress. Except for some conspiracies and tricks and fanning the flames, it seems that my group has no effect.

The emperor therefore lost patience with him and summoned him back home.

He calculated his gains and losses, and he didn't know whether it would be bad or good for him to return home this time.Alas, there is no way out for him. Ever since he surrendered during the reign of Emperor Apocalypse, he knew that he had to go all the way to the end.

And recently, he felt something was wrong, especially after he spread the rumor that "the new army is the scourge of Ming Dynasty" because of the Ji Town incident, he always felt that someone around him was secretly spying on him.He has been working as a spy all year round, which made Bao Chengxian's ominous premonition very effective. He knew that he was being targeted by the intelligence department of Xuanfu Town.

They are more ferocious existences than Jin Yiwei, but they dare to do it regardless of whether you are an envoy from a country. Maybe they have to take into account Daming's face within the capital. When you leave the city, they don't care if you are the king of heaven or Lao Tzu.

Therefore, in order to return home safely, Bao Cheng first made several preparations. A bait chariot set off from Dongzhimen with great fanfare to attract the attention of interested people.

However, for some reason, the feeling of uneasiness in his heart became stronger, and then he laughed at himself that he was old, and his arrangement was not a problem.

He was thinking about his own thoughts all the way, there was a fine stove in the carriage, which made the interior extremely warm, but as soon as the curtain was lifted, the cold wind that penetrated into the bone marrow immediately entered, making him put down the curtain quickly, and mourned his own aging even more. Nor was Lawton so afraid of the cold.

There are many shops and shops in the small town, with lights and festoons everywhere, and there are many pedestrians on the street. The carriages are walking like turtles on the street. Fortunately, they will soon pass a stone bridge. There are very few pedestrians on the bridge, and the speed of the carriages will be faster. .

At this time, a middle-aged couple was talking and laughing as they walked over from the bridge. The man was slightly fat and well-dressed, and the woman was like a rich wife, holding a lantern in her hand, talking to her husband excitedly. Beside, there seemed to be some long-term family members.

They came all the way, getting closer to the carriage, but judging from their appearance, the guards beside the carriage didn't care, they were just ordinary wealthy Nanman merchants and their followers.However, at this moment, Bao Chengxian couldn't help but open the curtains, and then he shrank his eyes when he saw this pedestrian.

After decades of careful work, Bao Chengxian instinctively felt something was wrong, especially for that woman, who was already middle-aged, how could she carry a lantern like a girl?And he also keenly noticed that the woman seemed to make a movement, and then there seemed to be a lead wire behind the lantern, and sparks burst out.

"It's the enemy of all..."

Bao Chengxian was so terrified that he wanted to call out, so he wanted to remind the guards beside the carriage.

At this moment, a sudden change occurred, and I saw those chiefs approaching. They lifted their coats and pulled them out from their waists. They were all handguns. Then they charged at the Bao Chengxian guards around the carriage and pulled the triggers. .

"Bang bang bang bang" thick flames and white smoke spurted out one after another, amidst the continuous bangs and screams, the guards were all caught off guard, blood sprayed from their bodies, they shouted Then he fell down, and some people were even shot, and their mouths and noses were bleeding from the shock of the bullets.

This time the rabbit was up and down, the shock changed so quickly, these people didn't react at all, even if someone pulled out the hidden short blade, their speed couldn't compare with the bullets, and in a blink of an eye, one by one guards were knocked down in a pool of blood.

And the woman rushed up quickly, lifted the front curtain of Bao Chengxian's carriage, and threw the lantern-shaped enemy in her hand into it, and then these people fell down together.

At this time, Bao Chengxian had just grabbed a pistol beside him, and when he saw something thrown in, there was a loud cry and a loud bang, and the pedestrians on the streets on both sides of the stone bridge were all startled, they were all afraid and asked what happened, and even more so. Some people ran in fright, calling their sons and daughters up.

On the other side, a big man who looked like a follower quickly got up, took a step forward and opened the broken carriage, and pulled the bloody and dizzy Bao Chengxian from the inside. Looking at his appearance, he said to the man dressed outside, "Master He, these two Tartars are not dead yet."

The person dressed outside the staff is He Jian from the rescue team in the past, and this big man and others are Cui Qi and others from the anti-traitor team. He Jian shouted: "It's just as good if he is not dead, take him away..."

Immediately, the whole group tidied up neatly. Someone was responsible for carrying Bao Chengxian into a carriage under the bridge, and someone was responsible for stabbing the heart of these Tartar guards again to prevent their death from being incomplete. It seemed that within a few breaths, they It just disappeared, and when someone in the small town dared to walk up to the stone bridge, he saw...

Dizzy and in severe pain, Bao Chengxian finally woke up and found himself tied up, but in an unknown house. Looking at the deserted appearance, it seemed to be some deserted village. Bao Chengxian's heart sank. Going on, the thing I was most worried about finally happened.

His whole body was burning hot, and he suffered a lot from the enemy. He shook his dizzy head and tried to see the surrounding scenery clearly. A large guillotine was in front of him, which was shocking. Those people who arrived all had dark eyes, which made Bao Chengxian shudder.

There was an incomparable chill in his heart, as if he saw the fate he was about to face, he hated why he didn't die at that time, but the instinct to survive made him anxious to do something.

He groaned for a while, and finally his voice became clearer: "I am a senior scholar of the Qing Dynasty's domestic secretarial academy...the right counselor of the Qing Dynasty's Ministry of Officials, and was sent as an envoy to the Southern Dynasty by the order of the emperor of the Northern Dynasty...the two countries will fight each other, and they will not be beheaded." Make...you wait, you wait..."

"Bachelor of the Qing Dynasty's Domestic Secretarial Academy?"

Someone laughed, but it was Cui Qi who came forward and slapped Bao Chengxian hard on the right cheek. The slap was so loud that Bao Chengxian turned over and fell to the ground, bleeding from his mouth and nose. It was dusty and gray, and even a few teeth were loose and fell out.

"Great scholar, what kind of a scholar of the Academy of Secretarial Affairs, and the right councilor of the Ministry of Officials, aren't they the dogs of the Tartars?... A dog, dare to put on airs in front of Lao Tzu and others?"

Bao Chengxian crawled and struggled on the ground, while He Jian looked at him coldly, without any pity in his eyes.

He slowly took out a roll from his bosom, took out a piece of paper from it and said: "Now there is a national thief Bao Chengxian, who was originally from Yingzhou, Shanxi after investigation. Ignored the country's favor for two years, sent slaves to thieves, and then helped others to abuse them, committing all kinds of crimes..."

As he read unhurriedly, despair surged in Bao Chengxian's heart. He knew what was waiting for him. He wanted to bite his tongue and kill himself. Can watch and listen.

"...Bao's crime is extremely heinous and unforgivable. According to the order of the Emperor Yongning Marquis Dou and the general who conquered the captives, Bao Chengxian will be executed first. He will be punished by beheading in half, so as to rectify our country's national prestige!"

Bao Chengxian's face was ferocious and terrified. He struggled frantically, but any struggle was useless. He had to watch helplessly as he was dragged under the guillotine, lying on the cold chopping board, and his jaw was removed. He could only scream inaudibly. .

Then when He Jianyi waved his hand, the sharp guillotine cut him in two. At that moment, Bao Chengxian's soul seemed to be screaming and howling in pain.

Immediately after he was cut in half, Cui Qi straightened his chin again, and then everyone heard Bao Chengxian's earth-shattering howl.

And this kind of pain, Bao Chengxian has been enjoying it for an hour. As for what he thought about this process, whether he regretted it or not, it doesn't matter.

(End of this chapter)