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

Chapter 87

"My lord, the wife still refuses to come down, she just said that she is fine and can continue to give porridge to the hungry people."

Han Chao came to Wang Dou's side and whispered.

Surrounded by the hungry people, teams of Shunxiang troops were patrolling, and Wang Dou was also surrounded by a group of officers to watch the situation in the field.

The scene in front of me is a typical picture of the troubled times in the late Ming Dynasty, which is shocking. On the flat ground around Shunxiang Fort, there are piles of dilapidated shacks built indiscriminately. This dilapidated shack is a huge piece under the fort.The people living inside are all shabby clothes and emaciated victims. Everyone has withered cheeks, dirty bodies, and desperate eyes.

Between the shacks, there is garbage and excrement everywhere, and the stench is disgusting.Many hungry people who just got the news that they barely arrived from other places were already dying, lying powerlessly on the ground, waiting for their own relief.Orphans who lost their parents either walked feebly or sat on the ground, they didn't even have the energy to cry.

In such shacks, every night, all sorts of sinful trades were practiced.The strong bullied the weak, robbed property, children and young girls were abducted and bought, a thick black steamed bun could be exchanged for a woman's chastity, and the big girl would not give it away for free, everything was for survival.

In order to change this situation, starting from the 100th, Wang Dou sent three teams of more than [-] Shunxiang troops out of the fort to maintain order, and asked the hungry people to build shacks and latrines at fixed points, and let them live together with the same clan in the village as much as possible. He also appointed some village elders to maintain order, and asked several clerks in the fort to go out to count the population, and organized some women to go out to take in orphans and girls.

These Shunxiang troops are patrolling the surrounding area. Looking at these soldiers, they are full of heroism and heroic spirit, and they are not at all arrogant. They are very different from other Ming troops. Looking at them, many young and strong refugees are envious, and the rest are envious. watched in fear.

In the past few days, the Shun Township Army had killed several scoundrels who looted property and raped women on the spot, which greatly reduced the crimes under Shun Township Fort.

On the other side of the porridge factory, some hungry people who looked better and had recovered their physical strength had already gathered at the desks of Feng Dachang and several scribes. After Feng Dachang and others registered for them, they will be transferred to the Shun Xiangbao was resettled in various places, and relief was provided by work.

These people will get better treatment, such as eating rice, changing into clean clothes after cleaning, and having better housing, etc. Shunxiangbao will also send them military household posts to make them become members of Shunxiangbao. Military households.

With relief and hope, the hungry people who had been agitated under the Shun Township Fort had their hearts settled down. At noon, everyone lined up to get the porridge again.Many of them gathered in front of Xie Xiuniang and Mrs. Zhong's pot, wanting to see what kind of compassionate guarding lady and old lady are like that are circulating among the hungry people.

Looking from a distance, Wang Dou saw that Xie Xiuniang had been busy for more than an hour, and she was still serving porridge to the hungry people with a smile. After receiving the porridge from her, the hungry people left thankfully. Wang Dou sighed and said: : "She said nothing happened, let her continue to give gruel."

Han Chao nodded and stood behind Wang Dou.

Among the hungry people who were sitting and drinking porridge, suddenly an old man stood up. The old man was handsome, with a sign on his head that read "Graceful and Virtuous". He stood in the crowd and shouted: "Please give some water Your kindness should be repaid by springs. We are supported by the masters of Shunbao, how can we make up for it? From now on, everyone will be safe and healthy, and don’t do anything wrong."

He sang generously, with a sad voice, and thousands of people wept for three songs.

Wang Dou also felt sour in his chest, and everyone burst into tears.

……

"The sky is merciless, the people's livelihood is so difficult, our generation has read the books of sages, but we are not as good as a warrior, ashamed, ashamed!"

Around the starving people, there are a few Confucian scholars standing far away at this moment.The lead man was nearly fifty years old, wearing a square scarf and a straight Confucian shirt. Although he was old, he was washed very clean. He had three long beards and a clear face. When the old man sang, he With tears in his eyes, he just looked up to the sky and sighed.

Beside him, stood two middle-aged men, both in their forties, listening to the tragic song, their faces were also moved.

One of them sighed: "Indeed, in a state city, there are many wealthy households, but few people come out to give gruel, but Shun Xiangbao, a remote village, has countless living people. We are really ashamed!"

"Looking at the crowd of hungry people under Fort Shun, I'm afraid that all the victims of the disaster in the prefecture have gathered here."

Another middle-aged Confucian scholar said: "Mr. Fu, Mr. Jiang, why do you blame yourself? These days we have been working hard for all to see, and the students have no shame in their hearts."

These people are Fu Mingqi, the official of Confucianism in Baoanzhou, and two instructors, Jiang Hongsheng and Huang Riguang. Since March, hungry people have gathered in the city. , called on wealthy households in the government to set up porridge factories outside the city, but there were few results. On the contrary, Shun Xiangbao rescued countless victims. After the news came out, everyone was surprised and there were all kinds of discussions.

Fu Mingqi was also curious, wondering what kind of character Wang Dou, the defender of Shun Township Fort, was who dared to make such a decision.You know, in the eyes of everyone, Nashun Township Fort is just a poor house with thousands of households. Where did Wang Dou get such courage and financial resources?

These days, in order to prepare relief money and food, Fu Mingqi has suffered countless stares. The Li family in Nasangganli was originally a wealthy family in Baoan Prefecture, with countless fertile land in the family. There are also many rice shops in the state city. Li Jichen, the head of the Li family, is still a student. However, after Fu Mingqi found Li Jichen, Li Jichen flatly refused because of his large family and his own inability.Even the scholars who have read the books of sages have this attitude, and those merchants who have read less are even more penniless, so Fu Mingqi has been traveling for a long time with little gain.

After hearing the news about Shunxiang Fort, and Fu Mingqi also wanted to know the situation of the victims, he brought his two friends in Confucianism and instructed Jiang Hongsheng and Huang Riguang to come to Shunxiang Fort to check.Several people came all the way, and on the way, they heard that Yang Zhichang, the defense officer of the five forts, not only drove away the victims under his own fort, but also sent troops to loot, robbing the last trace of property from the hungry people, and they were even more resentful.

However, after entering the boundary of Shunxiang Fort, several people were surprised to find that the place was in good order. The hell-like scenes of hungry people in various parts of Baoan Prefecture were not seen in Shunxiang Fort. There were constant patrols and all the remains were buried. Just supporting the old and the young, with hope in their eyes, they headed towards Shun Township Fort.

The hungry people who were asked all said in various accents: "The defense king of Shun Fort is benevolent and righteous. He set up a porridge factory under the fort. We are all going to survive!"

When we arrived at the foot of Baobao in Shun Township, we saw such a large number of hungry people, the number was probably three thousand, but everyone was happy, and everyone could save their lives. Surprised, and hearing the old man's tragic advice, Fu Mingqi sighed with emotion.

At this time, Wang Dou also saw Fu Mingqi and the others, and couldn't help being surprised. He had seen Fu Mingqi in Zhoucheng before, recognized him, and hurriedly led all the officers to greet him.

However, Fu Mingqi had never met Wang Dou. After meeting him, he gave a deep salute to Wang Dou and said: "On behalf of these fathers and villagers, I thank Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang has done so much to save thousands of people. It's Gao Yi!"

He sighed: "Master Wang is a general, but he can do such a righteous deed. There are so many people in the city who have read the books of sages, but none of them is like Mr. Wang. It is really amazing!"

Fu Mingqi is a scholar of Confucianism with a lofty status. Wang Dou is proud to receive such a great gift from him. Even Wen Fangliang, Lin Daofu and others next to him showed envious expressions in their eyes.Wang Dou returned the courtesy and said: "Whether you are an official or military officer, you are all officials of the Ming Dynasty. Regardless of military households or civilian households, you are all the people of the Ming Dynasty. As a minister of the Ming Dynasty, how can Wang Dou sit back and watch the people suffer and refuse to save them? Small things are not worth mentioning. "

Hearing Wang Dou's remarks, Fu Mingqi was even more surprised. In his impression, looking at the military attaches in Baoan Prefecture, only Xu Zhongjun, the former defense officer of Shun Township Fort, had such knowledge and cultivation. He did not expect that the young defense officer who took over ...

Fu Mingqi became more interested in Wang Dou, he looked Wang Dou up and down, even Jiang Hongsheng and Huang Riguang beside him looked at Wang Dou again and again.

Everyone chatted for a few words, Wang Dou invited Fu Mingqi into the castle to speak, and Fu Mingqi readily agreed.

The arrival of Fu Mingqi and others also touched Wang Dou's inspiration. Now there are many children in Shunxiangbao, especially so many refugee children. Their education arrangements should be put on their agenda.

When entering the fort, Wang Dou looked back at the densely packed hungry people outside the fort. Those hungry people were still queuing up to get porridge. Many of them had regained their vitality, and some children had regained their innocence, just playing in the crowd with.

I saved them by myself, and they will also become important households in Shun Township Castle in the future, but it is really difficult to support these people.

Wang Dou suddenly looked a little dazed. Since he came to this world, he has struggled to survive personally, and now he can control the fate of thousands of people. There is nothing more wonderful in the world than this.

……

"Boom!" There was a sound!

The muzzle fire burst out, and the remaining smoke slowly floated up.

A burly bandit rushing forward screaming was knocked to the ground by Zhong Xiancai's blunderbuss.

With a wave of his hand, Wu Zhengchun and Benwu's armored pikemen rushed forward in a row.

"kill!"

Five long spears protruded out like poisonous thorns, screams sounded, several long spears stabbed the bandits in the eyes, or stabbed their hearts, none of them missed!

The spear was brought out, blood sprayed everywhere, and some blood was sprayed on Wu Zhengchun's face, but on the battle armor, he didn't blink his eyes at all.

After several times of suppressing bandits, Wu Zhengchun no longer felt any resentment and sadness about killing people. His skills had become even more fierce and ruthless in the actual combat of suppressing bandits.Every time you shoot, you will never fail, and you will never show mercy!

Master Defender is right, killing those bandits, stealing their inventory, and taking their food and rice will allow the soldiers and civilians in the entire castle to survive.Right now there is not much food and pay in the fort, and it is time to help the victims and raise soldiers for a thousand days, for a while, it is time for them, the soldiers, to contribute.

From the middle of March, Wang Dou dispatched the Shun Township Army to take turns out of the fort to suppress the bandits. Each team went into battle lightly, with only weapons and ammunition, and a few days' dry food.Under the severe attack of the Shun Township Army, the banditry around the Shun Township Army was cleared up. Some of the old bandits who had existed for several years or more than ten years were all wiped out under the attack of more than a hundred soldiers from the two teams of the Shun Township Army. Ashes to ashes.

The results are remarkable. In a short period of time, the Shun Township Army wiped out more than a dozen bandit villages, seized thousands of taels of silver, hundreds of shi of grain and rice, hundreds of horses and mules, and countless equipment, which greatly eased the living conditions in the fort. pressure.However, there was also a consequence. The bandits in the territory were either killed, or they abandoned the village and fled. There was no bandit to suppress.

In April, the leaders of the Korean and Korean dynasties found out about the bandit stronghold of Qianhu where Meiyu guarded Yuqianhusuo. There are high mountains and dense forests, and there are nearly 300 bandits in it. They are all bandits with a long history. Guang, from Meiyu Shouyuqianhusuo to Yuzhou, to Laishui, went out to rob every once in a while, and then fled back to the cottage to enjoy.Because it is a place where no one cares, and the mountains are high and the roads are dangerous, the local government guards have nothing to do with them.

However, Wang Dou moved his mind. The bandit camp had been camped for many years, and he was probably rich in reserves. Taking down this bandit camp would at least allow the soldiers and civilians of Shunxiangbao to eat and drink for half a year.

However, Meiyu Shouyu Qianhusuo is not under the jurisdiction of Shunxiang Fort, and it is not even under the jurisdiction of Baoan State Guard.The Daming Imperial Palace has always had a unique status. Although it is only one, it can be regarded as equal to some military guards, especially the Meiyu Thousand-Household Office, which connects Weizhou and Baoanzhou. The garrison leads the defense.

It is a big taboo to lead the army to cross the border, but Wang Douji is too poor to care so much. He led Han Zhong to lead a sentry, and each of them brought dry food for more than ten days. All of their inventory.

Under the leadership of several nights, Han Zhong led a sentry army and quietly approached the bandit stronghold. The bandits didn't expect that officers and soldiers would suddenly appear under the stronghold, they just relied on the strong defense of the stronghold.Although the stronghold was strong, the Shunxiang army used all its strength to defeat it. Their firecrackers kept bombarding them. In less than half an hour, the stronghold was broken, and rows of armored spearmen poured in!

Under the fierce attack of their battle formations, although these mountain bandits are all desperadoes, in the eyes of the Shunxiang Army, they are all mobs. How can they resist the army of Shunxiang Fort?Not long after the Shunxiang army broke through the stronghold, they collapsed and fled for their lives, or fell on their knees.

"Haha, these bandits are really vulnerable!"

Seeing the gangsters descending on their knees, Han Zhong came surrounded by several guards. He was overjoyed and laughed.

He came with more than 240 sentries, and quickly broke through the cottage. After counting and capturing them back, it must have been a great achievement, and Wang Douxiang was not stingy about the rewards after the capture.When everyone goes back this time, even small soldiers will have bulging pockets.

Han Zhong stepped forward and patted Wu Zhengchun on the shoulder, and said, "Boy, it's not bad. If you continue like this, you will soon be promoted again!"

At this time, Wu Zhengchun's body was covered with sweat and blood. After being dried by the mountain wind, he felt uncomfortable all over. He is now a corporal commander. He took over as the head of the spear team in the squad, but he fought bravely just now, according to Han Zhong's estimation, as many as seven bandits died under his spear. Promotions are obvious.

Wu Zhengchun let out a "Wow!", and saluted with his gun: "It all depends on the cultivation of the adults!"

At this time, he was full of vigor, and the cowardly him in the past had completely disappeared.

Han Zhong nodded in satisfaction, and said: "This time we captured the stronghold, our army suffered very little casualties. I think you must be happy to know that!"

In Han Zhong's sentry army, there are 100 firearms sergeants and 100 pike sergeants each, and the rest are officers, guards, and standard bearers.From February to March, the iron factory in Koujiagou produced a total of nearly 30 catties of wrought iron. With the iron materials, Shunxiangbao rushed to work day and night, and by early April, it had produced wrought iron. There are more than [-] guns and more than [-] pairs of armor.

Combined with the more than 70 new-style firecrackers and bird guns owned by the original Wang Dou, the current Wangdou can basically equip every firecracker in the army with a firecracker.

As for the iron armor, in the Shunxiang Army, except for some officers and senior sergeants who were equipped with armor, most of them did not wear armor. After some iron armor was made in the fort, now there are more than 40 in Han Zhongshao. People are equipped with iron armor, and most of them are assigned to spearmen. The rest of the sergeants still wear the original leather armor and cotton armor in the warehouse of Shunxiang Castle, or they don't wear armor.

These armored pikemen played a big role in attacking the cottage this time.Especially Wu Zhengchun's armored pikemen, and the armored pikemen led by Team B Shen Shiqi were the first to break into the village and defeated the gangsters.

Han Zhong waved his hands carelessly, and said, "Okay, the battle is over, it's time to see how much food, rice, money and silver we have robbed!"

At this time, there were corpses all over the ground, and reddish-brown mud everywhere in the village. After more than 50 people were killed by the bandits, more than 100 people surrendered. , Search for the bandits.

Recently, Wang Tianxue also opened a medicine shop in Shunxiang Fort, and he brought some apprentices to collect herbs. This time Han Zhong led the battle, Wang Tianxue also sent several apprentices to accompany him in the treatment.While these apprentices were bandaging the wounds of the wounded soldiers, the rest of the soldiers began to clean up and move the money, rice, weapons, mules and horses in the village.

Looking at the materials that were constantly being carried out, piled high in the open space, the harvest was still not small, but Han Zhong remembered being impatient, he dropped his pen, and cursed: "Grandma, let me wield a knife and a gun to return it!" Okay, tell me to read and write, it's better to kill me!"

He shouted: "Zhong Xiancai, come and register!"

Zhong Xiancai was fair-looking, literate, quick to read, and could write well. Immediately, he responded and came over to register for Han Zhong.

Xie Shangbiao, the captain of Left Sentinel Team A, strode over. He saluted Han Zhong and said, "Han Tou, what should we do with those captive bandits?"

The more than 100 bandits who surrendered were all tied up at this time, and they knelt on the ground dejectedly. Han Zhong glanced over there and sneered: "My lord once said that those bandits are all people with no conscience. Change, can't change, kill them all!"

A cold light flashed in Xie Shangbiao's eyes, he clasped his fists and said, "The last general takes orders!"

※※※

Old White Bull:
Ming Dynasty firearms expert book friend, I have already seen the information you posted, so I don’t need to go around.I have more than a dozen gigabytes of various materials about the Ming Dynasty on my computer. To be honest, I had those firearms materials on my computer three years ago, but thank you for your hard work.

The protagonist's idea of ​​weapons is simple production, easy crafting, low cost, and convenient maintenance.Complicated things are not used by the protagonist. Just like Qi Jiguang, there were hundreds of firearms used in the Ming army. Except for a few, the rest were banned to save money.

Another: There is another chapter in the evening, which will be released at twelve o'clock.

(End of this chapter)