Wang Zhigang knew how to be a good man and kept the Luzhou treasury intact. Even the 50,000 taels of silver scraped by Hu Jinzhong were donated to the Ming army.
Qian Qianyi was overjoyed and praised Wang Zhigang greatly. He also reported to Zhu Hengjia and appointed him as the commander-in-chief of Luzhou.
He also used money and food from the Luzhou government treasury to recruit troops and buy horses.
At that time, the cold wave in the north was dissipating and the climate was getting warmer. However, the people in the north who had been tortured by the severe cold for two years were experiencing the most difficult times. The autumn grain had not yet been harvested, but the Manchu taxes were indispensable.
.The rent collectors are as ruthless as jackals, forcing a large number of people to become refugees.
I heard that Master Wang had returned from the war, and as a soldier you would receive one tael of silver to support your family, plus ten steamed buns. There was an overwhelming number of applicants, and within two days more than 5,000 young men had applied.
Zhang Huangyan had led soldiers and attached great importance to recruiting soldiers, and went to the school grounds to select soldiers in person.
"The last general will see Zhang Shilang." Zhao Qian, who was recruiting troops, saw Zhang Huangyan coming and saluted him hurriedly. He was originally a garrison in Huoshan County. After returning to the Ming Dynasty from the Lengshuiguan Uprising, he followed Qian Qianyi north to Hefei. Old Qian went north this time, so
There were only three thousand troops and horses, and the only generals were Yan Xiaoyong, Lu Wenye, and Zhao Qian. He was in urgent need of expanding his strength, so he was recommended to serve as a guerrilla in Shucheng.
Although he became a guerrilla, he still only had 500 soldiers. If he wanted to expand the army, he had to recruit soldiers first, so he asked Lao Qian for a job recruiting soldiers.
"Well, Zhao Guerba has worked hard. How is the recruitment of soldiers?"
Zhang Huangyan spoke in a very gentle voice. He was born in a juren family and was very good at cultivating qi. He never got angry with his subordinates, so he was very popular.
"I report to Zhang Shilang that the general will strictly follow the recruitment standards and select strong men between five feet two inches and five feet eight inches (162-181 cm) tall, especially those with "pipa legs and axle bodies"
", Zhao Qian did not dare to neglect and reported hurriedly.
"Yeah," Zhang Huangyan nodded with satisfaction, "After the soldiers are selected, they will be trained together. Let the older ones with courage practice long cards; those who are strong and strong, and can advance and retreat with dignity, practice spears; those who are younger and nimble can practice spears.
Shields; those who are young and have a murderous spirit learn spears; those who are brave and lively learn swords; those who are small, light but strong and smart learn blunderbuss; those who are honest and willing to serve others are fire soldiers."
"Yes!"
"I don't have much time. I only give you seven days. After seven days, we will reorganize and send troops to Fengyang. We will march and train along the way," Zhang Huangyan said seriously.
"Hit Fengyang?"
Zhao Qian was stunned for a moment, then reported: "The last general, please be the vanguard!"
"I don't care if this matter is settled, you have to find money to supervise the constitution."
??
Fengyang, the central capital of the Ming Dynasty, was also the location of the first imperial city of the Celestial Dynasty. The imperial cities of Nanjing and Beijing were both built based on Fengyang.
This place was originally called Haozhou. It was the place where Taizu Emperor Gao raised his troops. There were many famous people, including Emperor Gao, Xu Da, Tang He and many other Huaixi fellows.
Because it is Taizu's hometown, things are different from other places, with the word "imperial" in them. For example, when Taizu was poor, a cook named Huang gave him a piece of stuffed tofu, which was amazing. Fengyang Niang
Tofu was renamed "Agate White Jade"; sesame oil was sealed as "Imperial Food Sesame Oil" by Taizu himself; rattan tea was fried by Taizu's officials back to Fengyang for their drinking, known as "Imperial Tea"; Longxing Royal Liquid Wine
, just listen to the name and you will know it is a tribute wine; vermicelli, a high-quality imperial meal??
In short, Emperor Gao is a nostalgic person, and everything is good from his hometown.
In the second year after he became emperor, he ordered Li Shan to supervise the construction of Fengyang City. Unfortunately, it took six years to build Fengyang City, but it was not completed. The people of Fengyang could do nothing but work hard, and they often went on strike. It turns out that this place is located on the Huaihe River
There are frequent floods nearby. When there are floods, the people go around begging with flower drums. They carry flower drums and walk around. They are so comfortable that they have no time to help Lao Zhu build the city.
Lao Zhu had no choice but to say to Li Shanchang angrily: "Put honey in your mouth and he bites his fingers. These poor people deserve to be poor. Ignore them and evacuate them all." Like this,
Fengyang, the central capital, was not built, only half of it was built, and was reduced to a companion capital. Nanjing became the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
To say that he doesn't care about the elders in his hometown is an insult. Lao Zhu still has feelings for Fengyang. He often reduces and exempts Fengyang's taxes, and also migrates a large number of wealthy households from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to Fengyang to invigorate the economy.
When Lao Zhu was here, the people in Fengyang lived a good life. They made flower drums to praise Lao Zhu: "Speak of Fengyang, talk about Fengyang, and beat the flower drums with your hands. Fengyang is really a good place. Red dragons rise to the sky, and golden phoenixes fly. Count them."
As many stars as there are in the sky, so many generals are dotting Fengyang. Talk about Fengyang, say Fengyang, and beat the flower drums with your hands. Fengyang is really a good place. The emperor's favor is great in all seasons. If you don't accept the corvee, you won't receive food."
As a result, at the end of the Ming Dynasty, first Zhang Xianzhong bloodbathed Fengyang City, and then the Eight Banners of Manchuria came. They were even more ruthless than Zhang Xianzhong. They killed people, set fires, and robbed food. When the Huaihe River flooded, they did not build embankments.
Historically, in the Qing Dynasty, Fengyang became in dire straits again, and the people had to beg for food by playing flower drums again. Officials of the Qing Dynasty blamed Lao Zhu for Fengyang's poverty, and the lyrics of Fengyang Flower Drums also changed: "Speak of Fengyang.
Yang, Dao Fengyang, Fengyang was originally a good place, but since Emperor Zhu came out, there have been nine out of ten years of drought. The big families sell their fields, and the small families sell their sons. Only my family is not allowed to sell, and I walk around with gongs and drums on my shoulders.
Quartet".
??
"Have everything been packed?"
Dong Ting, the magistrate of Fengyang in the Qing Dynasty, said to the steward Dong Fu.
"Master, everything has been arranged. Twenty cars have been loaded and ready to leave at any time."
"Well, we'll set off as soon as dawn." Dong Ting sighed.
He wants to escape, but he can't escape.
There are no soldiers in Fengyang, and the garrison troops in each county are not large in number and cannot withstand fighting. Moreover, Fengyang is originally the location of the Dragon Vein of the Ming Dynasty. In order not to damage the Dragon Vein, there are very few defense projects. There are no fortresses, trenches, etc., just
Even the city wall is only half built.
How can we defend this? We can only escape. The Qing Dynasty has strict laws and dare not leave Fengyang. After thinking about it, we plan to escape to Bozhou in the northwest corner of Fengyang.
That place is remote, and the Ming army may not come. Amitabha, just hide there!
In fact, Dong Ting wanted to surrender, but he heard that his in-laws, Hu Jinzhong, the prefect of Luzhou, were killed by Wang Zhigang, the commander-in-chief of Luzhou. At this time, he became enemies with Marshal Wang. How could it be better if he surrendered?
If you can't surrender, you can only escape.
As the sky dimmed, Magistrate Dong ordered his family members to get in the car and plan to escape to Bozhou.
"Reporting to the government, a group of soldiers and horses are coming from outside the city," Dong Fuli came to report.
"Bitter! My life is at an end!"
Dong Ting looked at the wealth he had collected, which totaled twenty cars, and burst into tears. With so much wealth, he has not yet enjoyed it, and he wonders who is getting the advantage?
"Woo", the more I thought about it, the sadder I became, and I actually shed tears.
"Sir, this is not an army from the Ming Dynasty, but a soldier from the Qing Dynasty. The general here calls himself Huai'an General Xu Erji," Dong Fu said hurriedly upon seeing this.
"Slave dog, why do you say half of your words first?"
Dong Ting was so angry that he kicked Dong Fu hard and said, "Quickly, open the city gate and follow me to welcome General Xu."
This chapter has been completed!