There is a big bell in the center of Lingshan Fort. It is said that it was cast during the Zhengde period. The only purpose of this bell is to gather troops. However, this bell has rarely been used since it was cast. The last time the bell was rung was
It was rung six years ago when a small group of Japanese pirates came ashore, and today this big bell weighing more than 500 kilograms finally rang again.
When Pang Gang followed Gou Sheng and Da Zhuang to the school grounds, he had already seen Qianhu He Zhengnan and deputy Qianhu Zhao Daxian, both wearing helmets and armor, standing on a high platform made of loess.
Ten hundred generals (hundreds of households) and officers from various general banners also gathered at the front of the school grounds. Surrounding the school grounds were more than a hundred servants with puffed-up chests and protruding bellies. They were looking coldly at the people who were rushing in from all directions.
flag army.
After arriving at the school grounds, many military households stood at a loss and wandered around like headless flies. Some were barefoot, some were holding hoes, sickles and other items in their hands, but many more stood empty-handed.
People chatted and chatted with each other, and the entire campus was as lively as a vegetable market.
He Zhengnan, who was standing on the earth platform, looked at the military households that were gradually gathering in the empty school grounds, and his brows gradually furrowed. He turned to Zhao Daxian, the deputy 1,000 households at the side and said, "Brother, these run-down military households are really used to being lazy. Listen.
The bell was still ringing so unhurriedly, it seems necessary to let them know something about military discipline."
Zhao Daxian smiled bitterly and said: "Sir, these military households have not practiced for more than ten years. It is already good that they can come here when they hear the bell."
"Humph!" He Zhengnan also stopped talking after hearing Zhao Daxian's words. He also knew that he had been beaten too hard in recent years. He had eaten nearly 700 of the free pay of the 1,200 flag troops, and the rest
More than 500 military households also became tenants of him and hundreds of other households.
He Zhengnan looked at how many people had arrived and said with a sullen face: "All troops line up!"
"Line up!"
Following He Zhengnan's order, all the generals and general banners shouted loudly to the military households to line up, but how could the military households who had never queued up know this? The hundred generals shouted for a long time, but the military households still remained
He was scurrying around like a fly on his brow. Finally, He Zhengnan's face slowly turned gloomy, and he made a gesture to a servant next to him. The servant understood, and each of the dozen or so servants picked up a big stick.
He rushed to the school grounds and beat down the military households who were still milling around.
The big sticks as thick as bowls were beaten until all the military households cried and cursed. Several military households were beaten until blood flowed and fell to the ground howling loudly.
Although this formation method is cruel, the effect is immediate. Under the instruction of the wooden stick, the military households who were whispering to each other all shut up in silence. Finally, under the leadership of the general flag, they all lined up with their respective chiefs.
Shi Xing stood on the school ground. Although he was still a little messy, he looked much more pleasing to the eye than before.
The smart Pang Gang had already pulled Gou Sheng, and the two of them, Da Zhuang, followed closely behind Mr. Bai Binshiqian. When the servants rushed over just now, he had already pulled the two of them to stand upright in front of Binshi.
He did it later, so he was spared the pain of a big stick.
After being organized by the servants, the team of more than 500 people finally formed a square formation that was barely visible. By the time the square formation was barely formed, the more than ten servants responsible for organizing the team were already sweating from exhaustion.
He Zhengnan looked at the sky helplessly. The sun had already risen to the top of the mountain. He originally wanted to lecture the military households, but he was no longer in the mood. He just said loudly to the team: "Soldiers, do you remember that we are
Who?"
"Reporting to Lord Qianhu, we are military households!"
A weak and uneven sound rang out.
He Zhengnan continued to speak righteously: "Well said, we are a military household, and as a military household we have the responsibility to protect the environment and the people. Yesterday, the commander and garrison commander of Qingzhou Province issued an official document, ordering me to send troops to exterminate the entrenched people.
The bandits of the generation in Wangjiatun are the unshirkable responsibilities of our soldiers, so I have decided to send troops to Wangjiatun today to wipe out the bandits in Wangjiatun!"
"Fuck! Why is there suddenly going to be a war?" Pang Gang couldn't help but be a little confused when he heard the news. It's not that he looked down on these military households. It would be better if they were asked to suppress bandits with hoes, poles or even bare hands.
It would be easier to just let them wipe their necks collectively.
There were many military households who had the same idea as Pang Gang. When they heard the news, they immediately went crazy. They no longer cared about the servants who were still watching eagerly and the big wooden sticks in their hands, and they all started shouting.
"Sir, if you ask us to suppress bandits, doesn't that mean we are going to die?"
"Yes, do you want us to use these hammers to suppress bandits?"
"That's right, we don't even have a departure fee, so why should we risk our lives for you?"
Pang Gang on the side looked coldly at these excited military households, looked up at the livid Qianhu He Zhengnan on the stage, and combined with the Ming history he had learned in his mind, he understood. The army in the late Ming Dynasty was divided into regular soldiers, special soldiers, and special soldiers.
Rangers and reinforcements, and these troops are also called combat troops. They are the main force of the imperial court. Only these troops are eligible to receive food and wages from the imperial court. The military households in Lingshan Guards Station are collectively called garrison troops.
Army or flag army, not only did they not receive food and pay, but they had to pay their superiors to collect grain on weekdays. This was very similar to the nature of the Chinese Agricultural Reclamation Corps or Construction Corps in later generations.
But one thing is that if these garrison troops go out to fight, the court will still have to issue a certain amount of food and salary to encourage them. The principle that the emperor is not short of hungry soldiers is the same whether it is ancient or modern, otherwise you will not get a dime.
Who would still sacrifice their life for you?
"Okay, why are you arguing?" A loud voice rang out on the school grounds, and everyone turned around and realized that it was Master Qianhu who had spoken, "Of course you will be paid for the departure fee. The departure fee of one tael of silver per person will be issued immediately.
Give it to everyone. Later, Zhao Qianhu will lead everyone to the arsenal to collect weapons. Remember, we will set off in half an hour. Now everyone comes to collect the money, and then go to the arsenal to collect weapons. In half an hour, we will start immediately.
Set off!"
He Zhengnan's voice trembled slightly when he talked about receiving the money. He felt that his heart ached when more than five hundred taels of silver were spilled out at once, but this money must be paid, otherwise if these military households get into trouble
But it’s hard to handle. He can’t order his servants to kill them all, right? Then who will farm for him in the future?
Hearing that there was money to lead, all the military households cheered. Soon, two servants carried a heavy box and placed it in front of everyone. Zhao Daxian came to the box and kicked it open, revealing the white flowers.
of silver.
"My dear mother, I have never seen so much money in my whole life."
Under the comfort of Yinzi, the mood of all the military households quickly calmed down. These days, the relationship between father and mother is not as good as that between Yinzi.
After the boxes were placed, the officers shouted loudly and ordered the military households to line up one by one to collect the money.
As the saying goes, money can make all the difference. Although this one tael of silver is not much, it is better than nothing! After taking the money, the military households no longer had such strong resistance to sending troops to suppress the bandits.
In order to send out troops, He Zhengnan distributed money and weapons. It was not until noon that the garrison army composed of 500 military households and the bandit suppression army of more than 100 merchants lazily left the Lingshan Guard.
Fort, and marched towards Wangjiatun, more than thirty miles away.