The next day, Zhu Yixi once again left Zhu Meng's thousands of men to defend Dashan Pass.
He took thousands of people from Yulin Town back to Nanzheng.
By this time, it was already mid-November.
At this time in Nanzheng, it actually started to snow.
Although it was just sleet, it still made Zhu Yixi extremely happy.
"The Little Ice Age is here, but from another perspective, it's also good luck."
he muttered.
It’s raining and snowing in Hanzhong, but isn’t it snowing continuously in Guanzhong?
In this way, the dangerous Dashan Pass was finally safe.
"Welcome to the general to return victorious——"
On the slippery and muddy ground, hundreds of officials, gentry, and merchants greeted him eagerly.
Even King Rui and King Qin came over eagerly, with faces full of joy.
What surprised him even more was that Jiang Quan, the stubborn prefect of Hanzhong, greeted him with a smile and an expression of pride.
"Zhu Yixi is ashamed to accept it. It is shameful to accept it."
He bowed to everyone and said with restraint and emotion: "Although I broke into thirty thousand thieves with three thousand, in the end it was just a counterattack. The city of Xi'an is still out of reach."
Everyone was stunned. This must be modesty, right?
The smile on his face became brighter and brighter.
Jiang Quan, the prefect of Hanzhong, turned away from his previous indifference and moved forward with enthusiasm and said in a friendly manner:
"I'm afraid you don't know that your Majesty has commended you for your meritorious service and promoted you to the rank of Commander-in-Chief of Guyuan. The imperial edict has arrived. This is a great joy!"
Hearing this, Zhu Yixi was overjoyed.
Finally, I climbed up. Unexpectedly, Chongzhen actually did something.
"You look much better when you smile."
Looking at Jiang Quan's smiling face, Zhu Yixi sighed.
He has really changed. The cold and arrogant prefect of Hanzhong has also become a licking dog.
The contrast is a bit big.
"Please, please hurry up, Zuixian Tower has made arrangements."
Jiang Quan complimented: "As soon as you come back, Hanzhong will have a backbone, and we will have another life. Everyone is waiting to celebrate you!"
These words were so flattering that Zhu Yixi was embarrassed to hear them, and the others even suppressed their laughter and turned red.
It's really different to hang a sign with the title of General Soldier.
It’s hard to refuse such kindness.
At the wine table, the prefect Jiang Quan kept toasting and apologizing: "Brother Zhu, not long ago I couldn't see Mount Tai. I hope I won't be blamed."
"Nothing!" Zhu Yixi waved her hand and said generously.
Anyway, your cold and violent attitude will not delay my work.
You Shiwei and others watched indifferently, sitting at another table, feeling the warmth and coldness of the world.
We are both general soldiers, why is there such a big difference in pay?
General Liu Tingjie couldn't help but wanted to throw his chopsticks, but when he saw Jiang Zhifu's smiling face, he instantly became frightened.
Over the years, he has used civility to control military affairs, and the fear of civil servants has been ingrained in his bones.
You Shiwei was feeling dissatisfied as he ate the food. Why?
I want to sit at that table too.
After drinking and eating, Zhu Yixi was satisfied.
"How does it feel to be a general soldier?"
Zhao Shu looked at Zhu Yixi, whose cheeks were slightly red, and couldn't help but joked.
"A world of difference!" Zhu Yixi sighed:
"Nowadays, there are only twenty military attachés who can compare with me."
"The key is, you are only twenty-one."
Zhao Shu added.
"Twenty-one, why am I so young? And You are so capable? Troubled times are coming, and I am destined to be a trend-setter!"
"However, Jiang Quan is too flattering, which is strange." Zhu Yixi laughed a few times, then calmed down and said doubtfully.
"He just wants to share the credit with you!"
Zhao Shu chuckled and said, "Aren't you very familiar with this?"
"Hahaha!" Zhu Yixi laughed, remembering how he and Bai Guangen and others exchanged credit for benefits in Tongguan.
"With the cooperation of the Hanzhong prefect, the rear area will be settled."
He doesn't mind sharing the credit.
Anyway, there are only a few days left in the Ming Dynasty. It would be better to have more friends.
"Dong dong——"
"Commander, Taoist Zhang would like to see you."
"Let him in."
Immediately, Zhang Daoyuan, who was tired of traveling, came quickly with his nose red from the cold and his face was full of joy:
"General, no, Commander-in-Chief, I am lucky enough to live up to my command and raise 100,000 copper coins for you."
He puffed out his chest and looked proud.
"That's it?" Zhu Yixi frowned: "There are hundreds of temples and Taoist temples in Hanzhong, why are there so few?"
When Zhang Daoyuan heard this, he almost stumbled and fell.
"Forget it, it's not easy for you either. I'll reward you with five hundred taels."
Zhu Yixi said casually with her face feeling hot and her heart feeling hot.
Zhang Daoyuan was overjoyed and said hurriedly: "Your great victory has spread so quickly that all the temples have been active. They are afraid of being slow."
"However, how much did you gain after returning from the victory? I heard that the thieves plundering Shaanxi must have a lot of money!"
The old Taoist priest looked eagerly and searched with his eyes.
"Hardware? Not detailed."
Zhu Yixi sighed: "There are very few old thieves, not to mention armors and weapons. There are only tens of thousands of prisoners who have traveled thousands of miles to fight. They are the best soldiers."
"With these prisoners and more than 10,000 new soldiers recently recruited, the total number of troops under your command exceeds 30,000."
Zhao Shu on the side couldn't help but said excitedly.
"Thirty thousand? That's too much. The real fighting force is only over ten thousand."
Zhu Yixi laughed softly and said: "Besides, it is difficult to raise soldiers!"
"Report, the heads of the He family and the Tang family want to meet."
Thirteen knocked on the door and came straight in. He looked serious and seemed to be quite mature.
"Shaanxi merchant?" Zhu Yixi was stunned.
"I guess you defeated the many with a small number, defeated the Chuang army, and got the title of Commander-in-Chief personally. These merchants couldn't bear it anymore and wanted to curry favor with you."
Zhao Shu stroked his beard and smiled broadly.
"Last time, didn't Shaanxi businessmen donate two million taels?"
Zhang Daoyuan said doubtfully.
"That's because I have to do it to protect the family property."
Zhu Yixi reacted and said casually: "But now, he came here to curry favor with me and ask for something from me."
"Come on, let's meet!"
After waving her sleeves, Zhu Yixi went to the living room.
"I have met the Commander-in-Chief." The two leaders saluted respectfully, their attitudes too correct.
"Chief soldier, although the journey you needed last time is a little longer, we have already bought it in Songpan and it will be there in a few days."
He lowered his posture together and said with a smile.
"The rest of the supplies have also been purchased."
"Really? Many thanks to the two leaders,"
Zhu Yixi Shi Shi Ran said.
The two of them were quite flattered by this attitude, and they waved their hands and said they didn't dare.
Zhu Yixi felt much more comfortable now.
These two were neither humble nor arrogant before, they were men in their true nature!
Now, don’t you also fall under the authority of the official?
After picking up the tea and taking a sip, Zhu Yixi said: "You two are also acquaintances. Isn't it just for supplies?"
"The commander-in-chief is wise." He Yiyi hurriedly smiled and said:
"We Shaanxi merchants in Hanzhong all think that you are very heroic, so we all want to rely on your banner to do business easily."
Zhu Yixi was a little disappointed. Only Hanzhong and Shaanxi merchants took refuge, not all Shaanxi merchants.
It seems that they still have illusions about Li Zicheng.
However, that's enough for now.
"I have nothing else to ask for from your chamber of commerce. Firstly, I just want the turnover of money and materials. Secondly, I just want to use your information channels to get some information."
Zhu Yixi held the tea cup and chuckled. Every word fell into their hearts, and their expressions changed accordingly.
"Today, I just want to know how many soldiers and horses Hui Deng and Wang Guangen of Xunyang have. Are they short of food or pay? Do they want to surrender to Chuang or are they still loyal?"
Xunyang?
He Yiyi and Tang Yongfu were shocked.
"In addition, I also want to know the distribution of the intruders in Xi'an Prefecture and the situation of Zhang Xianzhong in Huguang, Jiangxi Province."
"After all, you Shaanxi merchants have great supernatural powers, and there are many people around Li Zicheng."
Zhu Yixi sneered.
These words were so loud that their heads almost exploded.