Heavy rain in the northern part of Huguang came as scheduled, and since June 14, the rain has washed the land that has been hot for a long time, and the heavens and the earth seem to be refreshed by it. The air diffused with the thick smell of mud and grass, smelling in the nose, a little less violent under the scorching heat, and more peace and tranquility brought by the rain.

Zhao Dangshi walked out of the tent, and Zhou Wenhe, who was waiting outside, immediately raised an oil umbrella for him. There were two people behind Zhou Wenhe, but when they saw Zhao Dangshi, they all retreated in the pouring rain. Zhao Dangshi looked at the two people who disappeared in the rain curtain and asked, "Old Zhou, I see that you have taken them with you for the past few months, but you have the intention to cultivate them?" ”

Zhou Wenhe responded: "Back to the lord, one of these two people is called Deng Longye and the other is called Man Ning, and they are both coaches under Coach Ge. I saw that they had good qualifications, so I asked Coach Ge to come over. ”

Zhao Dangshi smiled and said: "Since you follow Coach Ge, you must have good martial arts." ”

Zhou Wenhe nodded and said: "Exactly, in terms of the skills of fighting, arching horses, sticks, knives and guns, there are very few people in the Parenting Division who are above them. However, what his subordinates value is that martial arts are light and heart is important. Within two months, I inspected them openly or covertly many times, and finally felt that they were people who could worry about the Lord, so I took them with me. ”

Zhao Dangshi said: "The person you set, I don't worry." But then he remembered something and asked, "Where is the people?" ”

"Deng Longye came out with Shi Zhouwei, and Man Ning was from Ningxia Zhongwei, both of whom were soldiers." Zhou Wenhe replied truthfully, "The relatives in the Department should have taken the Shaanxi Township Party as their relatives, but these two are indeed rare figures, and their subordinates can't bear to let them go, so they dare to stay first." The investigation of them is also more numerous and more complicated than others. ”

Zhao Dangshi immediately said: "Nepotism is taboo, and only talent can gather people's hearts." As long as they have good conduct and solid personalities, it is not impossible to absorb them. Again, "The reason why the parenting department is 'pro' is not in the hometown, but in the hearts of the people." In the future, when you choose talent, remember that you don't have to be tied down by location. ”

When Zhou Wenhe heard this, his heart, which was still uneasy, suddenly settled, and his heart was hot, and he said gratefully: "Thank you for your advice!" ”

Walking to the stable, a soldier sent a bamboo hat with a coat and a bamboo hat, and after the two put them on, they crossed their horses and went out of the camp and rushed to the direction of the northern camp with a whip. Yesterday's news, the Zuojia army led by Jin Shenghuan struck at Luo Rucai and other thieves who had fled to Jingshan County in the south, and they had reopened and were on their way back to Henan. Zuo Menggeng, who accompanied him, went first, and he was able to go to the deer head store today and visit Zhao Dangshi again. Zhao Dangshi intended to let him see the scale of the newly built Beidaying, so he placed the location of this meeting there.

Zhaoying's Beidaying camp is located on the plain north of Lutoudian. This area is covered with a dense water network, and the military fields of Zhao Ying are distributed in the middle, and to the east it is connected with the remaining veins of Dafu Mountain, which is convenient for obtaining materials. After more than a month, in the rain, through the humidity, you can already see the houses along the river one after another, and the outermost wall has also been completed, standing upright. In addition, there are several towers inside and outside the wall, and as long as there is an emergency, the beacon fire rises, and the main field troops of the Zhao battalion can be notified in a short time.

Zuo Mengeng thought that he was anxious to see Zhao Dangshi, so he arrived at Beidaying early and waited under a house.

Zuo Sili did not go to Jingshan County with the army, so he did not accompany Zuo Mengeng today. Jin Shenghuan and Liu Guoneng are also nowhere to be seen. Jin Shenghuan said that if you want to sit in the army, you can't move lightly, but Liu Guoneng was disgusted by Zuo Mengeng and was verbose, so he didn't bring Zhao Ying.

The reason why Zuo Mengeng visited Zhao Ying again was to greet his father-in-law Zhao Dangshi, and there were two more important reasons.

One of them is to pick up Rao Liubo. Since that day, he spent a good night with Rao Liubo, and after leaving Zhao Ying, Zuo Mengeng didn't think about tea and dinner, and thought about it all about having fun with Rao Liubo again. finally survived until the army won the battle, and he tried his best to prevent Jin Shenghuan's intention to pursue further. Although Jin Shenghuan is the commander of the first army, how can he not know that this arrogant son is the true god, and he can't resist Zuo Mengeng, so he will return to Henan immediately. At present, Zuo Mengeng only has three or five ladder companions by his side, who are responsible for escorting Rao Liubo away.

"Miss Rao is in Beidaying, I want to come to the mirror at this moment, and the son will be a little while." Looking at Zuo Mengeng, who was anxious and scratching his ears and cheeks, Zhao Dangshi smiled and groaned.

"Okay, good ......" Thinking of Rao Liubo's beautiful and moving face, Zuo Mengeng's mouth immediately became dry.

The second reason lies in the entrustment of Zhao Dangshi in front of the head. Leaving from Zhao Ying that day, Zuo Mengeng carried with him a letter written by Zhao Dangshi, who hoped that Zuo Mengeng would give the letter to Long Zaitian, the deputy general of Shipingtu, who was also deployed in the south. Because of Zuo Liangyu's relationship, Long Zaitian took time out of his busy schedule to meet Zuo Menggeng, and Zuo Menggeng lived up to his trust and handed over the letter to him in good condition.

"I am very proud of my father-in-law in front of Vice General Long, and Vice General Long bluntly said that he has admired his father-in-law for a long time, and he will definitely visit him in person after he transfers to the north." Zuo Mengeng said gloomily, "There is also his reply here, please enlighten my father." As he spoke, he took out a fire paint letter from his arms and handed it to Zhao Dangshi's hand.

Zhao Dangshi handed the letter to Zhou Wenhe and said, "If the son is not in a hurry, it is better to stay with me for more time." ”

Zuo Mengeng thanked him: "The righteous father is kind to the child, but the family has strict rules and regulations, and he doesn't dare to delay outside for too long." After seeing Jiayan, I took the opportunity to visit my father-in-law in Zaoyang. ”

When Zhao Dangshi heard this, he said: "Family affairs are important, and the filial piety of the son is amazing." He added, "I have been friends with Lingzun God for a long time, and I just hate to see each other by chance." After Childe returns home, don't forget to help us match. ”

Zuo Mengeng promised: "The order of the righteous father is in my heart, how dare I disobey it!" The father-in-law is relieved, the shortest is eight or nine days, and the longest is one month, and he will inevitably give the father-in-law an answer. ”

Zhao Dangshi smiled and nodded.

Zuo Mengeng was a young man, impetuous, anxious to come to Zhao Ying, and had no other preparations. Zhao Dangshi was considerate and gave the only remaining carriage in the camp to Zuo Mengeng to carry Rao Liubo. Zuo Mengeng naturally sighed again, and his meticulous concern for Zhao Dangshi was even more devastated. Watching Zuo Mengeng happily escort Rao Liubo's carriage as it drifted away, Zhao Dangshi let out a long sigh, but he thought that at least Zuo Menggeng's line was temporarily smoothed.

Pang Jinming leaned out from the back of the house and walked to Zhao Dangshi's side and saluted.

Zhao Dangshi said to him: "From now on, the kid of the Zuo family needs to worry more about you." ”

Pang Jinming's face was grim, and he said calmly: "Don't worry, my subordinates have talked to the Rao family, and she will not dare to have two hearts." And among the several slaves and maids who went to Xuzhou with the Rao family, there were informants carefully placed by their subordinates, but there was a little bit of an abnormality, and the Zhun Bao ......" Speaking of this, the palm of his hand made a downward cutting motion, "Zhun Bao will not involve my battalion." In addition, the subordinates also contacted the Yaxing in Xuzhou, and at least three or five slaves sent by the subordinates would infiltrate the Zuo Mansion through various channels such as pawn sales and dedication, so that the Rao family or the Zuo family would not notice half of it. ”

Zhao Dangshi said with satisfaction: "With your coordination, I don't have to worry about it." But Zuo Liangyu is not an ordinary person after all, and the follow-up arrangements must be cautious and repeated, and must not be negligent. "Since he was appointed to take charge of the Zhao Battalion's Secret Service Division, Pang Jinming has not rested on his laurels because of his high position, but has grown faster. Many times, Zhao Dangshi tells him to go down, and he doesn't need to pay too much attention to the process, and the ideal result will always come as promised. Zhao Dangshi was glad that he didn't look away at the beginning, compared to Guo Ruke, Yang Zhaofeng and other generals, the promotion of Pang Jinming can be called one of the most proud strokes in his heart.

Pang Jinming was ordered to retreat, and Zhao Dangshi asked Zhou Wenhe: "Has He Shang's envoy arrived?" In addition to Zuo Mengeng, the meeting with the Beida camp was also the internal affairs envoy He Kewei, who would state to Zhao Dangshi about the armament in the battalion.

Zhou Wenhe replied: "I have arrived a long time ago, and I have been waiting in the council hall for two hours. ”

At the moment, Zhao Dangshi tossed and turned a few steps, and the scenery in front of him was suddenly very different from the previously arranged and well-behaved houses. First of all, a rockery several feet high stands upright, after the rockery, there is a moon gate, through the moon gate, step up more than ten layers of stone steps, you can see a simple hall similar to a Buddhist temple sitting in the middle of the mountain.

The main entrance of the main hall is closed, and the plaque on the door is written with four black lacquer characters of "National Heavy Military Aircraft". This is the newly built "military affairs office" of Zhao Ying, which has not yet been fully completed, and will replace the current Chinese army tent in the future, and become the center of Zhao Ying's military orders and military discussions. Zhao Dangshi made it clear that his residence could not be built first, but this military government must be completed first. After this military order, his image in the hearts of military generals is undoubtedly a little taller.

There is a stone brick open space in front of the main hall, and there are more than enough thousands of people standing down. To the left and right of the open space, there is a verandah leading to the depths, and the rainwater flowing from the verandah is densely lined up, hanging on both sides like a waterfall. The carved beams and painted buildings of the corridor are not yet colored, but you can also see the exquisiteness of its workmanship.

Zhao Dangshi walked in from the verandah on the left-hand side, and when he didn't walk much, there was a narrow door two people wide on the side. Zhou Wenhe said: "My lord, the council hall enters from here, and then the government decree hall is inside." ”

Zhao Dangshi said "Okay", turned around and flashed into the small courtyard, and He Kejing, who was standing with an umbrella, walked up. Behind him, there was also a middle-aged man, Zhao Dangshi knew that it was He Ke's deputy, the newly promoted deputy of internal affairs Lu Qiqing.

"My subordinates have seen my lord!" He Kewei's face was slightly tired, and Lu Qiqing also came up to salute. Zhao Dangshi saw that there were large areas of water stains on their trouser legs and even their shoulders, and they must have stayed in the rain for a long time.

"Lao He, Lao Lu, the door of the council hall is not open, why don't you sit inside and wait for me. It's raining heavily, so it's wet. Zhao Dangshi complained.

He Kewei rubbed the umbrella in one hand and rubbed it on his waist with the other, and said: "Before the lord arrived, his subordinates seemed to have hundreds of sharp needles on their buttocks, and they would die of pain when they sat down." ”

Zhao Dangshi shook his head and walked into the conference hall with Zhou Wenhe. The chamber was very large, roughly estimated to be large enough to accommodate five or six hundred people at once, and four thick red beams and pillars stood at the four corners, and in the middle there was a square table more than a foot long, but the chairs and stools were not in place, so as to appear empty.

"The subordinates are not doing their jobs effectively, and the council hall has been postponed for a long time, please punish the lord." Taking advantage of the moment when Zhao Dangshi and Zhou Wenhe took off their clothes, He Kewei didn't know where to move a few chairs, and said in an uneasy tone.

"It's okay, I look at the progress, at the end of July, the completion of the entire military affairs office is not a problem. You supervise day and night, and you have done nothing. Zhao Dangshi smiled slightly. Like Pang Jinming, He Kewei is also constantly improving, which is what Zhao Dangshi is most willing to see. The so-called people make the best use of their talents, and if some people don't give them a chance, they will never be able to discover their potential.

"The lord's mansion ......," He Kewei said tentatively.

"Leave that aside." Zhao Dangshi immediately interrupted him, "They are all people who are used to sleeping in the open air, and it doesn't matter if they live in tents for a while." But things like military offices, barns, cellars, etc., must be put in the first place. If you don't build my dwelling, I won't reproach you, but if these things are delayed, I will ask you. Zhao Dangshi pretended to be intimidating, he knew what a terrible temperament, and he had to give enough of this kind of two-skinned carrot and big stick, all of which were indispensable.

"Subordinates can be saved, subordinates can be saved!" He Ke dreaded the chick nodded like a peck of rice.

Zhao Dangshi and the others also sat down with Lu Qiqing, and said: "I will go to visit Xu Tongzhi later, let's make a long story short." "Xu Hui's old illness has recurred, and he has been bedridden for the past few days.

He Kewei straightened his posture and said to Lu Qiqing: "Old Lu, you can tell me the general situation in the camp first." ”

Lu Qiqing is slightly chubby, his skin is very white, and he has two thin mustaches on his lips, and he looks quite happy, but as soon as he speaks, his voice is very rich: "Lord Yuming, the original silver money in the camp was 5,800 taels, and yesterday I counted the harvest that Guo Tong had brought over there, and there was 9,300 taels." Therefore, there are now fifteen thousand taels of money in the camp. ”

Guo Ruke was ordered to attack the Xiang Domain's industry, which not only caused panic among the Xiang kings, but also reaped a lot of benefits. In addition to the reward given to the soldiers, there were more than 9,000 taels left. It can also be inferred from this that Zhang Xianzhong was able to gather much wealth through continuous plundering.

Lu Qiqing continued: "In terms of armament, as of yesterday, there were 35 Franc machines, 44 tiger squat cannons, 15 fire cannons, 1,000 bird guns, 800 strong bows and crossbows, 2,000 pairs of light armor, 500 pairs of heavy armor, and 1,500 war horses. The rest of the guns, wind chasing guns, mountain birds, three-eyed guns, mountain-splitting guns, sub-mother cannons, wolf whisks, hook sickles, adze axes, hammer palladium, lifting picks, and so on are not in the same number, and it is difficult to form an establishment, so they will not be discussed one by one. ”

Zhao Dangshi listened, thought about it, and said, "There are still too few firearms in the camp. In particular, there are only 1,000 birds, which are too insufficient. ”

He Kewei said at this time: "My subordinates know that there is a place where there are at least 3,000 bird guns, all of which are good products made by the Ministry of Industry. But I'm afraid it didn't come easily. ”