Duan Si asked Gao Qiang what they thought when he went back, and it turned out that only one of the sixteen guards who entered Beijing with Shang Cheng this time wanted to leave, and the rest were willing to stay, including Duan Si. The person who wanted to go back to Yanshan was not because he was homesick, but because his family told him that he would have a daughter-in-law and would get married in the spring of next year.

The next day, Shang Cheng went to the military department to give Duan Si and them the rank of run.

Gao Qiang's title was easily done. These are his guards, and they also have different positions in the guard camp of the Yanshan Governor's Mansion, although they did not directly participate in the autumn war, but according to the old practice, they also have the same credit as the battle to meet the enemy, and then according to the imperial court's reward for all the soldiers who participated in the Yanshan Guards in the autumn war, they were all promoted to one level and two ranks. The Ministry of War's Examination Department is also very reasonable, and when he heard that most of Shang Cheng's guards had to stay in Shangjing, he immediately issued an official document and arranged a vacant position in the Yamen of the Plains General.

However, Duan Si's promotion to the rank was rejected by the Ministry of Meritorious Service.

Duan Si was originally the right lieutenant of Jianhui from the seventh grade, and this time he can mention the lieutenant of Jianhui from the seventh grade, because he is the deputy lieutenant of the Admiral's Mansion of Shangcheng, so the examination department is particularly generous when considering his promotion, first saying that Duan Si is "diligent and not afraid of trouble", and then said that Duan Si is "studious, sensitive, observant and subtle", and directly moved to the seventh grade, and then "it is rare to be brave and brave to be excellent first", so he was promoted to the seventh grade. This is already a rare preferential treatment, and it is far from the guerrilla general proposed by Shang Cheng. Shang Cheng sat directly in the public hall, claiming that if the test department did not agree to his request, he would not leave. There is no way for the Gong Si to take this nonsense and mess around with the newly promoted Shangzhu General of the State at all, the two Si Cao Lang officials discussed with their eyes, one stayed to accompany each other with a smile, and the other made up an excuse to go out to find someone who could count. The most familiar with Shang Cheng in the Yamen of the Ministry of War is Zhen Qian, who was attending a meeting at the time, and was shouted out in the middle of the meeting, and heard that Shang Cheng came to provoke trouble, he didn't blink his eyelids, and made a decision immediately:

"Do it for him!"

As long as you don't teach Shang Yanshan to sprinkle all his anger on the head of the military department, let alone a guerrilla general from the fifth grade, or a general Mingwei from the fourth rank under the fourth grade, you must also agree!

The official of the meritorious examination was still really ignorant of the situation, and explained with a bitter face: "The merit of that Duan is not enough to promote guerrillas. ”

"If it's not enough, take credit for him! If you can't find it, you have to look for it! Zhen Qian said categorically.

The military department Shangshu, who rushed over after hearing the news, added another sentence: "Even if it's a fabricated credit!" "As long as you can appease the blind man!

That's it, Shang Shu was also worried that the people who took the gong division would inadvertently offend Shang Cheng because they didn't know the severity, so he simply let Zhen Qian run in person.

Of course, Duan Si's merits don't need to be fabricated with the help of the Gong Si Division, and his merits are ready-made. Shang Cheng pointed out that when Yan Shanwei formulated the autumn strategy, Duan Si made many suggestions before and after, which was very helpful to the meticulousness and perfection of the strategy. This point, Zhang Shao and Wen Mu, who participated in the formulation of the strategy, can come out to testify, and it must also be recorded in the credit book submitted by the Yanshan Wei Mansion; If there is no record, it must be the negligence of the Yanshan Wei Mansion, and the Ministry of War can send a document to Yanshan to find Zhang Wen and the others for verification.

Where would the Gong Si send a document to Yanshan to find evidence, and directly added a note to Duan Si's resume, "Ying County Bo Shangzhu Guoshang bluntly said that Duan Si had a great contribution to the Yanshan strategy in the autumn of the year of Bingzi", and then wrote an official document to promote Duan Si to a guerrilla general, and together with Gao Qiang Li Feng's promotion document, he immediately sent someone to the Ministry of Officials for approval and filing. Zhenqian also repeatedly told that this is an urgent official business, and he must guard the officials to urge him. He even pointed out a shortcut for his subordinates, and asked Xue Xun, the left attendant of the ministry, to help.

There are two left servants from the military department and the official department joining forces, where is there anything that can't be done, and before two moments of light, Xue Xun personally sent a stack of appointment letters. As soon as they met, he didn't talk about business at first, but scolded Shang Cheng as familiarly as he did with an old friend: "Uncle Ying, I heard that a plaque has been hung in your new mansion in recent days, so I want to ask you for a cup of housewarming wine." But I waited left and right at home, but I didn't see anyone from your house to inform me. Is Ying Bo afraid that I will empty your cellar? It's not for the promotion documents sent by the Ministry of War today, I am ready to go directly to your house tomorrow to rest and go directly to your mansion to mess around......" said and raised the paperwork in his hand, spread out his other hand and said, "Where is my invitation?" ”

Shang Cheng said with a smile: "It's just an empty yard, and there are not even tables, chairs and benches, how dare you say anything about the joy of housewarming?" It's just a move from the post house. In this way, tomorrow is Xiumu, and today you are all early, so let's find a big restaurant and make trouble for a night. ”

Zhen Qian shook his head, glanced at Shang Cheng and said, "Not good." Relocation is a big deal, you are the county uncle, and you can't be casual, you still have to pick an auspicious day to hang a plaque to be called a 'good' word. ”

Shang understood it when it was founded. This is not in Yanshan anymore. He didn't hold a housewarming banquet when he moved in Yanshan, but the situation in Yanshan was a mess at that time, and the place where he lived was arranged and assigned by the Health Department, plus he was still a fake governor, who would have nothing to pick on in such a trivial matter? But now it's different. He just came to Shangjing in a bad mood, and he was not on good terms with the Nanjin faction for the direction of the use of troops, I don't know how many pairs of eyes are staring at it, and the chickens want to pick out the bones. Although this kind of trivial matter can't make him fall much, but if you are more serious, you can't run away if you admit a mistake. That's what those guys wanted, and you still don't shake it when you see it...... Thinking about it, he smiled and said, "Of course, this meal can't be omitted." But you two can't put it off at tonight's banquet. ”

Xue Xun pretended not to see the real Xiang Chao Shang Cheng's eyes, handed the document to Duan Si, and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to come tonight." The king of Jinan invited a high-ranking lady to make a big show in the house, and sent me a message three days ago, and I also agreed, it's not good not to go. He glanced at Zhenxiang. The king of Chengdu should have invited you too, right?

Zhen Qian smiled bitterly and said, "Where do I have time to go to the theater?" Xiao Laoshuai will go to Jiazhou after the New Year, mobilize grain and grass, escort baggage, transport ordnance, and buy herbs locally. It is also necessary to demarcate the march routes of various departments, arrange the garrison locations, and replenish the officers and soldiers of each department......" He shook his head and sighed as he spoke, as if he felt very sorry for not being able to watch any high-name ladies' big plays. "It's all busy like this, Xiao Laoshuai still refuses to stop, and he doesn't know who said anything nonsense in front of him yesterday, so he suddenly overturned all the plans and measures that had been set in front of him, and he had to re-plan and deploy. When Zida came over just now, I was convening a meeting to discuss his new strategy. Depending on the situation, we won't be idle tonight. It's a pity that he lived up to Zida's hospitality. But when it is the day of Zida's housewarming, I will come anyway. ”

"I'm definitely going to come to congratulate Xizida on a housewarming." Xue Xun also said.

At this time, Duan Si walked up to Shang Cheng and said, "General, I heard Li Feng say that tomorrow is an auspicious day, and it is advisable to migrate and enter the house." ”

Shang Cheng glared at him. Haven't you said it sooner?

Duan Si smiled and said, "How did I know that you were still taboo about this." "He and Shang Cheng are fighting soldiers who lick blood on their heads, where can they pay attention to this? It may not be necessary for Shang Cheng to command the army to fight, and he has to look at the imperial calendar beforehand?

Shang Cheng smiled and said to the two waiters: "That's it." Tomorrow is a good day, I am waiting for the two adults in the house, let's get drunk and rest. ”

Zhen Xiang and Xue Xun agreed with a smile.

Xue Xun still had official business in the Ministry of Officials, and he got the letter from Shang Cheng's side, so he resigned after a few more jokes. Zhenqian accompanied Shang Cheng to send him out of the yamen. Halfway down the road, Zhen Qian saw that there were no idle people on the left and right, so he asked Shang Cheng: "You went to the Prime Minister's Mansion yesterday, what did you say to Zhang Xiang?" ”

"Didn't say anything." Shang Cheng said. He and Zhenqian can talk better, and they know each other, so they don't hide some things from him. "What else can I say? That is, to ramble a few words casually, to leave an impression on others, so as to teach those guys not to bother me if they have nothing to do. My nickname of 'Yixian Merchant Blind' is not for nothing, it angers me, and he wants to flip the table. ”

Zhen Xiang was amused by his words. But the smile disappeared immediately, and he whispered: "I went to the Prime Minister's Office this morning, and I heard that it was you who had broken through Xiao Jian's strategy for the southern expedition, so he hurriedly changed the draft." ”

"Impossible!" Shang Cheng paused and looked at Zhen Qian in surprise. Are you kidding! Xiao Jian is still in Beijing, thousands of miles away from Jiazhou in the southwest, and the war will not start in an orderly manner until next summer and autumn, he is now sitting at home and drawing up a strategy for the southern expedition with his own imagination, and then let the various units of the expedition assemble and deploy step by step. Therefore, this draft strategy cannot be taken seriously at all, it must be something written and compiled by Xiao Jian, flashy and unrealistic, the purpose is to coax people like Zhang Pu who are not familiar with military affairs, so that the Nanjin faction can be faithful to themselves and faithfully conquer Nanzhao There will be a big victory. Thinking about it, Yang Du, the veterans in the army, and the military department also know this, but no one stands up to break it. Who knew that he would become a bad guy by mistake!

He asked Zhen Qian with a dark face: "Who is spreading the rumors?" "Fuck him! He has taken a big step back, these people are still advancing step by step, do they really think that he Shang Yanshan is muddy?

"has been stopped by Zhang Xiang, and those few people who spread nonsense have also been ordered to admit their mistakes and write their mistakes." Zhen Xiang said. His voice paused on the "nonsense", which was obviously the nature of the rumors set by Zhang Pu. "I don't mean anything else when I say this, I'm just curious and want to inquire, you really broke through Xiao Jian's strategy?"

Shang Cheng glanced at him. can sit in the position of the left squire of the military department, what else will make Zhen Qian curious? It's just a curiosity to listen to the truth. He told the story of that incident, and finally said with a wry smile: "This is the so-called strategy of me 'seeking' Xiao Laoshuai." Wasn't I talking nonsense? I didn't have anything to say, so I learned Xiao Laoshuai's routine of using soldiers and said it casually, who knew that he would be so accurate. ”

Zhen Qian nodded. He can trust Shang Cheng. It is impossible for Shang Cheng to lie about this kind of thing. As long as you are a person who understands military affairs a little, you will know that the strategy proposed by Xiao Jian in front of him is pure nonsense, and on paper, it looks like a skyscraper, and the future is like a bright future, Zhao Jun's momentum all the way is like a bamboo, and the destruction of the country by Nanzhao is only on the horizon. But everyone understands that it was painted for Zhang Pu to see. The terrain in the southwest is complicated, the rivers are dense and the mountains are vertical and horizontal, and the two adjacent prefectures and counties are only 120 miles apart from each other on the map. Fighting in such a place, it would be complete nonsense to want all the units to go hand in hand! Xiao Jian was forced by the victorious Zhang Pu and the Nanjin faction, and had to come up with such a strategy that could teach the Fang family to laugh off his big teeth, but Shang Cheng also broke the mystery between fingers and fingers, and had to overturn it and start again......

He said to Shang Cheng: "Even if Xiao Jian is making nonsense, you can break his strategy casually, which is enough to be proud." ”

Shang Cheng said with a smile: "Xiao Laoshuai has been famous for a long time, and there are many war examples, many of which are well-known. When I first became a soldier and ate food, I was under Li Shen's account, and I listened to him give us an analysis of the gains and losses in Xiao Laoshuai's battle examples. After listening to it for a long time, I naturally learned some skills to draw cats and tigers. It's definitely not good to really fight, take it out to fool the layman, it's a bluff and a quasi. ”

Zhen Xiang laughed. Of course, he knew who the layman Shang Cheng was talking about.

As he spoke, he arrived at the gate of the military headquarters, and Shang Cheng was about to say goodbye, but before he raised his arm, he saw three or four officers standing under the shelter on the side of the courtyard wall on the side of the gate, and one of the green-robed lieutenants stared at him without blinking. He looked at it intently, smiled at once, and said to Zhenqian, "Don't give it away." I met an acquaintance here, and I guess I will have to delay for a while. Remember to come over early tomorrow for a drink. ”

Zhen Qian smiled and bowed his hand, and hurried away.

Shang Cheng walked to the edge of the tent and asked with a smile: "Tsk, look, who is this?" Duan Si also joked beside him: "It seems to be a little familiar, I should have seen it, but I can't remember who it is in a hurry." ”

Jiao'er only reacted at this time, and hurriedly gave a military salute: "General, it's really you!" Are you all in the Pillar Country? I thought I was dazzled! Why didn't you see the news in the newspaper? As he spoke, he glanced behind Shang Cheng and said with a little disappointment, "Ah, Captain Bao didn't enter Beijing with you this time?" ”

Shang Cheng turned his face blank and pretended to be angry and said, "You know Captain Bao!" ”

Jiao'er was not afraid of him, and said with a smile: "Of course. Who asked Captain Bao to buy me a silver bracelet, but the general was so stingy that he was reluctant to spend any money. ”

Shang Cheng laughed and said, "I have to be rich too." To tell you the truth, I don't have half a penny on my body now, and I was still fighting a famine with the squire of the military department just now, and I am going to borrow dozens of pennies to pay off the rent, otherwise I will have to sleep on the street tonight. ”

Jiao'er pursed her lips, obviously not believing Shang Cheng's words.

Shang Chengcheng asked her: "You are here, is your general also in the capital?" She's in the yamen of the military department now? Seeing Jiao'er nod, he guessed what was going on. Since the strategy for the southern expedition submitted by Xiao Jian earlier is a piece of waste paper, it is estimated that there are almost a few revisions now, and they are all used to fool around. However, even if it was something that scared the layman, the military department had to take it seriously, so it summoned a group of generals with names and surnames to sit down and discuss. In order to reflect the importance of the Ministry of War, Chen Pu, who happened to be in Beijing, was also brought over to make up the numbers. She is best suited for this kind of meeting. She is a pillar country, with a high status, many positions, and the title of a squire in the military department, she has participated in large and small wars, and she has also experienced various sinister environments, as a layman in an insider, her words are very valuable for reference. At least in the eyes of the layman.

Kyauer said, "Yes." I heard that the meeting would last all day. ”

"I guess it's going to take a day." Shang Cheng said. If you don't open for a whole day, how can you reflect the importance that the military department attaches to Xiao Jian's new strategy? It is estimated that Chen Pu should also be very happy to be able to participate in this kind of meeting. He couldn't help laughing, and said to Jiao'er, "Tomorrow the yamen will be closed, your general should be fine, right?" Please tell her, I'm transferred back to Beijing now, I got a place to live in Chongyifang, I will hang a plaque tomorrow, and then set up a banquet, if she is free, remember to come over for a meal and drink. As he spoke, he smiled and nodded at the other Chen Pu's guards, raised his arms and gave a military salute to prepare to leave the imperial city, but before he could take a step, he stopped again. Look at me, just remembering to go, almost forgetting a big thing? ”

"What's the big deal?" Kyauk'er asked.

"Yes, in fact, it's okay if she doesn't come tomorrow. But it's okay if people don't come, and gifts must be delivered. ”