Ten days after the victory, the note to Zhao Mu had been submitted and a reply had been received. Zhao Hui rewarded the three armies. At the banquet, the meritorious generals were rewarded. Due to the remarkable exploits of the 1st Division, Huo Han was also promoted. was named the general of Guide by Zhao Hui, from the third grade! It's just one level lower than Zhao Hui! Although this is just a false title, Zhao Hui said in front of everyone: "Huo Du, you don't have to be discouraged!" This general has been instructed by the lord, and when Gyeongju is captured, you will be the general of Gyeongju! I promise you! Huo Han is naturally grateful, in fact, with Huo Han's loyalty to the Zhao family, even if he is only given a false title from the third grade, he will gladly accept it, as long as he is allowed to lead the troops to fight, he will be very happy. This is a military man! This is Hohan!

The other military and town governors regarded their military merits as promoted, and finally Zhao Hui sat on the top and shouted: "Zhang Cheng! Come forward and be sealed! ”

Dozens of officers who were sitting below and drinking were drinking when they heard Zhao Hui call Zhang Cheng's name, and everyone was talking.

Pan Shixun said to Qian Chong with envy: "Brother, look at it, other people's joining the army." This defeat of Zahan, this Zhang Cheng has made a great contribution! Look at Huo Han again, in good spirits! ”

"Yes! This time, Zhang Cheng is afraid that he is going to be promoted to a big official! The marshal promoted Huo Han to the general of Gyeongju, and Huo Han's position was eight out of ten. Nine is about to fall into the hands of this captain! Qian Chong sighed.

"Humble duty, Zhang Cheng. I've seen the general! Zhang Chengcheng knelt down in front of Zhao Hui in fear and said. If Zhao Hui didn't know what his temper was, he really thought that Zhang Cheng was a coward like a mouse!

"Hmmm! Zhang Cheng offered a clever plan this time, digging tunnels, basically annihilating the 50,000 barbarian army, and even killing Zahan. The strength of the grassland has been greatly damaged, and it is no longer able to attack my Jizhou in a short period of time! Solved my worries for Jizhou! It's a great achievement for the world! This general specially appointed Zhang Cheng as the county guard of Beidi County, and was in charge of the military and civil affairs of Beidi County. He was allowed to lead a division and was crowned General Huaihua! Give a manor, 500 acres of fertile land, 1,000 taels of gold, 100 good horses, and 100 brocade silk! Zhao Hui said such a lot, and the front was mostly to show Zhang Cheng's merits, this is to convince the public. The substantive reward is mainly the latter words.

The county guard of the Northland County is a five-grade official position; In charge of the military and civil affairs of Beidi County, it means that Zhang Cheng can intervene in military affairs as a civilian official, which is unprecedented, mainly depending on Zhang Cheng's military talent, the geographical location of Beidi County is important, Zhenxiongguan is under the jurisdiction of Beidi County, Zhao Hui naturally has his intentions; As for allowing him to lead a division and regiment, 1,500 people, this is also unprecedented, there is no civilian official who can lead troops; The last is General Huaihua Zhonglang, which is a fictitious title of the fourth grade, and the fifth-grade official of Beidi County is to the left, but with the addition of military and political affairs and soldiers and horses, it is also enough to be a fourth-grade official rank. Zhang Cheng was promoted from a sixth-rank lieutenant to a fourth-rank lieutenant, which can be regarded as a complete merit. As for the manors, fertile fields, gold, silver, horses, etc., there is no substantive significance.

"Thank you, General! Humble duty, oh no, the last general will be the lord, and he will do his best to defend Jizhou for the general! "Zhang Cheng kowtows and thanks!

Three days later, Zhao Hui led his army to the south again. Before leaving, he summoned Zhang Cheng and said to him: "Zhang Cheng! Gyeongju in the south is always annoying us on the border, and the wolf is ambitious, trying to devour my Zeju. The lord ordered the Jizhou army to go south to join the soldiers and horses of Zezhou and capture Gyeongju! I'm leaving, and before I leave, I'll give you another gift! ”

Zhang Cheng still followed Zhao Hui in a military uniform, and when he heard Zhao Hui say that he wanted to give himself a big gift as soon as possible, his heart was surging, and he secretly thought that he would not give me a Jizhou.

He bowed and said modestly: "General, the lower official has received too much kindness from you. I really don't dare to do it! ”

"I don't know what kind of character you have? I wish I could be a big official! Take it! Zhao Hui said with a smile.

Zhang Chengcheng took the holy decree in fear, opened it and saw that it was written that all officials below the fifth rank of Zhang Chengfan could be appointed by themselves and did not need to report to the imperial court. And tax exemption for three years, this is a great kindness!

Doesn't this mean that Zhang Cheng is the grass king of this Northland County? What a blessing! Zhao Hui is worthy of him.

Zhang Cheng was also excited to receive such kindness, and he was more grateful to Zhao Hui. He kowtowed, "Thank you, General!" In this life, it is difficult to repay the general's kindness if he dies! ”

"Get up! You must know that Northland County was the most affected by the war, the population was taken captive, and the prefecture was empty. It can be said that you went to Northland County to take office this time, and it can be said that it is a difficult step. If I don't give you some authority, I'm afraid that your county guard position will be an empty shell! This time, you have made great contributions to my Zhao family, calmed down the troubles, and laid the foundation for the southern expedition. You deserve this! Zhao Hui said.

I see! Zhang Cheng was even more grateful in his heart. He fell to his knees again and bowed his head in thanksgiving!

"The lower official is grateful to the general! Thank you for your kindness! ”

Zhao Hui helped him up, patted him on the shoulder, and continued to walk forward. Zhang Cheng walked behind him, and he said: "Since the general loves the lower officials so much, if the lower officials don't do anything, I'm afraid they won't be able to get by." As far as the lower officials know, the biggest shortcoming of our Jizhou army is that it is difficult to fight against the barbarian army. General! I plan to build a horse farm on the side of the Zhushui River five miles outside Zhenxiong Pass to save good horses for Jizhou. I dare say that within three years, we will be able to reserve 20,000 good horses and war horses for the general! ”

Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Zhao Hui's eyes lit up, he stared at Zhang Cheng, grabbed Zhang Cheng's shoulder, and said in surprise: "Really? Can you prepare 20,000 good horses for me in three years? ”

"The lower official dares to guarantee with his life!" Zhang Cheng bowed and replied. Then he changed his words and said, "However, this still requires the general to come and buy it for half the market price!" You see, the lower officials have to spend money to build horse farms, buy good breeds, etc., all of which need to cost money. Can you say yes? ”

Hearing this, Zhao Hui was stunned, and then laughed. Zhang Cheng was confused, is Zhao Hui overjoyed?

Zhao Hui patted Zhang Cheng's shoulder and said with a smile: "You, you!" It's a pity that you don't want to be a businessman! Good! Do as you say! With that, he turned on his horse and rode away.

After Zhao Hui left, he left Pan Shixun and a military town's soldiers and horses to garrison Zhenxiong Pass.

Three days later, Zhang Cheng bid farewell to Pan Shixun and left Zhenxiongguan with more than 1,600 of his subordinates and went to Xiyang County, Beidi County to take office.

After the war, more than 2,100 soldiers under Zhang Cheng died more than 400 people, most of whom were soldiers who later joined the First Division, because they did not have the courage to see death as home, so where did they get their combat effectiveness? Death and injury are inevitable.

More than 1,600 soldiers marched on the official road to Xiyang County with dozens of carts and a cart full of chickens and dogs. This box contained a thousand taels of gold, five hundred acres of land deeds, the deeds of the manor, and those silk silks. There are no horses, but Zhang Cheng's more than 1,600 soldiers are all riding a war horse. Those dozens of carts are naturally food!

Originally, Zhang Cheng should have a division of 3,000 people, but the Jizhou army fought in Zhenxiong Pass, with more than 40,000 casualties and had to go to Gyeongju to march south, so he couldn't afford to replenish Zhang Cheng's troops, so Zhao Hui just asked Zhang Cheng to recruit by himself.

Zhang Cheng, who was walking in front, whistled and sang: "Today is a good day, everything you want can come true." ”

"Yo! Not satisfied! What else do you want to do? Yang Wenzhao looked at Zhang Cheng's triumphant appearance and couldn't help but laugh.

"That's contentment! That's where it goes! Official, I've done it! But I, Zhang Cheng, still want to be the richest businessman in the world! Zhang Cheng glanced at Yang Wenzhao and said.

"Just by selling horses? Pull it down! This horse breeding is a technical job. From the construction of a horse farm to the introduction of stallions, and continuous cultivation, you will not be able to complete the Haikou boast to the general! Not to mention making a fortune! Yang Wenzhao said disapprovingly.

"I still have a Northland county! How much was the tax paid that year! And grain, leather, oops, too much! There are many ways to get rich! Don't be so restrictive! Zhang Cheng looked at Yang Wenzhao with the eyes of Tu Baozi, and ignored him.

Instead, he glanced at Tiezhu and the others behind him, pulled the horse back, and came to them.

Tie Zhu, Zhang Boss, Qi Tian, Li Hao, Yao Han, Huang Ling, Qin Chao, Fan Zhong, these are all his henchmen, and they are willing to give up the great opportunity for promotion and follow him to the deserted Beidi County, then he Zhang Cheng can't treat the big guy badly.

"Tie Zhu, Zhang Laoda, Qi Tian, Li Hao, Yao Han, Huang Ling, Qin Chao, Fan Zhong, gave up the great opportunity to be a general, followed me a small five-grade official, and went to that deserted Beidi County, do you regret it? Brothers! Zhang Cheng looked at them and asked.

The five old men who followed him, Tie Zhu, naturally shook their heads without hesitation, and Qin Chao and Fan Zhong shook their heads without any hesitation.

"Qin Chao, Fan Zhong. The two of you are also quite talented in military affairs, and in this troubled world, it is not impossible to be a commander in the army. Why not regret it? Follow me, but you can only endure hardship! Zhang Cheng said seriously.

Fan Zhong thought for a long time, then suddenly raised his head and said, "No regrets!" ”

"Cut! Co-authored, I thought about it for a long time and held back these three words! You're too shy! Zhang Cheng despised Fan Zhong very "contemptively", Fan Zhong scratched his head, and really blushed. In fact, Fan Zhong is the same as Tie Zhu, he is very straightforward, but the difference between him and Tie Zhu is that he knows how to think. Tiezhu, that stupid big man, sold him one day, maybe he is still helping others count the money!

"What about you? Man! Zhang Cheng asked Qin Chao again.

Qin Chao said: "Since the battle of Pingwu County, Qin Chao has suffered three knife wounds, if he is not treated, it will definitely be a dead end!" The general will not hesitate to violate military law, but he will also save us. In the end, he was scolded by the commander with a cane for fifty! Although Qin Chao didn't say it, he remembered this kindness in his heart! Besides, the general treats us as human beings, and is willing to follow the general! ”

"Hey! I, I knew that if I beat Tian Haitao, I would violate military law. But I know better what the consequences of beating him will be! I thought I would get eighty rods! The Governor loved me, and only gave me fifty rods. I have suffered a crime, but I have received the sincerity of more than 400 soldiers, I am a good deal! Hehe, seriously, I'm happy to be with you! Don't think so much, worry so much! How wonderful! Zhang Cheng said frankly.

"Uh...... At least the general treats his subordinates sincerely! The training was tough, but it was great for us! Qin Chao didn't expect Zhang Cheng to say such a ** thing, he felt even more that Zhang Cheng regarded himself as a confidant, what reason did he have not to give up!

"Alright! It's good that you can think so! Hehe! Zhang Cheng glanced at him and said helplessly.

"What about you? Do you regret it? Zhang Cheng shouted behind him again.

"No regrets! Swear to follow the general! All the soldiers shouted with joy.

"It's too late to regret it! I am willing to do this kind of unfortunate thing! There is no place to cry if you regret it! Zhang Cheng said with a smile.

The soldiers also laughed.

Zhang Cheng knew in his heart that among the more than 1,600 people, except for the 78 soldiers he brought out from Zhangjia Village and the more than 400 old people of the First Division, he really did not regret it, and the other 1,000 people, I am afraid that half of them, did not necessarily regret it! In the end, I don't regret it, and I will know it slowly in the future. Thinking of this, Zhang Cheng looked south, thinking of the eighteen old brothers buried in Pingwu County, and couldn't help but feel a little lost in his heart.

Yang Wenzhao came to Zhang Cheng's side again, and he asked, "General, what are you going to do next?" ”

"I've told you all 800 times! Call me sir! I'm now the county warden of Northland County, and I'm the fifth grade! Can't you just let me enjoy it? Zhang Cheng rolled his eyes and said angrily. Then he said, "Don't always ask me what I want to do in the future?" Isn't that yet the future? Take it one step at a time! It's not good for your eyes if you see it far! Saying that, Zhang Cheng rode his horse and galloped away.

Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Yang Wenzhao couldn't help but roll his eyes. Qi Tian behind drove his horse to Yang Wenzhao's side, and he said, "Don't look at the general who doesn't care, and it seems that he never thinks about what will happen in the future!" But in his heart, what to do, he already had a plan! ”

"Yes! We should all be glad we were with the right people! Yang Wenzhao nodded approvingly, and suddenly shook his head and smiled.