At the time of the excitement, there was a sudden shout, three teams shuttled back and forth to one place, three gongs sounded, the sergeants stood in their respective positions, standing still, hundreds of warriors under the banner of Daxu were arranged into the four big characters of "Zhongxing Holy Lord"! Everyone was stunned, and it took a while to come back to their senses, and the sky-shaking price cheered in unison.

Early in the morning, Emperor Chongzhen swung Luan, went out of Yongding Gate, and was followed by the ministers of civil and military affairs, and marched to Laotai, a suburb of Liangxiang in the southwest. Yongdingmen to Liangxiang has a distance of 60 miles, and in the middle of it is necessary to rest in Huangxinzhuang for one night. At this time, it was already in the early lurk, and the red sun was scorching, like a fire hanging overhead. Chongzhen was so hot in Luan Yu that he was covered in sweat, went out of the city gate, hurriedly abandoned the sedan chair and rode the horse, although the sweat did not come out, but the fire and poison sun came down, and he was so hot that he was coaxing. Chongzhen is a person who can endure hardships, under the fumigation of the poisonous sun, he can also endure it, some of the accompanying little eunuchs are difficult to get out of the palace on weekdays, and they feel fresh at first, and when the sun rises, they are thirsty and tired, and almost faint.

At dusk, he received a report that Hong Chengchou had camped in Liangxiang. Chongzhen looked at the sky and quietly instructed Ma Yuancheng: "I will go to the camp in Liangxiang to see if Hong Chengchou is the same as Yuan Manzi back then?" ”

"Yuan Chonghuan's family is in Dongguan, Guangdong, and Hong Chengchou's family is in Nan'an, Fujian, not far away, they must speak an incomprehensible bird language, and they look thin and ......unbearable."

Chongzhen saw that Ma Yuancheng was chattering, and advised: "Don't make a noise, so as not to alarm the ministers who accompany you, and you have to persuade and stop it, it's not interesting at all." ”

The distance of more than 20 miles, it only took more than half an hour to ride a horse. Ma Yuancheng pointed ahead: "Long live Lord, see that there are many lights there, it must have arrived at the camp." ”

Chongzhen saw a little light from afar, urged the horse to go quickly, and suddenly asked a shout: "Who breaks into the camp at night, and then dares to go forward, be careful that the bow and arrow are not long-sighted." ”

As soon as Chongzhen put away the reins of the horse, the horse walked slowly, looked up at the gate outside the camp, a big red lantern was hung high on the flagpole, and the word "Hong" was written on it, and a captain with a knife led a few soldiers to patrol back and forth to guard the gate. There was silence all around, and from time to time there were a few neighing of war horses.

Ma Yuancheng stepped forward and shouted: "Hurry up and go to Tongyu, the Holy ......" Chongzhen stopped: "You go and report to Lord Hong, saying that we want to meet him." ”

"Huh! Who are you? The black light is blind to see our Hongjunmen, you can see it if you want to see it! The lieutenant saw that these people were dressed in civilian clothes, thinking that someone in the capital had come to ask Hong Chengchou to do something, but he ignored it and didn't buy it at all, and asked: "Are you related to Hong Junmen?" ”

"One is not related to the other, and there is no reason, and I have never met yet."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Come and see, come and see."

"No need. This is the gate, and all kinds of people are not allowed to approach it as usual, so please go back! ”

Ma Yuancheng scolded: "Bastard, the emperor wants to see Lord Hong, do you want to stop it?" ”

"Your Majesty? Take it! The lieutenant stretched out his hand.

Ma Yuancheng thought that he was begging for silver like a powerful porter, and said angrily: "What to take? ”

"The emperor's seal!"

"Shall you carry the seal with you at will?"

"Without a seal, it is difficult to determine whether it is true or false." The captain shook his head and said: "I only heard the general's order in the barracks, but I didn't know that there was an emperor." Even if you take out the seal letter, I will tell Hongjunmen, and I will let you in only after you have an order. ”

"Get out of the way! You, a little lieutenant, dare to stop the holy driver, don't want to live? Tell Hong Chengchou to come out to greet him! Ma Yuancheng shouted angrily.

The lieutenant was unmoved, stood with his sword, and sneered: "How can the gate of Hongjunmen allow people to come and go at will!" Seeing that you don't have a sword, I won't embarrass you, so let's go! Don't be verbose, otherwise you will be arrested and locked up overnight, and when the day is dawned, you will be handed over to Hongjunmen for disposal. ”

Chongzhen didn't think it was angry, and secretly praised it in his heart: The army heard the general's order, but didn't hear the edict of the Son of Heaven, Hong Chengchou really had the means. He turned his horse's head and shouted, "Go back!" "I returned to the palace the way I came.

At dawn the next day, Chongzhen had breakfast and came to the suburbs. Suburban Laotai is commonly known as the receiving general's platform, specially built to welcome the triumph of the soldiers who went out to fight, outside the Liangxiang Danan Pass, the place is very empty. A large square platform, more than one zhang high, a hundred feet wide, stands in the wilderness. On the platform, an octagonal pavilion of white marble is built, the pavilion is divided into two layers, each layer has eight stone pillars, the eaves are warped and the ridge is extraordinary. Several factories are martial arts halls, the east is Jiangtai, and the west is Ma Dao. There are three other sit-up rooms behind the martial arts hall, which are resting places, and several tents are erected on the east and west sides, which are used for the ministers standing on the shift to shade the sun. A yellow satin tent was set up on the stage, and the emperor's throne was set up in the center, holding a huge yellow Luo umbrella. Chongzhen took the stage and sat down, and hundreds of officials lined up on both sides according to their official positions in front of the Dafang platform. Ma Yuancheng and several other eunuchs were busy serving around Chongzhen, some fanning, some handing hand towels, and some offering herbal tea.

Chongzhen smiled: "The scorching sun is like fire, and you all have worked hard." When I returned to the city, I issued an order to Guanglu Temple, and all the ministers and ministers who accompanied me would give some ice. ”

Zhou Yanru said: "The thieves in Shaanxi have been exterminated, and it will be a peaceful day in the future. ”

Chongzhen nodded and said, "Also, this bit of suffering is really nothing compared to fighting with soldiers." ”

Wen Tiren flattered: "The emperor does not give up the heat, the royal army, the hot day, the road for dozens of miles, this is really an unprecedented grace, the soldiers are willing to go to the soup for the emperor." Chongzhen's intention is to win the hearts of the army, but also to choose an example for the ministers to be courtiers, especially this is the first big victory since he became the emperor, so if it goes on, Zhongxing is hopeful, naturally more solemn, listen to him say his mind, smiled slightly, glanced at the ministers on both sides and said: "I often say that as long as the ministers and ministers are dedicated to their duties, it is not difficult to find a peaceful life." Now that Hong Chengchou has leveled Shaanxi, the civil strife has subsided, and it is not enough to cause trouble, and then he will be promoted out of the customs and swept away the Houjin, and I can share the peace with you. All the courtiers in the audience shouted long live, and Chongzhen laughed.

At this time, the sound of the military horn was heard in the distance, followed by the rumbling of three cannons, and the big man who greeted him at the front station came back and reported: "Governor Hong has returned to the dynasty in triumph!" ”

Chongzhen got up and paced the tent, and in the distance a group of foot soldiers in armor came in a clear formation, followed by a group of cavalry, with horses' hooves and swords. The foot soldiers arrived in front of the stage and gave a military salute, and the cavalry turned over and dismounted together, and also performed a military salute, separated from the left and right. The last horse team came sonorously, rumbling three cannons, a big flag in the middle was erected high, the flag was embroidered with several big characters of "Three Armies Si Ming Hong", and a line of small words on the side: Qin Ming Governor Shaanxi Trilateral Military Affairs and the Right Squire of the Grain and Salary Department and the Right Deputy Capital of the Imperial Palace. Hong Chengchou, who was surrounded by the guards and the generals under his tent, rode a white dragon horse, and came slowly, with a radiant look, without the slightest look of exhaustion from the long journey.

Chongzhen returned to the throne, Hong Chengchou had already arrived in front of the stage, rolled the saddle and dismounted, knelt on the ground and bowed: "Minister Hong Chengchou respectfully invites Sheng'an." ”

Chongzhen raised his hand and said with a smile: "Hong Qing has worked hard, don't be polite, come to the stage!" ”

All civil and military officials, big and small, are standing under the stage, but they themselves are on the high platform, what a grace! Hong Chengchou got up to dust off the floating dust, carefully stepped on the red felt carpet, and walked up to the high platform step by step. Chongzhen specially ordered to give a seat, the eunuch handed over a hand towel soaked in ice water, Hong Chengchou put it on his face, and suddenly felt that the hairs on his whole body were refreshing, and there was a slight cool breeze blowing in his face.

Chongzhen said with a smile: "Hong Qing, I have seen your Xiliu camp last night. ”

"The minister was scared, I slept heavily last night, and I don't know ......"

Chongzhen waved his hand and said: "I know that you are in a hurry on the road, and you will see me the next day, so you can't help but nourish your spirit." I'm also interested in seeing you as soon as possible and hearing you tell me how to kill thieves! After all, the excerpt should be written in a decent manner, and some things are inconvenient to say. ”

"The weather is so hot, Weichen is a holy driver, and his liver and brain are smeared, and it is not enough to report! The minister was terrified and ashamed. How can he ...... the minister?"

"How can he be? I reward and punish strictly, just because you level Shaanxi, you can be rewarded! I have been so gracious to you today, and I am afraid that I will slow you down. I'm really happy, since Huang Taiji entered the customs, I haven't had such a hearty day! I've been holding this breath for a long time, and I can vomit it today. Back then, I cut off Wei Zhongxian, thinking that it would not be difficult to be the hero of the world and leave a good reputation for future generations. Last night I went to the camp and stopped the guards guarding the gate, but I didn't feel the slightest anger in my heart, only happy. I thought of Zhou Yafu, of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, and of the rule of Wenjing...... My generals of the Ming Dynasty are all like Zhou Yafu, what battle is invincible, what enemy is invincible, what merit is not desirable! ”

Chongzhen looked at the audience, the civil and military officials on both sides, the scholars from the cabinet and below, the military military department and the governor of the five armies, all wore gauze supplements according to their grades, all of them were so hot that they sweated through their clothes, showing stains of sweat, and kept wiping sweat and fanning. The group of soldiers stood upright and immobile in the hot sun, letting the beads of sweat on their faces fall one by one, but none of them dared to wipe them with their hands. Hong Chengchou's strict management of the army really deserves his reputation. Such a mighty army is invincible! He looked around and said loudly, "Give the python suit!" ”

Ma Yuancheng, the eunuch in charge of the Qianqing Palace, came up with a vermilion lacquer tray, on which was placed a python robe with a five-clawed dragon pattern, and two rows of python patterns were embroidered with yellow gold silk on the left and right sides of the placket, which was shining and dazzling. The ornamentation of the python costume is similar to the dragon gon dress worn by the emperor, which is not included in the official uniform system, but is mostly the dress of the eunuch and the chief assistant who are in a high position in the inner court. Although this single python is not as noble as the sitting python, and there is no python pattern on the front chest and back, but after Chongzhen cut off Wei Zhongxian and Qiangang monopolized, it is the first time to give clothes, that is, those old people who believe in the king's mansion and cabinet scholars have no such honor, and this alone is enough to be proud of the world. The music was loud, Hong Chengchou was dressed neatly, and knelt down to thank him. Chongzhen raised his hand and said, "Hong Qing is exempt!" ”

Hong Chengchou knew that the emperor said that he was exempt from courtesy, but in fact, it was just a polite remark, where did he dare to be arrogant and not give a big gift? Crawling on the ground, respectfully bowing. Sure enough, Chongzhen was very comfortable in his heart, a few smiles flashed on his face, and he pretended to reproach him and said: "This is not above the court, you can act cheaply, the weather is hot, but the military salute is enough, why be so cumbersome!" ”

"The gift of the monarch and the minister is a great gift in the world, how can it be easily abolished? The minister did not dare to obey the order. Hong Chengchou knew that the emperor liked it, and he confessed it in his mouth, but he secretly liked it in his heart.

Chongzhen smiled and said, "How many people did Hong Qing bring this time?" ”

"Three thousand horses." Hong Chengchou turned around to look at the three squares standing still under the lookout. These 3,000 military horses were the elite divisions that he picked and picked, and he chose and selected, and they were born with a tiger's back and a bear's waist, and they were extremely brave

"There are 3,000 generals in Yuanmen, and they are in charge of Pixiu millions. You are a great governor! I'm going to see how you do today? ”

There is a law for performing martial arts schools, but most of them are practiced when the weather turns cool after the autumn, which is nothing more than battle formations, archery, and wrestling, but since the ninth year of Wanli, the imperial court has never held a martial arts exercise, where have the ministers seen it? Needless to say, many people have never heard of it. Hong Chengchou has been serving as the governor of Shaanxi Province since he participated in politics, and he has worked the study of military books and war strategies, he got up with the order, took out the order flag in his arms, and the guard Cai Jiuyi bowed down to receive it, knelt down on one knee and gave a military salute to Hong Chengchou, returned to the big banner in the middle of the school field, and shouted: "Hong Junmen has an order, the drill begins, please long live the big reading!" ”

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" The three thousand ironclad sergeants shouted in unison, each armed with a sword and a gun, and began to drill. Chongzhen watched the soldiers' drills on the throne, but he was faintly unhappy in his heart. Just now, the guard Cai Jiuyi came to the stage to receive the order flag, but he turned a blind eye to himself, the emperor, what kind of rule is this? He glanced at Hong Chengchou, and saw that Hong Chengchou was looking with great interest, but he didn't notice it at all, and secretly sneered in his heart.

At this time, the three teams under the stage are performing formations, and the formation is varied, sometimes horizontally, sometimes vertically, what is a long snake formation, two ritual formations, three talent formations, and ambush formations on all sides...... Among them, there are also long snake formations that change into snail formations, snail formations into gossip formations, marching left and right, changing vertically and horizontally. As the formation changes, the three teams face each other in turn and fight each other. I only listened to the golden drums, scimitars and spears, one after another, and the sound of killing shook the sky. Although the ground was padded with loess and poured a lot of pure water, the sun was half dried early, and the soldiers trampled hard, raising bursts of dust, which made it more and more swords, murderous. At the time of the excitement, there was a sudden shout, three teams shuttled back and forth to one place, three gongs sounded, the sergeants stood in their respective positions, standing still, hundreds of warriors under the banner of Daxu were arranged into the four big characters of "Zhongxing Holy Lord"! Everyone was stunned, and it took a while to come back to their senses, and the sky-shaking price cheered in unison.

Chongzhen praised loudly: "Good! There are no weak soldiers under the strong generals, the Qing family is the dry city of the country, and the soldiers are naturally an invincible ironclad army! ”

"The emperor wants to see the soldiers shoot arrows?"

"No need! I have seen that the Qing family's military discipline is solemn, the weather is hot, and the soldiers are tired, so let's get rid of it! Chongzhen looked at the stage with great satisfaction, and said to Hong Chengchou: "I want to go to the stage to work in the army, and the Qing family will follow me." As he spoke, he strode down the high platform, Hong Chengchou followed closely behind him, and Ma Yuancheng hurriedly ordered to serve on his shoulders, but he couldn't catch up.

The soldiers shouted in unison, "Hurrah!" Chongzhen walked through the queue, and before he reached the banner of Daxu, he was already sweating. Seeing that the soldiers around him were all dressed in armor, they were already sweating profusely and were already hot and sweaty, and nodded and said: "The drill is over, you are all unarmed, cool and cool!" ”

"Long live thanks!" All the soldiers stood still, and none of them dared to remove their armor and wide clothes.

"Didn't I already say it, let you all take off your armor......" Chongzhen was surprised, but before he finished speaking, there was a plop, and a soldier fell to the ground. Hong Chengchou shouted in a low voice: "Drag it down, and choose forty military sticks again!" ”

A captain stepped forward and said, "Lord Junmen, he, he's so hot that he has heat stroke, it's not that he has the intention to violate discipline." ”

"Drag it off!" Hong Chengchou's eyes were like knives, and it was the weather in May and June, and the captain shivered a few times. Chongzhen was a little unbearable and said: "Hong Qing, it is an unintentional mistake and there is no great harm, so there is no need to criticize him." ”

"Drag it off!" Hong Chengchou didn't hear it, the captain waved his hand, and two soldiers came up and dragged away the soldiers who were suffering from heat stroke. Zhou Yanru, who was following behind, changed his face, and Wen Tiren looked up at the hot sun at the zenith, but he didn't seem to see it. After a while, there was a terrible scream. Chongzhen was shocked, he never thought that in front of the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs, there would be someone who would resist and disobey the order, his face turned dark, and he no longer felt that the weather was hot, and his body was cold. He coughed lightly, Hong Chengchou saw the emperor's dissatisfaction, and defended: "The army only knows that there is a military order, but I don't know that there is an emperor's order, and I ask Your Majesty to know it!" ”

A cold light flashed in Chongzhen's eyes, but it was fleeting, and his suspicion was great, but he had to temporarily restrain himself and hide deeply, laughing and said: "Since ancient times, the generals have been subject to the fate of foreign monarchs, and I understand this principle." Commanding a great army is like an arm and a finger, and he has his own law. The order is like a mountain, you are right! However, leading the troops to fight is not all unsympathetic, otherwise they will not be convinced, who is willing to serve their lives! ”

Hong Chengchou had already heard a trace of displeasure in the emperor's words, and hurriedly bowed down and said: "Long live the admonition!" When the minister returns, he must live and realize the holy will. ”

"I haven't led soldiers, but I know the difficulties of leading soldiers, it's not easy for you!" Chongzhen turned around and returned, still seated, and ordered the ministers above the third rank to come to the stage, swept away the unhappiness of Fang Cai, and said with a spring breeze on his face: "I have been in the Kaike for three hundred years, and there are countless scholars, and there are very few who can be called the pillars of the country. Hong Qing is the protégé of the god master Kaixuan, brought out such a brave soldier, leveled Shaanxi, and removed a trouble in my heart for me. Without him leading the troops to fight in the front, how could the subjects of the world share the blessings of this Yao Tian Shun earth? Since the day I ascended to the pole, there have been three major events, one is Wei Zhongxian, which is the problem of elbows and armpits, which must be eliminated as soon as possible, but the real major trouble is the civil uprising and Houjin. Now there is still the big thing of Houjin left, and someone has to share my worries and wash away the shame of the soldiers who came to Beijing back then! Whoever can fulfill this wish for me is my benefactor! I will reward him at the expense of the prince and prince! Jade rope ----"

"The minister is here!"

"The soldiers who performed today were each rewarded with ten taels of silver, a fat sheep, and a bottle of wine. Another 40,000 taels of internal money, 4,000 plain red python satin, and 1,000 red vegetarian horses. Is Hong Chengchou on the fold of playing meritorious soldiers? ”

"I just met yesterday."

"Hong Chengchou was crowned the crown prince and the secretary of the military department. All meritorious soldiers will be transferred to the Ministry of Meritorious Service to record the records, and the tickets are intended to be approved. ”

"Yes."

Everyone looked at Hong Chengchou with admiration, the university sergeant supervisor only received the title of secretary of the military department, and the general governor was the squire of the military department and the deputy capital of the imperial history of the capital inspection according to the established rule, and it seemed that the emperor was extra gracious this time to show his honor. Chongzhen ignored everyone's hot eyes and ordered a banquet, Hong Chengchou followed Chongzhen down the high platform, turned into the back of the tent, and sat together, Zhou Yanru, Wen Tiren's cabinet scholars, and Ma Xunchen accompanied the banquet on the left and right. During the banquet, Chongzhen drank the first glass of wine, asked about the situation of the bandits in Shaanxi, and affectionately said: "Yan Yan!" I've seen the good news of the bandits, but I don't know the details, and I can't guess the twists and turns, so let's tell you about it today! ”

Everyone couldn't help but secretly wonder: the emperor called the name of the courtiers in the first place, which was originally favored, but today he actually called Hong Chengchou's cousin, which is the same as the cabinet scholars, is he Hong Chengchou going to be in the picture? Hong Chengchou drained the second glass of wine and boasted about his martial arts, and Chongzhen was even more displeased when he saw that he ate the second glass of wine alone, only boasting about himself, without the slightest intention of praising the king. Hong Chengchou said at the end, and said: "The former governor Yang He escorted the Jinyiwei flag into Beijing, what does the emperor plan to do with him?" ”

In the past, it was a felony to speculate on the meaning of disrespect, but this time Hong Chengchou relied on his merit and called Yang He to ask for a way out, in fact, he wanted to leave a way back for himself. Chongzhen said lightly: "Hong Qing once interceded for Yang He, this matter has been decided, there is no need to dwell on it." He caught a glimpse of Hong Chengchou's extremely embarrassed expression, and seemed to say to himself: "I understand that Yang He did his best, he was originally a scholar who danced and wrote ink, and he was okay at writing poems and songs, but he didn't know much about military affairs. I am angry with him, I lost my troops and lost my generals, and it didn't matter if I spent food and wages, but the most important thing was to disgrace the court and underestimate those untouchables. I also have the responsibility of negligence in this matter, so I will exempt him from the death penalty and confiscate the army in Yuanzhou, Jiangxi. ”

"The emperor's holy book, the most fair and fair." And they all praised.

Chongzhen waved his hand and said, "What is fair and fair?" I also had no choice but to have Yang He's son Yang Sichang wept blood and knelt down, and he took three folds in a row. I was moved by the heart of compassion, but I can't do it! Yang Sichang has arrived, right? ”

Zhou Yanru hurriedly replied: "It's been a few days since I took office, and I'll be standing under the stage today!" ”

Chongzhen nodded and said: "Since I was a child, I have lost my cowardice, and I have not been able to accept the knees of my parents, how can I teach Yang He to lose the joy of family?" I have never been able to make up my mind, thinking that Yang Sichang's filial piety is commendable, and I promoted him to the deputy capital of the Imperial Governor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and was loyal to Yang He, and Yang He endured the pain...... Now that Hong Qing is interceding for him again, I still want to give him this face. ”