After leaving Jingshi, he went all the way southeast to Tianjinwei, then turned south, leaving Shuntianfu and entering the boundary of Hejian Fu. Along the way, it is very fast to use water conservancy such as the Wei River to transport baggage, and the rich transportation capacity can be used to transport soldiers, and the whole battalion and camp travel hundreds of miles a day. By 18 July, the New Army had successively crossed Qingxian and Cangzhou, and after a journey of several hundred miles, it was heading straight for Wuqiao. In front of them is Texas, which Xu Ping is familiar with. Through Dezhou, which is the border of Shandong, the new army will immediately carry out strategic development and rush to their respective goals according to the pre-formulated plan.

In this armed parade carried out in Beizhili, the Changqing Battalion was naturally in the limelight as a vanguard, and before entering the enemy's territory, the vanguard was a very pleasant job. On the 21st, when the follow-up troops were still on the road, the Changqing Battalion had already taken a boat along the Wei River to Dezhou in advance, preparing to march to the plains.

The fly in the ointment is that Xu Ping found that all the county towns along the way were closed, although the county commanders in various places sent people to send wine and meat, and also sent some grain to reward the officers and soldiers, and the county commanders themselves generally visited the governor when Hou Sui passed by, but it was obvious that each county town was like a great enemy. Xu Ping once walked under the city wall of Qingxian County, only to see that the gate was strictly controlled, and the city wall was full of armed Ding Zhuang.

For this reason, Xu Ping once asked Zhang Chengye. The old general told him that in recent years, every time the imperial army went out, the place had been harassed to a terrible extent, so the counties were like thieves guarding against passing officers and soldiers. If the city gates were opened, no matter how hard the guards tried to stop them, it would inevitably be that the officers and soldiers would rush in and harass the people. Now that the city gates are closed, the officers and soldiers will naturally not be able to attack the city.

When Xu Ping heard this, he couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart, and asked, "My lord, when the general will follow the army at the end of the first month, it seems that the people are not like this." ”

"Last time, only our new army participated in the war, and the fathers and elders naturally heard about it." Zhang Chengye pointed behind the headquarters: "This time is different, there are other armies along the way to join the combat sequence, and the actions of these friendly armies, the fathers and elders are naturally clear-eyed." ”

At present, the Ming court still controls the northern part of Dongchang Prefecture, and the south of Dezhou is the area of activity of the rebels, which is basically the boundary between the control area of the imperial court and the Shandong rebels. Ji Huisi in the south besieged Qufu Buke three times, but was held by the Ming army. Half a year ago, Ji Huisi concentrated his forces on attacking Beizhili, and the rebels on the southern front took a conservative posture, and now the Xiaowen River is the military dividing line between the Ming army and the rebels in the south.

After the new army repelled the Shandong rebels in the first month, the rebels' siege of Dezhou collapsed, and the forces retreated hundreds of miles away. This time, the General Staff believed that the main resistance of the rebels would be concentrated around Jinan Province. If the Ming army regains Jinan, then the rebels will have to decide whether to flee to Henan or retreat to Qingzhou. If the rebels chose the former, the Ming army could easily recover the Qingzhou Prefecture and the Jiaodong region; If the rebels retreat to Qingzhou Mansion, after the Ming army recovers Jinan Mansion, then the north and south Zhili controlled by the Ming army will be connected. In the future, the Ming army could use Jinan Mansion as a base to compress the rebels' range of activities to the east, with the ultimate goal of squeezing the rebels into the Jiaodong Peninsula and eliminating them there.

Only half a year has passed since the battle of Texas between the New Army and the rebels, and the city of Texas has regained its prosperity. Since the Chongzhen years, bandits have been rampant, the imperial court has relied more and more on the military, and the officers and soldiers have naturally become more and more lawless. In the past, the county town did not dare to let the officers and soldiers approach, mainly because the county commander's official position was low, and if he was harassed by the officers and soldiers, there was nowhere to say that the supervisor who commanded the army would never be unable to get along with his subordinate generals for the sake of the experience of a county. But Texas is different, Texas was originally a state city, and now it is also the only remaining big city in Jinan. There is a prefect in Texas, which is the focus of the imperial court's attention, and even the brave officers and soldiers dare not make trouble here. Therefore, the Ming army was stationed nearby, and although the whole city was also on alert, and the soldiers of the central army were strictly forbidden to enter the city, they did not close the four gates in broad daylight.

On the 21st, the Changqing battalion set up camp outside the city of Dezhou, waiting for the arrival of follow-up troops. Zhang Chengye is old, another adjutant Wu Zhong has a more easy-going personality, and Xu Ping is energetic, so the daily affairs in the evergreen camp are handled by Xu Ping, and major matters are reported to Zhang Chengye, and small matters can be decided by themselves. After arranging the camp, although it was in the mainland, Xu Ping, who couldn't stay idle, still deployed his scout cavalry, as cautious as in the enemy territory.

Early in the morning of the 22nd, with the sound of the horn, Xu Ping immediately jumped up from the bed and rushed to the camp to deal with official business. At noon, the guards reported that three Texans had asked to see them, and all of them claimed to be Xu Ping's deceased.

"The deceased?" Xu Ping frowned, and asked the guards to bring a few people in. The three people who came in were all dressed in silk and satin, and after entering the account, they fell into the big prostration.

"Grass people Zhang Jiefu, knock to see the adults."

Xu Ping immediately recognized it, and the other two people were naturally Le Lin and Jiang Ye, and the three of them were all local snakes in Texas. Xu Ping politely invited them to get up and sit down, and asked the guards to bring tea. When they started to drink tea, Xu Ping apologized to them and said, "There are no good products in the army, so the three heroes will be fine." ”

Zhang Jiefu They had seen the New Army before, and when they came in all the way today, they carefully observed the military appearance of the Changqing Battalion. After listening to Xu Ping's words, they were not polite, Zhang Jiefu immediately put down the tea bowl and said with a smile: "This tea really can't be regarded as high-quality." ”

Xu Ping saw that Zhang Jiefu's clothes were very exquisite, although he was middle-aged, he did not have the blessings of a rich family at all, his body shape was similar to that of a young man, the muscles on his palms were prominent, and the joints between his fingers were thick. The other two were all sideways, and although the three of them were all smiling now, Xu Ping couldn't forget the fierce look they looked at when they held the steel knife in their hands.

The three of them had already discussed it before they came, and as soon as they heard Zhang Jiefu start, Le Lin immediately asked with a smile: "I don't know how many days General Xu will be stationed in this Texas?" ”

Xu Ping reported vaguely: "Three or four days." ”

"There's not much fun in this camp," Zhang Jiefu slapped his thigh and said loudly: "General Xu and his sons, why don't you go to Texas City?" ”

"The prefect won't let my officers and soldiers enter the city."

After hearing Xu Ping's words, the three heroes looked at each other and smiled, and it was Zhang Jiefu who spoke: "It's okay to do so, the grass people have already visited the prefect last night and talked about the deeds of General Xu's preservation of the place." Well, according to the prefect, if you don't carry weapons, you can go around the city. ”

Xu Ping was a little moved when he heard it, he was busy for so many days, and he really wanted to take a break, Xu Ping had never left the vicinity of Beijing since he was a child, and he didn't have the opportunity to see the customs and customs when he went to Texas last time. Zhang Chengye ordered the soldiers of the Changqing Battalion to relax and rest in the camp for the past two days, but they were not allowed to drink alcohol. If it was forbidden to drink alcohol after entering the city, and the soldiers were strictly ordered to return to the camp on time, Xu Ping felt that there would be no mistakes, and it would also be good for establishing Xu Ping's prestige. The big battle is imminent, and the soldiers really need to relax from their tense state, Zhang Jiefu saw that Xu Ping was moved, so he persuaded him: "The grass people have already set up a banquet in the city, just waiting for the general to come." ”

"I just had to ask Master Zhang." Xu Ping had already agreed in his heart, so he planned to ask Zhang Chengye.

"I was about to be introduced by General Xu." The three of them immediately got up and surrounded Xu Ping to find Shangguan.

Zhang Chengye did not object to this, and he did not want to tighten the strings of the officers and men too tightly. After listening to Xu Ping's introduction, Zhang Chengye appeased the three laborers. They wanted to drag Zhang Chengye and Wu Zhong to eat together, but Zhang Chengye smiled and politely refused, and asked Wu Zhong and Xu Ping to go: "This general is old, and he likes to be quiet and not move." ”

In private, Zhang Chengye instructed Xu Ping and Wu Zhong: "Let President Qian and General Manager lead the team around the city, listen to books and taste side dishes, but you are not allowed to drink or gamble!" ”

"Yes, my lord." Xu Ping and Wu Zhong both agreed.

After summoning the following officers to give a lecture, Xu Ping and Wu Zhong happily left with Zhang Jiefu. The ten staff officers of the Changqing Battalion also went with Xu Ping and Wu Zhong because they did not have the task of leading the team. Only a few guards remained in the battalion.

Sure enough, the dishes on the table were very rich, and after inviting Xu Ping and Wu Zhong to sit down, Zhang Jiefu and the others began to persuade them to drink vigorously, and Wu Zhong and Xu Ping resolutely said that they would not drink. This restaurant seems to have been taken over by Zhang Jiefu and his gang, and there is no one else but them. I don't know how long I ate the meal, but Zhang Jiefu and they called another troupe and started singing upstairs. Xu Ping is a child from a poor family, and being able to sit at the table and eat while listening to the play is really a luxurious life that he never dared to think of before. Wu Zhongzhong couldn't resist Jiang Ye's enthusiasm, drank a small cup, and then smiled helplessly at Xu Ping.

Seeing that his subordinates were also elated, especially Zhou Dongtian's staff officers who were from the same poor background as Xu Ping, everyone was smiling. The treat was his friend, Xu Ping felt more brilliance on his face, and his heart was happy and grateful. Taking a moment, Xu Ping secretly asked Zhang Jiefu beside him: "Zhang Daxia, this can make you break the bank." ”

Zhang Jeff laughed disapprehruly. Since the last time he assisted in Dezhou, he was credited by the imperial court, and now his family has a big business, and his disciples and grandchildren have exceeded 100, and his business has expanded to the Jiaodong area. It seems that in a few years, the Texas hero will become a well-known Shandong hero. Le Lin, who was sitting next to him, heard Xu Ping's words, and he said to Xu Ping with a smile: "Now the restaurants in Texas are all managed by my senior brother, where do you still need to spend money?" ”

The complacent Zhang Jiefu drank a lot today, he nodded heavily, and said to Xu Ping arrogantly: "In the past, our brothers and Jiang Daxia were a little unhappy, but then we all figured it out, what else can't we see about the brothers who have lived and died together?" Therefore, we have made a clear line of business, and agreed that from now on, the restaurant will belong to me, and the casino will belong to him, and as for the salt, tea and other businesses, it is natural that everyone will be rich. ”

Xu Ping didn't know that these three people had teamed up to wipe out all the other heroes, and now they had a monopoly on the nearby protection fee business. Hearing what Zhang Jiefu said interestingly, he asked Le Lin: "What is the business of Le Daxia?" ”

Le Lin smiled ambiguously and said, "General Xu knows this." He clapped his hands, and someone went downstairs. In less than a moment, a group of women with flowers and branches were brought up. With a wave of his hand, Le Daxia ran to Xu Ping, Wu Zhong and the other staff officers of the Evergreen Battalion. Le Lin also pointed to Xu Ping's position and said to one of them: "Miss Zhou is sitting here." ”

The woman who walked to Xu Ping's side was wearing a thin thick dress, her body was slender and light, her bright eyes were like a pool of lake water, and her eyes seemed to be undulating with a veil that seemed to be there. After staring at these bright eyes for only a moment, Xu Ping felt his throat tight, he hurriedly avoided these eyes, and shouted to Le Lin: "Le Daxia, this can't be helped." ”

Le Lin didn't pay attention to Xu Ping at all, but only told the woman with a stiff face: "Be careful to serve your guests, don't be lazy." ”

Seeing that Xu Ping was about to get up and avoid him, Zhang Jiefu immediately stretched out his hand to hold him down, and said with a smile: "General Xu is about to go on the expedition, so you don't have to be too yourself." ”

Just when Xu Ping and Zhang Jiefu were arguing, Wu Zhong beside him had already jumped up and waved his hand again and again to say that there was no need to accompany the wine. Jiang Ye, who was sitting next to Wu Zhong, immediately shouted at the woman, causing the girl to be so frightened that she almost fell to the ground. Le Lin also poked her head out and shouted loudly: "Take her away and lock her up, and don't give her food for three days." ”

When Wu Zhong was hurriedly explaining, Miss Zhou next to Xu Ping had already poured Xu Ping a glass of wine and sent it over with both hands. Xu Ping turned to her with a tense face, seeing that she was still very young. Before Xu Ping could say anything about refusal, he saw that the woman's face was suddenly full of fear and anxiety, and those big eyes were looking at him beggingly. Xu Ping sighed secretly, lowered his head and took the wine glass, and said, "Thank you." ”

After hearing this, the woman immediately breathed a sigh of relief and showed a look of relief.

"What a beautiful pair of eyes, like jewels, well, flawless." Xu Ping admired again and again in his heart, quickly avoided the woman's gaze, put the wine glass to his lips and sipped it.

"General Xu has seen such a peugeot girl? This is the first beauty in Texas, because of these eyes, the stage name is Demon Pupil. Le Lin next to him introduced triumphantly, and his lewd expression made Xu Ping feel sick in his stomach. Le Lin gestured with both hands and said with a smile: "Miss Zhou's is also very big, how about letting Miss Zhou serve General Xu tonight?" ”

Xu Ping closed his mouth tightly and did not speak. Miss Zhou next to her didn't seem to care at all about others talking about her in the same tone as talking about livestock, and with a gust of incense, her soft voice came: "It is a blessing for a little woman to be able to serve General Xu today." ”

Xu Ping looked straight ahead, and said to Le Lin in a calm tone: "Thank you Le Daxia for your kindness." It's just that I have to go back to the camp today, and Shangfeng has already explained. ”

"That's okay," Le Lin immediately said confidently, "Then General Xu will take Miss Zhou away with him." ”

At this time, Xu Ping's mood gradually calmed down, and he responded fluently: "Thank you for your kindness, but women are not allowed to enter the camp in the army." ”

"Naturally, we all know the rules in the army." Le Lin didn't seem surprised by this statement, he patted his chest while drinking, and said, "Let Miss Zhou change into men's clothes, this is easy to arrange." ”

"Brother Chengle and Brother Zhang." Xu Ping hugged his fists to Zhang Jiefu and Le Lin again and again, and said: "It's just that I am the new commander of the Changqing Battalion, and I really don't dare to violate military discipline." ”

Zhang Jiefu and Le Lin hurriedly threw down their wine glasses and saluted back: "General Xu, don't dare to take this seriously." ”

At this time, the woman next to Xu Ping said, "General Xu, that little woman will serve you to drink." ”

As she spoke, she filled the wine glass and sent it to Xu Ping, and her bright eyes seemed to have a burst of heat that shot straight into Xu Ping's eyes.

"Thank you, Miss Zhou." Xu Ping drank the wine, put down the glass, and secretly said to himself that he couldn't drink it anymore. Then he sullenly sandwiched the dishes on the table a few times. After eating the food, Xu Ping watched the person in front of him sing without squinting, although Xiangfeng sent a few words from time to time, he no longer paid attention to the every move of the woman next to him.

After staying at this ambiguous banquet for an unknown amount of time, Xu Ping wanted to get up and say goodbye several times, but he couldn't help but withdraw from this intoxicating atmosphere. Although he knew in his heart that he shouldn't, the person who was going to be the east today was Xu Ping's old acquaintance, and the life-and-death friendship he had formed on the battlefield was full of artillery fire, which made him feel a sense of relaxation in his heart.

The troupe changed one program after another, and Xu Ping, who was immersed in it, suddenly felt that something was wrong, jumped up and walked to the window, and found that it was almost dusk. Blown by the breeze near the window, Xu Ping's brain regained clarity, rushed to Wu Zhong's side, and whispered to him: "The city gate is about to close, we have to leave quickly." ”

Although Wu Zhong was poured some wine by Jiang Ye and the woman sitting with him, he still maintained basic self-control and never let go of his belly to drink. Hearing Xu Ping's words, Wu Zhong's mind immediately turned around. He looked out the window, got up hurriedly, and beckoned to the other officers: "It's not too early, we must hurry up, otherwise we won't be able to leave the city." ”

At this time, Xu Ping noticed that many of the staff officers at the other tables had already drunk too much, and a few of them were leaning against the women next to them, so ugly, Wu Zhong's voice didn't even attract their attention. Xu Ping yelled: "Everyone, listen to the order!" This attracted their attention, and one by one they jumped up from their seats.

Seeing this, Zhang Jiefu and Le Lin hurriedly asked, "Are these many adults going back to the camp tonight?" ”

"Exactly!" Xu Ping was upset and irritable for a while. Before he led the team out, he promised Mr. Zhang not to drink, but now that it is like this, I really don't know how to explain to Mr. Zhang.

With a wave of Lelin's hand, all the women ran downstairs. Jiang Ye hurriedly comforted Xu Ping and said: "General Xu, of course there must be some regulations in the army, but as long as there is no war, the Shangguan will also close his eyes, and General Xu is not too worried." ”

"Our new army is different from other officers and soldiers." Xu Ping didn't want to explain more, so he ordered a guy to find a wooden basin to fill some water, wash their faces, and sober up.

Seeing this, Zhang Jiefu suddenly remembered something in his heart, and asked tentatively: "General Xu, the many officers and soldiers who entered the city will also return to the camp tonight?" ”

"That's right." Xu Ping replied without thinking.

Zhang Jiefu and the other two heroes all glanced at each other, and he still said: "General Xu, I and other Texas businessmen feel the hard work of the officers and soldiers, and all the shops are treating the soldiers today. ”

"Treat?"

The three heroes told Xu Ping that they had arranged some shops for the soldiers to eat and drink, and that the casino wanted the soldiers to win some money, and the kiln would also charge less money from the soldiers. They had already calculated that the new army was only 3,000 soldiers, and these expenses were distributed everywhere, and they were still within the range of affordability. Since the beginning of Chongzhen, the world has become more and more unpeaceful, bandits are everywhere, and officers and soldiers often rob merchants. In the past, when officials and troops crossed the border, local bullies in various prefectures and cities who had the intention of colluding with the government also wanted to collude with the officers and soldiers. This time, Zhang Jiefu and the others put the treasure on the new army. Xu Ping is famous and is naturally a first-class person. When the other Forces nouvelles units crossed the border, they were also going to clear the way.

Xu Ping didn't know what Zhang Jiefu and the others were planning in their hearts, and they didn't know that the local tyrants everywhere all had the idea of casting nets wide and catching big fish, hoping to make friends with some generals. Xu Ping felt that the other party was a good intention, he naturally couldn't get angry, and seeing that several staff officers were still staggering, he hurriedly ran downstairs with Wu Zhong to gather the officers and soldiers, so as to take people out of the city.

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