Xu Ping and Wu Zhong both had a fluke mentality in their hearts, hoping that the officers of each team would be better than the staff officers, but they soon found that the situation of the other officers and soldiers was worse than their own group. Although Xu Ping found some soldiers who listened to books and music honestly, their numbers were too small to gather everyone else at once, and only a few people such as Yu Shenhe and Gu Mengliu of the artillery team immediately brought the troops to Xu Ping's side. Some of the other teams have been disorganized, and even the officers are involved in gambling. A drunken soldier shouted when he was reprimanded: "Lao Tzu may die one day, where can he manage so much?" ”

Wu Zhong was much clearer at this time, and he was thinking that he was going to allocate people to arrest people everywhere. But Xu Ping glanced at the sunset, shook his head and said: "We can't do this, if the whole city searches, it will inevitably make a lot of trouble, and it will be even more impossible to explain." ”

Wu Zhong thought that there was some truth in this, and he said helplessly: "We have to go back first to ask the adults for their guilt, and then come back tomorrow to bring our brothers back to the camp." ”

Zhang Jiefu patted his chest and promised: "Don't worry, two generals, we will definitely take good care of our brothers." ”

At present, this is the only way, Xu Ping repeatedly asked Zhang Jiefu to take more care, and then hurried out of the city gate, and the more than 1,000 soldiers gathered together returned to the battalion. On the way, Xu Ping secretly remembered these officers in his heart, and Wu Zhong rejoiced: "Fortunately, the military judge did not accompany him this time, otherwise this matter would never have ended today." ”

Because this time the troops were supervised by civilian officials, the military judges who bound the military discipline of the new army should certainly not set off with the army, so as not to conflict with the duties and powers of the superintendents.

After entering the camp gate, Wu Zhong and Xu Ping continued to discuss countermeasures, Wu Zhong advocated hiding from Zhang Chengye as much as possible, and Xu Ping also faintly agreed with this in his heart. The two of them had already decided, and they ran to Zhang Chengye's account together to ask for a meeting. After being summoned in, Xu Ping and Wu Zhong covered each other, and all the big things were small and small. The two of them voluntarily admitted that some officers and soldiers had drunk, but the two of them worked together as a guarantor for the staff officer and the officer. As for the disobedience of the soldiers, and even the rebellion against the officials, they did not mention a word.

To the surprise of the two, Zhang Chengye did not get angry, but frowned and thought deeply. Zhang Chengye said: "This is also the first time that this general has led a battalion of soldiers and horses to be stationed next to the downtown in the mainland, and it seems that people cannot be released into the city." ”

After asking Wu Zhong and Xu Ping a few more words, Zhang Chengye felt that the situation was not too serious, and he no longer made any more accusations: "This lesson, I will encourage Keqin and Ziyu together." ”

The two of them should be immediately. Zhang Chengye pondered for a while and said: "This matter can be big or small, you must restrain the officers and soldiers, don't leak the news, it will not be good if the Military Justice Department learns." ”

"Yes, my lord."

Zhang Chengye was going to bed, and when he saw that the two had nothing else to do, he asked them to step down. After Xu Ping and Wu Zhong came out, they began to discuss how to strictly prevent the wind from being exposed. Wu Zhong looked around at the guards around him and proposed, "Go to my tent and talk about it." ”

Xu Ping nodded silently. The two walked quickly to the outside of Wu Zhong's tent, and saw that there was a fire and a figure flickering inside, and it seemed that there were still a lot of people. The two of them glanced at each other, and they both saw a suspicious look in each other's eyes. Now that the sun has set, naturally the officers and men should go back to the camp to sleep, and will not come to report on military affairs at this time. Hearing a few faint laughter coming from the tent, Wu Zhong opened the tent with a tense face and went in, followed by Xu Ping.

Inside the tent were several staff officers of the Evergreen Battalion. Fu Tianjun stood close to the door, and when Xu Ping and Wu Zhong came in, a soldier wrapped his arms around Fu Tianjun's neck, and said something in his ear, while Fu Tianjun laughed. After seeing Wu Zhong, Fu Tianjun was still smiling, and when he saw the expressions on the faces of Xu Ping and Wu Zhong, he showed a sneering appearance and withdrew his hand from the soldier's waist. Xu Ping took a closer look, and the person dressed as a small soldier next to Fu Tianjun was the woman sitting next to Fu Tianjun at the banquet, and it had been a few seconds since she entered the door, and the staff officer didn't stand up because there was a woman sitting on her lap. Wu Zhong was already so angry at this time that his hands and feet were cold, and he couldn't say a word. Xu Ping barely calmed down and asked, "Mr. Fu Qian, how did these women get in?" ”

Fu Tianjun lowered his head and reported that after Xu Ping and Wu Zhong left, all the women came out in the clothes of the Ming army soldiers and stood in a neat row. As soon as the staff officers had a hot brain, they brought them back. Because it was getting late, the guards at the gate of the barracks had no suspicion at all, and thought that the staff officers had brought back a few Texas soldiers.

Seeing that Xu Ping and Wu Zhong had gloomy faces, Fu Tianjun hurriedly shirked his responsibility and said, "Mr. Zhou Qian, they also brought people back, and he also brought back the Zhou girl from Master Xu." ”

At this time, Wu Zhong had already seen the woman who was drinking with him, and she was standing timidly at the back of the crowd. Wu Zhong sighed and completely dismissed his intention to publicly punish his subordinates, so as not to make things bigger. Xu Ping gritted his teeth and asked, "Where did they go to Mr. Zhou Qian?" Did you bring the woman back to the barracks? ”

"No," Fu Tianjun hurriedly replied, "Of course they don't dare, it's too crowded here, so a few of them will go to Lord Xu's tent." ”

Xu Ping immediately turned his head and strode out of Wu Zhong's tent, who glared at Fu Tianjun fiercely and rushed out after Xu Ping's footsteps. Wu Zhong ran to Xu Ping's side and said in a low voice, "We have to keep this matter a secret." ”

"It's okay, the adults are already bedtime. Fortunately, the adults have already gone to bed......" Xu Ping was distraught for a while, and hurried to his camp. Now that the gates must be closed, we can't blast these women out into the wilderness. But once this matter leaks out, the new army's military law will not spare him and Wu Zhong.

Sure enough, I saw Zhou Dongtian and his gang in Xu Ping's tent, laughing with the women in a prodigal manner. Xu Pingcai stepped into the door, and Miss Zhou, dressed in military uniform, greeted her, she had already washed off the painted eyebrows and beards, and put some powder on her face. Miss Zhou gave Xu a military salute, with a smile in her big eyes, and shouted crisply: "My lord, I am humble." ”

Xu Ping hurriedly bypassed the charming soldier and walked to his seat and sat down, Wu Zhong scolded him with his head and face. Xu Ping heard that Wu Zhong's voice was too loud, so he sat him down, and then pointed at Zhou Dongtian: "You go to General Wu's tent and bring everyone over." ”

Rather than being scattered in two places, it is easier to keep it secret if you are all together. Zhou Dongtian took the order out, and soon brought back all the people over there, and suddenly the tent was full of people, and Wu Zhong, who had taken a breath, jumped up again, scolded this group of staff officers, and when he said that he hated, he flew up and kicked Fu Tianjun, kicking him all the way out of the tent, and looked back at Wu Zhong and saw that Zhou Dongtian, who was about to bury his head in his chest, was peeking at him, and kicked him to the ground again. After Wu Zhong finished venting, Xu Ping asked the dejected staff officers to gather around the table and lit candles in front of their eyes: "Let's do staff work, think about how you can make it unconscious." I don't want anyone in this room to know about it but the people in the house. ”

Wu Zhong and Xu Ping had a few guards outside their tents, but they were all close guards of Xu and Wu, and they would definitely not spread the news. Under Xu Ping's urging eyes, the staff officers honestly began to speculate about what situation might be encountered and how to send people out tomorrow...... The girls sat around the tent, and when they saw the novelty and amusement of the staff officers of the new army, they could not help but chirp and laugh, and suddenly a woman's noise rose in the night. was glared at by Xu Ping, and the girls were immediately silent again.

The staff officers were still discussing the question of how to mix with the guards tomorrow in a half-dead tone, and Xu Ping felt a burst of breath in his chest when he heard this, so he went outside the tent to change his breath, looked up at the starry sky and sighed. Wu Zhong quietly followed, and when he saw Xu Ping sullen, he whispered beside him: "These brothers are all in their early twenties, their blood is strong, and they don't know how important they are. ”

"Brother Wu!" Xu Ping turned around and complained to Wu Zhong: "The younger brother is only twenty-two in the New Year, and the younger brother has no family, and the younger brother also drank some wine today." ”

"They can't compare to Brother Xu's youth and old age," Wu Zhong chuckled: "So Brother Xu is a general, and they are just a thousand presidents and generals." ”

There was a grunt in his throat, and Xu Ping didn't take a stubble. Wu Zhong suddenly asked again: "Brother Xu has a crush, right?" ”

Xu Ping glanced back at Wu Zhong and heard the other party say: "Today I saw that Brother Xu was the same as me, and he didn't look at the girls around him, but I thought about it." ”

Facing Xu Ping's noncommittal sigh, Wu Zhong smiled: "Sure enough, I don't know when I will be able to ask Brother Xu for a glass of wine." ”

Xu Ping didn't answer, but asked, "Brother Wu is also worried about his family, right?" ”

"yes, the dog is six years old. She is very virtuous and I love her very much. Wu Zhong put his hands behind his back, looked at the north and sighed: "I hope to make a contribution and be able to seal my wife and son." ”

"Zijun, I also love you too." Xu Ping muttered silently in his heart: "I look forward to preparing a dowry worthy of you as soon as possible." ”

……

The next day, after taking the woman into the camp, Xu Ping continued to deal with other troubles. Cao Yun and Jiang Yizhou went back to the camp together to report to Wu Zhong, who was in charge of the order, and was scolded by Wu Zhong and then came to Xu Ping with several other similar officers to ask for guilt. The situation of other people is similar, although Xu Ping was angry enough, but in the end he did not have a seizure, waved them to retreat and confined the camp: "General Wu has scolded everything he should scold, and I can't scold any new tricks, you ...... Do it yourself. ”

After the two left, Xu Ping scolded himself and vowed not to let his subordinates step into Texas again.

At this time, the guards reported that someone asked to see him, and the person who brought in reported that his name was Zhou Xun and that he was a disciple of Zhang Jiefu. Although they are already giving Xu Ping a headache now, he only ate other people's things yesterday, so he turned his face today, he politely received the visitor: "Zhou Shaoxia, what is the matter here?" ”

"Yesterday, I caused trouble to General Xu, and my master was very uneasy...... "Zhou Xun escorted some vegetables to the barracks, saying that they were all for Texas businessmen to reward officers and soldiers.

"Zhang Daxia is too polite, and what is this talking about?" After Xu Ping thanked him, he asked the guards to accept it, and of course the drinks were to be sent back as they were.

Before leaving, Zhou Xun presented another box and said, "This is the heart of my master, Le Daxia and Jiang Daxia, please accept it from General Xu." ”

Xu Ping opened the brocade box, and there were ten small gold ingots of one or two weights neatly placed inside, and their brilliant brilliance made Xu Ping's eyes dazzle for a while, and he hurriedly excused himself: "Zhou Shaoxia, this is too heavy, please take it back." ”

"General Xu, this entanglement is necessary for emergencies, and it is also the intention of my master. If General Xu really can't use it, he will return it to them when he returns to the army. Zhou Xun did not allow Ping to resign, and hurried away after speaking.

Among the other Ming army troops, the generals in Xu Ping's current status generally have a lot of extra money, such as eating empty salaries and the like. However, the rules of the Changqing camp are strict, and there is no such possibility. In the past, when talking about all kinds of corruption problems in other armies, Xu Ping always had a pride in his heart, that is, we are naturally different.

However, after his fingers touched these small ingots today, Xu Ping found that what was hidden in his heart was also envious. Xu Ping's current income has risen with his position, but these ten taels of gold are almost his income for two years. Uncle often said to Xu Ping that people should live their lives with a clear conscience, which is also Xu Ping's motto. Xu Ping didn't say anything when he could have stopped Zhou Xun, and at this time, another voice in his heart gradually overwhelmed the long-standing aphorism.

Xu Ping couldn't help but think that Zhang Jiefu's income was not limited to collecting protection money, and he also mentioned the salt and tea trade at the banquet yesterday. These heroes are all rich people, and if you borrow some money from them, maybe they will lend them to themselves very happily: "Then the dowry can be scraped together, and I have to find a way to buy a house that can hold the prince." ”

Uncle asked him to have a clear conscience The voice of exhortation came from his heart again, and gently Xu Ping pressed it down again: "And uncle, I am a general, it's time to buy a few girls for my uncle and let him close the shop and live a good life." ”

……

On July 28, the Governor Hou Sui arrived in Texas by boat. The battalions of the New Army arrived one after another two days ago, and today they have basically completed their reorganization. A number of other friendly forces have also arrived. Yesterday, Zhang Jiefu complained to Xu Ping that Zhu Yuanhong, the general of the Lu army, and others harassed the place, plundered the caravan, and caused chickens and dogs to jump in the vicinity. This is the territory of the Texas heroes, and some of the looted caravans belong to them, and it is not necessary for Zhang Jiefu to say that Xu Ping can think that the three heroes must have suffered heavy losses.

As for this General Zhu Yuanhong, Xu Ping has also heard of it, he has forcibly pulled strong men along the way, and all the men he met in the countryside on the side of the road can't help but say that he was hijacked and tied into a string of soldiers with a long rope, which is called replenishing the troops. Although these Lu troops were friendly troops of the new army, they were very despised within the new army, and Xu Ping never had any contact with these Lu generals.

"This matter should be in charge of the superintendent's standard camp." Xu Ping frowned, he had no right to interfere with friendly military discipline at all.

"General Xu has pity on the poor grass people in Texas."

"Okay," since Zhang Daxia made a special trip to complain today, Xu Ping nodded and said, "I'll go and talk to the Inspector." ”

After finishing the work at hand, Xu Ping ran to see Hou Sui, and when he walked to the standard camp of the superintendent, it was already dark, and the guards of the standard camp checked his identity and let Xu Ping in. Xu Ping walked to the tent of the superintendent, only to see the tent door open, and the bonfire reflected the old man in the tent of the Chinese army, who was lying by the desk and reading. Hou Sui was still draped all over his body at this moment, wearing a helmet and armor, with the Inspector's Seal and Arrows in his hand, and even the sword was not hung on the wall, but placed within reach.

After the briefing, Hou Sui put down the book and did not let the guards come out to shout, but raised his head and waved to Xu Ping outside the tent, asking him to enter. After entering the account, Xu Ping bowed down and said that he had come to pay the order.

In fact, Xu Ping didn't have any orders to pay, the rebels have not been active near Texas recently, and after hearing that the army of the army has shrunk after going south, no one has come to look for it. However, Hou Sui still praised Xu Ping, saying that his fame spread far and wide, allowing the rebels to escape, and encouraged him to continue his efforts to contribute to the imperial court.

In two days, Hou Sui will probably set off and continue on the road, it is said that he is not young, the army is tired, and he should have a good rest. But Xu Ping saw that the clothes and armor on his body were neat, and the belts and wind buckles were not messy, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect in his heart: "Master Inspector is really hard." ”

"Oh, I don't dare otherwise." Hou Sui sat precariously and said with a solemn face: "I am only afraid of losing the Son of Heaven and Li Shu below." ”

Asking about Xu Ping's march and camping all the way, Hou Sui slowly closed the book he was reading. The corners of the book were worn and torn, and the pages were blackened. When Hou Sui put the book cover together, Xu Ping saw that the pages of the book were written with four black ink characters "Sun Tzu's Art of War".

After noticing Xu Ping's gaze, Hou Sui said with a long smile: "The old man has read this book more than a hundred times, and he is familiar with every word, but he still doesn't dare to say 'knowing soldiers'. When you have nothing to do, read it again. ”

"Having the Governor in charge of the army is really a blessing for the last general." Xu Ping's words were not fake compliments, but heartfelt touching.

Hou Sui looked at the young man's sincere gaze, made a look of deep feeling, and asked, "Keqin came here tonight, is there any urgent military business?" ”

Xu Ping talked about some things about Zhu Yuanhong's disturbance of the people. After hearing the scene of the Lu army kidnapping Ding Zhuang to join the army, Hou Sui's face was full of unbearable: "Pity these Li Shu, they left their hometown for no reason." Every time a soldier fights together, it is inevitable that lives will be ruined. ”

After sighing for a while, Hou Sui Zhengse said to Xu Ping: "The old man knows about this matter, and he will go to General Zhu and ask him to release all those people and go home safely." ”

"Master Xie."

"What's there to thank you for? Those people are not relatives and friends of Keqin. It is the duty of the Officer. Hou Sui also encouraged: "Keqin not only loves the people, but also strives to kill thieves and return a peaceful paradise to the people of Shandong as soon as possible." ”

"The last general will follow the teachings of the Governor." Xu Ping hugged his fists and saluted, and said to Hou Sui: "Some businessmen in Texas contributed grain and grass to help the army, and they also had some complaints about General Zhu. ”

"Oh?"

"General Zhu's men ate in and out of the city of Texas and never paid for it...... Four days ago, two soldiers robbed a storyteller of his money and broke his leg...... Three days ago, a few soldiers of the Lu Army went to the Dezhou Theater to listen to the theater but refused to pay, and the theater men asked them for it, and they not only beat people, but also set fire to the theater and threw a gunpowder bag into the audience...... Yesterday soldiers urinated on the well where the people were drinking water and threw horse manure behind...... Block the official road in the north of the city, take away the goods of the merchants, and pull all the dart masters who took the goods to join the army...... "Xu Ping reported the evil deeds of some generals of the Lu army to Hou Sui, and finally reported: "The father and elder of Texas pooled money the day before yesterday and invited General Zhu and several other generals to dinner. The fathers and elders talked about these things during the banquet, but General Zhu was furious and rebuked the fathers and elders; 'Or the people of Zhili are more simple, when our army is stationed there, there is no need to ask for it themselves, they will send grain and grass by themselves. Now that our Lu army has returned to his hometown to suppress bandits and eat a little food, the store owner even asks the officers and soldiers for money, which is really unreasonable! In the end, they broke up. ”

Halfway through hearing this, Hou Sui began to sigh for a long time. After Xu Ping finished speaking, the old man looked sad and sighed sadly: "The people of Texas have just suffered from banditry and military disasters, which is really pitiful. Therefore, we must exterminate the thieves as soon as possible, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment. ”

"That's what the Overseer said." Xu Ping nodded, and reported again: "A lot of the baggage of my Evergreen Camp is also supplemented by these merchants, and many of the things that General Zhu stole from the caravan yesterday were originally purchased by my Evergreen Battalion. ”

Xu Ping estimated in his heart that for the common people, the suffering caused by the imperial court soldiers seemed to be worse than Ji Huisi's banditry. After the Ji Huisi bandits invaded Texas in the first month, most of the targets of looting were concentrated in the rich eunuchs and local tyrants, such as those heroes, whose family wealth was greatly lost, but the ordinary poor people were not violated. During the siege, many people's houses were damaged, and the rebels returned some money after entering the city, claiming to be relief. The rebels were entrenched in Texas for less than a day before they were driven away by the three battalions of new troops such as firefighting, and they did not set fire to the city when they retreated.

The military discipline of the new army was strict, and after Ji Huisi's troops fled, the new army led by He Baodao all started to help the people repair their houses. Xu Ping saw the behavior of Zhu Yuanhong and other friendly soldiers, and knew that they were even worse than Ji bandits. It's just that Xu Ping can't say these words to Hou Sui.

"The salaries of the various armies are insufficient, and General Zhu and they also have hardships. Alas, but the old man still wants to find them and let them release all the people who have been kidnapped. Hou Sui pondered for a long time, and finally said to Xu Ping: "It's too much to rob the goods of friendly troops, but I'm afraid they didn't know about it in advance." If the Changqing Battalion buys goods in the future, Keqin can send a few people to escort them, and they will naturally not come to harass them again. ”

Xu Ping said this, and he hurriedly gave up his hand: "Obey, Master Inspector." ”

After Xu Ping stepped back, Hou Sui sat with his eyes squinted for a long time, carefully recalling the expression he had just seen from the young general's face, as well as his eyes flashing with fire when he saw this young man for the first time. This touched Hou Sui's memories of a long time ago, and there were some familiar feelings, but he couldn't think clearly. Hou Sui tilted his head and tried to catch that feeling, but in the end he failed. Vaguely, though, he felt that it didn't seem to be a pleasant memory.

The next day, Zhou Xun ran to the barracks and claimed to have brought tea to Xu Ping and Wu Zhong. Xu Ping summoned Yu Shenhe and ordered him to lead the soldiers of his headquarters to follow the young man and raise the banner of the Evergreen Battalion in the caravan they designated. After Xu Ping finished explaining, Yu Shenhe did not immediately obey the order, but asked: "My lord, if the rebels ignore it and have to move the things in the caravan, how should they deal with it?" ”

"I don't think they have the guts. Besides, I can't give you accurate orders for things I haven't seen with my own eyes," Xu Ping waved his hand and said, "Yu Qian can always act cheaply." ”

"Yes, my lordship, I understand my humble duties."

After Yu Shenhe clasped his fists and saluted, he strode away to gather the soldiers. Xu Ping stopped Zhou Xun's thousand thanks: "Gifts are still exchanged, Zhou Shaoxia doesn't have to be polite." ”

In addition, what to worry about is the problem of Dianmao, Yu Shenhe may not be able to return to the camp in time. Therefore, Xu Ping walked up to Wu Zhong when he called the officers in the battalion to take a roll call, ready to explain. Just when Xu Ping hesitated and didn't know how to speak, he heard Wu Zhong shouting "Yu Shenhe", then lowered his head, and said "to" to himself in a volume that only he and Xu Ping could hear, and at the same time drew a circle on the roster, and sent it to Zhang Chengye for a look after finishing.

On the first day of August, the troops set camp south.

The farther south you go, the more bleak the scenery becomes, with vast expanses of barren land and confiscated grain scattered across the fields, releasing the smell of decay. Sometimes there was not a single figure seen all day long, and the new army had to slow down and set up a military station on the way to transfer baggage.

After another five days of walking, the Pioneer Evergreen Battalion entered the rebel zone of activity.

[Remember the URL . 三五Chinese网]