After Zhang Jiankui expressed his loyalty, he was wondering whether he should resign when he saw two civil servants in red robes coming over. One of them placed a seal on the imperial desk, and the other placed a roll of yellow silk on it and unfolded it.
Guo Shao picked up the red brush and dipped it twice, then quickly wrote a few words on the yellow silk. Then he stood up with two things in his hand, walked around the imperial desk and came to Zhang Jiankui.
Zhang Jiankui's heart tightened, and he quickly bent over and stood there. Guo Shao handed the thing over personally, and Zhang Jiankui knelt on one knee again, took it with both hands, and when he looked up to take the thing, he saw the emperor's bright eyes looking at him: Founding Marquis, for the glory and interests of the empire, you and I are the same.
"I will follow the order," Zhang Jiankui said solemnly. For a moment, he felt his whole body getting hot. Guo Shao's gaze, words and actions were very influential. Zhang Jiankui seemed to be watched by a god at this moment. His whole body was bathed in glory and he was indescribably excited. Perhaps, it was because the emperor himself had such emotions that he could make the people around him feel it.
He took the things, then politely excused himself and left the study. As he left the door, he subconsciously looked back and saw Guo Shao still standing there, looking at him eagerly.
The quaint palace, wooden window frames and ink-scented desks made Zhang Jiankui feel that everything was different at this moment, as if they had been consecrated.
Sword. A sharp voice reminded him outside the Jinxiang Hall. Zhang Jiankui suddenly realized and hurriedly took the sword and hung it back on himself.
He walked down the stone steps and from the wide square of the palace to the city gate to the south. When he arrived at Xuande Gate, he suddenly saw a civil servant in a green robe standing there, looking him up and down.
The civil official stepped forward and bowed, saying: "You are General Zhang, the commander of the First Army of the Liaoxi Army."
That's right. Zhang Jiankui was a little confused holding the king's order and the military seal in his hands, because he had never experienced this before.
The civil official said: I am Zheng Xianchun from the Privy Council, and I have been assigned as the chief officer of the Liaoxi Army Front Camp Military Headquarters. I would like to ask General Zhang for your guidance.
After listening, Zhang Jiankui understood what this official did. Zhang Yin, a civil servant in Ishijian Fort, also did the same job. This person was in charge of the staff, messengers, soldiers and clerks. He was also the military supervisor, because all decisions and military orders had to go through the hands of the military government branch.
However, the civil servant Zhang Yin has now transported a jar of ashes back to his hometown and his tablet is placed in the Xuanren Merit Pavilion.
Zhang Jiankui looked up and down at the civil servant in front of him. He was estimated to be less than 30 years old and very fair-skinned. It was also very effeminate to give him a name like Chun.
This fellow looked at Zhang Jiankui as if he had guessed something, and he stood up straight and said: "When the Southern Tang was conquered, I followed the army, and I served in the Qianying Military Headquarters in the battles of attacking Youzhou and Pingxia. General Zhang, just rest assured, I am very familiar with the communication between the four yamen and all military affairs."
You can't judge a person by his appearance. Zhang Jiankui suddenly realized it and didn't want to offend this civil servant because he had experience and had to get along with the people in the military office for a long time after going on an expedition. He immediately said politely: Zheng Changshi should remind him more.
Zheng Xianchun said: It’s my job.
The two men left the imperial city through the side door of Xuande Gate, and Zheng Xianchun said: "There is a parade ground outside Wangchun Gate. General Zhang, do you know about it? We will meet there the day after tomorrow. The royal military order in the general's hand must be recognized by everyone before the troops can be gathered."
When Zhang Jiankui heard this, he realized that without this civil servant, the problem would not work.
Zheng Xianchun said as he walked: "People from the four yamen are indispensable. General Zhang belongs to the capital, so the army cannot be without a commander. I am from the Privy Council, so I handle trivial matters for General Zhang and handle military orders. There are also people from the Ministry of War. Without them, no one will take care of our settlement expenses, military supplies and fodder when we go on the expedition. In addition, the Military Equipment Bureau will also send people, and we have to ask them for armor, firearms, and weapons."
Zhang Jiankui listened carefully and nodded, saying: Military affairs are indeed much more troublesome than being a commander.
Of course, what a few thousand people do is completely different from what a few hundred people do. Zheng Xianchun said, there are about 3,000 soldiers in total, including two commanders of the imperial army and two commanders of the local guards in the Central Plains gathered in the Tokyo military camp; there are also two commanders of the guards in Hebei waiting for us in Beizhou. Let's take the Hu Ben Army's ship to the north along the Yongji Canal, pick up the 1,000 people, and continue to take a boat to the newly built city in Jinzhou, Hebei after the recovery of Youzhou, which is probably near Tianjin; then go to the seaside port to change to the Jiaolong Army's ship and go to Liaoxi Fort.
When Zhang Jiankui saw the servant leading the horse over, he clasped his fists and said: I will go back and pack up, and we will meet outside Wangchun Gate another day.
Zheng Xianchun hurriedly took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and said, "The day after tomorrow at the military headquarters, General Zhang will say what is written on it."
Very good. Zhang Jiankui smiled and said, it's just a show.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Xianchun said: It's not just that. I came from the officialdom and the military. Every place has its own way of speaking. We just follow them, and that will sound proper.
Zhang Jiankui clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Zheng Changshi is right. Goodbye."
He rode home with a horseman and saw Yu Liangzheng standing at the door. He was holding a live rooster in one hand and a wine jar in the other. When he saw Zhang Jiankui, his face lit up and he looked very happy.
Zhang Jiankui spoke first: Come if you want, why are you twisting things
Yu Liang said: A small token of my appreciation is not enough to show my respect. I would like to thank General Zhang for his cultivation.
What does that mean? Zhang Jiankui asked.
Yu Liang said: I was promoted to the head of the guards, not by General Zhang.
Zhang Jiankui blurted out: It's none of my business. I just found out from what you said.
Yu Liang:
Zhang Jiankui laughed and said: I didn't help you, do you want to take this thing back
After hearing this, Yu Liang looked at him in surprise, and they both burst into laughter.
Zhang Jiankui threw the reins to his attendant and led Yu Liang into the courtyard. He handed the chicken to the servant and ordered him to kill it for dinner. Yu Liang took the jar of wine he brought directly to the main hall and drank it first, with a plate of fried crucian carp to go with the wine.
Zhang Jiankui talked about the Liaoxi Fort. Now the military branch has not been established yet, and Yu Liang’s command may receive a transfer order in a few days.
Above the captain is the deputy commander, and as long as Captain Yu finds an opportunity to make military achievements, he will be an official in the future, whether in the army or as a civilian official, and he will always be paid by the emperor. Zhang Jiankui said kindly.
Yu Liang nodded continuously: "I studied very hard in the past, wanting to be an official, but I failed the exams many times. I didn't expect to take this path to realize my ambition, which I never thought of at the beginning."
Zhang Jiankui laughed.
Two people with completely different experiences had a great time talking to each other over drinks. Having shared the joys and sorrows at Iwami Castle, they had a lot to talk about.
They first talked about the Japanese girl Miko. Yu Liang said: The King of Japan sent a singing girl to Tokyo some time ago, and I happened to see her. It seems that we are quite destined to meet each other as we can meet again after thousands of miles away.
Zhang Jiankui was also a little surprised, and then he said: That girl wanted to come to Daxu very much, and now she has finally got what she wanted. He also said, when we were in Dongdao, there was a court minister in the earthen fort, the Minister of Works Zan Jurun, did you remember Yu Shijiang Dutou
Yu Liang nodded quickly and said: It is not easy to meet an important official, and all the brothers in the command know Minister Zan.
Zhang Jiankui said: "I heard that Minister Zan went to the northwest with the founding Duke Li. The northwest has a bigger force than ours, at least tens of thousands of people went there, and many barracks of the Tokyo Imperial Army were mobilized a while ago."
Yu Liang nodded suddenly.
Those acquaintances in Shijianbao went to different places, but they all worked to achieve success, Zhang Jiankui said confidently, holding up his wine glass.
Yu Liang also raised his glass and said in a generous manner: "This general toasts to Commander Zhang. Cheers!"
Two days later, Zhang Jiankui dressed neatly and went to Wangchun Gate as promised.
The civil and military officials also arrived at the government office one after another. On an unpainted wooden board, black characters were written with a brush: Liaoxi Army Front Camp Military Office First Army Military Headquarters. The things were indeed a bit shabby, but it was lively inside. As expected, people from the government offices arrived one after another.
Zhang Jiankui first greeted the Chief Clerk Zheng Xianchun, who bowed and said: "General Zhang has extraordinary character and will definitely be able to lead the entire army."
Hey, Zhang Jiankui felt that this was not right, as if he disliked his background and status, so he sneered and said, "Don't worry, Zheng Changshi, you have been to Southern Tang, but I was a vanguard in the mountains of Shu Road. Not long ago, I was in Dongdao, and the Japanese army fifty times more than me besieged me. Now I am standing here talking to you alive."
Zheng Xianchun hurriedly bowed.
Walking into the hall, some people introduced themselves or came up to announce their names, and there was a lot of noise inside. Zhang Jiankui bowed with his fists and walked slowly to the north. He took something out of his arms, and an official immediately came forward to take it and showed it to the dozens of noisy people.
Zhang Jiankui stretched out his hand and scratched the back of his head a few times, finally remembering what was written on the paper, and then he coughed and cleared his throat twice. The civil and military officials below gradually calmed down.
In compliance with the imperial decree of Emperor Daxu, I, Zhang Jiankui, will be appointed as the commander of the First Army of Liaoxi Army. From now on, I will have the authority to command, mobilize, deploy, and execute on the battlefield: the First Commander of the Fifth Army of the Huben Army, the Second Commander of the Fifth Army of the Huben Army, the Commander of Kaifeng, the Commander of Chenzhou, the Commander of Jizhou, and the Commander of Shenzhou. God bless our emperor, and may you live forever.
Dozens of people shouted in agreement.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhang Jiankui was being watched by many people. The solemn words really made him suddenly feel like a commander and feel that his power was legitimate.
Zhang Jiankui stood there with a burly figure. After a moment's thought, he raised his hand and said seriously: "For the glory and interests of the empire and to be loyal to our emperor, I will join you in this mission."
Everyone became solemn after hearing this. Chief Clerk Zheng Xianchun looked at Zhang Jiankui calmly and nodded slightly.
Many people gathered together, some for achievements, some for rewards, some for wealth, and some for glory. Everyone was doing the same thing. A new journey was just in front of them, as if a brilliant light illuminated people's future.