Cutting over the end of the Ming Dynasty: a dog-leg knife at the beginning

Chapter 268 Trading 1
Lu Xiangsheng saw that Sun Chengzong was in a bad mood and didn't know how to enlighten him, so he stood up and left.Sun Chengzong did not persuade him to stay, but just asked him to go back and have a rest in preparation for attending the celebration banquet tonight.The old man needs time to rethink what went wrong with his strategy.

Back at the Tianxiong Army camp, Lu Xiangsheng went directly to Qi Hu and told him everything about today.Qi Hu was getting older and had not stopped from Daming Road in Hebei Province to Jinzhou. His body was a little overwhelmed, so he did not go out to fight with the Hussars Battalion, but stayed in Jinzhou City to rest and missed the battle.After learning that the hussar battalion general Houjin had been defeated by a charge, the old man's eyes shone brightly and he said happily: "It seems that the wall charging tactic is very effective. The hardships we have suffered during this period have not been in vain!"

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Yes, facing the cavalry wall of the Hussars camp, brave soldiers such as Jian Nu's white armor are unable to fight back. They often kill one or two people in the Hussars camp before being overthrown by Ma Shan. If it is a single fight, Fighting alone, I don't know how many people will die if I want to kill a white-armored soldier!" At this point, he sighed: "It's a pity that our cavalry is too few. If we can have tens of thousands of cavalry, how many people will die if we have more than [-] cavalry?" How difficult is it for Linghe to repel Jiannu's siege?"

Qi Hu was also very helpless: "The biggest problem with Ming Dynasty is not that there are no cavalry, but that these cavalry are in the hands of people who don't know how to use cavalry!"

Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but feel a little bad when he thought of Wu Xiang turning in and fleeing one after another, and ruining the elite of the Ming army outside Guanwai.He changed the subject: "By the way, the hussars battalion beheaded more than 340 ranks in this campaign. It was a big victory. The Guan Ning army wanted to share a share. The ancestors wanted to use the [-] horses that they lent us as a battle. In exchange, Wu Xiang offered to send us some horses, and some generals of the Guanning Army also offered to exchange weapons, horses, and armor, what do you think, Mr. Qi?"

Qi Hu pondered for a moment and then asked, "What did the Master say?"

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Your Majesty the Viceroy also suggested that I send out some heads to exchange for the horses and weapons I need, and secondly to establish a good relationship with Guan Ning's army to prevent Guan Ning's army from playing tricks behind my back."

Qi Hu sighed: "Master Shufu compiled the Guan Ning Army by himself, he knows this army best...My lord, give Master Shufu some face and exchange some heads."

Lu Xiangsheng asked: "Old Qi, what do you think should be exchanged?" With his temperament, it is really uncomfortable to let him do such a thing.But in the past two years, he has worked hard in the barren Daimyo Road, punched and kicked his own foundation, and this difficult time has changed him a lot. At least he will not trust the court unconditionally——— at least I don't believe that the imperial court can provide me with thousands of excellent war horses in one go. If there is a chance, it is better to do it myself and have enough food and clothing.

Without hesitation, Qi Hu said: "War horses, horses! Anyway, Guan Ning's army keeps these and it is cheap to build slaves. It is better to exchange the heads of Jiannu with them!"

It seems that this old man has a different opinion on Guan Ningjun...

Lu Xiangsheng smiled: "Mr. Qi and I coincidentally agree, and I also want to take this opportunity to exchange more horses and horses!"

Qi Polu watched these two discuss with great interest how many heads should be offered in exchange, feeling quite depressed.From his point of view, those heads are achievements, and whether he can be promoted depends on how many heads he can get. How can he exchange these heads!
After discussing for a long time, the two profiteers finally settled on the price.At this time, the ancestors sent people over to invite the generals of the Tianxiong Army to the banquet. Lu Xiangsheng said with a smile: "Old Qi, let's go together. I'm afraid I won't be able to save my face and bargain with them!"

Qi Hu said: "Then the old man has the cheek to go and have a drink."

Qi Polu called: "Grandpa, I want to go too!"

Qi Hu said: "Children are not allowed to drink alcohol, stay in the barracks honestly, and are not allowed to run around!"

Qi Polu was extremely depressed.

The General's Mansion in Jinzhou City was decorated with lanterns and festoons, and there were a lot of guests. All the generals of the Guan Ning Army came, and many merchants and Mongolian tribe leaders were also invited to attend the celebration banquet. It was very lively.As soon as Lu Xiangsheng entered the door, he frowned when he saw so many merchants and Mongolians. This is the General's Mansion. There are so many idlers waiting in and out, how can you keep it secret!But this is the matter of Guan Ning Army, he can't control it, just bring a group of generals in.He also became famous in the first battle. There are so many people in the general's mansion, at least eight out of ten people know him. When they saw him, someone immediately passed on the message: "Master Lu is here!" Immediately, everyone's eyes were focused. Come over, Zu Dale came out more and more, laughing loudly: "Master Lu, you are late, shouldn't you punish yourself with three cups?"

Lu Xiangsheng clasped his hands and said: "The military is busy with affairs, and the lower officials are too busy to get dizzy. I am tired of waiting for a long time. I still look forward to Haihan, Haihan."

Zu Dabi shouted: "There is nothing to say, let's punish myself with three cups first!"

Everyone booed: "Three cups fine! Three cups fine!"

Sun Chengzong's voice drifted in: "Everyone, Jiandou is not good at drinking. If he is punished with three cups, he will be drunk for three days and three nights."

Everyone hurriedly saluted Sun Chengzong, and Sun Chengzong waved his hands and said, "It's rare to win a big victory over Jiannu, and the whole city is having a carnival. Don't be restrained, just drink to your heart's content."

All the generals said in unison: "Thank you, sir!" Although they didn't listen to Sun Chengzong's orders much, they didn't dare to make mistakes in front of Sun Chengzong, after all, they were their old bosses.

All the guests arrived, and the banquet began. Abalone, sea cucumber, and shark's fin were caught from the sea, pheasants, wild deer, and goats were hunted from the black forest, lambs, fat cattle were purchased from the Mongolian grasslands, and there were fish in the river. The big fish caught in the farm were sent up as delicacies at a price of water, and none of the dozens of dishes was the same.The annual salary of the Guan Ning Army reaches 500 million taels, and the ancestors are the leaders of the Guan Ning Army. It is difficult to estimate the profit and water they get. Wandering outside Jinzhou City, the business roads are not smooth, and many things cannot be purchased, otherwise, their expenses will be so extravagant that it will be jaw-dropping.Among the mountain-like delicious food and wine, Qi Hu and Lu Xiangsheng also saw the strong wine produced in Wuyang... This kind of wine made from potatoes is very popular in the Jiubian area because of its clear quality and strong spicy taste, and the supply is in short supply.The two looked at each other and sighed secretly.This table of table delicacies are all the soldiers' clothes and mouths. Ordinary soldiers suffer from hunger and cold, but the generals are full of fish and meat. If such an army can win the battle, it will be called hell!

In fact, the generals spend extravagantly, but the soldiers starve to death, but the soldiers use their lives. There are not no troops that are invincible in all battles, but for thousands of years, there is only one example, that is Huo Qubing, the great Han hussars general.Huo Qubing has been the partner of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty since he was a child, and enjoyed all the glory and wealth. Even when he was on an expedition to the Huns, his daily expenses were very extravagant. Some soldiers couldn't even eat enough, but he ate all the delicacies from mountains and seas, and threw away what he couldn't finish.But he was always able to catch the opportunity, inflicted heavy damage on the Huns, and won huge victories, and the rewards and punishments were clearly defined. Those who made meritorious deeds must be rewarded, and those who had done something must be punished. Therefore, the soldiers of the Han army were willing to follow him to fight. No complaints either.But there is only one genius like Huo Qubing. If you don't have Huo Qubing's ability, it's better to learn from Wu Qi and share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers.General Guan Ning's fighting skills are not even comparable to Huo Qubing's hair, but he is far ahead in terms of ostentation, which is really speechless.

Of course such a lavish banquet would not be without beauties. After drinking for three rounds, Zu Dale lightly slapped three palms in succession, a gust of fragrant wind came, rings ding-dong, skirts fluttered, and more than a dozen singers and dancers meandered over, stretching their wide sleeves , dancing gracefully, the dancing posture is so graceful that it is hard to describe it, and the eyes of a large group of old men are staring straight at the sight.A general of the Guan Ning Army clicked his tongue: "It turns out that there are so many beauties in Zushuai's mansion. It's really a feast for the eyes!"

Zu Dale smiled, and said to Lu Xiangsheng: "Master Lu, these singers and dancers are all painstakingly collected by my brother. They are proficient in everything from piano, chess, calligraphy and painting to poetry and poetry. It is not an exaggeration to say that they can be selected from a million."

Lu Xiangsheng said: "It is true that she looks like a fairy and has excellent talents."

Zu Dale laughed loudly, and called out to the dancers who had already danced a song: "My lord has praised you, why don't you hurry up and give me a toast?"

Those dancers bowed gracefully, moved their lotus steps lightly, and floated over with a gust of fragrant wind.The leading dancer in white raised her wine glass and said softly: "Your Excellency rushed to help, and he defeated Jiannu when he first arrived outside the customs. The little girl admires her. Let her drink to her and show her respect. I hope you will not be disgusted by her." Voice It is glutinous and soft, which makes people's bones light.

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Young lady, I'm honored." He raised his wine glass and touched her lightly, then drank it down in one gulp.

The woman in green at the back immediately poured him a glass, and said in a manly voice: "My lord has a lot, and the little girl also toasts you." She raised her glass and said playfully, "Sister Mengjie toasts you. Your lord drank it, but you can drink it." You have to give the little girl some face!"

Lu Xiangsheng smiled, picked up the wine glass and drank it down in one gulp.Seeing that the third person was about to pour wine again, he quickly covered the wine glass with his hand and said, "No, no, no, if you drink Jiandou again, you will really get drunk!"

A large group of beauties suddenly pouted their mouths so much that they could hold twelve bottles, and they all complained that Mr. Lu favored one and the other. Everyone looked at it with smiles and great interest.Lu Xiangsheng couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Ladies, Jiandou is really drunk. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Just kidding, if he continues to drink, he will make these dancers unconscious!
The group of pouting beauties were still chirping and accusing, Zu Dabi chuckled and said, "My lord, you really favor one another like this!" His eyes slipped past the woman in white and the woman in green, and he smiled again: "But , Your lord's eyes are still very poisonous, these two dancers are the best-looking and best dancing girls in the ancestral family's house, if your lord likes them, how about giving them as your companions?"

Zu Dale also smiled and said: "Master Lu, please don't refuse my brother's kind offer! You are an unparalleled hero. Although this pair of beauties have a bad background and are not a good match for you, it is still good to be a concubine and a slave. Yes, with them by your side, it won't be too boring in the army."

The faces of the two dancers turned red to the neck, and they lowered their heads, but they couldn't help but glance at Lu Xiangsheng.

Lu Xiangsheng cupped his hands and said: "Tianxiong's army has very strict discipline, and women are not allowed to enter or leave. As the commander of Tianxiong's army, Jiandou should set an example for the whole army. He must never dare to bring women into the army for fun. Two adults Jian Dou Xin accepts your kindness!"

Zu Dale didn't care at all: "Military discipline is important, but it's not inflexible! If you don't have any privileges, why should you be the commander in chief?"

Lu Xiangsheng said sternly: "Let's go up and down. If Jiandou starts this way, all the generals will follow suit. At that time, the soldiers will be half dead in front of the battle, and the beauties will still be singing and dancing. The soldiers will be full of resentment and alienation. The Tianxiong army will not fight. Defeat, why fight!"

Zu Dale sighed, and said: "It can only be blamed on them being unlucky...but I admire your integrity very much." He waved his hands to let the group of dancers back down.This group of dancers was greatly disappointed, and a trace of resentment flashed across the faces of the two beauties who successfully toasted. In their view, Lu Xiangsheng, no matter his appearance, had a powerful army, and he defeated Jiannu in one battle. Disarming is the most ideal husband-in-law candidate in the daughter's family's mind. If you follow him, even if you are a concubine or slave, it is better than being a dancer in the ancestral mansion and being sent around as a gift.It's a pity that they meant it, but he didn't. As Zu Dale said, they didn't have this blessing.

(End of this chapter)