Xie Ming

Chapter 137 Minglu Takes Power
April 15th, sunny.

A part of Xiao Jingchuan's army gradually reached Jiulong Town from Laishui Shigui Mountain-Beituo-Sanpo Town.

Along the way, we didn't dare to take any of the main roads or mountain roads, but only walked through the small paths in the forest halfway up the mountain.

After receiving verbal orders from Li Zicheng, Liu Fangliang's troops also sent soldiers into the mountains from Zijing Pass and Laishui County to investigate. However, they were ultimately blocked by numerous mountains and were unable to advance too far, thus completely losing any trace of Xiao Lang's troops.

After a few days of freshness, everyone just got used to their tasks and no one continued to do it.

Only a few small teams would come out occasionally, pretending to do the job and doing it perfunctorily.

That evening, Xiao Jingchuan led his troops back to Jiulong Town and built a new barracks halfway up the mountain in the northeast.

Wang Chuanwu stayed here to guard the place, and was so happy to see Xiao Lang return!

After asking, I found out that two days ago, Qi Dayong led people to the direction of Bairui Valley, saying that he wanted to recruit some more soldiers from the villages in the valley. He was very active!
Xiao Jingchuan followed up the topic and found out that Wang Chuanwu and Qi Dayong had recruited more than a thousand militiamen during the ten days when Xiao Lang had led the troops out!
Xiao Lang was very satisfied with this!

After the troops returned to the military camp, a reward banquet was held. It was not until midnight that the soldiers returned to the barracks to sleep!

All the soldiers slept soundly!

It was still dark on the morning of the 16th.

Xiao Jingchuan was suddenly awakened by the shouts and calls of the soldiers training in the morning in the camp!
When they came out of the barracks, they found themselves divided into different units on the training ground. Each team was competing, cheering each other on, and training. The scene was very lively!
"what"

"Old Xiao! These soldiers are very motivated!" Qiu Zhizhong came out from another room, yawning, and approached to speak.

"Haha, that's great!" Xiao Jingchuan replied.

Sui Zhizhong rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked again, only to see that Peizhong's troops were still normal on the training ground, practicing formations and how to defend the city!
The troops of Hu Chen and Wang Chuanwu played a bit cruelly. The two troops were trained together, divided into groups of two, holding wooden spears, and fighting fiercely. The scene was intense, and the soldiers fought in close combat without holding back!

"Oh, Old Xiao, the training method of Hu Chen and Chuan Wu won't work, right?!" Zhi Zhong was worried and hurriedly talked about it with Xiao Lang.

On the other hand, Xiao Jingchuan seemed to not care at all and was very calm.

"Hey, let them practice!"

"Broken bones don't matter!"

"It's better to break a few bones during training than to lose your life in a real fight on the battlefield!"

Xiao Lang replied firmly, and Zhizhong took it seriously and said no more.

"Eh? By the way, Feiyu (Qiu Zhizhong), have you seen Minglu?!" Xiao Jingchuan changed the subject and asked.

Zhizhong shook his head. He had just gotten up, so he had no idea.

"Ma Minglu?!"

"Minglu!" Seeing the situation, Xiao Lang called out loudly on the spot.

After a while, somewhere in the training ground below, Ma Minglu heard the shouting, shouted back, and quickly ran towards Xiao Jingchuan.

"General!"

"General, you called me!"

After a quick run, Ma Minglu approached Xiao Lang.

"Haha, have we stored all the supplies we seized this time?" Xiao Jingchuan asked.

"Well, General, don't worry, everything has been checked and returned to the big warehouse in the barracks!" Minglu replied.

"Haha, okay, okay!"

"Also, on our way back, I told you that the attack on Yi County and Laishui County went very smoothly!"

"So each of the soldiers and militiamen who are accompanying the team will be rewarded two taels of money. After noon today, you must come up with a list and distribute it one by one. Don't leave anyone out!" Xiao Lang ordered.

"Yes!" Minglu replied.

"As for the fallen soldiers, the pension is three taels per person according to the established rules, plus the reward, a total of five taels, which must be properly delivered to their families!"

"Those old soldiers who came out of the capital with us and cannot be sent home for the time being will be kept in the army. But you must explain everything clearly to the soldiers, and set up separate accounts and prepare the money!" Xiao Jingchuan gave further instructions, taking into account every detail.

"Yes, I understand!" Ma Minglu bowed and said.

"Alas! Nowadays, the number of soldiers is increasing day by day. Some military rules and regulations should be popularized in the army!"

"Minglu, after the newly recruited soldiers were assigned to various units, were the military commanders in charge of military discipline properly selected and assigned in order?!" Xiao Lang asked again.

"Uh, General, we haven't had time to prepare this yet!"

"Please wait a day or two, I will carefully select and consider the candidates, and then assign them according to the regulations!"

"General, you also know that the person in charge of the army in this team must have moral integrity, loyalty, righteousness and uprightness, so..." Minglu hesitated in embarrassment.

"Haha, if virtue does not match the position, there will be disaster!"

"Minglu, you are right to be cautious!"

"As our team grows larger, the importance of military discipline will become more and more prominent!"

"Minglu! You are a prudent and honest person, and everyone in the army can see that!"

"So I intend to hand over the two positions of military supply and military administration to you, and you will be in charge!"

"No one else would raise any objection!"

Xiao Jingchuan suddenly handed over all these important tasks to Ma Minglu, which surprised Qiu Zhizhong who was standing by.

Even Minglu had no idea of ​​it!

"what?!"

"General, I..." Minglu was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to do.

"Haha, Minglu, you don't have to worry too much!"

"Just do it boldly!"

"Whoever dares to find fault with me, I will support you!" Xiao Lang sincerely encouraged him and patted Minglu on the shoulder.

"Minglu, remember this!"

"From now on, military discipline must be strictly enforced!"

"This is a serious violation of discipline. If necessary, we will beat them. If necessary, we will be beheaded. There will be no ambiguity!"

"Since leaving Beijing, this team has been pursued by enemies along the way. The troops are few and the generals are few, and the various units are in disarray. In order to win over the hearts of the people and keep moving forward, I have been the only one in charge most of the time, which is quite disappointing!"

"There's really no other way!"

“But we are different now!”

"After this trip to Yixian and Laishui, we have sufficient military supplies and enough manpower!"

"So, from now on, we must rectify the wrongs and enforce the law!"

"For things like what happened to Qi Dayong in the past, we can no longer just whip him or scold him and let the matter rest!"

"Of course, I asked you to take charge of this matter. From now on, your situation in the army may become more and more isolated."

"It's hard for you!"

"Minglu, you have to be mentally prepared to face criticism and slander for pushing you to the top!"

"That's why, as the commander-in-chief of the entire army, I have to hide in the back so that I can have room to maneuver when something happens!"

"You hold the front, and I'll hold you from behind!"

"Only when it comes to important military matters can you let go and do it!"

"I am speaking from the bottom of my heart, Minglu, can you understand my feelings?!"

Xiao Jingchuan spoke his heart out, expressed his feelings freely, and entrusted us with important tasks, which was deeply touching.

"General!"

"The general's words give me peace of mind!"

"General, rest assured. Since I, Ma Minglu, joined the army, I have been promoted by you many times and regarded as your trusted brother!"

"Today, the general has entrusted me with such great power!"

"I, Ma Minglu, will repay you with my life and my soul. I will do my best!"

As he spoke, Minglu knelt in front of Xiao Lang with tears in his eyes. Seeing this, Xiao Jingchuan hurriedly helped him up with one hand!
"Hahaha"

"Okay! Okay!"

"How could I, Xiao Jingchuan, deserve such favor from God?"

"There is Feiyu outside and Minglu inside!"

“Great things can be accomplished, great things can be accomplished!”

After he finished speaking, all three of them burst into laughter!
(End of this chapter)