The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 138 Sacrifice Your Life for Righteousness

Each Portuguese cannon weighed 200 pounds and required a mule cart. It required three soldiers to operate it. In order to deal with all accidents, six soldiers were required. Twenty Portuguese cannons meant 120 artillerymen.

Spearmen and swordsmen were in the front and back, with musketeers and charioteers in the middle.

The team set off.

Arrived in Xianghe on the morning of the second day.

at this time.

Xianghe became lively. In the desolate wilderness, Wang Xin asked Li Wu to take people to build a temporary shed. He and a group of subordinates came outside the tent in Hexi Xiaoying early to wait.

Officials from the Ministry of War and eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department set out from the capital and went directly to Xianghe.

Zhu Shenggong arrived at the Hexi camp early.

There were also some civil and military officials of the Eastern Army and several officials from Xianghe.

Most of the soldiers wore cloth armor, and the cavalry wore cotton armor. They were lined up in order under the leadership of their respective officers. There were many flags around them, all of different colors. The most conspicuous were twenty Portuguese cannons.

Several officers of the Eastern Army looked at the Portuguese and said something to the artillerymen.

Zhu Shenggong and Wang Xin stood together, their faces looking a little anxious.

"Why hasn't Eunuch Ming arrived yet? I hope there won't be any problems on the road." Zhu Shenggong looked into the distance from time to time.

at last.

"coming."

Zhu Shenggong left a word and trotted over.

Wang Xin hurriedly followed. Although he was not as anxious as Zhu Shenggong, he did not dare to be negligent.

Military power is such an important thing that no one would be willing to hand it over to others. The military pay and supplies of the Beijing camp are controlled by the Ministry of War, and the military administration is divided from the Ministry of War to be responsible for the Beijing camp. In addition, the Imperial Horse Administration in the palace has the responsibility of supervision.

Eunuchs are the most trusted in the palace, which is due to the environment.

Even Zhu Shenggong did not dare to offend the eunuchs. If the eunuchs were dissatisfied with him, they would have plenty of ways to prevent Zhu Shenggong from inheriting his father's position.

If you value someone and often say good things to the emperor or the retired emperor, and catch the emperor's or the retired emperor's eye, your career will be in your reach in no time. That's why many people came today, and many of them are eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department.

"My father-in-law has had a hard time along the way."

Before Zhu Shenggong even approached, he had already started greeting people enthusiastically.

"It's you." The sedan chair that the eunuch was riding in stopped. Surrounded by people, he saw Zhu Shenggong approaching, recognized him, and smiled as he took Zhu Shenggong's hand.

After seeing this, Wang Xin couldn't help but slow down his pace.

Zhu Shenggong didn't care at all and was very close to the eunuch. Everyone was jealous and Wang Xin's eyes narrowed.

I have no prejudice against my father-in-law.

But it’s better to keep some distance.

"That Eunuch Ming is not only the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, but also the godson of Eunuch Dai. Who knows, it might be this in the future." Zheng Ang heard the words of several officers in the distance and his eyes became more eager.

Eunuch Dai was the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the confidant of the retired emperor.

If he could curry favor with Eunuch Ming, he would have a strong backer. If he could also catch the eye of Eunuch Dai, he would be able to speak a few words for him in front of the retired emperor. Zheng Ang couldn't help but look at Wang Xin in the distance.

Wang Xin's behavior was seen by Zhang Can.

Zheng Ang sneered.

Isn't it just because he relies on someone behind him? All the big commotion today was caused because of him. But I am better than him, and I don't care whether he is a eunuch or not. Thinking of this, Zheng Ang hurriedly followed.

No one paid any attention to the Ministry of War's words.

Chen Yan wasn't surprised, nor was he angry. He didn't expect Wang Xin to come and greet him. He asked curiously, "Aren't you going to pay your respects?"

"I have to be able to squeeze in."

Wang Xin pointed speechlessly at the dense crowd in front of him. It was so crowded that no one could get through. Someone was even kowtowed to the eunuch. It seemed to be the one called Zheng Ang. Wang Xin was even more speechless.

Normally, he always looked so arrogant and thought that he was stealing his opportunities, but he never expected that he would be so spineless.

It’s not that you can’t flatter a eunuch.

But people are standing and saying compliments, and you just go up and kowtow.
Chen Yan couldn't help but laugh, his favorable impression of Wang Xin increased. He said with a smile, "You are surprised by what you have seen. You have never seen anyone rushing to be someone's godson and fulfilling their filial duties for others."

Wang Xin shook his head.

I’ve seen it before, right? There’s no cow that’s nine thousand years old, right?
Officials vied with each other to build a shrine for him.

Everyone wants to get promoted, and there is nothing wrong with that, but how you get promoted makes a difference.

You can get promoted by the results of your work or by your interpersonal relationships. There are two directions that are destined.

If you can get promoted by flattering the eunuchs, there may be some capable people, but there are more people who only know how to curry favor with others. Moreover, bad money drives out good money, so who would work hard? They all try their best to maintain social connections.

"Who is Wang Xin?"

Sudden.

A voice came from inside, and Chen Yan hurriedly pushed Wang Xin. Wang Xin squeezed in from the outside, and the people inside also made way, revealing the eunuch Mingli in the middle. He was about forty or fifty years old, wearing the eunuch uniform of the Imperial Household Department, with a white face and no beard.

"Eunuch Ming, your humble servant Wang Xin pays respects to you, Eunuch."

Wang Xin stepped forward respectfully and bowed, his words full of respect.

Chen Yan happened to see it outside.

A look of astonishment.

Who was that just now?

Did I see it wrong?

Chen Yan couldn't help but rub his eyes, confirming that it was undoubtedly the extremely respectful Wang Xin, "Bastard!" Chen Yan couldn't help but laugh and curse inwardly, what a rude boy, he was almost fooled by this kid.

It is true that every generation has talented people, one wave after another, and the previous wave dies on the beach.

That extremely flattering young officer just now, and he also has Wang Xin. Young people nowadays are more shameless than each other. No wonder they get promoted so quickly. If only he could be like this when he was young. Chen Yan couldn't help stroking his beard.

He came to his senses and quickly put his hand down. If the eunuch saw it, he would misunderstand that he was provoking him.

Mingli's eyes were full of Wang Xin. He pulled Wang Xin to look around and said, "Okay, okay."

Keep cheering.

Wang Xin felt a little creepy. What did this old man mean?
"He is indeed a young man of promise. Hearing about him is worse than meeting him in person," Eunuch Mingli praised. "General Wang Xin is such a talented person! It proves the old saying that Jinling is a land of outstanding people and talents."

Eunuch Mingli praised people in such a public manner that everyone could only agree.

Zheng Ang, who had just kowtowed and didn't even get a word out, was pushed away. He looked inside stupidly, and when he heard his father-in-law's words, he felt mixed emotions.

I look like a clown.

Fortunately, no one cared about him. Zheng Ang wanted to find a place to hide, but he was reluctant to leave. He still had a glimmer of hope in his heart, what if Eunuch Ming asked about him again.

If I ask myself, I will definitely run over there as soon as possible. No, but I can't be too slow either.

You also have to look respectful.

Then Eunuch Ming boasted that he was young and promising, and that he should be humble.

As he was thinking, he looked up again, but the crowd had already gone away. Eunuch Ming was holding Wang Xin's hand, as if he were treating his own junior, and behind him followed a large group of civil and military officials.

It’s like standing in the center of a crowd of people and feeling the brilliant light.

Zheng Ang's heart was numb.

It's like many mice are being caught, why is it always him, why can't it be me!
Chen Yan, who was following in the crowd, was a little dumbfounded.

Eunuch Mingli is the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, holding great power. He is also the godson of Eunuch Dai. His every move has a deep meaning. Is this his first time meeting Wang Xin? This attitude
Chen Yan looked at Wang Xin solemnly.

When did he surrender to the Emperor? That's not right. How could a guerrilla general like him surrender to the Emperor? That's even more wrong. Isn't Eunuch Mingli's attitude the attitude of the palace?

Chen Yan couldn't understand.

Zhu Shenggong's smile was stiff, not because he was angry, but because he was caught off guard.

Is your own person going to be poached away?
Li Wei, the tall and thin general beside Zhu Shenggong, smiled uncomfortably and asked in a low voice, "Sheren Zhu, when did Wang Xin curry favor with Eunuch Ming?"

Zhu Shenggong took a glance and knew what Li Wei was thinking. He said impatiently, "How should I know what's going on in your eastern route?"

Li Wei didn't dare to offend Zhu Shenggong, so he still put on a smile, half envious and half admiring, saying, "Wang Xin is indeed very capable, and he has caught the admiral's eye. Now, he has unknowingly gained the father-in-law's attention."

"Shut up." Zhu Shenggong was furious. Li Wei dared to use him. What did he think of him?

Seeing that Zhu Sheren was really angry, Li Wei didn't dare to continue speaking. His eyes looking at Wang Xin became complicated, even a little evasive.

Anyone with a bit of common sense could sense that something was wrong.

Eunuch Mingli was too kind to Wang Xin.

It's not normal behavior.

Wang Xin was also confused, but he didn't want to think about it for the time being. There were so many smart people, and he knew many smart people. He could go back and ask them for advice, and he would understand it sooner or later. The most important thing now was to practice.

The bird gun is a single-soldier firearm, and the Portuguese arquebus is a light artillery piece.

They complement each other in range, power and maneuverability.

The bird gun provides medium and short-range killing, while the Portuguese arquebus increases the killing area and makes up for the disadvantage of insufficient firepower.

"Bang bang bang."

A row of musketeers lined up and fired their guns, and then a cloud of black smoke billowed out of the position.

After a while.

The second team of musketeers opened fire.

"Bang bang bang."

After a few rounds, twenty Portuguese cannons fired at the same time.

"Boom."

The first firearms drill was more about getting used to the firearms, and there was no drill on firearms tactics. Everyone just listened to the noise and watched from a distance.

Eunuch Mingli seemed to have no thoughts on this matter.

Pulling Wang Xin to sit beside him, he said with a smile, "General Wang, you must seize the time to train the troops well. Only after you train the troops well can you make merit. If you make merit, I will personally recommend you for it."

Mingli doesn't care about mess.

There is only one thing in sight.

Godfather said that the saint values ​​Wang Xin, so he must make friends with Wang Xin, this is the most important thing.

Firearms, drills, and armoury bureaus are all trivial matters.

"I will keep your instructions in mind, sir, and will not let you down. If you need me in battle, I will win. Please rest assured, sir." Wang Xin made some vague guesses.

The smile on Eunuch Mingli's face grew happier.

This young man is good.

He speaks nicely and works attentively.

I was worried all the way. After all, I am a eunuch. Some young people don't know their place and have been brainwashed by scholars. They despise eunuchs from the bottom of their hearts. It is not easy for me to get along with them.

"You've said it well." Eunuch Mingli patted the back of Wang Xin's hand, smiling broadly. "Don't worry, I'll tell you what you want. If you have any requests, just go ahead and raise them with the Ministry of War. If they disagree, you can come to me and complain."

Wang Xin was just about to withdraw his hand when he heard what Eunuch Mingli said.

Forget it.

Your hands are not made of gold.

far away.

Zheng Ang's eyes were filled with jealousy, wishing that hand was his own.

Li Wei was a little worried. Wang Xin was such a powerful person, and even Eunuch Ming treated him like this. He should be more restrained and not offend him again.

The civil officials are more or less okay, but these military officers are really shameless. Chen Yan couldn't help but sigh, and thought that the noble military officers were most likely to rely on eunuchs. It has always been like this. Relying on eunuchs can get more than relying on civil officials.

(End of this chapter)