Li Zhi rushed out of the meeting hall with tears streaming down his face, followed by many officials who were crying tears of joy. They knelt down together and prayed to the heavens, thanking the heavens for their blessings. The restoration of North Korea was imminent, and everyone was not going to die!
After crying for a while, someone suggested that they should go outside the city to welcome the Commander of the Heavenly Army, Xiao Ruxun, the victorious return of Commander Xiao. Commander Xiao had won a great battle and was preparing to return to the army to rest. They should go out to welcome him. [0↑ 9 △ Small ↓ Say △ Net]
Li Gui was suddenly enlightened. Then, he remembered that the battle had started in Pyongyang and then in Sinuizhou. He just didn't know how the battle had been fought. When he returned, he could finally ask Chief Commander Xiao. This time, Chief Commander Xiao should be very happy, right? He should be able to have a good talk with us, right?
Li Zhi was so happy that he forgot to change his clothes and was about to go outside the city. The officials quickly stopped him and helped him change before going outside to welcome Xiao Ruxun.
On the way, Xiao Ruxun sent someone to Liaoyang to report the good news to Song Yingchang. He asked about Song Yingchang's condition and when he could arrive in North Korea to discuss military affairs. Then, Xiao Ruxun planned to move the headquarters to Pyongyang and ask the North Korean emperor and officials if they wanted to go back to Pyongyang together. After arranging the treatment and recuperation of the soldiers, they would set off for Pyongyang to reorganize the military affairs. Then, they would move the entire logistics department to Pyongyang and push forward the frontline.
When they were about to reach Pyongyang, Xiao Ruxun saw a large group of people waiting in the distance. The group of generals around him all smiled in unison. [0↑ 9 △ Small ↓ Say △ Net]
"This time, we have gained a lot of face. The King of North Korea and these officials will have to bow their heads and toast to us."
Ma Gui laughed comfortably. "These people didn't give us much face before. Let's see what they have to say this time!"
Xiao Ruxun smiled and shook his head. "After all, we are the vassals of the Daming, and in name, we are still the Prince of the Daming. We have to keep up appearances. Generals, don't be rude. Dismount with me."
"Yes, sir!"
After two big victories, Xiao Ruxun had won the morale of the army. In the army now, his words were more effective than anyone else's.
Ma Gui also sighed. Not arrogant in victory, not discouraged in defeat. Even after two great victories, he was still so calm. His little brother's progress was just too fast. Behind him, Li Rusong's face twitched. In the end, he shook his head and dismounted from his horse to follow behind. Things have changed with the passage of time. Xiao Ruxun's two great victories and the lives of 36,000 Wokou pirates had accumulated his prestige. It was no longer something he could shake with just a few words.
Li Rusong also had a premonition that if Xiao Ruxun could eliminate a large number of Japanese pirates and recover Korea, he would definitely be made a Marquis when he returned. His status would be even higher, and it would be a title of nobility due to his military contributions. He would have some face in front of the civil officials, not to mention the other minor officials. His father, Li Chengliang, had won ten big battles in his life before he was given the title of Earl. Who would have thought that after a few battles, Xiao Ruxun's achievements would be so remarkable?
The swords and cannons of the Japanese pirates had all been collected by Xiao Ruxun. He was prepared to bring them back to the Daming to study and improve them. Then, he would quickly manufacture flintlock muskets and tinker with the rifling so that the muskets could be used in the Ming Army. Although he knew that this matter was as difficult as ascending to heaven, Xiao Ruxun still wanted to do it.
About a hundred meters away from the King of Korea, Xiao Ruxun and all the other generals dismounted and walked to the front of the King of Korea. They cupped their fists and saluted: "This official pays respect to the King."
Then Xiao Ruxun said: "This official did not disappoint the mission and did not disappoint the trust of the Daming Emperor and the King. I annihilated 30,000 Japanese pirates and conquered Pyongyang. Now that there are no more Japanese pirates in the two provinces of Hamgyong, the King can send people to recover the two provinces and resume production."
This time, Li Zhi really shed tears. They were emotional, unlike the last time when he forcibly squeezed out a few drops of tears.
"On behalf of the elders of Korea, this King thanks the Daming Emperor and Admiral Xiao for their great kindness!"
Li Zhi took the lead and the other officials followed. They bowed deeply to the ground. Xiao Ruxun and the others also bowed slightly to return the gesture.
"This King has prepared a small banquet in the city to invite the generals. I hope that the generals will honor me with your presence. Please!"
"This official and the others are greatly honored!"
Xiao Ruxun represented everyone to attend the banquet in the city, while the soldiers returned to the previously built barracks to rest. Then, naturally, the North Koreans prepared a sumptuous dinner to reward these loveliest people. After a great victory, they could rest, eat meat, and have a good night's sleep. Although it seemed very ordinary, for the soldiers who were in the midst of battle, this was already an extremely luxurious enjoyment.
Li Zhi's banquet was also more sumptuous than the previous welcoming banquet. With Xiao Ruxun in the lead, more than 50 officers attended the banquet. Li Zhi had probably spared no expense, bringing out all the good dishes that the royal family had reserved for the sumptuous feast. Plate after plate of good dishes were placed on the table, and he treated the Daming Generals to a good meal to replenish their oil and water.
When marching and fighting, the generals did not necessarily eat better than the soldiers. Everyone had one dry meal and two watery meals. At most, the generals had more food to eat than the soldiers. As for the soldiers' food to eat, the better ones were given a piece of salted vegetables, and the worse ones were given a handful of salt to cook with the rice. In any case, the rations of the ancient armies mainly consisted of grains and salt, or salted vegetables to replace salt. There were very few other side dishes.
Without oil and water, they had to eat more and digest faster. Without nutrition, the soldiers could not become stronger. This was a deadlock that the armies of the Central Plains had been unable to solve since ancient times. Throughout the dynasties, the most powerful period of the army was in the early years of the founding of the country. At that time, the army was governed well, and the soldiers were provided with sufficient pay and rations. Some special units even had double rations. When they were full, they were strong, well-trained, and well-equipped. Naturally, their fighting strength would increase.
By the end of the dynasty, corruption was rampant in the army, and discipline was weak. Most of the soldiers' pay and rations were embezzled by the officers, and the soldiers did not receive enough pay and had to endure hunger. Their equipment was outdated and lacking. Such an army had problems with physical strength, let alone fighting strength. How could they be expected to win the war?
The first factor to improve the fighting strength of the army was to have a full stomach. This was more important than anything else.
Therefore, Xiao Ruxun had always been very concerned about the food of the army. During the march, he personally went to the cooks' barracks to observe how the cooks cooked, and then gave them guidance and improvements. However, the effect he could achieve was very limited. This was because the people in this era had too little to eat. Other than grain, there was only grain. The consumption of grain was also large, and there was not much nutrition. Everyone was emaciated and had no strength. Their physique could not keep up, and naturally, their fighting strength was not enough.
Xiao Ruxun tried his best to store meat for the soldiers to nourish their bodies. This time, he also collected cured meat and other meat from all over Liaodong for the army. When cooking, he chopped up the meat and added it to cook. During the battle, he also tried his best to make use of the meat and the dead horses to cook for the soldiers. The day before a fierce battle, he had to ensure that they had two dry meals. They also needed meat to eat. At the very least, there must be meat soup and enough salt for the soldiers to replenish their strength.
Many officers and soldiers of the army expressed that following Admiral Xiao not only guaranteed their lives, but the food was also good. They could taste meat from time to time, and it was much better than their previous days. They were willing to follow a general who cared about them. At the very least, he did not use them as cannon fodder and did his best. In that case, there was nothing more to say.
After all, since ancient times, there were always people who died in battles. If someone died, it could be considered bad luck, but it could not be blamed on Admiral Xiao, right?
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