When Xiao Ruxun received the news from the cabinet about recalling meritorious soldiers to the capital, Xiao Ruxun had already taken the army to rest and reorganize in Datong for more than ten days.
The tens of thousands of soldiers who went to the Northern Frontier had completely recovered from the tense atmosphere of blood and fire. They no longer talked about killing and killing, nor did they talk about beheading and performing meritorious deeds. They slowly returned to the state before the war.
But since they were still under the command of Xiao Ruxun, and since Xiao Ruxun was still their governor, he would not let them return to their original state so quickly. The army that had returned to their daily lives, under Xiao Ruxun's suggestion, the entire army launched an extremely rich variety of daily activities to replace training.
For example, the Zhennan Army held a martial arts competition that was as important as the sports competition. Each army would select the best soldiers to compete with each other, and the winner would receive all kinds of rewards.
This kind of custom did not not exist in other armies, but there really was no army like the Zhennan Army that institutionalized and standardized it. The Zhennan Army was unique.
There were knife competitions, shooting competitions, shooting competitions, horse-riding competitions, and so on. The competition of many battlefield skills made the whole army very happy. Not only the soldiers, but even the officers and generals were very happy.
Not only was the reward of silver very tempting, but the satisfaction and pride after winning was also the reason why they could not not accept this kind of activity.
These competitions were a competition of individual ability, but at the same time, it was also a competition of the level of military training. In this regard, the Zhennan Army, which had the best training in the entire army, was in the limelight.
Although the number of people was small, they could almost get a ranking in almost every event. Among the more than forty events, the soldiers of the Zhennan Army won first place in twenty-six. Xiao Ruxun stipulated that every first place would receive a reward of fifty silver, which made many soldiers rich quickly.
The other armies were jealous, but there was nothing they could do. They could not beat them.
It was obviously a very ordinary military training program. You could not say that the Zhennan Army had cheated. Xiao Ruxun had not taken out the unique training program of the Zhennan Army. This was a training program that should be carried out by the entire Ming Dynasty Army. They were not as skilled as others, so who could they blame?
Generals did not compete with soldiers. It would be very embarrassing if they did not understand the hierarchy, so generals competed with other generals. Xiao Ruxun became the arbiter and convinced everyone.
The reward for the winner was 100 taels of silver, which was double that of the soldiers. There were fewer competitors, so it seemed easy, but the competition was much stronger.
For example, the Liaodong General Regiment under Li Rusong, including the Jurchen cavalry of Nurhachi, had a very strong military force. Apart from the officer regiment of the Zhennan Army, all the other general regiments were pressed to the ground.
The Taiyuan General Regiment lost very badly. Dong Yiyuan felt ashamed, so he personally went to compete with the Liaodong General Regiment. Seeing his subordinates lose three times in a row, Li Rusong also felt ashamed, so he personally went to compete with Dong Yiyuan. The two of them had a very exciting fight.
In the end, it was Li Rusong who was more ferocious and defeated Dong Yiyuan. Dong Yiyuan lost so badly that he gave 100 taels of silver to Li Rusong.
Li Rusong's smile was one of pride.
Thanks to these competitions, the soldiers weren't bored. While they were repairing the Great Wall, they had a very fulfilling time. They were able to eat their fill every day, and everyone felt that if military life was like this, there wouldn't be so many deserters.
Unfortunately, this was just a thought.
Everyone, including Li Rusong, knew that the time to say goodbye would come.
Finally, on the second of May, the imperial court's edict was delivered to the Ming Army Camp at Shahukou. The Inspector of Datong, Fang Shoushi, personally accompanied the official from the cabinet to the Ming Army Camp to announce the Emperor's order to recall the meritorious officers and soldiers to the capital to participate in the prisoner offering ceremony.
The Emperor officially announced the recall of the meritorious officers and soldiers to the capital to be rewarded.
Everyone's heart was excited and sad.
The soldiers of Taiyuan and Yulin knew very well that once Xiao Ruxun left, it would be very difficult for him to return. They did not know when they would meet again, nor did they know if there would be another chance.
Xiao Ruxun would leave this place and go to where he should go. Everyone would also return to their stations and start their own lives again. They might not see each other again in this life.
Xiao Ruxun announced that the previously selected meritorious officers and soldiers would leave on the fourth of May. As guests, the Zhennan Army and the Liaodong Army would also leave at the same time. The Taiyuan Army and the Yulin Army would also return to their original stations.
For most people, the separation would only happen in two days.
In the last two days, Xiao Ruxun raised the standard of food for everyone to the best. Every day, they could eat meat, dry rice, and drink meat soup. They could see him every day. He tried his best to appear in front of the soldiers all the time.
He encouraged every soldier not to forget this part of the journey and to be a brave and good soldier. If Northern Barbarians came again, they would raise their swords and chop them up. They should not waste their former courage.
The time to say goodbye approached. On the evening of the third of May, Xiao Ruxun held a grand celebration banquet. Although it was called a celebration banquet, it was actually a farewell banquet. It was a farewell banquet for the comrades who had been honed on the battlefield.
Fang Shoushi took Sun Chengzong with him to the banquet.
Seeing many soldiers hugging their heads and crying, and even some of the more senior officers hugging their heads and crying, Fang Shoushi and Sun Chengzong each had their own feelings.
"If we could have such an army guarding the border of Datong, we wouldn't have to worry about the Northern Barbarians invading! Unfortunately, there is only one such army, and only one person can lead it out. "
Fang Shoushi sighed as he drank his porridge.
"This is an elite army, a true elite army. Daming, if there were 100,000 of such an army, who in the world would be a match for them?"
Sun Chengzong was also very emotional.
"Unfortunately, there is only one Xiao Zhennan, and there is only one such army. Moreover, Xiao Zhennan's return to the capital this time can be said to be uncertain. We don't know what the final outcome will be."
Hearing Fang Shoushi's words, Sun Chengzong hurriedly asked, "Did Minister Shen reply to Dong Weng?"
"No." Fang Shoushi shook his head.
"In my opinion, he won't reply to me either. I'm just an old man, and he doesn't care about me at all. He has other, more important things in his eyes. The words of a lowly person carry little weight. If I were from Hanlin Academy, it would be different. Unfortunately, I'm not."
Fang Shoushi looked at Sun Chengzong and said with a smile, "Zhisheng, if you are ambitious, you should get into the top three. At the very least, you should be selected as a concubine and enter Hanlin Academy. Only by entering Hanlin Academy can you finally realize the ideals of scholars. Otherwise, in the end, you will only be like me, living a careless life."
Fang Shoushi's words were filled with a strong sense of helplessness.
"Dong Weng …"
Sun Chengzong didn't know what to say.
However, these days, Sun Chengzong was also thinking and imagining.
What he saw was far too different from what he had imagined all along.
That night was destined to be a sleepless night.
On the morning of the 4th of May, the soldiers of the Ming Army woke up early. The army cooks prepared the last breakfast. After the soldiers had their breakfast, it was time to bid farewell.
All good things must come to an end. Parting was something that would happen sooner or later. However, it was not easy to find a general who could truly win the respect of the soldiers and make them feel a sense of belonging.
Although many soldiers' eyes were red from crying, Xiao Ruxun still had to leave.
"Governor-General Xiao, it can be said that there are dangers everywhere in the capital. When you go back this time, you must be careful! Shen Yicheng seems to be a gentle person, but he is actually ruthless. This time, you have violated his taboo. At this critical moment, he will not let you go. You must be careful! "
Fang Shoushi could only say this and try his best.
Of course, Xiao Ruxun also knew that when he returned this time, he might encounter some unexpected things.
However, no matter what, he had to go back and face those challenges.
"Thank you for reminding me, Lord Fang. I will remember all of this. However, no matter what Shen Yicheng wants to do or what he thinks, I will only do what I should do. I will do it openly and impeccably. Since that is the case, why should I be afraid?"
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