~~~~~~~

Li Yuanqing was stunned, and his eyes narrowed slightly. What is this situation?

Through previous contacts and the past few days of marching, Li Yuanqing had an understanding of Mao Wenlong's temperament, or behavior, that could not be said to be very deep, but very intuitive.

No matter what he does or does, Mao Wenlong is very "artistic".

It can be said that he is upright and selfless, with clear rewards and punishments, but in many things, he is not single-minded and adheres to principles. He will make you feel acceptable and even comfortable within the scope of what he can accept.

This is why heroes like Chen Jisheng, Zhang Pan, and Chen Zhong all followed him wholeheartedly and embarked on this 'road to hell'.

When it comes to marching, he is even more cautious and pays tenfold attention to intelligence work. Everywhere he goes, there are at least a dozen sentinels scattered around.

These sentinels are basically his seeds when he was in the Kuoyang garrison. Although there are many new people at this time, there is no doubt about their abilities as the old lead the new.

But at this time, some fast horses actually came here. They were obviously not enemies, and they should be Mao Wenlong's backup.

Then~~, at this time and under this situation, what news did they bring?

…………

Niu Er, Chen Jisheng's personal soldier, was about thirty years old. His face was covered with ravines, and the vicissitudes of life were full of broken and dense stubble.

He was originally a hunter in Qinzhong, and he was very good at archery. Later, he committed a crime and was sent to Liaodong to serve as an army conscript.

Originally, he was not doing well in Liao, but by chance, he was taken in by Chen Jisheng, and he has been staying with Chen Jisheng. He can be said to be a personal soldier or a servant.

The military household system initiated by Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, was essentially to firmly control this huge empire for eternity.

But with the passage of time, more than two hundred years later, the so-called military household system has long been changed beyond recognition.

The current military system of the Ming Dynasty is a big military leader who leads countless small military leaders. Below the small military leader, there are small military leaders. Below that are the servants, and the lowest level is the most basic big soldier.

.

However, after all, Chen Jisheng only had the title of Chief Qian now, and Mao Wenlong hadn't risen yet. Apart from Niu Er, he only had two personal soldiers, both of whom were stout and strong men. They had a good relationship with Li Yuanqing, but they were not good at using bows and arrows.

In later generations, countless intellectuals and angry youths criticized the military household system of the Ming Dynasty, believing that this was the most important reason that hindered the combat effectiveness of the Ming army.

But Li Yuanqing was really in this era at this time, thinking about it personally. If an officer doesn't have a few brothers and confidants under his command, let alone on the battlefield, even if he encounters an ordinary fight, no one will protect him from the knife.

, no one will fight for you, so what energy do you have as an officer?

Although Li Yuanqing also agreed that the servant system consumed too many resources, in this era, affected by the Little Glacier, agricultural productivity in the Ming Dynasty, including the entire East Asia region, was extremely reduced and resources were seriously insufficient. With these limited resources, if no measures were taken,

With this method of 'protecting a small family', what can these generals do to maintain their majesty? Maintain their influence?

Niu Er also knew that although Li Yuanqing was young, he had a close friendship with his master Chen Jisheng. At this time, he naturally did not dare to deliberately encumber him. Seeing Li Yuanqing coming over, he hurriedly smiled and said: "Brother Yuanqing, what do you want to say today?"

Li Yuanqing smiled and handed the wine bottle to Niu Ershou, "Second brother, the general is busy with something. We have to run some errands."

As a man of two generations, Li Yuanqing naturally has a maturity that is not commensurate with his age in terms of worldly sophistication.

Over the past few days, Niu Er has also learned something about Li Yuanqing's temperament. This little brother, no matter what he says or does, is very stable and will not let you suffer.

He took a sip of strong wine, packed up his bow and arrows, and laughed loudly: "Hey, why is this hard work? Brother Yuanqing, come on, my second brother will show you his skills today."

…………

Li Yuanqing greeted his two younger brothers, Niu Er also greeted the three strong men under Chen Jisheng, and they quickly entered the dense forest in the southwest.

The reason why Li Yuanqing pestered Niu Er was that, on the one hand, he really wanted to hunt some wild animals and improve his living conditions. On the other hand, it was also the most critical reason. In this era, riding and shooting was fundamental. He wanted to do it without damaging his own body.

Under certain circumstances, bows and arrows are the most effective means of killing the enemy.

At least, at this stage, Li Yuanqing has not discovered any advantages of Ming Dynasty's crudely made firearms.

Isn’t it a matter of skill?

A few people wandered around the dense forest in the mountains for half an hour. It was already completely dark, and the harvest was pretty good.

Niu Er hunted five rabbits and two pheasants, and Li Yuanqing also hunted a rabbit. This was Li Yuanqing's first harvest since he learned bow and arrow. The other brothers also picked up a lot of mushrooms and dry goods.

The group returned to the camp happily and saw several of Mao Chenglu's soldiers walking down carrying a dark and fat wild boar.

The two sides looked at each other and couldn't help laughing. The food tonight was rich.

Although Niu Er was a little dissatisfied, he could only lament that he had the wrong idea and was not as lucky as them.

After returning, he gave the things to his younger brothers to pack, and asked one of his younger brothers to deliver the fattest portion to Mao Wenlong. Li Yuanqing and Niu Er were sitting by the tent, drinking wine and chatting about the world.

But in this regard, how could Niu Er be Li Yuanqing's opponent? In just a few words, his background was revealed.

Although Niu Er is a hunter, it has been passed down from his ancestors for several generations. He owns nearly a hundred acres of mountain land in the local area, and his family is quite good. He is also married to a pretty girl who has worked as a maid in a wealthy family.

But for some reasons, although his mother-in-law is good, Niu Er always feels that this wealthy family owes him something.

It was nothing at first, but as a man, as time goes by, he will inevitably feel resentful. In addition, after the sweet "honeymoon period", his mother-in-law also starts to act a little bit from time to time, dissatisfied with this and that.

After all, although Niu Er is considered a 'middle class', his life is still not as comfortable and comfortable as that of other wealthy people.

Slowly, Niu Er became more and more resentful, but he did not dare to get angry with his pretty wife. One night, with the help of alcohol and this skill, he quietly sneaked into the wealthy family's home.

.

Maybe the second young master of the wealthy family had too many good things and suffered retribution. When Niu Er left, he had already contracted the disease, and he had more air in and less air out.

Niu Er wanted to cover up his face and beat him up, to vent his anger, but when he saw this, wouldn't he have to pay for his life by giving this kid a good beating like this?

It happened that the second young master's wife came over to deliver medicine to the second young master.

This is the first time that Niu Er has seen such a beautiful woman. In comparison, his mother-in-law is really the difference between a maid and a princess.

For a moment, perhaps possessed by the devil, Niu Er did some treacherous things in front of the second young master...

But after doing it, Niu Er also regretted it. Unfortunately, there was no turning back arrow when he opened the bow, and it was difficult to draw back the water.

Although Niu Er knocked out the second young master's wife, the second young master saw this scene and was so angry that he actually died...

Afterwards, how could this wealthy family spare Niu Er?

Although the family scandal should not be publicized, people wanted to kill people to pay for it with their lives. Fortunately, Niu Er's old man spent most of his family property and found countless ways to save Niu Er's life.

However, Li Yuanqing noticed that although he felt inexplicable regrets about the past, when he talked about the most wonderful thing with the second young master and his wife, his expression couldn't help but shine with an inexplicable brilliance. Thinking about it, this matter~~~

, although the price was high, it was the biggest shining point in his life.

"Second brother, you are also a man of good temper. This matter was done happily. A man should behave like a man. We have no regrets." Li Yuanqing said with a smile.

Niu Er couldn't help laughing, "Come on, brother Yuanqing, let's leave one more brother."

Through Niu Er's mouth, Li Yuanqing also learned about the past of many "second-level soldiers" around him. Basically, they were all rebellious and rebellious people who were skilled and courageous.

This is actually the "sad" for the Liao region and even the entire Ming army.

From the perspective of future generations, the land in Liaodi is certainly good. Although the weather is cold, the Northeastern girls are hot.

But in this era, after all, it is a bitter and cold place outside the pass. As long as ordinary people have some skills, who will come to Liao land? Let alone become a soldier?

Sent to exile thousands of miles, this is the situation.

On a deeper level, although the local residents of Liao District can serve as excellent soldiers, there is a big gap at the grassroots officer level, and there is a serious lack of fresh blood. As for senior officers, they are almost all controlled by general families.

Combining many aspects, the combat effectiveness of the Liao army relies on 'second- and third-level' soldiers like Niu Er.

At this point, it would be better if there is a tailwind, but if there is a headwind...

Li Yuanqing could not comment on this state at this time. After all, fundamentally, Li Yuanqing and Niu Er were no different. They were both unruly people who ate nothing but "licking blood from the edge of a knife".

.

But in this way, there is more than one layer between the imperial court and the enlightenment of the big guys?

How can we use the power of the farming nation and the orthodoxy of the Central Plains to compete with the powerful Eight Banners cavalry?

…………

Li Yuanqing and Niu Er drank wine outside the tent for more than half an hour before Chen Jisheng hurried back.

Li Yuanqing noticed that Chen Jisheng's expression was very solemn.

Niu Er originally wanted to show off today's victory to Chen Jisheng, but when he saw Chen Jisheng's face, he could only swallow his words back in his stomach. He hurried to the side and ordered his younger brother to heat up the dishes and prepare for the meal.

At this time, Li Yuanqing naturally didn't say much and just handed the jug to Chen Jisheng.

Chen Jisheng took a big gulp, looked at Li Yuanqing, and then looked at the distant night sky. After a long time, he said in a deep voice: "Liaoyang~~ has been lost."

Although Li Yuanqing had known the course of history for a long time, when he heard Chen Jisheng say these words, his heart still tightened, and he hurriedly whispered: "Brother, when did it happen?"

"Not long ago, although Master Chengdou was rescued, his wife, Mrs. Wen..."

Although Chen Jisheng didn't say it clearly, why didn't Li Yuanqing understand what he meant?

The small ones were saved, but the big ones were not saved.

Mao Wenlong's first wife, Mrs. Zhang, has always lived in Hangzhou. Because she was sterile and had no children, Mao Wenlong's son Mao Chengdou was the son of his newly married concubine, the Wen family, in Liaoyang. When he got old, he had a son, so it was natural to show weakness and treasure, but now …

This is really a hatred between the country and the family.

A man who is already in an important guerrilla position cannot even protect his wife and son. How ironic is this?

When an ordinary man is angry, his blood will be splashed five steps, let alone a hero like Mao Wenlong?

The two were silent for a long time. Li Yuanqing took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Brother, how is the general's mood now?"

*************************************************** ***************

Note: Shenyang fell on March 13th in the first year of Tianqi, and Liaoyang was besieged by the Jin army on March 18th and fell on March 21st. There was only five days in between. Here, due to the needs of the plot, the pig's feet are The day when I got the news was delayed for a few days.
Chapter completed!