Chapter 006: The Two Generals

If it were before the tragic change at home, his state of mind would certainly be entirely different from now. He still holds great admiration for Qi Jiguang, but the resentment in his heart is difficult to dissipate in the moment. His impression of the officials and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty is extremely negative. Now, witnessing this scene, he is overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions.

The initial movements of the Mongolian invasion of the Han region were quite significant. To ensure stability, the court urgently dispatched orders to the Liao garrison to support the defenses of the Jizhen border walls, in order to prevent a large-scale incursion by the Tatars

How to calculate, the road ahead is indeed very perilous...! ... But now that it has come to this, we can only proceed step by step!

At the time of departure, Yang Da looked towards the place where Qi Jiguang and Li Chengliang had disappeared and sincerely said: "When the time comes, our Duke's residence will truly be impressive when we take command of the troops again"

Zhang Weigong was called up, and Chun Ge and Qiu Ge picked up their luggage. They then bid farewell to several military officials from Jizhen before setting off again.

After the cavalry, there were over one hundred musketeers dressed in bright red, wearing blue round hats adorned with red tassels. They were clad in battle jackets, with iron net skirts below their knees. Their attire was all newly made or freshly washed, and they appeared very upright and handsome.

Although Yang Da does not bear the surname Zhang, he is nonetheless a household servant of the Duke's residence, having served for several generations. Observing the commanding presence of these military leaders from the outer provinces, he cannot help but feel a tinge of melancholy in his heart

Moreover, Zhang Weigong has his own concerns. In recent days, he has been pretending to be an ignorant child, which has significantly reduced the vigilance of Yang Da and others towards him. Just now, during the banquet, many secrets were revealed.

Li Chengliang was well aware of the situation. He had already taken enough heads in Liaodong and did not care about this small achievement before him. During this entry into the capital from Liaozhen, only Tao Youji had beheaded more than 50 enemies, so it was not a wasted trip. As for whether any of the heads were fake, he did not have the time to investigate thoroughly. At least he had some merit, and that was enough for everyone to save face.

The cavalry from Liaodong advanced with a momentum distinct from that of Jizhen, surging forward in large waves like the ceaseless flow of the Yellow River. The thunderous sound of galloping hooves shook the very earth, causing the cups and dishes in the tavern to tremble incessantly. Such a display would instill fear in any ordinary person, and even Yang Da and his companions appeared somewhat alarmed and pale.

Qi Jiguang was older than Li Chengliang and achieved fame much earlier. When Qi Jiguang became the general, Li Chengliang had just begun his official duties. At the time Qi Jiguang's name resounded throughout the world, Li Chengliang was only slightly known in Liaodong. When the two met, Li Chengliang urged his horse to quicken its pace, ultimately arriving first to pay his respects to Qi Jiguang, which could be considered a gesture of three parts respect.

His father is a high-ranking official in the Duke's residence, specifically the heir to the future Duke. As for the few individuals referred to as the Second Master by Yang Da, they harbor ulterior motives. These individuals were sent by the Second Master to find him, and it is likely that they do not have good intentions.

Li Chengliang was also a general in his fifties, with a square face and a few strands of long beard. He possessed the full authority of a high-ranking commander. Although his gaze was not as radiant as that of Qi Jiguang, it was still distinctly spirited, and in his glances, an imposing presence naturally emerged

However, he himself also knows that it is impossible. Not to mention the two current masters, even the previous generation cannot wield swords or draw bows. The scenes of restoring the glory of their ancestors are something they have never even dreamed of.

Of course it is General Li! The military officer who just clasped fists in reconciliation with Yang Da is dressed in the attire of a Qianhu, wearing a bronze medal and a fur coat made of bear skin, which classifies him as a mid-level military officer in Jizhen. At this moment, his face is filled with excitement as he points to the large group of cavalry rushing in, saying: "Isn't that person in the middle General Li?"

Yes, indeed, indeed

At this point, Yang Da and others were deeply shaken. They had just spoken recklessly, and if these few individuals were to persist and cause a scene, in front of Qi Jiguang, it is feared that even the prestige of the Duke's residence would not be able to match the significance of the situation.

Qi Shuai

Fifth Brother, it is time for us to leave

From the west of the long street, a small detachment of cavalry approached, all clad in bright helmets and shining armor, bearing red flags, and adorned in red outer robes or capes, presenting a most formidable appearance

Tao Yuji

Beside him, dozens of generals were clad in various colored iron armor, some adorned with bright mirrors on their chests, others featuring intricate mountain patterns, or finely forged, emanating a cold, striking gleam of metal

Several military officials from Jizhen were crouched by the window, secretly observing the movements below. Although they were not on duty today, it was still inappropriate for officials of their rank to visit a tavern that hosted courtesans, which made their behavior somewhat furtive. However, when they saw a large number of cavalry approaching from the east, they could not help but exclaim in surprise

Following the musketeers, there was another group of cavalry bearing various flags. After them came the renowned General Qi Jiguang, who commanded an army of one hundred thousand, stationed at Jizhen, serving as a bulwark for the northern defenses of the capital.

Back then, my father did not dare to acknowledge the account, wiping his mouth after indulging, at the very least, he was someone without any restraint. As for the old master in the mansion and that Lady Zhao, their roles in this matter were likely significant; otherwise, how could a perfectly healthy son be driven out? Given the prevailing custom in the Ming Dynasty that there are three unfilial acts, the most serious of which is having no descendants, this noble lord of the Duke's residence must have an unusually broad mind.

The warhorses below are like dragons, with soldiers gathering, their swords and spears forming a dense forest, exuding a formidable aura of power and menace. After a while, the troops once again vanished, and the crowd that had just been dispersed began to gather once more.

The two men exchanged courteous gestures, and Qi Jiguang expressed a few words of gratitude to the Liaodong garrison for their support while on horseback. Of course, it was merely a formality; under his management, the Jizhen garrison was as stable as a mountain. If there were no large-scale military conflicts, the Liaodong garrison would merely be seeking credit.

The father and the book appear to be the legitimate heirs, set to inherit the title. Currently, there are no children under their knees. The younger brother is making a long journey to help his elder brother find an heir. It seems like a case of lifting a stone only to drop it on one's own foot. Is there really such a foolish person? It certainly does not seem so!

This is a matter of written words and should not be taken literally. Later, Qi Jiguang continuously deployed troops from Zhejiang to Jizhen to undermine the northern generals who did not obey him. By the second year of the Wanli era, the Zhejiang troops in Jizhen exceeded 20,000, with almost all the direct commanders being from the south. The entire Jizhen was as if it were an extension of his own arm, achieving success in every endeavor.

In the army of the Ming Dynasty, red was predominant; whether in banners or uniforms, red was the primary color

At this time, Qi Jiguang was over fifty years old, yet sitting on his horse, he maintained an upright posture, effortlessly controlling the reins with one hand. When he glanced around, his eyes sparkled with vitality, completely unlike a seasoned general on the verge of old age

With a sigh, Wei Gong took his seat on the mule cart, accompanied by three others, as they headed westward, moving along the winding path.

A misunderstanding has been resolved, and both sides stand by the window, gazing at the scene on the street

In Chun Ge'er’s eyes, it seemed as if he was about to spit fire; evidently, this sum of a few dozen coins represented a considerable fortune to him

The legendary figure in writing passed by with such grandeur, leaving Zhang Weigong with a multitude of emotions.

Zhang Weigong was also greatly shocked; the Ming army before him represented a transitional period of mixed strengths and weaknesses. Whether in terms of equipment, morale, or the movements displayed during their march, all indicated excellent training and demeanor

This measure is due to the fact that the Liao Town is directly facing the various factions of the Han and Tu Man on its left side, with frequent interactions. General Li Chengliang of Liao Town achieved sufficient military merit and prestige through his dealings with the Han faction, becoming the chief commander stationed in Liaodong. Prior to him, the court had lost three generals in battle within ten years. After he took office, he consistently achieved victories against the Han faction, making his transfer to the guard a matter of course

In each person's hand was a slender iron firearm, with a long barrel emitting a ghostly blue glow. The stock was made of high-quality hardwood, polished smoothly and stained. The entire firearm was crafted with meticulous attention to materials and workmanship. Although it was merely a small squad of over one hundred firearms, their formation and movement conveyed a sense of threat and oppression far surpassing that of the earlier small cavalry unit

Li Shuai

As for the respect that the military officials in Jizhen have for Li Chengliang, it is also due to his military achievements. He would often lead hundreds of iron cavalry in fierce assaults, directly targeting the strongholds of enemy tribal leaders, frequently engaging in battles over a thousand miles, taking the initiative with light cavalry. If Qi Jiguang is as steady as Mount Tai, then Li Chengliang is like a tiger descending the mountain. In terms of their styles, Li Chengliang earns the admiration and worship of the more aggressive military officials.

He still does not know the full name of General Tao, but that is of no concern; it is only a matter of time before he finds out!

Li Chengliang preferred cavalry charges, and his subordinates were equipped for long-distance campaigns. In terms of morale, the troops from Jizhen were steady, while the cavalry from Liaozhen displayed an air of nonchalance, their fierce demeanor adding a touch of wild agility.

Zhang Weigong's gaze, however, remained fixed on a general from Liao Town. Just moments ago, he felt detached from the situation, but now his eyes revealed a hint of ferocity and coldness.

No wonder Commander Qi personally came to welcome us, Commander Li deserves it

Li Shuai? Yang Daye, overshadowed by this, exclaimed: "Could it be that General Li Shuai of Liao Town has arrived at Jizhen?"

Yang Da did not notice anything unusual about Zhang Weigong; what could a six or seven-year-old child possibly exhibit that is different? Even if the child's complexion seemed off, it was merely a reaction to the recent situation. After all, children from the mountains have limited exposure.

He remained silent, his entire body leaning against the window. His ten fingers clutched the window frame of the * picture * book tightly, his nails already turning white from the pressure

Their mules were all fed with fine grain by the shop assistant. After settling the accounts, they paid a total of 2 taels of silver, which covered the costs of meals and fodder. The shop assistant was supposed to return a few dozen coins, but Yang Da waved his hand, signaling that it was not necessary.

Li Shuai, Li Shuai has also arrived!

All generals and commanders exude a sense of self-importance, their faces brimming with confidence

Zhang Weigong is, after all, a university student and has read several books. The story of Qi Jiguang fighting against the Japanese pirates is well-known. When he went to the north to train soldiers, he initially struggled to gain the trust of the troops. Later, he summoned 3,000 soldiers from Zhejiang, who stood ready in the rain. Despite the torrential downpour, the Zhejiang soldiers remained completely still. The local commanders in Jizhen were astonished and exclaimed, "Is the might of General Qi truly this formidable?" This won their hearts, and from then on, Jizhen was well-governed. Despite the torrential downpour, the Zhejiang soldiers remained completely still. The local commanders in Jizhen were astonished and exclaimed, "Is the might of General Qi truly this formidable?" This won their hearts, and from then on, Jizhen was well-governed

After exchanging pleasantries, the two distinguished guests, surrounded by a large entourage, proceeded towards the residence that Qi Jiguang had prepared for Li Chengliang.

All the cavalry wear cherry helmets on their heads and are clad in cotton armor embedded with copper studs. The armor is fastened with copper clasps at the front, and a heart-protecting copper mirror is added in the middle, making it appear both lightweight and reasonably protective.

In today's world, the three great masters are Li Chengliang from Liaodong, Qi Jiguang from Jizhen, and Yu Dayou from Fujian. To encounter two of these great masters in a single day, Zhang Weigong can be considered exceptionally fortunate

In the center of the cavalry regiment, there is a general clad in mountain-patterned armor, occupying the most prominent position, whose appearance is the most striking and eye-catching

In his regret, Yang Da also found it strange that Qi Jiguang had set up such a grand display, seemingly to welcome a certain guest. In fact, General Qi considered his own contributions significant and viewed ordinary military generals as mere servants, showing even less willingness to bow to civil officials with the courtesy of a lower-ranking official. Among the several governors of Jilin and Liaoning, only Tan Lun could impress him with his qualifications and military achievements. This time, it was unclear who possessed such extraordinary favor that they could prompt General Qi to arrange such a ceremony for a personal welcome.