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This is a middle-aged man with a thin body and a withered face, his expression is full of depression and depression, like a lone wolf waiting for death.

He was wearing the uniforms of a hundred military attachés, mingling among the many soldiers, and watched quietly as Zhao Junchen personally awarded silver and pensions to the soldiers.

Zhao Junchen personally awarded the reward and pension this time, only for the lower-level military attachés and low-level soldiers of the new army, but this man is obviously a middle-level military attache in the army, and his appearance here is naturally eye-catching, so it has slightly attracted Zhao Junchen's attention.

Zhao Junchen didn't particularly care about it originally, but after Zhao Junchen's gaze swept over this person, he found that this man was faintly familiar, and he couldn't help but take a few more serious looks.

After the man found Zhao Junchen staring at him, his expression changed slightly, and he immediately turned around and left.

At this time, Zhao Junchen finally recalled the identity of this man, and couldn't help frowning, and suddenly shouted: "You are Zhang Cheng!" Stop me! ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's shout, the man's body trembled slightly, and finally stopped, and slowly turned to face Zhao Junchen, but he lowered his head and didn't dare to look at Zhao Junchen.

On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's shout, Niu Fude on the side also noticed this man, and after seeing the appearance of this man, he couldn't help but be dumbfounded, and said in surprise: "He is Zhang Cheng?" How can it be! Why did he become like this? ”

At the beginning, in order to completely control the situation in the Huamachi Battalion, Zhao Junchen killed Shi Song, the former chief soldier of the Huamachi Battalion, and received 3,000 private soldiers under Shi Song, and Zhang Cheng was one of Shi Song's private leaders.

Zhang Cheng is a martial artist, it can be said that he is familiar with the art of war, both civil and military, and is a rare talent in the Shaanxi-Gansu border army, plus he has always been diligent after taking refuge in Zhao Junchen, so he has won Zhao Junchen's attention and trust.

After Zhao Junchen formed the New Army, Zhang Cheng soon showed his superior ability, and was appreciated by He Zhang, the commander of the New Army, and was appointed as the commander of the second battalion of the New Army, and became one of the core military attaches of the New Army.

However, although Zhang Cheng is very capable, his luck is not good.

After the formation of the new army of soldiers, Zhang Cheng was ordered to lead two battalions of infantry to Gansu to recruit those border army generals who supported the army and respected themselves and did not obey military orders, but during the period when Zhang Cheng led the army to attack the rebellion, the Mongolian coalition army suddenly invaded Shaanxi and Gansu, blocking Zhang Cheng's way back to Huamachi Camp, so Zhang Cheng and the two battalions of infantry under his command could only stay in Gansu and could not participate in the follow-up war, and waited until the end of the Weishui War to join Zhao Junchen's main army.

As a result, Zhang Cheng and his officers and men also lost the opportunity to kill the enemy and make meritorious contributions, and naturally they were not eligible to receive a silver reward for military merit and a pension for war wounds.

Now, while most of the soldiers of the New Army are extremely excited because Zhao Junchen personally awarded them a reward and a pension, the two battalions of infantry under Zhang Cheng did not appear in the military playground from beginning to end, but just hid in the camp and complained about the injustice of God and bad luck.

Zhao Junchen's attention and appreciation for Zhang Cheng has not changed, he originally planned to summon Zhang Cheng to appease him in a few days, and Zhao Junchen still has a plan to recover the Hetao in the future, and there will naturally be a lot of opportunities to make up for Zhang Cheng's military losses.

But Zhao Junchen never expected that he would suddenly see Zhang Cheng on such an occasion.

What Zhao Junchen didn't expect even more was that he hadn't seen him for a while, and Zhang Cheng had completely changed his appearance.

In Zhao Junchen's memory, Zhang Cheng is handsome, tall and strong, and always has a calm and confident expression, but now Zhang Cheng is thin and almost skinny, his face is withered and gray without blood, and his expression has lost his former calm self-confidence, and anyone can feel his depression.

Zhang Cheng has changed so much, it is no wonder that Zhao Junchen did not recognize his identity at first, and it is no wonder that Niu Fude felt incredible.

After confirming Zhang Cheng's identity, Zhao Junchen walked quickly in front of Zhang Cheng, frowned and looked at Zhang Cheng again, and then asked in a deep voice: "After the Weishui War ended, Ben Qincha received the news that you had returned, but I haven't seen you in the past few days. Tell me, what's going on? How did you get to this point? Is it hurt? Or are you sick? And why do you want to avoid Benchincha? ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Zhang Cheng hung his head and said tremblingly: "It's useless to be lowly!" It's shameless to see Lord Qincha! The situation of lowly duty and lowly duty is really unspeakable! ”

Seeing Zhang Cheng's performance, Zhao Junchen's brows furrowed more and more, he took a step forward and walked in front of Zhang Cheng, lowered his voice slightly, and asked in a stern tone: "You are the first batch of border military attachés to follow Ben Qincha, and you are the descendant of Ben Qincha, and Ben Qincha has always been optimistic about you, what do you have not to say to Ben Qincha?" What the hell is going on? Say! ”

Zhang Cheng's expression became more and more ashamed and depressed, and he said in a low voice: "A few days ago, I received the news that I learned that Lord Qincha was about to have a decisive battle with the Mongolian coalition army on the south bank of Weishui, so I couldn't wait to lead the two battalions of soldiers under my command to rush to the direction of Weishui, but who would have thought that because the road was too urgent, the mount under the command of the lowly post was actually a horse that lost its front hoof, and the lowly fell from the horse, and was trampled by the hooves of the follow-up cavalry, and was trampled on two ribs......

…… After the ribs were broken, one of the broken bones scratched the internal organs of the lowly position, since then, it was just a short period of more than ten days, the lowly position has become like this, completely turned into a sick seedling, the body does not even have three or two strength, the former bow and horse skills have also been completely lost, the lowly soldiers have also delayed the trip because of the sudden injury of the lowly position, failed to catch up with the decisive battle of Weishui, and missed the opportunity to make meritorious contributions......

…… The humble post has lost a body of martial arts, and he is ashamed of the importance of Lord Qincha, and he has also failed to live up to the trust of his comrades, this situation is obviously not suitable for continuing to stay in the army, fortunately, the family of the humble post is still rich, and he originally planned to leave quietly after recuperating a little in the next few days, but after hearing that Lord Qincha is going to award awards to all meritorious soldiers in the military field today, he thought that he had been in the army for several years and had achieved nothing, so he couldn't help but come over and take a peek, but he didn't expect to be discovered by Lord Qincha immediately! ”

When explaining, Zhang Cheng's voice trembled, and he didn't dare to look up at Zhao Junchen from beginning to end.

After hearing Zhang Cheng's explanation, Zhao Junchen finally understood Zhang Cheng's experience and mood.

Zhang Cheng's appearance, if he was injured on the battlefield, it would also be a soldier's fate worth boasting about; If it is because of a sudden illness, it can also complain about the injustice of the sky and the bad luck; But Zhang Cheng was too unlucky, all because he accidentally fell off the horse, and was broken by the horse's hooves and broke his ribs and injured his lungs, and in the end, not only did he lose his military merits and live up to Zhao Junchen's trust, but even he became a weak sick man, and he lost all his martial arts.

Therefore, Zhang Cheng's mood can be imagined, not only is his ambition put into flowing water, but his heart is full of self-blame and despair.

Under such circumstances, Zhang Cheng had no shame to see himself, and it was natural that he wanted to leave the army.

Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, he didn't expect that Zhang Cheng, whom he valued a lot, would end up like this, and he would leave the army for an inexplicable reason without any achievements.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "This can't be blamed on you, when riding a horse and galloping, even the best rider does not dare to guarantee that he will not have an accident, maybe just a stone on the road will turn over on his back...... What does the military doctor say after you diagnose you? Are your injuries life-threatening? Is there any hope for recovery? ”

Zhang Cheng's voice became deeper and deeper, and he replied: "I have asked a military doctor to diagnose it, the internal organs were scratched by the ribs, fortunately there are no broken bones, and now the ribs have been reduced, but the injuries to the internal organs are already incurable. ”

Zhao Junchen was silent for a moment, and then suddenly said: "Don't leave the army for the time being, there will be a famous doctor in the world coming to Huamachi Camp in the next few days, if he comes to treat you, even if you can't recover completely, it should be able to eliminate some hidden dangers for you!" You are a martial artist, and you have experience in commanding soldiers, familiar with military books, both civil and military, that is, there is no lack of insight and wisdom of literati, nor lack of courage and perseverance of martial artists, you are a rare talent, and I have always admired your talent, so it is a pity to let you leave the army and live in obscurity for a lifetime......

Speaking of this, after Zhao Junchen pondered for a while, he seemed to think of something, and finally made a decision, saying: "In this way, you can leave the border army, but you will still do things for me in the future, I will bring you to the capital in the future and give you a chance to take charge and prove yourself!" ”

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhang Cheng's eyes suddenly lit up and he recovered a little spirit.

He is also an ambitious person, if the famous doctor Zhao Junchen said can indeed eliminate hidden physical dangers for him, he is naturally willing to continue to work for Zhao Junchen!

After seeing Zhang Cheng's spirit a little uplifted, Zhao Junchen nodded lightly, and said: "It's not just you, among the many wounded soldiers in the army, some of them have broken hands, some people have sloping feet, and they can no longer hold knives and guns in the future, they are not suitable to continue to be soldiers, but it does not affect daily life, they must have the same thoughts as you to leave the border army to make a living, you should pay more attention these days, ask them what they think on my behalf, if they are willing to continue to serve me, You will gather them together and organize them, and return to Beijing with me in the future, and when I return to the capital, I will arrange an errand for all of them that will be enough to make them worry-free in this life!" ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhang Cheng's spirit was lifted again, and he finally lost his previous depressed appearance, and said excitedly: "Lord Qincha is merciful, and he is still worried about those disabled comrades in the army, and he is here to thank Lord Qincha for his great kindness for all the wounded soldiers!" ”

After speaking, Zhang Cheng was about to kneel down and salute Zhao Junchen, but he was just bent over and bent his knees before being supported by Zhao Junchen.

Zhao Junchen said softly: "Your condition has not healed, don't toss!" ”

Zhang Cheng was not reluctant, but said solemnly: "This time, I will never live up to the trust of Lord Qincha!" ”

After speaking, Zhang Cheng bowed to Zhao Junchen, and then turned to leave.

Looking at Zhang Cheng's back, a smile flashed at the corner of Zhao Junchen's mouth.

In fact, Zhao Junchen's decision seems to be for the sake of the wounded soldiers in the army, but Zhao Junchen himself will only benefit more.

As the dust settles in the Shaanxi-Gansu War, Zhao Junchen has gained a lot of military merits and prestige, and it is foreseeable that Zhao Junchen's power and influence will inevitably soar in the future.

For Zhao Junchen, the biggest shortcoming today is the lack of foundation, and the lack of enough loyal subordinates under his hands.

Zhao Junchen now has too many unknown hidden plans to promote, and it is inevitable that the stalls are too big, such as the Jubao Merchant Company, which is responsible for infiltrating the army, the United Ship Company, which is responsible for controlling the Hui merchants, the Tongji Temple, which is responsible for collecting intelligence, the Storytelling Guild, which is responsible for manipulating public opinion, and the various fields used to resettle the refugees.

Previously, in order to promote many of his plans, Zhao Junchen could only draw people from Zhao Mansion and "Yuerong Fang" most of the time, and now he has been powerless and overstretched.

Now, if a group of people can be taken away from the wounded soldiers of the new army, it will just solve Zhao Junchen's urgent need.

Most of these wounded soldiers injured their hands and feet, which did not prevent them from continuing to work for Zhao Junchen in the future.

The most important thing is that after Zhao Junchen has bribed the hearts of the army many times, these people are already absolutely loyal to Zhao Junchen, and Zhao Junchen can rest assured that some confidential matters will be handed over to them!

Zhao Junchen doesn't need them to be smart, and he doesn't ask them to be in charge of too important things, just need them to faithfully complete some seemingly insignificant small tasks!

For example, the United Shipping Company needs to arrange a large number of manpower to monitor the movement of goods on merchant ships; The large amount of land accumulated by Zhao Junchen during this period also required a large number of people to organize refugees to cultivate, the Jubao Trading Company also needed a large number of men, and the Tongji Temple needed a large number of loyal and reliable manpower when collecting intelligence.

For Zhao Junchen, the most important thing is the word "loyalty".

Experience and insight can be cultivated slowly, and wisdom can be selected slowly, but the word "loyalty" is the most rare!

In this world, smart people can be seen everywhere, especially those officials in the temple, all of them are too smart, but there are very few loyal people, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are the most rare resources in the world.

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