The Silent Reforms of Eldridge Chapter 59

Zhang Xiaohu is the son of Zhang Hutou. He is wretched and does not follow the right path. He missed a military flight in Yangzhou and was almost killed by Qi Xiang. He was later sent to Xinjiang. Shengshuai and Qixiang have always been at odds, so Zhang Xiaohu begged Shengshuai to report to the emperor and allow him to defect to the military camp and serve. He nominally led 200 troops, but in fact he had less than 50. He falsely reported more than 150 troops and took advantage of his empty pay. It was really unconscionable. Commander Sheng sent me to check the number of soldiers and bravery. I advised Zhang Xiaohu: "The bravery of your soldiers is too different from what is in the book. I'm afraid it won't be easy to handle." He didn't take my words seriously either. During both sieges, he claimed that he was wounded by a gun: once in the neck, which was wrapped in silk, but he recovered within three days; the second time, he claimed that a bullet flew into his mouth. According to him, the bullet flew into his mouth. Already excreted in the stool. Zhang Xiaohu was talking nonsense, and everyone covered their mouths and laughed. For such a person, Commander-in-Chief actually rewarded him with a sixth-grade crown. The rewards and punishments in the army are so ridiculous!

On the second day of April, the bandits from Qingshui Town came out in full force and rushed towards the camp. With their great victory over the camp on the 29th of last month, the bandits were very proud. But as the saying goes, arrogant soldiers will be defeated. In order to avenge the previous humiliation, in this battle, the victorious commander personally came to take command of the enemy, and the brave soldiers also rushed to serve. The rebel army was defeated and fled, retreating into the wooden fence. On this day, the officers and soldiers killed nearly 10,000 bandits and captured several yellow sedan chairs and many flags and equipment belonging to the bandit generals; the bandit leader Zeng Lichang hanged himself to death. The remaining bandits fled south, and the officers and soldiers tried their best to pursue them. The bandits were not allowed to rest day and night, and they had no place to snatch food. The bandits who broke into the village were all killed by the villagers. After chasing them to Feng County, the bandits jumped into the water to escape. The Yellow River was full of mud and sand, and none of the ten people swimming in it could survive. After the bandit army was defeated, they ran for their lives every day without even having time to look back. Therefore, those who fell and were killed usually died from back injuries. Some rebels even fled into the village, knelt down to the villagers, offered the gold bracelets they had snatched before, and begged the villagers for their lives, but they did not even dare to resist when the villagers killed them. It can be seen that the momentum of the bandit army has declined and it is impossible to make a big wave again.

According to the common people in Feng County: "When the bandits came, they marched in a line, which was almost thirty miles long and eight miles wide; when they were defeated, they were scattered in groups, tens of thousands of people, and they were killed at the neck." . A defeat like this shows that the whole body is full of evil, and God will take away his soul."

Later, the good news was reported to the emperor, and the victorious commander was awarded the title of palace protector, and Debeizi also received generous rewards. With the support of Commander Sheng, I also relied on my merits in attacking Linqing City, and received the Emperor's favor to be exempted from being sent to military service, so I could still serve in the army. I led troops to Duliu last year and won a great victory in the first battle. In the first month of this year, the rebels attacked the camp in full force. I resisted with all my strength, but the rebels failed to succeed. In February, I captured the enemy's puppet division commander and brigade commander, which was also reported to the emperor. At that time, if Shengshuai asked to exempt me from punishment, the emperor would definitely approve it; however, because I didn't bother to humble myself and ask Shengshuai for help, Shengshuai didn't take it to heart. During this victory in Fengxian County, more than 500 meritorious personnel were recommended by Shengshuai, but I was not among them. Some of the people he recommended this time were not even in the camp at all, but many people who personally participated in the battle were not mentioned. How could this be fair?

Next, I returned to the company town with the army. Many committee members in the same camp were promoted beyond the level. In comparison, I felt extremely ashamed. However, I couldn't leave the camp and go home - my luck was extremely bad, and I didn't know when the situation would turn around. After arriving at Lianchen, there were only three to four hundred soldiers left with me, and all the equipment and equipment were lost. I recall how neat the army was when the temple workers first formed this rural army. When he was later convicted and his military power was no longer in power, the military's vigor was gradually diminished. What a pity! In matters related to the country, it is very easy to fail and very difficult to succeed. This is generally the case.