Chapter Twenty-Five: Granting Rewards

  Just won a battle, the eastern capital garrison established confidence in victory in the field, at the critical moment, Chen Yingliang was dragged down by the small board left behind by Chen Yingliang, but suddenly fell ill, with a high fever and unconscious for a whole night.

  The news spread, and the morale of the Dongdu defenders, which had just recovered slightly, was naturally affected again. In addition, the grassroots generals lacked experience in rectifying the army, leading to rumors spreading among the defending troops, with all sorts of claims being made. There were even rumors that Yang Xuangui was blessed by heaven, and that those who opposed him would suffer retribution, which is why Chen Yingliang fell ill after winning a battle against the rebels. Such nonsense had a significant market in the Youwuwei Army, where cultural levels were generally low.

  Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wu Yi, the heavy ministers of Dongdu who had high hopes for Chen Yingliang, were naturally tearless. They could only send Taishi to the military camp overnight to treat Chen Yingliang. Fortunately, Chen Yingliang was still young and strong, and he didn't have a wife like someone's rickshaw puller who was drained of his energy by his hungry wife. After a night of high fever and coma, Chen Yingliang woke up and drank the good medicine carefully prepared by Taishi.

  After drinking the bitter medicinal soup, he also drank a bowl of millet porridge. Although his body was still soft and weak, Chen Yingliang's consciousness had already recovered clearly. In a weak voice, he asked Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong, who were guarding beside him with tears in their eyes: "What about the training situation? Have you arranged for training?"

  "Returning to Chen's room, it's arranged." Chen Zhihong wiped away tears and replied: "Don't worry, Chen, training will continue as usual,"

  "Normally, the four marshals are in charge of training. Don't worry about it, brother. Everyone is looking forward to you recovering soon and leading us in training again."

  Chen Yingliang deliberated for a moment, then gave orders: "Two commands. First, from now on, the training volume of old soldiers will be reduced to 30% of normal times, maintaining physical strength and preparing to strike at any time. Second, Fan Liugong and Huangfu General have ordered that the scale of the Baoguo Army's troops be expanded by one fold, with soldiers selected from the various camps of the Right Wuwei Guard. After receiving the official document, you two will replace me in selecting soldiers for two regiments, following my original method. Soldiers must be new recruits within two years of enlistment; those old soldiers who are too slick and skilled cannot be used, as they have already set their ways and training them would only result in twice the effort for half the effect."

  Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong nodded in tears, and Chen Yingliang weakly said: "After the new recruits are selected, immediately train them according to my original method, strictly train them, let them wear white robes on the same day, teach them to sing 'Jing Zhong Bao Guo', let them integrate into your team as soon as possible. Also, our missing and sacrificed soldiers must be replenished..." As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Yingliang's weak body fell asleep again.

  Dazed and confused, sometimes dozing off, sometimes in a daze, Chen Yingliang spent more than two days on the sickbed before his mind finally cleared up again. With the help of a servant sent by Pei Hongce, he managed to drink a bowl of rice porridge and struggled to get dressed and out of bed. He then heard the sound of footsteps and military songs coming from outside the room, and despite the good intentions of the servants in the Pei household, Chen Yingliang forced himself to leave the room and return once again to the drill ground of the Baoguo Army camp.

  The expansion of the Baoguo Army's work has apparently been completed, and two more Weijun flags have appeared next to the large flag of loyalty to the country. The number of soldiers training on the campus has also increased significantly, all wearing white robes as required by Chen Yingliang. When Chen Yingliang arrived at the campus looking unwell, some new faces among the soldiers couldn't help but show some surprise, and the neat formation became slightly disordered. As a result, Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong, who were leading the training, scolded them, and the slight disorder in the formation quickly returned to order. Then, Chen Zhihong and Guo Feng rushed over.

  He came before Chen Yingliang and paid his respects.

  "Not bad." Chen Yingliang praised: "In less than three days, you can train the new recruits' formation so well, both of you have the potential to be great generals."

  "Thanks to the coach's guidance." Chen Zhihong humbly said: "It's all thanks to the coach's teaching, he had told us before about the importance of discipline and also taught us how to train and cultivate our brothers' discipline, that's why we know how to practice with them."

  "Yes, we are all basking in the glory of Chen's room." Guo Feng also said: "The day before yesterday, I and Chen Zhihong went to the various camps of the Right Guard to select soldiers. Those generals were all competing with each other to let us choose more soldiers from their camps, and they asked us to bring a message to you, asking you to train these soldiers well. As long as they can be trained, no matter how strict it is, it's okay. And these new recruits, they are also extremely obedient, telling them to do what they want, not one of them is lazy, ask them, and they all say they want to learn from Chen's room and earn more rewards."

  "Reward?" Guo Feng's words reminded Chen Yingliang, and Chen Yingliang hastily asked: "Has the reward from the imperial court been issued to us?"

  "It was delivered the day before yesterday." Chen Zhihong replied, "There is also a reward from the imperial court for you, which has been sent together. However, since you haven't spoken up, we didn't dare to distribute it yet."

  "It's better if nothing happens." Chen Yingliang let out a sigh of relief and hastily instructed, "Guo Feng, take some veteran soldiers to move all the rewards here, including the ones given to me, then assemble the troops. I want to present the rewards publicly."

  In the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Fubing were conscript soldiers. Ordinary soldiers not only had to bear their own clothing and travel expenses, but also did not receive a single penny in military pay. To make money in the army, apart from plundering enemies and civilians during battles, the only source was military merit rewards. Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong had already been promoted to lieutenant and were eligible for military pay, but they hadn't received a single penny yet due to their short time in service. They had long been eagerly awaiting rewards. Upon hearing Chen Yingliang's orders, they were overjoyed and quickly led some veteran soldiers who had completed their training to the camp's warehouse to move the imperial rewards that still had not been opened.

  Riding on Guo Feng

  Chen Yingliang took the opportunity to ask Chen Zhihong about some new recruits, and only then did he learn that after the two battalions' new recruits were in place, no new company commanders or battalion commanders had been appointed, and instead, old veterans from the Baoguo Army were leading the training. Also, the two soldiers who had been seriously injured three days ago during the battle had been confirmed to be disabled and unable to recover their combat effectiveness, and two new recruits had already been selected to replace them. Chen Yingliang was quite satisfied with what he heard and praised Chen Zhihong and Guo Feng a few times.

  After a while, hundreds of large boxes of rewards were pushed onto the school grounds and placed in front of the flag of loyalty to the country. The more than 800 soldiers of the Reporting Country Army, who had been expanded into four regiments, also gathered under the flag according to orders and lined up separately, with old and new soldiers standing in line. When they saw the thick rewards piled up like a mountain, the new soldiers were all jealous, their eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. The old soldiers were both excited and nervous, hoping to receive the rewards soon, while secretly praying that Chen Yingliang and the school lieutenant and brigade commander would be kind and not deduct too much from the imperial rewards.

  Everything was ready. Chen Yingliang stood under the great banner of loyalty and dedication to the country, forcing a smile as he said: "Please keep quiet, I am ill at present and cannot speak loudly. There are no demands, do not allow anyone to speak."

  More than 800 people were silent, and all eyes focused on Chen Yingliang's face. Chen Yingliang nodded in satisfaction, smiled and said: "Half of the brothers know me, and the other half should be seeing me for the first time. Let me introduce myself briefly. My name is Chen Yingliang, I am a clerk of Henan Prefecture Zanzhi government office, also the temporary commander-in-chief of Baoguo Army appointed by the imperial court. From now on, new brothers and old brothers are the same, all call me Clerk Chen."

  Having said that, Chen Yingliang gave Chen Zhihong a look, and Chen Zhihong understood, taking big strides to the front of the new recruits, loudly shouting: "At attention! Salute Chen's quarters!"

  "Attention, Chen's squad!" More than 400 new recruits saluted in unison, asking loudly, with neat movements and loud voices, not disappointing Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong's training over the past two days.

  "No need for courtesy." Chen Yingliang returned the salute and waited until the new recruits reformed their ranks before he continued.

  The 4D turned to the old soldier team, smiled and said: "Can't wait, right? My body is not good, suddenly fell ill, lying in bed for three days, making you guys worry for three more days, this is my fault, I apologize to my brothers.

  Saying that, Chen Yingliang really bowed to the old soldiers and loudly said: "Brothers, it was my fault that your deserved rewards were delayed for three days before being issued. I apologize to you and promise that in the future, I will correct this and ensure that the rewards are delivered to your hands as soon as possible."

  Seeing the ailing Chen Yingliang bowing to apologize, the old soldiers of the Baoguo Army all had red eyes. It was really the first time they encountered such a thing. They wanted to say something but didn't have an order and didn't dare speak out, so they could only grit their teeth one by one, trying hard to restrain the excitement in their chests.

  "My rewards will be distributed, and there are two rules." Chen Yingliang said loudly: "First, from small to large, issued by the squad, starting with the soldiers, then the squad leader, after all squads have received them, then the deputy commander, then the regimental commander, and finally the school lieutenant. The reason is simple, without soldiers there would be no squad leaders, without squads there would be no battalion commanders, without battalions there would be no regiments. As an official, you must charge forward first and enjoy later, this is my rule! Do you understand?"

  "Understood!" The old veterans of the National Revolutionary Army responded in unison, while the new recruits replied in disarray.

  "Answer again!" Chen Yingliang was somewhat displeased, and shouted at the new recruits: "From the moment you joined the Baoguo Army, you are members of the Baoguo Army! The officers and soldiers of the Baoguo Army advance and retreat together, live and die together! You must answer my questions together. I'll ask again, do you understand?!"

  "Understood!" More than 800 soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army replied in unison.

  "Very good." Chen Yingliang nodded and said loudly: "My second rule, you must shout a slogan in unison for me. Eat the court's food! Wear the court's clothes! Every time the red flag is raised, you will shout in unison once. You must remember that the money you receive, the armor you wear, and the food you eat are all given to you by the court! Do you understand?"

  "Ah, white!" The soldiers of the Baoguo Army responded in unison. Then Chen Yingliang randomly designated a team leader to take charge of the red flag and lead the soldiers in shouting slogans. As the red flag was raised, the uniform shouts of more than 800 soldiers of the Baoguo Army echoed across the campus: "Eat the imperial court's food! Wear the imperial court's clothes! Eat the imperial court's food! Wear the imperial court's clothes!"

  In the rhythmic slogans, Chen Yingliang shouted loudly: "The first battalion of the first team of the first group of Baoguo Army, all out, come to my front! In a line, formation!"

  A squad leader led nine soldiers out, walking briskly to Chen Yingliang's front. Chen Yingliang had Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong replace himself to hold up the copper coins, personally putting two strings of copper coins into the hands of the soldier at the end of the team, loudly asking: "Before the last battle, I told you that the reward would be doubled! Now tell the soldiers what your name is, what unit and identity you are, and how much reward did you receive?"

  "Zhang Hu, the first soldier of the first squad of the first battalion of the Baoguo Army, received a reward of two taels!" The soldier replied loudly, and at the same time was so moved that he burst into tears on the spot - because Chen Yingliang did not deduct a single coin from the reward!

  Chen Yingliang nodded, and then walked towards the next soldier, also putting two strings of copper coins into his hand, and similarly asking him to report his identity and the amount of reward he received. The soldier took it with both hands, and burst into tears, saying in a crying voice: "Baoguo Army First Regiment First Team First Squad Soldier, Wang Ya, received reward money, two strings, not one coin less..."

  "Soldier Ding Si of the first squad of the first company of the first battalion of the Baoguo Army received a reward of two taels, not a single penny less!"

  "Chen Dae, a soldier of the first company of the first battalion of the Baoguo Army, received two taels of reward money..."

  "Eat imperial food! Wear imperial clothes! Eat imperial food! Wear imperial clothes!"

  In the midst of the echoing slogans, and also in the midst of the soldiers' self-reporting names and receiving rewards, Chen Yingliang, who was weak and frail, personally handed out the rewards to each soldier, without deducting a single coin. Sweat flowed down his face, wetting the copper coins he handed out, while tears rolled down the faces of every veteran soldier, wetting their chest pockets. Countless soldiers burst into loud sobs on the spot, including some new recruits who were not qualified to receive rewards. At the same time, all the new recruits in the National Salvation Army understood one thing: they had a future to look forward to, and joining the National Salvation Army was the right decision.

  Chen Yingliang's body was still a bit weak, and when the reward distribution reached halfway, he couldn't hold on anymore. He had to entrust the reward distribution work to Guo Feng and sat aside to rest and supervise. Guo Feng, who was already used to being deducted from his salary by his superiors, cried like a child, along with Chen Zhihong, who also had tears streaming down his face. They distributed the rewards one by one into the soldiers' hands, including those who were also overcome with emotion. The slogan "Follow Yuan Datou" echoed throughout the training ground, and the morale of the Baoguo army was boosted even higher. Everyone was looking forward to the next big battle, hoping for another opportunity to make a name for themselves and earn money.

  It wasn't until the rewards for over 400 veteran soldiers were finally distributed that Chen Yingliang, who had regained some strength, personally handed out rewards to the 16 deputy captains and 4 brigade commanders. Only then did he reward Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong. Finally, Chen Yingliang bowed his hands to the Baoguo Army veterans and said loudly: "Soldiers, you have worked hard! We still have 21 brothers who will forever lie on the battlefield three days ago. Two of our brothers were seriously injured and can no longer wield their swords with us to kill rebels and report to the country. But don't worry, I will definitely deliver their rewards to them, to their families, one by one. Do you believe me?"

  "We believe!" Over 800 soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army replied in unison, their voices like thunder.

  "There's one more thing, once you've finished distributing everything, you can disperse. Chen Yingliang pointed to another pile of unopened wooden boxes next to him and said loudly: "This is the imperial court's reward for me, 300 bolts of colored silk and 1,000 strings of cash! Guo Feng, Chen Zhihong, you two will divide these rewards into four portions later. One portion will be evenly distributed to our disabled brothers and the families of our fallen brothers, two portions will be evenly distributed to the brothers who fought on the battlefield three days ago, and the last portion will be given to our new brothers as a welcoming gift from me!"

  ”

  As soon as this was said, the whole scene was shocked. Guo Feng was the first to jump out and shouted: "Chen Jishi, what are you going to do? You gave all the rewards given by the imperial court to us, what are you going to do?"

  "Me?" Chen Yingliang laughed loudly and said: "I have a salary, don't forget, I am the recorder of Zanji Prefecture, in front of Duke Li, I have a salary to lead, food and clothing are not worried, you are different, you are the prefectural army, no military pay, no salary, all rely on this reward to survive! Rewards are not important to me, but for you, they are more important than life! I'm not in a hurry to marry a wife now, nor do I want to set up any business, these things are useless, all given to you!"

  "Chen Ji Shi, you......" Guo Feng opened his mouth wide and couldn't help but burst into tears again. The new and old troops of the Baoguo Army also erupted into a chorus of sobs at that moment.

  "What are you crying about?!" Chen Yingliang was somewhat angry, and shouted: "A real man doesn't shed tears! You should thank the imperial court, thank Duke Li! If it weren't for the imperial court's generous reward, I'd have to take your bones apart to make a mallet, and flay your skin to make a drum! And if Duke Li hadn't supported me, not only would I not be able to give you these few things, even if we fought side by side, it would still be impossible!"

  "It's settled then! The reward from the imperial court will be divided as is. Anyone who dares to object will be dealt with according to military law!"

  Chen Yingliang shouted again, then waved his hand and ordered: "I have to go back and rest. You continue training. After the training is over, the two school lieutenants, four traveling generals, and sixteen deputy team leaders will all come to my room. I want to discuss some military affairs with you."

  As he spoke, Chen Yingliang, who was ill, walked with difficulty towards his own room. Without anyone's order, all the soldiers of the Bao Guo army knelt down on one knee, clasped their fists and saluted, crying uncontrollably. And when Chen Yingliang's figure disappeared, Guo Feng jumped up and shouted at Chen Zhihong: "Chen Zhihong, we are now officially lieutenants and have received our military pay. I think the reward from Chen's room should not be divided between us, but given to all the brothers. What do you say?"

  "Good!" Chen Zhihong also jumped up and roared: "Neither of us wants the lieutenant's salary, let's divide it all among our brothers!"

  "I don't want mine either, give it all to our brothers!"

  One marshal jumped up and shouted, then two more marshals also jumped up to indicate their abandonment of the division of spoils. Finally, the marshal unexpectedly roared: "Mine! My share must be mine!"

  In the angry gaze of all the soldiers, the general with the same surname Chen loudly added: "Mine is to be shared with the families of our fallen brothers! So I must!"

  Applause and cheers thundered, Chen Zhihong, who dreamed of marrying Feng Jie, was boiling with passion, raised his gun and shouted loudly, "Brothers, follow Chen's room! Kill the rebels! Loyalty to the country!"

  "Kill the rebels and pacify the bandits! Loyalty to the country! Kill the rebels and pacify the bandits! Loyalty to the country! Kill the rebels and pacify the bandits! Loyalty to the country!" All the soldiers of the National Army shouted in unison, shouting with rhythm, tears streaming down their faces.

  "Wolf smoke rises, gazing north at the rivers and mountains. Dragon rises and rolls, horse neighs loudly, sword energy like frost! Heart like the vast Yellow River waters..."

  No one organized it, but more than 800 new and old soldiers of the Baoguo Army sang this military song in unison, tears streaming down their faces as they sang this original Baoguo Army military song by Chen Yingliang. The song was stirring, emotions were high, and almost all the soldiers of the Baoguo Army were like this. And outside the camp, separated by a fence, countless Sui army soldiers who came to watch the commotion were also in tears, humming this military song, and then resenting their bad luck for not being able to join the Baoguo Army, even more resentful of their heartless superiors for not being as selfless as Chen Yingliang, loving his soldiers like his own sons.

  Through the mouths of officials who assisted Chen Yingliang in establishing the Baoguo Army, that night, Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wu Yi, high-ranking officials of Dongdu, finally learned about this matter. Surprised by Chen Yingliang's generosity, Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wu Yi couldn't help but feel delighted, because they knew that soon they would have more elite soldiers to use in the difficult and arduous campaign against the rebels.

  "This little brat, really knows how to get me into trouble! You damn well better not make a scene like this even if you're trying to win people over, or the whole bunch of idiots from the Right Wuwei will be too embarrassed to show their faces!"

  Chen Yingliang's uncle, Pei Hongce, was furious when he found out about this. He scolded his newly adopted nephew for being deceitful and hypocritical. However, after calming down and thinking carefully, Pei Hongce soon felt relieved and secretly sneered in his heart, "What's there to be afraid of? My idiot nephew isn't a member of the Right Imperial Guard anyway, he directly reports to Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wu Yi, what can those stupid people from the Right Imperial Guard do to him?"

  "Now, in this situation, if those good-for-nothings from the Right Wuwei dare to make trouble, Old Man Fan and Huangfu will skin them alive! Once things are settled, if they still dare to make trouble, I can easily find a handle to nail them with, and with just one memorial to the throne, I can have their whole family killed! What's there to fear that they'll turn the tables on us?"

  "Wait! Hold on! That damned nephew of mine, didn't he anticipate even these consequences?!"