Dominate the Country

In July, the Chen family army seemed to be even more powerful. They broke through the city of Runing Prefecture, and all the officials and gentry who were determined to take the city were killed by the Chen family army. Then the army marched southward, and even Guangzhou was swept by the strong wind of the Chen family army.

The Chen family army took down Pingchang Pass and Changle Pass along the way, and directly killed to the outskirts of Xinyang Prefecture. However, facing the troops from Hanyangxia and Yunyang Town who were urgently heading north from Hubei, Chen Hongtao and Huang An, who led the Chen family army to Runing Prefecture, finally chose to retreat.

After marching and fighting for less than a month, the two camps did not stop to rest when his troops were sent out. Although the soldiers were getting more and more, when Chen and Huang arrived at the city of Xinyang, they already had 2,000 people, but these 2,000 people were much less than the real 2,000 Chen family soldiers.

When the news reached Chen Ming, Chen Ming could not say whether he was happy or unhappy. Chen Hongtao and Huang An failed to take Xinyang Prefecture in the end, and Chen Ming was certainly disappointed, but they won all the way. Even if they retreated from the city of Xinyang Prefecture, they did not retreat in defeat. The military might of the Chen family army was always mighty and powerful, which was acceptable.

Just like Chen Erbao also chose to retreat under the city of Chenzhou. He swept Xihua after the Qing army withdrew, as well as Taikang, Fugou, Yanling and Changge. The front of the army once entered Kaifeng Prefecture and pointed directly at Weishi, but Chen Erbao also failed to take down Chenzhou Prefecture, the most reliable frontline fortress of the Qing army to the east of the Chen family army, and the Chen family army to the north failed to attack Luoyang City. This does not mean that the combat effectiveness of the Chen family army has weakened, but that the potential of the Chen family army has been maximized.

Yancheng, Xiangcheng, Yiyang, except for the troops from Nanyang Prefecture who occupied the city after conquering it, the other Chen's troops who returned from the back, east and south were enjoying the rewards of wine, meat and women.

The war is coming, how to re-inspire the desire of these victorious soldiers who have been fighting for a long time, in addition to monetary rewards, that is, material and spiritual rewards.

Fat pigs, fat sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, fish, and even cattle from Nanyang, what are they keeping? Rewarding soldiers and rallying the morale of the army is much more useful than keeping them.

The fine wine of Baofeng, one jar after another, and the singing and dancing girls collected by the Chen's army from all over the country, wine, meat and beauty, these scrapers seem to have nothing to do with a real iron army, but in fact they can really restore the morale and fighting spirit of the troops. Of course, there are also medals that Chen Mingxin has made: iron, bronze, silver, and gold, which are temporarily listed as the fourth grade.

The lowest threshold of the Loyalty and Bravery Medal and the Loyalty and Diligence Medal correspond to the two systems of civil and military affairs respectively. Those who have been injured in battle or war can get the Iron Loyalty and Bravery Medal or the Loyalty and Diligence Medal; or those who have fought continuously without missing a battle, or those who have been doing logistics and fulfilling their duties can also get the Iron Loyalty and Bravery Medal or the Loyalty and Diligence Medal. This is the lowest level of medals, covering all the soldiers, including Chen Ming himself.

The bronze Loyalty and Bravery Medal and the Loyalty and Diligence Medal depend on whether they have made meritorious service, while the silver Loyalty and Bravery Medal and the Loyalty and Diligence Medal depend on whether the meritorious service is significant. As for the highest level of the gold Loyalty and Bravery Medal and the Loyalty and Diligence Medal, whether it is a combat soldier or a logistics soldier, they must reach an extremely high level, or "turn the tide", before they are eligible.

The Yunhui Medal for officers above the platoon leader system and the Baoguang Medal for officials above the county and bureau level are also divided into four grades: iron, bronze, silver, and gold.

This medal system does not seem to have much effect in the short term. Both the civil and military systems of the General's Office are more curious and playful about it. Chen Ming did not think that once the medal system was brought out, the morale of the entire army would be immediately high and excited. He was preparing for the future. For example, what kind of social treatment and benefits can be enjoyed by the bronze level, that is, the third-class Loyalty and Diligence Medal, for example, the first-class Loyalty and Diligence Medal [gold system] winners can let the general salute first, obtain a social status comparable to the general, enjoy what kind of social benefits, and so on.

However, these ideas are still for the future. Now the only thing Chen Ming can do is to give them military merit fields, and then use a large-scale and grand "award ceremony" to express himself and the General's Office's gratitude and attention to them.

In the future, Chen Ming will set up more medals and gradually guide the soldiers to let them know that medals are honors, medals are the best embodiment of self-worth, and cultivate the army's pursuit of honor. The unit number can also be made into a fuss, but it is a pity that the current Chen family army has fought all the way too easily, and there are no bloody battles that are thrilling and soul-stirring. Chen Ming wants to give the battalion or team-level organization a name, but he can't do it, otherwise it will be too bad.

"Wei Baocheng, a soldier of the first battalion [Chen Erbao], the squad leader of the second squad of the first row of the first team, participated in seven battles. During the siege of Xuzhou, he led his soldiers to kill 50 Qing soldiers, yamen runners, and militiamen defending Xuzhou, and captured more than 30 people. None of his own soldiers died in one battle. He showed a heroic and calm spirit and skilled weapon operation ability. He should be a model for the whole army. Wei Baocheng is specially awarded the second-class loyalty and bravery medal, and all members of the second squad are collectively awarded the third-class loyalty and bravery medal, and the title of the first battalion, the first team, the first row, the second squad, is awarded."

The large parade ground outside Xiang County. The parade ground was all red. After the establishment of the Fu Han General's Office, the uniforms of the Chen family army were undoubtedly red, a fiery red color. Who asked the Qing Dynasty to take the water virtue?

On the high wooden platform stood a row of soldiers wearing red military uniforms and wearing breastplates. As soon as Chen Cong finished speaking, a young man who looked less than 20 years old stepped forward and stood in front of Chen Ming with his chest held high. He was Wei Baocheng.

He led his squad and killed fifty enemies in seven battles with the strength of ten soldiers. This is still certain. In fact, they killed more than fifty people and captured more than 30 people. What is even more commendable is that only one person in their squad was injured in the siege of Xuzhou. A soldier's arm was pierced by a cold arrow, and the soldier's shoulder was covered with rattan armor. The arrowhead had no much power after breaking through the rattan armor, and the soldier was only slightly injured.

Chen Xin personally hung a silver second-class loyalty medal on his chest. Wei Baocheng's chest was held high. He had a different feeling for the medal hanging on his chest. Such a grand and solemn ceremony was finally manifested in his mind as two big words: scenery.

What a great honor!

Chen Ming picked up the next medal, and his second uncle Chen Cong, the chief of the Military Merit Examination Department, said loudly: "Chen Jincai, a soldier of the first battalion, deputy squad leader of the first squad of the third row of the first team, fought bravely in hand-to-hand combat and climbed the city wall three times. Chen Jincai is awarded the second-class loyalty medal and the title of hand-to-hand assault pioneer."

Chen Jincai is definitely a descendant of the Chen family, but no one would say that he got the silver medal through the backdoor. The phrase "climbed the city wall three times" proves everything!