Chapter 791 Shunde City was broken!

After hearing the introduction of the noodle stall owner, Zhang Chengzhe thanked him and walked towards the group of people who were talking about business on the side...
"Don't miss it if you pass by. The floor tiles produced by Ande Kiln of the Second Manufacturing Bureau are very impressive if you buy them and put them on the floor!"

"Carpenter! Carpenter! A 20-year veteran carpenter who can make large pieces of furniture and carve small objects!"

"It's cheap! It's cheap! Tiles are now two hundred pieces for one tael of silver. Real good tiles, anyone can buy them!"

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Amidst the shouting, Zhang Chengzhe first pretended to look at several other businesses, and then quietly came to a man who looked like a butler, who was talking business with several craftsmen beside him.

"I'll build you a big tiled house that's 20 feet long and 10 feet wide. I'll give you 15 copper coins a day. Do you want to build it?"

"Butler Shen, your price is too low. This is not the first time we have worked together. You know we are all veterans. We work well and efficiently. We need at least 30 copper coins a day. Can you increase it a little?"

After this was said, Steward Shen also said with difficulty:

"Lao Xu, it's not that I don't want to pay you more, it's that our master only pays you this much. How about this? I'll give you another five copper coins, twenty copper coins a day, and I'll also cover your food and accommodation. This salary is not low. I'll have this kind of business in the future. I'm thinking of you!"

"Let's visit each other more often! You don't need to worry about these small amounts of money now, okay?"

After hearing what Butler Shen said, the craftsmen had a quick discussion, but still felt that Butler Shen’s offer was too low and did not match the value of their labor. Moreover, since Yijing was thriving now, bricklayers like them would have no trouble finding work. So despite Butler Shen’s best efforts to retain them, they still left to look for new business...
Watching the craftsmen leave, Butler Shen couldn't help but sigh. If this had been a few years ago, with twenty copper coins a day and including food and lodging, it would have been such a good condition that he could find any bricklayer in Yijing City. They would have to beg him one by one!

But now that the Fengwu Army has entered the city, everything is over!
These poor guys also became arrogant and even looked down on the price I offered. What the hell kind of world is this? If it were in the past, I would have whipped them and made them understand why the flowers are so red.

Although he had some complaints, Butler Shen also knew that in Yijing's current prosperous environment, it would be impossible to recruit good masons and carpenters for twenty copper coins.

But my master gave me thirty copper coins per person. If I gave all the money to these poor people, I, as the housekeeper, would not get a single copper coin!
This is more painful than killing myself!
But given my master's temper, if I fail to complete the task on time, he will definitely not let me off easily!

Just when Butler Shen was in a dilemma, he heard a young voice in his ear.

"Butler! I am also a bricklayer and can do any job. Fifteen copper coins a day, including food and lodging, will do the job for me!"

Hearing the voice, Butler Shen was stunned for a moment, then looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a young face looking at him flatteringly.

Glancing up and down at the young man in front of him, Butler Shen hesitated for a moment and asked:
“Are you a bricklayer? Can you do it…”

Feeling the doubt from Butler Shen, Zhang Chengzhe patted his chest and said confidently:
"Look at what you said, butler, there must be no problem!"

"My ancestors have been masons for three generations. This is a family craft. When you said I was naked, my father taught me how to make adobe walls. I just heard you say that it's just about building a house. My skills are definitely enough!"

Seeing Zhang Chengzhe's confident look, Butler Shen was still a little skeptical. After hesitating for a moment, he said to Zhang Chengzhe:
"You are so young and your skills are so average. I will only give you eleven copper coins a day!"

As soon as Zhang Chengzhe said this, his face suddenly fell, and then he said impatiently:
"Butler, I am sincerely discussing business with you. Are you making fun of me?"

"You just gave those guys twenty coppers a day, but you only gave me eleven coppers?"

"I want fifteen copper coins a day, which is not too much. I'm from my hometown, Qilu, and my craftsmanship is well-known. I need at least thirty copper coins a day. That's how much I need to spend when I first come here to make a living. I'm short of money now, so I'll take fifteen copper coins a day!"

"Next time you come to see me, I will definitely ask you for thirty copper coins a day..."

These words frightened the housekeeper Shen a little. He calculated that fifteen copper coins a day for this young man was not too expensive. Nowadays, there were bricklayers with some skills in San'an Market, and they would charge twelve or thirteen copper coins a day. Even if he agreed to give him a private room, he could still earn fifteen copper coins a day from him.

Thinking of this, Butler Shen made a decision in his heart and said:
"It'll be fifteen copper coins a day, and you can come with me later! But I have to tell you, when we get to our master's house, if your cooking skills are not good, I won't want you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengzhe patted his chest and said:
"Don't worry! My skills are absolutely impeccable! Just watch me and it will be done in a moment!"

Seeing Zhang Chengzhe so confident, Steward Shen was still a little skeptical but didn't say anything. He then focused his energy on recruiting other craftsmen.

An hour later, Butler Shen and the eight craftsmen he had recruited, including Zhang Chengzhe, got on two donkey carts.

When sitting on the donkey cart, Zhang Chengzhe pretended to look casually at a guard at Sanan Market and nodded slightly.

When Zhang Chengzhe left on the donkey cart, the guard quickly disappeared in the market...

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Jinzhong, Shunde,
"Everyone, fight to the death and drive these bastards of the Fengwu Army away!"

"Long live Marshal Ye! Brothers, follow me!" "Whoever swears allegiance to Marshal Ye and cuts down the enemy's flag will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver and promoted two ranks!"

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Although it was only the afternoon, the sky in Huainan in October was already somewhat dark. As the sun gradually set, Ma Zhongjun, the general of the First Division who was in charge of the siege, had a very serious expression on his face as he stood in the watchtower outside the city.

After successfully taking Bozhou, he continued to march towards Shunde according to the battle plan formulated before the war. After arriving in Shunde three days ago, he led the First Division to launch a siege towards Shunde!

For the city of Shunde, Ma Zhongjun set the requirement for himself and the First Division to capture the city within three days, and today is the third day of the siege!
During these three days, the First Division attacked the city wall several times, but the Zhennan Army defenders in the city were very tenacious and never gave up. They were determined to fight to the death with the Fengwu Army, which caused considerable trouble to the First Division and made Ma Zhongjun feel a little tricky.

Seeing that his soldiers had already reached the top of the city wall, but still completely defeated the enemy and captured the city, Ma Zhongjun became a little anxious and immediately ordered:

"Pass the order down that my First Division will slaughter 200 pigs and 100 sheep tonight. Brothers, have a celebration banquet in the city! Brothers, work harder and don't let down! The Marshal is waiting for our good news in Yijing, and my First Division will never let him down!"

"Yes!"

As Ma Zhongjun’s order was issued, the soldiers of the First Division, tempted by the celebration banquet, gritted their teeth and held their breath to launch another fierce attack on Shunde City...

At this point in the battle, the Zhennan Army guarding Shunde was already at the end of its strength. They were all blown to pieces by the artillery of the First Division. They had been able to hold on until now only by gritting their teeth and struggling. Therefore, in this competition of fighting will between the two sides, they were quickly defeated.

Holding a telescope, he watched the gate of Shunde being breached by a battering ram and countless Fengwu troops rushing into the city. Ma Zhongjun, who was on the watchtower and knew that the situation was settled, relaxed his serious expression.
The logistical situation of the Fengwu Army was kept strictly confidential to ordinary soldiers and middle and lower-level generals, but senior generals like Ma Zhongjun were very clear about how serious the situation was, so he didn't want to waste any time every day.

Just like today, if Shunde cannot be taken before sunset and the Zhennan Army in the city has time to catch its breath, then it may take several more days to take Shunde, and this is unacceptable to Ma Zhongjun.

An hour later, the sun had completely set and the sky was plunged into darkness. The Fengwu Army had basically wiped out the remaining enemies in the city. Ma Zhongjun also kept his promise and asked the kitchen to start slaughtering pigs and sheep to prepare a celebratory banquet for tens of thousands of officers and soldiers from the entire division.

At the celebration banquet, Ma Zhongjun gave a speech to all the officers and soldiers of the division. He encouraged them to wipe out the rebellious Zhennan Army and serve Marshal Ye, and also win fame for themselves during their lifetime and after their death...
In addition to these, Ma Zhongjun, who knew very well what the soldiers wanted, directly asked the soldiers who had made meritorious service in combat to stand up. He personally awarded prizes and silver to these people and recommended credit to the General Staff.

As a result, the atmosphere of the celebration banquet reached a high point, and the soldiers, who were somewhat tired due to days of fighting, became enthusiastic again.

After doing all this, Ma Zhongjun returned the celebration banquet to the soldiers, allowing them to enjoy it to their heart's content. He, led by his personal guards, came to a courtyard that they had temporarily found in the city.

After entering the room, Ma Zhongjun asked the guard beside him:
"Has Xu Huhui been found?"

In response to Ma Zhongjun's question, the guard nodded and said:
"General, we have found Xu Huhui. He originally wanted to commit suicide, but was captured alive by Commander Zhang Hong. In addition to Xu Huhui, Commander Zhang Hong also captured several senior generals in the city. They are all waiting in the side room!"

Ma Zhongjun nodded and said:

"Zhang Hong did a good job. Bring Xu Huhui here first! I'll ask him first!"

"Yes!"

Following Ma Zhongjun’s order, a middle-aged man who was eight feet tall, had a rough appearance, was covered in blood and had his mouth blocked by a rag was brought in front of him...

Although the middle-aged Khan was stabbed by swords and axes at this time, his pair of big eyes like copper bells were still glaring at Ma Zhongjun. Ma Zhongjun was prepared for this situation. After all, if the opponent was a wimp, it would be impossible for him to lead the defenders to hold out under the fierce attack of his First Division until now.

And the most important point is that Xu Huhui is Xu Zhaojie's cousin. He was also the captain of Xu Zhaojie's personal guards and one of Xu Zhaojie's most trusted people in the Zhennan Army!

It was for this reason that Xu Huhui received an urgent order from Xu Zhaojie five days ago and led his troops from Kangyin to Shunde to take over the command of Shunde's troops. To be honest, if Xu Huhui had not interfered, Ma Zhongjun believed that his First Division could have captured Shunde yesterday, rested for a day today, and continued to attack Kangyin tomorrow.

Looking at Xu Huhui, Ma Zhongjun stood up expressionlessly and walked to his side, then took the rag out of Xu Huhui's mouth with his own hands.

Xu Huhui, who was already glaring at Ma Zhongjun, wanted to curse as soon as the rag in his mouth was taken off:

"you··························"

However, he had just uttered a word when Ma Zhongjun had already fully realized what he wanted to say. Without waiting for him to finish, he slapped Xu Huhui twice. These two slaps made Xu Huhui dizzy and see stars!
However, Xu Huhui was also a tough guy. He would never give up just because of two slaps. He endured the burning pain on his face and continued to curse:

"You son of a bitch, you bastard, kill your grandfather if you dare!"

Seeing Xu Huhui so brave, Ma Zhongjun sneered and punched Xu Huhui twice in the abdomen. Ma Zhongjun delivered these two punches very carefully, hitting Xu Huhui's liver and using 30% of his hidden strength.

Although Xu Huhui didn't want to show cowardice in front of the enemy after these two punches, he was still in so much pain that he grimaced and almost knelt in front of Ma Zhongjun. Seeing this, Ma Zhongjun continued his efforts and punched him twice more. Xu Huhui couldn't hold on any longer. The pain in his liver made him sweat coldly. His face was full of pain, and he knelt in front of Ma Zhongjun...

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