Chapter 20 1. Gathering in Haozhou, sworn brothers and taking care of each other

From a farmer at the bottom of the society and a young wandering monk to a prominent emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang's success comes from his personal efforts, from his ability to keep a low profile and strategize, and behind all this are many generals who were born and died. A shogunate literati who advises.In Zhu Yuanzhang's career, Xu Da and Tang He were the first generals who followed him and made great contributions to him.When Zhu Yuanzhang first entered Haozhou and was only a pawn, these two men had already become the commander-in-chief of the army, so why were they willing to be under Zhu Yuanzhang later?

To talk about Zhu Yuanzhang's fortune, the most direct guide is Tang He. It was a letter from Tang He that year, which stirred Zhu Yuanzhang's already restless heart and turned to Haozhou.In Haozhou, when Zhu Yuanzhang saw Tang He and Xu Da, the feelings in his heart were unspeakable. There were excitement, excitement, and emotion.How could Zhu Yuanzhang forget that Tang He and Xu Da convincingly called themselves "big brothers" even though they were older than him when they played together as children.Now that the world is changing, Zhu Yuanzhang's future is uncertain, and everything is blank.

But it was also the meeting with these two people in the military camp that inspired Zhu Yuanzhang's ambition to make a career.Of course, if you ask him what his career is at this time, he must not even be able to explain clearly, but he just has a passion for great things. At the beginning, Tang He and Xu Da were equally excited when they saw Zhu Yuanzhang. Although they did not forget that they were sworn brothers, they did not forget to put on airs as small officers.Regarding this, Zhu Yuanzhang was very distressed. He repeatedly reminded the two that he was the eldest brother in private, but the two never took it to heart. They often laughed and almost annoyed the two of them once.

It was not long after Zhu Yuanzhang arrived in Haozhou. Tang He and Xu Da invited Zhu Yuanzhang to have a drink in the best tavern in Haozhou City, and Zhu Yuanzhang happily went there.The wine table was full of dishes that Zhu Yuanzhang had never tasted before. When he was at home, he was so poor that he didn’t even have porridge. When he was a wandering monk, he was no different from a beggar. This meal was really enjoyable.After drinking and eating, Tang He and Xu Da pulled Zhu Yuanzhang to leave. The boy in the tavern timidly came over and signaled that Tang He should pay the money, but Tang He and Xu Da were furious.Xu Da said drunkenly: "You don't know what to do, you know? This is the general of Haozhou City. He came to drink to give you face in the tavern. There is no reason to ask for money!" He pointed at Tang He while talking. , Tang He immediately became angry: "Hurry up and get out, or I will not be polite to the military master. We are fighting ahead, so what is it to eat some wine!" Not allowing the boy to argue, Tang He lifted the wine table, the wine glasses and dishes Ping ping pong smashed a lot.Tang He and Xu Da didn't even look at it, and went straight to the store door.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't believe that this was a good partner and brother back then, and he didn't care about the difference in status now. He ran to the door, pulled Tang He back, and said loudly: "It's only natural to pay for the wine, and it's just a matter of becoming a general." Don't bully the innocent. Today, we paid for the wine because we were the big brother." Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's resolute face, Tang He reluctantly paid for the wine, but he was a little annoyed at Zhu Yuanzhang's meddling. Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Tang He and Xu Da had some opinions about this incident, so he went to the door to talk to them after a few days.It was awkward at first, but Zhu Yuanzhang had no scruples, and still called the two of them all the time, and talked about the time when they played together.Shared memories resonate with people's emotions.Zhu Yuanzhang just wanted to use this to draw the relationship between the three closer and re-establish the intimacy between the brothers.When recalling, when Zhu Yuanzhang said that he killed the landlord’s cattle, Tang He and Xu Da laughed, and then said with emotion: "Back then we ate the beef given by the elder brother. That was the first time in our life. Meat. Now the three of us are gathered together, please rest assured, from now on, we will share the blessings and share the difficulties.” Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt relieved.

When Zhu Yuanzhang became Guo Zixing's son-in-law and his official position was promoted, he did not forget his partners in the past, nor did he forget the oath between brothers to "share happiness and share difficulties".Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Tang He and Xu Da were still single, so they would inevitably be lonely in their spare time. He often invited them to their home for chats and drinks, and asked his wife Ma Xiuying to make shoes and clothes for them. It was like a family.When Tang He and Xu Da were fine, they were willing to stay at Zhu Yuanzhang's house and rarely went to taverns. They gradually regarded Zhu Yuanzhang as a real big brother in their hearts and took care of each other everywhere in the barracks.It was also when they were eating wine at Zhu Yuanzhang's house that they learned a lot of contradictions and secrets of the high-level Haozhou officials from Zhu Yuanzhang.What made Tang He and Xu Da very angry was that Guo Tianxu, the son of Guo Zixing, made things difficult and excluded Zhu Yuanzhang, but Guo Tianxu's jealousy made the three brothers unite more closely. Tang He and Xu Da never forgot to protect Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang.

One day, Guo Tianxu deliberately made things difficult for Zhu Yuanzhang.At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying had just been married and had just been promoted, and Guo Zixing appreciated everything.Guo Tianxu held a grudge in his heart and waited for an opportunity to take revenge on Zhu Yuanzhang who had failed. The thing is like this: Tang He was taken to a tavern by some brothers to drink that night. Since there was nothing to do in the army recently, he drank a few more glasses, and unexpectedly got very drunk and was carried back to his room.He was bumped into by Guo Tianxu on the road. Guo Tianxu didn't say anything at the time, expecting that Tang He would definitely be late to defend the city the next day.

So, early in the morning, Guo Tianxu took a few soldiers and waited in the section of the city that Tang Heying was guarding. In fact, Tang He came soon after waiting.Without further ado, Guo Tianxu turned around and left. When he arrived at the Marshal's Mansion, he sent someone to call Zhu Yuanzhang to question the matter in front of Guo Zixing.At this time, Tang He was serving under Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang, seeing that the situation had already happened, first sincerely admitted his mistake, saying that he was ineffective in management and should be punished. He was willing to accept the punishment and did not blame Tang He.Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had to bear the responsibility alone, Tang He shouted: "It's our own fault, and it's none of other people's business. Tang He is willing to be punished."

Guo Tianxu said: "To put it lightly, if you punish the soup and fifty boards, are you willing to bear it?" Tang He was shocked when he heard the fifty boards, but Zhu Yuanzhang said decisively: "I am willing." Guo Tianxu changed his mind and said: "You shouldn't be punished, the 50 boards still have to be given to Tang He, but you have to punish Tang He with the board yourself." Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly raised his head, looked at Tang He in pain, gritted his teeth and said to Guo Tianxu: "Obey." Zhu Yuanzhang played these 50 boards with all his strength, without any falsehood, which made Guo Tianxu feel a little dazed.He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't bear it, but he never thought that Zhu Yuanzhang would be so hard-hearted when he executed it.

At the end of the fight, Tang He could no longer stand up, the pain was so great that he could only groan, and his skin was almost torn apart.Xu Da wanted to help Tang He up, but was pushed away by Zhu Yuanzhang. He bent over to pick up Tang He and left, carrying it all the way to his home.Seeing this, Ma Xiuying complained that Zhu Yuanzhang was using too much force and was about to apply medicine to Tang He's clothes. Zhu Yuanzhang asked her to bring some warm water, and at the same time untied Tang He's clothes.Ma Xiuying was holding a towel to wipe Tang He's wound, but Zhu Yuanzhang stopped her.He wiped it for Tang He clumsily, that kind of situation was more kind than a brother, even Xu Da who was standing beside him was very moved.

This time, Tang He and Xu Da were more convinced of Zhu Yuanzhang, convinced of his rigor and integrity in front of others, and convinced of his true feelings for his brothers in private. After Jia Lu Weihao was dismissed, Zhu Yuanzhang revealed to Tang He and Xu Da that he did not want to stay in Haozhou City: "You all know that Guo Tianxu has been making trouble for us, and the Marshal of Haozhou City We are full of conflicts, and we really don’t know what the future holds if we stay in Haozhou. You two are brave men, and you have been under Guo Zixing’s subordinates for so long, but you haven’t been promoted. Several marshals are fighting. Coupled with Guo Tianxu's jealousy, I am really afraid that I will hurt the two of you." Tang He is an impatient person with a straightforward personality. Seeing the sad look on Zhu Yuanzhang's face, he said bluntly: "We have long been displeased with Guo Tianxu. He has no ability. What kind of prestige is he playing with being a son? Otherwise, eldest brother, let's take my sister-in-law and leave." Haozhou, don’t believe that our three brothers can’t achieve success.” Xu Da also thought it was a good idea to leave Haozhou. Soon, Zhu Yuanzhang advised Guo Zixing to attack Dingyuan, and Guo Zixing sent Zhu Yuanzhang to attack Dingyuan.Zhu Yuanzhang did not bring the soldiers and horses sent by Guo Zixing, but only brought about twenty close friends, among whom Zhu Yuanzhang worked hardest were Tang He and Xu Da.Whether it was in the process of recruiting troops or in the battle to conquer Dingyuan, both of them were at the forefront, loyal and dedicated.In subsequent battles, Tang He and Xu Da have always been Zhu Yuanzhang's most trusted and closest generals.And Zhu Yuanzhang also distinguishes between public and private, never favoritism in military and political affairs, and never put on airs in private, he is still a good brother. It was Zhu Yuanzhang's clear and rigorous attitude towards everything, as well as his sincere affection for his brothers, that moved Tang He and Xu Da to his sincere support.They became the earliest supporters of Zhu Yuanzhang at the beginning of his career, and they were also the brothers who followed Zhu Yuanzhang the longest, were the most loyal, and cared the most for Zhu Yuanzhang.