Late Yuan Dynasty: I am the true emperor

Chapter 118 Guo Zixing's Plan
In the next few days, Luzhou City was very busy. Civil and military officials within the Shengwu Army system were being mobilized, troops were coming in and out, and once a new troop was reorganized, it would be directly transferred to the base for training.

Even the new recruits cannot be concentrated in Luzhou City. First, there will not be enough food to support so many people. Second, if they are allowed to guard the city and train at the garrison, the main force with combat effectiveness can be replaced.

The civil service system is also being adjusted.

Li Shanchang, the chief secretary of the Secretariat, and Feng Guoyong, the secretary, one civil and one military, assisted Lu Jin in handling government affairs.

Bao Heng, the director of the Finance and Household Department of the Academy of Literature, was the first civil servant to defect to Lu Jin, and finally had an official position, equivalent to the Minister of Revenue.

Zhang Laishuo, the head of the Ministry of Personnel, was hired through examination. He is responsible for the performance evaluation of officials. He does not have the power to appoint or dismiss officials for the time being, and has to be appointed or dismissed personally by Lu Jin.

Li Yinbing, the director of the Criminal Law Department, was recruited after taking the exam. He was currently compiling the "Luzhou Provisional Criminal Law". He had compiled all the laws provided by the candidates that day, a total of one hundred articles, and had also given sentencing standards. It had already passed the preliminary review by Lu Jin and would be printed after some revisions and sent to various counties for execution.

Xu Jichuan, the construction manager, was busy mining, smelting iron, and looking for craftsmen.

Xie Lianqing, the head of the Etiquette Department, was hired through examination. What does the Etiquette Department do? Currently he is responsible for the education in Chongwenguan and the classes for the children in the teaching camp. He is also responsible for making official uniforms and seals for officials.

Not long after, Xie Lianqing came over with Li Shanchang.

Li Shanchang asked Lu Jin first.

"Marshal, we have to decide on the reign title. Also, how should we engrave the official seals issued to the county magistrates? What reign title should be used for official documents of our Marshal's Office?"

This is indeed a problem.

Lu Jin was anti-Yuan, so it would be funny if he still used the Yuan Dynasty's Zhizheng reign title. He couldn't use Liu Futong's Longfeng, nor could he use Xu Song's Zhiping. So what should he use?
Lu Jin hesitated for a moment, then said, "Starting from this year, all official documents in the government will use the first year of Chu. The official seal will be engraved with 'Established in the First Year of Chu by the Marshal's Office of the Holy Martial Army', 'Made by the Seal Bureau of the Ministry of Literature and Etiquette', and then 'Seal of a Certain County' on the front."

In ancient times, there were no personal names of officials on official seals, and of course there are none in modern times. This thing is the official seal of a certain county government.

Generally, county and state governments use copper seals, but the color of the ribbons is different. Provincial and central governments use silver seals. The back side is engraved with the year and the issuing department, and the front side is engraved with the county seal or the prefecture seal. The front side can use seal script, and the back side can use official script or regular script.

The handover of official seals by officials is also called "receiving the seal".

The princes used gold seals, and the jade ones were called seals, not seals. Only the emperor could use them.

The size of the seal also has specifications, and there is a long cylindrical handle called a button, so the person holding the seal is also called the "number one".

"The first year of Chu?" Li Shanchang seemed to be thinking about something when he heard the reign title mentioned by Lu Jin.

"Yes, it's just temporary anyway. We can change to another year name later." Lu Jin didn't explain much.

Historically, Zhu Yuanzhang was Han Lin'er's subordinate at the beginning, and the official documents in his palace used the Dragon and Phoenix era names. Later, after he was named King of Wu, the official documents began to call it the First Year of Wu. Anyway, as long as you don't become emperor, you can use whatever you like. You will definitely have to change it after you become emperor.

Of course, Zhou cannot be used either. Not to mention that few countries with Zhou as the name of a king can last long. Zhang Shicheng initially called himself the King of Zhou, and later was recruited by the Yuan Dynasty. After the recruitment, he forced the Yuan Dynasty to confer the title of King of Wu on him. Just because it was used by Zhang Shicheng, Lu Jin would not use it again.

Li Shanchang nodded, "Then let's do this for now."

He didn't say a word of persuasion. As one's own family knows one's own business, this was a chaotic period for military expansion, and Li Shanchang also knew that he should keep a low profile. If he declared himself king now, he would be asking the Yuan court to attack him.

Not long after the two men left, Bao Heng came over again and told Lu Jin about something.

He is a native of Luzhou and is now in charge of the Finance Department, managing money and grain. He is also responsible for arranging accommodations for the new generals.

"Marshal, I arranged a two-story courtyard for Commander Guo, but he seemed dissatisfied and refused to take it. He then spent his own money to buy a three-story courtyard in Luzhou."

Lu Jin nodded, not at all surprised. Not only did he not scold Guo Zixing, but he reprimanded Bao Heng instead.

"You just don't use your brain when doing things. Commander Guo has a son and a daughter, both of whom are so old. He also has a wife and a concubine. How are you going to let them live in the two courtyards? Even if he and his son are leading troops outside, what if they come back one day?
"I can't even divide the houses properly. People who don't know me would think I'm stingy. I'm embarrassing myself!"

Bao Heng failed to write a report, and he also ate the melon. He immediately said with sweat on his forehead, "It's all my fault. I will go and find a bigger house for Commander Guo."

"Forget it, he has the money to buy it himself, so don't join in the fun. Pick out a better set of armor and give it to him, then say it's a gift from me, and then you go and apologize." Lu Jin made another arrangement.

"Yes." Bao Heng wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked out.

In Luzhou City, in Guo Zixing's newly bought mansion, his concubine Zhang and adopted daughter Ma Xiuying were directing the servants. It was time to call the servants to clean up the new home.

Guo Zixing took his second, third and brother-in-law to talk to his wife. The eldest brother, Guo Tianyou, had already led the troops to Lu'an to replace Zhao Yong from the Second Regiment as the commander.

When Mrs. Zhang saw Old Guo bringing his son and her brother back, she hurriedly asked.

"Have you found out who is in charge of the Second Regiment that Tianyou went to? Can we help him? I heard that he went to Lu'an. Is it safe there? Will the Yuan court really come to attack him?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Tianxu immediately said, "Mother, don't worry. I have inquired and found that the most powerful families in the army now are Liao and Yu. The commanders of these two groups are veterans when the Chaohu uprising began and are most valued by the Marshal.

"Every time the commander personally led the troops to fight, it was Commander Yu of the Second Regiment who was stationed in Luzhou, which shows the commander's trust in him. "And Lu'an is in the rear, which is the safest place. However, there are pros and cons. If the generals only seek safety, how can they make merit? It's not difficult for Big Brother to live there, but it's not easy to earn military merit."

Zhang didn't care about military merit or not, she just wanted her son to be safe.

Guo Zixing also said at this time.

"Alas, it's still a month late. I heard that the Marshal just got married and it's not even full term yet. Otherwise, if he had married Huirong earlier, our family would have become prosperous."

Zhang asked hurriedly after hearing this, "Then when I go to visit the Marshal's wife in the next two days, do I still need to talk about marrying off my daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Zixing couldn't help but glare at her as if she were an idiot.

"Are you stupid? The marshal's wife has only been married for less than a month, and you've already given her a concubine. Aren't you afraid that she'll beat you out?"

"But isn't that what you said?" Zhang said angrily.

Guo Zixing thought about it.

"Well, find a good day, bring some gifts, and take Huirong and Xiuying to meet the Marshal's wife. Huirong is still young, only 15, so she can wait for two years. This time you go and bring her to the Marshal's wife to see her so that she can get to know her face and visit her often.

"But Sooyoung is already 20 years old and can't wait any longer.

"I heard that the Marshal does not allow slavery, and all slaves must be employed. This is the same as the former Song Dynasty. However, the Marshal's Mansion cannot be without someone to serve the Madam. If not, you can let Xiuying stay in the Marshal's Mansion to serve the Madam."

Of course, everyone present understood what this meant by serving the lady, and Zhang readily agreed to it since she was just an adopted daughter after all.

But his brother-in-law Zhang Tianyou said.

"Brother-in-law, I think you should marry Xiuying to Commander Zhu or Commander Zhang. These two are the Marshal's confidants and will have great futures. I heard they are unmarried. Wouldn't it be better for her to marry him as his wife than to be a concubine in the Marshal's mansion?

"Especially Commander Zhang. I heard he's the Marshal's wife's brother. If she marries Commander Zhang, she'll be even closer to the Marshal."

Guo Zixing scolded, "What do you know? Commander Zhang is just a commander even if he is your confidant. How can a commander's wife compare to him staying by the Marshal's side?

"Besides, I heard that Commander Zhang is not very old, and Xiuying is already 20 years old. If you promise her to him, what if Commander Zhang doesn't like her and you offend him for no reason? Wouldn't that be counterproductive?"

"Is it settled then?" Zhang asked again.

"Well, it's settled for now. You can take your two daughters to pay a visit first, and then we'll see if it works out.

"Then tomorrow I will hire a cook and prepare some wine and meat. I will host a banquet at home to entertain Commander Zhao from Lu'an.

"I heard that Zhao Yong is also a veteran of Chaohu. Now he and his brother have been promoted to commanders. Me, Miao Daheng, and I will all go to Wuwei in the future and serve under the 101st Division of Liao Shishuai. We will be in charge of the southern line. We will then work together. We are new here, so we must build good relationships with them."

"Of course I know this. Don't worry, I will not let you down." Zhang agreed again immediately.

Guo Zixing was not good at fighting, but he was born in a wealthy family and was good at business, interpersonal relationships, and dealing with people.

Zhao Yong hasn't arrived yet, but Guo Zixing is already prepared to build relationships.

After talking about her two daughters and preparing a banquet, Zhang looked at her two sons and her brother Zhang Tianyou and asked again.

"I heard that the Marshal has arranged to keep only Tianjue by your side. Tianxu and my brother Tianyou will also be sent to other places. Have you found out about those generals? After this, if you are a general under someone, you must build a good relationship with the superior in advance. Do you want to invite them to your home for a banquet?"

Guo Zixing said.

“That’s not necessary. Although the Marshal has transferred all of the brothers away, he has arranged them in good places. The eldest brother, Tianyou, is going to Commander Yu, who is the Marshal’s confidant.

“Your brother Tianyou is going to work for Master Liao, and he is also in Wuwei like me. I will take care of him when the time comes.

"Tian Xu is a member of the staff of General Yang who is going to Heyang. They are all 1,000-household officers in the main force and the personal soldiers of General Yang. They will have plenty of opportunities for promotion if they make meritorious service in the future. But they are different from the 1,000-household officers under General Miao. Don't worry."

This is true. Lu Jin's original intention was to let the most trusted person look after Guo Zixing's sons, but since they were with the main force, they certainly had more opportunities to make meritorious deeds.

As for whether they can be promoted, Lu Jin will not deliberately suppress them. Everything depends on their performance.

Moreover, although Lu Jin assigned their family to different troops, these regiments were almost all in the Southern Front Group. They were not one regiment but one division, so they were not deliberately separated. Therefore, even a scheming person like Guo Zixing thought that Lu Jin's transfer was normal.

Finally, a few days later, on the sixth day of November, Zhao Yong rushed over from Lu'an, and the sixth day happened to be the day when Lu Jin had just gotten married.

Mrs. Guo Zhang asked the newly hired cook to prepare a banquet at home, while she took some gifts and took her two daughters to the Marshal's Mansion to meet Zhang Yunxiu, the Marshal's wife.

(End of this chapter)