Tiger Guards

Chapter 726 Transition of Power
At night, the mountain wind howled within the cemetery.

For Zhao Ji, spending the night alone in the mausoleum was simply a matter of lighting a fire and making do in a sheltered and brightly lit hall to get through the night.

But for his accompanying officials, this was a major event.

Ordinary guards, even personal guard officers... in the eyes of the shogunate's subordinates, these colleagues who received the same salary as their rank basically had no long-term future.

These military officers are tantamount to useless people when it comes to the country's future planning or construction.

In the eyes of the shogunate's subordinates, they were the chosen ones of tomorrow, indispensable arms to Grand Tutor Zhao in ruling the world and governing the people, like the pillars of a house.

As for military officers, in the eyes of the pillars of the state, they were nothing more than thatch on a roof or a layer of yellow mud covering an earthen wall.

Therefore, tonight, Zhao Ji's accompanying shogunate staff had their own ideas, and the officers and soldiers of the guard also had their own thoughts and opinions.

Inside a curtained room, Su Ze lay expressionless on a felt rug, wrapped in fur, glancing sideways at the hearth.

Inside this curtained area are key figures in the staff like Su Ze, ranging from officials with a salary of 600 shi (a unit of grain) to clerks with a salary of 400 shi (another unit of grain).

Even with such important status, they can only use a curtain without a canopy tonight.

The night wind was blowing, and although the curtains could block most of the wind, there was still noticeable noise, and cold air could also seep in.

The campfire provided only limited lighting and warmth, and under such rudimentary conditions, it was difficult for Su and his companions to be in a good mood.

As for the guards, they were generally able to adapt to such simple overnight conditions.

Ma Chao remained an official with a rank of 600 shi, but his temporary full-time post as military supervisor was changed to supervisor of tigers and leopards.

So Ma Chao and the officers and elite knights of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry sat around a larger campfire. They disliked the cramped space of a single-layered curtain and preferred the grand and lively campfire.

Many people fear the nights in cemeteries, believing that the resentment of the fierce ghosts who died on the battlefield still lingers, driving the winds to emit resentful howls.

But Ma Chao and his men were truly fearless, unlike some of Cao Cao's subordinates who dared not step out of the curtain to urinate, but instead relieved themselves on the spot, for fear of being disturbed by the heroic spirits and souls of the soldiers in the wind.

For example, Ma Chao himself dared to go to a disadvantageous position and face the deep darkness alone.

After he finished, he shook himself off, then turned around and walked with a crab-like gait, fastening his belt as he went, his mind processing the news he had heard during the casual conversation.

Although he was a Tiger and Leopard Supervisor, in terms of personal rank, he belonged to the highest-ranking supervisor, with an armband of two bars and four stars.

The supervisor was an official post specially assigned by Zhao Ji, and it was roughly divided into four levels.

Starting with the juvenile prison, there are three levels: intermediate prison, senior prison, and grand prison.

Similarly, the military supervisors of generals like the General Who Pacifies Bandits and the General Who Subdues Waves were at the level of Grand Supervisors, just two steps away from being appointed generals on their own.

Other generals and military supervisors with miscellaneous titles who were organized into five battalions were only appointed as supervisors, and were later transferred to positions such as miscellaneous captains, or commanding captains or captains.

Aside from the uncommon intermediate-level military supervisors who operate independently or are stationed in the military command, other intermediate-level military supervisors are often found in mines, smelting plants, and pastoral areas with a scale of thousands of households.

In low-skilled government slave units, the person in charge was the junior supervisor.

Ma Chao was appointed as the Tiger and Leopard Supervisor... Everyone knew this was just a transition. His military achievements determined that he would definitely be enfeoffed as a Marquis after following Zhao Ji into Jinyang. At that time, the Ma family of Fufeng would have two marquises, which would be a great story.

The difference lies in the specific fief and new job assignment of Ma Chao as a marquis. Having accumulated merit to become a marquis, he enjoys the state's fief and taxes, which is naturally not to be taken lightly.

In terms of rank, a Marquis of a Pavilion is destined to be slightly higher than any other ministerial rank.

If a military officer can accumulate merits to become a marquis, it means that his achievements are sufficient to be appointed as a general.

Therefore, in Zhao Ji's system, the appointment of generals and the title of marquis were directly linked. At present, the strongest generals, Zhang Liao, who quelled bandits, and Gan Ning, who subdued the waves, were both at the level of marquis of a township; most of the other generals were marquises of a pavilion.

Among them, the strategist Jia Xu, the military commander Pei Xiu, as well as Zhao Yun and Xu Huang, are not included in this common rule.

Although Ma Chao had a bright and promising future, he still suffered from the resistance, alienation, and exclusion of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry officers.

It was only in this special place and at this special time tonight that the Tiger and Leopard Army officers showed a clear change in their emotions and revealed some 'secrets' to Ma Chao.

For the officers of the Tiger and Leopard Army, this was not a secret, and even if it were told to Ma Chao, the supervisor of the Tiger and Leopard Army, it would not be considered a leak.

Zhao Ji only told Chang Mao and Gao Yanglong about the future appointments of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Naturally, they wouldn't keep it all from their officers and soldiers. As a result, many arrangements were spread among the officers and soldiers in advance.

As for Ma Chao, he was more responsible for ensuring the treatment of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and enforcing military discipline, and he was not aware of the future appointments of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

After all, this had nothing to do with him. He was about to be ennobled and appointed as a general, and he would be in charge of a general's department in the future. Zhao Ji would not transfer the command of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to Ma Chao.

Now, through conversations among these Tiger and Leopard Cavalry officers, Ma Chao finally confirmed that the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry would participate in the upcoming Liaodong War.

There are too many generals and troops involved in the plan, and it is impossible for the troops to assemble and set off together, which would put too much pressure on logistics.

Naturally, some people are mobilized, and others set off.

As long as the vanguard can intervene in and intervene in the situation in Youzhou in a timely manner, the subsequent reinforcements can be delivered at a leisurely pace, and the greatest military pressure can be transmitted to Yuan Shao and Donghu with relatively low logistical pressure.

Ma Chao was very dissatisfied with the martial reputation established by Gan Ning and Zhang Liao. Now that the opportunity was in front of him, he naturally wanted to find a way to take a chance.

Thinking about these things, Ma Chao came to the campfire, took a beef rib handed to him by the Left Chancellor of the Leopard Cavalry. It was a little hot to the touch, but Ma Chao held it tightly and put it to his mouth, first slurping up the already meager amount of broth and marrow.

He immediately tore at the fascia on his ribs, ripping off most of it in one bite. Ma Chao tilted his head and twisted his chin, easily severing it. Chewing, he asked those around him, "I've heard how excellent the Youzhou Cavalry are. How do they compare to the Tiger Cavalry?"

Upon hearing this, the Right Chancellor of the Tiger Cavalry, who was sitting opposite the campfire, spoke up: "The Turkic Cavalry are exceptionally brave and skilled. However, they are inferior to the Tiger Cavalry in three aspects. First, the Tiger Cavalry are also fearless and have the Bright Light Great Armor to protect them, which can suppress the bravery of the Turkic Cavalry. As for our Tiger Cavalry, they are handpicked from among hundreds of people and are more skilled in cavalry charges. Even if their individual skills are not as good as the Turkic Cavalry, when they charge in formation, the Tiger Cavalry will surely win!"

The Right Chancellor, looking quite pleased with himself, continued, "Furthermore, the Grand Marshal is exceptionally brave. Our army's morale was high when facing the enemy, and even before the battle began, the enemy was largely intimidated by our morale. Even if they were able to fight, they dared not engage in battle."

Ma Chao nodded and asked, "If the Grand Tutor stays in the rear, how many elite cavalry can the Tiger Cavalry withstand in battle?"

The Right Chancellor of the Tiger Cavalry opposite him composed himself in thought; he did not wish to answer the question.

He was originally a member of the garrison in Jiangyi. His life in the first half of his life was very unsatisfactory, and he did not even want to think about it. He had gradually forgotten it.

It was only through Zhao Ji's forceful reorganization of the Jiangyi garrison that he was able to rise to prominence.

In subsequent battles, wherever Zhao Jichang directed, he was able to bravely defeat the enemy.

This has almost become an instinct, to the point that the possibility has been ignored.

How could the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry appear in Liaodong while Zhao Ji remained in the rear?
Ma Chao's question made sense, but he was unwilling to face it. Shaking his head, he chuckled and said, "How could the Grand Marshal leave us stranded out here alone?"

"Yes, without us, who would guard His Majesty?"

The other officers immediately echoed this sentiment. They were willing to go to Liaodong to participate in the war, but they believed that when the time was right, Zhao Ji would arrive at the front line quickly and command them to create a new era of glory!
Seeing that the other Tiger and Leopard Cavalry officers all had similar attitudes, Ma Chao had already tacitly agreed that Zhao Ji would sneak to the front line and lead them to defeat the enemy.

However, Ma Chao also had a political sense and judged that during this Liaodong campaign, Zhao Ji would definitely stay firmly in Jinyang and formally transfer some power from the Grand Tutor, no longer simply managing military affairs.

So, my chance to make a unique contribution has arrived...

(End of this chapter)