The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 208 It's all my money

Half a month has passed since Wang Xin left Yanmen Pass. Zhao Yong has taken charge of all affairs at Yanmen Pass and personally oversees the city, forming a core defensive perimeter with the western gate of Yanmen Pass and Guangwu City. Zhang Can is in charge of the cavalry and Tang Ping is in charge of the artillery.

Although the military governor of Datong and the powerful guerrilla general left at the same time, the border remained peaceful because of their past achievements in the battles outside the pass, which crippled the Shanyu tribe and intimidated the Dabansheng tribes.

Although there were some rumors and news from the Osaka district, the investigations ultimately revealed that they were all false alarms.

Zhao Yong knew that he bore a heavy responsibility, which was not only about expanding the garrison at Yanmen Pass.

Having followed the general for so long, aside from other matters, the issue of provisions was paramount, and the importance of accumulating grain was etched in his mind. Although the general had left behind a large amount of grain at Yanmen Pass and pastures around Guangwu City before he left, Zhao Yong still immediately sent people to Datong to urge the supply of more provisions.

Zhao Yong did not make unreasonable demands for the grain and fodder needed at Yanmen Pass, but instead followed the established rules.

For example, the Hexi Camp had three thousand men, while the local garrison at Yanmen Pass had more than one thousand men. The camp soldiers were different from the local garrison soldiers, who were militiamen, a form of military service for the common people.

In the Ming Dynasty, only military households served in the army, but unlike civilian households, military households received no other compensation and still had to farm. Therefore, military households were exploited. The Great Zhou Dynasty learned from this lesson and did not establish military households.

The local garrison's pay was provided by the local government, and it was pitifully small; their provisions were provided by Datong.

In fact, not only Datong, but the entire Shanxi province was generally unable to be self-sufficient and needed grain from the south. It was also because of the grain from the south that Shanxi's population continued to grow.

Along with the grain routes from the south, merchants from the south also flocked to the region, gaining access to greater economic profits through the north-south trade routes formed by these grain routes. No business can exist without Hui merchants; their presence was felt throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty.

In short, they didn't mention the military pay that should have been paid by the imperial court, but only the food and provisions for the people and horses.

Nearly 5,000 people need 1,350 shi of food per month. Although it is locally supplied, it requires more than 200 cart trips for transportation and more than 1,000 manpower. And this is only for Yanmen Pass and for one month.

If you include the supply of fodder for livestock, the number would double.

Yanmen Pass currently has a large number of horses, and there are no plans to sell them. Fortunately, Guangwu City has the advantage of its location, which allows it to maintain a considerable number of them. Otherwise, with such large expenditures, even mountains of gold and silver could not withstand the consumption.

I have already sent people there twice, but Datong has not responded yet. Datong can afford to delay, but I cannot.

Zhao Yong had already sensed that someone in Datong was obstructing him, and he had been very worried and restless lately. Therefore, Zhao Yong made a decision to go to Datong in person.

With the general absent and himself gone, what would happen to Yanmen Pass if an enemy attack occurred? Yanmen Pass was not just a pass; if an enemy attack occurred, someone needed to coordinate the situation. Therefore, he appointed one of his subordinates.

Upon learning of Zhao Yong's arrangements and decision, Tang Ping was somewhat dissatisfied, but he suppressed his displeasure. Zhao Yong, accompanied by several riders, arrived in Datong, only meeting with the Datong Governor and Censor the following day.
No sooner had Feng Yong left than Zhang Wenjin summoned all the generals and officers of the Yongxing Army in Datong, publicly reprimanded two of them, and promoted several others. Without their leader and having just experienced defeat, the Yongxing Army was utterly demoralized.

With the Tiancheng Army and the two Beijing garrison units at Yanmen Pass, the Yongxing Army dared not cause any trouble.

Zhang Wenjin did not simply suppress the enemy. He not only paid the back wages but also met with many people and made many promises. As a result, only half a month after Feng Yong left, his Yongxing Army changed hands.

Having dealt with the Yongxing Army, Zhang Wenjin turned his attention to the Tiancheng Army and the Beijing Garrison at Yanmen Pass.

Zhang Wenjin was too busy dealing with the Yongxing Army to keep the demanded provisions and wages from the two armies, so he secretly withheld them. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yong from Yanmen Pass arrived, and he was the very target he had been eyeing.

The office of the governor and the censor-in-chief.

Zhao Yong sat down politely, sitting upright in the chair. Zhang Wenjin, who was in the main seat, looked Zhao Yong up and down, and then smiled and said, "How much of General Wang's skill have you learned?"

The question came as abruptly, and Zhao Yong cautiously replied, "General, your ability to lead troops into battle is unconventional. You act according to the circumstances, and there are no set patterns to learn. I have only learned a little bit of the basics."

Zhang Wenjin didn't believe it, but he was in a good mood. Zhao Yong was so cautious, which showed that he was a talented person. Moreover, he was capable of managing the affairs of Yanmen Pass. Even if he wasn't as capable as Wang Xin, he could still be used as half as Wang Xin.

Zhao Yong alone, along with the Yongxing Army, is enough to subdue Wang Xin. As for Hu Liyong of the Tiancheng Army, he is not a big problem.

“General Zhao is too modest. It’s just a pity that despite making countless contributions to the country, you have always followed the wrong person, which is why you are still only a Zuo Ji General today.” Zhang Wenjin probed, “Although the Zuo Ji General is also a general, he is a fake general. With General Zhao’s abilities, what’s wrong with being a real general?”

Zhao Yong remained silent.

Having experienced the Luo Ming incident, and finally following the general, in just over a year, Zhao Yong successively eliminated the Japanese pirates, dealt a heavy blow to the Hu tribe, and intimidated the internal forces. Not to mention the environment and atmosphere in the army, Zhao Yong really couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Zhang Wenjin's probing.

He was all too familiar with this kind of thing, so familiar that he was somewhat disgusted by it.

"Why is General Zhao silent?" Zhang Wenjin asked curiously. "Is he worried about the situation of the court? I can tell you frankly that General Zhao doesn't need to worry about anything else. Just focus on fighting well and making meritorious contributions. The court will take care of things for you, instead of the past where you sweated and bled only to end up with nothing."

Zhao Yong finally spoke, and Zhang Wenjin listened attentively, her heart filled with anticipation.

"The Shanxi Provincial Governor's Office has issued a document stating that the rations and pay for Yanmen Pass will be distributed by the Governor. Since returning from outside the pass, as well as the previous arrears, there have been two months' worth of rations and pay yet to be distributed. I humbly ask the Governor when these two months' worth of rations and pay will be distributed?"

Hearing Zhao Yong's words, which were not what he wanted to hear, Zhang Wenjin was somewhat disappointed. "The flood season for the barbarian invasions has arrived. In order to strengthen defenses, priority should be given to supplying the soldiers at the border. The other units should be supplied later, once they have sufficient manpower." Zhang Wenjin said calmly, "I hope General Zhao will prioritize the affairs of the state."

"In that case, may my troops go to Datong to collect the grain themselves and transport it back?"

"This is outrageous! At such a critical juncture, how can we act recklessly?" Zhang Wenjin said with dissatisfaction. No army can move without orders, especially not in Datong City. What if there's a mutiny or rebellion? Mutinies have happened before in the Nine Garrisons.

"Since that's not possible, when will the provisions for Yanmen Pass arrive?" Having easily met with the governor and censor today, Zhao Yong didn't want to waste the opportunity and asked directly.

“The journey to the border is arduous, and the mountainous areas are difficult to traverse. As a soldier, you should know the difficulties. Once the grain is delivered to various places along the border, it will naturally be sent south.” Zhang Wenjin emphasized the south.

The north is the front line, bearing the brunt of the attack, so it receives supplies first. Datong's population is limited, so only reasonable arrangements can be made. No one can criticize this; this is the power of authority, and whoever controls all matters controls the power.

If they dare to disobey, we can control them to death just by the issue of food. We can't just watch them starve to death. Are they going to rebel? Rebellion means execution.

Zhao Yong had nothing to say. Regardless of the truth or falsehood of Zhang Wenjin's reasons, he wasn't afraid to present them in court. Seeing that he had subdued Zhao Yong, Zhang Wenjin softened his tone and began to appease him.

Zhao Yong joined Wang Xin halfway through his career, and had only been with Wang Xin for a little over a year.

Zhang Wenjin didn't believe this person could disregard personal gain and wholeheartedly follow Wang Xin. If it were Tang Ping, Zhang Wenjin was less confident, as Tang Ping was a former miner and one of the earliest people trained by Wang Xin.

It's not surprising that two or three out of ten confidants trained in this way would be completely devoted to them.

Zhao Yong didn't dare to make any definitive statements and completely offend Zhang Wenjin. He was just a junior general, and some of his subordinates were not convinced of his authority. For example, Tang Ping acted as if he was the only one who truly trusted the general, and was wary of others betraying the general's interests, which greatly displeased Zhao Yong.

It turns out that Liu Tong was still alive. He had good relations with both sides, and with his mediation, the two sides maintained harmony. Now that the general is gone, and Liu Tong is also gone, things have become somewhat delicate.

Or should we get our hands on the supplies first?

Zhao Yong hesitated for a moment.

Zhang Wenjin's face was full of enthusiasm. The Yongxing Army had been personally built by Feng Yong for more than ten years, but he still managed to capture it easily. Given time, he could completely control the entire Yongxing Army.

I just don't believe it. So what if it's the Hexi Camp? It's only been two years since it was formed.

Besides, Wang Xin was merely a guerrilla general, not even a commander-in-chief. How much profit could he possibly share with his subordinates? People die for wealth, birds die for food. Zhao Yong's current hesitation only strengthened Zhang Wenjin's confidence.

Half a month ago, some of the generals and officers of Yongxing Army even tried to rebel, but in the end they all knelt down.
-
The Wenhua Hall was not only where the emperor conducted official business, but also his sleeping quarters. Although the Wenhua Hall was quite large and had many rooms, there were still many things that could not be left there.

For example, the imperial harem.

The retired emperor's harem was not given up. Both Renshou Palace and Cining Palace had owners, as did the Western Six Palaces and the Eastern Six Palaces. There was not enough space, so the emperor had to squeeze himself in, which made his life very stifling.

Xia Shouzhong whispered to the emperor, "Your Majesty, Prince Zhongshun has arrived."

The emperor quickly ordered, "Please invite my uncle in."

soon.

Prince Chungshun entered the side hall of the Wenhua Hall, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Uncle, please rise." The emperor had someone bring him a seat. After Prince Zhongshun took his seat, he gave the emperor a wink, and the emperor nodded. Xia Shouzhong, who was standing next to him, immediately waved his hand and led the palace eunuchs out. Since walls have ears, Xia Shouzhong personally stood guard at the door.

“I had Cheng Hong withdraw from the Eastern Army,” Prince Chungshun said calmly.

Upon hearing Prince Chungshun's words, the Emperor lost his composure and exclaimed in surprise, "Why is that?"

Prince Chungshun explained in detail, as if he were instructing the emperor on how to do things: "The Eastern Army is too conspicuous. Not only is the Emperor Emeritus keeping an eye on it, but it is also controlled by the Ministry of War. Moreover, Cheng Hong is a good-for-nothing who has no further use, so there is no need to protect him anymore."

The emperor worriedly asked, "Won't this discourage the people below?"

Prince Chungshun disagreed and mocked, "Those below make money, and the lion's share goes to their superiors and their colleagues. Everyone is happy, and in the end, they acquire land, build houses, and hire servants, making their family fortunes ever more abundant."

Even a minor seventh-rank official could build a luxurious mansion, take several concubines, and then, while complaining of being poor and having no money, would go out of his way to make money for his children and grandchildren, hoping to accumulate a family fortune in one generation.

Cheng Hong is the kind of person who's only there to make money; no one expected him to do anything. Now that he's returning home with mountains of gold and silver that could last for generations, how could Cheng Hong possibly be dissatisfied?

The emperor's face darkened; all of this was his money.

(End of this chapter)