The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 368 Raising an Army in Rebellion
Xue Ke returned home unhappily.

He planned to see the general, but learned that the general was not there, so he could only go back to his own office, which was with Zheng Ang and several other clerks.

Although the Jiedushi Mansion became the Governor-General's Mansion, the Governor-General's Mansion then became the General's Mansion.

However, some of the officials remain.

Those responsible for inventorying the warehouses, coordinating official documents with various regions, managing the accounts of the Datong military garrison, and inventorying military equipment.
"what!"

Xue Ke had just settled into his seat.

A clerk rushed in and handed an official document to the clerk in the office. The clerk took it and was stunned. He stood up, speechless with astonishment.

"What is the matter?"

When someone went over to take a look, they were also dumbfounded.

Xue Ke had a vague idea of ​​what was going to happen. Wasn't it supposed to be tomorrow? Why was it released in the afternoon? So he went over to take a look and sure enough, it was.

The official document prominently displayed the two large characters for "recovering stolen assets".

Without any concealment, they did not adopt Lu Zhongheng's suggestion to change the wording, lest it upset the morale of the troops, and were rejected by the commander-in-chief.

"Starting today, a thorough investigation will be launched into the distribution and accounting of all military pay and provisions in Datong Garrison since the 20th year of the Shunzheng reign. All civil and military officials, from the former Governor-General's Office down to the rank of Battalion Commander and above, must cooperate with the investigation."

"We support all those who report violations, and the General's Office promises to provide protection."

Xue Ke listened to the sound of others reciting.

then.

Zhang Yuncheng said that rewards should be given to encourage more people to come forward and report such incidents.

It was also rejected by the general manager.

"The Datong Military Town Inspection Corps is established, consisting of ten corps, each with twelve members. The captain is Cao Can, who is temporarily promoted from the position of Attendant Gentleman of the Palace and is in charge of the Inspection Corps. He is fully authorized to review, investigate, and recover stolen goods."

"Establish the Datong Military Town Inspection Team, consisting of thirty teams, each with eleven members, to be responsible for inspecting smuggling at checkpoints."

If these aren't shocking enough...

So next.

"The inspection team recruited from the public, requiring them to have a clean background, be able to read and write 'Journey to the West,' 'Water Margin,' 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' and 'Fine Plum Blossoms,' and pass a simple calculation test."

"After a six-month trial period, if you meet the job requirements, you will be promoted to a permanent position."

"During the probationary period, the monthly salary is one tael of silver and five qian of grain coupons, with one day off every ten days and ten days of annual leave. After becoming a regular employee, the monthly salary is two taels of silver and five qian of grain coupons, with one day off every ten days and twenty days of annual leave."

The crowd was unable to describe their feelings.

"It's all in chaos."

"Whether it's a minor or major official position, it's still an official post. Can just anyone be an official? Wouldn't that create chaos?"

Everyone said something to me.

Everyone felt offended.

However, Wang Xin didn't have many talented people around him, but they all supported him.

Over the years, Wang Xin had more than just a handful of staff and clerks around him, but he had very high standards for those around him.

Xue Ke remained silent.

In the past, everyone avoided talking about me, but now they don't even avoid me anymore. You can imagine how hard it is for everyone to accept this.

However, Xue Ke buried himself in tidying up and soon went out to find Zeng Zhi.

His family business had many employees and apprentices.

Not only are they literate and good at math, but because they are skilled at greeting and seeing off customers at the counter, they are more insightful than many others. Since the governor does not look down on these people, after all, in the eyes of many people, being an official is a sacred profession.

Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce.

If even the merchants are worthless, what about the shop assistants and apprentices?

However, since the general is willing to use him, Xue Ke is willing to help his own shop's employees and apprentices more.

With their abilities, they can handle any amount of pressure, even if they get yelled at at the counter. So what about the inspection team? They are the ones checking others and have the initiative. How can their pressure compare to the pressure of dealing with all kinds of customers at the counter?

There shouldn't be any problem getting a permanent position.

Two taels of silver a month, plus five qian of grain coupons, totaling thirty taels of silver a year, plus six days of leave each month and twenty days of annual leave—this kind of windfall is too good to pass up; you'd regret it for the rest of your life if you missed it.

As for the father.

Xue Ke didn't have time to worry about it.

Training shop assistants and apprentices is not easy; it can take many years to train them, even if they are only given food. But the time lost cannot be recovered.

With money, why worry about not finding people?
Unless the money isn't enough.

Money and benefits are both provided.

But you also need some skills.

It's not about being good at reading or accounting; rather, it's about being able to withstand pressure and solve complex problems.

As for not having enough ability?

I'm sorry.

They can only be eliminated during the trial period.

A six-month probationary period is sufficient to test whether this person is competent.

Therefore, you cannot drive freely after you become a full-fledged employee.

Although it's a new thing.

But once someone took the lead, more and more people quickly signed up.

Wang Xin personally participated.

He rejected all the high-level questions from Zeng Zhi and others, and only asked a few brief questions.

For example, what are the differences between the monsters killed by Sun Wukong in Journey to the West and those that were not killed? If a monster was not killed, how should the inspection team deal with it?

The Great Zhou Dynasty inherited the mantle of the Great Ming Dynasty.

The popularity of vernacular novels indicates that literacy rates have reached a certain level.

Being able to read vernacular novels does not mean one is good at taking the imperial examinations.

The imperial examination required classical Chinese, specifically the eight-legged essay. Although the threshold was already low, it was still considered high for ordinary people.

Only vernacular Chinese.

Even those who are illiterate can speak.

But the entry barrier is too low.

Therefore, one must be able to write.

Zeng Zhi, Zhang Yuncheng, and the others were speechless. Although they supported Wang Xin in their hearts, they were still very unaccustomed to it.

On the contrary, Xue Ke was the most supportive, because he had no official rank.

Zhang Yuncheng was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and Zeng Zhi was a Juren (a successful candidate in the

Then the situation is different with the inspection team.

The inspection team needs to inspect the border, which is very risky, so they recruit from the army. Whether they are elite soldiers or militia, anyone who can pass the test can join.

As for the inspection team, there are risks.

Wang Xin was generous in providing compensation, which amounted to no more than three hundred people.

Actually.

Doing business is riskier.

Countless doctors who ran small businesses died far from home.

Farming is even harder.

They toil in the fields all year round, their bodies break down at a young age, and many die young.

The disaster victims are suffering even more.

Countless families perished in the disaster.

The more than four hundred new positions were quickly snapped up, with a large number of people from all walks of life rushing to join.

The actual training covered various regulations and penalties.

The requirement is to be thoroughly familiar with everything.

In reality, there's no need to urge them; everyone wants to keep their jobs, and they've already memorized the regulations and rules so well they could practically recite them backwards.

Zhou Family Compound.

"Wang Xin is acting so recklessly? Even if he's not afraid of alarming the court and incurring its displeasure and punishment, isn't he also afraid of provoking opposition from his soldiers? Pursuing stolen goods, how could he even think of such a thing?"

Zhou Gui danced with excitement.

Zhou Shiming, wearing a hat, looked at the copies of official documents issued by the Datong General's Office to various armies.

Ai-Dai is the name of the translator.

Introduced in the early Ming Dynasty.

In the original timeline, during the mid-Ming Dynasty, Sun Yunqiu invented double-lens eyeglasses that could be fitted with a bridge on the nose and improved the lens grinding technology, also known as the "roller wheel," which promoted the practical application and popularization of eyeglasses.

Merchants even started labeling their products with trademarks, and eyeglasses gradually became an affordable everyday item for ordinary people.

Although it became the Great Zhou Dynasty, it continued to develop in the same way.

Zhou Shiming was somewhat suspicious.

“My father made an agreement with each family not long ago. He was a little uneasy at first, but now it seems that we don’t even need to band together to oppose him. He’s already getting carried away and ruining himself.”

Hearing his son's words, Zhou Shiming agreed in his heart.

"But I feel uneasy."

Zhou Shiming murmured, "This man always does things his own way, his actions are unpredictable and unconventional, like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving no trace. Could he be hiding some methods that we haven't seen? Otherwise, with his intelligence, how could he have made such a big mistake?"

"They've had it all too long and got carried away."

Zhou Gui was certain.

Zhou Shiming really couldn't think of anything.

“Wei Yi, Zhao He, Zhang Zhen, Li Kun, and Li Qi did indeed defect to Wang Xin in time, but Wang Xin thought he had the situation under control and could rest easy. Wasn’t he too trusting of these people? I don’t believe it. Not one of these people opposed Wang Xin’s perverse actions.”

"Just watch."

Zhou Shifeng certainly wanted to get rid of Wang Xin, but the more reckless Wang Xin acted, the more he was reminded of when Wang Xin first came to Datong.

At that time.

Who thinks Wang Xin has a good chance?
"Father!" Zhou Gui stamped his foot anxiously.

Zhou Shiming ignored his son.

Zhou Shiming was still calculating whether to eat a little less or die and have nothing to eat.

Zhou Gui was helpless.

As he left his father's room, the butler came to the door. "Young Master, should we send away those people from Master Li's side?"

"No need, I'll go see him myself."

Zhou Gui gritted his teeth.

My father is getting senile.

I misjudged Tang Ping from the start. I had hoped that since he came from a poor background, I would marry my daughter to him and raise him well. But he turned out to be a man who didn't understand the bigger picture and disregarded the interests of his own people for the benefit of outsiders.

There's also the matter of Wang Xin.

The father made concessions repeatedly, even conceding on tariffs.

Everyone in Datong was watching the Zhou family, but none of the Zhou family stepped forward.

So who would dare to stand up to them?

The Zhou family's reputation has declined day by day over the years, all because of the father's weakness.

The housekeeper dared not offer any advice.

They took the young master to meet Master Li's men.

Li Qi was the Right Route Assistant General of Yongxing Army. He originally commanded several thousand men, but now he has joined Wang Xin, who has returned to Datong. However, Wang Xin does not seem to value Li Qi much, but instead has taken away a lot of Li Qi's power.

But that's not surprising.

Wang Xin frequently mobilized his various units, and his subordinates trusted him greatly.

Therefore, it seems that Li Qi is still loyal to Wang Xin.

I never expected them to secretly collude with the young master.

It seems the young master guessed correctly.

Moreover, the young master will eventually be in charge of the family in the future.

The butler stopped thinking about it.

That night.

Li Qi finally welcomed back his cousin.

"What did the Zhou family say?"

Li Qi asked anxiously.

"I didn't see Old Master Zhou, but I did see the eldest son of the Zhou family. The young master was very supportive and even provided several names, saying that these people could be ordered around at will, and they were all members of the Zhou family."

"Show me quickly."

Li Qi quickly took it, and after reading it, his expression was complicated, yet he couldn't help but feel happy.

"I never expected the Zhou family to have quietly won over so many people in the Yongxing Army and Tiancheng Army."

"The Zhou family has cultivated Datong for generations, and their foundation is extraordinary." The man said excitedly, "With the strong support of the Zhou family, Young Master Zhou said that as soon as Datong falls into chaos, he will immediately arrange for the court to impeach him. In addition, Wang Xin has recently been audacious in changing the court system, so Wang Xin is doomed."

"That's good."

Li Qi thought so too.

Recovering stolen assets?

Which brother can accept this?

He dared to step forward, and many others in the military had already expressed their support.

Since Wang Xin did not value him and even tried to reduce his power, Li Qi was unwilling to tolerate it and now he had seized the opportunity to kill him.

Day two.

Li Qi went to the camp as usual.

The Yongxing Army had a roster of 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers, but actually numbered over 30,000.

However, these 30,000 people were definitely not crammed into Datong City.

In addition to the nearly 10,000 people stationed in Datong City, there were also household guards, night watchmen, militiamen, and others stationed at various border posts and fortresses.

The Yongxing Army's right flank actually numbered less than three thousand men.

Li Qi was originally a lieutenant general, which is the highest-ranking general on the right flank.

Today we raise our banners.

"Boom boom boom!"

Not a moment.

Each general entered.

Li Qi looked at them one by one, and many people returned his gaze. Only a few people sensed that the atmosphere was not good, felt that they had been kept in the dark, and dared not step forward.

"All right."

"Enough with the nonsense. Wang Xin is acting against the tide of history and disregards the lives of his brothers. Today, it's either him or me. Which of you brothers here support him? Please state your position."

Li Qi didn't waste any words.

"I!"

"I support."

One by one, the generals stepped forward.

Many of them were the people who had previously encouraged Li Qi. It was precisely because he had the support of many generals and the endorsement of the Zhou family from the imperial court that Li Qi made up his mind. He smiled and said, "Not only you, but the other two routes and the Tiancheng Army also have people supporting them."

"In that case, what's there to hesitate about?"

“Wang Xin has given his soldiers a lot of benefits these days. It will take a few more days to keep them in check, otherwise they may easily cause trouble.”

"That's right. The entire camp is under martial law today. No one is allowed to leave."

Everyone offered suggestions and ideas.

suddenly
"Oh no!"

A messenger ran in and announced, "The General's Office has sent people to the camp."

"what happened?"

Li Qi was shocked: "Who let them into the camp without my permission?"

"They were using the banner of the General's Mansion, and the soldiers outside the camp gate did not stop them. Moreover, they publicly accused the Commander-in-Chief of betraying the General and incited the soldiers to follow them to arrest the Commander-in-Chief."

"what?"

Li Qi's face turned ashen.

I've only just begun, how come the General's Mansion has sent people so quickly?
When I left the General's Mansion yesterday morning, I pledged my loyalty to Wang Xin. Even if Wang Xin wanted to suppress me, he shouldn't know that I was going to cause trouble today, right?
Everyone changed their colors.

"Damn it, let's go for it."

They just expressed their support, and they can't escape responsibility if investigated later.
Whom will the soldiers support?

Some hesitated.

Everyone couldn't help but regret that they should have tried to win over the soldiers more during this time; now that the matter was at hand, it was too late.

There was a "crack" sound.

Everyone looked around.

"Gui Yong! What do you want to do?"

A school officer suddenly drew his sword and, before anyone could react, leaped to Li Qi's side and, without hesitation, placed the sword against Li Qi's neck.

“You all want to rebel, but I don’t agree to it.”

The man sneered.

"Although the commander-in-chief has only been in office for less than a month, which soldier does not support him? If you want to fight the commander-in-chief, go jump into the river if you want to die. Don't go through all this trouble and don't drag me into it."

"Gui Yong".

Li Qi gritted his teeth, "If you do this now, Wang Xin will believe you. He'll only think you're a treacherous villain who betrays his country."

"Yes."

"Your life won't be easy either, but it's not too late to give it your all now."

No one wanted to give up.

If it weren't for the knife Gui Yong was holding to Li Qi's neck, the group would have already rushed forward and taken Gui Yong down.

Although Gui Yong was brave and skilled in martial arts, he was, after all, just one person.

Without Li Qi's name, everyone felt even less confident, so they were determined to protect Li Qi.

"Who dares!"

Gui Yong shouted loudly.

"Boom."

The door was kicked open.

Liu Tong walked in with his hands behind his back, looking casual, but he was stunned.

What's going on here?

Last night I received an urgent military order to lead a thousand elite troops on a rapid march into the city, and to come and arrest people early the next morning as ordered by the General.

It can't be too late.

Too early won't work either.

I didn't expect to see such a good show.

Although he didn't know where the General had learned the news, the General was always meticulous in his planning, so while he was surprised, Liu Tong wasn't surprised.

"The inspection team only has about ten people, but I brought a thousand more with me, all of them elite troops from the Western Army."

Before his personal guards could rush in, Liu Tong casually asked, "Are you planning to continue causing trouble? Or are you coming with me to see the commander-in-chief?"

Everyone was deflated.

Liu Tong glanced at Gui Yong.

Gui Yong sheathed his knife, feeling uneasy. Although he had a clear conscience, things had gone too far. Even if the commander-in-chief had a reputation for trusting those he didn't trust, he probably wouldn't believe him.

(End of this chapter)