Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 202 Enemy Traces Reappear (Seeking Votes)
Not far from Yuegang, in a brothel of a certain class in Xiangzhou Prefecture.

Behind the veil of thin gauze, as if shrouded in mist, the rain subsided, and the most beautiful peony nestled in the arms of a young patron whose face was slightly pale.

Her small, bright red hands pressed against his chest, her breath sweet as orchids whispering in his ear:

"Xing Lang, you are quite the charming gentleman, better than any of Peony's previous guests. Peony can't bear to see you leave even for a day."

A young man of about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, with a smug look on his face, stroked the beauty's small hand:
"That's for sure!"
In addition, I also have two techniques from the "Secrets of Human Affairs" – the "Method of Returning to the Beauty" and the "Method of Arriving Unexpectedly" – which make me invincible.

How could the divine officials of other lineages compare to me, no, to this commander?

Peony's face showed just the right amount of admiration as she gently praised:
"As expected of Xing Lang, who comes from a family of generals, this metaphor sounds very impressive."

Peony, though unworthy, would like to learn more from the Commander's superior skills, hehehe.

The young lover was naturally unafraid.

It was obvious that this person was none other than Xing Yulang, the only son of Xing Baichuan, the commander of Zhenhai Guard!

As his name suggests, he was indeed very handsome, with fair skin, a pampered lifestyle, and a pair of amorous peach blossom eyes.

Having mastered both the Water Orchid Technique and the Heavenly Official Rank 7, the Sixth Rank "Romantic Gentleman" and the Seventh Rank "Flower and Willow Poet," he truly deserves the title of a "Great General" who can strategize and maneuver freely in this land of romance and pleasure!

However, these "Huangs" who frequent brothels are not yet aware of this.

As Western trading posts and merchants spread, an unseen danger also began to spread rapidly among the people and guests of the Orchid Dharma.

The venereal disease that spread to China was not as deadly as smallpox that spread to the New World, but another big bomb from the Black Continent was still waiting in the wings.

Fortunately, the Great Zhao Dynasty was still a superior country in this era, so the filter hadn't shattered and the bones hadn't broken.

Even the prostitutes who considered themselves somewhat valuable were exceptionally confident and unwilling to serve foreigners.

They knew that if they sold their bodies to the devils, it would mean they could no longer get business from the literati, and their status and value would plummet.

After several more battles, Xing Yulang was extremely satisfied with this courtesan he had only known for a few days. For some reason, he became increasingly infatuated with her, as if under a spell. Suddenly, he made a bold promise to her:

"Peony, this commander will redeem you!"

The courtesan's face was filled with emotion, and her beautiful eyes brimmed with tears.

"Xing Lang, are you really willing to redeem me from this servitude? To elope with me?"

Seeing the beauty weeping, Xing Yulang quickly assured her:
"Peony, you must believe me."

Don't be fooled by the fact that Zhenhaiwei is a lucrative place guarding Yuegang. My family's expenses are also high. Most of the family's wealth was taken by my father to support his concubines, and the allowance I received was not much.

In the past, in order to support Feng Yuelang's cultivation, I often had to make do with the mistresses he kept.

However, things will be different in the future.

My father died at just the right time. Taking advantage of the funeral, I sent invitations to all officers and generals above the rank of centurion. I'm sure I can make a fortune!
Raising the three thousand taels of silver to redeem this Yangzhou courtesan is just a drop in the ocean.

When my father was alive, the price for a banquet for my grandfather was one hundred taels of silver, I remember it clearly.

Once I become the commander of Zhenhaiwei, I will marry you in a grand and glorious ceremony.

Tomorrow my father's clothes will be used for his funeral and burial. Instead of observing mourning at home, I, the commander, have come to meet you in secret. Don't you know my feelings?"

Xing Yulang's sweet talk was so shameless and despicable that it made one's teeth fall out.

Even on his deathbed, Xing Baichuan was still hoping that his son would repent and bring honor to the family.

I never dreamed that the eldest son would not only fail to bring blessings to the ancestors, but would also first leech off his parents, then leech off them until they died, until he squeezed out the last drop of oil.

No, his physical body had already been swallowed whole by Lin Daoqian's guardian spirit, the "Spider-Tailed Viper," and would be slowly digested over the next few weeks. Only his clothes and hat would remain for the funeral; even a cenotaph would be made from the best materials.

This time, however, Peony was not moved by his promise.

Hearing this spoiled brat, who only had lustful audacity but no brains, utter such naive words, I couldn't help but laugh:
"Hehehe, Xing Lang, do you know that power is not the same as official rank?"

Especially in the military, the more people you can command, the more power you have. If you have the title of commander but can't command a single person, then you have no power.

Xing Lang, haven't you considered what will happen if, even though you inherit the hereditary title of Commander of Zhenhai Guard, you fail the imperial examination and can't be appointed to a substantive post?

Xing Yulang was taken aback by these words.

"This"

This regulation does indeed exist in our dynasty.

The nine ranks of hereditary military officials were: Commander, Assistant Commander, Vice Commander, Garrison Commander, Chief and Deputy Commander of a Thousand Households, Commander of a Hundred Households, and Probationary Commander of a Hundred Households.

Nominal inheritance does not equate to actual power. Although the eldest son can inherit the title and salary of "Commander" through procedures, the court still has a restrictive assessment system.

The successor must pass a series of assessments, including official skills, rank, horsemanship and archery, and military strategy, before he can officially inherit the position.

The performance evaluation results directly determine the salary; those who pass will receive full pay and be retained in their positions; those who fail once will have their salary reduced by one-third, and will be given a two-year probationary period.

If you fail a second time, your salary will be reduced by one-third, and you will continue to practice your acting duties; if you fail a third time, you will be dismissed from your post and your family will lose its hereditary status.

Even Yu Long and Qi Hu followed this path, only starting their promotion journey after passing the assessment.

However, even if the vacancy is filled, actual military command may still be undermined.

The true fighting power of each military garrison was in the hands of experienced deputy commanders, assistant commanders, junior officers, and even hereditary military households and veterans.

It's not easy for a young commander with no prestige or experience to lead these arrogant and fierce soldiers.

Xing Yulang's handsome face looked rather unpleasant:

"My family's Zhenhaiwei and four thousand-household garrisons originally had one commander of the third rank, two assistant prefects of the third rank, four assistant clerks of the fourth rank, and a number of fifth-rank chief and deputy thousand-household commanders."

When the conscription system was previously integrated, most of the soldiers in the garrisons were not qualified.

Apart from my father, who was able to remain in office as a fifth-rank official due to his good abilities, the original assistant prefects and commanders were all removed and have not been replaced.

I want real power, and I certainly can't be an exception.

The Xing family's position as the commander of Zhenhai Guard is nominally the head of Zhenhai Guard, but if he doesn't have a fifth-rank official position or equivalent combat power, he probably won't be able to collect the gifts at all.

Xing Yulang, true to his father's reputation as a good-for-nothing, had never considered these things before, and his brows furrowed in worry.

"Brother Xing, I do have a solution for Peony."

Xing Yulang was overjoyed upon hearing this, but he had no idea how a courtesan could interfere with the appointment of a third-rank commander of the garrison.

Peony stepped off the bed wearing only a thin red veil.

When the curtain was lifted, it was discovered that the delicate peony in the woman's temple was not an ornament, but rather grew directly from her temple!

Xing Yulang, however, was completely oblivious, his eyes filled with infatuation as he looked at the beauty.

Peony took a [purple lacquer inlaid mother-of-pearl fish and algae pattern gold box] from the dressing table and handed it to him.

Upon opening it, one finds half a blood-red banner, upon which countless human faces are depicted, and faint sounds of wild beast roars and human cries can be heard.

If Wang Cheng were here, he would recognize it at a glance as one of the "Human Emperor Banner" that General Yu had cut in two!
(End of this chapter)