You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 12 Using "Troops" to Launch a Joint Suppression

Censorate.

Ning Wanwo, Grand Academician of the Hongwen Academy and Left Censor-in-Chief, looked at the slightly disheveled Jiang Qingyun with a shocked expression.

"Commander Jiang, what's going on?"

"Reporting to the Chief Censor, last night I led my men to patrol the southern part of the city, but unexpectedly we were intercepted by a group of armed bandits."

"When? Where?"

“Last night at midnight, outside Xuanwu Gate, in the alley outside the Panyu Guild Hall. These are the ears of the thieves that my soldiers cut off during the fighting.”

Ning Wan's expression instantly turned serious, and her eyes turned cold.

"Commander Jiang, what are your thoughts?"

"We used force to clear out the southern city and kill the thieves. I suspect that the smallpox was deliberately spread by the thieves in the southern city."

"Please wait a moment, I will go to the palace to request an imperial decree."

……

Ning Wan did not ride in a sedan chair, but instead chose to ride a horse into the palace.

Before long, a clear imperial edict was received.

"The banditry in the southern city is so rampant that I am deeply uneasy. I hereby order the Five City Garrison to pacify the southern city. The bandits and thieves captured need not be tried; they may be executed on the spot."

This time, Jiang Qingyun once again managed to sense the pulse of Emperor Shunzhi and his mother.

The southern part of the city is like a power bank for Beijing; if it explodes, the consequences will be endless.

Jiang Qingyun, having come from a long-standing government background, knows that no matter what platform you're working on, you must follow the rules and procedures to at least avoid trouble.

As for how much merit he will receive, that's uncertain.

The adage "If you don't have connections in the court, don't become an official" is a timeless truth.

……

The Censorate was bustling with activity, with people coming and going.

After conveying the imperial decree, Ning Wanwo returned to the inner hall, feeling somewhat tired and puzzled.

"Master, what kind of person do you think this Jiang Qingyun is?"

"Master Dong, this man is no ordinary person."

“I know he’s not simple. He always manages to time things perfectly, which is why he’s so popular with the emperor. To be honest, there’s no shortage of people who want to be officials in any dynasty, so it’s not surprising. I just always feel like I can’t quite figure this kid out.”

The advisor pondered for a moment, then said seriously:
"They should be members of the Imperial Party."

Ning Wan was startled and lowered her voice: "Why don't you explain it more clearly?"

"The Regent Prince is in poor health and will soon pass away. Ahem, the future will be between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor..."

Call ~
I would rather remain silent than say a word.

Dorgon's health was deteriorating, he had no sons, and his most trusted younger brother, Dodo, had also died.

At that time, the power struggle between Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Emperor Shunzhi will begin.

There are countless examples like this in history: Empress Lü and Emperor Hui, Empress Dou and Emperor Wu, Empress Li and Emperor Wanli.

……

After leaving the gate of the Censorate,
Jiang Qingyun cupped his hands in greeting to the other four commanders and said, "Tomorrow at noon, at Zhimei Restaurant on Meishi Street. I would like to invite you all to attend."

Jiang Qingyun bowed deeply, making a full gesture.

Although a verbal agreement had been reached, he could clearly sense the dissatisfaction of his four colleagues.

The reason is simple: you're always showing off, doesn't that make us look incompetent? You want us to contribute to your South City?
……

On his way back to the yamen, Jiang Qingyun was preoccupied with worries.

"My lord?" Zhao Zesheng broke the silence.

"Zesheng, do you know the area around Nancheng? How many people live there?"

"The entire southern city wall stretches for over 30 li (approximately 15 kilometers) when laid end to end. The population is uncertain, maybe 200,000? 300,000?"

"It's too big! Even if all the soldiers in the Five Cities Garrison were mobilized, there would only be a little over a hundred men."

"My lord, why don't we request troops from the imperial court? Just one banner battalion would be enough."

"Zesheng, this is impossible."

"why?"

"Half of the elite troops of the Beijing Banner are besieging Jiang Xiang in Shanxi. The remaining troops have to defend against the Two White Banners and guard the Forbidden City. The court has no troops to spare."

The two men rode slowly ahead on horseback, with four mounted guards following slightly behind.

The Qing court had a good supply of warhorses; even a small military post in the southern city could have hundreds of them.

"I've got it! Borrow troops!" "What?"

"Let's go to the West Pass Escort Agency." Jiang Qingyun spurred his horse, and the warhorse galloped off.

……

Xikou Escort Agency was the largest escort agency in the southern part of the city and even the entire capital. It was located in the Shangsan Tiao Hutong outside Chongwen Gate and had 72 escorts and 134 apprentices.

The flag fluttered in the wind.

There is a couplet at the entrance: "The goods are delivered across the four seas, and the message reaches the three rivers."

A plaque hangs in the middle: Xikou Escort Agency.

Two men dressed in coarse cloth jackets with front openings rushed forward to help lead the horse when they saw the distinguished guest arrive.

Jiang Qingyun gestured for them to move aside, reined in his horse, slowed his pace, stepped over the threshold, and entered the courtyard.

"Giddy up, giddy up!"

His appearance instantly drew the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

Soon, a middle-aged man hurriedly parted the crowd and knelt on one knee: "Jiang Deshun, head of the Xikou Escort Agency, pays his respects, sir."

The accompanying person quickly introduced, "This is Commander Jiang of the Southern City Military Command."

"Greetings, Lord Jiang. I was unaware of your arrival. I apologize for not greeting you properly."

……

Jiang Qingyun dismounted and surveyed his surroundings.

The courtyard was filled with strong, muscular young men, each with a robust physique.

Scattered on the ground were stone locks of varying weights, and the weapon racks around the area were fully stocked with knives, spears, axes, clubs, halberds, and maces. Further away, there was a row of red bullseye targets.

A tall young man drew his bow and nocked an arrow; the arrow flew swiftly like a shooting star and struck the bullseye.

Jiang Deshun remained silent and fell two steps behind.

He was worldly-wise, so he was calm and composed.

It wasn't until Jiang Qingyun spoke up himself: "Chief镖Jiang, I have a big business deal for you."

"Please enlighten me, sir."

"Tomorrow, the Xikou Escort Agency will assist the Military Command in arresting people. Don't ask questions; asking too many won't do you any good. Now, invite all the escort chiefs you know in the capital."

……

After the other seven镖头 (bodyguards/escorts) hurriedly arrived, Jiang Qingyun told them in an unquestionable tone:

"The Southern City Military Command wants to hire you. No one is allowed to leave tonight. Tomorrow morning, the Military Command will send someone to accompany you back to the escort agency. Once you arrive at the agency, within half an hour, all the escorts will be fully armed and immediately set off on foot to the Military Command's office to receive orders. Each escort will receive one tael of silver."

"Don't ask any questions or have any other ideas. Just cooperate honestly, and you'll naturally benefit in the future."

The镖头 (bodyguards) looked at each other, speechless.

They could only stay there anxiously.

The word "official" has two mouths, so it's correct no matter how you say it. The Southern City Military Command is the sky of the Southern City!

……

in the afternoon.

At the South City Military Command Office, people were coming and going.

Everyone has received orders—to conserve their energy, prepare their armor and weapons, feed their warhorses, assign areas, and march out tomorrow.

The benefits of Jiang Qingyun's vigorous recruitment of young men from the Han Army's two Yellow Banners have become apparent again, as each of them possesses ancestral military equipment.

Armor was a crucial military asset, and indiscriminate stockpiling of it could easily arouse the Qing court's suspicion and apprehension. However, it was perfectly reasonable and legal for these young men to wear armor.

Armored against unarmored, pure crushing, one against ten, easy.

Five or six well-known figures from the martial arts world were brought to the Military Command.

Deputy Commander Zhao Zesheng told them menacingly that the imperial court was going to wipe out all the Jianghu forces in the southern city in one fell swoop. They could either honestly provide intelligence or wait to be executed at the execution ground.

The informants were terrified and quickly revealed all the information they knew, including the whereabouts of their leaders.

……

Densely populated slums like the southern part of the city are the most likely places for gangsters to emerge, much like Hong Kong in the 20th century—shallow waters breed many turtles.
Gangs and factions are as numerous as hairs on a cow, and big shots from all walks of life run rampant.

Based on industry, there are manure bosses, water bosses, rice bosses, vegetable bosses, fire bosses, etc., who control a certain type of resource.

Divided by region, there are the Xuan Nan Gang, Tian Qiao Gang, Chong Dong Gang, etc., which control certain alleys.

Based on occupation, there are thieves, prostitutes, kidnappers, beggars, etc., which belong to industry associations.

(End of this chapter)