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

Chapter 318 Reorganization is an Art

The atmosphere in Kaifeng was tense.

The first batch of Zhili Green Standard Army soldiers who entered the city quickly took over the city defenses, military camps, warehouses, and government offices at all levels.

The officer entering the camp shouted the order:
"By order of the Imperial Cabinet, the Henan Green Standard Army shall be reorganized on the spot immediately. All the elderly and weak who are dismissed may receive 5 taels of silver on the spot and return home to farm. All soldiers who are retained shall immediately go south to prepare for war."

"Begin the reorganization now."

"Those who disobey military orders shall be killed!"

Under the threat of force, the reorganization went exceptionally smoothly.

Following his son's request, Jiang Zhongcheng immediately dismissed all ordinary soldiers over the age of 35 and all officers of the rank of centurion and above.

Take 5 taels!
Get out of here on the spot!

……

The officer vacancy was filled that same day.

A quarter of the officers were promoted from the original Henan Green Standard Army, including many ordinary soldiers who were transformed on the spot into distinguished commanders.

Half of the officers came from the Zhili Green Standard Army.

The other quarter of the officers came from the Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army.

This move was extremely effective, and everyone was satisfied.

The next day.

Jiang Zhongcheng ordered the Henan treasury to be opened, and each person, regardless of their unit, was given two taels of silver to boost morale.

Afternoon the next day.

After successfully reorganizing the Kaifeng Green Standard Army, the Zhili Green Standard Army, consisting of approximately 20000 infantrymen, was ordered to march south, traveling 35 li per day, with their destination being Nanyang Prefecture.

……

Henan Governor Jia Hanfu dared not let his guard down and continued to win over Chiang Kai-shek through private banquets, constant gifts, and repeated probing.

Jiang Zhongcheng accepted all offers with a smile.

In his eyes, it was only right for superiors to accept generous gifts from their subordinates.

The Jia residence.

In the courtyard, orioles sang and swallows danced.

The burly, fully armored guards stood solemnly around, not daring to remove their armor no matter how hot it was.

People will ultimately be tormented for life by the things they couldn't get in their youth.

Jiang Zhongcheng is a typical example. He was born into a border garrison and was exposed to the Ming army's household guard culture from a young age. Now he has also built up 500 elite household guards for himself as a tribute to his youth in the garrison.

"Your Excellency, I'll demonstrate my skill by downing this in one gulp."

Jia Hanfu picked up the wine jar and gulped it down, wasting half of it and putting the other half in his mouth.

This uncivilized and self-destructive drinking method has endured for thousands of years because it was commonly favored by high-ranking officials like Jiang Zhongcheng who lacked formal education!
When superiors have something to love, subordinates will follow suit.

"Good~ Brother Jia is generous, have some food."

“Your Excellency, my loyalty to the court is as clear as day.”

"Old Jia, how many sons do you have?"

"two."

"Let's send one to study in the capital."

"I'll send it tomorrow."

"Do your job well, and my son will not mistreat you."

"Yes Yes."

After a few rounds of drinks, the two men got quite drunk. One called Old Jiang "brother," and the other called Little Jia "brother." They stood at the door for a long time to see each other off, showing their close relationship.

……

Jia Hanfu was still hungover until noon the next day. He got up and drank two bowls of green tea before he regained his senses.

"Your Excellency, everyone has arrived."

"Where is Governor-General Chiang?"

"We've arrived."

"Oh dear, why didn't you call me sooner?"

Jia Hanfu hurriedly dressed and ran all the way.

At this time, the courtyard of the governor's office was crowded with red-tasseled hats. All officials of the eighth rank and above from various prefectures and counties had arrived, except for a few who were seriously ill, had fled, or had traveled too far.

"The Imperial Envoy has arrived."

"The Governor has arrived."

The servants entered the hall first, stood solemnly around the perimeter, their hands on the hilts of their swords, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

Jiang Zhongcheng personally selected 500 bodyguards over the past few years. Each bodyguard was strong, fierce, and bloodthirsty. The minimum expenditure to maintain this bodyguard force was 10 taels of silver per year.

The officials, trembling with fear, rolled up their sleeves and knelt to pay their respects.

In the hall.

Jiang Zhongcheng sat in the middle, and Jia Hanfu sat on the right, emphasizing a hierarchical order.

Jiang Zhongcheng's opening remarks were full of threats:
"Get up first." "These past few years, the officials in Henan have been dishonest, defaulting on wages and salaries, and resisting the central government. What, do you want to carve out your own territory and become kings?"

The crowd was so frightened that they knelt down again.

"The Central Plains are a vast, fertile plain with no natural defenses, making it an ideal place for cavalry to roam. I want to know, who gave you the audacity?"

The patrol office was eerily quiet.

Jia Hanfu tried to remain calm, but his back was covered in cold sweat.

Jiang Zhongcheng deliberately remained silent for a while before slamming his gavel.

"Someone is coming."

"exist!"

The fierce servants shouted in unison, brandishing their knives, which terrified everyone present. Some fell down, some lost control of their bladders, some kowtowed repeatedly, and some who tried to escape were beaten black and blue.

……

"Governor, you personally drafted this list of traitorous officials in this province, so you shall read it aloud."

"Whoo."

Jia Hanfu held the list, his voice trembling slightly.

"Zhou Shen, Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Henan; Xu Gangwu, Magistrate of Taikang County; Quan Zhongzhen, Vice Prefect of Guang Prefecture~"

He would read out one name, and the servants would seize one of them.

Jiang Zhongcheng chuckled inwardly. He himself could not have come up with these underhanded tricks for power struggles; it was all his son's instruction that required him to follow it.

This move serves two purposes: first, it can intimidate people, and second, it can undermine the governor's authority.

Not only that, he also randomly selected three officials who had been convicted of crimes and announced that, after investigation, their crimes were found to be unfounded and they were reinstated.

After spending a few days in Kaifeng, the military man Jiang Zhongcheng calmly and methodically implemented a series of Jiang-style political maneuvers, which yielded significant results, dismantling the local power structure in Henan.

Jia Hanfu was suffering in his heart, but dared not show it.

He lost his military power and the trust of many of his old subordinates. From now on, he can only obediently serve the central government. His primary task is to actively transport military supplies.

Three days later, Jiang Zhongcheng led his cavalry south quickly and entered Nanyang Prefecture.

……

midsummer.

Hunan is experiencing sweltering heat.

Wu's troops stationed in Yuezhou, Changde and other places have basically ceased military operations, lazily enjoying the cool autumn weather.

Shipbuilding on Dongting Lake has also stopped.

"It's really hot out here."

"Yeah, let's have something spicy and sour for lunch today."

"Okay, I'll go and bring out the wine I brewed."

Several shirtless veterans who had followed him all the way from Liaodong had no sense of urgency about fighting and only thought about how to live a comfortable life every day.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that these individuals all suffer from mild physical disabilities, such as difficulty walking or arm debility.

More than a decade of battlefield experience severely damaged their health and wore down their spirit.

They just wanted to live.

Live like a human being.

One of them poured a little wine on the ground and whispered, "A toast to the old brothers of the Right Vanguard Battalion of the Liaodong Cavalry."

Everyone followed suit.

The crude liquor was absorbed by the muddy water, as if the old comrades who had been sleeping underground had actually drunk it.

"Eat~"

Hot and sour fish soup, braised fish pieces.

The Dongting Lake, stretching for 800 li, is rich in natural resources. The veterans try to find food locally, adding a touch of sour and spicy flavors to stimulate their appetites in the summer.

People tend to talk more after drinking.

One veteran began to reminisce: "Back when I followed the prince to fight in Jinzhou, the snow was falling that day, good heavens, I..."

The words stopped abruptly, the ground trembled like muffled thunder, and everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks and rushed out of the makeshift shed.

far away!

A troop of cavalry, galloping at high speed, was getting closer and closer.

Those armor pieces were clearly...
"The Eight Banners, it's the Eight Banners."

The veterans took off running and headed towards the lake.

As we all know, cavalrymen cannot dismount, so jumping into the lake is very safe. Moreover, in the scorching summer sun, the lake water is not cold, making it a perfect place to jump in.

The veterans swimming in the lake looked at the shore in horror. Hundreds of riders galloped away, and only three or five rode to the shipbuilding shed and set it on fire.

The lightning rod helmet gleamed in the sunlight.

The psychological trauma of being chased and beaten by the Eight Banners soldiers in Liaodong more than a decade ago has once again overwhelmed my mind.

After getting ashore~
An old soldier wiped the water droplets from his face and said with lingering fear, "Brothers, I reckon at least one Niru went by just now."

(End of this chapter)