The Great Ming in the Box

Chapter 410: Who Will Command This Troop?

As soon as Cheng Xu finished speaking, Gao Chuwu raised his hand abruptly: “I’ll go!”

He had just married Xing Honglang, and his wife was about to go far away to Shanxi. As a husband, he wanted to go along, which was quite reasonable.

Cheng Xu nodded: “Go ahead. Take fifty grenadiers with you. I will also send one hundred fifty firearm soldiers and one hundred spear troops with you.”

After he finished arranging this, everyone present had strange expressions on their faces.

Clearly, everyone thought of one thing: who would command this infantry of three hundred? Gao Chuwu was definitely not considered; he could mindlessly throw grenades with fifty grenadiers, but if he commanded the infantry camp, he would lead everyone into a ditch.

Cheng Xu could not personally go, as he had to lead even more militia and guard the base at Gaojia Village. Why would he casually run off to Shanxi?

Bai Yuan certainly could not go either; he was an elegant gentleman pretending to be bandits, but which bandit would float about in white robes all day and talk of the Six Arts of Gentlemen?

There was also Wang Er, but he was busy catching up on “Thought Lessons,” and he and his one hundred Old Villagers hadn’t even finished learning the three major disciplines and eight points of attention. Sending them to Shanxi might revive their bandit tendencies, which would not do.

Who else had the ability to command independently?

Seeing their odd expressions, Cheng Xu smiled: “I know what you’re all thinking. Alright, this person to send to Shanxi was actually chosen long ago by the Deity.”The others were puzzled.

Cheng Xu turned and waved to Old Nan Feng, who had been sitting quietly listening behind him: “Old Nan Feng, say a few words.”

Old Nan Feng felt rushing with pride when named. He stood up, clasped his fists, and said: “I, your humble subordinate, volunteer to go.”

His strange wording of “I, your humble subordinate, volunteer to go” suddenly popped out in the plain speech of the Gaojia Village group, seeming very jarring. But it was exactly this jolt that made everyone realize: right, this guy was an official military officer of the court! And he was a fierce border army commander. Though no one knew exactly who he used to be or his status, he was clearly an officer just below a Hundred-House, holding not a small official rank.

Thirty-Two chuckled: “Hey! That’s what’s called ‘using people effectively’.”

Cheng Xu smiled at Old Nan Feng: “The Deity pardoning you and releasing you from prison at this time was likely calculated for this mission to suit you best. However, don’t assume you’ll become the leader immediately. Frankly, I don’t fully trust you yet. So, for this expedition to Shanxi, I appoint Gao Chuwu as Captain, and you as Deputy Captain. Got it?”

The moment he made this arrangement, everyone secretly thought it was brilliant.

Even Li Daoxuan showed approval. Clearly, appointing Gao Chuwu as Captain was mostly symbolic; in action, that fool probably wouldn’t know anything and would ask for plans from Deputy Captain Old Nan Feng.

But if Old Nan Feng issued any deranged commands that violated Gaojia Village’s core values, including but not limited to burning, killing, and looting, Gao Chuwu could use his Captain authority to veto them outright.

This arrangement was truly proper.

Old Nan Feng, having been in the system, understood the setup instantly and clasped his fists: “I, your humble subordinate, obey orders.”

“Well, head to the barracks now,” Cheng Xu chuckled. “Pick up a set of our Gaojia Village equipment. Bring back that spirit you had when fighting the Mongolians in the border army, and let us see the might of the Guyuan border forces.”

Old Nan Feng laughed a bit: “Can I go to the Gaojia Business Circle first to eat some good meals? I also want to listen to this evening’s Shaanbei Diaoqu performance.”

The others were once again stunned. Cheng Xu took out a few pieces of silver and placed them in his hand, smiling: “Go ahead. The official departure is tomorrow, so do whatever you like today. Don’t drink alcohol, but anything else is fine.”

Old Nan Feng was overjoyed: “Hahaha, I served many years at Guyuan’s border, then was locked up in prison for two upon returning. I’ve been dreaming every day of the world’s pleasures. Hahaha, Gaojia Business Circle, I’m coming!”

He dashed out immediately.

The group found it amusing at first, but on pondering his last words, suddenly felt sad for no reason.

Right!

The rebel band in Guyuan were good men defending the nation for the sake of this world before they turned traitor. Without them, the Mongolians could have freely invaded the Central Plains and thrown everything into chaos. The peace of daily life for the Central Plains’ people was all thanks to the border army.

At the border, they had no comforts, just bitter cold every day. They were hungry and cold, protecting this world, but nobody knew their suffering.

If they hadn’t gone three years without receiving pay, would they have rebelled?

Thirty-Two let out a long sigh: “These border forces deserve pity. How about releasing the other border soldiers in prison?”

“There you go again! Thirty-Two, you’re generally well-meaning, but too much of a pushover.” Bai Yuan flicked open his fan, revealing the words “gentleman”: “Serving at the border was tough, but after rebelling, they turned their swords on innocent civilians. From north to south, they robbed and killed, causing countless families to break up. Though the orders came from the rebel leader North Water Wolf, they as followers had sins to pay for—they need reformation through labor.”

Thirty-Two nodded: “Ah! True! This world…”

This world always turns good people into villains!

Luckily, there’s the Deity, who keeps trying to change villains back into good people.

“Alright, everyone get to your places.”

Thirty-Two snapped to attention: “Everyone put your utmost effort to fix this world soon.”

With that, he waved: “Tan Liwen, organize a grain convoy to transport grain from our village treasury to Qiachuan Port.”

Li Daoxuan spoke: “We won’t touch the village treasury this time.”

Hearing Gao Yiye relay this, Thirty-Two asked curiously: “Not this time?”

Li Daoxuan: “Shanxi has millions of people. Helping all Shanxi’s residents eat enough requires massive grain quantities. Constantly moving grain from Gaojia Village’s treasury to Qiachuan Port and then to Shanxi takes too much time and effort. With Gaojia Village’s limited manpower, just transporting grain every day would leave no room for other tasks. So this time, I will give the grain directly at Qiachuan Port.”

Thirty-Two: “The Deity is merciful.”

Without the trouble of transporting grain, things became simpler.

Li Daoxuan also stated: “Another matter: our ships will multiply soon. Each time I give a new ship, you equip it with cannons. Transferring cannons from Gaojia Village’s artisans’ well to Qiachuan Port is very difficult. So… it’s time to build a cannon factory near Qiachuan Port.”

Thirty-Two understood: “Indeed, I’ll sort that out.”

He extrapolated: “If our territory keeps expanding, shipping everything from Gaojia Village will become impossible as distances grow. Seems we need to set up operations everywhere.”

Li Daoxuan chuckled inwardly: Exactly! The main base is stable, so it’s time to open second and third sites.