[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-749":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1206038,1561,"Chapter 749: Old Hu","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-749",749,"\u003Cp>There were many more clauses, each one shocking in the eyes of Sun Chuanting and his staff, leaving them utterly baffled and deeply resentful — many even considered it a supreme humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their view, since it was aid, it naturally had to be repaid; they had never heard of aid saddled with a heap of conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And could this even be called aid? No — to put it nicely, it was a transaction; to put it bluntly, it was blackmail!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the great righteousness of the dynasty be defiled like this? This was contamination, desecration!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the fact that this aid would be carried out through loans from the Anbei Bank baffled many of the private secretaries even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of nonsense was this — letting a local money shop meddle in the affairs of an entire province? It was truly the most absurd joke under heaven! Just thinking about it felt filthy beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more intolerable was that the loans from this money shop were actually to be secured against the province's tax revenues, as well as its mineral resources and the like. If word got out, not only would it cause a huge uproar, but they, these private secretaries, would all be condemned by everyone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snow was still falling. The guild hall here was quite large, built in Xuanfu's garrison city with pooled funds from several Shaanxi merchants. As Xuanfu's commercial goods grew famous, merchants from as far as Shaanxi and Ningxia had begun coming to trade, and they had pooled funds to construct this guild hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting was lodging in this guild hall during his trip. When news spread of his appointment as Viceroy of the Three Frontiers, these merchants had naturally heard of it. Seeing Viceroy Sun arrive, they were overwhelmed by the unexpected honor and each received him with warm hospitality; the rotating annual head even specially set aside a rear courtyard compound for Sun Chuanting and his party to stay and rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As word spread, a steady stream of merchants and gentry from Shaanxi and other places wished to come pay their respects, but they were all blocked one by one by the private secretaries: Viceroy Sun had important matters at hand and was temporarily not receiving outside guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Sun, these clauses absolutely must not be agreed to! This illicitly encroaches upon our internal authority and fetters our internal governance. If we consent, the entire land of Shaanxi will be entirely manipulated by Xuanzhen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though the Qin region is weak, it is not for outsiders to lightly insult. We swear that as long as we draw breath, we will never consent. We will resist with our lives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some private secretaries were filled with righteous indignation, believing that not a single one of these terms could be accepted — they wanted aid repaid, and nothing else would do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had come full of fervor to request aid; if Wang Dou had even a shred of loyalty and righteousness, he ought to generously open his purse. How could he demand wealth and goods like this, desecrating their hearts that toiled entirely for the nation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must understand, they were not doing this for private gain, but for the grand plan of the dynasty. To end up haggling like this, just like merchant trading — a foul stench arose spontaneously, and just thinking about it was unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, some senior private secretaries who had been in Xuanfu for a long time had changed somewhat and believed that some clauses could be accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, one who eats another's food is soft-spoken, and one who takes another's goods is short-handed; eating and taking for free is never entirely justified. It was understandable that Marquis Yongning wanted to attach some terms — except for one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Sun, using the tax revenues of an entire Shaanxi province as collateral — this absolutely must not be done! The moment this matter leaks even slightly, the hundred officials will rise up and attack, and impeachments will gather like clouds. You, my lord, will also fall into a place of eternal damnation. You absolutely must not heed this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The private secretaries were all talking at once, raising a loud clamor of discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting stood in front with his hands behind his back, his frame upright like a green pine standing proud in the snow. He gazed at the snowflakes outside, completely motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the private secretaries arguing, he did not utter a single word for a long time, leaving everyone unable to guess what he was thinking. Many had this feeling — even those who often interacted with Sun Chuanting felt that his mind had grown increasingly profound, impossible to see through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the private secretaries' arguing grew louder, Sun Chuanting suddenly turned around, his stern face utterly expressionless. He said, \"There is no need to argue further. We will agree to all of them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many private secretaries cried out in shock. Even those who felt some parts were acceptable looked at him in disbelief — this... this matter...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting's fists clenched slightly within his sleeves, then relaxed. His gaze, however, was stern and sharp: \"We are the fish on the chopping block, and others are the cleaver. We have no room to bargain! Besides, time does not wait for us. We do not have that leisure; every day we delay in Xuanfu Town makes quelling the roving bandits one degree more difficult! A true man must be decisive when decision is needed. How can we who do great things be dithering and hesitating like women and children?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A close private secretary could not help but say, \"Lord Sun, please think thrice. If any of these matters leak... especially the clause about using tax revenues as collateral...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting gave a cold snort: \"Without collateral, how would Marquis Yongning be willing to lend money and goods — relying solely on our mouths? I know that man Yongning; he's the type who won't release the hawk until he sees the rabbit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued coldly, \"Besides, every single one of these clauses is fraught with controversy. Take any one of them out, and the hundred officials' impeachment memorials would bury my body. Since that is so, if one clause is acceptable, what difference does it make whether it's ten clauses or a hundred?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A look of resolve surfaced on his face: \"What of it if the hundred officials impeach me? The moment I left the capital, I had already cast aside all thought of my own safety. What fear is there in being smashed to pieces?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swept his gaze around the hall at everyone present, his eyes brimming with fervor, and gave a low shout: \"Gentlemen, I have already put life and death out of my mind and harbor no thought for this body of mine! Are you willing to follow, to serve with one heart, and to accomplish a great enterprise with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Sun!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many called out with trembling voices, tears in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They cried out one after another: \"Since you, my lord, treat us as scholars of the state, we must repay you as scholars of the state!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed! We shall follow unto death — what fear is there in life or death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They swore oaths one after another. Many of them were hot-blooded men whom Sun Chuanting had gathered, full of ideals, and with Sun Chuanting as what they saw as a perfect idol, fighting for the dynasty and the realm — such a lofty goal held incomparable appeal for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They shouted; though it was a cold winter day, each of their hearts burned hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very quickly, Sun Chuanting's reply was delivered before Wang Dou: accept everything, not a single clause altered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou shook his head. Sun Baigu was Sun Baigu after all — after all these years, his temperament had not changed one bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the aid resolution was settled, the Shogunate began operating with high efficiency. The candidates for the mercenary force's commanding officers were also preliminarily selected by the Staff Department as Wu Zhengchun and Gao Xun, one as principal and one as deputy, temporarily transferred to serve under Sun Chuanting as part of the Viceroy's Personal Battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shogunate had been busy with many matters recently; Sun Chuanting's affair was merely an interlude. Three days later, the three Crab Generals — Gao Shiyin, Xie Yike, and Shen Shiqi — swaggered out of the General's residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just after snow, the sky clearing, and the sunlight on their bodies carried a hint of warmth. Gao Shiyin raised his head to look at the sky and muttered, \"Damn, finally on leave!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out his Yun cigarettes and gave one each to Xie Yike and Shen Shiqi. The three of them puffed away in the square for a good while. Shen Shiqi said to Gao Shiyin, \"Brother Gao, any plans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin's gloom billowed out along with the thick smoke: \"What plans could I have? Keep the wife company, of course. And I have to swing by the military academy. When there's still time, I need to read military texts and study sand tables.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike and Shen Shiqi were equally gloomy. All three were men whose wives kept them on a tight leash. On ordinary days, their official duties were so busy they had no choice, but when they had free time, both day and night were occupied by their wives — they couldn't even have a bit of private space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suffering of men was only slightly better than Han Zhong's back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three chatted idly for a while, cigarettes dangling from their lips. Xie Yike's gaze shifted, and he proposed with a sly grin, \"Let's take a stroll through the streets. And incidentally get a feel for the people's condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike and Shen Shiqi both revealed knowing smiles. Shen Shiqi's heart yearned for it, and he loudly praised, \"Brother Xie's suggestion is excellent. Just as the Grand General said, we must merge with the masses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did not ride horses; smoking as they went, they strolled casually toward the streets. Their respective guards followed at a discreet distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand General's residence and offices were on Pailou East Street, an area mostly filled with government offices, and the people walking the roads there were mostly of stern expression. But when they walked toward the southeast part of the city, where shops lined up in rows and every commercial street stretched for several li, they saw gentry, scholars, commoners, and merchants, a constant stream of gaily dressed men and women, and groups of gorgeously attired girls passing by one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three stopped at a crossroads, chose a spot with a wide field of vision, and stood there with solemn expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The passersby who saw these three all cast awed glances at them. Especially some youths and children, seeing the Jingbian Army officer uniforms on them, were filled with envy and reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three stood with their hands behind their backs. Gao Shiyin said gravely, \"The one who just walked past — Gao believes she is a maiden. What are your opinions, you two?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi, his expression equally grave and likewise wearing the look of one inspecting the people's condition, said steadily, \"Not so. This officer believes she is definitely a young wife. One look at that rear, and it's nothing like one still waiting in her boudoir. On this point, this officer is quite experienced; his eye is very sharp!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin said with authority, \"And Brother Xie?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike stroked his small mustache and declared decisively, \"Maiden — doubtful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin said, \"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike analyzed with great wisdom: \"That woman who just walked past appeared outwardly flirtatious but was in truth dignified. Why did her every move stir the heart and soul? There is much to examine here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi grew interested and said, \"Brother Xie, speak quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin listened with full attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike said, “There’s a saying, ‘innate charm in the bones’ — that’s exactly what this refers to. She doesn’t actually mean to be coquettish, but every move she makes comes across that way. The ignorant country folk don’t understand and curse such women as fox spirits and seductresses — truly an act of ignorance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because of that ignorance, who knows how many tragic and lamentable things have happened. Fortunately, Xuanzhen is now under the Grand General’s governance, so such human tragedies will surely be greatly reduced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin sighed, “Brother Xie, you are a man of great talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi said, “Truly profound and erudite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three stood there thoroughly pleased. All three shared a common hobby — watching beautiful women, and occasionally telling a few risqué little jokes. Only, ah…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had finally gotten leave, but after leave ended, each would soon have to march out to their defensive posts beyond the frontier. The vast scenery of beautiful women would no longer be visible, so each treasured the present moment all the more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The garrison city was growing ever livelier, and this spot was a bustling intersection. There were indeed many young women — one charming, gorgeously dressed lovely after another in an endless stream, making the three men’s eyes blur with confusion. In truth, they didn’t want to do anything; just feasting their eyes was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike was passable, but Gao Shiyin and Shen Shiqi were each uglier than the other. Yet the Jingbian Army winter dress uniforms they wore lent them adornment, making them appear especially imposing and dashing — at a glance, they looked like great generals destined to serve the country and the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite a few young women cast flirtatious glances their way, making their hearts bloom with delight, yet also leaving them regretful — they could only look, not taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly all three looked in the same direction and saw a graceful, willowy woman sauntering toward them. Truly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike sighed, “Viewed from the side, a ridge; viewed from the front, a peak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin’s gaze deepened: “From far, from near, from high, from low — each view different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi murmured, “A cascade plunges straight down three thousand feet — could it be the Milky Way falling from the highest heavens…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman passed by the three of them. Seeing the Jingbian Army uniforms they wore, she very respectfully performed a curtsy and a deep bow. The three smiled in unison and returned the courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then after she had passed, they all turned together to gaze at her retreating figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a fellow in a leather robe and fur hat, his face covered in brutish flesh, also came from the opposite direction. His eyes went blank, and after the woman passed, he couldn’t help turning his head to look back, murmuring, “Such a huge bosom and huge backside — utterly soul-shaking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gao Shiyin and the other two looking his way, he smiled and cupped his hands in salute, then walked on ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin watched him pass, rubbed his own face, and mused, “That brother spoke truly — he went straight to the essence of the matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi said, “The Grand General often speaks of the essence of things. What is the essence of things? This is it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike praised, “Great sages dwell among the common folk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Hu, over here…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint hail came from the opposite street corner, directed at that brutish-faced fellow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>〖∷Fast Updates∷∷Plain Text∷〗\u003C\u002Fp>",2583,"2026-06-03T14:06:10.567Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","bc7291975e8464be83e2ef607845664256407174944d4b094f98def655fb8db8","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-750","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-748",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]