Chapter 528: Team

"Chief Clerk Wu, these are the newly recruited infantry and cavalry personnel after Tongcheng Post. The clerks of each company and division have interviewed them in turn, and their conduct and character are listed at the back. Seven of them have been temporarily promoted to Squad Leader, most are cavalry, submitted for your review."

"Chief Clerk Wu, these are the personnel to be commended after the multiple engagements following Yongding River, listed here by rank. We need your signature."

"This is the commendation for the most outstanding clerks reported by each unit of the Relief Expedition. We need your signature."

Wu Dacai behind the desk was expressionless. He took one, scrawled a signature, and tossed it aside. He still didn't know many characters, but he was already very practiced at signing.

The scribe handed over the next register, bowing to Wu Dacai. "This is reported by all participating units, the consolidated assessment of military merits for the Relief Expedition. The Advisors and the Pacification Commissioners have all signed, and the clerks of each division and department have also signed. We need Chief Clerk Wu to approve and see if there are any adjustments, then submit it to Lord Pang for final approval, so that the ranks and reward amounts for each unit can be set."

Wu Dacai's expression was not good. He grabbed it and looked it over, raising his head to glance at the three clerks from the Personal Troops Department, the Cavalry Department, and the Logistics Division waiting cautiously before him — all waiting for the merit assessment.

Inside the register were lists, the kind the Anqing Battalion commonly used. Although Wu Dacai was used to seeing them, he still didn't recognize many characters. Wu Dacai inquired line by line, and the three clerks explained patiently, afraid of angering this superior.

Normally, when the various divisions and departments discussed beforehand, they would eliminate objections in advance. Such countersigned documents usually wouldn't have problems. But Wu Dacai had been unable to speak due to injury before, so no one had communicated with him. Now he seemed to be in a bad mood. If he refused to sign, everyone would have to go back and renegotiate with the Pacification Commissioners and the chief officials of each department according to Wu Dacai's opinion — time-consuming and laborious.

"Personal Soldier Second Company, why is the Wangzhuang Campaign assessment set so high? Their position was at the southeast corner, with half their defensive line facing the Plain Yellow Banner to the south. The fighting was fiercest on the eastern and western fronts. On what grounds does the Second Company get the same rank as them?"

The clerk of the Personal Troops Department said quietly, "This company later reinforced the eastern front operations, and also dispatched two squads to Lord Pang's command banner, stabilizing the battle line. The Advisors there..."

"I was right there on the eastern end. I saw it with my own eyes. I don't need to hear what the Advisors say. You are a clerk attached to the Personal Troops Department — listen more to your own people, go listen more to what the Second Company's clerk says. The score given by the Document Team, deduct it for them first. If the First Personal Guard Division has objections, have the Company Commander come speak to me."

The clerk of the Personal Troops Department dared not say more. He didn't quite understand why Wu Dacai was dissatisfied with the Second Company, but from this conclusion, it wasn't that he insisted on holding the Second Company back — he just wanted the chief official of the First Division to come beg him.

Wu Dacai flipped further back, raising no more objections. When he reached the Central Army section, Wu Dacai saw his own name. The combat reward figure listed after it was substantial. His heart jumped a few times, but on the surface he remained composed.

He didn't examine the following companies closely. In the Anqing Battalion's combat evaluations, operational objective achievement carried the highest weight, accounting for sixty percent. Headcount only accounted for ten percent. The rest were secondary aspects like military discipline, drill manual compliance, and handling of the sick and wounded, mainly assessed by the Advisors and Pacification Commissioners, with the Document Team also contributing some points. After the ranks and amounts for each division, company, and unit were set, they would be distributed to individuals by each unit, and finally handed over to the Central Army Household Office for disbursement. As the Anqing Battalion's numbers swelled, these administrative costs increased accordingly.

"What's the story with these few people? Why are they listed separately?"

"They escaped and returned from the Tartar camp. Five people in total — three soldiers, one logistics groom, and one fort chief."

Wu Dacai saw the character for 'two' and looked up at the Logistics Division clerk. "Is the fort chief Tan Erlin?"

"Yes, sir."

"He was captured — what military merit is he reporting?"

"It was reported previously. Tan Erlin still had an unrewarded promotion merit from Xuzhou. After being captured by the Tartars, when he escaped he set fire to the Tartar supplies, spreading the blaze to a camp, which allowed over a thousand civilians to flee in the chaos. Tang Ershuan can attest to it. It was set as first-class..."

"Are the two of them vouching for each other? These two escaped from the enemy camp. What they did and what they revealed while in the enemy camp — has that been clearly interrogated? Did they sell out any critical information about the Anqing Battalion? When burning the supplies, the two went to a plague area. When they returned, they didn't notify the receiving soldiers first, causing an entire company of over a hundred men to withdraw from combat. What kind of merit is that?"

Wu Dacai's tone was harsh. The Logistics Division clerk's voice trembled slightly. "The Pacification Commissioners have already questioned them..."

"Have the clerks questioned them?"

The several clerks looked at each other. This kind of questioning was originally the Pacification Commissioners' job. They didn't dare make a sound. Wu Dacai looked up and said, "Tang Ershuan belongs to the Martial Academy. Where is their clerk? Why isn't he here to report?"

"The Martial Academy did not dispatch a clerk when the distant scouts came. The Firearm Team's clerk is handling it concurrently."

Wu Dacai looked at those names. The clerks didn't dare disturb him. After a long while, Wu Dacai looked up and said, "Have each unit's clerk get the matter clear. The Pacification Commissioners' questioning is their business. It's one thing if the Document Team doesn't sign, but since they want our countersignature, we need to get it clear ourselves. Especially Tan Erlin — why did everyone else shave their heads, and he alone didn't? Was there some scheme to infiltrate a city and trick the gate open? Otherwise why did he alone keep his hair? He's the type who'd do such things. And why did he have to go to a plague area to start the fire? Couldn't he have set it somewhere else? And why didn't he say a word when he returned? Was he deliberately making it so our soldiers couldn't fight? All of this needs to be made clear."

The Logistics Division clerk caught the meaning — Sir Wu seemed to be targeting Tan Erlin specifically. The Personal Guard Division clerk asked cautiously, "Sir Wu sees clearly. The soldiers in the camp are all looking forward to this reward. If the Central Army doesn't set the ranks and amounts for each division and company, it's hard for each unit to calculate. Future promotions will also rely on this as a basis, and they're waiting to use it. Since these few people are undecided, we can remove this page. For the rest, if Sir Wu sees no objections, perhaps we can proceed at our discretion first."

Wu Dacai waited a moment, then said, "That's acceptable. Of those who escaped back, someone like this Tang Ershuan, a battle hero — I trust him. Once questioned, bring it back early. Some people need to be questioned thoroughly. If we carelessly let a bad element slip through and something happens later, I'll hold you accountable first."

The clerks understood — Wu Dacai was targeting Tan Erlin. Though they didn't know the reason, they knew that as long as they set Tan Erlin's matter aside, their own work would be easier. Who cared if Tan Erlin was wronged? They all promptly agreed.

After the clerks withdrew, the scribe handed over another petition paper. "A petition submitted by the Cavalry Commander. There are a few newly recruited Border Army scout cavalry who want to return home to fetch their family dependents. They're all from Xuan-Da and Shanxi, and will bring them back to Anqing together. First, they need to leave the unit and return home. Second, they need to draw some silver for use. Third, they need to take horses. The Team Leader, Banner Commander, and Centurion have guaranteed them. The Company Commander and Mobile Corps Commander agreed. The Pacification Commissioners agreed. Chen Rulie originally reported this to Lord Pang, but Lord Pang is going to Tongzhou on official business and has asked Sir Wu to handle it."

Wu Dacai made a show of examining it. "If the Centurion, Banner Commander, and Team Leader are willing to guarantee them, we can let them go. Bringing their family dependents shows they truly intend to stay. But don't issue all of these men's combat rewards. They have no ties here — if you give it all to them, who knows if they'll come back? If the horse is one they brought themselves, they can ride it away. If it's a horse obtained through our camp, they can only take a riding horse — no warhorses allowed."

Before the gate of the Anqing Cavalry Camp, five men with horses waited at the sentry post. A group of cavalrymen gathered nearby, talking with those they knew.

They had just withdrawn from Qingshan Pass to Jizhou. The Central Army had notified them that in two days the encampment would move to Tongzhou. The few Border Army men returning to Shanxi were pressed for time and had to set out today.

The first two cavalrymen had already exited the camp gate. Yang Shisan stood at the back holding his horse, with only Yang Guangdi accompanying him.

"Brother Shisan, I drew this in advance from the Division Headquarters. Take it with you." Yang Guangdi took out a small ingot of silver. Yang Shisan reached out to decline, but Yang Guangdi ignored him and stuffed it directly into Yang Shisan's saddlebag.

Yang Shisan didn't refuse further. The two were silent for a moment. Yang Guangdi asked, "Is this silver enough?"

Yang Shisan shook his head, then nodded. Yang Guangdi sighed. "This is all I could draw. The Central Army said some of the seized goods were returned to that righteous merchant first. There's still not enough ready silver. The newly recruited soldiers get paid first. I don't know why you few returning home had yours cut by another chunk."

"I'll just have to figure something out when I get back. Maybe it won't take that much silver after all." Yang Shisan raised his head. "Yang Guangdi, rest assured — whether I can bring her out or not, I will come back. You and the Centurion were willing to guarantee me. I won't leave you unable to answer for it."

Yang Guangdi nodded. Ahead, the first cavalryman was having his identity badge checked at the sentry post. After switching mounts, he exited the camp gate and waited outside. Yang Shisan took a step forward. There was still one person ahead of him in line.

A group of people came walking up from behind. Yang Guangdi looked over and couldn't help but pause slightly.

Yang Shisan followed his gaze. The entire scout cavalry squad had come. Chen Bin walked up to Yang Shisan, patted him on the shoulder, pressed a silver ingot into his hand, and then stuffed a document in as well. "This is a document issued by the Central Army. It says you're on official business to Xuan-Da. It's not much use, but it'll make the road a bit easier. In these chaotic times, before entering Xuan-Da, travel together with these comrades. On the way back, if you can travel together, do so. Go and return as quickly as possible. An urgent report arrived from Huguang today — the Eight Bandits have rebelled again and may head toward Jiangbei. I'm afraid we'll soon have to turn back south to fight the Roving Bandits."

The surrounding scout cavalry, hearing about fighting Roving Bandits, showed no particular tension. Yang Shisan said nothing either, only nodding.

Chen Bin didn't say more. After giving the silver, he turned and left. Man Da'er curled the corner of his mouth and came over, stuffing two silver ingots into Yang Shisan's hand. "I get paid more than them. Remember to pay me back when you return."

Yang Shisan looked at Man Da'er for a moment, then reached out and accepted. Man Da'er stepped back beside Yang Guangdi. Behind him, Qin Jiuze walked expressionlessly up to Yang Shisan and also stuffed two silver ingots into his hand. Tilting his head, he inspected the equipment on Yang Shisan's belt. "That woman's fate is not good, but she's not a bad person. Bring her out. Be careful on the road."

Qin Jiuze habitually separated the heavy arrows from the light arrows, coughed once, and stepped aside. The other scout cavalry from the same squad all came over. Most were newly recruited at Tongcheng Post and had received relatively small combat rewards. Each had only a bit of broken silver, and they all pressed it into Yang Shisan's hand.

Yang Shisan's hands were full of silver ingots, large and small. At that moment, the cavalryman ahead of him exited the camp gate. Yang Shisan stuffed the silver into his saddlebag, turned, and went to the sentry post. After his soldier tag was checked, the sentry opened the camp gate. Yang Shisan turned back to look at the crowd, nodded to them all, then exited the camp gate. Together with the four others on the same route, they mounted their horses and galloped away toward the official road to the west.

Qin Jiuze sighed. "Living as a person... it's not easy."

With that, he walked off on his own. The group of scout cavalry still watched Yang Shisan and the others depart. Only after a while did they disperse. Man Da'er still stood beside Yang Guangdi. "Team Leader, the Central Army is recruiting Border Army scout cavalry again. You might soon be promoted to Banner Commander. If Yang Shisan doesn't come back, with that letter of guarantee of yours, you won't be able to get promoted."

Yang Guangdi chuckled, patting Man Da'er on the shoulder. "At worst, I just won't be Banner Commander. But your silver — that's gone again."

"I'll earn it back when the Eastern Invaders come." Man Da'er patted his head and headed off toward the camp area on his own.

The sentry called out a warning — no one was allowed to gather at the camp gate. The scout cavalry immediately left the gate area. Yang Guangdi walked at the very back. He didn't cut straight through the camp area but walked south along the camp's perimeter. After combat operations ended, the scout cavalry couldn't leave camp freely either. Yang Guangdi found it a bit stifling. Walking this way gave a broader view.

When he reached the southwest corner, he should have turned south. He had just turned his head and taken a few steps when he stopped and turned to look beyond the camp boundary.

Thirty paces beyond the camp boundary was a refugee area. Most of the refugees living in that area had followed them from the Yongding River. Wherever the Anqing Battalion's camp went, they followed. Because of their presence, this section of the camp wall was not just javelins — a trench had been dug to prevent a camp howl from outside from surging into the camp. Two Pacification soldiers also stood outside the camp, keeping the refugees from getting too close to the camp wall.

Yang Guangdi fixed his gaze on a short-haired woman at the edge of the refugee area. She was wrapped in two tattered robes, lying on her back on the ground clutching two pieces of wood. Two teenage refugees beside her were trying to snatch the wood. The woman screamed, refusing to let go no matter what, her feet kicking wildly at the teenage refugees.

For refugees, fuel was just as important as food. Anything burnable nearby had long since been scavenged. As the encampment time lengthened, they could only dismantle their own shacks to burn, and now those were nearly all burned too. Now they could only snatch from each other.

The two Anqing Battalion Pacification soldiers stood in place without moving. The teenage refugees shouted and yelled, using their superior strength to tug forcefully, and snatched the wood away. The woman scrambled up to chase them, but another teenager kicked over the iron pot propped beside her. The pot tipped over, and half a pot of water spilled out.

The woman screamed and hurriedly rushed to right the pot. When she looked back, the two teenagers were laughing and cursing as they ran far away. The woman stood in place, panting heavily. Finding water in this kind of army encampment area was also not easy. Most wells were occupied by the army all day. Refugees could only draw water at night. If it was spilled, they'd have to wait an entire day. A moment's destruction by the two teenagers meant a whole day's labor lost for the woman.

The woman stood there for a moment. When she turned back, she saw Yang Guangdi on this side. She looked toward him for a while and seemed to recognize him. A smile slowly spread across Yang Guangdi's face. He glanced around, pulled half a sugar cake from his bosom, and with a swing of his arm, threw it toward the woman.

The woman froze for a second, then dashed over swiftly, grabbed it in one motion, and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing furiously. Her eyes stared straight at Yang Guangdi, and a trace of a smile squeezed onto her grimy, dark cheeks.