Chapter 74: The Action Team

"Jisheng, recruit some fishermen nearby. Monthly pay is still one tael five. Don't look in Weihaiwei — recruit from other guard battalions or civilian households." Chen Xin spoke calmly to the scar-faced Jiang Jisheng across from him.

Ba Zi was one of the earliest men to follow Proprietor Zhao. He had sailed the seas for ten years, was expert in reading stars and handling sails, and fought fiercely in battle. Surviving this long was already rare. Unlike Hei Pao's unwavering loyalty, Ba Zi harbored some enthusiasm for official rank. After learning Chen Xin had become an official, he resolved to follow him.

Ba Zi heard Chen Xin's words and replied respectfully, "Yes, my lord. But if two ships go to sea, we will need at least seventy or eighty men."

Chen Xin frowned and fell into thought. Sailors at sea were different from land troops — far more undisciplined. If discipline was too strict, the sailors might turn on him. So he did not plan to send his own combat soldiers to be corrupted by sailors. He had not yet decided how many ships to send either. For two ships, a single cargo payment would be nearly a hundred thousand taels — he could not possibly produce that sum no matter what. Adding the twenty thousand borrowed from the Zhao family, he could mobilize about thirty-seven thousand taels in total. After setting aside seven thousand for Weihai and a few thousand intended for Wen Tiren, he could only use about twenty-five thousand.

"Then recruit eighty men." Chen Xin considered that training sailors took a long time, and if they encountered pirates, the losses would be great. Better to keep extra personnel. His official duty was maritime patrol anyway, so it was justifiable and less conspicuous than a land combat unit.

Ba Zi agreed and was about to go make arrangements when Chen Xin called him back. "Wang Zugui will be your deputy. The pay for you older men stays the same as before — one hundred taels per voyage. But do not tell the new recruits."

"Understood!"

After seeing Ba Zi off, Chen Xin resumed revising the military code. After several nights of discussion with Zhu Guobin and a few others, it was nearly complete. Punishments were basically fines, corporal punishment, labor, and military caning. He had discarded the method from the Jixiao Xinshu that forbade all entertainment and emotion. The beheading penalties that filled the Great Ming military code were also largely eliminated — only retreating in battle, disobeying orders on the battlefield, armed resistance to military law causing injury, desertion, and killing comrades would warrant beheading.

Chen Xin revised one section on the paper, adding a note after military caning: use leather whips in summer to avoid injuring or crippling the men. Just then, a burst of gunfire came from the distance. Chen Xin knew it was Zhu Guobin's musket unit training. They had only eight bird guns in total — ten gunners did not even have one each. Thinking of this, he walked out the door, took Zhou Shifa and Nie Hong, and headed to the artisan workshop shed of Armorer Jia.

The workshop was bustling with activity. Tang Zuoxiang was hammering a gun barrel, periodically pulling out a section of the cold iron rod inside to prevent the barrel and rod from fusing together. Chen Xin stood behind him for a long while without disturbing him. Only when a nearby artisan noticed and alerted Tang Zuoxiang did he hurriedly call another artisan to take over and come to greet Chen Xin.

Seeing him drenched in sweat, Chen Xin said with concern, "Master Tang, do your work, but don't overwork yourself."

Tang Zuoxiang immediately knelt on the ground. "My lord, please do not address me so. This lowly one is unworthy of the title 'Master.'"

Chen Xin waved dismissively and helped Tang Zuoxiang up. A mere form of address could win hearts, and it cost him no silver — why would he not use such a fine method? "Master Tang's skill is refined and practiced. This shed is so crude, yet Master Tang set up the workshop and began work in just ten days. You fully deserve the title 'Master.'"

Tang Zuoxiang was inarticulate. Deeply moved, he could not find the words. "This, this… this lowly one doesn't know what to say. Anyway, following Lord Chen, my wife and children are eating their fill for the first time. Whatever tools and supplies the workshop needs, Mr. Liu provides without fail. Compared to before, it's just, it's just better."

Chen Xin chuckled. With almost no output yet, piece-rate wages were unsuitable. So he had set these artisans' pay by rank. For now, Tang Zuoxiang was designated a mid-level artisan at one tael five per month. The other four were low-level artisans at one tael per month. These artisans fell in the overlapping area managed by him and Liu Minyou — they had to do both civilian work and military work.

"You work for me — these things are only right. If you can't even eat your fill, how can you work? As long as the work is done well, there will be bonuses beyond your monthly pay. But if the work is not done well, your monthly pay will be docked."

Tang Zuoxiang nodded repeatedly. "Only right, only right."

After the pleasantries, Chen Xin asked about the firearms. Tang Zuoxiang's face filled with embarrassment. Several times he started to speak, then stopped.

Seeing his expression, Chen Xin guessed there were problems. He softened his tone and asked, "Is Master Tang facing some difficulty? You may tell me. If you need my assistance, just say so."

Only then did Tang Zuoxiang speak. "Lord Chen, three bird-gun barrels have already been forged. This is what this lowly one is used to making — as long as the materials are sufficient, there is no problem. But for this banjiu foot gun that you gave me — the stock, trigger plate, spring, and bolts are not difficult. This lowly one has finished them all. Only the barrel walls are very thick, so forging takes more time. The front is struck, then the back cools. Several times the barrel walls did not close seamlessly, wasting much material. This lowly one is truly ashamed."

Chen Xin had long expected the banjiu foot gun would not be so easy to make. Smiling, he comforted Tang Zuoxiang. "So it is this matter. Master Tang, do not take it to heart. Just try a few more times. I am not familiar with gun-barrel forging, but I have a few suggestions for your reference."

"Please instruct me, Lord Chen."

"Before each forging attempt, Master Tang, record the hammer size, iron heating time, amount of material used, and so on. The next time you forge, you can improve step by step based on these items. If the hammer is too small, use a larger one. If one man is not enough, use two. By gradually improving in this way, you will eventually succeed."

Tang Zuoxiang hastily bowed to receive the instruction, but then said, "But this lowly one cannot write…"

Chen Xin turned to look at the two personal guards behind him. Both shook their heads like rattle drums. Chen Xin was at a loss. After thinking for a moment, he said to Tang Zuoxiang, "I will resolve this matter. Master Tang need only attend to your own duties."

"Thank you, my lord." Tang Zuoxiang knelt and kowtowed again, choking with emotion. "This lowly one has been an artisan since childhood. Apart from my own name, I cannot read a single character. Now Lord Chen gives us food to eat, and Mr. Liu teaches our children to read. My whole family is grateful beyond words."

The nearby artisans all knelt. Chen Xin comforted them kindly and told them to do their work well. He did not disturb them further. As long as he was there, these men could not work at ease.

After leaving, he toured the building construction site. All five wells had been dug. A few small houses were already being tiled. The main beams for the five combat-soldier barracks were up and nearly complete. Only the largest building, the school, was still having its foundation dug. Several builders were pouring water into it to find the level.

Lately, because of the construction, there were too many outsiders. Combat-soldier training had been moved to the back of the eastern hill. Without the shouting of drill commands, this place was much quieter. Only the shed that served as the peasant-worker kindergarten occasionally sent out bursts of noise. Chen Xin followed the sound and found Liu Minyou inside, lecturing.

"Snow White's stepmother disguised herself as an old woman and brought a basket of apples…"

A child's voice asked, "Mr. Liu, what is an apple?"

"This apple is a kind of fruit, sour and sweet."

"Oh! Is it the pingpo fruit?" "Maybe."

Liu Minyou's voice continued, "But Snow White's stepmother had poisoned the apple. She gave it to Snow White."

Chen Xin found it amusing. Liu Minyou had truly become a kindergarten teacher. Every afternoon, this teacher would spend about an hour teaching the children to read, telling stories during breaks. Chen Xin shook his head and headed back toward his own shed. Turning the corner, he saw Song Wenxian also standing outside the kindergarten.

This unscrupulous scholar was also listening to the story, a faint smile on his face. Seeing Chen Xin approach, he came over and cupped his hands. "I have been looking everywhere for the Battalion Commander. I have finally found you."

Song Wenxian immediately gave Chen Xin a meaningful look. Chen Xin left his two personal guards behind, and the two men walked aside. Song Wenxian said in a low voice, "Brother Chen, I have been away for over twenty days. It is time I returned."

Chen Xin said, "Yes, Mr. Song still has many matters to attend to. With the New Year approaching, you should also return to Dengzhou to see your family."

"Before I leave, there are two important matters. First, I ask Brother Chen to write a letter to that censor. After I return to Dengzhou, I will go to Jingshi in a while to handle that matter. Second is Han Bin. This man cannot be left alive."

"I will write the letter immediately. As for Han Bin." Chen Xin's face showed a cold smile. "Last time in Dengzhou, I already wanted to eliminate him. But with men and ships all on someone else's turf, I feared delaying the journey. Now, even if Mr. Song had not mentioned it, I was about to act on this."

Song Wenxian glanced around as he spoke to Chen Xin. "I still need manpower for this. I only have Wang Yong. Han Bin has several fellow townsmen in Dengzhou who follow him — the ones you saw on the ship. Send a few more men."

"Should we take out those fellow townsmen as well?"

"Not necessary. Those men have never met Circuit Intendant Zhong. Only Han Bin might be able to speak with Intendant Zhong."

"Only Han Bin, then." As Chen Xin spoke, he turned to look at Zhou Shifa and Nie Hong. Both men had decent skills and had trained in martial arts before. Nie Hong was big and burly, his eyes always carrying a fierce glint. Back in his hometown, loan sharks had driven his wife to death. He killed the moneylender and fled to become a tracker. When Zhu Guobin recruited him, it was precisely because of his intense killing aura — he was deemed suited to be a long-spear or long-blade soldier.

Song Wenxian followed his gaze and cautioned, "Han Bin's skills are not bad. If the first strike fails, we may face retaliation. Best to send Zhu Guobin or Dai Zhenggang."

Chen Xin shook his head slightly. "Those two have good skills, but I do not intend to have them do this kind of work. The men from the original Fujian junk cannot be used either. Assassination does not necessarily require the best fighting skills. What matters more is cold-bloodedness and ferocity. These two both have killing aura. Send Lu Chuanzong, Zhang Dahui, and these two. I cannot go myself. I will instruct Lu Chuanzong and the others to follow your orders."

Song Wenxian studied the two men repeatedly. Nie Hong, seeing Song Wenxian staring at him, stared back coldly — indeed, his fierce glare was fully revealed. Only then did Song Wenxian slowly nod.

Chen Xin added to Song Wenxian, "When you go to Jingshi, stay at Qin Lufang's place. He has also been to sea many times. Although he has lost a hand, he can still protect you somewhat. However, for your return to Dengzhou this time, I am afraid the ship cannot go — not enough hands."

"You attend to your own affairs. I will take them by land. It is three hundred twenty li from here to Dengzhou, some mountain roads. Moving quickly, we can arrive in seven or eight days."

Having settled this matter, Chen Xin brought Song Wenxian back to his shed. Song Wenxian dictated all the evil deeds of Circuit Intendant Zhong's collusion with the eunuch faction. Chen Xin wrote a letter to Yang Weiyuan, reviewing their good relationship, then expressing that he had entrusted Song Wenxian to bring some tokens of regard, and finally, with righteous indignation, exposing Circuit Intendant Zhong's criminal face. After all, Yang Weiyuan was an extremely slippery person. Chen Xin was careful with his wording, hoping to make Yang Weiyuan think Chen Xin merely had a personal grudge against Circuit Intendant Zhong. The two men weighed each sentence, revising twice. Chen Xin felt as if he had returned to his old days of drafting formal documents.

After finishing, Song Wenxian read it through once more, placed it on the table to dry slightly, then folded and stored it away. He slowly surveyed Chen Xin's shed and said, "Brother Chen could have stayed in the soft comforts of Tianjin, yet chose to come to this desolate backwater of Weihaiwei to dine on wind and drink snow. Such fortitude, combined with surpassing ability — you will surely achieve great things in the future."

With parting imminent, Chen Xin reflected on his long time with Song Wenxian. They shared the same rotten tastes. This man could be considered a true scoundrel, but he had always treated Chen Xin well. Though he harbored selfish motives, who did not? Chen Xin said to Song Wenxian with genuine feeling, "Along this journey, I have received much help from Mr. Song. Great kindness needs no thanks — the days ahead are long."

From the moment Song Wenxian met Chen Xin on the ship, he had sensed this man was different, possessing a quality unlike others. Over these months, this conviction had only grown stronger. After arriving in Weihai and watching him train troops in his own unconventional way, he saw that in a short time those trackers had already taken on the bearing of a strong army.

Reflecting on the past months, his face showed some emotion. "Brother Chen, this place has a hundred things waiting to be done. I should stay and lend you a hand, but on reflection, I think I may be of greater use helping you from outside. To borrow Brother Chen's phrase — the days ahead are long."

"Mr. Song, take care on your journey."