Chapter 78: Before the New Year

After the Jiaonian Festival passed, Lu Chuanzong and the other three returned to Weihai to report the results to Chen Xin. Chen Xin met with the four of them alone in his new office.

"Where did the Wenxiang Sect people go at the time?" After hearing about the Wenxiang Sect that appeared midway, Chen Xin also slightly furrowed his brow. He had no good impression of these sects whatsoever. The White Lotus Sect system's organizations were highly covert and extremely destructive, yet their constructive capacity was very limited. Moreover, Shandong was one of the places where the White Lotus Sect was most rampant; a few years ago, Xu Hongru had raised troops from here.

Zhang Dahui said, "I didn't have time to follow them. The primary objective that day was to assassinate Han Bin. I figured Han Bin's few subordinates should be able to find the Wenxiang Sect, and we could track them later."

Lu Chuanzong agreed, "I also didn't arrange for Brother Zhang to tail them at the time. I wonder if that has delayed your affairs, my lord?"

Chen Xin shook his head and said, "No, you did the right thing. The primary target was Han Bin. The Wenxiang Sect was only an unexpected incident; the main trunk and the branches must not be confused. I'm only worried that this Wenxiang Sect will cause trouble in Dengzhou. Dengzhou is the most critical hub supporting Dongjiang Town and must not be compromised."

Lu Chuanzong probed, "Then, should I make another trip to Dengzhou?"

Chen Xin considered for a moment and decided, "No need. This Wenxiang Sect isn't something that appeared overnight. They spend all their time recruiting discontented people into the sect. We don't have the manpower to follow up on this. Dahui, you'll be heading to Jingshi in a while. When you pass through Dengzhou, just ask Mr. Song to keep an eye on it. Best to use the manpower of the Dengzhou government office."

Having said this, he smiled and looked around at the four of them. Lu Chuanzong and Zhang Dahui went without saying. When Nie Hong saw Chen Xin looking his way, he reined in the ferocity in his eyes and squeezed out an awkward smile. Zhou Shifa also wore a respectful expression. Judging by their performance this time, both had done quite well. If there were similar clandestine missions in the future, they could be entrusted to them, allowing Lu Chuanzong to focus primarily on controlling the military.

"Everyone performed exceptionally well this time, exceeding my expectations. The only shortcoming was during the assassination execution, failing to incapacitate Han Bin's resistance with a single strike. Overall, I am very satisfied. Shifa and Nie Hong are both promoted to non-commissioned officer, with monthly pay at the squad leader rate. Additionally, after we finish here today, Dahui, take my handwritten note and go to Wang Daixi's place; each of you will receive a reward of ten taels of silver."

All four grinned broadly. Lu Chuanzong had money after going to sea, but these ten taels were a reward from their lord, signifying recognition, a value far exceeding ten taels. Nie Hong had never received so much silver before; thinking he would also get squad leader pay, he couldn't help but rub his hands together.

Chen Xin's voice continued to resonate in the room: "The matter of Han Bin ends here. From now on, no one is to mention it, or you will be dealt with according to the confidentiality clauses of military law. But the matter is not entirely concluded. You will organize the experience and details of this operation, record them in a booklet, using false names for people and places. I will inspect it when it's written. In the future, when you lead your own men, it will help you get up to speed faster."

The four of them looked at each other with troubled expressions. Just as Lu Chuanzong was about to speak, Chen Xin waved his hand and smiled, "If you can't write, then have Wang Daixi write it. Dahui spent those days selling clothes in the brothel and learned quite a few characters. Now every afternoon, Mr. Liu teaches a half-hour literacy class; sometimes I go to teach as well. All four of you must attend and learn. Military regulations stipulate that anyone knowing fewer than five hundred characters cannot be promoted. After the Han Bin incident, I have even higher expectations for all of you. Your talents are all considerable; don't let this matter hinder your future prospects."

Nie Hong's mouth gaped wide open. He had taken lives with a blade several times, but he had never touched a writing brush, nor had he ever heard that becoming an officer required literacy. Zhou Shifa, being a city dweller, had been influenced by his environment since childhood and knew some characters, so he had no psychological barrier. Lu Chuanzong had also learned some after following Chen Xin. In comparison, Nie Hong was the biggest struggling case.

Lu Chuanzong scratched his head and said, "My lord, why must we learn to write?"...

Chen Xin glared at him: "If you don't learn to write, will you only kill people? Have someone read military law and drill manuals to you? Right now you manage two squads; what will you do when you manage ten squads in the future, or a hundred squads? Will you personally oversee every single one? When you have more men, paperwork is inevitable sooner or later. This matter is non-negotiable."

When they emerged from Chen Xin's office, the four ruthless rising stars all hung their heads, their high spirits from leaving Dengzhou completely gone.

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By the time of the Jiaonian Festival, all the new houses were completed—over twenty fine brick-and-tile houses. After tinkering by Liu Minyou, this makeshift design master, the military camp was situated at the southwest corner of the crossroads, now containing five large barracks and five small barracks. Each combat squad had one large barracks, all of brick-and-wood construction. The five small barracks were for the use of the five officers and instructors. Inside the camp, there was also a communal bathhouse, a public latrine, and a lecture hall.

The personal residences for the military households were in the southeast corner, currently housing only a dozen or so families, each with a single room. Chen Xin charged them a monthly rent of one mace of silver, and once the total rent paid covered the construction cost, the rooms would be sold to them. These people all earned over one tael per month, so this sort of installment plan posed no problem whatsoever.

Both the military camp and the residential area were designed on the south side, making future expansion very convenient. The northeast corner held public facilities like the school and temple. The northwest corner was the planned work zone in Liu Minyou's scheme; the only enterprises introduced were his clothing shop and Tang Zuoxiang's iron workshop. The surrounding rammed-earth walls had not been built yet. This place faced the sea to the north, and its west and south sides were surrounded by the guard posts of Weihaiwei, placing it in a relatively safe position. Only two temporary wooden watchtowers had been erected on the hill and to the south.

Tang Zuoxiang was in his own room. Chen Xin had built a single room for each of those with families. These people had all partitioned off a section, creating a one-bedroom-one-living-room layout. Tang Zuoxiang's two children were running in and out of the house. It was their first time living in a brick-and-tile house; though small, it was far better than the thatched hut they had in Tianjin. A carpenter who had also come from Tianjin was measuring the room, preparing to make a bed for Tang Zuoxiang.

"The kid's father, this wall feels so solid to the touch." Tang Zuoxiang's wife stroked the wall.

Tang Zuoxiang watched the children and said cheerfully, "It's made of brick, of course it is."

"It's good, just a bit small. I remember the old foreman's family had eight tile-roofed rooms. Our family will have to have at least six or seven someday. The eldest is ten this year; in a few years, we'll need to find him a wife. This little room won't do."

Tang Zuoxiang glanced outside the door and said, "In a few years, once we've saved up some silver, we'll buy our own land on the south side and build a big house. Mr. Liu has already divided up that land."

Tang Zuoxiang's wife looked full of longing, then sighed: "Building a big house costs dozens of taels. Our family can only save a few mace of silver a month. How long will we have to save?"

"Lord Chen already said that in the future, pay will be split into a basic monthly wage and a piece-rate monthly wage. Maybe we can get two or three taels of silver a month. That Banjiu gun is about to be finished, and there's a separate reward for it."

"The kid's father, how much of a reward can you get?"

Tang Zuoxiang proudly held up one finger. "Ten taels!"

"Wow." His wife felt a wave of dizziness. If so, they could build a house next year.

"His father, you must work hard. Yesterday, Aunt Li said that Wang Huzi has his eye on your foreman position. These past few days he's been desperately hammering armor plates, saying he wants to make a suit of armor for Lord Chen as a New Year's gift. Don't let him outdo you."

"What? That dog-fucking Wang Huzi! No wonder he hasn't even made the table for his own home—so he's been busy with this. I've got to go put in some extra work and assemble that Banjiu gun. Bring my lunch to the workshop."

"Alright, go quickly." His wife hurriedly brought his padded coat and draped it over Tang Zuoxiang. She watched him turn towards the northwest corner before turning back to light the fire and cook....

Her family's kitchen was outside the west wall, a stove built of stone and brick. Tang Zuoxiang's wife drew well water. With the New Year approaching, she had spare money in hand for the first time and planned to cook something delicious for the whole family, young and old. Noticing the firewood pile was running low, she thought for a moment, put down what she was holding, and went to the village entrance, where a dozen or so villagers and peddlers were waiting.

"Auntie, buy mine!" Seeing a customer, the group all crowded around. The newly arrived military households here had moved into brick-and-tile houses in just over a month, news that had spread throughout every guard post in Weihaiwei. Many people came to see the excitement. The cloth shop and grain store from the guard city had sent peddlers and donkey carts to sell goods here, while some villagers from Mazi Post were selling firewood and wheat straw.

Liu Minyou was in the watchtower on East Hill, watching a crowd surround Tang Zuoxiang's wife, each hawking their wares. This little town he had designed was already displaying vibrant vitality. With monthly wages paid on time, new commerce might form nearby. This land was peaceful and simple; he was slowly beginning to get used to life here. Watching the lives of these military households gradually improve, he felt a sense of accomplishment deep inside.

In the abandoned fields in the distance, the twenty newly arrived military households were ridging the land. They were all locals from Weihaiwei. According to them, the soil could still be dug in winter, not as hard as Dai Zhenggang and the others believed. Liu Minyou had them try digging a bit, planning to dig the irrigation canals after he and Platoon Leader Gong had discussed it properly.

Chen Xin had already made it clear that these twenty military households would not receive monthly wages. At the start, they were put to work, fed daily, and supported. Later, the land would be distributed to them, and some rent collected. The combat squads were professional soldiers, only helping out at most during the busy farming season.

Liu Minyou glanced again towards the harbor. The two wooden piers had been completed, and the two ships finally had a berth. Liu Minyou had also planned a barracks there, all for the navy. He estimated the navy wouldn't be too large, so the space reserved wasn't big. He heard that Ba Zi had already begun recruiting. The land around Weihai was barren; although the aquatic produce was good, it couldn't be exchanged for silver. So when the monthly wage of one tael and five mace was offered, sign-ups were very enthusiastic. Chen Xin had assigned Wang Zugui as the deputy; this man was more obedient to Chen Xin's words. Chen Xin planned to rotate Qin Lufang back after the New Year to strengthen control over the sailors.

After finishing his rounds, Liu Minyou descended from the watchtower and went to the school in the northeast corner to see if the desks and chairs were finished. Just as he reached the door, he heard the sound of wood being chopped inside. Seven or eight men from the logistics squad were swinging large axes, chopping vigorously under the direction of a carpenter. The desks and chairs they were making were actually just a few long wooden planks; they just needed to sand down the rough edges so they wouldn't catch on clothing.

Liu Minyou imagined over thirty children, big and small, sitting here for class, and a sudden warmth surged within him. At the very least, he could change their destinies. He still didn't believe Chen Xin could contend for hegemony over the realm. Even though Chen Xin was working towards it, Liu Minyou felt that if Chen Xin's strength ever proved insufficient, he wouldn't go ramming his head against that brick wall.

In truth, Liu Minyou had slowly grown fond of this place, Weihaiwei. Located at the easternmost tip of Shandong, with inconvenient transport and extreme remoteness, it was far more peaceful than the Central Plains and Beizhili. By the seaside, there was also a route of retreat. To be able to live quietly here in the chaotic late Ming world, he felt, was actually the greatest happiness. Someday, finding a small island and escaping there with people could at least save many lives; his trip to the Ming Dynasty wouldn't have been in vain. The only thing was, he wondered how that person was doing. Liu Minyou rubbed the gloves he wore on his hands, brought them to his lips, and exhaled a puff of white breath.