Chapter 164: Irregular Expansion

"Kill!"

"Boom, boom, boom..."

The sounds of shouting and killing mixed with the sounds of artillery fire, making the New Year's Eve in Guangzhou lose its festive atmosphere.

"Master, it's time for a meal."

Hearing the butler's reminder, Zou Yunchuan waved his hand helplessly.

"Take it away; I have no appetite today!"

With repeated defeats on the battlefield and the flames of war burning all the way from Guangxi to Guangzhou City, he, this Provincial Governor, could not shirk the responsibility.

From the news obtained from the capital, in recent days, officials in Guangdong had submitted memorials one after another to impeach him for dereliction of duty and corruption.

Because of the grain and fodder problem before, the newly appointed Viceroy of the Five Provinces also looked at him with displeasure.

It wouldn't be surprising if the imperial edict for dismissal was already on the way at this moment.

Zou Yunchuan was not worried about losing his official position; being dismissed by the imperial court at this time was just right to get rid of the mess in Guangdong.

In fact, as early as a month ago, he had submitted his resignation to the imperial court.

There was no way; his ability was limited, and he really didn't know how to deal with the subsequent situation.

To save the crisis, in recent days, he had been reading books without releasing them from his hands.

A pile of military books had been memorized by him.

He felt he had learned it, but it was useless once used.

He arranged for the main army to take the initiative to attack several times, but every time they were defeated and returned.

Clearly, he arranged an ambush, but in the end, it turned into the side being ambushed by the enemy.

At the beginning, he still felt that the military officers below were incompetent.

After continuously encountering failures, Zou Yunchuan slowly accepted the reality of his own incompetence.

Unfortunately, the time he recognized himself was too late.

At this moment, the people above looked at him with displeasure, and the people below also hated him for giving blind commands.

"Master, no matter what, you have to eat.

Especially on such a big day today, you have to eat a few mouthfuls no matter what.

After passing this year, everything will get better next year!"

The butler persuaded insincerely.

For the situation to improve, one definitely couldn't see it for a while.

The imperial court's reinforcements, although they hadn't stopped, were all still in the north.

Originally, there were the Yangzhou Battalion and the Huaian Battalion to support the scene, but because the master looked down on military officers, he offended people.

The remaining commanders were obedient and submissive, but they were not capable on the battlefield.

"Take it away first; wait until I return after patrolling the city defense, and then enjoy it slowly."

Zou Yunchuan shook his head and said.

I don't know why, but his heart was always up and down, and he always felt that something was about to happen.

"Master, let the people below patrol the city defense!

The rebel army's artillery fire hasn't stopped, and the enemy clearly isn't planning to celebrate the New Year.

In case a stray bullet flies in and hurts your golden body, that wouldn't be worth it!"

The butler hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

The master's official reputation was already so foul that it was unbearable to hear outside.

With his own strength, he had made the situation in Guangdong a mess.

Whether it was colleagues in the officialdom or the common people, there were few who didn't curse him.

Running to the city wall in the middle of the night, it wouldn't be surprising if someone shot a cold arrow.

"No need to say more; this official has his own calculations.

At this time, it is when the military heart and morale are at their lowest.

This official personally visiting the front line to inspect is the only way to stabilize the military heart!"

Zou Yunchuan said with a firm tone.

No matter what, Guangzhou City must be defended.

As a Provincial Governor, losing cities and territory on the front line, he needed to bear the responsibility.

If Guangzhou City were lost again, even if there were people in the court helping to operate, his head would inevitably not be saved.

……

Lianzhou Prefecture.

"Official Jia, are you used to celebrating the New Year in the military camp for the first time?"

Li Mu asked with concern.

The other party was sent by the Viceroy of the Five Provinces, so as a host, he had to entertain him well.

Unfortunately, this was the front line of Guangxi that had just experienced the flames of war; he couldn't even gather a table of high-end ingredients, let alone any enjoyment.

Celebrating the festival in the military camp, the preferential treatment for commanders over soldiers was nothing more than more vegetable supply.

All were local specialties, all the fruits of the prisoners' labor.

As for meat, it was mainly fish, basically contributed by the navy.

The rest were all dried meat; cured meat belonged to luxury goods.

Fresh pork, beef, and mutton were even more of a luxury.

The military funds allocated by the imperial court were limited, and specifically arranging ships to purchase from the rear was really too extravagant.

He, this main commander, could lead by example, and the soldiers below could naturally accept it.

"Haha..."

"Assistant Regional Commander Li is too polite; this official is not that delicate.

Celebrating the New Year in the military for the first time also has a unique flavor.

However, life on the front line is really bitter!"

Jia Bo couldn't help but sigh.

Compared to his past life, in these days in Lianzhou, his standard of living had dropped in a straight line.

If it weren't for seeing that the group of noble commanders were all receiving the same treatment, he would have flared up long ago.

In order to get rid of the bitter life as soon as possible, he was exceptionally active in urging grain and pay.

"Now it's considered good; at least there is vegetable supply; it was annoying when we first came.

However, life will always get better; after the imperial court pacifies the rebellion, it will only take a few decades to recover.

If changing native offices to imperial administration is completed smoothly, the recovery speed of the folk economy will be even faster."

Li Mu calmly slipped in private goods.

In recent days, this Official Jia in front of him had been going deep into the folk to collect information many times.

Although he didn't say it explicitly, Li Mu could be sure that this was preparing for changing native offices to imperial administration.

That Grand Secretary Xu had moved his heart was the only reason he could make him do this.

Once "changing native offices to imperial administration" became a national policy, the Guangxi region would need an elite army stationed there to deal with various emergencies.

No one would fight for this kind of bitter job.

Even to keep people, the officials presiding over the land reform would have to give more policies to win over the military officers who stayed behind.

After all, the neighbor next door was restless; without a strong army to support it, no one would feel at ease.

One battalion was definitely not enough; without two or three tens of thousands of elite troops, how could they deter the Annamese!

Opportunities to legally expand military strength within the rules could not be wasted.

"Assistant Regional Commander Li, are you interested in participating in the great cause of changing native offices to imperial administration?"

Jia Bo asked tentatively.

On the issue of promoting changing native offices to imperial administration, Li Mu's performance was too obvious.

Anyone could see what he wanted to do.

"Official Jia, there are not many opportunities to leave a name in history.

Judging from the current situation, one is to promote changing native offices to imperial administration in the southwest region, and the other is to pacify the rebellion in Liaodong.

The Liaodong front line gathered the most elite troops of the imperial court, but they couldn't solve the problem.

That kind of hot potato, no one dared to take it.

The difficulty here in Guangxi is smaller, but it also requires Grand Secretary Xu to make up his mind to complete it.

If Grand Secretary Xu is really interested, this subordinate is willing to help."

Li Mu said slowly.

Politics is so wonderful; a moment ago he was still the subordinate of the political enemy that Grand Secretary Xu wanted to suppress, and in a blink of an eye, he became the main force of land reform that needed to be won over.

The officialdom is just like this; yesterday they were enemies, and today they might become friends.

As long as the interests are big enough, there is nothing that cannot be discussed.

"Assistant Regional Commander Li, since you have said it to this point, then I won't hide it.

The situation in the court is unclear, and the Emperor is about to take personal control of the government; the Grand Secretary needs a political achievement that cannot be overturned to protect himself.

The matter of changing native offices to imperial administration is almost a certainty.

The problem now is that the great battle to suppress the rebellion has fallen into a state of stagnation.

Except for our route, the other several main armies have all fallen into a state of stagnation."

Jia Bo confessed.

This achievement, not only Grand Secretary Xu wanted it, but he himself also wanted it.

The first merit must be the Grand Secretary's, but the second merit was enough to make him rise steadily.

Finishing this ticket, rising all the way to Provincial Governor would no longer have obstacles.

The blessing of prestige was even more huge.

In future history books, his name would definitely be left; at the very least, it would be recorded in detail in the local annals of Guangxi.

Although the temptation of interests was great, the difficulty was equally tricky.

The performance of the rebel army exceeded everyone's expectations.

The performance of the imperial troops also exceeded everyone's expectations.

"Official Jia, actually you can suggest to the Grand Secretary to increase troops in the Guangxi region.

Considering the combat effectiveness of the main army, it is better to let the imperial court recruit some young and strong men and send them over, directly incorporating them into the Yangzhou Battalion and the Huaian Battalion.

Two battalions of elite troops cannot heavily damage the rebel army, but if they become two towns of elite troops, the situation will be very different."

Li Mu asked for an official position with a straight face.

With his qualifications, under normal circumstances, wanting to be promoted would be impossible without grinding for a few years.

Even the position of Assistant Regional Commander was only officially confirmed after the new Emperor ascended the throne and showed the vastness of imperial grace.

However, now it is wartime, so everything is possible.

As a descendant of a noble family, he had a pile of connections in the military officer system.

The Great Metropolitan Command would not block his promotion.

Now wanting to be promoted, the main resistance came from the Ministry of War.

The other party's reasons were sufficient; his own uncle and father-in-law needed to avoid suspicion and it was not good to come forward to interfere.

The Marquis of Wuyang could help speak, but imperial relatives never had face in front of civil officials.

If a civil official big shot spoke up, then everything would be different.

"Assistant Regional Commander Li, expanding the Yangzhou Battalion and the Huaian Battalion is easy, but can you guarantee that the main army will form combat effectiveness in a short time?"

Jia Bo asked with slight hesitation.

With Li Mu and Jing Yifeng's backgrounds, plus the battle results obtained in Lianzhou, promotion was only a matter of time.

The promotion paths for civil and military officials were different, and the two would not become opponents, so he naturally didn't mind selling a favor.

Being able to obtain the friendship of the Jing and Li families, when it was his turn to be promoted in the future, having those two assistant ministers help speak a word would also be no small help.

In the officialdom, it was originally about helping each other and making progress together.

"After expansion, there will definitely be an impact in the short term.

However, Official Jia can rest assured that after increasing military strength, the overall combat effectiveness will definitely rise.

In fact, the combat effectiveness of an army is half determined by daily training, and the other half is determined by grass-roots officers.

In the Yangzhou Battalion and the Huaian Battalion, many soldiers meet the conditions for promotion, but they are troubled by the lack of suitable positions.

If we can carry out expansion, we will definitely be able to let the main army form combat effectiveness in the shortest time."

Li Mu guaranteed immediately.

Forming combat effectiveness in a short time was purely bluffing.

However, now both battalions were fishing on the battlefield, and the real combat effectiveness was not known to the outside world at all.

Even if the combat effectiveness didn't improve after expansion, no one would know.

"Since Assistant Regional Commander Li is so confident, then I will go and speak to the Grand Secretary.

However, expanding the establishment needs to be approved by the imperial court.

Tossing back and forth like this, I fear a couple of months will be gone.

Can we recruit troops locally, expand the establishment first, and supplement the procedures later?"

Jia Bo asked with concern.

Expanding troops without authorization, if military officers dared to do this, they would be labeled as rebellious subjects in minutes.

If it were changed to civil officials, it wouldn't count as a matter at all.

Adding some temporary establishments, Grand Secretary Xu could decide it in one word.

As for how to end it after the war, there was no need to worry at all.

There were so many troops participating in the war, and the establishments that were beaten away were not just a little bit.

Arranging people in the court to operate, the matter would be settled.

If one encountered an unscrupulous commander, they would just manage the convenience of the wartime period and pat their butts and leave after the war.

"The rebel army is causing disaster in Guangxi, and they have blood feuds with many people in the local area.

Picking some young and strong men from the refugees is not a difficult thing.

The problem is that without an establishment, the imperial court will not issue pay.

The expenses of one soldier are not much, but once this scale expands, it is a huge expense.

Unless an official document is received, this general does not dare to implement it.

However, it is feasible to recruit local people's groups first and train them."

Li Mu bluffed with a straight face.

The young and strong men in Lianzhou Prefecture were indeed many, but they were basically in the prisoner camp.

The young and strong men scattered among the people were all those who escaped from the rebel army's ranks.

There might be those willing to be soldiers, but this number would definitely not be many.

If one really wanted to expand the army, one still had to think of a way from the rear.

However, in order to expand the establishment, he could only bluff first.

It was all forced out; the temporarily organized battalion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard brought by him was killed off one after another.

After changing their vests, they joined the ranks of the night scouts one after another under the identity of Guangxi locals.

So much so that the Yangzhou Battalion had actually exceeded the original establishment.

Now it is wartime, and no one cares about these details.

Once the war ends, this will be a hidden danger.

Since the teammates are not capable, and he needs to exert more effort himself, then take the opportunity to ask for benefits from the Imperial Commissioner.

Similarly recovering lost territory, two towns of troops recovering a few prefectures is more acceptable than two battalions of troops.

As for the temporarily organized battalion composed of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, that is an awkward existence.

They are never counted in battle merit, and only appear on the list of those killed in action.

Official documents also don't mention them.

"Assistant Regional Commander Li can let go and do it; I will recommend you to the Grand Secretary to act as the Regional Military Commissioner of Guangxi, and recommend Assistant Regional Commander Jing to act as the Regional Military Commissioner of Guangxi.

Just use the military establishment of Guangxi locally; in this way, even the procedures on the imperial court's side don't need to be walked."

Jia Bo hardened his heart and said.

In order to establish merit, he was also fighting.

The Regional Military Commissioner is a Senior Rank Two military officer, and the Regional Military Commissioner is a Junior Rank Two military officer.

Such positions were not something he could decide, and he didn't even have the qualification to nominate.

Even Grand Secretary Xu only had the power to recommend people to the imperial court.

It needed to be passed by the court meeting, approved by the Directorate of Ceremonial, and finally approved by the Emperor before the personnel appointment could be passed.

If a problem occurred in any link in the middle, the personnel appointment would be rejected.

Even if it was just acting, it was a violation of regulations.

However, as Grand Secretary Xu's confidant, he knew very well what his boss wanted now.

As long as the rebellion could be pacified quickly, some flaws in the procedures didn't count for anything at all.

Moreover, behind these two people stood two assistant ministers.

Even if the censor picked on them, when it reached the court, they could suppress the matter.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 165 =====