Chapter 73: The Strengthening Private Army

Involving so many refugees, even a slight misstep could spark chaos.

Others can take the blame, but the work must be done by one’s own people to be trusted.

Li Mu, with his rich experience in maintaining stability, was again selected by Marquis Wuyang to oversee this labor-for-relief project.

Dubbed “the capable should bear more burden,” this was the price of being favored by superiors.

Since it couldn’t be avoided, treat it as a trial.

The more experiences one endures, the faster one’s abilities grow.

In books, labor-for-relief was just four simple characters, but in practice, it was a mess of countless complications.

Lacking sufficient grassroots administrators, they had no choice but to impose direct military rule.

Whether it was reasonable didn’t matter—establishing order in the shortest time and resolving the refugee crisis was the priority.

Looking at the forcibly organized refugee camp, Li Mu instantly understood why military officers were impeached for handling labor-for-relief.

Ignoring the quality of internal personnel, this was merely a weakened version of a military camp.

Intended to make refugees work, it had been twisted by subordinates into something resembling new recruit training.

Fixed daily schedules, regular routes to work, even meals were taken in orderly lines.

If not for the large number of elderly and children, it would have been indistinguishable from a new recruit camp.

Order established in such a short time was all whipped into place.

On the fence outside the camp, several heads of troublemakers hung as constant warnings.

Walking through the camp, Li Mu was met with nothing but fearful glances—making him deeply uncomfortable.

Deep inside, however, he breathed a sigh of relief; if everyone had looked at him with gratitude, his head would have been in danger.

Serving as an official in the Da Yu Dynasty was no easy task.

Civil officials who gained good reputations could be promoted.

Military officers who gained good reputations could be sent to their graves.

…

“Battalion Commander, here are the refugee camp’s expenditures over the past few days.

A total of 2,800 shi of coarse grain consumed, with silver expenditures of 1,200 taels.”

Taking the ledger from Lan Linjie, Li Mu flipped through it briefly and lost interest.

The Da Yu Code had clear regulations on labor-for-relief.

The court specified exactly how much grain and money each person should receive daily.

Exceeding or falling short would invite accountability; executors had little room for discretion.

One solid meal and two thin porridges per day—enough to be about seven or eight parts full.

But in practice, part of the grain was often swapped for bran and chaff to siphon off personal gains.

Not interested in such petty profits, Li Mu didn’t want to dirty his hands and simply followed the court’s regulations.

This best suited his position: a green official fresh out of school, unfamiliar with local bureaucratic norms, was entirely plausible.

“Hmm, continue as before.

Don’t rush the timeline, but ensure the quality of the work.

Have the soldiers who carried out the night raid on the enemy camp made their decision yet?”

Li Mu asked with concern.

Promises made by oneself must be fulfilled quickly.

With the Five City Military Command currently overseeing Yangzhou, it was convenient to place loyal men in the yamen’s grassroots ranks.

Once new local officials arrived, inserting personnel into local affairs would become far more difficult.

“My lord, circumstances have changed slightly.

Several officers, including Platoon Leader Zhou, have chosen to decline promotion and instead entered Marquis Wuyang’s service.

One hundred soldiers left with them; Marquis Wuyang’s steward personally came to collect them, reportedly with your approval.

The remaining soldiers neither wish to return home nor join the yamen—they hope you will take them on as retainers.”

Hearing this, Lan Shiyeh nearly spat out his tea.

Marquis Wuyang’s move was truly dishonorable.

Everyone knew soldiers who survived the night raid were top-tier troops; with minimal training, they could become elite.

Li Mu had also set his sights on them; many colleagues had asked for them, and he had refused all requests.

Giving them time to choose freely was merely a tactic to win their loyalty.

Those who voluntarily joined were easier to mold into loyal followers than those directly conscripted.

Preoccupied with refugee affairs, he had carelessly had his base raided.

Fortunately, Marquis Wuyang hadn’t gone too far—he left Li Mu half the soldiers; otherwise, he’d have been truly ruined.

Most surprising was Zhou Chuanfa—he had actually given up his hard-won position of Assistant Battalion Commander to become Marquis Wuyang’s bodyguard.

In prior interactions, Li Mu had been certain this man was deeply ambitious for fame and fortune.

There must be a story behind it, but since both parties agreed, he had no reason to play the villain.

“If they want to stay, take them in!

Arrange for them to join the Personal Guard Camp and undergo military training.

Base pay will match that of existing retainers: fifteen taels in the first year, increasing by one tael annually thereafter—all paid in full.”

Li Mu said calmly.

He couldn’t blame his subordinates; even he couldn’t have stopped Marquis Wuyang from taking men.

Subordinates who dared question an imperial envoy’s men were already showing loyalty to their master.

A slight pang of regret passed, and he recovered.

With so many men under his command, if he carefully screened them, he could always find good recruits.

With these additions, his Personal Guard Camp now totaled over four hundred men.

Among all Battalion Commanders in Da Yu, who dared keep so many retainers?

Even with full court pay, one still had to subsidize them—it was hard to break even.

Even Li Mu himself wasn’t sure.

If he was promoted to a lucrative post, he could keep the entire Personal Guard Camp.

But if fate was cruel and he was assigned to a promising yet penniless office,

He might later struggle to afford their upkeep.

Dismissals were impossible.

Having witnessed the brutality of battle firsthand, he now valued strength far above money.

“My lord, I will properly arrange them.

Besides this, during the night raid on the enemy camp, we brought back a Zhou scholar.

I’ve spoken with him; his speech and insight are far from ordinary—he’s no mere country scholar.

He’s clearly concealed his true identity. Given that he guided us to successfully burn the enemy’s grain stores,

It’s inappropriate for subordinates to interrogate him harshly—what should be done with him?”

Lan Shiyeh asked with concern.

Clearly, he held a favorable impression of this Zhou scholar.

Otherwise, an unknown man who refused to reveal his identity upon entering camp would have already been tortured.

Guiding them was indeed a great service.

But this man didn’t volunteer—he only agreed after a blade was at his throat.

“Bring him to me—I’ll meet him personally.

I am a man who values talent.

If he truly has ability, and isn’t the leader of rebels, he can be dealt with leniently.”

Li Mu said after some thought.

(End of Chapter)