Chapter 178: Local Dragon, Local Worm (Thanks to Handsome Xiao Jia for the Generous Reward!)

In the capital, Fang Zhenghua was "proposing marriage" to Zhang Huangyan with an unmistakable tone and manner. Outside the capital, a company of capital troops had already ridden out the night before, led by Commissioner-in-Chief Gong Yonggu, galloping toward Yin County.

Yin County was rather far from the capital — one had to cross not only Shandong but even pass by Nanjing. So before setting out, taking this into account, the Chongzhen Emperor had specifically summoned Gong Yonggu and given him some instructions.

When passing through Wuding Prefecture in Shandong, Qiu Lei, who had already been promoted to Vice Regional Commander, immediately led military officers and a group of civil officials including the Prefect out of the city to welcome him.

After all, Gong Yonggu was the Imperial Son-in-law of the reigning dynasty, the son-in-law of His Majesty the Emperor. Though times had changed, the honor of this status remained undiminished.

The uniforms of the capital troops and the Shandong soldiers could be distinguished at a glance. After the capital had reorganized the capital troops and the city defense forces, the capital troops had been issued a new set of armor different from that of the city defense forces — mainly swallow-wing helmets and chainmail, but with the formerly bright scarlet changed to black.

Qiu Lei, who had campaigned year-round, could tell at a glance that the dozen or so capital troops accompanying him all had thick calluses on their hands, clearly from years of gripping spears. Their armor also bore a sheen and the marks of age — obviously veterans who had been on the battlefield.

Qiu Lei was secretly astonished. It seemed the rumors were true — the capital troops were no longer what they had been last year, no longer a showy, empty shell. They appeared to have some real fighting capability after all.

Apparently, the scarlet armor was being reserved for the Imperial Guard. The Chongzhen Emperor could not use capital troops to guard the imperial city forever, and after the Tengxiang Four Guards of the Directorate of the Imperial Horses had been disbanded and absorbed into the capital troops' ranks, he could not keep using eunuchs to defend the palace precincts either. It was said that new recruits would be raised in the future to form an Imperial Guard.

"Commissioner Gong!" At the north gate of Wuding Prefecture, Qiu Lei, serving concurrently as Vice Regional Commander of Shandong and Regional Commander of Wuding, had long since arrived with the Prefect and a batch of civil and military officials to receive him. Seeing the mounted column approaching in the distance, he hurried forward with a broad laugh to greet them.

"Commissioner Gong has come far and must be weary. This humble officer has prepared a banquet in the city for you — to wash the dust of travel!"

"Good. They say Shandong is a harsh and bitter land — this time I shall have a taste of it myself!" Gong Yonggu glanced at the darkening sky. He did not really want to travel on anyway, so he wiped his sweat, took the opportunity to climb down, and entered the city with clasped hands and a smile.

Upon hearing that the Imperial Son-in-law and Capital Camps Commissioner-in-Chief Gong Yonggu was passing through Wuding Prefecture, nearly every civil and military official of any rank in the prefecture attended the banquet. The Prefect and other civil officials had even arranged dancing girls and a theater troupe for Gong Yonggu's party — truly lavish.

As an Imperial Son-in-law, Gong Yonggu's words, conduct, and places of access had been strictly regulated. Had it not been for the national crisis at hand, the Chongzhen Emperor likely would not have made an exception to allow him to serve outside the capital.

This was Gong Yonggu's first time leaving the capital. Though honored as the Imperial Son-in-law, this was his first time seeing such scenes of song and dance, and the first time in his life so many people flattered and fawned over him.

A well-behaved child normally kept under strict control, suddenly entrusted with a mission in crisis and given great power in hand — naturally he felt a bit elated and light-headed. That was exactly Gong Yonggu's state at present.

"Lord Imperial Son-in-law, I hear His Majesty abolished the various capital camp establishments and formed the capital troops and city defense forces. As Commissioner-in-Chief of the city defense forces, might Your Lordship know some inside details, so that we minor local officials might learn of the great affairs of the capital?" At the banquet, the Prefect exchanged a glance with the Vice Prefect and other civil officials around him, then asked with a smile.

Gong Yonggu was already slightly drunk by then. Thinking this was no secret, he said in a dazed tone: "This is hardly a secret. His Majesty saw that the various capital camps were in disarray, so he disbanded and reorganized them, collectively calling them the capital troops and city defense forces."

"The establishments of the capital troops and city defense forces are much the same — each camp has a military Commissioner-in-Chief, and each is commanded by a Governor-General. At present, the Governor-General of the capital troops is the Duke of Ying, and the Governor-General of the city defense forces is some young upstart named Dong Qi." At this point, Gong Yonggu's tone carried considerable disdain.

Qiu Lei smiled, poured himself a full cup, and said in a sarcastic tone:

"It pays to be near the water's edge to catch the moon first — working right under the Emperor's nose in the capital, one's merits count for more than us local military officers!"

"Who says otherwise!" Several Assistant Regional Commanders and brigade commanders of Wuding Prefecture chimed in one after another. "Our Commander Qiu's achievements are far greater than this Dong Qi's — and as for that Mou Wenshou, no matter how you count it, it shouldn't be his turn to be Regional Commander!"

It turned out that the Wuding Prefecture troops under Qiu Lei's command had rendered great service in the campaign to pacify Liu Zeqing. Everyone had thought Qiu Lei would succeed to the post this time, but unexpectedly, it was that young upstart who became Regional Commander.

Though Qiu Lei had said nothing, having contributed so much yet only receiving the posts of Vice Regional Commander and Right Commissioner-in-Chief, he naturally harbored resentment in his heart.

Hearing Gong Yonggu's words this time, Qiu Lei immediately thought of that Mou Wenshou, and anger welled up from nowhere.

In seniority, Mou Wenshou was no match for him; in military merit, he was no match for him either. Even if the fellow had some battle achievements, what he had pacified were mountain bandits and local brigands — the hardest battle he had ever fought was perhaps that affair with Liu Zeqing last year. Compared to himself, it was not worth mentioning.

As for himself — he had been stationed year-round in this barren land of Wuding Prefecture, and had personally cut down pirates, wokou, and Tartars alike. Even if it came to taking turns, shouldn't it be his turn by now?

With this mindset, Qiu Lei passed the night.

The next morning, Gong Yonggu woke with a splitting headache. He patted his head and was just ordering the capital troops to pack their gear for the road when, at that moment, a household retainer appeared at the door.

It was said Qiu Lei had important matters to discuss with him. Having drunk himself into a stupor the night before, Gong Yonggu could not remember what Qiu Lei had said at all. Finding Qiu Lei a decent sort and feeling no wariness, he went alone.

Arriving at the Assistant Regional Commander's residence, waiting in the main hall besides Qiu Lei was another man with a fawning, shifty appearance. Seeing Gong Yonggu arrive, he hurried forward with an ingratiating smile and said:

"Lord Imperial Son-in-law, how we've awaited your arrival! This humble one is a patrol inspector from the Denglai region, surnamed Zhang!"

"Patrol inspector?" Gong Yonggu muttered. Only then did he recall that the court had established patrol inspectorate offices in Shandong and certain special localities.

But strictly speaking, wasn't the patrol inspectorate's job to investigate and seize smuggled salt? Why would they come to him? Looking at the several large chests set to one side, Gong Yonggu began to feel a flicker of suspicion.

"What are all these things?"

"Your Lordship has asked just the right question — these are all fine goods." Inspector Zhang smiled and waved his hand, whereupon several salt guards stepped forward and opened the chests.

On top there was nothing unusual — just paintings, calligraphy, and ordinary objects. But when that Inspector Zhang stepped forward and fiddled with them a few times, from beneath those ordinary objects appeared many glittering jewels, gold, and silver — a full several large chests' worth.

Seeing so much gold and treasure for the first time, Gong Yonggu's eyes went wide and he stared fixedly. "Th-this... this is all for me...?"

Inspector Zhang and Qiu Lei exchanged a glance. Seeing Gong Yonggu like this, they thought the hook had been taken, and hurriedly fanned the flames:

"Indeed! This humble one heard that Your Lordship was passing through Wuding, so I rushed here day and night, just for a glimpse of Your Lordship's honored countenance."

"Now that I have finally seen you, one wish is fulfilled. If Your Lordship does not mind, you may continue your journey today as planned. This humble one will have men deliver these ordinary objects to your residence — everything will be handled by me, and I guarantee all will be safe and secure."