Chapter 175: First Volume, Chapter 175: Building a Base

First Volume, Chapter 175: Building a Base

Ning Hu turned to look at the Marquis of Yong'an; seeing his father nod, he excitedly jumped down from the carriage and scampered over.

All that visiting and banquet formalities, tedious rituals, boring and dull—leave it to the elders to handle.

The City Patrol Bureau guards, seeing Qin Feng arrive uninvited, didn't even think of stopping him; instead, they hurried forward with great enthusiasm.

"Young Master Qin, what wind blew you here?"

"I said this morning's magpies were chirping nonstop—turns out it was because you were coming."

"Please, please come in—Young Master Qin and Little Marquis, wait a moment in the DaTang; I'll go call Xu Xiaowei in the Back Courtyard right away."

Ning Hu, accompanying him, couldn't help but chuckle.

The City Patrol Bureau, no matter what, was still one of Jingdu's key departments; even if the Jingzhao Governor came, he'd have to announce himself before entering.

Qin Feng's current status was higher than the Jingzhao Governor's!

But thinking it over, Ning Hu understood.

Earlier, Qin Feng led three hundred guards and shone brilliantly during the Qingyi Ceremony, making his name ring throughout Jingdu.

These City Patrol Bureau guards naturally resented not being chosen by Qin Feng.

Now that Qin Feng held the Canjiang Appointment authority, anyone wanting to go to Beidi for military seasoning didn't even need to use the back door—just one word from Qin Feng would do.

Not just the City Patrol Bureau guards—even some Commandants in Jingzhong were green with envy.

Their behavior made sense now…

As soon as Qin Feng entered, he sprawled out on the DaTang's high-backed chair.

He acted like he owned the place—ate when he wanted, drank when he wanted, got so comfortable he even crossed his legs.

In the past, such behavior would've gotten him thrown out—or at least scolded.

But the surrounding Commandants and guards all smiled warmly, not showing any resentment, only exchanging pleasantries.

Lieutenant Li, who had presided over the Sand Table at ShiZhen yesterday, beamed with a full face of smiles, knowing Qin Feng liked good food, and immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare fine wine and dishes.

Qin Feng waved his hand, telling Li not to bother, and grinned: "I'm just here to find Xu Mo—I'll be done and gone, won't be eating lunch here."

Hearing this, Lieutenant Li was instantly disappointed.

Just then, Xu Mo rushed over, saw Qin Feng, and broke into a wide grin: "I heard the Qin Family threw a grand banquet today, and all the officials and nobles in Jingzhong went to pay respects—I thought you'd be tied up with affairs and wouldn't have time to meet, but who would have thought… you actually slipped out."

Saying this, Xu Mo squinted, a mischievous smirk on his lips, teasing: "Brother Qin, are you avoiding the banquet—or afraid to meet your future wife?"

What kind of talk is that!

Qin Feng stood up at once, slapped his chest, and struck a fearless pose: "Ridiculous! Am I Qin Feng the kind to be henpecked? Besides, Xie Yun'er hasn't even crossed the threshold—my Qin Family isn't hers to lord over!"

Ning Hu and Xu Mo exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

The two of them laughing made the surrounding Commandants and guards laugh too.

Laugh your ass off!

Qin Feng's face flushed red; he stood and walked out.

The three left the City Patrol Bureau together; Ning Hu followed behind and asked casually: "Brother Qin, where are we headed? If you're just avoiding the noise, why not go to Wuhu Restaurant? Your Yajian and Guibin Shi are famous in Jingdu—even rich commoners can't get in."

Qin Feng, hands behind his back, looked like an old official on inspection, still bitter about being mocked for fearing his wife, snapped: "Free meals? Don't expect anything that easy!"

"War preparations have already begun—Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue, these two sworn enemies, are forced to cooperate, buying grain from the regions for ZhanLueCunChu. At today's Early Court, I already probed the ImperialWill—within three months at the shortest, we'll march to Bianchui."

"Time is tight—we can't afford to waste it."

Hearing Qin Feng's words, the two grew serious.

Xu Mo wiped the teasing grin off his face, rubbed his chin, and mused: "I heard the same from my father—he said even the deputy generals at the brigade level have already been selected, and all Commanders have begun drilling their troops. Also, the Piaoqi and Chariot and Cavalry Grand Generals have already gone to Jiangnan to mobilize the Army—they're heading to Bianchui immediately. In fact, this war will break out within three to five months at most."

On his way home after today's Early Court, Qin Feng had also heard a word or two from Old Qin.

Aside from the Wei Wu Grand General staying behind in Jingdu, both the Piaoqi and Chariot and Cavalry Grand Generals had left the capital.

Although Old Qin was the main person in charge of this Beidi campaign, he had long since stepped back to the Second Line—the ones actually going to the front were the Piaoqi Grand General.

The Chariot and Cavalry General was dispatched to Jiangnan to coordinate forces—not only leading troops directly to Bianchui, but also sending part of the Army northwest, as a contingency.

In truth, things had already reached "war" status.

After all, once the Army inside the borders moved, Beidi would learn of it immediately and adjust its strategy.

The coming months will be turbulent for Shedynasty.

First, Beidi, to disrupt Shedynasty's war preparations, will intensify ambushes along the Border—the pressure on national security will double.

Second, due to the war, domestic prices will rise further; everything will cost more.

That's why at today's Early Court, Qin Feng asked the Liang Emperor for a "one-year special privilege"—only then could he properly make a fortune to cover his losses!

The two elite troops promised to the Liang Emperor must not be delayed!

Qin Feng took Ning Hu and Xu Mo first to the Ministry of War, then to the Garrison Army, then to the Longhu Army and the East and West Camps—all to do the same thing: "demand men."

The City Patrol Bureau's elite had already been stripped bare by Qin Feng; the remaining guards were either sons of officials or lazy, deceitful, gluttonous fools—all useless.

Yet the elite of the major camps and departments couldn't be drained too heavily.

So he asked all major camps near Jingdu to contribute a thousand men together.

Though called two elite troops, Qin Feng planned to form three forces—the original three hundred guards were already one of them.

Because he intended to personally travel to Bianchui in the near future.

First, to survey raw sugarcane sources; second, to contribute to the war effort; third, to learn about Beidi.

After all, to grow a business big and strong, you can't limit yourself to just Shedynasty—cross-border trade is the real path…

The Ministry of War and the Garrison Army were easy enough.

The Longhu Army and the East and West Camps were imperial guard units—they should've ignored Qin Feng entirely.

But the reality was the opposite.

Whether due to ImperialWill or some powerful patron intervening, the Longhu Army and the East and West Camps agreed readily, each sending two hundred men.

Qin Feng, however, opened his mouth as wide as a lion, insisting that each battalion send three hundred men, which would come to one thousand five hundred in total.

The remaining five hundred men were naturally to be kept in reserve for unforeseen needs.

With the manpower settled, what remained was the venue.

Xu Mo suggested simply using the Jiaochang of the City Patrol Bureau, or the Garrison Army's ShiZhen for drills.

Qin Feng refused without hesitation.

He prepared to buy a plot of land outright, to serve as the Training Ground!